Sourcing Funds from Venture Capitalists, Creditors, Bonds & Equities Essay

Sourcing Funds from Venture Capitalists, Creditors, Bonds & Equities - Essay Example Funds are collected with some business objectives to realize the benefits of current innovations in the form of product launch, market campaigns, investments in profit making financial instruments, funding running projects with assured returns (like government projects bagged against tenders, infrastructure projects, conflict-free projects that have realized large payments prior to funding), etc. and invest the equities thus built (as an outcome of profits realized from projects) into diversifications, expansions, new Plant & Machinery purchase, new business initiatives, etc. This means that the primary objective of funding should be to invest in profit making ventures that can increase the valuation of the assets of the company and hence result in profits for the investors & in the process improve of share holder value. Faure-Grimaud and Gromb (2004. pp986-987) presented that block of funds raised by a corporation is controlled by insiders for the purpose of improving asset valuatio n of the corporation by allocating corporate resources or acquiring new resources. In the process of increasing firm's asset valuation, the shareholders increase their own wealth as well but this should be viewed more as an incentive of the shareholder's tangible value-increasing actions and not as the fundamental objective of fund raising. Amihud and Garbade et al. (1999. pp453) argued that after a company has taken the debt, a conflict of interest arises between creditors, managers and shareholders. Managers are forced by share holders to maximize their wealth and in this process may end up maximizing risk taking activities. Example, shareholders may be tempted to invest the debt (rather than equity) in high risk projects that may maximize equity at the cost of debt at the cost of overall devaluation of the company. These conflicts call for effective corporate governance which requires lot of contribution by finance managers. They have to manage the compromise between creditors and shareholders by keeping the former satisfied with the investment portfolio while controlling the wish list of the shareholders. Sources of Funds available in Europe (including Croatia) Bottazzi and Rin et al. (2002. 239-244) reported the source of long term funding in Europe (Croatia included) as the Venture Capitalist funding from Institutional Investors (includes endowments & pension funds), corporations, financial institutions (includes primarily banks, insurance companies and fund raisers from capital markets), Government and individuals. Unlike US, Europe has shown dismal maturity when it comes to venture capitalism as compared to US. This is understood from the fact that the funding contribution in US is largely by Institutional Investors (shows the maturity of US markets) but in Europe is largely from banks that control a major part of the mutual fund industry. There are many bank funded companies in Europe (having operations in

