Texting in the Workplace Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Texting in the Workplace - Research Paper Example Its impact to the society is vast but is still in an on-going debate whether it is advantageous or not. For some, the use of text messaging is useful at work because of the fact that a person can still be reached even when he or she is not around the office, in terms of communication with client, and others. However, text messaging is also seen as a hindrance for a productive work because of the time people spend on it, the distraction it gives, and others. This paper has examined and evaluated a few among the literatures that can help the author assess the impact of text messaging in the workplace to give some indications that can help in the future career. II. Report Mobile phone has been a device that is widely distributed in the world. For some, it has been a necessity just like parts of their everyday lives. However, its impact to the society is still being explored through various researches. Some claim the advantages that mobile phone has contributed to them while the others s tates its disadvantages to the society. However, one certain impact of mobile phone has been noted. Through mobile phone, text messaging has turned out to be a form of mass communication in the society (Rheingold, 2002). ... This review aims at providing a cursory outlook on texting in the workplace and may not be a representative of the complete array of information concerning text messaging. Indeed, text messaging is proven to be advantageous in some points but text messaging that is situated in the workplace is still an on-going discussion. According to Langer (2008), researches concerning text messaging in the workplace are only limited. For Daft and Lengel, text messaging is much more suitable for task-based communication (as cited in Hu, Wood, Smith & Westbrook, 2004). On the one hand, on an account on text messaging, Galushkin’s (2003) claims that text messaging has the ability to be a rich medium in distributed organizations. In such a way, text messaging is asserted to be a more important means of communication and also that it has the more advantage of its ability to facilitate a communication which is fast even if the users are distant to each other. However, the disadvantage of text me ssaging is the less rich quality of communication because it lacks the audio and visual aspect, facial expression, body language, tone of voice as well as the other non-verbal forms of communication. In terms of work related communication, Galushkin (2003) expresses that the advantage of text messaging is when the employee does not feel inferior when addressing his or her superior. Because of this feeling of inferiority, productivity at work is at stake for the uneasiness and apprehension to talk or ask his or her boss. Productivity can be ensured as well given that the time spent on communication is usually shorter than face to face interaction. Text messaging is really much more efficient because of the advantage of having

International terrorism Essay Example for Free

International terrorism Essay Terrorism is the intended use or threat of use of extra normal violence or brutality by sub-national groups to obtain a political, religious, or ideological objective through intimidation of a huge audience, usually not directly involved with the policy making that the terrorists seek to influence. (Enders and Sandler, 2002a, 2002b) Several historical and contemporary terrorist groups support a strong religious party, typically by dint of their membership. Anti-colonial, nationalist movements such as the Jewish terrorist organizations active in pre-independence Israel and the Muslim dominated FLN in Algeria come eagerly to mind, as do more topical examples such as the devastatingly Catholic IRA; their Protestant counterparts, arrayed in various loyalist paramilitary groups like the Ulster Freedom Fighters, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commandos; and the predominantly Muslim PLO. Though, in all these groups it is the political, not the sacred aspect of their motivation that is prevailing; the primacy of their ethno-nationalist and/or irredentist aims is obviously true. For others, however, the religious motivation is overriding. Certainly, the religious crucial for terrorism are the most significant defining characteristic of terrorist activity today. The consequences of the rebellion that transformed Iran into an Islamic republic in 1979 have included its critical role in the renaissance of this strand of terrorism; but, the contemporary advent of religious terrorism has not been restricted exclusively to Iran, much less to the Middle East or to Islam: since eighties it has involved elements of all the worlds’ key religions and, in several instances, smaller sects or cults as well. I have no regrets, said Yigal Amir, the young Jewish extremist who assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, to the police. I acted alone and on orders from God. (Amir Yigal, 1987, pp. 7-8). Like Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah is another international terrorist group that was the product of numerous splits within the Lebanese Shia movement. Its origins can be traced back to 1974, when a Lebanese Shia cleric, Imam Musa al-Sadr, who had studied in the Iranian holy city of Qom, organized the Movement of the Underprivileged to advance Shia interests and progress the communitys lowly socioeconomic conditions. This movement was consequently reorganized as the principal Shia political party in Lebanon, Amal, which formed its own militia during the civil war that racked Lebanon a year later. Hezbollahs ideology is as simple as the organization is â€Å"wraithlike. † The members are taught that humans form two groups: the followers of Allah (Muslims) and the followers of Satan (infidels) who must be censored so that Allahs rule will expand to the whole planet. Satan, they have been told, evident himself in all sorts of disguises: a womans lock showing from under her veil (chador); the bare leg of a teenager boy; women and men mixing in public places (cinemas, cafes, restaurants); the Israeli profession of Palestine; and so on. The struggle against Satan is a full-time job for party members; the partys proposal clearly states: â€Å"Our religion is not a meager part-time hobby like cross-worshipers who go to church on Sunday to bribe their God. † (Robert Fisk, 1996) The party recruit â€Å"volunteers for martyrdom,† trains them, and flings them on missions. In October 1983, such volunteers carried out the suicide bombing of the American marines and French commandos in Beirut. Other members linger the streets, throwing acid on womens unveiled faces, pasting opponents, setting fire to newspaper offices, and so on. The party also broadcasts courses on radio and TV on how to use a diverse firearm, techniques of guerrilla warfare, kidnapping, assassinations of â€Å"enemies of God,† and other deeds. The size of the membership is composed of teenagers and even children. Throughout the eight-year war with Iraq, â€Å"children’s martyrs† were commonly sent to the mine fields to clear the way for tanks. A senior member of the party explained that children can be replaced at less cost than the tanks. Khomeinis justification was perceptibly less cynical: Those less than twenty have not yet been infected by satanic Western culture. In its first months, the Islamic Republic used Syrian and Palestinian terrorists to perform assassinations of opponents in foreign countries. In 1980, Khomeini ordered the formation of an Iranian force capable of striking anywhere in the world. Hojatol-Islam Fazlollah Mahalati, with the assistance of Hadi Ghaffary and Chamran, a pro-Khomeini radical who lived in Lebanon (who had both been trained in PLO camps in the early 1970s), was dispersed to the task. By 1981 the hit squads started their worldwide operations. In 1979, however, al-Sadr vanished throughout a visit to Libya. The desertion of the Imam created a vacuum within Amal that made the party productive ground for Iranian influence, and given the movement prone to the fundamentalist call of the revolt which had brought Khomeini to power earlier that year. Nabih Berri, a lawyer, was appointed head of Amal the following year. Hussein Mussawi, and the assumed mastermind behind the terrorist campaign against Libya to recover the Imam, was named as Berris deputy and commander of the militia. A fanatical supporter of Khomeini, Mussawi sought to place Amal in the front line of a regional revolution based on the new Iranian Islamic Republic. Berri, on the other hand, clung to a modest line and advocated a new deal for the Shia community within the limits of the existing Lebanese state structure. By this time, though, the radicalization of the Shia in Lebanon had gone far away the narrow nationalist and social aims of Amal. In 1981, Mussawi broke with Berri and founded his own organization, Islamic Amal. Shortly after, another faction split from Amal and under the leadership of Abbas Mussawi and the spiritual guidance of Sheikh Mohamed Hussein Fadlallah, it soon came to be recognized as the Hezbollah. Like Islamic Amal, Hezbollah embraced Khomeinis directive for a pan-Islamic revolt designed to turn Lebanon into an Iranian-style Islamic republic. It is really unfortunate that people around the world are irritable about three human deaths throughout this war yet hardly uttered a word with the massacres lately in Africa where hundreds of thousands of people were murdered. The United Nations is calling for a cease-fire and saying this could lead to a humanitarian crisis. Though, this effort didn’t work well so far. According to Gal Luft, In Hizballahland, the movements fighters have much more than a safe haven. Its training camps have become a hub of international terrorism, a convention center for some of the worlds most dangerous men. Here they can experiment with new weapons, practice their tactics, and collaborate with fellow terrorists from groups like al Qaeda, Hamas, Ansar al-Islam, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Kurdish Workers Party. From Lebanon, similarly, Hizballahs agents and associates can easily export their skills to destinations around the world. (Gal Luft, Hizballahland, Commentary Magazine, July-August 2003). The second advantage Hizballah enjoys is sophisticated weaponry. Al Qaedas arsenal is now limited to small, easily smuggle arms. When it comes to anti-aircraft capabilities, it possesses (as far as we know) only antiquated Soviet SA-7 Strella missiles, part of roughly 50,000 that were sold to third-world countries during the cold war; such missilesthey may have figured in last Novembers attack on an Israeli passenger plane in Kenyaare largely ineffective against the countermeasure routinely employed by modern planes. By contrast, Hizballah has accumulated an impressive stockpile of weapons, including, as I mentioned at the outset, thousands of rockets, artillery pieces, and antitank and anti-aircraft missiles. In the latter category, it has reportedly equipped itself with SA-18 missiles, whose substantially improved range and speed enable them to shoot down almost any aircraft. Gal Luft, Hizballahland, Commentary Magazine, July-August 2003. Owning more weapons than it knows what to do with, Hizballah has also helped procure arms for other groups. It played a key role in the January 2002 attempt to smuggle 50 tons of weapons to the Palestinian Authority aboard the Karine-A. Its external-operations commander, Imad Mughniyeh, one of the worlds most wanted terrorists, arranged to purchase the ship, and Mughniyehs deputy Haj Bassem personally supervised the loading operation at the Iranian island of Kish. Gal Luft, Hizballahland, Commentary Magazine, July-August 2003.

