Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac death happens more these days. There are so many people alone in the United States who just stops breathing with no heart disease involved. So why did their heart stop? There are so many researchers out there trying to figure out the underlying cause of these people who this happen to. There can be other reason why a person’s heart can stop without having a cardiac disease. A person’s body may store minerals that control the arrhythmia of the heart to act a different way. An example would be like too much potassium stored in ones body can actually stop the heart. This usually will happen more frequent in patients who receive dialysis on a regular basis; they depend on that to excrete fluids from the kidneys. There could be other health issues that could cause your heart to beat differently or to cause other underlying issues to put your heart in more stress. Some of these health issues would be diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases and hypertension. These can be fatal to ones heart if not taken care of properly. In the article, â€Å"Sudden cardiac arrest without overt heart disease† it actually talks about an investigation on a survivor from cardiac arrest. In this investigation Dr. Modi and Dr. Krahn do some testing and get some family background information. First they found out that through this survivor their family history was not cardiac related at all. They ran a test called baseline electrolyte and metabolic testing to look at the cardiac electricity. This is to see if was related to the cardiac arrest. Coronary imaging was another test the doctors ran and didn’t show any abnormalities. Usually this type of test is to see if the patient has any coronary artery disease especially the ones with previous symptoms of shortness of breath or chest pain. Echocardiography is to detect congenital heart defects and checks for cardiomyopathy. This is usually performed in a cath lab and watched very closely. They look at all the ventricles of the heart as well. A stress test is used to see how well your heart does under stress. You are hooked up to ecg machine and it looks at your QT waves. This is a very popular test that is runned for patients with previous cardiac symptoms. There is also a more advanced imaging test they can run which is a MRI. This is more detailed when it comes to detecting things like an infection of the heart called myocarditis. The last test that was taken was a 12 lead EKG. This is a simple and fast test. This can see if a patient has tachycardia (fast heartbeat), Atrial fibrillation, Bradycardia (slow heartbeat), PVCs(Premature ventricular contractions) and other arrhythmia issues. Sometimes the EKG doesn’t catch it because it literally is a 5 second test. The other way is to wear a heart monitor that you can wear from 20-30 days. This is a sure way to find out if there is an issue. There has been an instance where a patient has a normal sinus rhythm at the doctors office and then wears a heart monitor will find something on it. It can be quite scary! Luckily they have medicine for lots of these cardiac issues. Medicines can vary from beta blockers to cholesterol pills to take on a daily basis. The beta blockers are simply to regulate blood pressure and heart rate; and cholesterol pills that help lowers it to keep from the arteries to get filled with plaque which can later cause a heart attack. Sometimes with these medications there are risks that can happen with all the side effects. Some people never have side effects and others do. The only way to help that is to typically have surgery or if it’s not bad enough just live your life. Unfortunately you can’t control everything but just be cautious. Finally with all the tests and medications out there to help diagnose why this person had a sudden cardiac arrest there is more testing that needs to be performed to get more answers. The doctors are considering doing genetic testing . They believe this might help with future cardiac arrests don’t to happen. Although there are many tests that were talked about like MRI, stress tests, EKG, Cath lab procedures and even medicines can’t control what might happen to anyone. With all this technology we can only do so much and protect only what we know. Hopefully with more research there will be a better outcome.

Young Goodman Brown: A Self-Portrait

Nathaniel Hawthorne was undeniably interested in the roles of his ancestors in the Salem Witch Trials.   Much of his literature combines the elements of Puritan thought with the deeper, often evil desires of the human psyche.   Young Goodman Brown’s nighttime journey in the story of the same name is an allegorical re-visitation to the madness of the Salem witch trials.   Through this story, Young Goodman Brown and his journey become universal symbols for all mankind.Hawthorne juxtaposed 19th Century religious thought with 16th Century Puritan thought in several of his works, including â€Å"Young Goodman Brown†, whose title character represents, as his name implies, every man.   Ã‚  The religious thought of both the centuries in question operated on fear, which ultimately leads several individuals, under the guise of overcoming or even conquering their fears, into the world of evil.To Hawthorne, Salem was â€Å"the center of the witchcraft delusion, in the witc hing times of 1692, and it shows the populace of Salem Village, those chief in authority as well as obscure young citizens like Brown, enticed by fiendish shapes into the frightful solitude of superstitious fear† (Abel 133).     Brown, like all others of his village, is conflicted between accepting this fear and conquering it.   Unfortunately, for most, this battle has unhappy consequences.  Ã‚   Brown, as a representative for all people, is generally naà ¯ve and accepting, and thus ill-equipped to handle the terrifying night in the forest (Fogle 15).   After all, it is in the best interest of the Puritan religious leaders to keep people constrained under fear rather than behave after the realization that all people sin.Several symbols equate Brown’s journey to the journey of every individual who struggles with the conflict between religion and self.  Ã‚   The first is the forest, as a symbol for the dark and evil place where people are tempted to go. Brown , himself, is drawn into the forest, an archetype for evil and the unknown, for the reason presented above, as an attempt to overcome the fear brought on by religious dogma.   It is in the forest that he is exposed to his utmost fears and where he realizes the shortcoming of humanity.This realization begins with the temptation of man by the devil.   This devil â€Å"seeks to lure the still reluctant goodman to a witch-meeting.   In the process he progressively undermines the young man’s faith in the institutions and the men whom he has heretofore revered† (Fogle 17).   In doing this, Brown loses his ability to operate in the society of man and lives as a sadly disillusioned, miserable creature. According to Levy, he â€Å"is Everyman.   The bargain he has struck with Satan is the universal one . . . (117).  Ã‚   Thus, most people can relate to this type of demonic bargaining which has become a universal theme in literature.Anther symbol which connects Brow n to any human being is his stringent belief in another human being or institution – this time Faith, which represents both.   She is described as wearing a cap with pink ribbons, which suggest girlishness and naivetà ©. In this way, she is just like every woman Abel calls these ribbons â€Å"a badge of feminine innocence† (Abel 130).   However, when Brown finds the ribbon in the woods, separated from his Faith (and faith), the symbolic meaning of the ribbons changes.   Here, they signify a loss of innocence.   Fogle explains that the pink of the ribbons becomes deepened into the color of blood and fire which represents faith’s demonic baptism into sin (Fogle 24).  The tie of temptation and women hails back to the book of Genesis, and the realization of Faith’s supposed fall precipitates Brown’s loss.   Levy calls the ribbon â€Å"the tangible evidence of Faith’s desertion† (117) which parallels some defining moment in wh ich many people lose their faith.   This personalizes the loss for Brown, as it is for all people.As Brown traverses the forest, he encounters other individuals.   One, who looks strikingly like Brown, accompanies him for a while.   While the reader understands that this man must be one of Brown’s ancestors, Brown himself is blind to the similarities.   This man takes on the role of companion and implies to Brown that his own ancestors made a similar journey, which Brown also disregards. Their encounter with Goody Cloyse is symbolic for two reasons. First, the encounter has Biblical implications and second, it represents another moment if disillusionment for Brown.   The staff is mentioned several times in the Bible.   In one story Aaron throws his staff at the feet of the evil Pharoah and it turned into a serpent.   The serpent represents evil.   When the companion throws is staff at the feet of Goody Cloyse, it also turns into a serpent, indicating her evil nature as well (Hale, 17).This distresses Brown, who does not understand why his Sunday School teacher would be in the midst of the evil forest.   â€Å"That old woman taught me my catechism† (Hawthorne 303). The catechism was really the only source of literature about pious living other than the Bible.   Brown probably learned all about the sins of the flesh from Goody Cloyse and ironically, she is here in the forest of evil.   Brown continues to encounter other religious officials in the forest which parallels the astonishment and sadness of any person who discovers a religious icon has behaved in a hypocritical manner.Ultimately, Brown loses his internal battle.   The realization that everyone he had revered was not what he had imagined them to be forces him to give in to the evil of the forest wholeheartedly.   He screams out, â€Å"Come witch, come wizard, come Indian powwow, come devil himself!   And here comes Goodman Brown.   You may as well fear him as he fear you!† (Hawthorne 306).   Of course, the story ends with ambiguity.   Did Brown really witness a devilish marriage?   Did Faith really submit to the altar of the devil?   The reader and Brown never really know the answer to these questions.Once Brown awakens, all evidence is gone.   He returns to his Faith, his elders and his life.   Faith is once again adorned in her pink ribbons, which â€Å"†¦ suggest, rather than symbolize something light and playful, consistent with her anxious simplicity at the beginning and the joyful, almost childish eagerness with which she greets Brown at the end† (Levy 124).   Brown’s journey has come full circle.   Unfortunately, the reality does not matter as much as Brown’s interpretation of the events that may or may not have been a dream.   He is unable to reconcile his original conceptions of the people in his life (or himself) with what he experienced on his journey.  Ã‚   Though his life with Faith continues, â€Å"†¦ his dying hour was gloom† (Hawthorne 310).Clearly, this parallels with the experiences of mankind.   Disillusionment is prevalent, and it can cause misery, sin and even death.   Loss of faith in an individual or in an institution is devastating.   Many times this loss marks the person for life, preventing them from enjoying what life has to offer.   Acceptance of sin and corruption is very hard to take, especially of a loved one or a firmly held belief.Hawthorne clearly adopted the idea that â€Å"unlovely demons were everywhere, in the sunshine as well as in the darkness, and that they were hidden in men’s hearts and stole into their most secret thoughts† (Abel 133). Young Goodman Brown is indicative of every good man’s battle with such demons.   As the story implies, this battle is more often lost than won, but most people are able to continue living their lives in spite of this acquiescence to evil.   Som e, though, such as Goodman Brown, are not able to do so.   According to Abel, â€Å"such a battle often led to an inner despair.   They were constantly tormented because of the possible convictions and judgments of their peers.   This battle intrigued Hawthorne and he sought out its presence in Puritan literature† (133).     Ã¢â‚¬Å"Young Goodman Brown† is the story of all people’s inner battles.   Some win; some lose.Works CitedAbel, Darrel.   The Moral Picturesque:   Studies in Hawthorne’s Fiction.   Indiana:   Purdue UP,1988.Fogle, Richard Harter.   Hawthorne’s Fiction:   The Light and the Dark.   Norman:   U ofOklahoma P, 1952Hale, John K.   â€Å"The Serpentine Staff in ‘Young Goodman Brown.’†Ã‚   Nathaniel   HawthorneReview   19   (Fall 1993):   17-18.Hawthorne,   Nathaniel.   â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.†Ã‚   Perrine’s Literature:   Structure Sound and   Ã‚   Sense.à ‚   9th Ed. Arp and Johnson Eds. Boston:   Thomson, 2006Levy, Leo B.   â€Å"The Problem of Faith in ‘Young Goodman Brown.’† Modern Critcial   Views:Nathaniel Hawthorne.   Ed. Harold Bloom.   New York:   Chelsea House, 1986.   115-126.

