Paul Lutus Advertising Essay

In his article entitled Consumer Angst written in 2007, Paul Lutus claimed that â€Å"No matter how true any single advertisement is, modern advertising, taken as a whole, tells a lie — that you need the thing being advertised. † To explain his point, Paul Lutus further claims that valuable consumer goods need not be advertised because it is a necessity by itself and no promotion is needed for it to attract and obtain sales. Moreover, he explained that the quality of the product should speak for itself and there is no need to â€Å"waste company’s money asserting the obvious†. In his above-mentioned arguments, Paul Lutus obviously focuses only on one aspect of advertising which is to sell. He missed to appreciate the other function of advertising which is to inform. Advertising, as defined by Wikipedia. org, â€Å"is the form of communication whose purpose is to inform potential customers about products and services and how to obtain and use them†. The primary purpose of advertising is to create public awareness about a certain product or service that is being advertised. It aims to communicate to the intended audience that such a product or service exists. As Taflinger (1996) claims â€Å"the basic purpose of advertising is to identify and differentiate one product from another in order to persuade the consumer to buy that product in preference to another. † Advertising is usually used to create a unique image that will be identified to a product or service. The message that is being communicated usually highlights the best features of the product – its uniqueness, usability, best characteristics, etc. – that will customer’s attention to it. After providing information on the product or service features, advertising’s goal is to entice customers to try out the product. It is therefore safe to claim that the end-goal of any advertisement is to generate sales in terms of product or service. However, while it is true that every advertising campaign is aimed at generating revenue for the brand that is being advertised, it is not proper to claim that all advertisements are lies. Even premium brands such as Nike, Armani, Prada and others do advertise their products. These brands are sought after and have all proven to be of good quality. But these brands still invest on advertisement. Advertising has become an important part of today’s business. With new products sprouting like mushrooms everyday, competition has become stiff and advertising has taken a big role in allowing the product or service to compete in the market. In his article entitled â€Å"Educating the Consumer about Advertising: Some Issues† Stephen Gotlieb (1991) explains that advertising â€Å"promotes competition among producers of products and services, keeps prices low through the development of mass markets, encourages store owners to stock a variety of items, supports free expression by funding media sources, and spurs invention†. The more you are seen and understood by your customers, the bigger chance you have to stay in the mainstream. It is therefore important to get you message through, so that your product or service gets noticed. Or else, your offer will just perish. Also, with the competition getting tighter, advertisers today cannot afford to rely on false claims for their products of services. With a lot of other options available in the market, a single wrong claim will trigger the customer to try out other product. It is the role of advertising to entice customers and encourage them to try out the product. Once the customer is convinced with the advertising claim and decides to avail the product or service, it is now the role of the product to prove itself and embody what is being stated in the advertising claim. It is therefore crucial to communicate the message that best embodies the product. Once advertised, the product or service is already exposed to t he public eye and scrutiny. Unless the customer has already tried out the product or service, their perception of the product will depend on the advertisement. It will either make or break the future of the product or service depending on how you position the message about the product. Therefore, while an advertisement is typically used to create or alter the consumer’s perception of a product and induce them into buying it, it cannot be said that it is Always  a lie. For obvious reasons, advertisements only highlight the good side of the products or services. We cannot blame the advertisers to do this. While they are obviously banking on the good side of their offer, we cannot accuse them of telling us a lie. The beauty of advertising is it gives the customers the chance to evaluate the competing products or services even before purchasing it through the product claims.

