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Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Throughout Journeys End, R C Sherriff re

Throughout Journeys End, R C Sherriff re-creates, for the audience, the reality of World War One Essay Throughout Journeys End, R C Sherriff re-creates, for the audience, the reality of World War One. He also shows the conditions and the tremendous stress and fear suffered by the men at the front. The play is set in Flanders, in Belgium, where much of World War One was fought. It is set in the later part of World War One. World War One was fought using trench warfare. Soldiers each took turns at working in the line until they were given leave, which sometimes wasnt for a long time. The soldiers showed tremendous courage and spirit to continue working and fighting every day even when their tasks sometimes seemed impossible. The play, Journeys End was written about ten years after the First World War, by a soldier who fought in the war, and since then it has been translated into every European language. It is the only play of its era that is still popular today. We will write a custom essay on Throughout Journeys End, R C Sherriff re-creates, for the audience, the reality of World War One specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now R.C.Sherriff chose a very wide range of contrasting characters, which help us to understand how different characters would react in certain situations. Most people have similar characteristics to at least one of the characters in the play. The characters reactions helps us to realise how bad some of the situations really are. A good example of this is when Hibbert, a grown man, is reduced to tears when Stanhope wont allow him to go home sick. Every sound up here makes me all-cold and sick Hibbert à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act Two: Scene Two This line really shows how Hibbert cant bare the life in the front line and how the conditions were really too much for a large number of men. He is scared. Hibbert couldnt deal with the situation. He tried to get out of it by faking illness. The characters were under an enormous amount of pressure. They suffered from tremendous stress. In some cases, such as Stanhopes, this can cause sudden mood swings. Look here, Osborne, Im commanding this company. I ask for advice when I want it! Stanhope à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act Two: Scene One This time, Osborne is the innocent victim of Stanhopes short temper, which was a result of his time in the front line. His nerves have all got battered to bits says Osborne. This has shortened his temper. He is very anxious. All of the characters have ways of dealing with the trench warfare. Stanhope knows that he is lucky to be alive after three years of fighting. He believes that it will soon be his turn to die. He is living in fear. The only way he knows to ease the fear is drink. Because of his time in the front line, he has become dependant on alcohol. Damn the soup!, Bring some whisky! Stanhope à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act One: Scene One He uses the drink to cushion the reality and to try to forget about the war. Raleigh is new to the front line. At home, they  were sheltered from the reality of the war. Because he doesnt know how bad things can be, he fails to see the bad side of some of the situations that he is placed in. He doesnt have to cope with as much as the other officers. I think that R.C.Sherriff uses Raleigh to show how uninformed the people at home were of the conditions in the front line. Osborne tries not to show his emotions. He attempts to look as though he is unaffected by the conditions that he has to face on a daily basis. Other officers, such as Trotter, imagine that they are in a normal situation. .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe , .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .postImageUrl , .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe , .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:hover , .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:visited , .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:active { border:0!important; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:active , .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud45609e7f2c98bdb2da50bee696cacbe:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Nightmare World EssaySome of the conditions that R.C.Sherriff describes in the play are unimaginable to people in the modern world. Not only do they face the constant fear of death, but also they dont even have hygienic living conditions. The water that they drink is disinfected because it is so dirty and could otherwise cause illness. Dont have too much, its rather strong today. Hardy à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act One: Scene One The men have to dilute it with whisky. The disinfectant that is in the water makes it unpleasant to drink. The sleeping conditions arent much better. Thats mine. The ones in the dug-out havent got any bottoms to them. You keep yourself in by hanging your arms and legs over the sides. Mustnt hang them too low, or the rats gnaw your boots. Osborne à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act One: Scene One The beds dont even have bottoms too them. The men dont even get a proper rest when they are asleep at night. This quote also tells us how the rats crawl about everywhere. I should say- roughly- about two million; but I dont see them all. Osborne à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act One: Scene One There are more rats than humans out in the trenches. This is very unhygienic. Some of the conversations that the men have reveal a lot about the stress that they are feeling and the fear that they face every day. During Act two, Scene two, when Hibbert tries to go home sick, you can see how scared the men really are. I feel the same- exactly the same! Every noise up here makes me feel- just as you feel. We all feel like you do sometimes, if only you knew. I hate and loathe it all. Sometimes I feel I could just lie down on this bed and pretend I was paralysed or something- and couldnt move- and just lie there until I died- or was dragged away. Stanhope à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act Two: Scene Two All the men share the same fear of death. They are all suffering out in the front line. Other conversations reveal the characters true emotions. At the end of the play, when Raleigh dies, he and Stanhope have a very deep conversation, in which Stanhope refers  to him as Jimmy which must be the name that he used to call Raleigh at home, outside of the war. This shows how much he really cares for Raleigh and how he views him as kind of a family member. Another way that R.C.Sherriff re-creates the reality of World War One and the stress that the men suffer from is that he builds up tension in the scenes. In Act Two, Scene One, Raleigh writes a letter home to his sister about his first day or so in the front line. Stanhopes anger and aggression build quite quickly. Stanhope fears that Raleigh will write home to his sister and tell her how Stanhope drinks all of the time and how he has changed as a person. He uses the law that he is supposed to read and censor all of the letters home to his advantage. Its the rule that letters must be read. Stanhope à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act Two: Scene One When Raleigh declines, he quickly changes to: Give me that letter! and Dyou understand an order? After this, Stanhope and Raleigh stare wide eyed at each other, creating tremendous tension. This tension clearly shows Stanhopes frustration that has been building up for ages, purely through stress. You can really see what Stanhope is going through. Another point in the play when there is a lot of tension, is the night after the raid. The men are all eating and drinking the food and drink that has been provided and smoking the cigars, when Stanhope tells Hibbert to go to bed, as he is to go on duty at eleven. Hibbert replies with a sarcastic comment. After this the conversation heats up. The following argument ends with Stanhope shouting at Hibbert. .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 , .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .postImageUrl , .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 , .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:hover , .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:visited , .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:active { border:0!important; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:active , .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1 .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2ccf80bf1366aced8bcce919797750c1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: All the world's a stage - from Shakespeare's As You Like It Act 2, Scene 7 EssayGet out of my sight! Stanhope à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Act Three: Scene Two The following pause creates great tension. The anxiety of the great attack that is due to take place the next day is really beginning to show. The men are obviously very nervous. After reading Journeys End, I now know a lot more information about what life was really like for a soldier in the front line. R.C.Sherriff has been successful in realistically informing a reader of the conditions that the men faced and the tremendous stress and fear suffered by the men. The ways he used to present the information were extremely clear. He created a character for every type of person, which helped me understand what they were suffering. I think that the ways that R.C.Sherriff presented details of the conditions was very clever. Just one sentence can tell us so much about a particular subject, for example the water supply the disinfectant in the water, the germs in it. I think that the conversations that the men have are very true to what the men would really be feeling. They show the ongoing fear of the men. The tension in the scenes really highlights the stress that the  men are suffering. Different people have viewed the play in different ways. Some say that the play has a message for peace however those who were not pacifist found that it supported their opinion too. The play shows the soldiers spirit in difficult situations. The carried out orders that sometimes they didnt agree with, but still put on a brave face.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