Narrative Structure Essay Example for Free

Narrative Structure Essay The simple folksy dialogue between the two younger siblings hazel and George is very effective in downplaying their intelligence. With lines such as â€Å"that was doozy† or when George explains the sound he heard by saying â€Å" sounded like somebody hitting a milk bottle with a ball peen hammer† George being so above average in intelligence has a mental handicap radio in his ear that beeps every 20 seconds in order to prevent him from taking unfair advantage of his thoughts. These conversations are simple and believable despite the absurd 20 second beeping George must experience, Vonnegut does not have to say this is absurd as it is interpreted by readers through dialogue. The story follows diachronic order, Harrison is taken away from his family, then escapes jail and declares himself emperor, is shot down by Diana Moon Glampers and the story ends with the Bergerons watching this all on TV yet displaying not emotions to their death of their own son with the exception of Hazel’s tears although she herself has no idea why she is crying. Synchronic order is not common as the story aims to focus Narrative Structure See more: what is narrative writing The simple folksy dialogue between the two younger siblings hazel and George is very effective in downplaying their intelligence. With lines such as â€Å"that was doozy† or when George explains the sound he heard by saying â€Å" sounded like somebody hitting a milk bottle with a ball peen hammer† George being so above average in intelligence has a mental handicap radio in his ear that beeps every 20 seconds in order to prevent him from taking unfair advantage of his thoughts. These conversations are simple and believable despite the absurd 20 second beeping George must experience, Vonnegut does not have to say this is absurd as it is interpreted by readers through dialogue. The story follows diachronic order, Harrison is taken away from his family, then escapes jail and declares himself emperor, is shot down by Diana Moon Glampers and the story ends with the Bergerons watching this all on TV yet displaying not emotions to their death of their own son with the exception of Hazel’s tears although she herself has no idea why she is crying. Synchronic order is not common as the story aims to focus Kurt Vonnegut’s short story â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† both mimics and satirizes the way Americans came to see the enemy – socialism/communism and, specifically the Soviet Union during the cold war, which peaked at its height of distrust and fear in the late 1950-60’s during which this story was written. It explores the theory of â€Å"tall poppy syndrome†, when people of brilliance or exceptional ability are brought down, criticized or cut due to the idea humans are unable to accept someone else being placed on a higher pedestal. As the story’s main concept is enforcing equality among all human beings by giving those with better traits handicaps in order to create a balanced level of intelligence and beauty among all. The short story draws upon a controversial speech made by Newton Minow titled â€Å"The Vast Wasteland† in it he explained that instead of challenging people to think, television programming was making it easier for people to avoid serious thought. Within the story of Harrison Bergeron television is used as a time filler, a method of preventing average people from thinking, similar to Minow’s description. Kurt Vonnegut’s short story â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† both mimics and satirizes the way Americans came to see the enemy – socialism/communism and, specifically the Soviet Union during the cold war, which peaked at its height of distrust and fear in the late 1950-60’s during which this story was written. It explores the theory of â€Å"tall poppy syndrome†, when people of brilliance or exceptional ability are brought down, criticized or cut due to the idea humans are unable to accept someone else being placed on a higher pedestal. As the story’s main concept is enforcing equality among all human beings by giving those with better traits handicaps in order to create a balanced level of intelligence and beauty among all. The short story draws upon a controversial speech made by Newton Minow titled â€Å"The Vast Wasteland† in it he explained that instead of challenging people to think, television programming was making it easier for people to avoid serious thought. Within the story of Harrison Bergeron television is used as a time filler, a method of preventing average people from thinking, similar to Minow’s description. Due to the amount of speech within the narrative analepsis is rarely used, however prolepsis is seen at the beginning of the story in the introduction where it reads â€Å" THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal† and through the line â€Å"some things about the living still weren’t quite right though†/ As both these lines have significant meaning to the conflict that is about to arise. Both of these being â€Å"proleptic† details. The story follows a diagetic sequence and has lineal progression. The narrator begins the story with informing readers that the human race has come to live in equality yet then reveals how this equality leads to the conflict created by Harrison Bergeron and so on leads to his escape and murder one event following the other. Due to the amount of speech within the narrative analepsis is rarely used, however prolepsis is seen at the beginning of the story in the introduction where it reads â€Å" THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal† and through the line â€Å"some things about the living still weren’t quite right though†/ As both these lines have significant meaning to the conflict that is about to arise. Both of these being â€Å"proleptic† details. The story follows a diagetic sequence and has lineal progression. The narrator begins the story with informing readers that the human race has come to live in equality yet then reveals how this equality leads to the conflict created by Harrison Bergeron and so on leads to his escape and murder one event following the other. on the achievement of equality among all in the current year 2081 and not reflect on the past where social order and class were present. Aspects that had previously â€Å"ruined† society. We are introduced to the primary narrative through the line â€Å" THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal†. Providing readers with the concept that equality has been achieved, the secondary narrative embedded within the story would be the tale of Harrison Bergeron, who strives to change the perspective that all humans must live accordingly by escaping jail and declaring that he is to be emperor, placing himself upon a pedestal above others. The narrative is single ended as we finish on a conversation between Hazel and George rather than re-visiting the beginning of the narrative and further explaining how equality had come to be achieved. on the achievement of equality among all in the current year 2081 and not reflect on the past where social order and class were present. Aspects that had previously â€Å"ruined† society. We are introduced to the primary narrative through the line â€Å" THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal†. Providing readers with the concept that equality has been achieved, the secondary narrative embedded within the story would be the tale of Harrison Bergeron, who strives to change the perspective that all humans must live accordingly by escaping jail and declaring that he is to be emperor, placing himself upon a pedestal above others. The narrative is single ended as we finish on a conversation between Hazel and George rather than re-visiting the beginning of the narrative and further explaining how equality had come to be achieved. * Harrison Bergeron: possess intelligence so immense that at the beginning of the story the Handicapper General has him arrested on suspicion of â€Å"plotting to overthrow the government†. Harrison’s actions suggest an ironic theme: corruptive power. Following his escape Harrison repeats government errors by establishing himself as emperor. Had his death not occurred these acts of rebellion would send society back to the â€Å"dark ages† of social and individual competition. * George Bergeron: Harrisons father bears a number of handicaps that suppress his above average intelligence. He refuses to remove any of them abiding by the law as he believes any attempt to alter life as it is will cause civilization to regress back to times of war and argument due to difference between human beings. * Hazel Bergeron- Harrisons mother does not wear any handicaps, as she possesses â€Å"normal† intelligence, appearance and strength. In this story however â€Å"normal† means one is incompetent or unable to fathom anything beyond that which is superficial. Her dialogue with her husband makes reference towards the comedic team of George Burns and Gracie Allen a comedy show from which Vonnegut was said to have learnt all his social and political idealisms from. * Diana Moon Glampers- The United States handicapper kills Harrison Bergeron by shotgun as he threatens to disrupt civilization. She ruthlessly maintains law and order without due process. A lot of the story takes place in what is unsaid and can be read between the lines and subtle dialogues of the main characters. When Hazel Bergeron said, I think Id make a good Handicapper General , her husband replied, Good as anybody else. The reader will surmise that meant it quite literally because in the story everyone is equal, so the idea of being better than anyone else, of competition, was nonexistent. This is an example of Explict characterization. * Harrison Bergeron: possess intelligence so immense that at the beginning of the story the Handicapper General has him arrested on suspicion of â€Å"plotting to overthrow the government†. Harrison’s actions suggest an ironic theme: corruptive power. Following his escape Harrison repeats government errors by establishing himself as emperor. Had his death not occurred these acts of rebellion would send society back to the â€Å"dark ages† of social and individual competition. * George Bergeron: Harrisons father bears a number of handicaps that suppress his above average intelligence. He refuses to remove any of them abiding by the law as he believes any attempt to alter life as it is will cause civilization to regress back to times of war and argument due to difference between human beings. * Hazel Bergeron- Harrisons mother does not wear any handicaps, as she possesses â€Å"normal† intelligence, appearance and strength. In this story however â€Å"normal† means one is incompetent or unable to fathom anything beyond that which is superficial. Her dialogue with her husband makes reference towards the comedic team of George Burns and Gracie Allen a comedy show from which Vonnegut was said to have learnt all his social and political idealisms from. * Diana Moon Glampers- The United States handicapper kills Harrison Bergeron by shotgun as he threatens to disrupt civilization. She ruthlessly maintains law and order without due process. A lot of the story takes place in what is unsaid and can be read between the lines and subtle dialogues of the main characters. When Hazel Bergeron said, I think Id make a good Handicapper General , her husband replied, Good as anybody else. The reader will surmise that meant it quite literally because in the story everyone is equal, so the idea of being better than anyone else, of competition, was nonexistent. This is an example of Explict characterization. Characterization Characterization Story is told in third-person limited point of view, the narrator is not a character within the story but is privy to the thoughts of one character. He is a â€Å"covert† narrator, un-identified yet still able to narrate the thoughts and feelings of characters. The narrator does not draw conclusion, make decisions