Music Therapy in Modern Society Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Music Therapy in Modern Society - Article Example The Music therapy is regarded as both a science and an art, with quantitative and qualitative literature of research based on integrating such fields as musicology, music theory, clinical therapy, psychoacoustics, embodied music cognition, musical acoustics, comparative musicology and aesthetics of music. Other professionals in healthcare services, such as psychologists, physicians, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, refer to the services of music therapy. Sometimes, the users of the service themselves also opt for the services of music therapy without a recommendation. Music Therapist The music therapists mainly facilitate consumers to develop good health in different spheres which include emotional and affective development, motor skills, behavior, and social skills, cognitive functioning, and quality of life. This is done through the use of music experiences such as singing, free improvisation, listening to and discussing music, songwriting, and moving to music to accomplish treatment objectives and goals. The Music Therapists render their services in various settings which include day centers, hospitals, the community, special schools, local education authorities the prison service, or the Department of Social Services. However, there are some trusts, charity organizations and other such institutions which fund the use of therapies. Yet, in every work setting, the function of a music therapist is to perform as a faction of the multi-disciplinary team, and the observations made by them serve the purpose of understanding the needs and problems of their client.

The Stonemason Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Stonemason - Essay Example The Stonemason tale is created with a great regard of the history the United States. McCarthy questions who would run the world if history swallows everybody up (74). The African American population regards greatly the efforts displayed by their ancestors in fighting for their freedom and rights. This fact creates the entire legacy that the African American population enjoys. This specific population group believes that they have achieved what they have by right. Additionally, they vow to value what their proprietors fought for and set aside of them. As Brooks writes, Marmee cannot stop weeping as she narrates to March how a slave had had been branded with a red-hot iron on his face (87). The rights of these slaves is what March believes in and in time, March joins the Underground Railroad to help fleeing slaves get to free countries. As an African American descendant, Ben The Stonemason believes that it was by God’s grace they were redeemed from the shadows of racisms. McCarthy points out that ‘we were pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand (64). This shows that the fact they have freedom in the United States the black population feel that they have everything to be thankful for what they enjoy in the modern century. Additionally, McCarthy portrays the African American population in The Stonemason to be very religious. This cultural preference is due to the fact that the legacy of the Civil War brings out the character of thanks giving to the black population (64). ... This shows that the fact they have freedom in the United States the black population feel that they have everything to be thankful for what they enjoy in the modern century. Additionally, McCarthy portrays the African American population in The Stonemason to be very religious. This cultural preference is due to the fact that the legacy of the Civil War brings out the character of thanks giving to the black population (64). In The Stonemason Ben believes that the scripture holds the basic requirements of one behavior, ‘you go against the scripture you are on your own, the man up there is not going to help you’ (McCarthy 63). On a negative note, the African Americans are argued to be misunderstanding the legacy the Civil War brought to the society. This is because of the increased conflicts between them. In The Stonemason, Ben lost his nephew, Soldier, due to the street battles. The creation of gangs in championing for the rights of the youths has gone against what the anc estors fought for in the civil war. However, McCarthy points out that it is these small acts of valor may all that is visible of great movements of courage within (131). The African American population respects and acknowledges the Civil War and the efforts by their predecessors in redeeming the population group, but it is because of him that I am not reduced by these mysteries but am one more among them (McCarthy 97). They value their right to operate without discrimination whatsoever in a nation where their grandparents struggled for recognition in the normal society. In The Stonemason, Ben orders Soldier to stay off the streets and gangs and go to school. He also offers him a working

The History Of Microsoft Windows Since 1981 Computer Science Essay

The History Of Microsoft Windows Since 1981 Computer Science Essay Since 1981, Windows has preserved the leading position in the operating system league, outweighing opponents such as Linux and MAC OS. In the course of the time, it has improved its services in order to provide the best quality to its customers. The trend from the creation and establishment of the first desktop operating system to the finalisation of the windows family into a more advanced group of mobile technologies and operating systems can be regarded as an immense triumph for the well known type of software. As a historical start-up point, it should be mentioned that Microsoft Windows announced on November 1983, an extension of MS-DOS that would make available graphical operating environment. This was only just the beginning. The first version of Windows (Version 1.0) was launched on the 20th of November 1985. This DOS Shell-like version included a minimal amount of Windows Application such as a simple painting program, a word processor, an appointment calendar, a card filer, a notepad, a clock, a control panel, computer terminal, clipboard and RAM. These applications were able to be communally multitasked but the function of overlapping windows in the course of Windows software was not yet possible. The software used for Windows 1.0 was way too simple and for that reason it failed to success in the market. After the failure of the first version, Windows released the second version of Windows (Version 2.0) on the 7th of December in 1987. Microsoft used the 286 intel processor, which extend memory capabilities and allowed users to overlap windows. The graphics were improved and it could use a series of keyboard combinations in order to circulate quickly through operations. Microsoft came out with a new release 2.03 exploiting the protected mode possessing additional memory capabilities of the intel 386 processor. As the time was passing by new windows releases were constantly modernised and developed. The third release of windows was back in 1990 and it was regarded as a great success for Microsoft. The Windows 3.0 came out with highly developed graphics (16 colours) due to VGA video cards. It also offered a variety of new features and applications and an improving multitasking using virtual memory. This was the most victorious version so far having repercussion on the market by selling over 10 million copies all around the world. After the third release Microsoft came out with Windows NT 3.1 in 1993. The modification that appears in the name is the NT which stands for new technology. Microsoft tried to develop a satisfactory operating system both in home and business editions using 32-bit on this version. However Microsoft used many similar features to windows 3.1, like overlapping windows. The same year Microsoft released Windows for Workgroups 3.11 which was a version of Windows 3.1 but it was networking aware. It had peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support. They mainly used by local area network and on standard PCs and laptops. In 1994 Microsoft released Windows NT Workstation 3.5 which was basically Windows NT but much more improved. This product had better application support and was very keen to print servers. Another important improvement was that it had the capability to save long file names up to 255 characters. After the Windows 3.1, Windows for workgroups and MS-DOS, Microsoft came out with Windows 95. It was the first version of Windows which did not possess the necessity to install DOS being a much more improved interface with TCP/IP which supported dial up networking and mobile computing. The particular improvement consisted of 17 cabs and the full version of 28 cabs. Windows NT Workstation 4.0 circulated on 1996 and integrates the Windows 95 user interface with several bundled server processes. It was considered as a UNIX substitute and it consisted of over 16 million lines of code. After this release Microsoft announced that Windows NT would no more have the initials NT and the next release would be called Windows 2000. Windows 98 was an advance edition of Windows 95. This product included Internet Explorer 4 and it contained a variety of facilities in its arsenal including support from USB to ACPI power management, reading DVD discs and open/close applications in faster modes. It was consisted by 69 cabs and had a faster registry handling. Microsoft launched Windows 98 Second edition in 1999. There had been a series of new instalments with the most vital being the addition of Internet connection sharing, which let a number of machines on a local area network to share a single internet connection. Furthermore it was easier for the user and many problems which found in the first version were fixed. In 2000 Microsoft introduced the Windows Millennium Edition which improved multimedia and internet tasks. The system restore was presented for the first time. System restore offers the advantage to the user to restore his system to a previous point which it was working effectively. Another important feature was the Windows Movie Maker. The Millennium edition was the last version of Windows that based on the Windows 95 code base and the last release does not contain Product Activation. In October 2001 Microsoft released Windows XP which was the result of integrating Windows NT/2000 and Windows 95/98/Me. The initials XP stands for experience which represents the features you can use. The users had the benefit of enjoying music, movies, messaging easier than the other versions. However Windows XP had serious security problems that lead Microsoft to release three very important service packs. Service pack 1 was released in September 2002, Service pack 2 on August 2004 and the final release was in April 2008. Windows XP offered a variety of versions. The home edition for desktop and laptops, the professional for business and power users, the media centre which was related to entertainment, the tablet pc edition, the x64 that used on 64 bit operating system with the processor AMD64 and the final release was XP 64-bit edition which maintained 32-bit compatibility all the way through a software emulator and included quite similar features to the XP Professional version. Microsoft released Windows Server 2003 on April 2005. This product provided a series of new security features and a Manage Your Server application which was used in order to set up a machine for specific roles and achieved an enhanced performance. Some applications of less importance for the server edition were disabled and users had to enable them by themselves if it was to their desire. The acceleration for display, Windows audio and Themes Service were disabled. The Windows Server was available in six editions which were web, standard, enterprise, data-centre, small business server and storage server. All editions were available in 32bit and 64 bit except the Web version and the Small Business Server release. As was programmed, the release of windows vista occurred on the 30th of November 2006 for commercial use and for the general public on the 30th of January, 2007. An overall description of the new windows vista main purpose is that Windows Vista intended to have enhanced security by introducing a new restricted user mode called User Account Control, replacing the administrator-by-default philosophy. One of the major differences between windows vista and windows XP is that the original start button was replaced with just the windows icon. Furthermore vista consists of new graphic features, the Windows Aero GUI, new applications (such as Windows Calendar, Windows DVD Maker and some new games including Chess, Mahjong, and Purble Place,[8] Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11 and in addition a large number of underlying architectural changes. Vista has six editions. The starter, home, home premium, business, enterprise, ultimate. All these editions are available both 32 and 64-bit releases. The major benefit is that 64-bit can break the 4 gigabyte barrier in addition with the 32-bit which cannot fully access. Windows Server 2008 came up on the 27th of February. It had new virtualization technological and security features which existed on Windows Vista and it was considered as more successful that the previous version. Windows Server 2008 is considered to be the best solution for the information technology infrastructure. The final and current version of Windows is 7. It has more rapidly booting than Vista and a theres huge improvement on window management. Windows 7 is available now in six editions. The starter which is available on new PCs only, home basic, home premium, professional, enterprise which is offered only to business customers and the ultimate one which has limited availability to original equipment manufacturers . All versions are available on both 32-bit and 64-bit. There are many rumours about the next release of Windows. Theres nothing official yet but the next major release expected to be in a few years. Microsoft Windows is inevitably of great importance in the operating system sector and since its establishment, it has completed substantive steps striving for improvement until nowadays. The fact that the specific operating system is the main selling one in the market should not be regarded as a mere consequence but rather as a proof of the hard work imputed within the quality section of the whole scheme. Moreover, the rapid improvement in the proportionality of the quality, marketing and overall, the modernisation trend of the business is of great praise and admiration.