Conceptualizing in Business Essay

A solid strategic analysis is beneficial to shareholders, employees, customers, and decisions makers within a company. The core of an effective strategic plan contains a well-thought and informative mission statement. Using the brand of Mexican Food Express as a benchmark, a mission statement has been developed to differentiate the company’s products from the competition. In addition, the vision statement as plays an important role in communicating the ultimate goal of the company’s strategic decisions. A driving force behind the mission and vision is the company’s values and ethical principles, which often dictate the choices made during strategic planning. When it is fully implemented, the strategic plan will allow Mexican Food Express to gain a strategic advantage over its established competitors. Mission Statement By delivering uniquely flavored Mexican style food at budget prices, Mexican Food Express seeks to establish an international presence over the next 5 years. The current international fast food markets in Asia, South America, and Africa are dominated by American style fast food with leaves considerable opportunity for competing styles of cuisine. Mexican Food Express will use an aggressive marketing plan and develop a supply chain network that will enable rapid growth in overseas markets. Newly established restaurants will be able to supply local communities with quality meals at competitive prices while simultaneously creating value for shareholders. Vision Statement Mexican Food Express will grow into the largest fast food provider of Mexican style cuisine in emerging markets. The brand will have an established presence in Asia, South America, and Africa with restaurant locations being found within the top 25 major cities on these continents. By saturating the world’s most populous metropolitan cities, Mexican Food Express will be the most recognizable Mexican food brand in the world. Guiding Principles, Values, and Culture Mexican Food Express has several important ethical principles that influence major decisions in the strategic planning process. First, the company is concern about making quality food available to the lowest income groups. Therefor, it is important to keep a wide selection of low cost food products available on the menu. This becomes an especially important consideration as we expand in markets that experience high levels of poverty. Second, the company is committed to delivering exceptional customer service to its patrons. Customer loyalty is a driving factor towards the long-term success of the brand. Failing to deliver exceptional customer service could seriously hinder the ability to grow into new markets. In order for employees to express Mexican Food Express’s guiding principles, it is essential to create a corporate culture that that reflects these principles. Providing ample opportunity for advancement within management hierarchy and the ability to participate in supplemental training will keep employee motivation high. As a result, employees will be eager to follow the ethical values set forth in the strategic plan. It is likely that the company will need to make slight modifications to organization culture to meet the preferences of various world cultures. Impact on Strategic Direction The mission, vision, and values of Mexican Food Express serve as the foundation for strategic decision making while the company gears up for expansion. When an unexpected variable causes a change in direction, the company will continue to use its mission as a guide for future choices. The primary mission is always to maximize shareholder profits, but the values determine the approach thee company will take to achieve this goal. Overall, this will help the company build a corporate culture in these new markets that gains the respect of the locals. If the company is considered to be helping the local community, the chances of creating an effective strategic plan are highly unlikely. Addressing Customer Needs Expanding into emerging markets presents a unique challenge to address  customer’s needs. Every country exhibits its own unique culture and it is essential to pander to the preferences of each individual culture. A system that works in the United States is not likely to see the same level of success in Bangladesh, unless serious modifications are made to the business model. To overcome this challenge, the company will conduct independent research and use paid consultants to determine how to tailor the brand’s image for success in vastly different cultures. As time progresses, the company will be able to assess strengths and weaknesses by testing different models in each regional area. Gaining insightful knowledge about each country’s cultural preferences will allow the company to attain a competitive advantage. References Pearce, J. A. II, & Robinson, R. B. (2009). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, and control(11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Thompson, A. A., Gamble, J. E., & Strickland, A. J. (2006). Strategy: Winning in the marketplace: Core concepts, analytical tools, cases (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Yet another reason that I loathe the heavenly scum with whom I share this room: today I found that I had offended our intrepid room service waiter, Jesus. How was I to know? When he brought our pizza for dinner, I gave him one of the American silver coins that we received from the airport sweet shop called Cinnabon. He scoffed at me – scoffed – then, thinking better of it, he said, â€Å"Seà ±or, I know you are foreign, so you do not know, but this is a very insulting tip. Better you just sign the room service slip so I get the fee that is added automatically. I tell you this because you have been very kind, and I know you do not mean to offend, but another of the waiters would spit in your food if you should offer him this.† I glared at the angel, who, as usual, was lying on the bed watching television, and for the first time I realized that he did not understand Jesus' language. He did not possess the gift of tongues he had bestowed on me. He spoke Aramaic to me, and he seemed to know Hebrew and enough English to understand television, but of Spanish he understood not a word. I apologized to Jesus and sent him on his way with a promise that I would make it up to him, then I wheeled on the angel. â€Å"You fool, these coins, these dimes, are nearly worthless in this country.† â€Å"What do you mean, they look like the silver dinars we dug up in Jerusalem, they are worth a fortune.† He was right, in a way. After he called me up from the dead I led him to a cemetery in the valley of Ben Hiddon, and there, hidden behind a stone where Judas had put it two thousand years ago, was the blood money – thirty silver dinars. But for a little tarnish, they looked just as they did on the day I had taken them, and they were almost identical to the coin this country calls the dime (except for the image of Tiberius on the dinars, and some other Caesar on the dime). We had taken the dinars to an antiquities dealer in the old city (which looked nearly the same as it did when I'd last walked there, except that the Temple was gone and in its place two great mosques). The merchant gave us twenty thousand dollars in American money for them. It was this money that we had traveled on, and deposited at the hotel desk for our expenses. The angel told me the dimes must have the same worth as the dinars, and I, like a fool, believed him. â€Å"You should have told me,† I said to the angel. â€Å"If I could leave this room I would know myself.† â€Å"You have work to do,† the angel said. Then he leapt to his feet and shouted at the television, â€Å"The wrath of the Lord shall fall upon ye, Stephanos!† â€Å"What in the hell are you shouting at?† The angel wagged a finger at the screen, â€Å"He has exchanged Catherine's baby for its evil twin, which he fathered with her sister while she was in a coma, yet Catherine does not realize his evil deed, as he has had his face changed to impersonate the bank manager who is foreclosing on Catherine's husband's business. If I was not trapped here I would personally drag the fiend straight to hell.† For days now the angel had been watching serial dramas on television, alternately shouting at the screen or bursting into tears. He had stopped reading over my shoulder, so I had just tried to ignore him, but now I realized what was going on. â€Å"It's not real, Raziel.† â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"It's drama, like the Greeks used to do. They are actors in a play.† â€Å"No, no one could pretend to such evil.† â€Å"That's not all. Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus? Not real. Characters in a play.† â€Å"You lying dog!† â€Å"If you'd ever leave the room and look at how real people talk you'd know that, you yellow-haired cretin. But no, you stay here perched on my shoulder like a trained bird. I am dead two thousand years and even I know better.† (I still need to get a look at that book in the dresser. I thought maybe, just maybe, I could goad the angel into giving me five minutes privacy.) â€Å"You know nothing,† said Raziel. â€Å"I have destroyed whole cities in my time.† â€Å"Sort of makes me wonder if you destroyed the right ones. That'd be embarrassing, huh?† Then an advertisement came on the screen for a magazine that promised to â€Å"fill in all the blanks† and give the real inside story to all of soap operas: Soap Opera Digest. I watched the angel's eyes widen. He grabbed the phone and rang the front desk. â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"I need that book.† â€Å"Have them send up Jesus,† I said. â€Å"He'll help you get it.† On our first day of work, Joshua and I were up before dawn. We met near the well and filled the waterskins our fathers had given us, then ate our breakfasts, flatbread and cheese, as we walked together to Sepphoris. The road, although packed dirt most of the way, was smooth and easy to walk. (If Rome saw to anything in its territories, it was the lifelines of its army.) As we walked we watched the rock-strewn hills turn pink under the rising sun, and I saw Joshua shudder as if a chill wind had danced up his spine. â€Å"The glory of God is in everything we see,† he said. â€Å"We must never forget that.