A Brief History of Christianity before Jesus Christ

Damascus Document Notes from the Damascus Document 1. The document opens by pointing out that during the time before the exile to Babylon when unfaithfulness was prevalent, causing God to bring about his wrath upon the people. 2. Then there came twenty years in which a remnant of the people knew their own guilt and tried to find a way to the path of righteousness, until God provided them with a â€Å"Teacher of Righteousness† who revealed the will of God. 3.The teacher of righteousness was opposed by the Man of Mockery who brought about persecution to the group led some of them into all sorts of unrighteous acts and sinfulness. The Man of Mockery led some of the people to sin through the defilement of the temple and causing the people â€Å"to wonder in a pathless wilderness†¦abolishing the ways of righteousness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  4. The teacher of righteousness was â€Å"passed away† at some point and the writer pointed out that the incident marked the beginning of th e end of all the fighters who deserted to the Liar.The writer also pointed out that period lasted about forty years. It seems as though the writer is saying that â€Å"passing away† of the teacher of righteousness (perhaps killed) by the Man of Mockery, was began the forty year long war which ended all wars. 5. The righteous members of the group became the â€Å"the Separatists† when they left the Holy City. 6. The writer of the document foretells the coming of two Messiahs out to the â€Å"House of Aaron and Israel. † Perhaps this may have been a reference to the John the Baptist (House of Aaron) and to Jesus the Christ (House of Israel).The exception to this theory is that technically Jesus was from the House of Judah, but collectively he Judah was Israel’s son, hence, the house of Israel would suffice. 7. The writer of the document explains the administrative hierarchy for members of the covenant. The one above all was the Overseer of the assembly. The document instructs that the Overseer shall teach the groups the ordinances of God and make decisions as to who can join the group and determine the rank that each will have. The Overseer â€Å"shall be from thirty to fifty years old and will have final say on all the group’s activities. The Overseer was the ultimate authority that settled disputes between members. 8. The Document also stated that congregation shall be divided into groups of ten and every group of ten members required a priest that rules the group of ten. Each group of ten was to be registered by name and the first one to be enrolled was the priest; followed by the Levites; and then came the regular Israelites with the proselytes being the last. The same order followed when members were settled during meals and assembly meetings. Each of the members was assigned a rank. 9.From here the documents provides a long succession of rules that governed the members including: keeping the Sabbath (even a restriction f rom assisting an animal to give birth or pull it out of pit if the animal falls on the Sabbath); prohibitions against sleeping with a woman in the City of the Sanctuary; rules for bathing; restrictions against selling of clean animals or birds to gentiles in case they would offer them in sacrifices; rules to members with children that require them to force their children to take an oath to the covenant upon the age of enrollment; directives to the members to contribute two days of every month’s incomes to the poor and needy; rules demanding all new members to study for a full year under the Overseer before partial membership if granted; and rules prohibiting any membership for lunatics, the maimed, madmen, the deaf, the blind, simpletons, the lame, and the underage.

Marketing Project Essay

China with its population of over 1.3 billion and the GDP growth rate of 7.7% is obviously a major player in the global market based on its size and growth potential. In recent years, the consumer food service industry in China has significantly grown, driven by the change in consumption patterns of urban Chinese consumers amid the robust Chinese economic growth. A number of Western-style franchise chains are increasingly crossing national boundaries and looking for growth among customers in China. In provinces and regions of better economic development and faster lifestyles, quick service restaurants make up a large share of the total food-service sector. Guangdong province can be chosen as a potentially profitable market where the fast-food market contributes about 90% of the total food service sector’s revenue. Mad Mex, as a new entrant in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, is ambitious to penetrate this promising market with the goal to open the first franchise r estaurant in February 2014. Situation analysis: ACMR-IBISWorld (Jan, 2013) estimates that the fast-food restaurant industry in China will generate revenue of $89.60 billion in 2012, up 14.1% from 2011. The pace of urbanization and the higher disposable income urge lifestyle changes and the increase in demand for fast-food. Chinese people have less leisure time to eat in traditional full-service restaurants and prefer to treat themselves in fast-food establishments. Moreover, the rapid development of fast-food service providers and new brands and food styles with improved chain store contribute to the strong growth of the industry in China. The geographic popularity of China’s fast-food restaurants industry is consistent with China’s economic development level. Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong are three of the most developed provinces and regions in China, which account for about 45% of total industry revenue in 2012 (ACMR-IBISWorld, Jan 2013). These regions witness the relatively well developed fra nchise operations. Porter’s Five Forces Industry Analysis Figure 1: Forces driving industry competition Source: Porter (1980) â€Å"Industry structure has a strong influence in determining the competitive rules of the game as well as the strategies potentially available to the firm.† (Michael E. Porter 1980, P.3) The Porter’s Five Forces Model introduced a concept of structural analysis as a framework for understanding the five basic competitive forces in an industry. These forces, which are shown in Figure 1- new entrants, rivalry among existing competitors, threat of substitute products or services, bargaining power of buyers, and bargaining power of suppliers, reflect that the competition â€Å"goes well beyond the established players† (Porter 1980, pp. 6). Both potential and established players can influence average industry profitability. The threat of potential entrants is balanced by the entry barriers like economic of scale, product differentiation, capital requirements, access to distribution channel, etc. The intensity of rivalry determines industry attractiveness but figures out the extent to which the value created by an industry will be dissipated through competition. Sharon M. Oster (1999) asserts that subsitute products or services play an uneven role in industry dynamics. They can play a modest role in highly competitive industries or during periods of excess production. But subtitutes become significant when demand rapidly increasing or in markets with few competitors. In these cases, the availability of good substitutes influences the profits of the existing firms in a market. Buyer power is varied across markets and constituted by the most important determinants of buyer power in a market, which are the number of buyers and the distribution of their purchase, characteristics of product (for instance, standardization of products increases buyer power). In an industry, powerful suppliers can affect their bargaining power over firms by controlling prices or qualities of supply. Depending on each industry and the particular conditions of the industry, different forces will be more or less prominent in the industry competition. And the collective strength of these forces determines the intensity of competition in the industry and the potential profitability. â€Å"Knowledge of these underlying sources of competition in an industry highlights the critical strengths and weaknesses of the company, animates its positioning in its industry, clarifies the areas where strategic changes may yield the greatest payoff, and highlights the areas where industry trends promise to hold the greatest significance as either opportunities or threats† (Poeter 1980, pp.4). Once understanding these forces and their strategic implications, the company can formulate an effective competitive stratey, which enables it to defend itself from the existing array of competitive forces, affect them in its favour thereby improves the firm’s position in the market. Porter’s Diamond Model Figure 2: Porter’s Diamond Model The theorical framework, which examines the competitive position of a nation and its industries, consists of four determinants: factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries and firm strategy and rivalry. According to Porter (1998), factor conditions refer to production endowment that players need to compete in an industry. These factors are discriminated into basic factors versus advanced factors, and generalized factors versus specialized factors. A basic factor is passively inherited, for example natural resources and unskilled labour. Meanwhile advanced factors include what nations can create during their industrial growth like capital, infrastructure and highly educated labour forces. The standard for production factors is gradually rising due to the improvement of knowledge, science and technology. A nation can possess competitive advantage in an industry when it is able to create new competitive factor conditions and/or upgrade the needed factors. Demand conditions refer to the nature of home-market demand for an industry’s product or service considering in terms of quantity and quality. The size of the home market, the presence of demanding and sophisticated domestic buyers pressure companies to innovate and upgrade, meet high standards in order to respond to more diverse and higher levels of customer needs. â€Å"The presence of suppliers and related industries within a nation that are internationally competitive provides benefits such as innovation, upgrading, information flow, and shared technology development which create advantages in downstream industries† (Porter 1998). A nation thereby gains competitive advantage in an industry when it has competititve edge in the number of related industries. Another determinant is firm strategy, structure, and rivalry, referring to firms’ organizational structure, management situations and the performance of competitors in domestic market. The presence of intense rivalry in the home base is important, because it is powerful stimilus to creation and persistence of competitive advantage. Two external factors are chance and governments. Chance can discontinue the possibility of some companies to gain competitive position and some lose. Governments have an overarching effect on all the players. In many industries, government is a buyer/ supplier and can influence the competition of the industry by its policies. Government can also affect the relation between an industry and subsitutes through regulations and other means. They play a role in shaping the context and institutional structure surrounding companies and in creating an environment to support companies to gain competitive advantage. SWOT Analysis Internal analysis: Strength: Mad Mex is known as a gourmet restaurant with a healthy, fresh approach to Mexican cuisine. Its philosophy is to offer food servicing in a fast paced environment to create a high volume takeaway business but a unique and high quality product offer that is sufficient to command a premium price point. This concept will bring it the competitive advantage in food service industry relative to other global QSRs in China at present. By remaining true to the founding principles: Fresh and Healthy, Fast and Delicious, Authentic and Exciting, Mad Mex gradually broadens its business with 15 stores opened in just over four years and makes effort to arm itself with a team of business savvy, hands-on, franchisees. Weakness: Established in 2007, Mad Mex is still a baby to global giant fast-food restaurants like Mc Donald’s or KFC with its limited presence in three states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland within Australia. It is regarded as a strange brandname to the worldwide food service industry and particularly the Chinese market. External analysis: Opportunities: Chinese consumers are believed to have a positive image of quick service restaurants (QSRs) and good perception of their meal quality and customer services. The average level of consumer satisfaction yet high loyalty of Chinese customers is attracting to Western fast food restaurants franchise to engage their business in this market. According to a study on International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management regarding perceived service quality in the fast food industry in China, â€Å"reliability, recoverability, tangibles, and responsiveness were all significant dimensions of perceived service quality†( Hong Qin, 2010). As the study mentioned, all these positive perception in turn influenced the customer behavioral intentions in the industry. Despite the increasing customer preference for Western-style â€Å"to-go† restaurants in the Chinese market, the QSRs market share accounts for only 9.8 percent of Chinese sales for outside meals (Datamonito r, 2007). This means the unprecedented opportunity for Western restaurant chains to operate in China. Threats: The segmentation of QSRs in China is witnessing a tougher competition between international brands like MacDonald’s and KFC and myriad domestic companies like Yum!Brand and Ajisen. Besides, Asian QSRs are the largest sub-sector in the QSRs in China, in which Chinese cuisine is dominant. It is explained by the fact that Chinese people prefer their tradition rice-based dishes and their price sensitivity when choosing the lower dishes in the Chinese restaurants. Furthermore, for the first time penetrating foreign market, the inability or unwillingness of the company to face dietary and cultural challenges will lead to the failure in the image of Mad Mex in the global market. To succeed in the Chinese market, Western-style QSRs are required to examine Chinese customer behaviours and develop marketing strategies that adapt to the Chinese cultural environment.

