Tuesday, August 6, 2019

A View from the Bridge Essay Example for Free

A View from the Bridge Essay A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller is a play describing the affairs of the Brooklyn dockworkers of post war America. The play is as colourful as the lives of those it depicts: it contains aspects of love, hatred, passion, suffering, pain and despair (to name but a few) but what of tragedy? In order for a play to be a tragedy it follows that it must have tragic elements to its plot but what are these elements? Why are they considered tragic? And most importantly of all: In what from are they present in A View from the Bridge? Answering this question requires that we obtain a sound definition of tragedy in the classic sense, and for this task I refer throughout to Aristotles Poetics. Over the next few pages I will be examining the main events and aspects of the play, showing how explicitly they follow the principles outlined by Aristotle, therefore earning the tragic title. Foremost in a tragedy is the protagonist; he is the hub around which the events of the play rotate, without whom all would soon crumble. In classic tragedy the protagonist is usually distinguished early in the play: the protagonist in A View from the Bridge is established from the outset. An early stage direction sees Eddie pitching coins with the men and is highlighted among them this and Eddies prominence in the following family scene firmly establish his role as the lead character. Once this entity has been confirmed we must then examine his character. In the first family scene Eddie is shown to command the love and respect of both his wife and niece: Beatrice claims that he is an Angel! and that Godll bless him and Catherine greets him enthusiastically Hi, Eddie! This show of love has the effect of portraying Eddie Carbone in a favourable light and raising the audiences opinion of him. This was a deliberate effort on Millers part to satisfy one of Aristotles necessities for tragedy, that the lead role should embody nobility and virtue as part of his/her innate character. Initial nobility and virtue serve to accentuate the eventual demise of the character and heighten the sense of loss felt by the audience. The family love of the opening scene, while serving a purpose, is notably ordinary and not at all unusual. At first glance Eddie Carbone seems a surprisingly normal figure He is forty- a husky, slightly overweight longshoreman. This normality however serves a very important purpose, it allows the audience to identify with the character, a necessity for the tragic hero since he has to command sympathy, pity, and later invoke fear. Another tragic requirement is that the lead character must have a certain flaw, or imperfection, known as hamartia which serves to trigger the characters demise. This is present in A View from the Bridge and is subtly exposed in the first scene when Eddie is pleased and therefore shy about it when Catherine lovingly greets him. The first family scene can therefore be described as tragic because it complies with tragic ideals, and establishes both the character of the protagonist and his fatal flaw: two essentials of tragedy. Following this scene I was aware of the potential for catastrophe (in Eddies incestuous love, and over protectiveness) but was at a loss as to how this potential was to be realised. This invoked in me as the reader or as a member of the audience a sense of or intense anticipation and anxiety: anticipation because the catastrophic ending was foretold in Alfieris warnings and anxiety because I did not know what form this catastrophe would take. My anxiety was relieved upon the arrival of the immigrants, when I realised the means by which the potential was to be realised. As the scene progresses Catherines attraction to Rodolpho is made apparent. Catherine wondrously asks Rodolpho about his hair, and is enthralled by his singing; she asks if he is married and references to sugar you like sugar? -Sugar? Yes! I like sugar very much! imply that they are sweet on each other. This affection unnerves Eddie, who, upon hearing Rodolphos rendition of Paper Doll interrupts as soon as flirtation is mentioned and then those flirty, flirty guysWill have to flirt with dollies that are real. This scene, while not satisfying any tragic ideas wholly in itself, helps with the progression of the tragedy since it develops the fatal flaw, Eddies love for Catherine. It also informs the audience of the course the play is to take, accentuating the sense of fate or inevitable progression.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Puma Ag Rudolf Dassler Sport Marketing Essay

Puma Ag Rudolf Dassler Sport Marketing Essay Introduction The Report presents a comprehensive analysis of NIKE INC. NIKE was founded in January 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight and incorporated in 1968 under the laws of the state of Oregon. Its worlds leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Product/Service Nike produces a wide range of Footwear, Apparel and Sports Equipments. Nikes Wholly-owned subsidiaries include Cole Haan, Converse Inc, Hurley International LLC and Umbro Ltd Target Market Nikes target market for their shoes, clothes and other accessories are males and females between 18 and 35 years old. It also targets active and sporty people as it provides products for all kinds of sports. Goals and Objectives Nikes goal is to  carry on his legacy of innovative thinking, whether  to develop products that help athletes of every level of ability reach their potential, or to create business opportunities that set Nike apart from the competition and provide value for our