American law enforcement organizations Term Paper

American law enforcement organizations - Term Paper Example Objectives together constitute the main aim of this research. All objectives need to be studied in detail in order to fulfill the aim of this study and to answer the research question. Research design will elaborate on all the methods that have been used during the course of this research. Each objective requires a slightly different research approach and thus for each objective research methods have been used accordingly. Â   Â  There are two main methods of research, primary and secondary. Generally for the research purpose researchers’ start with the secondary data which has been already collected by someone else for some other research purpose. Such data can be used again and again for different research purposes. In this case, research has been conducted mainly using the secondary data. The sources of secondary data that have been used throughout the research include internet articles, reports, books, journals and the official websites of different law enforcement organ izations. Secondary data has an advantage over the primary data collection. Primary data is collected for the first time and may contain some loopholes. In the case of secondary data collection, data has already been collected by another entity and has been used for different research purposes. This provides with a satisfaction that the data available is authentic as it is used by various people for the research purpose. Another advantage of the secondary data is the time restraint. The time period for this research.... Local or state police, federal agencies, national police force, commerce bureaus, trade agencies and criminal justice organizations are some of the law enforcement agencies that form the hub of the state’s disciplinary activities. Law enforcement organizations are like departments and need to be well managed. Poor management of these departments results in poor law enforcement and inefficiency. The world is changing every day and is creating more and more challenges. Law enforcement agencies need to cope with these challenges by remaining up to date with the managerial procedural innovations so that they do not lack on their efficiency. The study focuses on these innovations and how they help in improving the efficiency of the law enforcement organizations. The study will not just discuss about the challenges faced by the law enforcement agencies, but will also ponder over the structural features of these organizations and what causes the law enforcement agencies to fail. The managerial aspect of these agencies will be the main focus. 2. Research Question Are federal law enforcement agencies better than the national law enforcement agencies when it comes to efficiency and meeting the 21st century challenges? 3. Aim and Objectives 2.1Aim The aim of this study is to find out the three most important ways through which the law enforcement organizations can improve on their efficiency. 2.2Objectives 1) The first and foremost objective of this research is to find out the main role of the law enforcement organizations in dealing with the daily affairs of any country. 2) The second objective is to study the challenges faced by these law enforcement organizations in the 21st Century and how do these law enforcement organizations

Stock Price Essay Example for Free

Stock Price Essay 1. If you bought a share of stock, what would you expect to receive, when would you expect to receive it, and would you be certain that your expectations would be met? 2. If most investors expect the same cash flows from Companies A and B but are more confident that Company A’s cash flow will be close to their expected value, which should have the higher stock price? Explain. 3. When is a stock said to be in equilibrium? At any given time, would you guess that most stocks are in equilibrium as you defined it? Explain. 4. Suppose three completely honest individuals gave you their estimates of Stock X’s intrinsic value. One is your current girlfriend or boyfriend, the second is a professional security analyst with an excellent reputation on Wall Street, and the third is Company X’s CFO. If the three estimates differ, which one would you have the most confidence in? Why? 5. What are some actions stockholders can take to ensure that management’s and stockholders’ interest can be aligned? 6. The president of Southern Semiconductor Corporation (SSC) made this statement in the company’s annual report: â€Å"SSC’s primary goal is to increase the value of our common stockholders’ equity.† Later in the report, the following announcements were made: (a) The company is spending $500 million to open a new plant and expand operations in China. No profits will be produced by the Chinese operation for 4 years, so earnings will be depressed during this period versus what they would have been had the decision not been made to expand in the market. (b) The company holds about half of its assets in the form of U.S. Treasury bonds, and it keeps these funds available for use in emergencies. In the future, though, SSC plans to shift its emergency funds from Treasury bonds to common stocks. Discuss how SSC’s stockholders might view each of these actions, and how they might affect the stock price. 7. Edmund Enterprises recently made a large investment to upgrade its technology. While these improvements won’t have much of an effect on performance in the short run, they are expected to reduce future costs significantly. What effect will this investment have on Edmund Enterprises’ earnings per share this year? What effect might this investment have on the company’s stock price? 8. What agency relationships exist within a corporation?  9. What mechanisms exist to influence managers to act in shareholders’ best interests? 10. Should shareholders (through managers) take actions that are detrimental to bondholders? 11. What factors affect stock prices?

Bigfoot Essay -- essays research papers

Bigfoot For over a 150 years man has been troubled by one great mystery, a mystery that has baffled all who have witnessed it and all who have tried to solve it. This mystery is commonly known as Bigfoot, a tall hairy man/ape who lurks in the woods in almost every country on this planet. Some say it is just an ape, some believe it is a man in costume, and others are true believers of this hairy phenomenon. For more than a decade and a half this creature of myth has caused enormous contradictions in the field of science, bringing about one question. Does Bigfoot exist? Throughout the 150 year history of Bigfoot many concerns have raised, the most in number have been from Native Americans. The Karok Indians tell of an â€Å"upslope person† who lurks far up in the mountains (Gaffron, 22-24). Some medicine men have told stories of â€Å"snow-walkers† that haunt the Forrest depths (Short). The creatures North American habitat covers over 125,000 square miles of forest, contained in the states of Oregon, Washington, and California, constituting a large number of Native American tribes to encounter and frighten (Gaffron, 22). This phenomenon is not just a Native American one told by medicine men, and tribe leaders, Bigfoot plays an enormous role in the ancient folklore of such civilizations as, the Russians, Greeks, and Anglo-Saxons (Brunvand). These civilizations have been around for hundreds of years, and have been telling stories of Bigfoot long before any one; they hold the true key to Bigfoot’s history.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the environment changes so does the Bigfoot. The Yeti, known as the legendary man of the Himalayas, is the Bigfoot of Nepal, China, and Siberia. Numerous descriptions state the Yeti resembles a primitive humanlike being (Gaffron, 52). Four major types of Bigfoot have been recorded, each one having its own distinct differences. The Teh-Ima is 4 feet tall, being the smallest of the four and is located in lower mountain regions. The Meh-The, slightly resembling a gorilla, has a big pointed head and large square teeth, it is slightly larger than the Teh-Ima. The Duz-Teh being the third largest resembles a bear and is approximately six to eight feet tall. The largest of the group is the Bigfoot of North America weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, and over eight feet tall (Gaffron, 44-46). These Bigfeet have there own characteristics and traits, each one ad... ...the footage; if they were to attempt it, it would require a whole new system of artificial muscles and an actor who could walk like a Bigfoot (Gaffron, 72-76). In the thirty-five years since this footage was taken nothing has been able to prove the existence of Bigfoot more than it has.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For thousands of years myths of an upright man/ape have been told in dozens of cultures and for 150 years its sight has baffled science and caused irreversible controversies in its theories. Weather Bigfoot is just another branch of primates or an early form of humanity which failed to evolve; it is the duty of science to seek truth no matter how controversial the findings may be. Works Cited â€Å"Abominable Snowman.† Microsoft Encarta 2009 Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Jan Harold Brunvand: Microsoft, 2009. â€Å"California Sightings List.† Bigfoot Encounters. 19 January, 2006. Fahrenbach, W.H. â€Å"Bigfoot Biology.† Bigfoot Encounters. 19 May, 2008. Gaffron, Norma. Bigfoot: Opposing Viewpoints San Diego: Green Haven Press inc. 2007 The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. 25 October, 2009. Thomas, Roger F. â€Å"The Patterson – Gimlin Film.† BIGFOOT: Fact or fantasy? 25 June, 2008.

