Thursday, October 31, 2019

Intangible assets Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Intangible assets - Research Paper Example The increased globalization of international trade and investment has been accompanied by adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards IFRS by many countries. Other reasons for the adoption of IFRS are that international investors can access and understand more information with regards to capital markets and financial statements. In addition, adoption of IFRS decreases the cost of doing business across borders. There are differences on the reporting requirements between US GAAP and IFRS. Firstly, US GAAP differentiates specific financial instruments that are liabilities if they fall within the categorization of being both debt and equity. On the other hand, IFRS requires that such categorization should focus on whether there are contractual obligations involved in delivery of an organization’s own equity shares, cash or assets2. Another key difference relates to the presentation of financial statements. IFRS requires the preparation of a third balance sheet with related notes at the start of the comparative period where an entity restates the financial statements or adopts a new accounting policy. Meanwhile, there are no such requirements under the US GAAP. IFRS forbids presentation of extraordinary items in income statements whilst the US GAAP is confined to unusual and infrequent entries. Under stock costing methods, IFRS is strictly prohibited while under US GAAP LIFO is allowed, but a consistent cost formula must be used. The measurement of stock uses the lower cost of market value in US GAAP whilst IFRS values inventory at the net realizable value or the lower cost 3. The concept of intangible assets is found under US GAAP in (ASC 350) intangibles Goodwill and others (ASC 805) Business combinations and (IFRS 38) Intangible Assets or IFRS 3(R) Business Combinations. Similarly, both systems view intangible assets as identifiable non monetary assets without physical substance. Identifiable

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Get Write Existing Data Sources Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Get Write Existing Data Sources - Coursework Example The weakness of conducting field research is that it is highly subjective and therefore is weak in terms of reliability (Maxfield & Babbie, 2006). Another weakness is that there can be disagreements between researchers concerning the events or subjects of the research. My research is on illegal immigration and high crime rate in the United States of America. Based on my research proposal, the researchers will be collecting information regarding the perception of hate crimes and illegal immigrants from U.S. residents. Therefore, field research is definitely appropriate for this research proposal. The participants in the field will provide significant information regarding their perception about the issues concerning illegal immigration with special emphasis on social crime rates in the area where they live. Being a resident in that area, participants can provide first hand information regarding illegal immigration and how it affects their daily life. Field research will therefore help to gather both qualitative and quantitative data regarding illegal immigration and hate crimes from the residents of the