Essay --

Abuse of the Second Amendment: The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Senior Historical Paper Ashleigh Rogers Mr. Todd Gonion Ninety bullets rang through the air, seven bodies hit the asphalt, and blood pooled N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre represented one of the bloodiest, catastrophic maltreatments of the Second Amendment, and illustrated how citizen’s ignored the responsibilities that came along with the ownership of a weapon. This massacre relates to the theme â€Å"Rights and Responsibilities in History† because it shows a group of individuals irresponsibly taking their unalienable Constitutional rights and using it to solve trivial conflicts with other citizens. On February 14, 1929, the true intentions of the second amendment were massacred as a Chicago gang ignored their responsibilities as gun owners and decimated other citizens. The Second Amendment states â€Å"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.† As America was once dependent on England, Americans looked to England’s governmental institutions as a base on how to govern the United States. America configured the Second Amendment based off political ideologies that originated in England. In 1181, King Henry issued the Assize of Arms, stating citizens were to possess weapons at all times to secure that England citizens would be protected against foreign invasions. In England, males as young as seven were required to bear arms to ensure an extensive defense for their country; it was considered an Englishman’s obligation to his country. In addition, Militias became vital to English life, as they leveled monarchial rule... ...elling example of how citizens took the privilege of owning weapons for their own security in the home and nation, and used it for venomous reasons. A concept that was effective in the eleventh century lost its value as citizens began to ignore their responsibilities as gun owning United States citizens. The Federalist foresaw that citizens were going to expunge their right, yet it was still ratified in the Constitution. The discernment of a plan to execute seven individuals conveys how citizens have ignored both the meaning of their rights and their responsibilities. A few individual’s decision to configure the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, consequentially led to a stringent of regulations placed on gun owners. â€Å"Violence is an evil thing, but when the guns are all in the hands of me without respect for human rights, then men are really in trouble†- Louis L’Amour.

Dbq Although New England and the Chesapeake

Wa’Nyah Tucker 11A September 24, 2012 DBQ ESSAY Question: Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by of English origin, by 1700 the region had evolved into two different societies. Why did this difference in development occur? Thesis Statement: When talking about New England and the Chesapeake region, you have to consider the differences in motives and geography. Consider economic situations (reasons for settling where they did, reasons why they came to New England in the first place). One has to think about the family development and demographics, as well as the government structure.Thought New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled with a majority of English origin. By 1700 the region had evolved into two completely different societies. When talking about New England and the Chesapeake region, you have to consider the differences in motives and geography. Consider economic situations (reasons for settling where they did, reasons why they came to New England in the first place). One has to think about the family development and demographics, as well as the government structure. All these differences helped sculpt the colonies into their own significant and distinct ways of living.The geography of the New England Colonies was not the best. The soil was very rocky. This made agriculture for the New England colonist nearly impossible to achieve. Eventually the English brought pigs, horses, sheep, and cattle to the settlements. This required pastureland so the colonists were constantly clearing forests. The New England colonists were fed up with all of the rocky land, not being able to farm and plant, they moved towards the coast. The dense forests allowed a bounty of timber which was used for building ships that could be used for various.Also, there was an abundance of fish off the coast of Newfoundland, which made the New Englanders very wealthy. The Chesapeake region however, had very fertile soil. The Atlant ic Ocean created was able to create many rivers and wetlands. This provided the Chesapeake with land that was moist where they were able to establish agriculture. The main crop being produced in this area was tobacco. There was such high demand for tobacco, it eventually cause the soil to become try old and tired. By the soil drying out it increased the need for new land.In Document B on the list of emigrant bound for New England, it is mostly family oriented. Families were coming and units. These people were mostly the Puritans who were coming to New England for religious purposes. The New England colonies were founded as examples of pure religion. The New Englanders would come to prosper through their hard work, thrift, and the quality of their commitment to God and each other. The Christian values of charity towards another man resulted in tight knit communities that embraced the idea to care for every member.John Winthrop wrote, A Model of Christian Charity, while he was aboard the Arbella on the Atlantic Ocean in 1630. In this writing he states that no matter what social class you fall under everyone must say close together and work in unison as one man. Not as many men working but coming together. Showing the affection one would give to their brother. One must make their fellow colonist conditions their own, whether it is good or bad. Laugh together, cry together, rejoice together, mourn together, work together and even suffer together. They are as â€Å"a city upon a hill†.Meaning that other colonies will see what they do. They will notice everything they do so they have to set an example of how to be. The colonial theocratic governments also sought to further the welfare of the populace by enforcing God's Biblical laws, thus strengthening the people's support for the government (respect of authority is required by the Bible, and respect for a government that can hang you is required by common sense). Finally, the rugged land of New England did n ot stop the growth of crops. This allowed the Chesapeake colonies to prosper on agriculture alone.Unlike the New England colonies, the Chesapeake colony of Virginia never made any gesture of being a religious settlement, except for the apparent support for the Church of England. Most of the original settlers were men Document C who had left their families behind in order to attend to the territory that was to successfully produce gold for the King and the country. Most importantly produce for the shareholders. Some of the investors in the Virginia Company quickly seized upon the idea of farming as a substitute for gold-mining. This paid for the passage of many indentured ervants and later, slaves to the New World. There were many diseases that swept through Chesapeake colonies. Life in the Chesapeake colonies was very harsh. There were diseases such as malaria, dysentery, and typhoid fever. Half of the people born in Virginia and Maryland died before the age of twenty. While the oth er died by the age of forty (women) or fifty (men). There were a lot of men that couldn’t find single women to mate with in order to repopulate. There were many families being destroyed my death. The children were dying very young. The Chesapeake colonies struggled.Then native born inhabitants gained immunity to all of the diseases that were infecting the original immigrants. The New England colonies had colonial assemblies and town meetings where the colonists discussed important matters of local government. These assemblies and town meetings also had the power to tax their citizens to fund the church. Above the local government were governors. These governors were supposed to enforce all of the King's policies and answered directly to the king. Above the governors were the houses of Parliament in England.There wasn’t really a government structure when it came down to the Chesapeake colonies. They were all about the gold and making a profit. They had slaves working in the fields when they discovered tobacco and other things. They were more about quantity and money and goods and trade. In conclusion, many things that contributed into establishing these colonies led to many more events. Since there were many slaves being worked now, there were many that didn’t agree with the way they were being treated. Therefore leading to many rebellions.One of which known as Bacon’s Rebellion which was an uprising in 1676 in the Virginia Colony in North America, led by a 29-year-old planter, Nathaniel Bacon. There were about a thousand Virginians rose (including former indentured servants, poor whites and poor blacks) because they resented Virginia Governor William Berkeley's friendly policies towards the Native Americans when Berkeley refused to retaliate for a series of Indian attacks on frontier settlements, others took matters into their own hands, attacking Native Americans, chasing Berkeley from Jamestown, Virginia, and torching the capital. There was many more. Like the New York Revolt in 1712 which killed nine whites and as a result of the actions taken by the slaves, twenty-one blacks were executed and some burned at the stake over a slow fire. Or even the South Carolina Revolt. People say it was like a failed attempt of Bacon’s Rebellion. This revolt happened in 1736. Fifty blacks tried to march along the Stono River to Spanish florida but failed and was stopped by local militia.

