A Scientific Model for Grassroots O.D Assignment

A Scientific Model for Grassroots O.D - Assignment Example Instead, their efforts in O.D. lead to disappointing results. Regarding the need for grassroots O.D., no one can change an organization. Each individual within an organization needs to contribute to cultural change in order to achieve positive results in O.D. Besides, mentorship programs could be very effective. A grassroots O.D. model is again useful as it involves setting the bar, motivating change, sustaining the change, and scaling the change to enterprise. Essentially, drive to change is achieved through passionate commitment, which is characterized by good roles and actins, supporting organizational resources, and managing risks. To bring out all the points about O.D. effectively, the article is divided into various sections. An abstract is written to introduce the article and all it entails. The introduction section defined the problem and its background, including the models used. Each model is discussed in depth with respect to the topic, but the main model addressed is the grassroots O.D. model. The article is written in a scholarly manner with all sections being addressed including the methodology, achievement of the model, and conclusion/ summary. To show that the intensive study and research has been conducted from other sources, the resources used are indicated. The article is well presented, but it lacks a clear distinction in the three key sections of a scholarly article, especially the methodology, and

Same-Sex Marriage Essay Example for Free

Same-Sex Marriage Essay The issue over same-sex marriage has come into the limelight beginning 1993 when the Supreme Court in Hawaii favored the issue and ruled that rejecting a union of two people from the same gender is not constitutional. The matter became highly controversial as some states made rulings allowing same-sex unions, while others do not based on religious doctrines and arguments. Marriage is an integral part of society and the nation as a whole. Marriage creates a family, which is considered to be the basic unit of society. Parents rear their children to be positive contributors as they grow up and take more active roles. Without the families, the nations social fabric will weaken, and in turn, every other institution will also be affected. The benefits of the union affects the community in many ways. For instance, marriage establishes the paternity of a child, making it easy to assert about child support. Marriage also prevents conflicts regarding relationships. These are just two benefits of the union that the government sees and recognizes. Because of its impact to society, marriage has come to be defined and regulated by laws, both religious and governmental. The federal and state governments, to promote stability and order, not only have the right to define marriage. It is, in fact, their duty to create laws that define marriage in relation to what society dictates. In Massachusetts, for example, its Supreme Court sees the need to legalize and constitutionalized same-sex marriage. This decision was based not on personal views but on intrepretation of the states laws. In other states, rulings were issued liberalizing marriage, but not entirely making it constitutional. However, many states have amended the definition of marriage as the union between a man and a woman. Those against it sees same-sex unions as a factor that would not be good for their states. Work Cited The U. S. Constitution Online. Contitutional Topic: Marriage. 19 April 2008 http://www. usconstitution. net/consttop_marr. html

Civil War on Pompey Essay -- History War Caesar Essays

Civil War on Pompey In 49 B.C., Gaius Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his army, declaring civil war on Pompey and his supporters in the Senate. In this paper, I will explore the political and legal issues that pushed Caesar to the brink. Looking at Rome’s political struggles at the dawn of the first century B.C., it becomes apparent that the groundwork for Caesar’s Republic shattering revolt was lain down by Marius and Sulla. To be more specific, the stage was set by the class struggles between the Aristocracy, who demanded control of the Republic by virtue of tradition, and the masses, which demanded a voice. Marius made a major step in pushing the Republic towards constitutional upheaval when, in 107 B.C., he abolished the property requirements for military service (Meier, 29). Not only did these impoverished soldiers depend on their commander rather than the State for their fiscal support, but they were also promised land in newly conquered provinces upon the completion of the service. While enlarging the pool from which the Roman Army drew its volunteer soldiers, this change in policy brought about a dangerous shift in political power. It was for this reason that the Senate opposed nearly every land law placed before it. If a gifted commander was able to enrich his soldiers through plunder, and give them land to settle after the campaign, â€Å"the soldiers might feel a greater obligation to their commander than to the Senate (Meier, 29).† This circumstance is an essential ingredient for civil war, more so, possible, than any other. In 88 B.C., King Mithridates of Pontus invaded the Roman Province of Asia. Cornelius Sulla, one of the consuls, was chosen to lead the Roman legions against him by the Senate.... ...ials and tribulations during the 51 years before Caesar’s revolt. Rome’s political systems were in such a degraded state that had Caesar been unsuccessful; someone else would have shortly followed. It was the actions of Marius and Sulla, not the ambitious dreams of a young man, which were ultimately responsible. Works Cited Dickinson, John. Death of a Republic. New York, Macmillan, 1963. Meier, Christian. Caesar. New York: BasicBooks/HarperCollins, 1995. Sabben-Clare, J. P. Caesar and Roman Politics 60-50 B.C.: source material in translation. Bristol: Bristol Classics, 1981. Plutarch. Fall of the Roman Republic. Trans. Rex Warner. New York: Penguin USA, 1972. Caesar, C. Julius. Civil Wars. Trans. A. G. Peskett. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Caesar, C. Julius. The Gallic Wars. Trans. H. J. Edwards, C.B. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Marc Antony Speech Essay

Antony’s skillful ways To be a good public speaker, a person needs a very specific set of skills to deliver a powerful speech. In the play, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, a group of men conspire to assassinate Julius Caesar. Throughout the play, they succeed in killing Caesar by stabbing him multiple times. The conspirators have to convince the people of Rome that Caesar is a bad man and he had to be killed for the sake of Rome. Another man by the name of Marc Antony, who was a loyal friend of Caesar, comes and turns the tide over to his favor. He does this by delivering a powerful speech to the people of Rome at Caesar’s funeral. Marc Antony is a skilled orator because he excels at using rhetorical devices such as:ethos, pathos, and logos. One of the many ways that Mark Antony is an excellent speaker is how he uses the rhetorical device ethos. He persuades the crowd by giving them compliments such as, â€Å"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. † This shows that Mark Antony is getting into the crowd’s heart with his status as a trustworthy man. Furthermore, Antony is familiar with the crowd, and he knows how to get into their heads. He also persuades them using an ethical argument by saying, â€Å"Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me. † Mark Antony is telling the plebeians that he was close to Caesar and that he knew him very well – that they should believe his word. Mark Antony’s speech was success at persuading the crowd because he used his own characteristics to his advantage (III, ii, 73-86). Mark Antony was also able to announce an admirable speech because he exposed his apathy towards Caesar using the rhetorical device pathos. He touched the plebeians hearts by saying, â€Å"O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason! Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me. † At this point in his speech, Antony is showing his anger towards the conspirators making the crowd filled with rage. He also shows his sorrow by pausing in the middle of his speech,showing the crowd that he is mournful towards his noble friend Caesar. He also moved the crowd by speaking about Caesar, â€Å" When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. † By stating this he is letting the Romans know that Caesar understood their pain and compassion. Anthony’s remarkable speech was successful because of the way he delivered his emotions (III, ii,92-108). Using logic, Antony was able to affect the crowd over to his side. For example, in his speech , he tells the Romans, â€Å" You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition? † By using his debate skills, he is maneuvering the audience into believing that Caesar was not ambitious by stating that he did not want to take the crown every time he presented it to him. Another way to prove that Antony’s arguments were reasonable was when he questions the crowd, â€Å"You all did love him once, not without cause;What cause withholds you then to mourn for him ? † This reminds the crowd of how their lives were before Caesar was killed, making them realize how the conspirators manipulated them. Antony was able to successfully persuade the crowd by using the rhetorical device logos. Anthony’s speech was magnificent because it contained rhetorical devices. By using ethos he was able to make the crowd consider him truthful. He also conveyed the crowd to rebel and feel sympathy by using pathos. Finally, he was able to completely turn the crowd over by reasoning with them. In the end, Mark Antony was able to convince a large group of people because he contained debate skills like no other.

