Training and Development Bachelor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Training and Development Bachelor - Essay Example That was how it all started. The place did undergo some change towards the end of the second generation Hank's tenure. This was more out of necessity to survive, thrive and make it a source of living while facing intense competition from the mushroomed pizza corporate. They opened one more store in the town, introduced contemporary and extremely upbeat customer seating facilities; added washrooms modernized the kitchen with the state-of-art equipment, introduced computerization, and changed the lighting and created an ambience which is ideal for an excellent meal. The upgrade Hank's pizza store could give any pizza corporate outlet a run for its money. The third generation Hank joined the father after finishing an MBA. His first setout was a mission for the business. The mission is to be the first and the only eat out choice of the town and also expanded the number of outlets from two to six, business multiplied four times over a period of six years and there seemed no looking back for the Hank's pizza store. But still something bothered the junior most Hank and he constantly felt that there were losing out business to other pizza chains stores. Hank with his latest management knowledge did try and put an effort to figure out what was amiss with the business while managing the operations of the business. Good amount of time was spent balancing the cash books, ensuring there were no stock outs and creating innovative marketing plans to increase pitfalls and ensure return customers. But still there was something amiss. To identify the problem and find solution for it, Hank III hired a management consultant and gave a free rein to them to identify the problem. On studying Hank IIIs style of functioning, it became evident that Hank III was looking at the business from the operations perspective and not from the customers' perspective. The consultants deputed mystery customers to identify and rate customer experiences at various store locations. The consultants, after a four week study identified that the customers were comfortable going to a specific store and undertook focus group studies to identify the reasons thereof. (Keer ti) Focus Group Studies - What are they Focus group is a form of qualitative research. In this method of research a group of people are asked about a product of an idea from their individual perspective focusing on various attributes. (Wikipedia) A great deal of information can be achieved by conducting focus group studies. (Free Management Library) They came up with an astonishing fact which did not strike Hank III till then which was that the customer experiences were not uniform across the six stores and the expectations built at each store of the next possible experience was different and hence the strong customer location loyalty was being built which was good for an individual store but harmful overall to the business. To arrest this trend the consultants recommended that there be training department set up and train the different categories of staff so that the Hank's Pizza store delivered uniform customer experiences and WOW at all store locations and they identified the following training programs be conducted as a pre-cursive before embarking on a new marketing initiative. 1. The customer promise 2. Managing Customer experience 3. Customer orientation 4. Service orientation 5. Service with a

How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking Introduction Majority of people get performance anxiety when they need to make a speech in front of the audiences. According to Lake (2015), seventy-five percent of the population suffers from the fear of public speaking. Over time, people will try to avoid participating in any speeches as they feel nervous while speaking. In fact, there are few ways to overcome the fear of public speaking which are organizing the presentation, breathing exercises, and practicing more. (NG CHAI YET) 1st point: Organizing the presentation The first way to overcome the fear of public speaking is by organizing the presentation (Golberg, 2016). There are several steps to organize the presentation. First of all, the speaker should understand the topic of the presentation and organize the information (Hall-Flavin, 2014). It is important to make sure that the information is correct, clear, and related to the topic in order to make fewer mistakes and not digress from the topic. The speaker should do research and get correct information from books, articles, journals and suitable website which are related to the topic. Secondly, the speaker can try to remember the arrangement of the speech (Martinuzzi, 2013). By remembering the arrangement, the organized information can help the speaker be more confident and remain in control during the presentation. For example, the speaker can use the presentation slides to help them remember the arrangement and reduce their fear of public speaking. Besides that, one of the reasons for the fear of public speaking is the speaker fear of receiving the questions (Martinuzzi, 2013). Before speaking in public, the speaker should prepare a list of potential questions from the audience (Martinuzzi, 2013). This can increase the speakers confidence reducing the fear of public speaking. In addition, another reason for the fear of public speaking is the anxiety that could cause the speaker to forget or disorganize the main points. Therefore, the speakers can make a cue card with the main points and ideas (Goldberg, 2016). However, the main point must be in point form and not in essay form. The cue card helps the speaker to avoid forgetting the main points and reduces their fear of giving a presentation on stage. In short, these steps in planning a presentation can help the speaker to be prepared for public speaking with a more confident and relaxed attitude. (MIMOSA TAN SIN YIE) 2nd point: Breathing exercises The fear of public speaking can be overcome and eliminated by learning breathing exercises. Breathing is a useful tool for relaxing and refreshing the mind as it is something that people are able to control and regulate. There are several methods for breathing exercises. Speaker can take the time to inhale and exhale before starting the speech(Weil, 2016). Taking a deep breath before start the speech can lower the speakers stress level and reduce anxiety. For example, stage fright can be a significant hurdle to the speaker that wanted to share the information with the audiences. Therefore, breathing can increase self-confidence and enhance the speakers voice to be louder. Moreover, try to breathe normally and comfortably when speaking too fast (Peters, 2010). Generally, people who are nervous will speed up their speaking instead of enunciating the sentences properly because they are trying to end the speech sooner. Focusing on breathing can not only calm the speaker but also a powerf ul relaxation technique for the speaker to continue the speech with better performance. Furthermore, pause and breathe between the points during the speechis another way to overcome the fear of speaking (Nuumburg, n.d). For instance, take a breath after an idea is given out and introducing another with few second later can rebuild the speakers confidence and undoubtedly, it can manage and release fear. In fact, it will also sustain the physical capacity for the speaker to talk for a long time. The benefits of breathing exercises are both physical and psychological. Thus, learning to breathe naturally the benefits will be enormous for reduce the fear when they having a speech. (RENEE TAN CHAI NI) 3rd point: Practice more The most common way the speaker can overcome the fear of public speaking is more practice. For practice public speaking, they have to understand their speaking material so that can prepare well to deliver the speak (Martinuzzi, 2013). Practice can help them to understand their speech but not memorize it. When practicing public speaking in the home, they can practice in front of the mirror (Sahay, 2016). This is the most effective way because it is able to help them to pay attention to their posture, gestures, movement and facial expressions. Gentle expressions will gain the audiences attention and they will concentrate to their speech. Moreover, they can record their speech by using a video camera and watching it in order to make corrections easily (Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, 2014). Furthermore, they can try practicing public speaking in front of an audience. Looking for an audience to evaluate to their performance. They can also join a club that can give them opportunities to speak in front of the audience, such as Toastmaster. Toastmaster is a communication and leadership development organization worldwide (Toastemasters International, n.d.) It is a great place for people to practice public speaking because the people who study with the program will give them valuable advice (Gray, n.d.). More practice with public speaking will help them gain more experience. Thus, they will feel more comfortable when speaking in front the audience and no fear. (ROSELIND KANG KAI QI) Conclusion In conclusion, public speaking is a form of communication to share ones thoughts to influence others. It is a need to everyone regardless for education or career purpose. Preparation is very important as good preparation can overcome ones fear and increase their confident level towards a success performance. People will be benefited by having several keys in their pocket to overcome the fear of public speaking. (NG CHAI YET) References Lake, R. (2015, April 28). Fear of Public Speaking Statistics and How to Overcome Glossophobia. Retrieved from creditdonkey: https://www.creditdonkey.com/fear-of-public-speaking-statistics.html Martinuzzi, B. (2013). 11 Easy ways to Finally Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking. Retrieved from https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/easiest-ways-to-manage-your-public-speaking-fear-2/ Hall-Falvin, D. K. (2014, February 25). Fear of public speaking: How can I overcome it? Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phobias/expert-answers/fear-of-public-speaking/faq-20058416?p=1 Goldberg, D. F. (2016, November 10) Teacher: How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved from http://www.teachingvillage.org/2016/11/10/teachers-overcome-your-fear-of-public-speaking-by-david-f-goldberg/ Nuumburg, C. (n.d). Breathing Exercises to Make Life Easier. Retrieved February 18, 2017, from Seleni Web site: https://www.seleni.org/advice-support/article/breathing-exercises-to-make-life-easier?gclid=Cj0KEQiA25rFBRC8rfyX1vjeg7YBEiQAFIb3b8vjJkUUWOwBZn5VtqntjdlWKw9G-Rr6C3xNykfu7tEaAnNb8P8HAQ Peters, K. (2010, January 12). Breathing: The Seductive Key to Unlocking Your Vocal Variety. Retrieved February 18, 2017, from Six Minutes Web site: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/vocal-variety-speech-breathing/ Weil, A. (2016, May). Three Breathing Exercises. Retrieved February 18, 2017, from Dr. Weil Web site: https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/stress-anxiety/breathing-three-exercises/ Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M. (2014, February 25). Mayoclinic. Retrieved from Fear of public speaking: How can I overcome it?: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/specific-phobias/expert-answers/fear-of-public-speaking/faq-20058416 Gray, C. M. (n.d.). How I (Finally) Got Over My Fear of Public Speaking. Retrieved from themuse: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-i-finally-got-over-my-fear-of-public-speaking Martinuzzi, B. (2013). Open forum. Retrieved from 11 Easy Ways to Finally Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/easiest-ways-to-manage-your-public-speaking-fear-2/ Sahay, U. (2016, December). Enzuke. Retrieved from How To Overcome The Fear Of Public Speaking: http://www.enzuke.com/how-to-overcome-fear-public-speaking/amp/ Toastemasters International. (n.d.). Retrieved from Who We Are: https://www.toastmasters.org/About/Who-We-Are

?Vincent is not a hero? Discuss :: essays research papers

â€Å"Vincent is not a hero† Discuss Andrew Niccol has created a character that is portrayed as being a struggler from the moment he was born, he was destined to play this role as soon as he was conceived naturally as he was to wear the label of â€Å"God child† for the rest of his life , this label determines they life style and quality of life he will lead and the prospects are not good -â€Å"They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness. They don't say that anymore†. Niccol leads us to believe that Vincent is a man who has overcome the odds in order to achieve his dream in a society where individuality is an unrequited trait and the ability to conform plus right DNA is all a person needs to succeed. What can easily be missed is the reality that in order to achieve his dreams he had to become a criminal which raises the question, is this man who is seen as a hero defiant of his opposition, worthy for our admiration considering the un-admirable form he had to take on t o gain it?. The measures Vincent goes to, to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaught make him seem less of a hero than he is portrayed as, The idea of changing your identity from an â€Å"invalid† with problems that prevent one from leading a normal life, to taking on the identity of a â€Å"Valid† with a physical make-up so perfect that â€Å"you could go anywhere† with his â€Å"helix tucked under your arm†, again lowers the opinion of his character and makes it difficult to separate his true identity to the false one he has taken on, Throughout the film Niccol makes it hard to distinguish which parts of Vincent’s personality actually are, we see many instances where Vincent shows admirable qualities such as him romantically letting go of a strand of Irene’s hair and saying â€Å"the wind caught it† . But this incident could also psychologically be a way of ensuring if Irene ever had a piece of him, that she would do the same and his identi ty would be protected. His personality as we knew it before he took on Eugene’s identity portrayed him as lonely dreamer. He was the stereotypical outcast down to finest detail. He sat by himself, ate by himself , dreamt of great things and in true Hollywood style left home and took on the job that all people take when they have nothing left, a cleaner.

Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome Research Paper

Rubinstein- Taybi Syndrome: A Physical and Educational Perspective Rubinstein- Taybi Syndrome: A Physical and Educational Perspective When speaking of terms of diseases of a rare nature, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is a definite mention. According to Joseph G. Morelli, MD, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is characterized as, â€Å"a genetic disease that involves broad thumbs and toes, short stature, distinctive facial features, and varying degrees of intellectual disability† (2007). The condition itself is so rare that is occurs only about 1 in 125, 000 newborn babies (Rubinstein, 2012).The cause of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome can be attributed to a defect in the CREBBP and EP300 genes. The CREBBP gene provides instructions for making a protein that helps control the activity of many other genes. This protein, called CREB, plays an important role in regulating cell growth and division and is essential for normal fetal development. If just one copy of the CREBBP gene is deleted or change d, cells make only half of the normal amount of CREB binding protein (Rubinstein, 2012). The EP300 gene, unlike the CREBBP gene, controls protein development before and after the birth.In many of the cases of Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome, no mutation is detected in either the CREBBP or the EP300 gene. In these cases, the case is unknown, but it is suspected that another unknown gene is responsible. Diagnosis of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome can create a serious disadvantage for a student in the classroom, for which a teacher must be willing to accommodate. Immediately after birth, the symptoms of Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome can be present. Some of the more recognizable symptoms at birth include broadening of the thumbs and big toes.Although these are a few of the symptoms, the symptoms appear on a large spectrum, ranging from constipation to an absent kidney. Over 80% of children with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome have some type of eye abnormality including crossed eyes, cataracts, and tear duct obstruction. Glaucoma may be present at birth or in early life, which can result in blindness if left undetected (Rubinstein, 2012). Later throughout more developmental stages, parents may begin to notice short stature. Once the child begins schooling, the symptoms become slightly more obvious, demonstrating slow development of cognitive skills.Once a child begins to perform tasks such as drawing, coloring, and using scissors, teachers and parents will begin to notice slow development of motor skills accompanied by low muscle tone (Morelli, 2012). These symptoms are also a bit more noticeable because due to RTS, the thumbs and toes on an affected child will broaden beyond normal size, complicating everyday tasks. This will severely limit to what extent a child suffering from RTS will be able to perform in the classroom. Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome is not inherited by the parents or caused by anything the parents did or did not do while pregnant.Most cases are caused by a single mutat ion in one gene. Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome almost always occurs in cases where there is no family history of Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome showing that family history and heredity is not a factor in contracting Rubenstein-Taybi syndrome. Most cases are sporadic and likely due to a new genetic defect that occurs while the baby grows in the womb, which was not passed on by either parent (Morelli, 2012). Consequently, parents with a child with a new mutation generally do not have an increased risk of having another child with the disorder.However, the new genetic mutation will be hereditary and an adult with this mutation risks passing on the mutated gene to his/her children. However, it is unusual for people with the syndrome to become parents. There is no specific treatment for RTS that has been discovered as of yet. Because the disease is genetic, it is impossible for doctors to pinpoint just one area of the body to treat, especially because the disease comes with so many other symptoms . This however, does not mean that modern medical science cannot ease the way of life for a person with RTS.Surgery to repair the bones in the thumbs or toes can sometimes improve grasp or relieve discomfort (Morelli, 2012). With all being said, it is incredible to imagine the difficulty that a student suffering with RTS may face in the classroom. A 1977 case study by Goots and Liemohn compared three children (aged seven to ten) with the syndrome to 15 counterparts with mixed mental retardation (Galera & Taupiac, 2009). In the study, it was found that children with RTS were friendly and more readily social. In addition, the students with RTS were more emotional and excitable.Nightmares were seen more frequently, and the students were more likely to pout. Demonstrating lack of focus in the classroom, the students affected by RTS had short attention spans. Important in development at these ages, the students with RTS faced more difficulties in planning motor acts (Galera & Taupiac, 20 09). Speech problems are present in a large percentage of students. Most individuals have speech delay, but others also have articulation problems. It is not unusual as well, to discover that some students with RTS use sign language as their primary form of communication.Unfortunately for students with RTS, they often times confused with autistic students. References Galera, C. , & Taupiac,, E. (2009). Socio-Behavioral Characteristics of Children with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome [Abstract]. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 39(9), 1252-1260. doi: 10. 1007/s10803-009-0733-4 Morelli, J. G. (2007). Disorders of the Nails. In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics (18th ed. , p. Chap 662). Phildelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier. Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome. (2012, February 27). Genetics Home Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2012, from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/rubinstein-taybi-syndrome

Police Corruption Essay

Police corruption is a complex issue. Police corruption or the abuse of authority by a police officer, acting officially to fulfill personal needs or wants, is a growing problem in the United States today. Things such as an Internal Affairs department, a strong leadership organization, and community support are just a few considerations in the prevention of police corruption. Controlling corruption from the departmental level requires a strong leadership organization, because corruption can take place anywhere from the patrol officer to the chief. The top administrator must make it clear from the start that he and the other members of the department are against any form of corrupt activity, and that it will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form. So there are ways to prevent police corruption from happening. An investigation of a local newspaper or any police-related edited in an urban city during any given week would most likely have an article about a police officer that got caught committing some kind of corrupt act. Police corruption has increased with the illegal cocaine trade, with officers acting alone or in-groups to steal money from dealers or distribute cocaine themselves. Large groups of corrupt police have been caught in New York, New Orleans, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, as well as many other cities. Corruption within police departments falls into 2 basic ranks, external corruption and internal corruption. Corruption in policing is usually viewed as the mistreatment of authority by police officer acting formally to fulfill their personal needs or wants. For a corrupt act to occur, three distinct elements of police corruption must be present simultaneously: 1) Mishandling of authority, 2) Mishandling of official capacity, and 3) Mishandling of personal attainment (Dantzke r, 1995: p 157). It can be said that power, it is necessarily so tends to corrupt. It is now to be  recognized that while there is no reason to assume that policemen as an individual is any less capable to make a mistake than other members of society, people are often shocked when policemen are exposed violating the law. The reason is simple; their deviance elicits a special feeling of betrayal. â€Å"Most studies support the view that corruption is endemic, if not universal, in police departments. The danger of corruption for police; is that it may invert the formal goals of the organization and may lead to the use of organizational power to encourage and create crime rather than to deter it† (Sherman 1978: p 31). Police corruption falls into two major categories– external corruption, which concerns police contacts with the public; and internal corruption, which involves the relationships among policemen within the works of the police department. The external corruption generally consists of one or more of the following activities: 1) Payoffs to the police, by people who essentially violate non-criminal elements, who fail to comply with stringent statutes or city ordinances. 2) Payoffs to the police, by individuals who continually break the law, using various methods to earn illegal mo ney. 3) â€Å"Clean Graft† where money is paid to the police for services, or where courtesy discounts are given as a matter of course to the police. â€Å"Police officers have been involved in activities such as illegal exaction of money and/or narcotics from drug violators. In order for these violators to avoid arrest, the police officers have accepted bribes, and accepted narcotics, which they turned around and sold. These police know of the violations, and fail to take proper enforcement action. They have entered into personal associations with narcotics criminals and in some cases have used narcotics. They have given false testimonies in court in order to obtain dismissal of the charges against a defendant† (Sherman 1978: p 129). A scandal is perceived both as a socially constructed phenomenon, and as an agent of change that can lead to state of agreement in the structure of power within organizations. Is there a solution to the police corruption problem? Probably not, because since its beginnings, many aspects of policing have changed, but one thing that has not, is the existence of corruption. Police agencies, in an attempt to eliminate corruption have tried everything from increasing salaries, requiring more training and education, and developing policies which are intended to focus directly of factors leading to corruption. Despite police departments’ attempts to  control cor ruption, it still occurs. Regardless of the fact, police corruption cannot simply be over looked. Controlling corruption is the only way that we can really limit corruption, because corruption is the byproduct of the individual police officer, and police environmental factors; therefore, control must come from not only the police department, but it also must require the assistance and support of the community members. If a police administrator does not act strongly with disciplinary action against any corrupt activity, the message conveyed to other officers within the department would not be that of intimated nature. In addition it may even increase corruption, because officers feel no actions will be taken against them. Another way that police agencies can control its corruption problem starts originally in the academy. Ethical decisions and behavior should be taught. If they fail to, it would make officers unaware of the consequences of corruption and do nothing but encourage it. Finally, many police depart ment’s especially large ones should have an Internal Affairs unit, which operates to investigate improper conduct of police departments. These units’ some-times are run within the department. Citation Dantzker, Mark L. (1995). Understanding Today’s Police. Officials Say Police Corruption is Hard To Stop. Sherman, Lawrence W. (1978)

Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate Biography

Stede Bonnet, the Gentleman Pirate Biography Major Stede Bonnet (1688-1718) was known as the Gentleman Pirate. Most of the men associated with the Golden Age of Piracy were reluctant pirates. They were desperate but skilled sailors and brawlers who either could not find honest work or who were driven to piracy by the inhuman conditions on board merchant or navy ships at the time. Some, like Black Bart Roberts, were captured by pirates, forced to join, and then found the life to their liking. Bonnet is the exception: he was a wealthy planter in Barbados who decided to outfit a pirate ship and set sail for riches and adventure. It is for this reason that he is often referred to as the Gentleman Pirate. Early Life Stede Bonnet was born in 1688 to a family of wealthy English landowners on the island of Barbados. His father died when Stede was only six years old, and he inherited the family estates. He married a local girl, Mary Allamby, in 1709. They had four children, of which three survived to adulthood. Bonnet served as a major in the Barbados militia, but it is doubtful that he had much training or experience. Sometime in early 1717, Bonnet decided to abandon his life on Barbados completely and turn to a life of piracy. Why he did is unknown for certain, but Captain Charles Johnson, a contemporary, claimed that Bonnet found â€Å"some discomforts in a married state† and that his â€Å"disorder of mind† was well known to the citizens of Barbados. The Revenge Bonnet purchased a seaworthy ten-gun sloop, named her the Revenge, and set sail. He apparently implied to local authorities that he was planning on serving as a privateer or even a pirate-hunter while he equipped his vessel. He hired a crew of 70 men, making it clear to them that they would be pirates, and found himself some skilled officers to run the ship, as he himself had no knowledge of sailing or pirating. He had a comfortable cabin, which he filled with his favorite books. His crew thought him eccentric and had little respect for him. Piracy Along the Eastern Seaboard Bonnet jumped into piracy with both feet, quickly attacking and taking several prizes along the eastern seaboard from the Carolinas to New York in summer of 1717. He turned most of them loose after plundering them but burned a ship from Barbados because he didn’t want news of his new career to reach his home. Sometime in August or September, they sighted a mighty Spanish man-of-war and Bonnet ordered an attack. The pirates were driven off, their ship was badly beaten and half of the crew dead. Bonnet himself was badly injured. Collaboration with Blackbeard Not long afterward, Bonnet met Edward Blackbeard Teach, who was just then setting out as a pirate captain in his own right after having served for some time under the legendary pirate Benjamin Hornigold. Bonnets men begged the capable Blackbeard to take over the Revenge from the unstable Bonnet. Blackbeard was only too happy to oblige, as the Revenge was a good ship. He kept Bonnet on board as a guest, which seemed to suit the still-recovering Bonnet just fine. According to the captain of a ship plundered by the pirates, Bonnet would walk the deck in his nightgown, reading books and muttering to himself. The Protestant Caesar Sometime in spring of 1718, Bonnet struck out on his own again. By then Blackbeard had acquired the mighty ship Queen Annes Revenge and didnt really need Bonnet anymore. On March 28, 1718, Bonnet once again bit off more than he could chew, attacking a well-armed merchantman named the Protestant Caesar off the coast of Honduras. Again, he lost the battle and his crew was extremely restless. When the encountered Blackbeard again soon after, Bonnets men and officers begged him to take command. Blackbeard obliged, putting a loyal man named Richards in charge of the Revenge and inviting Bonnet to stay on board the Queen Annes Revenge. Split with Blackbeard In June of 1718, the Queen Annes Revenge ran aground off the coast of North Carolina. Bonnet was sent with a handful of men to the town of Bath to try and arrange a pardon for the pirates if they would give up their thievery. He was successful, but when he returned he found that Blackbeard had double-crossed him, sailing off with some of the men and all of the loot. He had marooned the remainder of the men nearby, but Bonnet rescued them. Bonnet swore revenge, but never again saw Blackbeard (which was probably just as well for Bonnet). Captain Thomas Alias Bonnet rescued the men and set sail once again in the Revenge. He had no treasure or even food, so they needed to return to piracy. He wished to preserve his pardon, however, so he changed the name of the Revenge to the Royal James and referred to himself as Captain Thomas to his victims. He still didnt know anything about sailing and the de facto commander was quartermaster Robert Tucker. From July to September of 1718 was the high point of Bonnets piratical career, as he captured several vessels off of the Atlantic seaboard. Capture, Trial, and Execution Bonnets luck ran out on September 27, 1718. A patrol of pirate bounty hunters under the command of Colonel William Rhett (who was actually looking for Charles Vane) spotted Bonnet in the Cape Fear River inlet with two of his prizes. Bonnet tried to fight his way out, but Rhett managed to corner the pirates and capture them after a five-hour battle. Bonnet and his crew were sent to Charleston, where they were put on trial for piracy. They were all found guilty. 22 pirates were hanged on November 8, 1718, and more were hanged on November 13. Bonnet appealed to the governor for clemency and there was some discussion of sending him to England, but in the end, he, too, was hanged on December 10, 1718. Legacy of Stede Bonnet Stede Bonnets story is a sad one. He must have been a very unhappy man indeed on his prosperous Barbados plantation in order to chuck it all for the life of a pirate. Part of his inexplicable decision was leaving his family behind. After he set sail in 1717, they never saw one another again. Was Bonnet lured by the supposedly romantic life of the pirates? Was he nagged into it by his wife? Or was it all due to the disorder of mind that so many of his Barbados contemporaries noted in him? Its impossible to tell, but his eloquent plea for compassion to the governor seems to imply genuine regret and contrition. Bonnet wasnt much of a pirate. When they were working with others, such as Blackbeard or Robert Tucker, his crews managed to capture some genuine prizes, but Bonnets solo commands were marked by failure and poor decision making, such as attacking a fully armed Spanish man-o-war. He did not have a lasting impact on commerce or trade. The pirate flag usually attributed to Stede Bonnet is black with a white skull in the center. Below the skull is a horizontal bone, and on either side of the skull are a dagger and a heart. It is not known for certain that this is Bonnets flag, although he is known to have flown one in battle. Bonnet is remembered today by pirate historians and aficionados mostly for two reasons. First of all, he is associated with the legendary Blackbeard and is a part of that pirates larger story. Second, Bonnet was born wealthy, and as such is one of the extremely few pirates who deliberately chose that lifestyle. He had many options in his life, yet he chose piracy. Sources Cordingly, David. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 1996Defoe, Daniel. A General History of the Pyrates. Edited by Manuel Schonhorn. Mineola: Dover Publications, 1972/1999.Konstam, Angus. The World Atlas of Pirates. Guilford: The Lyons Press, 2009

Domestic and International Human Trafficking Involving India

Domestic and International Human Trafficking Involving India Overiew:Human trafficking is a wide-spread issue that is present in essentially every country of the world. This growing black-market based crime is a problem that severely affects South Asia heavily. The vast socio-economic disparity that is present in heavily-populated or undeveloped countries, such as India and Indonesia, contributes heavily to the trafficking of individuals from impoverished villages, regions of conflict, and areas with corrupt local governments.Extent of Human Trafficking:GlobalThough there are many task forces, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies that have been investigating the global human-trafficking problem, the actual amount of people and money involved has yet to be widely agreed upon. The United States Department of State Trafficking in Persons most-recent annual report estimates that there are approximately eight-hundred thousand people that are trafficked across international borders. The number of those that are intra-nationally tr afficked is in the multi-millions according to the 2008 report, as well. The report also states that the global-market is up to $32 billion a year industry, taking the profits of the workers and the sale of them into account.India1, 3 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has yet to release any numbers on the amount of humans trafficked, but has, in various reports, used millions as an expression to describe the magnitude of the crime. The UNODC has, however, has released estimates that the trade-business is worth anywhere from $10 billion to in excess of $30 billion per year. 2Indian (Domestic and International)South Asia, where India falls geographically, is ranked second, to Southeast Asia, in the number of annually internationally trafficked persons, according to the UNODC. 3 The American Anti-Slavery Group (ASI) estimate that there are approximately two-hundred thousand to three-hundred thousand enslaved children that are ‘employed at factories that work on looms wea ving carpets and other textiles with little...

Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)

Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad) Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad) Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad) By Daniel Scocco Finding the best writing apps for iOS can be challenging. Arguably the best word processor in existence, Microsoft Word, was designed with Windows in mind. Still, developers have answered the call and diehard Apple fans can still find several high-quality writing apps to help them write down their ideas. Whether you need a full-scale word processor or a simple notetaking app, there are several great options for iOS users. 1. Byword If you are writing on mobile or tablet, Byword is one of the best markdown editors out there. It isn’t flashy, it won’t cure cancer, but it will help you write down words. By default, it supports TXT, TEXT, MD, MMD, MARKDOWN, MARKDN, MDOWN, MKDN, MARKD, and Fountain file formats. Another added bonus of Byword is that you can export your finished products as PDFs and HTML documents. 2. Editorial Editorial comes with a little more functionality than Byword. What makes Editorial a great app is the fact that it has features like a built-in multi-tab web browser, Dropbox integration, and more. It also comes with inline preview for taskpaper, markdown, and foundation documents. 3. 1Writer 1Writer is one of the best notetaking apps for iOS. It can easily be downloaded from the App Store for either iPhone or iPad. The app can be used to write down ideas, for research, or to revise past ideas. 4. iA Writer Pro If you are looking for a great, free word processor, iA Writer Pro is the right app for you. This app provides you with all the tools and features you expect from a word processor without the price. By default, it is compatible with both the iPad and iPhone. 5. Pages Pages is Apple’s response to Microsoft Word. Like any app developed by a major company, Pages works as you would expect to. It is also completely compatible with iOS because it was designed specifically for it. Pages is great because it comes with every feature you will need as a writer. If you require a more professional-grade word processor, Pages is exactly what you need. 6. Ulysses What more could you expect from a program that was named after one of the greatest novels ever written? This word processor is compatible with most devices that run on iOS. Ulysses is considered to be one of the best writing apps on the App Store and is used by many professional writers who work on iOS. Why is Ulysses so good? It boasts a simple, yet effective design, is easy to use, has workflow options, a slew of export options, and syncs across the various iOS devices. 7. Werdsmith Werdsmith is another great option for aspiring writers who use iOS. This free app is compatible with both the iPhone and iPad. What makes Werdsmith great is the fact that it is loaded with features, has a great UI, Dropbox integration, and it can even be used on the iPod touch. 8. Bear Bear is another example of a barebones, markdown notetaking app. It won’t blow you away with features, but it does what it does well. This notetaking app is best used for taking notes and writing prose. You can also input your notes into Bear, making it a great app to use to study while you are transiting to and from school. Bear is very easy to use and a great option if you want a free notetaking app. 9. Microsoft Word for iOS Alright, you may be thinking, why are you suggesting Microsoft Word for iOS? One simple reason, because it exists. If you are comfortable with Microsoft Word and all of its features, why change? Microsoft has created an iOS version of their flagship word processor and it works flawlessly. A lot of iOS users make use of Pages because they think it is the go-to word processor for iOS. But, if Microsoft Word is available, why not use arguably the best word processor on the market? 10. Grammarly Sometimes Grammar is hard. Even the best writers will tell you this. Grammarly isn’t an official writing app like the other ones previously listed. Grammarly is a free grammar-checking app that is available on iOS. The free version will help you make basic corrections and improve your grammar, while the paid version comes with even more features. With Grammarly, you will never struggle with spelling, syntax, and sentence structure. 11. Dictionary.com App No one has perfect spelling. We all misspell words and rely on that wavy red line to tell us when we make mistakes. The official Dicitonary.com app is a great choice for writers who want to bolster their vocabulary, check the meanings of new words, and help find synonyms for words that they use too much. What makes this app even better is that it is free and it comes in a lite version. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to Use â€Å"That,† â€Å"Which,† and â€Å"Who†Yay, Hooray, Woos)

Reflective Log Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Reflective Log - Assignment Example I learnt that reflective blogs are written as a self experience of the course; what was the most learning experience of each lectures; what things did we understand and what are the things that we still need to focus on. The blog was a part of term assessment that is why we also learned that in all formal sessions (lectures) we had to be present to ensure that we could learn about the details and write the blog. We would also use all these techniques in our dissertation module at the end of the semester. The start of the semester and the study was an indication of how it will end the semester. And over the course of time we have to select a research project for ourselves and then apply the same methodologies. During the lecture I also learned that there are three types of research that can be conducted, product based, empirical based and literature based. Product based are those research based on some software or hardware product. Empirical research is based on a new or old technique. Literature based is work based on reviewing some principles. The blog writing technique is new to me and I find it very interesting because it does not only convey the message of things learned but at the same time it is also a good revision to the course details and how to progress. The second lecture was taken by Alison Munn. The lecture was interesting and slighting long; it gave an insight to what are the steps that should be taken before we finalize the research topic and after. In order to get good material books should be referred, other blogs should be read, articles and newspapers and such related sites. But I found it a little hard to go through so much of material; however, what was helpful are that once we shortlist the topics of research the reading also becomes focus and more convenient. The reading was further narrowed by the fact that our level we should focus on the research material written by the researchers. This

Use of quantative methods for a healthcare organization when launching Essay

Use of quantative methods for a healthcare organization when launching a first of its kind medical device - Essay Example These technologies use molecular diagnostics, diagnostic imaging technologies and revolutionary telecommunication to serve their clients and have a wider reach. Similarly a disruptive innovation is one which brings to market the products and services that are much more affordable, and also keeping the quality levels intact and may be higher. It exceeds the expectation of the market in terms of cost effectiveness or being designed for a different set of customers. Disruptive innovations are now the key to ushering of affordable and competent healthcare. For example, a health care disruptive innovation was the one which disrupted retail pharmacies. In addition the potential drugs discovered to lower cholesterol are considered as the disrupted technologies and innovation to replace the frequency of angioplastic surgeries which itself was a disruptive technology to open heart surgery. The Zenith Hospital wanted to use a disruptive technology due to the some facts studied by the management survey. The survey was based on statistical models which gave a direction for the implementation of the disruptive technology. The focus of the hospital was to increase the patient turnover and profitability by reaching to the unattended patient population. Methodology Data collection of the patient turnover in the hospital was considered for the previous two years. This was compared by statistical analysis to find out the difference in patient turnover and statistical tests of significance were implemented. Data collection done from a competitive hospital of a similar profile to understand the position Feedback questionnaire was formulated to find out the reasons and preferences for selecting the hospital services. This was represented as a pie chart to analyze the major reasons of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the factors causing usage of hospital services. The correlation coefficient will then be found out with the various factors that is positively related with the positive turnovers and the factors related with the negative turnover of the patients. Usage of ordinary least squares regression to be done to find out the weighted significance of all the factors which contribute to the positivity and negativity of the patient turnover in the hospital. A cost benefit analysis was done to estimate the return on investment for the AKA disruptive technology to be implemented and the feasibility of such project Results 1. Patient turnover in the Zenith Hospital in 2011(1) and 2012(2) in earlier 2 years. (p0.01) 3. The factors leading to dissatisfaction for reduced turnover of the patients 4. The correlation coefficients calculated with turnover were -0.7 with waiting time, +0.123 with Competency of hospital staff, +0.003 with cost effectivity and +0.21 with care giving. Significant correlation coefficients were related to waiting time and care giving(p

Use of quantative methods for a healthcare organization when launching Essay

Use of quantative methods for a healthcare organization when launching a first of its kind medical device - Essay Example These technologies use molecular diagnostics, diagnostic imaging technologies and revolutionary telecommunication to serve their clients and have a wider reach. Similarly a disruptive innovation is one which brings to market the products and services that are much more affordable, and also keeping the quality levels intact and may be higher. It exceeds the expectation of the market in terms of cost effectiveness or being designed for a different set of customers. Disruptive innovations are now the key to ushering of affordable and competent healthcare. For example, a health care disruptive innovation was the one which disrupted retail pharmacies. In addition the potential drugs discovered to lower cholesterol are considered as the disrupted technologies and innovation to replace the frequency of angioplastic surgeries which itself was a disruptive technology to open heart surgery. The Zenith Hospital wanted to use a disruptive technology due to the some facts studied by the management survey. The survey was based on statistical models which gave a direction for the implementation of the disruptive technology. The focus of the hospital was to increase the patient turnover and profitability by reaching to the unattended patient population. Methodology Data collection of the patient turnover in the hospital was considered for the previous two years. This was compared by statistical analysis to find out the difference in patient turnover and statistical tests of significance were implemented. Data collection done from a competitive hospital of a similar profile to understand the position Feedback questionnaire was formulated to find out the reasons and preferences for selecting the hospital services. This was represented as a pie chart to analyze the major reasons of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the factors causing usage of hospital services. The correlation coefficient will then be found out with the various factors that is positively related with the positive turnovers and the factors related with the negative turnover of the patients. Usage of ordinary least squares regression to be done to find out the weighted significance of all the factors which contribute to the positivity and negativity of the patient turnover in the hospital. A cost benefit analysis was done to estimate the return on investment for the AKA disruptive technology to be implemented and the feasibility of such project Results 1. Patient turnover in the Zenith Hospital in 2011(1) and 2012(2) in earlier 2 years. (p0.01) 3. The factors leading to dissatisfaction for reduced turnover of the patients 4. The correlation coefficients calculated with turnover were -0.7 with waiting time, +0.123 with Competency of hospital staff, +0.003 with cost effectivity and +0.21 with care giving. Significant correlation coefficients were related to waiting time and care giving(p

Pheromones Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Pheromones - Essay Example Pheromonal communication elicits physiologic and behavioural changes in the subject affected. Pheromones were initially studied in insects, where they have an established role as proven by scientific research. Limited sensory development in insects as compared to mammals necessitates the presence of some communication mechanism by which they can exchange information. Pheromones are the substances which perform this function. The complex manner in which ants, termites, honey bees, bugs and other insects organise their daily life without any verbal communication is a definite clue to the presence of pheromones. All insects have a highly organised pattern of social interaction as well as a well defined reproductive pattern which are guided by pheromones. According to an online article by Pines Maya of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the first pheromone ever to be identified (in 1956) was a powerful sex attractant for silkworm moths. It was isolated over a span of twenty years by a team of German researchers. After removing certain glands at the tip of the abdomen of 500,000 female moths, they extracted the compound. Miniscule amounts of this compound elicited excitement in the male moths exhibited by fluttering of their wings. This clear sign that the males had sensed the attractant enabled the scientists to purify the pheromone. The compound was purified subsequently and was named "bombykol" for the silkworm moth, Bombyx mori from which it was extracted. There are enough visibly apparent instances of evidence of the existence of pheromones in our daily life when we observe insect behaviour. Bees and wasps home in to the precise location of their hives; ants leave a trail for others to follow, and the butterflies locate members of the opposite sex during flight. Pheromones are predominantly volatile compounds detected by the sense of smell but sometimes can be liquid contact chemicals (Gullan P.J. et al). They are secreted from the exocrine glands derived from the epidermal cells. Classification of pheromones in insects is based upon five categories of behaviour associated with sex, aggregation, spacing, trail forming and alarm. Sex pheromones are usually secreted during the breeding season by the female which attracts the males. Aggregation pheromones cause insects of both sexes to crowd around the source of the pheromone. Spacing pheromones are anti aggregation and are secreted to repel further arrivals of the species when a particular spot is saturated with the species or the food source is exhausted. Trail marking pheromones are volatile and short lived chemicals that evaporate within days unless reinforced. They are used by social insects like ants to mark the trail to the nest or food source. Alarm pheromones are volatile, non persiste nt compounds that are secreted by insects during aggression by a predator or any other calamity which may affect the nest. They induce protection behaviour by collection or aggregation of the affected species such as bees. The presence and significance of pheromones in higher species in the ecological order has been well documented but the role played by them in human beings has been full of claims, counterclaims and controversies. Social as well as sexual behaviour in the quadruped mammals is strongly influenced by the sense of smell. Territory marking is a prominent feature in animals like lions, tigers and dogs. Such animals can detect the presence of another male by the