Corporate Governance Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Corporate Governance Issues - Essay Example Thus, society and business co-exist in the same place, benefiting from each other through wealth transfer or the satisfaction of a need, and as long as business meets this need and serves its purposes for both society and the owner of the business, then it continues to be an ongoing and sustainable concern as the income generated allows the business to stay in existence. However, once any of these purposes is not met, either the business ceases to exist or a new business with a different set of purposes is created. In recent years, society and business have come into escalating conflict, as businesses focus on the generation of profit at all cost to the detriment of society. Thus, business has destroyed environments, abused its workers, and even sold products that killed or injured its customers. Other businesses have abused their economic power to subdue nations, twisted the arms of their governments, and caused severe harm to other sovereign nations, their people, and their environ ments. As the phenomenon of globalisation spread in the last decade, the extent of the conflict between business and society escalated. Now, not only are businesses supposed to earn profits and meet the needs of its consuming society. It also has to stand by the quality of its products, ensure that its working conditions are human, and that all of its activities are sustainable, i.e., do not cause permanent damage to the welfare of future generations. Negligence on any of these points would open the company to damaging lawsuits, as shown by recent experiences with costly litigation on the effects of asbestos, tobacco, and faulty pharmaceuticals.

Promotion campaign for the Spring Collection 2012 of Swarovski Assignment

Promotion campaign for the Spring Collection 2012 of Swarovski - Assignment Example The report would involve several criteria to select promotional tools, and goal setting programmes performing the role of a sustainable marketing plan. The prime intention of conducting this report will emphasise on increasing the annual turnover of the company’s crystal business which recently was recorded to surpass its EUR 2 billion benchmark in the year 2010. In the year 2011, the company was recorded to earn revenue of EUR 2.22 billion from this particular business segment attaining around 10% growth. Notably, this segment can be regarded as the most competent one with further growth prospects which is aimed to attain a growth rate of 15% in the fiscal year of 2012. Hence, this particular objective can be attained with due significance to effective and aggressive promotions of Swarovski’s seasonal collections which is quite famous worldwide and tends to attract the fashion lovers from the elite groups all around the world. Swarovski’s target customers, speci fically for the campaign regarding their Spring Collection, are observed to be the young people of the society and the niche sector. It is due to the fact that most of the products under the latest collection are designed in a manner which is more attractive to the young generation and tends to satisfy their desires regarding fashionable accessories to a large extent. Moreover, the price and the features of the products are mostly preferred by the niche fashion lover people of the society who can be stated as the secondary targeted customer group for the Spring Collection 2012 of Swarovski. ... Hence, this particular objective can be attained with due significance to effective and aggressive promotions of Swarovski’s seasonal collections which is quite famous worldwide and tends to attract the fashion lovers from the elite groups all around the world. 2.0 Stakeholders Analysis 2.1. Customer Analysis Swarovski’s target customers, specifically for the campaign regarding their Spring Collection, are observed to be the young people of the society and the niche sector. It is due to the fact that most of the products under the latest collection are designed in a manner which is more attractive to the young generation and tends to satisfy their desires regarding fashionable accessories to a large extent. Moreover, the price and the features of the products are mostly preferred by the niche fashion lover people of the society who can be stated as the secondary targeted customer group for the Spring Collection 2012 of Swarovski. Furthermore, Swarovski also targets the teenage group as its target customer group offering a versatile blend of designs and colours in the crystal products (Swarovski, 2012). It is in this regards, that the promotional campaign will be planned taking into concern the preferences of the young generation as the majority proportion of the targeted customers of Swarovski tend to belong from this market segment. The campaign will thus fundamentally focus on the young customers of the urban areas between the age-group of 15 years (i.e. the teenage group) to the age group of 27 (i.e. the young generation). Moreover, as the product range tends to focus on the female section of the targeted population to a large extent, the promotional campaign will also be developed taking this certain fact

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

Catholic - Essay Example After the death of Jesus the Christian belief became an independent faith, but a faith persistently persecuted by the Romans. The disciples of Jesus and their descendants would spread the word the gospels and the path to salvation through Jesus (Fairchild 1). It would not be until after the Romans abandoned their pantheon of Gods and adopted Christianity as their official religion that such persecution would stop. This is how the Roman Catholic Church was born (Bellitto 1-2). Its power spread throughout the lands and Rome conquered under the name of Jesus forcing many to convert under duress. It became and remains one of the most commonly practiced religions in the world. With the onset of the Scientific Revolution the belief in faith showed a bit of decline as the influence of science, logic, and rationale was embraced. However, that did not diminish the Church for long. Even today the number of people who admit that they are Catholic is higher than ever in certain states around the country. However, the number of people actually attending Church services has greatly diminished. There is a demographic change being seen in the faith, as well. Catholic congregations tend to be elderly women, middle class Caucasian families with small children, and Hispanic or Latino families. The number of young females of all age categories has heavily diminished, primarily because of the highly patriarchal interpretations of spiritual passages, there vocal position on the issue of birth control, and there diminishment of women’s rights have turned many young females from Catholicism as a religious option. However, despite these changing demographics and shifting Church presence experts remain confident that Catholicism will remain a top faith well into the future (Briggs 1). Again, as previously mentioned, experts on the subject of theology are confident that Catholicism will continue to have strong membership into the near future (Briggs 1).However, there are other opi nions that reference the fact that with the changing, globalization of the world it is imperative that all institutions, including Catholicism, will need to reform, reinvent, or innovate their perspectives to meet the changing times. If not, it is likely, that the distance between the logical, technological thinkers and those that practice religion will widen. In the next 5 years or the next decade it is likely that they will maintain their popularity, however in 25 years the world will have changed and if Catholicism, along with other faiths, are not willing to adapt to those changes it is possible that their number of believers will plummet. Teachings of the Group In the most basic explanation Catholics believe that there is One Almighty God, who created all the universe and the world we live upon and then created man in his image in a the Garden of Eden. He sent his son to be born of perpetual virgin, Mary, and then grow to become the leader who would lead them to salvation for t heir immortal souls. They believe that Jesus Christ is the means to salvation of the soul; which is extremely important to Catholics. If one is too heavy with sin they will spend eternity in Hell, while those who are free of sin and lead a â€Å"good life† will be allowed to enter the gates of Heaven. They believe that the Bible expresses truths that are not open for debate. They

Describe the importance of time and age in What Lips My Lips Have Essay

Describe the importance of time and age in What Lips My Lips Have Kissed and When You Are Old - Essay Example The two poems majorly dwell on time and age to present their points, which enhances the setting and understanding of the subject matter. Wisdom comes with age, and in the story What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, the writer seems to display regret, anger, despair, and how past relationships ended drastically. In this setting, the writer dwells on the past relationships and mentions how they have made her wiser. Additionally, the author of the poem states how over the years, she has learnt different characters and seems to learn lessons and mistakes from past relationships leading to better knowledge on dealing with relationships due to wisdom gathered over the years. Thus, in this case, both age and time has played an important role in the life of the writer by making her become a wiser person. The same subject of wisdom is also evident in the poem When You Are Old, where the poem is written in the future tense displaying future events the writer foresees happening when the lady is older, grey, full of sleep and nodding by the fire. This shows how age and time will make the addressee wise, and thus, realize that she shoul d have made the decision to return the poet’s love. Somehow, the author is using the elements of age and time to persuade the addressee to make a wise decision of accepting his love so they can grow old together. Age and time in the two poems are used to express the beauty of love and the ugliness of loneliness. When the poet in What Lips My Lips Have Kissed recounts her encounters with relationships, one cannot help but admire the beautiful love she seemed to have experienced. However, these reminders are also a source of loneliness because the author is alone and no longer in any of the relationships. Moreover, with time and age, these relationships have vanished leaving her with only memories that she remembers while alone in her bedroom. In When You Are Old, the author describes the awful physical state the addressee will be in

Making of Collateral Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Making of Collateral - Essay Example It’s in this perspective that I will critically analyse how creative people have used films to give experience that people will always value. I will look at how the producers and director have put out a finished work that shows creativity and also the practical decisions they have made during the film making process. According to Irving and Rea (2006) filmmaking steps include the preproduction, production, postproduction, and distribution. Filmmaking has two-fold approach in which it is mainly centered on the perspectives of the producer and the director. Their (producer and director) different energies must always merge to create a winning short film or video from script to the final product. On the director’s perspective; Rabiger (2008) explains that directing covers the methods, technologies, thought processes, and judgments that a director must use throughout the fascinating process of making a film. Directing also should help you master technical and conceptual ski lls in the filmmaking process. â€Å"The first time we watch a film; we usually don’t know or think about the artistic decisions that were made during its production.† (Brown, 2002) In my case study, I examine how choices made by filmmakers, lead to artistic results by looking at the production of a single movie. My case study is based on the movie â€Å"Collateral† by Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx directed by Michael Mann. Boucher Geoff (2008) said "The movie had to communicate some inherent truth about the L.A. experience, and only one film per director was allowed on the list" in relation to the movie. Michael Mann’s ‘Collateral† was released in 2004. A psychological crime thriller set in Los Angeles. Vincent (Tom Cruise), a mystifying man hires Max (Jamie Foxx), a cab driver, to drive him to a string of appointments in one night. Max before long learns that those appointments are a chain of killings, he struggles to escape but Vincent forces h im to carry on as a reluctant getaway driver. During that period the two men wrangle verbally and in the end they confront one another. Mann and his crew made numerous decisions during the making of Collateral. Some of the choices made include: one that impacted the film’s form and one apiece for four categories of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and sound. Scriptwriter Stuart Beattie originally set Collateral in New York City. Max was to be portrayed as a loser, hiding from the world in his cab and getting little out of life. Once Mann took charge as a director, he made numerous changes. The setting was changed to Los Angeles. Max became less a loser and more a laid-back, intelligent man content to observe the world from behind a steering wheel and to interact with his passengers, endlessly delaying his plans to start his own limousine service. The story largely consists of this pair interacting, so Mann’s decision to change Max’s traits altered the nat ure of the conflict between them. Max becomes our point-of-view figure for most of the film. Unusually for a film about a professional killer, we don’t see the first murder but stay with Max in the cab until the shocking moment when the body falls onto his cab roof. The switch to Los Angeles affected many aspects of the film’s style. One of the attractions was that this tale of a random crossing of destinies took place almost entirely at night, from 6:04 p.m. to 4:20 a.m. Mann wanted to portray the atmospheric Los Angeles night, this was to make use of L.A night as much of a character in the story as Vincent and Max were. This major decision created much of the film’s look. Mann was determined not to use any more artificial light than was absolutely necessary. He relies to

Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Technology - Essay Example Before any kind of technology is released for use by humans, it is usually tested so as to make sure it has met the required criteria (Fazlollahi 203). 2. What Does Technology Entail? The word technology has been coined from the Greek word technikoes, which generally refers to an art which is related to skill. In other words, the term technology can be seen as applying art on science (Singh 1). This art is applied to create tools, develop skills and even collect materials that improve the quality of life of the human beings. Technology has really developed in many aspects over the years. For example, indigenous people used different ways of writing in order to store the information they collected using methods like writing on stones. With technology, writing has been made easy as papers and pens have been provided, and have made the work easy. In his work, ‘Writing is a Technology that Restructures Thought’, Ong says that â€Å"although we take writing so much for grant ed as to forget that it is a technology, writing is in a way the most drastic of the three technologies of the word† (30). It initiated printing and electronics came about. Human beings have really embraced technology from in all aspects of life; when it comes to religion, education, social, and even in the political issues, technology is in use. There are different tools of technology that have improved the lives of human beings. This essay will embark on giving an analytical perspective about the computers and the human beings. Computers have changed the way human beings by making learning easy. 3. Computers Computers, which are tools of technology, have brought changes to the lives of humans, and especially in the way they operate and think. For example, the thinking capacity of the people before technology, such as those that lived during stone-age is different from the thinking capacity of people today. In her review, ‘How Computers Change the Way We Think’, Turkle says that â€Å"the tools we use to think change the ways in which we think. The invention of written language brought about radical shift in how we process, organize, store, and transmit representations of the world† (1). A computer is an electronic device which is used in processing data. The data it processes gets in in form of input and it is then processed on the basis of a set of instructions that are supplied and stored in the memory, in order give the required results in form of output. Every computer comprises of two basic parts namely; the hardware and the software. Hard ware refers to the visible or physical parts of a computer, such as the processor, display or screen, keyboard, disk drive, and mouse among others. The software refers to the particular instructions that give directions to the components, so as to perform the required operations (Ravichandran 2). The two parts function hand in hand and thus the computer is not complete if one part is missing, or in other words, it is useless without the two parts. When I was in primary school, I only had a slight idea of what a computer is, and did not know that with it, learning could be easier. In primary school and part of my high school education, learning was not very easy as everything was done manually; that is, the teacher had to write all notes on the blackboard for the students to copy. The school on the other hand, provided very few books that were supposed to be shared among students, such that the ratio was one book

Principles Of Auditing - Apple vs. Samsung Lawsuit Essay - 1

Principles Of Auditing - Apple vs. Samsung Lawsuit - Essay Example olen certain software and infringed patent as well as trademark while designing Galaxy line of mobile products (Chen, â€Å"Apple to Samsung: Stop Stealing Ideas†). Based on the above analysis, the essay tends to analyse the general story or the case of Apple vs. Samsung Lawsuit with respect to patent along with trademark infringement and stealing of certain software designs as well as features. The case relating to the lawsuit, which was filed by Apple, accusing Samsung to be involved in stealing its certain software and perpetrating trademark along with patent infringement, in the month of April’ 2011 and ended in the year 2013. Thus, with this concern, it can be asserted that the case has lasted for around 2 years and 8 months and at the end Apple was awarded with over $1 billion for the lawsuit filed against Samsung (Sandoval, â€Å"The ABCs of Apple v. Samsung†). One of the prime reasons or causes for Apple to file a court case not in favour of Samsung for stealing numerous chief iOS design elements and features that are utilised by the company at the time of making its Galaxy product line of tablets as well as smartphones. Apart from this, Apple claimed that Samsung has also stolen certain business ideas along with technologies of Apple while designing its iPad and iPhone product line. This is also a reason for Apple to file a lawsuit in opposition to Samsung in the year 2011, which lasted till the year 2013. However, on part of Samsung, it countersued Apple for the reason of violating a few of its patents or in precise being committed of patent infringement. Identifiably, both the two companies remained much concerned about what instructions the Judge will provide the jury relating to the lawsuit filed by both the companies against one another (Epstein, â€Å"These Are the 5 iOS Features Apple Claims Samsung Stole†; Sandoval,  "The ABCs of Apple v. Samsung†). After acquiring a brief idea about various causes or reasons of filing a lawsuit by Apple

Take My Eyes Essay Example for Free

Take My Eyes Essay 1.Spousal abuse physically and mentally are obviously the central theme to this movie, there are however a few other underlying themes. First of the theme of reforming or not reforming is shown through the abused women ´s decision in whether or not to go to Madrid and start a career she loves or to stay home with an abusive husband. In the end, the main character finally chose not to reform to her cultures ways and leaves for Madrid. Unlike her mother who stayed with an abusive husband until he died. Another theme would be how abuse affects the entire family. This is really seen with the son of the abused mother and abusive father. Even though the father was never abusive towards his son, he was still gravely affected by the abuse. The sister of the abused women was also affected because she saw what was happening and tried to help but her sister wouldn’t listen. This would have definitely kept her up at night at least. 2.There is explicit and implicit violence throughout the film. The beginning starts out with a ransacked apartment and the abused mother and her son running to her sister’s house. This would be an example of implicit violence. On the other hand when the husband slams her against walls and throws her around that is an example of explicit violence. The director does a good job of not using too much explicit violence because it could cause the film to become hard to watch by some viewers. 3.It is said that the eyes are the portal to one’s soul. When the husband demands for his wife’s and sons eyes, he is attempting to force his control into their soul. The tittle â€Å"take my eyes† represents the husbands need to have everything of her even her soul. The sex scene when he says give me your arms, give me your legs, and so on, is meant to show that he has not changed at all and still sees her as an object. In that scene however, she followed his request by saying take my arms, take my legs, which means she must have enjoyed some of it. 4.Art plays the role of her increased freedom and confidence. It starts with a small job working as a cashier at a religious museum, then becoming a voluntary tour guide at the museum that described and told the religious story of the painting, all the way to getting a job interview in Madrid. The more she chased art the farther it pulled her out of the hell she was in. Another important role was the one of clothes. As she gained confidence she began to dress better and take pride in herself. This angered her husband but because of her work she had to keep it up dressing nice which gave her more and more self-worth. 5.This movie is a serious study of a serious social pathology. Only two men in the movie were portrayed to be abusive monsters. The rest of the males were good honest people who the women enjoyed. It would be ignorant to claim this as male bashing. It is a good tool to advocate for those women.