A Trip to Spain

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and me and my friend Sam were hanging out at some coffee place enjoying each other's company. Sam and I have been friends since we were about five years old making our bond stronger than any of my other friends. I glanced at him and suddenly thought of a brilliant idea.Spring break was just around the corner and we both love traveling. I told him that I want to go to Italy since I have been interested in the Italian culture for the longest time. I have read a lot about the country, and even tried to learn the language for some time. I also love to watch Italian football.However, Sam indicated that he preferred going to Spain. He had a lot of Spanish friends and wanted to know more about the country. After arguing for a while, we decided to check the travel agencies in the area and take the cheapest package for a trip to Spain. This is how my friendship with Sam goes. We both have different opinions and points of view but we try to compromise to b e able to decide on things.When we arrived at the travel agency, a crowd of people wanting to book flights for their vacations welcomed us inside. Luckily, there was one available agent at the corner of the office. We approached her and stated that we were planning take a trip to either Spain or Italy for one week and we would prefer to take the cheapest offer.After a few minutes of checking their system on the computer, she related that the cheapest flight was to Malaga, which is the capital of Costa del Sol, in the south region of Spain. The package would also come along with a hotel accommodation. This was good news for us and we took the offer without hesitation.The flight to Spain was not until after a few days and I spent those days trying to prepare for the trip. I made a checklist of what I was supposed to bring. I thought very carefully of the clothes and shoes that I would bring. I also made sure that my camera was fully charged. I even did my research about Spain in the I nternet.The day of the flight to Spain came quickly. I arrived at the airport at six o'clock in the morning and found Sam waiting for me. He looked slightly annoyed because I was a bit late but I explained that my alarm clock did not go off and apologized for this.I am grateful because Sam is very understanding. If this had been some other person, he or she would not have understood and would not have accepted my apology quickly, since this was an important day for both of us. But it was Sam and this is how he really is and I am glad for this. We were lucky because our flight was delayed.At 7:30 a.m., the airplane took off the airport. The plane was full of tourists. We found our way to our assigned seats. We placed our carry-ons inside the compartment overhead and took our seats. We got comfortable and Sam began talking to the young lady next to him. I did not realize that I have fallen fast asleep. The thing I knew was Sam was waking me up because the plane was about to land.The M alaga airport was small and there were no English signs. We did not know where to go and the place was crowded with people speaking only in Spanish. Sam looked around to see if he recognized anyone from our flight. We were so relieved when we heard some English words calling those from our flight to gather around.We walked to the voice and there was a young man who looked like he was Spanish and an one old man whom I recognized from the flight. The old man asked us which city we were headed to and we indicated that we were planning to go to Malaga. They then led us to the bus that would take us to Malaga. The ride took 30 minutes before we arrived at the hotel.We approached the front desk and checked in our room. Sam was feeling tired and wanted to rest for a while but I was feeling like a tourist and wanted to explore the city at that moment. However, Sam was really persistent on resting first so I told him that I would go out alone and would come back for him after a few hours. It was sunny and warm and I had no idea where to go first.I decided to take a walk on the beach because I found the sea view amazing with the sand having no traces of trash or any unpleasant things. Walking around trying to explore the area, I sensed that someone was cooking fish and the aroma made me realize that I had not eaten except for the food, which was served in the airplane. I felt my stomach growling when I saw the restaurants lined up along the beach. I picked one that looked new from its designs and interior.The menu was written in Spanish and I only knew a few words in Spanish and found that this would be harder than I thought. I tried telling the waiter that I wanted a meal with shrimps but unfortunately, the waiter only knew a few words in English.Another waiter was called whom I presumed knew how to speak in English better. I repeated my order, which he took, and surveyed the view of the beach. While waiting for my food, I got into thinking that differences in language s can really become a barrier of communication not only in Spain but everywhere. After I finished my meal, I continued walking by the beach and tried to shop for souvenirs from the gift shops along the way.The beach was very long and I believe I walked for three to four miles before noticing that the sun was beginning to set. I went back to the hotel to wake up Sam but when I entered the room, I saw that Sam was already awake and looked like he just finished a meal.Sam was not bothered that he missed walking on the beach and simply stated that he could go the next day. This is what I liked about him. He is not someone who considers things as a big deal, which can make things complicated.At around 10:00 p.m., we decided to go to a night club, which was not too far from the hotel. The club was too big and there were a lot of people inside. I heard group of people talking in English so I felt comfortable enough to approach them. Meanwhile, Sam went to buy some drinks from the bar. The group consisted of three girls and two boys.After introducing ourselves and getting to know their names, we found out that they have arrived two days ago and experienced the same problem with the language. We all sat together in an area where the music was lower and we were able to hear each other better.We talked about numerous things but it was mostly about Spain and its culture. After the discussions, we managed to get into the center of dance floor and danced until we were too exhausted. Sam and I came back to the hotel with too much to drink.The next day, I woke up with a hangover. I looked over to Sam's bed and saw that he was awake too. We laughed as we tried to recollect what had happened the night before. Sam related that I fell asleep on the table at the club and he had to carry me all the way back to the hotel. I was shocked to hear about this because this has never happened to me before.I apologized to Sam and blamed the alcohol for my behavior. I was relieved when he sa id that it was okay since he also had a good time at the club. Sam is such a good a friend. I can always rely on him to look out for me and he does not mind this. After making more fun of me, we decided to have some breakfast.Later in the day, in the heart of Malaga, Sam and I sat in a French cafà ©, which was full of people from different parts of the world. The weather was beautiful that day so we sat outside the cafe observing the people walking by. I lit my cigarette and started drinking my cappuccino when the group we met last night approached us.The girl with the dark hair commented that it was a crazy night. I was a bit embarrassed when I remembered what happened but I agreed with what she said. We talked some more about the night before and had a good laugh. Then, I mentioned that there was a soccer game tomorrow where Barcelona would be playing against Malaga. I invited them to come with us and they quickly agreed since they had no plans for that particular day.

Free Essays on Rip Van Winkle

Literary analyses of â€Å"Rip Van Winkle† Rip Van Winkle is a man from a small village located at the foot Kaatskill Mountains. He lives with his wife, 2 kids, and his dog. His son, Rip Van Winkle, was just like his father. His dog, Wolf, was his best friend. They were always together and Wolf was always faithful. Rip Van Winkle is a man of many traits. He always helped others while his home remained pretty well run down. In the short story â€Å"Rip Van Winkle†, Washington Irving uses simple, henpecked, lazy and friendly to describe the main character Rip Van Winkle. The first thing that is used to describe Rip Van Winkle is simple. Rip is a simple man that just enjoys life. Irving says this by saying â€Å"Rip Van winkle was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, well-oiled dispositions, who take the world easy, eat white bread or brown, whichever can be got with least thought or trouble†(36). This tells that Rip takes what he can get without much hassle for it. Then Irving states, â€Å"if left to himself, he would have whistled life away, in perfect contentment†(36). Rip just takes life as it comes and does not worry about nothing but what’s happening with him at that point and time. Rip seems to have no worries or regrets about his simple life. The second point that is portrayed by Rip Van Winkle is henpecked. Henpecked means that he’s nagged and yelled at all the time by his wife. One example of him being henpecked is when it says, â€Å"his wife kept continually dinning in his ears about his idleness, his carelessness and the ruin ha was bringing on his family†(36). His wife is always pestering him about how he is ruining his family because of how he is. It then says â€Å"He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, cast up his eyes, but said nothing†(36). He has been so badly verbally abused that he would not say anything for fear of more yelling. Then Irving also quotes â€Å"he is fain to draw off his fo... Free Essays on Rip Van Winkle Free Essays on Rip Van Winkle Literary analyses of â€Å"Rip Van Winkle† Rip Van Winkle is a man from a small village located at the foot Kaatskill Mountains. He lives with his wife, 2 kids, and his dog. His son, Rip Van Winkle, was just like his father. His dog, Wolf, was his best friend. They were always together and Wolf was always faithful. Rip Van Winkle is a man of many traits. He always helped others while his home remained pretty well run down. In the short story â€Å"Rip Van Winkle†, Washington Irving uses simple, henpecked, lazy and friendly to describe the main character Rip Van Winkle. The first thing that is used to describe Rip Van Winkle is simple. Rip is a simple man that just enjoys life. Irving says this by saying â€Å"Rip Van winkle was one of those happy mortals, of foolish, well-oiled dispositions, who take the world easy, eat white bread or brown, whichever can be got with least thought or trouble†(36). This tells that Rip takes what he can get without much hassle for it. Then Irving states, â€Å"if left to himself, he would have whistled life away, in perfect contentment†(36). Rip just takes life as it comes and does not worry about nothing but what’s happening with him at that point and time. Rip seems to have no worries or regrets about his simple life. The second point that is portrayed by Rip Van Winkle is henpecked. Henpecked means that he’s nagged and yelled at all the time by his wife. One example of him being henpecked is when it says, â€Å"his wife kept continually dinning in his ears about his idleness, his carelessness and the ruin ha was bringing on his family†(36). His wife is always pestering him about how he is ruining his family because of how he is. It then says â€Å"He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, cast up his eyes, but said nothing†(36). He has been so badly verbally abused that he would not say anything for fear of more yelling. Then Irving also quotes â€Å"he is fain to draw off his fo... Free Essays on Rip Van Winkle Sentimentality In Changing Times In â€Å"Rip Van Winkle,† Washington Irving conveys the theme of a changing world with the essence of an underlying sentimentality. This story shows the radical changes that affect a small Dutch village in the Catskill Mountains after the Revolutionary War. The sense of sentimentality is shown in Rip’s yearning for the twenty years he missed while sleeping, and also in the simple times villagers lived in before the revolt against Great Britain. In The Reference Guide to American Literature, Daniel Hoffman says, â€Å"Irving’s pervasive theme of nostalgia for the unrecoverable past is here at once mythologized and made unforgettable† (456). This observation is the central idea in â€Å"Rip Van Winkle† made apparent to the reader through several specific occasions. The first occasion where Rip feels a strong sense of nostalgia is when he sees his dog, Wolf, whom he believed was dead or lost after not finding him in the mountains. Wolf is Rip’s closest companion, and together they suffer through many lectures from Rip’s wife, Dame Van Winkle. Rip finds solace in spending time with Wolf, whether they are taking leisurely walks or going hunting. Wolf is even present in Rip’s venture through the mystical mountains that would eventually result in his twenty-year slumber. As Rip returns to the village the morning after he wakes up, he is confused because he doesn’t recognize anyone walking on the street, and his own home is dilapidated and abandoned. When he sees Wolf he is immediately excited to return to his normal life and hopeful that everything is all right. However, Rip is disappointed when his best friend, Wolf, scoffs at him as if he were a stranger. Irving says, â€Å"Rip called him by name but the cur sn arled, showed his teeth, and passed on† (161). This outright display of hatred gives Rip his first pang of sentimentality for the old days he spent with Wolf. Although Rip does n... Free Essays on Rip Van Winkle Analysis of Dame Van Winkle In Washington Irving’s â€Å"Rip Van Winkle†, Dame Van Winkle is described as â€Å"a termagant wife† (p. 574) with â€Å"a tart temper† and â€Å"and sharp tongue† (p. 575). In fact, Dame Van Winkle was so domineering that Rip frequently sought solace outside of his own home. However, his wife could have simply been completely frustrated by his lack of initiative to assist in the upkeep of his home and family and stunned by the depth of laziness. Perhaps this was Dame Van Winkle’s attempt to get Rip to actually do something useful for his own family. Rip’s response to being confronted by his wife was to shrug his shoulders, shake his head, roll his eyes and remain silent (p. 575). During the time period this classic was written, a woman was dependent upon her husband as the sole financial supporter of the family. Dame Van Winkle may not have known the extent of Rip’s idleness prior to their marriage. Many marriages were arranged by parents versus entered into by consenting and in love adults. A wife was expected to keep the home and raise the children. A husband was to provide for the family. By Rip’s own admission in referring to the house, Dame Van Winkle â€Å"always kept in neat order† (p. 579). However, Rip was not willing to provide for his own family choosing instead to assist his neighbors (p. 374). Since his was not living up to his familial responsibilities, Dame Van Winkle took every occasion to bring his failings to his attention in the hopes of changing him. At the time, her options were limited and her dilemma maddening at best. Rip must have had some love for (or fear of) his wife for upon awakening from his sleep h is first thoughts were not of his faithful companion Wolf, but of his wife (p. 578). Yet consistent with his lazy nature, Rip’s thoughts were of the excuses he would use when he encountered the dreaded Dame Van Winkle. Upon Rip’s return from the moun...

