Monday, September 30, 2019

Barbie Is A Good Role Model

First appearing in 1959 at the American International Toy Fair, Barbie has since become the best selling doll in the world. Barbie has become so popular, that several controversies have come up about her, the most recurrent being whether or not Barbie serves as a good role model for little girls. This paper aims to provide argumentative elements based on facts and reason that support the idea that Barbie is indeed a good role model for little girls. The argument that I wish to make is that Barbie’s biography is indicative of values that women hold dear and that mothers wish of their little girls when they grow up.Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. She was born a healthy baby girl to George and Margaret Roberts of Willows, Wisconsin. Barbie attended Willows High School in Willows, Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City. Barbie’s senior year in high school introduced her to Ken Carson, who would later be her boyfriend. Barbie has had over forty pets including cats and dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. She has owned pink convertibles, trailers, jeeps and more.She also holds a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners in addition to serving as a flight attendant. She has been, among many others, a veterinarian, an astronaut and a diplomat. Barbie has a lot of friends including Hispanic Teresa, African American Christie and Steven (Christie's boyfriend). (Lord 2) Liberalism has been a positive value to America which has shaped the improvement of many sectors in society. Women in particular have forwarded the feminist movement successfully from the 60s through the 70s, lobbying for equality in treatment and dignity.Barbie’s plethora of abilities indicates the woman’s ability to take on any task given to her and do well in it. Her ability to drive convertibles and trucks and planes alike signifies that women need not bend over to masculine predominance and can actually do thin gs that men used to do for them on their own. Even Barbie’s relationship with Ken, riddled with breakups and reconciliations as it was, showed a Barbie that was not dependent on a man. This is the very core of the feminist movement that every little girl should be aware of.Little girls who are avid fans of Barbie run the easy possibility of being exposed to these lofty ideas of gender equality very early on in their lives. It could lead them to assert themselves in class, gather courage to participate in school activities and sporting events and have strength to fight against anyone that might want to take advantage of her. Animal rights have been a long standing issue in society. The welfare of house pets and the survival of endangered species are of primary concern to humankind.Towards the goals of animal rights movements, Barbie promotes kindness in the pets that she has had. Her many pets teach little girls the importance of taking care of one’s animals. Advertisem ents of Barbie with a new pet always show the young woman taking the best of care of her little darlings. Also, her array of pets includes endangered species, which at the very least gathers awareness from the little ones who idolize her. Who knows how many little girls were inspired to be marine biologists or veterinarians because they were fans of Barbie and her pets during their childhood years?In the era of terrorism, racial disputes and bickering abound all over the world. In the United States, violence in schools due to racial discrimination has reached an all time high. People are very suspicious of anyone who doesn’t look like them. New people are always regarded with fear or anger, especially if they are of a foreign race. But what does Barbie show our little girls at home? She shows them that having friends isn’t a matter of picking people you have a lot of things in common with; it is a matter of talking to people, of talking about your differences and findi ng the beauty in them.Barbie’s being white doesn’t hinder her from being friends with people of different colors, whether it’s Hispanic Theresa or African-American Christie. Barbie’s selection of friends is not hindered by prejudice. All these three explanations tied to three very contentious issues of today prove that Barbie is one of the good girls. It proves that Barbie is a believer in women’s rights. That she is a feminist by heart and that her nature as a young strong woman who can take on any task and not any man get in her way is the woman of today.It proves that Barbie is a supporter of animal rights. Her care for her pets condemns animal cruelty and her inclusion of endangered species among the animals she takes care of shows her concern for the dangers these animals face. It proves that Barbie is no racist, she is an open minded young lady who has made friends because of heart and not skin color. Barbie’s biography speaks of a goo d young lady, who serves as a good role model for all the little girls who love her. Sources: Lord, M. G. , Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll. Paperback

Sunday, September 29, 2019

HIPAA And How It Effects Nursing Care Essay

In order to explain how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are affecting nursing care today, the act itself must be defined. HIPAA is one of the most important acts that have been passed to protect patients’ privacy and give them security. HIPAA privacy standards include some of the most restrictive guidelines in regards to accessing identifiable health information and disclosures. The guidelines were set into place to protect the patient from having their information disclosed verbally, written or by electronic transfer (Pozgar, 2012). The Privacy rule is clearly defined as â€Å"HIPAA†, which ensures the privacy and protection of all health information. Before HIPAA many states had their own standards and guidelines for healthcare privacy and practice (ANA, 2014). HIPAA has given us unison and uniformity as a healthcare nation, not just a state. The standards and guidelines protecting the privacy of an individual’s health information were issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HIPAA 101, 2014). The privacy rule, does allow the use of healthcare information to promote the best quality of health care. The rule also protects the confidentiality of the patient. HIPAA also affects the patient’s own access to their medical records. The individual is often asked to sign an authorization request form upon admission. The form consists or should include a description of the information that is going to be used or disclosed to other authorized individuals in a detailed manner. The client should also be given the names of the individual that will have access to their identifiable information. The patient must also be made aware of the fact that he or she has the right to revoke the authorization request at any  time. HIPAA regulations also require that codes be set into place for encoding vital records such as, medical terms and procedure codes (HIPAA 101, 2014). As a nurse working in a hospital setting, I am aware of the requirements to give patients clear, insightful, written information concerning their Patient Rights and the disclosures of their personal information. Patients are asked to sign a permission form giving us permission to share their information with other healthcare workers. The patient’s information is only allowed to be shared with the healthcare providers that have an active role in the client’s care. For example, if a healthcare provider discloses any information about a patient with another person or coworker that has not been authorized by the patient, it is a violation of HIPAA. The Patient’s Bill of Rights was created by the American Hospital Association in 1973. It was developed to ensure that good viable communication occurs between the patient and the healthcare provider. The Bill of Rights entitles the patient to the right to be involved in every decision about his or her plan of care prior to any treatments and throughout the treatment process. If the patient is competent and has no mental incapacities at their own accord they can refuse treatment at any time. All patients are to be informed of all of their diagnoses, treatments, and the consequences of those treatments. The Patient’s Bill of Rights also gives patients the right to be informed about advance directives. (Pozgar, 2012). There are two common types of advance directives, a living will or a dual power of attorney. A living will provides outlines about medical treatments. It will have details about the patient’s wishes or their refusal of a treatment if they become incapacitated. A dual power of attorney for healthcare designates a person or persons appointed by the client to make healthcare decisions if and when the client is unable to. Advance directives are used to provide guidance to nurses and other members of the healthcare team. A copy of the advance directive must be placed in the client’s medical chart. The physician is notified of the advance directive so that his or her written orders do not coincide with the client’s wishes. When disclosing patient information it should be done in a private location away from other staff members and patients. The only time that information about a patient may not be kept confidential. Is when the cases involve abuse or a public health hazard (Hogan, 2012). Violating the HIPAA guidelines and rules  can Intel extensive consequen ces, for the healthcare provider, nurse, and the healthcare facility. The consequences may include termination, suspension, law suits, and huge fines for hospital and employee (ANA, 2014). The most resourceful and reliable information can be given by the client or a family member. In order for the most accurate information to be retrieved there must be trust and respect between the healthcare provider and the patient. Violating HIPAA and its codes could damage or destroy the trust between physicians or nurses and the client. If the patient does not provide the physician or nurse with the concise and accurate information about their past and present health, the outcome could be detrimental for the hospital and the patient. For example, if a patient has to have surgery and the anesthesiologist is using demoral to sedate the client. The client fails to tell the doctor that he or she is allergic to demoral. The patient experiences anaphylactic shock which is a severe allergic reaction that can cut off the airway completely. Recovery for the patient may or may not be feasible. Good communication between the client and the healthcare providers is needed to sustain life and to save lives. Clients need the security that goes along with HIPAA. They need to feel secure in the fact that whatever they tell their healthcare provider is secure and confidential. An incident occurred one day as I was working in the emergency room area. A patient came in suffering from severe chest pains and I was designated to interview the client and retrieve vital information. All of the routine questions were asked and answered. The last and final question that I approached the client with was his current intake of medication preferably Viagra. I remember him giving me this look as if he did not understand the words that had just escaped my mouth. Taking into consideration that his spouse was present and that she may not be aware of his enhancement drug, she was directed to the lounge for coffee. I asked the client once again â€Å"Mr. J have you or are you currently taking Viagra†. He answered â€Å"No I am only 45 I have no need for Viagra†. My nursing instincts kicked in and his aggressive answers and body language made me feel as if he was not being completely honest with me. At that moment I decided to explain my reasoning for this line of questioning and the importance of the situation. I informed Mr. J that he was being administered Nitroglycerin to help with his angina. Angina is chest pain. Nitroglycerin and Viagra when  given together can be a deadly combination because they both contain Nitro which dilates your blood vessels. When combined together these two medications can lower your blood pressure to the point that death may occur. I know what you are thinking what an awful thing to say, but for some patients the truth in a upfront and nondisclosure way works best. Mr. J admitted to using Viagra and precautions were taking to sustain his life. Within 48 hours he was released from the hospital. This scenario was meant to show the importance of patient and healthcare provider information. It is very important that a rapport is made between the client and you. I think that violating HIPAA cripples our chance of building and maintaining a bond with the patients. Another example of a way that HIPAA can be violated is disclosing information to neighbors and friend that have not been authorized. Home Healthcare workers are faced with this dilemma frequently. This scenario refers to a nurse that visits her client twice a week. The client has taken ill and is unable to venture out into her yard to work in her garden. The neighbors become worried because Mrs. X is known for being in her garden daily. One day as the nurse was leaving Mrs. X house she is approached by her neighbor Mrs. B. Mrs. B asked â€Å"how is Mrs. X doing these days?’ The best response by the nurse would be not to disclose any of Mrs. X information although Mrs. B is just being a concerned neighbor. The n urse replied â€Å"disclosing any information about Mrs. X is a violation of HIPAA and for that reason I am not inclined to answer your question†. HIPAA has strict guidelines that we are to follow even when we are out of the hospital setting. .Healthcare workers have always had some sort of privacy guidelines in place to protect the patient’s privacy. Nurses have always and still are front runners when it comes to maintaining HIPAA and its guidelines. The American Nursing Association has a Code of Ethics that contain statements and requirements that instruct nurses to keep patients information private. Hospitals have implemented different strategies and techniques to ensure that HIPAA is not being violated. In the facility where I work there are strict rules and regulations about disclosing patient information over the phone. The Golden Rule is do not do it. The reason behind this rule is because you never really know who is on the other end of the line. Disclosing health information in this manner can certainly be in violation of HIPAA. Almost all of the charting that nurses do is done on a  computerized system. We must sign in and out each time with our assigned user ID and passcode. It is recommended that the password that we choose is difficult to figure out and to change the passcode often. Nurses should never give or share their passcodes with other coworkers. Hospitals are constantly developing ways to increase their security to ensure that a patient’s medical record is deemed private and remain private. Encryption technology and software is a great place to start. Computers and laptops, over the years have disappeared from different hospitals. These computers often contain vital patient records. Encryption will allow the hospitals IT management team to ease the minds of concerned individuals by acknowledging that their information is encrypted and not easily accessible. Some hospitals purchase self-encrypted hard drives because they have been known to provide stronger protection (Fields, 2012). The patient’s chart and any other paperwork that contain their personal infor mation is always place faced down so that it is not viewable by individuals passing by. Another security measure to protect patient privacy is the names on the room door that is no longer permissible. Nurses are required to use two patient identifiers to ensure that the right patient is given the correct medication and before any procedures are done (Hogan, 2012). If a family member or an unknown individual calls the front desk and asks â€Å"is Jim Jones in the hospital and what room is he in†. Nurses are inclined to respond by saying â€Å"we do not have a Jim Jones. I know it sounds like a little white lie to most, but our first priority is always to our patients. Later, that same individual can call back and say can you connect me to Mr. Jim Jones in room 204 and they will be connected. HIPAA has strict guidelines and as healthcare providers we are required to follow at all times. Nurses are on the frontline when it comes to patient care and privacy. Nurses are advocates for their patients and act and speak for them when they are unable to (Pozgar, 2012). Nurses work with patients and their families every hour of every day. Nurses knowledge and understanding of HIPAA is important not only for the patient, but for the facilities that we are working in. To violate HIPAA and its guidelines is to violate our ethics and our patient’s moral beliefs and trust that they have bestowed upon us. HIPAA is more about nurses and other healthcare providers changing the way they think and act in reference to patients’ privacy and security. Some may think that improving  technology and upgrading their computer software is the ultimate game changer. I believe as nurses, we have a duty to self, job, and patient. Nurses must become innovative when it comes to discussing a patient’s personal health information. The facility that you currently work in are probably not willing or able to sound proof every room. Therefore, maybe changing the way we speak or the tone of our voice when discussing sensitive identifiable patient information. It is important to never discuss a client’s health information in a hallway, stairwell, elevator, or outside the facility. When possible try to find a secluded area or room and close the door. These are small and simple adjustments that can make a big impact. Being mindful of the environment that you work in is necessary in order to plan and establish privacy measures for the clients. HIPAA is not in place to define nursing care, but to enhance patient care and trust, to encourage nurses and other healthcare workers to make an effort, to take the initiative, to preserve privacy and integrity of the patients that we serve. Work Cited Fields, Rachel. (2012, November, 9) â€Å"Protecting Patient Data to Protect Your Hospital retrieved February 12, 2014 from http://www.beckershospitalreview.com â€Å"HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act† (2014) AMA.assn.org. Retrieved February 22, 2014 from http://www.ama.assn.org â€Å"HIPAA: Privacy Rule and Compliance (2014, February, 26) hipaa101.com Retrieved February 12, 2014 from http://www.hipaa101.com Hogan, Maryann. (2012) Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX- RN (2nd Edition pp, 25 & 272-274) Pearson Education Inc. Pozgar, D. George. (2012) Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration (11th edition pp,282-284 and 336-343) Jones & Bartlett Learning

