Multiculturalism in Human Resource Management Essay

Multiculturalism in Human Resource Management - Essay Example I believe that the essence of diversity, cultural or otherwise, is the co-existence of different attributes within a single social environment. For instance, if there are different cultures involved, but each culture is encountered within the context of its own social milieu, then there is multiculturalism but no diversity, because the employees are not members of a minority culture subjected to a dominant culture. On the other hand, if the variety of cultures were encountered within the United States, then one might say that cultural diversity existed. The essence of â€Å"diversity† is pluralism within a single context, â€Å"diversity in the creation of a common society† (McGraw & Formicola, 2005, p. 14). Therefore, if the multiculturalism involved a multinational hiring individuals of different races or cultures in different overseas subsidiaries only because a particular race or culture is prevalent in that particular host country, then diversity did not exist as p lurality because the cultures were dominant in their own locales. The answer to the third question affirms that diversity and inclusion are important in the business environment, but is not clear on why diversity is important. The example given is that diversity draws world customers closer to the organization rather than alienates them. However, culture-sensitive marketing strategy changes consumer perception of the firm, without necessarily transforming the parent corporation into a diverse and inclusive entity (Van Mesdag, 1999). A devolved management approach that employs cultural adaptation in its marketing efforts does not necessarily result in a diverse work force, although a diverse work force may draw customers of different attributes and backgrounds, within the parent company’s environment, closer to it. Response for the post of Student 2 (Brandon Burton) The post points out an important challenge to diversity, that is, how the ideals and theoretical principles of d iversity are actualized so that one may say, â€Å"Our corporation has achieved diversity†. The difficulty in arriving at a cogent description of diversity is underscored by Brandon’s questions: Is it hiring more minorities? Is it seeking minorities who think differently? While these ambiguities are well illustrated, there appears to be something missing in the definition that is arrived at. Diversity in this post is defined in terms of possessing different ideas, personal as well as business experiences, and culture (in what sense is uncertain – culture related to nationality or ethnicity, or culture related to personal upbringing and orientation?). It appears that this definition defeats the concept behind â€Å"diversity and inclusion† because it ignores the sense behind â€Å"inclusion.† â€Å"It is generally accepted that ‘Inclusion’ means inviting those who have been historically locked out to ‘come in’.† (Asa nte, n.d.). The post is correct in stressing that the person with the right qualifications must be hired, but the implicit premise here is that diversity will compel the business to hire one who is not qualified. Diversity and inclusion are specific in that they are initiatives which aim to set straight the historical prejudices that relegated people of certain races, creeds, cultures, and other attributes to cycles of poverty and exclusion. Diversity is â€Å"a moral imperative to ensure justice and fair treatment of all members of society†¦The comprehensive proactive organization focuses not only on the business case for diversity, but also actively on the social justice case and what is ‘the right thing to do’

Jazz Music between World Wars Essay Example for Free

Jazz Music between World Wars Essay The jazz craze in music during the 1920s reflected a general spirit of the times for many commentators like Seldes that this decade became known as the Jazz Age. Following World War I, jazz music certainly captured the popular imagination. The rapid popularity of jazz music led to its equally rapid spread among musicians. No other style up to this time in American popular music so quickly came to dominate popular performance. The American vernacular, which had already made significant inroads into the commercial popular music market, had captured popular tastes at an unprecedented level, seemingly sweeping aside the old â€Å"standards. † And just as ragtime and syncopated dance music became part of earlier commercial popular music, the dominance of jazz in the 1920s also represented a major triumph of the black vernacular in American popular music. The jazz craze began through the influence of non-professional musicians. While still marginal to most legitimate venues, non-professional musicians performing the jazz vernacular were attracting audiences to clubs, theaters, restaurants, and were popular in the speakeasies of the 1920s. They also had opportunities for their music to reach a broader audience in a booming record market following World War I. Professional musicians, however, quickly adopted jazz music in their orchestras and smaller bands. They co-opted the jazz fever while simultaneously distancing themselves from non-professionals. (Charters, 39-43) By occupying the most lucrative jobs in theaters, dance halls, hotels, and other venues, professional musicians positioned themselves as the premier interpreters of this new vernacular idiom in commercial popular music. The common defense of jazz as good music during the Jazz Age embraced the professional musicians and professional composers who performed and created jazz music, not the non-professional musicians who first introduced it. In adopting jazz idioms, professional musicians were simply continuing the process of cultivating the American vernacular. Black professional musicians were already adopting black vernacular idioms in their music making in earlier syncopated society