buy custom Ergot Poisoning essay

buy custom Ergot Poisoning essay Problems in Salem started in January 1692, during the cold winter in Massachusetts, when eight young girls started getting ill. The first one was Elizabeth Paris who was nine years old, followed by eleven-year-old Abigail Williams. Their symptoms were an odd skin sensation, violent convulsions, deliriousness, and incomprehensible speech. The village said the girls were bewitched, after desperately searching for an explanation to no avail. After this, they started accusing people, beginning with Tituba, a slave from Parriss Caribbean. Together with Tituba, were Sarah Osburn and Sarah Good, whom the village arrested on 29 February. After that, the village arrested more than one hundred and fifty witches. The village had put to death more than twenty men and women by September 1692, without a confession from them, while others died in jail. These trials ended in October 29, after an order by Governor Sir William Phips of Massachusetts. Ever since then, historians and scholars have struggled to explain the problem in Salem. Some thought it was sexual repression, mass hysteria or dietary deficiency, while others blamed a simple fungus, Ergot, for the conditions. Linnda Caporael, presently a behavioral psychologist made the latter realizations. Linnda detected a link between certain drugs hallucinogenic effects and the symptoms the eight Salem accusers reported. The drug she identified was LSD, which is Ergots derivative, and affects rye grain. Ergotism refers to poisoning that result from this fungus. Earlier, the poisoning had been accused in the bizarre outbreaks of behavior in several areas such as Pont-Saint-Espirit. Caporael raised questions over the possibility of Ergot being the causes of those conditions in Salem. Toxicologists confirm that consuming ergot-contaminated meals may result into convulsive disorders (Douglas 175). Among the symptoms that characterize the disorders are delusions, vomiting, crawling skin sensations, hallucinations, and violent muscle spasms. It could have been possible that this was the cause of the girls conditions as they all reported these symptoms. Additionally, the fungus flourishes in warm and damp rainy summers and springs. These were exact weather conditions in 1691. Almost all of the accusers resided in Salem villages western section, a place of swampy meadows. Swampy meadows are an ideal breeding condition for the fungus. Keeping in mind that almost all the accused resided in this area, it is ordinary to conclude that they may have been innocent in their accusations,and that the death sentences were unjust. During this, rye was also a staple in the village, and was first consumed in the 1691-1692 winter, when the village reported its first symptom. This cou ld have been an easy explanation for the symptoms as there were large consumptions at the start of the season. In the 1692 summer, the village experienced a dry spell, after which the witchcraft suddenly stopped (A Chronology of Events). A number of theories have merged to explain mental illness relating to the above symptoms. Psychologists classify the symptoms that the girls exhibited under hysteria. However, scholars from various fields suggest illness such as mass hypnosis, mass hysteria, and delusions as possible explanations of the girls conditions. Mass hypnosis is highly questionable because it does not affect everyone. One other theory that scholars contended for this explanation was that the villagers wanted to get rid of merchants from Salem town. This is not a plausible argument because most of those people who were accused of witchcraft resided on the western villages of Salem. Other theorists said that the Puritan Church had started to feel as though it was losing its management over the parishioners. Because of these, the church needed to accuse people of the happenings in order to stay powerful. Though it is true that the church was gradually losing its power, the theory does not explain why the churc h would incriminate poor women such as Sarah Ousborne. Other suspicions pertain to the common individual greed at that time (Hall 89). The theory argues that those who accused the witches were jealous of the witches social positions and their possessions, and the only way for them to acquire their possessions or taint their popularity was to accuse them of the witchcraft. Jealousy, especially over wealth, has always been present in societies hence, could explain some for the accusations. However, this argument remains incredible in other cases, especially against the poor accusers such as Sarah Ousborne. Other theories relay the conditions to the Puritan lifestyle, which was extremely strict. This theory argues that the girls are overwhelmed with certain emotions but lacked outlets for releasing them. During that time, normal life meant working harder and harder, with little recreation time. Due to this rigorous routine, it could have been possible for the girls to unleash the overwhelming feeling through hysteria. However, this argument also holds little doubts because if that was the routing, then most girls could have been affected.. Additionally, the conditions seem to have started appearing at a particular time, and ended almost immediately. The lifestyle had been present even before the conditions, therefore, cannot explain the symptoms. An interesting realization that one makes by analyzing these theories is that none, except Egortism. Poisoning, exclusively explains Salems situation. Most of the theories relate the events with the happenings in the world of psychology and human services. It would be feasible to combine two or more theories in the explanation of the occurrences. This would yield a better and comprehensive explanation of the condition in Salem. The understanding derived is important in building of the future concepts. For example, Ergot poisoning could have affected the victims sound judgment. Consequently, there were good chances that the girls were overwhelmed, therefore, seeking a release of their emotions. The theories would hold more weight when they are incorporated into one another and viewed as a whole (Malcom 76). Despite these theories, the most credible explanation has been the Ergotism as it contains facts that coincide with the seasons and symptoms. However, this theory also has loopholes. Considering that a family contains other people other than the girls who could have consumed the grain, how could it be that they were the only ones who got ill? For example, in the Parris household, there were eight people. Despite the family consuming the same meals, only the poison affected Abigail and Betty. Additionally, it is confusing how all the girls hallucinated, without any of them getting back to their senses. It is hard to believe that the condition would spread as it did, and fail to get better. In conclusion, it is important to note that some of the current explanations of Salems conditions such as hysteria, physiological explanations, psychiatric disorder and fraud could have meaningful importance in understanding the case. However, there have been monumental reasons and proof that point to the credibility of Egotism as the primal explanation of the situation in Salem. Amongst them are the localization and growing conditions of the village and its weather conditions. Other theories contain major loopholes, some explaining instances that have no proof or those are difficult to control. For example, the issues of jealousy are a difficult one to evaluate. However, the issue of different growing seasons, staple food, weather and the symptoms, are verifiable facts, which add credibility to the ergotism theory. Buy custom Ergot Poisoning essay