Saturday, September 28, 2019

The Wolseley Restaurant Business Plan Case Study

The Wolseley Restaurant Business Plan - Case Study Example The Wolseley provides accessible and low-cost foods to customers with the best quality, delicious coffee-based products and also entertainment opportunities to the hundreds of people in the area and the visitors of the hotels which are in a five-mile radius distance of the restaurant. The Wolseley has established itself as one of the best choices of London residents and also for the tourists and the people cities who come from nearby cities. The Wolseley restaurant provides a "complete and best-quality" afternoon experience for people looking for something that will become popular among London diners in a short time. The caf has simple intent. It provides a completely pleasurable, fleshly, yet casual coffeehouse and/or eating experience for many people in London and the people from other cities or tourists.  Customer services: The customers spend their money to enjoy a good time. They would have a bad experience if the services are not of the highest quality. Each of the staffs at Wolseley is supposed to be gracious, effective, and thoughtful.Marketing strategy: The Wolseley targets its audience in many effective ways. The location of the restaurant is in an accessible area of the city but many customers will need to be familiar with the products and services offered at the Wolseley restaurant/caf. Management techniques: The Wolseley has a firm appreciation on food, drinks, and labor costs. The eating/amusement/coffee-house experience for customers is delivered to them in a state that will not only inspire them to visit the restaurant again but encourages marketing techniques such as word-of-mouth which is accomplished by recommendations of the products and services to other customers. In the Wolseley, a proper list of products, management of the staff and workers, and controlling the quality of products is a key issue. The Wolseley is a caf, a restaurant and a coffeehouse altogether that provides fair-priced and delicious foods to the customers. In the coffe e-house, customers can offer coffee and espresso-based drinks, shaved-ices, fruit flavored and/or juiced drinks, and other drinks that can be typically offered by a coffee shop.

Friday, September 27, 2019

San Andreas Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

San Andreas - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that when a beautiful woman, a mother of a teenage daughter, leaves her handsome and extremely brave husband working as a firefighter to live with some cunning and extremely wealthy city architect it is no wonder that skyscrapers start falling and the earth literally cracks down.   That is how ancient Greeks would probably perceive the movie â€Å"San Andreas† because they believed in Gods and their ultimate revenge for human mistakes.   The slogan of the movie is more than eloquent: â€Å"Who you will be with when everything falls apart† and it makes viewers believe that this is more than just a family drama and more than just a disaster film. Being a disaster film â€Å"Sa Andreas† seems to be based on a drama of a good quality. Unfortunately, the plot cannot impress viewers with its originality but this fact must be attributed to the genre of disaster film in general. â€Å"San Andreas† does what a good mo vie of this kind must do: impress viewers, evoke fear and loath, bring in life apocalyptic sensations and images.   Despite such seemingly unpleasant characteristics disaster movies remain really popular, especially among Americans. It is because disaster films prove to be very successful at the box office, and â€Å"San Andreas† is not an exception.   It depicts a nuclear family on the edge of divorce being caught in the area struck by a series of natural catastrophes.  Ã‚  

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Frederick Douglass Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Frederick Douglass - Essay Example He was orphaned at the age of seven when his mother died and thus was forced look after himself and to mature very quickly, learning to read and write under the tutelage of a woman in Baltimore who eventually purchased him. In 1838, Douglass escaped to New York City, changed his last name to Douglass, and married Maria Bailey, free women whom he had met while still in Baltimore.2 Douglass was privileged to be educated by his owner. However, he suffered the hardships of slavery and oppression firsthand, lending him expertise on the subject that no number of-even highly educated-white men could hope to match. Therefore, his insight on the subject, expressed eloquently through his writing and lectures, became pivotal in the dialogue about slavery and the abolitionist movement. Douglass began lecturing in 1841 and soon after was hired by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society to act as an agent on their behalf. He would spend the rest of his life in that capacity: writing, lecturing and publishing anti-slavery literature. Douglass became free during a point in history in which both the Abolition and the Women's Right's movement were gaining both power, and followers. He was associated with many important figures of the age including, Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, and William Lloyd Garrison.3 His contacts, not limited to peers of the same racial background as himself, served as a growing network of potential supporters. At the very least, his rhetoric was disseminated all the more quickly along these liens of communication, ensuring that his ideas-credited to him or not-reached the general public quickly. He not only influenced how the public perceived free people of color, but how they ran the abolition movement, and the women's rights movements, by affecting the manner and one of the discourse. Douglass was known for how vehemently he disagreed with those people he called his friends. A disagreement with William Lloyd Garrison in the 1860's resulted from the inevitable conflict between the demands of Douglass, an African American anti-slavery agent for equal pay and treatment, and Garrisons' political wheeling and dealing. Both Garrison and his assistant Maria-Weston-Chapman would frequently attempt to divert Douglass from his fight for equality by characterizing him as being less than human. Oddly enough this was typical of the anti-slavery movement at the time. African American abolitionists were often relegated to playing small public roles in the abolitionist movement, while their white counterparts spoke with bravado about their upcoming revolt against slavery.4 Douglass, rather than kowtow entirely to this attitude, Douglass kept speaking what he felt to be the truth about slavery, abolition, and the movement toward basic human rights for all people. Had he simply shrunk from his oppressors, surely the tide of change would have been slowed measurably if not stalled. This is not to assign too much importance to one man, but merely to recognize the reaches of his influence at this time. His voice was heard through his speaking and writing by

