The Causes for Global Warming - 1538 Words

It was a dark morning that Sunday, it was the 28th of August of 2005. Douglas and his family heard a storm was coming, so they went to his mother-in-law ´s house, as they always did when there were storms. They were there, and Douglas went to the bay behind the house to check the level of the water. It was too high, and the wind was getting stronger, so he went to warn his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law. As he was heading back, the roof of the house collapsed. None of the three women survived. That is the story of one of the thousands of victims of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. But, why do disasters with this magnitude occur? Hurricanes, for example, are caused due to the energy from water vapor coming from warm oceans. Oceans get†¦show more content†¦As temperature increases, oceans get warmer. The warmer the oceans, the more CO2 they emit. â€Å"When you warm the ocean up, just like warming up a Coke bottle, it drives the gas out† (Zukerman). Now a day, co nsidering that global temperatures are increasing constantly, oceans emit more CO2 than they did before. Volcanoes are a significant source of CO2 emission. â€Å"Volcanoes produce more CO2 each year than all the factories and cars, and planes, and all the man-made sources put together† (The Great Global Warming Swindle). Animals and plants, like humans, emit CO2 during their respiration process. Although we humans emit a big amount of CO2 on a daily basis, we are not the main source given that natural sources produce much more than us. Throughout history, Earth has had variations in climate during different periods of time. Many of these climate changes show no relation at all to human activities, and â€Å"we are told that the Earth climate is changing, but Earth ´s climate is always changing† (The Great Global Warming Swindle). It is scientifically proven that when sunspots (black spots that appear in the sun ´s surface) increase, global temperature also does. Data collected and charts made by a group of scientists show that there is a higher correlation of sunspots and global temperature than there is on CO2 and global temperature (See chart on page 6). Earth ´s warming began before the invention of cars and planes, when industrialization was insignificant.Show MoreRelatedThe Causes Of Global Warming Essay1705 Words   |  7 Pages Global warming has been for decades the center of discussion between intergovernmental agencies and world leaders, each forum aiming to discuss the causes of the global warming. Scientists have been in the front lie to figure out the causes of the global warming. The hurdles and the efforts to discern the causes of the global warming are to learn ways to counter the causes so as to prevent the earth from vanquishing in the detrimental effects of the global warming. Additionally, the effort to learnRead MoreThe Cause For Global Warming1279 Words   |  6 Pages2015 The Cause for Global Warming Global warming refers to the drastic change in climate. But who are the ones that cause global warming? Is it the people of earth or is it just the natural change in climate as the world ages? People claim that it’s just a natural change in climate, that the people have only a little influence on the climate. Others say that we the people are the cause for the dramatic change in climate with the greenhouse gases we emit into the atmosphere. Global warming is indeedRead MoreCauses of Global Warming816 Words   |  3 Pagesatmosphere. This causes the air on Earth to contain higher kinetic energy due to the fact that more gas particles from the natural gases are colliding with the air particles. The higher kinetic energy results in higher temperature and heating of Earth’s surface. The heating of the Earth’s surface causes many of the world problems that we have today. As more and more factories and industries produce gases that pollute the world, they also incr ease the effects of global warming. Gas particles fromRead MoreCauses of Global Warming525 Words   |  2 PagesHave you ever thought of what is the cause to global warming? Some people still happen to believe that global warming is a made up story, which is preventing humans from advancing. While others might believe that global warming is realistic and is a man made problem. Global warming is sooner or later going to impact you in a major way that can even change your life style. We the people need to understand that global warming can result in harmful consequences to the earth that one cannot even imagineRead MoreGlobal Warming and Its Causes1894 Words   |  8 Pagesdestroyed property of unknown value in the New Orleans region. This is a scenario that we could experience in the near future should we continue to ignore calls to address global warming issues. Should such a scenario be replicated on a global scale, the consequences would be devastating. Global Warming: An Overview Global warming according to Farrar and Mastrandrea can simply be defined as a continuing increase in Earths overall temperature (7). This increase in temperature has over time beenRead MoreThe Causes of Global Warming2456 Words   |  10 Pages Global Warming Global warming is a phrase that has been used in recent history that describes Earth’s surface temperature being warmed. Throughout history, there has been three global warming’s. They occurred in 1850; from about 1860-1880, 1915-1945, and 1975-1978 (see graph). The current warming was thought to have been generated by the discharge by man of carbon dioxide. All three of these periods of warming were divided into a period of universal cooling. The warming/cooling cycles, and theirRead MoreGlobal Warming : Causes And Effects905 Words   |  4 Pagesindependent variables that are contributing to the cause of a problem the world is currently faced with, global warming. What is global warming? Well, global warming is a rise in the Earth s average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect (which I will talk more about.) Which is when our ozone layer has a hole which gradually increases, and increases heat from the sun. This causes major problems such as the polar caps meltingRead MoreGlobal Warming : Causes And Mitigation1319 Words   |  6 Pages Global Warming: Cause and Mitigation Global Warming: Cause and Mitigation Introduction The topic of global warming has received a lot of attention for the past couple of decades. The massive impacts and risks posed by this phenomenon on humans and environment have been severe, thus calling for swift attention. Basically, globalization refers to the rise of average temperature of oceans and earth’s atmosphere. Global warming is a reality which has faced the human society for over aRead MoreHumans Cause Global Warming1142 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal Warming Debate Today we are debating the important topic of global warming. As the affirmative team, we strongly believe that global warming is caused by the actions of humans. But this is not just a belief, this is a fact. Global warming, by definition, is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants. The greenhouse effect is the trapping of theRead MoreThe Potential Cause Of Global Warming1689 Words   |  7 PagesThe potential causes of global warming are debated about by many scientists. Many scientists believe that global warming is natural while others believe it to be caused by mostly humans. Global warming may be completely natural for many reasons. First, Earth tends to go through cycles of heating and cooling and this wouldn’t be the first time our planet has begun to heat up unexpectedly. Second, nobody can directly correlate humans wit h global warming, we may emit CO2 but that doesn’t mean we caused

Causes Of Teen Pregnancy - 1232 Words

As many people know, the world is far from perfect. Every country has their share of problems that plague the citizens. There is crime and violence everywhere, although it may not always be reported. The United States is no exception to this. They are number one for many issues. Among these is the U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rates. The causes of teen pregnancy in the United States today include substance abuse; broken homes; changes in society; and poor sexual education. For the most part, substance abuse is a leading cause of teen pregnancy. Those who abuse substances like drugs and alcohol do not have the sharpest minds. Their judgement is clouded which prevents them from making the best decisions. They also usually do not think†¦show more content†¦As a result, the teen parents themselves may start using that substance to deal with the stress. Substance abuse mixed with a broken home can lead to very bad decisions on the teen’s part. Unfortunately, this problem is not easy to solve. On top of that, changes in the US society make these almost more acceptable in a way. The United States’ culture has changed dramatically with the arrival of the millennial generation. A person’s identity as a whole is being explored more in depth. Sexuality especially is being explored more and more now. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and so forth (LGBTQ+) community has come into the mainstream culture and is getting more attention. Due to these changes, teens are exploring more often to gain a better sense of who they are as a person. Unfortunately, the older generations are not viewing this change in a positive light. Subsequently, many religious communities are reminding teens that being sexually active is a taboo. For example, the Christian community believes it is a sin to have sex before marriage. For this reason, teens are rebelling more against their families. Drug and alcohol abuse seems to be happening more often now. This contributes to the number of broken homes. However, all these factors combined with others cause teen pregnancy. Therefore, it is best to look at this issue as a whole. That being said, the cultural changes should be taken into account by communityShow MoreRelatedCauses Of Teen Pregnancy978 Words   |  4 PagesSome reasons of Teen pregnancy are absent parenting, lack of knowledge, substance abuse, living in poverty and peer pressure. The number of teens between the ages of 14-19 has substantially decreased over the last few years. While it may be declining, we still need to look at the causes. While examining the causes of teen pregnancy, we can find new methods of preventing teen pregnancy. If there are different methods identified for preventing teen pregnancy than the number of teens can go down moreRead MoreCauses of Teen Pregnancy Essay1472 Words   |  6 PagesResearch shows that teen pregnancy is steadily decreasing. It has dropped more than 44% from 1991 to 2010(Write r); however, in my community it seems to be on the rise. It’s never a surprise to hear someone discussing about a new girl being pregnant. Pregnancy use to be a precious gift, but this generation is turning it into a new trend that they perceive to be as socially acceptable. I was raised to receive an education first, marry the love of my life, and then have children. Some people mayRead MoreCause and Effect of Teen Pregnancy1043 Words   |  4 PagesCause and effect of teen pregnancy Teenagers suffering health problems is high Many teenagers will try to hide the pregnancy from their parents and teachers, in doing this they do not get the initial medical attention required during the first months of pregnancy. It is estimated that 33% of teenage pregnancy fail to receive necessary prenatal care. The lack of prenatal care leads to increased risk of anemia, miscarriage, and high blood pressure to the teenager. Many teenagers will hide theirRead MoreTeen Pregnancy : Causes And Effects1929 Words   |  8 PagesTeen Pregnancy The rate of teenage pregnancies has decreased drastically since skyrocketing in the early decades. Teenagers today have shown an increased use of birth control and a slight increase in abstinence. To draw attention to the problem, people typically refer to it as ‘children having children,’ which is essentially the issue. If teens were to remain abstinent until they are completely ready, the issue would no longer be as relevant. In today s society, there are serious consequences thatRead MoreEssay about The Underlying Causes of Teen Pregnancy1363 Words   |  6 Pages Before successfully preventing teen pregnancies among teenage girls, there are many underlying causes and facts about the dilemma that must be first exposed. Children from homes run by teenage mothers have to face almost insurmountable obstacles in life. The incidents of depression and mental health problems, the lack of father figures, and the high rate of poverty often connected to children in homes run by teenage mothers put them at serious disadvantages when compared to children raised in nuclearRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Causes Serious Physical And Emotional Problems1369 Words   |  6 Pages Teen pregnancy causes serious physical and emotional problems for adolescent mothers, therefore there should be steps taken to prevent such things from happening. I have a close friend who got pregnant at the age of fifteen. It was a mega crisis for her and her baby. It caused a heartbreaking feud between my friend and her parents, as well as her schooling, leading her to drop out of high school. The emotional stress she gained was harming her body. The baby’s father wanted nothing to do with theRead More The Causes of Teen Pregnancy, Violence, and Drug Abuse Essay1075 Words   |  5 PagesThe Causes of Teen Pregnancy, Violence, and Drug Abuse The headlines proclaimed the controversial news: race, poverty, and single-parents were NOT the irrevocable harbingers of drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and violence. Instead, researchers were claiming that behaviors that parents and teens could influence -- such as problems at school and the amount of time spent hanging out with friends and the type of friends they chose -- could predict trouble. Some cynics speculated that thisRead MoreTeen Pregnancy And Teenage Pregnancy1551 Words   |  7 PagesTeen pregnancy is something that affects over one million young teens in the United States. For some, these pregnancies are planned but 85% of these teens the pregnancy is unplanned. This can cause a lot of endless problems in the life of the teen and the newborn child. There are a lot of things that can cause an unplanned teen pregnancy, such as teens experimenting with sexual encounters at a young age. Another major cause is the lack of guidance due to guardians that are blind or do not want toRead MoreProblems with Teen Pregnancy in Oklahoma Essay1032 Words   |  5 PagesOklahoma has been ranked number two in teen birth rates according to a Tulsa World article. Teen pregnancy has always been a problem in America. More and more teens are becoming pregnant every day. Most of them can’t afford the expenses of birth control. Others do not know how to prevent it. Teen pr egnancy can also cause education problems with the teen. Teen moms are not mature enough to handle raising a kid. Many kids who have parents who were young when they had them are more than likely goingRead MoreTeen Pregnancy973 Words   |  4 PagesTeen Pregnancy Speech Teen pregnancy rates sky rocket every year. 560,000 teenage girls give birth each year. One sixth of all United States births are to teenage girls. Teen pregnancy rates are soaring and many teenage girls are impacted negatively because they are unable to fulfill the many responsibilities such as education and financial needs. Something needs to be done to decrease the teen pregnancy rates. None of you will argue that teen pregnancy rates aren’t high. And all agree something