orchestras and simply adopted jazz idioms as well as the name in their â€Å"jazz† orchestras. (Bushell, 72-75) White professional musicians had performed rags as part of their repertoire in the past, but with the jazz craze, many were quick to adopt syncopated dance and jazz practices in some form as the defining style of their profession. White professional musicians also quickly followed black professional musicians in transforming their bands into jazz orchestras, and just as quickly claimed to be the modern proponents of this new American popular music. Black and white professional jazz orchestras in the 1920s established the basic instrumentation, arrangement, and techniques of the big band dance orchestras that dominated American popular music until the 1950s. In the 1920s, an emerging new ideal of good music involved a balancing of the previous cultivated practices and cultivated music of professional musicians with popular vernacular idioms. The proper balance, however, was hotly debated. Professional musicians would constantly distance themselves from the pure vernacular of non-professional musicians. In defending their balance of the cultivated and the vernacular in popular performance, popular tastes, however, were demanding jazz music and a professional musician would be remiss to ignore his patrons in the popular music market as much as stodgy critics and some professional musicians would rail against the pernicious influence of jazz. Professional musicians in mediating the popular music market had to continue to navigate the moral, aesthetic, class, and racial construction of good music in America. While popular tastes in musical entertainment promoted the black vernacular in commercial popular music, the plight of the African American community in the United States continued to be dire. Some leaders in the black community had hoped that African Americans participation during World War I in both the military and in industry, and the Great Migration out of the Jim Crow South, would change their fortunes as segregated and oppressed second class citizens. The post-war years, however, dashed most hopes of any immediate positive change. (DeVeaux, 6-29) Race relations went in the opposite direction. Race riots sprung up across the nation while lynching continued to be a regular occurrence. Efforts continued to secure the legal segregation of black communities, and the labor movement continued to exclude blacks. The Ku Klux Klan reached its peak membership and popularity during the 1920s. The segregation and denigration of the black community was also reflected in the social organization of American music. (Hansen, 493-97) Besides the segregation of audiences and most venues, black professional musicians also remained outside the artistic community of white professional musicians in terms of unions, band organizations, and this communitys vision of a professional class of artist in America. The balance of the cultivated and the vernacular among professional musicians also continued to run against elitist conceptions of popular music and popular musicians as less legitimate than the music, musicians, and composers of the European cultivated tradition of classical and opera music. Black professional musicians also continued to strive to break through the barriers erected against them in the world of European cultivated music. This continuing tension in the implied lower status of professional musicians who performed American popular music erupted during the Jazz Age into an open rebellion against the European cultivated tradition. Professional musicians in jazz orchestras attempted to counter the singular role claimed by the European cultivated tradition. These musicians asserted that jazz was a true American or African American school of fine art music in contrast to cultivated European music – a populist appeal for high art legitimacy. This high art turn in American popular music, however, ultimately failed when the depression wreaked havoc on the popular music market. With the introduction of a new popular music market of live performances, records, broadcasts, and films, the quest for legitimacy among professional popular musicians would have to take another route. It was a period where professional popular musicians in adopting the jazz vernacular went against the reigning cultural hierarchy in America. (Peretti, 234-40) The period following World War I was a crucial turning point in American popular music. The American vernacular in general was storming the ramparts of the old edifice of good music as Tin Pan Alley song and dance dominated popular performance. Both professional and nonprofessional musicians also were benefiting from more affluent times and the growing importance of entertainment in the lives of most urban Americans. To the chagrin of elite and moral defenders of nineteenth century cultural idealism, most urban Americans were readily joining a Cultural Revolution in commercial popular entertainment. And at the center of this revolution was the national craze for jazz music and jazz dance. The jazz craze made syncopated rhythms and other black vernacular idioms central elements of American popular music making. While many small jazz bands performed a black vernacular style of music from the Delta Region of New Orleans, jazz music in the 1920s encompassed not only this style but syncopated dance music, blues music, piano rags, and virtually any tune jazzed up by musicians. The jazz craze in essence was the craze for the black vernacular among popular audiences and the performance of this vernacular in some form by popular musicians and popular singers both professional and non-professional. The extent to which musicians and singers actually adopted the black vernacular rather than a superficial imitation – critique later jazz critics would make of certain sweet jazz during the 1920s – is less important than the fact that jazz entered the consciousness of the nation and