Case Scenarios

Read the following scenarios. Answer, in a 50- to 100-word response, each of the following questions: Scenario 1 Sophia has been removed from her family and placed Into foster care for the second time In the last 2 years due to her mother's ongoing substance abuse. Sophia has missed many days of school and often comes to school dirty and wearing clothes from the day before. Sophia's mother does not think she has a problem and blames the system for once again taking her daughter. 1 . What can a human service professional do to help this family?We all may have a family member that have the same problem. Human service can help Sophia's mother by getting her help for substance abuse. Her mother may not feel that she needs help or have a drug problem. I f the daughter is coming to school dirty and missing school the teacher can see that there is a problem. She can report this problem to Human Services and they can place Sophia in foster care until her mother is able to care for her proper ly. 2. Sophia's mother is thinking that child protective services as the worst people for taking her daughter for the second time.The mother needs to get help for her substance abuse and prove that she can be healthy and stable for her daughter, then she could be allowed to have her daughter back. Scenario 2 John has been homeless for most of his adult life. He Is often seen on the medians of busy Intersections asking for food and money or wandering through the park talking to himself. John used to seek housing In a homeless shelter but often chooses to sleep In the local park. During the winter, the local homeless coalition attempts to talk to John about staying In the shelter but he refuses.Staying out In the cold has deed John to being hospitalized on several occasions, but he maintains that he Is better off without anyone's help. 1. We all may have a family member that have the same problem. Human service can help Sophia's mother by getting her help for substance abuse. Her moth er may not feel that she needs help or have a drug problem. I f the daughter Is coming to school dirty and mammals school the teacher can see that there is a problem. She can report this problem to Human Services and they can place Scenario 3 Juan often runs away from home because his parents constantly fight and often blame him for their issues.Juan runs away for 2 to 3 days at a time and will do this at least once a week. When he is at home, he typically does not follow the rules and will yell at his parents and siblings. Juan has a history of defiant behavior, but his home environment has often been chaotic. Jean's parents have been through family counseling, but they feel it was not helpful and are reluctant to do it again. Juan sometimes will run to a local group home that takes in runaway youth. 1 . If you were a counselor at the group home, how might you work with Juan to get him to stop running away from home so that he is not sleeping on the streets? If I ere a counselor, I would arrange an in-home sit down with the child, and the parents, I would find out the details of which needs are not being met in the home that was constantly causing the arguing, and try to find a solution(s) to the families problems. Next I would arrange for weekly counseling sessions for the parents and the child to try and see if we begin to meet the family needs if then it would stop the arguing which would then stop the child from being defiant and running away weekly, and bring peace and happiness in the home. . How might you try to work with the family even though they have participated in Emily therapy previously and did not find it effective? * Next I would arrange for weekly counseling sessions for the parents and the child to try and see if we begin to meet the family needs if then it would stop the arguing which would then stop the child from being defiant and running away weekly, and bring peace and happiness in the home.I know that they said it didn't work previous ly but I would give it a try Just to try and help them, I would address the way that the previous counselor went about it and try a different approach to make the counseling for the family work, legalizing that not all methods work for all families, but I would try different techniques or ask the family some things that they like to do together and try to incorporate that into the counseling to make for a happier time in the home.As a counselor I would have group sessions with the family and private sessions with the child with the parent's permission as well. The purpose of the group sessions would be to validate that the family does not blame the child for their problems. The purpose of the private sessions would be to allow the child to open up and talk about their true feelings. Through being an attentive listener for the family and advising the parents to keep an open and stable relationship with their child.

Analysis of The Choice by the Russell Roberts Essay

Analysis of The Choice by the Russell Roberts - Essay Example Writer convincingly put forward important arguments in favor of free trade and how it can actually increase the economic prosperity. What is, however, also critical to note that the author has practically failed to realize as to how protectionism can actually provide necessary benefits to an economy. The example of China is one of the critical examples of how the selective protectionism can play an instrumental role in the development of the country and writer has probably failed to envisage a future where different variations of the protectionism can actually increase economic freedom and contribute towards the growth. As such the advocacy of the free trade by the author is actually an advocacy of the American dream and not a more practical presentation of economic theory and logic and how protectionism can too contribute towards the development of a nation regardless of the fact whether the country is actively involved in the free trade or  not.

Motivating and leading Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Motivating and leading - Research Paper Example Marketing Plan of Coca Cola Marketing mix is a tool that enables the marketers of a particular product to make it attractive for the consumers. The marketers cannot control the external factors, hence, have limited chances to make the product look attractive for the consumers. Marketing mix involves decisions that may help in adjusting these internal controllable factors according to the needs of the consumers. The marketing plan of brands like coca cola clearly considers these factors to capture a larger global market (Kotler & Armstrong 2005, p 56) . This paper aims to examine the marketing plan of coca Cola and measures the contribution of factors which help in developing customer loyalty and brand recognition. Marketing Plan of Coca Cola: Marketing requires clear objectives to be achieved. The first and most important factor in designing and formulating a marketing plan is to identify the target audience. The targeted audience of Coca-Cola is undoubtedly circled around all age gr oups, cultures and societies. The biggest advantage that Coca Cola has today is its brand name. A well known brand like Coca Cola is much easier to be marketed than others (Mowen & Minor 2001, p 280). People can easily be attracted towards such products by careful consideration.

Charles Jencks and Postmodernism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Charles Jencks and Postmodernism - Essay Example The essay "Charles Jencks and Postmodernism" focuses on the figure of Charles Jencks and the postmodernism. Post modern art favours reflexivity and the self consciousness, its emphasis is on the de-structured, decentred and dehumanized subject. It is also concerned with questions of the organization of knowledge. In a society where post modernism exists knowledge becomes functional, one learns things not to know but to use that knowledge. We are talking about post modernism in relation to garden design which has become an integral part of the cultural landscape. One can notice a difference in the way the gardens are being designed as compared to the modernism days. There seems to be now a bond between the abstract and the arts and craft approaches, the geometry of the abstract art has been blended with the various delights of the arts and craft gardens. This change is mostly commonly seen in the materials which are chosen. Before for gardens people would choose a square concrete slab or a wood painted white which was used to represent the abstract style but now due to post modernism, there is now the richness of the earthy bricks, the stained timber and concrete finishing’s as well as the decorative fittings which have appeared in the gardens and the sense of place and scale is altogether more intimate then before. Where its spirals scales of a pine cone run from the bottom to the top, it has recurring numbers, ratios and proportions. Its recurrent pattern is a form of what one says self-organization.

The different types of protein defects that can be associated with the Essay

The different types of protein defects that can be associated with the red blood cell - Essay Example RBCs give blood its characteristic red color†. Hemoglobin is a metalloprotein, which means it is a protein that includes iron as one of its constituent atoms. For the reason of oxygen distribution, hemoglobin has multiple chemical â€Å"slots† for storing oxygen. This oxygen is acquired from the heart, where red blood cells are replenished with oxygen from the lungs. According toToole(2004: 32) â€Å"Red blood cells are unusual in having no nucleus, mitochondria and they are much thinner in the middle and so form a biconcave shape†. The red blood cell is the main component of the circulatory system, also known by the name of cardiovascular system. In the circulatory system, the channels know as arteries hold oxygen-rich blood for distribution to the body, while veins give back oxygen-poor blood to the heart for replenishment. The oxygen levels of blood can be assessed by looking at its color – oxygen-poor blood has bluish color, while oxygen-rich blood looks red. The second important function to carrying oxygen although less commonly known, is the capability of red blood cells to carry carbon dioxide. CO2 is a waste product formed due to metabolism in every cell in the human body Red blood cells measure a diameter of about 6-8 micrometers (millionths of a meter), similar in size to much of the cells in the body. An RBC is biconcave in shape.Rosenberge (2010)states that â€Å"Red blood cells completely lack in most other common cellular parts, such as a nucleus with DNA, or mitochondria†. Due to their small shape and physical structure, the RBC can squish in to the small capillaries where the blood vessels are the smallest. Without this nature of flexibility , they have a high chance of getting stuck and cause obstructions in the circulation Because red blood cells are so important to your body, when they dont work properly, it often leads to