Adjustments to meet needs of students with ADhd

Approximately 5 % of kids suffer from AD ( H ) D ( Barkley, 2000 cited in Kutscher, 2000 ; Green and Chee, 1997 ; Selikowitz, 2009. ) However, prevalence is really higher and Susan Ashley ( 2005 ) suggests there are 6 to 9 per centum of kids with AD ( H ) D. Jo Frost ( 2010 ) in the recent telecasting programme â€Å" Extreme Parental Guidance † , states that â€Å" 1 kid in every schoolroom has AD ( H ) D. † This figure is amazing and this essay will take to look at what AD ( H ) D is and how instructors and other professionals in a school scene can do sensible accommodations for pupils with AD ( H ) D. If there is a high incidence of AD ( H ) D within the schoolrooms, it is critical as a instructor that I and other professionals are cognizant of what AD ( H ) D really is. AD ( H ) D is a mental upset that is normally first diagnosed in childhood ( Jarvis, Russell, Collis, 2009 ) and consists of the bulk of the undermentioned features being seen in either of the inattentive or overactive class. These overactive or inattentive traits are more developed than those of their equals at the same age. The symptoms are: Inattention ( six symptoms at least from this list ) Tends to do careless errors in their work Can non stay focused on a undertaking Seems to look like they are floating off when they are being spoken to straight and looks like they are non listening Can be easy distracted by other kids, objects and variables. E.g. and unfastened window in the schoolroom. Have trouble organizing undertakings Does non complete school assignment or jobs. Avoids undertakings that involve sustained attending for case prep. Loses equipment or notes required. Forgetful. The person can non retrieve what happened this forenoon but can retrieve events from 6 old ages ago Hyperactivity ( six symptoms at least ) Fidgets Leaves their place without permission in category or at inappropriate times Has problem being rather during drama Runs or ascents overly Negotiations overly Appears â€Å" on the spell † Impulsivity Interrupts Can non wait their bend Can name out the reply to a inquiry before the inquiry is to the full asked. ( adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, 2000 in Jarvis, Russell, Collis, 2009, pp57 ; Kutscher, 2000, Chadd, 2008 ; National Institute of Mental Health, 2008 ) AD ( H ) D is in two chief types as antecedently mentioned the inattentive type or the overactive and unprompted type. For the inattentive type this is usually diagnosed after the age of 7 in late primary or secondary school. Here the ratio of male childs to misss are approximately tantamount, nevertheless it is diagnosed more in male childs. The exclusive job with this type of AD ( H ) D is that it affects academic public presentation where sick persons are described as academic underperformers. There is the other signifier of AD ( H ) D which is the overactive and unprompted type which chiefly has male childs who are diagnosed with this signifier. Persons who suffer from this signifier of AD ( H ) D tend to be those who have ongoing behavior issues and can fidget and be easy distracted ( Selikowitz,2009. ) Persons can endure from a combination of both signifiers of AD ( H ) D. AD ( H ) D has been a controversial diagnosing for many old ages. Research workers are still debating over what the true cause is ; heredity or endocrine abnormalities. The media seem speedy to fault the parents and so make lay people who do non understand the construct of AD ( H ) D and province it is a â€Å" modern label for severely brought up childs † ( Jo Frost, 2010 ; Ashley,2005 ; Green and Chee, 1997 ) . In contrast the most dominant ground for AD ( H ) D is a chemical instability, this being 5-hydroxytryptamine. Serotonin affects how persons behave and with this instability will do persons to be unprompted and display anti-social behavior ( Moir and Jessel, 1997 cited in Haralambos and Holborn, 2000 ) . Haralambos and Holborn ( 2000 ) support Moir and Jessel ( 1997 ) in the thought that a effect of hormonal instabilities is that these kids will go delinquents in the close hereafter and will ensue in exclusions or interrupting the jurisprudence and being capable to a tutelary sentence. For instructors it is of import to recognize when a pupil could hold AD ( H ) D and understand how it can impact the pupil with their surveies. During this essay I will utilize illustrations from my learning experience at my current school to explicate how the school and myself makes sensible accommodations for pupils with AD ( H ) D. Schools are required to do â€Å" sensible accommodations for handicapped pupils with conditions that give rise to behaviour jobs † stated a High Court opinion in 2009 under the way of the Disability and favoritism Act. This instance was in respects to a nine twelvemonth old who had been excluded due to holding AD ( H ) D and rubing a instructor who was physically taking him from the schoolroom ( EHRC online, 2009 ) . For namelessness intents I will discourse pupils utilizing the names student A and B Student A is a twelvemonth 7 pupil ( 11 old ages old ) who was diagnosed with AD ( H ) D in twelvemonth 4 of primary school. He was expelled in twelvemonth 5 and sent to a pupil referral unit in the local country due to disengagement from his surveies and being violent and riotous in the schoolroom. He is seen to be noncompliant and obstinate with utmost unprompted inclinations. Student A show sever AD ( H ) D tendencies non usually seen at my current school with oppositional upset. Biederman, Munir and Knee ( 1987 ) conducted a survey on kids exposing AD ( H ) D features and noted that 64 % of participants displayed oppositional upset, this being pupil A is unwilling to conform and may seek to rag others on intent ( Kutscher, 2000 ) .He is described as being similar to the 7 twelvemonth old male child Regan in Jo Frost ‘s recent docudrama on AD ( H ) D kids. Student A did non sit any cardinal phase 2 scrutinies as he was out of mainstream instruction nevertheless he is gifted in Mathematics. He came to this school in September, a mainstream comprehensive with the purpose of returning to normalcy. In order to do the passage from the pupil referral unit to secondary school smooth, pupil A was placed on a reduced timetable until the October half term. Student A was accustomed to 40 minute lessons and completing at 2.30pm. Here he has 3 periods of 2 hr lessons with a 15 minute interruption in period 1 and a 30 minute tiffin in period 2. The school adjusted its lesson length from 6 1 hr lessons to 3 2 hr lessons as research has supported the thought that longer lessons cut down emphasis and anxiousness and besides do less break ( for illustration, from the motion between lessons ) ( Kutscher, 2008 ) . This school would be ideal for those enduring from AD ( H ) D who tend to endure from anxiousness upset ( 34 % of AD ( H ) D sick persons ; Kutscher, 2000 ) , as tiffins have fewer pupils due to being staggered during period 2 therefore pupils are non faced with big groups of people who can deflect or do nerve-racking state of affairss. When pupil A was on a decreased timetable he missed period 3 on a Thursday and both lessons on a Friday. This caused great deductions for the pupil as he missed his lone maths lesson and besides the practical topics of physical instruction and nutrient engineering. The pastoral support squad thought it would be best to incorporate the pupil easy into the school which has a different construction ( incorporate course of study with 14hours with the same instructor learning English and humanistic disciplines in the same lesson ) and avoiding the physical topics and maths until he had got accustomed to the environment and instructors. However, I feel that pupil A has non been able to construct the indispensable relationships with pupils and instructors every bit good as his equals strting secondary school at the same clip as evidently he has non been in my maths category and has non seen the interaction of the pupils with me or the interactions between groups of pupils within the categor y. Rob Plevin and Flinton O ‘ Reegan ( 2009 ) and cooper and O'Reegan ( 2001 ) emphasise in their research that it is indispensable instructors build a relationship with pupils who have AD ( H ) D and seek to do them experience at easiness directly off. This will seek to relieve the tenseness and create less opportunity of effusions happening. Students need to experience safe within the environment and know they are able to do errors free from ridicule. Student A and other diagnosed AD ( H ) D pupils receive societal accomplishments developing one time a hebdomad for 2 hours. This is to better relationships with equals and authorization figures. Ashley ( 2005 ) suggests that this is an effectual manner for the healer or perceiver to detect the Childs interaction with his equals when in a group puting and it is uneffective in an single scene. However, others such as Selikowitz ( 2009 ) and Green and Chee ( 1997 ) have posed statements saying that societal accomplishments developing can hold a positive consequence on the kids at the clip as they can larn how their words and behaviors affect others around them. However, one time out of this group puting with the security of the healer back uping the pupils gone, the pupils can happen it difficult to use these accomplishments to mundane state of affairss. I have observed a societal accomplishments developing session and it ended in one pupil physically assailing another. Kutscher ( 2000 ) suggests that this preparation can be good every bit good as holding little groups of AD ( H ) D pupils together in a category to larn literacy accomplishments, nevertheless, he suggests it can be damaging to hold all AD ( H ) D pupils in the same room as they can be easy distracted by others. Student B is besides a twelvemonth 7 pupil who has late began intervention for AD ( H ) D with medicine being Ritalin. Student B has other larning troubles ( 70 % of AD ( H ) D kids have a learning disablement, Kutscher 2000 ) These larning troubles are similar to other AD ( H ) D pupils within the school, these are: dysgraphia, dyslexia, and hapless sequencing accomplishments. Larry Silver ( 1999 ) cited in Kutscher ( 2000 ) argues that AD ( H ) D can be exacerbated by these larning troubles as pupils are fighting to follow and therefore go stressed. This can be seen to be true with the bulk of pupils diagnosed with AD ( H ) D within the school. To cut down anxiousness, it is of import all instructors in the school make sure they cut down instructions into little balls and measure by measure state pupil what they should be making to be successful at the undertaking. As a school policy to assist AD ( H ) D pupils every bit good as those pupils who do non hold AD ( H ) D but have specific larning troubles, instructions for undertakings are given both verbally and written ( for illustration in a PowerPoint on the board ) in little step- by- measure balls ( Terrell and Passenger, 2006 ) . Student B can go rather dying if certain modus operandis are non upheld or there has been a job in the forenoon ( for case, he has been told he can non go to the computing machine nine in the eventide ) and will stay believing about this issue. This anxiousness overflows to other pupils who become cognizant that he is dying and will seek to â€Å" weave up † the pupil, therefore ensuing in a battle. Due to his anxiousness, he was removed from lessons after the first hebdomad of twelvemonth 7 and merely returned bit by bit to his normal timetable in November. Routines are really of import for AD ( H ) D pupils, who do non react good to alter ( Green and Chee,1997 ; ATL,2002 ; selikowitz 2009 ) . Student B and A do non have much construction or modus operandis at place, school was the lone topographic point with modus operandis for these male childs. To assist the male childs have a set modus operandi in every facet of their life and cut down tensenesss Monday forenoon when they had to conform to regulations and routines the school met with the parents to discourse schemes. In this meeting a agenda was created for both male childs with times when they would wake up, times when they would acquire washed, have medicine, drama games, complete prep and so travel to bed. These modus operandis are now stuck in outstanding topographic points in their places and the pupils are much calmer on a Monday forenoon. Certain modus operandis and outlooks are indispensable in behaviour direction. For illustration, in my lesson I have set modus operandis ( who gives out the maths books, siting program, what I expect from regulations ) , nevertheless in some lessons the whole school behavior policy is non followed and the male childs find it difficult to get by and they are told they are making something incorrect but they are non having penalty. The school aims to utilize positive behavior schemes as suggested by Terrell and rider ( 2006 ) and Selikowitz ( 2009 ) to promote positive behavior. The bulk of AD ( H ) D pupils who display the overactive constituent are on wages cards which have 3 short term marks, 1 is ever an administration mark ( for case, retrieving all mathematical equipment ) and the other 2 marks could be: remain sitting unless asked to travel by a instructor, follow instructions first clip by a member of staff. Boardman et Al ( 2006 ) supports this method of honoring positive beha vior and from seeing these pupils in category I have seen the cards have a positive consequence on their school life. The school besides tries to do sensible accommodations for AD ( H ) D pupils by doing certain all staff members are educated about AD ( H ) D and how we should cover with certain behaviors and what modus operandis should be seen in the category. To do the acquisition experience uniform in outlooks, the school completes larning walks to guarantee all instructors have specific pupils for case those with AD ( H ) D seated off from distractions. All instructors must lump lessons as this helps keep engagement aids to scaffold acquisition, both cardinal elements that will assist cut down behaviour issues from AD ( H ) D pupils ( ATL, 2002 ; Green and Chee, 1997 ; ) , this will besides assist pupils who have a hapless on the job memory ( Kutscher, 2000 ) . All lessons should do usage of ocular, audile and kinesthetic procedure and should affect job work outing undertakings in the bulk of lessons. Alistair Smith ( 2010 ) at his recent Learn2Learn conference stated that it is indispensable for resiliency and job work outing accomplishments to be taught for scholars to do advancement. The manner the instruction system is come oning it will assist AD ( H ) D scholars to internalize the procedures needed to work out jobs and they will non hold a â€Å" meltdown†¦ when the demands on the kid † go excessively much from the undertaking ( Kutscher 2000, pp75 ) In my maths lesson there is a pupil who has a doodle tablet. This pad enables him to pull whilst I am explicating a construct at the board. It was suggested by The SENCO in order to cut down the distractions from others. I have found that concentration and work load has improved since he has had this doodle tablet and he is doing first-class advancement in lesson. However, during an observation, this was deemed an unsatisfactory lesson as I allowed this pupil to doodle. even though he answered my inquiries right every bit shortly as he was questioned. Even though the school does do sensible accommodations for pupils with barriers to larning such as AD ( H ) D sometimes the pupils single demands are non taken into history and it is what the lesson expressions like from the exterior that is of import ( for illustration, everyone with their caputs up focussed on what I am stating ) . This essay has highlighted the ways in which my workplace has tried to do sensible accommodations for pupils with AD ( H ) D. In fact, the school has gone above the basic recommendations and made the school environment an inclusive and welcoming environment for all pupils. Longer lessons have reduced the anxiousness and tensenesss. The unvarying attack of all staff members in their instruction has set clear outlooks in behavior and a solid modus operandi has been set with lessons holding the same format ( lumping to prosecute pupils ) . If farther research was to be conducted on the accommodations the school has made to suit AD ( H ) D pupils I would measure the choler direction Sessionss and the societal accomplishments developing to see how effectual these can be. In researching for this essay it has made me gain how antic the Additional demands section are and how much support they offer the pupils, parents and instructors. The observations of lessons has gave me an penetration into the battles AD ( H ) D pupils have to bear and it has helped me better my learning manner by including the usage of doodle tablets and wages cards for pupils to emphasis desirable behaviors.