shareholders. Management Philip H. Knight, Chairman of the Board of Directors Mark Parker, President Chief Executive Officer, NIKE, Inc. Charlie Denson, President, NIKE Brand INTRODUCTION NIKE was founded in January 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight and incorporated in 1968 under the laws of the state of Oregon. Its worlds leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Nike became globally recognized for its swoosh logo and its trademark slogan Just do it. Nikes Wholly-owned subsidiaries include: Cole Haan which designs markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats. Converse Inc which designs markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. Hurley International LLC which designs markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. Umbro Ltd is leading United Kingdom based global football (soccer) brand. http://seekingalpha.com/symbol/nke/description http://invest.nike.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=100529p=irol-newsArticleID=1380811highlight= http://www.ehow.com/about_6465548_nike-uses-endorsements-sponsorships.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc. THE MARKET ENVIRONMENT Geographical Market Nikes world headquarters is located near Beaverton, Oregon, a suburb of Portland.Today Nike operates in more than 160 countries around the globe like U.S, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Americas. http://www.nikebiz.com/?sitesrc=emealp Business Nike specializes in Footwear, apparels and equipments. In addition to its namesake Nike brand, the company also develops and markets footwear and apparel products under the Cole Haan, Converse, Hurley International, and Umbro Inc which are nikes owned subsidiaries. http://www.nikebiz.com/?sitesrc=emealp Pest-G Analysis Nike is an international organization and needs to focus on macro environmental factors. Macro environmental factors comprise Political, Economics, Society, and Technology. http://www.businessteacher.org.uk/free-business-essays/nike-business-essay/ BCG Matrix Nike is established within its markets from economies of scale. Hence places them in the Cash Cows category on the BCG Matrix. Cash cows market growth has slowed and hence the products hold a fairly stable market share. http://www.businessteacher.org.uk/free-business-essays/nike-business-essay/ THE COMPETITION Main Competitors The main competitors of Nike are:- Adidas AG New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/42/42602.html Sales and Profit trends Adidas AG During the first half of the year 2010, Adidas sales are à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 5590 millions and profit is à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 2727 millions. There is an increase of 11% of sales and an increase of 20.2% of profit in 2010. http://www.adidas-group.com/en/investorrelations/financial_data/income_statement/default.aspx New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc At the end of the year 2008, the total revenue was 1640.00 M. http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/42/42602.html PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport At the end of year 2009, the total revenue was 3526.70 M. http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/91/91292.html Market share Adidas AG Adidas acquires 6% of the global athletic apparel market and 16% of the global athletic footwear market. New balance Athletic Shoes Inc New Balance Athletic Shoes acquires 6% of the global athletic footwear market. PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport Puma acquires 2% of the global athletic apparel market and 7% of the global athletic footwear market. http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Nike_(NKE)#Market_Share Target markets Adidas Adidass target market is mainly the urban youth with the brand position and the potential target market is the principal consumption centers like the metros. http://www.scribd.com/doc/8760709/Adidas New Balance Athletic Shoes Inc New Balance target young consumers with the same zeal of its rivals http://www.answers.com/topic/new-balance-athletic-shoe-inc Puma AG By shifting their brand proposition Puma broadened their target market from solely sport to lifestyle and even fashion. http://www.nundroo.com/archives/000008.html THE COMPANY Sales and profit trends During the year 2009, Nikes sales were $2,583 million whereas in 2010 it is $2741 million. The profits earned during the year 2009 were $2216 million whereas in 2010 it is $2434 million. There is an increase of 6% in profits and 10% in sales in the year 2010. http://invest.nike.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=100529p=irol-finReporting Market share Nike is the clear market leader with 31% of the global athletic footwear market and 7% of the global athletic apparel market. http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Nike_(NKE)#Market_Share Business sectors Footwear Nike specializes in athletic footwear particularly in running, cross-training, basketball, and soccer. It also sells sport-inspired casual footwear like its Air Force Ones footwear line. Nikes Footwear sales increased by 14% in 2009 reaching about $10.3 billion. Hence 54% of revenue comes from the footwear sector. Apparel Nike also sells sports apparel such as running shorts, t-shirts, and licensed apparel (with logos of college and professional sports teams). Apparel sales totaled $5.24 billion in 2009, a 0.2% increase from a year earlier. Equipments Nike also sells sports equipment such as balls, protective equipment, and golf clubs. Sales of Nike branded equipment has reached $1.11 billion in 2009 which resulted in 9.5% increase from 2008. Others Nike also sells apparel and footwear under the Nike Golf, Cole Haan, Converse, Hurley International, and Umbro brand names. http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Nike_(NKE)#Market_Sharen Project focus Since Nike is specialized and famous in athletic footwear, I have selected footwear sector as my project focus. SWOT analysis http://www.quality-assurance-solutions.com/swot-analysis-nike.html THE COMPANYS MARKETING STRATEGY Segmentation According to Philip Kotler Market Segmentation is the subdividing of market into homogeneous sub-set of customers, where any subset may conceivably be selected as market target to be reached with distinct Marketing Mix. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })() Nike segments the international markets by geographic location; the United States, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Targeting A target market or target audience is a group of customers that the business has decided to aim its marketing efforts and ultimately its merchandise. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_market Nikes target market for their shoes, clothes and other accessories are males and females between 18 and 35 years old. It also targets active and sporty people as it provides products for all kinds of sports. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })() Positioning The process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positioning_(marketing) Nike products are easily available in different retail and outlet stores all over the world such as Sun and Sand Sports. Nike products are also available at their own Nike store online and Nike town. Differentiation/Low Cost Leadership/Focus Low price compare to its high quality products. Edge cutting products. E.g. Nike + iPod Cushioning technologies in its shoes. Patents all its new technologies Growth Strategy To create innovative products, amazing brand experiences, and premium retail destinations wherever consumers connect with NIKE. -Mark Parker, President and CEO, NIKE, Inc http://www.nikebiz.com/media/pr/2010/09/23_FY11Q1Earnings.html Generic strategy Nike uses network structure Nike implemented Differentiation Strategies THE MARKETING MIX Product Nike is trying to meet the consumer needs. Nike realizes that the clients could be participating in more than one sporting event and they need a huge range of products to meet all their sporting needs. The Companys innovation has added great value to its products. For example, there are some Nike shoes that have been installed with radio devices to measure runners pace. Nikes quality products, loyal customer base and its great marketing techniques all contribute to make the shoe empire a huge success. Some of the Nike shoes are Nike Jordon, Nike air force classic, Nike air max, Nike Shox etc. http://www.pickyourshoes.com/size/nike_air_forces.htm http://www.upublish.info/Article/Marketing-Mix-for-Nike/314859 http://shopping.aol.com/articles/2008/05/12/nike-shoes/ Price Nike has designed to be competitive to other fashion shoe retailers. Nike targets the consumers who accept product intimacy and thus care less about the product. This enables Nike to set pretty higher prices than its competitors. This strategy helps to push product perceived product value. Once the consumers develop product intimacy, they come to associate their person with the product and will pay whatever price quoted on the product with Nike logo on it. Nike uses the vertical integration pricing strategy in which the steps involved in the production and/or distribution of a product or service are controlled by NIKE, in order to increase that companys or entitys power in the marketplace. http://www.upublish.info/Article/Marketing-Mix-for-Nike/314859 http://www.suite101.com/content/audit-on-nikes-marketing-strategies-a94404 Place Nike shoes are sold in multi-brand stores and the exclusive Nike stores across the globe. Nike sells its product to about 20,000 retail accounts in the U.S. and in almost 200 countries around the world (http://www.suite101.com/content/audit-on-nikes-marketing-strategies-a94404) . The Company sells its products directly or it uses subsidiaries and distributors. It also sells its products through internet as it has its own online Nike store and Nike town. Because the company is located all over the world and it also uses licensed distributors because it is rather difficult to reach all those parts of the globe. http://www.upublish.info/Article/Marketing-Mix-for-Nike/314859 Promotion Nike has a number of famous athletes that serve as brand ambassadors such as the Brazilian Soccer Team (especially Ronaldino, Renaldo, and Roberto Carlos), Lebron James and Jermane ONeal for basketball, Lance Armstrong for cycling, and Tiger Woods for Golf. Sponsoring of events is another great promotional technique for Nike. Web sites are a great promotional tool as they cover these events. Events like Hoop It Up and The Golden West Invitational. Nike make the websites exclusively for a sport such as nikebasketball.com, nikefootball.com, and nikegolf.com http://www.upublish.info/Article/Marketing-Mix-for-Nike/314859 EVALUATION OF COMPANYS STRATEGIES AND TACTICS Evaluation of companys current position Strong brand recognition. Top endorser. Global leader in athletic shoe market. The swoosh is nationally recognized by 97 percent of the American population. Nike is leading the U.S. marketplace in athletic footwear. Through aggressive advertising, endorsements by the leading professional athletes in nearly every major sport, and a high-quality product, Nike has been able to sustain a competitive advantage. They continue to show growth in the athletic footwear industry. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/17947394/With-adidas-and-Reebok-Combined_-Will-Nike-Still-Crush-the Evidence of companys success (refer to the graphs in appendix) The total revenue during 2010 was $19014 million, a little less than the previous year. EPS performance of Nike has increased from $3.03 in 2009 to $3.86 in 2010. Return on invested capital has also increased from 17.8% in 2009 to 20.7% in 2010. The gross profit has increased from $8,604,400 in 2009 to $8,800,400 in 2010. The net income has increased from $1,486,700  in 2009 to $1,906,700 in 2010. Revenue distributions of Nike in international markets have increased from 49% in 2009 to 53% in 2010. Increased stock performance by 90% in comparison of SP 500. Nike has always remained on the preference list of athletes and athletic footwear was indeed the first category of products launched by the company more than 30 years ago. Today, you can see the craze for its products, not only among athletes, but also among golfers and other sportspeople. http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/10/100529/nike-ar-20100804/index.html#select_financials Prospects for future growth/success. Offer economical price to variable consumers around the world. Open up more stores and franchise to reach maximum buyers. Have more communication with their customers and receive feedback from them to help create imagine that Nike care for its customers. Come up with more new ideas of designing the shoes. CONCLUSION Nike, Inc. is a company rooted in competition. From equipping athletes with the finest sports equipment in the world to continuously improving their financial performance, Nike dominates its competitors. Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman probably could not have imagined in 1962 to what degree their $500 investments would yield in 2010. They did know that product quality and innovation would help athletes to achieve greater goals. It is one that has helped athletes and stakeholders alike to realize athletic and financial greatness. Despite a changing marketplace for athletic footwear, Nike wants to expand their product lines and marketing reach to become a more powerful global brand. Nike has existed for more than 35 years and is still willing to travel a long distance of popularity. APPENDICES 400px-Footwear_market_shares.png400px-Apparel_market_shares.pnghttp://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Nike_(NKE)#Market_Share chart-revenue.gif chart-eps.gifchart-roi.gif chart-stock.gif chart-distrib.gif http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/10/100529/nike-ar-20100804/index.html#select_financials

Logistics Management of FedEx Corporation (FDX)

Logistics Management of FedEx Corporation (FDX) Global Logistics Introduction Logistics is the overall management of the flux of commodities, selective information and other resources, including free energy and individuals, within the provenience and the place of economic consumption with the objective of meeting the demands of customers (especially, military organizations). Logistics postulate the consolidation of data, transportation system, armory, repositing, material-wielding, packaging and promotion. Logistics management is that component of the supply chain which projects, enforces and checks the effective, frontward and overturns flux and storehouse of commodities, services and interrelated data (Tompkins Harmelink, 2008). In the business sector, logistics might have either inner focus (inward supply), or outside focus (outward supply) tracking the flux and reposition of materials. The primary works of a qualified logician include stock management, purchasing, transport and shipping, repositing, consultation and the coordination and designing of these activities. Software system is used for logistics mechanization, which aids the supply chain industry in automatizing the workflow as well as management of the organization. Production logistics assures that each machine and workstation is being flowed with the right merchandise in the right measure and lineament at the right point (About FedEx, 2008). The paper describes a global logistics organization. The organization that I have selected is FedEx Corporation (FDX), which is a popular logistics services company. It is established in the United States. Earlier, FedEx was known as Federal Express Corporation, Federal Express and FDX Corporation. FedEx is coordinated into different functioning units, each of which possesses its own variant of the word label, planned by Linden Leader of Lander Associates, in 1994. For each division, the Fed is in purple color and the Ex in a different color according to the divisions. The master FedEx logotype featured the Ex in orange; it is nowadays used as the FedEx Express word label. The FedEx word label is noteworthy for incorporating a concealed right-heading pointer in the negative blank space between the E and the X (About FedEx, 2008). Factors that impact transportation needs There are many factors, which affect the transportation requirements for global logistics. Some of them are explained below:- Energy: It is a very significant factor that affects the transportation needs. If there is any increase in the cost of electricity, fuel, etc., it will create a great impact on the operating cost and thus will affect transportation. There are many transportation projects that are feasible, but fail due to the energy factor. For this, solutions to conserve energy should be developed while striving to achieve the goals. Some ways to conserve energy resources are: Suspension programs: This implies minimal power usage during