Structural Biology in Pharmaceutical Research

Structural Biology in Pharmaceutical Research INTRODUCTION Molecular biology plays a key role and contributes a lot in determining the 3D structure of a molecule be it proteins, nucleotides or any other biological macromolecule. It also helps in finding the target sites when it comes to drug designing. Many structural biology techniques are used in the field of pharmaceutical research. These mainly include X-ray crystallography and NMR Spectroscopy. However, structural biology also includes the help of bioinformatics. Structure based drug design plays a major role when it comes to pharmaceutical research and also it has advanced a lot over the years. The remarkable discovery of peptidomimetics and nonpeptides proves this. This was done using techniques like X ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy as well as other computer based methods. One of the widely used tools in structural biology is X-ray crystallography. This is used to determine the atomic as well as the molecular structure of a crystal where the crystalline atoms cause diffraction of X-rays in many specific directions. It is a form of high resolution microscopy. Using this technique, visualizing protein structures at the atomic level becomes easier and helps in understanding its functions. It also gives information about how proteins react with other molecules and undergo changes in their conformation. As well as the process of catalysis with respect to enzymes. All this knowledge is necessary for designing drugs which are meant to ta rget specific sites or are used for industrial processes. Crystallography, being the most widely used technique may not be successful at all times. With this, NMR comes to the rescue. It helps in elucidating 3D structures of target ligand complexes. With advances in genome sequencing, protein expressions, crystallography and NMR; these have helped in using protein 3D structure for fast discovery of drugs. The role of structural biology and bioinformatics in this is that they help in the manufacturing of drugs that are target specific and well optimized. Also, due to the determination of structure, fragment binding becomes possible. For a drug to work efficiently, it needs to bind to the specific site or the target proteins. Using computer for this is a very good technique which finds and optimizes target proteins that are required. For a substance to bind a target it has be extremely specific like a lock and a key. Structural biology methods and molecular modeling are tools that are used in the developments of such molecules. In the process of drug discovery, computational chemistry proves to be a tool of great help. After the molecule has binded to the desired molecule and the binding properties are known, the suitability of the compound can be improved using the computer. The drug’s binding affinity can be calculated digitally using the computer. Also, using these methods it is also possible to calculate if the changes in the structure would lead to any undesirable or toxic properties. These methods save a lot of time as compared to lab work especially in the early stages of drug designing. Due to this, an increase in the success rates can be observed. Fig 1: Drug Discovery Process Courtesy: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1609333/figure/fig1/ X-RAY CRYSTALLOGRAPHY In order to determine the precise molecular structure of the target protein, X-ray structure analysis is used. In this, the crystal lattice structure of the protein diffracts the X-ray beam in a typical way. The diffraction pattern can be analyzed and due to this, the density of electrons can be read which are present in the parts of the target protein. This in turn, helps in determination of the position of the atoms. Several repetition of this process and refining the image is done till the researchers obtain a 3D structure of the target molecule. Usage on X-ray crystallography in drug discovery has been present since a long time where 30 years ago the 1st three dimensional structure of proteins were determined. However, not all the pharmaceutical companies resort to this technique as it is considered time consuming and too expensive. A total change in drug design has occurred in the past years, thus using 3D structures in the designing processes. For structure that were not available with X-ray crystallography, other methods were used which included comparative models based on homologues. Crystal structures of key drug targets are now available like AIDS drugs such as Agenerase and Viracept were developed using the crystal structure of HIV protease and the influenza drug Relenza was designed using the crystal structure of neuraminidase.Drugs originating from structure based design have entered clinic trials and some of them have even been marketed as drugs now. Knowing the protein structure is a key component in the process of drug design. It is used in lead optimization which is a process that revolves around the usage of structure for guiding chemical modification of the molecule of lead for giving the perfect fit with respect to shape, bonds and other interactions. Protein structure is also used in target selection; this involves homology recognition but with the recent advances in structural genomics this has become easier. X-ray crystallography is also used in the direct screening of chemical fragments. Astex Technology has developed â€Å"Pyramid†, where fragment libraries are screened in cocktails using X-ray crystallography. Fragment hits that are derived from Pyramid are optimized in order to maintain good ligand efficiency. NMR NMR spectroscopy was the first structural technique to be made full use in fragment screening. Target Immobilized NMR Screening (TINS) Usage of NMR spectroscopy on targets that are immobilized helps in binding of small molecules. A process called as Target Immobilized NMR Screening (TINS) has ennumerable advantages; one of them being that a minimum quantity of the non isotopically labeled protein is needed. This method helps in binding in the range of KD values of 100nM to 20mM. If the reference protein is selected carefully, the number of false positive hits that one may get can be avoided. Due to this, maximum valid hits are ensured. These hits can be treated with biological assays. A variety of soluble proteins as well as membrane proteins have been screened. The combination of target immobilization and small screening of fragments using NMR proves to be of immense help in Early Drug discovery. STEPS IN DRUG DISCOVERY PROCESS TARGET IDENTIFICATION FROM SEQUENCE STRUCTURE HOMOLOGY RECOGNITON Structural bioinformatics is a backbone for the identification of new members of supefamilies. Protein structures impart a major information about the families and super families. The proteins that have evolved would be having some common structures or features that they would be exhibiting thus leading to the importance of â€Å"homology recognition†. An example of this was the recognition of HIV proteinase which belonged to be a member of the pepsin/renin superfamily. Recognition of distant homologues can be done using methods like sequence-structure matching that are classified as profile methods or threading. Profile methods involve the sequence comparison algorithms using traditional methods. Computer programs like FUGUE aid in this and helps in the recognition of homologues. Another method used is Threading which fits a probe sequence and evaluates compatibility between the sequenced and the structure that is proposed. This method is powerful for fold recognition. Example of a computer based program is GenTHREADER. After the homologue of the structure is known and identifies, it can be modeled using a variety of procedures. Although structural bioinformatics is helpful, it is necessary to have an accurate experimental structure. Target validation and the identification of ligand binding regions Structures defined by structural genomics programs are mainly of proteins that do not have a known function but they have been identified as proteins only on the basis of their gene sequences. Hence, the need for the development of computerized based methods arises which would identify sites which are involved in the interactions. PROSITE, a sequence motif database identifies the specific residues that have functions. Several attempts have been made to predict the interaction sites using computerized based methods either by identifying high-energy conformations or identifying clefts that can accommodate ligands. LEAD DISCOVERY The trait of a target is based on the number of drug like ligands for a target class. Classification of the targets into families has helped in designing compound libraries for particular families. Screening of a small fragments or molecule is needed and this can be done using biophysical assays. Ligand docking is a method that helps to find the best binding position and orientation. The best docking programmes are successful in dockin 70-80% of ligands in the ligand-protein complexes. A major drawback of this method is that there are difficulties in predicting affinities of different compounds. CONCLUSION Knowledge of the three-dimensional structures of protein targets plays a major role in all stages of drug discovery. Its place in lead optimization is well established with large teams of structural biologists recruited into all major pharmaceutical companies. The success of the method is evident from drugs in use and new ones reaching the market. But structural biology and bioinformatics show that many key targets for drug discovery are multidomain and multiprotein complexes. Such systems pose significant challenges not only for characterization using structural techniques but also because the inter-protein surfaces are usually poor in distinguishing features. BIBLIOGRAPHY RESEARCH PAPERS: Blundell, T., Sibanda, B., Montalvao, R.W., Brewerton, S., Chelliah, V., Worth, C., Harmer, N., Davies, O.,1 and Burke D(2006) Structural biology and bioinformatics in drug design: opportunities and challenges for target identification and lead discovery. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 361(1467): 413–423. Congreve, M., Murray CW., and Blundell T(2005) Structural biology and drug discovery. Drug Discov Today. 2005 Jul 1;10(13):895-907. BOOK: Structural Genomics and High Throughput Structural Biology(2006)edited by Michael Sundstrom, Martin Norin, Aled Edwards. WEBSITE: http://www.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/suppliers/zobio/products/nmr-based-structural-biology http://www.bayerpharma.com/en/research-and-development/technologies/research-technologies/computational-chemistry-structural-biology/index.php

National Parks and Air Traffic Essay -- Nature Court Grand Canyon Essa

National Parks and Air Traffic I. Introduction Grand Canyon National Parks attracted 4.5 million visitors in 1999. Of these 4.5 million visitors, about 40% were not Americans - Germans, French, and Japanese led the way. Grand Canyon National Park brings in millions of tourist dollars per year to the region. One of the most popular ways to see the Canyon besides simply driving to the South Rim and spending the day is by airplane or helicopter. About 800,000 people per year fly over the Canyon. In the peak summer periods, there are over 1,000 flights every day. 31 air companies operating out of five states (Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, and Colorado) operate tours over the Grand Canyon. In 1995, the total air tour revenue was approximately $115.9 million. An average 30-minute helicopter flights costs $100 per person. The air tour companies argue that they provide a needed service to older and handicap people and children, who would otherwise be unable to experience the Canyon. They also say that their use of the Canyon is envi ronmentally-friendly by not contributing to the air pollution, road congestion, vehicle traffic, garbage and crowded vistas that are common every day during the peak summer periods on the South Rim. Opponents to overflights state that the noise intrusion from the constant buzz of air traffic is intolerable for those hikers, campers, and visitors on the ground, trying to enjoy the natural quiet of the Canyon. They also state that because of the sheer volume of air traffic, this form of sight-seeing has become unacceptably dangerous, citing numerous fatal air accidents. II. Background Shortly after airplanes began flying, air tour companies started on the South Rim and in Nevada in the... ...l, Edwin. "Abuzz About Flights Over the Grand Canyon." New York Times 20 October 1996. Murphy, Jamie. "A Bunch of Little Gnats: A droning echo of tourist flights through the Grand Canyon." Time 28 April 1986: 60. National Parks Overflights Act of 1987 Â § 100, 16 U.S.C. Â § 1a-1 (1987). O’Brien, Bob. Our National Parks and the Search for Sustainability. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1999. Oversight of Grand Canyon Overflights, 1992: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 102nd Congress, 2nd Session (1992). S. 268, The National parks Overflights Act of 1997, 1997: Hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 105th Congress, 1st Session (1997). "U.S. Government Announces Limits on Flights Over Grand Canyon." Arizona Republic 29 March 2000.