Accounting Business Decision Free samples-Myasssignmentehelp.Com

Questions: Review the statement of cash flows for the most recent year and indicate the following: 1. Net cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities 2. Net cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities 3. Net cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities 4. Net increase (decrease) in cash during the year Analyse the Cash Flow Statements for the last 2 years and comment on the cash position of the company. Answers: Cash Flow from Operating Activities Cash Flow from operating activities measures the cash generated by a company's main business activities. Operating cash flow is required to maintain its current level of operation. If cash flow is sufficiently positive, it can also finance for companys growing operations. Further, operating cash flows helps us in getting the true picture about the financial position of the company (Davies Crawford, 2012). On comparing cash flow of given two years, one can easily say that situation has worsened as cash outflow from operating activities has increased by $ 52,814. That means, Company is not able to generate sufficient cash from its main activities to finance its costs. In year 2014, cash generation was already negative to the extent of $188,662. This negative cash flow has increased to $241,476 in year 2015. Cash flow has gone down by approx. 25%. It is a very bad signal for companys operating performance. On analyzing further, following points were noted: 1. Receipts from Customers Receipts from customers have gone down by more than 60% in year 2015. It is merely one-third when compared to previous year 2014. There could be two reason behind that, a. The company is not able to recover amount from its outstanding debtors. To improve the situation, company needs to follow up with debtors to get the outstanding amount. Or b. Company is not able to generate revenue. In other terms, companys sales are going down. It could be an alarming situation for the company. 2. Payment to suppliers and employees It has increased by approx. 20%. This increase may either be attributable to increase in sales or some previous outstanding debit paid in current year. It also shows company has been very prompt in paying to its vendors and employees on time. However, it seems to be normal. 3. Interest received It seems like this is a new item in this year. Last year, interest amount was only $4 which has now increased to $1962. It shows in the current year company has made efforts to recover interest amount. 4. Finance Costs Finance cost has gone down by more than 50% which is a good sign. However, finance costs are in very less amount when compared overall cash flow and does not have any material impact on cash flows. Therefore, it can be ignored. Cash Flows from Investing Activities It refers to the cash investment in the fixed assets by the company. Overall, cash inflow from investing activities has increased by manifold, in amount terms; it has increased by $ 341,284. It has been main source of cash generation in current year. Let us analyze its components: 1. Proceeds from held for trading investments - It has gone down to zero in current year from $34,553 from previous year. It means company has not sold any trading investments in the current year. Either, the company is hardly having any trading investment in current year to sell off or it does not feel the need to sell off its investments. However, this activity has caused the cash flows to fall in current year by a big margin. 2. Purchase of held for trading investments - It is linked with above items, last year purchases were $1,770 which has gone down to $160. It has resulted in saving cash in current year. 3. Proceeds from sale of intangible assets It is the major contributing factor to cash inflow in current year. Company has sold a major portion of its intangible assets. Overall increase in cash flow has resulted due to this factor. Generating cash flow from sale of assets is not a good sign for the company. 4. Payments for exploration evaluation Last year payment was about $4,720 which has increased to $6,493 in current year. It has resulted in negative cash flow in current year. An investment that pays off in future cannot be said a bad investment. Cash Flow from Financing Activities Overall cash flow from financing activities has been positive during the year. During the year, borrowings have increased by approx. $50,200. It is one of the sources which have increased the cash flow in current year. However, to improve the cash flow situation, use of finance activity should be avoided. Use of financing activities is suggested only for expansion plan (Choi Meek, 2011). Overall, it can be seen that company has not been able to generate cash from its operating activities. To cover up the deficiency of cash flow, company had to sell off its investment and had to borrow funds from outside. Immediately company needs to take urgent action to improve its operating performance (Graham Smart, 2012). Net increase/ decrease in cash Particulars Year ended 30th Jun-2015 Net cash outflow from operating activities (241,476) Net cash inflow from financing activities 177,200 Net cash inflow from investing activities 369,347 Net increase in cash during the year 305,071 Comments: On comparing the two years cash flow in totality, one can say that company has improved in the year 2015. However, on investigation it shows that there was a net increase in cash during the year that means the amount left with the company. References Choi, R.D. and Meek, G.K 2011, International accounting, Pearson. Davies, T. and Crawford, I 2012, Financial accounting, Harlow, England: Pearson. Graham, J. and Smart, S 2012, Introduction to corporate finance, Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning.

International Competition Essays - Marketing, Communication Design

International Competition Consumer Behaviour Consumers have so many choices to make compared to ten or even twenty years ago. Today as always, business growth depends heavily on loyal customers who return because they are satisfied with the product and/or service they have received. But first companies have to bring consumers into the stores. The companies bring consumers into the store by marketing their product. The average consumer would probably define marketing as a combination of advertising and selling. It actually includes a good deal more. Modern marketing is most simply defined as directing the flow of goods from producers to customers. In order to answer this question fully we must define consumer goods which means goods that are used or bought for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. The paper outlines the contributions of marketing through fast moving consumer goods. Promotion, which works hand in hand with marketing a product, allows the product to be relayed to the right consumer through cam paigns. A Market research must be completed to find a target audience which is used for promotional and advertising reasons. The last part of the scheme is the actual advertising of the good which pulls the consumer into the store. Marketing has had an influential impact on fast moving consumer goods through abroad range of activities including, promotion, market research, and advertising. Promotion is used to communicate information about goods and services to target market audiences thereby facilitating the exchange process. Promotion plays an important role in informing, educating, persuading and reminding customers. The promotional mix is adjusted according to the organizations promotional objectives and its marketing situation. Generally, in consumer's services, marketing and advertising will be by far the main component and the most expensive. Promotion is essentially about communication. Target audiences need to receive information about goods and services before they can beg in to consider making a purchase. The promotional objectives will influence the nature of the promotional message and the type of appeal used to get the message across. One of the key tasks in designing and executing promotional programmes is the selection of appropriate media for advertising and other forms of communication. The range of possible media choice is extensive but will ultimately be governed by factors such as the budget available and the target audience profile. The development of an effective promotional campaign involves combining the promotional mix elements in the most appropriate way to meet the organizations communications objectives. Evaluation and monitoring is important and one method of evaluation is by completing marketing research. (Woodruffe 1995149,163-4) An advertisement, or a campaign of advertisements, is planned in much the same way a successful salesperson plans the approach to be used on a personal call. The first stage is working out the strategy. This requires a thorough analysis of all available market research, personal discussions--or focus groups--with typical prospective buyers of the product, and knowledge of all competitive products and their advertising. Based on the understanding and insights derived from this information, advertising professionals write a strategy that defines the prospects that constitute the target market to which they must direct the message and what must be communicated in order to persuade the prospects to take the action that is desired. With this strategy as a guide, copywriters and art directors begin to create the advertisements. At this second stage they try to come up with an idea that involves the prospect, pertains to his life or problems, and is memorable. The idea can take the form of an unexpected set of words or a graphic symbol. It also can be a combination of words and graphics, and even music. An advertising idea works best when it is a totally unexpected yet thoroughly relevant fulfillment of the strategy. The third stage is the execution of the idea. This means turning the idea into some form of communication that a prospect can see or hear. For print advertising, execution involves writing text, taking photographs or commissioning drawings, arranging elements on the page (layout), setting type, making photo engravings, and so on. For broadcast advertising, it may mean writing dialogue and composing music, hiring actors and recording voices, filming in a studio or on location. Throughout all