Literature Search - Mental Illness Research Paper

Literature Search - Mental Illness - Research Paper Example A stressful home or job makes some individuals more vulnerable. It is important for nurses to have this understanding in order that they may develop the ability to assist mentally-ill persons. A larger number of people struggle with mental illness. According to studies, one in five people suffers mental illness in United States. Therefore, I chose mental illness as it is among the most common issues that nurses are likely to face. It is important for nurses to be acquitted with it so that they can offer assistance. There are various search strategies for uncovering pieces of information required in the web. The use of an appropriate strategy improves the results greatly. Most search engines have forms for entering keywords, a button for beginning the search, links to advanced search tools, special options, and features, and subject categories. Depending on the characteristics of the search tool, different search strategies can be used. They are the simple searching, complex searching, phrase searching, natural language searching, and default Boolean logic. I used different search strategies in the activity. In the search for an article in EBSCO host database, I used simple searching strategy. EBSCO host database has a platform for keywords. For example, when I was a searching for information about mental illness, I clicked the EBSCO host Web button, which linked me to others buttons. When I clicked the Academic Search Premier Button, I was given the platform to enter my keyword. On the form, I entered the words ‘mental illness’ and then clicked the search button. The search tool gave me 30 results out of a total of 534,497 results. However, when I scrolled through the results, I could not find the specific information I required. In order to get specific information, I placed the words ‘mental illness in children’ in the form. The search tool gave me 30 results from 236,889

Issues and results of the second Vatican council Essay

Issues and results of the second Vatican council - Essay Example It opened under Pope John XXIII in 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI in 1965. It was a response to the changing culture of the post World War II world and a call to the spiritual renewal of the church. Even after all these years, the results of Vatican II continue to be debated and it has its supporters and its critics. It remains a bone of contention for theologians and Catholics, as it is subject to various interpretations. Traditionalists see Vatican II as a departure from the earlier beliefs and practices of the church and condemn the break with the past. Supporters see it as a step in the right direction and as a much-needed move to bring the church in step with the modern world. The opposing positions show that â€Å"Its champions, in many cases, see it as having liberated Catholics from a long night of oppression, thus restoring to the people of God their rightful liberties. Its detractors blame it for shattering the unity and order of the church and introducing an era of co ntestation and doubt† (Dulles, 2003). However, whatever may be the stand taken, it cannot be denied that Vatican II ushered in a new era in the history of the Church and has far-reaching implications for practicing Catholics today. ... It can be seen as the decision of the Church to â€Å"throw in their lot with all the forces making for humanization and progress† (Dulles, 2003). As O’Malley (2003) points out, the language used by Vatican II is a marked departure from that of earlier Church canons. It rejects the authoritarian, judgmental style of the past for a speaking style which conforms to contemporary communication. By opening channels of communication with all people, including non-believers, Vatican II ensures that the Church retains its relevance as a political and religious force to be reckoned with in today’s multicultural, diverse society. A refusal to engage in dialogue would result is a fortress-like mentality and effectively isolate the Church from the affairs of the world. Such isolation would definitely be â€Å"to the detriment of the church's mission† (Dulles, 2003). Vatican II attempts to see that its message â€Å"is extended and broadened to the entire world† (Pope Paul VI Closing Speech, 1965). By proclaiming its readiness to enter into a dialogue, and remain open to diverse viewpoints, Vatican II ensures that the Church can be a legitimate participant in international deliberations and contribute to finding solutions to the problems which beset the world. The purpose of the dialogue is to express the Church’s solidarity with all men, including non-believers. This objective of Vatican II is reiterated by Pope Francis in his recent address to the Diplomatic Corps, in which he expresses his wish that dialogue will help â€Å"to build bridges connecting all people† (Pope Francis, 2013). Pope Francis’ â€Å"embrace of the world† is a true reflection of the spirit of Vatican

Martha Graham Essay Example for Free

Martha Graham Essay Throughout history, Modern Dance has been pioneered by inspirational choreographers such as Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham. Martha Graham in particular, revolutionised the dance industry with her numerous choreographed works. By experimenting with foreign movements and establishing the fundamental technique in Modern Dance, Martha Graham clearly expressed this dramatic dance style as a new form of life. Her style, created from raw emotion, challenges the technical barriers of traditional ballet and has evolved into today’s contemporary dance form. Born into a privileged life in 1894 near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Graham was inspired from her father being a specialised physician interested in the way the human body moves. In 1915, she studied dance with Ted Shawn and Ruth St Denis, the innovative teachers at Denishawn. She then moved to the Greenwhich Village Follies for two years to establish her lengthy career. Living in a time of misconceived ideas, Martha Graham used her dancing genius to represent the many issues in American society in an abstract form. Martha Graham’s technique is classically based but tweaks the usual symmetrical body alignment with sharp, precise and angular shapes. Graham’s moves communicate through the dancer, her emotion and stance on American social issues. These moves are expressed through; contraction, release, spirals, flexed hands and feet, rolls, flexion and suspension, clenched fists, fall and recover, curl and twist. Her stimulus for creating movements was breathing and the way she could emotionally express how she felt about life. The contraction starts from the pelvis and travels up the spine. This curvature in the upper body is developed from an exhalation of breath. The release brings the body back to a neutral position with an inhalation of breath. All of the dancers in her company have an extremely strong core and maintain flexibility even though strength is the dominating component. To train the dancers, Graham would often perform classes with just floor work to strengthen the technical elements (contract, release and spiral) as well as learning control. Here the discipline of dance was drilled before allowing the freedom of performing. Graham was quoted, â€Å"Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired. † Her experimental technique allowed her dramatic view on life to be performed through Modern Dance. One of Graham’s theatrical works Night Journey, displays her established technical elements of modern dance. Inspired by Sophocles’ Greek Tragedy, the dance begins with King Oedipus and his Queen Jacosta complementing each other in their arms. As the dynamics in the music develop, intruding onto the stage are six chorus members (Daughters of the Night) in a grieving state. Lunging forward in a contraction with their fists covering their eyes, they repeat this sequence around the stage recovering to a release in between each contraction. As the contraction is a Graham interpreted symbol of the human emotion grief, this has been consequently used multiple times throughout. Showing locomotion in unison as they clench their fists and flex their hands demonstrates this pleading state. These movements, contractions, releases, developpes, attitudes and shuffling of feet, depict the women as vulnerable to lustful desires. Graham was quoted, â€Å"The body is your instrument in dance, but your art is outside that creature, the body. † The expression of the upper body is sharp and angular with the reoccurring contraction and release. Non-locomotor movements are often in isolated poses of fear positioned around the males. At the time, women were often discriminated against not having the same power as men. Graham has used this theme to display the social inequality sending a message that men have been in control of women for centuries and that women need to break free. The males use dominating gestures throughout, with the blind-seer Tiresias, portraying power and purpose with the repetition of arabesque promenades and high levels. These foreign movements have expressed the themes in a dramatic way developed from her dance style. In this Greek themed performance, the women wore long black dresses with stripes down the side and crown-like head pieces. King Oedipus wears a simple black tunic revealing most of his body. Tiresias dresses in a black flowing coat, carries a wooden staff, and wears mask to show he is blind. Tiresias uses this wooden staff to indicate his wisdom and this symbolizes truth. The silk rope used to hang Queen Jacosta symbolises the connection to Oedipus from birth til death. The music is an extension to the dancers and enhances this performance dramatically. Wild, fierce and harsh would be a way to describe William Schumann’s dynamic instrumental score. The dancers reacted with the music emotionally as well as physically increasing the overall effect of the performance. This choreographic style has allowed modern dance to communicate life’s emotions through drama intertwining with physical movement and relationships. Martha Graham has created countless choreographic pieces that have revolutionised the traditional outlook on dance. The Martha Graham Company was established in 1926 and is still a leading company to date. She has pioneered the Modern Dance industry by creating the fundamental technique and applying it to her 181 choreographed performances. Martha Graham has created a dance style to express a new form of life which has changed the dance world forever.