† â€Å"I just stepped in camel dung. Tomorrow let's leave after it's light out.† â€Å"I just realized it, that is why the old woman wouldn't live again. I forgot that it wasn't my power that made her arise, it was the Lord's. I brought her back for the wrong reason, out of arrogance, so she died a second time.† â€Å"It squished over the side of my sandal. Well, that's going to smell all day.† â€Å"But perhaps it was because I did not touch her. When I've brought other creatures back to life, I've always touched them.† â€Å"Is there something in the Law about taking your camel off the road to do his business? There should be. If not the Law of Moses, then the Romans should have one. I mean, they won't hesitate to crucify a Jew who rebels, there should be some punishment for messing up their roads. Don't you think? I'm not saying crucifixion, but a good smiting in the mouth or something.† â€Å"But how could I have touched the corpse when it is forbidden by the Law? The mourners would have stopped me.† â€Å"Can we stop for a second so I can scrape off my sandal? Help me find a stick. That pile was as big as my head.† â€Å"You're not listening to me, Biff.† â€Å"I am listening. Look, Joshua, I don't think the Law applies to you. I mean, you're the Messiah, God is supposed to tell you what he wants, isn't he?† â€Å"I ask, but I receive no answer.† â€Å"Look, you're doing fine. Maybe that woman didn't live again because she was stubborn. Old people are that way. You have to throw water on my grandfather to get him up from his nap. Try a young dead person next time.† â€Å"What if I am not really the Messiah?† â€Å"You mean you're not sure? The angel didn't give it away? You think that God might be playing a joke on you? I don't think so. I don't know the Torah as well as you, Joshua, but I don't remember God having a sense of humor.† Finally, a grin. â€Å"He gave me you as a best friend, didn't he?† â€Å"Help me find a stick.† â€Å"Do you think I'll make a good stonemason?† â€Å"Just don't be better at it than I am. That's all I ask.† â€Å"You stink.† â€Å"What have I been saying?† â€Å"You really think Maggie likes me?† â€Å"Are you going to be like this every morning? Because if you are, you can walk to work alone.† The gates of Sepphoris were like a funnel of humanity. Farmers poured out into their fields and groves, craftsmen and builders crowded in, while merchants hawked their wares and beggars moaned at the roadside. Joshua and I stopped outside the gates to marvel and were nearly run down by a man leading a string of donkeys laden with baskets of stone. It wasn't that we had never seen a city before. Jerusalem was fifty times larger than Sepphoris, and we had been there many times for feast days, but Jerusalem was a Jewish city – it was the Jewish city. Sepphoris was the Roman fortress city of Galilee, and as soon as we saw the statue of Venus at the gates we knew that this was something different. I elbowed Joshua in the ribs. â€Å"Graven image.† I had never seen the human form depicted before. â€Å"Sinful,† Joshua said. â€Å"She's naked.† â€Å"Don't look.† â€Å"She's completely naked.† â€Å"It is forbidden. We should go away from here, find your father.† He caught me by my sleeve and dragged me through the gates into the city. â€Å"How can they allow that?† I asked. â€Å"You'd think that our people would tear it down.† â€Å"They did, a band of Zealots. Joseph told me. The Romans caught them and crucified them by this road.† â€Å"You never told me that.† â€Å"Joseph told me not to speak of it.† â€Å"You could see her breasts.† â€Å"Don't think about it.† â€Å"How can I not think about it? I've never seen a breast without a baby attached to it. They're more – more friendly in pairs like that.† â€Å"Which way to where we are supposed to work?† â€Å"My father said to come to the western corner of the city and we would see where the work was being done.† â€Å"Then come along.† He was still dragging me, his head down, stomping along like an angry mule. â€Å"Do you think Maggie's breasts will look like that?† My father had been commissioned to build a house for a wealthy Greek on the western side of the city. When Joshua and I arrived my father was already there, directing the slaves who were hoisting a cut stone into place on the wall. I suppose I expected something different. I suppose I was surprised that anyone, even a slave, would do as my father instructed. The slaves were Nubians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, criminals, debtors, spoils of war, accidents of birth; they were wiry, filthy men, many wearing nothing more than sandals and a loincloth. In another life they might have commanded an army or lived in a palace, but now they sweated in the morning chill, moving stones heavy enough to break a donkey. â€Å"Are these your slaves?† Joshua asked my father. â€Å"Am I a rich man, Joshua? No, these slaves belong to the Romans. The Greek who is building this house has hired them for the construction.† â€Å"Why do they do as you ask? There are so many of them. You are only one man.† My father hung his head. â€Å"I hope that you never see what the lead tips of a Roman whip do to a man's body. All of these men have, and even seeing it has broken their spirit as men. I pray for them every night.† â€Å"I hate the Romans,† I said. â€Å"Do you, little one, do you?† A man's voice from behind. â€Å"Hail, Centurion,† my father said, his eyes going wide. Joshua and I turned to see Justus Gallicus, the centurion from the funeral at Japhia, standing among the slaves. â€Å"Alphaeus, it seems you are raising a litter of Zealots.† My father put his hands on my and Joshua's shoulders. â€Å"This is my son, Levi, and his friend Joshua. They begin their apprenticeship today. Just boys,† he said, by way of apology. Justus approached, looked quickly at me, then stared at Joshua for a long time. â€Å"I know you, boy. I've seen you before.† â€Å"The funeral at Japhia,† I said quickly. I couldn't take my eyes off of the wasp-waisted short sword that hung from the centurion's belt. â€Å"No,† the Roman seemed to be searching his memory. â€Å"Not Japhia. I've seen this face in a picture.† â€Å"That can't be,† my father said. â€Å"We are forbidden by our faith from depicting the human form.† Justus glared at him. â€Å"I am not a stranger to your people's primitive beliefs, Alphaeus. Still, this boy is familiar.† Joshua stared up at the centurion with a completely blank expression. â€Å"You feel for these slaves, boy? You would free them if you could?† Joshua nodded. â€Å"I would. A man's spirit should be his own to give to God.† â€Å"You know, there was a slave about eighty years ago who talked like you. He raised an army of slaves against Rome, beat back two of our armies, took over all the territories south of Rome. It's a story every Roman soldier must learn.† â€Å"Why, what happened?† I asked. â€Å"We crucified him,† Justus said. â€Å"By the side of the road, and his body was eaten by ravens. The lesson we all learn is that nothing can stand against Rome. A lesson you need to learn, boy, along with your stonecutting.† Just then another Roman soldier approached, a legionnaire, not wearing the cape or the helmet crest of the centurion. He said something to Justus in Latin, then looked at Joshua and paused. In rough Aramaic he said, â€Å"Hey, didn't I see that kid on some bread once?† â€Å"Wasn't him,† I said. â€Å"Really? Sure looks like him.† â€Å"Nope, that was another kid on the bread.† â€Å"It was me,† said Joshua. I backhanded him across the forehead, knocking him to the ground. â€Å"No it wasn't. He's insane. Sorry.† The soldier shook his head and hurried off after Justus. I offered a hand to help Joshua up. â€Å"You're going to have to learn to lie.† â€Å"I am? But I feel like I'm here to tell the truth.† â€Å"Yeah, sure, but not now.† I don't exactly know what I expected it would be like working as a stonemason, but I know that in less than a week Joshua was having second thoughts about not becoming a carpenter. Cutting great stones with small iron chisels was very hard work. Who knew? â€Å"Look around, do you see any trees?† Joshua mocked. â€Å"Rocks, Josh, rocks.† â€Å"It's only hard because we don't know what we're doing. It will get easier.† Joshua looked at my father, who was stripped to the waist, chiseling away on a stone the size of a donkey, while a dozen slaves waited to hoist it into place. He was covered with gray dust and streams of sweat drew dark lines between cords of muscle straining in his back and arms. â€Å"Alphaeus,† Joshua called, â€Å"does the work get easier once you know what you are doing?† â€Å"Your lungs grow thick with stone dust and your eyes bleary from the sun and fragments thrown up by the chisel. You pour your lifeblood out into works of stone for Romans who will take your money in taxes to feed soldiers who will nail your people to crosses for wanting to be free. Your back breaks, your bones creak, your wife screeches at you, and your children torment you with open, begging mouths, like greedy baby birds in the nest. You go to bed every night so tired and beaten that you pray to the Lord to send the angel of death to take you in your sleep so you don't have to face another morning. It also has its downside.† â€Å"Thanks,† Joshua said. He looked at me, one eyebrow raised. â€Å"I for one, am excited,† I said. â€Å"I'm ready to cut some stone. Stand back, Josh, my chisel is on fire. Life is stretched out before us like a great bazaar, and I can't wait to taste the sweets to be found there.† Josh tilted his head like a bewildered dog. â€Å"I didn't get that from your father's answer.† â€Å"It's sarcasm, Josh.† â€Å"Sarcasm?† â€Å"It's from the Greek, sarkasmos. To bite the lips. It means that you aren't really saying what you mean, but people will get your point. I invented it, Bartholomew named it.† â€Å"Well, if the village idiot named it, I'm sure it's a good thing.† â€Å"There you go, you got it.† â€Å"Got what?† â€Å"Sarcasm.† â€Å"No, I meant it.† â€Å"Sure you did.† â€Å"Is that sarcasm?† â€Å"Irony, I think.† â€Å"What's the difference?† â€Å"I haven't the slightest idea.† â€Å"So you're being ironic now, right?