Nike Case

Nike Case 1. Should Nike be held responsible for working conditions in foreign factories that it does not own, but where subcontractors make products for Nike? No, I do not believe Nike should be responsible for working conditions in foreign factories. I do believe that there should be working standards in place and adhered to but I do not believe that is Nike’s responsibility. Nike is a business in order to run a successful business one must abide by good business practices including respecting others beliefs and values.It would be no different than if a Nike employee another employee how to raise their kids. As long as they are abiding by the laws governed in that their own country people are free to raise their children how they please. 2. What labor standards regarding safety, working conditions, overtime, and the like, should Nike hold foreign factories to: those prevailing in that country, or those prevailing in the United States? Nike should uphold the standards prevail ing in the particular country.If there are issued regarding safety, working conditions, overtime, etc, they should be discussed through separate entities, for instance the United Nations. 3. An income of $2. 28 a day, the base pay of Nike factory workers in Indonesia, is double the daily income of about half the working population. Half of all adults in Indonesia are farmers, who receive less than $1 a day. Given this, is it correct to criticize Nike for the low pay rates of its subcontractors in Indonesia? It is not appropriate to criticize Nike for low pay rates.According to salary. gov, the average American income is 46,326. If a company from United Arab of Emirates came exports products from a store in the U. S. and paid the works 105,623 (equal to the percentage raise Nike is paying in Indonesia), Americans would be grateful. 4. Could Nike have handled the negative publicity over sweatshops better? What might it have done differently, not just from a public relations perspectiv e, but also from a policy perspective? Yes, Nike could have handled the negative publicity better.For instance Andrew Young should have brought is own interpreter into the factories. There is no way of knowing what is actually being said and the motives behind a foreign interpreter. Nike took the right steps when it mandated hours worked per week, minimum wage per governing country, and raising the child labor laws. They set emplace standards and followed up with them. When they found businesses not adhering to the regulations they increased them, and gave the business a clear definition of what the regulation mandates.I don’t think Nike could/should have done anything else. 5. Do you think Nike needs to make any changes to its current policy? If so, what? Should Nike make changes even if they hinder the ability of the company to compete in the marketplace? No, I do not believe Nike needs to make changes to its current policy. The fact that they even implanted policy shows th eir character. If Nike did make changes and couldn’t compete in the market place thousands of Americans would be upset about losing their favorite sports brand, and millions of people would be out of jobs.The failure of Nike to compete in the market place could literally mean the down turn of foreign economies. 6. Is the WRC right to argue that the FLA is a tool of industry? The WRC is correct in stating FLA is a tool of the industry. However, the businesses involved are exactly that, businesses. The FLA was an appropriate step in the right direction for the pursuit of better business practices by other countries while maintaining the best business relationship possible. Disrespect, is not only a great way to lose business, but wars are literally started over it.FLA takes the times to look at the beliefs, and values of the companies it is working with and not just â€Å"do what they feel is the right thing to do†. 7. If sweatshops are a global problem, what might be a global solution to this problem? The United Nations should handle the sweatshop issue. That way it is not just the U. S. attacking, or implementing their business structures on other countries. The United Nations is specifically designed to handle global issues. Having multiple nations give their input and suggests would be an incredibly helpful and compromising tool for employees and employers in all countries. Nike Case Corporate Finance Nike, INC: Cost of capital 1. What is the WACC and why is it important to estimate a firm’s cost of capital? Do you agree with Joanna Cohen’s WACC calculation? Why or why not? Definition of WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital): WACC is basically the average of the cost of finance (debt and equity). Since a company’s assets can be financed by debt or equity, WACC can show the averages of the costs involved in the sources of financing. These costs are then weighted by the users of the information as required in a specific situation.This shows how much both debt holders expect to pay in interest and how much return the shareholder can expect to receive, for each dollar of financing (Investopedia, ND). The calculation of the cost of capital is one of the important elements that decide the enterprise value. The value of the enterprise can significantly change when the percentage of cost of capital changes in the business model, with the cost of ca pital representing the expected return for shareholders. We disagree with Joanna’s WACC calculation for following reasons: The calculations of WACC and DCF can be effected as they are subjective by her human judgment.Even though there are no right answers to make these decisions, our team disagrees with some of the assumptions Joanna Cohen made. i. ‘Ratio of debt financing’ and ‘Ratio of equity financing’ It has to be applied the market value because current shareholders’ expected return has to be reflected. Both ratios should be calculated not by using ‘Book Value’ but ‘Market Value’. ii. Cost of Debt Cost of Debt can be calculated with the current yield publicly traded in the market, because we are projecting the future cash flows. Joanna calculated this by using historical data.However cost of debt should be calculated using current YTM of debt. iii. Cost of Equity Joanna calculated cost of debt by using following CAPM formula: Cost of Equity = 5. 74% (20 year Treasury bond) +0. 80 (Average Historic Nike beta) *5. 9% (Average premium of the market over Treasury) =10. 5% When calculating the beta, using the most current beta is better than using the average, because the current beta reflects the most recent environment of Nike stock. 2. If you do not agree with Cohen’s analysis, calculate your own WACC for Nike and be prepared to justify your assumptions. i. Ratio of debt financing’ and ‘Ratio of equity financing’ Market value of debt = 5. 4 + 855. 3 + 435. 9 = $1,296. 6million Market Value of equity= There is no information about market value of debt. We will use ‘Book Value’ $1296. 6million Market Value of equity= Share price ($42. 09) * Shares outstanding (271. 5million) =$11,427. 4million Ratio of debt financing=1,296. 6 / (1,296. 6+11,427. 4) = 10. 19% Ratio of equity financing=11,427. 4/ (1,296. 6+11,427. 4) = 89. 81% WACC=9. 81%*89. 81%+7. 168 %* ( 1-38%)*10. 19% =9. 26% ii.Cost of Debt Market value of debt should be: Current price of debt: $95. 60 Coupon rate: 6. 75%(semiannual) =coupon $3. 375 per 6month Period to maturity: 20 years =40 period Face value: $100 YTM (=cost of debt) =3. 584% (semi annual) =7. 168% (annual) iii. Cost of Equity Using CAPM formula Cost of Equity = 5. 74% (20 year Treasury bond) +0. 69 (Latest beta) *5. 9% (Average premium of the market over Treasury) =9. 81% 3. Calculate the costs of equity using CAPM and the dividend discount model. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method? * CAPM Cost of Equity = 5. 4% (20 year Treasury bond) +0. 69 (Latest beta) *5. 9% (Average premium of the market over Treasury) =9. 81% Advantage:| * CAPM considers only systematic risk, beta. It does not consider company specific risk. * It is useful to see an individual stock in entire portfolio. | Disadvantage:| * Some inputs are hard to reflect the situation of real world. * Relatively difficult to use co mpared to DDM| * DDM Share Price($42. 09) = Dividend($0. 48) / (re –Dividend Growth(5. 5%)) re(Cost of Equity) = 6. 64% Advantage:| * DDM only focuses on an individual stock rather than a portfolio. Always use, when calculating stock price. * Relatively easy to use compared to CAPM. | Disadvantage:| * Results are very sensitive to change when assumptions are inputted| 4. What should Kimi Ford recommend regarding an investment in Nike? RECOMMENDATION: should buy NIKE stock. NIKE stock price should be $58. 22 under the condition WACC, 9. 26%. Currently Nike stock is $42. 09. Now Nike stock is under value by $58. 22 – $42. 09 = $16. 13 per share. Works Referenced Investopedia, ND. M&A, Preferred Shares, Investopedia. [Online] Available at: http://www. investopedia. com/terms/w/wacc. asp [Accessed 1 April 2013].