Blakes The Tyger Essay Example

Blakes The Tyger Essay Example Blakes The Tyger Essay Blakes The Tyger Essay Essay Topic: Prometheus Tyger by William Blake is a beautifully written poem that brings forth many philosophical questions about the origin of the animal known as a tiger. It was published as part of his collection Songs of Experience and through close reading of the poem, deeper meaning is uncovered behind the literary piece. The poem consists of six quatrains or what is known as four-line stanzas and contains along with that, two couplets or rhyming lines. Throughout the reading of the poem, the poem has dual layers of meaning behind its initial denotation of the origin of a tiger and more towards the origin of Satan. The questions to whom created it, where he did it, how he did it, and how the creator felt, illustrates the stream of conscious questioning behind the origin of the devil. Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? The poem goes through a basic order of questioning with the core question of hat immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? This who question seems connotative of the idea of God as the immortal being and Creator of all things. As a tiger is a nocturnal predator of the night, *urning brightalso also brings forth he imagery of fire and contains consonance. Tigers bring forth imagery of brilliantly orange colored fur and black stripes merged together. This also is a colored illustrations of biblical descriptions of Hell itself. fin the forests of the nightdemonstrate operation in the darkness, something Satan does as well. The duality of meaning in the tigers image and biblical allusion to Satan as the central character of the poem start the stream of rhetorical questioning the author has. In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare sieze the fire? The second stanza it asks the question of where fin what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? The location of where Satan was formed is presented when bringing forth the location *istant deeps or skies,and the line also presents alliteration as well. The idea of did Satan come from the depths of hell, or was he formed above where God is located in heaven is presented within these lines. The last two lines of the quatrain once again acts as allusions to both a biblical and mythological origin. inn what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare sieze the fire? oint to Prometheus, a Greek mythological being who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans in order to progress life. Ultimately he faced severe punishment for his actions. Satan himself can be seen as a Prometheus type character as well. He convinced Adam and Eve to eat of the fruit and was punished for his actions as well. Though he did not seize the fire per say, he did push the first banished for having the pride and avarice to overthrow God. Blake shows such brilliance in the fact that the poem can still be taken on a literal meaning, and as a connotative meaning of biblical origin. And what shoulder, what art Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? what dread feet The third stanza speaks to the power of the Creator who we recognize as God who must be strong to form such a powerful creature as the essential in the construction of things and the beauty of the tiger mandates and artistic mind. ould twist the sinews of thy heartis a very profound line. Dual meaning can be taken within this line as the heart from the spiritual perspective dictates decision making. If God created Satan, did he create the evil within Satans heart and his actions if God as control over all things and Satan is the origin of evil? The second part of the stanza illustrates the power of Satan as the tiger is a powerful creature of dread and strength, so is Satan. As the hand is capable of destroying and creating and feet dictate presence everywhere. This is especially important in the dual meaning, as the tiger itself does not have hands or feet but rather paws. Thus these two lines once again show that Blake is pointing towards a deeper meaning. What the hammer? what the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? The fourth stanza illustrates the metaphor of a blacksmith that God is, ammersand ? ±hainsoften being the tool and object blacksmiths create. These questions seem to ask where and how exactly did you create a being like Satan and what were the restraints and form of Satan. Once again repetition of imagery with fire is displayed here as well. Ehat was furnace was thy brainpoint towards the imagery of hell once again but point towards the mind of Satan as well as how did he develop the idea of pride to think he could overthrow God. When the stars threw down their spears, And watered heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? This fifth stanza highlights the downfall of Satan and the other angels that plotted to overtake God. This is seen with the first two lines that talk throwing down spearsand %atered heaven with their tears. As Satan was cast out of Gods presence and the realm of heaven with the other angels were saddened. The second two lines question Gods intent of pleasure or emotion in that His creation deviated so far from Jesus, did he create Satan as well. This stanza sticks out because this deviates much rom the dual meaning of the tiger, but highlights once again the connotative direction of Satans creation. Dare frame thy fearful symmetry? The last stanza remains the same, but the last two lines slightly change in that ares now the last lines first word. The qualities of the Oger that presents a duality between beauty, ferocity, and strength of the beast and Satan, The speaker wonders whether why the hand that created Satan created him. A being of evil and power that shines brightly influencing others negatively. Blake does a brilliant Job of showing two meanings behind his poem.

A Light to My Path

Grady has only known life with his mama and playing with Missy Caroline (from A Candle in the Darkness) when he’s sold away from the Fletcher plantation. He serves a slave trader for many years before managing to be gambled away to a kinder owner, Massa Fuller. When Massa Fuller begins calling on Miss Claire, Grady and Kitty’s paths cross. The pretty, naive artist intrigues Grady, but his hatred for anyone white clashes with her subservient attitude. Though Missy Claire treats her like an animal, Kitty is wholly devoted to the only person who’s shown her even the barest scrap of affection. The Civil War begins shortly after their owners marry. Grady sees this as the perfect opportunity for escape, but Kitty is terrified of the idea. Which will win, her love for Grady or her fear? And Grady must choose between his hatred and the Jesus he believed in as a child. Blending breathtaking historical detail with intriguing characters, Lynn Austin crafts a deep tale with important spiritual truths. The Refiner’s Fire series, which can be read in any order, will have the most appeal to women, even for those who don’t prefer books set during the Civil War. Pick up A Light to My Path and prepare for a soulful escape to the past. — Katie Hart, Christian Book Previews. com Book Jacket: This powerful conclusion to Lynn Austin’s REFINER’S FIRE series brings to a close one of the most acclaimed sagas in Christian fiction ever. Each of the first two novels won Christy Awards for Historical Fiction. Now Austin completes her trilogy with a dramatic examination of the Civil War through a slave’s perspective. Riveting, eloquent, and gripping as all of her previous works, it’s the conclusion for which you’ve been waiting. A Light to My Path Grady has only known life with his mama and playing with Missy Caroline (from A Candle in the Darkness) when he’s sold away from the Fletcher plantation. He serves a slave trader for many years before managing to be gambled away to a kinder owner, Massa Fuller. When Massa Fuller begins calling on Miss Claire, Grady and Kitty’s paths cross. The pretty, naive artist intrigues Grady, but his hatred for anyone white clashes with her subservient attitude. Though Missy Claire treats her like an animal, Kitty is wholly devoted to the only person who’s shown her even the barest scrap of affection. The Civil War begins shortly after their owners marry. Grady sees this as the perfect opportunity for escape, but Kitty is terrified of the idea. Which will win, her love for Grady or her fear? And Grady must choose between his hatred and the Jesus he believed in as a child. Blending breathtaking historical detail with intriguing characters, Lynn Austin crafts a deep tale with important spiritual truths. The Refiner’s Fire series, which can be read in any order, will have the most appeal to women, even for those who don’t prefer books set during the Civil War. Pick up A Light to My Path and prepare for a soulful escape to the past. — Katie Hart, Christian Book Previews. com Book Jacket: This powerful conclusion to Lynn Austin’s REFINER’S FIRE series brings to a close one of the most acclaimed sagas in Christian fiction ever. Each of the first two novels won Christy Awards for Historical Fiction. Now Austin completes her trilogy with a dramatic examination of the Civil War through a slave’s perspective. Riveting, eloquent, and gripping as all of her previous works, it’s the conclusion for which you’ve been waiting.