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse Introduction. When we think of drug addicts and abuse we normally think of people who take the common street drugs such as cocaine, crack, heroine, or other illegal drugs. However most people dont realize or take seriously the growing number of abusers of prescription drugs currently in our country. There is a common misconception that just because a doctor prescribes a certain drug that that is somehow safer and different than using the so-called street drugs. After all, you are being given a prescription to take the drug by your physician, and it is not illegal or a crime. However, we must realize that addiction isnt limited to just illicit drugs on the street, but often doctor prescribed medications as well. Prescription drugs have improved and saved countless numbers of lives over the years as many new breakthroughs have been achieved in science and medicine in treating a variety of known diseases. â€Å"However, using these drugs without the supervision of a physician or for purposes different from their intended use can lead to serious adverse consequences, including death from overdose and physical addiction. Because many prescription drugs are often opiate based, when abused, these drugs can be as addictive and dangerous as illegal drugs.† 1) (Pat Moore Foundation | Prescription Drug Abuse, 2009). According to (M.D ,Volkow, 2005), director at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2) â€Å"an estimated 48 million people (ages 12 and older), have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, which represents approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population.† Additionally, 3) â€Å"in 2000, about 43 percent of hospital emergency admissions for drug overdoses (nearly 500,000 people) happened because of misused prescription drugs, and in â€Å"2006 alone, 700,000 emergency room visits were attributed to prescription drug overdoses.† 4) (Thibodeau, 2009). This type of drug abuse is increasing at an alarming rate because of their widespread availability, including online pharmacies which have made it much easier for anyone regardless of age to acquire drugs without a prescription. (Prescription Drug Abuse Information | Drug Rehab Programs, 2009). 3) â€Å"One of the most common and primary methods of obtaining prescription drugs by addicts is by doctor shopping according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).†5) This method refers to a person who continually searches out different doctors to prescribe the same medications in order to feed their addictions. I think most of us either know or have known individuals or even family members who have resorted to this type of behavior in order to get prescription drugs for this purpose. The most common types of drugs that are often abused are central nervous system depressants such as benzodiazepines or tranquilizers, frequently prescribed for anxiety and sleeping disorders, opioids and narcotics for pain relief, and stimulants such as those given for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. 6) (Prescription Drug Abuse Chart Drugs of Abuse and Related Topics NIDA, 2009) â€Å"For example, U.S. prescriptions for stimulants (including those taken for ADHD) increased from around 5 million in 1991 to almost 35 million in 2007. Prescriptions for opioid painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin) and hydrocodone (Vicodin) increased from 40 million in 1991 to 180 million in 2007.† 7) (Mayo Clinic, 2008). I feel the reasons for this significant increase in prescription drug abuse is simple. We live in a society today that tells you a pill can cure and solve all of your problems no matter what they are. All we have to do is turn on the television and see the constant bombardment of advertisements for the latest prescription drugs on the market. As a result, the pharmaceutical industry is making billions of dollars off of people and is certainly not going to complain, thus encouraging and driving the epidemic even more. Furthermore, these drugs are relatively easy to obtain and are socially acceptable by the vast majority of the public compared to illegal drugs. In just the past several years, we have seen the emergence and proliferation of many â€Å"pain clinics† throughout the United States. Although not all are bad, some of these facilities as stated by 8) (Silverman Brown, MD, 2009), â€Å"are often non-physician owned and operate just inside the law. The physicians who practice in these facilities are rarely accredited through board certification processes, and many take no insurance and advertise confidential, cash only services. Some even advertise armed guards in the waiting rooms. With no oversight, these facilities serve as a source for a continuous supply of controlled substances to often times addicted and sometimes naÃÆ' ¯ve people. It is not uncommon to find patients of these facilities receiving tens of thousands of milligrams of opioid medications each month.† With these types of programs and clinics operating and encouraging such drug abuse, I feel that the people who really need these medications are often the ones who suffer, such as individuals with painful terminal diseases and illnesses like cancer. I experienced this first-hand with my mother several years ago when she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer that had metastasized to her bones, and helplessly watched her suffer from pain. While she was undergoing radiation treatments at a cancer clinic, her doctor there stated that she should use Advil to help with her pain and that the government was cracking down on schedule drugs that were prescribed. My response to this is, if cancer patients cant get the necessary pain medications they desperately need, yet addicts can get all they want, then there is something very wrong with this country we live in and our health care system. Conclusion. What is important to recognize and become aware of about prescription drug abuse is that it is much the same as other forms of illegal drug abuse such as cocaine or heroin, and no one is immune. It can be just as dangerous and deadly as other illicit drugs, and affects individuals of all ages, races, gender, and socio-economic backgrounds. It can also destroy families, jobs, and homes as well as having fatal health consequences. In fact, use of prescription drugs now causes more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.† 9) (Treatment Solutions Network, 2009). Furthermore, with the recent tragic and untimely deaths of celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, and Heath Ledger related to prescription drug abuse, I feel this problem is finally being brought to the forefront and exposed, bringing a much needed awareness to the dangers and consequences of abusing prescription drugs. References: 1) Pat Moore Foundation | Prescription Drug Abuse. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://www.patmoorefoundation.com/prescription-drug-abuse 2 M.D ,Volkow, N. (2005). NIDA Research Report Series Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Prescription/Prescription.html 3) Prescription Drug Abuse Information | Drug Rehab Programs. (2009). . Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://www.prescription-drug-abuse.org/ 4) Thibodeau, D. (2009, October 20). Prescription drug abuse now tops illegal drug use | GoDanRiver. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from http://www2.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/prescription_drug_abuse_now_tops_illegal_drug_use/14771/ 5) Drug Addiction Doctor Shopping Chronic Pain Medication Addiction. (2009). . Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://www.drug-addiction.com/doctor_shopping.htm 6) Prescription Drug Abuse Chart Drugs of Abuse and Related Topics NIDA. (2009). . Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/PrescripDrugsChart.html 7) Mayo Clinic. (2008). Prescription drug abuse MSN Health Fitness Addiction|Quit Smoking. Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://health.msn.com/health-topics/addiction/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100211994 8) Silverman, MD, S. M., Brown, MD, L. (2009). Prescription Drug Abuse: In the US and Florida. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from http://www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=6649 9) Treatment Solutions Network. (2009). Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved December 6, 2009, from http://www.treatmentsolutionsnetwork.com/prescription-drug-abuse.html Prescription Drug Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse Sophia Ranta   Ã‚   Combing through the stories on the internet, I came across a shocking, testimonial of a woman who became addicted to OxyContin. Her name was Cheryl. She suffered from Fibromyalgia, which caused her to be in constant pain. When her pain became too unbearable, she went to see her family physician. Immediately, her physician prescribed her OxyContin, but stressed how important it was to follow the correct amount of dosage. At first, she was careful and cautious. Very quickly, Cheryl liked the feeling of not being in pain anymore. She craved the drugs potency, so she began abusing the drug. Some of the side effects that Cheryl suffered from were: weight loss, black-outs, isolation, no personal hygiene care, and general chaos all around her. Even though she visited her doctor every month, he never spent more than 10 minutes with her. She was able to trick him into writing a new prescription every time. Eventually, the way she broke her addiction was when she overdosed and suffered from ca rdiac arrest. The doctors were able to save her life.   Then she began the long road of recovery and rehabilitation. Since the administration of opiates is often unintentionally overused and abused, with addictions abounding, a new perspective is needed to create appropriate care plans for patients. First and foremost, in order to gain a new perspective, it would be helpful to obtain a greater understanding of prescription opiate abuse. ONeil and Hannah describe prescription drug abuse as the use of a legend drug in a way not intended by an authorized prescriber of the medication. The intent of prescription drug abuse is to obtain an altered state of mood or behavior. Prescription drug abuse frequently involves circumventing the intended route of drug administration. This is a statement that gives a clear understanding of what drug abuse is as a whole. Opiates are prescribed by doctors to control pain. With the prescription of opiates there is a specific individualized care plan that doctors carefully go over with each patient. There are two sides to prescription opiate abuse: intentional and unintentional. Intentional abuse is having the mind set of misusing the prescription. Patients who intentionally manipulate their care plan do so because they desire the high that comes fro m using the drug. A second reason, people choose to self-medicate is to dull emotional pain. The other form of opiate abuse is unintentional. Patients taking opiates due to pain may take more than their prescribed amount because they think they can cure the cause of their pain. This inadvertently leads to addiction. Having a greater understanding of opiate abuse will provide knowledge in accessing whether an individual is addicted to their prescription or not. Next, this new perspective requires an understanding of how the brain is negatively impacted by opioids. Narcotics and opiates can become extremely addictive. But how does that work within the brain and all the science behind it? Hagaman gives an excellent representation of how the brain is affected from opiate usage. Opiates are considered extremely addictive and this addiction can affect the structure and function of the brain. Opiates can alter the brain and affect ones motivation and emotions. The brain changes over time and hence a persons behavior changes. Moreover, if one uses a high enough dose of drugs, frequently enough, and over a long period of time, the drugs can change the way the brain works. The way in which the nerve cells communicate is changed so a compulsive, out of control use develops despite experiencing some of the many side effects. More specific effects of opiates on the brain include changes in the synapses and shapes of brain cells. Chronic use is linked w ith structural changes in the size and shape of specific neurons. That is to say that there is a difference noticed in the brain between a chronic opiate user and an occasional user (Hagaman). The human brain is a complex organ that when manipulated, can affect the entire body and throw it off balance. The science of the manipulation of the brains neurotransmitters when exposed to narcotics is explained. Narcotic painkillers bind to opiate receptors which are typically bound by special hormones called neurotransmitters. When painkillers are used for a long period of time, the body slows down production of these natural chemicals and makes the body less effective in relieving pain naturally. That is because narcotic painkillers fool the body into thinking it has already produced enough chemicals as there becomes an overabundance of these neurotransmitters in the body. Existing neurotransmitters have nothing to bind with, as the drugs have taken their place on the opiate receptors (Ef fects 2015). Thus, the brain produces less of its own neurotransmitters to relieve pain, and becomes dependent upon the opiates. The human brain is a delicate organ that when distorted, struggles to regain normal cognitive function and the ability to maintain homeostasis for survival.   Other organs can also be injured. Painkiller use and abuse also can affect nerve cells. Additionally, based on the manner in which the drug is used, painkiller abuse can cause long-term heart damage and increase the likelihood of a heart attack (Effects 2015). Medical care personnel need to fathom the perils narcotic painkillers can have on the human body. It is necessary for health care workers to understand how the brain is negatively impacted by narcotics. Third, to continue building this new model, education is necessary to teach about true addiction and the need to create appropriate medical care solutions. Society today sees drug abuse only coming from illegal drugs and not from prescribed drugs. Opiates are one of the most often prescribed pain medications. The abuse of opioid drugs is a public health epidemic that has been growing since the mid-1990s (Maxwell 2015). To recognize and stop the opiate abuse, education is necessary for the public. Having the knowledge to identify prescription drug abuse can lower the risk of addictions. Even now schools are introducing programs to explain and warn the dangers of overuse of prescription drugs. RX for Understanding is one resource widely used. This training program, resources, and tool kit empower principals, teachers, school nurses, and other specialized instructional support personnel to begin a dialogue in their schools about prescription drug abuse. Schools can use this program to i nform parents, students, and educators about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse through school assemblies, lesson plans, and informational materials for teens and parents (Embrey 2014). In time, the goal is that the general public will have a broader comprehension of the dangers of prescription drug abuse which will carry over into the medical setting. In the meantime, education must be provided to patients and family on the potency and hazards of long term use of opiates. Second, education of physicians could also greatly reduce the growth of this trend. Understanding prescribing patterns, as well as the perceptions of adverse effects associated with these agents, is crucial because these physicians play a critical role in curtailing the prescription drug abuse epidemic, said Catherine S. Hwang of the center for drug safety and effectiveness and the department of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, and her associates (Moon 201 5). Physicians need to be informed of the adverse pattern of prescription drug misuse as much as students. Third, health care providers require an understanding of the psychological effects of long-term drug use in order to treat patients with compassion and wisdom. If patients cannot trust their physicians, their pain may be compounded by feelings of isolation and fear (Johnson 2007). Perception is a powerful lens by which decisions and responses are made. Johnson introduces a triad of factors in understanding the psychological aspect of addiction. The first includes a patients biology (brain chemistry and genetics). The second involves self-medicating, in which patients use medications in response to feeling helpless about emotions generated in interpersonal situations or to treat a psychiatric disorder. The third aspect notes that addictive drugs may serve as a companion, substituting for meaningful relationships with other people. A physician may feel trapped by this combination of factors when the patient behaves in a subtly complex way and attempts to get his or her feeling of helplessness understood by the physician. As a result, the physician may feel compelled to issue a prescription as the only way to immediately disengage from an uncomfortable encounter. Unfortunately, this same process is likely to recur at the next visit (Johnson 2007).   Grasping a greater knowledge and understanding of the psychological side is imperative in guiding those who suffer from addiction to safety. Effective care can be given when caregivers have proper understanding of the potency and danger involved in the use of narcotics. Continuing on with education, another element in constructing this new medical perspective, is the need for health care workers to be educated to recognize signs and symptoms of pain, as well as the use of alternative methods to address pain relief. Pain demands an answer. Having pain is very common in older adults, but it is never normal. There is almost always a real problem behind pain (Resources). Understanding what causes the pain is crucial in knowing how to treat it. Arthritis and Muscle pain are quite common in the elderly. When pain is severe enough, patients may lose the ability to move comfortably or be incapable of doing activities of daily living. Sleeping may become so painful that it would not be enjoyable anymore. Pain can lead to other problems such as losing the ability to move around and do everyday activities. The sufferer may have trouble sleeping, experience bad moods, or develop a poor self-image. In addition, people with pain often become anxious or depressed. They may be at greater risk for falls, weight loss, poor concentration, and difficulties with relationships (Resources). Once understanding the patients level of pain, health care workers can formulate a plan of treatment. Health care workers need to provide different methods for relieving pain before administering addictive narcotics. Resources suggests several methods to be used first, before embarking on a long road of recovery from addictive opiates. Treatments such as physical therapy, massage, heat and/or cold packs, exercise, and relaxation therapy may be tried first (Resources). These methods are all non-narcotic options. Non-narcotics pain medication, other options are offered Acetaminophen is recommended as the safest type of pain reliever for long-term use (Resources). Acetaminophen pain medication includes the following: Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen. These treatments may be beneficial and eliminate the need for narcotics. Having a broader base of treatment options, may help to reduce the risk of addiction to opiates as well as administer comfort to the patient. A fifth point to consider with this new medical model must include detoxification as part of the plan of care. An example of this detoxification piece is the organization ISIS. Nevertheless, there is a place in primary care for community detoxification in substance misuse, as demonstrated by the primary care service pioneered at the Integrated Substance-misuse Islington Service (ISIS) by NHS Islington. ISIS is a primary care open access drug service that assesses and processes drug users for treatment. If patients have complex needs, they are directed to the appropriate services (Fernandez 2011). Patients may need to go from an acute hospital setting into a detox center before entering a skilled nursing facility for rehab. An acute hospital setting provides a quick detoxification of the body to remove the potency of the drugs by pumping the stomach for example. This gives the patient an immediate solution from the overdose of drugs. The detox center is the next step in the rehabilita tion process. The detox center offers a specific plan for each individuals needs. Patients suffering from drug abuse will go through a detoxification program provided by their local detox center. There are two types of detoxification: community and inpatient. The inpatient detoxification regimen consists of a five- to ten-day admission to a specialist centre for patients who present with a profile that is clinically risky for example, polydrug use with mental health problems. Community detoxification is for patients who have a minimal risk profile however, this often excludes patients with alcohol and substance misuse (Fernandez 2011). Fernandez gives an organized and complete layout of what a patients plan of care for detoxification should look like. Including detoxification into a patients plan of care will ensure that the process of detox is performed safely and effectively. Based on the patients individualized needs, each detox center will provide a plan of care for the rehabi litation to come. The importance of a detoxification center is to safely assist each patient with the cleansing of their body from the drug toxins. Next, the new medical model will allow for doctors to be better informed of the patients history with opiates and narcotics. When interviewing a patient about their history with pain medications, doctors and medical care workers need to have discernment about asking the right kinds of questions. Examples of questions that need to be asked would include the following. Do you have a history of seizures or epilepsy? Have you had previous treatment for alcohol dependence? What previous detoxification regimens have you completed? Do you have any mental health issues that could compromise the detoxification regimen? Have you had any recent liver function tests? (Fernandez). Other examples of questions could include: How long have you been taking narcotics? How often? What was the original prescribed amount? Do you have a history of using narcotics? Do you have any relatives that have suffered from addiction? These are only a selected few questions that should be asked of a patient with a h istory of narcotics. In determining the right kind of care plan, doctors need to better comprehend what each patient has been through. Obtaining a greater understanding of a patients history can help to distinguish what the proper treatment should be. Furthermore, this new medical model requires anger management training to better help equip those who are going through detox. Anger is known to be included in the side effects from drug abuse. Anger is a big problem for many people and its often one of the complicating factors for those struggling with addiction (Roes 2007). The anger can become compounded due to the process of detoxing that a patient must go through. Hazardous situations can occur when a patient is struggling with the detoxification. For example, the patient might try to harm themselves, lash out at the medical care workers that are trying to help them, or even family and friends who are trying to support them through the detox. Some examples of ways to help a patient decrease from anger or improve anger management are expounded upon by Roes. First, count to 10. Or 110. This simple and time-tested practice really helps. The more time a client buys by postponing anger, the more likely he/she will act rationally rath er than emotionally. Second, relaxation techniques are often helpful: deep breathing, listening to soothing music, taking a hot bath, etc. These calm the physical sensations associated with anger. Third, distraction (thinking about something else) also can help. As our thoughts turn to another topic, there are fewer thoughts to feed our anger. Finally, do something incompatible with anger. Kiss your spouse, or pet your dog. These types of activities can help displace anger with more agreeable emotions (Roes 2007).   These are just a few examples to help a patient deal with the side effect of anger. Another example is given in guiding an aggravated patient to a calm level. Keeping a log also can be helpful. If clients list what they think, how they feel, and how they choose to act in an angry situation, they can become more aware of their triggers. They also can become more aware of what thoughts feed their anger, and what thoughts starve it. The more deeply ingrained the ange r problem, the more likely it is that cognitive, rather than solely behavioral, interventions will promote lasting change (Roes 2007). Focusing on cognitive interventions can help the patient slow down to think rationally. One of the ways to help patients think rationally is to have a list of questions to ask themselves. Examples of questions could include: What just happened to make me angry? Was it what was said? How it was said? Or who said it? How am I going to respond without hurting myself or someone else? These questions can be personalized by health care workers to address the type of anger the patient is experiencing.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   It is essential for medical care providers to know how to assess each situation involving drug abuse and anger management. Moreover, this new medical model can be useful in understanding how cognitive therapy can aid with anger management, a secondary by-product of addiction. Roes gives a great representation of how anger management can be facilitated with the use of cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy has proven successful for even the most severe problems of anger management. For perpetrators of domestic violence, for example, the belief that its OK to use anger, power, and control to get what you want might be a focus of therapy. Successful change to a more prosocial type of thinking would reduce both the anger and the likelihood of victimizing others (Roes 2007).   The term prosocial means being able to interact with people in a persons social setting.   Being prosocial means a persons behavior is positive and helpful when interacting with others. Those who are becoming prosocial are learning to focus on integrating positively with others, so they will be more careful to control their anger. Redirecting neurological pathways can help in correcting the damage that has been done to the brain.   Cognitive therapy can help a patient retrain their brain so that anger is not their first response. This type of therapy, overall, can reduce the amount of anger a patient experiences, because they have become better prepared to deal with situations that create anger. Cognitive therapy has proven to aid with anger management, a secondary by-product of addiction. In conclusion, a new perspective is needed to create appropriate care plans for patients suffering from prescription drug abuse. One must obtain a greater understanding of prescription opiate abuse. The brain is negatively impacted by opioids. Education is necessary to teach about true addiction and the need to create appropriate medical care solutions. The need for health care workers to be educated to recognize signs and symptoms of pain, as well as the use of alternative methods to address pain relief is essential. The plan of care must include detoxification. Doctors must be better informed of the patients history with opiates and narcotics. Anger management training should be included to better help equip those who are going through detox. Cognitive therapy can aid with anger management. As previously mentioned, Cheryl was only trying to control the pain she was experiencing. However, she loved the feeling of being pain free and was able to manipulate her doctors into continuous ly prescribing her pain medication without closely monitoring her. The personal testimony of Cheryl demonstrates the flaws of prescription opiates and the addictions that are taking place. Since the administration of opiates is often unintentionally overused and abused, with addictions abounding, a new perspective is needed to create appropriate care plans for patients that will help save lives. Work Cited Embrey, Mary Louise, and Libby K. Nealis. The right prescription for prevention: many adultsincluding parents and school staff membersare unaware of the dangers of prescription drug use and abuse. Principal Leadership, Apr. 2014, p. 12+. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONEsw=wu=lom_accessmichv=2.1id=GALE%7CA367798950it=rasid=8c6cc8d9dba4acf2bc9afcc7a481afda. Date accessed 25 Feb. 2017. Fernandez, Jeff. Detoxing Dependent Drinkers in Primary Care. Mel.org, Royal College of Nursing Publishing Company, May 2011, find.galegroup.com/nrcx/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=Nonesort=DateDescendprodId=NRCtabID=T007subjectParam=Locale%2528en%252C%252C%2529%253AFQE%253D%2528su%252CNone%252C18%2529detoxing%2Band%2Bdrugs%2524resultListType=RESULT_LISTsearchId=R2displaySubject=searchType=BasicSearchForm ¤tPosition=1qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28KE%2CNone%2C18%29detoxing+and+drugs%24subjectAction=DISPLAY_SUBJECTSinPS=trueuserGroupName=lom_accessmichsgCurrentPosition=0contentSet=IAC-DocumentsdocId=A257218281docType=IAC. Date accessed 27 Feb. 2017. Hagaman, Jennifer. Opiates on the Brain. Opiates on the Brain, web.csulb.edu/~cwallis/483/opiates_on_the_brain.html. Accessed 28 Feb. 2017. Johnson, Brian, et al. Reducing the Risk of Addiction to Prescribed Medications. 15 Apr. 2007, go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T002resultListType=RESULT_LISTsearchResultsType=SingleTabsearchType=SubjectGuideForm ¤tPosition=11docId=GALE%7CA162871567docType=Disease%2FDisorder+overviewsort=RelevancecontentSegment=prodId=AONEsubjectParam=Q2contentSet=GALE%7CA162871567searchId=R1userGroupName=lom_accessmichinPS=truedisplaySubject=Prescription+drug+abusesubjectAction=VIEW_SUBDIVISIONSsearchQueryId=Q2>+. Date accessed 25 Feb. 2017. Maxwell , Jane Carlisle. The Pain Reliever and Heroin Epidemic in the United States: Shifting Winds in the Perfect Storm. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 24 Jan. 2015, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10550887.2015.1059667?src=recsys. Date accessed 24 Feb. 2017. Moon, Mary Ann. Opioid prescriptions falling as risk perception rises. Internal Medicine News, 1 Jan. 2015, p. 13. Academic OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONEsw=wu=lom_accessmichv=2.1id=GALE%7CA402347517it=rasid=522c6a9f59ff4af35e5b16ec105c86e1. Date accessed 25 Feb. 2017. ONeil, Michael, and Karen L. Hannah. Understanding the cultures of prescription drug abuse, misuse, addiction, and diversion. West Virginia Medical Journal, vol. 106, no. 4, 2010, p. 64+. AcademicOneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONEsw=wu=lom_accessmichv=2.1id=GALE%7CA237942597it=rasid=cf3d399c91b954af8322f68a7a6d999a. Date accessed 24 Feb. 2017. Prescription Drugs. NIDA for Teens, USA.gov, National Institute on Drug Abuse, teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-drugs. Date accessed 24 Feb. 2017. Resources. Health in Aging, www.healthinaging.org/resources/resource:eldercare-at-home-pain/.   Date accessed 26 Feb. 2017. Roes, Nicholas A. When anger complicates recovery. Addiction Professional, Nov. 2007, p. 48+. Health Reference Center Academic, go.galegroup.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DHRCA%26sw%3Dw%26u%3Dlom_accessmich%26v%3D2.1%26id%3DGALE%257CA172176738%26it%3Dr%26asid%3D57e34cb3d45dbadee3b3b8596892f346. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017. The Effects of Painkillers on the Brain and Body. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center, 12 Feb. 2015, www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com/effects-of-painkiller-on-the-brain-and-body. Date accessed 28 Feb. 2017.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Schizophrenia: Reality Distorted Essay -- Biology Essays Research Pape