20 Essay Topics on Crime Prevention Based on Social Science

20 Essay Topics on Crime Prevention Based on Social Science Social science is the scientific study of human society and relationships among the individuals that make up a society. In the context of crime prevention, social science studies attempts to study what pushes criminal activities and how the society we live in can be structured to prevent crimes by eliminating the triggers that leads to criminal intent or reactions. This is indeed possible and has facts backing the importance of social science in preventing crimes. This subject matter can be quite difficult to write about if one does not have good research skills or the patience to learn.   Therefore, an assignment on this could be difficult but we are here to show that this should not be so. In this article- which is a follow up on the 10 facts on social science and crime prevention - 20 social science essay topics will be provided for your choosing pleasure. One of these topics will also be written on to provide you with some direction on how to go about writing on the topic you choose. So below are the 20 topics you can choose from to kick-start your own project. 20 Social Science Topics on Preventing Crime: The Importance of Stable Family Structures in Preventing Crime Reducing Teenage Delinquency Rates and Crime in Today’s Society The Fallacy of Incarceration as an Effective Crime Prevention Technique Integrating Risk Prevention Techniques to Combat Adolescent Criminal Behavior Identifying and Understanding the Key Risk Factors Prevalent in Human Beings Parental Education and its Effects on Reducing Criminal Activities Women Education and Its Role in Crime Prevention Early Child Education and Its Role in Reducing Adolescent Crime How Integrating Civil Laws in Society Prevents Crime Crime Prevention and the Role of Structural Growth The Effects of Local Watches in Preventing Crime Encouraging Social Awareness to Reduce Criminal Activities Mental Health and Its Correlation with Criminal Activity Managing Societys Mental Health Problems Key to Reducing Violent Crimes Tackling Unemployment an Effective Tool to Preventing Crime Creating Economic Opportunities, Preventing Criminal Activities The Implementation of Intervention Techniques in Preventing Criminal Activity Pursuing Equality Reforms as a Crime Prevention Technique Perusing Societys Role in Preventing Criminal Activities The Science of Youth Violence Prevention: Progressing from Developmental Epidemiology to Efficacy Sample Essay: The Importance of Stable Family Structures in Preventing Crime The 17th century saying that the family is the building block of society still rings true to date and consequently, the foundation of every Nation both developed and underdeveloped rests squarely on the strength of its families. Therefore, there is much to learn from the stability of family structures and the effect they have in preventing crimes. My essay is written to provide information on what is known and how stable families prevent criminal activities. The role of the family in the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency has been studied for decades by social scientists and the office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). These studies culminated in findings that showed the effects of both a good family structure and a non-existent structure drives delinquent behavior and criminal activities. The home is the first school for children and it serves as a classroom where manners, etiquettes, society’s rules and behavioral patterns are ingrained in a child. Therefore, children end up becoming by-products of the home they grew up in. Studies from the OJJDP has shown that kids who have been exposed to negative influences in childhood tend to act out these influence in their later years which makes it imperative to create an enabling environment that allows each family fulfill its potential. The study went further to state that kids from at risk homes- unstable families, single parent homes, drug abusers etc.- are three times more likely to be involved in criminal behavior later in life. These negative behaviors which affect governance in the long run can be forestalled by creating conducive familial environment which means the government has a role to play in propagating stable family units. The first step to be taking is creating employment opportunities for adults who intend to create families. This productivity helps both the government and family unit by developing productive citizens and family heads with the finances needed to cater to family needs. Educating parents is also a technique that can be used in building stable family units. It is important to start the educative process from the postnatal period right down to the first two years after childbirth. A study conducted by the Nurse-Family Partnership Program showed that expecting families who took part in such programs were less likely to be involved with any forms of child abuse when compared to others who did not. While on the children’s side, a stable family unit where parental supervision and involvement help kids grow-up to become functioning members of society. This is because parents notice negative factors and influences in their kids’ life and take the necessary steps to check those behavioral patterns before they spiral out of control. Getting parenting and the family unit right is definitely the first step to preventing crimes and grooming responsible citizens in a society. Achieving this requires the education of parents and creating an environment where parents can raise their kids to be responsible and understand that they are accountable for their actions. Here we come to the end of the second article providing you with essay topics on crime prevention. To learn more about writing and reviewing literature on crime prevention, check out this follow-up article on how to write a perfect article review on social science and crime prevention. References: Brandon, W. (2012). The Future of Crime Prevention: Developmental and Situational Strategies. crim.cam.ac.uk/people/academic_research/david_farrington/nijprev.pdf Jeffery, R. (1977).Crime Prevention through Environmental Design 50, 60. Farrington, D. Sherman, W. (2001). Costs and Benefits of Preventing Crime. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Wilson, D., Gottfredson, C., Najaka, S. (2001). School-based Prevention of Problem Behaviours: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 17, 247-272. Canepple, S. (2008). Organized Crime, Corruption and Crime Prevention. Fisher, B. (2010). Encyclopaedia of Victimology and Crime Prevention. Henze, S. (2006). Crime science: New Approaches to Preventing and Detecting Crime.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Global Environment of Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

The Global Environment of Business - Essay Example He decided to venture into employment as a freelance designer and simultaneously opened a sportswear company that collapsed in less than a year due to financial inefficiencies. He then joined Jordache fashion house as a designer as a blue jeans designer where he was able to meet Murjani. On his part, Mohan Murjani was hansdling a failing business and was in need of a new idea. Although he was one of the main brains behind the blue jeans craze in the 70s, his own venture, the Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans was not doing quite well. He sought Hilfiger to design for his company; the Murjani International. His move was targeted at resurrecting the jeans craze that was once a Phenomenon in the 1970s. Furthermore, he wanted to introduce new clothing designs that were less expensive and with a high appeal to the youthful generation. 1988, Murjani, Hilfiger and two other investors bought out Murjani International due to its financial woes and changed the name to Tommy Hilfiger.They moved their head quarters to Hong Kong due to the business connections of one of the partners in Asia. This business venture clicked and sales begun to come quickly and they eventually joined the New York Stock exchange in 1992 although this came to an end in 2006 as it was privatized by the Apax partner fund in London. Consequently, their headquarters were relocated to the Netherlands. Currently, it is considered to be one of the most successful fashion brands in the world. Its profits are believed to be around the region of $1.8 billion per annum. It is rated as one of the most creative and influential design companies in the modern times. Their logo is considered to be one of the most recognizable in the world. Almost each an every adult can be able to recognize the blue, red and white colors of the logo. For this reason, he has been able to expand his local and international appeal through his ever improving and unique

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Cando processes of globalization help alleviate poverty Essay