Free Essays on Comparing The Two Stories ‘The Adventures Of The Speckled Band’ And ‘The Lamb To The Slaughter’

Comparing the two stories ‘The Adventures of the Speckled Band’ and ‘The Lamb to the Slaughter’ Within this essay I will be comparing and contrasting the two detective stories ‘The Adventures of the Speckled Band’ and ‘The Lamb to the Slaughter’, referring to the structure, language and characterisation. ‘The speckled band’ was written in 1892 by Sir Arthur Doyle, he was qualified as a doctor which gave him a medical perspective for all his stories. ‘The lamb to the slaughter’ was written in 1952 by Roald Dahl most famous for writing children’s stories although he did write adult material such as the book ‘The lamb to the slaughter featured in ‘The tales of the unexpected’. Detective stories mainly base themselves around solving murder cases; the reader is taken on a journey to find who is guilty and their motive which is normally along the lines of greed, loneliness and hatred. ‘The speckled band’ is written in 1st person and the story is narrated by Dr Watson, Sherlock’s partner and dear friend. The story begins with Dr Watson looking over his old notes and introducing us to his views and feelings on Sherlock Holmes and his amazing talent for solving murder mysteries. We are taken back eight years to a case they solved. They were visited by a lady called Helen Stoner who explained her story from the moment her mother died to the most recent events. From there the story is slowly built up until the climax at the end when the case is solved. Conan Doyle is able to engage the reader by the affect of drama and atmosphere using short staccato sentences to convey excitement, movement and speed. Dynamic verbs such as ‘rush’ and ‘groping’ emphasises this. He is able to make the reader want to carry on by uncovering each clue one by one putting together the puzzle. The further you read the more clues you will get until you have the full picture. The story ends with the uncovering of the who... Free Essays on Comparing The Two Stories ‘The Adventures Of The Speckled Band’ And ‘The Lamb To The Slaughter’ Free Essays on Comparing The Two Stories ‘The Adventures Of The Speckled Band’ And ‘The Lamb To The Slaughter’ Comparing the two stories ‘The Adventures of the Speckled Band’ and ‘The Lamb to the Slaughter’ Within this essay I will be comparing and contrasting the two detective stories ‘The Adventures of the Speckled Band’ and ‘The Lamb to the Slaughter’, referring to the structure, language and characterisation. ‘The speckled band’ was written in 1892 by Sir Arthur Doyle, he was qualified as a doctor which gave him a medical perspective for all his stories. ‘The lamb to the slaughter’ was written in 1952 by Roald Dahl most famous for writing children’s stories although he did write adult material such as the book ‘The lamb to the slaughter featured in ‘The tales of the unexpected’. Detective stories mainly base themselves around solving murder cases; the reader is taken on a journey to find who is guilty and their motive which is normally along the lines of greed, loneliness and hatred. ‘The speckled band’ is written in 1st person and the story is narrated by Dr Watson, Sherlock’s partner and dear friend. The story begins with Dr Watson looking over his old notes and introducing us to his views and feelings on Sherlock Holmes and his amazing talent for solving murder mysteries. We are taken back eight years to a case they solved. They were visited by a lady called Helen Stoner who explained her story from the moment her mother died to the most recent events. From there the story is slowly built up until the climax at the end when the case is solved. Conan Doyle is able to engage the reader by the affect of drama and atmosphere using short staccato sentences to convey excitement, movement and speed. Dynamic verbs such as ‘rush’ and ‘groping’ emphasises this. He is able to make the reader want to carry on by uncovering each clue one by one putting together the puzzle. The further you read the more clues you will get until you have the full picture. The story ends with the uncovering of the who...

Confidence Interval for a Population Proportion

Confidence Interval for a Population Proportion Confidence intervals can be used to estimate several population parameters. One type of parameter that can be estimated using inferential statistics is a population proportion. For example, we may want to know the percentage of the U.S. population who supports a particular piece of legislation. For this type of question, we need to find a confidence interval. In this article, we will see how to construct a confidence interval for a population proportion, and examine some of the theory behind this. Overall Framework We begin by looking at the big picture before we get into the specifics. The type of confidence interval that we will consider is of the following form: Estimate /- Margin of Error This means that there are two numbers that we will need to determine. These values are an estimate for the desired parameter, along with the margin of error. Conditions Before conducting any statistical test or procedure, it is important to make sure that all of the conditions are met. For a confidence interval for a population proportion, we need to make sure that the following hold: We have a simple random sample of size n from a large populationOur individuals have been chosen independently of one another.There are at least 15 successes and 15 failures in our sample. If the last item is not satisfied, then it may be possible to adjust our sample slightly and to use a plus-four confidence interval. In what follows, we will assume that all of the above conditions have been met. Sample and Population Proportions We start with the estimate for our population proportion. Just as we use a sample mean to estimate a population mean, we use a sample proportion to estimate a population proportion. The population proportion is an unknown parameter. The sample proportion is a statistic. This statistic is found by counting the number of successes in our sample and then dividing by the total number of individuals in the sample. The population proportion is denoted by p and is self-explanatory. The notation for the sample proportion is a little more involved. We denote a sample proportion as pÌ‚, and we read this symbol as p-hat because it looks like the letter p with a hat on top. This becomes the first part of our confidence interval. The estimate of p is pÌ‚. Sampling Distribution of Sample Proportion To determine the formula for the margin of error, we need to think about the sampling distribution of pÌ‚. We will need to know the mean, the standard deviation, and the particular distribution that we are working with. The sampling distribution of  pÌ‚ is a binomial distribution with probability of success p and n trials. This type of random variable has a mean of p and standard deviation of (p(1 - p)/n)0.5. There are two problems with this. The first problem is that a binomial distribution can be very tricky to work with. The presence of factorials can lead to some very large numbers. This is where the conditions help us. As long as our conditions are met, we can estimate the binomial distribution with the standard normal distribution. The second problem is that the standard deviation of  pÌ‚ uses p in its definition. The unknown population parameter is to be estimated by using that very same parameter as a margin of error. This circular reasoning is a problem that needs to be fixed. The way out of this conundrum is to replace the standard deviation with its standard error. Standard errors are based upon statistics, not parameters. A standard error is used to estimate a standard deviation.  What makes this strategy worthwhile is that we no longer need to know the value of the parameter p. Formula To use the standard error, we replace the unknown parameter p with the statistic pÌ‚. The result is the following formula for a confidence interval for a population proportion: pÌ‚ /- z* (pÌ‚(1 - pÌ‚)/n)0.5. Here the value of z* is determined by our level of confidence C.  For the standard normal distribution, exactly C percent of the standard normal distribution is between -z* and z*.  Common values for z* include 1.645 for 90% confidence and 1.96 for 95% confidence. Example Lets see how this method works with an example.  Suppose that we wish to know with 95% confidence the percent of the electorate in a county that identifies itself as Democratic.  We conduct a simple random sample of 100 people in this  county and find that 64 of them identify as a Democrat. We see that all of the conditions are met.  The estimate of our population proportion is 64/100 0.64.  This is the value of the sample proportion pÌ‚, and it is the center of our confidence interval. The margin of error is comprised of two pieces.  The first is z*.  As we said, for 95% confidence, the value of z* 1.96. The other part of the margin of error is given by the formula (pÌ‚(1 - pÌ‚)/n)0.5.  We set pÌ‚ 0.64 and calculate the standard error to be (0.64(0.36)/100)0.5 0.048. We multiply these two numbers together and obtain a margin of error of 0.09408.  The end result is: 0.64 /- 0.09408, or we can rewrite this as 54.592% to 73.408%.  Thus we are 95% confident that the true population proportion of Democrats is somewhere in the range of these percentages.  This means that in the long run, our technique and formula will capture the population proportion of 95% of the time. Related Ideas There are a number of ideas and topics that are connected to this type of confidence interval.  For instance, we could conduct a hypothesis test pertaining to the value of the population proportion.  We could also compare two proportions from two different populations.

The Flowering Chanticleer Callery Pear Tree

The Flowering Chanticleer Callery Pear Tree The Chanticleer Callery Pear was selected as the Urban Tree of the Year in 2005 by trade arborist magazine City Trees  for its unique combination of resistance to blight and limb breakage, bright foliage, and great form. Compared to some of the pears relatives like the commonly planted Bradford pear tree, the Chanticleer Pears limb strength and strong branching make for a more reliable urban plant as its unlikely to require city maintenance like limb clean-up or installing reinforcing poles to keep the trees from breaking.  The tree also produces small white flowers in the spring, and its leaves turn a rich, plum color tinged with claret in the fall, making it a popular  fall foliage  plant. The Chanticleer Pear was first discovered during the 1950s on the streets in Cleveland, Ohio, and noted for its desirable characteristics. The tree was commercially introduced in 1965 by the famous Scanlon Nursery, which first called it the Chanticleer Pear. It has until recently been one of the most recommended trees suggested by municipal arborists.   The Flowering Pear Pyrusis is the botanical name for all pears, most of which are valued for their blossoms and delicious fruits and cultivated commercially throughout much of the U.S. and Canada; however, Callery Flowering Pears do not, however, produce an edible fruit.   Pears can be grown throughout the temperate regions where winters are not too severe and there is adequate moisture, but pears do not survive where temperatures fall lower than 20 F below zero (-28 C). In the warm and humid southern states, planting a pear should be limited to blight-resistant varieties such as many of the Callery Pear varieties. The variety named Chanticleer is a mostly ornamental tree that reaches a height ranging from 30 to 50 feet that can withstand pollution and be grown along roads due to their ability to process higher levels of car exhaust. In the spring, clusters of 1-inch white flowers cover the tree, and pea-sized, inedible fruits follow the flowers; in the fall,  the leaves of this tree turn shiny dark red to scarlet. Unique Features of Chanticleer Pear Trees Mark Burstyn/Getty Images The Chanticleer Pear is an upright-pyramidal tree that is much narrower than other ornamental pears, making it a valuable addition to landscapes where lateral space to spread is limited. It has attractive flowers, foliage, and fall color, and the bark is at first smooth with numerous lenticels, light brown to reddish-brown, then later turning grayish brown with shallow furrows. The Chanticleer Pear is less susceptible to early freezes than other pears, very adaptable to many different soils, and resistant to fireblight, and tolerates drought, heat, cold, and pollution, though it cannot survive in dry, waterlogged, or alkaline soil. Chanticleers should be grown in a location with full sun exposure and do require pruning and trimming in the winter or early spring for optimal growth. Because of its shape and branching structure, the crown is less prone to branch breakage with heavy winter snow.   Arthur Plotnik, in The Urban Tree Book, suggests the Chanticleer cultivar is one of the most promising...it is disease resistant, exceptionally cold-hardy, heavily flowered, and richly colored in autumn; reportedly, it even offers a few bonus flowers in fall. The Pear's Downside Some cultivars of the Callery Pear, usually the newer varieties, have the ability to grow fruit that produces viable seed. However, there are many states that are now dealing with non-native species invading their environments. According to Invasives Invasive and Exotic Trees list, states now dealing with escaped invasive pears include Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Many cultivars are generally unable to produce fertile seeds when self-pollinated or cross-pollinated with another tree of the same cultivar. However, if different cultivars of Callery Pears are grown within insect-pollination distance, about 300  feet, they can produce fertile seeds that can sprout and establish wherever they are dispersed. Another primary concern for this variety of pear tree is that Callery Pears in full bloom produce an undesirable odor. Horticulturist Dr. Michael Durr calls the smell malodorous but gives the tree high marks for beauty in landscape design.