Private Schools vs. Public Schools Essay

Private Schools VS. Public Schools Parents often wonder how to start off their children’s education. Depending on ones religion or beliefs a private or public school is a choose most parents face. Of course, each school offers it’s own pros and con’s the choice is simple. Public schools offer the best well rounding of a student. While being enrolled in a public school, students are faced with real outside world problems, are with a different blend of students each year, and are also introduced to the latest technology faster. While, a public school the money is offered to them by the state easier then having donations like a private school. Ones child will most likely be with the same students throughout their educational years. Classes aren’t as big and varied like classes at public schools. While in a public school, children view the wide spread cultures and human beings that make up today’s American society. Public schools have a wider variety of classes, which give students an opportunity to choose the classes the want. These classes allow students to pursue a career from the knowledge they have obtained. For example, one might take a business class, which could lead to a career in the business industry. On the other hand, in Private schools they only provide the necessary classes required by the state. In some intermediate private schools, Home Economics and Shop classes Brady 2 aren’t even offered. Unlike Public schools these classes have been offered since fifth or sixth grade and up. The uniforms in private schools ones child will be wearing would not allow the child to show character in his self. Uniforms may make life easier in the long run, but think of how many different ways in style people express themselves. There’s skater, prep, sporty, gothic, hippie, or whatever is convertible. In public schools, ones child has many different ways to fit in or dress how they feel is convertible to them. The sports in private schools aren’t that excelled as ones in public schools. Like in private intermediate schools there are not a variety of sports. Public schools offer sports as young as their primary schools. Sports in Public schools seem to be widely known and are more funded. The money that Public schools receive go towards uniforms, equipment, and top of the line coach’s. Public schools show to the community that they will educate and well round you child better then Private schools. Private schools will limit your children’s ability to grow. Although your child will receive religion in school as another subject, is it really worth it to you to have your child be deprived of the opportunity that will lead them to be a better person?

Shamanism In Hmong Culture Essays

Shamanism In Hmong Culture Essays Shamanism In Hmong Culture Paper Shamanism In Hmong Culture Paper Essay Topic: Invisible Man Hmongs began to settle in the United States from Southeast Asia in 1975 but still practice many traditions from their homeland today. In many cultures that migrate to new areas, practices are discontinued over time due to Americanization. Although with many younger generations these traditions may be forgotten about, for many elders they are still practiced on a regular basis today. Healthcare providers need to have an understanding of and respect the practices of other cultures. A large percentage of Hmongs are not familiar with biomedical healthcare and do not feel comfortable with health care procedures used in the U. S. In the Hmong culture the believed source of illness can differ from what U. S. healthcare providers feels the source is. Some of the included sources of illness in the Hmong culture can be soul loss, supernatural or spirit, natural causes, magical causes (illness from cast spelled on patient), or the expiration of ones â€Å"life Visa†. The practices used to cure the illness are traditional and differ from the practices used by healthcare providers in the U. S. One of the most common practices used in the Hmong culture today to cure the ill is bring in a shaman for a seance. A shaman is also known to the Hmongs as the master of ecstasy. The shaman can be either male or female and is thought to have the ability to detach is soul from the body during a heeling seance so he can leave for the â€Å"invisible world† and be in equal standings with the spirits. Not only can the shaman disconnect is soul from its body to interact with the spirits, it can also interact by seeing them, talking to them, touching them, and if necessary can catch them and return them home. In the Hmong culture it is believed that illness can occur when the soul is not satisfied with their current owner. When this happens the soul would attempt to incarnate itself to a new location. An example of how this is though to work is given below. â€Å"It is thought that sometimes souls may not be satisfied with their owner and would therefore try to incarnate themselves elsewhere. Say, for example, that I am a hard-working Hmong farmer. My right hand is wrinkled and callous. Because of an accident that happened while I was at work, my hand is hurt. Close to me there lives a young girl that takes great care of herself. She has a very tender and beautiful hand. One day, the soul of my hand cannot stand it any longer, and it falls, as the Hmong would say. By this it must be understood that the soul of the farmers hand escapes in order to reincarnate itself in the girls hand that is so soft. â€Å" When the soul successfully leaves its owner the body is left mutilated and sick which is why a shaman is called in to contact the spirit and heal the body by bringing back the soul potentially by using force. Hmong people typically belong to a specific clan and for each specific clan they have their own shaman which has been chosen by the spirits. The shaman heals the patient by draping the ills face with a black cloth and leaves their body to enter the invisible world. While in the invisible world the shaman may ask for specific animals to be sacrificed in order to satisfy the spirit who are accountable for the evil and illness. When the shaman is finished satisfying and retrieving the lost soul health is then restored to the patient. The healing process needs to be done in very correct and specific ways in the Hmong culture and before they can seek further medical attention the shaman needs to be brought in to seek the soul first. The process of using a Shaman to restore healing does not only reconnect the soul with its owner it also restores connections that were lost during the illness between the patient, family, and community. Being that many Hmong people living in the Untied States today still practice healing with a Shaman it is important that health care workers understanding what and how a Shaman works. When a Hmong person comes in to seek medical attention or is taken unknowingly (is concounsious or unstable and is brought in by another person or family member) it is important to understand that before a procedure or given medications a Shaman may be needed before this process can happen. In their culture in order to a person to heal the Shaman needs to find the lost soul or health will never be restored. Although this might sound strange or be aggravating to many biohealth believers being respectful and understanding is key to winning their trust. A majority of Hmong people do not feel comfortable seeking health care at hospitals and clinics in the U. S. because the practices vastly differ from the practices in their home land. So as a healthcare professional do your research and have an understanding about cultures other than your own. The Shaman is a necessity in order to heal a person in their beliefs and if medical attention needs to be carried out bring in a Shaman and let them first heal the patient by their beliefs so that the needed surgery or care can take place.