Schizophrenia: Reality Distorted Insanity, then, is inordinate or irregular, or impaired action of the mind, of the instincts, sentiments, intellectual, or perceptive powers, depending upon and produced by an organic change in the brain. ---W.A.F. Browne, MD, 18371 Schizophrenia is considered a disease of the brain, a physical disorder that, thanks to modern technology, is able to be visualized. Schizophrenia, along with other diseases of the brain, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis, are all brain diseases which alter both functionality and structure of the brain. Schizophrenia has been called a cruel disease, one that impairs life greatly in a degenerative fashion, altering emotions and various abilities greatly. This unfortunate disease is quite common, effecting about one to two percent of the World's population. About two to four percent of the population suffer from less severe yet still debilitating and disturbing schizophrenic-like symptoms. An estimated sixty five billion a dollars per year is spent on this disorder in the United States.(2) It is estimated that over two million Americans suffer from schizophrenia in their lifetime.. There is a definite biological basis for this disease, although it is not totally understood. For a long time schizophrenia was a mystery to doctors and scientists. Virtually any patient with a psychological disorder used to be placed under the expansive umbrella that defined the disease. Poor parenting was a misleading, early excuse for the troubles caused by what is now known to be substantially based in genetics. The most current idea of origin is that this disorder occurs during the crucial beginning months of life, those spent within the womb. Neither ... ... from it and their friends and family. Internet Sources 1) a href=http://www.schizophrenia.com/newsletter/buckets/intro.html 2) a href= http://www.powerpak.com/ce/PsychDisorders/lesson.htm 3) http://www.schizophrenia.com/ami/diagnosis/nbd%20intro.html 4) http://www.powerpak.com/ce/PsychDisorders/lesson.htm 5) http://www.schizophrenia.com,/newsletter/1296/1296usnews.htm 6) http://www.nejm.org/content/1999/0340/0008/0645.asp 7) http://www.powerpak.com/ce/PsychDisorders/lesson.htm 8) Goodman&Gilman's CD-Rom The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th edition 9) http://www.schizophrenia.com/newsletter/buckets/hypo.html 10) http://www.powerpak.com/ce/PsychDisorders/lesson.htm 11) http://www.schizophrenia.com/newsletter/buckets/intro.html 12) Goodman&Gilman's CD-Rom The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th edition

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Nursing Research Problem Essay