Origin of Life Essay Sample free essay sample

Life and its beginnings have spurred many a theories. guesss and arguments. Among the well-known theories on how life started include abiogenesis- development. self-generated coevals. panspermia-and creationism. Abiogenesisclaims that life originated spontaneously from inanimate affair ( ex. H2O. C dioxide. H. N ) â€Å"under proper conditions† ( Why is Abiogenesis Impossible? n. d. ) . It is a to a great extent contested theory and many critics point out to the sheer impossibleness of such a proposition for practical grounds. For one. whatever groundss are laid in support of this theory are missing in substance. strength and measure. The earlier signifiers of autogenesis such as the one purported by Aristotle have already been debunked because of the outgrowth of cogent evidence showing the contrary such as the experiments of Louis Pasteur and John Tyndall. Even the modern versions ( ex. theory of development ) suffer from so many loopholes in footings of elaborate. elaborate history on the procedure of the outgrowth of life. We will write a custom essay sample on Origin of Life Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In other words. there is a resonant absence of a comprehensive account that can be substantiated with stuff cogent evidence. One critical component that is squalidly missing in modern autogenesis is the designation. sketching and hallmark of phases taking to the creative activity of life. In the theory of development propounded by Charles Darwin. there are ‘missing links’ that are believed to consist the spread that is to finish and impart acceptableness to the theory. These ‘missing links’ are the transformational phases or processes that connect the lesser. more crude evolutionary signifiers to worlds ( gay sapiens ) . Furthermore. the autogenesis theory does non account for the complexness of the biological composing of human life. Life merely can non be generated in a additive consecutive form of growing phases. Surveies in modern biological science ( genetic sciences ) have shown the intricate procedures and design of cell formation and regeneration so by deduction the creative activity of higher life signifiers ( ex. bacteriums. Protozoa ) involves more than merely simplified. sectionalized phases of development and growing. Panspermia â€Å"Panspermia is the name for the theory that life exists and is distributed throughout the existence in the signifier of sources or spores†( Sims 1990 ) . This theory presupposes that life originated from other planets or planetal organic structures through stones. meteorites. etc. incorporating simple life signifiers ( ex. bacteriums ) that were transported on Earth. survived. regenerated and which finally evolved into higher. organic life signifiers. The groundss for panspermia include thedoggedness and survival inherent aptitude of bacteriums holding proven to dodge the effects of ultraviolet radiation. cold and protons barrage ; and the presence of life in meteorites such as aminic acids. bacteriums and C( Panspermia Theory. n. d. ) This theory pans a web of contention because what it proposes as a conjectural beginning of life shakes the belief. the nucleus impression that human existences are the centre of everything. It seems a absurd thought. after all. to presume that life comes from an foreigner beginning and that worlds are posterities of unknown. unidentified life signifiers. What is considered to be debatable about panspermia is the failure of the theory to account for the beginning of life. It does non explicate how life came to be in the existence where life on Earth purportedly sprung from. ( Baird 2008 ) . Hydrothermal Hydrothermal beginning of life theorizes that â€Å"life could hold arisen in a pigboat hydrothermal vent† ( Sarfati 1999 ) . The job with this theory is that it merely created hexaglycine as the most complicated life signifier during one of the experimental trials done by some Nipponese research workers ( 1999 ) . In other words. the consequences of the experiment did non back up the claims of the hydrothermal theory ( 1999 ) . Mentions Baird. Alexis. ( 2008 ) . The argument of panspernia: are we the posterities of foreigners? Retrieved March 06. 2008 from SerendipUpdate’sBlog: hypertext transfer protocol: //serendip. brynmawr. edu/exchange/node/1919 Bergman. Jerry. ( 1999 ) . Why autogenesis is impossible.Creation Research Society Quarterly. vol 36. No. 4. March 2000. Retrieved March 06. 2008. from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. trueorigin. org/abio. asp Panspernia Theory. Panspermia. Retrieved March 06. 2008 from hypertext transfer protocol: //leiwenwu. tripod. com/panspermia. htm Sarfati. Jonathan ( 1999 ) . Hydrothermal beginning of life.Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal.Vol 13. No. 2. Retrieved March 06. 2008. from hypertext transfer protocol: //leiwenwu. tripod. com/panspermia. htm

Artificial Intelligence Essay Example

Artificial Intelligence Essay Example Artificial Intelligence Essay Artificial Intelligence Essay Artificial intelligence is a growing development in daily life. From new computers to advanced cybernetic organisms, Artificial intelligence is leading the way in making human life easier. A common misunderstanding with artificial intelligence is that the created has to be capable of thought and actions, where as it is as simple as gathering and processing data. With research and development growing and private companies expanding their capabilities, artificial intelligence is being used to cure diseases, provide mobility to the disabled, and helping us to understand human life. Artificial Intelligence in the medical field is one of the biggest advancements that we have today. One example of artificial intelligence in the medical field would be the HAL robot suit that was created by Cyberdyne. This suit was designed to improve physical capability. When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles by a Moto neuron that moves the musculoskeletal system as a sequence. The HAL suit detects signals on the skin through a sensor and based on what signals were picked up will then move the joint unitedly with the personâ„ ¢s muscle movement. The HAL suit was designed to be used for paraplegics and other disabled people, heavy labor support at factories, and rescue support for disasters. The HAL suits are very beneficial and bring hope to the people who could benefit from it. The Creators of HAL have not only made robots to help the disabled but to also provide entertainment, such as a robot to play Ping-Pong with or a robot bartender who could mix and serve you any drink you wish. Although many people would love to benefit and own robots such as these I think the most important idea is to build and create robots to help humans with everyday problems such as medical illnesses or robots that could help keep the world safe. An example of advancement in the A.I. field of medicines would be the development of nanotechnology. Nano technology is the engineering of functional systems at the size of a molecule. Nano technology refers to the ability to construct machines at molecule size; which enables the use of delivering things such as medications to patients. For example, nanotechnology could deliver drugs, heat, light, or other substances to specific types of cells. In the understanding Nano article it explains how particles are engineered to be attracted to diseased cells, which allows direct treatment of those cells. This basically reduces the risks of damaging the healthy cells and allows for earlier detection of a disease that might be present. There are actually Nano sized particles that are under development to deliver chemotherapy medications directly to the cancer cells. According to CytImmune Scienceâ„ ¢s website the tests are in progress and pending the final approval for use on actual cancer patients, with this type of technology and development this could be huge break through in the medical field once the tests are proven accurate and the FDA allows further productions to the public. Another example of artificial intelligence is the development of a noninvasive brain implant. When I first started my research on this I was very surprised to read about it, I would have never thought that this could be possible. Basically the brain implant is implanted on the actual skull but is completely covered by skin, this enables the paralyzed person to think a movement because the implant picks up on the sensors within the personâ„ ¢s skin. This implant is called the BioBolt. According to Wise who is the founding director of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems (WIMS ERC) The Ultimate goal is to be able to reactivate paralyzed limbs, by picking up neural signals from the brain cortex and transmitting those signals directly to muscles. Even though researchers say the technology is years away, with the continuing of the research and furthering with the development it could come sooner than we all think, BioBolt could help with controlling epilepsy and other diseases such as Parkinsonâ„ ¢s. Although artificial intelligence is and can be beneficial on a medical standpoint it could also be beneficial to the civilian world, all the possibilities can provide such as labor work or machines that can do handy stressful tasks that would need more than 1 human. A.I. could make life a whole lot easier, there are already robots that can play ping pong against a human, play chess against a champion chess player, but what if we had robots to help with construction on roads or houses. What if we had robots to do most of our handy work in half the time that a human could An interesting robot I found was in the form of a fish. The Japanese government is funding this robot in order to protect the waters from leaking contaminants from Fukushima. This underwater robot was designed to be completely waterproof and can actually swim like a real fish. The fish is also equipped with a pollution-detecting instrument within and a WIFI module that sends data to its user. This would be completely handy and less dangerous compared to sending an actual human to check out the leak and depending on how far down it is could depend on how much money is being used to fund that particular project. Further development of this project sounds completely harmless and beneficial to the humans and our waters. Artificial Intelligence could be the development into the future; with all these technological advancements coming out now I wouldnâ„ ¢t be surprised to see a huge A.I. breakthrough in our future. As for now we are currently surrounded by artificial intelligence, although it may not be in the form of robots we really do have it everywhere. A.I. in computer technology is in things such as our computers, our smart phones, even our blu-rays. Private sector companies have been attempting to make break through with science and technology, from the fast 3G capable cellphones, to the latest and greatest 4G. Private companies have been the leading the way due to vast amounts of private money and investors. With out the help from these entrepreneurs, our private lives would not have the capacity to allow for advanced technology in medicine, mobility to the immobile, and help us to understand human life.

Illegal Immigration in Los Angeles in the 1980's Essay

Illegal Immigration in Los Angeles in the 1980's - Essay Example These new immigrants arrived in a new country possessing little more than what they could carry on their back. They were challenged in many ways including their legal status, yet were able to make significant social, cultural, and economic contributions. This paper will discuss the lives of these undocumented workers during the 1980's and present the dynamic changes that resulted from their arrival. It will present the view that the cultural and demographic landscape of Los Angeles was shaped by these illegals, and has had a continuing effect on California as well as the United States. The life of an illegal immigrant began as soon they approached the United States and prepared to cross the border. Often they would be met by angry mobs, riots, gunfire and chaos (Custred). Once across the border they would continue to confront racism, exploitation, and a hostile political environment. Though they would be outcast socially from mainstream society, there was an emerging labor market eager for cheap and reliable workers. It was no coincidence that the rise in illegal immigration during the 1980s coincided with a rise in the demand for cheap labor during the same period (Morales and Ong). Because the undocumented workers were here primarily for employment, their lives centered around and were greatly influenced by the work they performed. These jobs were almost universally at the bottom of the pay scale in unskilled occupations such as household help or farm worker. With no legal status, limited English skills, and no formal education, these illegals were destined to t he life of poverty and hardship that they were trying to escape. The immigrants would most often settle together or would be herded into a group by social necessity. Farm workers would band together to share expertise and form groups that would follow the crop that currently needed planting or harvested. They would work the lettuce fields, the vineyards, and fruit groves as the season demanded. This constant travel was especially rough on the children. Forced to move from school to school they were able to obtain at best a sub-standard education. Often they were needed in the fields when not attending class and the simple pleasures of childhood were not available to the child of an illegal migrant worker. Sometimes the missed pleasure would be as simple as being able to sleep late on the weekends. For the immigrants that worked in the domestic business, the canneries, and the processing plants, life was more stable. Yet with this stability came a new set of problems. Unable to escape the poverty of low wages, they would endure cramped quarters, high rent, and substandard conditions. Acuna tells of the mounting stress of living as he tells of a child's experience living in these conditions. "Ten year old Yuri de Paz wakes up each morning in a cramped Pico-Union apartment she shares with eight other family members, and walks to school through a Los Angeles neighborhood that is so dangerous that police have barricaded it to keep drug dealers out..." (291). The difficulty of raising a family under impoverished conditions while struggling to earn a living was only one of the challenges that faced the undocumented workers. The inability to speak and write English presented another obstacle to

Mass marketing and Targeted marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mass marketing and Targeted marketing - Essay Example It includes Radio, Television, Newspapers and even the internet. According to Jakacki (2001), some of the products that are suited for this marketing strategy include drinking juice, furniture, automobiles as well as mobile phones. An example of a company that has used this strategy with a good measure of success is Coca Cola. Other food manufactures such as Nestle and electronics giants like Sony have also used this strategy to reach a world wide market. The major advantage of this strategy is economies of scale since production is in large quantities. At the other opposite end of mass marketing is targeted marketing or better still Niche marketing. Targeted marketing is aimed at a given market segment. A segment in this case may be a given geographic area, demographic profile such as the youth or behavioral segment based on variables such as income status or level of brand loyalty. There has been a shift from mass marketing to targeted marketing occasioned by a number of factors. Changing consumer patterns, the need to position products differently from competitors and the importance of being an expert in a given area. Jakacki (2001) says that today's consumers have diverse needs. For instance there is a segment that is keen on losing weight, and another one which wants to avoid sugar. This has led to the emergence of products such as Coke diet to cater for this unique segment. At the same time intense competition has led companies to produce products that are unique to a given segment hence setting the product significantly apart from those of the competitor. A phone company will therefore manufacture mobile phones with a music player in order to tap the youth market. This makes their products unique and leads to more sales in the specific market segment. The shift to targeted marketing can also be attributed to the fact that emphasis on one area makes you an expert in that particular field. A company is more likely to stand out from the crowd if only it is viewed as an expert in a given area by the consumer. For instance a food manufacturing company may get more mileage if it concentrates its effort in the manufacture of baby products only. Since it is the expert in this field then a good number of mothers are likely to buy its products. Using practical examples, explain how an integrated marketing communications strategy might enable marketers to more effectively reach target customers Integrated marketing communication is a new approach in marketing that is aimed at blending all marketing communication efforts of a company. (Moschis 1994) The ultimate goal is to make the various communication tools used by a company to compliment each other rather than work in isolation. It is based on the idea that the combined effect of the various communication tools is way much better than the sum of their individual effects. This helps in creating synergy in the company's communication effort. Moschis (1994) points out that a company can reach its customers using a number of communication tools. It can be through advertising, sales promotion or direct marketing. Now, integrated marketing communication aims at integrating all these tools so as to reach the