† â€Å"No, I really don't know.† â€Å"Maybe you should ask the idiot.† â€Å"Now you've got it.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Sarcasm.† â€Å"Biff, are you sure you weren't sent here by the Devil to vex me?† â€Å"Could be. How am I doing so far? You feel vexed?† â€Å"Yep. And my hands hurt from holding the chisel and mallet.† He struck the chisel with his wooden mallet and sprayed us both with stone fragments. â€Å"Maybe God sent me to talk you into being a stonemason so you would hurry up and go be the Messiah.† He struck the chisel again, then spit and sputtered through the fragments that flew. â€Å"I don't know how to be the Messiah.† â€Å"So what, a week ago we didn't know how to be stonemasons and look at us now. It gets easier once you know what you're doing.† â€Å"Are you being ironic again?† â€Å"God, I hope not.† It was two months before we actually saw the Greek who had commissioned my father to build the house. He was a short, soft-looking little man, who wore a robe that was as white as any worn by the Levite priests, with a border of interlocking rectangles woven around the hem in gold. He arrived in a pair of chariots, followed on foot by two body slaves and a half-dozen bodyguards who looked like Phoenicians. I say a pair of chariots because he rode with a driver in the lead chariot, but behind them they pulled a second chariot in which stood the ten-foot-tall marble statue of a naked man. The Greek climbed down from his chariot and went directly to my father. Joshua and I were mixing a batch of mortar at the time and we paused to watch. â€Å"Graven image,† Joshua said. â€Å"Saw it,† I said. â€Å"As graven images go, I like Venus over by the gate better.† â€Å"That statue is not Jewish,† Joshua said. â€Å"Definitely not Jewish,† I said. The statue's manhood, although abundant, was not circumcised. â€Å"Alphaeus,† the Greek said, â€Å"why haven't you set the floor of the gymnasium yet? I've brought this statue to display in the gymnasium, and there's just a hole in the ground instead of a gymnasium.† â€Å"I told you, this ground is not suitable for building. I can't build on sand. I've had the slaves dig down in the sand until they hit bedrock. Now it has to be back-filled in with stone, then pounded.† â€Å"But I want to place my statue,† the Greek whined. â€Å"It's come all the way from Athens.† â€Å"Would you rather your house fall down around your precious statue?† â€Å"Don't talk to me that way, Jew, I am paying you well to build this house.† â€Å"And I am building this house well, which means not on the sand. So store your statue and let me do my work.† â€Å"Well, unload it. You, slaves, help unload my statue.† The Greek was talking to Joshua and me. â€Å"All of you, help unload my statue.† He pointed to the slaves who had been pretending to work since the Greek arrived, but who weren't sure that it was in their best interest to look like a part of a project about which the master seemed displeased. They all looked up with a surprised â€Å"Who, me?† expression on their faces, which I noticed was the same in any language. The slaves moved to the chariot and began untying the ropes that held the statue in place. The Greek looked to us. â€Å"Are you deaf, slaves? Help them!† He stormed back to his chariot and grabbed a whip out of the driver's hand. â€Å"Those are not slaves,† my father said. â€Å"Those are my apprentices.† The Greek wheeled on him. â€Å"And I should care about that? Move, boys! Now!† â€Å"No,† Joshua said. I thought the Greek would explode. He raised the whip as if to strike. â€Å"What did you say?† â€Å"He said, no.† I stepped up to Joshua's side. â€Å"My people believe that graven images, statues, are sinful,† my father said, his voice on the edge of panic. â€Å"The boys are only being true to our God.† â€Å"Well, that is a statue of Apollo, a real god, so they will help unload it, as will you, or I'll find another mason to build my house.† â€Å"No,† Joshua repeated. â€Å"We will not.† â€Å"Right, you leprous jar of camel snot,† I said. Joshua looked at me, sort of disgusted. â€Å"Jeez, Biff.† â€Å"Too much?† The Greek screeched and started to swing the whip. The last thing I saw as I covered my face was my father diving toward the Greek. I would take a lash for Joshua, but I didn't want to lose an eye. I braced for the sting that never came. There was a thump, then a twanging sound, and when I uncovered my face, the Greek was lying on his back in the dirt, his white robe covered with dust, his face red with rage. The whip was extended out behind him, and on its tip stood the armored hobnail boot of Gaius Justus Gallicus, the centurion. The Greek rolled in the dirt, ready to vent his ire on whoever had stayed his hand, but when he saw who it was, he went limp and pretended to cough. One of the Greek's bodyguards started to step forward. Justus pointed a finger at the guard. â€Å"Will you stand down, or would you rather feel the foot of the Roman Empire on your neck?† The guard stepped back into line with his companions. The Roman was grinning like a mule eating an apple, not in the least concerned with allowing the Greek to save face. â€Å"So, Castor, am I to gather that you need to conscript more Roman slaves to help build your house? Or is it true what I hear about you Greeks, that whipping young boys is an entertainment for you, not a disciplinary action?† The Greek spit out a mouthful of dust as he climbed to his feet. â€Å"The slaves I have will be sufficient for the task, won't they, Alphaeus?† He turned to my father, his eyes pleading. My father seemed to be caught between two evils, and unable to decide which was the lesser of them. â€Å"Probably,† he said, finally. â€Å"Well, good, then,† Justus said. â€Å"I will expect a bonus payment for the extra work they are doing. Carry on.† Justus walked through the construction site, acting as if every eye was not on him, or not caring, and paused as he passed Joshua and me. â€Å"Leprous jar of camel snot?† he said under his breath. â€Å"Old Hebrew blessing?† I ventured. â€Å"You two should be in the hills with the other Hebrew rebels.† The Roman laughed, tousled our hair, then walked away. The sunset was turning the hillsides pink as we walked home to Nazareth that evening. In addition to being almost exhausted from the work, Joshua seemed vexed by the events of the day. â€Å"Did you know that – about not being able to build on sand?† he asked. â€Å"Of course, my father's been talking about it for a long time. You can build on sand, but what you build will fall down.† Joshua nodded thoughtfully. â€Å"What about soil? Dirt? Is it okay to build on that?† â€Å"Rock is best, but I suppose hard dirt is good.† â€Å"I need to remember that.† We seldom saw Maggie in those days after we began working with my father. I found myself looking forward to the Sabbath, when we would go to the synagogue and I would mill around outside, among the women, while the men were inside listening to the reading of the Torah or the arguments of the Pharisees. It was one of the few times I could talk to Maggie without Joshua around, for though he resented the Pharisees even then, he knew he could learn from them, so he spent the Sabbath listening to their teachings. I still wonder if this time I stole with Maggie somehow represented a disloyalty to Joshua, but later, when I asked him about it, he said, â€Å"God is willing to forgive you the sin that you carry for being a child of man, but you must forgive yourself for having once been a child.† â€Å"I suppose that's right.† â€Å"Of course it's right, I'm the Son of God, you dolt. Besides, Maggie always wanted to talk about me anyway, didn't she?† â€Å"Not always,† I lied. On the Sabbath before the murder, I found Maggie outside the synagogue, sitting by herself under a date palm tree. I shuffled up to her to talk, but kept looking at my feet. I knew that if I looked into her eyes I would forget what I was talking about, so I only looked at her in brief takes, the way a man will glance up at the sun on a sweltering day to confirm the source of the heat. â€Å"Where's Joshua?† were the first words out of her mouth, of course. â€Å"Studying with the men.† She seemed disappointed for a moment, but then brightened. â€Å"How is your work?† â€Å"Hard, I like playing better.† â€Å"What is Sepphoris like? Is it like Jerusalem?† â€Å"No, it's smaller. But there are a lot of Romans there.† She'd seen Romans. I needed something to impress her. â€Å"And there are graven images – statues of people.† Maggie covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. â€Å"Statues, really? I would love to see them.† â€Å"Then come with us, we are leaving tomorrow very early, before anyone is awake.† â€Å"I couldn't. Where would I tell my mother I was going?† â€Å"Tell her that you are going to Sepphoris with the Messiah and his pal.† Her eyes went wide and I looked away quickly, before I was caught in their spell. â€Å"You shouldn't talk that way, Biff.† â€Å"I saw the angel.† â€Å"You said yourself that we shouldn't say it.† â€Å"I was only joking. Tell your mother that I told you about a beehive that I found and that you want to go find some honey while the bees are still groggy from the morning cold. It's a full moon tonight, so you'll be able to see. She just might believe you.† â€Å"She might, but she'll know I was lying when I don't bring home any honey.† â€Å"Tell her it was a hornets' nest. She thinks Josh and I are stupid anyway, doesn't she?† â€Å"She thinks that Joshua is touched in the head, but you, yes, she thinks you're stupid.† â€Å"You see, my plan is working. For it is written that ‘if the wise man always appears stupid, his failures do not disappoint, and his success gives pleasant surprise.'† Maggie smacked me on the leg. â€Å"That is not written.† â€Å"Sure it is, Imbeciles three, verse seven.† â€Å"There is no book of Imbeciles.† â€Å"Drudges five-four?† â€Å"You're making that up.† â€Å"Come with us, you can be back to Nazareth before it's time to fetch the morning water.† â€Å"Why so early? What are you two up to?† â€Å"We're going to circumcise Apollo.† She didn't say anything, she just looked at me, as if she would see â€Å"Liar† written across my forehead in fire. â€Å"It wasn't my idea,† I said. â€Å"It was Joshua's.† â€Å"I'll go then,† she said.