Oncolytic Virus Therapy for Cancer

Oncolytic Virus Therapy for Cancer Abstract Interest of oncolytic virotherapy is mounting from over the past few decades for treating many kinds of malignancies. Despite oncolytic viruses attain many successes in cancer therapeutic era; they all have still challenges in their developments. The interaction between virulence factors of viruses, hosts immune defense system, microenvironments and tumour factors are the hazardous influences in their achievements of novelties. Currently, with the thanks of modern recombinant biotechnology, most of the oncolytic viruses are increasing their tumour selectivity and specificity. On the other hand, they reduce their efficacies on physiologically functioning cells. Furthermore, combinational therapies with traditional anti-cancer treatment regimes have also promising and relevance outcomes. In 2004, Chinese food and drug administration (FDA) approved first oncolytic virus in treatment of head and neck tumours. However, they have some still unsolved obstacles in proper cancer therapy. In m y paper, the current issues and future prospects of the oncolytic viruses are highlighted how to use as therapeutic weapons. Keywords: Oncolytic viruses; Oncolytic virotherapy; Cancer gene therapies; recombinant 1. Introduction Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally comprising 13% of all deaths (7.6 million deaths) in 2008. Although well established conventional therapies including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are existed, we still need new therapies and strategic plans. Local therapies such as surgery and radiotherapy have been limited in disseminated tumours. Likewise, chemotherapy has some intolerable adverse effects and sometimes, pre-existing chemo-sensitive tumours are resistance to chemotherapy after prolonged used. Thus, we really need certain promising therapies to handle these problems. Recent years, oncolytic virotherapy is uprising and promising for the various types of cancers. Ideology of virotherapy treating the malignancy has been introduced since early 20th century. However, since early oncolytic viruses were targeted not only tumour cells but also the normal cells, interest in the virotherapy was declined. Therefore, many trials related with such therapy were termi nated during the following decades. Late 1990s, interest of virotherapy was re-active with the advance of modern biotechnology. Today, concern of the virotherapy is high and it has the potential promises as a reasonable cancer treatment by itself or conjunction with other conventional therapies such as surgery, radio and/ or chemotherapy (synergic effect). Advance technology allows the development of oncolytic viruses which only effective on dividing cancer cells but not attack the normal dividing cells. There are generally two types of oncolytic viruses namely non-engineered (naturally occouring) and engineered agents. Both types may destroy the malignant cells without harming the normal cells. Generally, oncolytic viruses only infect and preferentially replicate within the cancer cells followed by lyses these cells. In recent years, many therapeutic virus candidates are emerging and testing their oncolytic prosperities with preclinical and clinical trials. Among them, adenovirus H101 was the first virus approved by C hinese food and drug administration (FDA) in 2004 as the adjuvant oncolytic virotherapy combined with pre-existing conventional chemo- and radiotherapy in the head and neck cancers. 2. Type of oncolytic viruses Oncolytic viruses are principally divided into 4 types according to their mechanisms of action. There are intrinsically tumour selective viruses, virulent gene deleted viruses, promoter inserted viruses and pseudotyped viruses. Genetic modified oncolytic viruses are manipulated whether insertion of the transgenes or deletion of the virulence genes. Naturally occouring tumour selective viruses are the viruses that are not genetically modified, direct targeting on the malignant cells. For instance, New castle disease virus, Vesicular stomatitis virus, Poliovirus and Reovirus are intrinsically tumour selective. However, affectivity is less due to depend on the natural strength of their lytic properties. Virulent gene deleted oncolytic viruses are more popular because their selectivity on target tumours are more specific without infectivity to normal ones. For example, herpes simplex virus, adenovirus, measles virus and vaccinia virus can be modified by deletion of their virulence protein coding genes. In addition, inserting of foreign genetic elements such as promoter region boost tumor specificity and selectivity of oncolytic viruses. Thus, tumour cells allow the replication of these viruses because only tumour cells can activate the promoter region of them. For example, prostate specific antigen (PSA) promoter inserted adenovirus CG7870 applies in prostate cancer and promising results were came out. Pesudotyped oncolytic viruses are modified with ligands which target tumour selective cell surface receptors. Therefore, they solely have their infectivity on malignant cells. (E.g. adenovirus delta 24RGD). Moreover, these viruses may reduce toxicity and dose requirement. 3. Characteristic features of standard oncolytic virus Since viruses can infect not only the malignant cells but also the functioning cells, oncolytic virotherapy is the critical therapy. Hence, safety and efficacy of the virotherapy are considerable issue and still challenging for further improvement. Potential oncolytic viruses are needed to confirm or compare whether they have real ideal characters of oncolytic virus or not. Standard characters of the oncolytic virus stated that (1) they only replicate within tumour with high multiplication rate, not on normal cells (2) less or no infectivity and virulence than their wild types (3) genetically stable so that mutations and recombination with other viruses are minimized for manufacturing and safety issues. DNA virus is more stable than RNA virus (4) can inactivated anytime with antiviral drugs or other mechanisms (5) considerable mass production (commercially available) can be possible with good manufacturing practices. Therefore, for development of virotherapy, all oncolytic viruses sh ould be fulfilled above criteria. Adenovirus and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) have high selectivity and specificity on tumour cells with massive replication rate of 1000 folds in 1st cycle. Besides, they are considerably stable whereas terminate anytime with their respective antiviral therapy (e.g. adenovirus is self-limiting and HSV is treated by acyclovir). 4. Tumour selective mechanism With the knowledge of the malignant cells molecular biology, oncolytic virotherapy can be created to attack the tumour cells selectively. Cancer cells undergo changes ranging from subtle point mutation to chromosomal instability. Inherent tumour selective viruses specifically attack the tumour cells by targeting the specific tumour promoting pathway of the malignant cells such as activated Ras and AKT pathway, defective interferon (IFN) pathway etc. RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) pathway is a natural process that inhibits viral protein synthesis. Physiologically, interferon (IFN) secreted from infected cells phosphorylates the PKR which subsequent phosphorylates eIF-2ÃŽ ±. Then, phosphorylated eIF-2ÃŽ ± interfere the oncolytic viral protein synthesis that require for their virulence. In contrast, Ras mutation and defective IFN in malignant cells disturbs the PKR pathway and favours the oncolytic virus activity. For instance, herpes simplex virus (HSV) containing neurovirulence gene ÃŽ ³34.5 that binds with intracellular phosphatase and dephosphorylates eIF-2ÃŽ ± allowing replication of HSV in both normal and tumour cells. However, deletion of this gene permits to replicate only in Ras mutated or interferon (IFN) defective cells. Controversially, recent finding suggested that ÃŽ ³34.5 deleted HSV can also replicate in PKR functional malignant cells. It is seen to be defects in PI-3 kinase pathway which favours translation of ÃŽ ³34.5 mutant HSV. Moreover, genetically modified adenovirus (dl331), VAI mutant strain, prefers to replicate only in tumour cells with Ras activation. Similarly, dl331 is also effective in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated tumours such as nasopharyngeal malignancy because Epstein-Barr virus expresses viral associated RNAs (VA RNAs) that defect PKR pathway. Many cancer cells over-express receptors for virus in high level. Thus, exploiting this mechanism, many oncolytic viruses are selectively homed in their specific malignant cells. For example, over-expression of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and decay acceleration factor (DAF) in tumour favours to infect Coxsackie virus A21. Besides, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) binds sialic acid receptors. Alpha virus similarly uses heparin sulphate or ICAM-1 as its receptors. Both of them are highly express in tumor population. Therefore, these viruses are highly concentrated in tumour cells. 5. Immunogenicity of virotherapy Likewise as many other viruses, oncolytic viruses also stimulate and activate the body defense mechanisms including innate as well as adopted immunity. These viruses produce the viral proteins required for their replication within tumour cells. These proteins also stimulate the MHC class I gene to present it on the cellular surface of tumour cells as well as on the normal cells. MHC class I antigen was recognized by cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) or CD8+ cells which may destroy any cells representing MHC I antigens. Therefore, nature immunity allows eliminating both tumour and normal non-dividing cells. So, oncolytic viruses may also destroy normal cells apart from abnormal ones. An immune mechanism on the oncolytic viruses is one of the major constraints for developing modern virotherapy. However, to date, genetically modified viruses can only replicate and lyses p53 mutant cells. They cannot inactivate p53 gene of the normal host cells. p53 is functional and prevent replication of these viruses in the normal host cells. So, they are allowed their functions only in mutant tumour cells. 6. Conversion of oncogenic to oncolytic Many oncogenic viruses are potential to use as oncolytic therapy nowadays after genetically manipulation. Generally, 15-20% of the carcinogenesis is contributed by various kinds of oncogenic viruses such as herpes papilloma virus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus etc. Reversely, these viruses can be changed to treat the malignancies by exploiting their lytic effects on the dividing cells. One of the classical examples is herpes simplex virus type 2 which is ongoing trials in many tumour cell lines by deleting its oncogenic genes coding thymidilase kinase or ribonucleotide reductase. Therefore, even tumourogenic agents can be used as oncolytic therapy by engineering their oncogenic gene components. 