Conditions for Equilibrium Experiment

Conditions for Equilibrium Experiment Laboratory Report Tricia Desierto, Luis Diaz, Karhen Estella, Gabrielle Beatrix Francisco Department of Biological Science College of Science, University of Santo TomasEspanÃÅ'Æ’a, Manila, Philippines Abstract The object is said to be in a state of equilibrium, when the forces acting upon an object are balanced. There were four activities done in the experiment. In the first activity the equilibrant force was determined. The second activity, unknown forces was determined. For the third activity,center of gravity was located. The last activity, rotational equilibrium was demonstrated. I. Introduction Equilibrium is moving with constant velocity. It is a condition that the rotational  motion of the body may also remain constant. A body is in equilibrium or at rest only when there is no movement or rotation done. When the resultant force acting on the object is zero the object is in equilibrium. The objectives of the experiment are: to determine the equilibrant force by using the component and table method;to determine the unknown forces using the first and second conditions for equilibrium; to locate the center of gravity of a composite body;and to demonstrate the rotational equilibrium. II. Theory A situation wherein the net force acting on a certain object is zero[1] and an object that has no motion or undergoes no rotational and traditional accelerationis said to be in a state of equilibrium wherein net torque and net force on the object is zero in all directions. For an object to be in equilibrium, two conditions should be met. The first condition tells us that the net force acting on the object needs to be zero which only means that for a certain axis of motion, the forces acting along that particular axis should sum up to zero.[2]The second condition needed to attain equilibrium, on the other hand, involves avoiding or neglecting accelerated rotation and it should maintain a constant  angular velocity. A rotating body can attain equilibrium if the rate of its rotation remains unchanged by the forces acting on that certain object.[3] The center of gravity is a geometric property of any object. It is the average location of the  weight  of an object. The  motion  of any object can be described through space in terms of the translation of the center of gravity of the object from one place to another and the rotation of the object about its center of gravity when it is free to rotate.[4] Figure 1. Determination of the Center of Gravity using plumb line technique X= Center of Gravity m=Mass x= distance from a fixed point Equation 1.Center of Gravity Formula When an object is said to be in equilibrium, it is not moving or rotating. The pivotal axis can be any point outside or inside the object. The objects linear and angular accelerations are both zero and the sum of the torquesacting on a system should be equal to zero.The sum of the counter-clockwise torques should be equal to the sum of the clockwise torques.[5] III. Methodology Activity 1: Equilibrant Force Three pans labelled as A, B and C was weighed. Pans A and B were hanged respectively at the 300 and 2000 marks on the force table. 100g was placed on pan A and 150g on pan B. The tension acting on the string, the weight of the pan plus the weight added to the pan was recorded as TA andTB respectively. The two tensions in the strings were balanced by placing weight on pan C or adjusting its position. The tensions are balanced if the pin is exactly at the center of the ring. The magnitude of the equilibrant, the weight of pan C plus the weight added to it, and its position was recorded. The theoretical equilibrant of the two tensions was determined by component method and the % error was computed. Activity 2: First Condition for Equilibrium A cylinder of unknown weight was suspended using the force board by means of two strings. A spring scale was attached to one of the strings and was pulled horizontally until the pin on the force board was exactly at the middle of the ring. The reading on the spring scale was recorded as T1. The angle that the other string made was recorded as ÃŽ ¸. A free body diagram of the ring was drawn. The tension of T2 in the other string and the weight of the cylinder were solved. The cylinder was weighed for the accepted value and the % error was computed. Activity 3: Locating the Center of Gravity A circle with a diameter of 10cm and a square with a side of 10cm were cut out from a card board. The weights of WC and WS were determined. The center of gravity of the composite figure was determined by balancing method and plumb line method. The position of the center of gravity was specified using the leftmost side of the square as the y-axis and the bottom square as the x-axis. The results were checked by actual computation for the center of gravity. Activity 4: Second Condition for Equilibrium The center of gravity of an aluminium bar was located by balancing it on a pencil and the position for the center of gravity was marked. The cylinder used in the previous activity was hanged 5.0cm from one end of the bar. Using the force board, the aluminium bar was supported by means of a spring scale on one end and a string on the other end until the bar assumed a horizontal position. A free body diagram of the bar was drawn. The second condition for equilibrium was used to determine the weight of the bar and the tension in the string. The theoretical weight of the cylinder was used in the computation. The bar was weighed for the accepted value and the % error was computed IV. Results and Discussion V. Conclusion The equilibriant force was successfully determined using the component and table method, with an acceptable value for the % error – 8.70% and 4.47%. The unknown forces were also determined using the first condition of equilibrium with a % error of only 4.57% The center of gravity was defined more accurately with the Plumb Line Method as opposed to the Balancing Method. The unknown forces were unsuccessfully defined using the second condition of equilibrium, as the % error exceeds the acceptable range at 51.76%. VI. Applications VII. References Lesson24:Equilibrium. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2013, from studyphysics: http://www.studyphysics.ca/newnotes/20/unit01_kinematicsdynamics/chp06_vectors/lesson24.htm First Condition. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2013, from boundless: https://www.boundless.com/physics/static-equilibrium-elasticity-and-torque/conditions-for-equilibrium/first-condition/ Second Condition. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2013, from Boundless: https://www.boundless.com/physics/static-equilibrium-elasticity-and-torque/conditions-for-equilibrium/second-condition/ Rotational Equilibrium. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2013, from faculty: http://faculty.wwu.edu/vawter/PhysicsNet/Topics/RotationalDynamics/RotEquilibrium.html Benson, T. (2008, July 18). Center of gravity. Retrieved December 8, 2013, from grc: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/cg.html

China and Japan research :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In China and Japan, there are numerous similarities and differences in their religions. People have their choices of following a certain religion. China is a country with great diversity as well as Japan. Religion is a big deal to many Asians. Chinas religions major religions and beliefs are Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Dongba and Protestant. China has about 5.5 million Protestants and 3.5 million Catholics. Confucianism is one of the major philosophies that concerns human society, social relations, and individual conduct. It is more of a social and ethical philosophy than a religion. Confucianism was adopted as a state religion which was to reorder society. The concept of family is central to Confucianism, generating a high standard for family interaction through mutual respect, love and consideration for the needs of others. Buddhism originated in India. This is another one of the major world religions. People sit and meditate for many hours then enlightenment comes to the man and becomes the Buddha. The main concept is liberation of the soul to achieve enlightenment. Life is made of suffering because people are tortured by desire. People overcome desire and enter nirvana, a state of complete freedom. Taoism is truly a Chinese religion which is more individual and mystic and greatly influenced by nature. This is the driving force and all order behind life. It is the power of nature and way of the universe. Taoism is the way to follow to organize life in harmony with nature and the universe. It inspired a love of nature and an intense affirmation for life- physical health, vitality, longevity, and even immorality. Taoism covers a wide variety of gods, magic ceremonies, powers and sorcery. All the religions are practiced today along with Chinas communist ideology. Confucius had government aspirations. He took to streets offering solicited advice about how to structure government and administration bodies. The religion became accepted as a state ideology and orthodoxy. The emperor considered the embodiment of Confucian wisdom and virtue. A strong hierarchy became the canon of political rule. Buddhism spilt into several major schools. Many of Japans religions are the same as Chinas such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Many of the beliefs are the same. Religions do not play a big role in the everyday lives of most Japanese people nowadays. The average Japanese just follows the religious rituals at a few ceremonies such as births. Japan's two most important religions are. The two religions co-existed for several centuries and even complemented each other to a certain degree. The feeling of duty to belong to just a single religion as it is widespread among followers of the three large occidental

Networking and Communication Essay -- Technology, iPod, iTouch

Introduction Through many generations, technology has innovated and advanced itself to meet the demands of the consumer market. Consumers desire products that will enhance their social networking and communication. One of the most powerful products to keep consumers socially connected was the iPod touch. The iPod touch is not only a portable media player; it has numerous applications from all forms of entertainment to social networking. Apple marketed the first iPod touch in September of 2007, and by present day; it is rare to find any individual without one. Background As the iTouch is able to download music, videos, and movies, there are all kinds of legal ethical issues that are involved such as copyright infringements. In addition, since they are mobile devices, users can connect to the Internet through any unsecured wireless network, even if it means they are stealing the service. Additionally, there are various social issues drawn in since the Touch acts as a form of communication. With users constantly updating their statuses and the convenience of the tracking tool, it creates severe problems for stalking and cyber security. Another thing that has come up recently is that Apple is now offering subscriptions to magazines, newspapers, and etc. that can be read on the Touch. The problem is that one has to pay for and download an application from the Apple store in order to read them, even though one has already paid for a subscription to the magazine. The iPod Touch has doubtlessly strengthened sociability between people, but it also shaped problems for cyber stalking and personal safety. Ethical legal issues Copyright infringement becomes a severe problem when consumers illegally download music, videos, and movi... ...out privacy. Conclusion The iPod touch has created copious benefits for consumers, and for that reason, it is uncommon to spot an individual without one. Ever since the iPod touch first appeared in the market, it has generated amazing sales for the Apple company. Since the Touch is indeed a mobile device, many ethical, legal, security, and social issues come into play. Legal issues such as copyright infringement, ethical issues such as cheating on exams, security issues like the tracking gadget, and problems with social networking are all issues involved with the new technology. The different issues are building and connecting upon each other. Despite the issues encountered, the iPod Touch is a powerful gadget with various applications and entertainment. It has enhanced and simplified communication and networking to meet the demands of its consumers’ generation.

Dyslexia :: essays research papers

DYSLEXIA AND THE PHONOLOGICAL MODEL Over one hundred years ago, in November 1896, a doctor in Sussex, England, published the first description of the learning disorder that would come to be known as developmental dyslexia. "Percy F.,... aged 14,... has always been a bright and intelligent boy," wrote W. Pringle Morgan in the "British Medical Journal," "quick at games, and in no way inferior to others of his age. His great difficulty has been--and is now--his inability to learn to read.† (Sec 3) In that brief introduction, Morgan captured the illness that has intrigued and frustrated scientists for a century. In 2000 as in 1896, reading ability is taken as a substitute for intelligence; most people assume that if someone is smart, motivated and schooled, he or she will learn to read. But the experience of millions of dyslexics, like Percy F., has shown that assumption to be false. In dyslexia, the relation between intelligence and reading ability breaks down. Early explanations of dyslexia in the 1920s, held that defects in the visual system were to blame for the reversals of letters and words thought to typify dyslexic reading. Eye training was often prescribed to overcome these alleged visual defects. Later research has shown, however, that children with dyslexia are not unusually prone to reversing letters or words and that the deficit responsible for the disorder is related to the language system. In particular, dyslexia reflects a deficiency in the processing of the distinctive linguistic units, called phonemes that make up all spoken and written words. Current linguistic models of reading and dyslexia now provide an explanation of why some very intelligent people have trouble learning to read and performing other language-related tasks. Over the past twenty years, a consistent model of dyslexia has emerged that is based on phonological processing. The phonological model is consistent both with the clinical symptoms of dyslexia and with what neuroscientists know about brain organization and function. To understand how the phonological model works, one first has to consider the way in which language is processed in the brain. Researchers theorize the language system as a hierarchical series of modules or components, each devoted to a particular aspect of language. At the upper levels of the hierarchy are components involved with semantics (vocabulary or word meaning), syntax (grammatical structure) and discourse (connected sentences). At the lowest level of the hierarchy is the phonological module, which is dedicated to processing the distinctive sound elements that constitute language.