You Decide Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

You Decide - Coursework Example The best product offering for this market segment would be the family portraits with a choice between an office one and one for home use. The reasoning behind this is that the corporate executives are busy people who rarely have time for home issues. Having a portrait that shows a whole family at the office could be just what these people would love to have to remind them of home. Choosing a product offering for any market segment must consider the needs, preferences, lifestyles, habits, ability to buy and the value it gives the customer (Kotler & Armstrong, 2010). High end customers are difficult to understand because of varied preferences and customization may be required in many instances (Mullins & Walker, 2010). An online value proposition answers the questions: who are we, what do we offer, who we serve and what makes us unique? The online value proposition is more than a proposition as it shows what a firm can offer using content, products, services and or experiences to engage online customers (Kurtz, 2008). The company should use its unique technology as its online selling proposition. A variety of portraits should be availed on the website showing various product offerings with different versions of the same portrait available. The website should also give the executives an opportunity to make fast, secure payments for the portraits on the website Brand equity represents an intangible asset for any company and depends on the associations made by the customers. Strong brand equity ensures a more stable stream of income, increases cash flow and is an asset that can be sold (Pride & Ferrel, 2010). Brand equity can be built basing on financials or on consumers. Our Town Photography Studio brand equity should focus on building consumer loyalty in the brand. When people especially the executives have a strong liking for the firms products, chances are

Personal Learning Plan To Becoming A Nurse Practitioner

Personal Learning Plan To Becoming A Nurse Practitioner This assignment discusses my Personal Learning Plan (PLP). It examines the rationale for development, justifying why I have not only chosen to undertake Nurse Practitioner (NP) studies, but this course in particular, along with its prescriptive modules and my choice of Extended Nurse Prescribing as the only optional module. I have informally and theoretically identified my learning style as practical, which rationalises the above choices, discussed further in this assignment. At present, I work as the sole Occupational Health (OH) Nurse for the head office of a large London-based media organisation which is a subsidiary company of the FTSE 250 (Financial Times Stock Exchange) listed business. There are an estimated 3000 employees on-site; a catchment size similar to a small GP surgery, with a further 1100 employees regionally, to which telephone/e-mail support is available. 2.2 Link to primary health care Due to the generally low hazard working environment, and as an OH initiative to keep employees well and at work, I largely act as a Practice Nurse (PN) by bringing primary health care (PHC) to the workplace. Care includes treatment and/or advice for minor ailments and injuries; health monitoring and promotion; vaccinations and follow-up care such as wound and ear care. I am supported by a full-time Receptionist, and together we facilitate three afternoon GP clinics per week by two visiting private General Practitioners (GPs). This unique service is carried over from the old Factory Nurse role and outdated in todays OH remit (Bagley, 2008). Occupational Health (OH) Nurses are now moving away from a traditional clinical function (Richardson, 2008). However, whilst the service is promoted as a complement and not a replacement of employees National Health Service (NHS) GP surgeries, it is maintained that it is not in the OH remit to replace services provided by the NHS (Lewis Thornbory, 2006). Yet, in Dame Carol Blacks review of the health of the working population, the report welcome[d] and encourage[d] (Black, 2008: 49) employers offering GP consultations in the workplace, as an initiative towards health and wellbeing for a healthy workforce. Given the waking hours spent at work, and with most GP surgeries closed for the majority of weekends and after hours, the workplace is an ideal setting to target health and wellbeing (Department of Health, 2004), along with prevention and treatment of ill-health. Such a service has potential benefits and opportunities for employees, businesses and NHS services. However, effective communication between all parties involved, is crucial. I make it a priority in my practice to engage in effective communication between both our on-site health professionals, and employees off-site NHS and private health professionals. 2.3 Strengths and weaknesses To fulfil the above role, I was equipped with a Bachelor of Nursing, with the knowledge and skills to care for adult patients in an acute care setting. Although I went on to specialise in critical care, further development was only accessible through in-house training, on-the-job experience, self directed learning and reflection. When I moved to the United Kingdom, I fell into PHC through an agency placement, which was to cover an extended period of leave on the print side of the business. Again, I was working as the sole Nurse, with a private GP visiting once a month. Despite this placement being completely out of my depth and somewhat daunting, I enjoyed the break from acute care, and thrived on the autonomy and diversity of the role. However, this was compromised with a lack of confidence, not having any prior experience, and heightened by working alone. The next section discusses the rationale for my development having been taken on in permanent employment as the sole OH Nurse. 3.0 PERSONAL LEARNING PLAN 3.1 Rationale for development The move to PHC from acute and critical care knowledge and experience prompted a significant need for learning and development. There was no support from management in the sense of allowing study leave or time off work to attend practice-related conferences, and any learning was on-the-job or self directed with no colleagues to facilitate development. One of the main reasons why I took up a position at head office to restructure their OH Department, was that the importance of professional development was not only understood, but both promoted and encouraged. In addition to my gap in knowledge and because I worked alone, I wanted to take my service to the next level, to provide greater satisfaction to both patients and myself by being able to complete the full cycle of health care. For example, rather than advising patients that it sounded like they had a chest infection and should therefore arrange an appointment with the visiting GP (or to see their NHS GP), I would be able to diagnose and prescribe on the spot. This call for development reflects Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, which outlines an aim to bring the Esteem level of confidence, independence and achievement into balance, while also building towards the Self-actualisation level of creativity, problem solving and acceptance of facts (Maslow, 1943). The Self-actualisation level can also be interpreted as my Masters dissertation. Furthermore, ten years have lapsed since completing my Bachelors degree, and I felt stale, very eager to study again, and to learn more about the NHS system. 3.2 Course selection I began investigating NP courses in London. Prior to this course, I had informally identified my learning style as being practical, and set about finding the most hands on course (see Appendix 1 2 for course enquiry and application, with the relevant sections highlighted in blue). This course was therefore selected as the most practical, rather than theoretical, managerial or reflective. I wanted to be able to apply skills in the clinic as I was learning, and definitively at the end of the course. Through Philosophy Politics of Primary Health Care (Philpol), I have realised that my learning so far in PHC replicates Kolbs The Lewinian Experiential Learning Cycle, whereby knowledge is gained through experience (Kolb, 1984). This is further backed by Omrods behavioural definition of learning, again linking learning to experience (Omrod, 2004). Yet, according to Honey Mumford (1992), my learning style is Pragmatic, followed very closely by Reflective. By this model, it means I am generally proactive in attempting new ideas, concepts and practices, and eager to apply them. A Reflector contemplates experiences both personal and those of others, and weighs up all possibilities before coming to a decision. Taken together, pragmatic and reflective learning styles demonstrate a careful and practical approach, with which I concur. 3.3 Modules selected The NP route of the Masters of Science in Primary Care is a very prescriptive course, with only one optional module. This is to satisfy the Royal College of Nursings (RCN) requirements based on international competencies, to qualify as an approved course. In addition, should the Nursing Midwifery Council open up a separate part of the register acknowledging the advanced role of NPs, an RCN approved course will be a pre-requisite requirement (Queen Mary, University of London, 2009). The term NP is currently being loosely applied to Nurses with autonomy and/or experience. Therefore, the term Advanced NP is replacing NP, where Nurses have both formal training, and are working in an advanced role (RCN, 2008). Through Research Methods 1, I have gained the skills to recognise the different methods and approaches to research, and how to read a paper. These skills have enabled me to critically evaluate a paper, distinguish between good and poor research, and to determine whether a papers findings are credible, and should be applied in my practice. Philpol has laid a foundation in my gap in knowledge of PHC structures and policies, including an appreciation of the NHS, its history, services, how it works, and potentially, where it can all go wrong. Some of the most interesting learning has been in discussion and debates with fellow students. Our diverse backgrounds and individual functions in PHC, has been valuable to hear about each others roles and experiences. Physical Assessment 1 and 2, and both the Biological Foundations and Pharmacology in Clinical Practice will provide a much needed brush up in theory, and advance my current knowledge. During my Bachelor degree, learning was largely based on fact recall for exams and practicals. It is because of this, that I am now questioning my actual understanding, which I hope to overcome by these modules. This is a shift from my former academic learning experience to Engels Learning for Understanding, where the emphasis lies in understanding rather than recollection of facts (Engel, 1997). It perhaps also highlights the difference between studying for a Bachelor and a Masters degree. I anticipate that Clinical Practice will be one of the most important modules for me, to be able to apply what I have learnt. In past experience as a nursing student, clinical practice has been where all teachings have made sense rather than exams or assessments. I learn best through a hands on approach, and in past clinical practice modules, it has precipitated interest and knowledge beyond expected outcomes. For my optional module, I have chosen Extended Nurse Prescribing in order to be able to complete the full cycle in a consultation: to be able to prescribe to enhance independence and autonomy in my practice. I have already given my dissertation much thought, hoping to research into our unique OH service, ideally being able publish at the end, and promote our model. At present, my research question is: What are the perceptions of both employees and managers on the provision of a GP and PN in the workplace for a media organisation in London? I propose to conduct this research via an online survey to our employees and Managers with a mixed methods approach: both clicking on answers (quantitative), and asking participants for their thoughts (qualitative). I look forward to the challenges that this PLP presents, but more importantly, the opportunities and stimulation that will arise from my development.

decisions faced by managers :: essays research papers

What are some important financial decisions that Business Owners face in a slowing economy? It has been said, "solidly run small businesses actually hold their own during downturns." (Mark Vitner, a senior economist with first Union Corporation) While all business owners would like to classify themselves as â€Å"solidly Run", Here are some of the thing that I believe warrant consideration by any business owner during a â€Å"slowing economy† 1) Should I Reconsider and/or revise the existing business plan? One of the most important things you can do during an economic downturn is to evaluate your business plan. â€Å"All businesses need a plan to define where they are going and how they are going to get there†. (http://www.bizplanprep.com/) Your business plan is the working base for your company. Have your current day to day operations led you to a new position in the marketplace? Or have you strayed from a successful formula? Should you write a new business plan? Should you reinforce the guidelines for the current business plan? Sit down and examine the plan from the viewpoint of an investor looking to purchase the company and make any revisions that seem appropriate. 2) What should I do with the budget? In a downturn one of the first places many businesses cut expenses are in advertising - a real mistake. As part of the philosophy of expanding your base and recruiting more customers, you need to advertise and sell more than ever. People are looking for better ways to do business. If you have established strong customer satisfaction, this is the time to get the message out. 3) Should I start a power circle or an advisory board? â€Å"Advisory Boards are being implemented by companies globally to leverage knowledge.†(http://partner-com.com/advisory.html) Advisory boards consist of industry and community leaders i.e.: attorneys, certified public accountants, civic club leaders, owners or managers of businesses similar to yours or with whom you do business, also retired executives may be available. The latest industry jargon for these types of boards is "Power Circles." An apt name because the members should be power connections for you - knowledgeable about the marketplace in which you do business. These individuals should be able to provide you with the information that you need to make good decisions. The purpose of the board is to offer you a viewpoint other than your own. They should be people you can be truthful with and who will keep your disclosures private.