Retail management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Retail management - Research Paper Example The proponent of the concept allege that driving to work is a result of poor city planning owing to the cost and environmental implications of the practice. As a social concept, neotraditionalism influences enhances social interaction as people ride in buses or walk to work instead of driving themselves in private cars. In New York for example, the number of people walking or riding bicycles to work is still low but the trend has taken effect in most of the European countries and is slowing infiltrating the American society. Most people in the city prefer riding in buses or trains to work both of which are features of the concept. At least three of every five American uses a public means of transport to work. One in every of the five either walks or rides a bicycle to work while the remaining one in every five American drives to work. The statistical representation implies that whether knowingly or unknowingly, the American population exhibits features that portray their preference of the features of neotraditionaalism. The use of public transport either to or from work implies that human population within the city is predictable at various times of the day. Such times are either evening or mornings when the people rush either to or from work. Walking or riding on bicycles to work on the other hand depends on the distance to an individual’s office. When purchasing a residential property, most urban residents consider the distance to their places of work. This results in most people preferring flats closer to their offices in order to enable the either walk or cycle to work. Walking or cycling is a lifestyle feature that encourages healthy living thus the increasing demand to such features. Furthermore, a closer proximity to the place of work is a cost effective way of accessing the lace of work owing to the minimal cost implications. Observing such a pattern should

Virtual stock exchange presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Virtual stock exchange presentation - Essay Example The key to selling short in any way, shape, or form is to know when to buy into the market. In order to design and implement a strategy at the beginning of the semester, what will had to be taken into account was doing charting of what the market would look like in the semester ahead. Imagining we were able to tell the future, we could plot out when would be the best time to buy property based on the fact if the market was running high or low. If the market was running especially low, it would probably be a good time to buy in. One wants to buy in for a period of 18 months where it is mostly going to be seen as being low. This increases the chances that we, as the investor, would most likely be able to pick up a lot of properties using the $10,000,000-dollar cushion. It’s very possible that one will buy in at the right moment. After all, in this case the right moment has already practically been delineated for us. So, let us say that perhaps one buys in at the right moment. Th e next step is to amass as much property as possible while the values are still low. The same principle which holds true for selling stock on the stock market also holds true for real estate. Buy low, sell high. Now, the reason that companies not doing so well is good for other types of businesses is simple. When stock values are low, it is a good time to buy into those stocks because when stock prices rise, they will be worth more in value. Similarly, if one buys a lot of properties, but perhaps let us say that they are not particularly worth much at the time they are bought—it is untowardly possible, albeit untowardly, that the properties bought may escalate in value. When and if that happens, the investor seeks to make a profit. While values are low in stocks and in real estate, this is the investor’s dream. According to the article â€Å"Short Selling Stocks† (2010), â€Å"[One] can buy stocks and real estate relatively cheaply, since many people are in a b ad state of affairs financially, [and] will later reap the financial rewards of having taken advantage of the low prices. Investors will short stocks when [prices decline]† (pp. 1). One of the stocks which I should have made more money on was DreamWorks Animation. But, since I bought into the stock when it was at a high point, I made a mistake. According to Garcia (2011), â€Å"While the animated feature [â€Å"How To Train Your Dragon†] did capture the number one box office spot, ticket sales were below projections negatively impacting stock value†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦making [DreamWorks] lose about 9.2% of its stock value (pghs. 1, 4). Now, in the stock market, many times you may have heard buy low, sell high. So buying too high was my first mistake. Hopefully DWA stock will go up with the advent of the new Kung Fu Panda movie. I chose certain stocks for a reason at the beginning of the semester. My main four choices were DWA and NPSP (a pharmaceutical company), along with NF LX and HQP. I thought DreamWorks Animation would naturally do well because of its many hits at the movie box offices, and I thought the pharmaceutical company NPSP—NPS Pharmaceuticals—would do really well because of the fact that prescription drugs cost so much and are making these pharmaceutical companies millions. NFLX is Netflix, the company that has a mail-in DVD movie system, which I thought might be wildly popular due to the slow and timely death of Blockbuster. Health Quality Partners, or HQP, was a stock I thought would do well due to the

An Analysis of The McDonaldization of Society by George Ritzer Essay

An Analysis of The McDonaldization of Society by George Ritzer - Essay Example In today's' complicated and ever changing society, we often try to achieve a sense easier is by implementing a function now known as "McDonaldization", which Ritzer describes in various ways. For instance Ritzer states that the concept of McDonaldization is defined as "the process by which the principles of the fast food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world." The success of McDonalds, and of McDonaldization as a whole, is due to four basic factors--efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. carry their own food, and throw out the garbage. This is not as efficient for the consumer, but it saves time for the workers. Education, health care, and the work place are all becoming McDonaldalized in order to become more efficient. Efficiency in McDonaldization has streamlined many processes, simplified goods and services, and forces the consumer to do work as well. Ritzer continues these ideas in marshalling the abundance of evidence which makes this trend very compelling. Using many examples from such disparate social institutions as family life, higher education, the funeral business, health care, and entertainment, Ritzer illuminates the broader trends within the "taken for granted" daily routines of life. He does so with a keen sociological eye, but also with a very wry sense of irreverence that adds a sarcastic touch of humor to the expose.The fast-food model, according to Ritzer, has a manner of pushing us towards ever greater reliance on the fostering of quantity over quality, attainment of efficiency, creation of predictability, and reducing much of our life experience to a coldly calculated "value." As one reads further and takes in the diverse landscape of specific illustrations for these trends, one begins to see the "McDonaldized" influence everywhere. Then too, one will also grasp why so many of us are complaining about the demise of free time in our lives, and how we have become unwitting captives of mindless inertia of "I want it fast, I want it now, I want what's next" mentalities. Just another issue and dimension of

Organizational Design, Culture, and Adaptation (CASE) Module 2 Essay

Organizational Design, Culture, and Adaptation (CASE) Module 2 - Essay Example The CARE program was created in 2005 by Martha Holden. The program was created at the Cornell University Family Life Development Center (CUFLDC). The program was tested and adapted by the Waterford Country School. The structure and model of the program can be compared to the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model of 1994 also adapted from CUFLDC. The core focus of the program is to improve organizational support and leadership competencies. Additionally, the program aims at enhancing consistency within and across the care staff with relation to how they respond to, react to, and think about the needs of the children within their care setting. The program is created upon the theory of change which states that staff is viable in handling children issues if it’s able to improve its understanding about child development issues caused by trauma. The implementation of the CARE program will resolve the issues mentioned in question one through (1) creating room for children to relate and connect with their surrounding better – e.g. creating attachments with parents, (2) building skills and reliability in children both at home at within the care setting, (3) focusing on the issues that affect the development of children based on their trauma history, (4) creating teamwork between care providers and children’s families in care and treatment provision, and (5) creating more opportunities in the provision of child care within the environment. The resolution of these issues shows that the program aims at drawing all stakeholders of a child’s life close together for the benefit of the child. For instance, a child traumatic history can be a result of family issues that a care provider may not be able to understand fully from the child’s behavior or anti-social tendencies (Holden, 2009). If I were the program manager for the CARE program, one among the highly regarded competencies of

Patirnt's Privacy & Public trust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Patirnt's Privacy & Public trust - Essay Example Patient's Medical File’s Privacy Berle, I. (2011). Privacy and Confidentiality: What is the Difference. Journal Of Visual Communication In Medicine, 34(1), 43-44. doi:10.3109/17453054.2011.550845 Privacy and confidentiality are paramount in ensuring a good doctor-patient relationship. Berle notes the distinction between the two in the medical context that governs that relationship. He clarifies two misconceptions between privacy and confidentiality and their considerations, under the Human Rights Act. This article, however, misses more precise ideas. The article requires empowerment by providing related and serious issues of privacy and confidentiality. However, I found this citation as a good source for my research. The difference between privacy and confidentiality, according to Belle, is to raise awareness and restate the concepts of responsible rules to protect patients and providers to the right processing. Other than doctor’s nurses too are responsible for ensurin g patient confidentiality. Mcgowan, C. (2012). Patients' Confidentiality. Critical Care Nurse, 32(5), 61-65. doi:10.4037/ccn2012135 Nurses, under law, serve as key parties in ensuring that patient information remains confidential and only authorized personnel receive access to it. As a working nurse, Mcgowan bases the article on her practical experince in the hospital medical service at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts. She points out the main rules and polices that nurses follow during their duties to protect the privacy of the patients. She notes the conflict that arises when family members and friends request for patient information from the nurses. The article however concludes by clearing the air and giving a list of health care providers and other parties authorized to share the patient's information. Nevertheless, confidentiality has limits; and certain circumstances necessitate the breach of this confidentiality. Sankar, P., Mora, S., Jones, N. L.,& Merz, J. F., (2 003), Patient Perspectives of Medical Perspectives, Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18(8), 659-669, Doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003 Patient confidentiality is a vital aspect in medical healthcare. As a result, the perspective of patients in understanding this is necessary. This article explores the way patients view doctor-patient confidentiality. Findings show that many patients are unaware about the details concerning the nondisclosure laws of patient information by medical professionals. As a result, many patients overestimate or underestimate the ethical laws protecting them from unauthorized disclosure. There is a deep need for patients to learn about their ethical rights regarding confidentiality. In addition, the paper cites that public education ought to teach patients on the limitations of such laws and the circumstances under which this confidentiality agreement fails to hold. Reports on the paper also explain the effect of the patient’s perception on confidentia lity on seeking medical help. Several patients report that fear of disclosure of their medical records leads to their lack of seeking medical attention. Confidentiality and Its Limits (2011) Hastings Center Report, 41(6), 12 To guarantee the welfare of a patient, medical personnel at times breach the confidentiality of patient data. The article elaborates circumstances that necessitate the breaching of the non-disclosure contract, and the impact such actions hold on public trust on health systems.

