Free Time

There are lots of pleasure grounds all over the world. I think everywhere there are pubs, discoes, clubs, etc. We go out with my friends especially to pubs where we can chat, listen to music, dance and eat something. But the garden parties are more friendlier and cheaper. We usually organize barbecues with children, this time they can play and run in the garden. I usually go to a wellness-weekend with my husband once a year in winter because we work a lot all of the year.There are some well-known spas in Hungary, for example, Hà ©và ­z and Hajdà ºszoboszlà ³, and many people, including foreigners, go there. A hobby is an activity that you like doing and do quite often. Hobbies are a form of recreation. If you have a hobby, it’s easier to regain energy after a hard day’s work. Depending on the type of the hobby, you can also make friends. Unfortunately many Hungarians spend their free time at home watching TV. But there are some who do some physical activities regula rly, like swimming, aerobics or hiking.Nowadays many young people spend much of their time playing computer games either at home or in internet cafes. I think men and women usually have different kinds of hobbies, for example, very few women go fishing and they are not so interested in extreme sports, either. On the other hand, men generally aren’t interested in needlework or pottery. In my opinion both men and women do gardening but they tend to do different jobs in the garden.Women like dealing with flowers, they weed the flowerbeds, plant new varieties and they design the whole garden. Men usually prune the trees, trim the hedges and mow the lawn. Collecting stamps, coins, autographs, phone cards, beer mats or napkins, model building, doing needlework or woodwork, pottery, basketry, playing an instrument and dancing are indoor hobbies, while hiking, mountaineering, caving, sailing, fishing, canoeing and bird-watching are outdoor hobbies. My sister’s hobbies are coll ecting phone cards and diary writing.I like reading about feng-shui and I like to be an Avon consultant. I used to play handball for years, nowadays I only watch handball games on TV. As far as I know, the English like playing golf and cricket, and there are quite a few soccer fans among them. They often mow the lawn and wash their cars at weekends, while some British people go to horse races to bet or just to watch the race. Some Americans go to baseball and basketball games regularly to support their teams.But there are others who prefer staying at home and watching these games on TV while eating snacks. I think Hungarian people collect the same things that people like collecting all over the world, mostly stamps and coins. If we considered a sport that many people pursue popular, the most popular sport in Hungary are football, handball, hiking and aerobics. If a popular sport means a sport that many people watch, besides football and handball, the most popular sports are Formula 1 racing, water polo and boxing. Free Time There are lots of pleasure grounds all over the world. I think everywhere there are pubs, discoes, clubs, etc. We go out with my friends especially to pubs where we can chat, listen to music, dance and eat something. But the garden parties are more friendlier and cheaper. We usually organize barbecues with children, this time they can play and run in the garden.I usually go to a wellness-weekend with my husband once a year in winter because we work a lot all of the year. There are some well-known spas in Hungary, for example, Hà ©và ­z and Hajdà ºszoboszlà ³, and many people, including foreigners, go there.A hobby is an activity that you like doing and do quite often. Hobbies are a form of recreation. If you have a hobby, it’s easier to regain energy after a hard day’s work. Depending on the type of the hobby, you can also make friends.Unfortunately many Hungarians spend their free time at home watching TV. But there are some who do some physical activities regularl y, like swimming, aerobics or hiking. Nowadays many young people spend much of their time playing computer games either at home or in internet cafes.I think men and women usually have different kinds of hobbies, for example, very few women go fishing and they are not so interested in extreme sports, either. On the other hand, men generally aren’t interested in needlework or pottery. In my opinion both men and women do gardening but they tend to do different jobs in the garden. Women like dealing with flowers, they weed the flowerbeds, plant new varieties and they design the whole garden. Men usually prune the trees, trim the hedges and mow the lawn.Collecting stamps, coins, autographs, phone cards, beer mats or napkins, model building, doing needlework or woodwork, pottery, basketry, playing an instrument and dancing are indoor hobbies, while hiking, mountaineering, caving, sailing, fishing, canoeing and bird-watching are outdoor hobbies. My sister’s hobbies are collec ting phone cards and diary writing. I like reading about feng-shui and I like to be an Avon consultant. I used to play  handball for years, nowadays I only watch handball games on TV.As far as I know, the English like playing golf and cricket, and there are quite a few soccer fans among them. They often mow the lawn and wash their cars at weekends, while some British people go to horse races to bet or just to watch the race.Some Americans go to baseball and basketball games regularly to support their teams. But there are others who prefer staying at home and watching these games on TV while eating snacks.I think Hungarian people collect the same things that people like collecting all over the world, mostly stamps and coins.If we considered a sport that many people pursue popular, the most popular sport in Hungary are football, handball, hiking and aerobics. If a popular sport means a sport that many people watch, besides football and handball, the most popular sports are Formula 1 racing, water polo and boxing.

Beka lamb by Zee Edgell Essay

The book deals with social insecurity, racial prejudice and the rule of the consecutive church in a small town. Beka’s best friend Toycie Qualo is older than she is, being 17 at the time when Beka was 14, and in her last year of school gets herself expelled when she gets into a situation where she becomes pregnant by her boyfriend Emilio Villanueva, and dies after a miscarriage and a short space of time in the local asylum nicknamed â€Å"Sea Breeze Hotel†. Through flashbacks, points on politics and independence are strongly brought out, since the political struggles for independence in Belize at that time also mirrors Beka’s own need for self-rule and her developing maturity. Beka’s father (Bill Lamb) cuts down Beka’s favorite tree (a bougainvillea) as a sign that the wild ways Beka had picked up must stop at once when she finally tells him that she has failed her exam. Her mother (Lilla Lamb) buys her a special book and pen in which she is told to write any lies or stories that she is tempted to tell, in an effort to curb her tale-telling habit. By the end of the book, Beka has transformed from â€Å"a flat-rate Belize creole† to a girl with â€Å"high mind†, since her troubles have forced her to learn the value of money, education, unity within the community and most of all, some manners and respect Beka Lamb is the debut novel of Belizean author Zee Edgell. It is the story of both Beka and Belize, an adolescent girl and an adolescent country. Set in Belize in the 1950s, fourteen-year-old Beka struggles with growing pains complicated by the society in which she lives while her country struggles to move from colonialism to independence. The novel opens with three seminal events. The young Creole teen, Beka, has just won an essay contest at St. Cecilia’s Catholic school, Beka’s lifelong friend Toycie has died (but the traditional nine-day wake has not been held for her), and two members of the Belizean Peoples’ Independent Party, Pritchard and Gladsen, are imprisoned for disloyalty to the British government. These events symbolize the often painful challenge of coping with growth and change. Narrated by flashbacks, the novel covers a period of seven months. While preparing for bed one night, Beka vows to â€Å"keep a wake† for her deceased friend Toycie â€Å"in the privacy of her own heart.† As she reminisces about the past months â€Å"waking the gone,† her story unfolds. Beka recalls that her life started to change the day she decided to stop lying. Her last lie was a big one. Failing three subjects, Beka had not been promoted to the next grade. Beka’s parents are struggling to pay for her private education. Fearing their reaction to her failure, Beka tells them that she passed, naively believing that they do not already suspect the truth. Beka’s lying habit is the most serious of the many conflicts she has with her parents. She does not clean the attic properly, she throws garbage into the yard, she steals money from her father’s pants pockets and she procrastinates with her chores. Beka’s mother, Lilla Lamb, often complains about Beka’s â€Å"laziness and ingratitude† to her husband, Bill Lamb, who then must discipline Beka. Beka seeks solace from her friend Toycie and her paternal grandmother, Granny Ivy, who shares a bedroom with Beka and usually takes her side. In spite of these parent-teen conflicts, Beka does have a loving relationship with her parents. Her family is one of only two nuclear families in the community, and while her parents do not love all that Beka does, they do love her. Beka begs her father for a second chance at school, promising to pass this time, and Bill Lamb eventually relents. A nun at Beka’s school, Sister Gabriela, takes Beka under†¦

The Value of the Internet for Terrorists - ALQAEDA Dissertation

The Value of the Internet for Terrorists - ALQAEDA - Dissertation Example It considerably extends their ability to manipulate the ways target audiences perceive them and to stage manage not only their own image, but also the images of their enemies. Although, for many groups, their target audience may be small, an Internet presence is nonetheless expected. Regardless of the number of hits a site receives, a well-designed and well-maintained Web site gives a group an aura of legitimacy (Conway, 2005). The Internet can serve as a mass media tool for the terrorist's such as TV or radio, newspaper or journal. Through web, worldwide broadcast can be made of events, in their original and uncensored form. Although a few filters at a few sites, chat rooms, websites, and bulletin boards are generally uncontrolled. This climate is ideal for an fund starved group to explain its actions or to offset both internal and international condemnation, especially when using specific servers. The Internet can target sympathizers as well as true believers with different messages, oriented to the target audience (Thomas, 2003). While the danger that cyber-terrorism spread through the Internet is today frequently debated, precious little is known about the enormity of the threat posed by such abuse of the Internet. The Internet has been converted into a forum for terrorist groups and individual terrorists, both to spread their messages of hatred and violence and to communicate with one another as well as other sympathizers (http://www.adl.org/ , 2006). The apparent virtues of the Internet-ease of access, lack of regulation, a vast potential audiences, and fast flow of information, among others, have been turned to the advantage of groups committed to terrorizing societies... As the paper declares the Internet can serve as a mass media tool for the terrorist’s such as TV or radio, newspaper or journal. Through web, worldwide broadcast can be made of events, in their original and uncensored form. Although a few filters at a few sites, chat rooms, websites, and bulletin boards are generally uncontrolled. This climate is ideal for an fund starved group to explain its actions or to offset both internal and international condemnation, especially when using specific servers. The Internet can target sympathizers as well as true believers with different messages, oriented to the target audience. According to the research findings while the danger that cyber-terrorism spread through the Internet is today frequently debated, precious little is known about the enormity of the threat posed by such abuse of the Internet. The Internet has been converted into a forum for terrorist groups and individual terrorists, both to spread their messages of hatred and violence and to communicate with one another as well as other sympathizers. The mass media, policymakers, and even security agencies while focusing on the proliferating threat of cyber-terrorism, have paid insufficient attention to the more routine uses made of the Internet. These uses are numerous and, from the terrorists' perspective, an invaluable tool with infinite possibilities. It is imperative that the security agencies continue to improve their ability to study and monitor terrorist activities on the Internet, and explore measures to limit the usability of this vulnerable medium by modern terrorists.