Cando processes of globalization help alleviate poverty - Essay Example (Aart, 2005) There are also sources that use "modernization" as a synonym for globalization, and it is sometimes subsumed under "liberalization," "Neoliberalism," and "post-modernism." Globalization may be seen as a structure, a process, an ideology, or a combination of these. Proponents of globalization see it as, "A force which is beneficial to all, individuals and states, in all parts of the world" (George& Wilding, 2002). Opponents of globalization see it "as of benefit to the upper groups in society, to the multinational companies and the affluent world; and as detrimental to the satisfaction of public needs," and as a "force for the perpetuation and accentuation of inequalities within and between groups of countries for the benefit of multinationals and the upper classes. Its constant emphasis on increased competitiveness involves a race to the bottom". A number of factors have led to the process called "globalization." As large corporations began diversifying their products and services by buying up smaller enterprises-usually for stock market, income tax or other financial benefits-they became conglomerates. By then merging with similar-often-overseas-conglomerates, they became huge international entities known as MNCs (Multinational Corporations). The economic breakdown of the Soviet Union gave further impetus to globalization as many foreign firms hurried to establish units in so-called economies in transition. Free trade agreements of various kinds further supported this process. MNCs now account for between a quarter and a third of the world's output, 70 percent of world trade and 80 percent of direct international investment. Perhaps more importantly, international financial institutions, including aid agencies, put conditions on their aid or loans. The World Bank, for example, plays its part by demanding open trade channels as a condition for financial help. Even the partial integration of Europe and the introduction of the Euro made business across former boundaries easier, and consequently, "MNCs are increasingly organizing production and service provisions on an international basis" (Held & McGrew, 2003). The International Monetary Fund strongly advocates less or no government intervention in the economy, but its preconditions for loans have grown from about a dozen to over eighty, thus dictating the economic policies of countries vulnerable to its restrictions. The activities of international banks and aid programs like the IMF, the World Trade Organization and World Bank are not without immediate consequences for working people, and particularly for the poor. The role and activities of some of these organizations are worth quoting: The World Trade Organization was designed as a meeting place where willing nations could sit in equality and negotiate rules of trade for their mutual advantage, in the service of sustainable international development.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Ethnic American Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethnic American - Personal Statement Example The family values of our people are extremely strong and we have strong family bonds. Even in the time when we were slaves and the families were separated and sold as slaves, we still have strong family bonds. The old members of the family pass the cultural and social heritage to the young members of the family and in return the younger members take care of their old. Our families provide strength and support to each other and even in our communities. Spiritual values are considered important for our people. The elders and the parents develop emotional and spiritual values and needs in the young African American so that their transition into adulthood is easy and it would prepare them for it as well. With the help of these spiritual values the young ones learn to change and grow and develop in terms of emotions, morals etc. Gender roles, as you know means the attitude, behaviour, responsibilities and activities of a male and female in a society. When we talk about gender roles among African American people it is given that the financial provider in the family would be the male. But they also agree to the fact that male and the female should share the responsibility of raising a child together and sharing the duties of housework. And we also believe that there is a lot of female discrimination in the society. Even though the US claims to be a country of free thinkers and promotes free speech through out the world as their ultimate quality. We still see that they contain a certain amount of biasness towards us the African Americans. If our background is from the rougher part of society getting an education becomes practically impossible. Even though the US society says that they help out all kinds of people regardless of sect or culture we still have problem when we want to educate ourselves further and if we do not posses the financial backing or if we don't talk or sound or act or dress the way they think is right then they discriminate us in the basis that our society is filled with no do-gooders and that we do not deserve a chance to better ourselves with a good quality education. We are discriminated as a whole and nobody pays attention to our personal values and they do not even look at the fact whether we are capable of educating ourselves and that we do not posses the drive to rise higher than our immediate circumstances and our willing to work hard to achieve our goal and further improve ourselves. There is an income gap between the white families and black families. And if we look back and see that the African Americans earn only 65% of the wages when comparing to the wages of the white people. And if we go back in time and see when the country was facing economic problems the people who mostly suffered were; we the African Americans in regards of employment. And we still face the problem of unemployment or under-employment. We are considered as people who are lazy and no do-gooders. Generational differences play a vital role in changing the attitudes and behaviours of people. And we can see that it is happening in the African American society. As we can see this generation of African Americans is facing heir issues and problems related to racism and discrimination