Ceratosaurus Facts and Figures

Ceratosaurus Facts and Figures Name: Ceratosaurus (Greek for horned lizard); pronounced seh-RAT-oh-SORE-us Habitat: Swamps of southern North America Historical Period: Late Jurassic (150-145 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 15 feet long and one ton Diet: Meat, fish and reptiles Distinguishing Characteristics: Row of bony plates on back; small horns on head; sharp teeth; bipedal posture About Ceratosaurus Ceratosaurus is one of those Jurassic dinosaurs that gives paleontologists fits: although it bore a distinct resemblance to other large theropods of its day (notably Allosaurus, the most common predatory dinosaur of late Jurassic North America, and the comically short-armed Carnotaurus of South America), it also possessed some distinct anatomical quirks- such as the line of bony plates along its back and the modest horn on its snout- that werent shared by any other meat-eaters. For this reason, Ceratosaurus is usually assigned to its own infraorder, the Ceratosauria, and dinosaurs that resemble it are technically classified as ceratosaurs. There is one generally accepted species of Ceratosaurus, C nasicornis; two other species erected in 2000, C. magnicornis and C. dentisulcatus, are more controversial. Whatever its place in the theropod family tree, its clear that Ceratosaurus was a fierce carnivore, gobbling up pretty much any living thing it happened across- including fish, aquatic reptiles, and both herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs (the marine component of its diet can be inferred from the fact that Ceratosaurus had a more flexible and crocodile-like tail than other carnivores, which presumably allowed it to swim with greater agility). Compared to the apex predators of late Jurassic North America, though, Ceratosaurus was fairly small (measuring only about 15 feet from head to tail and weighing no more than two tons), meaning it couldnt have hoped to win a standoff with a full-grown Allosaurus over, say, the carcass of a deceased Stegosaurus. (Interestingly, many dinosaur fossils have been discovered bearing Ceratosaurus tooth marks!) One of the most misunderstood features of Ceratosaurus is its nasal horn, which was actually more of a rounded bump, and nothing to compare with, say, the sharp, tapered horns of Triceratops. The famous American paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh, who named this dinosaur on the basis of remains discovered in Colorado and Utah, considered the horn an offensive weapon, but the more likely explanation is that this growth was a sexually selected characteristic- that is, Ceratosaurus males with more prominent horns had precedence when mating with females. Assuming it was thickly lined with blood vessels, the bump may even have been brightly colored during mating season, making Ceratosaurus the Jurassic equivalent of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

Assignment #1 Making a Decision Using the Decision - Making Model Essay

Assignment #1 Making a Decision Using the Decision - Making Model - Essay Example I decided to go back to school to gain skills that would propel me further in my career. I saw graduate school as a beckoning opportunity through which I would be able to specialize in areas of my own choosing that improve my job performance and perhaps, result in promotions at the workplace. I enrolled for twelve units during the summer without considering the toll that these classes would have on my time, work and social life. The number of units I am taking this semester requires me to delegate most of my time to studies. I want to get good grades at the end of the semester, which means that I have to find time within my busy schedule to go through my class work. To do this, I have to utilize every free minute that I have to my books. All the time I get goes to my school work, and I have often found myself depressed and procrastinating whether my decision to take the masters program at this time was the right one. My school work has completely taken over my life. Currently, my life rotates around school and work. I no longer have the time to interact or socialize with my friends. Although I interact with a few of the friends I made in my class, we do not get the time to socialize outside the school compound. When we meet at the university, we interact for a few minutes before heading our separate ways. Being the social person that I am, I am always left feeling lonely. Lack of a primary component in my life makes it rather difficult to make up for my previously vibrant social life. As a result of this, I am often depressed as I do not have any friends to share my problems with. My personality as a lifelong learner is what drove me back to school. I have an insatiable desire to gain knowledge and challenge my academic abilities. Since I was young, I considered by unquenchable thirst for books to be a pursuit towards developing my mind. In