off- shifts and providing incentives to the users who cut back their usage during high load periods (Tompkins Harmelink, 2008). High-ratio units: This involves the installation of high efficiency gadgets, with no performance penalty. It requires investment, which reduces the payback and also the monthly bill. The rising cost of fuel is a very sensitive issue whether it is concerned with third party transporters or private fleet. Some strategies to overcome this are:- Mode assessment: According to the service requirements, the mode of assessment can be changed, which can result in reduced freight cost. Transportation management systems (TMS): This system can provide proper planning and effective load tendering and result in substantial savings. Private fleet concerns: They can attain control over the fuel cost and its usage. The investment can be reduced by eliminating one or more fuel supply chain links. Off-Highway Vehicles: In the United States, issues continue to be under scrutinies that are related to environment and air quality. If there are more stringent air regulations, it will affect warehousing. For this, electric vehicles can be used in place of non- electric vehicles. As a result, manufacturers of electric rolling stock will give great power and efficiency vehicles (Tompkins Harmelink, 2008). Price: Price is an important factor in determining the transportation partner for many companies. Past trends and records do not relate to the future performances. Presently, companies require efficient, effective and minimum transportation cost. Competition is growing at a fast pace in the logistics industry and the companies, which operate with core values at low price become successful in the market. Global Marketplace: Global impact must always be viewed in the changing supply chain. Transportation and operation system should be designed in a way that products and packaging can be accomplished easily by the international customers. Exporting services include inbound and outbound freights to carry on international transactions. The company should provide 24 hour services for the customers (Tompkins Harmelink, 2008). Weather: It is also a significant factor that affects transportation system. If there are any weather uncertainties, it will negatively affect the transportation activities and can bring losses for the company. It can also affect the market functions and the exchange rates. Logistics Methods The logistics activities are carried out differently in different geographical area. If it is a local transaction, it can be carried out through roadways i.e. by vans, trucks, lorries and buses. If it is an out of state transaction, the transportation activities can be carried out through roadways as well as railways. If the transaction is coast to coast, it is carried out through ships. And the global transactions are carried through air as well as ships. The goods, information and resources are managed through effective distribution channels. There are separate logistics departments to handle these different types of transactions related to energy and people. There should be a proper balance between the inbound and outbound logistics for accomplishing effective transportation and operations in the market (Harps, 2008). Strategic requirements of global logistics Strategic planning has a great importance in global logistics and is very essential for the business to grow in the right direction. Strategic analysis can be used to forecast the demand and supply of the inventory, manpower, transportation and warehousing. Strategic network consists of the location, number and size of warehouses and dispersion centers and facilities. Strategic alliances or partnerships with the suppliers and distributors producing communication lines for decisive entropy and functional betterments, such as cross dockage, direct transportation and third-party logistics are also important for global logistics (Olavarrieta Ellinger, 1997). Strategic requirements also include product design co-ordination to integrate the new and existing products into the load management of the supply chain. Strategic analysis also supports the supply chain operations through information technology infrastructure. It helps in deciding, what to make and buy for the business. So, the overall organizational strategy is aligned with the supply strategy to support the global logistics operations. References About FedEx. (2008). Retrieved August 22, 2008 from http://about.fedex.designcdt.com/ Harps, L.S. (2008). Best Practices in Todays Distribution Center. Retrieved August 22, 2008 from http://www.inboundlogistics.com/articles/features/0505_feature01.shtml Olavarrieta, S. Ellinger, A.E. (1997). Resource-based theory and strategic logistics research. International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management 27(9/10), 559- 587. Tompkins, J.A. Harmelink, D. (2008). 15 Key Factors That Impact Your Distribution Network Effectiveness. Retrieved August 22, 2008 from http://www.tompkinsinc.com/publications/competitive_edge/articles/07-04-Distribution_Networks.asp

Sunday, August 4, 2019

On the Function and Evolution of Sleep Essay -- Biology Essays Researc