Long Passages

An upsurge of new research suggests that animals have a much higher level of brainpower than previously thought. If animals do have intelligence, how do scientists measure it? Before defining animals' intelligence, scientists defined what is not intelligence. Instinct is not intelligence. It is a skill programmed into an animal's brain by its genetic heritage. Rote conditioning is also not intelligence. Tricks can be learned by repetition, but no real thinking is involved. Cuing, in which animals learn to do or not to do certain things by following outside signals, does not demonstrate intelligence.Scientists believe that insight, the ability to use tools, and communication using human language are all effective measures of the mental ability of animals. (2) When judging animal intelligence, scientists look for insight, which they define as a flash of sudden understanding. When a young gorilla could not reach fruit from a tree, she noticed crates scattered about the lawn near the tre e. She piled the crates into a pyramid, then climbed on them to reach her reward. The gorilla's insight allowed her to solve a new problem without trial and error. (3) The ability to use tools is also an important sign of intelligence.Crows use sticks to pry peanuts out of cracks. The crow exhibits intelligence by showing it has learned what a stick can do. Likewise, otters use rocks to crack open crab shells in order to get at the meat. In a series of complex moves, chimpanzees have been known to use sticks and stalks in order to get at a favorite snack—termites. To make and use a termite tool, a chimp first selects just the right stalk or twig. He trims and shapes the stick, then finds the entrance to a termite mound. While inserting the stick carefully into the entrance, the chimpanzee turns it skillfully to fit the inner tunnels.The chimp attracts the insects by shaking the twig. Then it pulls the tool out without scraping off any termites. Finally, he uses his lips to sk im the termites into his mouth. (4) Many animals have learned to communicate using human language. Some primates have learned hundreds of words in sign language. One chimp can recognize and correctly use more than 250 abstract symbols on a keyboard. These symbols represent human words. An amazing parrot can distinguish five objects of two different types. He can understand the difference between the number, color, and kind of object.The ability to classify is a basic thinking skill. He seems to use language to express his needs and emotions. When ill and taken to the animal hospital for his first overnight stay, this parrot turned to go. â€Å"Come here! † he cried to a scientist who works with him. â€Å"I love you. I'm sorry. Wanna go back? † (5) The research on animal intelligence raises important questions. If animals are smarter than once thought, would that change the way humans interact with them? Would humans stop hunting them for sport or survival? Would anima ls still be used for food, clothing, or medical experimentation?Finding the answer to these tough questions makes a difficult puzzle even for a large-brained, problem-solving species like our own. 1. Crows use sticks to pry peanuts out of cracks. Which of the following is the kind of intelligence or conditioning the situation describes? a. rote learning b. tools c. communication d. instinct 2. The underlined word upsurge, as it is used in the first paragraph of the passage, most nearly means a. an increasingly large amount. b. a decreasing amount. c. a well-known amount. d. an immeasurable amount. 3. The concluding paragraph of this passage infers which of the following? . There is no definitive line between those animals with intelligence and those without. b. Animals are being given opportunities to display their intelligence. c. Research showing higher animal intelligence may fuel debate on ethics and cruelty. d. Animals are capable of untrained thought well beyond mere instinct. 4. According to the passage, which of the following is true about animals communicating through the use of human language? a. Parrots can imitate or repeat a sound. b. Dolphins click and whistle. c. Crows screech warnings to other crows. d.Chimpanzees and gorillas have been trained to use sign language or geometric shapes that stand for words. 5. In paragraph 3, what conclusion can be reached about the chimpanzee's ability to use a tool? a. It illustrates high intelligence because he is able to get his food and eat it. b. It illustrates instinct because he faced a difficult task and accomplished it. c. It illustrates high intelligence because he stored knowledge away and called it up at the right time. d. It illustrates high intelligence because termites are proteinpacked. 6. Which of the following is not a sign of animal intelligence? . shows insight b. cues c. uses tools d. makes a plan Passage 2 (1) Photosynthesis is the process that plants use to convert sunlight into the food that they need to survive and grow. Most plants create some form of sugar from the sunlight, and this sugar is used by the plant as its primary food source. (2) Plants actually need only three things to create this sugar: sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. The sunlight reacts with the plant's chlorophyll, a green chemical which is used to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar. (3) As a general rule, photosynthesis occurs in a plant's leaves.The leaf contains chlorophyll, which reacts when sunlight strikes the leaf. It is also the chlorophyll which gives the leaf its typical green color, since photosynthesis absorbs most light rays except green, which are reflected outwards. (4) The process of photosynthesis produces more than just sugar, however. One byproduct of the process is oxygen, which is â€Å"exhaled† by the plant into the atmosphere. In fact, plant photosynthesis is one of the primary sources of oxygen generation on our planet, making plant life essential to almost all living things on earth. 7.According to paragraph 4, which of the following is a byproduct of photosynthesis? a. green pigment b. water c. carbon dioxide d. oxygen 8. The underlined word essential, as used in paragraph 4, most nearly means a. necessary. b. optional. c. fragrant. d. growing. 9. The passage explains that photosynthesis is a. done in the plant stem. b. what makes plants edible. c. the way that plants feed themselves. d. the source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 10. According to the passage, why do plant leaves look green? a. Leaves are actually not green. b. Photosynthesis absorbs all colors except green. .Sugar is green. d. Photosynthesis requires green light to produce sugar. 11. After reading the passage, what can you conclude about photosynthesis? a. Chlorophyll is part of the ozone layer. b. Photosynthesis is the process that feeds a plant. c. Plants need oxygen to survive. d. The roots of a plant provide water. 12. After reading the passage, what can you infer about photosynthesis? a. Human life would not survive without plants. b. Chlorophyll tastes sweet. c. Sunlight has both good and bad effects on plants. d. Too much water can interfere with photosynthesis.Passage 3 1) Abraham Lincoln served as the 16th President of the United States, yet he never went to college. In fact, Lincoln had nearly no formal education whatsoever, attending schools for less than a year throughout his childhood. Yet this should not be construed to mean that Lincoln was ignorant or unlearned; on the contrary, he was one of the most well-read leaders of the time. The fact is that Abraham Lincoln educated himself by studying books of religion, philosophy, and literature, and he continued his voracious reading throughout his life. (2) A lack of public school education did not prevent Lincoln from becoming a great leader.He led the United States through four years of civil war, which threatened to divide the nation into two separate countries. He was a powerful opponent of slavery, and it was largely through his leadership that slavery was abolished in this country. (3) Lincoln's determination to educate himself through diligent reading also led to his reputation as a great orator—and even today his speeches are quoted and studied worldwide.He serves as an example of a great leader—and a great reader. His love of books and good literature enabled Abe Lincoln to rise to world renown. 3. What is the main idea of this passage? a. Abe Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. b. Abe Lincoln demonstrated the value of reading. c. Abe Lincoln was a Republican. d. Abe Lincoln freed the slaves. 14. Lincoln accomplished all of the following EXCEPT a. preventing the United States from being divided. b. ending slavery. c. becoming a great leader. d. establishing the Lincoln Memorial. 15. A voracious reader is a. likely to become President. b. a person who makes reading a regular habit. c. someone who never went to s chool. d. probably poor. 16.The underlined word construed, as used in paragraph 1, most nearly means a. tormented. b. taken apart. c. unscrewed. d. interpreted. 17. According to the passage, what lesson can be learned from the life of Abraham Lincoln? a. Education is not important. b. All books are worth reading. c. Good reading habits can help a person do great things. d. Politicians are always good role models. 18. How does Lincoln still affect students today? a. His face is on money. b. His speeches are still quoted and studied today. c. People grow beards to look like him. d. Students quit school in hopes of becoming president.

Malcolm Xs essays

Malcolm X's essays Malcolm X's speech "The Ballot or The Bullet" was given out as a sermon. A lot of people who heard him speak would say otherwise though. He spoke as if he were right in the room beside you, addressing you in particular, even though there were hundreds, sometimes thousands, that would come to hear himspeak. According to the book; however, Malcolm X's speech did not fit to the true mode of a sermon. Malcolm X was was not a typical preacher, so his speeches could not really be interperted as sermons in the true literal form. In some ways, there are points that would go under the category of a sermon. But there are other points that would not be conisdered to fit the fromat of a The book gives out 5 specific parts of a definitive sermon. find quote There is 1) a disclaimer, which clears the preacher from taking responsibility for the sermon by saying it is from the mouth of God, 2) a theme, which is a statement about life as drawn out from specific Bible readings, 3) the literal body of the sermon, and 5) the closing statement, usually an open-ended conclusion leading to the next part of the church service, being the sermon for next week. Malcolm X's speech "The Ballot or The Bullet" does not follow The way Malcolm X delivered himself towards the end of his life lead me to believe that none of his later speeches could really be called a "true" sermon. Most of his material did not really focus on God, especially after his founding of the Black Nationalists. This point further discredits any of his speeches from being actual sremons. I personlaay think that these speeches are not sermons but inspirational talks that incite and motivate people more than inform them about God. God is a very important component of a sermon, and without that, a speech cannot really be recognized as a ...

San Francisco State University Student Union essays

San Francisco State University Student Union essays San Francisco State University Student Union Since the beginning of human history, people have hallowed out of their immediate surroundings an environment increasingly more pleasure, more efficient, and more beneficial to their existence. Interior design was uppermost in the human mind from the earliest years, and it reflecting social, political, and artistic growth. Back in the ancient time, people started to take into account proxemics, it is the nature of the interior space, our relationship to it, and our relationship to the people who share with us. The Student Union of San Francisco States University is considered a contemporary building, and it should provide comfortable lounge areas for rest, relaxation, conversation, or studying, but in reality it is not satisfy students needs for safety, comfort and privacy. The Students Union had been there for many decades, and it would be more convenience, secure and comfort for all the students if we make changes in floor plan and its structure. Because, from my point of view, the building is not safe and comfortable, I would change the exterior and interior of the Student Union into a new building that would accommodate all students needs and make them feel comfortable when they are in it. I would change the exterior of the building because the building itself has all the straight lines that make the building look very masculine and clumsy. I would be more beautiful if I change all the walls to circular walls to make the building looks more spherical and feminine. In addition, the pyramid on the top of the building is very odd, and I would like to remove it from the structure of the building, and replace with a semicircular roof. I would remove all the stairs outside of the building and placing several sculptures around. The wall from the main entrance of the Bookstore, I will change it to a glass tile walls. I would replace all the windows to cl...

Scholarship Application Essay Writing

Scholarship Application Essay Writing Scholarship Application Essay Writing Scholarship Application Essay Writing: Secrets Scholarship application essay is one of the most exciting and one of the most difficult assignments to cope with at one and the same time. You have already struggled with your college admission essay and probably remember how it was difficult, panic striking, and brainstorming to write it. Now you are a student, our congratulations to you. That is why it is high time to think about getting scholarship for your study. The price for education is too high nowadays, and far not everyone is able to cover it. If you want to help yourself and your family to cover at least the expenses of your study, you can do nothing but win your college scholarship. Scholarship Application Essay Writing Pieces of Advice To receive the scholarship, you have to write scholarship application essay; this is not a secret: However, the question arises: how is it possible to write the successful scholarship application essays in order to win the scholarship? At this point, there are several secrets of the successful scholarship application essay writing and we are going to share them with you. The first secret is to look through several successful scholarship application essays in order you could understand what you have to write, which style you have to use, and how you have to advertise yourself in order to get your scholarship. The second secret is to spend a little time thinking before starting your scholarship application essay. You have to think over all the details you are going to write in your scholarship application essay in order to receive logically connected and coherent text. The third secret lies in the content of your scholarship application essay. Remember that the aim of your scholarship application essay is to get the scholarship. That is why you have to demonstrate all your strengths and to persuade the committee to award you with it. That is why you have to make them liking you and taking care of you. Final Tip: Use Custom Writing Service! The last but not the least secret in writing your successful scholarship application essay is to use custom essay writing service. With the help of our custom essay writing service, you will receive the professional consultation on the subject how to write the successful scholarship application essay. You can also order your scholarship application essay within the convenience of our site if you are not sure whether you can cope with such a task. Moreover, if you feel like writing scholarship application essays on your own, you can appeal to our site to edit your scholarship application essay. Read more: Editing Paper Term Term Paper Editing Free Literature Review Full Text Process Analysis Case Study Problem and Solution Essay