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Deaf History During Medieval Europe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Deaf History During Medieval Europe - Essay Example There were only few deaf people of that period, they were famous, successfully, well educated for those times, some of them inherited titles of their ancestors despite their "disease", and some of them had strong positions in society, they took part in political life of their countries. It was only the one side of this problem. The following problem of medieval deaf people were in association of them with evil, witchcraft, and even the Devil. Children born with deafdisabilities were often perceived as the consequence of their mothers' support for satanic beliefs, illustrating both the ableist and patriarchal values of the era. However, it is also the case that under feudalism, deafdisabled people were generally able to make a contribution, in varying degrees, to a largely rural production process. If disabled people were hospitalized, it was in relatively small medieval hospitals where the focus was on palliative care rather than a cure. Such attitudes to deafdisabled people can be explained by the role... The church and feudal orders were meant to reflect heaven on earth - obedience to God via one's superiors: children obeyed their parents, their parents were their lord's vassals and had to obey him, the lord was the king's vassal, laymen obeyed the clergy, monks obeyed their abbot, clergy and laymen obeyed bishops who themselves were feudal lords, bishops and kings obeyed the Pope-at least in theory. Originality and creativity had to await a commission from the church or a lord, otherwise it was anathema. The church had created itself as a reborn "Imperium Romanum" with the Pope as its emperor and Latin as its language. And Church concidered that disabled people, and deaf ones too, were marked by Evil, by Demon. So, that was the thinking that people had: if you were different you were somehow marked. It is also important to say about the extention of the idea that Christ healed the disabled, so if you were disabled Christ did not favor you.The church alsoused this fear of disabilitie s as a threat to join the church or sickness and disabilities would affect you. Thus they hadtoconvince the people thatthose who were disabled or diseased must not be good Christians. The Church had such influence because medicine and science were in their infancy. Since the Church forbid dissection on humans, scienceandmedicine never really grew. People followed mostly a cause and effect approach. But to the end of Medieval period the attitudes to such people became to change, because among them there were very intelligent and talented people. What was the Hearing peoples view of Deaf during this period The industrial system of those times included weaving and artusaning. This required workers to complete tasks in accordance with

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Saving Private Ryan Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Saving Private Ryan - Movie Review Example George Marshall has ordered Captain Miller to save the last Ryan alive. The team composed of 8 men headed by Captain Miller. Not sure of the whereabouts of Ryan, the team of Captain Miller moved from one place to another looking for Ryan. Until one day they met someone who saw Ryan guarding the town of Ramelle in France, to prevent the German from taking the people of the town. Captain Miller tries to convince Ryan to come with them but instead of coming he makes a deal with Miller that if they help him protect the city then he will go with them. Miller agrees with him and fought with the German. During the encounter with the German, Miller got hurt but was able to bring home Ryan alive. At the end of the story, the old man in the beginning of the movie was James Ryan and the grave belongs to Captain Miller. Saving Private Ryan is an epic movie that features how the US troops were able to save the only survivor among four brothers who were held captive by the Germans. Private James R yan played by Matt Damon is the only survivor among the four brothers; three of his brothers were killed in action. Captain John Miller played by Tom Hanks was the one designated to bring to safety Private James Ryan. The movie received several good reviews from a different part of the world. Veterans of the World War II who have seen the movie relived their memories during the war. Although the movie was done in England, Ireland, and France, the movie seems to make it look like they are on the battlefield. The characters in the story are fictional but the story was adopted in the life of the Niland Brothers. They are also from the military two died during the battle one held captive and the other is missing. The movie made a good selection of characters to make this movie realistic. The character of both Captain Miller and James Ryan are very appealing to the viewers. Since they are both a good actor they have portrayed their character very well. Although the places and other chara cters are fictional the actors still were able to do justice in their different role.   In the Battlefield the warships and combat outfit are very much similar to the one that the US army is wearing during the 1940 war. Based on the review done by several observers, the one making this picture really is the movement of the camera. The camera in the first part of the story on the Omaha Beach brought the viewer on the battlefield. The agony and pain were felt during the shot taken by the camera. Added to the realism of the story are the make-up, costumes, and the effectiveness of the portrayal of the characters. The battleship used is the same replica in the 1940 war that can be seen in the museum and other historical websites. The movie really brings out the story behind the battle. The location was James Ryan found were fictional but added the spies in the story. This American soldier has dedicated his life to serving not only his country but also those who need his service.   T he weapons, machine gun nests, bunkers, and vehicles add elements that engage us easily into the narrative. During the search for James Francis Ryan of Iowa the locations and set design shows accuracy. Bombed houses, splintered planks everywhere, and rubble-strewn streets resemble photographs of real battle scenes. And the costumes are correct. The canvas belts, the jackets, the occasional puttees laced around the calves -- these are the outfits of 1944.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Managed Care Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managed Care Organizations - Essay Example The group is paid a fixed fee per month. Independent practice association model HMO - This is similar to group model. The HMO enters into contract with a group of individual health care providers (through a legal entity - practice association). The difference is that the independent practice association (IPA) can treat patients other than the HMO enrolled patients as well. Network model HMO - It is a combination of all of the above. The HMO can have multiple contracts; it can hire some doctors and pay them salary, it can have IPA contracts with other doctors, and can have exclusive contracts with groups. Point of service model HMO - In point of service (POS) model, the patients enrolled in the HMO can consult with doctors who are not outside the network of HMO, without needing a referral from a doctor of HMO network. This provides the patients the flexibility consult any doctor of their choice although they have to pay more to consult with doctors outside the HMO network. A PPO is a form of MCO which makes arrangements with health care providers to seek reimbursement at lower rates. Thus, the patients pay lower than regular fees when they consult the health care providers (preferred providers) who are part of the PPO network. The managed care organizations generally reduce cost by improving efficiencies. ... Techniques Used by Managed Care Organizations to contain costs The managed care organizations generally reduce cost by improving efficiencies. The efficiency can be increased by optimally utilizing technology, reducing overheads, enhancing patient care treatments, and increasing utilization rate of the available medical equipment. The managed care organizations also provide incentives to health care providers if they select economical ways of treatment. They provide guidelines on various matters; for instance, how to maximize utilization rate of hospital rooms for in-patient treatment; what should be the length of hospital stay for particular treatment; eliminating unnecessary office processes and procedures so that costs can be reduce; etc. These techniques assist the hospitals and doctors to provide better services to patients, and at the same time, to reduce the cost of these services. The patients, thus, have to pay lower amounts to the managed care organizations. Hence the objective of providing low cost health care services is achieved. However, in order to ensure that providers do not exhibit unethical behavior by providing lesser than required services to the patients in order to reduce costs, all the medical records are kept for future reference and are periodically reviewed by external party. In addition, quality assurance reviews are undertaken to verify the quality of services provides to the patients (Managed Care Magazine, 2000). Reimbursement for Services There are various ways the providers are reimbursed for services by the managed care organizations. These include: Salary: Normally used for staff model; the doctors are hired and are provided fixed monthly salary. Fixed Capitated Fee: The provider is paid

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Water Based Fire Protection System Essay Example for Free