Obesity is seen more in Americans than other cultures Essay

Obesity is seen more in Americans than other cultures - Essay Example Because of this, people opt for eating meat. Raw meat is too expensive in America for most people with average monthly income to afford. Its price is too high, so it usually remains beyond the approach of most Americans. On the contrary, fast food is something that complies with the standards of the modernistic life style. Not only is it fairly easily affordable for most Americans, but also it feels extremely nice to the taste and tempting to the touch and the sight. Fast food culture has readily grown in America in the recent years. In addition to the fact that healthy food is expensive in America, Americans generally remain too busy to find time to make food in home for themselves. Life has become more and more mechanical over the years. In order to manage the expenses, people have to work as much and as often as they can. Therefore, they largely rely on junk food. These traits of the American culture make them fatter than non-American people.

Marketing the Visual Arts in the Media Assignment

Marketing the Visual Arts in the Media - Assignment Example The essay is like a wakeup call for promoters of artworks and artists in India. It calls for the need to organize many such conclaves and establish art museums across the country to bring the meaning of art into the public. The importance of establishment of art museums is highlighted by an article written by Mr.Ranvir Shaw (Ranvir Shaw: "For the sake of arts", Magazine Section, The Hindu, Sunday, March 08th, 2009) in a recent news edition of The Hindu (see Appendix # 3). Finally the article concludes by stating the relevance and appropriateness of the conclave. On 20Th of March, 2009 a huge conclave named as "Selvedged Voices: Women's narrative art work textiles from India and Chile" will be launched in Chennai. The main reason behind the conclave is to bring into focus Chilean arpilerras (see Appendix # 4), "Kathwas" (see Appendix # 5), "Sujunis" of Bihari women artists and "Santhal" women artists of India. The exhibition is aimed at attracting connoisseurs of creative and visual art and creating demand for art forms of this sort. Also it is the fond hope of the organizers of the exhibition and the artists of both Chile and India that the exhibition will indeed help in promotion of their art works helping them in earning a decent amount of revenue and provide reasonable exposure for those beautiful art forms. Selvedged Voices" (see Appendix # 6) are beautiful, narrative tapestries and art works which basically portray the life style of people of Kathwas, Sujinis and the Santhals. The reason why these art forms gain such prominence is because they speak about the traditional life styles of tribal people in the aforesaid regions. Soon these traditions and art forms may cease to exist unless preserved and encouraged to survive. One of the participants in the exhibition is an organization called as Kalaraksha. Kalaraksha's lovely paintings present topics which are a true connoisseur's delight. They bring to life concepts such as preservation of water by the tribal people, devastation caused by a violent earth quake. Done in soft and vibrant pinks and lilacs these panels speak of the touch of tribal art sense, ability and creative skills. Similarly another organization from West Bengal is exhibiting beautiful and elegant Kantha embroidery narrative sketch panels, known for their use of lace work, color sense dexterous use of beads and velvet. These panels are known for pictures of tales from epics such as Ramayana or Mahabharata. Finally the essay concludes by looking at the possibility of the exhibition to achieve its objectives. The Need for the exhibition: "Selvedged Voices", the exhibition is being sponsored by the ministry of culture by the Government of India and curated by Dr.Skye Morrison, an internationally acclaimed authority on Santhal and Sujuni art forms. Santhal art forms of Bihar and Sujuni art works of Jharkhand are desperately in need of encouragement. These art works belong to the lower and weaker

Whitbread World Sailboat Race Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Whitbread World Sailboat Race - Assignment Example In addition to the higher costs, there is always the potential danger of the quality of the project getting deteriorated due to the rushing of various activities. This problem is often encountered in construction projects where there will be disputes on the delay in the completion as well as the low quality of construction. Another area where the crashing of the project duration is important is the development of a new product that needs to be brought to the market before the competitor does to take the first mover advantages. It may be noted that in these cases the market determines the duration of the project for the development and introduction of the product. For instance, the chance that the firms using moderate to high technology may lose up to 30 percent of the market share with a delay of six months is a factor that drives such firms to crash their new product development project to be completed within or before the stipulated period. Under those circumstances, the firms do not mind the additional costs being incurred in the completion of the project than budgeted as otherwise there is the likelihood they may lose a sizeable market share. With this background this paper presents a report on ways and means for the reduction of the duration of the Whitbread Sail Boat Project which involves the des ign and construction of a sailboat for the Sail Boat team of the company ‘Whitbread’ and the training of the crew so that the sailboat constructed could take part in the World Sail Boat Race. Bjorn Ericksen Project Strategy Analysis The project relates to the design and construction of a sailboat and training of crew to enable. them to take part in the Whitbread Sail Board Race. The boat race is being conducted every year with countries entering their sailboats in the nine-month Round the World Whitbread Sailboat Race. During the recent races, about 14 countries from different parts of the world have entered their sailboats in the race.

Marketing the Visual Arts in the Media Assignment

Marketing the Visual Arts in the Media - Assignment Example The essay is like a wakeup call for promoters of artworks and artists in India. It calls for the need to organize many such conclaves and establish art museums across the country to bring the meaning of art into the public. The importance of establishment of art museums is highlighted by an article written by Mr.Ranvir Shaw (Ranvir Shaw: "For the sake of arts", Magazine Section, The Hindu, Sunday, March 08th, 2009) in a recent news edition of The Hindu (see Appendix # 3). Finally the article concludes by stating the relevance and appropriateness of the conclave. On 20Th of March, 2009 a huge conclave named as "Selvedged Voices: Women's narrative art work textiles from India and Chile" will be launched in Chennai. The main reason behind the conclave is to bring into focus Chilean arpilerras (see Appendix # 4), "Kathwas" (see Appendix # 5), "Sujunis" of Bihari women artists and "Santhal" women artists of India. The exhibition is aimed at attracting connoisseurs of creative and visual art and creating demand for art forms of this sort. Also it is the fond hope of the organizers of the exhibition and the artists of both Chile and India that the exhibition will indeed help in promotion of their art works helping them in earning a decent amount of revenue and provide reasonable exposure for those beautiful art forms. Selvedged Voices" (see Appendix # 6) are beautiful, narrative tapestries and art works which basically portray the life style of people of Kathwas, Sujinis and the Santhals. The reason why these art forms gain such prominence is because they speak about the traditional life styles of tribal people in the aforesaid regions. Soon these traditions and art forms may cease to exist unless preserved and encouraged to survive. One of the participants in the exhibition is an organization called as Kalaraksha. Kalaraksha's lovely paintings present topics which are a true connoisseur's delight. They bring to life concepts such as preservation of water by the tribal people, devastation caused by a violent earth quake. Done in soft and vibrant pinks and lilacs these panels speak of the touch of tribal art sense, ability and creative skills. Similarly another organization from West Bengal is exhibiting beautiful and elegant Kantha embroidery narrative sketch panels, known for their use of lace work, color sense dexterous use of beads and velvet. These panels are known for pictures of tales from epics such as Ramayana or Mahabharata. Finally the essay concludes by looking at the possibility of the exhibition to achieve its objectives. The Need for the exhibition: "Selvedged Voices", the exhibition is being sponsored by the ministry of culture by the Government of India and curated by Dr.Skye Morrison, an internationally acclaimed authority on Santhal and Sujuni art forms. Santhal art forms of Bihar and Sujuni art works of Jharkhand are desperately in need of encouragement. These art works belong to the lower and weaker

Critique article Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critique article - Research Paper Example In addition, it should not have generalized respiratory therapists and nurses because the study is confined to a limited population and the sampling method cannot be considered representative of the universal population. Nonetheless to focus on prevention of ventilator-associated Pneumonia is clear. The introductory section is clear, concise and informative. It successfully established the subject of the study and explained its objectives and significance. Of, particular importance are the empirical evidences that built the case for the research hypothesis and the research framework. The section reviewing previous literature on the research subject is practically non-existent. Prior studies were cited but in a very sweeping manner and only served to support points made in the Introduction section. Some previous studies were cited such as the survey among French and Canadian ICU directors on VAP adherence and the work of van Nieuwenhoven et al. (2006), which addressed clinical applicability of prevention measures. But the details are not sufficient to establish a gap that the article could fill and develop a research framework accordingly. The methods section did not specify an overarching methodology that could have outlined a clear research framework or effectively defined research concepts. If there is, it should have been clearly identified. Instead, the paper - in the methodology section - merely talked about the process without even citing how such processes came to be. This aspect highlights the most critical flaw of the study. Like the manner by which the methodology was written, the data gathering process was similarly unsystematic. The researchers merely created a survey and distributed the questionnaires without attempting to design a scientific sampling procedure. The same can be said about the content of the questionnaire and consequently the type of data gathered. Based on these parameters, the researchers were able