On the Function and Evolution of Sleep If physiologists devoted the most research time to behaviors humans engaged in the most, we would probably have a full understanding of the biological purpose of sleep. After all, humans, with the exception of most college students, spend one third of their lives in a somnolent state. Despite its fundamental role in human and animal life, sleep is, even in an age when neuroscience has reduced many behaviors to neurological mechanisms, still quite mysterious. What processes are taking place during sleep that benefit the organism? Why spend so much time in an unresponsive and vulnerable state? That these questions haven't been definitively answered is really not a function of a lack of effort on the part of scientists, but rather of the difficulties inherent in studying sleep. It is easy to observe the harm that is done to a human or animal deprived of sleep. A rat prevented from sleeping will lose the ability to maintain body temperature and die in about three weeks, showing no eviden ce of physiological damage (1). In humans, sleep deprivation impairs thinking and suppresses the immune system. But why this deterioration take place is less clear, and the object of disagreeing theories. This essay will try to explain the function of sleep based on what is now known, and attempt to shed light on the reasons and mechanisms for its evolution. An investigation of the control, and perhaps the origin, of sleep might best begin with the hypothalamus, a flat, horizontal structure in the brain that is known to play an important role. Damage to the back portion of the hypothalamus causes somnolence, indicating that when intact, it sustains alertness (1). In contrast, damage to the front part indu... ...t suggests that some of the circuits employed in sensory reception and processing also function to establish and maintain memory, and that both functions cannot be achieved simultaneously. Sleep circumvents this limitation, and is thus a well adapted behavior. WWW Sources 1)Scientific American "In Focus" http://www.sciam.com/missing.cfm 2)Sleep and Memory: Evolutionary Perspectives http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/SRS/publications.htm 3)REM Sleep = Dreaming: Only a Dream http://bisleep.medsch.ucla.edu/SRS/rosenlicht-feinberg.htm 4)Birds May Refine Their Songs While Sleeping" ,Science Magazine article http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/282/5397/2163 Additional Resources Discussion on Sleep Evolution ,Scientific American article http://www.sciam.com/missing.cfm The Journal "Sleep" http://www.stanford.edu/dept/sleep/journal/

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Argumentative Essay: America Does NOT Need Gun Control :: Gun Control Essays

Americans are faced with a huge problem of violence in the streets, these streets have become a place where old people are beaten for their social security checks, where little women are attacked and raped, where teen aged thugs shoot it out for some turf to sell their illegal drugs, and finally where small children everyday are caught in the way of bullets during drive by shootings. We try to ignore the criminals in our society and how they hurt it, but we shouldn’t. We should take actions to stop these acts of crazy people. And people try, but the hard work of some misguided individuals to stop the legal ownership of guns doesn’t really affect the problem at all, and takes the guns from the innocent citizens, who simply want means of self defense. Take a look at the history of our country and the role guns have played in it. According to the second amendment gun ownership is perfectly legal and guaranteed as a right. There were and are good reasons for this, luckily they are still practiced today. Back in the day guns used to be for hunting and, on the occasion self defense. But when the colonists of this country had enough of British rule, they picked up there own personal guns and went to war and the British saw first hand how powerful the rough band of average American gun owners were. Our forefathers knew that the general population if armed would be key in winning the war. And it was. Over the years some of the reasons to own guns have changed. As Americans moved west fulfilling Manifest Destiny, making new towns along the way which were far away from any established law. These people made laws through the barrel of a gun. Of course crime still happened, but not nearly as often, when the townspeople simply hunted down and shot the criminal. Eventually, police forces arose in the Midwest, and fewer people carried guns with them on the street but they were still there, visible or not. It was after the civil war that the first gun control freaks came to be known. These were southerners who were worried the newly freed slaves would take advantage of the newly acquired right to keep and bear arms. However, over time, it became illegal for all blacks to own guns. But by their common nature they broke the law and owned guns anyways.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Feminism in Pokemon

A Pokà ©mon or â€Å"pocket monster† is a popular anime that is based on the story of a young â€Å"Pokà ©mon Trainer† â€Å"Ash† in his journey to become a â€Å"Pokà ©mon master†. This means capturing and training Pokà ©mon to create an elite team of the strongest so that you can say you are master of all Pokà ©mon hence a Pokà ©mon master, this also consists of capturing every type of Pokà ©mon and completing your poke-dex (a electronic encyclopaedia on Pokà ©mon that automatically records the amount of different Pokà ©mon seen and caught).Whilst it may seem very friendly and childish the story is open to interpretation and could be viewed from a feminist standpoint to be actually misogynistic. The first female character introduced in the series is Ash’s mom, she is introduced as the stereotypical mother however if we look closer at her we can see how see is trapped in a life of servitude and loneliness. That is why she is so attached to her son. There is a clear absence of Ash’s father that is often left unanswered; this could be interpreted to mean that the mother figure in a boy’s