A Place to Belong Professor Ramos Blog

A Place to Belong 1939 Marissa Diaz English 261 8 April 2019 A Place to Belong Family is the most important influence in one’s life. Family can provide support during moments of suffering and they are there to celebrate great triumphs. During the Great Depression many families suffered, and unemployment rates rose leaving families financially ruined and homeless. â€Å"Babylon Revisited†, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, follows Charlie Wales during the aftermath of the depression, on his path of redemption, as he attempts to reclaim custody of his daughter. â€Å"Barn Burning†, by William Faulkner, follows a struggling family, trying to stay together and hold onto their dignity during the Great Depression. The short story of â€Å"Babylon Revisited†, F. Scott Fitzgerald and â€Å"Barn Burning† by William Faulkner examine American Identity during the Great Depression, both view family as a defining factor of American identity. In â€Å"Babylon Revisited†, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, family is major factor in American identity. The story begins with Charlie Wales, revisiting the bar he once frequented. He used to be a heavy drinker, this is revealed when the bartender mentions, â€Å"[Charlie was] going pretty strong a couple of years ago† (Fitzgerald 981). This is indictive of the main character’s personal growth. He has moves past the days of partying and he has done this in the hopes of gaining custody of his daughter Honoria. He confesses to his sister-in-law, â€Å"[he is] awfully anxious to have a home†¦ to have Honoria in it† (987). His daughter is all he has left after the death of his wife, Helen, and he has come to realize how important family is. Before the crash of the stock market, â€Å"[Charlie] and Helen were tearing around Europe throwing money away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (990). Charlie and his wife quickly burned through their money and when it was all gone Charlie was left with nothing. Honoria is the only family that remained, and he knows time with her is invaluable. This first becomes evident when he tells Honoria, â€Å"Youll grow up and meet somebody your own age and go marry him and forget you ever had a daddy† (986). Charlie knows he does not have much time with his daughter for she will one day leave the nest. He expresses this concern to his brother in law, â€Å"if we wait much longer [he’ll] lose Honoria’s childhood and [his] chance for a home† (989). Charlie is exasperated, because time is moving, and he is not part of his child’s life and he’s losing his chance of starting a family. Honoria is important to Charlie’s identity. She is part of him redeeming his self and reclaiming his identity. He no longer wants to be classified as an alcoholic. This is apparent in his disgust of the sudden appearance of his old acquaintances and he wants nothing to do with them (992). Charlie is willing to change for his family and he has grown. Sadly, he is not given the chance to prove himself and he is left in loneliness. William Faulkner’s â€Å"Barn Burning†, examines how the union of a family is sacred to American identity. The story starts at the trial of Abner Snopes, charged with burning down a barn. Though there is no physical evidence, the judge orders Abner to, â€Å"leave this county and don’t come back to it† (Faulkner 1005). This exile not only affects him, but also the rest of his family, as they must pack up and leave him. Abner first show’s his appreciation for family loyalty when he confronts his son, Sarty Snopes, about the events of the trial. He warns Sarty, â€Å"you got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain’t going to have any blood to stick to you† (1007). This threat gives the reader insight into the father’s high esteem of loyalty and how much family matters to him. The family is financially ruined, because of the stock market crash and all they have left is each other. Abner Snopes again find’s himself in court and the judge imparts, â€Å"†¦ if Major de Spain can stand a ninety-five-dollar loss on something he paid cash for, [the father] can stand a five-dollar loss [the father hasn’t] even earned† (1012). Family is very important to Abner because without one another life, would be bleak and meaningless. Sarty does not understand this, so when the father tries to burn another barn down, he betrays his father and tells the land owners of his father’s plan (1014). Though Sarty does not understand his father’s decisions, the father was always loyal to his family. Abner always tried to provide for his family instead of leaving them behind. The story ends tragically with son walking off into the woods after witnessing the death of his father (1016). He has betrayed his family and walks off is solitude. Both â€Å"Babylon Revisited† and â€Å"Barn Burning† reflect America’s values at the time of the great depression. President Herbert Hoover classified the depression as, â€Å"as an emotional or psychological problem, rather than an economic reality† (Hess). Though for families such as the Snopes’ the great depression, was a harsh reality that stripped them of their economic wealth. Research shows that, â€Å"suicide mortality which increased during the Great Depression†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Granados). This was the grim reality for many Americans, as so many people saw no end to the economic crisis that plagued society at the time. Though neither of the father’s in these short stores go out of their way to take their own life’s. They continue to fight for their families. The differences between â€Å"Babylon Revisited† and â€Å"Barn Burning† is where each family stands economically. In â€Å"Babylon Revisited† Charlie Wales is financially stable despite the toll it has taken on others in his family. This is revealed when he mentions, â€Å"[he hasn’t] been to America in months, [he has] business in Prague† (Fitzgerald 981). Charlie has abandoned his way of life in America and prospered in another country. He came from a place of privilege. It is imparted that, â€Å"[Charlie] and Helen were tearing around Europe throwing money away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (990). He had money and he wasted all of it. It took the death of his wife for him to see how important Honoria, is important to him. In contrast the family in â€Å"Barn Burning† has nothing and most likely started out with nothing. This is indicated by the father’s bitterness towards those who have wealth during this economic depression. The narrator describes seeing, â€Å"the stiff foot come squarely down in fresh droppings where a horse had stood in the drive and which [Abmer] could have avoided by a simple change of stride† (Faulkner 1008). Abner deliberately steps into the manure just to smear it in Major de Spain’s house, which is lavishly furnished. The narrator details, â€Å"a suave turn of carpeted stair and a pendant glitter chandeliers and a gleam of gold frames† (1008). The house flaunts the wealth of the de Spain’s while Abner and his family have to suffer in merger living situations. While also having to work for little to nothing. Family is the connection between these two short stories. Families come in many forms. Some people have a one parent or live with other relatives. Family but a sense of belonging is what people yearn for. Roots and being proud of the place one come’s from are part of one’s American Identity. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s â€Å"Babylon Revisited†and William Faulkner’s â€Å"Barn Burning† are both tragic tales of trying to keep family together and of loss. Both these stories illustrate that in the end family is all that matters, and one should appreciate their family while they still have it. This was especially true during the Great Depression as it is true now. Faulkner, William. â€Å"Barn Burning.† The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Nina Baym and Robert S. Levine, 8th ed., vol. 2, W.W. Norton Company, 2013, pp. 1004-1016. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. â€Å"Babylon Revisited.† The Norton Anthology of American Literature, edited by Nina Baym and Robert S. Levine, 8th ed., vol. 2, W.W. Norton Company, 2013, pp. 980-994. Granados, Josà © A. Tapia, and Ana V. Diez Roux. Life and death during the Great Depression. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106.41 (2009): 17290-17295. Hess, Heather L. N. â€Å"‘The Crash!’: Writing the Great Depression in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘Babylon Revisited,’ ‘Emotional Bankruptcy,’ and ‘Crazy Sunday.’†Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 42, no. 1, Fall 2018, pp. 77–94.EBSCOhost, doi:10.2979/jmodelite.42.1.06.

Biography of Writer and Philosopher John Ruskin

Biography of Writer and Philosopher John Ruskin The prolific writings of John Ruskin (born February 8, 1819) changed what people thought about industrialization and ultimately influenced the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain and the American Craftsman style in the US. Rebelling against Classical styles, Ruskin reawakened interest in heavy, elaborate Gothic architecture during the Victorian era. By criticizing the social ills resulting from the Industrial Revolution and disdaining anything machine-made, Ruskins writings paved the way for a return to craftsmanship and all things natural. In the US, Ruskins writings influenced architecture from coast to coast. Biography John Ruskin was born into a prosperous family in London, England, spending part of his childhood in the natural beauty of the Lake District region in northwest Britain. The contrast of urban and rural lifestyles and values informed his beliefs about Art, especially in painting and craftsmanship. Ruskin favored the natural, the hand-crafted, and the traditional. Like many British gentlemen, he was educated at Oxford, earning a MA degree in 1843 from Christ Church College. Ruskin traveled to France and Italy, where he sketched the romantic beauty of medieval architecture and sculpture. His essays published in Architectural Magazine in the 1930s (today published as The Poetry of Architecture, examine the composition of both cottage and villa architecture in England, France, Italy, and Switzerland.   In 1849, Ruskin traveled to Venice, Italy and studied Venetian Gothic architecture and its influence by the Byzantine. The rise and fall of Christianitys spiritual forces as reflected through Venices changing architectural styles impressed the enthusiastic and passionate writer. In 1851 Ruskins observations were published in the three-volume series, The Stones of Venice, but it was his 1849 book The Seven Lamps of Architecture that Ruskin awakened an interest in medieval Gothic architecture throughout England and America. Victorian Gothic Revival styles flourished between 1840 and 1880. By 1869, Ruskin was teaching Fine Arts at Oxford. One of his chief interests was the construction of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (view image). Ruskin worked with the support of his old friend, Sir Henry Acland, then Regius Professor of Medicine, to bring his vision of Gothic beauty to this building. The museum remains one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival (or Neo-Gothic) style in Britain. Themes in the writings of John Ruskin were highly influential to works of other Brits, namely designer William Morris and architect Philip Webb, both considered pioneers of the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain. To Morris and Webb, the return to Medieval Gothic architecture also meant a return to the guild model of craftsmanship, a tenet of the Arts and Crafts movement, which inspired the Craftsman cottage style home in America. Its said that the last decade of Ruskins life was difficult at best. Perhaps it was dementia or some other mental breakdown that disabled his thoughts, but he eventually retreated to his beloved Lake District, where he died January 20, 1900. Ruskins Influence on Art and Architecture Hes been called a weirdo and manic-depressive by British architect Hilary French, and a strange and unbalanced genius by Professor Talbot Hamlin. Yet his influence on art and architecture stays with us even today.  His workbook The Elements of Drawing remains a popular course of study. As one of the most important art critics of the Victorian era, Ruskin gained respectability by the Pre-Raphaelites, who rejected the classical approach to art and believed that paintings must be done from direct observation of nature. Through his writings, Ruskin promoted the Romantic painter J. M. W. Turner, rescuing Turner from obscurity. John Ruskin was a writer, critic, scientist, poet, artist, environmentalist, and philosopher. He rebelled against formal, classical art and architecture. Instead, he ushered in modernity by being a champion of the asymmetrical, rough architecture of medieval Europe. His passionate writings not only heralded Gothic Revival styles in Britain and America but also paved the way for the Arts Crafts Movement in Britain and the United States. Social critics like William Morris studied the writings of Ruskin and started a movement to oppose industrialization and reject the use of machine-made materials- in essence, rejecting the spoils of the Industrial Revolution.  American furniture-maker Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) brought the Movement to America in his own monthly magazine, The Craftsman, and in building his Craftsman Farms in New Jersey. Stickley turned the Arts and Crafts Movement into the Craftsman style.  American architect Frank Lloyd Wright turned it into his own Prairie Style . Two California brothers, Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene, turned it into the California Bungalow with Japanese overtones. The influence behind all of these American styles can be traced back to the writings of John Ruskin. In the Words of John Ruskin We have thus, altogether, three great branches of architectural virtue, and we require of any building,- That it act well, and do the things it was intended to do in the best way.That it speak well, and say the things it was intended to say in the best words.That it look well, and please us by its presence, whatever it has to do or say. (The Virtues of Architecture, Stones of Venice, Volume I) Architecture is to be regarded by us with the most serious thought. We may live without her, and worship without her, but we cannot remember without her. (The Lamp of Memory, The Seven Lamps of Architecture) Learn More John Ruskins books are in the public domain and, so, are often available for free online. Ruskins works have been studied so often throughout the years that many of his writings are still available in print. The Seven Lamps of Architecture, 1849The Stones of Venice, 1851The Elements of Drawing, In Three Letters to Beginners, 1857Praeterita: Outlines of Scenes and Thoughts, Perhaps Worthy of Memory in My Past Life, 1885The Poetry of Architecture, essays from Architectural Magazine, 1837-1838John Ruskin: The Later Years by Tim Hilton, Yale University Press, 2000 Sources Architecture: A Crash Course by Hilary French, Watson-Guptill, 1998, p. 63.Architecture through the Ages by Talbot Hamlin, Putnam, Revised 1953, p. 586.