Infections are a common cause of both morbidity and mortality in premature infants; examples of infections include necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis (infection of the bloodstream). Infections in premature infants result in prolonged ventilation, prolonged hospitalization, and higher medical costs, and can cause neurodevelopment impairment (Manzoni et al., 2009). The use of high-potency antibiotics can lead to resistant strains of bacteria and potentially damage the infant’s liver and/or kidney function. Within the past decade, research has turned from finding treatments to finding methods to reduce infections. Breastfeeding and human milk has been well supported through research to provide immunity and positive outcomes for preterm and full-term infants. Breastfeeding and human milk provides nutritional, gastrointestinal, immunological, developmental, and psychological benefits to preterm infants and plays an important role on their long-term health and development (Callen & Pinelli, 2005). The components of breastmilk that support immunity include lactoferrin, lysozymes, interferon, and sIgA antibody (Callen & Pinelli, 2005). Specifically, lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein found not only in breastmilk, but also in saliva, tears, and other bodily secretions; LF has biological functions which include immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects, and inhibits growth of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses (Yen et al., 2009). The described functions of LF support the protective role in immunity. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effects of oral lactoferrin supplementation on reducing infections in preterm infants. Nature of Problem and Importance to Nursing Practice A nosocomial infection is described as an infection that is acquired after 48 hours of hospital admission (Rodriguez et al., 2010). In neonates,  a late-onset infection is defined as an infection obtained after the perinatal period (Manzoni et al., 2009). Nosocomial infections include infections of the gastrointestinal tract (necrotizing enterocolitis, NEC), blood stream (sepsis), and lung (pneumonia). The effects of an infection in a preterm infant can lead to â€Å"poor growth, adverse long-term neurological sequelae, increased length of hospital stay, and a substantial cost to families, hospitals, and society† (Rodriguez et al., 2010, p. 207). The risk of nosocomial infections increases with the decreasing birth weight and gestational age, and roughly 21% of very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants will encounter a late-onset infection (Stoll et al., 2002). The most common gastrointestinal infection in premature infants is NEC, affecting 2.6% to 28% of VLBW infants (Lin et al., 2005). NEC is widely considered as a multifactorial disease, with no specific pathogenesis; three major factors have been proposed: the presence of a pathogenic organism, the challenge of enteral feeding, and altered enteric mucosa integrity (Lin et al., 2005). NEC is â€Å"characterized by necrotizing injury to the intestine that requires antibiotic treatment and, in severe cases, surgical intervention† (Brooks et al., 2006, p. 347). Reduction of infections in preterm infants is of high priority and active research is being performed to find safe preventative measures, improve patient outcomes, and decrease hospital length of stay. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein found in mammalian milk and is important in innate immune host defenses (Manzoni et al., 2009). Partial digestion of LF in the stomach produces peptides called â€Å"lactoferricin† that contain more potent antimicrobial activity (Yen et al., 2009). Human colostrum contains more LF than breastmilk, saliva, tears, or other mucosa linings in the body. Studies have been performed to determine bovine or porcine LF effect on prevention of infection in mice and rat pups; conclusions showed a reduction in â€Å"the frequency of bacterial infections in the GI tract while promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species, which are generally believed to be beneficial to the host† (Yen et al., 2009, p. 591). Bovine, porcine, and human LF molecules are similar, and bovine and porcine LF has been reported to show higher antimicrobial activity compared to human LF (King et al., 2007). In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration declared bovine lactoferrin generally recognized as safe  (CFSAN, 2001). Bovine or human LF can be given as a formula additive, breastmilk additive, or given to patients by swabbing of the mouth, either actively feeding or with nil per os (NPO) statuses. Research studies have now been performed on the effects of bovine or porcine LF on prevention of infections in VLBW and preterm infants, and LF shows to be a promising agent of prevention. Evidence-based Practice Question Evidence-based practice (EBP) is defined as â€Å"a practice that involves clinical decision-making based on the best available evidence, with an emphasis on evidence from disciplined research† (Polit & Beck, 2008, p. 753). Nursing practices are changing in the NICU to include swabbing of the infants mouth with colostrum every six hours to assist in prevention of infection and improve feeding tolerance. The following question is developed to determine the outcomes of infection prevention by LF in preterm infants: Does the supplementation of LF decrease the occurrence of nosocomial infections in preterm infants? Conceptual/Theoretical Framework The studies reviewed did not mention a conceptual or theoretical framework pertaining to the relationship of the subjects investigated. A conceptual model of nursing, Levine’s Conservation Model, can be utilized in applying the methods investigated to provide care and prevention of infection in preterm infants. Levine’s Conservation Model is focused in promoting adaptation and maintaining wholeness using the principles of conservation (â€Å"Current Nursing,† 2010). The model guides the nurse to focus on the influences and responses at the organismic level and accomplish the goals of the model through the conservation of energy, structure, and personal, and social integrity (â€Å"Current Nursing,† 2010). Conservation of energy in preterm infants is necessary for appropriate growth, and is achieved by adequate rest and nutrition; fighting an infection in preterm infants results in NPO status and irritability, thus expending energy. The conservation of structural integrity means to prevent physical breakdown and  promote healing, and is the consequence of an effective immune system (â€Å"Current Nursing,† 2010). The technique of LF supplementation and its potential preventative outcome on infection helps the patient conserve energy and structural integrity. Variables and Findings Manzoni et al. (2009) performed a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial examining whether oral supplementation with bovine LF alone or in combination with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) reduces late-onset sepsis in 472 VLBW infants. The independent variable of this study is the supplementation of bovine LF or LGG and the dependent variable is the occurrence of infections in VLBW infants. The study randomly allocated infants into three groups; groups consisted of a control group (n = 168, infants supplemented with a placebo) and an experimental group (n = 153, infants given bovine LF alone and n = 151, infants given bovine LF with LGG). The main outcome measured the first episode of late-onset sepsis (sepsis occurring after 72 hours of birth); all tests were two-tailed, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant (Manzoni et al., 2009). When stratifying for birth weight, Manzoni et al. (2009) noted a significant decrease in late-onset sepsis in extremely low birth-weight (ELBW, birth-weight < 1000g) infants (P = .002 for bovine LF v. control and P = .002 for bovine LF plus LGG v. control) whereas it was not significant in infants weighing 1001 to 1500 g (P = .34 for bovine LF v. control and P = .07 in bovine LF plus LGG v. control). Overall, the results showed a significant decrease in the occurrence of infection in VLBW infants in the experimental groups versus the control group (P = .002 for bovine LF v. control and P < .001for bovine LF plus LGG v. control) (Manzoni et al., 2010). A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study examined the impact of bovine LF supplementation to bottle-fed infants (King et al., 2006). The participants included 52 infants between the age of 0-4 weeks of age, ≠¥34 weeks of gestational age, and ≠¥2000 g, and who were strictly bottle-fed. The infants were randomized in a double-blind fashion; the control group  received a small dose of bovine LF and the experimental group received a higher dose of bovine LF (King et al., 2006). The independent variable is the supplementation of the higher dose of bovine LF and the dependent variable is the impacts observed in the first year of life. The outcomes measured included diarrhea, upper respiratory infection (URI), acute otitis media (AOM), and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). The infants were examined six times throughout the year on the measured outcomes. The results showed a significant decrease in the occurrence of LRTIs in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05) (King et al., 2006). Even though this study did not include preterm infants < 34 weeks, the effects of bovine LF are still apparent in the protection against infection. Yen et al. (2009) performed a study to examine the effects of porcine LF as a selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) regimen in neonatal mice. Transgenic mice were generated to express porcine LF; the neonatal mice fed from the transgenic mice and were then challenged with pathogens to evaluate in vivo antimicrobial activity of porcine LF (Yen et al., 2009). The control group contained mice that were fed normal milk and the experimental group contained mice that were fed the porcine LF (Yen et al., 2009). The independent variable is the transgenic mice with porcine LF supplementation and the dependent variable is the antimicrobial activity observed. The outcome measures included the growth rate of the mice pups, the state of the intestinal tract mucosa, and the circulating cytokines (Yen et al., 2009). Yen et al. (2009) concluded that the experimental group of neonatal mice showed a significant reduction of severity of illness (P < .01), a significant inhibition of microbial survival in the intestinal tract (P < .01), and a significant decrease in the number of bacteria cultured (P < .05) than in the control group. The authors proposed that porcine LF is an ideal natural SDD regimen for the prevention of nosocomial infections in critically ill patients (Yen et al., 2009). Conclusion Research has proven the high incidence of a nosocomial infection and its adverse outcomes in a preterm infant. The efforts of research have changed  to finding a method to reduce or prevent nosocomial infections in preterm infants. Human colostrum is best in supplying the infant with LF to fight infection, but other methods of supplying LF are being studied. Research has recently proven that the supplementation of bovine LF has decreased the occurrence of infections in VLBW and preterm infants. Future research should include a larger, neonatal population specifically targeting VLBW and/or ELBW infants and the effect of LF supplementation on prevention of NEC. Further studies are needed to determine the dosing, duration, and type of LF (bovine, porcine, or human) that will be most effective in the prevention of infection in preterm infants without causing adverse effects or intolerance (Venkatesh & Abrams, 2010). References Brooks, H. J. L., McConnell, M. A., Corbett, J., Buchan, G. S., Fitzpatrick, C. E., & Broadbent, R. S. (2006). Potential prophylactic value of bovine colostrum in necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates: an in vitro study on bacterial attachment, antibody levels, and cytokine production. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 48, 347-354. doi:10.1111/j.1574-695X.2006.00151.x Callen, J. & Pinelli, J. (2005). A review of the literature examining the benefits and challenges, incidence and duration, and barriers to breastfeeding in preterm infants. Advances in Neonatal Care, 5(2), 72-88. doi:10.1016/j.adnc.2004.12.003 Current Nursing. (2010). Levine’s four conservation principles. Retrieved on September 23, 2010 from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Levine_four_conservation_princples.html King, J. C., Cummings, G. E., Guo, N., Trivedi, L, Readmond, B. X., Keane, V., †¦ de Waard, R. (2007). A double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in bottle-fed infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 44(2), 245-251. Lin, H., Su, B., Chen, A., Lin, T., Tsai, C., Yeh, T., & Oh, W. (2005). Oral probiotics reduce the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics, 115 (1), 1-4. doi:10.1542/peds.2004-1463 Manzoni, P., Rinaldi, M., Cattani, S., Pugni, L., Romeo, M. G., Messner, H., †¦ Farina, D. (2009). Bovine lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of late-onset sepsis in very low birth-weight neonates. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 302(13), 1421-1428. Retrieved on September 4, 2010 from http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/302/13/1421 Polit, D. E., & Beck, C. T. (2008). Nursing research generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Rodriguez, N. A., Meier, P. P., Groer, M. W., Zeller, J. M., Engstrom, J. L., & Fogg, L. (2010). A pilot study to determine the safety and feasibility of oropharyngeal administration of own mother’s colostrum to extremely low-birth-weight infants. Advances in Neonatal Care, 10(4), 206-212. Stoll, B. J., Hansen, N., Fanaroff, A. A., Wright, L. L., Carlo, W. A., Ehrenkranz, R. A., †¦ Poole, W. K. (2002). Late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight neonates: the experience of the NICHD neonatal research network. Pediatrics, 110(2), 285-291. Retrieved September 9, 2010 from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/110/2/285 US Food and Drug Administration, CFSAN/Office of Food Additive Safety. (2001). Agency response letter: GRAS notice (No. GRN 000077). Retrieved on September 23, 2010 from http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedAsSafeGRAs/GRASListings/ucm154188.htm Venkatesh, M. P., & Abrams, S. A. (2010). Oral lactoferrin for the prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Art. No.: CD007137 (5). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007137.pub2 Yen, C., Lin, C., Chong, K., Tsai, T., Shen, C., Lin, M., †¦ Chen, C. (2009). Lactoferrin as a natural regimen for selective decontamination of the digestive tract: recombinant porcine lactoferrin expressed in the milk of transgenic mice protects neonates from pathogenic challenge in the gastrointestinal tract. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 199, 590-598. doi:10.1086/596212