Medieval History of Ireland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Medieval History of Ireland - Essay Example "For the medievalists, the greatest challenge is posed by the events the events which, so it is maintained by academics and lay people alike, have influenced Irish history substantially for more than seven centuries until the present time. At stake is the significance of the year 1169, the so-called Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland and its impact on Irish society, in other words, the interpretation of medieval Irish history." (Richter) Therefore, it has been maintained by academics and lay-people alike that Christian belief, Norman invasions, and colonization have had important influence upon the medieval Irish identity. In a reflective analysis of the medieval history of Ireland, it becomes lucid that the country was greatly affected by continuous invasions from the various nations of Europe and the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland which started in 1167 was the most important invasion during the middle age. The expedition of Cambro-Norman knights started in 1169 was motivated by the renewed Norman expansion during the period. Significantly, the Norman invasion of Ireland was formally inaugurated by the landing of a Norman military force in the land at the request of Dermot MacMurrough. The Norman invasion of Ireland, consisting of a huge force of Normans, Welsh, and Flemish, changed the socio-cultural spectrum of the nation. The influence of the Norman invasion of Ireland on the medieval Irish identity is evident and it has been maintained by several scholars. "With the Norman invasion, Ireland could be said to have 'joined the club'. This implies not only that she shared the experience of many oth er countries in Europe and the Middle East who were peacefully infiltrated or militarily conquered by Normans between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, including of course England, Scotland, and Wales, but also that she entered a world of shared ideology, custom, law, and culture which gave most of western Europe in the high Middle Ages a sense of community, inaccurately expressed from time to time as the unity of Christendom under the pope, or the alliance of feudal kingdoms led by the Holy Roman Emperor." (Simms, 53) Therefore, it is essential to realize that the Norman invasion influenced the ideology, custom, law, social life, and culture of Ireland and the impact of the Norman invasion upon the medieval Irish identity cannot be questioned. Along with the Norman invasion, the introduction of the Christian belief and colonization of the following period influenced the medieval Irish identity considerably. Significantly, the colonization of Ireland ensured the expansion of the Anglo-French colony in Ireland and the colonial period, in turn, influenced the cultural aspects of the people of Ireland in the medieval period. Another major element of the continuous invasion of the land and the colonization of the country by the foreign rulers has been the introduction of Christian belief in the country, and this Christian belief influenced the socio-cultural aspects of the country in the medieval period. "By the early thirteenth century the church in Ireland was thus organized much as it was elsewhere in Western Europe. There were of course some survivals from the older order But on the whole these survivals were unimportant There is, indeed, much evidence to show that at this period Norman

SARS Treatment Methods Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

SARS Treatment Methods - Research Paper Example Since SARS is almost impossible to extinguish from the face of the planet Earth, the fear of this disease has existed since it first appeared among the populations in 2003, making it a powerful weapon against the fearful populations that never truly goes away. The primary source comes from the American Medical Association (AMA). AMA collects data on disease outbreaks, as well as research and activism related to health (AMAa). Its mission and guiding principles focus on the belief that a corporate association can promote ethical approaches to patients, further innovations in the field, and set standards for other physicians and medical students, among other things (AMAb). It also acts as support to physicians on legal issues by providing information on antitrust laws and physician payment filing (AMAc). The AMA website contains 64 different sources on the word â€Å"SARS† (AMAd). Resources range from definitions of the disease, to clinician infections and health system preparedness (AMAd). Information through articles is provided on international SARS outbreaks as well (AMAd). AMA provides links to other organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). AMA also focuses on other infectious diseases. Besides SARS, AMA also provides information on â€Å"tuberculosis, influenza, viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, bloodborne and foodborne pathogens †¦ allergies, meningitis and many others† (AMAe). Information provided comes in form of â€Å"extensive reports, fact sheets, toolkits and links to then latest research† (AMAe). ... 2003 Detection and Responses to SARS In November 2002, SARS contagions began in Foshan City (Kaufman 53 - 54). This city is located in the South of China, where large numbers of pigs and chickens live in close proximity to humans (Kaufman 54). Thus, this area is known for virus mutations and disease outbreaks among humans (Kaufman 54). Symptoms of SARS are similar to flu. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms start with an increased bodily temperature above 38 Celsius degrees (1). Other symptoms might follow: bone ache, headache, and feeling of discomfort, diarrhea, dry cough and finally, pneumonia (CDC 1). However, China, unlike other countries, attempted to hide SARS outbreaks. As the outbreaks set in, the Chinese government covered them up, thus allowing the infected to travel abroad and infect more persons (Kaufman 54). As a result, the contagion became global, instead of being only isolated to a few areas in China. By January 2003, when autho rities were secretly notified, disease had spread across the entire region. However, the public was still kept unaware (Kaufman 54). According to Kaufman, the justification for secrecy lies in the fact that pneumonia was not required to be reported to the public (54). WHO acted a few months later. According to Bloom, one of the top WHO infectious disease specialists was infected by SARS in March of 2003 in Hanoi (701). The specialist died. Rumors spread about additional contagions in China (Bloom 701). Once WHO was alerted by a health computer logarithm, on February 11 the Chinese authorities reported the epidemic (Kaufman 55). It was in April that WHO was allowed to access the area (Kaufman

Managemant Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managemant - Movie Review Example In retrospect, the financial crisis was the result of a financial bubble in which assets, such as stocks, bonds, homes, financial instruments, and anything of economic value, acquire an inflated market price in relation to their actual, or intrinsic value. In other words, this crisis was the result of speculation, lack of government regulation, absence of any foresight on the part of financial regulators (such as the Federal Reserve Bank, Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and ultimately, the financial industry to self-regulate), and the greed of investors to throw caution to the winds and take big, irrational risks. The film was produced and directed by Charles H. Ferguson which made extensive research into the causes of the worst financial crisis this generation has seen, narrated by actor Matt Damon, and co-edited by Chad Beck and Adam Bolt. In hindsight, the cause of the crisis originated several administrations back, to the presidency of Bill Clinton, when the banking regulation that mandated separation of banking and investing functions of banks got scrapped, which in effect created a moral hazard, in which the financial industry took huge risks. The elimination of the separation of banking and investment created a frenzy to make big profits out of new financial instruments called derivatives, such as collateralized debt obligations (CDO) and its twin, the credit default swaps (CDS). Further, investment bankers did not want their industry to be subjected to oversight and regulation, arguing that this goes against the spirit of enterprise, capitalism, and free markets. The bankers specifically refused to agree to put limits on their leveraging activities, which created a financial house of cards to maximize their profits with only a small capital needed to finance large transactions. The financial crisis which started in 2008 ironically produced

Resistance and containment as described in the song The Revolution Essay

Resistance and containment as described in the song The Revolution Will Not be Televised - Essay Example Scott-Heron underlines that a controlled or structured media can never demonstrate the waves of social, political and cultural changes of a nation. The entire song reveals the idea that The Black revolution would be down in the grooves and on the lanes. The whites always regarded the blacks as downtrodden and denied them the necessities of life. Though most of the black leaders had protested against this injustice, they were either silenced by jails or bullets. Blacks used Popular Music as the manifestation of their suppressed feelings and Scott- Heron’s song ‘The Revolution Will Not be Televised’ deserves significance in this respect. Through this widely accepted song, Scott-Heron could rouse the innate feelings of the blacks and the very first stanza of the song makes this grim reality vivid. Readers get a clear picture of the social set up existed with many ‘don’ts’ at the time of the composition of this song. As the blacks ‘will not b e able to’ perform what they desired, they realise the reality that their revolution for attaining racial equality will remain as an oasis. Any one can feel a note of sadness and can experience the dejected state of mind of the blacks in the song; on the other hand, the song has also the power to raise one’s thoughts to a higher level of aesthetic appreciation. As a spokesman of black community, Scott-Heron, like other black writers, portrays the ill-treatment they suffer at the hands of the dominant white community. The very first line of the song grabs one’s attention as one can see the pathetic state of blacks being denied of their own houses. However, there is a struggle to endure the sufferings and by portraying the endurance of the blacks, Scott-Heron in a way is advocating that liberation is constantly countered by implicit (and explicit) forms of oppression that are not always immediately identifiable (Jackson). Scott-Heron uses a lot

The Department of Corrections Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Department of Corrections - Assignment Example This disparity could be attributed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2012 that ruled out US states from expanding Medicaid eligibility, which has led to a significant drop in the number of states adopting the Medicaid expansion. Moreover, even after the Federal Government gave consent to pay 100% Medicaid expansion costs for the initial three years and 90% thereafter, just 26 of the US’s 50 states have preferred to expand Medicaid (Rice et al, 2014). Such reluctance has left almost half of the eligible US residents with no Medicaid coverage. Another evident challenge is the increase in Medicare expenditure, 3 years after the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enactment. A few months after the inauguration of the 2010 ACA Act, expenditure indicated low levels perhaps due to Medicare payment cuts, reduced hospital readmission and growth of responsible care centers. However, there has been a rebound in the Medical Department expenditures due to the introduction of blockbuster drugs; thus, continually resulting in high spending. Similarly, it is increasingly becoming difficult to control costs as physicians and hospitals merge to augment their market in negotiations with major insurers (Rice et al, 2014). That notwithstanding, strong, and resolute opposition that has always come against major Medicare policies and plans in the US poses a lot of challenges. For instance, immediately after the ACA came into effect, opposition from Republican Party within the House of Representatives, voted persistently for the Act’s abolishment over 40 times. Consequently, out of 1507 national representative polled in 2014, only 37% were for the ACA whereas 53% were against it (Rice et al., 2014). Thus, this lack of political will has led to many residents being against Medicare proposals. Apparently the background of the challenges facing the Medicare department in the US is due to a series of poor plans and policies that