Water Based Fire Protection System Essay Water based fire protection system is the system which is designed to control fire, protect life of people, to minimize damages of materials and infrastructure in more effective manner. A considerable improvement has been made in this system to increase the efficiency of the system and to provide increased fire protection benefit. Numbers of deficiencies are identified in this system in form of reliability, tank storage flow capacity and hydrant spacing. To develop fire protection system in effective manner engineer services are hired in form of consulting, research and development, education, manufacturing and enforcement of facilities management. These engineers basically conduct fire research to known the exact effect of the innovative product or initiative on the fire system. During their research emphasis is made on four areas such as to involve risk analysis in fire protection design to obtain desired result. To conduct research in those areas where the emission of heat is higher and to translate ideas into model to implement it to get the desired result. They also give more emphasis on the understanding of human behavior to predict better on reaction of people to fire cues, smokes and alarms and also on availability of data to obtain more accurate figure, more cost effective designs, increased reliability and a better understanding of financial losses and the cost of improvement in fire protection system. The above research helps the engineers to make evolutionary improvements and to create advance developments in the fire protection system as the situation required. Historical and Evolutionary Improvements in Water based Fire Protection Systems Fire protection system that is incomplete, inadequate or absent or full of deficiencies is not capable of to control fire in best manner. For e. g. sprinkler system installed improperly or lacked water, fire alarms and smoke detractor not in proper condition, improper fire doors etc. These above problems can be solved by installing sprinklers throughout the complex, by adopting fire safety emergency escape route. As a result of this safety of members, staffs, visitors, buildings and life can be possible. It is recommended that proper investigation of all the machinery and fire protection surveys reports to be made on regular interval to ascertain the deficiency involve in the Water based fire protection system and thereby to remove them. The National Fire Protection Association is the sole national organization which develops and lay down standards, measures and steps mandatory required for the fire protection system for the protection of individuals and property from the dangers of fire. This Association helps the fire protection system to remain update with current technology and aware those with the recent improvements required therein. It is made compulsory provision to incorporate audit committee in every fire protection system to check whether the requirements of fire codes and regulations have been properly complied to ensure safety. It is also recommended to hire the service of capita police under the fire protection system to easily control over fire at anywhere. Their 24 hours on site presence play an important role in to control fire of uncontrolled nature. In recent years the need to prevent loss of aircraft damaged by guns and missiles is that to develop fire extinguishing system in the aircraft. In ships, on the other hand to cope with accidental fires, it is necessary to develop more effective fire extinguishing systems. The sprinkler, which was introduced more than 100 years ago, has developed incrementally, and advancements have been made more evolutionary and revolutionary. But the recent sprinklers which have been developed are designed to effectively fight fires in specific fire hazards and to make more efficient use of water. New sprinklers have been developed in the last several years for storage fire risk. The other technology which is emerge in recent years is the introduction of mist technology which is intermingled with work conducted on water spraying systems and sprinkler system. This system was earlier involve in fire control but did not prove to be so much effective due to the variety of pressures, agents, atomization techniques and nozzle configuration. So for its proper implementation need is require to conduct full scale fire testing for each application for which water systems could be applied. The main problem lies with the installation of this system in control of fire is that it is very costly to design, develop, and evaluate. There are three main advantages of water mist system over conventional fire protection systems. The very first advantage is the ability of water mist systems to perform fire extinguishment, suppression or control with far less water than the traditional system. The other advantage is its ability ton effectively cool the protected space. It has been generally seen that during or after water discharge the temperature of the product as well as environment reduced significantly. The last but not the least advantage is its ability to provide smoke scrubbing system which helps to efficiently remove the smoke from the environment that will lead to more clear surrounding. According to USFA (United States Fire Administration) analysis, United states and Canada are most prone to fire death among all industrialized nations. Till date, the fire problem in America was as severe as it was 30 years ago (Principal Findings and Recommendations). However, as a result of recent improvements fires are down by 21 percent per capita, there is reduction in deaths and injuries by 27 percent, adjustment of dollar loss is 28 percent. In 1975, when USFA was established, the approximate fire death were 12000 and the objective was to reduce deaths by 50 percent within 25 years. The goal was achieved by increased use of smoke alarms; there is significant decrease in the number of fires and death cases over past two decades. The greater use of sprinkler system, better code enforcement of fire and smoke-resistant construction methods, and newer fire rated construction materials has led to noticeable control over the fire death rates. Instead of making so much progress in the past decade, the United States is still having one of the highest per-capita fire death rates in the world. Here, the question arises, whether changes in the new building codes will set the United States back by a decade? Will over reliance on sprinklers and elimination of fire rated construction eliminate many of the gains that have been achieved over the past 30 years? This has led to a strong controversy on the subject of balancing active (sprinklers) and passive (fire and smoke-resistant construction) elements in fire protection, building design, and construction interests over the past several years. As a result of required changes in construction, as defined in the new International Building Code (IBC) 2000 and the new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 5000 building codes, this issue has came into existence. How Codes have Changed and have been Implemented given these Improvements Over the past 30 years, the three national model building codes are incorporated with the increased use of sprinklers while the requirements for fire-resistant components such as walls, floors beams, trusses, girders, dampers, doors, cables and columns, concrete, fireproofing, fire duct wrap, firestop systems, fire rated glazing, and fire rated wall and ceiling boards are reduced. These components and materials are very useful in controlling the spread of fire, limit the damage to a burning building and surrounding structures, and allow sufficient time for occupants to escape and firefighters to do their work before the structure collapses. The two types of building codes are †¢ IBC 2000 It consists of three regional codes- BOCAI (Building Officials and Code Administrators International), SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International) and ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials). These codes are merged to produce a new code which represents an overall reduction in standards levels and thus in life-safety effectiveness. Significant differences in the fire protection effectiveness among areas of United States have been recorded due to difference in building code requirements, demographics, and public awareness of fire and smoke hazards. For example, less restrictive areas such as South and North east suffered greater loss of life as compared to regions such as California, where higher standards have been in force. These code differences has led to estimation of allowable height and area tables for building spaces and required mix of active and fire-resistant construction. †¢ IBC/NFPA 5000 The introduction of this code not only comprises to less restrictive provisions but also relax certain requirements: Earlier, BOCA National Building Code allowed only certain buildings with sprinklers to be constructed with no area restrictions or â€Å"fire-ratings† till one storey height. However, under IBC and NFPA 5000, the buildings can be two storeys high and need not be fire rated. The SBCCI Standard Building Code proposed that firewalls should have four-hour fire-resistance rating. With the incorporation of new codes, the fire ratings have reduced to two or three hour as per building occupancy and use. The ICBO Uniform Building Code allowed buildings to have sprinklers either to increase the allowable height or allowable area of building, but not both simultaneously. However, IBC and NFPA 5000 allowed both without increase in fire-resistant construction. The revised code has reduced the cost of new commercial construction by 2 to 3 percent because of significant increase to height and area tables and reductions in fire-resistant construction requirements. Increased reliance on sprinkler system is responsible for less-restrictive construction regulations and fire-resistant construction requirements. Projections for Future Trends and Expectations: Number of projections and planning is made in the coming years to increase the efficiency of the system which most suitable to future situation. The mission of water based fire protection industry is to preserve and enhance the quality of life through professional, highly trained, well equipped organization which delivers quality life suppression, prevention, education, emergency medical service, explosive ordnance disposal, rescue and other services. A noticeable increase in fire stations and apparatus is made at those places were chances of fire is more. The numbers of trained staff have increase to provide quick customer service. Currently fire stations are staffed with three personnel; a captain, engineer and a fire fighter who provides immediate life support. Providing training to as many as people and to include it as a subject in the course study to create the interest. The fire station were remodeled which are three person engine company. The priorities of fire protection system is to quickly response at emergency times, to provide training to personnel, to prevent fire, public education and development of public relations, to prepare pre-incident planning and to provide all the needed facilities of apparatus and equipment maintenance. A new system to collect data related to fire incident is constituted called as National Fire operating System (NFRS). In recent years more emphasis is given on the development of fire fighting strategy tactics, on aggressive interior attack, emphasis on primary and secondary rescue operations to increase the efficiency of each individual. The new program is also set up to measure the level of fitness of employees and to ensure that employees can perform their duties in healthy and safe manner, and to reduce job related injures. A rescue list will be available to common people to utilize the service in case of need and to provide service beyond normal expectations. Numbers of safety surveys are conducted at business places, education centers, service organizations and other public places to minimize the risk of fire and in return to provide a safe place to live. References: Reffered to sites: 1. http://www. pbcsd. org/reports/reviews/WaterSytemReview102706. pdf/Memorandum. 2. http://www. sfpe. org/upload/sfpe_research_agenda.pdf/The society of fire protection engineers. 3. http://www. facilitiesnet. com/ms/article. asp? id=4270keywords=fire%20protection,%20fire%20inspections. Keeping Fire Protection Systems from Going Bad: Developing a Maintenance Program By Lynn Proctor windle 4. http://www. fireengineering. com/articles/article_display. html? id=196217 CLARIFYING THE ISSUE OF FIRE PROTECTION BALANCE Richard R. Licht BY RICHARD R. LICHT 5. http://www. tahoefire. com/StrategicPlan2004. pdf PLAN REVIEW PROCESS

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Significants of Gallipoli Film and Documentry Essay Example for Free