life is far more important than that of the father.The reason that Ash father is not present throughout the series is left deliberately vague however there is a reference to him becoming a Pokà ©mon trainer and starting his own journey. With this information I would say that it isn’t that much of a leap to say that perhaps he abandoned Mrs Ketchum (Delia Ketchum). The fact that it is â€Å"Mrs† shows that she married Mr Ketchum who had abandoned her; she also took his name. She runs the only Pokà ©mon restaurant in Palet town and has to take care of her child Ash and in return she again is deserted by him as he leaves on his adventure.This however doesn’t seem to be an abnormality and shows that it is common for women in Pokà ©mon to be imprisoned by their â€Å"duties† and not free to follo w their dreams of becoming a Pokà ©mon trainer like the males, instead they become housewives however there is a sense of equality as women are given the liberty to start the adventure, if they are not burdened by their duties. However despite all her misery she is still expected for her only desires to be to help Ash and to serve him as it is her â€Å"duty†.The next female character we are introduced to is Misty, she is portrayed as a â€Å"tom-boy†, with romantic affections towards Ash, she desires to help Ash and serve him, although her ego would never admit it. Once she develops a character with greater dimensions she is forcibly removed from the story line by fading her into the background completely dissolving and any love interests between her and Ash showing that their relationship was meaningless and that she could simply be tossed aside. She is then replaced by another female companion for Ash, another â€Å"play-mate†.She is forced to stay with her sisters and stay in the gym. Again like Delia Ketchum she is forced to abandon her dreams due to her duties and is deserted by the man she loves. Another important female character is Jessy she is described as manipulative and is working in the evil cooperation of team rocket attempting to steal rare Pokà ©mon. James is her weaker male partner and Jessy is far more dominant. He is constantly forced to dress up in a disguise along with Jessy however Jessy disguises herself as the dominant male whilst James the female showing the symbolic difference in power between the two characters.This may be interpreted to be a positive sign as a woman may rise to the power of a man and a man sink to a woman but the very fact that this idea is conveyed shows a sexist ideology and is anti-feminist as it shows inequality within the sexes. In other words the idea that because Jessy is stronger she should be male and James is weaker and should be female is conveyed by their cross dressing. Woman in Pokà ©mon dress in skimpy clothing, including Misty who is supposed to be pre-teen. This could be interpreted to the liberation of women, as they are allowed to wear what they want when they want.However another interpretation is that they are viewed as mere sexual objects that are open to sexual flirtation, this is why Brock, who is a notorious womaniser, is constantly shown flirting with female characters throughout the show and is entitled to make passes on them. However this is quickly ended by Misty who would grab Brock by the ear and throws him to the ground. This may seem like a humorous practice however this could be interpreted into Brock showing sexual aggression and him seeing women as a mere outlet for his sexual desires.That is why Misty must quickly throw him to the ground to prevent him from enacting his dark desires. When Misty fades away another female companion comes along to prevent Brock, in other words they are a â€Å"Brock block†, but none are as aggre ssive as Misty. He often flirts with Nurse Joy, the fact that she is identical to all the other Nurse Joys shows that women in the poke-world that pursue a medical carer can be simply casted as the stereotypical â€Å"Nurse Joy†. A one dimensional character that is ruled by her emotions to help heal Pokà ©mon.Notice how it is â€Å"Nurse Joy† not â€Å"Doctor Joy† implying that she can only ever rise to a rank of a â€Å"Nurse† an assistant to a â€Å"Doctor†. He also flirts with Officer Jenny; she also is identical to all the other officer Jennys this shows that women in the poke-world that pursue a career in policing can be simply casted as the stereotypical â€Å"Officer Jenny† or â€Å"Nurse Joy. A one dimensional character that is ruled by her emotions to help prevent crimes. Although it is a relief that women can pursue a career in policing and medicine they are still thrown into the stereotype of the typical â€Å"Officer Jennyâ₠¬ .Also they are presented as loud and presumptive, believing that the Ash is often the culprit but within minutes apologising for her presumptive nature showing her ignorance and naà ¯ve nature. An interesting new aspect of Pokà ©mon is Competitions, Pokà ©mon Contests were first introduced early on and Contests originated in the Hoenn region. In them, Coordinators show how beautiful and skilful they and their Pokà ©mon can be. Showing that the very focus is on the trainers and Pokà ©mon’s appearance, this shows how judgemental and cruel the Pokà ©mon world really is.I would argue that it is similar to shows like â€Å"America’s Next Top Model†; these shows are fixated on broadcasting a false image of women and create an expectation that is impossible for women to measure up to. This was made explicitly clear in a banned episode of Pokà ©mon where Misty is forced to compete in a swimwear contest and is threatened by James who cross-dresses and wears inf latable breasts; this shows the emphasis on big breasts as