musicians as the reigning popular music. The word Jazz seems to have found a permanent place in the vocabulary of popular music. It was used originally as an adjective describing a band that in playing for dancing were so infected with their own rhythm that they themselves executed as much, if not more, contortions than the dancers. The popularity of the raggy music has created a demand for music with exaggerated syncopation, an attempt as it were to produce the wonderful broken rhythms of the primitive African jungle orchestra. The jazz craze also coincided with the growth of black entertainment. During the 1920s, black entertainment districts like the South Side in Chicago and Harlem in New York City witnessed a major boom. Besides entertaining the large black populations of The Great Migration, black musicians and singers were entertaining white audiences who went uptown for their entertainment. The boom in the 1920s in black entertainment, as Kenny (1993, 89-92) and Shaw (1987, 122-30) show, was driven by the demand for the black vernacular. In musical theater, musical revues, vaudeville, dance, and speakeasies, the black vernacular and black artists were in demand. This demand was met not only in black entertainment districts, but also outside these districts as black artists performed for white audiences in musical revues, dance halls, and clubs in white entertainment districts. The popularity of the black vernacular also increased when record producers discovered a race market in black music. Most members of the New England School of cultivated music like Mason, and other defenders of the old ideal of good music, were stridently against the influence of jazz in both popular music and classical music. Repeating the moral, aesthetic, class, and racial epithets used to condemn the popularization of vernacular jazz, the guardians of the old ideal ridiculed any idea of jazz meriting the status of high art or even having an influence on serious music composition and performance. As David Stanley Smith, Professor of Music at Yale University, argued in The Musician of August 1926, jazz musics â€Å"monotonous rhythm, as unvaried as the chug-chug of a steam engine, enslaves its practitioners within a formula, and induces in composer, performer, and listener a stupor of mind and emotion. † On the other hand, many of those individuals who embraced â€Å"modernism† in cultivated music were sympathetic to jazz music. These modernists emphasized jazz as the legitimate expression of the times and a nation. (Stewart, 102-109) The debate within the cultivated tradition between old idealists and modernists on the influence of jazz revolved mainly around the influence of popular jazz on serious music composition and performance. That the question would be posed in such a manner spoke to how, by the 1920s, the European cultivated tradition had organizationally and ideologically broken from the world of commercial popular music. Crossover between popular music and cultivated music occurred during the 1920s, but organizational and ideological barriers left little chance that jazz musicians would transform the cultivated tradition. The very formation of a separate world of cultivated music in the United States was predicated on its distinction from commercial popular music, popular musicians, and popular tastes – a distinction further exacerbated by jazz music being an expression of the black vernacular. The influence of jazz within the cultivated tradition, however, was debated during the 1920s as professional musicians laid claim to a truly American art form and modernists promoted the incorporation of jazz in serious music composition and performance. (Badger, 48-67) Traditionalists, of course, had reason to be optimistic as the economic depression following the 1929 stock market crash wreaked havoc on the commercial market of popular jazz music. Defenders of the European cultivated tradition also had reason to celebrate as the confident proclamations of professional musicians on jazz as Americas first authentic art receded to the background as these musicians adjusted to changed economic circumstances and a new popular music market. Professional musicians struggle for legitimacy during the Jazz Age, however, laid the ideological and musical foundation upon which the next generation of professional musicians would construct a modern jazz paradigm. In their quest for legitimacy as professional artists, they were the first popular artists to attempt to transform the moral, aesthetic, class, and racial constructions of the old ideal of good music in America. While their efforts contained their own complicity in manners of distinction, the contradictions of an elite populism embedded in a racist culture, they did struggle to create an alternative understanding of art and society in America. As the self-appointed mediators of the American vernacular, professional musicians and composers ardently worked to construct an alternative form of good music to that of the European cultivated music tradition – a music reflecting in some fashion the world of popular audiences and popular tastes. ( DeVeaux, 525-40) In this process of syncretism, the reinvention and reinterpretation of musical idioms and practices, these artists created the American big band dance orchestra and the Tin Pan Alley song that dominated American popular music until the middle of the twentieth century. While jazz did not become a universally recognized American high art form during the Jazz Age, professional musicians and composers transformed it into legitimate popular art music, although at the expense of those non-professional vernacular musicians who did not assimilate into their profession. The need for professional musicians to legitimate popular dance orchestras disappeared after the 1920s, and the old ideal of good music no longer occupied this professional class of musician. (Gioia, 213-20) The emergence of an alternative ideal of good