7. Novel oncolytic viruses 7.1. Adenovirus Adenovirus is interested in treatment of brain tumour especially in glioma multiforme. This tumour is never metastasized and contributed as single lesion. Moreover, it is almost resistance to systemic therapy because of blood-brain barrier and lack of cell mediated antigen drainage. However, fortunately, oncolytic viruses can replicate and spread within the tumour population since blood brain barrier create immune privileged site. In glioma cells, tumour suppressor gene (Rb) is inactivated and lack of expression. Taking this advantage, genetically modified adenoviruses are constructed by deletion of eight amino acids in Rb binding region of E1A protein. Therefore, they are unable to replicate in the normal cells because viruses cannot inactivate Rb gene of the functioning cells. But they can easily divide within the malignant cells owing to the lack of Rb protein. Additionally, adenoviruses induce autophagy in infected cells (malignant cells) through down-regulation of AKT/TOR pathwa y. Many genetically engineered adenoviruses are still on trials including in vitro and in vivo tests. ONYX-015 (dl1520) is a simple adenovirus lack of E1B 55K protein which do not replicate in the normal cells. So, they only express their functions in p53 mutant cells. In other word, their function does not work in p53 competent cells. Onyx-015 is a first oncolytic virus that has been approved by china FDA to treat the head and neck cancers especially refractory nasopharyngeal cancer combining with standard cisplatin based chemotherapy. Onyx-015 should be given intratumoural or peritumoural injection because of their side effects (e.g. flu-like syndrome). In addition, it showed 50% response rate observed in phase I and II clinical trials of pancreatic cancer. Recent studies found that Onyx-015 replication is not solely dependent on p53 function. Onyx-015 can replicate within some p53 competent cells whereas sometimes, cannot replicate even in mutant p53 cells. It may think to be reliable on E1B 55K independent nuclear late mRNA export of the tumour cells but not in functionally norma l cells. Besides, other co-founding effects should be considered. For example, increasing the temperature (fever, hyperthermia or drugs) promotes replication of E1B deficient adenovirus in the malignant cells rather than normal ones. dl250 mutant strain is engineered by deletion of E1B 19K which is homologue of Bcl-2 and also inhibits pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Functionally, Bcl-2 is the anti-apoptosis protein. Hence, deletion of E1B 19K leads to permit cell death in Bcl-2 over-expressed tumour cells. It may also reduce expression of anti-apoptosis proteins and various growth factors. This type of virus is more potent in anti-tumour activity than dl1520. Delta 24 (dl922-947) adenoviruses are genetically modifying agents which are deleted the gene related with virulence factors and upregulate the transcription elements sensitive to the transcription factors of tumour cells. E.g. Delta-24 is modified by deleting of 24 nucleotides (pRb binding region) in E1A gene so that it is unable to inactivate Rb gene in the normal cells. So, it can only effective in the malignant cells. Now, many studies promise that it has potent anti-tumor effect in glioma. E1A mutants are more superior in oncolysis than E1B strains in vivo and vitro. Besides, Delta-24 RGD is more efficient in treating the low CAR (coxsackie-adenovirus receptor) expression malignant cells such as glioma and bronchogenic carcinoma cells. 7.2. Herpes Simplex virus First herpes simplex virus (dlsptk) as an oncolytic agent is developed in 1991 that is deleted in thymine kinase (TK) genes required for nucleic acid metabolism. Lacking of this gene, Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) lose its ability of replication in the normal cells. Hence, HSV only prefer to infect the tumour cells. HSV is a primarily potential treatment in several paediatric cancers including brain tumours. So far, ÃŽ ³34.5 deleted HSV are tracking on the clinical trials. These all vectors directly target to the tumour cells by deletion of neurovirulant gene ÃŽ ³34.5 (30kb) which is not essential for replication of the malignant cells. G47Δ HSV virus is derived from G207 parent virus. They are constructed by deletion of both copies of ÃŽ ³34.5 gene (1kb) and deletion of 312bp in ICP47 gene increasing oncolyitc efficacy. Also, they promote MHC class I expression in the tumour cells enhancing the immunogenicity of these cells. G207 variant was completed phase I study in glioblastoma multiforme resulting with no serious side-effects. Similarly, HSV 1716 is a genetically engineered variant by manipulating HSV1 stain 17 and deleting both copies of neurovirulent gene, ÃŽ ³34.5. Pilot study has already completed in Metastatic melanoma. NV 1020 (R7020) stain is the chimeric recombinant of HSV 1 and 2 with deleting one copy of ÃŽ ³34.5 gene, UL24 and 56 genes. Originally, it is developed as HSV vaccination. However, recently, it is still ongoing phase II trial on hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer by direct infusion into the hepatic artery. OncoVEXTM is recombinant vector with deletion of ÃŽ ³34.5 gene as well as ICP47. Deletion of ÃŽ ³34.5 reduces intrinsic neuro-pathogenecity of HSV whereas ICP47 deletion restores MHC class I presentation. Additionally, insertion of GM-CSF gene stimulates immune response of the host to the tumour cells. Releasing of GM-CSF promotes recruitment of dendritic cells for tumour specific response. It promotes tumour specific antigen (TSA) expression as well. Thus, OncoVEXTM affects not only on local tumour but on metastases or distant tumours. Currently, OncoVEXTM improved loco-regional control of head and neck cancers combining with chemo-radiotherapy. Intralesional injection of OncoVEX GM-CSF is ongoing phase I trials on cutaneous metastases and melanomas although it has dose related limitation such as injection site inflammation. Another advantage is that it is able to carry large transgenes up to 150kb. It is the main advantage of these viruses using for oncolytic agent although they ma y produce neurotoxity at high doses, difficult cloning and reactivate latent herpes infection which are hidden in the nervous systems (Ganglions). 7.3. Newcastle disease virus Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is paramyxovirus containing single stranded RNA which causes Newcastle disease in avian (birds). Earliest NDV (73-T strain) has been started to use as a clinical trial oncolytic virus for cervical cancer in 1965. Based on their oncolytic properties, NDV is divided into lytic and non-lytic stains. Lytic strains direct lyses the targeted cells. Currently, 2 lytic strains of NDV are ongoing trials which are NDV-HUJ and PV701. Both are naturally occouring live attenuated viruses. As NDV-HUJ strain is a neurotropic virus, it applies in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Likewise, NDV-PV701 strain has effect on many types of tumours. Results of their trials have potential promising. One of the advantages of NDV is that it selectively replicates in the tumour cells, not on normal ones. When NDV has also studied in breast cancer patients neoadjuvant with chemotherapy, outcome was desirable with minimal adverse effects including fever, flu-like syndrome, hypotension etc. Occourance and severity of side effects is reduced in subsequent therapy due to development of NDV antibodies in patients serum. On the other hand, non-lytic strains disturb the malignant cell metabolisms leading to allow regression of the tumours. Common non-lytic strains include Ulster stain. NDV damages the malignant cells by either direct lysis of the cells, induction of cytokine production (Interferon, Tumour necrotic factor) or enhance apoptosis including both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. 72-T stain induces cytokine release while Ulster stain over-expresses the TRAIL receptors on tumour cells surface which may lead to apoptosis. 7.4. Mump virus and Simian virus Mump virus is the first paramyxovirus trying to treat in variety of human malignant cells. Vaccine strain 79 (S79) has potential promising oncolytic virus because S79 can only be infected to the cancer cells but not in normal ones. Studying in nude mice, mump virus demonstrated its tumour inhibition effect significantly. Simian virus is also a rubulavirus and among them, strain 5 can be genetically engineered as an oncolytic virus. This modified strain is able to attack several different cancer cell types significantly. 7.5. Vesicular stomatitis virus Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is only rhabdovirus potentially using in cancer therapy. VSV is a single stranded RNA virus considering for oncolytic therapy. Developing of the recombinant VSV virus in 1995, the role of VSV is amounting in virotherapy. In recent studies, genetically modified replication competent VSV prolonged survival of hapatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer and malignant melanoma. Oncolytic properties of VSV is more effective in type I interferon (IFN) resistance malignant cells. Tumour cells are defect in interferon (IFN) signaling pathways but activated in Ras -ERK pathway. However, VSV can also impact on the normal cells especially in high doses. Thus, early (prophylactic) interferon therapy is required concomitant with VSV virotherapy because interferon appears to prevent the viral replication within the normal cells. Using the advantage of replication within the interferon defect cells, recombinant VSV deltaM51 which is defective in M (matrix) protein (poin t mutation) was constructed. Matrix protein is the regulator protein that increases replication and transcription of the virus but blocks the host cells anti-viral mechanism. Studies showed that VSV deltaM51 strain has beneficial role in glioma cells xenografted nude mice. Furthermore, VSV shutdown the blood supply to the tumour leading to deprivation of oxygen and nutrients which may require for tumour growth. 7.6. Measles Measles as oncolytic therapy is more interesting since there was significant regression of Hodgkins lymphoma after infecting with measles virus. Resent study suggested that recombinant measles virus (Edmonston B strain) showed significant inhibition on xenograft SCID mice with human lymphoma cells. Next, Edmonston B stain specifically attracts CD 46 cell surface receptors that are highly expressed in human mesothelioma cells. Thus, this strain has highly attractive role in treatment of mesothelioma. In addition, engineered measles virus with interferon (IFN) ÃŽ ² gene inhibits tumour angiogenesis rather than parental strain. Despite most of the people previously encountered with measles infection or vaccination in their early life which may cause therapeutic failure, the evidence highlighted that replication of measles virus was taken place even in the immune individuals. It seems to be immunosuppression due to cancer itself or concurrent use of other anti-cancer therapies such as ra diotherapy, and (or) chemotherapy. 7.7. Poxvirus Vaccinia virus (VV) is the most potential candidate poxvirus utilized as virotherapy recently. This virus is genetically engineered by deletion of thymidine kinase genes like herpes simplex virus (HSV). For instance, JX-594 strain which is transfected with GM-CSF gene, displayed oncolytic activity in animal models. However, it may rarely affective in the normal cells. Most Vaccinia viruses kill the targeted malignant cells by apoptosis as well as traditional mechanisms. Myxoma virus, another poxvirus, is significantly effective on human glioma cancer cell lines. In addition, rapamycin (immunosuppressant) reinforced its oncolytic efficacy when using combination. 7.8. Togaviruses Togaviruses (Sindbis and Semliki Forest Virus) also show their potential roles in the oncolytic therapy. Sindbis virus (SIN) is an RNA virus that naturally infects human by mosquito bites. This virus binds with its receptors of 65kD (Laminin receptors) which are highly express on the tumor cells (tumour homing property). To take the advantage, Sindbis virus promotes considerably regression of the several tumor cell lines in vitro testing and xenograft SCID mice. In human study, it has promising effect on cervical and ovarian malignancies with minimal or no remarkable adverse effect on normal cells. Next, Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) may inoculate repeatedly without prominent immune response. Togaviruses favour as the oncolytic virotherapy agents due to their high replication rate, broad spectrum of host ranges, increase transgene expression and stable in blood stream. Apart from these viruses, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) is also a replication competent virus which is int eresting in certain circumstance of oncolytic therapy. 7.9. Retrovirus Gamma retrovirus (moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)) may have effect on the tumour cells not in the non-dividing cells. So, it may safe as oncolysis. For instance, when U87 glioma xenografted nude mice were administrated with MoMLV, significant oncolytic result has been reported. These viruses are less effect on normal cells due to lack of nuclear transport of viral genome. Certainly, they cannot replicate well within non-dividing cells. In addition, modified MoMLV viruses expressing HSV thymidine kinase (TK) have synergistic effect on glioblastoma cells combining with ganciclovir (anti-viral agent for HSV). Another retrovirus such as fomy virus has also intrinsic oncolytic property. It is researched recently on glioma implanted nude mice. However, the result is still controversial.