Significants of Gallipoli Film and Documentry Essay The documentary Gallipoli by Tolga Ornak and the film of the same name by Peter Weir, are useful resources to stimulate middle school student interest in, and engagement with, the story of Galipoli and its context in Wold War 1. The 2005 documentary Gallipoli by Turkish filmmaker Tolga Ornek is a graphic examination of the disastrous Gallipoli campaign told by both sides. The story is explored through primary resources such as personal diaries and letters. By using exerpts from the diaries and letters of the soldiers living the experience, the documentary allows these young men a voice which reaches through history to tell us of the hopes they had, the betrayal they felt and the misery they suffered. This is not done in grandiose rhetoric but rather with the matter -of -fact simple language of ordinary men writing letters home or writing in their diaries. The documentary focuses on the experiences of ten men (two Turks, three Australians, three New Zealanders and two from Britain) who represent the range of the soldiers present on both sides of the battle. Their stories are illustrated with photographs taken of the actual events by both official war photographers and the soldiers themselves. These images of the faces of these men tell the human story of the suffering of both sides. Ornek also utilises reenactments to create dramatic reconstructions of the landings and the battle. Woven throughout the documentary are the historical perspectives given by academic and military experts. The 1981 Australian film Gallipoli, directed by Peter Weir is is focused on several young men from country Western Australia who join the Australian Army to fight in the First World War. They are sent to Turkey, where they take part in the Gallipoli Campaign. During the course of the movie, the young men slowly lose their innocence about the purpose of war. Gallipoli portrays the story through the eyes of these Australian men. It does not give the other sides view. It captures the ideals and character of the Australians who joined up to fight, as well as the conditions they endured on the battlefield. It does, however, modify events for dramatic purposes and contains a number of significant historical inaccuracies. The story , characters and their experiences while based on actual events are entirely fictious. The film and the documentary both explore similar themes. They are both overwhelmingly ‘anti-war focusing on the horror of trench warfare by showing the brutality and suffering of the individuals. Both works examine the loss of innocence and coming of age of the young soldiers and of their country. This is a central motif for Peter Weir’s film and is portrayed through Archy’s drive to go to war prove that he is indeed a man. This is highlighted early in the film when the Uncle reads from Kipling’s The Jungle Book in which he describes Mowgli’s tranformation into a man. Like Archy, Australia the nation is young and eager to prove its worth to and independence from its mother country. Like Archy the nation lost its innocence on on the battlefields of Gallipoli. Both the documentary and the film highlight Australia’s blind devotion to the Empire. The Australia of 1915 was still very much tied to the mother country Great Britian. In Weir’s film this theme is explored through the two main characters in Archy’s ignorant patriotism and Frank’s cynical pragmatism towards the British. In Ornak’s Gallipoli the blind devotion to the empire is explored throught the ANZAC’S tale. Although there were many reasons to enlist the documentary focuses on the larrikin spirit of the Australians and the adventure and pride the ANSACS felt serving their mother country Great Britian. The theme of mateship features heavily in Weir’s Gallipoli. This force that bonds Australians together in times of need is explored through the relationship which develops between Archy and Franky despite their being from different ends of the social spectrum. Yet in the chaos of war they are thrown together and their mateship overcomes the differences of their social backgrounds. Weir also uses the theme of the Australian sporting spirit. This part of the Australian campaign contributes strongly to Franks determination to sign up for the war effort. Competition was promoted to enable young men to be apart off the action â€Å"The greatest game of the all†. The Sport, an integral part of the Australian persona, is effectively linked to war by Weir, indicating that our soldiers are merely playing a mans game where they will have ‘no sporting chance’ — this time, there will be no winners. Orek and Weir convey the sense of betrayal these soldiers felt. Both vehicles highlight the way in which enlisting was sold as the chance to see the world and seek adventure. Weir uses the Trojan horse to highlight how war is often sold as an exciting adventure but this facade is a trap. Ornak’s documentary describes how the turks saw themselves as defending their homeland. The story of Galipoli is told in the film with the full cinematic experience. The leads are all good looking and the beautiful wide shot photography both help to ‘romantisice ‘the war experience. This ‘hollywood’ delivery of the story is very attractive to young audiences who are used to receiving their entertainment in this form. However based on events which took place on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915, the characters portrayed in this film are entirely fictitious. While the audience is emotionally involved with the charcters some of the power is lost when students learn that these characters are not real. The film also takes some dramatic licence with some historical facts. Some aspects of the film were inacurate as further research into the Gallipoli campaign I discovered that The Australian War Museum’s website says the minimum age for enlistments during World War I was 18, not 21 as shown in the movie This is not the case with Ornak’s Galipoli. His use of primary resources is a major strength of the film. Combining actual footage, stills and re-enactments with previously unseen letters and diaries of soldiers, Gallipoli allows us to experience the soldiers who suffered the consequence of false orders, bad orders and ill-prepared attacks. This makes a huge impact on the audience and makes it interesting and engaging to watch. Both the film and the documentary are rich resources to support the study for year 9 and 10 students in the frist world war and as apart of the mandatory Australian History course. Both works are suitable to be studies as part of Australian history course as both help students to engage and empathise with those who experienced Galipoli. Weir’s film is an easy introduction while Ornak’s documentary further extends a students understanding of the Galipoli campaign.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Empowerment of Women through Neighbourhood Groups