Critique of Vita Wallaces Give Children the Vote Essay

Critique of Vita Wallaces Give Children the Vote - Essay Example In her article, she presents her views on the significance of educating children and giving every child the right to vote. Wallace says that in passing the law against child labor and provision for compulsory schooling, the involved, which she refers to as well-meaning people aimed at protecting every child from any form of exploitation. She believes that the decision about schooling I personal. According to her, no punishment should be given in case children choose not to attend school. Rather, she asserts that at whatever age suitable for children to vote, the right should be given. She says, â€Å"What I suggest is that children be allowed to grow into their own right to vote at whatever rate suits them individually†. The word individually helps eliminate the aspect of generalization. According to her, age limit would hinder capable children from voting. It is from this assertion that Wallace believes that children should have the right to vote. The common believe that if g iven the chance to vote children will vote in favor of their parents, in effect giving more votes to the parents should, according to Wallace, not be the case.Although many of the readers of this article consider Wallace argument thoughtful, I disagree with her point of view. In the entire essay, she presents her opinion. However, the major claim of this assertion could appear as fact or a judgment. This shows how he overlooks the Toulmin’s theory of argument. As an activist, she uses an interesting approach, which convinces many readers.... In the entire essay, she presents her opinion. However, the major claim of this assertion could appear as fact or a judgment (Cooper 5). This shows how he overlooks the Toulmin’s theory of argument (Cooper 3). As an activist, she uses an interesting approach, which convinces many readers. Despite her powerful approach, I consider her unsuccessful. Her major claim, giving children the vote, is an aspect cringed about by many children. However, her presentation is form of defense for herself and other kinds. From her view, she was discriminated since she was home schooled, a fact that brings her ideas that children should not be force to attend school, neither should they be punished for choosing not to. In her article she says, â€Å"Learning about discriminatory laws preventing high school dropouts from getting their driver’s licenses†¦ (316)† this shows how she how she discusses â€Å"Discriminatory laws†. This statement leads to a minor claim when s he says, â€Å"Punished for exercising one of the few legal decisions they now have (316)†. This is a claim for own defense. Further, it convinces the reader to belief that there is unjust treatment to young dropouts. The fact that she overlooks the personal responsibility involved in dropping out of school and the individual’s self-worth make the claim weak. She successfully uses warrant to convince readers as defined by Cooper (4). Though her emotional pleas are worth listening to, minimal facts in her case and lack of evidence make her argument unpersuasive. Further still, her writing is jumpy and the thoughts are scattered hence the entire case is hard to believe. For instance, the statistics she provides for eligible adult voters is the only strongest evidence she can rely on. From her statistics out of the

Foundations of Accounting 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Foundations of Accounting 2 - Essay Example The cash flow is not an estimate of your sales and expenses; rather it is an estimate of when the money associated with sales or in any other income generating account will be received and when the money paying the expenses will be paid out. Budgeted Profit and Loss differs from a budgeted cash inflow or outflow where much of the data for the budgeted income statement come from other budgets already prepared. For example, sales figures come from the sales budget. Cost of goods sold is based on unit cost of production (and the direct materials budget). The direct labour budget provides labour cost information. And the manufacturing overhead budget provides overhead cost information. While that of a cash budget, it merely provides a forecast of cash disbursements and cash realization. D) PRINCIPLES OF GOOD BUDGETING ARE NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED IN PRACTICE because of different types of constraints. One of which is the financial stability of the business and of the industry. Rising prices and rising costs of different materials for a manufacturing business, for example, has one of the greatest effects on the business, it has to make the company cut its expenses and therefore has a direct effect on the forecasted financial statement. Even though there are several ways in making sure that projections do happen, it is still subjected to uncertainty the occurrence of which can greatly affect the financial standing of the company. There are also instances that a good budget is not always effective when there is a personal interest involved in the project, that is, management or any person attached to a certain project has its own personal goal that is detrimental to the company. Therefore, proper ‘attitude’ should be observed and there must be a common goal towards a certain action. E) ESTIMATING SALES FOR THE NEXT ACCOUNTING PERIOD is done thru a forecast or a budget. Sales forecasting is

Discuss whether supermarket are benefical to the society they operate Essay

Discuss whether supermarket are benefical to the society they operate within in the united kingdom - Essay Example The three-quarters of food shopping are made through just four firms. Supermarkets’ claims on fulfilling their corporate social responsibility can not be measured in the absence of relevant benchmarks. There is greater need to bring the civil society organisations to the table with supermarkets to hold a discussion on social, environmental and ethical issues but supermarkets are not coming forward in good numbers to follow an approach where transparency and stakeholder interests are protected with the participation of civil society organisations. A number of reasons can be attributed to the supermarkets’ withdrawal from such initiatives the like of Race to the Top (RTTT) project whose objective was to set benchmarks taking into confidence the civil society organisations (RTTT Final Report). Government intention to develop major performance indicators for the food sector created fear in the supermarket lobby of a new governance structure by selecting a successful RTTT. Supermarkets had not been forthcoming in providing data, which was crucial for partnering with society stakeholders. External data is costly because of expensive labour and methodological issues although crucial in showing change in comparison to supermarkets’ data showing company policies only (RTTT Final Report). There was lack of staff time and technical know-how. The timing of pressurising the supermarket companies to bring transparency in data on environmental and social effects mismatched because of their disinterest in providing the information due to cost cutting measures to remain in competition with leading market giants (RTTT Final Report) Another problem is the heterogeneous nature of the UK supermarket in terms of scale, ownership and customer base. Companies are wary of running such business initiatives that map the customer rather than the companies on sustainability of high animal-welfare food items (RTTT Final Report). The high

Strategy planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Strategy planning - Essay Example McDonald’s deals with a wide range of products like hamburgers as well as French Fries, chicken sandwiches along with soft drinks, desserts and other various sorts of breakfast items (Gilbert, 2008). In order to determine the significance of various external factors that impact on the way McDonald’s conducts its business, it can be viewed that proper analysis of the external factors made the company to raise its business reputation and also to accomplish superior competitive position by a greater level. In order to analyse the external environment of McDonald’s, certain appropriate tools have been taken into concern like SWOT and STEEP which are described below. STEEP Analysis Socio-cultural Factors: McDonald’s establishes and follows an effective system in order to assess the requirements of the business markets where it operates. It stresses mainly on the strategy of individuality of the customers in relation to product behaviour and decisions on purchas es (Ivanova, 2011). Technological Factors: McDonald’s deals with broad assortment of fast food related products which generates a greater demand of these products by adopting along with executing pioneering technological procedures concerning its inventory system and supply chain among others (Ivanova, 2011). Environmental Factors: Relating to environmental factor, McDonald’s largely focuses upon effectively performing different sorts of corporate social accountabilities in terms of utilising bio-degradable substances in its broad array of products (Ivanova, 2011). Economic Factors: McDonald’s has a propensity to practice a great deal of difficulty in certain cases where there exists the significant concern of inflation and fluctuation in exchange rates. Specially mentioning, the variations in the exchange rates play a decisive part in the overall operations of the company (Ivanova, 2011). Political Factors: McDonald’s follows a unique set of instructions and policies for performing different operational functions effectively. It mainly concentrates on several sets of anxieties such as areas of health, environment and protection of the workers as well. These elements can be noticed in the state control of licensing of the restaurants in different regions where the company operates (Ivanova, 2011). SWOT Analysis Strengths: McDonald’s has a very strong and reputed brand name across the globe. It bears a strong partnership with other different companies which eventually results in increase of its goodwill in the market. The company is said to be the first fast-food restaurant which offered its customers with nutritional facts and as a consequence the loyal employees, customers and management form to be its biggest strengths (Scribd Inc., 2013). Weakness: McDonald’s has a pessimistic reputation concerning turnover rate of its employees. Relating to weakness, it generally faces quality issues at times and it also receives c riticisms particularly from health conscious people (Scribd Inc., 2013). Opportunities: McDonald’s should provide online services for its clients so that they can order sitting at home which in

Maldives Country Case Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Maldives Country Case Report - Essay Example However, as this century came to an end, the entire globe was engulfed in destructive world wars and huge financial crisis. This time is also referred to as the First Great Age of Global Capitalism. Then came the time of great maturation called as globalization. Also of critical importance, this stage became apparent in the world at the last quarter of the 20th century. As time passed and globalization gathered pace through the revolutionary techniques of verbal communication, the interdependence of web grew more and more. The interdependence thus related the every country in the world (Gilpin and Gilpin, Moses and Knutsen, 365). In Maldives the effect had been more or less the same. The interdependence thus introduced in the country by destroying old walls around most of the issues. The politics in Maldives can also not be separated in two separate clauses of domestic and international. As for the foreign policy, it has also moved beyond the terms of realism. Of course, like the past, one cannot ignore the increasing pace and scope of the events occurring internationally. Maldives has also been affected by the reduction of space as well as time as it has presented the country with a lot of trade-offs. More specifically, it has become difficult for countries like Maldives to focus on one area at the expense of the other area. Maldives is thus known as a Faraway Flashpoint which is undergoing fast changes in technical, social, political, and economic arenas. Maldives thus focuses on cooperation as it is necessary for its survival (Moses and Knutsen, 367). As far as the patterns of changes are concerned, it has been observed that the country holds the transformationalist Perspective. This can be determined by the trends of political change since the country has now been reconstituted and restructured in its essence. In

The Old Testament Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Old Testament - Essay Example However, the weakness of Principlism is revealed by oversimplifying complex issues. This is viable by those who study theology to higher levels and getting the deeper insight into the relationship of the laws in the Old and New Testament. This may reveal a contradiction in Christ statement in Mathew 5: 17 and Paul’s statement in Romans 7:6 concerning the law. The Old Testament law is known to be eternal because God constituted it to his people through Moses. Mathew 5: 17 states that â€Å"Do not think I came to abolish the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy them, but to fulfill.† This text reveals that Christ came to affirm the importance of the law by giving an example in abiding by them yet he instituted it. In Romans 7: 1-6 reveals the impact of the law in man’s life without Christ. However, living in Christ makes the adherence of the laws simply because the architect of the law is the one controlling one’s life, therefore, fulfilling it in line with the requirements. In Deuteronomy 18: 9 -13 states â€Å"when you enter the land that God is about to give you, don’t learn the detestable practices†¦you must be completely faithful to the lord your God.† In this text, God reveals to me that being his then we are bound to adhere to his instruction and not be lured to those of the nations. The scripture reveals the need obedient and faithful. These are fundamental to principlism because faith in revealed through obedience.