HP Finanical Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

HP Finanical Analysis - Essay Example Hewlett Packard is the United States’ 8th largest corporation. The company s is within the top 20 corporations in the world (House, 2009). In 2013, the company was able to improve its global business operations. The 2013 accounting period generated an estimated $12 billion cash inflow. The year also reduced it net debt amount to the favorably lower zero debt amount. The company allocated and estimated $3 billion for research and development of new company products. The 2013 period included the giving of $ 2.6 billion dividends and capital returns to the company’s stockholders. Further, the HP leadership entered into new market segments to boost it global revenues and profits. The company’s 2013 operations included introducing new innovative products to the current and future global market segments. The segments include the Moonshot Server market, global data and security segment. Initially, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard created the garage-based company with $538 investment during 1938. Using United States as base, the company is one of the top manufacturers and sellers of personal computers. In the computing business, the company delivers the global customers’ needs, which includes data storage, personal computing, hardware networking, software creation, servers, scanners, digital cameras, notebooks, printers, and several related services (Pham, 2013). The three year financial report clearly shows the company performed financially better in 2013, compared to the prior 2012 year, as shown in Exhibit A in the appendix of this paper (Hewlett Packard, 2014). HP generated high earnings from operations during 2013, $7,752 million. This is definitely higher than the prior 2012 loss, -$10,181. Consequently, the company’s net earnings for 2013 is $9,149. This is higher than the prior 2012 year’s dismal $10,181 million net loss (Noreen, 2008). The three year financial analysis shows the company fared financially

Analysis of Macadamia Nut Asian Market Expansion Essay

Analysis of Macadamia Nut Asian Market Expansion - Essay Example I would like to thank the scholars in this field whose works I had to access in order to complete the report. The report was useful in honing my research skills which will surely come to my use in future research reports. The report in the following pages tries to analyze the two market s of India and China to understand which the market that the company can use to step or mark its entry into the Asian market. After going through the detailed analysis it is found that China would be better to use as a stepping stone into the Asian market. This is because of the fact that china’s demographics and the market conditions would support the move. Recommendation is also put forward those bases on how to enter the Chinese market. The present report deals with a major export industry of Australia. The macadamia nut is the chosen industry for this particular project. The particular nut is a representative of the essence of Australia. The nut which represents the soil, climate and seasons of Australia has become a global success story. People all over the world adore this particular produce of Australia which is incomparable in taste, texture and the health benefits that this nut provides. Another thing that contributes to the success of the product is the commitment and dedication that is put into the production of the nut by the farmers or growers of Australia. The total trade value of the nut industry is expect6ed to touch the levels of $1 billion by the end of this year. The export earnings from the nut sales are expected to double over the next 10 years. In light of this fact the Suncoast Gold Macadamias (Aust) limited which is one of the largest producers of Macademia nuts and the seller of the nut and pr oducts that are derived from the nuts. The company wants to expand its business in the Asian market. The target countries that the company has chosen for the entry into the Asian market the two countries of India and Africa.

The SWOT analysis of Head & Shoulders Research Paper

The SWOT analysis of Head & Shoulders - Research Paper Example In relation to the study the company which has been selected is Head & Shoulders is one of the most popular brands of anti-dandruff shampoos in the world. It is produced and marketed by Procter & Gamble. The shampoo was introduced first in the US after a decade long of research. Head & Shoulders is the first to introduce pyithione zinc in shampoo. â€Å"Head & shoulders is rich in Zinc Pyrithione (ZPTO) which is highly effective at fighting and helping to prevent dandruff symptoms and itchy, flaky scalp.† The first part of the report will deal with the information of the manufacturer Procter & Gamble. It will deal basically with the size of the company, major products marketed by them, sales figures, etc. The next part of the report will make a detailed analysis of Head & Shoulders brand by performing a SWOT analysis. Along with the SWOT analysis, the product will also be compared with Garnier Fructis and Unilever Clear. This SWOT analysis will be the major tool for discussing the present situation of the brand. Next part of the report will make an analysis of the product in the light of marketing mix elements. This analysis is essential to arrive at the competitive position of the brand in the market. The latter part of the report will discuss the global activities of the brand in terms of sales and market share. Based on these analyses, a conclusion will arrive at the paper.be arrived at. Manufacturer The manufacturer of Head & Shoulders is Procter & Gamble, one of the world’s largest personal care products manufacturer. P&G has a brand portfolio of around 50 products which touches the day to day life of more than 85% of the people worldwide. The company claims that among the 50 products, 24 of them generate annual sales of more than one billion each. (P&G, 2011) It is the strong brand presence of these 50 products that help the company to sustain the market leader position in the industry. P&G generated total sales of $82.6 billion in 2011 compared to that of $78.9 billion in 2010. The sales have resulted in an operating cash flow of $13.2 billion in 2011. The product portfolio of P&G consists of beauty, grooming, health care, snacks and pet care, fabric care and homecare, and baby care and family care. Fabric and Home care is the largest contributor to the profit marking a 30% of the total net sales of the company. Beauty is the next contributor with 24% of the total net sales. It is followed by baby care and family care – 19%, health care – 14%, grooming – 9% and snacks and pet care – 4%. North America is the biggest market of P&G. 41% of the total sales is generated from North American markets. It is followed by Western Europe – 20%, Asia – 16%, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa – 14% and Latin America – 9%. (P&G, 2012) P&G operates on the core principle of sustainability. The fact that the products of P&G are related to the everyday life of billions of people, the situation vests them with certain responsibility in terms of the quality of the products and process. Therefore, the company operates on the principle of sustainable development. Recently, the company is seemed be investing huge amount of resources in environmentally sustainable products and product development process. The company is using more of renewable and recyclable materials for the packaging of products. SWOT Analysis Strength The major strength of Head & Shoulders is the brand value. The company enjoys a brand value of both P&G as well as the Head & Shoulders brand. Over years, the company has developed itself a name which is name

How is the theme of friendship developed in merchant of Venice Essay

How is the theme of friendship developed in merchant of Venice - Essay Example Friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is both deep and complex. Male friendship is usually formed in the course of life when men share particular experiences, for example, helping each other in difficult situations. In friendship, each person is willing to sacrifice his life to help his friend, and this makes the bonds even stronger. In The Merchant of Venice, the nature of friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is different. Indeed, it is possible to say that it seems to be one-sided with Antonio being a better and more devoted comrade. From the very first scene, the audience gets to know that all Antonio worries about is not his business, which is at stake, but his friend Bassanio. It is even possible to say that Antonio is in love with his friend; perhaps, he is jealous, and this is what causes his melancholy. While critics still argue on the issue of Antonio’s affection to Bassanio, the fact remains that Antonio cares about his friend more than Bassanio cares about him. Bassanio, in his turn, seems to take advantage of such affection. The matter is that he is used to live outside of his means and always relies on Antonio to give him money. As Shakespeare puts it into Bassanio words, â€Å"To you, Antonio, / I owe the most, in money and in love, / And from your love I have a warranty / To unburden all my plots and purposes / How to get clear of all the debts I owe† (I. I. 132-136). Apart from financing all the plans and affairs Bassanio has, Antonio also chooses to support his friend in quite an unusual way so that Bassanio is happy. In particular, despite the fact that all the assets Antonio has are spread out, he does not give up an idea to secure happiness of Bassanio. He goes to his enemy Shylock and agrees â€Å"seal unto this bond†, to give one pound of his flesh if he cannot pay off the debt (I. I. 169). At the same time, Bassanio tries to be a good friend as well. He remembers whom he owes his happiness and

Men, friendship and companionship in Divine Comedy Essay

Men, friendship and companionship in Divine Comedy - Essay Example He ends his pilgrimage into vision of "the Love which moves the sun and the other stars. (Michael Novak 2003)" The dual allegory of Commedia is the progress of soul toward Heaven, and the anguish of humankind on Earth. Throughout his journey, Dante's relationship with Virgil becomes more distinct as does that of the other characters who occupy the realm. In much of Dante's work, he turns the people who he was directly or indirectly associated with in real life into characters in his work. His feelings towards them can only be understood when observing the interactions between himself and the characters. To understand how these real life characters came to be involved in his epic poem, a little of Dante's history must be explained. Living in Florence, Dante was active in both political and military life. As a youth he entered the army and held several key posts in the Florence government during the 1290's. At this time Florence was politically divided between Guelphs and Ghibellines. The Guelphs supported the church and were conservative, preferring to keep things as they were. The Ghibellines on the other hand supported the German emperor but were relieved of their governance. During this time, the Guelphs whom Dante's family was associated with took the reigns of power. Though born into a Guelph family, Dante believed the church should only involve itself in spiritual affairs and later in life he became more neutral after realizing that the church was corrupt. When the new century dawned, Dante gained position from city councilman to ambassador of Florence. In 1301 when the Black Guelph and their French allies seized control of the city his career ended. The authorities seized Dante's possessions and permane ntly banished him from Florence, threatening the death penalty upon him if he returned. From this sprang some of his misgivings about those in high positions and used their characteristics and 'sins' in his work. It is during his exile that Dante wrote new pieces of literature. Between 1307 and 1314 he began writing The Divine Comedy where Dante introduces his invention of the three-line stanza as well as himself as a character. Dante's epic poem consists of three parts, The Inferno being the first. It depicts the journey of Dante, who himself is the hero, through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. He writes in the first person enabling the reader to identify and understand deeply the truths he wished to share about the meaning of life and man's relationship with the Creator. Dante's vision stems from personal experience and expresses them through images to convey his analysis of the nature of human existence. In the poem, Dante is around about the halfway point through his life and he finds himself wandering alone in a dark forest, having lost his way on the "true path" (Spark Notes 2006). In the first lines of the Divine Comedy, Dante says "In the middle of the journey of our life I came to my senses in a dark forest, for I had lost the straight path. (123Helpme 2005) " This is the typical stereotype of today for when a person becomes "lost" or consumed in sin. The sinful life is a dark life and a sinless life is a bright, white, and pure life. Dante's coming to his senses in a dark forest symbolizes his realizing how "lost" in sin he truly is and realizes he needs to do something. He remembers nothing about how he lost his way, but here he is in a fearful dark place. Above, he notices a

Global Priorities Bigger than climate change Essay

Global Priorities Bigger than climate change - Essay Example reminded that the most important is not to define problems but to find the solutions to these problems and the most important question is â€Å"what can we do about that?†. Then the scientist reminded about the necessity to define several basic problems, which should be the top priorities. He talks about four biggest problems: malaria, free trade, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS. AIDS, according to scientist, is the first issue to be paid attention to, he is sure that not enough efforts are taken to struggle with this disease, and the statistics is disappointing primarily because of that. He reminds that it is much easier to prevent the disease than to cure it, thus the main attention should be paid to prevention, because it is possible to be done and it is namely prevention, which can improve the statistics. The report made by Bjorn Lomberg is very informative and useful as it makes us think about the importance of the correct definition of priorities in order to find real resoluti on to the biggest problems in the