Is there a midlife crisis Essay

As a man approaches middle age a number of factors converge that tend to disrupt his previous modes of experiencing himself. For some men, this stress may culminate or be expressed in a â€Å"midlife crisis. † This crisis has been variously described as a pervasive sense of alienation from one’s own being in the world, unidentified or misunderstood feelings of anxiety or depression, and/or physical symptoms expressive of psychic distress. In an attempt to bring some order to conflicting reports about the experience of people entering middle age, we reviewed the existing literature. A lack of consensus soon became apparent. Some writers argued that a midlife crisis was a universal experience in male development; others suggested that men reached their peak of self-actualization at this point. Looking at the literature more closely, we saw that the research findings seemed to depend upon which methods were used and in which culture the middle-aged population was being studied. Psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and other writers working with clinical data often see a middle-age crisis as universal – a developmental inevitability. Levinson proposes, as did Jaques and others, a developmental sequence, with a period of midlife crisis, which â€Å"exists in all societies, throughout the human species, at the present stage of human evolution† (Sifford 1983). More recently, theorists like Slater, Laing, and Henry have focused on the alienating effects of socialization into a culture based on denial, distortion, and repression. Culture, that is, works to deny and distort what is most human in us. Regardless of whether we see midlife crisis as a consequence of social structure or culture, many theorists tell us that midlife crisis is widespread phenomenon. The impact of historical forces on the life course does not stop with one generation. Each generation encounters a set of historical circumstances that shape its subsequent life history and that generation transmits to the next one both the impact that historical events had on its life course and the resulting patterns of timing. Cultural norms governing the timeliness of life transitions (being â€Å"early,† â€Å"late,† or â€Å"on time†) and norms governing familial obligations also shape individual and collective family timing. In all these areas, historical and cultural differences are critical. Particularly significant is the convergence of socioeconomic and cultural forces. For example, â€Å"middle-age crisis† was a relatively recent invention in popular psychology in American society. It was attributed to middle-class women in particular in describing the problems connected to menopause and the â€Å"empty nest† in mid adulthood. â€Å"Middle-age crises† were not widespread, however. They were a product of stereotypes and a social construction rather than of sociobiological or familial realities. Since the 1970s, a considerable volume of feminist psychological literature has placed â€Å"middle-age crisis† in its proper perspective by exposing the cultural and â€Å"scientific† stereotypes that created the concept (Lawrence 1980). For the process to be fully working, then, we would expect to have evidence from lay accounts that the wider public had accepted and normalised the condition. Further evidence was provided by a Gallup poll survey in 1992 which found that over two-thirds of middle-aged men in the UK believed that there was some indefinable phenomenon called the ‘midlife crisis’. Furthermore, it stated that over half of the sample thought they had experienced a midlife crisis, or were actually having one, at some point between the ages of 40 and 60 (Neustatter 1996:80). Second, a further stage occurred in the United States when the midlife crisis started to appear as a legitimate condition in course material designed for the training of nurses. The psychologist Carl Jung believed that in Western cultures, the midlife crisis of males is rooted in a search for deeper spiritual roots (Marin 2001). From the perspective of male and female roles, there is often a reversal of roles away from the closed/traditional paradigm; that is, the husband moves inward to find strength for the future, and the female moves outward to the work world and career (Morris 1995). Thus midlife men experience the self-doubts, malaise, and concern over issues of a failure of adaptation. External economic changes in the opportunity structure affect changes in the timing of entry into the labour force, and, ultimately, retirement. Institutional and legislative changes, such as compulsory school attendance, child-labour laws, and mandatory retirement, shape the work-life transitions of different age groups and eventually influence their family life as well. People who suffer a midlife crisis in this form see the exciting experience of forward movement as ending with youth and the future as repetition and decay. Some people have midlife crises, but most do not. Crises do occur in midlife, but they are usually caused by a variety of factors, certainly not by chronology alone. We conclude that a more adequate theory of human development must take into account both the socio-historical environment, on the one hand, and internal psychological and biological processes on the other. References Lawrence, B. S. (1980). â€Å"The Myth of Midlife Crisis. † Sloan Management Review, 21(4): 35-49. Marin, Rick. (2001). â€Å"Is This the Face of a Midlife Crisis? † N. Y. TIMES, June 24, [section] 9. Morris, B. (1995). â€Å"Executive Women Confront Midlife Crisis. † Fortune (September 18): 60-86. Neustatter, A. (1996). Looking the Demon in the Eye: the challenge of midlife, London: Joseph. Sifford, D. (1983). â€Å"Midlife Crisis: The Nagging Pain of Unfulfilled Dreams,† Philadelphia Inquirer, October 17, p. 4.