or make judgments about the events. The objectivity of the narrator suggests a distancing from the hostile world of the story. The narration is heterodiegtic, an omniscient narrator meaning he has a detailed overview of what is happening in the story at the present time as well as an insight into the thoughts and feelings of other characters. Internal and External focalization are both present throughout the narrative. Internal focalization is seen through George: â€Å" he tried to think a little about the ballerinas. They weren’t really any better than anyone else would have been anyway†. External focalization is seen through the television announcer: â€Å"and she had to apologize for her voice at once, which was a very unfair voice for a women to use. Her voice was a warm luminous timeless melody†. This short story is both mimetic and diegetic, an example of diegesis would be â€Å" TH YEARS WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal†. As it summarizes the events leading to the major concept of equality. An example of mimesis would be â€Å"nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. The narrator is reliable third person, omniscient. Story is told in third-person limited point of view, the narrator is not a character within the story but is privy to the thoughts of one character. He is a â€Å"covert† narrator, un-identified yet still able to narrate the thoughts and feelings of characters. The narrator does not draw conclusion, make decisions or make judgments about the events. The objectivity of the narrator suggests a distancing from the hostile world of the story. The narration is heterodiegtic, an omniscient narrator meaning he has a detailed overview of what is happening in the story at the present time as well as an insight into the thoughts and feelings of other characters. Internal and External focalization are both present throughout the narrative. Internal focalization is seen through George: â€Å" he tried to think a little about the ballerinas. They weren’t really any better than anyone else would have been anyway†. External focalization is seen through the television announcer: â€Å"and she had to apologize for her voice at once, which was a very unfair voice for a women to use. Her voice was a warm luminous timeless melody†. This short story is both mimetic and diegetic, an example of diegesis would be â€Å" TH YEARS WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal†. As it summarizes the events leading to the major concept of equality. An example of mimesis would be â€Å"nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. Strength, talent, brains and beauty to a common standard. It seems today everyone wishes to be like someone else, everyone wants to be accepted and people will go to extremities to do this. One common factor is working out. Gyms are continually advertised everywhere, owning your own gym equipment is affordable and physical education is a required subject throughout school. We are attracted to strength because it is needed to survive. Yet it is not because we need strength that we are attracted to it vanity plays a large part. TV shows such as â€Å"Biggest Loser† and â€Å"Survivour† reward those who help you reach your standard of beauty , and although we do not place handicaps on those who are stronger we have created the desire for everyone to beequal in the area. It might not be the same as weighting everybody down to be equally â€Å"bad,† but enhancing everybody to make them equally â€Å"good† is still removing diversity; it is still conformity, only, perhaps, in a more pleasing way. Strength, talent, brains and beauty to a common standard. It seems today everyone wishes to be like someone else, everyone wants to be accepted and people will go to extremities to do this. One common factor is working out. Gyms are continually advertised everywhere, owning your own gym equipment is affordable and physical education is a required subject throughout school. We are attracted to strength because it is needed to survive. Yet it is not because we need strength that we are attracted to it vanity plays a large part. TV shows such as â€Å"Biggest Loser† and â€Å"Survivour† reward those who help you reach your standard of beauty , and although we do not place handicaps on those who are stronger we have created the desire for everyone to beequal in the area. It might not be the same as weighting everybody down to be equally â€Å"bad,† but enhancing everybody to make them equally â€Å"good† is still removing diversity; it is still conformity, only, perhaps, in a more pleasing way. Values and Morals The values and morals expressed in Harrison Bergeron are those that surround us daily. For example some schools play down the dumbest in order to pass the most, and in the process neglect the brightest, denying them the full advantages of their education and compromising their future. Society nowadays is conforming our strength Values and Morals The values and morals expressed in Harrison Bergeron are those that surround us daily. For example some schools play down the dumbest in order to pass the most, and in the process neglect the brightest, denying them the full advantages of their education and compromising their future. Society nowadays is conforming our strength Nunc urna lorem, gravida vel, sollicitudin in, dignissim in, nunc Nunc urna lorem, gravida vel, sollicitudin in, dignissim in, nunc Etiam pharetra, elit a aliquam ultrices, nisl quam viverra felis, non tincidunt eros leo non sapien. Pellentesque pretium nunc id nunc. Phasellus eget felis. Mauris euismod, velit nec facilisis gravida, tortor justo consectetuer diam, id venenatis diam orci vel leo. Suspendisse ut massa et lacus faucibus imperdiet. Nulla felis orci, iaculis sed, euismod ac, egestas in, odio. Suspendisse consequat velit eu enim. Quisque quis nisl. Cras ac libero varius dui porta nonummy. Duis tincidunt, quam vitae cursus aliquet, nisi arcu consectetuer orci, vitae condimentum dui nisi quis diam. Aliquam erat volutpat. Morbi sodales. Cras commodo, purus et tempor mollis, orci est venenatis tortor, in rutrum nibh neque sed purus. Aenean leo ante, commodo non, molestie id, fringilla sit amet, dui. Ut a mi. Nulla nisi nisi, blandit non, sollicitudin non, faucibus sed, ante. Nullam vitae libero. Nulla posuere, augue a gravida molestie, leo tellus euismod lorem, ut suscipit nisl tortor interdum arcu. Duis leo nunc, congue in, aliquet ac, pretium sagittis, elit. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Phasellus in sem. Curabitur auctor fermentum elit. Fusce et dolor. Cras pretium nonummy justo. Vivamus pretium, massa et consequat consectetuer, massa nisi ullamcorper lectus, et luctus magna sem in velit. Cras egestas. Integer neque. Fusce sapien turpis, vulputate a, fermentum a, porta in, massa. Cras at quam. Donec hendrerit volutpat leo. Praesent lobortis. Morbi tincidunt mollis dolor. Nulla malesuada, tortor ut auctor pulvinar, ligula felis ultricies pede, et porttitor mi purus tristique mi. Vestibulum nec nisl sed odio semper auctor. Curabitur convallis elit id augue sollicitudin mattis. Sed ipsum. Sed in leo non nisl sollicitudin faucibus. Aliquam pharetra semper arcu. Proin ut ante. Integer consequat sapien quis nunc convallis posuere. Vestibulum in nunc a risus laoreet tempus. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. In consectetuer ligula ac tellus. Phasellus sit amet tortor. Nunc ultricies, orci ac placerat iaculis, neque ligula sodales metus, vel sollicitudin nibh sem ac lacus. Aenean iaculis. Quisque vitae nibh. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Quisque tortor ligula, elementum sed, facilisis ut, auctor vitae, erat. Cras in justo nec ipsum vulputate faucibus. Integer consequat augue ut dolor. Fusce congue. Nam ut enim nec velit tincidunt posuere. Vivamus dui. Vestibulum sagittis rutrum justo. Donec vel velit elementum diam consectetuer lobortis. Nunc hendrerit, leo in sodales ornare, nisi dolor ullamcorper felis, vel sollicitudin enim ipsum sed nulla. Donec sit amet urna non augue pellentesque fermentum. Cras varius risus auctor tellus. Vivamus venenatis tincidunt ligula. Praesent a turpis. Duis tempus, lorem eget imperdiet condimentum, magna mauris ornare turpis, vitae dapibus pede sem lacinia sapien. Nulla ut eros eu nisi suscipit sodales. Suspendisse lobortis. Vestibulum accumsan ante id erat. Etiam pharetra, elit a aliquam ultrices, nisl quam viverra felis, non tincidunt eros leo non sapien. Pellentesque pretium nunc id nunc. Phasellus eget felis. Mauris euismod, velit nec facilisis gravida, tortor justo consectetuer diam, id venenatis diam orci vel leo. Suspendisse ut massa et lacus faucibus imperdiet. Nulla felis orci, iaculis sed, euismod ac, egestas in, odio. Suspendisse consequat velit eu enim. Quisque quis nisl. Cras ac libero varius dui porta nonummy. Duis tincidunt, quam vitae cursus aliquet, nisi arcu consectetuer orci, vitae condimentum dui nisi quis diam. Aliquam erat volutpat. Morbi sodales. Cras commodo, purus et tempor mollis, orci est venenatis tortor, in rutrum nibh neque sed purus. Aenean leo ante, commodo non, molestie id, fringilla sit amet, dui. Ut a mi. Nulla nisi nisi, blandit non, sollicitudin non, faucibus sed, ante. Nullam vitae libero. Nulla posuere, augue a gravida molestie, leo tellus euismod lorem, ut suscipit nisl tortor interdum arcu. Duis leo nunc, congue in, aliquet ac, pretium sagittis, elit. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Phasellus in sem. Curabitur auctor fermentum elit. Fusce et dolor. Cras pretium nonummy justo. Vivamus pretium, massa et consequat consectetuer, massa nisi ullamcorper lectus, et luctus magna sem in velit. Cras egestas. Integer neque. Fusce sapien turpis, vulputate a, fermentum a, porta in, massa. Cras at quam. Donec hendrerit volutpat leo. Praesent lobortis. Morbi tincidunt mollis dolor. Nulla malesuada, tortor ut auctor pulvinar, ligula felis ultricies pede, et porttitor mi purus tristique mi. Vestibulum nec nisl sed odio semper auctor. Curabitur convallis elit id augue sollicitudin mattis. Sed ipsum. Sed in leo non nisl sollicitudin faucibus. Aliquam pharetra semper arcu. Proin ut ante. Integer consequat sapien quis nunc convallis posuere. Vestibulum in nunc a risus laoreet tempus. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. In consectetuer ligula ac tellus. Phasellus sit amet tortor. Nunc ultricies, orci ac placerat iaculis, neque ligula sodales metus, vel sollicitudin nibh sem ac lacus. Aenean iaculis. Quisque vitae nibh. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Quisque tortor ligula, elementum sed, facilisis ut, auctor vitae, erat. Cras in justo nec ipsum vulputate faucibus. Integer consequat augue ut dolor. Fusce congue. Nam ut enim nec velit tincidunt posuere. Vivamus dui. Vestibulum sagittis rutrum justo. Donec vel velit elementum diam consectetuer lobortis. Nunc hendrerit, leo in sodales ornare, nisi dolor ullamcorper felis, vel sollicitudin enim ipsum sed nulla. Donec sit amet urna non augue pellentesque fermentum. Cras varius risus auctor tellus. Vivamus venenatis tincidunt ligula. Praesent a turpis. Duis tempus, lorem eget imperdiet condimentum, magna mauris ornare turpis, vitae dapibus pede sem lacinia sapien. Nulla ut eros eu nisi suscipit sodales. Suspendisse lobortis. Vestibulum accumsan ante id erat. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; In vestibulum accumsan quam. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Fusce vitae ipsum vehicula neque vehicula mattis. Pellentesque bibendum scelerisque ligula. Nulla ut nisl at nulla condimentum facilisis. Etiam commodo nulla non turpis. Sed a justo. Aenean gravida. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae; In vestibulum accumsan quam. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Fusce vitae ipsum vehicula neque vehicula mattis. Pellentesque bibendum scelerisque ligula. Nulla ut nisl at nulla condimentum facilisis. Etiam commodo nulla non turpis. Sed a justo. Aenean gravida. Suspendisse potenti!