Occupational Therapy In Brazil Health And Social Care Essay

Occupational Therapy In Brazil Health And Social Care Essay Brazil is located in Latin America. It is the fifth most populated country according to the US Department of State (US Department of State, 2010). Brazil is home to an estimated 196 million people (US Department of State, 2010). As indicated by the Brazilian government, Brazil is a presidential democracy. The country is often referred to as The Federative Republic of Brazil (Brazilian Government, 2005). The Brazilian government developed a policy named Zero Hunger. The Zero Hunger policy is described in this view: Zero Hunger is a public policy that aims at eradicating hunger and social exclusion. It is a policy because it expresses the Federal Governments decision to consider hunger a central national issue, rather than an individual fatality. It is public because apart from the State it involves society as a whole (Brazilian Government, 2005). Brazil has public and private options for healthcare. In reference to the Brazilian government the public healthcare is established for public treatment. An example of this development is preventative and outpatient care with programs being carried out in rural areas: sanitation, food safety and care for the elderly, women and children (Brazilian Government, 2005). Improvements for public and private healthcare are still growing (Brazilian Government, 2005). The country of Brazil has been influenced by Indian, European, and African cultures. The influences of these nations have created norms for the Brazilian people. For example, music is a widespread custom in Brazil that dates back to the 17th century (Brazilian Government, 2005). Brazil has six occupational therapy schools. To become an occupational therapist in Brazil, a student must complete four to five years of occupational therapy curriculum at the offering university. Depending on what university the student attends that wil l determine the duration of their schooling (World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2004). Based on the research found for occupational therapy, Brazil appears to have a driving focus toward people with physical disabilities. Most of the research found pertained to physically disabled adults. However, there were few studies concerning pediatrics as well. For the most part, the focused research highlighted physical disabilities in the upper extremity. In addition, research was found that supported rehabilitation services, incorporates models for disabled adults returning to work, supports theories based on review, and functional advancements for persons who are disabled. In occupational therapy, we assist a population whose daily routine reveals disorganized doing and that faces difficulties in participating in the social and cultural world (Takatori Bemtempo, 2007, p. 48). This was quoted from a Brazilian study for children, but it could be taken into consideration for all levels of occupational therapy. The following paragraphs include research from Brazil used to educat e the world of occupational therapy. Work-related hand injures: Case analyses in a Brazilian rehabilitation service is the study conducted by Sampaio, Mancini, Sliva, Figueiredo, Vaz, and Alves, 2006, p. 803. This study promotes the idea that the results of this study provide evidence for functional gains in clients treated in a rehabilitation service and supply information about the relation between specific components and functional performance (Sampaio et.al, 2006, p. 803). This study by Sampaio et al., 2006, was designed to depict the changes in patients who underwent therapy at hospitals in Brazil. The treatment began after the patient had a work related accident. The accident resulted in the patient having an upper extremity disability. The patient was observed by an occupational therapist at two different times. The first time was at the entrance of treatment, and the other was at the release of their treatment. The authors included outside measurements in their study. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measur e (COPM) was used to assess participants self-perception of their occupational performance and satisfaction. COPM is a standardized functional assessment instrument in the format of a semi structured interview based on proposed for client-centered practice (Sampaio et al., 2006, p. 805). After rehabilitation was completed the grip strength of the patients had improved. Also there was an increase of the COPM at the time of discharge (Sampaio et al., 2006, p.806). In addition, more research by Figueiredo, Sampaio, Mancini Nascimento et al. (2006) also agrees that receiving intervention especially occupational therapy will increase the COPM and the grip strength. After the study was completed the research shows that people who have rehabilitation therapy will see significant increase in grip strength values, with mean value at discharge showing to be twice the magnitude observed at admission (Sampaio et al., 2006, p. 807). in Brazil, few rehabilitation services currently use client-ce ntered functional evaluation tools in clinical practice, and most are not familiar with such instruments. However, client-centered approaches are becoming popular within rehabilitation facilities, especially in North America (Sampaio et al., 2006). This study in Brazil is good for moving rehabilitation research forward because it demonstrates how research from other countries can be implemented. This shows that having countries create research together can enhance a common goal. Also, the research illustrates how there are positive outcomes for this topic. Occupational therapists questioning the idea of rehabilitation services for hand therapy can read this study, and then formulate their own opinions based on the findings of Sampaio and other researchers. Another research titled named Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH): Factor analysis of the version adapted to Portuguese/Brazil by Cheng, Sampaio, Mancini, Fonseca, and Cotta (2008) also has a focus on upper extremity disabilities. DASH has been used in a practical setting, and has been converted into other languages for the enrichment of shared research (Cheng et al., 2008). The purpose of this study was To investigate the psychometric properties (construct and discriminate validities) of the translated and validated version of DASH in the Portuguese language (Cheng et al., 2008, p. 1901). Since this is the first performance of the Brazilian DASH: Another aspect to be considered is that this is the first study to analyze the performance of the items in the Brazilian version of the instrument, which along with the scarcity of the studies that investigate performance of the instrument items, hinders comparisons (Cheng et al., 2008, p. 1908). Seeing how Brazil is now implementing the method of DASH shows that they are trying to expand their knowledge. Brazil is teaming up with other countries to utilize research. Since occupational therapists might be facilitating treatment to persons with upper extremity disabilities, constructing research for this problem in this country is important. Due to the fact that Brazil has strong manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and service sector (Frumkin Ca^mara, 1991, p. 1619), the need for DASH and occupational therapy could effectively help the disabled workers. One article describes the application of a model for analyzing industrial tasks that was developed to identify jobs that could potentially be filled by people with disabilities (DP) and to serve as a guideline for a company hiring policy (Simonelli Camarotto (2008), p. 150). Analysis of industrial tasks as a tool for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the work market is the name of the article (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 150). This model could be used in other countries where seen fit. In the countries where disabled people want to work, a model would be a good foundation to restart employment. A survey conducted in 1997 by the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization found that 10% of the worlds population has some form of disability (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 151). Brazil has approximately 20 million people who are disabled according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1996). However, only 2% of the DP have a routine job. Brazil contributed this r esearch on the basis that in Brazil, Law No 8213/91 makes it obligatory to hire DP based on the quotas that are established according to the number of employees in a public and private company (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 150). The model consists of three stages: analysis of the task, study of the activity and description of the jobs indicated for DP. Each job involves a set of tasks that can be subdivided into stages or subtasks (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 153). In the realm of occupational therapy this research will use a set of methods and techniques based on the ergonomic work analysis and on occupational therapy, we sought to build a model to indicate the skills required to perform industrial tasks (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 150). The model was applied at 19 workstations at a Brazilian aircraft manufacture in 2002 (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 150). Occupational therapy patients wanting to get back in the workforce could possibly perform this model (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008). The model would then serve as a guide in the companys policy for hiring DP (Simonelli Camarotto, 2008, p. 153). By Brazil conducting this research and developing this model, occupational therapists can try to get the ir patients back to work across the world. In addition, if the model shows independence for their particular patient they can show their evidence to the employer. Based on additional research found children are another focus of Brazilian exploration. For example, the article The implications of Winnicotts theory of play for the work of occupational therapys observation with children with physical disabilities demonstrates that play is an activity that reveals personal aspects of the person engaging in it; and play experiences embody aspects of the subjects internal reality, according to D. W. Winnicotts theory (Takatori Bemtempo, 2007, p. 47). This study brings the idea of evaluating the disabled child in their home. There were three children that participated in the study. All three of the children had a physical disability. The goal of this study was to show how important it is to observe a child. This study demonstrates that if an occupational therapist can observe and see how a child plays, they can in turn make progress with the disabled child. One article conveyed that it is the concept of play that we use to understand the person with disabilities, his/her activities and his/her social participation (Takatori Bemtempo, 2007, p.50). With this being said play observation can be put into practice in unique therapy sessions. The focus of occupational therapy in Brazil appears to be on disabilities based on the research found. However, this does not mean it is the most popular, most important, or most well-known. Brazil is in the process of making their research more assessable to people of other countries (Barreto Barata, 2008). In addition: Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country that has a network of scientific journals in public health/epidemiology. As to the languages papers published, these journals usually publish in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, although most of the papers are published in Portuguese (Barreto Barata, 2008). This is a mature step in the right direction for Brazil. Putting their research out there for other countries to use is not only good for occupational therapy, but for all other health care fields. Moving the body of research forward in Brazil will only enhance knowledge of their country and other countries.

Retrospectives Essay -- Autobiographies Education Essays

Retrospectives I selected three autobiographical pieces and one analytical for the portfolio. The order is: "Multi-Threaded ThingTM," an autobiographical paper which took inspiration from the form of Susan Griffin's "Our Secrets," and represented my life by pseudocode written in different computer programming languages; "Autobiographical Comparison," which was a partially successful attempt to compare and contrast my beliefs with those of James Baldwin; "Virginia Woolf: Assertive or Introspective," an analytical assessment of Virginia Woolf's motives while writing her memoir A Sketch of the Past; and "The ideal Life," an autobiographical response to the fantasy life portrayed in Maxine Hong Kingston's "White Tigers." I chose this layout because it sorts the papers by an increasing amount of time spent on each paper, which coincides with an increasing order of my satisfaction with it, as well as for some other reasons. The first paper consists of alternating sections of computer code describing the period of the last four years of my life. It was an interesting experiment to write a paper in this structure. It was at once both easier and more difficult to write than a standard prose structure. I found it easier because I am used to and more comfortable writing with computer code. The structure of code is stricter than that of English in that fewer constructions can be used. I found it more difficult because I did not have a set vision of the content of the paper in mind, but rather only one of its form. I actually accomplished matching the form to my vision, something that is never done when the vision is of the content, but had no coherent picture of the piece while writing. It was an interesting experiment to expre... ...or get it down on paper I stop and try to search for a better verb to use. Since this is the way I think ("this is"), I continue to start with these sentences and verbs, but then try to revise it immediately and bring the creative process to a halt while trying to think of better verbs), I believe that it has helped me to develop my writing. It has reacquainted me with the whole process of writing, and while it's not any easier to produce the papers, at least I have the experience of producing, and the knowledge that I can probably do it again if forced. "In conclusion, I would like to thank you, gentle reader. What's that you say? Me thank you? No, it's not a misprint, for you see I have enjoyed writing this paper as much as you have enjoyed reading it." — Charles Montgomery Bums ("Bart's Blood" - Simpsons) Courtesy of an Anonymous Student. Used with permission.