Empowerment of Women through Neighbourhood Groups Empowerment of Women through Neighbourhood Groups in Malappuram district of Kerala Haseena Jasmine C K Abstract NeighbourHood Group (NHG) popularly known as Kudumbashree Ayalkoottam, is an innovative idea undertaken by Kudumbashree mission of Kerala. Empowerment of women is essential to harness the women labour in the main stream of economic development. Empowerment of women is a holistic concept. It is multi-dimensional in its approach and covers economic, political, social/cultural, personal and family aspects. Of all these facets of women development, economic empowerment is of utmost significance in order to achieve a lasting and sustainable development of society. Micro finance is an important means for attaining women empowerment. Micro finance is the provision of thrift, credit and other financial services and products of very small amounts mainly to the poor in rural, semi-urban and urban areas for enabling them to raise their income level and improve their standard of living. It has proven to be an effective and popular measure for women empowerment. This paper examines how far the NH Gs contribute to women empowerment and also to understand the problems faced by the members of NHGs. Keywords: Microfinance, Empowerment, Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs), Kudumbashree, Poverty Eradication. Introduction Women are an integral part of every economy. Overall growth and development of a nation would be possible only when women are considered as equal partners in progress with men. Empowerment of women is essential to bring the women in the main stream of economic as well as social development, and also to bring national development. Women empowerment is multi-dimensional in its approach and covers economic, political, social, cultural and personal aspects. Micro finance is an important means for attaining women empowerment. Micro finance is the provision of thrift, credit and other financial services and products of very small amounts mainly to the poor in rural, semi-urban and urban areas for enabling them to raise their income level and improve their standard of living. It has proven to be an effective and popular measure for women empowerment. The State Poverty Eradication Mission, known as Kudumbashree is an innovative poverty eradication programme of the Government of Kerala, which is a community based, women oriented and participatory programme in every respect. Kudumbasree programme is being implemented through the local self governments in the State. The three-tier community based organisation of women includes Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) at the grass root level, Area Development Societies (ADSs) at the local level and Community Development Societies (CDSs) at the Panchayat/ Municipality level. These organisations act as important means for empowering women. Empowerment of women is considered as an important responsibility of every government. NeighbourHood Group NeighbourHood Group (NHG) popularly known as Kudumbashree Ayalkoottam, is an innovative idea undertaken by Kudumbashree mission of Kerala, with the aim of not only to know our neighbours, but also to share all our information, views, ideas or opinions for the betterment of our group in general. This platform will also help each one of the members to showcase their talents through the annual get together. Grass root level poor women are organized through Neighbourhood Groups(NHGs) consisting of 20-40 women with 5 functional Volunteers, viz., Community Health Volunteer, Income Generation Volunteer, Infrastructure Volunteer, Secretary and President. The NHG members used to meet once in a week in one of the member’s house. The members, who meet together, discuss their problems and make joint effort to find solutions to their grievances with the support of the functional volunteers. This would bring up an interpersonal feeling among the members and would generate supportive attitude to build confidence among them. Apart from this, they practice small savings through thrift which should be used to create productive assets. Women Empowerment Empowermentrefers to increasing the economic, political, social, educational, gender, or spiritual strength of individuals and communities. Womens Empowerment educates and empowers women who are homeless with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children. Empowerment also includes encouraging, and developing the skills for, self-sufficiency, with a focus on eliminating the future need for charity or welfare in the individuals of the group. This process can be difficult to start and to implement effectively. Statement of Problem Empowerment of women is seen as one of the most important means of economic, social and cultural development as well as for reducing poverty among women. Even the Government takes considerable effort for empowering women and to improve their status in the society, still they face number of problems. We know NHGs are mainly initiated for the purpose of empowering women. But we can’t think that all NHGs are succeeded in women empowerment. And also we can’t faithfully believe that all the members of NHGs are satisfied with them. It is necessary to analyse how far the NHGs contribute to women empowerment and also to understand the problems faced by the members of NHGs. Objectives of the Study The objectives of this study as follows: To examine the role of Neighbourhood Group in women empowerment. To identify the problems and constraints faced by the members of Neighbourhood Groups. To make suggestions for the empowerment of women. Research Methodology The research design adopted for the study is descriptive. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected from 100 members of NHGs through a sample survey in Malappuram district of Kerala. A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of primary data. The secondary data was collected from the journals, books, reports, websites etc. For analyzing the collected data, the mathematical and statistical tools like percentage and average have been used. Analysis and Interpretation Overall Women Empowerment through NHGs The following table shows the overall empowerment that attained by members through the NHGs. Table.1 Overall Empowerment of Members Sources: Primary Data It reveals that, majority of the Neighbourhood Group members are empowered by the scheme NHGs (Kudumbashree Ayalkoottam). 56% are highly empowered by NHGs, 24% neither highly nor poorly empowered by the NHGs and only 20% are poorly empowered by the scheme NHGs. Personal Problems The following table shows the personal problems faced by the members of NHGs. Table.2 Personal Problems Sources: Primary Data This table indicate that 43% are facing the problem of delay in getting loans, 37% are feel the family responsibility as a burden for their work, 30% are facing lack of proper guidance for smooth functioning of NHGs, 20% are facing stress and strain while working in NHGs and seven percentage in decision making. From this analysis, we can conclude that majority of the members are facing problem of delay in getting loans and proper guidance. Financial Problems The following table shows the financial problems faced by NHGs members. Table.3 Financial Problems Sources: Primary Data The table 3 reveals the financial problems faced by NHG members. Among the 30 members, 67% are facing lack of income, 50% are facing lack of finance and 30% are facing delay in getting loans from the affiliated ADS/CDS. Only three percentage face resistance from banks and other financial institutions and 10% are facing the problem of proper utilization of funds. As per the table we can say that, even they are facing large number of problems but 100% NHGs are free from overdue debts. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY The key findings of the study are summarized here. From the analysis it is clear that 90 % of the NHGs members are housewives and only three percentages are Govt. employees. Seven percentages of members are engaged in other jobs along the membership in NHGs. Around 43 % of NHGs members are working in NHGs for a period of 2-5 years, 37% are above 5 years and only 13% are working for 6-12 months. It is interested to note that 57% of members are joined in NHG for taking loans to meet personal financial needs, and 40% are joined with the expectation that they can improve their standard of living by way of increasing income. Majority of the members are entered into the field only for taking loans. The level of satisfaction that attained by NHG members reveals that 74% are satisfied, 20% are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, but only 6% are dissatisfied. Whole of the NHGs undertaking micro finance scheme. Apart from this, 40% NHGs are engaged in self employment schemes and other schemes for the welfare of the women, children, aged people, etc. The activities include Harithashree, Scholasrship for children, Balasabha, etc. These are undertaken mainly for imparting knowledge for their members. NHGs are exclusively for the benefit of women. The analysis reveals that 100% women members of NHGs are beneficiaries of their activities. They are not only undertaken for the welfare of women, but also for the welfare of general public, aged people, Children, etc. Majority of the members (90 %) opinioned that NHGs have a crucial role in women empowerment and only three percentages are fall under the category of low empowerment. Majority of the members (87%) have improvements in their standard of living as a result of reduction in poverty through NHGs. Family support is an integral part for empowering women. Majority of members (87%) get great support from their family to participate with NHG by way of financial services (69%), motivation (54%) and participation in decision making. Majority of the members (80%) have enough time to spend with their family even they are working in NHG. Unlike men, women have dual role in her family. Hence family responsibility may be a barrier for their efficient performance in NHGs. It shows that, 50% members never felt family responsibility as a burden for them. Majority of the members (60%) spend their income as they wish. It is interested to note that, they have freedom in spending their income without permission of their husbands, fathers or any other relatives. As a member in NHG, they got a prominent role in family decisions in the matters of food items, education of their children, medical treatments of their dependents, etc. Though the respondents are become a members of NHG for increasing income, only 16% have increased income through NHGs. Average 35% members believed that they got a family improvement through NHGs. At the same time, 33% believed that there is no family improvement. Above 50% members achieve personal improvement through NHG. NHG members got social improvement than any other improvements through NHGs (62%). Majority of NHGs succeeded in imparting knowledge and skills to their members. They can also acquire personal education through NHGs and their experiences in NHGs. Majority of them acquire banking habit through NHGs. Major problems faced by NHGs are lack of co-ordination (84%), lack of income (67%) and delay in getting loans from afflicted ADS/CDS (30%). Major problems faced by NHG members are lack of income for their valuable services for the economic development. They also feel lack of proper guidance (30%), training (10%), and information (10%). The level of empowerment attained by respondents through NHGs have crucial role in economic as well as social development, because the development is possible only when the women are empowered. Empowerment of women has been achieved to a great extend, through NHGs. Majority of members are attained personal improvements (85%) than any other improvements. They have acquired decision making power (77%), mobility (67%) and equality (63%) through Ayalkoottam. 100% members are attained ability to mingle with others and 86% attained mutual help and support through Ayalkoottam. Thus there have great improvements in the women in matters of their personal skills, social involvement, decision making power, etc through NHGs. SUGGESTIONS To enhance women empowerment through NHGs, it is suggested to undertake the following measures by the NHGs. For strengthen women, NHG should strengthen their overall working. Generally the members do not get any remuneration for their service. So they are not motivated to work with enthusiasm. Therefore the Government should provide adequate remuneration to them. NHGs provide service by categorizing BPL and APL families; it is not a rational measurement. Therefore the Government should identify the right beneficiaries. The Government should provide more funds for the welfare of the women through NHG. CONCLUSION Majority of the members in NHGs are highly empowered through the micro financing and loan facilities. It is clear that women are the ultimate beneficiaries of this scheme. But they still face a number of problems in this field like lack of family support, lack of income, lack of training and coordination etc. Among all improvements attained by women as a NHG member, social improvement is the most enlightened one. References J.A.Ruby, July (2008) â€Å"Micro Finance and Women Empowerment – A Study of Kudumbashree Project in Kerala†, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Mayoux, L. (2000) â€Å"Microfinance and empowerment of women. A review of the key issues†, social finance unit, working paper, 23.Jeneva: ILO. Padmanabhan, PG. â€Å"A study of Ayalkoottam in a participatory planning and grass roots level democracy in Kumarakom panchayats and its scope of replication†,PP.72-74. John, Jacob. (90-97) â€Å"A study on Kudumbashree Project: A poverty eradication programme in Kerala†, PP. Raghavan, V P. â€Å"Social action, gender equality and empowerment: The case study of Kudumbashree Project in Kerala†, P.17 Sharma, Puspa Raj, (2007) â€Å"Microfinance and women empowerment†, The Journal of Nepalese Business Studies. Vol.4,No.1,PP.16-27, S. Sarumathi and Dr. K. Mohan, â€Å"Role of Micro Finance in Women’s Empowerment†, Journal of Management and Science, Vol. 1, No.1, Sep 2011, ISSN: 2249-1260, pp. 1-10. Ashe, J., and L. Parrott (2002) â€Å"PACT’s Women’s empowerment program in Nepal:A savings- and literacy-led alternative to financial building†, Journal of Microfinance 4(2): 137-162. Mushumbusi Paul Kato1, Jan Kratzer2 Feb. (2013) â€Å"Empowering Women through Microfinance: Evidence from Tanzania†, ACRN Journal of Entrepreneurship Perspectives, Vol. 2, Issue 1, p. 31-59, http://www.kudumbashree.org/?q=womenempower http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/7097 http://www.womenempowermentinindia.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empowerment http://www.kerala.gov.in/kudumbashree-state-poverty-eradication-

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Investigating Osmosis in Potato Tissue :: Papers

Investigating Osmosis in Potato Tissue Aim To estimate the concentration of sucrose in potato tissue. Hypothesis ========== I believe that the potato tissue that has been in the hypotonic (0.1M sucrose) solution will be more turgid than before, while the tissue in the isotonic (0.3M sucrose) will be similar to its previous state. The tissue that has been in the hypertonic (0.5M sucrose) should be far more placid than it was before. This is because of osmosis - water diffusing in and out of the potato tissue cells. Apparatus =========  · 1 potato tuber  · 1 cork borer  · 1 ceramic tile  · 1 scalpel  · Paper towels  · 6 boiling tubes  · 1 marker pen  · 0.1M, 0.3M, and 0.5M sucrose solution  · Access to an electric balance  · 1 funnel Method ====== The volume of each boiling tube was calculated, and then 2 tubes were half-filled with 0.1M sucrose solution, 2 tubes were filled with 0.3M sucrose solution, while the final 2 tubes were filled with 0.5M sucrose solution. Then 6 cylinders of potato were cut from the tuber using the cork borer. These were then all cut down to 20mm in length using the scalpel. They were then dried with the paper towel to remove excess water before being weighed on the electric balance. The weight of each was recorded. They were then all immersed in the solution in the boiling tubes, and the tubes were labelled using the marker pen and then lids were put on. They were then left for 24 hours in a moderate temperature before being taken out and dried using the paper towels. They were then weighed on the electric balance and the final mass was recorded. The cylinders were then gently squeezed to determine the condition of the potato tissue after osmosis - very firm (turgid), firm, or soft (flaccid). The percentage difference between the mass before and after the experiment was then calculated, and the

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

This Comfortable Cage Called America :: Personal Narrative Essays

This Comfortable Cage Called America    My brothers have a cage in which they keep two iguanas.   I'm sure these creatures were born in captivity, and I assume they will die in the same cage they are in now.   It's not a bad cage.   There are quite a few square feet for them to run around, there is a stick they can climb up and down, there is a heat rock they can relax on, and they have everything they need to survive at their clawtips.   They don't even need to hunt for their meals because their meal tickets (my brothers) provide them with four square meals a day.   They can see outside their cage, but have no idea what it would be like to live outside.   I often wonder, however, what would happen if we were to set these two animals free in what would be considered a natural habitat for most iguanas in the wild.   Would they be likely to adapt in no time at all, or would they look for a nice place with four glass walls and a stick to play on?   And how could this story about two lizards, even if used metap horically, apply to us as a race?   We are responsible for our entrapment within four similar glass walls, yet we are not aware of them.   Inside of a cage called America we sit, and though we have a great view of the rest of the world, that's all it is-a view.   If we could somehow find a way of recognizing and breaking out of this comfortable cage called life, we would be more capable of coming together as a human race and putting an end to a division so obvious that terms such as "first world" and "third world" are created to define the differences.   Although I will incorporate the use of a few references, the main section of this essay will focus on my own experiences of life in another country which, in its own way, was another world.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I was taught little in school or home about cultures and people other than my own.   Was theple other than my own.   Was there a reason I should have learned about a less productive people in some remote country?   There was nothing wrong with the land of the free and the home of the brave, and whether or not I was culturally diverse was of little importance in my life-until I went to live in a different country.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Argumentative Paper †Abortion Essay