Friday, November 15, 2019

Ocular Manifestations in Hansen’s Disease

Ocular Manifestations in Hansen’s Disease Christina Samuel1, Sundararajan D2 1Postgraduate, 2HOD. Department Of Ophthalmology, Meenakshi Medical College, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India ABSTRACT Background: Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is a chronic mildly contagious granulomatous disease of tropical and subtropical regions caused by the rod shaped bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. It affects the skin, peripheral nerves in hands and feet, mucous membrane of nose, throat and eyes. When left untreated it is capable of producing various deformities and disfigurements. Aim: To study the ocular involvement in patients with Leprosy under the parameters of age group, sex type and duration of leprosy. To study the different ocular manifestations and identify the potentially sight threatening lesions and provide early management. Methods: A prospective study of 50 cases diagnosed with Hansen’s disease were included. Detailed history and thorough clinical examination done. Potentially sight threatening lesions were managed conservatively or surgically. Results: Out of 50 cases of Leprosy, 58% had ocular involvement and majority were of the age group 21-40years. Ocular involv ement was predominantly seen in Lepromatous type with 35% having ocular lesions. The most common ocular manifestation observed was superciliary madarosis(48%). Potentially sight threatening lesions accounted for 72.4% of which lagophthalmos was common. No cases of blindness seen. Conclusion: Visual impairment is preventable in Leprosy if detected early. The risk of ocular complications increases with the duration of the disease, despite being treated with systemic anti-leprosy drugs. Keywords: Leprosy (Hansen’s disease), lepromatous, tuberculoid, slit skin smear, ocular involvement INTRODUCTION Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by an intracellular rod shaped acid fast bacilli Mycobacterium leprae which affects the skin, nasal mucosa, peripheral nerves and the anterior segment of the eye.1 Mycobacterium laprae was discovered by a Norwegian physician G.Armauer Hansen in the year 1874.1 The most ancient writings of ‘’SUSHRUTA SAMHITA’’ compiled in 600BC refers to leprosy as Vat Rakta or Vat Shonita and Kushtha2,3. Leprosy occurs in all ages and both sexes. Male: Female ratio is 2:14. Leprosy bacilli has a predilection for neural tissue and their target is Schwann cell. The fate and type of leprosy depends on the resistance and immunity of the affected individual5 ( Jopling, Mc Douglass 1996). There are 11million cases throughout the world and about 1/3rd have ocular manifestations.6 Prevalence of blindness due to leprosy is 4.7% of the population in India.7,8 Various studies shows ocular involvement in Leprosy patients. The frequency and types of involvement depends on the duration and form of the disease.2,9 Ocular lesions are common in lepromatous type of leprosy and presents with lepromatous nodules, conjunctivitis, keratitis, pannus, scleritis and uveitis. Lesions are rare in Tuberculoid type of leprosy and are secondary to the involvement of branches of facial nerve which presents with paralytic lagophthalmos, exposure keratitis and neurotrophic keratitis. Acute iridocyclitis and scleritis are seen in type 2 lepra reaction occurring in lepromatous leprosy.6 Blindness has been reported in 7% of patients secondary to lagophthalmos, uveitis, exposure keratitis and cataract8. Proper attention and early detection can prevent potentially sight threatening lesions. MATERIALS AND METHOD The present study was carried out in the out patient Department. of Ophthalmology and In patient department of Dermatology at Meenakshi Medical College and Hospital, Kanchipuram from March 2012-May 2014. In this study a total of 50 patients were taken, 38 males and 12 females of the age group 20years and above . Prior to the study an informed consent form from the patients and ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Inclusion Criteria: All diagnosed cases of leprosy. Old and new cases, both genders and age group of 20 years and above. Exclusion Criteria: Non compliant patients, Patients with pre existing ocular disorders due to other causes than leprosy. Type of study: A cross sectional descriptive study for a period of 14 months. Procedure: Relevant details of both ocular and systemic history, including details of lepra reaction and clinical examination of patients was recorded on a proforma. A detailed slit lamp examination of the anterior segment of eye was done. Visual Acuity recorded with help of Snellen’s chart10. Corneal sensation was checked with a wisp of cotton. IOP was recorded with help of Schiotz tonometer10. Fundus examination with 78D and IDO done. Lab investigations like haemogram, ESR, Urine routine and RBS done. Slit skin smear and skin biopsy from the ear lobe was performed by the Dermatologist and report obtained as positive for M.leprae (Ziehl Neelsen technique)11. Patients were started on systemic anti leprosy drugs(multi drug therapy) and treatment for lepra reactions. Patients with ocular manifestations were treated accordingly to their need of Lubricant eye drops, topical antibiotic with steroid drops, eye ointments, frequent blinking exercises, physiotherapy, lid taping at nigh t time and spectacle correction. RESULTS: In this study of 50 patients with leprosy, majority belonged to the age group of 21-40years (46%). 76% were males and 24% were females. Out of 50 cases, 30% were tuberculoid type, 22% lepromatous type and 48% borderline type. Out of 50 cases 58% had ocular involvement in which 45% were within the age group 21-40years. Out of the 29 cases with ocular involvement 72% were males. 35%with ocular manifestations were of lepromatous type of leprosy. 41.4% gave a positive history of lepra reaction. The ocular involvement was directly proportional to the duration of leprosy. 55% had leprosy more than 5 years. Superciliary madarosis (48%) was the most common ocular manifestation. The potentially sight threatening lesions were Lagophthalmos(35%), seen more in lepromatous type(14%). 28% had corneal hypoesthesia, 21% with exposure keratitis, 17% had corneal opacity, anterior uveitis and conjunctivitis each accounted for 7%. It was interesting to note that 60% of patients with lagophthalm os had exposure keratitis. DISCUSSION: The involvement of eyes in leprosy is due to infiltration of the tissues by the bacilli and damage to the nerves12. In this study 58% of the patients had ocular involvement. This can be compared to other studies of Wani.S.et al 2005 which showed 69% of ocular involvement, Gnanadoss A S et al 1986 showed 59.2% 13. Studies conducted by Shields shows 33% of potentially sight threatening lesions which included keratitis, iritis, lagophthalmos and secondary glaucoma14. In our study the potentially sight threatening lesions were lagophthalmos, exposure keratitis, uveitis, corneal hypoesthesia and corneal opacity which accounted nearly for 72.4%. Majority of the patients in our study were of the age group 21-40 years and male predominance was seen in both for, affected eyes with leprosy(76%) and ocular involvement (72%). This can be compared with the study by Wani.S et al (82.6%)12 which also showed predominance for men. This study further shows that ocular manifestation were se en more in lepromatous leprosy (75.36%) followed by borderline(14.49%) and tuberculoid leprosy(10.14%)12. In our study conducted, ocular involvement was 35% in lepramotous, 31% in borderline and 17% in tuberculoid type. The reason being that M.leprea has a favourable environment in the anterior segment of the eye and the bacilli is found more in lepromatous type of leprosy. Madarosis was the commonest ocular manifestation in our study which was about 48% when compared with Shield’s 1974(54%)14 and Acharaya B P (59.2%)15 and Wani.S. et al (72.46%)12. Lagophthalmos accounts for 35% in our study when compared to Wani.S et al (28.98%)12 , Acharaya B P (34.3%)15 , Lamba et al 1983 (13%)16 , Shields 1974 (29%)14 and Weerekon 1972 (27%)17. Lagophthalmos is commonly associated with lepra reaction in the face and damage to the facial nerve and also depends in patients with lepromatous leprosy(14%) which is similar to the observation by Wani.S et al (18.84%)12. In this study corneal in volvement was seen in 66% of the patients, corneal hypoesthesia 28%, exposure keratitis 21% and corneal opacity in 17%. In the study conducted by Wani.S et al corneal involvement (36.23%)12 . Radhakrishnan N et al observed that the major cause of blindness in leprosy was exposure keratitis due to lagophthalmos(23%) and leucoma (25%)18. Cataractous changes in lens was seen in 17% of the patients, but it was not a complication due to leprosy or MDT but merely due to senile lens changes in the older age group of the patients in our study. This is also supported by the study from Gnanadoss A S et al13. Iris pearls seen in anterior uveitis are said to be the pathognomic of leprosy19,20. But in our study uveitis was observed only in 7% of the patients when compared to Wani S et al12 which showed 31.88%. This probably is due to the small sample size of our study and also the duration of leprosy not being more than 10 years for all patients ,because uveitis is seen mostly in chronic cases o f leprosy. This is supported by various studies like Lamba 1983 16(14%), Hornblass 197321 (16%) and Gnanadoss A S et al 198613 (5.6%). In this study all patients with ocular manifestations were either treated formerly(58.6%) or presently (41.4%) with systemic anti leprosy drugs. Courtright et al suggested that ocular pathology will still occur in MDT treated leprosy patients22. Thus treatment does not prevent the occurrence of ocular lesions12. Moreover once the patient is on treatment the ocular reaction is seen more in the first 6-12 months due to reactions23. The progressive leprosy related lesions are the result of chronic nerve damage. CONCLUSION: The risk of ocular lesions increases with the duration of disease, lepra reaction and facial patches in this reaction. Screening of all patients affected with leprosy can help in identifying the potentially sight threatening lesions which can be treated earlier. Visual impairment if detected early is preventable. The Multi Drug therapy for leprosy has improved the outcome of the affected with leprosy but does not retard the development of ocular complication. LIMITATIONS: Owing to the small sample size in this study many other ocular manifestations could not be assessed. A relationship between uveitis, Complicated cataract and leprosy can be suggested if the patients presents with a longer duration of leprosy more than 10 years, as in this study we had only 4 patients in that category. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It is with the sense of accomplishment and deep gratitude that we dedicate the work to all those who have been instrumental in its completion. We are greatly thankful to the RMO, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Kanchipuram. To our Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Colleagues and Staffs of the Department of Ophthalmology and Dermatology for their timely help, support and constant guidance in our work. REFERENCE 1.Lewallen, Paul Courtright. An overwiew of ocular leprosy after two decades of multidrug therapy. International Ophthalmology Clinics world blindness. Sept2004, vol47(3):87-99. 2. Dharmendra. History of spread and decline of leprosy. Leprosy.Vol I, Bombay: Kothari Medical Publishing House,197;7-21. 3. Rastogi N, Rastogi RC. Leprosy in ancient India. Int J Lepr 1984;52:541-3. 4. Park K. Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 17thedn., Jabalapur: M/S Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers, 2002; 242-253. 5. The disease In: Handbook of Leprosy, 5th edn., Delhi CBS Publishers and distribution; 1996;10-53. 6. Sihota. Tandon disease of uveal tract. Chapter 17.Parsons’ Diseases of the Eye,20th Edition. New Delhi. Elsivier 2007;239-72. 7. Thompson Allardice et al, Patterns of ocular morbidity and blindness in leprosy: Leprosy review vol 77(2) June 2006. 8. Ffytche TJ. Residual sight threatening lesions in leprosy patient completing Multidrug therapy and Sulphone monotherapy, Lepr. Rev, 1991;62: 35-43. 9. Mark J. Mannis Mascai, Arthur. Leprosy, chapter 62. Eye and skin disease, Lippincott- Raven publishers, 1996;543-50. 10. Orthoptists and Prescribing in NSW, VIC and SA. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Retrieved 29 July 2010. 11. PVS Prasad. Microbiology. In: all about leprosy. 1st edn. Jaypee brothers publishers,2005.pg 4-11. 12. Junaid S. Wani, Saiba Rashid M.S. Ocular manifestations in leprosy- A clinical study; JK- Practitioner 2005; 12(1): 14-17. 13. Gnanadoss AS, Rajendran N. Ocular lesions in Hansen’s (leprosy). IJO 1986;34:19-23. 14.Jerry A Shields; George O; Waring; AJO,1974,77;880-890. 15. Acharaya B P. Ocular involvement in Leprosy- A study in mining areas of India. IJO 1978; 26:21-4. 16. Lamba PA; Arthanariswaran: Leprosy India 1983,55;490. 17. Lloyd Weerekon: BJO. 1972,56;106. 18. Radhakrishnan N, Albert S. Blindness due to leprosy. IJO 1980;28:19-21. 19. Ffytche. T.J., 1981, Trans. Ophthal. Soc. U.K. 101:325. 20. Hogeweg, M. Leiker, 1983, Brit J Dermat.109:477. 21. Albert Hornblass: AJO.1973,75;478. 22. Courtright. P., Lu Fang Hu. Multi drug therapy and eye diseases in leprosy. A cross sectional study in People’s Republic of China. Int . J. Epidemiol. 1994;23(4):835-42. 23. Dr. Margreet Hogeweg, Prevention of Blindness due to Leprosy. ICEH, http://www.iceh.org.uk.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Search for Freedom in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Song of So