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 85

Journal - Essay Example I had a difficult time getting clothes for her because she was a size 15 and we did not carry that size in our stocks. She also wanted to wear new looking clothes which made my job more difficult. Even with help from another person at the agency, this client still refused the clothes we presented. We were getting fed up with her lack of confidence in wearing clothes as she kept coming up with excuses like she looked funny wearing it, and similar statements. After 3 hours and 3 personal shoppers, my supervisor finally came to my aid. With her help, we found some clothes that the client finally liked and felt confident enough to wear. She finally left with a smile on her face and confidence to wear the clothes. Needless to say, I was unable to work with my other client, which made me feel even more like a failure. I knew that I did my best to help her but without her self-confidence, nothing I did would have made the meeting a success. I had a heavy heart as she left because I knew that I was not able to truly help her as it was my supervisor who finally got through to her. I went home exhausted and feeling low, but still looking forward to my next client, whom I could do a better job of helping if given a

Family Law - case study1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Family Law - case study1 - Essay Example Furthermore the marriage laws also state that if the marriage has been intimate (consummated) within a 6 month period during which a divorce is filed then the couple is required to wait 6 more months to a year before they can re-file for a divorce decree2. Furthermore the no-fault areas of the marriage, preceding a divorce have to be examined as well. Because John does not want a divorce and wants to work on the marriage then the court would look at the impact a divorce might have on him in particular. However, as was stated, due to the policies surrounding the divorce laws in the UK and England in particular, there will be a great deal of counseling and other interventive measures utilized to try and save this marriage if indeed it were to proceed into the family courts. The primary reasoning for counseling is going to fall into the area of the courts expecting there to be clear and coherent mental competency to ensure that both of the individuals are aware of their actions and are fully understanding of what will take place within their lives after a divorce is granted3. As the laws in cohabitation have changed drastically in the past few years, there are new stipulations in regards to couples who live together and often the same laws that govern marriage apply to cohabitating partners4. However, cohabitant partners are not wholly equal to married couples in all respects, not according to the English laws. For instance married couples do have the protection of marital law to assist them if there are problems that develop that have to do with property or a specific living situation where violence is occurring5. However, following modern civil law, a cohabitating couple such as Jeremy and Claude can adopt a set of rules that ultimately divides the property between the two and of which is upheld in a court of law just as a married couple's property rights would be viewed. Therefore there is the possibility that Jeremy could have a legal way of forcing Claude to vacate the flat that they share but due to the fact that they don't have a legal civil partn ership creates other types of problems besides not being married brings. For instance, without a civil partnership there are no real legal grounds that an individual within a cohabitating relationship can rely on fully. This isn't to say that Jeremy would not have any legal protection at all but the point that is being made is that it would be further complicated by the fact that the two aren't married, there is violence in the relationship, and no civil partnership is in existence to refute any adverse statements or actions that might come into being6. The law is quite clear on one aspect of this domestic problem however, regardless of whether the couple is married or not. Because of the fact that the flat is solely in Jeremy's name the law would stipulate that he could enforce the removal of Claude through a legal means without any adverse repercussions to himself. However, any joint property that remained in the flat would have to be legally divided according to any legal arrange ment that Jeremy and Claude have in affect. If they have none (which without a civil p

Tork uk ltd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Tork uk ltd - Essay Example Part 1 a) Develop a more aggressive marketplace positioning strategy. In order to find out an effective marketing strategy for TORC, it is important to understand its present position within the marketplace. â€Å"Strategy is a proprietary set of actions that serve targeted customers better than competition, while strategic positioning consists in defining the focus point of a company’s resources† (Strategic Positioning, 2013, n.p.). TORC consists of a large customer range which incorporates huge sections of the public and also different organizations. It has been observed that the products reach the general through their retail outlets and that they are made available to large corporations through their sales engineers. The Ansoff product or market matrix is used for determining the opportunities for growth of the organization. At present, TORC is presently deliberating the merits of online business by a mail order subsidiary. â€Å"Ansoff’s product/market grow th matrix suggests that a business’ attempts to grow depend on whether it markets new or existing products in new or existing markets† (TORC UK Ltd. Essay, 2003-2011, n.p). ... b) Introduce a rationalized product range to exploit the higher turnover available from more profitable products. Product development is an area which the TORC can investigate and find out what strategies to employ in order to attain a better market position. An opportunity has to be taken to diversify the existing products .For example, raising interest in females, children etc by modifying the products to suit their tastes. TORC has established its brand name already with high quality through its retail outlets that sell assorted goods in order to entice new customers. An increased influence from gardening, home improvement programmes and television have seen the new customer target base endeavoring to the male domain, but, however is trying to maintain their femininity and hence does not want to handle heavy tools presently available. Packaging of products also plays a crucial role to attract the customers, as it is based on the appeal of the end product that they buy it. â€Å"P roduct Development plays a critical role in ensuring a company's future growth potential† (Product Development Overview, n.d, n.p). The sales engineers will also have to inform the customers that there exist new products with reputed brand image and they have to explain the way in which they compliment the range. Even though the knowledge of entry into new distribution channels is limited, the development of an existing product that produces high profits and distinguishes itself with quality would entrench itself into any market arena. c) Develop a marketing promotion campaign to include an on-line intranet and extranet capability in order to serve more international markets. Even though

Use of Technology In Your Chosen Profession Assignment

Use of Technology In Your Chosen Profession - Assignment Example After the design is done, manufacturing is done with computer simulations on how the plane will perform under different flying conditions. The aircraft is improved and molded before the final testing to be licensed as safe to fly. Technology is used to develop sophisticated security systems to enable pilots to detect abnormalities during flight and avert disaster. Even when a plane crash has occurs; data recorders kept in the plane’s black box are consulted to trace the origin of the crash (ICAO, 2010). Such information is vital as it can be used to design new safety features or to avoid crashes due to similar reasons. Pilots use technology for communication while flying. Flying is a high-risk activity and pilots need to be in constant communication with flight control teams to report flight progress and show if there is any problem. Flight control teams use radar and satellite technology to track aircraft. Whenever a plane is lost midair, the ground control teams are able to detect it immediately and take appropriate and timely action to try and find the plane to rescue survivors. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find survivors due to the impact of plane crashes that usually occur in the sea where passengers drown before any help can get to them. Pilots also use technology to entertain their passengers and make announcements to them regarding the flight. Technology is also used to enhance safety in the airline industry generally. Through the use of computer technology, airport personnel is able to ensure that planes do not collide midair or at the airport.