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

All The s Men: Theme

The nature of Jack Burden`s journey from the `arid land of facts` to the `dream sea of ideas` is what the story is all about. It goes on to spell whether the journey undertaken by the hero is indeed a spiritual one or an attempt at self-discovery. An attempt has been made to explore the roots of this journey through Modernism (the breakdown of philosophical/moral consensus about the nature of things, the turn toward myth) and Neo-Romanticism (the search for a new unifying principle amid the fragmentations of Modernity/Scientific Materialism), the role of Willie Stark, Ellis Burden, Judge Irwin, and the hero’s journey through the turmoil and pleasures of life. The story revolves around the relationship between the themes of Death and Rebirth which occur in Jack’s journey through incidences of tragedy and beyond. It ends on a note of positivism, when the hero, Jack Burden, transforms himself from being a pawn to his roots in ancestral lineage. Literature Review ‘All the King's Men’, is the story of the rise and fall of Willie Stark, a political titan in the Deep South, who during the 1930s rose from hardscrabble poverty to become the governor of his state, and ultimately it’s most powerful political figure. The story goes on to say how Willie, the anti-hero blackmails and bullies his enemies into submission, and using his good office institutes a radical series of liberal reforms which are designed to tax the rich and ease the burden of the state's poor farmers. This leads to a conflict of personalities which includes the notable former governor, Sam MacMurfee, and other power mongers. Jack Burden, the scion of one of the state's aristocratic dynasties, turns his back on his genteel upbringing, against the wishes of his well-wishers, which includes the influential Judge Irwin. Throwing caution to wind, Jack joins Willie on his journey to stardom, earning him the name as, Willie’s right hand. Willie takes advantage of Jack’s talent as a historical researcher to dig up the unpleasant secrets of his enemies, using this to blackmail and provocation. Cynical and lacking in ambition as he is, Jack walks away from many of his past interests; the dissertation of American History, and marriage to Anne Stanton, the daughter of a former governor of the state. The scene when Willie asks Jack to look for skeletons in the closet of Judge Irwin, Jack is forced to confront his ideas concerning consequence, responsibility, and motivation. He discovers that Judge Irwin had accepted a bribe, and that Governor Stanton, his would-be father-in-law, had covered it up, resulting in Judge Irwin's suicide. The story then turns to another interesting episode of Adam Stanton, Anne’s brother, taking up the directorship of a new hospital being built by Willie. The vicious turn of events leads Willie to Anne, who unsuspectingly has an affair leading to his ultimate murder. Jack, with nothing to gain returns, an empty man. In this we see, the death and rebirth of Jack through his tryst with destiny and forlorn countenance of Anne transform to one of exuberance. Willie's death at the hands of Adam, his loyal employee, jolts Jack to such an extent that he is left dumbfounded and brooding of the consequence of his future and a rethink of his belief. Jack returns to his senses and takes a major plunge towards society by accepting his long lost love, Anne Stanton, and pursues his passion of research . 3. 0 Analysis Jack’s journey from the ‘arid land of facts’ to the ‘dream sea of ideas’ can be best described as a journey towards truth which is emphasized when he says, ‘And all times are one time, and all those dead in the past never lived before our definition gives them life, and out of the shadow their eyes implore us. That is what all of us historical researchers believe. And we love truth. ’ It may be seen that the principal characters in the novel Willie Stark, Judge Irwin, Anne Stanton though their personal lives have not been free from blemishes, they were in more than a way, corrupt. Starting with his association with Willie to the displeasure of his near and dear, the moment he learns of the affair of his first love Anne Stanton with Willie, and to the moment he learns of Judge Irwin’s suicide, Jack had never endured a sign of negativism in Willie’s actions. It is only when Jack’s mother reveals the true identity of his father, does Jack admonishes Willie for his deliberations, although not in public. This incident leads Jack through many a twist and turn in his endeavor to get to the bottom of Willie’s motives. The sequence of events that followed, leading to the untimely murder of Willie, inculcated a sense of disbelief, and revulsion in him. The trudge back to his roots exemplifies the struggle and worship of humanity in all its glory. Jack for all his wiles, was an ardent follower of his master. Willie Stark, ‘the Boss’ gave the impression of a man on the move. Never, did he pause to gauge the consequences of his actions. This ultimately led to his doom. Willie Stark, though he had a humble beginning, rose to a position of wielding unbridled power in the process subjugating his opponents by brute force and of course putting to use the investigative skills of Jack. Judge Irwin, revered as a father figure by Jack, has not been in the good books of Willie, who instigates Jack to dig into the past activities of Irwin, protested vehemently by him. However, when the facts were unearthed, a shocked Jack and a bemused Willie confronted Judge Irwin. Judge Irwin was a man of honor. He was known to be a very straight man and never took the law into his hands. This revelation was too much for him to digest, and equally embarrassing, that he did what a man of his stature would have done, commit suicide. Strangely, for most part of the story, Jack believes that Ellis Burden, whom he refers to as his Scholarly attorney, to be his father, where in fact, it is Judge Irwin who is the real biological father. Ironically, Jack gets to know this only after the suicide of Irwin, which Jack believes was because of his action. Jack’s aristocratic moorings unfortunately does not refrain him from joining hands with the immoral Willie Stark as we see in the story. Though Willie uses Jack as a formidable tool in his ascent to power, using Jack’s research skills to his greatest advantage of subjugating his opponents, was a crime most unsuspecting of such a character. Jack becomes a witness to Willie’s Machiavellian manipulations and misdeeds, albeit, unwittingly. However Jack’s shunning politics at the end of the story and his return to his earlier passion is a metaphor for Jack’s return to his roots, his history, and his American past. In fact, Jack’s research revolves around his study of the life of Cass Mastern, a man of high moral standards and a student at Transylvania College in Kentucky. Even the subject Jack takes up for his dissertation is a reminder to the readers of Jack’s search for the truth. ‘Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last and final awakening,’ said W. Scott, a stark reminder synonymous of the characters in this book; Judge Irwin’s suicide when he is confronted by Jack with facts about his acceptance of a bribe, and the killing of Willie Stark by Adam Stanton. While for the major part of the story Jack believed that the ‘Great Twitch’ denoted actions in life and not words or deeds. The awakening on that morning at home, brought Jack to retract his thoughts on life, and once again believed that men were responsible for their actions and deeds. This rethinking in a sense is responsible for Jack’s decision to marry Anne Stanton (a metaphor for rebirth) despite his knowledge of the fact that he she had an affair with Willie Stark. Reflecting philosophically he says, ‘all the words we speak meant nothing and there was only the pulse in the blood and the twitch of the nerve, like a dead frog's leg in the experiment when the electric current goes through, a true reflection of Modernism. This can be, in a philosophical sense be equated to the death of Jack figuratively, since Anne was Jack’s first love, whom he loved more than anything else in the world. 4. 0 Conclusion In the ultimate analysis it may be inferred that Jack’s life has been a life of journey towards the truth, towards his roots and eventually his self-discovery. The main characters in the story play an important role in molding Jack’s character, the incidents in the lives of those characters enlightening the path Jack has taken to achieve his goal. 5. 0 Bibliography 1. 0 www. sparknotes. com/lit/kingsmen/summary. html

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The poem Woman Work Essay Example

The poem Woman Work Essay Example The poem Woman Work Paper The poem Woman Work Paper Essay Topic: Maya Angelou Poems The poem Woman Work is written by Maya Angelou and depicts the daily routine of a black woman in the southern states of America whereas the poem overheard In County Sligo is a poem set in Ireland written by Gillian Clarke. The poem tells the story of an Irish housewife and her unattainable dreams. Woman Work asks us to consider the black womans plea as we hear of the gruelling routine she faces everyday. This woman does not have many wishes; she just strives for a break in her day and dreams of returning to her African home country. We do not know if she has ever been to Africa but she considers it her home. The poem asks us to think about all the things we take for granted as we all have such big aspirations whilst this woman just yearns for a rest. In contrast to this the poem women work tries to make us realise how much women were expected to give up in the early 19th century to become housewives. They were expected to give up their dreams and aspirations and the opportunities of a career for women werent really there. As in woman work the female character in this poem asks us to hear her plea and listen to all her lost dreams and similar to woman work she feels like a slave in her own home. Woman work has five stanzas as does over heard in county Sligo. The first in woman work describes her daily routine and the four after reflect on her dreams and aspirations for life. In comparison to this stanzas in overheard explore the womans situation, dreams and ambiguity, the lady In woman work does not portray ambiguity whereas the lady in county Sligo is said to live in the lap of the land, in the back of beyond. For some people this would be paradise but for her it is like prison; she craves the bustle of a city. The stanzas in woman work are not all the same lengths. The first stanza is long the rest have a pattern of four lines each. The first is longer because it reflects upon her daily routine, long with no breaks, whereas her dreams are put across in the last 4 stanzas and they are smaller and less demanding. This is not the case for overheard; the stanzas are all consistently 4 lines long. Both poems are written in the first person, this really helps us emphasise with the womens feelings and situations. For each poem a lot of dialect and vocabulary are used native to the countries these women are living in, Ireland and Southern America. In over heard it is more the names of places in Ireland which let us know the poem is set there whereas in woman work there is a lot of strong southern American dialect being used. A perfect example of this is the title of the poem woman work. To us this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The poet uses the phrase cane to be cut this is a direct link to slavery and helps us believe she is African. Overheard uses a cyclical effect to great use. The phrase I married a man from county Roscommon is used in the beginning of the first stanza and at the end of the last stanza. It changes its tone when it is used the second time to sound sarcastic on the verge of being cynical whereas in the first stanza it is meant to sound quite idyllic. The first stanza of woman work does not use punctuation neither does overheard. I believe that it is not used purposely in woman work because it reflects upon her hectic schedule in which she has no time for her self. In comparison to this when the woman is talking about her dreams punctuation is used, as if her dreams take her to another place in which she can rest, we also gather this from the repeated use of the word rest. Overheard also uses more punctuation whilst talking about the womans dreams. The main use of imagery is natural or images of nature in both poems. The effect it has on the women though is the complete opposite of each other. In overheard nature is an indication of the prison this woman feels she is in. She hates nature and she strives to get away from it, she is cynical towards nature and the countryside. Its almost as if shes blaming nature or taking her anger out on nature for her failed dreams. This is certainly not the case for woman work. Mature is what comforts this woman and in this poem nature is portrayed as an indication of purity and beauty. Nature is used constantly throughout the last four stanzas whilst she is talking about her dreams and she comments your all I can call my own as if nature is her escape and her only happiness in life, she loves nature in comparison to the hate the woman in overheard feels for it. Woman work contrasts the hectic life she leads and the calmness she strives for whereas overheard contrasts her dreams to her lifestyle.