a sign of beauty and worth in both our society and the Pokà ©mon society.Overall I believe Pokà ©mon is remarkably similar to our own society and the issues faced by women, although women are also allowed to start of their own journey and even join the elite four (The Elite Four are four Pokà ©mon Trainers who are regarded as the toughest in their regional Pokà ©mon League, short of the Pokà ©mon League Champion. Those who challenge the Elite Four must have won all eight Badges from that region and face all four and the current Champion consecutively without losing to any of them. there is inequalities that is not only caused by the double standards and expectations of women but by their lack of liberty and burdens of responsibility. If we look back at Delia Ketchum she is abandoned by Mr Ketchum and forced to look after Ash whilst maintaining a restaurant passed down to her from her mother and is never allowed to pursu e her dreams of becoming a Pokà ©mon trainer and model. She is not shown any sympathy or pity she is merely marginalised along with many other characters and this practice is ongoing, Misty was just another victim of this cruel system.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Marginalized Populations

April 14,2010 Communication for Marginalized Populations By: Nae Robinson Axia College of University of Phoenix HCA 230 Communication Skills for the Health Car Professional In this assignment we had to pick the best scenario for the four scenario that was given. I chose scenario 1, about an elderly woman who went to see the doctor for a examination her name is Mrs. Elson. She had a 24-year old medical assistant name Rosie who has been working in primary care practice for six months. While examining Mrs. Elson she weigh her, and took her blood pressure, at the same time she notice that Mrs. Elson was hard of hearing and show signs of stress and anxiety and seem confused about her results. We had three choices to choose from to see how the assistant would handle it and I chose choice 2 which states: â€Å" Mrs. Elson, your blood pressure is somewhat above normal–but normal can mean different numbers for different people. † â€Å" And what does that mean for me? † Mrs. Elson asks. Rosie says, â€Å" The doctor will have so much more information to share with you as to whether you have a problem and how to resolve it if you do. † I will be sure to document your question in the chart so he can address it with you. Accounting to the feedback for my choice, it is important that the technician keep the elderly patient in a positive mood, and diffuse extra anxiety above that which naturally occurs in a setting such as this. It is okay to share the blood pressure numbers; it is also possible to just say– â€Å"it is a little elevated. It is not the province of the medical technician to make personal commentary as to the reasons for this elevation. Essentially although she is a caregiver, she is not the primary caregiver, and does not have the expertise to make pronouncements or decisions for the patient. In scenario 3, you had a 39-year old woman from Venezuela who name is Ramona. She is an illegal alien with a green card pending and had been in the Un ited States for 17-years. This patient can speak English but do not speak it well so she have her 10-year old daughter interprets for her who’s name is Patricia. Jane, is the medical assistant who come in the examining room to discuss the problem with Ramona. The best choice for this situation is choice 1 which states: Hello, my name is Jane, Dr. Haven assistant, I am here to get you ready to see the doctor. How are you Ramona? And who is this beautiful child with you? Ramona responds, â€Å" This is my daughter, Patricia. † If I do not understand everything that you or the doctor says, Patricia can always help us out and interpret for me. â€Å" Good†, says Jane. â€Å" That what we need. † So what seems to be the problem. The feedback for the choice I pick states: Jane made Ramona and Patricia comfortable through friendly dialogue and by acknowledging Patricia. Now Ramona will be able to converse much more easily with the doctor, and Patricia will likely contribute valuable information. Last but not least scenario 4, we have a situation about the emergency room and how busy they can be. And if a situation is not of life or death people must sign in and wait to be call. We have a patient who walk in the emergency room name Marty, who eyes are red-rimmed and his breathing is rapid and shallow. He appears mussed, and not too clean. He moves erratically to the registration counter, where Maura is waiting to sign in patients. Now let’s see how she handle this situation with Marty. Out of the three choices number 2 is the best choice on how Maura handle the situation and it states: â€Å" Sir, you look in distress. † May I help you? I need help, said Marty. â€Å" What seems to be the problem? † Asks Maura. â€Å" Well, Marty says, I’m a farmer; I know it is allergy season, but I took my Asthma medicine and still can’t breathe! Please help me. According to the feedback for the choice I made; Maura, concern about the patient’s health, rather than his physical appearance, by identifying that Marty was in serious respiratory distress. By recognizing that he deserved as much or more care than other patients in the room, Maura correctly fulfilled her role as administrative staff. Good job Maura!!! I feel that this lesson from the simulatio n activity is to help handle different situations that may come up when you are a caregiver and work in the population. It also show how to handle ourselves and communicate with our patient’s on their level so they can understand us better.