Report on Religious Field Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Report on Religious Field Research - Essay Example Conversely, conferring to Islam, ‘jihads’ are of different types and they are also non-violent. ‘Jihad’ is also ‘Jihad bilnafs’, one’s tussle with one’s self is among the most essential kinds. Jihad bilnafs includes regularly striving to manage and deal with our animal desires. Safeguarding Muslim women from the ‘oppression’ of Islamic conduct is considered one of the pet assembling exclamations of the folks who reflect Islam to be a force of evil. Similar to several other offenses incorrectly accredited to the name of Islam instead to the specific people who initiate them, biased handling of women is also measured to be the ‘Islamic way’ of treating female folk. Keeping to the side the spiteful publicity, the cause behindhand this error is perhaps the detail that Islamic educations about the part, everyday jobs, rank, position and conduct of females are referred to in accordance to the practices and beliefs of the western world. If nothing else, Islam freed the women in Arabia by openhandedly granting them human rights which were disregarded for most of the era that time in most nations. Numerous Christians come to believe that Jesus and also other prophets are not thought of as Prophets or God’s messengers by the people of Islamic faith. A hasty analysis of Qur’an or other Islamic works of prose display that Muslims reminisce all of the Messengers talked about in the Judaic and Christian Books with utmost esteem and respect. Theindicationof Jesus has been in Qur’an in numerous spaces. Religious narrow-mindedness is tall on the list of charges counter to Muslims and Islam. Numerous non-Muslims trust that Islam is not tolerating towards different religions and beliefs and that it instructions to its followers is to slay wholly the non-Muslims. Associating the activities of a minority of corrupt people with the wisdoms of Islam in regard

Cause and Effect of Humiliation in the Classroom Essay

Cause and Effect of Humiliation in the Classroom - Essay Example Humiliation is one of them. Humiliation is putting someone down and making him/her seem bad in front of people. The person being humiliated feels embarrassed and ashamed in front of everyone and feels uncomfortable facing people in front of whom he has been humiliated. The Psychological reason is the insecurities that one might have about oneself. Such people derive their self-esteem from crushing others’ self-esteem by humiliating them in front of everyone. It fits most of the habitual bullies, who humiliate anyone and everyone they can find anything bad about. The victims are usually the people who are weak or cannot fight back. Another distinct cause is rivalry among students. Students find revenge in humiliating their rivals in front of everyone taking advantage of practically anything that they could find against the opponent. The first and the foremost effect of humiliation is absenteeism. When the victim cannot find a way to avoid humiliation at school, he/she tends to stay at home and not go to school altogether. If this practice extends far too much, the student may drop out of school altogether. Decreased self-confidence and tarnished self-esteem is another consequence of humiliation. The target of this vicious act starts losing friends and feels alone in a cruel world where everyone seems to be against him. His self esteem goes down the drain and he finds it very difficult to believe in himself and stand up for himself in face of problems that might arise in life. He feels like a loser and his whole life gets affected as he cannot take decisions properly and thinks his life is ruined. Emotionally, the person is torn inside and out. He feels everyone is against him and everyone hates him. He stops trusting people and feels encaged in a trap. He feels frustrated annoyed and mentally disturbed all the time,

Diploma in Health Essay Example for Free

Diploma in Health Essay There are many different roles within the working environment. This being so, there are many different working relationships, however subtle the difference. When working with another Nursing Assistant there seems to be an immediate understanding of what is required. Although the routine my differ from ward to ward, the tasks largely remain the same and are performed with relative fluidity. When working with a Staff Nurse on something outside of my training, they will take the lead and instruct me in the task. The same can be said for when assisting doctors, physiotherapists and all other professionals. Each has their own role and it is important that they work within the scope of that role, as performing duties not within your skills is breaking with policies and procedures. It is equally as important to be accessible to those who cannot perform certain duties beyond their own remit. Before going to work (I work mainly night shifts) I dress according to the Dress Code, with washed and ironed uniform, sensible enclosed shoes, nothing below the elbows which follows the Hand Hygiene Policy, ID and name badges present. On arrival I gel my hands, put my belongings in the cloakroom and wash my hands before entering the staff room. Before handover we are read the CUBAN which relates to staffing and patient levels, patients with dementia and/or having special needs or one to one care and falls risks. In handover we learn about what has happened during the previous shift, any changes in condition of patients and about new patients needs. All the information is confidential and so the Confidentiality Policy needs to be adhered to. We are all issued with a handover sheet with these details on and I jot down and highlight any tasks that immediately concern me. E.G. Catheters/measured urine, observation times, pressure care, hourly checklists and blood sugars. We are allocated which bays we are to concentrate our efforts on and plan the best course of action, which is  usually standard routine. We then load trolleys with the necessary paperwork and go from patient to patient, checking which paperwork needs replenishing and noting down what time physiological measurements etc. need doing and tidying the bed areas. We then do a hot drinks round and update the fluid and food charts as necessary. Next we help patients into bed. After gaining consent, we help them wash and get into their night clothes. If they need toiletting, the patient’s preferred way of doing so is used. The Dignity Policy is maintained at all times. If it is documented that a patient needs more than one member of staff to transfer them safely then we help each other to do so., thus sticking to Health and Safety and Manual Handling Policies. Usually at this time the trained nurses are available and are easily approachable and willing to help. After the patient is s afely and comfortably in bed, we fill in the repositioning and personal hygiene charts as per Policy. Usually, we start the observations around 22:00, reporting any NEWS score over 3 or anything untoward to the the Staff Nurse who will inform a doctor who may order an ECG, which I would perform and report straight back to him/her. This is an example of how communication and co-operation is so important to working in partnership. Any missing ‘cog’ in a machine could spell disaster, especially in the care industry. More often than not, we answer call bells of patients requiring pain relief through the night. We take the drug chart to the Staff Nurse and she will dispense it. Unfortunately we quite often need to wash and change a patient after a mishap. The correct PPE is always used and Infection Control policies are observed as are Waste Disposal policies. At around 05:30 we empty catheter bags and document output in the fluid charts. We also tidy the bed areas again. Observations, urine measurements and toiletting continue throughout the shift until handover to the day s taff.