music among professional musicians signaled a final separation between popular music making and the cultivated tradition in American music. This break was both ideological and practical; a reflection of both a new professional ethos among professional musicians and the culmination of the division in the social organization of American music between the world of popular music and the world of European cultivated music. (Lopes, 25-36) The previous crisscrossing professionally between the cultivated tradition and popular music making was no longer part of this profession. The future big band leaders and musicians of the Swing Era began their professional careers not in symphonies, but in the small jazz ensembles and jazz orchestras of the Jazz Age. The fate of jazz was seemed threatened by the power over popular music of a new mass media industry of broadcasts, recordings, and film. Just when the fortunes of jazz seemed dead and buried, however, the swing craze reignited popular interest in the cultivated jazz vernacular. (Hennessey, 156-60) The promotion of sweet music and the subsequent swing craze, however, set in motion a new distinction within the profession of musician. No longer than singularly obsessed with the world of European cultivated music, professional musicians who assimilated the black jazz vernacular now viewed sweet music as their more direct nemesis. The race and class boundaries articulated in the old ideal of good music were now articulated more directly for professional musicians in the distinction between the popular music cultures of sweet and swing.

The Power of Community Service :: Community Service Essays

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill "If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way." - Buddha In 2014, I traveled to New Orleans for a National Youth Gathering. Some 30,000 students and advisers donned orange t-shirts and fanned out across the city to serve. Our group was assigned the task of clearing roadsides and medians. We spent the day picking up trash and removing cat claw, an invasive and difficult weed. It was the kind of work most of us took for granted because it was something we would do at home. I remember being shocked at the number of people who stopped, rolled down their car windows, and said thank you. Regular yard work that seemed so insignificant to us made a big difference to them. We all had something to contribute and in turn were transformed by the experience; we gave our labor and the people of New Orleans showed us amazing hospitality. For me this reciprocal effect is the most transformational of community service. The more I give and serve, the more I find my life enriched by sharing with others. Community service is part of my life, something ordinary rather than extraordinary, part of life’s journey rather than a goal, destination or high school graduation requirement. As long as I can remember service to others was modeled and encouraged by my family and teachers. To say how I have been transformed in past tense paints an incomplete picture because I am still learning and growing, both being shaped by the process of service and shaping the process by which I serve. This much I can say with certainty: we all have something to give, and a life of service expands one’s world exponentially and unexpectedly. It is easy to feel too small to make a difference as only one of more than seven billion people on this planet. Even the smallest candle is capable of giving light, and when myriad tiny candles burn together a room, a life or a cause can turn into a conflagration of hope and change. The simplest action can initiate a ripple effect that spreads around the world. What I can never hope to do alone may be possible with the shared efforts of others. The Power of Community Service :: Community Service Essays "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill "If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way." - Buddha In 2014, I traveled to New Orleans for a National Youth Gathering. Some 30,000 students and advisers donned orange t-shirts and fanned out across the city to serve. Our group was assigned the task of clearing roadsides and medians. We spent the day picking up trash and removing cat claw, an invasive and difficult weed. It was the kind of work most of us took for granted because it was something we would do at home. I remember being shocked at the number of people who stopped, rolled down their car windows, and said thank you. Regular yard work that seemed so insignificant to us made a big difference to them. We all had something to contribute and in turn were transformed by the experience; we gave our labor and the people of New Orleans showed us amazing hospitality. For me this reciprocal effect is the most transformational of community service. The more I give and serve, the more I find my life enriched by sharing with others. Community service is part of my life, something ordinary rather than extraordinary, part of life’s journey rather than a goal, destination or high school graduation requirement. As long as I can remember service to others was modeled and encouraged by my family and teachers. To say how I have been transformed in past tense paints an incomplete picture because I am still learning and growing, both being shaped by the process of service and shaping the process by which I serve. This much I can say with certainty: we all have something to give, and a life of service expands one’s world exponentially and unexpectedly. It is easy to feel too small to make a difference as only one of more than seven billion people on this planet. Even the smallest candle is capable of giving light, and when myriad tiny candles burn together a room, a life or a cause can turn into a conflagration of hope and change. The simplest action can initiate a ripple effect that spreads around the world. What I can never hope to do alone may be possible with the shared efforts of others.