Resistance and containment as described in the song The Revolution Essay

Resistance and containment as described in the song The Revolution Will Not be Televised - Essay Example Scott-Heron underlines that a controlled or structured media can never demonstrate the waves of social, political and cultural changes of a nation. The entire song reveals the idea that The Black revolution would be down in the grooves and on the lanes. The whites always regarded the blacks as downtrodden and denied them the necessities of life. Though most of the black leaders had protested against this injustice, they were either silenced by jails or bullets. Blacks used Popular Music as the manifestation of their suppressed feelings and Scott- Heron’s song ‘The Revolution Will Not be Televised’ deserves significance in this respect. Through this widely accepted song, Scott-Heron could rouse the innate feelings of the blacks and the very first stanza of the song makes this grim reality vivid. Readers get a clear picture of the social set up existed with many ‘don’ts’ at the time of the composition of this song. As the blacks ‘will not b e able to’ perform what they desired, they realise the reality that their revolution for attaining racial equality will remain as an oasis. Any one can feel a note of sadness and can experience the dejected state of mind of the blacks in the song; on the other hand, the song has also the power to raise one’s thoughts to a higher level of aesthetic appreciation. As a spokesman of black community, Scott-Heron, like other black writers, portrays the ill-treatment they suffer at the hands of the dominant white community. The very first line of the song grabs one’s attention as one can see the pathetic state of blacks being denied of their own houses. However, there is a struggle to endure the sufferings and by portraying the endurance of the blacks, Scott-Heron in a way is advocating that liberation is constantly countered by implicit (and explicit) forms of oppression that are not always immediately identifiable (Jackson). Scott-Heron uses a lot

Monetary policy&fiscal policy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Monetary policy&fiscal policy - Assignment Example the high unemployment levels despite the improvement in the labor market, and other cases such as high investment in business and household spending as well as low inflation levels. He then concluded with an admission of that things are improving though not at a fast rate. To the question of whether Fed’s statement had a relationship to government shutdown, Jim stated that what the statement meant was simply that fiscal policy has a role in restraining the economic growth. He stated that government uncertainties such as the one in it’s spending and budget have caused the picture of the economy to remain unclear. To the question of whether the statement answered of when the federal reserve might decide to ease up on measures of stimulating growth, Jim answered that it did not and stated that there has been existence of fear in financial market, many thinking that Fed would lower its bond buying over the summer which did not happen (NPR Para 8). Money supply is constant and therefore the supply curve is a vertical line. Money demand curve on the other hand is negatively sloping. In case of low interest rates, people save less and hold more money. This result to high quantity of money held. Announcement made from the white house stated that there would be rebates on household tax and cuts on business tax implying $6000 on individual and a doubled amount for couples jointly filing their taxes. Additional $300 per child would apply to families with children. The compromise did not offer satisfaction for either sides and this was brought up in a house meeting held. President Bush defended the package as containing the right policies to increase consumer spending and business investments and that it recognized tax reduction as a way of helping businesses and consumers. The rebates would be applicable to 117 million people in America and would consider those who earn less as well as those who earn more and cut offs would benefit businesses that took new

The Internet and assurance services Essay Example for Free

The Internet and assurance services Essay 1. 0 Introduction The Internet is the greatest business tool ever invented. Merchant, trading partners and Online retail shoppers can find greater selection, convenience, and lower prices on the Internet. Online businesses can reach millions of shoppers and business partners, provide 24 hours seven days a week of products and services, and better meet their customers individual needs. For these reasons, E-Commerce over the Internet has been growing. According to ActivMedia, e-commerce activity for 2000 will be $132 billion worldwide, which is twice as much as estimated for 1999. This figure includes revenues from B2C, B2B and Internet services. According to a study by eMarketer in April 2000, almost 34 million US households were actively using the Internet, and of that number 23. 5 million or 69% have made a purchase. (http://www. cpawebtrust. org/online. htm) However, despite the Internets many advantages and opportunities, it also raises some new risks for businesses and has some customers worried. The risks are fraud, poor sales conversion rates, detrimental effects of negative PR due to privacy breaches and security problems. A recent study by the Internet Fraud Complaint Centre (IFCC) showed that online auctions accounted for 48. 8% of fraud complaints. Non-delivery of goods ordered online came in second, at 19. 2%. Other top fraud complaints to the centre involved: securities and commodities (16. 9%), credit cards (4. 8%) and identity theft (2. 9%). The IFCC, which is jointly run by the FBI and the Justice Departments National White Collar Crime Centre, received an average of 1,000 complaints per week after opening in May 2000. (http://www. cpawebtrust. org/online. htm) In order to reduce risks, many technological solutions have been developed such as Firewalls, encryption, and digital signatures, etc. Despite these available solutions, most of Internet users still lack confidence in the medium. Therefore, third-party assurance service is needed to ensure secure transaction. 2. 0 The Third-Party Role of Assurance Service According to AICPA, Assurance Services are defined as independent professional services that improve the quality or context of information for decision-makers. Assurance services might involve any type of information. The goal of assurance services is information improvement, not the issuance of a report on it. (http://www. aicpa. org/assurance/about/comstud/defncom. htm) More in detail, AICPA has been categorised its assurance service into two areas. Those are integrity assurance systems and security assurance systems. According to the textbook (Greenstein, et. al. 2000), integrity assurance systems ensure that the data elements captured in an electronic transaction are the agreed upon elements, and the processing and storage procedures maintain the integrity of the data elements and do not alter them in any unauthorised fashion. Security assurance system ensures the authentication of the transacting parties, and that electronic data are protected from unauthorised disclosure. There are four areas that assurance service provider has to concern. Those are:   Security of data   Privacy of data   Business policy Transaction processing integrity Above categories are the most important area that the assurance service provider has to satisfy. And those will be applied to analyse travel. com. au. 3. 0 Difference and Similarity between B2B andB2C The web has evolved as a great medium for running business. Traditional B2B transaction used EDI, phone and fax for transaction. Also, B2C was just relied on bricks and mortar outlet. However, evolution of technology enables business entity to expand its business to new area, and provides more opportunities. Despite of Internets advantages for business entity, the risk has been arisen along with development of technology. According to recent survey of Computer Security Institute and the FBI, not surprisingly, computer-related crimes are up, as are the costs related to such crimes. This year, the survey included results from 538 respondents from a number of industries corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, and universities. This year, total losses, based on the 186 respondents willing to provide details on actual losses, totalled approximately US$378 million. Thats up from the US$265 million reported last year by 249 respondents. Based on this data, on average, each of the 186 companies lost more than US$2 million dollars in security breaches. (http://www. advisor. com/Articles. nsf/aid/HARTB15) In this section, similarity and differences existing between two models will be analysed. Based on the result of analysis, our assurance team provides desirable solution for B2B and B2C transaction B2C Perspective B2C is relationship is considered very vulnerable, because the party involved in transaction or interactions have no prior knowledge, they are completely strangers. Many risks involve during B2C transaction such as transmission of sensitive data (ie credit card number). In B2C e-commerce, the customers are the general public. Therefore, its transaction can be easily exposed. It is the one reason that consumers reluctant to shop over the Online. To decrease the risk and increase positive consumer perception, most of e-tailers employ security system, and state their privacy and security policy in its Web site. B2B Perspective B2B are interacting in more secure environment with respect to assurance of the electronic business environment. The nature of B2B e-commerce is that operator just interact with its business customer. Thus, the main concern for B2B is lying in their intellectual property. Many of the intellectual property are stored online in intangible form. Also many confidential information and trade secret is transmitted online. The reason they are safer is because B2B transactions are conducted usually through companies that have an existing relationship with each other or trading contractual agreements. So it can be said that they have mutual relationship. These existing relationships have evolved from the days of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) to the fully functioning web sites on the World Wide Web or on company extranets. Due to evolution, the transaction has been completed within VAN (Value-Added Networks). Although, the evolution enable business entity to interact with its partner more efficient, the risk related in transaction has been increased.