Monday, October 21, 2019

The Ideas and Inventions Attributed to Archimedes

The Ideas and Inventions Attributed to Archimedes Archimedes was a mathematician and inventor from ancient Greece. Regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians in history, he’s the father of integral calculus and mathematical physics. Here are some of the ideas and inventions that have been attributed to him. While there’s no exact date for his birth and death, he was born approximately between 290 and 280 BC and died sometime between 212 or 211 BC in Syracuse, Sicily. The Archimedes Principle Archimedes wrote in his treatise â€Å"On Floating Bodies† that an object submerged in fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. The famous anecdote for how he came up with this was started when he was asked to determine if a crown was pure gold or contained some silver. While in the bathtub he arrived at the principle of displacement by weight and ran through the streets naked shouting Eureka (I have found it)! A crown with silver would weigh less than one that was pure gold, Weighing the displaced water would allow calculation of the density of the crown, showing whether or not it was pure gold. The Archimedes Screw The Archimedes screw,  or screw pump, is a machine that can raise water from a lower to higher level. It is useful for irrigation systems, water systems, sewage systems and for pumping water out of a ships bilge. It is a screw-shaped surface inside a pipe and has to be turned, which is often done by attaching it to a windmill or by turning it by hand or oxen. The windmills of Holland are an example of using the Archimedes screw to drain water from low-lying areas. Archimedes may not have discovered this invention since there is some evidence they existed for hundreds of years before his life. He may have observed them in Egypt and later popularized them in Greece. War Machines and Heat Ray Archimedes also designed several claw,  catapult, and trebuchet war machines for use against the armies laying siege to Syracuse. The author Lucian wrote in the second century AD that Archimedes used a heat-focusing device that involved mirrors acting as a parabolic reflector as a way to set invading ships on fire. Several modern-day experimenters have attempted to show this was possible, but have had mixed results. Sadly, he was killed during the siege of Syracuse. Principles of the Lever and Pulleys Archimedes is quoted as saying, Give me a place to stand on and I will move the Earth. He explained the principles of levers in  his treatise â€Å"On the Equilibrium of Planes.† He designed block-and-tackle pulley systems for use in loading and unloading ships. Planetarium or Orrery Archimedes even built devices that showed the movement of the sun and moon across the sky. It would have required sophisticated differential gears. These devices were acquired by General  Marcus Claudius Marcellus as part of his personal loot from the capture of Syracuse. An Early Odometer Archimedes is credited with designing an odometer that could measure distance. It used a chariot wheel and gears to drop a pebble once per Roman mile into a counting box.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

12 Terms for Tests and Related Expressions

12 Terms for Tests and Related Expressions 12 Terms for Tests and Related Expressions 12 Terms for Tests and Related Expressions By Mark Nichol What’s the difference between an acid test and a litmus test? Can you test-drive something that can’t be driven, or test-fire something that can’t be fired? Here are literal and figurative definitions of some phrases that include the word test. 1. Acid test: a chemical test used to distinguish gold from other metals; by analogy, a very important or intense test of character or performance 2. Alpha test: a test of an early version of a company’s software or hardware by company employees or by consultants 3. Beta test: a test of a beta, or revised, version of a company’s software or hardware by people outside the company (often, a sample of prospective customers) before it is finalized and generally released for sale 4. Litmus test: a test for acidity using litmus, an organic dye absorbed onto a medium called litmus paper that changes color when exposed to chemicals; by analogy, a test in which one component or factor determines the outcome, or the posing of a question whose answer indicates the respondent’s suitability, or lack thereof, for a position, or an action whose result determines whether one or more other actions should be taken 5. Test ban: a self-imposed prohibition of nuclear weapons testing by mutual agreement between two or more countries 6. Test bed: a vehicle used to test equipment; by analogy, any thing, place, or method for testing a product or an idea 7. Test board: a sample piece of cardboard or other packing material for testing strength or resistance to damage, or a console for testing electronics (also, an organization that administers academic examinations) 8. Test case: a legal or similar case pursued with the intent of establishing a precedent for similar decisions; by analogy, an action undertaken to determine the likely outcome for such actions 9. Test check: auditing of sample data (also, as a verb, test-check, to audit sample data) 10. Test drive: use of a vehicle to evaluate its performance; by analogy, evaluation of any device or of implementation of a policy or procedure (also, as a verb, test-drive, to test a vehicle or other device, or a policy or procedure) 11. Test fire: testing of a weapon to evaluate its performance (also called a firing test); by analogy, to introduce or launch a policy or product to determine how it will be received (as a verb, test-fire, to test a weapon or launch a policy or product) 12. Test market: a region or group selected for limited release of a product (also, as a verb, test-market, to make a product available on a limited basis to evaluate its appeal) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Cost-Effective vs. Cost-EfficientEnglish Grammar 101: Verb Mood20 Slang Terms for Law Enforcement Personnel

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Critical evaluation of two luxury brand stores Essay

Critical evaluation of two luxury brand stores - Essay Example Such kinds of people have high purchasing power and hence they go for such kinds of products. When one buys something of luxury brand one can genuinely feel the difference. Luxury brands grow and expand even when the economy goes down. People spend thousands of dollars to buy such kind of products. In this paper two luxury brands Hermes and Chanel will be considered. Hermes is a French manufacturer of luxury goods with its headquartered in Paris, France. Similarly Chanel is also a high fashion house headquartered in Paris, France. The each has their own touch points across the world where they reflect their individuality with the customers. Such brands need to take care of their marketing strategy in such a way that their brand value does not get affected. Discussion In this section of the essay, the detailed discussion about each of the two chosen brands will be conducted. The discussion of each brand includes overview and analysis of the brand; and brand message and communication a cross brand touch points. In overview and analysis of the brand the key focus will be on brand position and heritage, and brand DNA. In brand message and communication, the key focus will be on the concept stores and other communication tools. Analysis of the two brands in above mentioned perspectives has been conducted separately for each of the two brands below. Hermes International Figure 1: Logo of Hermes International It was founded by Thierry Hermes in 1837. ... Hermes International S.A. has around 304 exclusive stores including 180 branches, 21 retail outlets and 124 concessionaries (Tran, 2012, p. 3). It employees only 9081 persons, but their revenues keeps increasing rapidly in many years. Their revenue in 2011 was 2,841 million euros. The prices of their products are sky high but still their sales keeps on increasing every year. For example on an average Hermes handbag cost $ 3000 -$ 5000, but people still prefer to buy them (Hermes, 2013, p. 1). Hermes targets teenagers and young adults who love fashion. Their customer wants high quality merchandise with good features and wonderful after sale service. Their customers earn high incomes and do not bother about how expensive the prices are. They basically look for limited edition leather watches. Such customers want to own something which other common people can’t afford to buy. United States is an important market for Hermes. They target high income customers who are mostly males. Hence they focus more on male accessories than female counterparts (Ritson, 2010, p. 1). Likewise their target customers are different across different countries, depending on the demography of the economy. Like Hermes is now trying to target the Mainland China. According to a study in China, male consumer s purchase more luxury products online as compared to female counterparts. So there also they sell the male accessories. Figure 2: Hermes International Store in London Hermes basically gives two powerful messages thorough their stores. One is the craftsmanship displayed by their artisans in creating their products. Another message is the quality and commitment to service delivery which is displayed by the service received by the customers who visits

Friday, October 18, 2019

Movie Comparison of Citizen Kane and Schindlers List Essay

Movie Comparison of Citizen Kane and Schindlers List - Essay Example The researcher of this essay contrasts and compares two significant and well-known movies, that are ‘Schindler’s List’ and ‘Citizen Kane’. There are two powerhouse films, that have made their mark as two of the greatest films in the world. The researcher mentiones in the essay that these movies stamped the names of their directors as forces to be reckoned with in their field. ‘Citizen Kane’ was Orson Welles in every essence of that statement. The researcher provides his opinion on the topic and states that plot was very interesting from beginning to end. It is one that makes the audience think and takes them into a journey. Essentially, as good films go the underlying theme centers on man and how you could easily lose grip of reality and how with all the money of the world you could remain unfulfilled. The story plays on the materialistic propensity prevalent in society, even in the 1940s. But what ‘Schindler’s List’ r elentlessly communicated was a far more humanistic tug on a person’s nature. This movie showed human beings at their worst and a man at his best. The emotional story and how Spielberg was able to transform it into heart wrenching film made it memorable and uplifting more than ‘Citizen Kane’ was able to do. The researcher then concluds that two films tackle wealth, power and influence but where one highlights a man’s fall and the subsequent inconsequentiality of his life because of greed, the other showcased how a man was able to save lives with the same virtues and transcend himself into being a person of hope.