The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 18

Elena came back to the real world slowly, fighting it all the way. She sank her nails into the leather of Damon's jacket, found herself wondering briefly if removing it would help, and then her mood was shattered again by that sound – a sharp, imperative knock. Damon raised his head and snarled. We are a pair of wolves, aren't we? Elena thought. Fighting nail and tooth. But, another part of her mind supplied, that isn't stopping the knocking. He warned those girls†¦. Those girls! Bonnie and Meredith! And he'd said not to interrupt unless the house was on fire! But, the doctor – oh, God, something's happened to that poor, wretched woman! She's dying! Damon was still snarling, a trace of blood on his lips. It was only a trace, because her second wound had really been healed just as thoroughly as the first, the one across her cheekbone. Elena had no idea how long it had been since she had pulled Damon to her to kiss this cut. But now, with her blood in his veins and his pleasure interrupted, he was like an untamed black panther in her arms. She didn't know whether she could stop him or even slow him down without using raw Power on him. â€Å"Damon!† she said aloud. â€Å"Out there – those are our friends. Remember? Bonnie and Meredith and the healer.† â€Å"Meredith,† Damon said, and again his lips peeled back, exposing terrifyingly long canines. He still wasn't in reality. If he saw Meredith now, he wouldn't be frightened, Elena thought – and, oh yes, she knew how her logical, thoughtful friend made Damon uneasy. They saw the world through such different eyes. She irked him like a pebble in his shoe. But right now he might deal with that unease in a way that would leave Meredith a savaged corpse. â€Å"Let me go see,† she said, as the knock came again – couldn't they stop that? Didn't she have enough to deal with? Damon's arms merely tightened around her. She felt a flash of heat, because she knew that, even as he restrained her, he was holding back so much of his strength. He didn't want to crush her, as he could if he used a tenth of the power in his hard muscles alone. The wave of feeling that washed over her made her shut her eyes briefly, helplessly, but she knew she had to be the voice of sanity here. â€Å"Damon! They could be warning us – or Ulma may have died.† Death got through to him. His eyes were slits, the bloodred light from the kitchen shutters throwing bars of scarlet and black across his face, making him look more handsome – and more demonic – than ever. â€Å"You'll stay here.† Damon said it flatly, with no idea of being a â€Å"master† or a â€Å"gentleman.† He was a wild beast protecting his mate, the only creature in the world that wasn't competition or food. There was no arguing with him, not in this state. Elena would stay here. Damon would go to do whatever needed to be done. And Elena would stay for as long as he thought necessary. Elena truly didn't know whose thoughts these last were. She and Damon were still trying to untangle their emotions. She decided to watch him and only if he really got out of control†¦ You don't want to see me out of control. Feeling him snap from raw animal instinct to icy, perfect mental dominance was even scarier than the animal alone. She didn't know whether Damon was the sanest person she had ever met or just the one best able to cover up his wildness. She held her torn blouse together and watched as he moved with effortless grace to the door and then, suddenly, violently, wrenched it almost off its hinges. No one fell; no one had been listening in on their private conversation. But Meredith stood, restraining Bonnie with one hand, and with the other hand raised, ready to knock again. â€Å"Yes?† Damon said in glacial tones. â€Å"I thought I told you – â€Å" â€Å"You did, and there is,† Meredith said, interrupting this Damon in an unusual attempt to commit suicide. â€Å"There is what?† Damon snarled. â€Å"There's a mob outside threatening to burn the whole building down. I don't know if they're upset about Drohzne, or about us taking Ulma, but they're enraged about something, and they've got torches. I didn't want to interrupt Elena's – treatment – but Dr. Meggar says they won't listen to him. He's a human.