Demonstrating Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Nursing

Demonstrating Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Nursing Analytical summary of portfolio to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes This essay is primarily aimed at analytically reviewing the portfolio that I have assimilated in the recent past. It effectively is a record of a number of key episodes in my student career. The portfolio itself documents a number of different aspects of events in my practice whereas this essay sets out to take an overview of the aims, goals and achievements that have been set and the degree to which they have been achieved. (Green J et al. 1998) The portfolio opens with a statement of intent as far as the original preparation was concerned. Although I have addressed the issues of professional requirement I have also approached the project form the viewpoint of my own personal benefit. I appreciate that this tool gives me the ability (amongst other things) to review my professional development and to document my evolution through my time as a student nurse. During its preparation I have therefore always kept in the forefront of my mind the eight learning goals enumerated in this statement. Reflections on academic and clinical experiences Continuing professional development and lifelong learning Decisions about the quality of my work Effective critical thinking Reflection on professional growth Empowerment to take responsibility for my own learning Development towards being a critical, reflective practitioner Document achievements (Pearce, R 2003). In terms of an analytical assessment of this portfolio, one should consider the work of Knowles and others in the field of adult education (Knowles, M. 1984 a ). Knowles’ theory of andragogy highlights the necessity for the adult student to appreciate the need to know something and the fact that adult students learn most effectively through experience and adaptation (Knowles, M. 1984 b ). Although not explicitly expounded by Knowles, the adaptive process is helped to a considerable degree by the process of reflection. As such my experiences have been recorded in a series of case studies and other investigations, and the process of adaptation has been illustrated through the mechanism of reflective practice. (Palmer in Bulpitt Martin 2005) The move towards evidence based practice has been one of the most noticeable aspects of the various changes in emphasis in practice in most areas of medically related work in recent years. (Berwick D 2005). I have been at pains to consider the evidence base which supports the various areas that I have either worked in or examined. To illustrate this point, let us consider the section presented on the subject of moral reasoning and health care law. This chapter examined a wide spectrum of ethical issues and associated moral dilemmas. Ethics is an area which in some respects is universal but in others is determined by local issues which include environment, culture and belief systems. (Kuhse Singer 2001) The evidence base for the various views expressed is presented and documented. An analytical assessment of this piece would have to include the fact that it only covers a small area of the whole potential issue. There is no apology for this, as the whole area of ethics is vast and the literature on the subject is extensive. It was not considered appropriate to do more than present an overview of one area. But the elements of this area are covered and presented with the important guiding principles that form the evidence base being set out, such as Bolam and the professional guidelines together with specific examples such as the precedent of the Charlotte Wyatt case. The evidence base element is also demonstrated in the clinical spectrum and I can cite the case study on Mrs Y (an MRSA infection case), as an example which not only allowed me to examine the issues of evidence (citing Pennington) but also to reflect and learn from the experience. (Taylor, E. 2000). It is always possible to criticise writing as not being totally inclusive of all of the available evidence and clearly such a criticism could be levelled at my work. In defence, I would suggest that much of the private reading and research that I have done that has helped to inform me in my professional life does not appear in the portfolio on grounds of expediency. In addition one is aware that the evidence base is constantly changing as new work is published and assimilated into the pool of accepted medical knowledge. (Sackett, 1996). In the case study that I presented relating to Angela, the evidence base played a large part in both the study, the learning experience derived from it and also the actual presentation of the evidence. I suggest that it is obvious that I clearly spent a great deal of time researching the various elements of the case and presenting them in an authoritative and evidence based fashion. I believe that this gives the work a greater credibility and also a greater learning potential for myself. (Holland K et al. 2003) Reflection is a large element in this portfolio. I make no apology for this as I have found reflective practice to be an invaluable learning tool and as can be seen in the substance of the portfolio I have used it extensively. It should be noted that although I have recorded a number of instances of reflective practice using the Gibbs model, (Gibbs, G 1988) it is a technique that I frequently use in my daily practice. Stockhausen, (L. 1994) makes a differentiation between reflection on practice and reflection in practice. I think that his analysis is both valid and relevant. Reflection on practice is a retrospective process that encompasses those processes that allow reflection at a stage after the event, and allow for modification in processing and response mechanisms to be employed when a similar situation is encountered for a second time. Reflection in practice refers to a dynamic process that occurs at the time of an action or intervention and is a shorter and more truncated process than the previously cited example. It is accepted however, that such a shorter process may not have the intellectual validity of a more protracted process. I have used both mechanisms both in the portfolio and also in my daily practice the case study of Angela demonstrates my ability to reflect on practice and the case study (year 1 chapter 3) shows that I am also quite able to use reflection in practice. As such I think that the portfolio is representative of my abilities in a clinical situation. I note that I frequently return to the concept of self assertiveness in my analysis of a situation. This is an area which is difficult to promote as a student nurse as one is hampered by both inexperience and lack of seniority. As I have progressed through my training, I feel that the process of reflection has helped me to identify situations where I can usefully be more self assertive, either to put forward my own point of view based on my own knowledge and beliefs, or to act as the patient’s advocate in situations where I believe that the patient’s best interests may not have been fully considered. (Koole S. L. et al. 19990 This element of self assertiveness has another and more profound implication. There is an implied responsibility incumbent on all healthcare professionals to disseminate and knowledge or experience that they may have to their professional colleagues. The element of learning and teaching comes within this remit. (Yura H et al. 1998). I fully recognise that, as a student, I have not been in a position to consider the possibility of teaching, as my own knowledge base has been dependent, at least in part, on the benevolence and knowledge of others. I am aware however, that as my own knowledge base has increased, I have been better placed to offer opinions and to add specialist knowledge into situations that are appropriate. I believe that this aspect of my training and development has also bee clearly demonstrated in the portfolio. For example, I can cite the section on basic life support that is presented in the portfolio. Having completed this element of the course, I now feel empowered to pass this specific knowledge on in areas where I encounter people (both patients, carers or other professionals) who may not have this type of specific knowledge at their fingertips. (Fawcett J 2005) I have little doubt that, as my professional knowledge increases, I shall be able to assume this role in a greater variety of areas and help to play my part in the future education of both patients and aspiring professionals. A large proportion of the portfolio documents my assessment of the impact of policy on the current mechanisms of health care delivery. The entry relating to equality in the health management of minority groups could be considered typical in this regard with a review of the issues of the Care Standards Act (CSA 2000) and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA 1995). This particular case study was a major learning experience for me as it was by doing this analysis that I became more professionally aware of the possibilities for overt and covert discrimination both in terms of sexuality and disability and the need to be fully aware of these possibilities and to take positive steps to ensure that they do not colour my professional activities. There is a great deal of literature on the subject of discrimination in its widest applications and a critical analysis of my work could reasonably conclude that such a large area is underrepresented in the overall portfolio. This particular critici sm could clearly be levelled at virtually any work in this area and I am aware that I have had to make a judgement in this (and many other areas) where the line of balance between presenting all of the arguments both in favour and against a particular topic, can be drawn in the interests of both expediency and practicality. It would have to be conceded that even it the portfolio were 100 times as long as it is, it could not reasonably be expected to cover all of the arguments in the area. A sensible overview has had to be taken and I would suggest that the finished article is the product of these two opposing considerations. Some elements of the portfolio are specific and detailed case studies. I again refer to the case study of Angela, a 58 yr old lady with anal cancer. I cite this is being particularly informative for me as it not only is a demonstration of my research into the many issues that were impinging on this case but also in my ability to follow Angela through her illness trajectory (Newell et al. 1992) and I was able to reflect at length on the issues that she faced as her diagnosis was faced and the treatment. The major learning issue here, which is probably applicable to virtually all areas of professional work, is that effective communication is one the most important skills that the professional nurse can acquire. Effective communication can help to deal with some of the elements of the sequelae that can arise in this situation such as depression as well as the more positive aspects such as empowerment and education of the patient. (Mason T et al. 2003). This particular case study also highlights the need to assess and assimilate the social (and other) elements of the patient’s case. The reductionist school would have us regard the patient as a set of symptoms and nursing problems to solve. Although reductionism can be a useful analytical tool to assess the most appropriate forms of treatment, it can be criticised for removing the human angle from the professional assessment of the patient. (Jacobs, B B 2001) I have always been a staunch advocate of the holistic approach to patient care and reductionism is diametrically opposed to this viewpoint. (Thompson C 1999) I believe this is demonstrated in my presentation of the socio-economic situation as it pertains to Angela. The consideration that her mother lives alone and has a Yorkie dog to contend with is all part of the overall spectrum of consideration for Angela, as her hospitalisation will effectively impair her mother’s ability to both survive independently and also to care for her dog. These are vital and important elements in a patient’s care and should realistically be incorporated into the decision making process that evolves from the patient management considerations. (Hewison, A. 2004). I hope that this particular essay demonstrates my ability to pursue a logical and rational approach to decision making based on a strong evidence base and a holistic care plan. In terms of my own professional development, this portfolio represents a number of â€Å"snapshots† in my trajectory through the undergraduate course. It has helped to focus my attention on a number of specific issues, some were specified by the tutors and some were self determined. It is a feature of adult education that learning in one area often opens up possibilities for research and interest in other related areas.(Merriam S B 2001) I have certainly found this to be true, as my reading on one issue will frequently be punctuated with explorations into other areas that may be related. This may not necessarily feature in the portfolio itself, but will inevitably add to the knowledge base that I have accumulated throughout my undergraduate career. This comment is not intended to be viewed as a weakness but is presented as a strength. It has to be said that the portfolio does not fully reflect the professional development that I have been able to achieve and is not intended to do so. It should be more critically seen as a record of the stages of my development and some of the areas that have been actively explored. I am aware that it is in the nature of a professional career in nursing that every interaction with patients and staff brings the possibility of new learning experiences. (Hogston, R et al. 2002). It is my hope and belief that this portfolio illustrates the fact that I have taken advantage of these possibilities as they have presented themselves to me. I believe that I have grown in professional stature and competence as a direct result of having had the experience of completing it. In viewing the work there are a number of areas in which the portfolio could be considered deficient. The very act or recording and writing is itself a trophic and dynamic process (Meleis A. 1991) and thereby records a process of evolution from my early days as a nursing student to the present. It can be therefore seen that some of the earlier entries lack the degree of maturity and knowledge that the later entries clearly have. I do not believe that this is actually a deficiency as, to a large extent, this documentation of process is one of the major functions of the portfolio. I believe that I learned a great deal relating to the processes of effective reading, efficient research and informative presentation during this process which I believe are just some of the less well publicised attributes of the modern nurse every bit as much as the clinical skills and knowledge that is perhaps more generally accepted as a core requirement. (Clarke J E et al. 1997). It would appear to me that a critical assessment of the portfolio would also have to include the realisation that some of the earlier elements are clearly not as sophisticated nor perhaps as informatively written as the later ones for this very reason. The very fact that I have been able to take a critical overview in this particular essay, to a large degree, underlines the point that I would not have been able to write an essay of this nature when I started on my undergraduate career but I feel that I have now been enabled to assimilate sufficient knowledge to reflect critically on the learning process and to comment on it. With the benefit of hindsight, I feel that if I had appreciated the importance of the evidence base in discussions at an earlier stage in my education, I believe that I would have placed a greater emphasis on it in my earlier writing. As I have observed earlier however, it is this learning evolution coloured by experience which is perhaps one of the greatest benefits that can be both seen in and derived from a portfolio such as this. It is the act of research, reading and then the committing of analytical concepts to paper, which is a fundamental learning stimulus of the adult student. Looking forward, I believe that the experiences that I have derived from compiling this portfolio will stand me in good stead for my future professional career, not only in terms of the factual knowledge that it contains but also the conceptual methodologies that it represents and that I have now been able to experience, evolve and put into practice. (Kazdin A E 1998). I now more fully appreciate the need for critical analysis and evidence based practice particularly if I wish to enhance my professional status by imparting good practice and knowledge onto other colleagues in due course. References Berwick D 2005 Broadening the view of evidence-based medicine Qual. Saf. Health Care, Oct 2005 ; 14 : 315 316. Clarke J E Copcutt L 1997  Management for nurses and Healthcare Professionals.  Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 1997 CSA 2000  Care Standards Act. (2000).  Government White Paper  HMSO : London 2000 DDA 1995  Disability Discrimination Act. (1995).  Government White Paper HMSO : London 1995   Fawcett J 2005  Contemporary Nursing Knowledge: Analysis and Evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories, 2nd Edition  Boston: Davis Co 2005 ISBN : 0-8036-1194-3 Gibbs, G 1988  Learning by doing: A guide to Teaching and Learning methods EMU Oxford Brookes University, Oxford. 1988 Gilbert T 1995  Nursing : Empowerment and the problem of power  Journal of Advanced Nursing 21 (5) : 865-871 Green J, Britten N. 1998  Qualitative research and evidence based medicine.  BMJ 1998 ; 316 : 1230-1233 Hewison, A. 2004  Management for Nurses and Health Professionals: Theory into practice. Blackwell Science: Oxford. 2004 Hogston, R. Simpson, P. M. 2002  Foundations in nursing practice 2nd Edition,  London: Palgrave Macmillian. 2002 Holland K, Jenkins, J Solomon J, Whittam S 2003  Applying the Roper-Logan-Tierney Model in Practice Churchill Livingstone 2003 ISBN 0443071578 Jacobs, B B 2001  Respect for Human Dignity: A Central Phenomenon to Philosophically Unite Nursing Theory and Practice through Consilience of Knowledge. Nursing Models of Care  Advances in Nursing Science. 24 (1) : 17-35, September 2001 Kazdin A E 1998  History of Behaviour Modification: Experimental foundations of contemporary research.  Baltimore: University Park Press. 1998   Knowles, M. 1984 a .  The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species (3rd Ed.).  Houston, TX: Gulf Publishing.   Knowles, M. 1984 b .  Andragogy in Action.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass 1984 Koole S. L. ; Smeets K. ; Van Knippenberg A. ; Dijksterhuis A 1999  The cessation of rumination through self-affirmation  Journal of personality and social psychology (J. pers. soc. psychol.) ISSN 0022-3514 Kuhse Singer 2001  A companion to bioethics  ISBN : 063123019X Pub Date 05 July 2001 Mason T and Whitehead E 2003  Thinking Nursing.  Open University. Maidenhead. 2003 Meleis A. 1991  Theoretical thinking: development and progress. 2nd edition.  Philadelphia : Lippincott Company, 1991. Merriam S B 2001  Andragogy and Self-Directed Learning: Pillars of Adult Learning Theory  New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education Vol 2001 Issue 89 Ppg 3-14 Newell and Simon. 1992  Human Problem Solving.  Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs: 1992. Palmer 2005  in Learning about reflection from the student Bulpitt and Martin Active Learning in  Higher Education.2005 ; 6 : 207-217. Pearce, R 2003.  Profiles and Portfolios of Evidence.  Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes 2003 Sackett, 1996.  Doing the Right Thing Right: Is Evidence-Based Medicine the Answer?  Ann Intern Med, Jul 1996 ; 127 : 91 94. Stockhausen, L. 1994  The Clinical Learning Spiral: A Model to develop Reflective Practitioners.  Nurse Education Today 14, 63371. 1994 Taylor, E. 2000.  Building upon the theoretical debate: A critical review of the empirical studies of Mezirow’s transformative learning theory.  Adult Education Quarterly, 48 (1) , 34-59. Thompson C 1999  A conceptual treadmill : the need for middle ground in clinical decision making theory in nursing  Journal of Advanced Nursing Volume 30 Page 1222 November 1999 Yura H, Walsh M. 1998  The nursing process. Assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating. 5th edition. Norwalk, CT: Appleton Lange, 1998. ############################################################### 3.7.06 PDG Word count 3,549