The effect of recession on the U.K. fashion clothing retail sector Dissertation

The effect of recession on the U.K. fashion clothing retail sector - Dissertation Example Large retailers provide the bulk of the sales for the Fashion Clothing Industry. They are the multinationals like the Arcadia Group, Marks and Spencer, Tesco, New Look, Argos, Next, Primark, ASOS, The Body Shop, Robinson Webster Holdings. But there have been thousands of other small retailers, about 12,000. For all these retailers, the impact of recession was a combination of decline in the business performance sometime from the last quarter of 2008 to the 1st quarter of 2009, and a drive to do business in other countries like North America, Europe, and Asia. Then another decline took place in the first quarter of 2011 right after the Bank of England decided to stop Quantitative Easing toward the end of 2010. Money supply, lending, employment remained low 2 years after Quantitative Easing injected ?200 billion into the economy. Poor consumer spending and poor consumer confidence paralyzed business prospects within UK. ... Table of Contents Abstract Overview 4 Literature Review 5 Impact of Recession on UK GDP 5 Direct and Indirect Impact of Recession on the Textile Industry 7 Effect of Recession on the Overall Clothing Sectors in UK 9 Effect of Recession on UK Lingerie Market 12 Effect of Recession on the Buyer Behaviour 16 Contrasting Views of the Authors 17 Effect of Recession on the Consumer Spending 19 Contrasting Views 21 Effect of Recession on the Value Clothing Sector 27 UK’s Clothing and Footwear Industry 29 UK Market for Cloth Manufacturing 31 Bibliography 54 Appendix Overview Recession was defined by the Bank of England (2011, p. 20) as a financial period wherein two consecutive quarters show declines in output at constant market prices. The British Chambers of Commerce announced this in November 2008, according to the BBC News (2008). It was during the second quarter of 2008 when the UK economy went into recession. It led to decline in output of the economy as well as increase in the unemployment rate. There has been decline in the real output by 6.4 per cent. However, in the second quarter of 2010, it was apparent that GDP had grown by 1.9 percent. Not only the UK but also the developed countries throughout the world experienced reduction in the outputs (Bell & Blanchflower, 2010). The research paper aims at providing a thought upon the effects of recession on the UK clothing sector. It further tries to investigate the effect of recession on the buyer behaviour within the UK fashion clothing market. Aims of the Study / Research Objective Initially in this paper it has been intended to prove that the recession had really affected the overall UK economy and hence the affect on GDP will be demonstrated in this paper. The main objective of the study has

Studio Photography Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Studio Photography - Research Paper Example This paper analyzes the steps or processes, which should be followed by photographers, in order to produce quality images that satisfy their clients’ desires. The process described in this article is consistent with Ray Parslow’s design process. Ray Parslow and his team design logos for companies, including other graphic works for companies and individual clients. Parslow suggests that, proper communication and understanding of the clients, is the most crucial step in studio photography (Galer 128). This always gives the photographers confidences for designing a process that will result in incredible results. The customers’ desires should not be satisfied only at the end of the design process, but it should be long-lived even after the creative process is terminated. The photographers should be capable of providing their clients with a variety of solutions, which are researched, to aid understanding of how the design process will be decided and executed to completion. After selecting a design process, the clients should constantly be involved in the process, so as to address any change that need to be made in the design process. This will give both the photographer and the client an opportunity to solve issues that were not taken into consideration at the onset of the process (Galer 128). Photographers must always ensure the final prod ucts delivered to their clients satisfy their needs, and reflects the level of their professionalism in this industry. This will also create a long term relationship between the artist and the client. The timing and service fee of the project should be agreed upon at the onset of the design process. This helps in determining the time and costs required to perform activities such as photography, editing, printing and writing. Other photographers such as Jacob of butterfield photography also agree with Parslow that the service fee and

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Genral planning (related to the city that you choosed) Essay

Genral planning (related to the city that you choosed) - Essay Example This paper focuses on land use planning as an important element in the general planning of the city of Los Angeles. With a population of nearly 3.8 million people as per the 2010 census, Los Angeles city is currently the most populous city in California. The city is known all over the world as a center of entertainment, culture, trade and technology. As home to the Hollywood entertainment industry, Los Angeles is also home to many of the world’s celebrities. The general plan of Los Angeles was primarily designed to be a strategy of the future growth of the city using the population forecasts as the basis of planning. Consequently all the elements of a city’s general planning are intended to accommodate the future populations in a way that enhances environmental conservation. Just like many other cities around the world, demographic and spatial changes such as transport congestion are proving to be the major challenges facing sustainable land use in the city of Los Angeles and its environment (Davis, 23). As a result, land use planning in Los Angeles has been largely based on the principles of sustainability in an attempt to mitigate both the present and future challenges regarding the dynamics of urban land use. Additionally land use planning in the city of Los Angeles is also designed to promote the growth and development of both the residential neighborhoods and commercial districts of the city with regard to the future growth in population. The general planning of the city of Los Angeles has designated specific locations to be used for particular new land uses. The land use in these locations is determined by the respective community plans. A number of land use categories in the city of Los Angeles are in the areas that were originally designated for industrial, commercial and residential uses. It is however worth noting that the

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Consumer Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Consumer Psychology - Essay Example The main purpose of the survey was to observe the impact of its advertisements on the people so that the organization could identify the target market and at the same time inject fresh ideas into its advertising strategy. The positive information that has come out of this survey is that significant percentage of people above the age of 20 gave clear indication that their buying decision is swayed by the visual and textual content of the advertisements. The company too, needs to target people above the age of 20 years to market its products. The beer and ale are popular amongst the youth and Arran must target this group primarily because they are open to new ideas and products. By targeting this segment, Arran can strengthen its market position. Another major target markets are the retailers and hotel industry. While retail market would need ales and beers in the bottles, the hotel industry can also have it in cask format. The advertisements should be versatile in their approach to attract clientele from diverse segment of the market. Consumer psychology and analysis of database of customers are important part of market strategy which helps one to know the changing preferences of the customers in the rapidly changing times. Prices may not be very important part of the strategy with the old customers but competitive pricing helps to bring in new clients. Whenever new products are to be launched, it is important that trend in the customers’ needs and requirements are studied in advance so that appropriate strategy could be developed. While the growth and the future prospects of the business depend on the input data as they are able to divulge vital information about the products and the customers, strategic marketing through widespread appealing advertisement is a vital factor that helps to bring in new clientele. Arran Breweries was conceptualized by Richard and

Genral planning (related to the city that you choosed) Essay

Genral planning (related to the city that you choosed) - Essay Example This paper focuses on land use planning as an important element in the general planning of the city of Los Angeles. With a population of nearly 3.8 million people as per the 2010 census, Los Angeles city is currently the most populous city in California. The city is known all over the world as a center of entertainment, culture, trade and technology. As home to the Hollywood entertainment industry, Los Angeles is also home to many of the world’s celebrities. The general plan of Los Angeles was primarily designed to be a strategy of the future growth of the city using the population forecasts as the basis of planning. Consequently all the elements of a city’s general planning are intended to accommodate the future populations in a way that enhances environmental conservation. Just like many other cities around the world, demographic and spatial changes such as transport congestion are proving to be the major challenges facing sustainable land use in the city of Los Angeles and its environment (Davis, 23). As a result, land use planning in Los Angeles has been largely based on the principles of sustainability in an attempt to mitigate both the present and future challenges regarding the dynamics of urban land use. Additionally land use planning in the city of Los Angeles is also designed to promote the growth and development of both the residential neighborhoods and commercial districts of the city with regard to the future growth in population. The general planning of the city of Los Angeles has designated specific locations to be used for particular new land uses. The land use in these locations is determined by the respective community plans. A number of land use categories in the city of Los Angeles are in the areas that were originally designated for industrial, commercial and residential uses. It is however worth noting that the

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

High Schools in Australia and China Essay Example for Free

High Schools in Australia and China Essay High schools play an important role in teenager education. Each country pays high attention on it, so they try their best to improve the high school education system. Because of different cultures, high schools have many differences in various countries. For example, comparing high schools in Australia and China, there are several similarities and differences in three areas, including the teaching styles, the curriculum, and the time spent. First of all, the teaching styles in high schools between Australia and China have a similarity, but they have many differences. The similarity is that both Australian and Chinese teachers expect students to ask questions and contribute to discussions, and they ask students who break the rules to leave class and wait outside as a punishment. However, teaching styles in China and Australia have many differences. Chinese teachers stand in front of the classroom during the class, while the Australian teachers move around the room and sit on the tables. Moreover, sometimes Australian teachers have class outdoors. Whenever Chinese teachers call the students, they use the full name, but the Australian teachers use the first name. The students in Australian who have a various table arrangements sit more free than the Chinese students, for Chinese students usually sit in a steady desk arrangement. The main reason causing these differences is that Chinese classroom atmosphere is formal and strict; however, Australian atmosphere is relaxed and informal. On the other hand, the curriculum in China is completely different from Australian. One difference is that they have various subjects. The academic subjects in China are English, Chinese, and Math, although the Australian is English. Chinese students usually choose the English as the second language, but Australian chooses the Japanese. After that, another difference is the exams. For instance, Chinese students have to attend the Senior High School Entrance Examination and the College Entrance Examination, in which they can pass into the senior high schools and universities; nevertheless, Australian students only have exams at years from ten to twelve. Finally, a comparison of time spent between two countries receives several similarities as much as the differences. Some arrangements in Australia are the same as the Chinese. For example, the students go to school from Monday to Friday; furthermore, they have physical education at least one hundred minutes, like the sport time every week. Then two countries both divide high school years into junior years and senior years. In China years from seven to nine are junior years; in contrast, years from ten to twelve are senior years. However, in Australia years from seven to ten are junior, though the years after ten are senior years. Every year Australia has four terms, while china has two. And Australian students spent about six and a half hours at school; still, Chinese students stay at school for nine hours. To sum up, it is clear that high school education various from China to Australia in three different areas, even though they have some similarities. China and Australia have their own history and culture so that they create their own education system. However, each system has advantages which are better than others.