† â€Å"He used to be a slave,† Bonnie added, wresting free of the chokehold that Meredith had on her. She looked up at Damon with streaming brown eyes, hands outstretched. â€Å"Only you can save us,† she said, translating the message of her gaze aloud – which meant that things were really serious. â€Å"All right, all right. I'll go take care of them. You take care of Elena.† â€Å"Of course, but – â€Å" â€Å"No.† Damon had either gone reckless with the blood – and the memories that were still keeping Elena from forming a coherent sentence – or he had somehow overcome all his fear of Meredith. He put a hand on each of her shoulders. He was only one and a half or two inches taller than she was, so he had no trouble holding her eyes. â€Å"You, personally, take care of Elena. Tragedies happen here every minute of the day: unforeseeable, horrible, deadly tragedies. I do not want one happening to Elena.† Meredith looked at him for a long moment, and for once didn't consult Elena with her eyes before answering a question involving her. She simply said, â€Å"I'll protect her,† in a low voice that nevertheless carried. From her stance, from her tone, one could almost hear the unspoken addition, â€Å"with my life† – and it didn't even seem melodramatic. Damon let go of her, strode out the door, and without a backward glance disappeared from Elena's sight. But his mental voice was crystalline in her mind: You'll be safe if there is any way to save you. I swear it. If there was any way to save her. Wonderful. Elena tried to kickstart her brain. Meredith and Bonnie were both staring at her. Elena took a deep breath, automatically sucked for a moment back into the old days, when a girl fresh from a hot date could expect a long and serious debriefing. But all Bonnie said was, â€Å"Your face – it looks much better now!† â€Å"Yes,† Elena said, using the two ends of her blouse to tie a makeshift top around her. â€Å"My leg's the problem. We didn't – didn't finish it yet.† Bonnie opened her mouth, but closed it determinedly, which from Bonnie was a display of heroics similar to Meredith's promise to Damon. When she opened it again it was to say, â€Å"Take my scarf and tie it around your leg. We can fold it sideways and then tie a bow over the side that got hurt. That'll keep pressure on it.† Meredith said, â€Å"I think Dr. Meggar has finished with Ulma. Maybe he can see you.† In the other room, the doctor was once again washing his hands, using a large pump to get more water into the basin. There were deeply red-stained cloths in a pile and a smell that Elena was grateful the doctor had camouflaged with herbs. Also in a large, comfortable-looking chair there sat a woman whom Elena did not recognize. Suffering and terror could change a person, Elena knew, but she could never have realized how much – nor how much relief and freedom from pain could change a face. She had brought with her a woman who huddled until she was almost child-size in Elena's mind, and whose thin, ravaged face, twisted with agony and unrelenting dread, had seemed almost a sort of abstract drawing of a goblin hag. Her skin had been sickly gray in color, her thin hair had scarcely seemed enough to cover her head, and yet it had hung down in strands like seaweed. Everything about her screamed out that she was a slave, from the iron bands around her wrists, to her nakedness and scarred, bloody body, to her bare and rusty feet. Elena could not even have told you the color of the woman's eyes, for they had seemed as gray as the rest of her. Now Elena was confronted by a woman who was perhaps in her early-to mid-thirties. She had a lean, attractive, somehow aristocratic face, with a strong, patrician nose, dark, keen-looking eyes, and beautiful eyebrows like the wings of a flying bird. She was relaxing in the armchair, with her feet up on an ottoman, slowly brushing her hair, which was dark with occasional streaks of gray that lent an air of dignity to the simple deep blue housecoat she was wearing. Her face had wrinkles that lent it character, but overall one sensed a sort of yearning tenderness about her, perhaps because of the slight bulge in her abdomen, which she now gently laid a hand on. When she did this her face bloomed with color and her whole aspect glowed. For an instant Elena thought this must be the doctor's wife or housekeeper and she had a