Hypokalemia After Acute Acetaminophen Overdose

Hypokalemia After Acute Acetaminophen Overdose Objectives: This study intended to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia and its clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for acute acetaminophen overdose conducted over a period of 5 years from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008. Demographic data and different types of psychiatric illness were compared between hypokalemic and normokalemic patients. Hypokalemia was predefined by a serum concentration < 3.5 mmol/ L. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis. Results: Two hundred and eighty patients out of 305 admissions were studied. Hypokalemia was found in 63.6% of patients with a higher prevalence in the presence of psychiatric illness (67.7%). Hypokalemic patients were significantly associated with the presence of major depression (P = 0.04), adjustment disorder (P < 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.01), and suicidal attempts (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Hypokalemia was common among patients with psychiatric illness and acute acetaminophen overdose. Key Words: Acetaminophen; Hypokalemia; Overdose; Potassium; Psychiatric illness. Introduction Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) is recognized as a major cause of suicide around the world.1 Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) is the most common drug employed in DSP in many countries, 2, 3 including Malaysia.4 Despite excellent safety in therapeutic doses of acetaminophen; it is also one of the leading causes of severe hepatic necrosis.5 Acetaminophen overdose may be accompanied by electrolyte disturbances including hypokalemia, and these appear to be independent of the hepatotoxic effects.6 These electrolyte changes appear to be due to the increase in fractional renal excretion of potassium, but the underlying cellular mechanisms by which acetaminophen might alter electrolyte transport are still unknown.6-9 In some cases, hypokalemia may be severe, reaching a level of 2.3 mmol/ L after reported ingestion of 48 g of acetaminophen.8 Hypokalemia, an easily identifiable and clinically important condition in clinical settings, has received little attention from researchers worldwide. Not only is hypokalemia associated with frequent cardiac and neuromuscular complications, but its effect on mental function may also exacerbate psychiatric disturbances.10, 11 Both anxiety12 and intense exercise13 increase circulating epinephrine, which induces a ÃŽ ²2 receptor-mediated influx of potassium into skeletal muscle.14 As this condition may be similar to the acute psychotic state, it was hypothesized that the decline in serum potassium concentration could be associated with the presence of psychiatric illness during acetaminophen overdose. To improve our knowledge of hypokalemia after acute acetaminophen overdose, we carried out a five-year, hospital-based study with the following objectives: 1) to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia in patients presenting to hospital after acetaminophen overdose, and 2) to investigate the clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose. Methods Settings and Study Design This is an observational retrospective case review of all patients with acute acetaminophen overdose admitted to a 1200-bed hospital located in the Northern region of Malaysia. The hospital provides health care and emergency treatment for all illnesses and accidents. All aspects of the study protocol, including access to and use of the patients clinical information, were authorized by the local health authorities before initiation of this study. Participants and Data Collection Data were collected from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008. A computer generated list was obtained from the Hospital Record Office. We identified our cases according to the T-codes of the International Classification of Diseases-Tenth revision (ICD-10). All patients with diagnostic codes T 39.1 (acetaminophen overdose) were included in the study. Specially designed data-collection forms were used to collect data concerning age, gender, circumstances of overdose (accidental or suicidal), stated date and time of poisoning to calculate the latency time (the time of ingestion to the time the patient was presented at the hospital), quantity of acetaminophen ingested, GI decontamination such as stomach wash, laboratory tests including serum acetaminophen concentration, and serum potassium concentrations during the first day of admission and after a minimum of 4 hours of ingestion. Data on serum acetaminophen concentration measurements were obtained from the hospitals therapeutic drug monitoring laboratory service. In addition, data related to the presence of psychiatric illness were obtained. psychiatric illness was defined as the presence of any disturbance of emotional equilibrium, as manifested in maladaptive behavior and impaired functioning, caused by genetic, physical, chemical, biological, psychological, or social and cultur al factors such as depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, impulsive behaviors and stress reactions, either emotional or behavioral; these causes were noted by the hospital psychiatric specialist report. Hypokalemia was defined as a serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mmol/ L.11 Patients with hypokalemia were classified into three groups based on potassium levels: (1) mild/ grade 1 (3.0 3.4 mmol/ L), (2) moderate/grade 2 (2.5 2.9 mmol/ L) and, (3) severe/grade 3 (< 2.5 mmol/ L).15 The charts of all patients identified through the search were reviewed and the data collected. Charts were excluded from analysis for the following reasons: (1) baseline potassium concentrations were not measured, (2) if patients had taken acetaminophen but the cause of ingestion was unknown or undetermined, (3) the time of ingestion was not known or (4) the patients were on regular prescribed drugs that lead to hypokalemia, such as furosemide, and (5) the patients were children under 13 years of age. Charts of patients who had laboratory tests at or more than 4 hours post-ingestion were extracted for further analysis. Statistical analysis Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program version 15 (SPSS). Data were expressed as mean  ± SD for continuous variables and as frequency for categorical variables. The Chi square or Fischers exact test, as appropriate, was used to test the significance between categorical variables. The independent samples t-test was used to compare means of continuous variables. Variables were tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Variables that were not normally distributed were expressed as a median (lower upper quartiles). Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results Three hundred and five cases of acetaminophen overdose were identified. Of these, 25 patients (8.2%) were excluded. Baseline potassium concentrations were not measured in eight patients, one patient was given furosemide at admission, five patients were less than 13 years old, the cause of ingestion was unknown or undetermined in 11 patients, and therefore, the study population consisted of 280 patients (45 male and 235 female patients with a mean age of 23.4  ± 7.1, giving a female: male ratio of 5.22: 1). The majority (72.1%) of cases of acetaminophen ingestion were presented within eight hours. The median (interquartile range) quantity of acetaminophen ingested was 10 g (6 15 g). Initial management included stomach wash, which was performed in 181 (64.6%) cases. Activated charcoal was given while patients were in the Accident and Emergency department; it was given as single or multiple doses in 173 cases (61.8%). Intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was given to 140 patients (50%) after acetaminophen levels were estimated. The median (interquartile range) serum acetaminophen concentration was 55.6 mg/ L (14 120 mg/ L). During the study period, 63.6% (178 patients; 33 males and 145 females) had potassium levels of less than 3.5 mmol/ L. For the hypokalemic patients, the mean potassium level was 3.1  ± 0.26 mmol/ L, while that for the normokalemic patients was 3.76  ± 0.35 mmol/ L. Most of the patients (129) were in mild stage hypokalemia and 45 patients were in moderate stage hypokalemia. Few patients (4) were in severe stage hypokalemia. Psychiatrically ill subjects were found to have hypokalemia, and the prevalence was higher than that in non-psychiatrically ill subjects (67.7% versus 43.8%; respectively, P = 0.002) (Figure 1). The most common clinical diagnosis among medically treated suicide attempters was adjustment disorder (45.7%) followed by impulsive behavior (24.3%), major depression (10.7%), and anxiety (2.1%). Hypokalemia was significantly associated with the presence of major depression (P = 0.04), adjustment disorder (P < 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.01), and suicidal attempts (P = 0.04). However, normokalemia was significantly associated with impulsive behavior (P < 0.001), the absence of psychiatric illness (P = 0.002), and the presence of accidental overdose (P = 0.04) (Table 1). One hundred and twelve patients with adjustment disorder and six patients with anxiety were found to have hypokalemia, and the prevalence of hypokalemia among these patients was higher than that in the overall study population and in patients with other psychiatric disorders (100% and 87.5%, respectively). Similarly, their mean potassium level was lower than that of the overall study population (3.16  ± 0.41 and 3.2  ± 0.21 mmol/ L, respectively) (Table 2). Eight hypokalemic patients (4.5%) were supplemented with oral potassium medication, and 85 hypokalemic patients (47.8%) were treated with intravenous potassium chloride, and their potassium levels were normalized in the next blood test. Additionally, most of the treated patients (59) were in mild stage hypokalemia and 32 patients were in moderate stage hypokalemia. Few patients (2) were in severe stage hypokalemia. Discussion This study is the first of its kind in Malaysia and has been carried out to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia in patients presenting to hospital after acute acetaminophen overdose, and to investigate the clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose in 280 patients with acute acetaminophen overdose collected retrospectively from a records registry. In this study hypokalemia was identified in 178 patients, and the prevalence of hypokalemia among hospitalized patients with acetaminophen overdose was 63.6%. A previous study found that hypokalemia was common in medical inpatient settings.16 About 20% of stroke, 10% of myocardial infarction patients,17 21.2% of psychiatric disorders,18 and about one third of acute acetaminophen overdose patients suffered from hypokalemia.9 The high prevalence of hypokalemia after acetaminophen overdose might be due to multiple risk factors. The etiology of hypokalemia is complex. The level of serum potassium depends on the balance between oral intake, renal and gastrointestinal losses as well as the balance and movement between extra and intra-cellular compartments.11 A previous study found that 7.6% of psychiatric patients had nutritional problems;19 inadequate dietary potassium intake was relatively rare unless daily potassium intake was less than 25 mmol.20 This study found that it was the psychiatrically ill patients, rather than those patients with no psychiatric illness, who were more likely to develop hypokalemia. This finding is consistent with other published studies that showed that hypokalemia was common among acute psychiatric inpatients.18, 21, 22 Adjustment disorders are often precipitated by stress reactions.23 For most people, stress is associated with higher cortisol levels.24, 25 Previous studies have suggested that high cortisol levels may be the principal cause of hypokalemia.26-28 In this study, patients with anxiety were suffering from a low mean potassium concentration and a high prevalence of hypokalemia. The exact mechanism was uncertain. This finding is in agreement with another published study that has shown small decreases in serum potassium among 200 pre-operative patients who had an increase in anxiety.12 The explanation of this finding is that anxiety increases the circulating epinephrine, 12 which induces a ÃŽ ²2 receptor-mediated influx of potassium into skeletal muscle.14 In the present study, patients with major depression were suffering from a high prevalence of hypokalemia. This finding is similar to a previous work that has shown patients with major depression had lower mean serum potassium values and a higher incidence of hypokalemia than other disorders such as dysthymic disorder and schizophrenic psychosis.18 This finding may be due to changes in adrenergic drive or in sensitivity or density of the ÃŽ ²2-receptor. 18 Expected findings in our study were the low incidence of hypokalemia in the patients with impulsive behavior. These patients differed significantly from the other types of psychiatric illness and considered as a part of the normal behavior.29 This is supported by findings that impulsivity is a type of human behavior characterized by the inclination of an individual to act on impulse rather than thought.30 It has been concluded in previous study that the decreased peripheral epinephrine levels may be involved in pathophysiology of impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.31 This mechanism results in a decreased uptake of potassium by cells. In addition, this study found that it was the suicidal patients, rather than those with accidental overdose, who were more likely to develop hypokalemia. Attempted suicide is assumed to be a hyper-adrenergic state.18 A retrospective study carried out on patients with psychiatric disorders concluded that significant differences existed among the attempted suicide group with regard to hypokalemia.18 ÃŽ ²-adrenergic receptor stimulation causes hypokalemia in experimental animals and humans.32 There is little doubt that one of the mechanisms of hypokalemia is a beta 2-receptor-mediated influx of potassium into skeletal muscle, induced by circulating epinephrine.18, 33, 34 It has been demonstrated that epinephrine causes excessive activation of the sodium/potassium-ATPase pump as a result of ÃŽ ²2-adrenergic receptor stimulation.14, 33 This mechanism results in an increased uptake of potassium by cells, leading to a decrease in serum potassium levels. As the influence of the adrenergic sy stem on serum potassium is found in many psychiatric situations, 18, 21, 22, 35 it may explain why a high prevalence of the patients included in our study were presented with hypokalemia. A high percentage of patients (47.7%) were still not being treated for low potassium levels, putting their health in jeopardy. The common occurrence of hypokalemia in patients with acute acetaminophen overdose should alert all clinicians to the importance of correcting potassium loss, since most of the patients with an acetaminophen overdose might have received intravenous fluids or N-acetylcysteine in serum dextrose 5%. However, this may have altered serum potassium concentrations through endogenous insulin production induced by 5% dextrose, resulting in movement of potassium into the intracellular compartment. Nonetheless, the extensive use of dextrose may expose the patients to higher risks. This study is the first one of its type in Malaysia to investigate the clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose. It is also the first study suggested that hypokalemia is related to psychiatric status after acetaminophen overdose rather than the previous studious that showed a dose-dependent relationship between fall in serum potassium and serum acetaminophen at presentation.6, 9 Our study suffers from a few limitations. Firstly, further risk factors for hypokalemia were not taken into account in the analysis. A second limitation is its retrospective nature and the lack of structured interview assessment of the subjects. Thirdly, we can only suggest, rather than prove, that the psychiatric state is responsible for the high occurrence of hypokalemia diagnosed in our population. Conclusions and recommendations In conclusion, hypokalemia is highly prevalent among psychiatrically ill patients and after acute acetaminophen overdose. Therefore, monitoring of serum potassium concentration may be clinically important on emergency admission for all cases of acute acetaminophen overdoses to prevent the consequences of hypokalemia. Supplemental potassium administration should be commenced as soon as possible. Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for the financial support provided for their research. The assistance of the medical and record office staff is gratefully acknowledged. Conflict of interests: We would like to declare that there was no conflict of interests in conducting this research.

Irony, Ambiguity, Symbols, and Symbolism in Gullivers Travels Essay

Use of Irony, Ambiguity and Symbolism, in Gulliver's Travels      Ã‚  Ã‚   Although it appears simple and straightforward on the surface, a mere travelogue intended solely for the amusement of children, Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, proves, upon closer examination, to be a critical and insightful work satirizing the political and social systems of eighteenth-century England. Through frequent and successful employment of irony, ambiguity and symbolism, Swift makes comments addressing such specific topics as current political controversies as well as such universal concerns as the moral degeneration of man.   While he incorporates them subtly early in the novel, these observations and criticisms eventually progress to a point where they may shock or offend even the most unsuspecting reader.   In order to witness this evolution of presentation, one need only observe the development of the work's central character, Captain Lemuel Gulliver, as Swift has designed his novel in such a way that, as his aspersions harshen and intensify, so do Gulliver's actions and attitudes.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For instance, in book one, "A Voyage to Lilliput", when Gulliver finds himself lost in a world one-twelfth the size of his own, he proves himself to be quite naive and impressionable.   Although he is simply too large to perceive them in detail, Gulliver judges the country's inhabitants he meets to be as perfect and innocent as their toylike appearances.   He refers to the Lilliputian emperor, a being not even six inches high, as "His Imperial Majesty" and blindly agrees to perform any demanded service, even though he could easily overpower the tiny natio... ... throughout the story in the form of irony and satire, Gulliver himself offers a solution to his situation at the close of the novel.   He realizes that there is little he can do about being human; he simply must learn to live with himself. To achieve this, he suggests looking in a mirror as often as possible, not only so that he might learn to bear the sight of his own person but also so that he may be constantly reminded   of those shortcomings he seeks so desperately to overcome.    Works Cited and Consulted Backscheider, Paula R. A Being More Intense: A Study of the Prose Works of Buynan, Swift, and Defoe. New York: AMS Press, 1984. Carnochan, W. B. Lemuel Gulliver's Mirror for Man. Berkley: University of California Press, 1968. Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.      