What Is Carbon Monoxide And Its Effects Environmental Sciences Essay

What Is Carbon Monoxide And Its Effects Environmental Sciences Essay Carbon monoxide (CO), also known as carbonous oxide, is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion of the fossil and carbon-based fuels, when there is not enough oxygen to produce Carbon Dioxide. Normally, carbon (C) and oxygen (O2) combine to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), when combustion of carbon is complete, in the presence of plenty of air. When combustion of carbon is incomplete, there is a limited supply of air, and only half as much oxygen adds to the carbon, forming carbon monoxide (CO). Many sources of carbon monoxide include: Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Carbon monoxide is not only formed from incomplete combustion, it is also formed as a pollutant when hydrocarbon fuels (natural gas, petrol, and diesel) ar e burned. Carbon Monoxide gas is produced from the partial oxidation of  carbon-containing compounds and it consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom. Carbon Monoxide is also the simplest oxocarbon, and is an anhydride of formic acid. The symbol equation for the formation of carbon dioxide is: (hydrocarbon) + O2 CO + H2O Effects on humans Despite Carbon Monoxide being perfectly harmless to humans at low exposure, it is extremely poisonous, often fatal, to humans at higher levels. When Carbon Monoxide enters the body through the respiratory system, it binds very strongly to the  iron  atoms  in haemoglobin, the principal  oxygen-carrying compound in blood. Haemoglobin, a protein present in the red blood cells, normally binds oxygen to form oxyhemoglobin and transports it to all parts of the body. When Carbon Monoxide enters the bloodstream, it competes with oxygen and binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin.  Carbon monoxide is attracted to haemoglobin over 200 times more strongly than oxygen. Therefore, in the blood, the presence of carbon monoxide prevents some of the  haemoglobin  found in red blood cells from carrying sufficient oxygen around the body, sometimes resulting in death. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning The symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning may be non-specific and similar to those of viral cold and flu infections, food poisoning or just simple fatigue. But, unlike flu and many viral infections, carbon monoxide poisoning doesnt result in a high temperature. At low concentrations, the poisoning produces symptoms such as abdominal pain; dizziness; sore throat; dry cough; fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, the effects many include: impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; and nausea. At extreme levels of exposure, fast and irregular heart rate; hyperventilation; difficulty breathing; Seizures and loss of consciousness may occur. Some symptoms can occur a few days or even months after exposure to carbon monoxide, and may include confusion, loss of memory, problems with coordination; and unusually pinkish skin and cheeks, or bright red lips. Most of the symptoms and effects produced by exposure to carbon monoxide are generally reversible, as the effects disappear following removal from exposure. Despite this, if extremely high exposure does not result in death; permanent damage to the body is likely to occur, mostly to the nervous system. Many of the serious effects include:  · loss of memory  · increased irritability  · impulsiveness  · mood changes  · violent behaviour  · verbal aggression  · personality changes  · learning disabilities  · mental deterioration  · instability when walking Many people are more at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning; due is to their greater need for oxygen or an impaired ability of their bodies to provide an adequate supply. Those at most risk include:  · pregnant women  · the physically active  · older workers  · heavy smokers  · sufferers from respiratory diseases  · sufferers from heart disease Prevention Even though carbon monoxide poses a big threat to human health, the effects of exposure to it, both short-term and long-term, can be prevented if all the necessary precautions are carried out. The most important measure to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning, is to have a Carbon Monoxide detector fitted in your home. The detectors can come in an alarm form, similar to fire detectors, or a passive form, which are adhesive detectors with a circle on the indicator that will turn grey or black, depending on the concentration of CO in the room. According to the National Fire Protection Association 93% of homes have smoke alarms, yet the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that only 15% have carbon monoxide alarms, which greatly contributes to the high numbers of poisonings. The second precaution that you should take to protect yourself is to have your heating system; water heater; chimney and flue; and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances to be serviced by a qualified technician every year. You should also make sure that all your cooking appliances and furnaces are inspected for adequate safety and ventilation. Another precaution to take is to make sure not  use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, garage or near a window, as charcoal is very susceptible to producing carbon monoxide when burned. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you should not run a car or any other automobile inside a garage attached to your home, or any enclosed space, even if you leave the door open, as Carbon Monoxide could become trapped. Making sure not to burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isnt vented, is also another life saving precaution to take. With a combination of all of the advice and techniques to prevent carbon Mmnoxide exposure within your home, you can protect yourself and others from the deadly and life threatening problem of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Manual Vacuum Aspiration for First Trimester Pregnancy Loss

Manual Vacuum Aspiration for First Trimester Pregnancy Loss Dr. Sindhoo TO DETERMINE THE EFFICACY OF MANNUAL VACUM ASPIRATION IN MANAGEMENT OF FIRST TRIMESTER PREGNANCY LOSS INTRODUCTION: An estimated 46 million abortions are performed globally each year, with one-third of all abortions are performed under unsafe conditions leading to 13% of all maternal death1. 10–12% of these abortions are performed in the early first trimester1, 2. Local data shows an annual abortion rate of 29 per 1000 in women aged 15-49 years. Incomplete and missed miscarriage being the commonest occurs in approximately 15 % of clinically recognized pregnancies and in 890,000 women per year3. One study conducted by Shonali Agarwal and Dolly Gupta reported the efficacy of MVA 90% in management of first trimester pregnancy loss5. First trimester of pregnancy ranges between 5–13 weeks and is associated with 3 to 5 times lower maternal mortality and morbidity risks than termination during second trimester4. Although the etiologies of first trimester loss are multi factorial and often remain unknown, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of pregnancy loss. Findings such as absenc e of cardiac activity after 5 wks, gestational sac smaller than expected for dates, an abnormal-appearing yolk, intrauterine hematoma (sub chorionic hemorrhage), vaginal bleeding after 7 weeks of gestation are potential markers for subsequent pregnancy loss4. Once a first trimester pregnancy loss has been diagnosed, there are three forms of management: expectant, medical, or surgical evacuation (with electrical or manual vacuum aspirator). The optimal mode of management is determined by gestational age, whether the pregnancy loss is delayed or incomplete, maternal hemodynamic stability, the presence of infection, and, most importantly, patient preference5. Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) employs a vacuum pump in which the vacuum is created using a hand-held, hand activated plastic syringe. 4,5,6 Manual vacuum aspiration is safe, effective, easy to use, portable, and reusable. It is appropriate for use in many different clinical settings (Including office, emergency room, or the operating room) thus avoiding the need for the use of an operating theatre and the risks of general anesthesia. It does not require lengthy training for proper operation, and may be performed by a wide range of trained medical personnel including midwives and nurses. When conducted in the outpatient setting rather than operating room, manual vacuum uterine aspiration can result in substantial cost savings, electrical power saving and significant reduction in procedure time (3.7 minutes for MVA vs. 10.2 minutes for DC).The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends MVA as a preferred method of uterine evacuation2,7. RATIONALE: On robust literature search there was scant relatively old data available on efficacy of MVA but no one focused on efficacy of manual vacuum aspiration in management of first trimester pregnancy loss. This provide me the strong rationale to conduct this study, the aim of my study is to set a baseline data which will help to generate the current local statistics of MVA in terms of efficacy on this particular group of women with loss of pregnancy. If we found the significant efficacy of MVA then we will recommend MVA as first line of treatment in future in management of first trimester pregnancy loss. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to determine the efficacy of Manual vacuum aspiration in management of first trimester pregnancy loss. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION: FIRST TRIMESTER PREGNANCY LOSS: An abortion is the spontaneous or induced loss of an early pregnancy. Miscarriage occurs within 12 weeks of gestation will be confirmed on ultrasound. EFFICACY: If an empty uterus with no evidence of retained products of conception seen within 24 hours on Ultrasound will be label as efficacy positive. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SETTING: Liaquat university hospital Jamshoro /Hyderabad DURATION: Six months after approval of synopsis. STUDY DESIGN: Case series study. SAMPLE SIZE: By using WHO sample size calculator taken efficacy of MVA i.e P=90% (5) margin of error (d) = 5.5% confidant interval 95% then the estimated sample size will be at least n=115. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Non-probability consecutive sampling INCLUSION CRITERIA: All women with gestational age of ≠¤ 12 weeks confirm from last menstrual period with pregnancy loss (as mention in operational definition) Age 18-35 years Women with any parity Exclusion Criteria: Women who are hemodynamically unstable (systolic B.P Ectopic pregnancy assess on ultrasound Known systemic disease including hepatic or renal dysfunction. Had a history of cervical surgery. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE: All patients fulfilling inclusion criteria and not having any of exclusion criteria attending Outpatient department/emergency department of Liaquat university hospital Jamshoro after evaluation by consultant will be included in the study. Informed consent will be taken from each patient about procedure and this study. Approval of the ethical committee will be sought. Patients will undergo elective abortion. All operations will be performed by fourth year residents under supervision of consultant having more than 5 years of post-fellowship experience. Intravenous anesthesia will be used in all the cases. Manual vacuum aspiration will be performed under par cervical block with 10-20 ml of 1% lignocaine using Glick technique3. MVA will be performed using a flexible Ipas Easy Grip cannula attached to a 60 ml syringe (aspirator), with a double locking valve mechanism. To assess the efficacy(as mentioned in operational definition) of MVA. Patients will be fallowed till 24 hours. Demographi c variables of name, gestational age, and parity will be noted. The final outcome in terms of efficacy will be noted after 24 hours will be recorded on approved Performa. DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE: Statistical analysis will be performed using statistical software SPSS version 16 on computer. Mean  ± standard deviation will be calculated for age gestational age and parity. Frequency and percentage will be calculated for efficacy. Effects modifier will be controlled through stratification of age gestational age and parity to see the association with outcome i.e (efficacy) by applying Chi-square test taking P≠¤0.05 will be considered statically significant. REFERENCES Wen J, Cai QY, Deng F, Li YP. Manual versus electric vacuum aspiration for first-trimester abortion: a systematic review. BJOG. 2008 Jan;115(1):5-13.Review. PubMed PMID:18053098. Yan J, Saravelos SH, Ma N, Ma C, Chen Z-J, Li T-C. Consecutive repeat miscarriages are likely to occur in the same gestational period. Reproductive BioMedicine;2012;24:634-38. Tasnim N, Mahmud G, Fatima S, Sultana M. Manual vacuum aspiration: a safe and cost-effective substitute of electric vacuum aspiration for the surgical management of early pregnancy loss. J Pak Med Assoc. 2011 Feb;61(2):149-53.PubMed PMID: 21375164. Allison JL, Sherwood RS, Schust DJ. Management of first trimester pregnancy loss can be safely moved into the office. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2011;4(1):5-14.PubMed PMID: 21629493; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3100102. 5. Agarwal S, Gupta D. Comparison of manual vacuum aspiration (mva) versus traditional suction evacuation in first trimester medical termination of pregnancy. Int J Res Med.2013;2(1);11-14. Farooq F, Javed L, Mumtaz A, Naveed N. Comparison of manual vacuum aspiration,and dilatation and curettage in the treatment of early pregnancy failure. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2011 Jul-Sep;23(3):28-31. PubMed PMID: 23272429. Harwood B, Nansel T; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.Management of Early Pregnancy Failure Trial. Quality of life and acceptability of medical versus surgical management of early pregnancy failure. BJOG. 2008 Mar;115(4):501-8. Doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01632.x. Pubmed PMID: 18271887;pubmed Central PMCID: PMC2424403. PROFORMA TO ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF MANUAL VACUUM ASPIRATION IN MANAGEMENT OF FIRST TRIMESTER PREGNANCY LOSS Date: ________________ Reg No: serial No: ___________________ Name: W/O Age: Gestational age: weeks Parity: EFFICACY: YES NO