Search for Freedom in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Song of Solomon, and Push       Many minority authors write about an individual's search for self which culminates in the realization of personal freedom. This has been an important theme in African-American literature beginning with the slave narratives to modern poetry and prose. The concept of freedom has a myriad of meanings which encompasses national political liberty to an individual's own personal freedom. Personal freedom is the ability to ignore societal and familial influences to find the true sense of self. Individuals are truly liberated when they are physically, mentally, and spiritually free. Sense of self is the enlightenment we possess when we psychologically realize and accept our true qualities and limitations. Attaining personal freedom is not a simple affair. It is a lifelong journey which is tedious and demanding with obstacles and setbacks which must be conquered. The search for personal freedom is exemplified in the following three novels, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Gi rl by Harriet Jacobs, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, and Push by Sapphire. The main protagonists, Linda Brent, Milkman and Precious, respectively, achieve personal freedom through attainment of knowledge, by confronting their families, and by overcoming the prejudices of society. Moreover, although the search for personal freedom is an individual journey, it cannot be achieved without assistance.    Knowledge is a primary factor in the attainment of personal freedom. This includes not only scholarly education but also awareness of historical heritage and familial legacy. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., in his introduction to The Classic Slave Narrativ... ...Carmean, Karen, Toni Morrison's World of Fiction, Troy: The Whitston Publishing Company, 1993. Jacobs, Harriet. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself. 1861. The Classic Slave Narratives. Ed. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.. New York: Mentor, 1987. 332-515. Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York: Plume, Peach, Norman. Modern Novelists Toni Morrison. Ed. Norman Page. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995. Sapphire. Push. New York: Vintage Contemporaries, 1996. Storhoff, Gary. "'Anaconda Love': Parental Enmeshment in Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon." Style 31 No. 2 (Summer 1997). 290-309. September 18, 2001 <http.//p26688.cl.uh.edu:2071/cgi-bin/web>. Willbern, David. "Reading After Freud." Ed. G. Douglas Atkins and Laura Morrow. Contemporary Literary Theory. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1989. 158-179.   

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Identifying Individual Preferences in the Airline Industry