Human Resource Essay

Question 1: How would you forecast the manpower needs of Ya Kun? Ya Kun can forecast their manpower by using trend analysis, ratio analysis, scatter plot and computerized system. The personnel can use either one of these method of finding new recruitment. Based on trend analysis, Ya Kun find new recruit by using their past experienced which means that they can provide an initial estimate of future staffing needs, but employment levels rarely depend just on the passage of time. They looked their past performance of sales, productivity and so on to estimate their employee also because if their performance goes beyond their expectation like Ya kun that have many outlets throughout the world, they may required more employee either full time or part-time. Other forecasting method that Ya Kun can use to forecast their manpower is ratio analysis. In this method, Ya Kun forecast based on the historical ratio between some causal factor (like sales volume) and the number of employee required such salespeople. In this case, Ya Kun need more employee because they need more salespeople to run the business in each of their outlets. The sales volume for Ya Kun also one of the factor that Ya Kun need to recruit employee. Compared to trend analysis, ratio analysis assumes that productivity remains about the same. Personnel also can use scatter plot to forecast their manpower. In this method, the personnel may use two related variables to indicate the relation between the two such as sales volume and number of employee. If these two factors are related, then the points will tend to fall along straight line then the personnel can forecast the need of new recruitment. Computerized forecasting also is one way that personnel can use to forecast their need of manpower. With programs like these, employers can more accurately estimate how many employee that they need to projected productivity and sales. Many firms use computerized employee forecasting system for particularly for estimating short-term needs. In Ya Kun case, their personnel may need this program because they have many outlets that need more part-time worker to replace fulltime worker if needed. Question 2: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Ya Kun’s hiring part-time workers? Part-time workers are those who whether by personal choice or due to employment conditions beyond their control work fewer hours than the regular, full-time staff of a business over the course of a year. There is no specific number of hours that makes someone full or part-time, but a full-time worker will usually work 35 hours or more a week. The advantages of Ya Kun’s hiring part-time workers are part-time workers are less expensive than full-time workers. This is because some of them are paid less than half of what full-time workers, who do the same work, are paid. In other hand, part-time workers will not get benefits same like full-time workers such as insurance or sick pay. So Ya Kun’s can save significant amount of money by hiring part-time workers. Most of the part-timers are student, since it allows them to balance their academic needs with their school needs and they are often willing to learn new tasks and responsibilities when doing their work. Therefore, they will do their job better than full-time workers and this will increase labour productivity of Ya Kun’s. Furthermore, Ya Kun’s only hiring part-time workers when the full-time workers go on vacation or become ill. Students are particularly useful in meeting these periods of high demand in order to ensure that the needs of Ya Kun ’s customers are met and will increase in Ya Kun’s output as well. The disadvantages of Ya Kun’s hiring part-time workers are Ya Kun’s need extra time to train part-time workers to get knowledge about their work and they also need to be guide by someone before they can do their work by their own. Besides that, it will increase training cost of Ya Kun’s. Part-time workers have to go for training before they can start their work in order to avoid from low skilled workers. This also will affect productivity of Ya Kun’s. Moreover, part-time workers have higher absenteeism rates. This is because most of the part-time workers are student and they only doing part-time work to get extra money or just for fun. Besides that, they do not think about their commitment so they keep absent to work. Question 3: A good attitude and commitment are two important attributes that Ya Kun looks for in its job applicant. Is a job interview an effective method to assess these two attributes? What else can Ya Kun do to get reliable information on these two attributes? It is good to have job interview, but conducting a case test and attitude test would help to assess the attribute. Recruiting via the internet: The recruiter should be given complete description about the job and who will be qualified to apply for the job. A simple test could be done to screen the applicants online. Afterwards, a job interview will be needed. Advertising: The employer should advertise their ads where they’ll reach your prospective employees. The recruiter should be given complete description about the job and who will be qualified to apply for the job. Afterwards, a job interview will be needed. Private employment agency: The recruiter should be given complete description about the job and who will be qualified to apply for the job. Afterwards, a job interview will be needed. Walk-ins: This involves direct interview, which is the effective way to measure good attitude and commitment rather than just simply looking at the resume. Question 4: What suggestion would you make to Ya Kun to improve its recruiting processes? From the case Ya Kun Kaya Toasts, we can see that Ya Kun used the recruitment and selection process through advertised in Chinese and English newspapers as well as trough recruitment notice at their outlets. There are few steps to applicants should be undergo before they can be select and recruit by Ya Kun Kaya Toasts. It start from the interview by two manager, screened primarily for their level of commitment and willingness to work shifts, screened for other desirable qualities, until when they successful then they need to go through 2 week training and remain on probation for 3 months. However, Ya Kun still thinking the way how to improve its recruiting process. The reasons why is because the main challenge Ya Kun face in its recruitment efforts is finding employees with the right attitude, because the technical skill required are relatively easy to learn. Other than that, there are some applicants were unwilling to work shifts, making it difficult for Ya Kun to hire them because shift work is inevitable in the food and beverage retail industry. Look at the case, challenge economic times are prompting employers especially Ya Kun manager to rethink how they go about recruiting process. So, there are several suggestions would we make thinks to Ya Kun can do to improve its recruiting processes. Firstly, from job opening for the outlet staff the point in your advertisement should reach your target prospective employees. Use the guide AIDA (attention, interest, desire, and action) to construct advertisements. You must attract attention to the advertisement. From that case, Ya Kun should state in the ad that all the responsibilities and qualifications required for work at Ya Kun. For example, under the responsibilities and qualifications required the applicants should be education because we know that the person who educated has the right attitude toward the job. Moreover, don’t forget to include the required for â€Å"work shifts interested only† in the advertisement. So that, during the interview period manager not wastes their time recruit the applicants. Secondly, recruitment materials have a more positive impact if they contain more specific information. That means, at the application form the manager should provide applicants with information on aspects of the job that are important to them, such as salary, location, and diversity. For example, pay the salary base on their schedule of shift work. As we look at the case, some applicants were unwilling to work shifts because they not satisfy about the salary especially when they work at second shift period from 3 P.M to 11 P.M. The reason because at that time, number of customer may be increase because that time are pass the work time and they may like to hang up at Ya Kun coffee shop with their friend and family. Moreover, the manager of Ya Kun also can do the job rotation which is the periodic shifting of a worker from one task to another. That means, results depend on how job satisfaction is measured. Thirdly, using application forms to predict job performance. In this stage, manager should already get all the application forms from the applicants who apply for that job after the certain period of job opening for the outlet staff or recruitment notice at their outlets. It is possible for the Ya Kun manager to use application form information to predict which candidates will be successful and which won’t, in much the same way that one might use test for screening. The basic process involves conducting statistical studies to analyze the relationship between biodata responses on the application form and measure of success on the job. It is important to choose the biodata items in order to look at their life style as well as other criteria such as their background, education, and others. So, we can evaluate the candidates during the interview session whether they pass or not. Conclusion It is important to understand the nature of the business that we are in before doing the recruitment and selection process. Different nature will result different way or step to look at the employees which is really suitable to apply as well as to be accept to work at that company or industry. From the case it start with personnel planning and forecasting where it is the process of deciding what position the Ya Kun industry will have to fill, and how to fill them. Filling open position with their internal sources of candidate make Ya Kun has several advantages. For example, Ya Kun has a family –style environment and established â€Å"promotion-from-within† policy and many more. Then as result, not only the organization build the good structure and enhance performance, but the emphasis on good attitude and character in the selection of outlet staff has help Ya Kun build a pool of hardworking and committed workers. Ultimately, the main goal that the Ya Kun will achieve is make it big through the improvement its recruiting process in the future. That all the improvement for Ya Kun has to face in order to take the challenge by increasing the commitment of all staff toward the company.