Foreign Language Learning Essay -- Education, English, Anxiety

Second/foreign language learning can be a demanding task for many language learners. One of the factors that make such process difficult is the existence of anxiety. Most language learners experience a feeling of anxiety in the process of language learning. Although the degree and severity of this feeling may vary from one individual to another, it cannot be claimed that it does not exist at all. The number of students who report that they feel anxious while learning a second/foreign language is surprising. According to [1], more than half of foreign language learners experience some degree of anxiety. It is also argued that language learning anxiety may pose potential problems for language learners [2]. Learners who feel anxious in their foreign language learning may find their study less enjoyable [3], which will in turn have a negative impact on their performance. Such being the case, it is crucial to investigate language learners’ perspectives on language learning anxiety in order to figure out what factors make them feel anxious. It is hoped that by omitting or at least reducing those factors, teachers and educators can create a more relaxing environment, so that more effective language learning would take place. Problem Statement With the increasing number of people who are willing to learn English as a second/foreign language, it is really necessary to find out the factors which may hinder or negatively affect language learning. One of these factors which has not been paid due attention to in academic settings is language learners’ anxiety. Most teachers are not aware of the fact that their students are not able to fully exhibit their potential because of the stressful situation they are in, or even if they know the stu... ...ed the cause of anxiety to the teacher or other people. Most students felt frustrated and helpless, although students who perceived themselves as having higher ability indicated a greater sense of resilience. Other findings were that the effect of and response to anxiety were associated with gender and perceived ability level. Andrade and William [17] reported Japanese university students’ reactions to anxiety-provoking situations in English-as-a-foreign language (EFL) classes. Overall, the findings indicate that some degree of anxiety affected 75% of the learners and that the debilitating aspects of anxiety strongly hindered about 11% of them. Another important finding is that many students enter their university EFL classes expecting to experience an anxiety-provoking situation and that anxiety is likely to significantly hinder the performance of some students.

Of mice and men †character analysis Essay

Because the boss is of higher position than George and Lennie he really makes it clear that he is by shouting and being very rude, then watching to see what George and Lennie are going to do because they can’t actually do anything. Because he’s boss and if they did do anything then they would not be able to get the job, so they just have to let it pass and ignore it. Curley is very rude as well, although he is of no higher position than them he is the boss’s son and if they do anything to him then its trouble again. The above basically means that a position any higher than any other worker is highly exploited. A man who used to work at the ranch called Bill Tenner is a good example of the way workers do not get close to each other, because he had worked at the ranch for years and three months after he left he was completely forgotten. What George and Lennie have is something special, a friendship a person they can turn to in times of need. In the 1930’s when the Great Depression was occurring friends were looked upon as a possession and possessions created jealousy and that is why friends were so rare, but George and Lennie fight through. When George is tired and doesn’t want to walk anymore Lennie helps him along. When Lennie is upset George comforts him. With the other workers no one does that for them, they’re on their own. QUESTION 1; Part E: The life the workers and George and Lennie live, involves much cruelty and isolation many unknown things go on that lie deep in the â€Å"group† but ones that stick out are the situation with crooks, because he is black he is isolated from the white people. Crooks is a good example because he is different, today he would not be different but in those days he was looked upon as a â€Å"nigger† or a â€Å"negro†. The other workers thought of him as dirty and he wasn’t aloud in the bunkhouse and he was not aloud to sit with the others in the lunch hall. All things were his own he had his own bunkhouse, his own bed, his own table and all right next to where he works, he’s isolated. Another good example is Candy he has a mangy old dog that he sees as a friend so the other workers are jealous. The workers say that the dog needs putting down so they kill the dog with no remorse :(, now they’re even. QUESTION 2; Part A: The dream which George and Lennie share is the most direct antithesis of all this. The dream is a dream that may become a reality, the dream is a dream which is a way of getting away from what life they have had, the dream is their only escape from the sheer horrible life they lead. The dream is of course a dream of freedom, freedom from the rules and regulations of the ranch. Freedom from the strict boundaries they are caged up in. Freedom to do what they want when they want and not have to be told to work, clean, move, shovel, drive, push and pull anything, they’ll do it when they see fit or when they can be bothered. It will be their little place to call home, and they won’t have to keep changing it either. In that era status was of large importance everyone was below and above someone, but this time THEY will be boss. QUESTION 2; Part B: Work: The two of them, George and Lennie will have the pleasure of living of the fatta the land. First they will plough the land to make it fertile for the seeds. Then they will sow the land. Then they will raise the crop like it were a field of children. Then just as the crop blossoms they will harvest the food and eat it and as they do they will feel fulfilled as if they have made it. The only work boundary they will have is the seasons (meaning if they don’t plant the crop by a certain season the ground will be too hard, wet e. t. c). They will have no one to fire them, which means they wont have to move around every other month. Both George and Lennie will have greater control, not only over the ranch but over their own lives. QUESTION 2; Part C: Home: There own place, nicer accommodation because there won’t have to be rows and rows of workers all in one room, they will have what they want. If their cold then they will get more blankets, or put more logs on the fire they wont need to ask if they can either. They won’t need a little work slip to get in and any friends they want to stay its there decision. All the food will be grown by them so just because of that it will taste better. It would taste better even if they hadn’t grown it themselves because they are only cooking for 2 unlike the cook at the ranch who had to cook for 20 so the food was not as well prepared. They can spend all the time they like on cooking it and cook what they like as well. QUESTION 2; Part D: Entertainment: When on the ranch George and Lennie only had the nearest town to go to because they were not aloud to go to any where else because it was to far from the ranch. If they had there own home it wouldn’t matter, Christmas, birthdays they could go wherever they wanted to go to celebrate whatever they wanted it did not matter it was there own life to live. QUESTION 2; Part E: Friends: On the ranch they had little friendships, and the little friend s they did have were not exactly the stereotypical friendships if either had the chance they would root out the other friend and not think twice. If they lived the dream it would be there own house so they could have who they want to stay, for example if they met someone in town they liked they could bring them back if they liked and have no hassle. Whilst on the ranch if a unfriendly worker came to work they had no authority to send them away but in there own house unwanted visitors came they could easily send them away and have no problems in doing so. QUESTION 2; Part F: Security: As we know George and Lennie are friends and they would both be living in this dream if it were made a reality, also we know that George is the brighter of the two and he looks after Lennie a great deal. The main problem the couple-face is the fact that Lennie can’t keep his hands to himself. George does his best to protect Lennie from this problem but as we know he cant always be there. When he is not then that’s when Lennie goes fiddling (Lennie’s fiddling problem is not strictly his fault its just the fact that he is so stupid that he sees something he likes and has to touch it like a child in a shop). If the dream were a reality though they would not have this problem because Lennie would be far from anywhere where he could do any harm. QUESTION 2; Part G: In the end though the dream is overpowered by the sheer cruelty of the life style, the dream for George, Lennie, Candy and Crooks has been shattered by once again Lennie. The rest of the group are doomed to an eternal life of wondering from ranch to ranch looking for work. For Lennie his life is over he has been shot in the back of the head by his, (humane? Selfish? ) Friend. So near and yet so far would be the best describing sentence for this whole book. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE John Steinbeck section.