Dancing to a Different Tune: Autism :: Personal Narrative Writing

Dancing to a Different Tune: Autism I’m sitting in Mrs. Morton’s kindergarten class at 9:37 watching her dark tan leather shoes move back and forth as she recites the alphabet. Unconsciously avoiding eyed contact, as she turns down the row and slowly moves towards my desk (Sperry 22). As Mrs. Morton approaches me, I cower back in fear, unable to deal with the unpredictable and inconsistent nature of human beings (Dawson 112). â€Å"Kenny, why are you not listening to me?† Feeling vulnerable I remain silent, unable to cope with this social situation (Williams 159). So again Mrs. Morton asks, â€Å"Kenny†¦why are you not listening to me?† Responding with echolalia, I pervasively mutter back her words in a monotone voice, â€Å"Not listening to me.† I Reply in a desperate attempt to convey meaning, but in the end only produce meaningless jargon (Sperry 45). When Mrs. Morton hears my reaction she throws her hands up in frustration and returns to reciting the alphabet as she softly mutters, â€Å"This kid must be deaf or something!† (DSM IV 68) Loosing interest in Mrs. Morton and her alphabet I begin to tap my pencil on my desk, unable to stop moving my hands. Repetitive behavior such as this provides an escape from the constant state of arousal that assaults me at this moment (Dawson 67). I twist around in my desk, fidgeting as I try to expel some of my energy (DSM IV 71). Hyperactivity eventually gets the best of me, as I start meandering up and down the isle in my own â€Å"Idiosyncratic fantasy world† as though Mrs. Morton does not exist (Sperry 52). That night as my mom cooks dinner I am drawn by fascination to the sparkling blue flame of our gas stove. Without fear I slowly reach my hands up towards the burner and touch this dangerous flickering light. My mother returns from the bathroom and catches a glimpse of me with my little hands in the flame of the stove. â€Å"No Kenny! The stove is hot. Very hot, do not touch the stove.† She screams at me as I withdraw my hand and look at her with a blank face. I didn’t even feel the burn, until the heat of the flame began scalding away layers of my skin because my threshold for pain is so great (DSM IV 68). Trying to comfort me from injury in which I am unable to express any emotion, my mother and I take a trip to James Beach which is just minutes away from my house in Rhode Island.

Guest Speaker Essay

When thinking of an attorney the majority does not give it much thought as to the different types and functionalities this profession takes. That is, until someone is in need of one, or facing one of these professional arguers. One group that find themselves facing an attorney are criminals who have had charges placed against them through the District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office is the main prosecuting party in any criminal case whether it comes down to a plea bargain which covers about 95% of all cases or goes to a full court trial. District Attorney’s, otherwise known as D.A.’s, base much of their decisions by the amount of investigation and evidence that investigators supply them with. Scott Schweibish, who spoke in class, is the Deputy District Attorney for Sacramento County. Mr. Schweibish was a wealth of knowledge on correlating good investigation practices to how well an attorney can prosecute. D.A. Schweibish began his presentation by describing his workload which consists of prosecuting general felonies. These felonies range from drugs, DUI, home invasion, attempted murders, etc. Before becoming a D.A. for Sacramento County he worked for Orange County as a District Attorney. The D.A. has spent his entire career working closely with different law enforcement agencies, as well as numerous police officers. He has worked with special investigation projects, federal agencies, special task forces involved with narcotics, white collar crime, and the U.S Attorney. Being an attorney where the main focus is to prosecute a criminal Mr. Schweibish stressed that it is crucial to receive an investigation report that is the most accurate down to the smallest detail. Any aspect of the investigation that is overlooked or mistakenly not written in the officers’ report can open a whole for the defenses side to prove the defendant is innocent or have the case dismissed all together. The defense attorney will scrutinize every detail of a report for accuracy and if they find anything  they can make a defense out of they will, as Scott said, â€Å"tear you up† when you testify. The defense will still question every detail on the report and ask why certain things were not done, but if the report is done correctly then the office will be able to defend his actions and investigation. He went on to state that when officers do a proper investigation and complete a thorough report then the defense will not have a leg to stand on and in most cases t he defendant will agree to a plea bargain and the case will be resolved without having to go to trial. Another point that was stressed was every case matters and that all investigations matter. Every time a crime is committed no matter how small or how in the bag it may seem the investigation is crucial. Mr. Schweibish stated that 95% of the time a good investigation matters. He described that as an investigator it is important to remain open minded, logical, and objective as a majority of the time what you think is the whole crime might be just one part of the crime. Deputy District Attorney Scott Schweibish who works for Sacramento County was a great asset to have speak for the class. He strongly enforced the importance of a thorough report and the consequences if you slack on details.