The Second Brandenburg Concerto Essay Example for Free

The Second Brandenburg Concerto Essay Composing for the inauguration of a harpsichord he had acquired in Berlin, Bach prepared the Brandenburg Concertos in 1720. [1] Drawing from a wide range of musical influences and styles, Bach pays tribute to and in many ways surpasses the works of his contemporaries, ultimately and undeniably furthering the concerto form. The concerto is a genre of instrumental works of three movements performed by one or more solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra. In a musical context, the term â€Å"concerto† (from the Latin concertare; â€Å"to contend, to dispute, to debate† and â€Å"to work together†)[2] was initially used inconsistently to refer to a variety of forms and functions, including vocal ensembles, mixed vocal/instrumental groups, and the act of accompanying. As the form developed, the term gained its lasting definition. The instrumental concerto emerged in the late 17th century. In Italy, two distinct styles arose, reflecting different approaches to musical structure and scoring. The Roman concerto featured a small ensemble of instrumentalists (called the concertino) playing in unison, contrapuntally or in alternation, accompanied by the larger concerto grosso or ripieno. Northern Italian concertos were written for much smaller orchestras, with sometimes as little as five instrumental voices, and emphasized the role of a single soloist (usually a violinist) backed by relatively light accompaniment. The genre flourished in the early 18th century with the many innovations of Antonio Vivaldi. His earliest concertos made use of the ritornello form, in which tonalities are established and reestablished throughout a movement by orchestral refrains. The form was the first to regularly present a recurring musical motif in several contrasting tonalities. Vivaldi also incorporated techniques largely unused outside of opera, such as the orchestral unison and onomatopoeic effects. His compositions contain slow, lyrical passages that allow for and encourage improvisation and embellishment. Suited to a variety of settings and functions, from secular to recreational, Vivaldi’s concertos were highly accessible and diverse. 2 Bach was among the many influenced by Vivaldi’s style. An unofficial student of the Italian composer, Bach devotedly transcribed Vivaldi’s concertos by hand, often rescoring them. [3] Bach’s attention to detail and expertise in musical structure gave his own works a refreshing individuality. His compositions included new, virtuosic instrumental techniques and applications, particularly for the harpsichord. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos brim with dense compositional textures, complex instrumentations (combining strings, brass, woodwind and keyboard instruments) and unusual mixtures of conventions usually exclusive to their own specific form of concerto. Featuring an astonishing amount of instruments, the Brandenburg Concertos make for a tonally diverse listening experience. Taking every sound in his palette into consideration, Bach orchestrates passages both instrumentally homogenous (specifically, string ensemble) and unusually varied (combining recorder and trumpet). The instrumental parts are as unique and unusual as they are difficult: violas da gamba back atypically soloing violas, a recorder fights to sing above a trumpet, and a violin piccolo plays a fast melody customarily reserved for other members of its instrumental family. [4] Following the conventions of the concerto grosso form, the second Brandenburg concerto features two ensembles: the concertino, a small group of soloists, and the ripieno, the larger orchestra accompanying them. The concerto is scored for the violin, viola, flute, trumpet, oboe and continuo. The elaborate interplay between the soloists and the ripieno is most apparent in the manipulation of recurring musical themes. [pic] mm. 1-7 The first measures establish the ritornello, played in unison by both the soloist and larger orchestra, with contrapuntal voices in the accompaniment. The theme is grandiose; the repeating 16th-16th-8th note motif excitedly calls for the listener’s immediate attention, heralding a rising and falling stream of 16th notes that seems to relay some thrilling news. [pic] mm. 8-9, violin A second theme, a brief solo, follows the ritornello, marking the entrance of a solo instrument in its every occurrence. The solo instrument is supported only by the continuo and at most one other instrument in the concertino; the orchestra is at rest. The melody floats sweetly, lingering on a trill as a temporary reprieve from the uproar of the orchestra. The second theme is played by the violin in its first instance and in subsequent occurrences by the oboe, flute and trumpet, respectively. The two themes (the first truncated) alternate in rapid two-measure exchanges. Changes in pitch and direction in the solo passages bring about modulation in the restated ritornellos that follow, shifting the mood of the piece and establishing the soloists and the driving force behind its movement. As the solo guides, the opening of each ritornello serves as a point of arrival. [5] This pattern is characteristic of Vivaldi’s style: his concertos typically began with a full statement of the orchestral ritornello, which would re-emerge between alternating solo passages in a notably altered form. 3 [pic] mm. 9-11 (top), 13-15 (bottom) The first example of this occurs in the transition from the solo passage to the restatement of the ritornello in measures 14 to 15. Reflecting a single change in the solo (a high C replaces the F in the last note), the transposed ritornello moves the piece into the key of C, the dominant to the tonic key of F. To the listener, the key change instills a sense of triumphant accumulation and a desire for eventual resolution. [pic] mm. 31-37, trumpet (top) and oboe (bottom) The next modulation takes the piece to the key of D minor, the relative minor to the tonic key. Against a suddenly (and unexpectedly) downcast orchestra, the high-pitched trumpet introduces a new theme: a simple, prolonged four note sequence that contrasts with the complex and rapid movement of the accompaniment. The oboe answers this sequence between the trumpet’s restatements, gradually guiding it to a lower pitch range. As the trumpet’s sequence tapers off, the full orchestra returns to another restatement of the ritornello.

Four Procedures Commonly Used in Refractive Eye Surgery Essay examples

Four Procedures Commonly Used in Refractive Eye Surgery One of the first things put on in the morning and one of the last things taken off in the evening, glasses and contacts play a large part in the everyday lives of those who depend upon them to see clearly. These two types of corrective lenses allow for clearer vision, but glasses and contacts are also inconvenient. Sports, especially contact sports, are more difficult to play when glasses get in the way or break. For those who can wear them, contacts are an improvement over glasses; wearing contacts for 18 hours a day, however, is not healthy for the contacts or the eyes. Therefore, other methods are desired to correct vision. Ophthalmologists have long dreamed of equipment and techniques to permanently correct refractive problems. For more than 100 years, doctors have been exploring the use of surgery to reduce or eliminate patient's dependence on glasses and contacts ["Refractive," 1997]. This dream came true with the introduction of refractive surgical techniques for the correction of myopia and astigmatism. In refractive surgery, various micro-surgical procedures are used to re-shape the front surface of the cornea. Four main refractive eye procedures are clinically being studied: radial keratectomy (RK), automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). These four common procedures in refractive eye surgery will be compared and contrasted while taking into account the limitations of comparison such as the patient and the extent of the correction needed. Function of the Eye The human eye is a complex organ with a primary function of focusing light on the retina to provide the sense of sight f... ...ctive and Corneal Surgery (Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1996), pp. 10-120. "Laser Eye Center," http://www.lasereyecenter.com/ (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). McFadden, Murray, Dr. "Laser Eye Surgery, PRK, LASIK," http://www.prk.com/ (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). Raeburn, Paul, "Keep Your Eye on the Laser," Business Week (30 September 1996), p. 40. "Refractive Surgery Frequently Asked Questions," http://www.isrs.org/library/faq (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). Sanders, Donald, Radial Keratotomy (Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated, 1984), pp. 1-16. Sulting, Dr., "Laser In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)," http://www.emory.org/vision_correction/ (Madison: University of Wisconsin, November 1997). "Understanding Laser Vision Correction," pamphlet (USA: The Laser Center Inc., 1997), pp. 7-43.

Chemistry: Acid-base Titration Essay -- essays research papers

Chemistry: Acid-Base Titration Purpose:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The objective of this experiment were: a) to review the concept of simple acid-base reactions; b) to review the stoichiometric calculations involved in chemical reactions; c) to review the basic lab procedure of a titration and introduce the student to the concept of a primary standard and the process of standardization; d) to review the calculations involving chemical solutions; e) to help the student improve his/her lab technique. Theory:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Titration was used to study acid-base neutralization reaction quantitatively. In acid-base titration experiment, a solution of accurately KHP concentration was added gradually to another solution of NaOH concentration until the chemical reaction between the two solutions were completed. The equivalence point was the point at which the acid was completely reacted with or neutralized by the base. The point was signaled by a changing of color of an indicator that had been added to the acid solution. Indicator was substance that had distinctly different colors in acidic and basic media. Phenolphthalein was a common indicator which was colorless in acidic and neutral solutions, but reddish pink was result in basic solutions. Strong acid (contained H+ ion) and strong base ( contained OH ) were 100% ionized in water and they were all strong electrolytes. Procedure: Part A. Investigating solid NaOH for use as a possible primary standard First o...