Value Engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Value Engineering - Essay Example Tremendous benefits are obtained from value engineering. Benefits are derived comes from the start of the planning, design and the actual construction. There is a great potential of verification if the budget is adequate for the developed program. Value engineering (VE) is defined as "systematic effort that is directed in the analysis of the functional requirements of procedures, systems, equipment, facilities, and supplies for the purpose of achieving the essential function at the lowest total (life cycle) cost consistent with meeting the needed performance, quality, reliability, maintainability, aesthetics, safety and fire resistance" (Kavanagh, 1978). The implementation of value engineering includes the six steps which are (1)information,(2)functional analysis, (3)creative, (4)evaluation,(5) planning/proposal and (6) implementation/follow up (Snodgrass and Kasi, 1986). In the creative step, brainstorming session is involved. Life cycle cost alternatives for the design components are considered. Value engineering and constructability are two different ways in terms of criteria discussed. However, this does not mean that they are exclusively mutual. Activities within the two processes complement each other in the achievement of their goals. This results in construction optimization, at the same time, achieving lowest life-cycle cost. For example, value engineering would recognize the increased benefit from the early implementation (O'Brian 1976). In the recent years, the use of total quality management (TQM) has spread from the manufacturing industry to construction. Organizations using TQM are adopting a management philosophy that makes quality a strategic objective for the organization.("Total Quality Management: The Competitive Edge" 1990). The successful application of TQM for contractor and owner organization in Japan, as well as some others in the U.S, and the UK, have increased in the recognition as an effective method to improve quality and productivity. Customer satisfaction and continuous improvement are the two principal objectives of TQM (Burati, 1992). In the construction industry, the parties involved in the project, including the owner, the contractor, and the designer, play the role of customer and supplier of services. The owner supplies the requirements to the designer, then the designer supplies the plans and specifications to the contactor, then the contractor supplies the finished building to the owner ( Juran, 1988). The corporate constructability program(CCP) includes the costs to start-up and maintain a corporate constructability program. The cost elements are written program procedures, computer software and hardware that contain the lessons-learned database, the constructability analysis tools and the corporate constructability coordinator (Russell and Gugel 1993). The estimated quantitative benefit for each major constructability idea may be totalled for each project and compared to the costs of constructability. This cost/benefit ratio could be a measure of the effectiveness and /or the maturity of the constructabil