Scientific Creationism Essay -- Evolution Darwin Science Essays

Scientific Creationism Introduction In 1859 Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species where he proposed the theory of evolution for the first time. Since this radical theory was first proposed, there has been a debate over its validity and the theological implications that come with it. In order to understand the reasons why Darwin's theory has caused so much debate over the past century it is first necessary to examine evolution and Darwin's theories about the origin of species. Evolution is, strictly speaking, simply change over time. A biological definition is, more specifically, "any change in the frequency of alleles within a gene pool from one generation to the next (1)." Darwin's theory of evolution is composed of many parts. These parts include the belief that life is constantly changing and is not a static system. Also included in The Origin of Species is the idea of common descent, which basically states that all species are related because they have all evolved from a common ancestor. A third contention of Darwin's theory of evolution is that species change gradually over time by a process of inheriting very small differences. The mechanism for evolution, according to Darwin, is a process known as natural selection. Natural selection is based on the principle that occasionally an organism will develop a mutation that will increase its chances for survival. The progeny of this organism will inherit this advantage and will eventually become prevalent among the population as a result of this advantage. This will lead to a change in the gene pool of the species. Finally, Darwin's theory states that the origin of species is due in part to the process of natural selection, but he does not state specifically ho... ... Faith, Harper Collins, San Francisco 1989, pp. 114-117. 3. Wright, 125-126. 4. Dorman, Clark (1996, January 30) McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education [Online]. Available: earth.ics.uci.edu:8080/faqs/mclean-v-arkansas.html [1996, November 23]. 5.Creation vs. Evolution: Opposing World Views [Online]. Available: web.canlink.com/ocrt/ev_world.htm [1996, November 20]. 6. Atkins, Peter W. The Second Law 1984, p.25. 7. Fossil Record Overview - Missing Transitional Forms [Online]. Available: emporium.turnpike.net/C/cs/fossils.htm [1996, November 22]. 8. Wright, 129. 9. Proving Evolution or Creation Science [Online]. Available: web.canlink.com/ocrt/ev_proof.htm [1996 November 24]. 10. Issak, Mark Five Major Misconceptions About Evolution [Online]. Available: earth.ics.uci.edu:8080/faqs/faq-misconceptions.html [1996, November 20]. 11. Wright, 129.

Addendum to Independent Study in Sound Design and Sound System Component Operation :: essays research papers

Addendum to Independent Study in Sound Design and Sound System Component Operation This past year (2000) I have been working in the sound booth for The John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts. Here at the John Lyman Center (JLC) we have been going through a time of transition. The former resident technical guru who had taken care of JLC's happenings had retired, leaving the JLC in a semi chaotic state. The dance school season was just about to start which happens to be our busiest time of the year. The administrative staff here at the JLC was franticly trying to find a replacement while interim Chris Hudacs fought his was through the perilous dance school season. Finally, when all the hullabaloo was over David Starkey, formally serving as Technical Director of the Theatre Department at Southern Ct. State Univ. was named the new title of Events Manager. When David was still working in the theatre department I had approached him when it was pointed out that there was no one person on staff who knew how to fully operate the sound system. The idea I had come up with was to design an independent study which would allow me to be in the sound booth and empirically discover how to operate the sound system and all of its support components. He agreed that it was a good idea because Greg had never explained anything but remedial board operation. Since I first started working at the JLC I had wanted to work on the sound system, now I was being given the chance. The independent study was written up as follows: Independent Study in Sound Design and Sound System Component operation Objectives: -To demonstrate competence in properly operating the sound system and all its individual components in Lyman Auditorium. Which includes but is not limited to the following:  ¨ Sound board  ¨ Tape player  ¨ DAT player  ¨ Mini disk player  ¨ Compact disk recorder  ¨ Compact disk player  ¨ Digital effects processors  ¨ Patch bay  ¨ Wireless microphones  ¨ Digital synthesizer -By the 8th week be prepared to work with the head sound designer in developing a sound design for the crescent players fall production of "three penny opera". The sound design should incorporate as many of the listed devices as possible to ensure that a high quality production is obtained. The learning process I have been going through has included help from many people. I would sit and pick the brain of every sound engineer that came through here. Finding out what you did with an Omni DriveÃ’ or how to use the feedback detector and the graphic equalizer to get rid of feedback.