Biography of Matthew Ridgway, Korean War General

Biography of Matthew Ridgway, Korean War General Matthew Ridgway (March 3, 1895–July 26, 1993) was a U.S. Army commander who led the United Nations troops in Korea in 1951. He later served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, where he advised against American intervention in Vietnam. Ridgway retired in 1955 and was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. Fast Facts: Matthew Ridgway Known For: Ridgway was a U.S. military officer who commanded United Nations troops during the Korean War.Born: March 3, 1895 in Fort Monroe, VirginiaParents: Thomas and Ruth RidgwayDied: July 26, 1993 in Fox Chapel, PennsylvaniaEducation: United States Military AcademySpouse(s): Julia Caroline  (m. 1917–1930), Margaret Wilson Dabney (m. 1930–1947), Mary Princess Anthony Long (m. 1947-1993)Children: Matthew Jr. Early Life Matthew Bunker Ridgway was born on March 3, 1895, at Fort Monroe, Virginia. The son of Colonel Thomas Ridgway and Ruth Bunker Ridgway, he was reared on Army posts across the United States and took pride in being an army brat. Graduating from English High School in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1912, he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and applied for acceptance to West Point. Deficient in mathematics, he failed in his first attempt, but after extensive study of the subject he gained entry the following year. Ridgway was classmates with Mark Clark and two years behind Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley.  Their class graduated early due to the U.S. entry into World War I. Later that year, Ridgway married Julia Caroline Blount, with whom he would have two daughters, Constance and Shirley. The couple would divorce in 1930. Early Career Commissioned a second lieutenant, Ridgway was quickly advanced to first lieutenant and then given the temporary rank of captain as the U.S. Army expanded due to the war. Sent to Eagle Pass, Texas, he briefly commanded an infantry company in the 3rd Infantry Regiment before being sent back to West Point in 1918 to teach Spanish and manage the athletic program. At the time, Ridgway was upset with the assignment as he believed combat service during the war would be critical to future advancement and that the soldier who had had no share in this last great victory of good over evil would be ruined. In the years after the war, Ridgway moved through routine peacetime assignments and was selected for the Infantry School in 1924. Rising Through the Ranks Completing the course of instruction, Ridgway was dispatched to Tientsin, China, to command a company of the 15th Infantry Regiment. In 1927, he was asked by Major General Frank Ross McCoy to take part in a mission to Nicaragua due to his skills in Spanish. Though Ridgway had hoped to qualify for the 1928 U.S. Olympic pentathlon team, he recognized that the assignment could greatly advance his career. Ridgway traveled south, where he aided in supervising free elections. Three years later, he was assigned as the military advisor to the Governor-General of the Philippines, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. His success in this post led to his appointment to the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. This was followed by two years at the Army War College. World War II After graduating in 1937, Ridgway saw service as the deputy chief of staff for the Second Army and later the assistant chief of staff of the Fourth Army. His performance in these roles caught the eye of General George Marshall, who had him transferred to the War Plans Division in September 1939. The following year, Ridgway received a promotion to lieutenant colonel. With the U.S. entry into World War II in December 1941, Ridgway was fast-tracked to higher command. Promoted to brigadier general in January 1942, he was made assistant division commander of the 82nd Infantry Division. Ridgway was later promoted and given command of the division after Bradley, now a major general, was sent to the 28th Infantry Division. Airborne Now a major general, Ridgway oversaw the 82nds transition into the U.S. Armys first airborne division and on August 15 was officially re-designated the 82nd Airborne Division. Ridgway pioneered airborne training techniques and was credited with turning the unit into a highly effective combat division. Though initially resented by his men for being a leg (non-airborne qualified), he ultimately gained his paratrooper wings. Ordered to North Africa, the 82nd Airborne began training for the invasion of Sicily. Ridgway led the division into battle in July 1943. Spearheaded by Colonel James M. Gavins 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 82nd sustained heavy losses largely due to problems outside of Ridgways control such as widespread issues with friendly fire. Major General Matthew B. Ridgway (center), Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division, and staff, overlooking the battlefield near Ribera, Sicily, 25 July 1943. USMHI Italy In the wake of the Sicily operation, plans were made to have the 82nd Airborne play a role in the invasion of Italy. Subsequent operations led to the cancellation of two airborne assaults and instead Ridgways troops dropped into the Salerno beachhead as reinforcements. They helped hold the beachhead and then participated in offensive operations, including breaking through the Volturno Line. D-Day In November 1943, Ridgway and the 82nd departed the Mediterranean and were sent to Britain to prepare for D-Day. After several months of training, the 82nd was one of three Allied airborne divisions- along with the U.S. 101st Airborne and the British 6th Airborne- to land in Normandy on the night of June 6, 1944. Jumping with the division, Ridgway exerted direct control over his men and led the division as it attacked objectives to the west of Utah Beach. The division advanced toward Cherbourg in the weeks after landing. Market-Garden Following the campaign in Normandy, Ridgway was appointed to lead the new XVIII Airborne Corps which consisted of the 17th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne Divisions. He supervised the actions of the 82nd and 101st during their participation in Operation Market-Garden in September 1944. This saw American airborne forces capture key bridges in the Netherlands. Troops from XVIII Corps later played a key role in turning back the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge that December. In June 1945, he was promoted to lieutenant general and dispatched to the Pacific to serve under General Douglas MacArthur. Arriving as the war with Japan was ending, he briefly oversaw Allied forces on Luzon before returning west to command U.S. forces in the Mediterranean. In the years after World War II, Ridgway moved through several senior peacetime commands. Korean War Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff in 1949, Ridgway was in this position when the Korean War began in June 1950. Knowledgeable about operations in Korea, he was ordered there in December 1950 to replace the recently killed General Walton Walker as commander of the battered Eighth Army. After meeting with MacArthur, who was the supreme United Nations commander, Ridgway was given latitude to operate the Eighth Army as he saw fit. In Korea, Ridgway found the Eighth Army in full retreat in the face of a massive Chinese offensive. Lieutenant General Matthew B. Ridgway, circa. 1951. Public Domain An aggressive leader, Ridgway immediately began working to restore his mens fighting spirit. He rewarded officers who were aggressive and conducted offensive operations when able. In April 1951, after several major disagreements, President Harry S. Truman relieved MacArthur and replaced him with Ridgway, who oversaw U.N. forces and served as military governor of Japan. Over the next year, Ridgway slowly pushed back the North Koreans and Chinese with the goal of re-taking all of the Republic of Koreas territory. He also oversaw the restoration of Japans sovereignty and independence on April 28, 1952. Chief of Staff In May 1952, Ridgway left Korea to succeed Eisenhower as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, for the newly formed North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). During his tenure, he made significant progress in improving the organizations military structure, though his frank manner sometimes led to political difficulties. For his success in Korea and Europe, Ridgway was appointed U.S. Army Chief of Staff on August 17, 1953. That year, Eisenhower, now president, asked Ridgway for an assessment of possible U.S. intervention in Vietnam. Strongly opposed to such an action, Ridgway prepared a report that showed that massive numbers of American troops would be needed to achieve victory. This clashed with Eisenhower, who wished to expand American involvement. The two men also fought over Eisenhowers plan to dramatically reduce the size of the U.S. Army, with Ridgway arguing that it was necessary to retain enough strength to counter the growing threat from the Soviet Union. Death After numerous battles with Eisenhower, Ridgway retired on June 30, 1955. He went on to serve on numerous private and corporate boards while continuing to advocate for a strong military and minimal involvement in Vietnam. Ridgway died on July 26, 1993, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A dynamic leader, his former comrade Omar Bradley once remarked that Ridgways performance with the Eighth Army in Korea was the greatest feat of personal leadership in the history of the Army. Legacy Ridgway was highly decorated for his military achievements. In addition to the Congressional Gold Medal, he received a Purple Heart, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Army Distinguished Service Medal. Ridgway remains a U.S. military icon and is widely admired by servicemembers. Sources Bachrach, Deborah. The Korean War. Lucent Books, 1991.ï » ¿Ridgway, Matthew. Soldier: The Memoirs of Matthew B. Ridgway. Harper Brothers, 1956.

The Optimal Kitchen Countertop Height

The Optimal Kitchen Countertop Height Like other common installation standards, it is not building codes that set the height of kitchen countertops, but rather a set of common and established design standards set by the industry over a long period. These design standards are established by studies determining the most comfortable and practical dimensions for average residents for all the various elements of home construction. Most of the industry follows these standards, meaning that stock cabinets, countertops, windows, doors, and other elements will follow the dimensions set forth by these standards.   Kitchen Countertop Standards For countertops, the established standard is for the top of the countertop to fall about 36 inches above the floor. So widely accepted is this standard is that base cabinet manufacturers  build all their cabinets to a height of 34 1/2 inches, assuming the countertop thickness will be 1 1/2 inches.   This has been shown to be the best ergonomic height for a kitchen countertop. It may not be the best for a specific task, but it is the best overall compromise for the majority of tasks done in the kitchen for a user of average height. For most people, a kitchen countertop height of 3 feet provides a comfortable workstation. Be aware, though, that these design standards are aimed at making things comfortable for average people, who are 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 8 inches in height. If you are much shorter or much taller, the design standards might not be ideal for you.  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹ Varying Countertop Height   As with any feature of your home, countertop height can be varied to meet your situation. A family of 6-footers may find 36 inches so low that they have to stoop uncomfortably while preparing food, while a family with members less than 5 feet in height might also find the standard countertop height to be uncomfortable. It can be difficult and expensive to make these alterations, though, since stock base cabinets will need to be altered, or custom cabinets will need to be built from scratch, in order to change the countertop heights. Moreover, you should be careful about dramatic variations to construction standards, as the potential future buyers of your home may not appreciate them.  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹ Countertops for Those With Disabilities Users with physical disabilities, such as those confined to wheelchairs, may find both stock base cabinets and countertop height standards to be impractical. In kitchens designed for accessibility, at least some portion of the base cabinets is left open so that users can roll wheelchairs beneath the countertop while preparing food. The countertops themselves are often lowered to a height of 28 to 34 inches or even lower. If only a section of countertop is customized for wheelchair users, make sure the open space is at least 36 inches wide.   While these custom changes may, of course, have an impact on the future sale of the house, they are a small price to pay to make a home convenient and comfortable for disabled residents. In todays marketplace, you may even find that an accessible kitchen is actually a desirable selling point to future buyers.