Dreaming in Cuban Essay Example for Free

Dreaming in Cuban Essay Throughout the years, Cuba is known to be a Communist country struggling to determine its own identity. Some Cubans have fought with the decision to stay in their native country or migrate to the United States. Others have decided to settle in Cuba and let their fate be determined by the gods. Santeria, an African religion mixed with Catholic traditions, is practiced by many Cubans and allows followers to establish their destiny by the orishas, or African spirits. It also gives a sense of individuality to the characters in the novel, Dreaming in Cuban which incorporates several elements of the faith into the story. Overall, the Santeria religion affects the Cuban people in many parts of their lives politically, artistically, musically, and in their relationships. Santeria or La Regla Lucumm originated in the region of West Africa and was part of the traditional faith of the Yoruba inhabitants. It was brought to the Caribbean countries of Cuba, Haiti and Brazil, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic through the Yoruba people who were part of the slave trade. When they arrived at their Caribbean destinations, they reluctantly baptized within the Roman Catholic faith and were forced to leave behind their traditional beliefs and practices. However, they managed to come up with a way to merge their beliefs with the Roman Catholic Church by â€Å"†¦choosing a catholic saint and associating the saint to each of the orishas, [or African gods,] of their traditional practices† (Santeria 101). The santeros focus on building relationships with â€Å"powerful, but mortal, spirits, called orishas, [which is] a manifestation of †¦God† (BBC). In addition, they are taught that if they carry out the appropriate rituals, these spirits will support them in life, and enable them to â€Å"achieve the destiny that God planned for them before they were born† (BBC). The idea makes the followers feel that they have a purpose for their life and will live their life according to the standards. According to a Cuban researcher, â€Å"there are several principle orishas which are believed to control every aspect of human life, especially health, purity, and fertility. The orishas are rather like Greek gods or goddesses, in that they reflect the human weaknesses and strengths, but are closely identified with their Catholic counterpart† (Marshall 231). In Dreaming in Cuban, by Christina Garcia, Felicia chooses her orisha to be Saint Sebastian due to her admiration of his â€Å"double death† (Garcia 77). She was able to related to the god in a way that resembles how she feel. A man chooses to sacrifice every little item he has to his orisha: â€Å"He lights an unfiltered Popular—Cuba’s national brand—and offers a bit of tobacco to Eleggua, the orisha of opportunity† (Sigler 207). Having the fear of a god controlling his life, the man would submit everything he has to the god. For such crisis as the Cuban Revolution, Cubans have sought for help from the spiritual world and have become drawn to the Santeria religion. According to a documentary filmmaker, Cubans have always â€Å"flocked to Santeria priests, or babalawos, during hard times to ease their weary bodies, minds, and souls; and the current climate of economic instability proves no exceptions† (Sigler 213). They have also looked to their orishas for a â€Å"†¦source of comfort and help in time of need†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gonzalez- Wippler 70). However, in order to continue receiving assistance from the, they have to uphold their moral behavior strictly. Straying from the â€Å"right and narrow way† will disqualify them from the protection of the orishas and will receive punishment. A santero priest who lived in Cuba says he sees between seven to eight clients per day, but â€Å"demand for his services has gradually increased in recent years† (Sigler 213). Thus, the downfall of the life quality in Cuba increased the influence of the religion on Cubans. Many people are drawn to the practices of the religion throughout their neighborhoods. According to an Afro-Cuban woman, â€Å"[she] was drawn to the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria and to the practice of spiritualism, [and] grew up surrounded by many people who practice this religion of African origin and who believed in the orishas, or African gods† (Carrillo 63-4). The African society in Cuba has been looking for solace in their history of torture and discriminating experience: â€Å"The slave seeks a bit of peace and hope after much suffering and harassment. With rites, offerings and the sacrifice of blood, he invokes the gods of redemption, from whom he has been brutally separated by inhuman slavery† (Marshall 235). The religion makes them feel more human and therefore helping them live their lives the way the â€Å"gods† what them to live. Felicia wishes to settle peace with her father. Her best friend Hermania told her â€Å"He [the orisha] will bring you and your father peace, a peace you never knew while he lived on this earth† (Garcia 14). Eventually, she decided to give into her friend’s request and sacrificed a goat on the altar. Felicia also went to Santeria for another husband, believing that she can attain her blessings through orishas: â€Å"believers can accomplish many things because the dead are benevolently inclined toward the living†¦Felicia del Pino is fortunate in that she knows unequivocally what she wants: another husband. In this respect, at least, she will be twice more blessed† (Garcia 147). However, they told her she cannot keep her husband: â€Å"What you wish for, daughter, you cannot keep. It is the will of the gods† (Garcia 148). This became true later on when the man she met died in a fire. In another part of the book, Celia visits a santera â€Å"when she was dying of love for the Spaniard† (Garcia 159). Therefore, Santeria affects people in their relationships because people rely on the religion to fix their issues on love. The Santeria religion may manipulate the minds of their followers to fail in their revolution against Batista. Traditionally, all the presidents in Cuba have been â€Å"initiated santeros† (Gonzalez- Wippler 69) and given a god to protect them; therefore the followers of Santeria are in fear and submission to the leader. They also believed that the battle for the power between Castro and Batista was fought on two levels: the physical world and the world of the orishas† (Gonzalez- Wippler 69). It was believed that Castro won the war because of the many [sacrifices] made on his behalf, but he could not destroy Batista who escaped from Cuba with a fortune. In the novel, Felicia asked Hermania’s father about fighting Batista. However â€Å"he said it was useless, that the scoundrel is under the protection of Chango†¦ Batista’s destiny†¦is set. He will escape Cuba with a fortune in his suitcase† (Garcia 163). The religion affects the santeros in their political stance and gave them no hope of rebelling against the president of Cuba. The Santeria religion is also increasing in its numbers after the Revolution. â€Å"Now that there is more freedom of religious expression, an increasing number of young people have been initiated into Santeria. And since they no longer fear losing their jobs or facing other hassles because of their religion, you can see people on the streets wearing colored, beaded necklaces that correspond to their particular saint† (Carrillo 67). Pilar, in the book, also wore beads to represent an orisha: â€Å"I select a red and white one and place it over my head† (Garcia 200). In an African woman’s opinion, â€Å"Santeria and the ‘folklore† of my family neighborhood was no longer devalued or considered taboo; on the contrary, these practices were to be celebrated as a central part of [her] Cuban heritage† (Morejon 84). Therefore, the religion grows substantially in rate by the acceptance that they have of expressing themselves. In the life of an African woman, Santeria affected the way she expressed herself through art: â€Å"I’ve always felt inspired to paint Afro-Cuban folk themes, mostly orisha motifs, although some of my early work is landscapes. I paint with both acrylics and watercolors. (Carrillo 66)† Pilar also paints the colors of the beads that she chose to represent the orisha, Chango: â€Å"I awake and paint a large canvas ignited with reds and whites, each color betraying each other†(Garcia 203). Thus, the Santeria religion affects the people artistically. The religion also affected Cuban music. The system of beliefs was interconnected in that â€Å"†¦white saints were matched to black gods while African drums beat time to Catholic prayers† (Marshall 20). The practice of drum beating plays a major part in Cuban music and how it centers on the orishas. The dance moves are â€Å"choreographed to represent sacred messages to and from† (Gonzalez- Wippler 195) each other. Not only does it affect the rhythm and movements in dancing but also the lyrics of voiced music: â€Å"Santeria†¦has supplied many songs sung in Yoruba by a male singer leading a chorus to the rhythm of conga drums, while dancers dressed in different colors express the attributes of the different orishas or saints of the sect† (Marshall 216). Therefore, Santeria affect the music part of the Cuban lives. As time progresses, the influences to Santeria will continue to increase in Cuba and sink into the spiritual identity of Cuba. According to a professor in history, â€Å"†¦Santeria isn’t just a religion, its part of the Cuban identity† (Sigler 212). Santeria may be widely celebrated because so many people in the government are currently practicing the religion† (Sigler 213). Thus, Santeria will continue to affect the Cubans politically, artistically, musically, and in their relationships.