Determination of a Rate Law Lab Report

Determination of a Rate Law Megan Gilleland 10. 11. 2012 Dr. Charles J. Horn Abstract: This two part experiment is designed to determine the rate law of the following reaction, 2I-(aq) + H2O2(aq) + 2H+I2(aq) + 2H2O(L), and to then determine if a change in temperature has an effect on that rate of this reaction. It was found that the reaction rate=k[I-]^1[H2O2+]^1, and the experimental activation energy is 60. 62 KJ/mol. Introduction The rate of a chemical reaction often depends on reactant concentrations, temperature, and if there’s presence of a catalyst.The rate of reaction for this experiment can be determined by analyzing the amount of iodine (I2) formed. Two chemical reactions are useful to determining the amount of iodine is produced. 1) I2(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq) 2I-(aq)+S4O62-(aq) 2) I2(aq) + starch Reaction 2 is used only to determine when the production of iodine is occurring by turning a clear colorless solution to a blue color. Without this reaction it would be very diff icult to determine how much iodine is being produced, due to how quickly thiosulfate and iodine react. Related article: Measuring Reaction Rate Using Volume of Gas Produced Lab AnswersHowever this reaction does not determine the amount of iodine produced, it only determines when/if iodine is present in solution. Reaction 1 is used to determine how much iodine is produced. To understand how the rate constant (k) is temperature dependent, another set of data is recorded in week two’s experiment using six trials and three different temperatures(two trials per temperature change). Using the graph of this data we determine the energy required to bend of stretch the reactant molecules to the point where bonds can break or form, and then assemble products (Activation Energy, Ea).Methods To perform the experiment for week 1, we first prepare two solutions, A and B, as shown in the data. After preparing the mixtures, we mix them together in a flask and carefully observe the solution, while timing, to see how long it takes for the solution to change from clear to blue. We use this method for all 5 trials, and record the time it takes to change color, indicating the reaction has taken place fully. This data is used to find p (trials1-3) and q (trials3-5), to use in our rate law. This experiment concluded that both p and q are first order.The rate constant average of all five trials is used as just one point on the Arrhenius Plot. In week 2, we perform the experiment to test the relation of temperature to the rate of reaction. We start by again, preparing six solutions. We prepared two trials/solutions at 0 degrees Celsius, two and 40 degrees Celsius, and two at 30 degrees Celsius. Again, for each trial we mixed solution A with B, and carefully timed the reaction to look for a color change that indicates the reaction is complete. The interpretation of this data indicated out results of whether temperature has an effect on the rate of this reaction.Results- It is determined that the rate of reaction is dependent on the temperature in which the reaction occurs. The sol utions observed at 40 degrees Celsius reacted at a quicker rate, than those at lesser temperatures, in a linear manor. Data Week 1 Table 1: Solution Concentrations Week 1- Room Temperature trial #| solution A| | | | | Solution B| | | | | | buffer| 0. 3MKI| starch| 0. 02MNa2S2O3| Distilled water| 0. 1MH2O2| time(s)| total volume(mL)| | 1| 5. 01| 2. 0| 0. 4| 5. 0| 21. 68| 6. 0| 585| 40. 01| | | 2| 5. 0| 4. 0| 0. 4| 5. 0| 19. 60| 6. 0| 287| 40. 00| | | 3| 5. 2| 6. 0| 0. 4| 5. 0| 17. 60| 6. 0| 131| 40. 02| | | 4| 5. 0| 6. 0| 0. 4| 5. 0| 13. 62| 10. 0| 114| 40. 02| | | 5| 5. 0| 6. 02| 0. 4| 5. 0| 9. 60| 14. 0| 80| 40. 02| | | Calculations Week 1 1. Find the moles of S2O3-2 Take the value from NaS2O3 *(0. 2)/1000 (5)*(0. 2)/1000= 0. 001 mol of S2O32- 2. Find moles of I2 Take S2O32- /2 (0. 001)/2=0. 0005mol 3. Find I2 Mol I2*1000/vol mL (0. 0005)*1000/40)= 0. 000799885 mol 4. Find the rate of change Take (I2)/ (seconds) (0. 000799885)/(585)= 1. 36732Ãâ€"10-6 M/s 5. Find [I-]0 (0. 300 M KI )*(2. 00mL)/( the final volume)=0. 015 M 6.Find the Ln of [I-]0 Ln(0. 015)=-4. 19970508 7. Find [H2O2]0 Take (0. 10 M H2O2)*(6. 00mL)/ ( final volume)=0. 015 M 8. Ln of [H2O2]0 Ln(0. 015)= -4. 19970508 9. Find the Ln of rate: Ln(2. 13675Ãâ€"10-5)=-10. 753638 10. The last step for week one calculations is to calculate the average value of k. Rate= k [I-]1[H2O2]. (2. 13675*10-5 ) = k [0. 015] [0. 015] then solve for k. For this trial, k=0. 09497. This is then done for all trials. Then, once all five values of k are found, the average is taken by adding all five values of k and dividing by 5. The experimental k average is 0. 05894M/s. Table 2: Calculations Week 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | solution#| mol s2O3-2| mol I2| I2| (rate) changeI2/change in temp| [I-]o| ln[I-]o| [H2O2]0| ln[H2O2]o| ln rate| k | | 1| 0. 001| 0. 0005| 0. 0125| 2. 13675E-05| 0. 015| -4. 19970| 0. 015| -4. 19971| -10. 753| 0. 0949| | 2| 0. 001| 0. 0005| 0. 0125| 4. 3554E-05| 0. 030| -3. 50655| 0. 015| -4. 19971| -10 . 041| 0. 0967| | 3| 0. 001| 0. 0005| 0. 0125| 9. 54198E-05| 0. 045| -3. 10109| 0. 015| -4. 19971| -9. 2572| 0. 1413| | 4| 0. 001| 0. 0005| 0. 0125| 0. 000109649| 0. 045| -3. 10109| 0. 025| -3. 68888| -9. 1182| 0. 974| | 5| 0. 001| 0. 0005| 0. 0125| 0. 00015625| 0. 045| -3. 09776| 0. 035| -3. 35241| -8. 7640| 0. 0988| | | | | | | | | | | k avg| 0. 1059| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Data Week 2 Table 3: Solution Concentrations Week 2- Varied Temperatures trial #| solution A| | | | | Solution B| | | Temp(C)| | | buffer| 0. 3MKI| starch| 0. 02MNa2S2O3| Distilled water| 0. 1MH2O2| time(s)| total volume (mL)| | 1| 5. 00| 6. 01| 0. 42| 5. 00| 13. 60| 10. 00| 692| 40. 03| 1. 0| | 2| 5. 00| 6. 00| 0. 40| 5. 00| 9. 60| 14. 00| 522| 40. 00| 1. 0| | 3| 5. 00| 2. 00| 0. 40| 5. 02| 21. 0| 6. 00| 152| 40. 02| 40. 0| | 4| 5. 00| 4. 00| 0. 40| 5. 02| 19. 60| 6. 00| 97| 40. 02| 40. 0| | 5| 5. 00| 6. 00| 0. 40| 5. 02| 17. 60| 6. 00| 110| 40. 02| 30. 0| | 6| 5. 00| 4. 00| 0. 40| 5. 00| 19. 60| 6. 00| 137 | 40. 00| 30. 0| | Calculations Week 2 1) Find amount of I2 moles produced in the main reaction using Volume of Na2SO4 used, stock concentration of Na2SO4 solution, and the Stoichiometry (2mol Na2SO4 to 1 mol I2) for all six trials. Trial 1: (. 005 L Na2SO4)(. 02 moles Na2SO4/1. 0L)(1 mol I2/2 mol Na2SO4)= . 00005 mol I2 Use this method for all six trials ) Find the reaction rate using moles of I2 produced, measured time in seconds, and Volume of total solution for all six trials Trial 1: (. 00005 mol I2/. 0403L)=(. 00124906 mol/L) /(692seconds)= . 00000181mol/L(s) Use this method for all six trials 3) Find the rate constant using the reaction rate, measured volumes used, stock concentrations, and the rate law of the main reaction. Trial 1: K=(. 00000181MOL/L(s))/((. 01 L H2O2)(. 1 M H2O2)/. 0403L total))((. 3MKI)(. 006LKI)/. 0403L total)=. 00107 Use this method for all six trials 4) To graph, we must calculate Ln(k) and 1/Temp(K) for each individual trial.Trial 1: Ln(. 00107)=-6. 8 401 and 1/T = 1/692sec=-. 00365k^-1 Use calculation method 1-4 for all six trials Table 4: Calculations Week 2 solution#| mol I2| Rate (change I/change in time)| K (min-1)| Ln k| Temp (K)| 1/T (k-1)| 1| . 00005| . 00000181| . 00107| -6. 8401| 274| . 00365| 2| . 0000502| . 00000240| . 00152| -6. 48904| 274| . 00365| 3| . 0000502| . 00000825| . 0370| -3. 29684| 313| . 00319| 4| . 0000502| . 0000129| . 0290| -3. 54046| 313| . 00319| 5| . 0000502| . 0000114| . 0171| -4. 06868| 303| . 00330| 6 | . 00005| . 00000912| . 0203| -3. 89713| 303| . 0330| From the graph, we see that the slope is -7291. To Find the Activation Energy we multiply by the rate constant of 8. 314J/mol(K), which equals -60617. 4 J/mol. We then convert this value to kilojoules by dividing by 1000, equaling 60. 62 kJ/mol. Analysis uncertainty- Due to the limit of significant figures in stock solutions used, the resulting data is limited in correctness. Also, temperature fluctuations during the experiment by even a half d egree would obscure the data of the exact rate constant, k. One of our R^2 coefficients for the experiment was in fact greater than 0. , and the other slightly less than 0. 9 meaning the one lesser is not considered a good fit. The deviation in goodness of fit may have been due to our data recording. Discussion- Determination of the rate law and activation energy of a chemical reaction requires a few steps. By varying the concentrations of reactants it was determined that the reaction is first order with respect to both [I-] and [H2O2+]. Measuring the reaction rate at multiple temperatures allows calculation of the activation energy of the process, in this case the activation energy of the reaction is found to be 60. 2 kJ/mol. As you have seen through all the previous data, charts and graphs, this exothermic rate of a reaction is dependent on solution concentrations, a catalyst, and temperature. References 1 Determination of a Rate Law lab document, pages 1-6, Mesa Community College CHM152LL website, www. physci. mc. maricopa. edu/Chemistry/CHM152, accessed 10/9/2012. 2 Temperature Dependence of a Rate Constant lab document, pages 1-3, Mesa Community College CHM152LL website, www. physci. mc. maricopa. edu/Chemistry/CHM152, accessed 10/9/2012.