How is the theme of friendship developed in merchant of Venice Essay

How is the theme of friendship developed in merchant of Venice - Essay Example Friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is both deep and complex. Male friendship is usually formed in the course of life when men share particular experiences, for example, helping each other in difficult situations. In friendship, each person is willing to sacrifice his life to help his friend, and this makes the bonds even stronger. In The Merchant of Venice, the nature of friendship between Antonio and Bassanio is different. Indeed, it is possible to say that it seems to be one-sided with Antonio being a better and more devoted comrade. From the very first scene, the audience gets to know that all Antonio worries about is not his business, which is at stake, but his friend Bassanio. It is even possible to say that Antonio is in love with his friend; perhaps, he is jealous, and this is what causes his melancholy. While critics still argue on the issue of Antonio’s affection to Bassanio, the fact remains that Antonio cares about his friend more than Bassanio cares about him. Bassanio, in his turn, seems to take advantage of such affection. The matter is that he is used to live outside of his means and always relies on Antonio to give him money. As Shakespeare puts it into Bassanio words, â€Å"To you, Antonio, / I owe the most, in money and in love, / And from your love I have a warranty / To unburden all my plots and purposes / How to get clear of all the debts I owe† (I. I. 132-136). Apart from financing all the plans and affairs Bassanio has, Antonio also chooses to support his friend in quite an unusual way so that Bassanio is happy. In particular, despite the fact that all the assets Antonio has are spread out, he does not give up an idea to secure happiness of Bassanio. He goes to his enemy Shylock and agrees â€Å"seal unto this bond†, to give one pound of his flesh if he cannot pay off the debt (I. I. 169). At the same time, Bassanio tries to be a good friend as well. He remembers whom he owes his happiness and

Global Priorities Bigger than climate change Essay

Global Priorities Bigger than climate change - Essay Example reminded that the most important is not to define problems but to find the solutions to these problems and the most important question is â€Å"what can we do about that?†. Then the scientist reminded about the necessity to define several basic problems, which should be the top priorities. He talks about four biggest problems: malaria, free trade, malnutrition and HIV/AIDS. AIDS, according to scientist, is the first issue to be paid attention to, he is sure that not enough efforts are taken to struggle with this disease, and the statistics is disappointing primarily because of that. He reminds that it is much easier to prevent the disease than to cure it, thus the main attention should be paid to prevention, because it is possible to be done and it is namely prevention, which can improve the statistics. The report made by Bjorn Lomberg is very informative and useful as it makes us think about the importance of the correct definition of priorities in order to find real resoluti on to the biggest problems in the

El Presidente Essay Example for Free

El Presidente Essay El Presidente tells the story of the Philippines very first president Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the deliverance of the Philippines from the hands of its colonists and the establishment of our first republic. Jeorge ER Estregan plays the lead role with Cesar Montano as Andres Bonifacio. The entire movie did not disappoint me as it was able to deliver what I was expecting based on the theatrical trailer they released. I am no expert when it comes to the Philippine History but I have some knowledge about our past so this films plot is not that new to me but this movie still gave me some new things about this particular matter of which I do not know if those were really part of our history or just an additional spice to the film to make it a little bit entertaining and that maybe because what director Meily described the movie as fiction film based on a historical figure according Abs-cbnnews. com. For example if my memory serves me correctly, I never read nor heard during my school days that the katipuneros used bow and arrows. In the movie especially during the ambush scenes, they use this kind of weapon to attack their enemies. Another thing is where Aguinaldo cut a small portion of skin on his arm and use his blood as an ink to sign a paper confirming his membership to the katipunan, in history I was taught that their would make that small cut in their arm but near their wrist and not on the other side of their arm just like what was done in the movie. One las last thing I noticed I which also impressed me is that both Bonifacio and Aguinaldo, in this film, know how to do a hand combat. The hand combat scenes were shown in the trailers and its nice to see them doing it not just fighting the Spaniards nor Americans their with swords, pistols and riffles. Performance of Jeorge Estregan as Aguinaldo is good but not great. He acted better in the Manila Kingpin than in this one. It was the performance of Cesar Montano as the Supremo that stole the scene, though those scenes of him is not that much, he was still able to portray the character of Bonifacio its great and he deserved to get the Best Supporting Actor Award for this one. Christopher De Leons portrayal of Gen. Antonio Luna is also a scene-stealer, I only knew Antonio Luna by name and nothing much of him until I saw this movie. While watching the movie, I thought they would not even mention Dr. Jose Rizal who was in prison and about to get executed during the time in the film as it was almost half of the entire movie has been shown and still no mention of Rizal until there was a meeting and the leaders of the Katipunan decided to have an election to establish the democratic government. In this kind of film especially a Filipino movie I am always expecting to see a feast or a simple gatherings where the characters would join and find time to relax while the conflict is at hand and again I thought I would never see this happens in this movie. I liked the entire rendition of the film and this is a kind of history-based movie that I would introduce to next generations of Filipinos to see not just to entertain them but also to educate them. Now I start to wonder what the Scenema Concept International and Viva Films to offer us in the next Metro Manila Film Festival.