Understanding Latins Third Declension Cases and Endings

Understanding Latin's Third Declension Cases and Endings A good bet for a Latin noun whose nominative singular ends in -a is that it is a feminine noun of the First Declension. Likewise, a noun ending in -us in the nominative singular is likely Second Declension masculine. There are exceptions, but guessing those is a good starting place. Its not so easy when you get the nouns belonging to the Third Declension. According to William Harris: The 3rd Declension is in a sense a catch-all for various stem-types, and can be very confusing. According to James Ross 18th-century Latin grammar, the nominative singular of a third declension noun may end in: a (of Greek origin [for more on declining Greek nouns in Latin, see Latin Third Declension Nouns of Greek Origin]), e, o, c (rare), d, l, n, r, s, t (caput and compounds), or x Also, he describes the endings used by different genders: Nouns can be masculine (especially with endings in -er, -or, -os, -n, or -o); feminine (especially -do, and -go endings); or neuter (especially nouns ending in -c, -a, -l, -e, -t, -ar, -men, -ur, or -us) in gender. Basic 3rd Declension Types Third Declension nouns may have a consonantal or i-stem. Consonantal Note: For the consonantal stems, it may take some practice to figure out where to add the endings, although, the dictionary form should make this clear. The usual genitive ending of third declension nouns is -is. The letter or syllable before it usually remains throughout the cases. For the masculine and feminine, the nominative replaces the -is ending of the singular with an -es for the plural. (Remember: neuter plural nominatives and accusatives end in -a.) Similarly, the dative plural is formed from the singular with the addition of -bus. Sometimes the root vowel appears to change, as in our second paradigm word below, opus, operis, n. First, here are the consonantal stems endings: Singular (the Second Form Is for the Neuter) NOM. -/-GEN. -is/-isDAT. -i/-iACC. -em/-ABL. -e/-e Plural NOM. -es/-aGEN. -um/-umDAT. -ibus/-ibusACC. -es/-aABL. -ibus/-ibus Using rex, regis, m. (king), here is the paradigm: Singular NOM. rexGEN. regisDAT. regiACC. regemABL. regeLOC. regi or regeVOC. rex Plural NOM. regesGEN. regumDAT. regibusACC. regesABL. regibusLOC. regibusVOC. reges Using opus, operis n. (work), here is the paradigm: Singular NOM. opusGEN. operisDAT. operiACC. opusABL. opereLOC. operi or opereVOC. opus Plural NOM. operaGEN. operumDAT. operibusACC. operaABL. operibusLOC. operibusVOC. opera I-Stems Some nouns of the third declension are called i-stem nouns; still, others are mixed i-stem. I-stem nouns have a genitive plural ending in -ium. Their ablative may not end in -e, but may instead end in -i. Other cases may also replace the -e- with an -i-, so you might see an accusative singular ending in -im. A neuter i-stem noun, animal, animalis (animal), looks a little different from other neuter 3rd declension nouns in the plural because of the i which makes the nominative and accusative plural of animal: animalia. The word for sea, mare, maris, is another neuter i-stem noun. Hostis, hostis is a generally masculine i-stem noun, but hostis can be feminine. The fact that the nominative and genitive is the same for this masculine or feminine noun indicates that its an i-stem. You would decline the name of Caesar thus: Caesar, Caesaris, Caesari, Caesarem, Caesare Sample 3rd Declensions Nouns Declined PugillaresOs

What is 'sexting', and what does it mean to the current enforcement of Essay

What is 'sexting', and what does it mean to the current enforcement of child Pornography laws Are minors putting themselves at risk for a lifetime of hell - Essay Example engaging in harmful activities via these modes of communication (Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2011; Mitchell, Finkelhor, Jones, & Wolak, 2012; Wolak & Finkelhor, 2011). These harmful behaviors are cyberbullying, public posting of sexual images, and soliciting for sex online. Even though the legal definition of the term "sexting" vary across jurisdictions, most state laws focus on images relayed through mobile telephony. However, images are also transmitted through computers, web cameras, and digital cameras among other gadgets (Sacco et al., 2010). Current studies apply broader definitions of sexting, which defines it as the sending and/or receiving of sexually suggestive images or messages by mobile phones, in measuring the prevalence of sexting behaviors among the youth (Mitchell et al., 2012). The youth have extensive access to modern communication technologies, with a reported 25% of them owning mobile phones (Lenhart, 2009). This ease of access enables them to stay in regular contact with parents and friends. Consequent to this ease of access and use, sending and receiving text messages via mobile telephony has become easy and popular, especially among adolescents. A recent study estimates that the youth send and receive approximately 3,000 text messages monthly. In addition, many mobile phones also allow users to send pictures and video. Although there are many positive attributes of mobile telephony such as the ability to instantly connect, communicate, and share, it also has several potential problems, including â€Å"sexting.† The different definitions of sexting have resulted in conflicting findings by researchers on the actual prevalence of sexting among the youth. For example, the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com conducted a study to examine the prevalence of teen and young adult sexting behaviors in 2008. In this study (Sex and Tech) sexting was defined as the relaying of nude or semi-nude photos or videos. The

Organization and Behavior Paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organization and Behavior - Term Paper Example Functional denotes the hierarchy of functions while project denotes the incorporation of complexity unto such. Companies working on areas like project management or specialised areas work based on such organisational structures (Johnson, Scholes, and Whittington 402-403). (NordNet 349) Functional organisation structure helps in the development of different functional teams within the organisation. Knowledge and skill of the different functional groups is enhanced owing to such specialised organisation structure. This type of an organisation structure best works in case of knowledge based organisations or for concerns conducting specialised services (NordNet 349). (NordNet 353) The divisional organisation structure works based on the decentralisation functions where the entire organisational task is allocated among people pertaining to different departments. Consumer relationship activities are enhanced through such organisational structure and it also helps in enhancing the coordinat ion of people belonging to different teams. Divisional organisation structure works best for large organisations. These organisations conduct their activities operating through a large number of people spread along different geographical boundaries. Further the organisations also work to help produce a plethora of products and thus needs both specialisation and coordination (NordNet 353). Answer 2 Wal-Mart operates based on the functional organisation structure such that it works to render specialised services and products to its consumer groups. The company operates based on specialised sets of people working in different formats that focus on rendering products at affordably low prices to the consumers. Procter and Gamble is a leading consumer products concern that works based on a divisional organisation structure. This concern has several global units based in different geographical territories constituted by people belonging to divisions focusing on production and marketing. Th e product division is further subdivided into other subdivisions and also the marketing team is also divided into other marketing development divisions or groups. The organisation culture also promotes large scale interaction between the different divisions (NordNet 349, 350-351). Answer 3 Procter and Gamble through the operation based on separate divisions tends to create a competitive advantage for it to compete effectively against other competitors. The company works on separate product units focusing on sectors like infants, women and family care, fabrics, health and beauty commodities and on other food and beverage items. People working in the product units work together for the enhancement of the brand image pertaining to the different products. Brand enhancement activity of the different product divisions is conducted by linking such with the activities of the marketing development team to gain significant competitive advantage (NordNet 350-351). Organisation and Behaviour-As signment No.1, Part 2 Answer 1 To, Mr. Siddall, John Siddall (Printers) Ltd. As per the observation made a change culture can be

Critically discuss the view that the Cournot, Bertrand and Stackelberg Essay

Critically discuss the view that the Cournot, Bertrand and Stackelberg models of oligopoly are fundamentally flawed and are unable to explain recent events in the markets and industries - Essay Example It is a common practice for firms in an oligopoly market to collude in setting up prices with an intention of mitigating the risks that arises in the particular market. However, most of the alliances formed are outlawed in most countries given that they short-change customers because of the less competition that they have unlike in other markets such a perfect competition environment (Vives, 1999). Models developed by three scholars try to explain the concept of an oligopoly market. The Cournot, Bertrand and Stacklerg models are used to explain the theory of oligopoly. The Game theory is widely applied by three models to analyse the market critically under consideration (GineviÄ ius and Krivka, 2008). In a Cournot oligopoly, business entities compete on the basis of production levels. They determine the volume of products they are supposed to produce separately within a specified period. The main assumption made in a Cournot oligopoly is that the core business activity of a business entity is profit maximization. It assumes that the decision of determining the volume level is independent. Furthermore, it is assumed that all players in the market are aware of the cost function and the number of players that exist in the market. However, the cost function may vary from one organization to another (Giocoli, 2003). Some of the implication of the assumptions made in Cournot model is that the production level in the market is likely to be less compared to that of other markets such as the perfect competition market (Kopel and Là ¶ffler, 2008). Additionally, the prices in a Cournot oligopoly are lower compared to those of other markets. Conversely, given the nature of the market, formation of firms are likely to form cartels. Consequently, the model can be transformed to become similar to that of a monopoly market (Day et al., 2002). Cournot models assume firms

Logistics and Operations Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Logistics and Operations Management - Essay Example Replacement Costs on the rise due to poor quality Quality Costs Cost of control Prevention costs include Quality planning and Engineering, New product review, Product and process design, Process control, Cost of Burn in tests, Quality training and workforce development. Appraisal costs include Testing and Inspection. Cost of Failure of control Internal failure costs include Scrap, Rework, Retest, Failure Analysis, down time, Yield losses and down grading. External failure costs include Warranty Charges, Complaint adjustment, Returned product/material and Liability costs. Q2. In consideration of your response to part 1 and your experience in Aerials, i. Propose and explain what options a business and/or a supply chain has to cope with fluctuating demand. Options 1. Make or Buy decisions The most popular decision that a Business takes to cope with the fluctuating demand is whether to Make or Buy. A business must analyze their various costs of production involved in producing a product and compare it with cost of buying the product from an external supplier. If the cost of buying is less than cost of producing the product, then companies can opt for buying the product. This could be extended to each phase of the production cycle. 2. Forecasting Demand Companies plan and forecast the demand according to the future needs of the market. Forecasting demand assists in decision making with respect to investment in plant and machinery, market planning and future sales. Some of the popular forecasting methods include Time series methods Judgmental Techniques Causal methods (Econometric forecasting) 3. Quality management Companies strive to achieve quality standards like ISO 22000:2005, Six sigma, Deming awards...A business must analyze their various costs of production involved in producing a product and compare it with cost of buying the product from an external supplier. If the cost of buying is less than cost of producing the product, then companies can opt for buying the product. This could be extended to each phase of the production cycle. Companies plan and forecast the demand according to the future needs of the market. Forecasting demand assists in decision making with respect to investment in plant and machinery, market planning and future sales. Some of the popular forecasting methods include Companies strive to achieve quality standards like ISO 22000:2005, Six sigma, Deming awards etc. Total quality management along with Japanese techniques is widely practiced ensuring the continuous delivering of quality products. Nowadays a product without quality cannot exist in the market i.e. if a company is surviving, then quality is inbuilt. Quality forms the basis of survival of a company or a business nowadays. Quality audits and a lot of quality management practices are a means to ensure that the customer receives good quality product. Inventory control is a planned approach of determining what to order, when to order and how to order and how much to stock so that costs associated with buying and storing are optimal without interrupting production and sale

International Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Accounting - Essay Example Burberry Group Plc. is a multinational company which operates its business in the apparel sector of the textile industry. It is headquartered at London, United Kingdom and was founded in the year 1856 (Yahoo Finance, 2012a). Hennes & Mauritz AB is headquartered at Stockholm, Sweden and was founded in the year 1947. It is also engaged in the business of running retail stores in Sweden and abroad and offers different types of products which mainly includes apparels, footwear, cosmetics, etc. (Yahoo Finance, 2012b). Comparison of environmental disclosures in the annual reports Annual reports of a company are meant for the shareholders and different other stakeholders to help them in their decision making process. According to GRI, every public company is required to present their sustainability report referring to various environmental disclosures in their annual reports. Sustainability reports serve for the purpose of making the public organizations follow practices which would ensure their accountability and responsibilities towards their stakeholders. According to G3 sustainability report guidelines the performance indicators are broadly classified into three categories namely, Environmental, Economic and Social (GRI, n. d.). Six different aspects of the environmental disclosures as mentioned in the G3 sustainability report related to Burberry and H&M has been discussed in details as given below: Materials There are two environmental performance indicators mentioned in the G3 sustainability report that are related to the materials aspect. One such indicator is the materials used by a company in percentage terms that are recycled as input materials. This type of indicator has been devised to measure the ability of the organization to utilize its recycled input materials. If we look at the 2011 annual report of Burberry it can be observed that it has indicated its total recycled raw materials waste which has been recycled in 2011. However it is indicated in absol ute terms as 148 tons of raw materials waste recycled in 2011 (Burberry, 2012). Next the 2011 annual report of H&M indicates that no such indicators have been mentioned. It only talks about the company’s commitment towards reducing wastes that are used in its various production processes. However no such absolute figures or percentage terms related to the amount of recycled waste materials utilized by the company has been disclosed in its annual report (H&M, 2012). Hence, it can be concluded that Burberry complied with the disclosure requirements related to the materials aspect of environmental disclosures but H&M did not comply with the same. Energy There are five environmental performance indicators mentioned in the G3 sustainability report that are related to the energy aspect. One such indicator is the initiatives taken up by an organization to result in increasing use of renewable sources of energy in an efficient manner to help in the reduction of the overall energy req uirements of the company. In accordance with this disclosure requirement the companies are required to report on their existing initiatives that helped for the cause of reducing the energy requirements of the major products produced by them. The 2011 annual report of Burberry indicates that the company has mentioned about some of

California Health and Human Services Agency Essay

California Health and Human Services Agency - Essay Example Another criterion is to examine the currency of information on the site by looking for updated details on documents and links. Lastly, the coverage of the site shows that the objective of the site is clearly to be used as information updates only, and in no way presents any biasness towards any agencies or boards. Since the inception of the internet, many human services agencies have developed official websites to promote and create awareness for their organizations. One such agency is the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). This paper will examine and analyze the value and relevance of this website to its target audiences using the criteria set out by the Wolfgram Memorial Library (WML) from Widener University. According to WML, there are five crucial criterions that can be used to determine the efficacy of the information on the site, and they include authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage. (WML, 2009) The homepage for the CHHS website contains a welcome message by the Secretary, Kim Belshe, in addition to the vision of the agency, which informs "all Californians, especially those most at risk or in need (that they) have the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life as measured by the sound physical, mental, and financial health of children, adolescents, and adults; strong and well-functioning families; safe and sustainable communities; and dignity for all." (CHHS, 2009) It is clear that CHHS is responsible for the contents of the page because the agency logo is visibly presented. To mark its affiliation with the State of California, there is a copyright mark and a link to the official website on every page. There is also a link to the website for the Governor of California. (CHHS, 2009) While the vision of the agency is stated, the agency goal is not quite as transparent. The closest form of explanation is perhaps under the link "About Us" which spells out the "responsibility f or administering major programs," (CHHS, 2009) and includes the contact information like the agency address and telephone number, which verifies the legitimacy of the agency. However, it is worth noting that an email contact is not provided for enquiries. This may be an indication that the site is meant more as a source of information rather than a site that promotes dialogue. The legitimacy of the website is well established with links to independent websites for all twelve departments and one board. However, at the time of writing this analysis, there was an error linking to the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (CHHS, 2009), which indicates a lack of quality control. Without an email contact available, the audience is then forced to either call the agency, or make the extra effort to look for this site online. If CHHS were meant to be only as a source of information, the agency's objective as an official site that "administers state and federal programs for health care, social services, public assistance, and rehabilitation," is clear. (CHHS, 2009) All links are directed to independent department sites that provide a more comprehensive presentation of each program's agenda. For example, the link to the Department of Community Services and Development details this department's programs and resources. (CSD, 2009) Any document or links in the website that highlight specific programs are also presented according to the most recently published so

A World of Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A World of Art - Essay Example Perhaps staring out from his asylum window, Van Gogh saw the world as both beautiful and lonely (p.61). Also, the tall, bold and white church in the middle gives a sense of balance and stability to the painting amongst the uncontrolled swirls, highlighting Van Gogh’s feelings of religion in the world. Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing No. 681 is also a masterpiece of lines but in a more controlled and logical way (p.64). The four perfect squares with precise lines in four different directions marked by dark boundaries illustrate a regular, mathematical sequence. Lewitt’s use of soothing, colorful lines emanates feelings of peace and unity. Also, the perfection and uniformity of the lines are practically instructing the viewers on how to replicate such exquisiteness themselves (p.65). Lewitt uses the most basic of lines, showing how the world abounds with beauty in the simplest of lines and strokes. Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez depicts a large room in King Philipâ€℠¢s palace with the little princess standing gracefully in the middle (p.155). She is surrounded by maids, chaperones, a dwarf and even Velazquez himself; all positioned in such a way around her allowing the viewer to take in the spaciousness of the room. Some figures are interacting with themselves while others gaze out of the painting creating a sense of movement projected beyond the boundaries of the canvas. The towering easel on the left, the dark ceiling above and the shadowed paintings behind the princess aptly reveal the length and height of the room. Also, the light shining on the figures shows how they are standing in the front, away from the dark and distant background, giving an effect of not only the vastness of space but also creating a sense of balance and uniformity. The lightness of the floor and part of the right wall in addition to the shadowy ceiling and back wall allow the eyes to travel all around the room effectively taking in the organizational space. Also, the depth of the room just doesn’t end at the rear wall, for the open doorway to the right, leads the vanishing point further back, extending the visualized space a viewer initially took in. The paintings hanging behind and to the right of the figures give a grid-like pattern to this masterpiece, reinforcing the overall spatial harmony and balance. Also, the effect of vast space is further exaggerated by Velazquez by showing a mirror in the middle of the rear wall, reflecting the King and Queen which are not even present in the room. This adds to the overall spaciousness of the painting creating a sense of space not limited to the boundaries of the canvas. Edward Hopper’s oil painting, Nighthawks, shows a few people sitting around in a brightly lit diner at night (p.510). The darkened windows and street outside lets the viewers know that it is late at night creating a sense of isolation and loneliness. The only light falling on the otherwise dull, red brick building acros s the street is from the practically empty diner called Phillies. The dark black exterior of the diner stands in stark contrast to the bright cherry red, yellow and green colors inside. This counter balance of colors creates a somber and depressing mood reminding us that even though the world is still there all around us, it is filled with intense gloom and loneliness. The light shines brightly off the metallic containers and even the bartender’

California Health and Human Services Agency Essay

California Health and Human Services Agency - Essay Example Another criterion is to examine the currency of information on the site by looking for updated details on documents and links. Lastly, the coverage of the site shows that the objective of the site is clearly to be used as information updates only, and in no way presents any biasness towards any agencies or boards. Since the inception of the internet, many human services agencies have developed official websites to promote and create awareness for their organizations. One such agency is the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). This paper will examine and analyze the value and relevance of this website to its target audiences using the criteria set out by the Wolfgram Memorial Library (WML) from Widener University. According to WML, there are five crucial criterions that can be used to determine the efficacy of the information on the site, and they include authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage. (WML, 2009) The homepage for the CHHS website contains a welcome message by the Secretary, Kim Belshe, in addition to the vision of the agency, which informs "all Californians, especially those most at risk or in need (that they) have the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life as measured by the sound physical, mental, and financial health of children, adolescents, and adults; strong and well-functioning families; safe and sustainable communities; and dignity for all." (CHHS, 2009) It is clear that CHHS is responsible for the contents of the page because the agency logo is visibly presented. To mark its affiliation with the State of California, there is a copyright mark and a link to the official website on every page. There is also a link to the website for the Governor of California. (CHHS, 2009) While the vision of the agency is stated, the agency goal is not quite as transparent. The closest form of explanation is perhaps under the link "About Us" which spells out the "responsibility f or administering major programs," (CHHS, 2009) and includes the contact information like the agency address and telephone number, which verifies the legitimacy of the agency. However, it is worth noting that an email contact is not provided for enquiries. This may be an indication that the site is meant more as a source of information rather than a site that promotes dialogue. The legitimacy of the website is well established with links to independent websites for all twelve departments and one board. However, at the time of writing this analysis, there was an error linking to the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (CHHS, 2009), which indicates a lack of quality control. Without an email contact available, the audience is then forced to either call the agency, or make the extra effort to look for this site online. If CHHS were meant to be only as a source of information, the agency's objective as an official site that "administers state and federal programs for health care, social services, public assistance, and rehabilitation," is clear. (CHHS, 2009) All links are directed to independent department sites that provide a more comprehensive presentation of each program's agenda. For example, the link to the Department of Community Services and Development details this department's programs and resources. (CSD, 2009) Any document or links in the website that highlight specific programs are also presented according to the most recently published so