Personal Narrative- The Move that Transformed my Life Essay -- Persona

Personal Narrative- The Move that Transformed my Life After reviewing my life, I have decided my life defining moment was when my family and I moved to Texas from Oklahoma. I consider this move my life changing moment because it changed so many things in my life. This move set the stage for an entirely new life for me. Moving six hours away from the only home I knew certainly called for many changes. Until I was thirteen years old, I had lived in the same area, mostly Healdton, Oklahoma. After my parents divorced, my mother, sister, and I left my father and moved to Healdton. After a couple of years, both of my parents remarried. Soon conflicts arose between all sides. After several violent confrontations and threats on our lives, we decided the best thing to do was to pac...

Judy Bradys I Want a Wife Essay

In Judy Brady’s â€Å"I Want a Wife† she talks about the tasks of a desired wife. There are certain things and duties required for a housewife to do. Brady describes all the helpful things done for a husband and children without even realizing all the responsibility and what she is doing. No one ever acknowledges that things done by a wife can be done by someone who was not a wife, but instead a man. Judy realizes she supports her husband so he can go back to school. She keeps the house clean. She has to be sensitive to the needs of a man in general. There have been many studies about gender roles in a marriage. The wife seems to do a lot. Women feel sometimes they do too much. Married couples should be able to work together. Sometime when the wife does everything it puts a constraint on the marriage. A marriage not only needs to survive, but thrive. In a marriage a husband and wife should be able share the same roles as needed. Society has a perceived notion of this. Everything today in a marriage should be able to be shifted back and forth as needed. This is all evidence that a marriage should be between two people who are willing to share all family responsibilities. It is a married couple’s responsibility to take control of any major problems they may have prior to marriage if possible. Research has shown that when men change roles in the family, there are many challenges for them. There seems to be many issues and problems when the man in the family shows the father involvement Fineman (17). For many years society did not know much about the changing of gender roles in a family. The husband should be able to do anything when needed. Statistics show that the effects of a fathers’ involvement with their children can sometimes cause angry reactions Kefalas (845). This can lead to divorce at times. Based on the evidence that spousal conflict adversely influences physiology and health, negative impact does affect the husband also. The stronger impact of relationship negativity contributes to the decreased marriage benefit for men also. Evidence bearing on two explanations for this differential impact of conflict is reviewed. The relational-interdependence view, proposed by Kiecolt-Glaser and Newton (473), holds that men can be affected by marital conflict because of their more independent self-representations. Men do experience physiological and psychological reactivity to marital discord at times, but typically they do occupy the more powerful positions relative to their wives. Monin (5-6). Researchers have said that gender roles are interesting. In the past, clear gender roles for husband and wife had been understood within the context of the marriage. Today there are fewer clearly defined models for contemporary marriage gender roles and how these roles ought to be lived out. It must be admitted that in some cases, a lack of clear gender roles weakens the marriage. However, when a husband and a wife have the freedom to bring to a marriage his or her whole self, and not just live a traditional gender role, the American marriage has been strengthened by feminist theory. It was said years ago there is one kind of marriage that has not been tried and that is a contract made by equal parties to lead an equal life, with equal restraints and privileges on either side. â€Å"Treckel says, so far we have had men marriage and nothing more†. Treckel (1995 ). Change is not easy, but change is happening. Through education, hopefully more people will see the benefits offered to contemporary marriage by these changes. A real common concern among researchers is that men let the wife take care of everything. Society has heard jokes about â€Å"who wears the pants in the family. † Yet, leadership in the home is no laughing matter. During the last few decades our culture has redefined the meaning and responsibilities of man and woman in society and in the home Martin (421). Many men are confused and insecure. Many do not know how to act in the home. Growing up, they lacked a good model for leadership at home and have no mental picture of what it means to lead a family. Consequently, they do not lead effectively, or they do not even try. Increasingly, many men are becoming passive in the home. They have decided that the easiest thing to do is nothing. The simplest thing-with the smallest risk-is to stay on the fence with both feet firmly planted in mid-air and let the wife do it. When a man is married to a strong wife who will take over, he often lets her do just that Nock (2). By providing these studies there is still a problem today in society that men themselves think the wife in a marriage should take control. They figure they work so the wife can hold down the fort. Mentally there is no real scientific evidence that states why a man feels this way in his mind. If there are going to be responsible parties in a marriage it should be both. It takes two to run a household and makes things run smoothly Christian (34). Researchers said by talking to people, women would not achieve equal opportunities at work until their men folk contributed more to looking after the home. Gender inequalities in all areas are rooted in social structures. They are also in ones attitude. It is difficult to see how women will ever have the same opportunities in the labor market if equality at home is not achieved Yu (651-668). In a large group of men and women were asked about everyday chores, such as the laundry, cleaning, cooking food, shopping, looking after sick relatives and carrying out repairs. But men only made a significant contribution by mending faulty items around the house. At least two-thirds of women said it was usually them who carried out the other tasks, rising to eighty five percent for doing the laundry. More than half of men and even more women, seven out of ten, agreed that men should pull their weight more. Similar proportions also believed that men should also be more involved in looking after children. Nearly three in four adults said it was right for both men and women to work to bring in money. Kalmijn (26). But only eight percent believed that mothers of the under-fives should be in full-time jobs. Nearly half thought that pre-school youngsters were likely to lose out if their mothers worked and that family life suffered when women had full-time jobs. This month, it emerged that mothers who stay at home to look after children under five were in the minority for the first time Yapp (56). By reading the studies about marriage and men pulling their weight, couples must be able to rely on each other to address tasks and responsibilities. Many couples early on enter the marriage with the belief that the other will automatically know what is expected. The Trouble is, both likely hold different opinions as to the expectations of the other. It is difficult for couples to pull their weight when they do not know what the other person may be thinking. This is like starting a new job without knowing anything about the job. It does not matter who cleans around the house, how finances are handled, or how the groceries are obtained, discuss what is to be expected in the beginning. In conclusion Judy Brady’s â€Å"I Want a Wife† told a story of a desired wife. The desired wife in her story seemed to be the head of the house. This was unfortunate due to her husband. In Brady’s eye a husband should be the head of the household. Most women in a marriage just want things to be shared equally. All Brady is saying is that men need to do their share. In life every day we experience gender issues. This is experienced from home to work. This gender has become a label. Women and men experience gender side effects every day. Gender relates to society. Expectations in a marriage need to be between two married people and not one sided.