The Role of Recreational Literacy in the Knowledge Acquisition of a Ho Essay

The Role of Recreational Literacy in the Knowledge Acquisition of a Hotel Manager - Essay Example The average person has so many options to choose for in terms of upgrading his knowledge about specific events that are relevant to his or her life. Due to this, literacy is not restricted only to the traditional classroom learning or the supervisory systems where institutions controlled the flow of information to different parts of the society. This the existence of recreational literacy as an alternative source of enlightenment has affected different units of the society including the hotel industry. Recreational literacy is defined by Mackey as â€Å"engagements with texts of all kinds that are undertaken entirely for their own sake, for the pleasure of the engagement and not for any utilitarian outcome† (2007 6). Thus it refers to reading and update of information by individuals without a view of getting a qualification or some recognition from it. The whole idea of idea of recreational literacy refers to the acquisition of knowledge by self-motivated individuals mainly through unconscious efforts. This influences the way an individual thinks, although it might not be in a very structured system. Due to the unconsciousness and the gradualist system, recreational literacy affects the way people think and perceive organizations. Due to this, recreational literacy affects the way a hotel manager goes about his/her work. Since I desire to become a hotel manager, I will examine the literacy practices of the hotel management industry and attempt to find out the rate at which recreational literacy has had an influence on the sector. In effect, the paper will examine how recreational literacies are currently transforming learning and communication in hotel management. The paper will proceed by first examining the concept of recreational literacy into greater depth. It will go on to examine the main literacy structures in the hotel management industry. From there, it will explain how the hotel industry is being changed by recreational literacies by interviewing a resource person who has first-hand knowledge of these trends in the industry.     Ã‚  

Port Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Port Report - Essay Example This resulted in the reduction of retail gas price from USD 3.31 to USD 2.27 during the year 2014. While this has the positive effect on the consumer purchase pattern, the impact of such fall on the investment pattern, particularly the GCC stocks needs detailed investigation. As it is just the first quarter of 2015, the analysis of current oil prices fall cannot be done correctly since its effect on stock investment needs longer period of observation. Hence, this paper has taken an in-depth look at the relationship between oil pricing and stock investment, as well as general economic conditions, within GCC and across the world, during the recent past. Accordingly, 2008 financial crisis, coupled with cyclic fall in oil prices finds greater attention in the following paragraphs. As supply and demand equation determines the price of any commodity, political forces prevailing in the oil producing countries determine the supply position for oil, largely. Technological innovation also plays a major role here. Many political decisions by countries across the globe influence the oil pricing. For example, the cause of recent Russian currency debacle has relation to the falling oil prices. Although under normal conditions, falling prices would result in reducing the production, OPEC countries are not doing it, as they want to retain their control over oil production. This is also seen as an attempt to make oil production unsustainable by American producers, who are utilizing advanced technology to increase shale oil production in a major way.(Stefanova, 2014) Consumers in Western countries take falling oil prices as an instrument to result in lesser tax burden. This way the falling oil prices prove to be positive for the global economy, as these countries can look for heavy reduction in lower inflation rates. While many advanced economies may go for deflation measures, the falling oil crisis has hit the currencies of Norway and Canada in a major way.(Buttonwood,

IB Biology Food Energy Content Experiment Essay

IB Biology Food Energy Content Experiment - Essay Example 263). The nutritive value of food is derived from the ability of a food to supply energy to the organism (McDonald et al. 263). To calculate the quantity of chemical energy present in food, it is necessary to convert it into heat energy and calculate the amount of heat it produces (McDonald et al. 264). This conversion is conducted by oxidizing the food by burning it; the amount of heat that is created from the complete oxidation of the unit weight of food is identified as the gross energy (McDonald et al. 264). The central determinant of the gross energy content of a food is its degree of oxidation as conveyed in the ratio of carbon plus hydrogen to oxygen (McDonald et al. 264). Carbohydrates contain approximately the same gross energy content of 17.5 MJ/kg DM while triglyceride fats contain lower amounts of oxygen and have a higher energy content of approximately 39 MJ/kg DM (McDonald et al. 264). Proteins have a higher level of gross energy values than carbohydrates due to the fact that they contain the oxidizeable element nitrogen (McDonald et al. 264). The present study was conducted in order to determine the energy content of four different samples of food that includes a cracker, a Mars chocolate bar, bread, and a 'Flips' chip. The researcher hypothesized that the mass of food will have no effect upon its energy content. In addition to this, it is hypothesized that the food with the highest energy content is the 'Flips' chip followed by the bread, cracker, and Mars chocolate sample. The researcher determined the energy content of the food by calculating the amount of Joules per mass in grams of each sample. Method: The researcher chose four different food samples to test for energy content. The quantities of food included a 2-gram sample of cracker, a 5.6-gram sample of Mars chocolate, a 10.4-gram sample of bread, and a 0.8-gram sample of a 'Flips' chip. There were three variables in this experiment. The first variable was the variety of food type, the second variable was the temperature of the water, and the third variable was the difference of mass of each sample of food. All other factors of the experiment were be consistent including the distance of the bunson burner from the test tube, the volume of water in each test, and the environment in which the experiment was conducted. The researcher used a beaker to measure 25cm^3 of water into each test tube. Five tests of each food were conducted in order to determine a mean value of each sample. The mass of each food sample was determined as well as the temperature of the water in each test tube before heating. Each food sample was attached to a pin and burned with a bunson burner. When the food sample burned, it was placed under the test tube until the flame burned out. During this time, the water in the test tube was stirred in order to evenly distribute heat transfer from the flame. After the flame burned out, the Celsius temperature of the water in the test tube was measured. The mass in grams of the food sample was then measured. The following formula was used in order to calculate the amount of energy each food sample contained in Joules: 25g * temperature rise of water (C) * 4.2 (J/g/C)/ mass of food (g)= Energy (J/g) This process was repeated for each food sample Results: Food Mass (g) Volume of water (cm3) Temperature after heating (oC) Temperature before heating (oC) Rise in water Temperature (oC) Energy content of food (J/g) Cracker 2 25 34 20 14 735 Mars

Creating A New Nigeria. What Ignored Sectors Must Be Reformed To Research Proposal

Creating A New Nigeria. What Ignored Sectors Must Be Reformed To Re-Brand The Giant Of Africa. Lessons From Other Emerging Economies - Research Proposal Example relation to the current competitive environment, these sectors are often recognised to play pivotal role for the countries to stimulate continuous growth and economic development. Therefore, rebranding of these particular areas has become a major concern for the Nigeria to improve its economic and socio-cultural development. In relation to the rebranding of the sectors, Aibueku (2011) has critically explored that education is one of the major sectors facing major challenges in Nigeria. According to the study, it has been perceived that the educational system of the nation is undergoing challenges due to the lack of effective mechanism and policy development measures (Aibueku, 2011). In addition, the sports and tourism development sector of the nation has also been recognised to face major hurdles during the past few decades. In this regard, rapid decline of the sports and tourism sector in the country has significantly lowered the opportunity for Nigeria to stabilise its economic development. Lack of policy measures along with support from governmental agencies and continuous instability of the political system have substantially influenced the current sports and tourism sector of Nigeria (Elendu, 2013). In addition, the media and entertainment sector in Nigeria is also considered to be ignored from its further development. Ineffective measures of using advanced technological aspects along with lack of policy developmental efforts of the nation are identified to reduce the scope of the current media and entertainment business sector of Nigeria (Obono & Madu, 2010). The study of Nigeria always provides adequate information relating to the sectors, which are major contributor to its economic growth from the research work of other researchers. However, there is a lack of research study of the ignored sectors of Nigeria, which are affecting the economic as well as social growth of the country as a whole. In this regard, the proposed research study focused on

Herborist on Their Next Step of International Expansion Essay

Herborist on Their Next Step of International Expansion - Essay Example Strategic Planning of global expansion of Herborist in the Russian market Foreign participation is increasing its share in the Russian market, and the personal care products which were imported in the past century is manufactured in the Russian territory as the companies are opening up their subsidiaries to grab the maximum opportunity in the Russian market. The consumer market is the key growth driver behind the growth in the Russian market. The large urban population base of the country is the factor that has led to such vast growth in the cosmetics and retail sector in the Russian market (Kumar and Steenkamp, 2013, pp.123-124). It is the ninth largest consumer market and is estimated to become the worlds fourth biggest and the Europe’s largest consumer economy by the end of 2020. The market has different income level consumer segments and comprises of sophisticated and changing consumer trends. The largest share of population belong to the elite class who spend lavishly and have exotic taste, this makes it a great opportunity for the foreign companies to directly export their products in the Russian market (Frey, 2004, pp.76-77). The cosmetics market has shown a sustained growth over the years in the Russian market and has not been impacted by the economic downturn of the country in 2008-09. There has been a considerable rise in the high quality product in the market with a 14% growth in the cosmetics and personal care market (Handlechner, 2008, pp. 45-46).

IB Biology Food Energy Content Experiment Essay

IB Biology Food Energy Content Experiment - Essay Example 263). The nutritive value of food is derived from the ability of a food to supply energy to the organism (McDonald et al. 263). To calculate the quantity of chemical energy present in food, it is necessary to convert it into heat energy and calculate the amount of heat it produces (McDonald et al. 264). This conversion is conducted by oxidizing the food by burning it; the amount of heat that is created from the complete oxidation of the unit weight of food is identified as the gross energy (McDonald et al. 264). The central determinant of the gross energy content of a food is its degree of oxidation as conveyed in the ratio of carbon plus hydrogen to oxygen (McDonald et al. 264). Carbohydrates contain approximately the same gross energy content of 17.5 MJ/kg DM while triglyceride fats contain lower amounts of oxygen and have a higher energy content of approximately 39 MJ/kg DM (McDonald et al. 264). Proteins have a higher level of gross energy values than carbohydrates due to the fact that they contain the oxidizeable element nitrogen (McDonald et al. 264). The present study was conducted in order to determine the energy content of four different samples of food that includes a cracker, a Mars chocolate bar, bread, and a 'Flips' chip. The researcher hypothesized that the mass of food will have no effect upon its energy content. In addition to this, it is hypothesized that the food with the highest energy content is the 'Flips' chip followed by the bread, cracker, and Mars chocolate sample. The researcher determined the energy content of the food by calculating the amount of Joules per mass in grams of each sample. Method: The researcher chose four different food samples to test for energy content. The quantities of food included a 2-gram sample of cracker, a 5.6-gram sample of Mars chocolate, a 10.4-gram sample of bread, and a 0.8-gram sample of a 'Flips' chip. There were three variables in this experiment. The first variable was the variety of food type, the second variable was the temperature of the water, and the third variable was the difference of mass of each sample of food. All other factors of the experiment were be consistent including the distance of the bunson burner from the test tube, the volume of water in each test, and the environment in which the experiment was conducted. The researcher used a beaker to measure 25cm^3 of water into each test tube. Five tests of each food were conducted in order to determine a mean value of each sample. The mass of each food sample was determined as well as the temperature of the water in each test tube before heating. Each food sample was attached to a pin and burned with a bunson burner. When the food sample burned, it was placed under the test tube until the flame burned out. During this time, the water in the test tube was stirred in order to evenly distribute heat transfer from the flame. After the flame burned out, the Celsius temperature of the water in the test tube was measured. The mass in grams of the food sample was then measured. The following formula was used in order to calculate the amount of energy each food sample contained in Joules: 25g * temperature rise of water (C) * 4.2 (J/g/C)/ mass of food (g)= Energy (J/g) This process was repeated for each food sample Results: Food Mass (g) Volume of water (cm3) Temperature after heating (oC) Temperature before heating (oC) Rise in water Temperature (oC) Energy content of food (J/g) Cracker 2 25 34 20 14 735 Mars