Demonstrate how you would plan the development of a corporate Assignment

Demonstrate how you would plan the development of a corporate communications strategy - Assignment Example Further, the main purpose of devising a corporate communication strategy is to deliver the company’s message to internal and the external audience (Steyn, 2000). Prior to defining the objectives of the company’s corporate communication strategy, it is essential to critically analyse the company’s profile and current organizational achievements. For this purpose SWOT analysis may be performed, to understand company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and the future targets of the company. Moreover, a PEST analysis must also be performed to grab an overview of the environment in which the company plans to survive and succeed (Cornelissen, 2014). The first and the foremost objective of the communication strategy is to devise a message that it wants to deliver to its audience. The audience is divided into two groups that are internal audience and the external audience. The sole purpose of devising a corporate communication strategy for a company is to pave the way for the flow of information. As suggested earlier, there are two groups of audiences that are dealt by the company, and they are the internal audience and the external audience (Steyn, 2004). The internal audience include employees, investors, partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders. The external audience include governmental and nongovernmental organisations, general public, and other private companies. Communication with the internal audience is carried out at two steps (Steyn, 2012). The first step is of informing and developing knowledge and skills among the members of the organisation. The second step includes convincing the investors, bargaining with the suppliers, and satisfying the stakeholders of the company. For this purpose, one could suggest regular surveys at an organizational level, and periodical reports of the company’s performance over six or twelve months. Fu rther, the company may acquire the help of business consultants to evaluate its

Patirnt's Privacy & Public trust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Patirnt's Privacy & Public trust - Essay Example Patient's Medical File’s Privacy Berle, I. (2011). Privacy and Confidentiality: What is the Difference. Journal Of Visual Communication In Medicine, 34(1), 43-44. doi:10.3109/17453054.2011.550845 Privacy and confidentiality are paramount in ensuring a good doctor-patient relationship. Berle notes the distinction between the two in the medical context that governs that relationship. He clarifies two misconceptions between privacy and confidentiality and their considerations, under the Human Rights Act. This article, however, misses more precise ideas. The article requires empowerment by providing related and serious issues of privacy and confidentiality. However, I found this citation as a good source for my research. The difference between privacy and confidentiality, according to Belle, is to raise awareness and restate the concepts of responsible rules to protect patients and providers to the right processing. Other than doctor’s nurses too are responsible for ensurin g patient confidentiality. Mcgowan, C. (2012). Patients' Confidentiality. Critical Care Nurse, 32(5), 61-65. doi:10.4037/ccn2012135 Nurses, under law, serve as key parties in ensuring that patient information remains confidential and only authorized personnel receive access to it. As a working nurse, Mcgowan bases the article on her practical experince in the hospital medical service at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts. She points out the main rules and polices that nurses follow during their duties to protect the privacy of the patients. She notes the conflict that arises when family members and friends request for patient information from the nurses. The article however concludes by clearing the air and giving a list of health care providers and other parties authorized to share the patient's information. Nevertheless, confidentiality has limits; and certain circumstances necessitate the breach of this confidentiality. Sankar, P., Mora, S., Jones, N. L.,& Merz, J. F., (2 003), Patient Perspectives of Medical Perspectives, Journal of General Internal Medicine, 18(8), 659-669, Doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003 Patient confidentiality is a vital aspect in medical healthcare. As a result, the perspective of patients in understanding this is necessary. This article explores the way patients view doctor-patient confidentiality. Findings show that many patients are unaware about the details concerning the nondisclosure laws of patient information by medical professionals. As a result, many patients overestimate or underestimate the ethical laws protecting them from unauthorized disclosure. There is a deep need for patients to learn about their ethical rights regarding confidentiality. In addition, the paper cites that public education ought to teach patients on the limitations of such laws and the circumstances under which this confidentiality agreement fails to hold. Reports on the paper also explain the effect of the patient’s perception on confidentia lity on seeking medical help. Several patients report that fear of disclosure of their medical records leads to their lack of seeking medical attention. Confidentiality and Its Limits (2011) Hastings Center Report, 41(6), 12 To guarantee the welfare of a patient, medical personnel at times breach the confidentiality of patient data. The article elaborates circumstances that necessitate the breaching of the non-disclosure contract, and the impact such actions hold on public trust on health systems.

The Role That Financial Intermediaries Play Essay

The Role That Financial Intermediaries Play - Essay Example The incentive in the form of their commission is earned in return for their intermediation services and at times providing support and help to both the parties. â€Å"Financial intermediaries, serve as the "go between" between lenders and borrowers. The difference between what they earn and pay is their reward for intermediation. A complex financial system comprises both financial markets and financial intermediaries. We distinguish financial intermediaries according to whether they issue complete contingent contracts or incomplete contracts. Intermediaries such as banks that issue incomplete contracts, demand deposits, are subject to runs, but this does not imply a market failure. With regard to the Central Bank, the central bank can easily regulate and delegate its duties to these financial intermediaries who are directly in touch with the final users of finances as well as the providers and suppliers of funds in the economy. If the circulation of currency notes is considered, the se intermediaries can act as consolidators of old notes and disburse the new notes to their customers and depositors. In this way, the central bank can do away with its duty to circulate them itself. Similarly, various policies and controls can be designed by the central banks which are to be put in practice by these intermediaries. The financial intermediaries play a vital role in regulating and managing financial resources of a financial system. The central banks and the reserve bank can put their policies into practice in a more efficient way.