British American Tobacco, Strategies Planning and Management

Content Pages1. Executive Summary2 2. Introduction 3-4 3. 1 Company Background3 3. 2 Organisation Structure3 3. 3 Cultural of Company3 3. 4 Leadership Style4 3. Analysis 5-10 4. 5 External Environment 4. 6. 1 General Environment – PESTEL Analysis5 4. 6. 2 Industry Environment – Porter’s 5 Forces Analysis6 4. 6 Internal Environment 4. 7. 3 Vision/ Mission7 4. 7. 4 Long Term Objectives/ Grand Strategies 7-8 4. . 5 Business Objectives/ Strategies – Value Chain Analysis9 4. 7. 6 Financial Analysis10 4. Discussion 11-22 5. 7 Key Issues 5. 8. 7 Cigarette smuggling and illegal trading 11-12 5. 8. 8 Government regulatory12 5. 8. 9 Protecting Ecosystem13 5. 8. 10 External Environment13 5. 8 SWOT Analysis 5. 9. 11 Strength 14-15 5. 9. 12 Weaknesses16 5. 9. 13 Opportunities17 5. 9. 14 Threats18 5. 9 Balance Score Card 5. 10. 15 Financial 19-21 5. 10. 16 Internal Business Process21 5. 10. 17 Customers22 5. 10. 8 Learning and Growth22 5. Recommendations23 6. References 24-25 7. Appendixes 26-27 1. Executive Summary During past 100 years, British American Tobacco (Malaysia) (BAT (M)) has sustained and slowly become the market leader in Malaysia since established in 1912. Core competence of BAT (M) is the strong financial support from the mother company and it ranked among 25 top companies on Bursa Malaysia in terms of capital. Besides that, it owned 61% of market shares in the tobacco industry of Malaysia (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). By carry out the internal and external analysis can help to determine how BAT (M) manages their internal resources to reduce the burden of external forces’ impact. External factors are unpredictable, thus BAT (M) has to set up risk management and strategic planning to overcome or reduce the impact from the forces. However, analysis the value chain of BAT (M) can determine how the support and primary activities add value to the products and services in order to generate more profits and differentiate itself among its competitors. Key issues that brings a major impact to British American Tobacco is cigarettes smuggling across the country. It causes the loss of tax revenues for the government and to the company which will also affect the economy of the country. Under the government regulatory, it stated that smoking is risky for health problems. While BAT introduces harm reduction products, some governments agencies refuse to accept the product that passes laboratory test in successfully reduce content of tobacco in a piece of cigarette. Participating in biodiversity project to protect the ecosystem after tobacco planting had incurred more operation cost to the company. Another major key issues to BAT is cause external environment which is natural disaster. BAT can prepare to face the disaster but cannot prevent it from happening. In conclusion, there are several strategies which are suitable and specifically recommended to the company in order to perform better. These strategies include purple ocean strategy, blue ocean strategy and horizontal integration. The purple ocean strategy is a strategy that poises the company’s position before it could proceed to the blue ocean. A blue ocean refers to an unknown market space that is untainted by any competition (Business Dictionary, 2012). Both oceans strategy assist in helping the company to establish the new market and search for fresh customers. While the horizontal integration is a strategy that able to increase the company’s market share in the tobacco industry, at the same time converting competitions into partnerships. 2. Introduction 3. 1 Company Background British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)) that formed in 3rd November 1999 is merger between Rothmans of Pall Mall (M) Bhd. and Malaysia Tobacco Company Bhd. , it is the children company under the British American Tobacco Group. BAT (M) had employed around 1,200 employees to carry out its business activities and there are 200 brands in BAT (M)’s portfolio that successfully distributed to worldwide. Core competence of BAT (M) is the strong financial support from the mother company and it ranked among 25 top companies on Bursa Malaysia in terms of capital. Besides that, it owned 61% of market shares in the tobacco industry of Malaysia (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). 3. 2 Organisation Structure Organisational Structure of BAT (M) is categorized as functional structure which classified in 5 functional groups (Appendix 1) that under the control of Board of Director (BOD). The current composition of BAT (M)’s BOD includes 4 Executive Directors and 3 Non-Executive Directors that come from different professional background (Appendix 2). Main duty of these BODs is to identify risk, examine and decide strategic plan, management of regulation and rules in the company. . 3 Culture of Company Culture of BAT (M) on discussion and decision making is very concern about their employees as they are the key stakeholders and their greatest asset. Every year BAT (M) will conduct an employee dialogue program named â€Å"Your Voice† (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012) by Human Resource Manager to survey on employee’s issues, opinions or expectations on functional and cross functional sessions. â€Å"Your Voice† includes three processes of Listen, Decide and Deliver. 3. 4 Leadership Style The current Managing Director of BAT (M), William Toh Ah Wah encourages the transparent style on leading method. Therefore, the Standard/ Principle of Business Conduct are applied for leading and to ensure the governance on decisions and judgments made by all employees is legal and comply with regulations (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). BAT (M) used this standard as a requirement to its employees’ behavior and honesty so that it can effectively prevent unwanted issues such as conflict of interest, corruption, insider dealing, whistle blowing and misuse of company’s resources. . Analysis 4. 5 External Environment 3. 1. 1General Environment PESTLEI Analysis Sources: 1) British American Tobacco Malaysia, Regulation and Engagement 2011 2) British American Tobacco Malaysia, Operating Responsibility 2011 3) British American Tobacco Malaysia, the illegal cigarette trade 2011 4) British American Tobacco, regulation and lobbying 2011 Conclusion: The unpredi ctable changes in the environment are the critical factors for British American Tobacco Malaysia to set the planning strategic. The changes of external environment factors like political, economic, social, technology, environment and legal would direct or indirect affect BAT (M) primary and support activities such as procurement, marketing and sales, inbound and outbound logistics, productions and others. Thus BAT (M) has to do in depth analysis by using PESTEL analysis in order to set strong planning strategies. 3. 1. 2 Industry Analysis Porter’s Five Forces High Threat of New Entrants * Huge amount of capital investment needed * Existing loyalty to Major brands -Dunhill, Marlboro Strict government rules and regulations * Difficulty in achieve economic of scale * Difficulty in product differentiation * Scarcity of raw material-tobacco High Bargaining Power of Buyer * Low switching cost * Some other alternatives for consumers * Customers are price sensitive * Purchase large volume – Food court, grocery shop * The products are not extremely important to buyers High Bargaining Power of Supplier * There are only few suppliers of tobacco * No raw material substitution * High switching costs High level of Industry Rivalry * Rarely competitors about same size JTI, Philip Morris * Slow market growth * Undifferentiated products and services Low Threat of Substitute * Prices range of tobacco in Malaysia is quite close * Illegal products may be the alternatives * Substitute products – Nicotine patches, gum Sources: British American Tobacco Malaysia, 2011 British American Tobacco, 2011 Conclusion: Porter’s five forces shows that BAT(M) is currently facing high level of industry rivalry, high threat of new entrants, high bargaining power of buyer, high bargaining power of supplier, but low threat of substitute. Overall of the tobacco is unattractive, but by understanding the threat and opportunity of the industry, BAT(M) can now look for resolution to maintain their sustainability. 3. 2 Internal Environment 3. 2. 1 Vision/ Mission BAT (M) vision is to obtain more market shares and become the market leader for the global tobacco industry so that it can ensure the sustainability of business and follow by bring more values. It missions is improve the productivity in terms of quality and quantity, as BAT (M) believes that act responsibly in productivity will bring the growth to its brand and also value of the business. . 2. 2 Long Term Objective/ Grand Strategies Source: British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report 2011, Pg 78- Pg 126 Growth In order to improve the growth on sales and distribution channel, BAT (M) introduced the in-house Direct Store Sales (DSS) operation in 2005. However to continuity growth, BAT (M) decides to further set up Exclusive Distributors (EDx) that different from the past process Exclusive Distributors (EDs) and currently the best practice in the in-house operation is the hybrid combination of DSS, EDs and EDx. Productivity BAT (M) with strong competitive position but slow market growth had developed few strategies in order to achieve its company vision and mission which aim to add value for its company shareholders. In order to ensure the supply chain and production of the main materials which is tobacco leaf is smooth and sustainable, BAT (M) had introduced a tobacco plantation â€Å"Leaf Program† from 2007 that cooperate with worldwide farmers to produce quality tobacco leaf at the same time continuity in growth for organization and its market. Winning Organization In order to boost up the financial and management synergy as a winning organisation, BAT (M) set up a policy of Director’s remuneration that aimed to motivate directors for more competitive and aggressive to achieved higher sales and better manage the business. This reward strategy is evaluated all director’s individual performance on an annual basis and then giving remuneration as benefits to attract directors for further improvement. The effort that all directors put in business will virtually become a good models or examples for employees to follow. Responsibilities For Corporate Social Responsibilities, BAT (M) is concerned on its customer’s health risk therefore it never stops on product development. Recently it introduced a harm-reduction cigarette into the market, Swedish style Smokeless Snus. According to several independent health experts, this new product is 90% less harmful compare to the normal smoking cigarette (British American Tobacco, 2011). At th e mean while protecting the environment with harm reduction by effectively reduce the energy use, carbon dioxide produced, waste, water use and other material use. 3. 2. 3 Business Objectives/ Strategies Primary Activities Supportive Activities The Value Chain analysis for BAT is as below: Recruiting, Hiring, Training, Developing Purchasing raw materials, fertilizers, pesticides, equipments, machinery 1. Channels to market 2. Product, Pricing, Promote 3. Sales force effectiveness 1. Warehousing 2. Order Processing 3. Shipping Manage feedback 1. Harvesting 2. Drying 3. Conversion 4. Packaging 1. Material Handling 2. Inventory Control Research & Development, Product Innovation, Product Design General Management, Finance, Corporate Strategy Sources: Pearce and Robinson 2009, Pg 249 – Pg 251 Conclusion: The business strategy for British American Tobacco (BAT) refers to the long term plan by management in order to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. The current business strategy for BAT focuses on the company’s growth, responsibility, productivity and wining organization (BAT Malaysia, 2012). The current effects resulting from BAT’s business strategy are making the company in a strong financial position and strong management team. While the future effects are improve the quality of BAT’s products and attract more customers. 3. 2. 4 Financial Analysis Financial position of British American Tobacco Malaysia Ratios and Working Capital| 2009RM’000| 2010RM’000| 2011RM’000| Interpretation| Liquidity ratio:Current ratio=Current Asset Current Liabilities| 240,220466,340=0. 52=0. 52:1| 363,018526,910=0. 69=0. 69:1| 152,984719,362=0. 21=0. 21:1| The current ratio of BAT (M) is below 1, this means that BAT (M) may face the problems of paying its debts on time. However, a low value does not show the critical problems, but BAT (M) has to concern the management. High level of current ratio indicates that BAT (M) is making efficient in its assets. | Leverage ratio:Debt-to-total Assets ratio=Total Debts Total Assets| 1,378,1261,635,849=0. 4=0. 84:1| 1,490,4761,801,751=0. 83=0. 83:1| 1,278,4231,585,160=0. 81=0. 81:1| The debt-to-total-assets ratio of BAT (M) is above 0. 8, thus its means the company is depend on debt financing. | Activity ratio: Total asset turnover=Sales Total assets | 697,371 1,635,849=0. 43=0. 43:1| 784,477 1,801,751=0. 44=0. 44:1| 802,832 1,585,160=0. 51=0. 51 :1| Total assets turnover ratio of BAT (M) is increasing on each year, thus it indicated that BAT (M) is efficient in using assets to generate revenues. | Fixed assets turnover=Sales Fixed assets| 697,371 1,137,906=0. 