Herborist on Their Next Step of International Expansion Essay

Herborist on Their Next Step of International Expansion - Essay Example Strategic Planning of global expansion of Herborist in the Russian market Foreign participation is increasing its share in the Russian market, and the personal care products which were imported in the past century is manufactured in the Russian territory as the companies are opening up their subsidiaries to grab the maximum opportunity in the Russian market. The consumer market is the key growth driver behind the growth in the Russian market. The large urban population base of the country is the factor that has led to such vast growth in the cosmetics and retail sector in the Russian market (Kumar and Steenkamp, 2013, pp.123-124). It is the ninth largest consumer market and is estimated to become the worlds fourth biggest and the Europe’s largest consumer economy by the end of 2020. The market has different income level consumer segments and comprises of sophisticated and changing consumer trends. The largest share of population belong to the elite class who spend lavishly and have exotic taste, this makes it a great opportunity for the foreign companies to directly export their products in the Russian market (Frey, 2004, pp.76-77). The cosmetics market has shown a sustained growth over the years in the Russian market and has not been impacted by the economic downturn of the country in 2008-09. There has been a considerable rise in the high quality product in the market with a 14% growth in the cosmetics and personal care market (Handlechner, 2008, pp. 45-46).

Benefits of Activity Based Costing Essay Example for Free

Benefits of Activity Based Costing Essay In order to make a profit on production, the firm would have to charge a price that is greater than the cost of production. Generally, the cost of production is understood to be the cost of producing a good plus the cost of transportation to the consumer. In order to stay in business, and therefore, to avoid losses at all possible costs – the firm must cover all costs related to the production of the good and include all costs to deliver the same to the consumer at a price that is higher than the cost of production. The operating or overheard expenses of an enterprise are generated by its activities to perform its business and/or manufacturing processes successfully. As its name implies, activity based costing relates the costs facing the enterprise to its various activities. By so doing, this system of costing provides pretty accurate information about costs, allowing businesses to effectively manage their overhead expenses in order to increase their revenues (Cooper, 1988). It is but commonsensical that companies may work on cutting their costs once they know what is driving these costs. By improving their processes in order to cut costs, businesses may realize greater profits than before. What is more, by identifying high costing activities needed to produce certain goods or serve certain customers, companies may decide to focus instead on low costing products or customers by reducing their production of or service to high costing products or customers. In this way, they may shift their focus to products or customers that are more profitable to produce or to serve. Thus, management experts cite the following benefits of activity based costing as opposed to traditional methods of costing: Identifying the most and least profitable customers, products and channels. Determine the true contributors to— and detractors from—financial performance. Accurately predict costs, profits and resource requirements associated with changes in production volumes, organizational structure and resource costs. Easily identify the root causes of poor financial performance. Track costs of activities and work processes. Equip managers with cost intelligence to drive improvements. Facilitate better Marketing Mix. Enhance the bargaining power with the customer. Achieve better Positioning of products. (â€Å"Activity Based Costing,† 2008). Businesses that benefit the most from activity based costing are those with high manufacturing operating expenses or overhead costs. These costs may result from a diverse range or products, intensity of capital, or vertically integrated system of manufacturing. Activity based costing may help such businesses not only to understand but also to control their operating expenses so as to increase their revenues (O’Guin, 1991, p. 76). Organizations with large marketing, sales or distribution costs may also reap great benefits from activity based costing. As mentioned previously, this method of costing identifies those customers that are most profitable from those that are least profitable. This provides insight to management on how to improve operations. With activity based costing, such businesses may be able to answer questions such as: â€Å"What discounts are appropriate for large orders? What size accounts should salespersons no longer call on? How effective is advertising to different markets? † (O’Guin, p. 76). Firms that are experiencing sluggish or low profitability on increasing sales may be suffering from growth that is unmanaged. It may very well be that these businesses are selling products at losses to a number of customers. The accounting system of accurately measuring costs, that is, activity based costing, would allow these firms to determine which of their customers and products are generating revenues and which are not (O’Guin, p. 76). O’Guin describes another benefit of the activity based costing system thus: Even with a diverse product line or customer base and very high profitability, a company lacking an ABC system is surprisingly vulnerable. Product profitability probably varies widely across the company. Highly profitable products present an irresistible target to new market entrants. Management should know which products are reaping enormous margins, so they can erect barriers to entry. (p. 76). Also according to O’Guin, the activity based costing system provides not only strategic but also tactical benefits to businesses that implement it. Whereas benefits that are strategic in nature may be realized only once in a blue moon, for the simple reason that organizations cannot be expected to change their pricing, business operations, distribution or manufacturing processes each year – tactical benefits may be realized constantly. Indeed, activity based costing could help businesses not only with reduction of overhead costs, but also just-in-time support, improvement of quality, decisions about design, and investment in capital. Thus, businesses that implement the activity based costing system may improve their profitability on an ongoing basis (O’Guin, p. 76). In the twenty first century, companies that have a competitive edge are those that maintain flexibility, a trend that has been recognized as a critical factor for success since the 1990s. Life cycles of products have been shortened and focus on the customer has become increasingly important. As economies of scale virtually disappear, manufacturing plants that are successful are those that are able to quickly introduce innovative products and economically produce small quantities. Activity based costing system can help businesses tremendously to achieve these goals. What is more, this system of costing could assist businesses of the twenty first century to achieve their goal to increase employee motivation. With the activity based costing system in place, employees increase their understanding of business activities and therefore their involvement in business operations. So, for example, whenever they see a mound of papers they would see overhead costs, leading them to the following questions: Why do we have so many bills? Why are there so many process involved in our purchase orders (O’Guin, p. 76)? Thus, the activity based costing system encourages businesses to push their rates of cost drivers down. This helps in the reduction of time to setup, streamlines buying, in addition to time taken to development a product. When costs are attached to each of these processes or activities, management may not only measure but also plan improvement (O’Guin, p. 76). As mentioned before, some of these improvements may entail reducing production of goods or service to customers that cost more to produce or service than the others. Hence, the activity based costing system may also lead the business that implements it to improve upon its marketing mix or positioning of its products. If products and customers that cost more than the others are required by the company to produce or serve in the same quantity as before, however, activity based costing system helps the organization to improve its processes in order to decrease its costs without reducing the quantity to produce or serve. After all, it is only possible to improve inefficient processes. Because activity based costing allows the company to weigh the costs of activities against their benefits, firms that use it are in a great position to increase the efficiency of all of their processes so as to gain competitive advantages. References Activity Based Costing. (2008). Value Based Management. Retrieved Jan 27, 2009, from http://www. valuebasedmanagement. net/methods_abc. html. Cooper, R. (1988, Summer). The Rise of Activity-Based Costing – Part One: What is an Activity-Based Cost System? Journal of Cost Management, pp. 45-54. O’Guin, M. C. (1991). The Complete Guide to Activity-based Costing. Chicago, IL: CCH Tax and Accounting.