Free Essays on Dulce Et Decorum Est

Dulce et Decorum Est When this assignment was given I was not sure which piece of literature was my favorite. I looked at the titles on the syllabus and I remembered how much I enjoyed â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† written by Wilfred Owen. After reading â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† the first time I found it immediately appealing. This poem grabbed my attention more than any of the other selections we have read thus far, making it my favorite. This is unusual to me because ordinarily I don’t like poetry or so I thought. There are a few characteristics of this poem that make it appealing to me. First and for-most is the graphic imagery that Owen brings to life. I haven’t before read such amazing descriptions as the ones found in this poem. Next, the topic of war caught my attention. Finally the message he relays in his poem. His message is that it is a lie to think that dieing for ones country is â€Å"sweet and fitting.† This entire piece is full of vivid descriptions of war, specifically World War I. This first line paints a stunning picture of the soldier, â€Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks.† After reading that line I can clearly see what the soldiers looked like marching with the great weight of their packs forcing them to hunch over. Owen further describes the men by saying that they â€Å"All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue.† This again lets me visualize the movements and appearance of the troops. Next he brilliantly describes a scene where gas has just exploded near his group. He says that there was an â€Å"ecstasy of fumbling† to get the masks on in time. However, there was someone who didn’t get his mask on soon enough and he was â€Å"flound’ring like a man in fire.† I can’t imagine that scene being described any better. Then Owen describes himself looking through â€Å"misty panes† and â€Å"think gree n light†. Here he is giving a description of what it was like to look through the ... Free Essays on Dulce et Decorum Est Free Essays on Dulce et Decorum Est Dulce et Decorum Est When this assignment was given I was not sure which piece of literature was my favorite. I looked at the titles on the syllabus and I remembered how much I enjoyed â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† written by Wilfred Owen. After reading â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† the first time I found it immediately appealing. This poem grabbed my attention more than any of the other selections we have read thus far, making it my favorite. This is unusual to me because ordinarily I don’t like poetry or so I thought. There are a few characteristics of this poem that make it appealing to me. First and for-most is the graphic imagery that Owen brings to life. I haven’t before read such amazing descriptions as the ones found in this poem. Next, the topic of war caught my attention. Finally the message he relays in his poem. His message is that it is a lie to think that dieing for ones country is â€Å"sweet and fitting.† This entire piece is full of vivid descriptions of war, specifically World War I. This first line paints a stunning picture of the soldier, â€Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks.† After reading that line I can clearly see what the soldiers looked like marching with the great weight of their packs forcing them to hunch over. Owen further describes the men by saying that they â€Å"All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue.† This again lets me visualize the movements and appearance of the troops. Next he brilliantly describes a scene where gas has just exploded near his group. He says that there was an â€Å"ecstasy of fumbling† to get the masks on in time. However, there was someone who didn’t get his mask on soon enough and he was â€Å"flound’ring like a man in fire.† I can’t imagine that scene being described any better. Then Owen describes himself looking through â€Å"misty panes† and â€Å"think gree n light†. Here he is giving a description of what it was like to look through the ... Free Essays on Dulce Et Decorum Est A Glimpse of â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† Through vivid imagery and compelling metaphors â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† gives the reader the exact feeling the author wanted. The poem is an anti-war poem by Wilfred Owen and makes great use of these devices. This poem is very effective because of its excellent manipulation of the mechanical and emotional parts of poetry. Owen's use of exact diction and vivid figurative language emphasizes his point, showing that war is terrible and devastating. Furthermore, the utilization of extremely graphic imagery adds even more to his argument. Through the effective use of all three of these tools, this poem conveys a strong meaning and persuasive argument. To have a better understanding of the poem, it is important to understand some of Wilfred Owen’s history. Owen enlisted in the Artists’ Rifles on October 21st 1915. He was eventually drafted to France in 1917. The birth of Owen’s imagery style used in his more famous poems was during his stay at Craiglockhart War Hospital, where he met Siegfried Sassoon (another great war poet). Owen’s new style (the one that was used in â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est†) embellished many poems between August 1917 and September 1918. On November 4, 1918, Wilfred Owed was killed by enemy machine gun fire as he tried to get his company across the Sambre Canal (Stallworthy). The poem tells of a trip that Owen and his platoon of exhausted soldiers had while they were painfully making their way back to base after a harrowing time at the battle front when a gas shell was fired at them. As a result of this, a soldier in his platoon was fatally gassed. Owen has arranged the poem in three sections, each dealing with a different stage of this experience. He makes use of a simple, regular rhyme scheme, which makes the poem sound almost like a child's poem or nursery rhyme. This technique serves to emphasize the solemn and serious content. In stanza one, Owen describes ... Free Essays on Dulce Et Decorum Est Dulce et Decorum Est Poems are one of the most powerful ways to convey an idea, message or opinion. The poem â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est†, a war poem by Wilfred Owen, makes effective use of these devices. This poem is very effective because of its use of the mechanical and emotional parts of poetry. Owen’s use of precise diction emphasizes his point, showing that war is a horrible and devastating event. Through figurative language, a poem can give the reader the exact feeling the author had intended. Furthermore, the use of extremely graphic images adds more to his argument. Audience is also an important aspect of writing, and one that Owen considers well in this writing. In addition, the author uses punctuation to create texture in the poem. Through the effectiveness of these five tools, this poem expresses strong meaning and persuasive argument of the dark side of war and is an excellent example of powerful writing. The author’s use of excellent diction helps to clearly define what the author is saying. (Fulwiler and Hayakawa 163) Powerful verbs like â€Å"guttering†, â€Å"choking†, and â€Å"drowning† not only show how the man is suffering, but that he is in a great deal of pain that no human being should endure. Other words like â€Å"writhing† and â€Å"froth-corrupted† hint to exactly how the man is being tormented by his enemy, as well as himself. The phrase â€Å"blood shod† forces the image of men who have been on their feet for days, never stopping to rest long enough to recuperate. One can almost feel the pain of the men whose feet have not gotten a rest from the heavy boots they wear. Some of the boots are torn and worn, and some of the men have no boots at all. Frostbite. Gangrene. Amputate. All possible words they might hear. If they live long enough to find out. Also, the fact that the gassed man was â€Å"flung† int o the wagon reveals the urgency and responsibility that accompanies fighting: there is no t... Free Essays on Dulce Et Decorum Est An Analysis of Imagery in Wilfred Owen’s â€Å"Dulce Et Decorum Est† We have all seen the movies and read the stories of World War I. They give us an idea of what is what like to fight in a war of that great magnitude. The battles were bloody, horrifying, and ferocious. â€Å"Dulce Et Decorum Est† is a great poem written by war poet Wilfred Owen. It involves a tragic war situation. His imagery gives detail to what is was like on the battlefield, and also to state what his thought is on the war. In the first two stanzas’s Owen describes how the soldiers are trudging back to camp from battle. The soldiers are fatigued and wounded as they return to the campsite. The men are walking asleep, ignoring the blast of gas shells in the background: Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards are distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. The way Owen describes the trudge back to camp allows the reader to open their minds to the events that are occurring. This allows them to see the reality that the war was for the soldiers. I believe Owen’s use of these images are aimed at discouraging the thought of war. In the third stanza Owen is describing a gas attack on the soldiers as they are trudging back to camp. Owen describes the soldiers fumbling to get their mask fastened, all but one, a lone soldier. He is struggling to get his mask on but doesn’t get it fastened quickly enough and suffers from the effects of mustard gas: Gas! Gas! Quick boys! -An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone st... Free Essays on Dulce Et Decorum Est Based on the Poem "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owens The poem is one of the most powerful ways to convey an idea or opinion. Through vivid imagery and compelling metaphors, the poem gives the reader the exact feeling the author wanted. The poem "Dulce et Decorum Est," an anti-war poem by Wilfred Owen, makes great use of these devices. This poem is very effective because of its excellent manipulation of the mechanical and emotional parts of poetry. Owen's use of exact diction and vivid figurative language emphasizes his point, showing that war is terrible and devastating. Furthermore, the utilization of extremely graphic imagery adds even more to his argument. Through the effective use of all three of these tools, this poem conveys a strong meaning and persuasive argument. The poem's use of excellent diction helps to more clearly define what the author is saying. Words like "guttering", "choking", and "drowning" not only show how the man is suffering, but that he is in terrible p ain that no human being should endure. Other words like writhing and froth-corrupted say precisely how the man is being tormented. Moreover, the phrase "blood shod" shows how the troops have been on their feet for days, never resting. Also, the fact that the gassed man was "flung" into the wagon reveals the urgency and occupation with fighting. The only thing they can do is toss him into a wagon. The fact one word can add to the meaning so much shows how the diction of this poem adds greatly to its effectiveness. Likewise, the use of figurative language in this poem also helps to emphasize the points that are being made. As Perrine says, people use metaphors because they say "...what we want to say more vividly and forcefully..." Owen capitalizes greatly on this by using strong metaphors and similes. Right off in the first line, he describes the troops as being "like old beggars under sacks." This not only says that they are tired, but that they are so tired... Free Essays on Dulce Et Decorum Est Interpretive Essay on â€Å"Dulce Et Decorum Est† By Wilfred Owen â€Å"In October 1917 Wilfred Owen wrote to his mother from Craiglockhart, ‘Here is a gas poem, done yesterday†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.the famous Latin tag means of course it is sweet and meet to die for ones country. Sweet! And decorous!’† {1} Wilfred Owens poem â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† is a magnificent and stirring description of a gas attack suffered by a group of soldiers in World War I. Inspired by the author’s first hand experience, the poem’s grim description is especially moving. The title is ironic, as the work goes on to communicate the ridiculousness of the old Latin saying from the perspective of a soldier. The poem is composed of four stanzas. The first two appear to be in English sonnet form, although the last two are not nearly as structured. The tone from the outset is one of exhaustion and horror. The speaker’s words continually evoke realistic images of the scene before him. Through a combination of similes and metaphors, the author presents powerful literal images of war and artfully communicates the sense of despair with which the witnesses must have been struck. The word selection of the first stanza immediately invokes the realistic visualizations for which the poem owes its impact. â€Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through the sludge†. The image is one of exhaustion and despair. It is easy for the reader to visualize this scene and the dreadful conditions from the power of the speaker’s description. The reference of old beggars seems so out of place, as these were predominantly young men. What conditions could have made these strong young men appear to the speaker as old beggars? The simile begs the reader to consider the conditions they endured. Visualize these old yet young men cursing through the sludge. A sense of monotony is evident with the use of the wo...

Building Your Own Yurt Essays

Building Your Own Yurt Essays Building Your Own Yurt Paper Building Your Own Yurt Paper For someone who likes to go camping, learning to build a yurt can be an enjoyable experience. A yurt is a circular tent that nomads used as homes. It originated from the East, yurt being a Turkish word meaning a dwelling place. However, the yurt that is more popular now is actually the Mongolian ger, but both are referred to by the term yurt. Although yurts are now commercially available, they can be quite expensive. Instead of buying a yurt, an individual can just make his own instead. All that one needs are the materials, some basic carpentry and sewing skills, and time. Making ones own yurt costs less and will enable the owner to customize his yurt. Yurts have been preferred by campers for many reasons, including its durability and its capacity to accommodate a group of persons or families. A yurt can typically last a lifetime, and only its canvas covers needed to be changed after 2-3 years of regular use, being exposed to harsh environmental elements. Further the wooden latticework that serves as its frame makes it more stable than a regular tent, enabling it to withstand strong winds, rains and storms, even snow. Also, it provides more space, each yurt typically has an average of ten feet in diameter space within. Yurts are also easy to assemble, and if needed to be relocated one does not have to take it apart. Instead, a couple of people can transfer it to another place. It is also fairly easy to store and carry around. After all, nomadic people were able to lug it around with them wherever they went. To build ones own yurt, a person must first have an idea of how big he wants it to be. The yurt is sturdy because of its structure: all the components are entwined and are designed to keep standing even when a section gets destroyed. The dimensions, length and width of the materials need to be measured and predetermined exactly. The yurt has two main components: the wooden framework, and the canvas cover. The wooden frame has the following parts: the latticework walls called khana, the crown or toono, central supporting columns or bagana, roof poles called uni, and if one wants, a door. The cover is made traditionally from felt, but nowadays waterproof canvas is used. There are many books being sold and guides available in the internet on how to make ones own yurt, this paper will just outline the basic processes needed to construct one. The first step in making a yurt is to build the base, or the lattice framework. First, get the wooden rods and make and drill 3. 5mm holes nine inches apart, leaving two inches at one end and four at the other. Take 24 rods and tie them together by knotting a string at one end and passing the string through two corresponding holes. Remember to align all the top rods towards one direction, for example, to the left, and all the rods below to the right. Finish the ends using shorter length of rods, saw off the rods as needed. Then take another 24 rods and make another khana. For the door, saw the wood into two upright 1. 5-3 in diameter and 4 feet long, tapered at each end to fit into 1 holes drilled into the top and bottom of the frame. The top and bottom of the frame should be about 3 in diameter and 25 long, with the ends drilled for the tapered poles. The crown consists of a wooden wheel with hub and spokes. Drill 32 holes at the rim to take in the roof poles. Draw a 76 cm in diameter circle, and inside this draw another with a 60 cm diameter. Divide the circles into quarters, and cut out the quarters. Glue and clamp together the sections to complete the wheel, and for extra strength drill two holes through each section and secure with screws. Then drill 32 holes at the rim at an angle pointing upwards at the crown. To make the crown center cut out eight spokes of 38mm square timber 33cm long. Cut out another circle, to put the spokes into, drill holes, screw and glue the spokes to the rim and to the center. For the roof, take 32 1. 5m long poles. Drill 3. 5mm holes 25mm apart at one end, and pass a string through to form a loop that fits over a pole of the khana. The other end should fit into the holes of the crown. For the cover, make sure there is ample space to spread and sew the canvas. Measure the length of the khana and the roof, as this will determine the length of the canvas covering. For the roof, cut out 7 big sections of canvas enough to cover the roof. Take one section and cut into two, so as not to cover the crown. Stitch the hems of the sections before stitching them together. Make sure that the upper sections overlaps the lower one to ensure water to flow smoother when it rains. In the same way, cut two pieces of canvas enough to cover the whole circumference of the walls, with the height and length at least three feet longer to allow for shrinkage. Sew the two widths together, making sure that the top sheet overlaps the other by at least an inch to allow water to run off easily. Sew 1. 5 hems at the bottom and at the ends of the canvas. Fit the grommets to the hems, corresponding the grommets to the intersections at the top of the khana. Tie a string and make a loop through each grommet big enough to fit over the top of the poles. Finally, tie a 1m string to each of the grommets at the end. Lastly, take a piece of canvas as long as the two khana and 20cm wide. Sew hems at both sides and both ends. Fit two grommets at each corner of the canvass ends, and tie a piece of rope to make a loop. Tie a 1m rope to each loop. This is the tension band that will be used to hold the roof poles in place. To set up the yurt, unfold the two khana sections and set them upright in a circle. Tie the band on top of the walls. Get somebody to hold the crown at the center of the yurt, and then proceed to fit the string loop of each roof pole over the top of the wall pole and into the holes of the crown. Tie the band tightly around the entire yurt especially where the wall and roof poles meet. Pull the crown down hard to ensure that everything are securely set. Put up the khana cover, followed by tying down the roof cover with rope passing through the grommets. Tuck the hems, and fit the door. The entire process of making ones own yurt may take more than a few days to a week depending on the available time one has. However, once the yurt is built, it can be used and re-used, and can last a lifetime. Indeed, it can serve as a portable home to anyone who takes the time to build one, with all the work and effort that is put into creating a yurt. The best part is, anybody can make a yurt, and can ask family to help them build it so that they can enjoy it and the unique experience it offers with the outdoors sooner together .