61=0. 61:1| 784,477 1,127,458=0. 0=0. 70:1| 802,832 1,125,439=0. 71=0. 71:1| BAT (M) has an increasingly ability to generate sales from fixed-asset investment (property, plant & equipments). | Profitability ratio:Return on total sales=Net income (before tax)Sales| 650,936697,371 =0. 93=0. 93:1| 741,805784,477 =0. 95=0. 95:1| 775,278802,832 =0. 97=0. 97:1| ROS of BAT (M) is increasing every year from 2009 to 2011, it might indicate BAT (M) is growing efficiently and has a good sign for future. | Return on total assets=Net income(after tax)Total assets| 640,8491,635,849=0. 39=0. 39:1| 736,3811,801,751=0. 41=0. 41:1| 774,2441,585,160=0. 9=0. 49:1| The ROA of BAT (M) is increasing since 2009 to 2011. This means the higher the return on assets ratio, the more efficiently th e company is using its asset base to generate sales. | Sources:British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report 2011, Pg 141- Pg 144 British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report 2010, Pg 150- Pg 153 Conclusion: The inventories turn over in tobacco industry is much more rapidly than the account payable becoming due. Although the debt-to-total assets ratio of BAT (M) is slightly over the normal level 0. 5, but for BAT (M) it is still consider safe in this stable industry. Overall of the BAT (M) financial performance is consider healthy, in this high level rivalry industry, BAT (M) still can maintain increasing their revenues and fully utilize the assets to generate more profit. 4. Discussion 5. 6 Key Issues 4. 1. 1 Cigarette smuggling and illegal trading Cigarette smuggling had caused huge losses on revenue for British American Tobacco (BAT) and government around the world. One of the countries that had been hit hardly by this problem is China. China market are accommodate with cigarette smuggling that are possibly the largest smuggling effort in the world. Amount up to US$1. 8billion in lost tax revenues annually (British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, 2006) had been recorded cause by these activities. The main reason cigarette smuggling is popular is because the government effort to reduce or stop the amount of people from smoking. Government of China uses the method of increasing the tax opposes to cigarette. Tax rises up to 200% in Hong Kong in year 1991 (British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, 2006) that subsequently increase the trade in black market. The method did not successfully reduce the amount of smokers but pathetically shifted smokers towards illegal trade in black market. The demand in black market rises because the price of cigarette is relatively lower than the cigarette in legal trade market. This encourages the cigarette smuggling in that country. British American Tobacco is interested in entering the huge potential market in China. Although China government is in effort of reducing smokers in their country, BAT remains their interests in their market. Under the Chinese Law, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration is the sole agency allowed to trade in tobacco (British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, 2006). Collaborating with the government agencies seems to be a success for Bat in entering the market but cigarettes smuggling activities had cause BAT to face difficulties in entering the market. Annually, China market losses 30%-50% in total to illicit trade in cigarettes. BAT sales figure to China declines dramatically in year 1991 at the beginning of implementing China’s method in reducing smokers. It is difficult for BAT to sustain their business in China and the amount of Tax revenues losses to cigarettes smuggling are huge. Government agencies are revising another method in reducing smokers in the country while custom officials in China have been preventing the worst impact on cigarettes smuggling in the nation every day. Economy in Malaysia faces negative impact from the current illegal trade all over Malaysia. British American Tobacco Malaysia reveals that the illegal trades of cigarettes in Malaysia had raises from 20 per cent in year 2002 to 36. 3 per cent in 2010. While the legal volume of cigarettes trade had reduces. This lost in legal volume in cigarettes trade had resulted in the losses of tax revenues up to at least RM2 billion annually. The illegal trade also impacted on the health issues of citizens in a country. Government tends to increase or remain the price of cigarettes in high prices in an effort of preventing, reducing and encouraging smokers to quit smoking. Illegal trade of cigarettes became popular among smokers because the price are lower, thus forcing them to purchase cigarettes from illegal traders. With the low price on illegal cigarettes, people are tend to pick up smoking that will cause an increasing health risk and issues in that country either to the smokers nor to the public’s cause by environmental tobacco smokes (ETC) (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 2011). 4. 1. 2 Government regulatory Smoking had been classified as risky to health issues by World health Organizations. British American Tobacco (BAT) introduced harm reduction on cigarettes became the key elements in their business strategy (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 2011). Research and development team has been put up on finding methods for smokers to minimise their health risk without them completely quitting smoking. Research and development team in BAT had successfully found a way in reducing the tobacco content in cigarettes that may possess minimizing health risk for smokers. BAT believes it will brings benefits for smokers in the future as the content of tobacco are reduced but most governments agencies suggested it should be prevented rather than reducing the tobacco content in cigarettes. Reducing health impact on tobacco use is BAT long-term strategy in benefitting the smokers. Harm reduction program are still carrying on in researching and developing methods. 4. 1. 3 Protecting Ecosystem The recent establishment of British American Tobacco (BAT) Biodiversity Partnership with Fauna and Flora International (FFI), the Tropical Biology Association (TBA) and Earth-watch Institute (Earthwatch Institute Case Studies, 2010) is to protect and maintain the environment after it had been used for tobacco planting. In this partnership, they aim to provide social responsibilities towards the public and also environment. There are steps and procedures to be followed in protecting the environment. BAT are recognize as the sectors leaders (Earthwatch Institute Case Studies, 2010) because their initiative in proper forestation and social responsibility programs. In completing these activities, extra cost are incurred. Efforts of forestation required extra funding from the company. This increases the operational cost of BAT and left those answering investors question on their return of profits margin. Extra investment might be needed to ensure the program to be proceeding. Cost incurred are in huge amount because BAT’s tobacco leaf suppliers are in different regions, therefore, proper planning is advise before programs can be fully carry out for all their suppliers. 4. 1. 4 External Environment An external environment factor is also an unpredictable problem towards British American Tobacco. External environment in the like of natural disaster such as fires on plantation cause by weather, plantation infected by insects, typhoon and more cannot be predicted. This natural disaster will destroy the whole plantation and there is no possible ways that BAT’s suppliers can do to prevent it. The tobacco plantation destroyed will cause the company to losses entirely in the plantation cost. It will also causes shortage of supplies towards BAT manufacturing plant and delayed their manufacturing process. This mishap can cause huge losses to the company annual profits. Insurances are not covered because damages done by natural disaster is not included. BAT will suffers a total lost in the event of strike of natural disasters. 5. 7 SWOT Analysis Source: Pierce and Robinson 2009. Conclusion: From the above SWOT analysis diagram, BAT (M) is currently located in Cell 2 as it’s company substantial internal strength might affected by the major environment threats in the long run basis. . 2. 1 Strength BAT (M) main strength is that it has a strong financial position or support from the mother company, The British American Tobacco Group. Furthermore, it also ranked among top 25 companies in Bursa Malaysia in terms of capitalization. BAT (M) is the market leader of local tobacco industry as it owned 61% of the market shares and it has comprehensive distribution network that can reach whole nation (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). Besides that, the collaborative commerce relationship that linked business-to-business (B2B) with its key customers such as 7-Eleven, Carrefour, Shell, Tesco and Wal-Mart is convenient channel to distribute its products. The numerous types of products that provided by BAT (M) can fulfill several types of customer’s preference and following by have stronger customer royalty that automatically generated from the strong brand equity. 4. 2. 2 Weaknesses One of the internal weaknesses of BAT (M) is the company not diversified in investing other segment of industry or businesses. Therefore, BAT (M) is easily will be affected whenever there are any external issues that impact on tobacco industry. Besides that, there is no online presence for BAT (M)’s customers to place order or check the pricing information and other details of the products. This may caused it to lost potential customers that interested to purchase in bulk amounts as for retail purposes. Furthermore, the numerous types of brands and products that BAT (M) offers to their customers is causing diseconomy of scale to its production line and procurement department. The fewer amounts it purchases from its suppliers, the less negotiation power BAT (M) had. 4. 2. 3 Opportunities The strong financial support or capitalization of BAT (M) can give it chances of take over and acquisition the small company that have less market shares in the local Tobacco industry, this can save its time of retraining new batch of human resources and purchasing new machineries. Furthermore, BAT (M) can easily expand its product’s portfolio by take over others brands. The influences of technology, it encourage BAT (M) to provide another business model that offer more flexibility to customers which is online basis. This will easy for customers to placing order and get products without spending extra time and cost such as petrol to travel from one place to another. 4. 2. 4 Threats The external changes of Government in terms of regulations on taxes rate leading to BAT (M) further contraction. Furthermore, the small sizes of local brands that using cheaper technology to produce similar types of products but selling it with lower price bring impact on BAT (M) market. The illegal smuggling is another external impact that cost BAT (M) to lose its business as in the illegal products is cheaper due to refuse pay tax. Annual average Illegal cigarette trade in Malaysia was 36. 1% in 2011, which means 1/3 of the country is not going to purchase any products from BAT (M) (British American Tobacco Malaysia, 10th April 2012). 5. 8 Balance Score Card Financial Objectives| Measures| Targets | Initiative| Achievement| 1) Maximizing shareholder interest towards the company 2) Contributing part of profits as social responsibilities towards the market| * Profits & cash flow * Interpret financial ratio for evaluating performance| * Growth in earning per shares (EPS) * Maintaining share’s market value level| * Ensure employee understand and acknowledge financial goal of business * Maintaining good relationship with bankers, financial adviser and insurance agent to improve company’s performance| * Successfully increase revenues and sales * Efficiently using acquired assets| Internal Business Process Objectives| Measures| Targets| Initiatives| Achievements| 1) Channelling momentum to operate at a faster, better and smarter way| * Encourages employee work smarter and more efficientlySources : British American Tobacco’s Annual Report, 2011| * Reduction on requirement of man-days | * Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions| * Pilot market in Malaysia tobacco industry * Introduce subcontract manufacturing for large volume productions * Implement various key information technology to support globally-integrated business| Customers Objectives| Measures| Targets| Initiatives| Achievements| 1) Maintaining in responsibility 2) Build stakeholders and shareholders values| * Sustaining share values and improving company commercial’s sustainability * Participating in afforestation program| * Community * Awarding scholarships * Marketplace * Financial aids * Workplace * Employee Volunteer Program (EVP)| * Community Pillars * Poverty alleviation * Education * Employee volunteerism * Environment * Underprivileged & disabled community| * Offset carbon dioxide release to environment through afforestation * Improve company’s commercial’s ability * Completing targeted groups responsibilities * Completing initiatives in bringing a better quality life for community pillars| Learning and Growth Objectives| Measures| Target| Initiative| Achievement| 1) Continuing to drive goals momentum| * Measuring British American Tobacco Malaysia versus competitor’s shares of market in the Value for Money (VFM) segmentSources : British American Tobacco’s Annual Report, 2011| * Achieving good reputation and response from customer with their new products| * British American Tobacco choose to use strategic brand in enhancing market growth * Introduce different brand of cigarettes * enhance market capabilities and strong distribution network * Different brand has different unique capabilities | * Winning in premium Lights and Menthol segment of cigarettes. A portfolio’s strategy by BAT planned years ago before winning the awards. | Balance Score Card (BSC) 4. 