Monday, October 14, 2019

PESTEL Analysis of China and the UAE

PESTEL Analysis of China and the UAE UAE Economy Introduction The economic development of the UAE and China make these developing nations excellent choices for overseas expansion, globalization and foreign direct investment (FDI). Globalization of developing nations strengthens their economies and global distribution channels. The UAE is now considered one of the wealthiest and fastest developing nations worldwide. China is fast becoming an economic leader and manufacturer in the world, famous for its cheap labor factory workers. The UAE’s wealthy economy has been increasing at a rapid pace due to its real estate boom attracting huge FDI. China has eliminated many of its trade barriers and now has an open free trade economy that appeals to many global nations seeking new target markets and consumers for their products. Both the UAE and China are quickly becoming significant growth economies that attract global FDI from countries all over the world wanting to expand and find new import/export partners for their goods. UAE PEST Analysis (P)olitical The UAE Government is made up of a Federation of the seven Emirates ruled by President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi. The UAE government is very supportive of their free trade open society and encourages FDI and globalization. The court system is still being established since its rulings are not always enforceable due to the large foreign population. The legal regulations are similar to the western world and becoming stricter each year (Ahmed, 2007, 1-2). (E)conomic The UAE population consists of three million people and 60% of them are in the workforce. The UAE population growth rate is currently 9.4%, with only 13% of UAE Nationals making up the workforce and 87% foreigner expatriates taking over the Emirates market. With such a large expatriate workforce (87%) entering UAE due to the real estate development and investments in the region. The UAE GDP increased by 15% to 450 billion dirhams in 2007, and the economy grew even faster at a pace of 16.7%. Its GDP real growth rate is 10%, and it shows $99 billion in oil revenues, and $121 billion in non-oil revenues. The UAE exports equal $48 billion with partners in Korea, Singapore, India, Thailand and Japan. The oil and gas exports equal $75 billion. The UAE imports equal $30 billion of manufactured goods, transportation equipment, animals and food products from the UK, USA, Europe and Japan. The primary language is English, however, Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Chinese, Tonga and Russian are also common. The dominant religion in the country is Islam, however, there are also many Christians in the nation. The minorities include the local UAE Nationals, Russians, Chinese and westerners, while Indians are the dominant nationality. The minorities’ religious rights are respected by the majority. It is a very multicultural society and Hofesteds cultural dimensions framework can be used to describe the culture of the country. UAE is showing high economic growth that is attracting new foreign investors, which helps to generate more revenues and demand for the real estate sector (20%) (Ahmed, 20 07, 1-3). The level of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the economy is very high, with the majority of it going into real estate development and trade. The primary suppliers of FDI to the country include Europe, the USA, UK and Russia. Globalization has greatly improved the situation in UAE by bringing in thousands of products, services and workers from all over the world which has helped to develop the economy worldwide. The UAE legal system is honest and fair for local citizens. Foreign firms operating in the country do not face any political risk. The UAE belongs to the GCC regional trade bloc and has been a member of the WTO, World Bank and the IMF for almost seven years. The country’s huge wealth has resulted in not needing to borrow funds from the World Bank or the IMF. The UAE has experienced a balance of payments trade surplus in the past year of over 100 billion dirhams, due to the construction and real estate markets. Its official reserves account has increased by over 50 bi llion in the past year. The countrys currency is called dirhams and its value relative to the dollar is 3.67, and 3.98 to the euro. The currencys value has increased a bit in the past five years relative to the dollar and the euro because it is relying on a fixed exchange rate policy. The has no trade barriers to imported goods because they are encouraging all products to be imported and exported from the UAE since it re-exports 75% of its imports for profit (Ahmed, 2007, 1-3). (S)ociocultural UAE citizens have a very high standard of living, western lifestyle, and their financial positions have continuously increased over time. This has allowed for a very materialistic high society with lots of money to purchase houses, cars and other material items. The society is open and free with all types of hotels, restaurants, tourism, recreational activities and sports. The multicultural nature of the country allows for many foreigners to go there to work in well-paying positions. An overall country analysis shows the future trends of development and expansion that the UAE is undergoing will lead to an estimated 4.8 million people living there by the year 2010 (Cateora, 2007, 68). (T)echnological The UAE region is composed of a large population of very young professionals who are extremely technologically-knowledgeable. The IT industry relates to the tourism, hotel, computer and IT service sectors. The number of Internet users in the GCC region has increased ten-fold since 1998. The Internet and IT software solutions industries in the Gulf region have doubled the rate of Europe. Estimates of personal computer sales in the GCC show about 12% growth in the quantity of units sold by 2003, compared to the global growth of 8%. The UAE has the most satellite, Internet and mobile phone users in the Middle East (Cateora, 2007, 68-69). China External Environmental Analysis: Pest Analysis (P)olitical The People’s Republic of China’s current political system is Communism, with the capital city being Beijing. There are 23 different provinces (including Taiwan) and five separate regions in China. Their independence day was 221 BC under the Ch’in Dynasty, January 1, 1912 under the Manchu Dynasty, and October 1, 1949 when the People’s Republic was formed, which is their national holiday. The Chinese constitution was created on December 4, 1982, and their legal system involves a very complicated set of cultural statutes and customs for criminal law. The government is trying to upgrade the commercial laws to adapt to the new needs required due to an increase in foreign trade (Forsyth, 2004, 35-38). (E)conomic China’s population is 1.3 billion people, 22.3% aged 0-14, 70.3% aged 15-64, and 7.5 aged 65 and over. China’s GDP is $6.449 trillion, with the GDP real growth rate at 9.1%, and GDP per capita at $5,000. The GDP by sector is 14.8% for agriculture, 52.9% for industry, and 32.2% for services. Investments make up 43.4% of the GDP in China. However, the Chinese population has 10% of its people living in poverty, with the lowest 10% equaling 2.4% of the household income, and the highest 10% equaling 30.4%. The inflation rate is 1.2%, labor force 778.1 million, unemployment rate 101%, and budget for revenues at $265.8 billion, with expenditures at $300.2 billion. The labor force includes 50% in agriculture, 22% in industry, and 28% in services. Over 75% of all toys sold in the US are made in China and it controls almost 25% of the globe’s foreign currency reserves. As for per capita income, China has 6% growth (Fouquin, 1998, 105-108). Agriculture and industry are the major markets in China, especially in larger cities like Hong Kong and Shangai, where there is a lot of foreign investment. The public debt is 30.1% of the GDP. The agriculture products are wheat, rice, peanuts, tea, potatoes, cotton, barley, fish and pork. The industries include coal, textiles and apparel, iron and steel, automobiles, telecommunications, electronics, cement, chemical fertilizers, petroleum, and food processing. The industrial growth rate is 30.4%, with $436.1 billion in exports, and $397.4 billion in imports. Their current export partners include 21.1% USA, 17.4% Hong Kong, 13.6% Japan, 4.6% South Korea, and 4% Germany. Their import partners include 18% Japan, 11.9% Taiwan, 10.4% South Korea, 8.2% USA, and 5.9% Germany. The majority of the Chinese people are not very religious and considered atheist, with only 3%-4% being Christian and 1-2% being Daoist, Muslim or Buddhist. The country is not very culturally homogenous and the majori ty of the people are Chinese. The official Chinese languages include Chinese, Mandarin and Cantonese (Yin, 2007, 1-2). FDI is beneficial to the host country because it brings in foreign business, products and services that would otherwise not be available. However, FDI can also result in small local businesses going bankrupt due to not having competitive advantages over larger companies. FDI is the key to underdeveloped nations improving their economy and strategic alliances. China’s currency is called yen, and its value relative to the US dollar is 100 to 1. Its value relative to the euro is 110 to 1. The currencys value has only changed a small amount in the past 5 years relative to the dollar and the euro? The country uses a fixed exchange rate policy. China experienced a balance of payments trade surplus in the past year of over three billion yen due to increased globalization and FDI. Its official reserves account have changed a lot in the past year, increasing by over 20 million yen. China does not yet belong to any regional trade blocs and has been a member of the WTO, World Bank and th e IMF for 10 years. The country has borrowed billions of dollars from the World Bank and the IMF in the past year, and how has huge debts totaling over 300 billion dollars. (S)ociocultural China still maintains many of its most traditional values and beliefs of Confucianism, which is taught at many schools and academies. Confucianism is a social order and almost considered their religion since most Chinese do not follow any other doctrine. The basis of Confucianism for the Chinese culture involves family organization and many values related to social life. Social harmony is a major rule to this belief, which also includes many cultural rituals and ceremonies that are thousands of years old and still practiced by the older generation today. However, many of the younger generation are less strict in their Confucianism beliefs, due to modernization of the country and influences by other cultures like America (Redinger, 2003, 1-2). (T)echnological China has 263 million main line telephones, 269 million mobile phones, 160,421 Internet hosts, and 94 million Internet users (which is good for e-commerce and online vendor ordering, shipping and tracking for Sharjah companies). China is undergoing many new technology changes, especially in their banking sector, which still concerns its leaders due to its effect on the stability of the economy. As China learns how to integrate new IT methods into its different sectors, they are still trying to upgrade the skills and knowledge of their workers to meet the technology needs (Rashtchy, 2004, 1-3). Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Hofstede’s cultural dimensions can be applied as a framework for understanding the cultural society of both the UAE and China: Power Distance: the extent to which people accept unequal distribution of power. In higher power cultures, there is a wider gap between the powerful and the powerless (both nations). Uncertainty avoidance: the extent to which the culture tolerates ambiguity and uncertainty. High uncertainty avoidance leads to low tolerance for uncertainty and to a search for absolute truths (China). Individualism: The extent to which individuals or closely-knit social structures such as the extended family (collectivism) are the basis for social systems. Individualism leads to the reliance on self and focus on individual achievement (both nations). Masculinity: The extent to which assertiveness and independence from others is valued. High masculinity leads to high sex-role differentiation, focus on independence, ambition, and material goods (UAE) (Gibson, 2003, 55-58, 303-306). Necessity for MNC CSR FDI Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have a definite duty to practice corporate social responsibility (CSR), especially during globalization into developing nations like China and the UAE. Corporations today are impelled to conduct their global business with integrity and social consciousness to improve their images with the international public. The potential benefits of FDI include helping transfer technology and skills, providing management and training of local workers, aiding in the creation of original skills in administration, marketing and other business techniques, and contributing to the growth of local entrepreneurship. FDI also improves competitive markets, provides access to international markets, contributes to tax revenues and helps input foreign exchange problems. FDI produces employment opportunities for developing nations’ citizens, and raises the rate of domestic wages (Kobrin, 1997, 7-10) (Hay, 1995, 59-63). Conclusion The UAE economy has a free trade policy which allows for all products to be globally traded to increase profitability opportunities. However, China has a strategic trade policy that allows for most products to be traded, yet restricts the main goods that the Chinese manufacturers produce from being imported to reduce global competition. Both the UAE and China are very attractive for FDI, however, for different reasons. The UAE is a famous tourist and hospitality destination, with huge profit potential as a real estate and construction investment. China is famous for its cheap manufacturing labor, raw materials and supplies. China recently opened up its trade market allowing FDI and global trade, which attracts international producers wanting new target markets. Both these nations have very appealing societies that foreign investors and MNCs are focusing on to increase their globalization potential. References Alon, I. (2003). Chinese culture, organizational behavior and international business management. London: Praeger. Brahm, L. (1996). The Business Guide to China. Singapore: Butterworth-Heinemann Asia. Brewer, J. (2004). Foreign business chiefs must learn the art of Guanxi to enter China. Industrial Correspondence. Cateora, P. (2007). International Marketing. Boston: McGraw Hill Irwin. Claasen, L. (2004). Master the culture and business in China pays off. Economy, Business Finance. Forsyth, I. (2004). China seen as a key driver of global economy. Aberneen Press and Journal. Fouquin, M. (1998). The Chinese economy. Geneva: Economica. Gibson, J. (2003). Organizations. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Griffin, R. W. and Pustay, M. W. (2006) International Business: A Managerial Perspective. London: Prentice Hall. Hay, R. (1995). 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