When Dealing with International Markets, It’s Also Imperative

There is no doubt that if you deal with international markets, you should be familiar with their laws and regulation as they pertain to marketing. This is imperative and you should take it seriously. It must be god understanding in the law of the country where you launch a campaign. But it is not always possible to know all the nuances. So, what is right in this situation? On the one hand, some people consider that marketers must know and observe the regulations and laws of the country in which they operate.To my mind, it is the obvious facts. All advertising should be legal, decent, honest and truthful. Before launching a campaign in international markets, you should learn all the prohibitions and laws of this country, so you do not have problems with complaints about your advertising or marketing actions. On the other hand, some people believe that there should be common standards, rules and regulations for the global market.It is obvious that in order to learn the laws and prohibi tions of the country where you launch a campaign, it is necessary to spend a lot of time and effort to get it right. In conclusion I would like to say that there is one rule you should pay attention to is to think local. Because now is the era of globalization and we live in a very localized world. To determine international advertising standards, you must be aware of the advertising laws, rules and regulations of each nation.

Humor and Violence in A Good Man Is Hard to Find

Humor and Violence in 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' Flannery OConnors A Good Man Is Hard to Find is surely one of the funniest stories anyone has ever written about the murder of innocent people. Maybe thats not saying much, except that it is also, without a doubt, one of the funniest stories anyone has ever written about anything. So, how can something so disturbing make us laugh so hard? The murders themselves are chilling, not funny, yet perhaps the story achieves its humor not in spite of the violence, but because of it. As OConnor herself writes in The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery OConnor: In my own experience, everything funny I have written is more terrible than it is funny, or only funny because it is terrible, or only terrible because it is funny.   The stark contrast between the humor and the violence seems to accentuate both. What Makes the Story Funny? Humor is, of course, subjective, but we find the grandmothers self-righteousness, nostalgia, and attempts at manipulation hilarious. OConnors ability to switch seamlessly from a neutral perspective to the grandmothers point of view lends even greater comedy to the scene. For instance, the narration remains absolutely deadpan as we learn that the grandmother secretly brings the cat because she is afraid he might brush against one of the gas burners and accidentally asphyxiate himself. The narrator passes no judgment on the grandmothers preposterous concern but rather lets it speak for itself. Similarly, when OConnor writes that the grandmother pointed out interesting details of the scenery, we know that everyone else in the car probably doesnt find them interesting at all and wishes shed be quiet. And when Bailey refuses to dance with his mother to the jukebox, OConnor writes that Bailey didnt have a naturally sunny disposition like she [the grandmother] did and trips made him nervous. The clichà ©d, self-flattering phrasing of naturally sunny disposition tips readers off that this is the grandmothers opinion, not the narrators. Readers can see that its not road trips that make Bailey tense: its his mother. But the grandmother does have redeeming qualities. For instance, shes the only adult who takes the time to play with the children. And the children arent exactly angels, which also helps balance out some of the grandmothers negative qualities. The grandson rudely suggests that if the grandmother doesnt want to go to Florida, she should just stay home. Then the granddaughter adds, She wouldnt stay at home for a million bucks [†¦] Afraid shed miss something. She has to go everywhere we go. These children are so awful, theyre funny. Purpose of the Humor To understand the union of violence and humor in A Good Man Is Hard to Find, its helpful to remember that OConnor was a devout Catholic. In Mystery and Manners, OConnor writes that my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory largely held by the devil. This is true for all her stories, all the time. In the case of A Good Man Is Hard to Find, the devil is not the Misfit, but rather whatever has led the grandmother to define goodness as wearing the right clothes and behaving like a lady. The grace in the story is the realization that leads her to reach out toward the Misfit and call him one of my own children. Ordinarily, Im not so quick to allow authors to have the last word on interpreting their work, so if you favor a different explanation, be my guest. But OConnor has written so extensively and pointedly about her religious motivations that its hard to dismiss her observations. In Mystery and Manners, OConnor says: Either one is serious about salvation or one is not. And it is well to realize that the maximum amount of seriousness admits the maximum amount of comedy. Only if we are secure in our beliefs can we see the comical side of the universe. Interestingly, because OConnors humor is so engaging, it allows her stories to pull in readers who might not want to read a story about the possibility of divine grace, or who might not recognize this theme in her stories at all. I think the humor initially helps distance readers from the characters; were laughing so hard at them that were deep into the story before we start to recognize ourselves in their behavior. By the time we are hit with the maximum amount of seriousness as Bailey and John Wesley are led into the woods, its too late to turn back. Youll notice that I havent used the words comic relief here, even though that might be the role of humor in many other literary works. But everything Ive ever read about OConnor suggests that she wasnt particularly concerned about providing relief for her readers and in fact, she aimed for just the opposite.