Abortion is a huge problem throughout the United States. It needs to be stopped. Abortion can be defined as the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy. Abortion is not justified for three reasons. One, having an abortion is taking away an innocent life. Two, there are not many reasons that make it okay to kill an unborn baby. Three, every child needs to be given a chance to live, because every child is wanted. To begin with, having an abortion is taking away an innocent life. It’s not the baby’s fault that it was brought into the world, and it should not be punished for that. Every month, more lives are aborted than the total amount of lives taken in the Vietnam War. Statistics show that 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 babies are aborted annually. The bible tells us that God hates hands that shed innocent blood. God views the unborn as human and precious. He says, in Jeremiah 1:5 of the bible,† Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.† (Wilson) Next, there are not many reasons that make it okay to abort a child. People may give the following reasons that they think make it ok to have an abortion: rape, deformed children, or that the mother can’t afford a child. In the case of rape, abortion is an act of violence that kills a living human being. The circumstances surrounding the conception do not change this simple reality. In the case of deformed children, there are children of all ages, and adults too, who are alive today, and are living with diseases and disabilities. These physical limitations do not make them any less human. If the mother can’t afford the child, there is a solution. There are many crisis pregnancy care centers that offer financial assistance to pregnant women, and then afterwards they will place them up for adoption if necessary. (â€Å"Poverty, rape, disability†) Finally, every child needs to be given a chance to live his/her life, because every child is a wanted child. Whether the parent wants the child, there are still many people in the world who would love to adopt a child. The National Council for Adoption states that there are â€Å"between one and two million infertile and fertile couples and individuals who would like to adopt children.† There are also a large number of couples whose hearts are ready to adopt terminally ill babies, including babies with AIDS. Adoption is a responsible, helpful solution to abortion. Although the mother still has to carry the baby for the duration of her pregnancy, she is also able to give the baby a chance to live his/her life. No child should be given up because every child is a wanted child. (Gans) In conclusion, adoption is a huge problem in the United States. It is not justified for many reasons. Having an abortion is taking away an innocent life. There are not many reasons that make it okay to have an abortion. Every child in this world is a wanted child. Whether the parent of the child wants the child there is another option other than abortion. Adoption is a great option that saves a child’s life. Works Cited Wilson, Gregg. â€Å"ABORTION AMERICA’S #1 KILLER.† http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Abortion%20is%20Murder/abortion_americas_killer.html. Web. 19. Nov.2012. â€Å"Poverty, rape, disability or â€Å"unwantedness† do not morally justify abortion.† http://www.abort73.com/abortion/common_objections/. 2005-2012.Web. 19. Nov. 2012. Gans, Olivia. â€Å"Every child a wanted child and other social arguments.† http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/facts/responseargument3.html.1998. Web.19.Nov.2012.

Monday, September 16, 2019

The last supper -movie satire analysis

After having buried 10 conservationists , the students have a garden full of tomatoes proving that † conservationists serve great as fertilizers†(NOT) and since that in life they served no good to the society from the liberals point of view, in death they can. The students invite the guests with an already planned ending for all of them: death. They are in continuous disagreement with them in order to find something that they , n turn, see as wrong and reason the death of the guest , this taking some of the guilt off their shoulders and considering it a â€Å"good gets for society' .At the slightest â€Å"counter-idea† they hurry the dinner and get to the exciting part of it by using phrases such as: â€Å"it's time for dessert â€Å". Len the movie ,this is seen in the scene where the anti ecologist gradually considers their point of view as well and starts rethinking; confused of him agreeing to the libertarian point of view, and used to Just having their gues ts poisoned, the group of students does not break the â€Å"Sunday ritual† and assures the guest( by saying † you are entitled to your own opinion†) , who comes back to his conservationists point of view.This goes to the original argument :insignificance of life. As the movie progresses the students kill more and more people ;slowly not taking into consideration their status in society , Just their â€Å"closed-minded† ideas. The director stops introducing the guests by their names as they will eventually die;instead, continues by defining(l want to say it in a different way) them by their causes and slowly Just shows the piles of soil that were once their guests.The students decide a matter of life and death by either last questioning the guest : â€Å"if you were in a bar with a guy called Doll Hitler , would you kill him to save all those life's or would you let him live†? Or â€Å"it's 4 to 1 . He lives. † This again, shows the insignifica nce of life and how little they care for the others and their fate. RACISM (DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACKS ) From the very beginning ,Luke is the one who initiates the idea of having â€Å"the deadly dinner† ,even though his colleagues are reluctant.He is also the one to have suggested not to call the police ,and instead Just hide the murder . While he starts off as the most rational in critical situations, he becomes the most irrational ,cruel and â€Å"quick-tempered† ; he is also very sarcastic throughout the movie ( † keep them in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant† he says to a sex offender they have had as guest) . By the end of the movie he loses control and gets to the point where he is about to kill one of his own mends.THE LAST SUPPER (RELIGIOUS REFERENCE) In the movie, the 5 students are supposed to take the place of the apostles and the guests are Jesus, who is going to be sacrificed. The characters are also given names of apostles Dude,Pauline,Ma rc,Luke and Pete) The difference is , the roles are reversed, while the apostles are meant to spread the good word of â€Å"Jesus† to other people, they kill him. This could also mean that the students represent only two apostles :Judas(who betrayed Jesus) and Peter (who denies he knows him ) ;While Jesus is aware of his scarification , the guests aren't .The guests are also served â€Å"very good food† as it will be their last meal . Unlike most movies where good always wins over bad in the end, â€Å"The last supper† ends by having Norman -(the very conservatism celebrity that is present in short scenes throughout the movie ,watched and critiqued by the students ) killing the 5 students with their own weapon and later describing himself as a â€Å"humble ,humble servant† in his presidential campaign. Why is it being satirized? ) I believe that the director is trying to say that both the right and left wing /wingers can become evil/ harmful when taken to the extreme :extreme conservationists ( the guests) and extreme liberalizes(the students) 2) Another problem I think the director meant to point out how easily people lose their life's over different causes (like those mentioned in the movie: homosexuality , anti-ecologist, racism). This makes me wonder ,† Is it really worth it to die for it or to take a life? And â€Å"When can you say it was right for you to decide that someone's existence isn't important to the society anymore ? † . This argument can be evidenced by history itself. Situations where people have died and been killed because their opinions or way of being did not correspond to the majority are many, hence Stalin's saying : † If you are not with us , you are against us. â€Å"Another example is the time of â€Å"The inquisition† (an example Ewing Galileo Gillie's scientifically proven idea that the earth revolves around the sun did not correspond to the original statement . N order to avoi d imprisonment , he was forced to deny his statement. ) 3) Throughout history , â€Å"blacks† have always been seen as the â€Å"bad guys† with bad intentions . Len the movie , they have chosen the â€Å"head of the plan† ,a black , meaning to make fun of the concept and the stereotyping . 4) â€Å"Good doesn't always win in the end , especially in the real world† is what the directors expressed through their last scene . Corrupted people become the leaders of our countries. Is it effective?In my opinion, â€Å"The last supper† is a good movie, with a well-planned plot that is rather a continuous sarcastic response to certain topics such as : discrimination, the unnecessary deaths of people and intolerance. This film made me question my own tolerance of different views; it also made me think of how ,as a libertarian myself do I change the world without imposing my own views. Some minus points , from my perspective, are the repetitive scenes in the dining room of the guests and the students and the rushed through scenes that take place in the middle of the movie.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Guidance and Discipline Issues in the Early Education Essay

Children who come from a lower economic background have a much greater disadvantage than other children. Early childhood represents a particularly important time to target children’s risk of behavior problems through proper guidance and discipline. There is a great need for preschool classrooms where processes are able to support a young child’s emotional and behavioral development. Low-income children who attend a lower quality preschool do show an emotional and behavioral adjustment and are placed at a substantially greater risk in the long run (Magnuson, & Waldfogel, 2007). This shows us that even though the intentions to teach the child where there, we may be doing more harm to the child then help. It is imperative to learn whether interventions that target social-emotional development in preschool can avert the risk of higher behavior problems among low-income children while also supporting their emotional, behavioral, and academic adjustment. Children who are exposed to a wide range of psychosocial stressors such as living in a poor neighborhood are at a greater risk for developing emotional and behaviors issues. These children also have minimal access to mental health services (Fantuzzo et al. , 1999). Early childhood is quite possibly the most important time to target children’s risk of behavior problems. Evidence regarding the onset of behavior problems as early as toddlerhood is mounting. With this evidence, it suggests that the earlier the intervention is conducted there is a better chance for a more positive result. The goal is to reduce the early childhood behavior issues while preparing the children for school readiness. In order to do this, preschool classrooms have become increasingly important. Approximately 67% of young children in the United Stated are enrolled in center-based or non-relative care prior to enrollment in kindergarten (Innes, Denton, & West, 2001). If children from ethnic and minority groups are less likely to be enrolled in a beneficial program, the gap in education may be widened. Children who spend less time in beneficial programs and attend lower-quality programs do not receive the benefit that preschool is intended to give. The experience of a high quality preschool may narrow the racial and ethic gaps, if children from minority groups are more likely to be enrolled and spend more time in them. When it comes to preschool programs and ethic gaps in school readiness, there is shown to be a difference in racial diversity of school readiness. It is shown that a child who attends a quality center or preschool program is more ready to learn upon entering school. These children are much more likely able to know what is expected as far as behavior in the classroom. These children are given the skills in classroom guidance that they needed prior to entering elementary school. However, since not all preschools are of high quality and there are differences in the type and quality of programs, not all children are receiving the benefit. According to Magnuson and Waldfogel, black children are more likely to attend preschool than white children, but may experience lower- quality care. Hispanic children are much less likely that white children to attend preschool. (Magnuson & Waldfogel 2005) The best estimates of the effects of early childhood care and school readiness note that these programs enhance children’s cognitive development and academic skills.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