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by KFC

Ethical Dilemmas Faced by KFC 1.0 Introduction There are many ethical dilemmas that an organisation face and one of the organisations which faces major dilemmas is the Kentucky Fried Chicken. Firstly, the main objective of this report is to provide a discussion about the dilemmas faced by KFC and the ethical dilemmas that the company encounters. Secondly, evaluate the relative importance of these dilemmas and how Kentucky Fried Chicken is currently dealing with them. Then introduce the Kentucky Fried Chicken ethical best practices and values. Last give recommendations and strategic options to Kentucky Fried Chicken. 2.0 The main ethical dilemmas facing Kentucky Fried Chicken KFC is the most popular fast food brands in the world. The company was found by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952. KFC now boasts of operating, franchising, and serving a worldwide chain of around 11,000 fast food restaurants that prepare, package and sell a menu of ready to eat foods. (Source: KFC office website: http://www.kfc.com/ ) With the development of the living standard of the people. People can found obviously, more and more people change the health and nutritional attitudes and behaviours. People more concerned with their health and figures than ever before. Obviously, the reason for this increased concern is because of the fact information be reported in everywhere and every reports and research about fast food has no nutrition. It is junk food. It can not eat much. and so on. This is a dilemmas for KFC have faced, because it has already gain the reputation of a fast food that continuously provides greasy unhealthy food; .The company should do something about potential increase of shareholder value. Being one of the most popular fast food restaurants and with millions of people patronising the products and foods offered by the company, it is important the company adheres to ethical standards specifically in terms of providing healthy foods. However, it has been observed that Kentucky Fried Chicken is using oil which contains Trans fatty acids. This kind of oil is noted to increase cholesterol and even increased the risk of having heart disease. As authorities discovered this, the case was being carried over by the consumer group centre for Science in the Public Interest and told the company to use healthier cooking products than the one they are using.( Source : Ethics Management KFC) China has large population. To KFC, it has a large market and has got great success in china. It happen a great important event ‘ADK. KFC use food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red in their new product called New Orleans Roasted Wing. Chinas health ministry found it and stops KFC using the food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red. Let KFC use the safety food ingredients for cooking instead. ( Source: KFC Falls Prey to Sudan I) The shareholder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation in order to gain competitive advantage, reduce the cost. Kentucky Fried Chicken is using oil which contains Trans fatty acids and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red. Do the bad job; it is not act as supervisory role. The supplier supplies the oil which contains Trans fatty acids and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red. It price hikes for exorbitant profits. This kind of behavior was a fraud. The government agency in case of finding defects, take corrective action accordingly. Then let the company to use healthier cooking products instead. It is protecting the interests of consumers. 3.0 Evaluate the Kentucky Fried Chicken dilemmas and Kentucky Fried Chicken deal dilemmas 3.1 Elevate the Kentucky Fried Chicken dilemmas KFC use the oil which contains Trans fatty acids and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red in their new product called New Orleans Roasted Wing. It influences the brand and brings some negative effect, such as: bad press, media report, even in some countries, people demonstrated for boycott Kentucky Fried Chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken may have said that they are not using these kinds of oils and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red in their new product called New Orleans Roasted Wing to adhere to ethical standards of protecting the health of their customers. In order to increase international competitiveness and lead in competition than any other competitors, such as, McDonald, Subway, Pizza-Hut and so on. The traditional ethical stance of the company is to prevent actual problems on health and nutrition. However, there is an obvious lack for long term plans that will also maintain these developments even in years to come. Kentucky Fried Chicken should then realize that the company does not only have a responsibility to their current customers but to future generations as well. The scope of responsibility as cited in this discussion should include the provision of respect for others, honest and pure intentions as well as protection from harm. The management of the company should be responsible in maintaining that healthy and nutritional foods which future generations will need as well so as to survive. But Kentucky Fried Chicken realizes the gravity of the situation. It stopped use the kinds of oils and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red and take effective steps to plan a rescue operation for the dilemmas. The Kentucky Fried Chicken has its own principle. It is customer focus. The companys ethical stance should not be based on short term goals. The company is still encountering negative issues brought about by its negligent behavior. But these efforts do not directly address the problem. The company is still encountering negative issues brought about by its negligent behaviors. 3.2 Kentucky Fried Chicken deal dilemmas KFC though the media report, make a public apology for use the oil which contains Trans fatty acids and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red. KFC also make a promise for consumers in general. Never use the oil which contains Trans fatty acids and food ingredients for cooking with the Sudan Red. It has promised a thorough investigation into the affair. KFC find a sound business firm to cooperation. Let the government agency reinspection.The firm dropped its supersizing options, and put a range of new healthy options on the menu, including salads and grilled chicken flatbreads and so on. Due to use the oil which contains Trans fatty acids, provide some negative effect, it make the consumer reduce. Overall sales are down. So KFC make the promotion, like produce economic suite, increase profits by reducing costs or distribute special discount voucher in public places also can download from KFC official website. 4.0 Kentucky Fried Chicken best practice s and Value Kentucky Fried Chicken often join the in public service activities and committed to its communities. Kentucky Fried Chicken in China often giving back to the community. From 1992 to 1997, the Kentucky Fried Chicken contributes funds for Chinese† hope project† every year. It has sponsored the One Million Peoples Love Movement and the 1 (family) + 1 (dropout) Help Movement, mobilizing the entire society to help dropouts return to school. From the 1996 to 1997, only two years, the collection of funds runs up to 2.5 million. (Source: KFCs community activities ) May 12th, 2008. The Sichuan province of China suffers an earthquake. Kentucky Fried Chicken contributes funds15.8 million through the China Charity Federation, Chinese Red Cross Foundation and China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. Except the donate money, Kentucky Fried Chicken also offer the supply of some essential goods like purified water, bread, sunshade, health gauze mask †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦for earthquake in Sichuan . (Source: List of Donors of Sichuan earthquake ) Kentucky Fried Chicken contributes funds. One aspect is Kentucky Fried Chicken make contribute to social benefit. On the other hand, it will bring the intangible benefit to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Such as, join the public benefit activities, Brand name awareness will increase. Kentucky Fried Chicken has attracted a lot of publicity. For example: Kentucky Fried Chicken joins the public benefit activities, the media report, newspaper and internet will report the current events. People will know the best practice of Kentucky Fried Chicken. The Kentucky Fried Chicken behavior left public a very good impression. This is intangible benefit, intangible asset. Brand name awareness of Kentucky Fried Chicken was improved. Kentucky Fried Chicken buy the chicken, vegetables, bread, packing chest equipment and building construction materials from materials suppliers. Kentucky Fried Chicken evaluate and to train the related materials suppliers. The kind of behavior bring the tangible benefit to Kentucky Fried Chicken, It helps the materials suppliers improve the product quality. Kentucky Fried Chicken can use good raw material, make tasty food. 5.0 Recommendation to Kentucky Fried Chicken With the dilemmas faced by Kentucky Fried Chicken, the recommendation for the company should be able to use an ethical management strategy that will uplift the image of the company. 5.1 The way for creativity spread Kentucky Fried Chicken though the media, internet and other ways to uplift the image of the company. For example: The new advertising creative design is remarkable. In a short period of time, KFCs brand image will be into the minds of consumers. Looking back the past three years, Kentucky Fried Chicken ad is easily find, KFC more often reflect the image of its localization. Through nutrition, health, and thanksgiving brochures design, it has let the customer out from the â€Å"2005 Sudan incident† shadows. It is more of recognition of its brand and products. So it needs creativity of media to spread. In the market, it should confirm and locked on target customer. Though creative advertising, to achieve the product image and brand effectively increase and promotion. Kentucky Fried Chicken can advertising on bus. It can show the KFCs slogan an also can show the promotion information.   It should related peoples life. 5.2 Innovative promotions Sales promotion is an important market tool to enhance product sales. Meanwhile, we also can see that this was also an important way to show the corporate brand image. For example: In Malaysia, McDonald makes a promotion. It is Mc Value lunch 12 noon-3 pm, Monday-Sunday. It gets good effect. So when Kentucky Fried Chicken in the design of promotional programs, there must be new and unique. Let the consumer and media also can join it, the media reporting and dissemination initiative. The promotions plan can get the consumers allow. Corporate image and brand in their promotional activities have been further consolidated and increased. 5.3 Take effective measures Due to more and more people change the health and nutritional attitudes and behaviours. People more concerned with their health and figures than ever before. Obviously, the reasons for this increased concern is because of the fact information and KFC use the ingredients include hazardous substance. KFC should take effective measures. KFC can establish dietician department. Make the healthy and nutritious food and make the nutritional survey and food inspection report to the product. The dietician department also should to make a food safety inspection. In order let public set their mind at rest, KFC can invite the food inspector to food inspection. In respect to choice the suppliers, it cant careless .It should choice a sound business firm and prevent bad things from happening again. 6.0 Conclusion Business ethics is currently a very prominent business topic, and the debates and dilemmas surrounding business ethics have tended to attract an enormous amount of attention from various quarters. For a start, consumers and pressure groups appear to be increasingly demanding firms to seek out more ethical and ecologically sounder ways of doing business. The media also constantly seems to be keeping the spotlight on corporate abuses and malpractices. And even firms themselves appear to be increasing recognizing that being ethical (or at the very least being seen to be ethical) may actually be good for business. Ethical issues confront organizations whatever line of business they might be in. (Source; business ethics 2nd edition, author; Andrew Crane, Dirk matten.) In a word, it can be said that business ethical is very important to a business organization. It can help a business organization easily earning the respect of clients and win general acclaim. Contrary to the belief that social responsibility undermines businesses profitability goal, this actually help in generating profit through customer loyalty and good company image. For Kentucky Fried Chicken, the KFC Company must be able to ensure that the products that they offer are healthy and nutritional, so that it can make sure that Kentucky Fried Chicken can gain customer trust, loyalty, respect and the corporate image will be protected and developed.

Political History of Global Warming Essay -- Global Warming Climate Ch

Political History of Global Warming There is a lot of ambiguity surrounding the theory of 'global warming' and the proper political response to it. At the very center of the scientific debate on the variability of global climate is to what extent human activities influence climate change. Another unforeseeable is whether the potential impacts of climate change will be harmful or beneficial for humans, managed agriculture, and natural ecosystems. Some question the authority with which current scientific data has been given in international negotiations on the regulation of greenhouse gases. Others are convinced that immediate actions must be taken to limit the potential effects of excess greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial era. It would be difficult to credit a single event that encouraged the U.S. Government to begin a major program to investigate global climate change; instead it would best be explained as a long series of events, mostly in response to the international attention given it. The idea that excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could trap heat in Earth's atmosphere was first put forward in 1898 by Swedish physicist Svante Arrhenius. But it wasn't until the late 50s that scientists within U.S. federal agencies started to participate in scientific workshops, international conferences, and international scientific research that explored the nature of Earth?s climate system and the role of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases believed to modify it. In 1965 the President?s Science Advisory Committee issued a report, Restoring the Quality of Our Environment, that identified climate change and CO2 buildup as deserving expanded monitoring and study. The... ...nal Climate Program Act, P.L. 95-367, 15 USC Â §2901 et seq., Revkin, Andrew C., and Katharine Q. Seelye, ?Report by the E.P.A. Leaves Out Data on Climate Change,? New York Times, 6/19/2003, Vol. 152 Issue 52519, pA1, 0p. Rowe, Richard, and Larry Jeffus. The Essential Welder: Gas Metal Arc elding Classroom Manual. Albany:Delmar, 2000. Suraje, Dessai, and Nuno S. Lacasta, Katharine Vincent. International Political History of the Kyoto Protocol: from The Hague to Marrakech and Beyond, International Review for Environmental Strategies Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 183 ? 205, 2003 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2006. United Nations. April 2nd, 2006. U.S. Global Change Research Information Office. 2002. Department of State: Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. April 2, 2006.