British Airways Analysing Financial And Non Financial Indicators Tourism Essay

British Airways Analysing Financial And Non Financial Indicators Tourism Essay British Airways is considered as one of the largest international airlines of United Kingdom. British airways Plc and many other subsidiaries companies make the whole British Airways group. Currently, British Airways(BA) covers more than 550 destinations. According to the data of the year 2008/09, more than 34 million passengers have travelled through British Airways. British airways main business operating hub location is Londons Heathrow airport which serves the company with large geographical area. British Airways is also listed in stock exchange of London.. (Company Information, n.d.).The following report will analyse and then evaluates both the indicators of the British Airways ie, financial as well as non-financial by making it compare with the performance of other company, which is Dubai based named as Emirates Airlines. Talking about Emirates Airlines, being launched in 1985 and since then shown the signs as of one of the fastest growing airlines of the worlds airline industr y. Currently, the company covers more than 100 different destinations throughout the world. (The Emirates Group, 2009). Further in the report the evaluation of the performance of both these companies is being done by using ratio analysis and there will also be discussion about the financial performance trend analysis of both the companies in the last few years. This report will also look at the managerial and non financial challenges faced by both of these companies using SWOT analysis, and then talking about the challenges and solutions for those challenges. The last section of this report will discuss and analyses the comment by John Rishton due to adoption of IFRS and also look at the differences between IFRS and US GAAP. Section B The following paragraphs will cover the changes and the financial pressures recently faced by the airline sector. According to keynote report, Factors like increase in the prices of oil during first half of 2008 which seriously affected the operating costs of airlines, then the impact of global recession made the condition even worse as affecting the number of passengers and thus decreased the demand for air travel globally. In response the different airlines companies have abandoned those routes which were unprofitable and also cut down the un-necessary costs. In such a difficult phase of the airline sector, the companies must understand that how its customers are rephrasing value and their reaction in the period of recession, instead of cutting down on the budget which they have planned for the market research. Now we will discuss specifically about the British airways and Emirates airlines, also will consider the different financial and managerial challenges that are faced by the above two companies. SWOT analysis is used as tool to clarify the difference between the both the airlines. SWOT analysis Strengths British airways made a strong brand identity as United Kingdoms leading airlines because of trust and loyalty being showed by its customers. Strong brand identity also brought advantages of economies of scale. There is being a new subsidiary launched by British airways named as, Open Skies, which offers only business class for the traffic between U.S and major European countries. British airways has got huge capacity for its air planes because of its main operating base hub ie, at Heathrow airport and With the proposed merger with Iberia, British airways is aiming to become second largest airline company after Air France of Europe. British airways offers different loyalty programmes for its customers as to make sure the again travel from their airlines only. On the other side Emirates airline has made its brand strong in the marketplace using different advertisements and many sponsorships. One of the main strengths of emirates airline is having its focus on diversified market and the entrance into the cargo shipping proved very beneficial for the company. Emirates airline has made its corporate culture by listening and identifying the needs of its customer. Emirates also has low cost, which is around 30% less than its European competitors. With the opening of emirates terminal 3 at Dubai international airport recently and the continuous ability to renew with improvement in the service gives the emirates airline the strength edge over its competitors. Tim Clark who is the president of emirates airline, stated that the past results of the airlines have exceeded above expectations despite of the increase in jet fuel prices for emirates airlines from US$1.68 upto US$2.78 per gallon by the end of the year. Weakness With the opening of new terminal 5 at Heathrow airport by the British airways, the company faced problems with training of staff, which led in flights being cancelled, complains of missing luggage. Moreover the rising fuel prices led to increase in ticket prices. The slowdown of both the UK and US economies has affected British Airways as the company has become very vulnerable to financial instability. The bankruptcies in the US banking sector decreased the number of premium booking passengers in British airways heavily. The route of Heathrow and New York is having huge traffic of passengers and forms an important part of British airways earning. Therefore, the drop in the bookings of premium class affected the profitability of the company. British airways also suffered from increased in non fuel costs like from staff and the landing charges. For emirates airlines, there is some weakness also associated with it, like it is not being successful in all of its diversification and approaches, which has emerged as a weakness of the company. Analysts have blamed the company for too much emphasizing on high end acquisitions and diversifications in spite of getting the type of results from such decisions. As U.S is a major market for the airline industry and emirates airline does not cater to many places in the U.S., which is also a weakness for the company. Opportunities If British airways will fully acquire the Iberia airlines with currently 13% share, then it will be in the list of the worlds biggest airlines having approximated combined stock market capitalisation worth of EUR 5.5 billion. There is an opportunity for the British airways to expand more in emerging markets like Middle East Region, India, and China. Another opportunity for British Airways is to now improve the operating conditions of its terminal 5 at Heathrow airport. The company should focus on minimum cost of travelling to fulfil customer needs. With the increase of fuel efficient aircrafts of British airways it can minimize the environmental damage, as protection of environment is emerged as an important issue throughout the world. The company should also see an interest of customers towards new places and develop new routes wherever possible. On the other hand for emirates airline the opportunity lies in which, it can use its well developed infrastructure business to go into the new emerging markets where internet adoption is not very well developed. Same as for the British airways, there is also an opportunity for emirates to introduce new routes by observing the interest of customers. As also Dubai and the middle-east region is more advancing for tourism and commercial purpose enables emirates airline to grow. Emirate airline does no pay income tax so this also gives a tax benefit to it. This saves around $250 million of money per year. Also due to close proximity of Dubai from Indian and Pakistan gives a chance to the airline to access hugely available cheap labour. The benefit of cheap labour in the emirates airline can be seen from the figure as from the total operating budget of the company, the cost of labour accounts upto 18% which is very less as compared to Lufthansa airline having 27% and united airlines with 2 9% of cost of labour. Threats The current threat to British airways is from current economic slowed down, increased fuel prices and weaker pound. The global recession has severely affected air transportation. The travel and tourism industry is moving towards including more green practices. There is pressure from European Union on all the airlines companies to limit carbon emissions Across EU. After the events of 11 September 2001, the security measures have been more tighten by the airline companies. There is also strong competition from low cost airlines, cruise and rail transport that constitutes a bigger share in travel market. Low cost carriers are increasingly looking for new routes for customers with affordable ticket price. Another matter of concern for British Airways is the trade union power. The trade union already did many strikes in august 2004 and 2005. Cost of fuel is also can be at risk as the political situation in Iraq is supporting the rise of oil prices, which will result in add up of another à ‚ £100 million to the cost of British Airways. Whereas, there is severe threat on emirates airlines also from its competitors naming Qatar airways and Etihad airways. Due to political instability in middle-east could lead to have a negative impact on emirate airline. Although the cargo commercial and passenger segments of emirates airlines have managed to achieve their targets, but increasing oil prices affected last quarter net income. As more desire of commodity trading affected oil prices due to brokers were not revealing the actual figure of shortage of raw material. 4 Challenges: There are some of the challenges still left out to be tackle by the BA at the time of developing its climate change programme. As the company operate in environment which is uncertain and political environment is just a part of whole environment but it gives challenges like of changing climate. BA has taken various initiatives to face solved these challenges right from developing in-depth understanding on how to face these challenges, keeping debate with government and asking for their cooperation. (British Airways SWOT Analysis, 2006). BA had to face many threats from competition besides the security threats like after the incidence of 9/11 terrorist attack, as its been considered as amongst the world most profit making airlines so for them to lead the industry the competition becomes more stiff for that they not only have to face threats like escalating fuel cost but also have to operate with low cost. BA has been helped by keymetric with 2006 transformational online programs to save nearly about 38 millions. Operating profit has gone down to 80 percent which shows sheer and utmost decrease due to the weak customer confidence and thus reducing the traffic volumes. Challenges are mainly face due to the so many cost which has become hot air balloon and going high, if busted will not beneficial for the company. The cost balloon include so many costs like right from fuel cost, employee cost, cost of engineering, landing fees and besides this, also includes more operations costs due to delay in shifting to terminal 5 like, cargo handling costs, trucking charges, cost of ground equipments, IT and strong euro rate etc. Whereas, Emirates airlines firstly penetrated the market by launching it s routes to the places in west Africa like in Nigeria and Ghana altogether. To sustain in to the market and feel the presence in these two countries there is also a challenge to be able to handle many multilingual issues and the problems with double byte sites. As emirates is present internationally, to manag e its data which is globally spread through internet, the company took the decision of spreading out SDL Tridions content for management solution. With such a decision enabled the Emirates, to cater to wider and variety of audience. As now the customers from all over the world can access to common information available to them. (Simon, 2007) Solution: Aviation industry requires huge sums of investment to operate and it adds risk to the return as well. The main money source of income for firms is shareholder. BA secures its position in the world aviation through focusing its aim towards its prospective shareholders and product betterment with handing cost efficiently. BA aims to achieve unique culture in airline by focussing towards customer and their requirements. BA believes that, differentiating their strategy from their competitors will bring the huge market. After being loosed the battle in to the business class which has been collapsed, after their position has been taken over by Silver Jet Airlines as a business class leader. But after this move in the aviation industry, British Airways took some good decisions like purchasing of Lavion Paris Airline, which was a quiet successful for BA. British Airways is always prepared to the change according to the environment and that alo shows in their course of planned action. BA has released the Terminal 5 which was going through good functioning with 6 million passengers (Marzouqi, N.D.). Emirates on the other hand, had find out a niche for itself as a route for success and not in the way of following others. Unlike BA, emirates was not very much affected by 9/11 incident and also with decline of profit levels, seat factors the company managers didnt shake and through their belief in their company and dedication took them out in such a crisis situation and thus, they were remained profitable. Whereas, other airlines were reducing and laying off their workforce so as to cut down the cost but, emirates didnt do this and their unique working paid off. (Sull, 2005)

What I Remember About September 11 :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

On September 11, 2001 our nation sat and watched in fear as unknown terrorists attacked American people on our own land. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was sitting in class, bored out of my mind. Somebody outside the classroom yelled, â€Å"Turn on the television†! My teacher quickly turned on the television. I noticed that the south tower was on fire. Gasps and stifled cries ran through the room. A few 'oh my god's were said, as we ran out to find and tell friends. I was late to my marketing class. Walking in, with tears streaming down my face, I was the one who told my marketing class what had happened. We turned on the television, sat, and listened. We listened as the other plane hit. A man was interviewing a woman on the radio, right near the towers. Suddenly, a rumble was heard and we could hear her scream 'oh my god, we're going to die.' That was when the first tower completely fell to the ground. I finally realized that something atrocious was happening. I sat there in my desk in shock and terror. I began to feel a knot in my throat getting tighter and tighter. People were dying!   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  That whole day I worried about my friend, Roey, a chef in a restaurant in the Twin Towers. I was going crazy. This just couldn’t be happening. I just sat there in disbelief. I thought for sure he was dead. Every single channel, every single radio station said the same thing: America will never be the same again. And it's true. Nothing and no one will ever think or act the same as the did prior to 8:30am on September 11th. The television repeatedly showed the buildings plunging to the ground. I felt extreme sorrow for the families of those who didn’t make it out alive. What did the United States do or not do that resulted in the loss of so many innocent American lives to be taken away? These victims did not do anything wrong. All of these American citizens that are now deceased were expected to return home that night. American citizens are grief stricken, left in fear, and full of revenge to the people who committed such an awful thing.

Essay examples --

Introduction As the number of Americans covered by managed care plans grows, it becomes more important to understand how managed care organizations (MCOs) control costs and how these controls affect access, quality, and health outcomes. This paper will examine patterns in referrals from primary care physicians (PCPs) to specialists in order to evaluate physicians’ satisfaction with this inter-physician communication and to identify problems in the referral process. Prior authorizations will also be studied in order to learn the criteria considered when deciding if a treatment or medication is medically necessary and appropriate. The reasons prior authorization systems are utilized and their effectiveness in controlling costs and constraining access will also be examined. Case management as a function of utilization management and methods for measuring quality and patient satisfaction will be discussed. Historical patterns of case management will be studied in order to evaluate the effecti veness of case management in managing costs. The implications of referral and prior authorizations systems for all stakeholders, MCOs, purchasers, providers, and consumers will be considered. Background/Understanding In MCOs, there are a variety of processes that are used to influence the practice style of a PCP. The method that causes one of the most controversial and frustrating aspects of managed care for the members and their PCP is the use of referral systems (Grumbach et al, 1998). A referral system is the process in which PCPs determine whether services that are performed outside of their office are medically necessary and appropriate. These referrals are used to send members to other physicians in order to gain the excess amount of care t... ...spects of care including, rehabilitation, home care, and health education. MCOs can also utilize disease management, which is a specialized form of case management to monitor and control certain individuals with specialized needs. Like case management, disease management is targeted at specific high risk and high cost medical cases but with a focus on diseases. Disease management is unique because it offers patients access to not only physicians but also other types of health care professionals including pharmacists and dieticians. The idea behind this is to provide each patient with all available resources to help control or eliminate their disease. Pharmacists can provide specialized knowledge on medication techniques and types while dietitians can provide information on healthy eating habits that can help ease symptoms of particular diseases (Kongstvedt, 2009).