Ethics and Compliance

Ethics and Compliance Fabian Marrero, Kevin Martinez FIN/370 March 9, 2013 Norberto Molina Perez Ethics and Compliance In this paper we will as a team: Assess the role of ethics and compliance in your organization’s financial environment. Describe procedures your organization has in place to ensure ethical behavior. Explain how financial markets work in the United States. Identify processes the organization uses to comply with SEC regulations.Evaluate your organization’s financial performance during the past 2 years, using financial ratios. Calculate the ratios for each year: Current, Debt, Return on equity Discuss the trend for each ratio and what it tells you about the organization’s financial health. The business code and ethics code at the company Lowe’s stores begins with the board of director’s right through to the newest of workers. The requirement to read and follow the code of conduct is vital for all who are associated or represented by th e company.Compliance with governmental regulations involving ethics is valued by Lowe’s and held strong. The application of ethics financially, under section B of the code of conducts states: â€Å"employees and members of their immediate families should not have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any organization that is or is seeking to be a supplier of merchandise or other property or services to the company† (Lowe’s, 2012).Areas of importance that are also covered in the codes pertaining to financial concerns are â€Å"payments to governmental officials or other persons, the importance of accurate books and records along with adhering to internal controls to financial reporting, protection, and proper use of company assets, public company reporting, and insider trading according to the code of conduct. † (Lowe’s, 2012). The possession of information or knowledge of a transaction or attempted transaction must be informed to the emplo yee’s direct supervisor.There is a strong encouragement towards employees to utilize the business’s open door policy or simply by using the website at www. ethicspoint. com (Lowe’s, 2012). Any situations involving any executive officers such as principal executive officers, financial officers, are concern given charge to the general counsel and chief compliance officer. Zero tolerance is given for any retaliation towards any individual that goes against the reporting of any violations of the conduct codes.The ability of the exchange of previously issued financial assets from individuals to businesses is the main purpose of the financial markets in the U. S. The actual structure brings borrowers, investors, and intermediaries that put together the financial institutions and markets that put both together as a whole. Finance companies, insurance, investment companies, investment banks, are some of the organizations that can compromise the marketplace. The majority of the time individuals deal with commercial banks on a daily basis.The recession of 2008 what greatly due to some non bank intermediaries that made a great number of citizens remove their funds from financial marketplaces. Securities play a significant role in the marketplace in addition to these organizations. These markets are made up of primary and secondary markets. The primary markets are made up of new securities so firms may utilize them to raise capital to assist with financing. The transference of previously issued securities that investors move within each other is secondary markets.Securities can consist of common stock, preferred stock, equity, and debt securities. Finally, financial markets provide the money necessary by companies and individuals and create links between investors and corporations. Because of the stock market crash of 1929 the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission was created. S. E. C. mission is to regain the confidence in investors in capital mar ket by issuing information that is reliable with honest and clear rules. Under this commission any publically traded entity must disclose their financial information by law.This allows the investor the information necessary about selling, buying or even holding a specific security. Under the SEC regulations, publically traded organizations must disclose their financial information. This information provides investors common knowledge about buying, selling or holding a particular security. Last but not least, â€Å"the S. E. C. s primary responsibilities are to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation† (U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2012). Lowe’s has been a publicly held company since October 10, 1961. Lowe’s list’s on the New York Stock Exchange with shares trading under the symbol LOW. The New York Stock Exchange is the largest financial industry brands in the world. Membership with th e NYSE has made one regarded as a valuable property since 1868. In April 2006, the NYSE went both electronic and public that the exchange was a membership-only organization† (New York Stock Exchange, 2012). Since Lowe’s is a publically traded entity, it must file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Some important documents such as, Annual reports, quarterly, current and any other reports necessary for the S. E. C. to properly evaluate the business and its use for investors. Financial reports must have accuracy and be in full compliance with the regulations of the SEC. Finance statements together with the independent registered accounting firm by the name of â€Å"Deloitte and Touche LLP† show that this practice â€Å"acknowledges adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934† (Lowe’s 2012).This basically means that this firm is agreeing to give their full ass urance to the company that their finance reporting will be reliable and will present accurate financial statements for publishing. Reports to the SEC are as follows: Balance sheets, consolidated statements, statements of cash flows, notes to consolidated financial statements, statements of earnings. Serious violations from organizations of misleading information, fraudulent accounting practices, and even insider trading can cause SEC to use civil enforcement against a business for security law violation.EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) is a automated collection and validation system that by law is required to file forms. â€Å"The primary purpose of EDGAR is to increase the efficiency and fairness of the securities market for the benefit of investors, corporations, and the economy by accelerating the receipt, acceptance, dissemination, and analysis of time-sensitive corporate information filed with the agency† according to the (U. S. Securitie s and Exchange Commission, 2012).Historical ratios in comparison to a business’s current period ratios to determine if a firm’s financial status is growing or in deterioration. Ratios illustrate a company’s performance and current ratios permit a company’s liquidity by putting in comparison current assets and current liabilities. Measurement of debt ratio shows the amount of assets financed by borrowing. The rate of return earned by common shareholders’ in the firm is known as return on equity, and finally accounts receivable turnover ratio shows the amount of times that it rolls over throughout the year.Throughout 2010 the economy was demonstrating sings of recuperation, but increasing rates of unemployment were visible in the home improvement industry. A decline in the value of property, tight credit for consumers, and disposable income was slow to grow. Illustrations below show the continued growth in the business. Growth and stability and above all, growth in the long run show that Lowe’s has expectations to maintain a flow of cash throughout the next few years. Financial Performance of Lowe’s: Current Ratio | Debt Ratio | 2010 | 2010 | 3005000 = 2. 37 times | 13936000 = 42. 2% | 13936000 | 33005000 | | | 2011 | 2011 | 33699000 = 2. 16 times | 15587000 = 46. 3% | 15587000 | 33699000 | Return on Equity | 2010 | | 1783000 x 4815 x __1__4818 3300500 1-0. 42 | 36. 53 x 0. 0015 x 1. 72 = 9. 4% | | 2011 | | 2010000 x __50208__ x ___1___50208 33699000 1-0. 463 | 40. 03 x 0. 0015 x 1. 86 = 11. 2% | Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio 2010 | 2011 | 32250000___ = 0. 42 days | 34790000___ = 0. 49 days | 208000/365 days | 193000/365 days | | |To finalize the company we have chosen continues to follow its ethical behavior tradition within the home improvement world. The business will keep with updating codes of ethics as the demand for the best environment for customers is what they strive for. SEC assures that Loweâ€⠄¢s continues to follow old and new regulations always. The financial performance is visible proof of their continued effort for improvement. With the information given we can clearly see that Lowe’s will keep in the home improvement industry as one of the major players in the years to follow.References Lowe’s. (2012). Investor Relations. Retrieved from http://phx. corporate-ir. net/phoenix. zhtml? c=95223&p=irol-IRHome Lowe’s. (2012). Lowe’s 10-k annual report. Retrieved http://phx. corporate-ir. net/phoenix. zhtml? c=95223&p=irol-reportsannual New York Stock Exchange. (2012). History. Retrieved from http://nyse. nyx. com/history U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2012). What we do. Retrieved from http://www. sec. gov/about/whatwedo. shtml

Cell Phones are a Necessity of Life Essay

Cell phones are not an advanced gadget on the scene. It was developed in 1947 in the form of a car mobile phone. The hypothesis of cellular phone was produced by Bell Laboratories with the permission of FCC (Federal Communication Commission), and had everything to do with broadcasting and sending a radio or television message out over the airwaves. There was a scientist who gave a advanced shape to the same accessory. Dr Martin Cooper, a former general manager in Motorola, made the basic call on a portable cell phone in nineteen seventy-three. The premier ever cell phone was very ample and bulky. It resembled a radio frequency accessory. The weight of Motorola’s introductory cell phone was 2 pounds. Presently, the structure of cell phones has evolved to match the style and comfort of the user. It is uncomplicated to tailor cell phones by choosing its features and functions for one’s comfort. There are phone covers that change the face and design of the contraption. Various accessories are available such as car chargers, belt clips, phone covers, data cables and etc. Cell phones emerged as a apparatus of luxury, but presently it plays a much bigger and considerable role. One can gather wireless Internet service through your cell phone, with web and email capability. A cell phone with a mini web browser can relief retrieve web emails and chat while you are on the move. A extraordinary kind of browser is used for surfing the net on a small cell phone screen. If internet use is a must, make sure that when buying a cell phone you make the choice for graphic browser capability instead of a text-based browser. In addition, if you think you will browse the wireless Internet often, you may desire to consider buying a cell phone with a larger than average display size. There are International websites that allow sending mails, without having a computer. All you need is a basic GPRS enabled mobile phone and you can access your mail on your cell phone anytime and anywhere. It seems that cell phones have become a bed-side essential for us today. It is no longer a device of entertainment. From local weather forecast in the morning to your  loved ones valuable night messages, it keeps you connected all the time. With cell phones becoming a gadget with all the modern technology, its theft is growing across the world. In a survey in the UK, a cell phone is stolen every three minutes. In the United States, the statistics are very analogous. By keeping a note on the IMES identification that each phone has, you can trace a phone. This is quite the tedious process. The IMES code is individual to each cell phone and when you lose your phone, you can refer the code to your network provider as well as handset provider and trace back the cell phone, or at least block the applications in the phone. The person who stole the cell phone can’t use it after the IMES code is blocked. Cell phones have become a very popular consumer electronic product. With the availability of internet connection, cell phone as broaden even deeper its options of uses. You must also note that GPS capability is a life saver for tracking cell phone users who are in emergency situations. Cell phone usage has become a necessity of life. People cannot live without their cell phone. What was once considered a luxury item in the early days, cell phones are a must have item at every waking moment.

Global Core and Periphery Essay

LO: to discuss the spatial pattern of global interactions through the mapping of core areas at the focus of interaction (network hubs/nodes), the peripheries and areas relatively unaffected by these interactions. Global economy – basic features * Single world market – producers to exchange rather than use. Price is determined on a global scale * 3 geographical tiers – core / semi-periphery / periphery * Temporal trends – growth then stagnation. Hegemony (indirect dominance of one country UK > USA > Japan > China?) * Integration or rejection – reaction of societies e.g. Islamic fundamentalism * States (political state, way its ruled) – states function to protect their interests, their companies and peoples interests from global economy * Alternative adaptations – how do nation states adapt to the global economy? Export led protectionism, isolationism etc. Core -North America, Western Europe and East Asia * High income countries * Main trade flows between these 3 areas * Countries in core have diversified economies, with high output, high purchasing power and large domestic markets * Outside this core, the global periphery is a location of cheap raw materials or cheap manufacturing or a market for the core to ‘dump’ their surplus products Semi Periphery * High and middle income countries * First waves of Newly Industrialised Countries (NICs) – South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore * Second wave of NICs or Recently Industrialised Countries (RICs) – e.g. Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa * BRICs (the four biggies) – Brazil, Russia, India, China * Resource exporting countries, RICs and NICs, former socialist countries, poorer European countries. * Some of these countries could now be seen as part of the CORE (South Korea) others are characterised by regional disparities and social polarisation (Brazil) others with very rapid economic growth (Slovakia, China) Periphery (excluded) * Lower middle income countries and low income countries * Mainly Africa * Small domestic markets, lack of infrastructure, population increase, low economic output, low levels of economic diversification, high agricultural population Global economy is dynamic For example, the spatial decentralisation (diffusion) of many economic activities. Until recently this was seen as the diffusion of manufacturing away from the Core to Semi Peripheral areas. Now we can observe diffusion in services and an increasing decentralisation of coordination and control operations.