Conducting a Strategic Management Project Essay Example for Free

Conducting a Strategic Management Project Essay Introduction Shell is one of the worlds leading energy group and petrochemicals companies. It has around102000 employees in more than 100 countries. The objectives of the Shell Group are to engage efficiently, responsibly and profitably in oil, oil products, gas, chemicals and other selected businesses and to participate in the search for and development of other sources of energy to meet evolving customer needs and the worlds growing demand for energy. Mission Statement Shells innovative approach ensures that they are ready to tackle the challenges of new energy futures. 1.1 Topic of investigation having a strategic implication. This report explains the team buildings and teams work in Shell and development of its research work progress within the organization. It also presents suitable analysis of the project management and planning, advisory and project implementation of work. In this report, positive results of theories and its test showed that effective teamwork can lead to a success and achieving critical goals of Shell. It may also be able to gain the sustainability of competitiveness. Moreover, study explains that how team performance can be improved through leadership with project planning to face the upcoming challenges in modern era of business environment Shell operates in. 1.2 The aim, scope and objectives of the project. †¢ How can we improve Shells research study about lubes oil? †¢ What strategy we should adapt for improving Shells research? †¢ How and effective team force can be made for this purpose? The aim of the project is to achieve such team management, technology and resources that meet the new emerging energy challenges. Shell need to adapt such management strategies which will make a strong workforce with experienced and skilful team members. Shell wants to be recognised as a great company-competitive successfully and a force for progress. Shell has a fundamental belief that they can make a difference in the world because of its worth in the global market. A strong consumer proposition has been developed for the brand and embodied in the line World Quality which communicates Shell value-based offering in a precise manner, to its core target audience. The purpose of the advertising in the first instance is to support this strong value proposition and secondly to tailor the m edia solution to the store. 1.3 Justifying the scope, aim and objective. In meeting the energy challenges, the world faces three hard truths. The first is that there has been a step-change in global energy demand, with rapidly developing countries like China and India entering the energy-intensive phase of growth. Even with huge improvements in energy efficiency and substantial growth in renewables, fossil fuels will still be the main element of the energy mix by mid-century. The second hard truth is that easy-to-access oil and gas is in decline. As a result, energy will come increasingly from unconventional sources, such as oil sands. The third hard truth is that the increased burning of fossil fuels especially coal for power generation could mean unacceptably high emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change. Meeting the energy challenge Shell is helping to meet the energy challenge with a broad range of approaches. It uses advanced technologies that can unlock oil and gas in more remote or hostile environments, and new techniques to extend the lives of existing fields. We are increasing production from unconventional sources, including oil sands. Shell helps make the most of cleaner-burning natural gas through our output of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas to liquids (GTL) products. We are helping to develop second-generation bio fuels that do not compete with food crops; and we are developers of wind and solar power. 1.4 Evaluation of project research methodology. Methodolgy Research Study should be verified by seniors because all research is based on practical data and that data may vary by location of the research and by person. Need to Understand the Hypothesis before research and development. Which department are more feasible and which person is more interested and suitable for that research. Research should be complete on time. Research conduct at same time on different locations 2.1 Identify sources of data and information that will support the aim of the project. For a company like Shell having the right information about the environment, customs, laws and customer needs is of key importance. To gather this information the company will firstly see the law of the country in which it is going to start business, as we are talking about their business in UK the law allows this business. Here in UK there is a high demand it is a rich environment for the company to run their business. Data about this can be obtained by doing surveys and examining the current market i.e. by observing the similar businesses running in the country. Scanning the Environment In this research study, an appropriate approach of environmental scanning is considered in the industrial organisations that are operating in the chemical industry. Different types of information were used in this study. It included general information about the industry and specific about the participating companies. The type of data that was included was; †¢ Formal data that concerns the companys character. †¢ Data that is publicly available, like in annual reports. †¢ Interviews of managers that provided the history and culture of the companies. This information was very important to analyse and research the topic and to see how other companies are operating in the industry. Strauss (1987) emphasizes the usefulness of the case study approach when used with grounded theory. Grounded theory seeks to generate theoretical statements and, ultimately, complex theories based on empirical evidence, although it can be used in different ways and reach various degrees of complexity. The research design framework adopted in this study can be described as a multiple case study, composed according to the theory building structure, as described by Yin (1989), i.e., where the sequence of chapters follow a theory-building logic, and using the grounded theory method of qualitative data analysis. 2.2 Synthesise the data and information for options or alternatives that support the project aims. An effective information infrastructure was implemented to assess the information required in this research, which included technological information, processes and information acquired by people. A rich collection of scientific and technical information was gathered, which was managed by professionals having different backgrounds. However, some companies just provided a consistent picture which was a small collection made up of journals, literature and reports mainly. The information being pervasive is one of the main reasons in having difficulty in accounting for the costs involved in the research as it depends on specific roles and their performance. The data that was collected showed that in medium or large chemical companies data and information was being handled by 50% staff while in smaller companies about 9% staff was involved. The scope of the companies was assessed by their li nks with Research and Development organisations and hoe they collaborate with the regulatory agencies. Strategic change Larger companies like Shell influence the planning adoption but some other factors also interfere with the tendency, for example in what form the organisation is and what is the management style of the organisation. No evidence was found that suggests that the subsector companies should adopt the planning technique as a planning tool. While, the planning offices are also rare and their main duty is to collect the difficult data which is needed by the top management for decision making. The strategic change analysed mainly talked about increasing the quality of the product, which includes mainly improving the conditions of production. Environmental protection was also an issue in some cases there were highly pollutant industries. Globalisation and diversification were also some important strategic changes. Companies that targeted globalization pursued growth in the industry but some companies just secured their positions in the internal market due to the threat of major competitors operating in the main market. Companies which had a little scope of growth adopted specialization. The main target was to improve the product quality. Some companies claimed that they always pursue improving the production quality while other companies admitted that they have to improve the quality of the product to satisfy the EC regulations. 2.3 Determine an option or alternative that supports the project aims. Other way of supporting the project aim is to use theoretical information and implement it directly on the company. Information is like team management theories. Inductive and deductive research can be used to gather information and to move towards the aim. Deductive research Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific. Sometimes this is informally called a top down approach. Conclusion follows logically from premises Inductive research Inductive reasoning works the other way moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories. Informally, we sometimes call this a bottom up approach. Conclusion is likely based on premises..It involves a degree of uncertainty. Inductive type based on induction. Data is collected on a subject and researcher tries to develop theory from this data. 3.1 Evaluate the research analysis to enable conclusions to be made. Team Management It is difficult to build a team and maintain good working relationships. However, team members go through a number of development stages to work together effectively in team performance management. Individuals performing well are rewarded while those who are not performing good are motivated. The functions and roles of its members should be recognised by its team. The leader should establish continuous communication lines and set clear goals that are understood. A team that performs well accomplishes projects quickly and with less difficulty, misunderstanding, and divergence. Strategic Objectives Strategic goals or objectives are broad, high level aims, derived from organisations mission statement and purpose, affecting the whole organization (sometimes referred to as corporate aims). These will be: †¢ Long term (time horizon of several years), although they should be monitored regularly (typically annually) and may be revised periodically. †¢ Responsive to external factors such as new competition, changes in global economic conditions, or customer demands. The term strategic denotes a particular focus of the managers planning and decision making responsibilities. Senior mangers focus mostly on why questions, concentrating on the big picture and providing vision and leadership for employees across the whole organisation. Alignment of team performance and corporate goals To achieve the corporate aims it is necessary that the direction of the teams is towards the long term strategic goal. Managers and team leaders have to keep in mind what they need to achieve overall. And hence, to control the teams in such a way that either they are working on long projects or short its all adding up to the final goal. In the case of Shell the main objective of the company is to provide good quality chemicals. To achieve this there has to be a proper direct and control system of the staff working at the stores from the top management to the staff working on the floor. A good communication and understanding will always lead to easy achievement of goals, satisfying the customer at the end. Mangers are supposed to take into account the demand and supply of the products to make sure every product is available on time and then work should be allocated to the subordinates in a proper system to get all the work done systematically and easily. Proper team management should be done by the supervisors and the team leaders. All the staff should be divided into small teams which have to work in different sections. Proper training should be given to all the team members and a standard way of achieving the goal. This performance target should be given to all the team members and should be monitored and reviewed constantly. This standard should be according to the company policy and should be according to health and safety and customer satisfaction oriented. Providing good work at the end of every shift, which is the availability of all the products on time with good customer service. 3.2 Recommend a course of action that achieves the project aim. Skills that need some development †¢ Communicating †¢ Decision-making †¢ Leadership †¢ Prioritizing †¢ Valuing and †¢ Skills need to be achieved. †¢ To respond problems, experiences and opportunities from which to learn. †¢ To generate ideas without constraints of policy or structure or feasibility. †¢ Involving with other people i.e ideas bouncing off them, solving problems as part of a team. †¢ Need to have a limelight/high visibility i.e can chair meetings, lead discussion, and give presentations. †¢ To be engaging myself in short, activities such as business games, competitive teamwork tasks, role playing exercises. Supporting Others †¢ Motivating †¢ Analysing †¢ Delegating †¢ Reporting 3.3 Analyse the impact of the recommendations. Training courses at Shell for career progression. Management Development Programme Includes: †¢ Consumer Legislation †¢ Customer Service †¢ Employment Law †¢ Health and Safety †¢ Human Resource Management †¢ Policies Procedures Opportunity development builds competitive positions by identifying and utilizing opportunities in the environment. Opportunity development is necessary because your existing positions are constantly being degraded by change. Opportunities exist as openings in the environment that allow you to advance your position in the direction of your mission. These openings are usually small, but by taking advantage of the small openings, you eventually position yourself for the big advances you want. Training After the initial audit our ethical trade specialists work with the suppliers to support them through remediation of any issues that are found. Training is offered to suppliers on particular issues and best practice, at regular intervals. Shell is in the process of more than tripling the size of its own ethical trade team that focuses on training and intensive problem solving with its suppliers. These individuals are trained to the highest levels and are equipped to address endemic problems in the supply chain and come up with viable solutions for the suppliers. 4.1 Produce the results of the investigative project. The purpose of this study was to explain the team buildings and teams work in Shell and development of its research work progress within the organization. It also presents suitable analysis of the project management and planning, advisory and project implementation of work. In this report, positive results of theories and its test showed that effective teamwork can lead to a success and achieving critical goals of Shell. It may also be able to gain the sustainability of competitiveness. Moreover, study explains that how team performance can be improved through leadership with project planning to face the upcoming challenges in modern era of business environment Shell operates in. The main result was in the adoption of the learning and training courses within the company in order to prosper and enhance in the future. Shell is one of the leading companies in the world in the chemical an oil sector and it felt pride in taking these training and development steps in order to move forward and to achieve its project aim as a result of the research program. 4.2 Evaluate the impact of the investigative project The future sustainability of any organization heavily depends on the quality of project management to be able to cope with todays dynamic business environment. There is direct co relation between stake holder business project and the people within the firm. Shell is one of the four largest companies in the UK and has been ranked number one of the top 100 graduate employers in the UK and all over the world. The sustainability of Shell competitive advantage of its brightest people is depending on the successful team work and leadership. The best leaders know how to get others to follow and the best team members know how to follow their leaders. REFRENCES BOOKS: Aguilar, F.J. (1967) Scanning the Business Environment. New York: McMillan. Robert , buttrick ,(2005).The project workout: pearso education limited Edinburgh gate Education 3rd (1) pp, 305-350 Strauss, A. Corbin, J, (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques. London: Sage. Strauss, A. (1987) Qualitative Analysis For Social Scientists. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Total Quality Management: The route to improving performance by John S. Oakland (Hardcover 15 Mar 1993) Shell employee control hand book 07/08 Personal development as a strategic manager unit 7001: level 7 strategic management and leadership CMI Checklist: †¢ Personal development planning †¢ Developing strategy for world class business E-learning †¢ Your role in improving personal effectiveness †¢ Development needs and planning development Web links: †¢ www.milum.net 13/12/2009 †¢ www.enotes.com 13/12/2009 †¢ www.quickmba.com 13/12/2009 †¢ www.managers.org.uk 10/12/2009 †¢ www.shell.co.uk 20/12/2009