3. 1 Financial In the financial view of British American Tobacco (BAT), the key objectives is to maximize their shareholders interest towards the company and also contributing parts of their profits as social respons ibilities towards the market. BAT regularly measures revenues and focuses on company cash flows to maintain their shares market values level. Another effort BAT took is to interpret their financial ratio and use the information gathered to evaluate their business performances. This had lead to the growth in earning per shares (EPS) and successfully increases their revenues and sales annually. Efficiently in using their acquired assets with minimum wastage also assisted BAT in achieving their business financial goals. Employees in BAT are well lead in understanding the financial goal and also acknowledging the way to achieve the business goals. They took the initiative to maintain good relationship with banker, financial adviser and insurance agent to improve the company’s profits in order to maintain the shares market value level of the company. 4. 3. 2 Internal Business Process Internal business processes is essential in maintaining and building a trust from shareholders and customers. Analyzing the best business processes can help the company to perform better to achieve the desire outcome. British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)) adopted channeling the business processes momentum into operating faster, better and smarter to meet their strategy requirement. Efficiency in performing business process and delivery effectiveness results is suitable in engaging into nowadays globally-integrated environment. BAT (M) targets productivity in their processes by encouraging employees to identify ways to work smarter and more efficiently. A campaign name as â€Å"Make Time to Win† had been introduced to the employee. These measures are done by reducing unnecessary workload such as completing work with zero errors to create effectiveness, reduce complexity and bureaucracy in the company’s business process to enable employee to perform faster and create efficiency in their work and lastly to enhance work-life balance enablers which focuses on the culture and working environment in the company by providing a comfortable environment and adaption to company’s culture program. The outcome of this campaign had been accomplished with the results in total man-days reductions of the company and generated a total savings of RM10. 4million for the company worldwide in 2011 (British American Tobacco Malaysia annual report, 2011). Other than that, BAT (M) took the initiatives in implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions in daily business processes and became the pilot market for ERP solutions in Malaysia’s tobacco industry. This also guided the company into introducing subcontract manufacturing method for large volume productions in Japan, Australia and Global travel retail (British American Tobacco Malaysia annual report, 2011) and thus, implementing various key information technology initiatives to support the globally-integrated business. 4. 3. 3 Customers Customers play a huge role in the company strategy planning. Providing clear and quality products to customers is vital for British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)). Maintaining BAT (M) responsibilities on their products had been set from the past to ensure the company promotes their products responsibly. Collaborating with government agencies in promoting the products only to legal age customer became one of the major objectives of BAT (M). Besides that, participating in forestation program became part of BAT (M) annual event in order to perform their social responsibilities towards the social in a way that offset carbon dioxide emission to the environment cause by smoker using the company’s products. This had managed to sustain the shares value and shows improve in company’s commercial ability. BAT (M) targets 3 major segment in the society which is the community, marketplace and workplace. In the company appearance to the community, BAT (M) awards scholarships to talented students in helping them to persuade their studies. Selected students are giving these opportunities by British American Tobacco Malaysia as part of the contributions towards the society. While in marketplace, the company provides financial aids for higher education to the tobacco growing community to ease their financial difficulties. Studies on the growing and managing the plantation assist the tobacco growing communities in producing more quality products for BAT (M). Lastly in workplace, the company organize employee volunteer program for a deserving causes. Employee Volunteer Program (EVP) is the company culture of giving back to the community. EVP allows employees dedicating their time and efforts for good cause towards the community. To give a helping hand to the community pillars, BAT (M) took the initiatives steps in allocating budgets and lends their helping hands to the community that needed the most. The activities done are such as poverty alleviation on building homes for poor family, providing education in awarding scholarships, employee volunteerism that promotes company culture of giving back to the community with employee volunteer program. It has done across the Peninsular Malaysia. On the other hand, the important of environment has lead the company’s employee to volunteered time towards environment conservations by cleaning waterfall and a beach and also to support the underprivileged and disable community. Volunteered time by the company EVP program throughout Malaysia to assist them in different aspect, thus improving their health, benefits and living standard. 4. 3. 4 Learning and Growth Learning and growth is an important segment in the framework because it supports the visions and ability to sustain the company in long-term. British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT (M)) visions are to obtain more markets shares and become market leaders for global tobacco industry. BAT set an objective of continuing to drive goals momentum in achieving their visions. In the current situation, BAT (M) had strengthened the company leadership in the Malaysia’s tobacco industry with the healthy and positively growth trend in their financial analysis. Measuring the Value for Money (VPN) segment from 2009 to 2011 of BAT (M) and their competitor is crucial for the company survival in the market. This ensures the sustainability and also their vision in becoming the industry leader in the Malaysia’s tobacco industry. Along the year from 2009 to 2011, BAT (M)’s VPN are recorded at 7. 7percent, 8. 9percent and 9. 4percent while their competitor had 10. 2 percent, 11. 0percent and 10. 3percent relatively. The figures shows that BAT (M) share of market had been increasing positively against their competitor and successfully reduced the VPN gap between BAT (M) and their competitor from 2. 6percent to 0. 9percent (British American Tobacco Malaysia annual report, 2011). BAT (M) target of gaining good reputation and response from customers with their products is achieved by obtaining awards in premium â€Å"Lights† and â€Å"Menthol† segment of cigarettes. This is a portfolio’s strategy planned years ago before being awarded the success. In order to meet their vision, BAT (M) practice strategic brand as their initiative in market growth. Introducing various brand of cigarettes to enhance their market capabilities such as Pall Mall, Kent, Dunhill, Peter Stuyvesant is few types of cigarettes brand innovates by BAT(M) and strengthen their distribution network is part of the strategic steps taken. These different brands of cigarettes have different unique capabilities for the smokers such as triple filter charcoal technology, menthol and spearmint flavor cigarettes. These innovations assisted the company in obtaining more markets share and becoming the market leader in the industry. Conclusion: The activities and programs organize by British American Tobacco in alliance with British American Tobacco Malaysia in different segment and aspect had significantly improve the business operation, the social responsibilities and managing the company strategy plan in a proper way. It fits accordingly to the company visions of obtaining more market shares and become market leader for global tobacco industry so that it can ensure the sustainability of business and follow by bring more values. 5. Recommendations It was found out that British American Tobacco (BAT) is facing huge competition among the tobacco industry due to numerous brands in the market. In addition, cigarettes typically bring a bad perception to people lately. So, instead of scrambling around, the company is proposed to get rid of the red oceans by moving its business slowly toward the blue oceans, but not immediately. Thus, applying the purple oceans strategy could be the first step for BAT. The phase â€Å"purple oceans† means to stay in the combination of both red oceans and blue oceans. Hence, this strategy enables the play safe method and allows BAT to maintain its existing loyal customers, at the same time generating new extra customers through the product innovation. According to Dr Joe Leung, the first scholars that propose the purple ocean strategy, there are total 5Cs needed to be master before an enterprise could position itself in the purple oceans and the 5Cs are namely as cost, cash, customer, competence and counterpart (Fortune Making, 2012). Only when BAT able to mastered the 5Cs and poises themselves in the purple oceans, then only the company could explore toward the blue ocean. For BAT, the blue ocean could be established through product innovation. Since the company has their own research centre which is located at Southampton UK (BAT, 2012), therefore BAT could make use of it to develop their new products. For instance, create cigarettes that bring harmless to our health by replacing those harmful ingredients inside the cigarette. Once cigarette is harmless, it is not only creating the new market for BAT, but also changing people’s perception toward smoking. Furthermore, the government no longer got the reason to resist cigarette. Besides than using the oceans strategy, horizontal integration could be an alternative strategy recommended to BAT in order to improve the company’s business strategy. The horizontal integration is a strategy that allows the company to increase its market share in the tobacco industry through merging or taking over the similar companies (Biz Dharma, 2012). Since BAT is having a strong financial position, therefore the company may utilize this advantage in order to merge with those weaker companies. By applying this strategy, BAT able to grow its market share rapidly and what most important is it could reduce the number of competitors for BAT and switch them to become partners. 6. References British American Tobacco Malaysia, About Us: Who We Are, 10th April 2012 Fortune Making, Purple Ocean Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco, Research and Development, 2012 British American Tobacco (Malaysia), Our Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad, 2011, Reports and Financial Statements, viewed 20th June 2012, . British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad, 2010, Reports and Financial Statements, viewed 20th June 2012, . British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad, 2011, viewed 20th June 2012, British American Tobacco (Malaysia), Our Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco and Cigarettes Smuggling in China, â€Å"Keys to the Future†, 2006 http://www. plosmedicine. org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10. 1371%2Fjournal. pmed. 0030228 British American Tobacco Malaysia Annual Report, Government Regulatory, 2011 http://www. batmalaysia. com/group/sites/bat_7ryj8n. nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO7SUKSJ/$FILE/medMD8SFEPS. pdf? openelement British American Tobacco Malaysia, Illegal trade in Malaysia, 2011 http://www. batmalaysia. com/group/sites/BAT_7RYJ8N. nsf/vwPagesWebLiveO8PBFUP? opendocument&SKN=1 Earthwatch Institute Case Studies, integrating biodiversity into business management and operations, British American Tobacco Biodiversity Partnership, 2010 http://teebforbusiness. earthmind. net/files/Earthwatch_Case_Studies-HSBC_SHELL_-American_Tobacco. pdf Fortune Making, Purple Ocean Strategy, 2012 British American Tobacco, Research and Development, 2012 Biz Dharma, Horizontal Integration, 2012 < http://bizdharma. com/blog/what-is-vertical-and-horizontal-integration/> 7. Appendixes Appendix 1: Organization Structure of BAT (M) B. O. D Appendix 2: Corporate Information of BAT (M)