Transportation services are becoming more common and broadly used in recent decade, in line with the advancement of technology. Generally, transportation services can be divided into three groups: water transportation, land transportation and air transportation (Gee, Choy, & Makens, 1984). Airline industry, which this essay focusing on, is one of the discoveries of newest innovations in the travel services sector. It has been developed so much in recent year to operate more effectively. Not only guarantee a safe journey to the destination place, the airline companies are now trying to create a competition in the market by providing the best services to the travellers and offering competitive prices (Hensher & Louviere, 1983). Those strategies are aimed to attract more consumers to travel by their airline companies. This essay will discuss the theories of consumer economics and their applications in the real consumer issues in airline industry, mainly on the factors that changing the consumer demand of airplane ticket, as well as the underlying reasons of why consumers prefer some particular airlines to the others. Furthermore, the behaviour of different types of consumers toward the choice of different airlines will also be discussed here. In observing those issues, this paper will focus on two airline companies: Singapore Airlines and Jetstar. The price data were obtained from a single route from Melbourne to Singapore. The core idea in analysing consumer behaviour in making choices in the economic activity, mainly in the airline industry, is because of their limited incomes and unlimited wants. Those then lead to trade-offs and opportunity costs. Consumers in the airline industry could be divided into two groups, which are business and pleasure travellers. Elasticity is the percentage change in one variable resulting from a 1-percent increase in another (Pindyck & Rubinfeld, 2009). When the price elasticity is greater than 1 in magnitude, we say that demand is price elastic because the percentage decline in quantity demanded is greater than the percentage increase in price. If the price is less than 1 in magnitude, the demand is said to be price inelastic. Graph 1. Elastic and inelastic demand (Inelastic demand) (Elastic demand) In this case, elastic demand of airline industry is exceptionally unstable because it depends on the market conditions such as inflation, terrorists attack and price oil. In airline industry, price elasticity demand is considered both elastic and inelastic (Yahoo Voices, 2008). An elastic demand is in relation travel for pleasure. Pleasure travellers are extremely sensitive to the price of the travel. An inelastic demand is in relation for business travel. Business travels have little effect for increase in price of the travel. Income elasticity of demand measures the degree of responsiveness of demand of a good to a change in consumers’ income. It has equation of : EI=[ΔQ/Q]/[ ΔI/I]=[I/Q]*[ ΔQ/ ΔI]. Airplane ticket is normal good as it has a positive income elasticity, which means when consumers’ income increase the consumption of ticket will increase as well. Cross elasticity of demand measures the degree of responsiveness of demand of one good to a change in the price of another good. It is shown in the equation: EQ1P2 = [ΔQ1/Q1] / [ΔP2/P2] = [P2/Q2]*[ΔQ1/ ΔP2]. If airplane ticket and other consumption (i.e. food and cloths) are considered as a group, there will be a positive cross-price elasticity, which tells us that if the price of one good (other consumption or ticket) goes up, the demand for the other good goes up as well. Consumer behaviour analysis attempts to understand the consumers’ allocation of incomes among different goods and services to maximize their well-being. It consist of three distinct aspects: consumer preferences, describing the reasons why people might prefer one good to another; budget constraints, reflecting consumers’ limited incomes that restrict the quantities of goods they can buy; and consumer choices, which are the combination of the consumer preferences and budgets constraints (Pindyck & Rubinfeld, 2009). There are some basic assumptions made in observing consumer preferences in the airline industry. First, preferences are assumed to be complete. Complete means that consumers are able to compare and rank all possible market baskets. However, this assumption ignores costs. Second, preferences are transitive or consistent. And third, â€Å"more is better than less† since goods are assumed to be desirable. Indifference curve represents all combinations of market baskets which provide consumer with same level of satisfaction (Pindyck & Rubinfeld, 2009). Indifference curve and utility functions (set of indifference curves) are used to analyse the consumer behaviour and preferences in choosing market baskets, in which relate to consumer demand (Gould, 1973). Higher indifference curve is more preferable to the lower one because it represents higher welfare (Telhado, 2007). Moreover, indifference curves cannot intersect and the slope of each point in the indifference curve represents marginal rate of substitution (MRS), which is the maximum amount of a good that consumer is willing to give up to obtain one additional unit of another good. Indifference curves of consumers in the airline industry are assumed to be downward sloping and bowed-inward, reflecting diminishing MRS, since the demand of airplane tickets and comparable goods are both desirable. The shape of the indifference curves is different among group of consumers. Indifference curves of the first group of consumer, business travellers, are steeper than pleasure travellers. Graph 1 below shows that the business travellers’ group is willing to trade more of other consumption (a) to exchange it with an airplane ticket (b), since they need to directly travel to other place establishing business transactions. Graph 2. Indifference map for business travellers While in the graph 2, pleasure travellers is unwillingly trade more of the other consumptions in order to purchase a unit of airplane ticket (a < b). It is because they travel to seek pleasure, not urgently need to be done directly. Thus, they are more flexible in the decision making process of which airline company they want to travel with and the time of travel. Graph 3. Indifference map for pleasure travellers Along with indifference curve, there is budget constraints which restraint consumer’s consumptions due to limited incomes (Mary, 2007). Assume that the budget lines for business and pleasure travellers are equal which can be seen from graph 3 and 4 below; the steeper indifference curves for business travellers show their optimal choices between purchasing airplane tickets and other goods. Business travellers seem to purchase more airplane tickets rather than other consumptions because they want to give up more of other consumptions to obtain an additional airplane ticket. Graph 4. Indifference map and budget constraints for business travellers In contrast, for pleasure travellers, the flatter indifference curves will lead them to purchase other consumptions rather than allocating a large portion of income in purchasing airplane tickets. The tangent between indifference curve and budget constraint will be the point of maximum well-being which can be achieved. Area below the optimal point shows that the consumers are not maximising their consumption. Whilst the area above that point means the consumers do not have enough income (budget) to achieve that consumption level. Graph 5. Indifference curve for pleasure travellers In general, when there is a change in consumer’s income, there will be a parallel shift in the budget line, either downward or upward. As shown in graph below, initially, the utility-maximizing consumption choice is at A, at which point he buys X1 units of airplane ticket and Y1 units of other kinds of good. If his income increases, his budget line will shift outward, allowing him to attain the higher utility level associated with indifference curve U2 and then U3. His optimal consumption choice is at B (and then D) now. At this time, the consumer can purchase larger units of tickets (from X1 to X2 to X3). It can be seen in the income-consumption curve that the slope is upward, because as income increase, the consumption of both airplane ticket and other consumption increase. Graph 6. The effect of a change in income level On the other hand, when there is a change in product’s price and income level held constant, there will be an intercept rotation on the budget line. Recent condition in the airline industry is many companies try to attract more consumers to purchase the airline tickets from them by cutting the airfares. This strategy increases the competition level among the airline industry. The reduction in price of the air fares will result in outward rotation in the budget line on the ‘x’ axis, which represents airplane ticket. People can now purchase more airplane tickets due to lower price, representing the increase in consumers’ welfare or utility level. It is associated by the movement of indifference curve from U1 to U3 by selecting point D. At this time, consumption of ticket will increase from X1 to X3. Moreover, the slope of the second budget constraint is now decreasing, represents lower opportunity cost of obtaining a unit of airplane ticket. Graph 7. The effect of the decrease in price level In most cases, consumers would like to buy more airplane tickets as their income increases, but in some cases, the quantity demanded falls as income increases, the income elasticity of demand is negative. As shown in graph below, for relatively low levels of income (between point A and B), both Singapore Airlines and Jetstar flights are normal goods. However, as income rises, some consumers tend to buy less Jetstar tickets and more Singapore Airlines tickets as Singapore airlines has better service, food supply and in-flight entertainment system. At this time Jetstar has become an inferior good, the income-consumption curve bends backward from point B to C, which means its consumption has fallen when income has increased. Graph 8. Jetstar becomes an inferior good as income increases Even though Jetstar has been said as inferior good in some cases, in general, airline ticket is assumed as normal good. Refer to that, a decrease in the price of airline tickets due to the market competition has both income and substitution effect. As shown in the graph below, the consumer is initially at A, on budget line RS. When the price of ticket falls, consumption increases by A1A2 as the consumer move to B. Keeping real income constant, the substitution effect A1E can be got when the price of ticket falls, associated with a move from A to D. If keeping relative price constant but increasing purchasing power, the income effect EA2 can be got, associated with a move from D to B. As airplane ticket is normal good, the income effect EA2 is positive. Therefore, the total effect of a change in ticket price is equal to the sum of the substitution effect and income effect. Graph 9. Total effect of a change in price After discussing the demand curve for individual consumer, market demand curve for airplane ticket will be shown now. It can be derived as the sum of the individual demand curve of all consumers in the market, as stated previously. As shown in graph below, the market demand curve is also slope downward as all the individual demand curves slope downward. However, the market demand curve is not a straight line. When more people choose to travel by airplane, the market demand curve will shift to the right. In addition, if most consumers in the market earn more income, as a result, their increasing demand for airplane ticket will also shift the market curve to the right. If the economic crisis breaks out as what happened several years ago, many people lose their job and the income decreased. Thus, the market demand curve for airplane ticket will shift to the left. Graph 10. The market demand curve for airplane ticket From the actual rates, Singapore Airlines has the higher average price than Jetstar. In the same time, there is a survey about the level of satisfactions of international airlines shown by the graph below. From the graph, it illustrates that Singapore Airlines has the highest satisfaction level figure. From the risk and uncertainty point of view, Singapore Airlines provides superior service and it maintains an eye on rivals’ prices and ensures it stays competitive among other airline companies. The airline cancellations and delays usually provided with explanations and apologies. This airline is also providing advantage on frequent flyer consumers such as â€Å"priority passengers’ service†. This service is suitable for business travellers as it will give them advantage in booking urgently needed flights for important meetings. This airline is also suitable for those high-income pleasure travellers as it offers great entertainment and amusement, such as popular movies with multiple language options, games and dozens of audio channels. In addition, Singapore Airlines catering supply is trying to provide varieties of meals menu which match the likely passengers’ needs. For example, there will be Indian and western food provided for subcontinent flights. Moreover, Singapore Airlines has a modern fleet and the aircrafts have been maintained with the highest standards. Thus, the cost of flights is higher which result in the higher airfares, however, safely of this airline is guaranteed. Comparing to Singapore Airlines, Jetstar offers lower price to the consumers. Their food, beverages and entertainment standard are much lower than Singapore Airlines’. Jetstar is known for having many complaints from its passengers in term of its services, such as frequent delays and cancellations of flight. Those seem to be serious problems for business travellers, as time efficiency is the main factor. However, Jetstar’s network is constantly expanding by opening flights to some new locations in Asia. Thus, Jetstar is more suitable for pleasure travellers which have shorter travel distance and not much concern about the services provided on board. As the theory of equal marginal principle states that â€Å"the utility is maximized when the consumer has equalized the marginal utility per dollar of expenditure across all goods† (Gordon, 2007), the business travellers who are not price prioritize will choose to travel with Singapore Airlines since they prefer in optimal satisfaction. However, for the pleasure travellers that prioritize the price factor will choose to travel with Jetstar which provide low price for consumers rather than best satisfaction. Graph 11. Satisfactions with International Airlines 2009-2010 Even with a high level of satisfaction, Singapore Airline has experienced a decline in market share over the last five years, as shown in Graph 13. Low-cost airlines such as Jetstar have contributed to the lack of growth for more premium airlines. Additionally, Peter von Moltke stated that â€Å"the low cost sector is a major influence in sustaining a steady growth trajectory for the global aviation industry.† (PR Newswire, 2011). Graph 12. Market share of Top 10 Airlines in Australia (Department of Infrastructure and Transport, 2012) So far, it has assumed that people’s demands for airplane ticket are individualized. That enables us to obtain the market demand curve simply by summing individuals’ demands (Kris, 2007). In real-life, however, one person’s demand always depends on other people’s demand. That is a network externality, which can be positive or negative. It is a good chance for airline companies to attract more passengers by using bandwagon effect of a positive externality. As shown in the graph below, when consumers believe more people have purchased the product, the demand curve shifts further to the right (D1 to D5). The market demand curve is found by joining the points on the individual demand curves, which can be seen that it is relatively more elastic. Suppose the ticket price falls from P1 to P2. Without bandwagon effect, the quantity demanded will increase from Q2 to Q2’. However, as more passengers choose to fly with Jetstar or Singapore Airlines and think it is worth to be the first-flying choice as it is trustworthy, the bandwagon effect increases quantity demanded further to D4. Therefore, airline companies use bandwagon effect to increase the response of demand in relevance with price change. To obtain this effect, the airline companies could target its potential segment and use advertisement to build up their brand image and reputation among the market. For example, Singapore Airlines could use ‘comfortable, quick and always on-time’ image to attract its business travellers. And for Jetstar, the image of cheap and flexible could help the company to obtain its bandwagon effect in pleasure travellers’ market. Graph 13. Bandwagon effect To conclude, the consumers’ demand of airplane ticket is affected by their income, ticket price, and the demand elasticity. Business travellers prefer to travel with Singapore Airlines, even with a higher airfare. They concern more on punctuality and the service provided and their price elasticity of demand is low. In contrast, pleasure travellers are less concerned with the quality of service provided, focusing on reaching their destination with the lowest cost. Their price elasticity of demand is high, thus, Jetstar is preferred in this case. In the intense market competition, Singapore airlines and Jetstar could use the bandwagon effect to attract more passengers by building up their own brand image.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Conflict Resolution Strategies for Team Dynamics