Ethnic diversity in China Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethnic diversity in China Journal - Essay Example Zhizou people believe that two parallel house cannot be of the same height because they may cause unnecessary competition. The community encourages ties amongst siblings’ right from when they are still under their parents’ care to when they have been married away. In grandmother Wasomo’s story, a community where old people pass virtues to young children is depicted as one that is desirable and as one which yields a well-mannered crop of citizens. Respect for morals is a pillar in the community and elderly people though married have different beds to avoid ridicule. Spirits are considered part and parcel of the community; they, alongside the deceased are held highly in the community through ways such as observation of rituals to honor them and effigies, which are made in their memory. They are also perceived as the custodians of the people and are believed to be able to prevent harm. The community also had close ties, and this is exemplified by the fact that there is a granary that stores grain for a group of people. Women in the community are seen as the creators of wealth as in the example of a woman whose six kilos of rice is taken per day and another who shares two kilos for a family of six and has enough to see her through to the next harvest while the former does not. Chapter five questions the authority where the writers memories of rules and procedures are founded as his tapes and notebooks filled with deep thoughts. In order to explain why a somewhat different scripts model of memory has long been associated with respect to authority of written communication in China, the story of Nepi is told. The story of the origin of Nepi tells of two men; a Lolopo and another Han, who after traveling for nine nights and days the Lolopo man ends up ingesting what he had written on his buckwheat while the Han who had written on a piece of paper retained his information. The writer maintains that unlike scripted memory,

Public Sector Employment Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Public Sector Employment Relations - Essay Example In this context, the role of government and its position in the public sector is a crucial aspect to account for. On the same note, the fact that the government employs the public service introduces employment relations to be accounted for in that sector. Employee-employer relationship is captured in employment relations concepts. This is basically an account of the employee and employer interactions, to further account for productivity in service delivery. The public sector provides both public goods and services (Ashworth and Entwistle, 2010, p.109). The government, whether local or central, acts as the employer in public service. Every employed individual is accountable to the state. Public sector employment relations therefore capture the interactions between the government and its employees in the public service field (Ashworth and Entwistle, 2010, p.113). Over and above capturing productivity of employee through functional relationships with their employers, the concept of empl oyment relations also encompass the morale and motivation of employees in their working environment and beyond. Generally, employment relations are fundamental in a number of ways. The interaction of employees with their employers boosts their cooperation, improving the underlying working environment. Effectiveness and efficiency of product and service delivery is realized in that process. Unnecessary conflicts are also avoided, enhancing information flow and discharge of duties and responsibilities by both employees and employers. Decision making in that context cannot be ignored. Employee relations seek to incorporate the participation of employees in organizational decision making. On the same note, employees can keep track of decisions made that pertain to matters affecting them from time to time. Public servants are managed by the public sector, primarily the government. The relationship between the public servants and their employer is a complex one, and dynamic in nature. It encompasses multidimensional factors that include but not limited to social, economic, political, ethical, psychological and legal factors (Julius, 2008, p.73). Social, economic, political and technological advancements are creating diverse needs for the society, consequently requiring that the public sector be more accountable. Resource allocation is central to this pursuit, but there never seems to be enough resources that adequately address the needs of the society. Social welfare is on the same note calling for higher qualities and standards, pressuring the government even further. This has influenced the public sector, public service and the private sector in a number of ways, all of which converge to employment concerns. The public sector creates a critical employment pool, rendering functional all its firms, agencies, corporates and parastatal entities. The private sector on the other hand accounts for significant employment opportunities in the nation and beyond. Firms and o rganizations that are privately run complement the public sector in accounting for social welfare in the country. Employment operations in the two sectors have open distinctions, and so are the underlying employment relations. In the public sector, the government acts as the central employer of the public servants. These public servants make up the public service that further accounts for public goods and services delivery to the entire public population. The private sect

African American Empires Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

African American Empires - Essay Example This was then used for trade along trans-Sahara trade network. (Ancient Civilizations Website). Anything that the Wagadugu society required could be traded for gold, and this meant that the society soon became well established and very wealthy. The introduction of the camel increased the range of trading groups. (The Ghana Guide Website) Resources alone do not make a great nation. The second key success factor was the ability of the people to govern themselves wisely. They also made profits and distributed them widely. Taxes were levied from passing traders. An effective legal system based on tribal chief authority kept order and peace within the territory. Good leadership was a critical factor in Wagadugu’s success. When invaders arrived, there was a ready army for defence. Other nation wanted to have good relations with this territory. It was a beacon of enlightenment in Africa. This it was a combination of good fortune in terms of resources, and hard work in terms of organization that enabled the Wagadugu empire to be so