Questions to Ask During Your Medical School Interview

Questions to Ask During Your Medical School Interview Interviews are all about questions- not only for the applicant but for the interviewer as well. Most medical school applicants spend a great deal of time considering what they might be asked and how they will respond. No doubt about it, you will be grilled during your interview for medical school. Although tips for applying to medical school abound, many med school interview candidates dont realize is that the interview is also a time to ask questions. In fact, you will even be judged on the quality of your questions. Asking good questions is important because it shows that you are informed and interested in the program. More importantly, it is only by asking relevant questions that you will gather the information needed to determine if a particular medical school is right for you. The admissions committee is not just interviewing you. You are interviewing them. Too often candidates take the position that they will attend any school that admits them. Remember that you need to choose a program that is a good match for you. It is only by asking questions that you can accurately determine that. What Not To Ask One caveat about asking questions: Remember to do your homework. You should already know a lot about the program. Your questions should never ask about simple information that can be gleaned off of the website. You are expected to be aware of such materials. Instead, your questions should probe and follow up on what you have already learned. Never ask any personal questions of the interviewer either- unless they specifically relate to how that person enjoys the environment, classes or professors of that med school. Steer clear of questions whose answers dont help you understand the program better or that delve too deeply into the person sitting in front of you (though polite questions like how are you? are completely fine in conversation). This is your chance to get to know the school, not the interviewer. That said, it is important to tailor your questions to your interviewer. For example, ask questions about the quality of life  that the interviewer, as a resident of the school, would know the answers to.   Curriculum and Evaluations One of the primary reasons to choose one medical school over another is the courses offered specifically in that program. Therefore it is important to ask if there are any special programs for which this medical school is notably special. Its even better to ask about specific programs youve researched on the school website or course catalog.   Since most medical programs are slightly different with how they handle clinical application years, it is also important to ask the interviewer to describe the curriculum during the pre-clinical and clinical years and if there is any flexibility in the coursework (how many  electives  are offered and the timing of the courses). What makes this program different than another similar program youve discovered at another school? What difference is there in teaching style? Questions like these will help you determine if the medical school youre applying to is the right fit. Evaluation of students can also be drastically different from one institution to another. If the website or course catalog does not specifically cover the topic, you should ask your interviewer how students are academically evaluated and what the course of action is should a student perform poorly. How does the school assist students who do not pass? Clinical evaluations, similarly, can be carried out differently from school to school, so you should also ask about their process for such.   The future of students attending this particular med school can also help you determine whether or not you can achieve your goals as a student by attending. Asking how do students from this  medical school  perform on the National Board Examinations (percentage-wise) and which residency programs the recent graduates were accepted to can shed some light on the likelihood an education at this program will improve your chances of getting into the residence of your choice. If you have a narrower idea of where youd like to attend medical school, perhaps asking what clinical sites are available (rural, urban or private) and if students are permitted to do rotations at other institutions will provide more insight into the programs offerings.   Resources and Faculty-Student Interactions Speaking of resources, it is important that at the end of the interview you understand exactly what tools the program has to help you along in your college career. Ask about the library and electronic journal database access- is it, in the interviewers opinion, adequate for all the current medical information you will need. Further, what computer and technology resources are available to students? It is critically important, especially in modern times, that the program offers adequate resources, so dont hesitate to ask for clarification on any of their availability.   Also, finding out what kind of academic, personal, financial and career counseling services are available can help you better understand how well the program cares for the individual needs of its students. If you are a minority or special interest group, you may want to know the diversity of the student body and any support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women the school may offer. If you are married, asking if there are services available for spouses and dependents will alleviate some of your concerns with family issues.   In terms of faculty-student interactions, you may want to know how each advisor is assigned and what the working relationship with students is throughout the program. This typically includes work on faculty research, so you may want to ask how that gets assigned and if students are given the opportunity to design, conduct and publish their own research.   Financial Aid Medical school can be expensive- very expensive- so asking about what kinds of  financial aid are offered could be imperative to the pursuit of your medical school degree. You should ask the interview how common it is for students to have unmet needs in their financial aid package  and how these students come up with the extra funds. Perhaps someone is available to assist  students with financial aid, budgeting, and financial planning?   In any case, it is important that before you finish the interview you have a bit more comfort in how you will manage to pay for your tuition and degree. Asking a variety of questions surrounding financial aid, including clarifying exactly what the expected cost of tuition will be, can help give you this piece of mind.   