The Respiratory System And Disease Health And Social Care Essay

The Respiratory System And Disease Health And Social Care Essay There are two lungs in the human chest; the right lung is composed of three incomplete divisions called lobes, and the left lung has two, leaving room for the heart. The right lung accounts for 55% of total gas volume and the left lung for 45%. Lung tissue is spongy due to very small (200 to 300  ¿Ã‚ ½ 10 ¿Ã‚ ½6 m diameter in normal lungs at rest) gas-filled cavities called alveoli, which are the ultimate structures for gas exchange. There are 250 million to 350 million alveoli in the adult lung, with a total alveolar surface area of 50 to 100 m2 depending on the degree of lung inflation (2). Conducting Airways Air is transported from the atmosphere to the alveoli beginning with the oral and nasal cavities, through the pharynx (in the throat), past the glottal opening, and into the trachea or windpipe. Conduction of air begins at the larynx, or voice box, at the entrance to the trachea, which is a fibromuscular tube 10 to 12 cm in length and 1.4 to 2.0 cm in diameter. At a location called the carina, the trachea terminates and divides into the left and right bronchi. Each bronchus has a discontinuous cartilaginous support in its wall. Muscle fibers capable of controlling airway diameter are incorporated into the walls of the bronchi, as well as in those of air passages closer to the alveoli. Smooth muscle is present throughout the respiratory bronchiolus and alveolar ducts but is absent in the last alveolar duct, which terminates in one to several alveoli. The alveolar walls are shared by other alveoli and are composed of highly pliable and collapsible squamous epithelium cells. The bronchi subdivide into subbronchi, which further subdivide into bronchioli, which further subdivide, and so on, until finally reaching the alveolar level. Each airway is considered to branch into two subairways. In the adult human there are considered to be 23 such branchings, or generations, beginning at the trachea and ending in the alveoli. Movement of gases in the respiratory airways occurs mainly by bulk flow (convection) throughout the region from the mouth to the nose to the fifteenth generation. Beyond the fifteenth generation, gas diffusion is relatively more important. With the low gas velocities that occur in diffusion, dimensions of the space over which diffusion occurs (alveolar space) must be small for adequate oxygen delivery into the walls; smaller alveoli are more efficient in the transfer of gas than are larger ones (2). Alveoli Alveoli are the structures through which gases diffuse to and from the body. To ensure gas exchange occurs efficiently, alveolar walls are extremely thin. For example, the total tissue thickness between the inside of the alveolus to pulmonary capillary blood plasma is only about 0.4  ¿Ã‚ ½ 10 ¿Ã‚ ½6 m. Consequently, the principal barrier to diffusion occurs at the plasma and red blood cell level, not at the alveolar membrane (2). Movement of Air In and Out of the Lungs and the Pressures That Cause the Movement Pleural Pressure Is the pressure of the fluid in the thin space between the lung pleura and the chest wall pleura. Alveolar pressure Is the pressure of the air inside the lung alveoli. To cause inward flow of air into the alveoli during inspiration, the pressure in the alveoli must fall to a value slightly below atmospheric pressure. Transpulmonary pressure It is the pressure difference between that in the alveoli and that on the outer surfaces of the lungs, and it is a measure of the elastic forces in the lungs that tend to collapse the lungs at each instant of espiration, called the recoil pressure. Compliance of the Lungs The extent to which the lungs will expand for each unit increase in transpulmonary pressure (if enough time is allowed to reach equilibrium) is called the lung compliance. The total compliance of both lungs together in the normal adult human being averages about 200 milliliters of air per centimeter of water transpulmonary pressure (3). Figure 2. Compliance diagram of lungs in a healthy person (3). Pathophysiology of Weaning Failure Reversible aetiologies for weaning failure can be categorized in: Respiratory load, cardiac load, neuromuscular competence, critical illness neuromuscular abnormalities (CIMMA), neuropsychological factors, and metabolic and endocrine disorders. Respiratory load The decision to attempt discontinuation of mechanical ventilation has largely been based on the clinician ¿Ã‚ ½s assessment that the patient is haemodynamically stable, awake, the disease process has been treated adequately and that indices of minimal ventilator dependency are present. The success of weaning will be dependent on the ability of the respiratory muscle pump to tolerate the load placed upon it. This respiratory load is a function of the resistance and compliance of the ventilator pump. Excess work of breathing (WOB) may be imposed by inappropriate ventilator settings resulting in ventilator dysynchrony (4). Reduced pulmonary compliance may be secondary to pneumonia, cardiogenic or noncardiogenic pulmonary oedema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary haemorrhage or other diseases causing diffuse pulmonary infiltrates (5). Cardiac load Many patients have identified ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, systolic or diastolic dysfunction prior to, or identified during, their critical illness. More subtle and less easily recognized are those patients with myocardial dysfunction, which is only apparent when exposed to the workload of weaning (5). Neuromuscular competence Liberation from mechanical ventilation requires the resumption of neuromuscular activity to overcome the impedance of the respiratory system, to meet metabolic demands and to maintain carbon dioxide homeostasis. This requires an adequate signal generation in the central nervous system, intact transmission to spinal respiratory motor neurons, respiratory muscles and neuromuscular junctions. Disruption of any portion of this transmission may contribute to weaning failure (5). Critical illness neuromuscular abnormalities CINMA are the most common peripheral neuromuscular disorders encountered in the ICU setting and usually involve both muscle and nerve (6). Psychological dysfunction Delirium, or acute brain dysfunction: Is a disturbance of the level of cognition and arousal and, in ICU patients, has been associated with many modifiable risk factors, including: use of psychoactive drugs; untreated pain; prolonged immobilisation; hypoxaemia; anaemia; sepsis; and sleep deprivation (7). Anxiety and depression: Many patients suffer significant anxiety during their ICU stay and the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation. These memories of distress may remain for years (8). Metabolic disturbances Hypophosphataemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypokalaemia all cause muscle weakness. Hypothyroidism and hypoadrenalism may also contribute to difficulty weaning (5). Nutrition Overweight: The mechanical effects of obesity with decreased respiratory compliance, high closing volume/functional residual capacity ratio and elevated WOB might be expected to impact on the duration of mechanical ventilation (5). Ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction and critical illness oxidative stress Ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction and critical illness oxidative stress is defined as loss of diaphragm force-generating capacity that is specifically related to use of controlled mechanical ventilation (9). Clinical Presentation of Patients Patients can be classified into three groups according to the difficulty and length of the weaning process. The simple weaning, group 1, includes patients who successfully pass the initial spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and are successfully extubated on the first attempt. Group 2, difficult weaning, includes patients who require up to three SBT or as long as 7 days from the first SBT to achieve successful weaning. Group 3, prolonged weaning, includes patients who require more than three SBT or more than 7 days of weaning after the first SBT (5). Clinical Outcomes and Epidemiology There is much evidence that weaning tends to be delayed, exposing the patient to unnecessary discomfort and increased risk of complications (5). Time spent in the weaning process represents 40 ¿Ã‚ ½50% of the total duration of mechanical ventilation (10) (11). ESTEBAN et al. (10) demonstrated that mortality increases with increasing duration of mechanical ventilation, in part because of complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia and airway trauma (12). The incidence of unplanned extubation ranges 0.3 ¿Ã‚ ½16%. In most cases (83%), the unplanned extubation is initiated by the patient, while 17% are accidental. Almost half of patients with self-extubation during the weaning period do not require reintubation, suggesting that many patients are maintained on mechanical ventilation longer than is necessary (5). Increase in the extubation delay between readiness day and effective extubation significantly increases mortality. In the study by COPLIN et al. (13), mortality was 12% if there was no delay in extubation and 27% when extubation was delayed. Failure of extubation is associated with high mortality rate, either by selecting for high-risk patients or by inducing deleterious effects such as aspiration, atelectasis and pneumonia (5). Rate of weaning failure after a single SBT is reported to be 26 ¿Ã‚ ½ 42%. Variation in the rate of weaning failure among studies is due to differences in the definition of weaning failure. VALLVERDU et al. (14) reported that weaning failure occurred in as many as 61% of COPD patients, in 41% of neurological patients and in 38% of hypoxaemic patients. Contradictory results exist regarding the rate of weaning success among neurological patients. The study by COPLIN et al. (13) demonstrated that 80% of patients with a Glasgow coma score of more than 8 and 91% of patients with a Glasgow coma score less than 4 were successfully extubated. In 2,486 patients from six studies, 524 patients failed SBT and 252 failed extubation after passing SBT, leading to a total weaning failure rate of 31.2% (5). The vast majority of patients who fail a SBT do so because of an imbalance between respiratory muscle capacity and the load placed on the respiratory system. High airway resistance and low respiratory system compliance contribute to the increased work of breathing necessary to breathe and can lead to unsuccessful liberation from mechanical ventilation (15). Economic Impact Mechanical ventilation is mostly used in the intensive care units (ICU) of hospitals. ICUs typically consume more than 20% of the financial resources of a hospital (16). A study that analyzed the incidence, cost, and payment of the Medicare intensive care unit use in the United States (US) reveled that mechanical ventilation costs a sum close to US$2,200 per day (17). One study shows that patients in the ICUs receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation represents 6% of all ventilated patients but consume 37% of intensive care unit (ICU) resources (18). Another study corroborates this numbers also showing that 5% to 10% of ICU patients require prolonged mechanical ventilation, and this patient group consumes more than or as much as 50% of ICU patient days and ICU resources. Prolonged ventilatory support and chronic ventilator dependency, both in the ICU and non-ICU settings, have a significant and growing impact on healthcare economics (19). Summary TREATMENT OPTIONS WEANING FAILURE Overview The process of initial weaning from the ventilator begins with an assessment regarding readiness for weaning. It is then followed by SBT as a diagnostic test to determine the possibility of a successful extubation. For the majority of patients, the entire weaning process involves confirmation that the patient is ready for extubation. Patients who meet the criteria in table 2 should be considered as being ready to wean from mechanical ventilation. These criteria are fundamental to estimate the likelihood of a successful SBT in order to avoid trials in patients with a high probability of failure (5). Table 2 Criteria for Assessing Readiness to Wean Clinical Assessment Adequate cough Absence of excessive tracheobronchial secretion Resolution of disease acute phase for which the patient was intubated Objective measurements Clinical stability Stable cardiovascular status (i.e. fC =140 beats*min-1, systolic BP 90 ¿Ã‚ ½160 mmHg, no or minimal vasopressors) Stable metabolic status Adequate oxygenation Sa,O2 >90% on =FI,O2 0.4 (or Pa,O2/FI,O2 =150 mmHg) PEEP =8 cmH2O Adequate pulmonary function f =35 breaths*min-1 PImax =-20 ¿Ã‚ ½ -25 cmH2O Ve < 10 l*min-1 P0.1/PImax < 0.3 VT >5 mL*kg-1 VC >10 mL*kg-1 f/VT 13 ml*breaths-1*min-1 No significant respiratory acidosis Adequate mentation No sedation or adequate mentation on sedation (or stable neurologic patient) Taken from (5) and (15). fC: cardiac frequency; BP: blood pressure; Sa,O2: arterial oxygen saturation; FI,O2: inspiratory oxygen fraction; Pa,O2: arterial oxygen tension; PEEP: positive end-expiratory pressure; f: respiratory frequency; PImax: maximal inspiratory pressure; VT: tidal volume; VC: vital capacity; CROP: integrative index of compliance. 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa. According to an expert panel, among these criteria only seven variables have some predictive potential: minute ventilation (VE), maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), tidal volume (VT), breathing frequency (f), the ratio of breathing frequency to tidal volume (f/VT), P0.1/PImax (ratio of airway occlusion pressure 0.1 s after the onset of inspiratory effort to maximal inspiratory pressure), and CROP (integrative index of compliance, rate, oxygenation, and pressure) (20) . Minute Ventilation Minute ventilation is the total lung ventilation per minute, the product of tidal volume and respiration rate (21). It is measure by assessing the amount of gas expired by the patients lungs. Mathematicly, minute ventilation can be calculated after this formula: V_E=V_T ¿Ã‚ ½f It is reported that a VE less than 10 litres/minute is associated with weaning success (22). Other studies found that VE values more than 15-20 litres/minute are helpful in identifying if a patient is unlikely to be liberated from mechanical ventilation but lower values were not helpful in predicting successful liberation (15). A more recent study concluded that short VE recovery times (3-4 minutes) after a 2-hour SBT can help in determining respiratory reserve and predict the success of extubation (23). When mechanical ventilation takes place, this parameter is calculated monitoring flow and pressure by the ventilator in use itself or by an independent device attached to the airway circulation system such as the Respironics NM3 ¿Ã‚ ½ by Phillips Medical. Other ways to determine minute ventilation are by measuring the impedance across the thoracic cavity (24). This method though, is invasive and requires implanted electrodes. Maximal Inspiratory Pressure Maximal inspiration pressure is the maximum pressure within the alveoli of the lungs that occurs during a full inspiration (21). Is it commonly used to test respiratory muscle strength. On patients in the ICU or those not capable to cooperate, the PImax is measured by occluding the end of the endotracheal tube for a period of time close to 22 seconds with a one-way valve that only allows the patient to exhale. This configuration leads to increasing inspiratory effort measuring PImax towards the end of the occlusion period. However PImax is not enough to predict reliably the likeliness of successful weaning due to low specifity (15). The measurement of PImax can be performed by devices equipped with pressure sensors. Tidal Volume Tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal ventilation (21). Spontaneous tidal volumes greater than 5 ml/kg can predict weaning outcome (25). More recent studies found that a technique that measures the amount of regularity in a series analyzing approximate entropy of tidal volume and breathing frequency patterns is a useful indicator of reversibility of respiratory failure. A low approximate entropy that reflects regular tidal volume and respiratory frequency patterns is a good indicator of weaning success (26). Tidal volume can be measured using a pneumotachographic device. Breathing Frequency The degree of regularity in the pattern of the breathing frequency shown by approximate entropy rather than the absolute value of the breathing frequency is been proven to be useful in discriminating between weaning success and failure (26). The breathing rate or frequency is measured by counting the breathing cycles per a defined period of time. The Ratio of Breathing Frequency to Tidal Volume Yang and Tobin [18] then performed a prospective study of 100 medical patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU in which they demonstrated that the ratio of frequency to tidal volume (rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI)) obtained during the first 1 minute of a T-piece trial and at a threshold value of =105 breaths/minute/l was a significantly better predictor of weaning outcomes However, there remains a principle shortcoming in the RSBI: it can produce excessive false positive predictions (that is, patients fail weaning outcome even when RSBI is =105 breaths/minute/l) [35-36] Also, the RSBI has less predictive power in the care of patients who need ventilatory support for more than 8 days and may be less useful in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and elderly patients [37-39]. The Ratio of Airway Occlusion Pressure to Maximal Inspiratory Pressure The airway occlusion pressure (P0.1) is the pressure measured at the airway opening 0.1 s after inspiring against an occluded airway [42]. The P0.1 is effort independent and correlates well with central respiratory drive. When combined with PImax, the P0.1/PImax ratio at a value of 13 ml/breaths/minute offers a reasonably accurate predictor of weaning mechanical ventilation outcome. In 81 COPD patients, Alvisi and colleagues [39] showed that a CROP index at a threshold value of >16 ml/breaths/minute is a good predictor of weaning outcome. However, one disadvantage of the CROP index is that it is somewhat cumbersome to use in the clinical setting as it requires measurements of many variables with the potential risk of errors in the measurement techniques or the measuring device, which can significantly affect the value of the CROP index. Clinical Treatment Profiles CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Sharks - Rulers of the Ocean :: Personal Narratives