The Crucible Diary

I cannot believe that John Proctor! Why has he chosen his sniveling wife over me? I am more of a woman than Goody Proctor. Goody Proctor does possess of the qualities needed of a good wife. She is naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve, simple, and talented. However, I possess the qualities of a lover. I am intelligent, able, and adventurous. To be blatantly honest, I think any man would be lucky to call me his wife. Diary, why am I good enough for any man, but I am not good enough for the man I desire? I know why. It is because I want a married man. Diary, do you agree that John should leave Goody Proctor and marry me? Do you think I am better than she is? I believe I would be a much better wife. Think about it, if Goody Proctor were good to John would he have come to me? I do not believe so. To me, it is the duty of a wife to keep her husband satisfied and in line. However, if John had not strayed from his wife, John would have never sought me. If John had never sought me, I would have never felt love. John may have sought me, but he is still married to Goody Proctor. She is keeping me from my John. Because of that, I loathe her. There is not a single thing in the world that she can do that I cannot. She can cook, clean, and pray. I can do all that, and even more! I am willing to do anything to be with my John. All I want is to be with him. Diary, do you have any ideas to cause the end of the Proctor marriage? I believe I do. I will receive vengeance on Goody Proctor. I will claim that Goody Proctor is a witch! It is a brilliant idea. When Salem village hears of this, the village people will believe it and order her hanging. It is genius! I would be overcome with joy to see the body of Goody Proctor hanging. At last, I would be with my beloved John! Oh Diary, I know it is a terrible to wish death upon someone, but in this case, Goody Proctor's death is necessary in order for John and me to be together. Diary, I need to be with John. He loves me and I love him. I know we are destined to be with one another. Diary, I thank you for listening to me. You have always been a faithful friend. Besides John, no one seems to want to listen to me, Oh, how I miss my John! Oh no, I fear Uncle has arrived home. I must go. He will be expecting me. I promise I will write again soon. Love, Abbey

Friday, September 13, 2019

Applying Student Development Theories to Experiences of Interviewees

Introduction As a practitioner of student affairs, use and understanding of student development theory is an important element in our responsibility. We have to learn how to apply different theories to specific situations where our students appear on the university campus. Student development theory is also important to understand why students can act in their own way. The theory of student development can be defined as a way to improve the ability of a student to grow after enrolling in a higher education institution, the ability to grow, or the ability. Heggins and Jackson (2003) focuses on applying student development and transition theory to understand the experience of Asian international students at university. After interviewing 28 Asian international students, I found that Asian students participating in the survey are seeking family and social support to deal with problems and challenges. Researchers recommend that teachers, resource centers, and student services provide cou nseling opportunities to enable Asian international students to make better use of existing social support networks. International Higher Education Education and Learning 2009, Vol. 22, No. 3, 374-385 http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/ ISSN 1812-9129 The purpose of this paper is to apply two development theories to development events in the respondents' life by questionnaire. The purpose of this article is to achieve a clear identification of the events occurring in respondents' lives. It will be discussed throughout the article, that is, they go out of the family for the first time. After that, in this paper, we outline the method of creating questionnaires and managing questionnaires. Then this article will continue to introduce Albert Bandura, the first development theorist. A brief discussion on the second development theorist Urie Bronfenbrenner and his ecological theory follows. In this article, we analyze respondents' responses in detail and explore the relationship between two the orists Bandura and Bronfenbrenner. Finally, this paper reflects the continuing relevance of the application of development theory and their development theory in the own experience of the interviewee by summarizing and summarizing all the information discussed in the thesis It is aimed to do. A respondent of this case study was a 28-year-old woman born in Victoria, Australia. In this case study, the development event she was asked was the first time she left the family. This is an important development event, but it will not give pressure or discomfort to respondents during the discussion. The questionnaire was created based on the theory of Albert Bandura and Urie Bronfenbrenner. Since these questions are aimed first to obtain some historical information about respondents,

Biomedical Ethics Should healthcare be public or private Essay

Biomedical Ethics Should healthcare be public or private - Essay Example Grounded in the concepts of fairness, equity, and solidarity, Canada’s system ensures that people can access health care in the public sectors. Nonetheless, a debate on whether Canada and abroad ensures the right to health is rampant. Whereas some stipulate that Canada fails to offer the human rights to healthcare, others point out that the Canada’s system of health care is sufficient despite the failure to put the phrase of human rights in their documents. As such, exploration on whether the rights to healthcare are explored in Canada’s system of healthcare is paramount. This essay clarifies that the Canadian health care system ensures that all people have the right to healthcare despite the fact that the phrase human right lacks in documentation. Typically, the healthcare system in Canada is publicly funded hence; access to health services is free for all members within the country. As directed by the implementation of Canada health act, the government assures all its citizens access quality health care. The fact that healthcare is public means that accessing healthcare is cost effective thus; catering for the needs of all people notwithstanding their economic status. Every doctor in every province should claim the insurance from provincial insurers. Canada’s private insurance is kept very minimal to avoid competition from advertisements of commercial insurers and health providers that may interfere with the quality of healthcare. Although to some point competition may be regarded as good, in the case of healthcare in Canada, it is not. This is because it may lead to privatization and marginalization of some economically unstable individuals who may lose trust with the public centers, but may not afford the private centers. The term rights to health care is particularly important to the poor people who are technically disadvantaged in terms of accessing costly health care. Kluge defines this kind of people as those who are known as congenitally incompetent patients who lack the cognitive awareness and will never be competent . Therefore, a country that ensures that all people can access affordable and quality care at their disposal is one that respects the individual’s rights to healthcare. With this view, Canada is one of those countries that respect and fulfill the principle of individual’s right to healthcare. One of the values that guide the provisions of healthcare in Canada is portability. Here, portability means that citizens of the country can access healthcare at any province within the country as long as one carries his or her card. This implies that incase one is travelling and gets an emergency; there is no call for alarm. Likewise, people who move from provinces to provinces as a requirement of their jobs do need to undergo unnecessary procedures to ensure that they acquire affordable healthcare. The notion of this principle implies that people can access medical care at any place w ithout any limitation (Baylis 152). A keen look at this concept indicates that human rights to healthc

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Is Capital Punishment Effective Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Is Capital Punishment Effective - Research Paper Example Those who are opposed to capital punishment do not think that the government should be given the power kill any of its citizens. Opponents also claim that the custom is overtly costly, is racially biased and does not realize the intended outcome. Advocates consider it to be neither cruel nor unusual, quite the opposite they consider it fair and just punishment. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the moral and legal issues which are literally are of life and death significance and is a principal barometer when determining the collective conscience of a society. The ‘eye for an eye’ faction not only accepts but loudly insists that capital punishment be continued for several reasons which will be discussed thoroughly in this paper. It will also include the opponents’ reasoning concerning why it should be eradicated along with the legal precedents concerned so as to offer a thorough overview of the capital punishment debate. The discussion will end with an opinio n concerning the future of the death penalty. Cruel and Unusual Common Definition Capital punishment is not unusual, by legal definition, unless the racial bias existing within the justice system is considered and acknowledged. Whether or not it is cruel cannot be defined by law. Cruel can only be defined by the combined social conscious of a particular culture. The legal interpretation of ‘cruel and unusual’ is somewhat open to debate but in general, the term ‘cruel’ refers to brutal punishments that cause excessive pain. Most legal experts agree that punishments including bodily dismemberment or torture are undoubtedly classified as cruel. Terminologies are subject to interpretation as was evidenced by the debate at the national government level concerning the definition of torture during the Bush presidency. The term ‘unusual’ is normally understood to describe the impartial application of punishment for a specific offense. For example, if five people were ticketed for speeding and the judge charged four of them $100 but o ne was charged $1000, this person’s penalty would be deemed ‘unusual.’ Taken jointly, ‘cruel’ and ‘unusual’ indicates that the penalty should be doled out evenly and in proportion to the crime committed. A 20 year prison term is a suitable sentence for armed robbery but if it were imposed for littering, this would be an improper sentence because it would be considered extreme given the seriousness of the offense. Extreme is open to broad interpretation in both the legal and public realm. Some would contend, for example, that incarcerating someone of any period for ‘crimes’ such as the possession of drugs, prostitution and gambling should be interpreted as extreme therefore ‘unusual.’ Legal Definition The Supreme Court has on numerous occasions judged the merits of capital punishment and whether or not it can be interpreted as punishment which is cruel and unusual by the Constitution. The high Court has always ru led that the language of the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit death being implemented as punishment. The Constitution is a flexible document, however. The interpretation of cruel and unusual has evolved to some degree throughout the years and the Court might possibly reverse their viewpoint in the future due to changing societal values. For example, the whipping of criminals was routine until the late Eighteenth Century. This custom came to be considered unacceptable because society’s attitude changed to include whipping as a ‘cruel’ punishment. With respect to the death penalty however, â€Å"the Court has maintained that there remains broad public