Grammatical Tenses and English Test Date

Name English Test Date : April 9, 12 G. R. I. T Dep. First Year Duration : min Read the following text, then answer the questions below: Sidney Fisk Work: Sidney Fisk is a lawyer. He’s 45 years old . He’s paid very well, but he usually has to work long hours. He works for an international company in Dallas, Texas, so he travels a lot in his job. At the moment he’s working in Mexico, and next week he’s travelling to France. Home Life: Sidney is married and he’s got two children, aged 11 and 14. He rarely sees his children because so much of his time is spent away from home.He’s got a beautiful house in the suburb of Dallas. It’s very big with eight bedrooms. His wife is an interior designer. Free Time: If he’s at home at the weekend , he and his wife sometimes play golf , but that doesn’t happen very often . They never have much time to relax together . Is he happy : He says he doesn’t know if he’s happy . He ’s too busy to think about it . Questions : 1- What are the good things about Sidney’s life ? ( 1pt ) 2- What are the bad things about Sidney’s life ? ( 1 pt ) 3- Do you think his life is exciting or boring ?Would you like to have a life like Sidney’s ? State why ? (2 pts ) 4- What are the ingredients for happiness in your opinion ? State at least three and justify your answer . ( 1. 5 pt ) 5 – Pick out from the text words that may have the same meaning as the following :(1. 5 pt ) A -Corporation b – go from one place to another c- away from city 6 – Pick out from the text :(2 pts) a- Simple present tense and justify its use b- Present continuous tense c- Two adjectives and state the word each modifies d- Two jobs

Psychology week 5 Assignment Essay

Take a look at the material on sensation seeking on page 286 (Ch. 11). Do you consider yourself a sensation seeker? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your level of sensation seeking? Based on the questions in the text, I think right now I’m a good mix of both. I like travelling and gaining new experiences but I don’t go out of my way to do it. However, I also like the stability of being able to stay in one place. I also know that the more experience you gain the more your priorities seem to change and that means that whether you’re a sensation seeker or not might be where you are in life. The advantages of my level of sensation seeking are that my life experiences have given me a good balance of both. Right now, I’m comfortable where I am. The disadvantage would be maybe I’m too comfortable and I might get complacent. How would you rate your own achievement motivation? Why? In what ways is this advantage to you? In what ways is it a disadvantage? My own achievement motivation is pretty high. I set goals for myself and those who report to me. The goals I set for myself and my team are pretty high and I am driven to achieve those goals. This is an advantage because being goal driven is important in being successful in my career. It’s a disadvantage because it takes time away from my family. What did you learn about yourself from reading about the trait theories of personality? Based on the theories, supposedly I’m a mild mannered extrovert that is sometimes obsessive but easily adjusted. I’ve always found myself somewhat of a balanced person but after reading the traits I had to question that. I’m not one of anything but I am many of everything at different times in my life. What did you learn about yourself from reading the other theories of personality? (List and explain at least three things.) Based on the biological theories of personality I learned that my own personality is a combination of many things and not just one thing. Using Freud’s psychodynamic theory, I learned that my ego is what keeps the id and superego in check and that sometimes the failure of the ego to satisfy both results in my anxiety about certain things. Roger’s humanistic approach suggests that children are influenced by their parents and need their approval by doing things to please them in order to receive more love. I learned that one of the reason I am the way I am is because deep down I still seek approval not just from my parents but also those who have significance in all aspects of my life. How will you use this material on personality to improve your relationships (personal and/or professional)? I will make use of the material on personality to improve my relationships by recognizing situations that make me anxious or where I am quick to be angered. I will take a step back to assess the situation and learn to be more patient. I will try to be more understanding and put myself in the shoes of the other person. The personality theories have taught me that the way I am and the way I react to situations is a result of many things including the way I was raised as well as my environment. References: Siri Carpenter. Visualizing Psychology, 2nd Edition., 2009. Bookshelf. Web. 10 June 2013 .

Poetry can bring to life experiences and ideas Essay

Q. â€Å"Poetry can bring to life experiences and ideas which are otherwise difficult for us to understand what is your response to this view?† My personal response of poetry being the â€Å"subject and formulae†, for individuals helping them to understand complicated life matters, which are difficult for us to understand is shown by comparing the two poems ‘London’ by William Blake and ‘Prayer before birth’ by Louis MacNeice. We can begin to comprehend the authors individual thoughts and feelings by analysing them through our own interpretation of language, form and structure of the poem. â€Å"Prayer before birth† is written in 1944 which is at the end of the second world war. This poem reflects the innocence of a child in the mothers womb being brought into a world of experience and temptation. It is quite ironic to have a an unborn baby â€Å"knowing† of the outside world and experiences as of yet not being born. But MacNeice uses clever imagery â€Å"†¦Let not the bloodsucking bat or the rat or the stoat or the club – footed ghoul come near me.† This gives us more of an image of how both innocence and experience differ from one another. This poem is a prayer which is to protect the innocence of the unborn child – to nurture them constructively against the pressures they might experience in the twentieth century. The way that MacNeice has constructed the poem is by conologically going through life experiences as we keep on reading. This is taken from the second stanza by asking God to not allow people to influence him into bad doings, where here he has a choice from early on in life to make the right decisions and choose the right pathway, however if he doesn’t this is related to the seventh stanza where his doings now turn into something which he has no control over and that it is â€Å"leathal automation†, due to the experience he is accustomed to. Even the structure of the poem visually illustrates the beginning to the ending of his â€Å"life† as each stanza gets narrower. But by looking at the seventh Stanza, also its the language of the poem becoming quicker,as we proceed toward the end of the poem altogether â€Å"†¦hither and thither or hither and thither..† This in comparison to the poem ‘London’ by Wiliam Blake. Where by the poem is of the Romanics which tends to attack the form of experience as it is alongside innocence due to nature not nurture. A poem of social protest, against the suffering of all who live in a world such as this. Written in 1789 (during the french revolution, and also the british industrial revolution). It’s about misery and human despair, the â€Å"mind forg’d manacles† of depression imprisoning people. The rapidly indutrialising economy and society corrupt and poisin all those who live in it. This poem is about how people may disfunctionally go through experience and end up passing their knowledge through to the next innocent generation. Blake tends to use the imagery of cjildren a lot as they symbolise purity and power. His argument is that if childhood is reacked then so is the the adult that they become. Throught every stage of his poem he uses a more innocent imagery of a child from â€Å"infant† to â€Å"new born infant†. Also he uses clever imagery of purity contrasted against impurity. Quite a few oximorons are used to contast imagery in the poem. Showing how the worldof experience can quickly corruptand destroy the innocence. â€Å"†¦Every black’ning Church appals;† â€Å"Black’ning† meaning dirty metaphorically and also literally. This also shows the church which is appuled by the conditions but turns a blind eye, â€Å"black’ning† is contrasted with purity which is supposed to be of the church , but the chuch is blackned by turning a blind eye. This imagery is used to show the state of human nature which people usually turn a blind eye. â€Å"†¦How the youthful Harlot’s curse† Blake uses his imagery of a young prosititute, which here is also contrasted with innocence which is corrupted. â€Å"†¦chimey-sweepers cry† is exploiting innocence. Becoming black,dark and tained. Also the dying breath of the solider,which is infact the last dying breath of the solider, this is about ordinary people killing ordinary people for causes which may not benefit them,thihs maybe could be connected to revolution. Therefore the running of blood down place walls,shows the guilt on the monarchy. â€Å"†¦Runs in blood down place walls† London is about how the controlling nature takes over innocence and the experience is now of automation. He shows this in the first stanza where theart of mapping, controlling, and resitricting are contrasted against the â€Å"flow† of the Thames. Not a poem of observed factual detail but Blake’s perception of London, he uses the traditional form of alternate rhyming lines to imitate the repititive predictability of the circle of suffering. Blake has experience of London so he is able to reflect back from when he was an innocent child to now of what he holds the knowledge of experience. This is shown in the first line of the poem: â€Å"†¦I wander thro’ each charter’d street,† The lyrical quality is quite simplistic it is not a performance based poem. Alliteration is used to addto the imagery Blake is trying to create of London. The words â€Å"weakness,† and â€Å"Woe† makes the poem sound of a feeble minded and gives the feeling of a spiritual lack of strengh of character. In the second stanza â€Å"every† is used to add imact which is used constanmtly through the first, second and third lines. The poem it self is quite short and in every stanza thereis four lines, the imagery is also quite strong in the short space Blake has used to give us an idea of what he feels London is all about. This could be due to having to get his point across to people Both these poems, in my opinion, share feelings of concern and disgust for experience. If i had to pick which one I prefered I would choose the Blake poem. This is because the meaning of the words is more clearcut. I accept that the point of the MacNeice poem may be to leave it up to the reader to decide whether or not the poem is sarcastic or not. But I dont consider this device to be particularly effective ; thought provoking maybe but not effective. The Blake poem is also more emotionally charged and melodramatic it is almost scary as the poem relates to London which is a mere 10-15 miles away and sadly corruption and sexually transmitted diseases are still relevant themes today.