Have you ever seen Jaws? Do you remember that blood-curdling scream as one of the girls was being attacked by the great white? That is how I felt as the sharks started to circle us. You could see the fear in our eyes. You could feel the ocean shudder as we all shook from excitement and trepidation. This is how most people feel about sharks. That is why researchers are trying their hardest to dispel all of the rumors about sharks. The only problem the researchers have is the local governments. They setup regulations banning people from coming in contact with any endangered animal. Sharks are not quite on the endangered list, but they are threatened by man. Until we find out everything we want to know about these animals we will be ignorant to their unique place in the balance of life. I wanted to know more about sharks, so I took the first step; I went to the ocean. This part of our trip to Fiji was the main attraction. All of the other dives led up to this one. We were sitting at the bottom of a reef head, which was about 100 feet below the surface. As we descended, all we could see was this huge tornado of fish and sharks. One kind of fish, the jack, was huge. They were about a foot and a half tall, about six inches wide and about two feet long. There were also about 8 potato groupers. The potato grouper is about a foot long to about three feet long, sometimes weighing in at over 100 pounds. There were hundreds of fish. When we were settled on our perch, the show really began. They came in from the deep blue abyss. Slicing their way through the ocean currents, they judged us with their grayish eyes as they passed. They were testing us, as they got closer every time. The sharks would come in and out of our field of view, passing inches over our heads, as they glided through our bubbles. We could see their scales they were so close to us. Every time they passed, I could feel them brush me with the water. Their tails were so strong that I was pushed over by the water that they moved. Their colors were as different as a person’s skin tones, from gray to blue for their upper bodies, but for their lower bodies it was an off white; almost gray.

SHELTER FROM THE STORM Essay -- Essays Papers

SHELTER FROM THE STORM Domestic Violence is a prevalent issue facing men and women in the United States. The only way to put an end to domestic violence is to acknowledge it and report it. With the help of the government, local charities and the concern of Tucson community members, many different resources have been created to help and support victims of domestic violence as well as rape. Every year in the United States hundreds of thousands of domestic violence crimes are committed, many of which go unreported. According to a National Crime Victimization survey, "over two-thirds of violent victimization against women were by someone known to them"(Bachman, pg.1). Approximately 5% were relatives other than husbands, 35% were aquantences, and nearly 28% were intimates such as husbands or boyfriends. Females experienced more than 10 times as many incidences of violence by their companion than males. Women experience 572,032 violent victimizations by their significant other, while the number of incidents for men has been 48,983 on average, each year. In an article to Health Care Providers, it has been reported that medical expenses associated with domestic violence have accelerated to $3-5 billion dollars annually and continues to rise. "Almost 6 times as many women victimized by intimates (18%) as those victimized by strangers (3%) did not report their violent victi mization to police because they feared reprisal from the offender"(Bachman, p.1). In the Greater Tucson area approximately 16,000 charges are filed each year, at least half of which result in in-custody arrests. A statistics report from the Tucson Police Department for the twelve month period of March 1998 to February 1999 shows that only 384 phone cal... ...ordinator for ACADV/DVC Legislative Concerns. Bodfield, Rhonda. Hull helps to keep open Douglas shelter for abused. www.azstarnet.com/plsub-cgi/fastw, Oct. 29, 1998. Burnett, Dave. Tucson Centers for Women and Children. www.azstarnet.com/~tcwc/. Cook, Kristen. Forum focuses on domestic violence. www.azstarnet.com/plsub-cgi/fastw, Oct. 25,1998. "Domestic Violence for Health Care Providers," 3rd Edition, Colorado Domestic Violence Coalition, 1991. Hart, Barbara. "Remarks to the Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect," April 1992. Moore, Roberta. Oasis Center. w3.arizona.edu/~oasis/home.htm. Pacific Coast Publishing Regional Telephone Directory, 1999-2000. Sandal, Inger. Domestic Violence Center, city’s 1st, opens in January. www.azstarnet.com/plsub-cgi/fastw, Dec. 12, 1996. Violence Against Women. www.usdoj.gov/vawo/toc.htm.