Obesity Amongst Mexican Children Essay Example for Free

Obesity Amongst Mexican Children Essay Abstract: The prevalence of overweight children in the United States of Mexican descent is higher for second generation than their first generation counterparts. First generation immigrants tend to keep a healthier lifestyle by consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables, walking longer distances and smoking less than the more acculturated Mexican-Americans. Acculturation is a major contributing factor for the alarming rates of obesity within Mexican children. When children of Mexican immigrants are exposed to American society, they develop unhealthy habits such as eating pizza and hot dogs during school lunch hours, access to vending machines, and media exposure where they are constantly bombarded with food related commercials of unhealthy nature. A lower socio-economic status, such as the recently immigrated parents, is also a contributing factor for obesity within Mexican children. High calorie and high fat content foods tend to be less expensive than fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, leading to poorer, unhealthier choices. Fast food chains are prohibitory expensive in Mexico, whereas in the US they are not. As young Mexican children develop their sense of identity while they separate from their parents or caregivers and seek acceptance from their American peers, they integrate themselves into the fast food culture leading to obesity amongst Mexican-American children of second generation in the US. The incidence of obesity in Mexican adults has increased markedly over the years. Data from the 1993 National Survey of Chronic Diseases (Encuesta Nacional de Enfermedades Cronicas) showed an obesity prevalence of 21. 5%. The 2000 National Health Survey (Encuesta Nacional de Salud) indicated that 24% of adults suffered obesity. Data from the 2006 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2006) revealed that 30% of adults of both sexes were obese. (Rojas,R, Aguilar-Salinas, C. , Jimenez, A. , Gomez, F. , Barquera, S. , 2012, p. 8) In the last two decades, the prevalence of childhood obesity, defined as at or above the 95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age and gender (Center for Disease Control, 2009), has more than doubled among children aged 6–11 years and tripled among adolescents aged 12–19 years, and here is no evidence that this trend is coming to an end (Ogden, 2002). This is a serious public health concern because obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk for various physical, mental, and emotional health problems, including impaired glucose tolerance , insulin resistance, atherosclerosis , coronary heart disease in adulthood , development of eating disorders, and low self-esteem (Seo, D. Sa, J. , 2009). The obesity epidemic disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority children, who are defined as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Black, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native Hawaiian, or OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 3 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS? other Pacific Islander (CDC, 2009). According to estimates based on the 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), among children aged 6–19 years, 22. 2% of Mexican American children and 20. 5% of non-Hispanic Blacks were obese as compared with only 13. 6% of non-Hispanic whites. Other studies performed by Ogden and colleagues (2002) also affirm a larger prevalence of obesity among Mexican American and Black children compared with white children. These rates of obesity are far from the 2010 national health objective of Healthy People 2010. The higher incidence of obesity among minority children is alarming because these racial/ethnic groups have a lower insulin sensitivity than white children (Seo, D, Sa, J. 2009). Obesity is an epidemic facing millions of people across the globe, resulting in more than 300,000 deaths in the United States alone (Dishman, 2004). Historically, the majority of people affected by obesity were adults. However, in the last decade this epidemic has spread to our youth. Excess weight in U. S. children has increased in prevalence and has become a serious public health concern. Currently, about 33% of children ages 2–5 in the U. S. are overweight (BMI in the 85th percentile or above), and 12% are considered obese (BMI in the 95th percentile or above) (CDC, 2009). Overweight children have a 70–80% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, which may lead to an increase in obesity related disease among adults (United States Department of Human Health and Services, 2007). Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for disease and fatal health conditions, such as hypertension, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and some cancers (CDC, 2009). Not only is obesity linked to clinical conditions, but it may also lead to mental health problems such as self-blame and low self-esteem ( Haboush, A., Phebus, T. , Tanata Ashby, D. , Zaikina-Montgomery, H. , Kindig, K. , 2011). This paper will focus on the contributing factors for the alarming obesity rates amongst Mexican children. Are second generation Mexican children more prone to obesity than their first generation counterparts? Mexican immigrant parents usually don’t view obesity as a threatening health issue. In fact, some research reports that Mexican mothers see childhood obesity as a sign of good heath (Rosas et al. ) and thinness as a sigh of illness (Sosa, 2012). Acculturation, or the process of adjusting to a new culture, describes social, psychological, and behavioral changes that an individual undergoes as result of immigration (Buttenheim, A. , Pebley, A. , Hsih, K. , Chung, C. , Goldman, N. , 2012). The drastic changes in lifestyle and social interactions that immigrants encounter upon arriving to the United States often put them at risk for negative health consequences (Ogden et al. , 2009). Of the negative health outcomes associated with OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 4 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS?acculturation in Mexican children, obesity is significant because it has implications for development of chronic diseases such as heart disease and Type II Diabetes (CDC, 2009). Mexican children are at increased risk for obesity upon immigration to the United States and are predisposed to development of chronic diseases,(Buscemi, J. , Beech, B. , Relyea, G. , 2011). Mexican American mothers’ views on obesity, 40% of mothers with overweight children did not identify overweight as a health issue (Ariza et al. , 2004). When weight was used as an indicator of health, parents were more concerned with the health of skinny children than overweight children. Mexican American mothers were concerned with having thin children because a thin child could become sick and die (Small, L. , Melnyk, B. , Anderson-Gifford, D. , Hampl, J. 2009). A second and less studied mechanism linking nativity of US immigrants to obesity risk is the interconnectedness of the food environment and migration dynamics in the sending country (Buttenheim et al. , 2012). This is particularly relevant in the case of obesity risk for Mexican-origin children in the US, given the large, circular migration flows between the two countries and the well-documented nutrition transition underway in Mexico (Popkin Udry, 1998). This transition is characterized by a shift from unprocessed and low energy density diets to highly processed, energy dense foods. The transition is due in part to new food marketing strategies and a simultaneous decrease in physical activity that has accompanied urbanization and economic development in Mexico (Popkin Udry, 1998). Mexico’s nutrition transition has been notably rapid: Mexico now has the second highest rates of adult obesity among OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries (after the US) (Rosas, 2011). A potential explanation for the increased obesity rates within the Mexican immigrants in the US is acculturative stress (Van Hook et al. , 2011). Mexican-origin immigrants, are often faced with discrimination based on race/ethnicity and immigrant status. This discrimination, in turn, leads to chronic stress and psycho-physiological stress responses, which are known to affect health over the long run . Thus, the process of integration into a society that views Mexican-origin immigrants as being of lower status than other social and racial/ethnic groups may itself result in chronic health problems, even if health behaviors remain constant over time and across immigrant generation. Why would duration of time in the US and immigrant generation affect obesity? The acculturation literature has emphasized the importance of dietary changes by duration in the US and across generation: increased acculturation is hypothesized to lead to decreased consumption of healthy foods and increased consumption of processed high OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 5 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS? fat/sugar foods. Gordon-Larsen et al. (2003) reported that first generation Mexican immigrant adolescents eat more rice, beans, fruit, and vegetables and less cheese and fast food than second generation Mexican-origin immigrants. Kaiser and colleagues (2007) say that acculturation seems to be a contributing factor for obesity amongst Mexican children. Acculturation can be defined as the process by which immigrants adopt the attitudes, values, customs, beliefs, and behaviors of a new culture. Two studies reported their findings on acculturation and potential implications on the nutritional status of Mexican American children. Kaiser and colleagues (2007) concluded that less acculturated mothers were more likely to provide alternate food choices when a child would not eat and use child-feeding strategies that may contribute to childhood overweight, such as bribes, threats, and punishment. Ariza, Chen, Binns, and Christoffel (2004) conducted a study to test their hypothesis that overweight was more prevalent in highly acculturated Mexican American children aged 5 to 6 years; however, the results did not substantiate an association between overweight and acculturation in this population. Duerksen and colleagues (2007) reported that increased levels of acculturation may lead to higher rates of overweight among Mexican American families if they were eating more meals at fast-food and buffet-style restaurants rather than selecting traditional, authentic Mexican restaurants. Studies indicated that less acculturated Mexican Americans consumed less fat, and more fiber, protein, vitamins A, C, E and B6, folate, calcium, potassium, and magnesium than their more acculturated counterparts (Rosas et al. 2011). Most research conducted across age groups and outcomes indicates that newly-arrived and less acculturated immigrants are healthier and live longer than natives. Unfortunately, this health advantage dissipates with duration of U. S. residence and does not extend to the next generation. In addition to the influence of parents’ acculturation on children’s behaviors, children can accelerate the acculturation process for their families as well because children are more likely to have a consistent exposure to typical American foods at school and likely to affect purchasing decisions of their parents. One of the biggest changes in children’s diets after moving to the United States has been suggested to be with the foods children consume at school. It has been reported that although Mexican American children liked the traditional ethnic foods they received at home, they preferred the American foods they were served at school (e.g. , pizza, hamburgers) (Rosas et al. 2011). Furthermore, there seemed to be a lack of awareness among children about the healthfulness of traditional Mexican foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and beans) or potential health risks of the typical American diet, which was perceived as pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, and French fries. As children develop their own self and ethnic identities, they may seek separation from their parents and acceptance from their peers, and they may identify fast food and other less healthful food options with the United States culture. This can eventually lead to less healthful dietary patterns both for children and their families because children are likely to affect food-purchasing OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 6 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS? decisions in their households (Rosas et al. 2011). When looking into the influence of acculturation on food intake behaviors among children and youths, another important element of the social environment must be addressed: media exposure. Media exposure can have detrimental influences at both ends of the spectrum in terms of eating behaviors: children may adopt an unrealistically thin body image through exposure to popular culture, and unhealthy dieting practices or eating disorders may follow. Alternatively, they may increase their consumption of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods that they are exposed to through advertisements, and this type of behavior may eventually lead to overweight status. There have been some initiatives to limit food marketing aiming at children, but nutritionally poor and energy dense foods (e.g. , high sugar cereals, candy, soft drinks, chips) still constitute the majority of the foods advertised on television (Kunkel et al. 2009). Several reports indicate that children choose advertised foods at significantly higher rates and attempt to influence their parents to purchase these foods. Unfortunately, advertisement of the nutritionally inferior food choices is not limited to television only; it is widespread through a variety of channels such as schools (vending machines, corporate sponsorship of school events and materials, etc. ), and online applications(e.g. , interactive games, sweepstakes, computer screensavers). Media exposure among children has been increasing over the past 10 years, and according to the 2009 estimates (Kunkel et al. 2009). American children spend about 7. 4 hours per day using or watching media such as television, computers, video games or movies. These estimates seem to be even higher among minorities) and individuals with lower socio economical status( SES) (Sussner et al. 2009). Hispanic youths were reported to spend about 5. 5 hours per day watching television while this estimate was 3. 5 hours per day for non-Hispanic whites in 2009. Moreover, screen time seems to increase with greater acculturation (Gordon-Larsen et al. 2003). The data from the 2003–04 National Survey of Children’s Health indicated that, in comparison to U. S. -born non-Hispanic white children with U. S. -born parents, foreign-born Hispanic children with immigrant parents were 31 percent more likely and U. S. -born Hispanic children with U. S. -born parents were 51 percent more likely to watch television. Although foreign-born Hispanics seem to be less likely to consume less healthful foods (Osypuk et al.2009), a reverse trend can be seen if these foods are more expensive in the country of origin but cheaper in the United States. For example, qualitative studies indicated that lower cost and increased availability were among the reasons for Mexican Americans to consume snacks, sweets, and fast food more in the United States . An earlier report pointed out that some foods, such as mayonnaise, margarine, and salad dressing were considered high-status items by many low-income families in Latin America (Romero-Gwynn et al. 1993). Similarly, Mexican adults living in Florida reported that in addition to fast food not being as readily available in their native country, it was more expensive than in the United States and therefore, they tended to eat fast food only for special occasions in their native OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 7 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS? country. Once these types of foods become more readily available and affordable for the immigrants in the United States, an increase in the consumption levels would be expected. Lower costs, widespread availability, and the convenience of fast food in the United States appear to be an enticing solution especially for time-strapped immigrant families with children (Lindsay et al. 2009). Qualitative studies among immigrants suggest a more relaxed lifestyle in Mexico versus a very busy lifestyle in the United States that leaves less time to cook or prepare foods. This type of lifestyle makes convenience foods very appealing, and it is likely to result in an increase in fast food consumption (Gray et al. 2005). In addition to the economic conditions related to the food environment, limited socioeconomic abilities of individuals also put immigrants at greater risk for unhealthy food intake patterns and entailing health issues. Higher rates of food insecurity and low SES among minorities and immigrants are likely to force individuals to purchase relatively cheaper and filling, but often nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods (Drewnowski and Darmon 2005). A binational study that was conducted in the United States and Mexico provided support for these eating patterns, and it also pointed out the country- or culture-specific variations in these associations. In the United States sample of this study, children with food insecurity were more likely to consume fat, saturated fat, sweets, and fried snacks compared to their food secure counterparts. In Mexico, however, food insecure (versus food secure) children displayed a different food intake pattern that was characterized by higher intakes of carbohydrates, dairy, and vitamin B6 (Rosas et al. 2009). One of the least studied aspects of the relationship between socioeconomic factors and food intake is the residential context and demographic makeup of the neighborhoods. One of the few studies that examined this context in a mostly Hispanic (but mixed ethnic) sample suggested that greater density of immigrants in residential areas was positively related to fruit and vegetable intake after controlling for individual factors such as age, race/ethnicity, language, country of birth, and education (Dubowitz et al. 2008). Another study also reported that high-fat/processed food intake (fats, oils, processed meats, fried potatoes, salty snacks, desserts) was lower in immigrant-dense neighborhoods even after controlling for SES, demographic factors, and acculturation (Rosas et al.2011). These results indicate beneficial dietary intake patterns for all residents (immigrant or not) residing in that area. Some of the potential factors underlying these results could be resulting from socioeconomic advantages through greater social capital, availability of stores with healthier ethnic food options, and higher consumption of healthier food intake habits, social norms, and values in the ethnically dense neighborhoods (Dubowitz et al. 2008). OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 8 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS? Highly acculturated Hispanic adults were more likely to have higher BMIs than their less acculturated counterparts. Similarly, second or third generation Hispanic youths were reported to be more likely overweight than their first generation counterparts (Popkin and Udry 1998). For adults, the difference in the overweight status by acculturation seems to be seen usually in a range of 10 to 21 years of residence in the United States, but interestingly, BMI differences were detectable by age two among less acculturated mothers’ children in a mostly Hispanic sample (Sussner et al. 2009). Some of the mechanisms underlying these findings could be the existence of cultural beliefs that associate overweight status among children with perception of good health (Sussner et al. 2009), failing to recognize overweight status, or acceptance of a larger body size as a desirable body image among Hispanics. Taken together, these cultural preferences can lead to obesity over time with the additional contribution of the typical environment in the United States that stimulates consumption of energy-dense foods and discourages physical activities. Certain food intake patterns (e. g., energy-dense foods) can lead to overweight or obese status as people acculturate. Although a factor analysis of nationally representative data from the NHANES 2001–02 did not indicate a specific dietary intake pattern in relationship to BMI or waist circumference (as measures of overall or central adiposity) among Mexican Americans (Carrera et al. 2007), it is possible that dietary intake might be related to obesity indirectly, or collectively with other lifestyle factors (e. g. , physical activity). It is also possible that the effects might be most pronounced at specific time periods during acculturation. Supporting this potential mechanism is the results from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health indicating that increased probability of overweight, which was related to changes in lifestyle factors (i. e. , screen time, diet), was detectable among first generation Mexican adolescents but not among second (or more) generation participants (Gordon-Larsen et al. 2003). Although social economic status (SES) is also linked to obesity, this association seems to vary depending on the SES measures used and also by race or ethnicity. For example, in a nationally representative sample of children, both education and income were negatively related to BMI among non-Hispanic whites, but only income was positively related to BMI among Hispanics (Balistreri and Van Hook 2009). As suggested by the authors, increasing education level may be a reflection of changes in knowledge, learning abilities, social class, and personal skills while higher income among immigrants might be an indicator of greater purchasing capacity, which can result in less healthful eating patterns in the absence of adequate nutrition knowledge, skills, and a healthful food environment. SES also seems to have gender-specific and long-term consequences. Data from a nationally representative longitudinal survey among adolescents indicated that there was a strong positive association between long-term (persistent) low SES and obesity among females. Among males, however, obesity rates were highest among those who had a socioeconomically disadvantaged beginning but gained autonomy, for example, home ownership later on. Most importantly, the report pointed out that the effect of SES on OBESITY AMONGST MEXICAN CHILDREN: ARE FIRST GENERATION MEXICAN CHILDREN 9 MORE PRONE TO OBESITY THAN THEIR SECOND GENERATION COUNTERPARTS?obesity was probably initiated before adolescence (Scharoun-Lee et al. 2009). Conclusion: The research has shown that second generation Mexican children are in fact more prone to obesity than their first generation counterparts. 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