Native American Indians Essay

Indian Nations are sovereign governments, recognized in and hundreds of treaties with the U. S. President. The history of this continent’s original inhabitants encompasses a broad range of cultures and experiences. American Indians varied greatly from region to region, as did their reactions to European settlement. This website will delve into the vast and storied background of most tribes and seek to supply the visitors with as much knowledge as possible about the proud history of Native Americans. Please join us on this journey into the past, experience the present and dream about the future of the American Indian. When Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492 he was welcomed by a brown-skinned people whose physical appearance confirmed him in his opinion that he had at last reached India, and whom, therefore, he called Indios, Indians, a name which, however mistaken in its first application continued to hold its own, and has long since won general acceptance, except in strictly scientific writing, where the more exact term American is commonly used. As exploration was extended north and south it was found that the same race was spread over the whole continent, from the Arctic shores to Cape Horn, everywhere alike in the main physical characteristics, with the exception of the Eskimo in the extreme North, whose features suggest the Mongolian. Tribes and Nations Native Americans (American Indians) make up less than one percent of the total U. S. population but represent half the languages and cultures in the nation. The term â€Å"Native American† includes over 500 different groups and reflects great diversity of geographic location, language, socioeconomic conditions, school experience, and retention of traditional spiritual and cultural practices. However, most of the commercially prepared teaching materials available present a generalized image of Native American people with little or no regard for differences that exist from tribe to tribe. Mohawk (Iroquois): The Iroquois League, or Five Nations of the Iroquois, was the most powerful Indian military alliance in the eastern part of North America and probably the most successful alliance of any kind between so many important tribes. There were three principal clans – deer, turtle and wolf – existing within the five nations, and this was probably an important unifying factor in the league. The league was formed in the late sixteenth century at which time the five nations had a combined population of 7000. Mohican (Mohegan) and/or Mahican: What a confusion of facts. After reading through several texts and visiting many sites on the web, it has become clear as mud that everyone has a differing opinion about the relationships between these three tribes. We will therefore include them all on one page and maybe through your wanderings, you will discover the truth. If you do, please let us in on it. Creek: The Creek were originally one of the dominant tribes in the mid-south and later became known as one of the Five Civilized Tribes. They were known in their own language as Muskoke or Muskoge, by the Shawnee as Humaskogi, by the Delaware as Masquachki and by the British as the Ochese Creek Indians, hence the present name. Their name has been adapted for that of their linguistic group and for Muskogee, Oklahoma, which was a major city of the Creek Nation in Indian Territory. Cherokee: The Cherokee were one of the largest tribes in the Southeast and were among the earliest to adapt to European civilization. Their name is written Tsalagi in their own language, and they were called Chalakki by the Choctaw, whose language was the language of trade in the Southeast. Southwest Navajo (Dineh, Navaho): The Navajo tribe is the largest in the United States, with some 200,000 people occupying the largest and area reserved for Native Americans – 17 million acres in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. The word Navajo derives from the Spanish word for ‘people with big fields. ‘ At the time of the arrival of the white man they had developed agriculture, though on a smaller scale than the nearby Hopi and Pueblo peoples. The Navajo were less sedentary than the Hopi and Pueblo tribes, but more so than the Apache of the same region. Zuni: The Zuni, like the Hopi, were linguistically distinct from the Pueblo tribes but related to them culturally. The three groups, Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo, had several important characteristics in common. First of all, they lived in pueblos (Spanish for village), which were a composite of adobe houses, frequently interconnected and occasionally multistoried, much like a modern apartment complex. While each Pueblo tribe was associated with a single pueblo, the Hopi and Zuni were each associated with several, and not all members of these tribes lived in pueblos. Hopi: The Hopi, whose name comes from hopitu meaning ‘the peaceful ones,’ are traditionally associated culturally with the Zuni and with eht Pueblo Indians. All of these people live in pueblos or cities comprised of a complex of sometimes jultistoried, rectangular houses. The name pueblo drives from the Spanish word for ‘people’. The Hopi are descendants of people who migrated into the Southwest prior to 1000 BC. By 700 AD they had developed agriculture and were raising corn, beans, squash and cotton. By 1100 AD they had abandoned their aboriginal pit housed for multi-level adobe houses, and had founded cities at Oraibi and Mesa Verde. Yavapai: From prehistoric times, the Yavapai lived as hunters and gatherers practicing occasional agriculture on over nine million acres of central and western Arizona. The three primary groups of Yavapai maintained good relationships with each other and are now located at Ft. McDowell, Camp Verde and Prescott. The Yavapai are known for weaving excellent baskets, which are displayed in many museums. Apache: The Apache (from a Zuni word meaning â€Å"enemy†) are a North American Indian people of the Southwest. Their name for themselves is Inde, or Nde (â€Å"the people†). The major nomadic tribe in the American Southwest, the Apache, was also the Last major tribe to surrender to government control in the 1880s Plains Kiowa: The Kiowa name is derived from kai-gwa, meaning ‘principal people,’ and legend has it that they originated in the Yellowstone River country of central Montana. In the eighteenth century, having obtained horses, they moved onto the plains to hunt buffalo. During this time they made alliances with both the Kiowa-Apache as well as their former enemies, the Comanche. This latter association was the basis for the Kiowa-Comanche Reservation formed in Indian Territory in 1892. The Kiowa are noted for having kept a written history. This historical record was kept in the form of a pictographic calendar painted and updated twice a year, in winter and summer, on buffalo skins. Pawnee (Pani, Pana, Panana, Panamaha, Panimaha): The Pawnee name may have derived from Caddoan pariki, meaning ‘horn,’ a reference to the peculiar manner inwhich the tribe wore the scalplock. The Paunee lived in established villages similar to those of the Mandan. They practiced agriculture but also hunted buffalo on the plains part of the year. They had a complex religion unrelated to other Plains tribes that included offering female captives as a sacrifice to ensure abundant crops. Comanche: The Comanche are an offshoot of the Shoshone and one of several numanic speaking tribes. They are linguistically related to the Shoshone, Ute and Paiute, whose language is remotely related to Aztec. Their name comes from the Spanish camino ancho, which means â€Å"wide trail. † They once lived in the Rocky Mountains near the Shoshone, but migrated to the plains to hunt buffalo. Though they became nomadic Plains Indians, they still maintained good relations with the Shoshone. Osage (Wazhazhe): Closely related to the Omaha, Kansa, Quopaw and Ponca, the Osage are thought to have once lived in the Ohio River valley, but they were first encountered by the white man in Missouri, where they were recorded as having large cornfields. They usually lived in earth lodges, but when on hunting trips to the northern plains in search of buffalo, they carried and used the plains tipi. Great Lakes Miami (Maumee, Twightwee): The Miami, whose name comes from the Chippewa omaumeg, or ‘people who live on the peninsula,’ first came into contact with white men in 1658 near Green Bay, Wisonsin, but they soon withdrew to the headwaters of the Fox River and later to the headwaters of the Wabash and Maumee rivers. The Miami had good relations with the French, with whom they were allied. They were also closely associated with the Piankashaw, who were once thought to be part of the Miami tribe. Huron (Wyandot): The name Wyandot (or Wendat) is Iroquoian for ‘people of the peninsula,’ a reference to a peninsula in sourthern Ontario eas of Lake Huron where they originally lived. Their population was estimated at 20,000 in 1615 when first encountered by the French under Samuel de Champlain, who referred to them as Huron (‘bristly-headed ruffian’). The first Wyandot groups inthe region probably arrived in the early fourteenth century. In addition to maize, the Wyandot raised beans, squash, sunflowers and tobacco. Ottawa: The name Ottawa is derived from the Algonquian adawe, meaning ‘to trade,’ an apt name for the tribe, who had an active trading relationship with the related Chippewa and Potawatomi as well as other tribes of the region. Like the Chippewa, they built birch bark canoes and harvested wild rice. Ottawa Chief Pontiac rose by 1755 as one of the most important Indian leaders of the era. Ojibwa (Chippewa): To end any confusion, the Ojibwa and Chippewa are not only the same tribe, but the same word pronounced a little differently due to accent. If an â€Å"O† is placed in front of Chippewa (O’chippewa), the relationship becomes apparent. Ojibwa is used in Canada, although Ojibwa west of Lake Winnipeg are sometime referred to as the Saulteaux. In United States, Chippewa was used in all treaties and is the official name. The Chippewas were the largest and most powerful tribe in the Great Lakes country, with a range that extended from the edge of Iroquois territory in the Northeast to the Sioux-dominated Great Plains. Both of these major tribes were traditional Chippewa rivals, but neither was powerful enough to threaten the Chippewa heartland, where the Chippewa was master. The tribe used the lakes and rivers of the region like a vast highway network, and developed the birch bark canoe into one of the continent’s major means of transportation. Northwest Nez Perce: Nez Perce is a misnomer given by the interpreter of the Lewis and Clark expedition team of 1805. The French translate it as â€Å"pierced nose. † This is untrue as the Nee-me-poo did not practice nose piercing or wearing ornaments. The â€Å"pierced nose† people lived on the lower Columbia River and throughout other parts of the Northwest. The famous indian chief and leader, Chief Joseph, was of the Nez Perce. Flathead (Salish): The Flathead, a subgroups of the Spokane tribes, were given their name from a custom common to many Salishan people of practicing head deformation by strapping their infants to hard cradleboards. This flattened the back of the head and made the top appear more round. The Flathead, conversely, did not practice head flattening, and therefore the tops of their heads were flatter than those of the other Salishan people, hence the name. Blackfoot (Siksika): The Blackfoot are one of the several numanic-speaking tribes, and were historically allied with the nomadic Atsina. Ther were the archetypal Plains Indians, for whom the buffalo provided nearly all their needs, from food to clothing to leather for their tipis. Shoshone (Shoshoni): The Shoshone were the most wide-ranging of the Great Basin tribes, with a habitat that stretched from the eastern Oregon desert to southern Colorado. They were closely related to the Bannock, Gosiute, Paiute and Ute, with whom they shared these lands and with shown there was a good deal of intermarriage. Kwakiutl: The Kwakiutl were one of the major tribes of the Northwest Coast and once encompassed other nearby tribes such as the Bella Bella, Kitimat, Makah and Nootka, with whom they are linguistically related. Their villages were typical of the Northwest Coast, with large cedar plank houses and intricately carved totem poles, representing the animals with whom a particular family might be religiously associated. Works Cited â€Å"Rebuilding Native American Communities† by Don Coyhis & Richard Simonelli, Child Welfare, Mar/Apr 2005 (15 pages). â€Å"Native American Feminism, Sovereignty, and Social Change† by Andrea Smith, Feminist Studies, Spring 2005 (17 pages). â€Å"The Paradox of Native American Indian Intellectualism and Literature† by Kathryn Winona Shanley, MELUS, Fall/Winter 2004 (20 pages). â€Å"American Indian History as Continuing Story† by Peter Iverson, Historian, Fall 2004 (8 pages). â€Å"Anti-colonial Strategies for the Recovery and Maintenance of Indigenous Knowledge† by Leanne R. Simpson, American Indian Quarterly, Summer/Fall 2004 (12 pages). â€Å"Sovereignty: The Rhetoric v. The Reality† by Paul Boyer, Tribal College Journal, Fall 2004 (4 pages). â€Å"Developing an Effective Approach to Strategic Planning for Native American Indian Reservations† by Nicholas Zaferatos, Space & Polity, April 2004 (18 pages). â€Å"Ethnogeography and the Native American Past† by James Carson Taylor, Ethnohistory, Fall 2002 (20 pages). â€Å"Indigenous Identity† by Hillary N. Weaver, American Indian Quarterly, Spring 2001 (16 pages) â€Å"What We Want to be Called? † by Michael Yellow Bird, American Indian Quarterly, Spring 1999 (21 pages) â€Å"Native American Population Pattern† by Mathew J. Shumway, Geographical Review, April 1995 (17 pages) . The North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment (Harry N. Abrams, 2003) Native American: A History in Pictures (DK Adult, 2000) Atlas of North American History (Checkmark Books, 2000) We Are Still Here: American Indians in the Twentieth Century (Harlan Davidson Inc. 1998) The Native Americans: The Indigenous People of North America (Advanced Marketing Services, 1999) Through Indian Eyes: The Untold Story of Native American Peoples (Reader’s Digest Association, 1995) Dictionary of Native American Mythology by Gill, Sam D and Sullivan, Irene F (ABC-Clio, 1992) Exiled in the land of the free: Democracy, Indian nations, and the U. S. Constitution (Clear Light Publishers, 1991) The Native American Experience (Facts on File, 1991). The great father: the United States government and the American Indians by Prucha, Francis Paul (University of Nebraska Press,1986) Voices of the Winds: Native American Legends by Edmonds, Margot and Clark, Ella Elizabeth (Facts on File, 1989) Atlas of the North American Indians by Waldman, Carl (Facts on File, 1984) Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England (Hill & Wang, 1983) The Talking stone: An anthology of native American tales and legends (Greenwillow Books, New York, 1979) The Indians of the southeastern United States by Swanton, John Reed (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1979)