Cloning and Bioethics :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Cloning and Bioethics Bioethics, which is the study of value judgments pertaining to human conduct in the area of biology and includes those related to the practice of medicine, has been an important aspect of all areas in the scientific field (Bernstein, Maurice, M.D.).   It is one of the factors that says whether or not specific scientific research can go on, and if it can, by which rules, regulations and guidelines it must abide by.    One of the most recent and controversial issues facing our society today is the concept of cloning.   On February 23, 1997, Ian Wilmut, a Scottish scientist, along with his colleagues at the Roslin Institute and PPL Therapeutics, announced to the world that they had cloned a lamb, which they named Dolly, after Dolly Parton, from an adult sheep (Mario,Christopher).   The two share the same nucleic DNA, but differ in terms of their mitochondrial DNA, which is vitally important for the regulation of the cell.   The media and the press ignored this fact, and thus claimed that Dolly and her 'mother' were genetically identical, which sparked a fury of outcry all around the world.   The technique of transferring a nucleus from a somatic cell into an egg cell of which the nucleus had been removed, called nuclear transplantation, is an extension of research that had been ongoing for over 40 years. Up until now, scientists thought that adult cells could not be "reprogrammed" to behave like a fertilized egg and create an embryo, but the evidence obtained by Dolly's success prove otherwise.   The issues of cloning have been around for a long time, starting with the publication of Joshua Lederberg's 1966 article on cloning in the American Naturalist.   The public's interest has been perked by many sci-fi books, films, and movies including Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel "Brave New World," 1973's "Sleeper," the 1978 film "The Boys from Brazil".   Most recently, the movie "Multiplicity" dealt with replicating Billy Crystal over and over (Mario, Christopher).   The ethical, legal, and moral issues aroused by cloning have been raised by previous projects, and are now simply emerging again, with its focus on three major points: the shift from sexual reproduction with that of asexual replication of existing genes; the ability to predetermine the genes of a child; and the ability to c reate many genetically identical children (Report/Recommendations of the NBAC). The public responded to Dolly with a mixture of fear and excitement, questioning the benefits and the disasters that could happen in the future if research was to continue. Cloning and Bioethics :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics Cloning and Bioethics Bioethics, which is the study of value judgments pertaining to human conduct in the area of biology and includes those related to the practice of medicine, has been an important aspect of all areas in the scientific field (Bernstein, Maurice, M.D.).   It is one of the factors that says whether or not specific scientific research can go on, and if it can, by which rules, regulations and guidelines it must abide by.    One of the most recent and controversial issues facing our society today is the concept of cloning.   On February 23, 1997, Ian Wilmut, a Scottish scientist, along with his colleagues at the Roslin Institute and PPL Therapeutics, announced to the world that they had cloned a lamb, which they named Dolly, after Dolly Parton, from an adult sheep (Mario,Christopher).   The two share the same nucleic DNA, but differ in terms of their mitochondrial DNA, which is vitally important for the regulation of the cell.   The media and the press ignored this fact, and thus claimed that Dolly and her 'mother' were genetically identical, which sparked a fury of outcry all around the world.   The technique of transferring a nucleus from a somatic cell into an egg cell of which the nucleus had been removed, called nuclear transplantation, is an extension of research that had been ongoing for over 40 years. Up until now, scientists thought that adult cells could not be "reprogrammed" to behave like a fertilized egg and create an embryo, but the evidence obtained by Dolly's success prove otherwise.   The issues of cloning have been around for a long time, starting with the publication of Joshua Lederberg's 1966 article on cloning in the American Naturalist.   The public's interest has been perked by many sci-fi books, films, and movies including Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel "Brave New World," 1973's "Sleeper," the 1978 film "The Boys from Brazil".   Most recently, the movie "Multiplicity" dealt with replicating Billy Crystal over and over (Mario, Christopher).   The ethical, legal, and moral issues aroused by cloning have been raised by previous projects, and are now simply emerging again, with its focus on three major points: the shift from sexual reproduction with that of asexual replication of existing genes; the ability to predetermine the genes of a child; and the ability to c reate many genetically identical children (Report/Recommendations of the NBAC). The public responded to Dolly with a mixture of fear and excitement, questioning the benefits and the disasters that could happen in the future if research was to continue.

In songs of innocence and experience William Blake reveals the contrary states of human existence

William Blake was a madman. This is what many people believed and still do today. After all he claimed to have visions of angels and he thought himself to be a prophet. However, could someone so mad make poems full of ingenious sense? Is it possible for someone who was happily married with such creativity and artistic talent to be crazy? To determine whether Blake's sanity stayed firmly with him throughout his life, we can study his background and analyse the deeper meanings lodged within his poetry, in 17 of his poems from Songs of Innocence and Experience. ‘Without contraries is no progression', Blake summed up in this one quotation what he was trying to say in all of his poems; that opposites: ‘Attraction, Repulsion, Reason, Energy, Love, Hate' are partners in the structure of ‘Human Existence' hence the title ‘The marriage of Heaven and hell'. Blake's background plays a large part in why he was the way he was, so it is important to cover his background as well and not just what he managed to put in the form of a poem on paper. So, Blake had little money and certainly lived a poverty stricken life throughout his childhood (him and his other brother and sister). The impression is given through research of the illustrious writer's background, that he was religious from a very young age as he was born in 1757 which was still, of course, a very religious time and at the age of just 4 he claimed to have received a vision of God's head in a window. Blake only had a sister called Catherine after his brother, Richard Blake, died in infancy in 1762 and John Blake also died in infancy; until Robert Blake was born (who later went on to die at the age of 21) in 1767 which is also when William's father had recognised what a talent he had for drawing and so Blake was sent to a drawing school. Wanting a good income for his son, Blake's father arranged for Blake to be an apprentice to an engraver, called Basire. He spent 7 years there learning the arts of: engraving, etching, stippling and copying. When he was twenty one he became a professional engraver and met his future wife, Catherine Boucher. He stayed with her for the rest of his life. His other achievements apart from his poems were his paintings, poetical and political sketches, books and engrave. This picture was painted by Blake in 1805 with water colours as well as pen. It is called, ‘The River of life' and shows the experienced and innocent swimming and wading through the river of life. Also the golden sunset on the horizon appears to be the destination and it is like a guiding light, offering hope and almost suggesting it is heaven as Blake was very religious and it does lie at the end of the river. The two tall figures at either side of the picture are holding pipes and playing a tune on them which goes back to Blake's poem, in Songs of Innocence ‘Introduction'. The ‘Introduction' to Songs of Innocence is showing how Innocence needs Experience and is led by experience. Introduction Piping down the valleys wild Piping songs of pleasant glee On a cloud I saw a child. And he laughing said to me. Pipe a song about a Lamb: So I piped with merry chear, Piper pipe that song again — So I piped, he wept to hear. Drop thy pipe thy happy pipe Sing thy songs of happy chear, So I sung the same again while he wept with joy to hear. Piper sit thee down and write In a book that all may read — So he vanish'd from my sight, And I pluck'd a hollow reed. And I made a rural pen, And I stain'd the water clear, And I wrote my happy songs Every child may joy to hear The repetition of pipe and piper gives the poem an uplifting feel because of the imagery that it provokes in your mind (a tune being piped). This kind of youthful happy imagery is used in many of the poems to put across the carefree, naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve days that come with childhood. However the piper, being older, represents experience or so you would think and yet it is the little boy who cries to hear the song; if the boy is innocent and has no experience how could he know sadness that comes with experience. Blake was right that you need opposites because after all you cannot balance anything if it is one sided; hence the irony of the boy having experience and innocence. I think that Blake has chosen to make the Songs of Innocence poems happier on a whole because he had such an unhappy childhood as many of his brothers died then and re-wrote the jolly childhood that he missed out on. I also think that the Songs of Experience poems are less pleasant because Blake stated to see the world in an abstract way and was less naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve when he was older and he noticed more of the bad things in the world for example, in his descriptive poem of London where he spent lot of time (as well as in the countryside). London was also the subject of a poem by William Wordsworth but it portrayed a contrasting view to Blake's, many say this was because Blake became bitter. London I wander through each chartered street Near where the chartered Thames does flow, And mark in every face I meet Marks of weakness, marks of woe. In every cry of every man, In every infant's cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forged manacles I hear – How the chimney-sweeper's cry Every black'ning church appals, And the hapless soldier's sigh Runs in blood down palace walls; But most through midnight streets I hear How youthful harlot's curse Blasts the new-born infant's tear, And blights with plagues the marriage-hearse. This poem portrays a very sinister London which he appears to have experienced in detail as he says in the 1st line ‘each chartered street †¦..where the chartered Thames does flow', implying that he has been down the same streets many times before being that chartered means somewhere that has already been discovered or found. The repetition of ‘every' in the 2nd stanza, ‘In every cry of every man, In every infant's cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban,' emphasizes the monotonous, repetition in every one of his days. As he is talking about ‘mind-forged manacles' as well, it is like he is saying that no-one escapes as even the innocent are touched by experience; for example, ‘In every infant's cry of fear' Blake could hear experience trapping them. The world was far from perfect in Blake's day and still is today, but that didn't stop Blake; in a perfect world, people would be able to do anything and not be restricted by rules of law or physics, which is what Blake wanted; this was because Blake was a Romanticist. Romanticism characterized many works of literature, paintings, music, architecture, criticism in Western civilization over a period from the late 18th to the mid-19th century. Romanticism is often seen as the rejection of the rules of order, calm, harmony, balance, idealization, and rationality that epitomised Classicism in general. This is why he was opposed to the enlightenment period and the reason and illusory science that came with it. In Songs of Innocence, Blake endeavoured to make the world a better and happier place in his eyes by giving a distinctive naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve view to the poems. The poems were striking in the 18th century and even more so today, but Blake in his time was seen as a unique thinker because he could look at the world differently to everyone almost in an abstract way which appealled to citezens of London and England (although mainly the radical thinkers he surrounded himself with e.g. Thomas Paine who he also wrote some political sketches with). Songs of Innocence and Experience are some of his most infuencial linguistic works of art, how ever it was the poem ‘London' which influenced L.S. Lowry to draw his infamous match stick people outside of a industrial building all walking around and that was written over 100 years prior.