Marketing Management Essay

The brand is the most important factor in the marketing strategy of a company. Brand represents the name under which a company markets a product and therefore it is an important factor in the overall growth sale of the product. A brand identifies a product from similar other products. In marketing a brand is perhaps the most important factor that differentiates the performance of same products in the market. There will be strong and weak brands in the market but this depends on the product quality and the appeal that the company markets to the target consumers. Stronger brands tend to sell more events without marketing since they have already won the heart of the consumers. A brand strategy can be defined as an important strategy that a company takes to market its product. A brand strategy is an important strategy that is undertaken by a company to create a strong brand in the market. There are important factors that a company has to take into consideration in formulating a brand strategy. Aaker came up with important factor that a company has to consider in their brand strategy in order to ensure that there is overall success of the brand in the market. Brand equity is a term which stem from the greater confided that consumer has in a brand compared to the competing brands in the market. This is the way in which consumers perceive a certain brand as more fulfilling to their needs when compared with other brands in the market. It is brand confidence which later translates to the consumer loyalty in a brand. This confidence also helps the consumer to be able to pay a certain premium price in order to obtain certain product in the market. This paper will look closely into brand equity in light of the Aakar model. It will look into the application of brand equity following the Aaar model for Blacks which is one of the leading shopping outlets in Britain. It will apply the four factors to make recommendation to the board on what the company can undertake to develop strong brand equity. Background of the company Black Leisure Group is one of the leading companies in the UK that holds different shopping outdoor groups under that name. The company has been raised an important preference to customer owing to strong brands they have created in the market. Under the company there are three outdoor groups which operate under that name. These include millet, Blacks, Free Spirit, Mambo, and O’Neill Rectal and O’Neill Whole sale. Millet is the largest outdoor retail in the UK and has specialized in the provision of all the products which are used in various outdoor activities. On the other hand Mambo and Free sprit are the leading rattail chain in the emerging UK board wear market. The company has been able to consolidate the retail outdoor marketing by positioning different outlets in different markets. This has ensured that there is a high level of specialization from each retail outlet which has given the company a competitive edge when company to others. This is because all the groups under the name market different product and they are able to give the best owing to a high level of specialization. Freespirit is the leading UK shop which is known for distribution of the surf, skate and snowboard, footwear and others. The demand of the product in the market has been increasing and currently there are more than 30 free sprit stores distributed all over the UK. They mainly cater for the young, active and the fashion conscious men and women who have shown increasing need for these products. On the other hand Mambo has risen to be a leading Australian surf and street wear brand. The product was launched in 1984 in a pair of some reasonable authentic board shorts and a small range of oversized t-shirts. The brand has grown over the years from an irrelevant and sardonic brand into an icon in the surf wear labels. This has been achieved through effective brand management strategy which has made the brand a name in the surf wear segment. O’Neill has grown to become a leading name in the world of board wear. The Black Leisure Group plc has been the exclusive right of distribution of this brand. The brand in sold in wholesale and retain in the whole of UK and currently there are about 8 outlets which operate under the name of O’Neill mainly selling the board wear. The Board wear Division is comprised of the wholesale and the retail arms of the O’Neill brand which has risen to become one of the leading names in the board wear market. In order to consolidate the market well, the group has been given an exclusive distribution right for the brand in the UK market. Dimension of brand equity Brand equity is build around brand personality. Bother terms are important and they are used to support the other. Brand personally describes the core factors which to identify brand. These are the characters of a brand which helps a certain market segment to identify with that brand compared to all the other brands in the same category. Brand personality is therefore a measure of personality related to a brand in the market. Brand personality is an important concept that helps to identify the brand with the target market. It is personalization of any brand according to the target market. Brand personality is therefore the profile of any brand which is used as an analogy with human beings. They are those characteristic which will assist somebody to like the certain brands compared to the other brands in the same market. There are many considerations that a customer makes when they are in the market. There are those consideration that will make the customer get more attracted to buy a product while there are those which will make someone to dislike a brand even before it they have had an experience with it. Therefore there are specific characteristics in a brand that helps the customer to choose one brand from the other. When we go shopping we usually make a number of considerations which can be cognitive, economical or psychological. For example unless we are doing impulse shopping we will always purchase a product that we need. This means that we must have a physiological factor that is compelling us to purchase that product. But when we go shopping, we are likely to meet different brands in the market. Among all those brands we are supposed to purchase one. At this juncture there is different consideration that we will make to choose one brand from all those we find in the shop. One of the considerations we are like to make is the economic consideration. Most researches have shown that customers are likely to by that product that will give them maximum utility from the amount that they will invest. No one is likely to purchase a product that will not give them the needed value. We will also make cognitive consideration like we are likely to purchase products that we think matches our class. In this case this might also depend on the place where we are going to shop. All these factors are found in the brand that we are purchase. We will purchase the brand that will earn more marks after going through this consideration. This is an important factor in the marketing and the branding strategy since a brand will tend to include most of the characteristic which will enable it to appeal to the target market. Therefore brand personality will be the characteristic in this brand which will help the customer to give it more markets when compared to the rest of the brands. These are the characteristic of the brand that makes the customer seen the brand as more fulfilling to other needs compared to the other brands. They are important factor in that brand that can reflect their personal characteristic. If a customer thinks they live in the upper class, then they are likely to purchase products which also reflect an upper class even if they are the same with others. There has to be a difference that the customer will attribute to that brand that will make them differentiae it with other brands. This will help them to make the final decision to purchase the product. Therefore brand equity as build around brand personality can be described as the incremental value of a certain product which can be attributed to that brand. It is the value that a consumer will attach to a product owing the strength of the brand in the market or owing to the overall value that the consumers are likely to attach to that certain brand. They are important aspects of the product that have helped the consumer to develop confidence in the brand and which makes them to ultimately choose to pay a certain price for that product compared to the others in the market. Brand equity according to Aaker According to Aaker, there are important steps that brand must go through in order to win the said confidence of the consumers. These are important steps that the brand goes through in the market before it is finally recognized by the consumer and before it makes an impact in the consumer market. The following are the important stages that are important in building brand equity: †¢ Awareness of the brand †¢ Brand association †¢ Perceive quality †¢ Brand loyalty †¢ Other brands asset or the competitive advantage Aakder assert that brand equity gives value to customer through building the capacity of the customer to interpreter and process the information and to develop confidence in the decision making process as we described above. It also helps to raise the valve of customer by enhancing the user satisfaction of the brand. (Aaker 1991, p. 92) On the other hand the same brands equity provide value to firms through the enhancement of efficient and the effectiveness of the marketing program, enhancing brand loyalty, prices and the margin, and through enhancing the extension, the leverage of trade and raising its competitive advantage of the brand. (Neumeier 2006, p. 38) Brand equity is therefore useful to both consumers and the firms. It is an important marketing process that determines the way a product is received by consumers and how it performs owing the seen value to the consumers. (Chu and Hean 2006, p 24) Application of the brand equity model to Blacks Leisure Group To accept and understand the applicability of brand equity model, we will review how this model can be applied to Black Leisure group to understand how the company has built its brands over the years. We will also give recommendation on the further steps that can be undertaken by the company to develop its brand more in the market in view of the personality qualities of the consumers who purchases products from the company. Black Leisure Group is one of the companies which have build strong brand in the UK market. The company has been specializing in an exception market which can be perceived to have low demand of the product but apparently it is one of the biggest marketing the UK. The market has been growing over the years and the company has responded by producing various brands which are targeted to satisfy the growing market Brand awareness This is the initial step in any brand equity strategy. Brand awareness will encompass various efforts that are carried out by any company in order to raise the awareness of its brand in the market. Brand awareness is usually achieved through a number of ways which are aimed at ensuring that the brand reaches to the target market. (Keller 2003, p. 50) Black Leisure Group has been making important steps in creating the awareness of their brands. The most important steps that have been taken by the company have been through advertisement in various advertising outlets. Advertisement remains the single most important activities that can be used by any company in order to create brand awareness in the market. The company has carried out various advertisements in the mass media which are aimed at reaching the target market. However the company has not explored all the available channels to advertisement its product. It overlies on its website to take its proudest to the market. This means that brand awareness is only limited to the segment of the market which is searching for outdoor wear. It should diversify its advertisement strategy so as to reach wide segment of the market even for those who are not involved in advertisement. Brand association Brand association is an important factor in brand equity. Brand association describes the extent to which customers can actually association with the brand that is being sold in the market. Brand association is determined by the extent to which a brand can satisfy the demands of the consumers. (Ailawadi, Donald and Scott 2003, p. 43) Black Leisure Group has come up with effective brands which the consumers can associate with. The Group has identified important characteristics in their target market group and the therefore it has produced products which reflect the needs of this group. Brand association comes as result of the product bearing the most important characteristic that the target consumers can identify with. The company should therefore come up with an effective market data that will identify the specific characteristics which can be used by the target group to identify with. In order to understand the important characteristics the company will include in its product, an effective market study should be carried out which well help the company to formulate brand strategy to identify with the target consumers. Perceived quality Perceived quality describes how the consumer thinks they will get in the products compared to what they would get from another brand. It is the comparative advantage of a brand compared to the others. Perceived quality is important in the purchase decision making process since it is the main factor that is considered by the consumers before they purchase their product. For a company like Black Leisure Group, consumers will make decision on whether to buy their products depending on the quality of their brands compared to other brands in the market. In order to rise the perceive quality of their brands, the company should come up with high quality demands that will meet the needs of the consumer and offer them at an affordable prices. This will ensure that the consumer finds more value for their money. Brand loyalty The brand loyalty in a brand comes only after the customer has experienced the product and when they find that the product satisfies their demands. It is an after purchase experience of the product that makes the consumers to identify with a particular brand. When the consumer finds that the products are satisfying their demands, they are likely to purchase it again unlike when the product does not satisfy their demand. (Keller 2003, p. 41) Black Leisure Group has provided their customer with goods which keeps them coming again. Most of the consumer in these shops has been repeated buyers which mean they have already experienced the quality of the products from these shops and they are likely to go for more of their products again. However the company should invest more in the development of their brand in order to address the changing consumer demands. With the increased globalization, customers are having experiences of different products and the marketing strategy has to be kept up to date with the new developments in the market. This will ensure that the company meets the changing nature of consumer demands. (Leuthesser, Kohli and. Harich 1995, p. 92) Competitive advantage Competitive advantage describes how a brand appeals to the consumers compared to the other brands in the market. Competitive advantage is the sum of all the above process we have reviewed and it describes the specific way in which the brand appeals to the consumer when the compare its value and that of other brands. The Black Leisure Group products have created a competitive advantage over the other brands in the market by given consumer value for their brands. It has ensured that it provides quality products that meet the needs of the consumers. Conclusion and recommendations Black Leisure Group has strived to create strong brands in the market which has become its important selling point. The company has risen to become a leading outlet for outdoor activity wears. However there are still important areas that the company can improve on in order to widen its market base. The company should come up with more advertisement activities which will ensure that it targets a large customer base. The company should also come up with a variety of needed products which are more aimed at addressing the changing nature of consumer demands in the market.