Russians Conversion to Christianity

The conversion of Russians to Christianity was a big step towards Slavic civilization. The role of converting these people was upon the Orthodox Church which played an important role in helping the neighbors of Byzantine to take Byzantine cultures while at the same time helping to spread Christianity. Emperors from Byzantine in their bid to help their neighbors change their barbaric and hostile ways of life tried to use such methods as church conversions, judicious diplomacy and promotion of international trade. There were various reasons why Russians were converted to Christianity and in doing so; some strategies were employed by the Orthodox Church and the emperors. This paper is mainly going to focus on these two issues. One of the key steps that were taken in 863 was to provide the Russians or the Slavs who included the Danube who later were conquered by Magyars, the Czechs, the Moravians, Polinians and the Lyakhs who were also sometimes regarded as the Poles with a custom made Slavic alphabet or simply a modified Greek alphabet which was known as Glagothic. This helped them to make these people feel proud of their work as the Slavic alphabets were to be used in scripture translation and translation of other liturgical works. Invention of Slavic language was a milestone in the spread of Christianity and this became the platform that future conversion activities for the Russians took place. As per the Russian Primary Chronicle, because of the presence of emperors who highly valued Byzantine cultures, many Moravians had been converted by the Orthodox Church into Christianity but the problem was that they could not read the scripture and interpret it in their own language . This was because they were not familiar with Latin and Greek language that was used in the scripture and the problem was that there were preachers who would teach them this today and tomorrow interpret the same topic differently, now they wanted to be taught a language that they would use to read the bible for themselves and interpret it accordingly because those that came to preach to them would take advantage of their inability to read and interpret the scripture. We understand neither Greek nor Latin some teach us one thing and some another. Furthermore, we do not understand written characters nor their meaning. Therefore send us teachers who can who can make known to us the words of the scriptures and their sense† . To achieve this end, Moravian Slavs led by emperor Kostel, Rostilav and Sviatopolk requested Michael, the Byzantine emperor to help them with teachers who would assist in scripture translation into their native language. After receiving their request, the emperor asked the most professional scholars in his region to lend a hand in the translation work and they agreed to help. The scholars went to Kostel, Rostilav and Sviatopolk and took it upon themselves the duty of teaching Moravian Slavs how to read the scripture especially after they successively translated it into their Slavic native tongue. They started by composing Slavic alphabet and later they started the work of translating the scripture especially the Acts and the Gospels. Nothing made these Slavs happier than to hear the gospel preached in their native language. These scholars also helped in translating other pieces of work apart from the scripture for example they translated books such as Oktoechos and the Psalter among others . The zealots were not pleased by the idea of translating the scripture into Slavic language and thus they openly criticized this move. They argued that only Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages were supposed to be used in the scripture but the Pope did not share these sentiments and he dismissed these claims. To facilitate the conversion work of the Russians into Christianity, Methodius was appointed by Prince Kostel as one of Apostle Paul’s seventy disciples and he was given the task of bible translation, a job that he effectively did within six months but with the help of the two priests who were also professional writers. Methodius being an apostle worked hand in hand in hand with Bishop Andronicus who had been appointed by Apostle Paul to help him in the spread of the gospel to the Moravians . Another major break in the conversion of Russians into Christianity was achieved during the reigns of Vladimir in 980. Vladimir was a pagan leader who prayed idols and had even erected some of them on the hills and decorated them with gold moustaches and silver heads. Some of these idols were Khors, Stribog, Mokosn’, Dazh’bog and Simar’gi. People would sacrifice their offspring to these idols and thus this land was full of blasphemous blood. In 987 Vladimir after many trials by Bulgars to accept their religion summoned his ‘nobles’ to seek for their advice on whether they should abandon worshipping their idols and adopt other types of religion like that for Germans, Greek or for Jews. All of these had approached Vladimir and asked him to join their religion and now he was at crossroads to know what step to take from there. The Greeks claimed that whoever worshipped their God would have eternal life but those who followed other faith would burn in eternal fire. After asking nobles their stand, they said that unless they experience immediate knowledge of those rituals then they were not in a position to advice. They thus went and learnt for themselves but were not impressed by how Germans and Jews practiced their rituals but for the Greek the answer though not very direct was positive. â€Å"Everyman, after tasting something sweet, is afterward unwilling to accept that which is bitter, and therefore we can no longer remain here (Paganism)† . They argued that in German rituals they did not see any beauty and that for the Jews was bad but to the Greek’s ritual they could not know whether they were still on earth or in heaven because it was beauty beyond human description. This made Vladimir jealous and attacked his opponents a year later and proceeded to Kherson and conquered this Greek city. After this he issued demands to the Greek emperors-Constantine and Basil that they had to give to him their unmarried sister or else he would destroy the whole city but they told him that he would only get the girl if and only if, he got baptized as it was against their Christian faith and teachings to sell off their Christian sister to a pagan. Vladimir badly wanted this girl and thus he softened his heart and agreed to get baptized on condition that he would be baptized by this unwedded girl known as Anne. The emperors agreed to this and people rejoiced and danced as he got baptized. Vladimir then disclosed to them that he knew of their religion as he had sent emissaries before to enquire on the same and they gave him a positive answer . Just as it was a custom to pay bride price after marrying a girl, Vladimir returned Kherson to its rightful owners as his dowry. When he went back home he ordered all idols to be destroyed and said that those who would not get baptized the following day were not his friends any more and thousands big and small, young and old went to the river to be baptized and a history was made as never before had so many people been baptized at one time. Vladimir after this constructed wooden churches on the grounds where he had set his idols to show the world that he was truly a converted Christian. He also sent priests to go all over the town and cities to preach to the unconverted and convert and baptize them. The reasons that made the Russians to get baptized was their desire to be able to read and interpret the scripture without asking for an interpreter as those people who came to teach them took advantage of their inability to read and write. That was why they asked Emperor Michael to assist them in composing Slavic alphabets something that they did willingly. Another thing that acted as a catalyst towards Russians conversion to Christianity was Vladimir’s desire to marry Emperor’s unwedded sister. This led to his baptism as well as the baptism of other hundred thousands of his followers.

Analyze Ducati’s Essay

As the case mentioned, Ducati was experiencing a financial crisis before 1996. Just right before Ducati’s bankruptcy, Texas Pacific Group took over the company and appointed Minoli as the leader for the new management team. Despite having high tech motorcycles, Ducati suffered from lack of high quality reputation due to poor management and inefficient production. Under Minoli’s management, he successfully established Ducati’s core logic as a sports bike leading brand, and set company’s core goals as to increase growth as well as maintain profit margin. Minoli began this goal-oriented strategic decision and pointed out a blueprint in order to reshaped Ducati from head to toe. He not only made Ducati to be perceived as a brand to compete in its niche sports segment, but also reeducated the public’s thoughts toward Ducati as a lifestyle and entertainment rather than just motorcycles alone. One key to branding is to maintain customer retention. As mentioned in the case, since 55 percent of Ducati’s customers tend to purchase more than one motorcycles, it is essential for Minoli to establish a high customer loyalty in order to have repurchase intentions. With that aim in mind, Minoli launched levels of investments in customer retention activities to accompany his branding strategy. Implementations include things such as advertising to broaden customer base, creating customer service for quality satisfaction, bike customization for brand niche segmentation, and building Ducati heritage to reconstruct customer loyalty. In addition to branding, Minoli also reorganized production system by outsourcing majority of Ducati’s basic components to maintain the flexibility and efficiency for the production process (76 to 87 bikes produced per worker in 3 year) . Standardizing cylinders and crank cases for different models, acquiring accessories and apparel company also allowed Ducati to yield a higher profit margin (12%) and turnover rate. Furthermore, Minoli also started a new distribution strategy by reorganizing dealerships. To improve the quality and control of the dealerships of Ducati, Minoli began to limit dealerships by carrying only Ducati motorcycles and accessories. Although this act subsequently reduced a number of dealerships in the region, total annual registration still had increased by more than 300% from 2310 to 9750 within 4 years in Italy. In sum, Minoli’s turnaround program has allowed it to create core competencies in brand, product, and R&D technologies by implementing strategies mentioned above. Lowering the cost as well as raising the revenue made Minoli’s goal of long term profit sustaining possible. work cited:Gavetti, Giovanni: Ducati page 11.