The Psychological Portrait in The Yellow Wallpaper -- Yellow Wallpaper

The Psychological Portrait in The Yellow Wallpaper   Ã‚   Charlotte Perkins Gilman was famous in her time as a women's activist. Later, she began writing fiction. As noted in her Norton Anthology biography, Charlotte's stories often reveal her worldview. The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story written to combat the modus operandi for curing depression in her day. This cure consisted of being completely sequestered from any intellectual or artistic engagements. Her addendum to the story also makes clear she experienced this same treatment. Gilman's catalyst was to write a story that would serve as a social corrective. What we are left with today is a masterpiece of psychological suspense.      The story begins with our main character, a writer whose name is never given, imagining the house in which she is to spend her recuperation. In choosing to never name the narrator and main character, Gilman emphasizes the erasure of the individual that takes place within the story. She pictures the house in romantic terms, a colonial mansion or perhaps a haunted house. This romantic identification indicates an emotional person who puts a priority on the natural. Contrarily, her husband is portrayed in no uncertain terms. John is practical, has no patience with faith, and hates superstition. He is skeptical, and scoffs at anything that cannot be "...felt and seen and put down in figures"(658). Clearly, the preliminary material on these two characters sets them in sharp contrast with one another.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The narrator then privately blames her husband, who is also her physician, for her lingering illness. She suggests perhaps it is because he is a physician that she is still ill. She believes this lack of recov... ... X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 6th ed. New York: Harper Collins, 1995. 424-36. Hume, Beverly A. "Gilman's Interminable Grotesque': The Narrator of 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Studies in Short Fiction 28.4 (1991):477-84. Johnson, Greg. "Gilman's Gothic Allegory: Rage and Redemption in 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Studies in Short Fiction 26.4 (1989):521-30. King, Jeannette and Pam Morris. "On Not Reading between the Lines: Models of Reading in 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Studies in Short Fiction 26.1 (1989): 23-32. Owens, E. Suzanne. "The Ghostly Double behind the Wallpaper in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Haunting the House of Fiction. Ed. Lynette Carpenter and Wendy K. Kolmar. Knoxville: U of Tennessee P, 1991 64-79. Scharnhorst, Gary. "'The Yellow Wallpaper.'" Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Boston: Twayne, 1985. 15-20.   

Health Care †General Health Care Essay

S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) . For this assignment, you will apply the S.W.O.T. Situational Planning Strategy introduced in Chapter 5 of your course text, based upon the following: Situation: You are the C.E.O. of Community South Medical Center, a large, urban for-profit healthcare facility. This institution has comprehensive health services including acute care, residential care, independent living, in-home nursing, hospice, neonatal, and pediatric services, advanced cardiac services, a major trauma center, a center of excellence for pulmonary services, and a neurosurgery center. Community South Medical Center has a positive bottom line and is striving to enhance health services for the population it serves. The patient care mix has shifted in the last three years and its reimbursement source is currently: 25% Medicaid (up 20%); 35% Medicare (down 12 %); 25% employer sponsored health insurance (unchanged), 8% managed care (down 20 percent), 4% private pay (unchanged) and 4% no-pay (up 25%). The Medical Center is in an older urban area. Businesses with well paying jobs have gradually been replaced by smaller shops and other small businesses. Overall, the community is trending towards a predominantly elderly population. The Medical Center has an excellent reputation and has been recognized in the past by receiving a Baldrige Center of Excellence evaluation and a The Joint Commission (T.J.C.) approval for their quality of services; however, recent self-inspections indicated a slight decline in compliance with T.J.C. standards. Patient satisfaction survey results have an overall mean of 95 percent. The medical staff strongly supports new program development and there is an abundant su†¦ For downloading more course tutorials visit – https://bitly.com/12Cfjo7 Always pay off your credit card every single month so you don’t carry a balance. If you carry a balance, the interest and late fees add up quickly. If paying off your balance is too difficult, keep a credit card to use in emergencies only. Don’t use it to go to the movies, bar or a restaurant. Financial worries can undermine your studies. Health Care – General Health Care S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) . For this assignment, you will apply the S.W.O.T. Situational Planning Strategy introduced in Chapter 5 of your course text, based upon the following: Situation: You are the C.E.O. of Community South Medical Center, a large, urban for-profit healthcare facility. This institution has comprehensive health services including acute care, residential care, independent living, in-home nursing, hospice, neonatal, and pediatric services, advanced cardiac services, a major trauma center, a center of excellence for pulmonary services, and a neurosurgery center. Community South Medical Center has a positive bottom line and is striving to enhance health services for the population it serves. The patient care mix has shifted in the last three years and its reimbursement source is currently: 25% Medicaid (up 20%); 35% Medicare (down 12 %); 25% employer sponsored health insurance (unchanged), 8% managed care (down 20 percent), 4% private pay (unchanged) and 4% no-pay (up 25%). The Medical Center is in an older urban area. Businesses with well paying jobs have gradually been replaced by smaller shops and other small businesses. Overall, the community is trending towards a predominantly elderly population. The Medical Center has an excellent reputation and has been recognized in the past by receiving a Baldrige Center of Excellence evaluation and a The Joint Commission (T.J.C.) approval for their quality of services; however,  recent self-inspections indicated a slight decline in compliance with T.J.C. standards. Patient satisfaction survey results have an overall mean of 95 percent. The medical staff strongly supports new program development and there is an abundant supply of physicians.

Critical Review of Reappraising Cognitive Styles

This research is based on empirical user trial data and a sophisticated analysis. It tries to evaluate the validity of applying visual-verbal preferences to an adaptive web-based educational system (AWBES) by examining user trials of a case study. Previous researches are either focused on pragmatic applications or based on inadequate sample sizes.This research goes beyond former ones by employing user trials to collect critical data and directly raising the core question of the effectiveness of the method. However, the flaws in method setting, data analysis, ambiguity in details and the claimed result put in doubt the conclusions suggested by the study. Method/Procedure In this research, students were firstly labeled as visual, verbal and bimodal learners through a computer test, and then put into groups with learning contents either matched, or deliberately mismatched, or neutral to their learning styles.Then tudents' academic performances were compared to see the significance of di fferences between groups. Questions were raised when the researchers excluded the verbal users from the statistical analysis due to the extremely small sample size (n=11). The study is supposed to examine three cognitive styles (visual, verbal, bimodal); therefore without the data of the verbal group, the study is incomplete. The study method is further impaired by two questionable grouping methods. The first questionable method states, â€Å"Neutral students were given a mix of visual and verbal ontent, irrespective of their learning style† (p. 30). If a bimodal user is randomly placed in a neutral group and given mixed content, then he will actually receive content matching his learning style. Therefore, since he will end up in given content matching his learning style, it will be more appropriate tor the student to be placed in the matched group. Furthermore, both the matched group and neutral group have the same bimodal users given neutral contents. This leads to a doubt: the study result which shows insignificant academic differences might be from the similarity of he group members rather than from the invalidity of the utilization.The second questionable method states, â€Å"Mismatched students were given content that was contrary to their learning style† (p. 330). If bimodal users are placed in the mismatched group, what content should be provided to them? Neither visual nor verbal content would be appropriate since they are both partially matched and partially mismatched to a bimodal user; and the neutral content would be inappropriate either, since it matches the bimodal user's cognitive style and ends up eing against the definition of the mismatched group.A table which illustrates the quantities of three cognitive-styled students distributed into matched/ mismatched/ neutral could help clarify the grouping method. The computer test which distributed students into cognitive groups should employ details and examples of the test and the sc oring system to clarify the fairness of the test. As for sampling, the sample size should be adequately enlarged to include an effective verbal sample; the post-secondary students are a biased group which can't meet the variety of people.The learning module should be studied to see whether it is biased to/against any group/learning style. The quantity of excluded seldom-participating student should be mentioned to allow an exact sample size in the study. Experiment Results The insignificant mean differences in Table2 to Table6 reject hypothesises 1, 2 and 3. As for hypothesis 4, in order to reject it, the authors should clarity why one mean difference (67. 5-60. 0=7. 5) is greater than half of the related standard deviation (1 1. 56112=5. 78) in Table 7, which compares visual, neutral and verbal groups.The explanation, â€Å"upon testing these statistically, there is actually no significance between them† (p. 333) is ambiguous. Thus, the mean differences are not unanimously c onsistent with the result claimed by the authors that neither the cognitive styles of students nor contents differentiated by the styles contribute to make significant differences in students' academic performance. The p values from the statistical analysis (p=. 62, p=. 63, p=. 67) are substantially greater than the low p value (less than . 05; or better less than . 01).The high p values raise the question that the sample selection might lack diversity, and may then further affected the result of the study. Discussion The authors' conclusion that matched/ mismatched learning materials don't contribute to students' learning effect, is not consistent with the aforeclaimed conclusion which concerns the effect of visual and bimodal styles of students and contents. The authors' psychological conclusion that cognitive styles per se are not a validate means of personalising the learning experience is not completely consistent ith the result which only concerns visual and bimodal styles.