Concepts of leadership and management Essay

Describe how the concepts of leadership and management differ from each other. In what areas do they overlap? Explain how the goals of management and leadership may sometimes overlap. As a nurse leader, do you believe you can expand your influence to create change by taking advantage of this overlap? Explain your answer. Management includes organization, planning, staffing, directing, and controlling. Management must optimize patient care and be fiscally responsible. Leader’s may not have an official role of authority, but may have the power through their ability to influence others. Leaders focus on interpersonal relationships, and may be known as mentors, coaches, advocates, or role models (Grand Canyon University, 2015). Both roles need to be able to influence through their motivation, morals, and values. Both need to be visionary thinkers. They need to need to have good conflict resolution skills and cope with multiple priorities. One way to expand influence as a leader is to do the right thing and doing things right. As a nurse leader it is important to implement critical thinking skills, active listening skills, and good coping skills. These skills are essential in the high stress high paced environments in the acute settings. Some ways to make a difference in our profession are to become politically aware and active, read professional journals, and attend continuing education offerings relevant to our practice (Nursestogether.com, 2015). References: Grand Canyon University, 2015. GCU Lecture notes: Theories and Concepts in Leadership and Management. Retrieved from: https://lc-ugrad1.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.html?token=P%2fA5aEkSE%2btyPV%2b9QYwh7V2uGjVT%2bkYk3HRqY4ZFPI4zSL5kU8MwEz45uvAbV6%2b5&operation=home&classId=1611349#/learningPlatform/loudBooks/loudbooks.html?currentTopicname=Theories and Concepts in Leadership and Management&viewPage=current&operation=innerPage&topicMaterialId=4fd5f5a2-d5db-4281-9424-cc584e89432c&contentId=64b5ef5b-8ad6-4e5d-a9fd-426a40c2b7d6&