Conflict Resolution Strategies for Team Dynamics Free Online Research Papers This paper will describe the benefits and challenges of working in teams, as it relates to conflict resolution strategies. Additionally, I will examine how teams can enhance their performance and realize more benefit. Introduction First, we must understand that teams consist of personnel with varied backgrounds, experience, education, and intellectual ability. These differences will, by nature lend themselves to varying perceptions in business, its problems and solutions, which result in conflicts within the team. conflict has more to do with personal styles than the actual problem. Team leaders bring together certain people who possess the necessary aptitude to solve a particular problem but do not take in consideration the problem-solving styles, or cognitive styles, of the individuals involved. (Falcioni, 2007) When management selects individuals for a team, the emphasis should be placed on what each member brings to the team. An example, if a member displays talent in a given area, but has the attitude of â€Å"Get out of the way, or get run over,† the team should be balanced with an individual who is less aggressive. He/she should possess a control factor, which will not allow the value of a â€Å"team† to diminish. This will bring cohesion between the members and not highlight just one individual. If the aggressive individual continues without a balancing factor, the team will lose the benefits of what other members have to offer. It is of the utmost importance to choose a varied group of individuals that will keep each other in check. Good leadership in those choosing the right members is only the beginning. Teamwork cannot be demanded. Everyone involved must discuss and understand what the goal is and what is required of them. Teams should have traits such as goals and ob jectives, empowerment, trust, authentic participation, innovation, creativity, risk taking and leadership. (Temme and Katzel, 1995) While finding a good balance, conflicts will most certainly arise. Conflict resolution strategies must be utilized, for the team to be effective and meet the goals and objective of their assignment. These conflicts may be more evident in certain types of teams more so than in others. Conflict is common when working in teams. Its is important to have team meeting in order to lay out potential problems and disagreements and prepare to support the teams final decision. (Weinstein, 2007) In resolving conflict, ask the question, â€Å"How do we keep this from happening again?† The first thing is to be objective. This helps in managing conflict by keeping team members focused on the problem at hand (Huber, 2007) In the following section, we will see that there are several types of teams to be discussed. Regardless of the type team, conflicts are inevitable and therefore, resolutions must be found to remain productive. Team types In an effort to address types of conflict resolution strategies, we must first know a little about the teams themselves. In today’s business world, there are four basic team types. Cross-functional teams These include members from various departments or business specialties such as marketing, information systems, communications, public relations, operations, human resources, accounting, finance, planning, research and development, and legal. Cross-functional teams are usually charged with developing new products or investigating and improving a companywide problem such as the need to increase speed and efficiency across departmental lines or the need to adopt a new companywide computer system. Cross-functional teams derive their strength from diversity. By including representatives from all or most of an organization’s primary functional areas, the team can diagnose a problem from multiple perspectives simultaneously, ensuring that all relevant points of view are taken into account. This can speed up the problem solving process and result in an outcome that is more readily accepted by the various departments that are affected by the change. Self-managed teams These are â€Å"groups of employees who are responsible for a complete, self-contained package of responsibilities that relate either to a final product or an ongoing process.†15 Also known as self-directed, self-maintained, or self-regulating, self-managed teams are typically given a charge by senior management and then are given virtually complete discretion over how, when, and what to do to attain their objective. Self-managed teams are expected to coordinate their work without ongoing direction from a supervisor or manager. Self-managed teams set their own norms, make their own planning schedules, set up ways to keep relevant members and others informed of their progress, determine how the work is going to be accomplished, and are held accountable for their end product or â€Å"deliverable.† Many of these teams are responsible for hiring, training, and firing team members. The flattening of organizational structures, resulting in less hierarchy and fewer managers, m akes self-directed teams a popular concept in business today. Task Force This is an ad hoc, temporary project team assembled to develop a product, service, or system or to solve a specific problem or set of problems. Companies are always faced with the challenge of getting ongoing, day-to-day work done while utilizing available resources to work on various change processes or product innovations. For example, a technology company might designate a group to study the next wave in software development while others are maintaining and servicing existing software programs. Often task force members are individuals who have demonstrated interest or skill in the area being examined by the task force, so the members are enthusiastic about the project and its potential. Process Improvement teams These teams focus on specific methods, operations, or procedures and are assembled with the specific goal of enhancing the particular component being studied. Process improvement teams are typically composed of individuals with expertise and experience in the process being reviewed. They are assigned the tasks of eliminating redundant steps, looking for ways to reduce costs, identifying ways to improve quality, or finding means for providing quicker, better customer service.16 Process improvement teams are often given training on problem solving tools and techniques to help them map processes, identify root causes of problems, and prioritize potential solutions. Each type teams are made up of individuals with differences in opinion, perspective, and understanding. Regardless of the type of team, none of these teams are immune to conflict. One difference that can be seen is in the self-managed team. These individuals probably have the same conflicts as other teams but it is not publicized due to the autonomy of their team. Below are strategies used in conflict resolution, which may be successful on any level, whether one on one relationships or team dynamics. It is not uncommon for teams to run into problems. Some of the few problems are the scarcity of resources, the differences of values, attitudes and perceptions, which include poor communications, inadequate organizational structure for teamwork, and unclear goals and responsibilities. It is not wise to have too many assistants for one worker. The order in which to prioritize the work can cause arguments. The solution is to appoint one manager among the four on a rotating basis to prioritize. Another problem touched on was poor communication. Do not take for granted that someone else is handing something and then find out nothing was done. A similar outcome is likely when goals and responsibilities are not clear. Managers need to communicate what an employee is responsible for, and provide feedback. (Weinstein, 2007) One could easily argue that teamwork is critical to business survival, especially when you consider that 80 percent of all small businesses fail within five years of inception. Choosing the best players to create a healthy group dynamic is essential. (Youngwirth, 2007) References Falcioni, J (2007). Conflict Resolution. Mechanical Engineering, 129, Retrieved Sept 8, 2007, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4hid=6sid=01fedb00ad65-48de- b208-896d30b68cd7%40SRCSM2 Guttman, H. (2005). Conflict Management: The Key to High Performance. manage Online, 3, Retrieved Sept 8, 2007, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3hid=104sid=8f2a9272-1928-463d-b47e- 86a05fbebbdc%40sessionmgr108 Huber, B. (2007). Maintenance and Operations conflicts. Rock Products, 110, Retrieved Sept 8, 2007, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=10hid=6sid=01fedb00-ad65- 48de-b208-896d30b68cd7%40SRCSM2 Temme, J, Katzel, J (1995). Calling a team a team doesnt mean that it is: successful teamwork must be a way of life. (teambuilding).. Plant Engineering, 49, Retrieved September 8, 2007, from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/ips/infomark.do?contentSet=IAC DocumentsdocType=IACtype=retrievetabID=T003prodId=IPSdocId=A16497547 user GroupName=uphoenixversion=1.0searchType=BasicSearchFormsource=gale Weinstein, M (2007). Conquering Conflict. Training, 44, Retrieved Sept 8,2007, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3hid=2sid=fea5567a-4725-434c bdeb-429fc8d166d4%40SRCSM2 Youngwirth, J (2007). Do More than Dream About TeamworkCreate It. Journal of Financial Planning, 20, Retrieved Sept 8,2007, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4hid=2sid=fea5567a-4725-434c- bdeb-429fc8d166d4%40SRCSM2 Research Papers on Conflict Resolution Strategies for Team DynamicsResearch Process Part OneThe Project Managment Office SystemThe Hockey GameThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseThree Concepts of PsychodynamicAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductOpen Architechture a white paperQuebec and CanadaRelationship between Media Coverage and Social and