Is the Game Theory, the Right Game Essay

Yes, indeed the game theory is the right game. Business is not about winning and losing nor is it about how well you play the game. The essence of business success lies in making sure you’re playing the right game. The challenge for us is to make sure we’re playing the right game. There are times in our life that we think we are in the right game but suddenly we realize that it is not the game we should play. For example, the course that you choose in college, you enrolled in accounting because your parents said so or because you don’t have any choice yet but you don’t possess the passion, attitude and skills an accountant must have. That is an evidence that you are in the wrong course, the remedy is to change your course into the course you love and possess the skills and passion for. To every action, there is a reaction. You have to look forward into the game and then reason backward to figure out which of today’s actions will lead you to where you want to end up. In order to succeed we need to go beyond the threats and opportunities that might occur and what we what to become in the future but we need also to be realistic and not too imaginary. Thus, after looking forward we make the action that will lead us to where we what to be. The decisions and actions you make today will affect our future career. So make the right actions and decisions. You cannot take away from the game more than you bring to it. You cannot take away more than your added value. Don’t remove something that contribute to your strengths, keep and maintain them. The main focus is allocentrism. It is the importance of focusing on others. You have to put yourself in the shoes and even in the heads of other players. You have to ask not what other players can bring to you but what you can bring to other players. It’s changing our mind-set into other players mind-set because if you know what and how they think it’s easy for you to discern what they need and what to the betterment of the company. Successful business strategy is about actively shaping the game you play, not just playing the game you find. It’s true that we should actively shape the game we play. It means that finding a continuous improvement and not just be stagnant in where you are now. We should find a way to increase and improve to the next level as years pass by. Understanding other players can help find new strategies for changing the game or new applications of existing strategies. In changing the game we should understand the players, added value, rules, tactics and scope. There is nothing permanent in this world we should actively change into better. The world is constantly changing and we need to adapt to it for us not to be left behind. In conclusion I agree that we should be a game maker than a game taker. We should have a coopetition mind-set and to be an allocentric. I believe that in business and even in our own lives there is no end to the game of changing the game. It is always an on going process that we should adapt and be flexible to it. We should be alert and wise to make decisions and actions because our decisions and actions today will change and have an effect to our future career.

Historical Perspective of the Philippine Educational System Essay

Education in the Philippines has undergone several stages of development from the pre-Spanish times to the present. In meeting the needs of the society, education serves as focus of emphases/priorities of the leadership at certain periods/epochs in our national struggle as a race. As early as in pre-Magellanic times, education was informal, unstructured, and devoid of methods. Children were provided more vocational training and less academics (3 Rs) by their parents and in the houses of tribal tutors. The pre-Spanish system of education underwent major changes during the Spanish colonization. The tribal tutors were replaced by the Spanish Missionaries. Education was religion-oriented. It was for the elite, especially in the early years of Spanish colonization. Access to education by the Filipinos was later liberalized through the enactment of the Educational Decree of 1863 which provided for the establishment of at least one primary school for boys and girls in each town under the re sponsibility of the municipal government; and the establishment of a normal school for male teachers under the supervision of the Jesuits. Primary instruction was free and the teaching of Spanish was compulsory. Education during that period was inadequate, suppressed, and controlled. The defeat of Spain by American forces paved the way for Aguinaldo’s Republic under a Revolutionary Government. The schools maintained by Spain for more than three centuries were closed for the time being but were reopened on August 29, 1898 by the Secretary of Interior. The Burgos Institute in Malolos, the Military Academy of Malolos, and the Literary University of the Philippines were established. A system of free and compulsory elementary education was established by the Malolos Constitution. An adequate secularized and free public school system during the first decade of American rule was established upon the recommendation of the Schurman Commission. Free primary instruction that trained the people for the duties of citizenship and avocation was enforced by the Taft Commission per instructions of President McKinley. Chaplains and non-commissioned officers were assigned to teach using English as the m edium of instruction. A highly centralized public school system was installed in 1901 by the Philippine Commission by virtue of Act No. 74. The implementation of this Act created a heavy shortage of teachers so the  Philippine Commission authorized the Secretary of Public Instruction to bring to the Philippines 600 teachers from the U.S.A. They were the Thomasites. The high school system supported by provincial governments, special educational institutions, school of arts and trades, an agricultural school, and commerce and marine institutes were established in 1902 by the Philippine Commission. In 1908, the Philippine Legislature approved Act No. 1870 which created the University of the Philippines. The Reorganization Act of 1916 provided the Filipinization of all department secretaries except the Secretary of Public Instruction. Japanese educational policies were embodied in Military Order No. 2 in 1942. The Philippine Executive Commission established the Commission of Education, Health and Public Welfare and schools were reopened in June 1942. On October 14, 1943, the Japanese – sponsored Republic created the Ministry of Education. Under the Japanese regime, the teaching of Tagalog, Philippine History, and Character Education was reserved for Filipinos. Love for work and dignity of labor was emphasized. On Fe bruary 27, 1945, the Department of Instruction was made part of the Department of Public Instruction. In 1947, by virtue of Executive Order No. 94, the Department of Instruction was changed to Department of Education. During this period, the regulation and supervision of public and private schools belonged to the Bureau of Public and Private Schools. In 1972, it became the Department of Education and Culture by virtue of Proclamation 1081 and the Ministry of Education and Culture in 1978 y virtue of P.D. No. 1397. Thirteen regional offices were created and major organizational changes were implemented in the educational system. The Education Act of 1982 created the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports which later became the Department of Education, Culture and Sports in 1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 117. The structure of DECS as embodied in EO No. 117 has practically remained unchanged until 1994 when the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and 1995 when the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were established to supervise tertiary degree programs and non-degree technical-vocational programs, respectively. The Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) report provided the impetus for Congress to pass RA 7722 and RA 7796 in 1994 creating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), respectively. The trifocal education system refocused  DECS’ mandate to basic education which covers elementary, secondary and nonformal education, including culture and sports. TESDA now administers the post-secondary, middle-level manpower training and development while CHED is responsible for higher education. In August 2001, Republic Act 9155, otherwise called the Governance of Basic Education Act, was passed transforming the name of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to the Department of Education (DepEd) and redefining the role of field offices (regional offices, division offices, district offices and schools). RA 9155 provides the overall framework for (i) school head empowerment by strengthening their le adership roles and (ii) school-based management within the context of transparency and local accountability. The goal of basic education is to provide the school age population and young adults with skills, knowledge, and values to become caring, self-reliant, productive and patriotic citizens. DepEd Management Structure To carry out its mandates and objectives, the Department is organized into two major structural components. The Central Office maintains the overall administration of basic education at the national level. The Field Offices are responsible for the regional and local coordination and administration of the Department’s mandate. RA 9155 provides that the Department should have no more than four Undersecretaries and four Assistant Secretaries with at least one Undersecretary and one Assistant Secretary who are career service officers chosen among the staff of the Department. (See DepEd Organizational Chart.) At present, the Department operates with four Undersecretaries in the areas of: (1) Programs and Projects; (2) Regional Operations; (3) Finance and Administration; and (4) Legal Affairs; four Assistant Secretaries in the areas of: (1) Programs and Projects; (2) Planning and Development; (3) Budget and Financial Affairs; and (4) Legal Affairs. Backstopping the Office of the Secretary at the Central Office are the different services, bureaus and centers. The five services are the Administrative Service, Financial and Management Service, Human Resource Development Service, Planning Service, and Technical Service. Three staff bureaus provide assistance in formulating policies, standards, and programs related to curriculum and staff development. These are the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE), and   Bureau of Nonformal Education (BNFE). By virtue of Executive Order No. 81 series of 1999, the functions of a fourth bureau, the Bureau of Physical Edu cation and School Sports (BPESS), were absorbed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last August 25, 1999. Six centers or units attached to the Department similarly provide technical and administrative support towards the realization of the Department’s vision. These are the National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC), Health and Nutrition Center (HNC), National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP), Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF), National Science Teaching Instrumentation Center (NSTIC), and Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS). There are four special offices under OSEC: the Adopt-a-School Program Secretariat, Center for Students and Co-curricular Affairs, Educational Technology Unit, and the Task Force Engineering Assessment and Monitoring. Other attached and support agencies to the Department are the Teacher Education Council (TEC), Philippine High School for the Arts, Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), and the Instructional Materials Council (IMC). At the sub-national level, the Field Offices consist of the following: 1. Sixteen (16) Regional Offices, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM*), each headed by a Regional Director (a Regional Secretary in the case of ARMM); 2. One hundred fifty-seven (157) Provincial and City Schools Divisions, each headed by a Schools Division Superintendent. Assisting the Schools Division Offices are 2,227 School Districts, each headed by a District Supervisor; 3. Under the supervision of the Schools Division Offices are forty-eight thousand, four hundred forty-six (48, 446) schools, broken down as follows: 1. 40,763 elementary schools (36,234 public and 4,529 private) 2. 7,683 secondary schools (4,422 public and 3,261 private) Legend: * ARMM is included in the budget of the Department on the following: Creation of teaching and non-teaching positions; Funding for newly-legislated high schools; Regular School Building ;Certain foreign-assisted and locally-funded programs and projects. Issues and Problems in the Philippine Educational System: A Challenge Towards the Attainment of Quality Education Our country has gone through many changes and development for the past few years. The continuous process made great impacts in the lives of millions of Filipinos. Relatively, the changes have given us advantages not to mention the disadvantages it brought causing downfall to many people. There are numerous questions concerning the issues and problems existing in the Philippine Educational System as to how we can resolve it the best way we could to attain that kind of quality of education we have been searching and longing for. Where do we begin and how do we respond to such? Public schools are the building blocks of our societies. They can be considered our foundational instruments. Although these venues of learning play significant roles, they are unable to provide the best they can, due to their numerous flaws. As I’ve gone through different readings and researches, questions were arising in my mind as to what solutions are applicable in addressing the problems about the quality of education, affordability, budget, mismatch, integration of sex education in the curriculum, R.A. 9710 (Magna Carta for Women) and other concerns which are somehow related to it. I will always stand for what I believe in according to my observations that we have good guidelines and policies on education but what is lacking is the ability to implement such in accordance to the needs of every school, majority of which belong to the public education system. Generally, Philippine Education aims to provide quality and free education both for the elementary and secondary public schools but again this have not been observed and understood well causing it to be a burden most especially to the students and parents. Declining standards in public schools is one of the most controversial education issues today is the c ontinuing decline in student learning†¦