Psychosis Portrayed in the Media

Impact of Media’s Portrayal of Psychotic Illness on Viewers Introduction Psychotic disorders are the more serious form of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. Many multidimensional factors have contributed to the social stigma of psychotic mental illness, deeming it a social problem. According to Landsberg and Rock (2010), stigma and discrimination impacts policy and program response to the issue, causing limitations on our financing. As a result, there is a deficiency of resources provided by macro and micro level systems for individuals battling with the illness despite a recent shift in society’s perception. Programs such as National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the Recovery Movement have been trying to increase public understanding of the illness, advocate for government resources, and emphasize supportive networks such as family, friends, and mental health providers (Hertz, 2010). Unfortunately, the complexity of this illness and lack of thorough understanding continues to reinforce and sustain the stigma. Additionally, individuals discharged into the community from institutions have not been well supported by micro-level services. As a result, many commit crimes and end up in jail. Landsberg and Rock (2010) found that many seriously mentally ill patients are in nursing homes, homeless shelters, and jails because of unmet needs. Community mental health centers have more patients than staff can handle (Hertz, 2010). In spite of various attempts, the mental health system is comprised of programs that â€Å"don’t work†, leaving many seriously ill individuals without proper care (Landsberg and Rock, 2010, pg. 258). These wide ranges of factors contribute to viewing serious mental illness as a social problem that is stigmatized as well. In terms of social stigma, there are several misconceptions. Hertz (2010) found that the public misperceives people with psychotic illness as homicidal. The truth of research indicates that these individuals are more frequently victims of crime perpetrated by others, or, tragically, by their own hands (Hertz, 2010). Unfortunately, the daunting ways in which symptoms may manifest prevent people from establishing any positive associations with such illness. The media portrays psychotic disorders through different perspectives, ultimately sending mixed messages to audiences about the nature and prospects of the illness. Landsberg and Rock (2010) stated that movies often picture the mentally ill as violent, negatively affecting our society’s willingness to enact needed changes and fund programs. The movies A Beautiful Mind, K-PAX, and The Soloist each portray a character living with a psychotic disorder, particularly Schizophrenia, who also demonstrates strength and resilience in their struggles. The intent of this paper is to discuss characteristics of psychotic illness, critically analyze these movies and their message to audiences, and assess accuracy within their portrayals. Brief History of Mental Illness as a Social Problem There are conflicting ideologies in terms of how to approach serious mental illness in the United States. While some adopt a â€Å"survival of the fittest† perspective and believe affected individuals shouldn’t receive assistance, others act as committed advocates for programs to service them. When looking at the recent history of mental health, several attempts at revolutionizing systems were made, and always seem to only partially work. As a result, more systems that partially work were created. The 1950’s through the 1970’s emphasized inpatient hospitalization for psychotic patients without much chance for their self-determination and self-empowerment. Solutions were very problem-focused, and patients received their treatment of insulin shock therapy. Socially, there seemed to be more emphasis on regarding anyone with a psychotic illness as â€Å"crazy†, and therefore someone to stay away from. The deinstitutionalization movement in the 1970’s and the creation of managed care was an attempt to steer away from â€Å"putting people away†. As a result, many hospitals were shut down. The problem with this system was the lack of funds allocated towards community-based services. Now that the patient’s length of stay at hospitals significantly decreased, patients have been discharged into the streets, and left to their own devices. While many have been receiving adequate services, many are not receiving proper care and result in committing crimes, engaging in other illegal activity, becoming homeless, or just functioning on a very low level. Hertz (2010) stated that the waiting lists for residual programs for the chronically mentally ill are months, if not years long. This implies the staggering amount of people not receiving proper aftercare. A true solution is yet to be discovered. Background on Psychotic Disorders with an Emphasis on Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is currently affecting nearly 2. 5 million people living in the United States, and 29 million people worldwide (Hertz, 2010). The typical beginning of this illness is during adolescence or early adulthood. Hertz (2010) reported that the onset can be gradual, starting with odd beliefs and mannerisms, while other onsets are acute with a sudden psychotic break. These research findings imply the complexity in how symptoms manifest, and pose a challenge for practitioners to pinpoint and potentially diagnosis. There exists a social misconception regarding psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptoms may appear in disorders other than Schizophrenia, and the presence of psychotic symptoms doesn’t necessarily indicate diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Hertz (2010) stated that withdrawal from reality marks psychosis, containing two major symptoms: delusions and hallucinations. Schizophrenia is particularly characterized as a thought disorder which builds on these symptoms to include impaired cognitive functioning such as â€Å"loose associations of ideas/thoughts and disturbance of affect† (Hertz, 2010, p. 285). There are several types of schizophrenia, and is defined by positive and negative symptoms which indicate the existence or deficiency of functioning. Hepworth, Rooney, and Larsen (2010) found that positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and catatonic behavior. According to Hepworth, Rooney, and Larsen (2010), negative symptoms include flattened affect, restricted speech, and limited initiation of goal-directed behavior. The causes of psychotic disorders are ultimately unknown, and many different theories emphasize different contributing factors. According to Hertz (2010), genetics, heredity, and neuro chemistry determine varying degrees of predisposition to developing psychosis. This research finding implies that environmental and social stressors play a role as well. A Beautiful Mind John Nash is the main character in A Beautiful Mind who is predominantly battling with the paranoid subtype of schizophrenia. The movie follows the life of mathematician John Nash who is responsible for creating several ingenious theories such as game theory still used in economics today. He attended Ivy League Princeton University in the 1940’s after which he became a calculus professor at MIT five years later. Falling in love with one of his students, Mr. John Nash started a family and continued working on theories and concepts as a product of his mastermind. Gradually throughout the course of Mr. Nash’s academic and intellectual achievements, the movie directed attention to the display and effect of his psychotic illness. Several aspects of Mr. Nash’s psychotic symptoms were portrayed through different characters and plot points. His college roommate Charles, Charles’s niece Marcee, and Department of Defense agent William Parcher were three characters that were eventually revealed as part of his visual and auditory hallucinations. Agent Parcher also marked Mr. Nash’s delusional thinking when he invited him to crack a special code of their enemy at the Pentagon. Throughout the movie, viewers periodically see Mr. Nash involved with Parcher in various assignments that appeared prestigious and extremely intellectual. In the beginning of the movie, Charles’s character was designed for audiences to believe he was real, given the strong and realistic friendship that transpired between him and Mr. Nash. However, as the years went by and Marcee stayed the same age, Mr. Nash realized she was a figment of his imagination. Mr. Nash’s delusions have put his family in danger on numerous occasions. He nearly allowed his son to drown while bathing him, and accidentally knocked his wife Alicia over when agent Parcher told him to kill her. After Alicia had enough of his behavior, she called the psychiatric hospital where he was admitted to receive insulin shock therapy, a common treatment for psychosis in the 1950’s. After agreeing to take anti-psychotic medications, Mr. Nash was released from the hospital. Unfortunately, he ended up stockpiling the medication without aking them, resulting in relapse of his psychotic symptoms. Lesser and Pope (2010) stated that psychotropic medications are effective in ceasing or reducing psychotic symptoms but often have unpleasant side effects. Mr. Nash’s detrimental side effects included reduction in intellectual abilities, and impairments to his relationship with his wife. Ultimately, Mr. Nash has learned to manage his symptoms and live with his illn ess. The message this movie hopefully sends out to viewers is that serious mental illness can affect bright and well educated people, and that recovery is possible. Moreover, the movie encourages viewers to realize that even individuals with serious mental illness can excel in certain areas of life, if not reaching levels of genius. While the media, as previously stated, typically portrays individuals with mental illness as violent antagonists, Mr. Nash is portrayed as a protagonist despite his mild violence during psychotic episodes. Viewers likely feel compassion for him and want to see him win his battles. The movie accurately portrayed environmental stressors that may cause unpredictable emotional breakdowns. Mr. Nash’s character was portrayed as getting frustrated and angry when he thought he couldn’t fulfill the duties agent Parcher has assigned him. He was worried that the Russians are after him, and felt pressure to crack the code that never existed. Moreover, when he was admitted to the hospital, he perceived doctors to be Russian spies, a reasonable portrayal of paranoid schizophrenia. Luckily, Mr. Nash trained himself to transcend his symptoms by acknowledging, followed by ignoring, their existence. While it has been stated that the real John Nash only experienced auditory hallucinations, A Beautiful Mind seemed to incorporate visual hallucinations for entertainment purposes, inaccurately portraying and exaggerating Mr. Nash’s illness. However, accuracy was shown through the many psychotic breakdowns Mr. Nash experienced, demonstrating emotional and physical breakdowns. Although he put his wife and child in danger on numerous occasions, Alicia served as his main support system. Hertz (2010) stated that supportive networks are a critical variable in determining the quality of life of people with Schizophrenia. In fact, it is arguable that in this movie, Mr. Nash demonstrated more resilience and strength than is realistically common in the United States for people with psychotic illness. Not everyone has access to the kind of support he did given his prestigious status as a mathematician. Additionally, he had the support of his loving wife who never abandoned him and seemed to be the main source of his resilience. K-PAX Prot is the main character in K-PAX who demonstrates delusional thinking as part of his psychosis. As previously discussed, he didn’t necessarily have Schizophrenia. Prot was admitted to the hospital after claiming to be an alien from a planet called K-PAX. As psychiatrist Mark Powell begins to treat Prot, he learns of his excelling intellect in the subject of astronomy. Stunned by this wisdom, Mark introduced Prot to some astro-physicists who were puzzled by his recollection of traveling from a different planet by a means of light travel. Prot and Mike’s relationship grew stronger with each treatment session, and Prot revealed his knowledge of life on planet K-PAX. Prot also had a positive influence on other patients in the hospital who believed he was from a different planet. Prot began to display erratic emotional breakdowns that were indicative of his psychosis. He had an episode during some of his sessions with Mark, as well as in front of Mike’s family when he was invited over for dinner. Prot began to repeatedly mention that he is going back to planet K-PAX on July 27th. Mark started to make connections between what triggers lead to Prot’s hysteria. Additionally, he used regressive hypnosis to discover the significance of the date July 27th, suspecting he suffered from significant loss. He learned that Prot has attempted suicide after his family was killed on July 27th. When that date finally came, Prot was found catatonic, and the ending of the movie was open to interpretation. This movie sends several messages to viewers. One of them includes the strong impact trauma may have on individuals. Prot attempted suicide without success after his family was killed, marking the onset of his delusions. Hertz (2010) found that suicide attempts are a common and often overlooked occurrence within psychotic symptoms, and often occur during the first psychotic episode when the individual feels bewildered and out of control. His feelings of bewilderment were likely caused by seeing his family get killed, a realistic reaction to such a tragic occurrence. K-PAX hopefully teaches audiences to realize that many of the severely mentally ill individuals could have experienced significant loss in their lives that was out of their control, leading to their illness. There was nothing substantial provided in the beginning of the movie which aroused sympathy for Prot’s character. It is arguable that audiences could have perceived all his discussions about travelling from another planet as him â€Å"joking† around with authorities. He wore black sunglasses, and seriously spoke about life on another planet. However, as the movie showed several emotional breakdowns, it was evident that he has experienced significant psychological trauma of loss. Hertz (2010) stated that psychotic symptoms are often triggered by a significant loss, and environmental stressors can trigger neuro chemical events in the brain. The movie accurately portrayed the concept of surrounding triggers. For instance, Prot was reminded of the tragedy when the sprinklers came on at Mike’s house, causing flashbacks of his trauma. Assessing accuracy of his intense reaction is difficult, for, each individual reacts to triggers to varying degrees. His particular reaction involved crying and an appearance of deep sadness. The Soloist Nathaniel Ayres is the main character in The Soloist who is portrayed to struggle with Paranoid Schizophrenia as his psychotic disorder. The movie follows the life of Anthony Ayres, a man who became homeless as a result of his illness. Journalist Steve Lopez was desperately seeking material for a story to meet a deadline. One day he heard someone playing the cello so beautifully that he felt compelled to follow the music. As a result, he met a homeless man named Nathaniel who claimed to have attended Julliard for his musical talents. Steve tested his word by calling the school, only to find out that Nathaniel has indeed attended Julliard, but has dropped out after his second year. Steve ended up writing his story on Nathaniel. As their friendship progressed, Steve became more interested in Nathaniel’s safety, and wanted him to receive treatment. Flashbacks to the onset of Nathaniel’s Schizophrenia were portrayed to answer Steve’s questions as to why he is no longer in Julliard and living in a shelter. In response to the published story, readers responded with sympathy, and one woman even sent Nathaniel a Cello. Eventually, Steve convinced Nathaniel to perform in front of an audience which triggered his auditory hallucinations. The end of the movie displayed Nathaniel continuing to struggle with his illness, but no longer living in a shelter, marking progress. His friendship with Steve and his music seem to help manage his symptoms, according to psychiatrists Steve has consulted with. In addition to serious mental illness, The Soloist portrays another social problem that is stigmatized: homelessness. Hertz (2010) estimated that 60% of people with schizophrenia live in poverty, and 1 in 20 ends up homeless. The movie portrays Nathaniel as someone who has been exposed to treatments such as medications and shock therapy, and doesn’t want anything to do with them. It seemed as though he felt he belonged in a shelter as opposed to an apartment where his symptoms emerge. The message of this film is for audiences to realize that homeless people aren’t necessarily â€Å"lazy†, or â€Å"can’t get a job†. Conversely, they may have suffered from symptoms which inevitably led to that lifestyle. Through flashbacks, Nathaniel was portrayed as a productive and gifted member of society who attended a prestigious musical institution, and tried to start his young adult life living in an apartment. Unfortunately, he was overpowered by his auditory hallucinations, making him paranoid and scared. Hopefully audiences will reorient their mentality and not disregard homeless individuals as those that haven’t worked hard enough to attain a job and a place to live. Some of them have truly been overpowered by persistent mental illness. In terms of accuracy, The Soloist fairly portrayed the possible impact of stressors in the environment that trigger psychotic episodes. For Nathaniel, the pressure of performing well in front of an audience triggered â€Å"voices† which led him to run away. Additionally, unless an individual is medicated, it is rare for psychotic symptoms to not emerge. In the movie, Nathaniel was not receiving treatment at the time he became friends with Steve, and it was shown through his inability to have coherent conversations with him. Furthermore, he was unable to hold on to an apartment, and even felt comforted by the city street noises. His physical appearance was also unkempt and very colorful, reasonably displaying what someone with this disorder could potentially look like. Comparisons and Contrasts between Films There are several similarities and differences in the way media portrayed these characters suffering from serious mental illness. While the etiology, symptoms, and course of their disorders slightly differed, they all share a strong support system which provided them self-determination and potential for growth, similar to the goals of the Recovery Movement. Hertz (2010) stated that the presence of someone who believes in their recovery increase recovery rates. Mr. John Nash had the privilege of a supportive wife. Realistically, it may be an exception that an affected individual is a coveted professor with a family by his side assisting his struggles. Prot developed a relationship with his Psychiatrist. It is rare, if not unethical, for a patient’s psychiatrist to invite them into their home and introduce them to family members. More importantly, it seems rare for a psychiatrist to invest so much emotional effort into one particular case, especially one that is middle aged and has been in the practice for so long. Nathaniel formed a strong friendship with journalist Steve Lopez. Most severely mentally ill homeless individuals are not â€Å"discovered† by someone who decides to believe in them; most, as previously discussed, are underserved and not receiving proper treatment and care. While the storylines were touching and enlightening, they are very rare. These situations seem to be an exception rather than the rule, making the character portrayals inaccurate in terms of exaggerating the levels of support. Another important similarity accurately portraying psychotic disorders is the fact that there is no known cure. None of the characters were â€Å"cured† by the end of the movie, but rather found their own ways of coping with symptoms. The ultimate message was moderately accurate when showing psychotic mental illness; every single case should be viewed individually despite the one set of guidelines for diagnosis provided in the DSM-IV. Research has been clear about one thing: psychotic disorders remain etiologically perplexing and challenging to treat (Hertz, 2010). As a result, it is fairly easy for media to â€Å"play around† with psychotic illness through characters, since there is ultimately no absolute truth to reference, and thereby deem â€Å"inaccurate†. Since symptoms are a product of the person’s psyche, there seem to be no limits as to how creative psychotic symptoms and reactions may become. Interestingly, all three characters in the films are men. Research found that more men than women are given the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (Hertz, 2010). Also, each movie emphasizes a different aspect of psychotic illness. A Beautiful Mind focuses on illness affecting a genius mind; K-PAX signifies the impact of a traumatic loss, and The Soloist show how symptoms can lead to homelessness. Conclusion According to Lesser and Pope (2010), psychiatry critic Thomas Szasz believed that the diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses was socially constructed, vary culture to culture, and is society’s way of labeling individuals when their behavior breaks social rules. Nonetheless, the use of the DSM system prevails in the United States, and many individuals â€Å"labeled† under its guidelines are in need of services, reinforcing mental illness as a social problem. The deinstitutionalization movement in the 1970’s as an attempt to serve the severely mentally ill has created a new array of social problems given the lack of funding anticipated for these goals. Hertz (2010) presented that the sickest people in our society are â€Å"lost in the cracks† as they are discharged from institutions to poor and inadequate aftercare. The media provides several portrayals of serious mental illness. The three movies chosen for discussion (A Beautiful Mind, K-PAX, and The Soloist) ultimately portray the strength and resilience possible even for the most seriously mentally ill individuals, when provided with emotional and social resources. Implicitly, hope is not lost, and Hertz (2010) proposed a solution to make a shift in our priorities: making a commitment to even the most disturbed members of our society. As demonstrated in the three films, two of which were based on real life people and events, individuals with even the most serious of mental illness can show strength and resilience. References Berzoff, J. , Melano Flanagan, L. , & Hertz, P. (2008). Chapter 13: The psychoses, with a special emphasis on schizophrenia (pp. 281-310). Inside out and outside in: Psychodynamic clinical theory and psychopathology in contemporary multicultural contexts (2nd ed. ). New York: Jason Aronson. Hepworth, D. , Rooney, R. & Larsen, J. 2010). Chapter 9: Assessment: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Environmental Factors. (pp. 199-226). Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (8th ed. ). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. Landsberg, G. , & Rock, M. (2010). Chapter 9: Mental Health. Social policy and social work: The context of social work practice. New York, NY: Pearson. Lesser, J. G. , & Pope, D. S. (2010). Chapter 17: Chronic illness and disability. (pp. 437-464). Human Behavior in the Social En vironment: Theory and Practice. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.