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Government Intervention of the Internet Essays - Free Essays

Government Intervention of the Internet Essays - Free Essays Government Intervention of the Internet Computer Science Government Intervention of the Internet During the past decade, our society has become based solely on the ability to move large amounts of information across large distances quickly. Computerization has influenced everyone's life. The natural evolution of computers and this need for ultra-fast communications has caused a global network of interconnected computers to develop. This global net allows a person to send E-mail across the world in mere fractions of a second, and enables even the common person to access information world-wide. With advances such as software that allows users with a sound card to use the Internet as a carrier for long distance voice calls and video conferencing, this network is key to the future of the knowledge society. At present, this net is the epitome of the first amendment: free speech. It is a place where people can speak their mind without being reprimanded for what they say, or how they choose to say it. The key to the world-wide success of the Internet is its protection of free speech, not only in America, but in other countries where free speech is not protected by a constitution. To be found on the Internet is a huge collection of obscene graphics, Anarchists' cookbooks and countless other things that offend some people. With over 30 million Internet users in the U.S. alone (only 3 million of which surf the net from home), everything is bound to offend someone. The newest wave of laws floating through law making bodies around the world threatens to stifle this area of spontaneity. Recently, Congress has been considering passing laws that will make it a crime punishable by jail to send "vulgar" language over the net, and to export encryption software. No matter how small, any attempt at government intervention in the Internet will stifle the greatest communication innovation of this century. The government wants to maintain control over this new form of communication, and they are trying to use the protection of children as a smoke screen to pass laws that will allow them to regulate and censor the Internet, while banning techniques that could eliminate the need for regulation. Censorship of the Internet threatens to destroy its freelance atmosphere, while wide spread encryption could help prevent the need for government intervention. The current body of laws existing today in America does not apply well to the Internet. Is the Internet like a bookstore, where servers cannot be expected to review every title? Is it like a phone company who must ignore what it carries because of privacy? Is it like a broadcasting medium, where the government monitors what is broadcast? The trouble is that the Internet can be all or none of these things depending on how it's used. The Internet cannot be viewed as one type of transfer medium under current broadcast definitions. The Internet differs from broadcasting media in that one cannot just happen upon a vulgar site without first entering a complicated address, or following a link from another source. "The Internet is much more like going into a book store and choosing to look at adult magazines." (Miller 75). Jim Exon, a democratic senator from Nebraska, wants to pass a decency bill regulating the Internet. If the bill passes, certain commercial servers that post pictures of unclad beings, like those run by Penthouse or Playboy, would of course be shut down immediately or risk prosecution. The same goes for any amateur web site that features nudity, sex talk, or rough language. Posting any dirty words in a Usenet discussion group, which occurs routinely, could make one liable for a $50,000 fine and six months in jail. Even worse, if a magazine that commonly runs some of those nasty words in its pages, The New Yorker for instance, decided to post its contents on-line, its leaders would be held responsible for a $100,000 fine and two years in jail. Why does it suddenly become illegal to post something that has been legal for years in print? Exon's bill apparently would also "criminalize private mail," ... "I can call my brother on the phone and say anythingbut if I say it on the Internet, it's illegal" (Levy 53). Congress, in their pursuit of regulations, seems to have overlooked the fact that the majority of the adult material on the Internet comes from overseas.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Poetry analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Poetry analysis - Essay Example ot return his affections, the early death of his mother and the death of a second person close to him leading to the development of â€Å"A Shropshire Lad†, â€Å"a collection of sixty-three poems addressing the themes of unrequited love, the oblivion of death, and idealized military life† that carefully navigated around any issues of homosexuality. In addition, he is surprisingly consistent in his writing, showing nearly identical themes, forms and language usage in â€Å"Last Poems† as were used in â€Å"A Shropshire Lad.† However, his â€Å"open investigations of the mysteries of death and the dual nature of humankind have earned him acknowledgment as a precursor to the development of modern poetry† (â€Å"A.E. Housman†, 2006). These attitudes about death can be most understood as they are expressed in the poems â€Å"To An Athlete Dying Young,† â€Å"When I Was One and Twenty,† â€Å"With Rue My Heart is Laden† and â €Å"Is My Team Ploughing?† In â€Å"To An Athlete Dying Young†, Housman demonstrates a sensitive honor for the man who dies in his prime, invoking a powerful sense of regretful comprehension regarding the wisdom of dying young. He begins the poem with a nostalgic look back at the happy crowd carrying the star athlete around on a chair, everyone celebrating and having a good time. This nostalgia is established by the wistful â€Å"The time you won† (1) that immediately invokes a fog of memory around the edges of the scene described. The hero’s way is carefully invoked in the lines â€Å"Man and boy stood cheering by, / And home we brought you shoulder-high† (3-4) to be carefully juxtaposed against the same phrase in the second stanza: â€Å"Shoulder-high we bring you home, / And set you at your threshold down† (6-7). With only this slight change in language, Housman makes it clear that this is no longer a cheering crowd, they are not celebrating and, by distinguishing his fri end as â€Å"Townsman of a stiller town† (8), he makes it obvious that this is a

Friday, November 1, 2019

The Constitutional Issues Raised by City of London versus Samede Essay

The Constitutional Issues Raised by City of London versus Samede [2012] EWHC 34 (QB) - Essay Example The counsels for the claimant were David Forsdick and Zoe Leventhal (instructed by Andrew Colvin, the Comptroller and City Solicitor, City of London Corporation) while John Cooper QC and Michael Paget (instructed by Kaim Todner) were Samede’s counsels (Practical Law Publishing Limited, P. 1). The City of London Corporation made claims before the Royal Court that the said protestors had possessed and turned into a protest camp, the highway and the Churchyard at the St. Paul Cathedral. In the claim, the City of London Corporation also sought an injunction ordering that the tents and other structures erected at the said site by the protestors be removed (DeLaney, P. 7). The City of London thus claimed authority of the campsite and the surrounding land, citing various Acts of Parliament such as the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Government Act 2000. There are numerous constitutional issues touching on the defendants and the claimant that arose in the Samede versus City of London Corporation (2012), some of which this paper explores. The Constitutional Issues in the Case The scope of the claim placed by the City of London Corporation covered two types of land: the highway and the open land under St. Paul’s Cathedral’s ownership. ... Among the constitutional issues that were immediately identified in the case was whether the City of London Corporation had established beyond reasonable doubt that it was entitled to possess the land under question (DeLaney, P. 5). In this regard therefore, upon considering any chances of interfering with the rights of the protestors (defendants), the Court would not err in granting the City of London the possession of the highway land. That is, the court had to ensure that granting the City of London possession of the land would not only be lawful but also necessary and proportionate (Practical Law Publishing Limited, P. 23). Central in the City of London versus Samede and others (2012) were the various relevant statutory laws and powers that govern possession and injunctive relief. First, these statutory powers mandate local highway authorities to ensure the protection of the rights of the public to use and enjoy the highway and all the services it offers. According to section 130 (5) of the 1980 Act, and under section 222 of the 1972 Act, such an authority may institute any legal proceedings against an individual or groups that interfere with the public’s rights and freedom to enjoy and use such a facility. Human Rights Issues Human rights issues also featured prominently in the City of London versus Samede and others case. Among these human rights issues are rights and freedom of religion, thought and conscience, as provided for in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Folsom, P. 67). In other words, every citizen or community has the right and the freedom to change religion and practise it in public or in private, alone or with others. In addition, there is freedom and right to manifest one’s religion through means such