Student Involvement Its important to remember that you are paying for your education and you alone are responsible for making the most of your education. One of the best ways to ensure this (other than choosing professors and courses suited best to you) is to get involved on campus and in the program itself. Ask your interviewer what medical school committees have student representation and what opportunities exist for students to provide program feedback and participate in  curriculum planning. This will allow you more freedom to influence your program to most benefit your curriculum goals. Similarly, the student council or government involvement may be an important question to ask.   In terms of the valuable on-the-job experiences that will go toward future residence applications, community service also plays a key role in your education. You may consider asking if most students are involved in those activities and which community service opportunities are available to students. It might even be a requirement of completing your degree, so its best to ask the interviewer exactly how the program regards and encourages student involvement.   Campus Policies As a student entering the medical field, you should understand the importance of an institutions response to medical emergencies and virus outbreaks. Consider asking your interviewer what the protocol is for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases. Are vaccinations provided against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident? There are many more campus policy questions you could ask depending on your lifestyle, career goals, and medical needs as a student. For instance, if you are a student living with a disability, you might consider asking if  disability insurance  is provided by the school. If you hope to fast-track your degree, you may ask about the possibility of taking on a heavier course load. Inversely, if you are working full-time and hope to only enroll in night classes, you may ask what the campus policy is for attendance and when courses are offered, specifically. If you anticipate a loved one passing or needing critical care and you are forced to leave school, you may ask what the grievance procedure is for the institution. Location and Quality of Life If youre relocating to the area for school- especially if the interview happens to coincide with your first visit to its location- you may want to ask specific questions about the city and campus standard of living. Asking what the housing facilities are like and if most students live on or off campus is perfectly acceptable as long as the information has not already been provided on the website (do your research first). Even personal lifestyle questions like what the neighborhood is like and what kind of stores and restaurants are around are okay to ask in this vein of questioning. Commuting may become an issue if you choose off-campus housing. You should ask your interviewer if a car is necessary and what public and school transit options are available if you choose to do so.   Questions to Ask Yourself The answers the interviewer gives to all of the above questions should serve to give you a better understanding of what being a student of the medical school will entail. Once youve completed the interview, its time to review your notes and ask yourself a few questions that will help you decide if the program is truly right for you.   Start with the core curriculum and education program offered. Does this school provide training in the type of medicine you want to practice- primary versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice, academic medicine or private practice education? Is the program specific (or broad) enough to meet the needs of your professional goals? Do you like the professors youve researched or heard about in the program? These questions will guide you to the most important facet of choosing a program: is it the right fit for me? If yes- and you have more than one yes program- you should then examine how you feel about the school itself and the neighborhood youll be living to attend classes. Compare the perks and disadvantages of attending each of the programs that suit your educational needs. Will you be happy at the school? In the neighborhood? If youve answered yes to all of these, youve found the program for you!

Organizational Structure and Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Organizational Structure and Culture - Essay Example As indicated in the earlier paragraph, such an organizational set up uses charts that show the hierarchy of responsibilities and how their roles are divided. An organizational chart is a diagrammatic expression of the positions and departments found in an organization. It is also important in defining the relationship between them. An organizational chart is important in playing a number of roles that include;- showing the formal organizational relationships between different people and departments in the organization, enhancing channels of communication and hence improving the way information flows in the organization and lastly it helps one to know whom they are accountable to. This is very important in any nursing set up to eliminate the confusion that can be created if they could be working in an informal set up where the role s and responsibilities of the various people playing part was not clearly defined. Organizational charts include vertical ones which run from up to bottom while left to right have the highest rank on the left and the others follow to the right. In our study I used a vertical chart. An example used has the board of directors as the premier heads of the organization. They are responsible for making core decisions regarding the organization. In case the hospital is government owned or accountable to a higher body they are the ones who will be accountable. They decide on what is good for the hospital and through the suggestions laid before them by people in the lower levels in the rank they can decide on how to address each problem in the organization. The hospital administration follows in the rank. This is a group of people who are selected to oversee the day to day running of the hospital and trouble shoot problems as they emanate. They handle different departments in the hospital which makes the positions very delicate and need to be handled by diligent personnel who cannot