Obesity in Black American Women Essay Example for Free

Obesity in Black American Women Essay Culture, Biology and Lifestyle Cause Forty Nine Percent of Black American Women to be Obese Abstract. Obesity is a major factor in health today. Certain ethnic groups and genders suffer from obesity more than others. Around 49% of all Black American women are classified obese today. There are many reasons for this. But the three the Black American women are susceptible to are culture, lifestyle and biology. Forty nine percent of Black American women are obese. This is an over representation compared to 38% of Latina women and 33% of non-Hispanic white women. (Phelan, Johnson, Wesley). Many factors determine a person’s weight and health status. Economics, lifestyle, diet, culture, biology and society all affect a person’s body size and composition. Culture, biology and lifestyle have the largest impact on why Black American women are obese. Health, economic and societal implications of obesity are overwhelming and affect every person in this country. The medical community defines obesity as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is simply a comparison of weight to height. The actual formula is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. A BMI of greater than 25 but less than 30 is considered overweight and a BMI of greater than 40 is considered morbidly obese. BMI is a comparison of weight to height, not fat to height. BMI is a useful tool for most of the population, but does not work well for heavily muscled people, such as body builders. Fat is damaging to health. Muscle is not. The general population knows that obesity causes diabetes and heart problems. But obesity is much more severe than that. Obesity causes health problems that many find eye opening. Obesity causes hardening of the arteries, increased cholesterol and cardiac failure. In addition to damaging the heart and arteries obesity causes cancer. Twenty percent of all cancer related deaths in women are attributed to obesity (Dixon). Fifty percent of all Type II diabetes patients are obese. (Dixon). Obesity is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease (Kogiso, Moriyoshi and Nagahara). Obesity causes many more not so well known, but still very concerning health issues. Thirty one percent of all arthritis patients are obese. (Dixon). Sixty three percent of women who suffer from osteoarthritis are obese (Dixon). Obese women show a 37% increased risk of depression (Stunkard). Obesity can cause infertility and pregnancy complications (Phelan, Edelman). It even can reduce the effectiveness of birth control. Obese people are three times more apt to suffer from sleep apnea (Visscher, Seidell). And for the real shocker, 300,000 deaths per year in the United States alone are attributed to obesity! Obesity is only second to smoking in preventable deaths per year in the US. (Visscher, Seidell). The reasons nearly half of all Black women in the US are obese are complex and many. We can point our finger at economics, lifestyle, society, biology, diet, culture. Culture, lifestyle and biology are the primary reasons 49% of Black women in the US are obese. Studies have shown that culture can have a profound effect on body size. Several studies have found that the Black American population has a preference for larger body size (Johnson). Portia Johnson, in her article, Scholarly Perspectives on Obesity in Black American Women, references a 2002 study that shows that African American men prefer African American women with a larger body size. The same author also cites a 2006 study that shows that African American women â€Å"describe a model of health that speaks to the Black womens cultural belief that a larger body size is ideal† (Johnson). African women also have a preference for larger bodies. A 2006 study on ethnic Zulus, Zulu migrants to London, and Anglo Londoners show a preference for larger body size by the Zulu migrants and the ethnic Zulus (Brewis 88). Each participant in were shown gray scale images of women of known BMI. The participants were asked to choose which image represented the most healthy and attractive body. The Anglo Londoners chose a BMI size of 20, the ethnic Zulus chose BMI 26 and the migrant Zulus chose a BMI of 24. Dr. James Kirby and colleagues made the interesting discovery that simply living in a community with 25% or more non-Hispanic blacks increases ones propensity of being overweight (Kirby et al). Similarly Dr. Kirby discovered that living in a community of 25% or more Asians decreases a person’s propensity of being overweight (Kirby et al). Kirby surmises this is due to the availability of healthy food, parks, sidewalks and recreation facilities in each community. Kirby found that a predominance of black Americans live in communities with fewer recreational facilities, gyms, parks and fewer choices of healthy food than other ethnicities. The same study also found more fast food restaurants and convenience food stores in predominately black and Hispanic American communities. Perhaps the most convincing evidence is in the words of African American women. In her article ‘Voices from the Inside: African American Womens Perspectives on Healthy Lifestyles’ Jill Rowe interviewed African American women on healthy lifestyles and food choices. One woman explains eating in African American culture as: It’s almost like every person in my family has something they cook real good and I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. When you go to your mama’s house, I’ve always gone to the refrigerator. That’s how African Americans show their love. From the birthday parties, to when you have company. My family, when we’re happy we eat. When we’re sad, we eat. We eat when we’re married, we eat when we’re born, we eat when we die. It’s always, who’s bringing the fried chicken and pound cake. (Rowe) Culture can significantly affect a person’s weight. But we should also be aware that biology can affect weight too. Researchers have found that Black American women have a lower Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). RMR is the rate at which energy (calories) are metabolized to keep organs functioning at rest. Black American women have a lower RMR than white or Hispanic women. This means they burn fewer calories throughout the day and function more efficiently than white Americans making it harder to lose weight (Johnson). A 1996 study found that the Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) of black American women was lower than for Caucasian American women. The researchers measured the REE of each participant and found that the Black women had a REE of 1790 calories per day at rest, while the Caucasian women had an REE of 1949 calories per day at rest. Simply put this means that Caucasian women burn, on average, 250 more calories per day at rest than Black American women do. This makes it harder for black women to lose weight (Johnson). Researchers have also discovered that Black Americans have an over expression of fatty acid transport protein. This means that more fat is delivered to fat storage cells making it easier for Black Americans to store fat than white Americans (Barakat). Researchers have measured and found more upper body fat in Black Women compared to white women. A larger below the skin level (subcutaneous) fat level was found in Black Women as compared to white American women (Conway). Diet and exercise are part of a persons’ lifestyle and both have a significant impact on weight and health. Several studies have proven that Black Americans eat more sweetened foods as compared to European Americans. Portia Johnson and colleagues cite a 2000 study on preference for sweet food amongst African Americans and European Americans. The study offered taste tests to each ethnic group and compared how each group responded to sweets. The researchers discovered that Black Americans ate more of the sweetened foods offered at various intervals during a taste test (Johnson). They conclude that African Americans could be using a sweetened food to compensate for greater perceived stress causing greater weight gain and obesity. Angelia Paschal and colleagues examined the results of a study on self-reported diet and exercise habits of African American men and women. They found that 55-75% of the women in their study rarely exercise. They also found that 76% of all participants did not eat the minimum daily requirements for fruit and less than half met the minimum requirements for vegetables. Not surprisingly this study reports that 62% of participants were diagnosed with hypertension and 14% were diagnosed with elevated blood sugar levels and/or diabetes (Paschal et al). A study that compared fitness of Latina American women to Black American women found similar results. â€Å"More than one-half of the women reported engaging in no regular physical activity. However, the substantial variability in the number of minutes exercised per week points to the need to investigate methods to enhance the duration of physical activity. † (Sanchez-Johnsen et al). Genesis, a church based health and fitness program aimed at Black Americans, found that many of the participants did not correlate obesity with poor health. The participants in Genesis completed a self-reported survey where only 16% indicated they were obese, but when clinically measured 87% were found to be overweight or obese. This indicates that participants failed to connect excess weight with medical risk, possibly due to cultural conditioning, personal denial or not associating body weight with health risk (Cowart et al). It is not all gloom and doom for women of color in the US. Culture, biology and lifestyle are all things that can be changed or at least worked with to lose weight and gain fitness. There are several programs in this country aimed at overall fitness for Black American women. The Genesis program has worked with black Americans through churches and found this combination very successful. Genesis provided health and diet education, exercise prescriptions and a motivation partner. Some of their successes include a 71% less soda consumption, fried meat consumption was reduced from 91% to 55%. The percent of respondents reporting no exercise at all went from 45% at the start of the program to 27% on the post pilot survey (Cowart et al). Just as diet, lifestyle and culture can be changed so can biology. Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) can be raised by obtaining a leaner body mass as muscle is more active than fat. Withers and colleagues have proved this with a study conducted on 49-70 year old women. Their study has found that aerobic training in older women increases RMR. They compared active women to non-active women and found that the active women had a significantly higher RMR. Having a body composition of more lean mass to fat mass greatly has â€Å"implications for increased independence and improved quality of life. † (Withers et al). Black American women have special challenges and considerations in weight loss and fitness. They face a culture that encourages eating and appreciates large body size, a more efficient metabolic system that uses fewer calories at rest, a propensity for their bodies to store fat, and a lifestyle that makes diet and exercise difficult. Yet knowing these challenges is half the battle. With knowledge, the support of the community and their family, and commitment they can overcome these challenges and reach a goal of lifetime fitness and health. Works Cited Barakat, HA. â€Å"Obesity; Overexpression of Fatty Acid Transport Proteins May Contribute to Obesity in Black Women. † Science Letter. 7 Feb 2006. 1218. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Brewis, Alexandra. Obesity Cultural and Biocultural Perspectives. New Brunswick. Rutgers University Press. (2011). Print. Conway, Joan. â€Å"Ethnicity and Energy Stores†. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 62. 5. Nov 1995. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Cowart, Luvenia. et al. â€Å"Designing and Pilot-Testing a Church-Based Community Program to Reduce Obesity among African Americans. † ABNF Journal. 21. 1. (2010). 4-10. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Dixon, John. â€Å"The Effect of Obesity on Health Outcomes. † Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. Vol. 316. Issue 2. 25 Mar 10. 104-108. Endocrine Aspects of Obesity. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Edelman, Allison. â€Å"Special Feature: Do We Have a Problem? Obesity and Contraception. † OB GYN Clinical Alert. Dec 2011. n. pag. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Johnson, Portia; Yvonne Wesley. â€Å"Scholarly Perspectives on Obesity among Black Women. † ABNF Journal. 23. 3. (2012). 46-50. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Kirby, James, et. al. â€Å"Race, Place, and Obesity: The Complex Relationships among Community Racial/Ethnic Composition, Individual Race/Ethnicity, and Obesity in the United States. † American Journal of Public Health. 102. 8. Aug 2012. 1572-1578. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Kogiso, Tomomi. et al. â€Å"Clinical Significance with Fatty Liver Associated with Metabolic Syndrome. † Hepatology Research. Vol. 37. Issue 9. Sep 2007. 711-721. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Paschal, Angelia. et al. â€Å"Baseline Assessment of the Heath Status and Health Behaviors of African American Participating in the Activities for Life Program: A Community Based Health Intervention Program. † Journal of Community Health. 29. 4. Aug 2004. 305-318. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Phelan, Sharon. â€Å"Obesity in the American Population: Calories, Cost and Culture. † American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Volume 203, Issue 6, Dec 2010. 522–524. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Rowe, Jill. â€Å"Voices From the Inside: African American Women’s Perspectives on Healthy Lifestyles. † Health Education and Behavior. Vol. 37. Dec 2010. 789-800. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Sanchez-Johnsen, Lisa. et al. â€Å"Ethnic Differences in Correlates of Obesity between Latin-American and Black Women. † Obesity Research. 12. 4. Apr 2004. 652-660. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Stunkard, Albert. â€Å"Depression and Obesity. † Biological Psychology. Vol. 54 Issue 3. 1 Aug 2003. 330-337. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Visscher, Tommy, Jacob Seidell. â€Å"The Public Health Impact of Obesity. † Annual Review of Public Health. (2001). 355-375. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Withers, RT. et al. â€Å"Energy Metabolism in Sedentary and Active 49- to 70-yr-old Women. † Journal of Applied Physiology. Vol. 84. Apr 1998. 1333-1340. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Bibliography Brewis, Alexandra. Obesity Cultural and Biocultural Perspectives. New Brunswick. Rutgers University Press. (2011). Print. Brewis’ book is a must read for anyone studying, researching or working in health, weight management or fitness. The author takes a look at obesity from an anthropologist’s standpoint. Where did obesity originate? How does if effect certain races/genders more than others? These are some of the questions answered. The author has lived in different cultures and worked with different ethnicities obtaining answers to some of the mysteries surrounding weight gain. She has uncovered reasons why obesity is prevalent in the United States and other countries. And discusses why some ethnicities are more vulnerable to weight gain after migrating to the United States or other developed nations. The author has studied the culture of the Pima Indians of both the US and Mexico and explains why obesity affects the US Pimas more than the Mexican Pimas. Brewis also explains why some ethnicities find larger body weigh acceptable and why some ethnicities have larger males than females and why they find this perfectly normal. Biagioli, Brian. Advanced Concepts of Personal Training. National Council on Strength and Fitness. (2007). Print. This book was by a medical doctor. This manual is applicable to anyone interested in learning more about physical fitness, nutrition, physiology, body composition and exercise mechanics. It is the National Council on Strength and Fitness’ guide for all their certified personal trainer candidates. The manual contains 540 pages with many illustrations explaining obesity, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), Body Mass Index (BMI) and physiology. This manual includes chapters on special populations such as women, children and special needs individuals. HBO The Weight of the Nation. HBO Documentary Films; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Health. Et al. Various actors/directors. (2007). DVD. This is a four part documentary on obesity in America. Each part is approximately one hour long. The parts consist of consequences, choices, children in crisis and challenges. The films explore why the United States is facing an obesity crisis, and what we can do about it now. Various health experts narrate the films. Interviews are conducted with a host of citizens dealing with obesity right now. They tell in their own words the challenges they face. There is significant commentary and interview on ethnicities, females, citizens living in inner cities and the issues surrounding obesity and weight gain. The Skinny on Obesity. Perf. Robert Lustig et al. UCTV Prime. 12 Apr. 2012. Web Video. This video series plays on UCSF Prime TV online. Dr. Robert Lustig is endocrine expert at the UCSF Children’s Hospital. This is a seven part series that tackles the basics of the obesity epidemic such as sugar, hormones, fast food, childhood obesity, and endocrine system. Each part is about 15 minutes long. Only a basic understanding of health and physiology is needed to fully understand concepts presented. Platkin, Charles. The Automatic Diet. New York. Penguin. 2005. Print. This book discusses how to slowly improve your diet over time with small changes. Dr. Platkin holds a master of public health and is one of the nation’s leading public health advocates. He writes The Diet Detective, a syndicated article that appears in hundreds of newspapers throughout the country. His book takes the reader through small steps of diet and lifestyle changes that together create a whole new diet makeover making healthful eating simple and thus ‘automatic’.

Inspiration :: essays research papers

Subject: Inspiration Please take a moment to relax your mind and humble your heart to focus on Christ. Allow God, to be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends that pray together, stay together. Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God. And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response w hen I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households.

Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter      Ã‚  Ã‚  Carl Jung believed that the source of symbols is universal. Symbols arise from the collective unconscious common to all humans everywhere. Joseph Campbell's research supports this theory; he traces universal archetypes through the stories, myths, and artwork of various cultures. While most work done with symbolism has focused on the universality of symbols, Nathaniel Hawthorn focuses on their personal, subjective meanings.    A universal symbol arises from the symbol's relationship to reality; thus, such a symbol remains the same across cultures and with different individuals. While symbols can be created, such created symbols are subjective and must be given meaning within their context and because the context is different among individuals and societies and can vary over time, the meanings of the symbols are, likewise, highly variable.    In The Scarlet Letter, the symbol of most importance is the letter A which Hester Prynne is condemned to wear, having been found guilty of adultery. Literally, the letter A is an arbitrary visual representation of particular sounds used in languages. Nothing in the shape of the letter A or any other aspect of its being represents adultery. This shape is agreed upon by people who use the Roman alphabet to begin the series of marks that visually signifies the word adultery. This is not a universally symbolic relationship. The letter A means nothing in itself until the Puritans agree to a meaning in order to mark Hester and this meaning is altered according to the mindset of those interpreting it. Hester with this "mark of shame upon her bosom" is meant to "be a living sermon against sin" (59) yet the residents of Boston "had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin . . . but of her many good deeds since. . . . The scarlet letter had the effect of the cros s on a nun's bosom. It imparted to the wearer a kind of sacredness, which enabled her to walk securely amid all peril" (149). Some people begin saying that A stands for "able" (148).    Another example of the changeable symbolism of the letter A is the astronomical event witnessed by Arthur Dimmesdale and others on the night of Governor Winthrop's death. Dimmesdale as:    a man rendered morbidly self-contemplative . . . had extended his egoism over the whole expanse of nature. Symbols and Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter      Ã‚  Ã‚  Carl Jung believed that the source of symbols is universal. Symbols arise from the collective unconscious common to all humans everywhere. Joseph Campbell's research supports this theory; he traces universal archetypes through the stories, myths, and artwork of various cultures. While most work done with symbolism has focused on the universality of symbols, Nathaniel Hawthorn focuses on their personal, subjective meanings.    A universal symbol arises from the symbol's relationship to reality; thus, such a symbol remains the same across cultures and with different individuals. While symbols can be created, such created symbols are subjective and must be given meaning within their context and because the context is different among individuals and societies and can vary over time, the meanings of the symbols are, likewise, highly variable.    In The Scarlet Letter, the symbol of most importance is the letter A which Hester Prynne is condemned to wear, having been found guilty of adultery. Literally, the letter A is an arbitrary visual representation of particular sounds used in languages. Nothing in the shape of the letter A or any other aspect of its being represents adultery. This shape is agreed upon by people who use the Roman alphabet to begin the series of marks that visually signifies the word adultery. This is not a universally symbolic relationship. The letter A means nothing in itself until the Puritans agree to a meaning in order to mark Hester and this meaning is altered according to the mindset of those interpreting it. Hester with this "mark of shame upon her bosom" is meant to "be a living sermon against sin" (59) yet the residents of Boston "had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin . . . but of her many good deeds since. . . . The scarlet letter had the effect of the cros s on a nun's bosom. It imparted to the wearer a kind of sacredness, which enabled her to walk securely amid all peril" (149). Some people begin saying that A stands for "able" (148).    Another example of the changeable symbolism of the letter A is the astronomical event witnessed by Arthur Dimmesdale and others on the night of Governor Winthrop's death. Dimmesdale as:    a man rendered morbidly self-contemplative . . . had extended his egoism over the whole expanse of nature.

Thoughts on Love Dating and Marriage

There are many different thoughts about dating, love and marriage. I had the pleasure of interviewing six co-workers from different lifestyle regarding their views on these matters. I will compare their thoughts with the theories of love and attachment. The social science theories that help us understand the components and processes of love include attachment theory, Reiss’s wheel theory of love, Sternberg’s triangular theory of love, Lee’s research on the styles of loving, and exchange theories. Many people perceive marriage as an important occasion in their lives, while others take marriage for granted and not that serious. Do people just hate each other after a while? What happens when the vows are in place, do people get too relax into their real selves? Or is it just unrealistic today? Dan a Gay Caucasian 43 yr. old male feels that marriage is fading away. He doesn’t know if people understand what they are entering into, rather it is love or lust. Dan feels that these idealistic dreams often sweep people off of their feet and then in a few years or less – Reality Hits – Ouch! Marriage is no longer a bringing together of a family, business or wealth. † It is actually based on this strange concept called love and with the concept of family to some people. Families are not the stable, strong and the dominant group that is shaping the young. â€Å"Families are unstable and weak however bonds are weaker. † As far as Gay marriages goes Dan fee ls that it should be legal and that it should not be called or treated and different than a marriage. Even though the church doesn’t rule the populace anymore Dan feels that marriage should be a legal coupling and not a religious coupling. Then he yelled â€Å"WHY DON’T PEOPLE STOP SAYING MARRIAGE IS SOME SACRED INSTITUTION THAT CANNOT BE DARKENED BY THE EVIL GAYS. WITH THE DIVORCE RATE THAT WE HAVE, the agreement that marriage is some sacred institution just rings hollow. Dan feels that an arranged marriage seems to last longer than marriage of choice and that people seem to grow to love each other that are put together by religion or family. However he will never support the mandating of an arranged marriage. Dan was heartbroken over premarital sex due to people not being responsible and protecting themselves. It saddened him to think about the many unwanted babies and the quantity of single mothers that we have in the economy today. These children and mothers are really being robbed of the American Dream. Dan believes that some people can find love on the internet the same way that his mom found her soul mate there. He believes that everyone should be happy. Next I interviewed three Caucasian women, Marcie a29yr old woman divorced once and remarried again with one child by the second marriage. Nikki, divorce twice and she is single mother of two with one child that diagnosed as being autistic. Then there is Kaitlyn a 22yr old white bisexual lady. Even though these women came from different beliefs and lifestyles their opinions on these issues were pretty much the same. They believe that choosing a lover, a husband and a partner is based on one’s personality and the way that they were raised. All three believes that people should live together before getting married. Nikki and Marcie do not believe in open marriages and feels that an open marriage allows each other to cheat and be with someone else. Kaitlyn on the other hand feel that an individual can love more than one person. She is all for open marriages. It’s funny, but all three women have found their recent husband or lover on the internet. They seem to be happy and would recommend internet dating to their friends. Marcie and Kaitlyn believe in premarital sex while Nikki is still deep-rooted by some of her family beliefs which are not to have sex until married. As you can see love is beyond constraints in these women lives. Last but not least there is Craig and Shon. Craig is a 52yr old Caucasian male and Shon is a 40year old African American. Both men were married and are now divorce with children in their twenties. Soon these men will be moving in with their girlfriend of three years. Even though open marriages are not for them, Craig believes in â€Å"What floats your boat. † While Shon showed a little jealously about the situation. He feels that people should not play with emotions because when he is with someone he is with that person. In these men lives, they believe that marriage is the act of a physical union. They have free choice over arranged marriages even if cultural differences play a role in certain marriages. They support two people who have a bond to be able to have their marriage recognized by the state and church. In their eyes Gay marriages is a civil rights movement and have no complaints about a person who wants to stay single. It’s your choice and whatever floats your boat. Just live life and be happy. Even though I have not talked about the theories one on one in this report one can see that all theories applied to every person that was interviewed. However I will explain each theory the way that our text clarified it. Attachment theory proposes that our primary motivation in life is to be connected with other people because this is the only true security we will ever have. The Attachment theory comes in three different styles. * Secure style: I find it easy to get close to others and am comfortable depending on them and having them depends on me. I don’t often worry about being abandoned or about someone get-ting too close to me. * Avoidant style: I am somewhat uncomfortable being close to others; I find it difficult to trust them completely and to depend on them. I am nervous when anyone gets too close and when lovers want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being. Anxious/ ambivalent style: Others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I often worry that my partner doesn’t really love me or won’t want to stay with me. I want to merge completely with another person, and this desire sometimes scares people away. Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love According to Sternberg, the mix of intimacy, passion, and commitment can vary from one relation-ship to another. Relationships thus range from nonlove, in which all three components are absent, to consummate love, in which all the elements are present. Intimacy encompasses feelings of closeness, connectedness, and bonding. * Passion leads to romance, physical attraction, and sexual consummation. * Decision/ commitment have a short- and a long-term dimension. In the short term, partners make a decision to love each other; in the long term, they make a commitment to maintain that love over time. Lee’s Styles of Loving According to Lee, there are six basic styles of loving: Eros, mania, ludus, storge, agape, and pragma, all of which overlap and may vary in intensity * Eros means love of beauty. Because it is also characterized by powerful physical attraction, eros epitomizes â€Å"love at first sight. † This is the kind of love, often described in romance novels, in which the lovers experience palpitations, light-headedness, and intense emotional desire. Erotic lovers want to know everything about each other— what she or he dreamed about last night and what happened on the way to work today. They often like to wear matching T- shirts and matching colors, to order the same foods when dining out, and to be identified with each other as totally as possible. MANIA Characterized by obsessiveness, jealousy, possessiveness, and intense dependency, mania may be expressed as anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite, headaches, and even suicide because of real or imagined rejection by the desired person. Manic lovers are consumed by thoughts of their beloved and have an insatiable need for attention and signs of affection. Mania is often associated with low self- es teem and a poor self- concept. As a result, manic people typically are not attractive to individuals who have a strong self- concept and high self- esteem. LUDUS is carefree and casual love that is considered â€Å"fun and games. † Ludic lovers often have several partners at one time and are not possessive or jealous, primarily because they don’t want their lovers to become dependent on them. Ludic lovers have sex for fun, not emotional rapport. In their sexual encounters, they are typically self- centered and may be exploitative because they do not want commitment, which they consider â€Å"scary. † * STORGE is a slow-burning, peaceful, and affectionate love that comes with the passage of time and the enjoyment of shared activities. Storgic relationships lack the ecstatic highs and lows that characterize some other styles. Sociologist Ira Reiss and his associates proposed a â€Å"wheel theory† of love that generated much research for several decades. Reiss described four stages of love: rapport, self- revelation, mutual dependency, and personality need fulfillment. In the first stage, partners establish rapport based on cultural backgrounds with similar upbringing, social class, religion, and educational level. Without this rapport, according to Reiss, would- be lovers do not have enough in common to establish an initial interest. In the second stage, self- revelation brings the couple closer together. Because each person feels more at ease in the relationship, she or he is more likely to discuss hopes, desires, fears, and ambitions and to engage in sexual activities. In the third stage, as the couple becomes more intimate, the partners’ mutual dependency in-creases: They exchange ideas, jokes, and sexual desires. In the fourth and final stage, the couple experiences personality need fulfillment. The partners confide in each other, make mutual decisions, support each other’s ambitions, and bolster each other’s self- confidence. Like spokes on a wheel, these stages can turn many times that is, they can be repeated. For example, partners build some rapport, and then reveal bits of them, then build more rapport, then begin to exchange ideas, and so on. The spokes may keep turning to produce a deep and lasting relationship. Or, during a fleeting romance, the wheel may stop after a few turns. Information taken from Marriages & Families: Changes, Choices, and Constraints, Seventh Edition by Nijole V. Benokraitis My personal interviews with Nikki, Dan, Craig, Shon, Marcie and Kaitlyn.