temptation to ask whether Ulma, the poor wreck of a slave, had died. Then she saw what one cuff of the deep blue housecoat could not quite conceal: a glimpse of an iron bracelet. This lean dark aristocratic woman was Ulma. The doctor had worked a miracle. A healer, he had called himself. It was obvious that, like Damon, he could heal wounds. No one who had been whipped as Ulma had could have come round to this state without some powerful magic. Trying to simply stitch up the bloody mess that Elena had brought in had obviously been impossible, and so Dr. Meggar had healed her. Elena had never experienced a situation like this, so she fell back upon the good manners that had been bred into her as a Virginian. â€Å"It's nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Elena,† she said, and held out her hand. The brush fell onto the chair. The woman reached out with both hands to take Elena's into hers. Those keen dark eyes seemed to devour Elena's face. â€Å"You're the one,† she said, and then, swinging her slippered feet off the ottoman, she went down on her knees. â€Å"Oh, no, ma'am! Please! I'm sure the doctor told you to rest. It's best to sit quietly now.† â€Å"But you are the one.† For some reason, the woman seemed to need confirmation. And Elena was willing to do anything to pacify her. â€Å"I'm the one,† Elena said. â€Å"And now I think you should sit down again.† Obedience was immediate, and yet there was a sort of joyful light about everything Ulma did. Elena understood it after only a few hours of slavery. Obeying when one had a choice was entirely different from obeying because disobedience could mean death. But even as Ulma sat, she held out her arms. â€Å"Look at me! Dear seraph, goddess, Guardian – whatever you are: look at me! After three years of living as a beast I have become human again – because of you! You came like an angel of lightning and stood between me and the lash.† Ulma began to weep, but they seemed to be tears of joy. Her eyes searched Elena's face, lingering on the scarred cheekbone. â€Å"But you're no Guardian; they have magicks that protect them and they never interfere. For three years, they never interfered. I saw all my friends, my fellow slaves, fall to his whip and his rage.† She shook her head, as if physically unable to say Drohzne's name. â€Å"I'm so sorry – so sorry†¦.† Elena was fumbling. She glanced back and saw that Bonnie and Meredith were similarly stricken. â€Å"It doesn't matter. I heard your mate killed him on the street.† â€Å"I told her that,† Lakshmi said proudly. She had entered the room without anyone noticing her. â€Å"My mate?† Elena faltered. â€Å"Well, he's not my – I mean, he and I – we – â€Å" â€Å"He's our master,† Meredith said bluntly, from behind Elena. Ulma was still looking at Elena with her heart in her eyes. â€Å"Every day, I will pray for your soul to ascend from here.† Elena was startled. â€Å"Souls can ascend from here?† â€Å"Of course. Repentance and good deeds may accomplish it, and the prayers of others are always taken into consideration, I think.† You sure don't talk like a slave, Elena mused. She tried to think of a way to put it delicately, but she was confused and her leg hurt and her emotions were in turmoil. â€Å"You don't sound like – well, like what I'd expect from a slave,† she said. â€Å"Or am I just being an idiot?† She could see the tears form in Ulma's eyes. â€Å"Oh, God! Please, forget I asked. Please – â€Å" â€Å"No! There is no one I would rather tell. If you wish to hear how I came to this degraded state.† Ulma waited, watching Elena – it was clear that Elena's least wish was to Ulma, a command. Elena looked at Meredith and Bonnie. She couldn't hear any more noises of yelling outside on the street and the building certainly didn't seem to be on fire. Fortunately, at that moment, Dr. Meggar wandered in again. â€Å"Everybody getting acquainted?† he asked, his eyebrows working in opposition now; one up, one down. He had the remnants of a bottle of Black Magic in his hand. â€Å"Yes,† Elena said, â€Å"but I was just wondering if we should be trying to evacuate or anything. Apparently there was a mob – â€Å" â€Å"Elena's mate is going to give them something to think about,† Lakshmi said with relish. â€Å"They've all gone to the Meeting Place to resolve the stuff about Drohzne's property. I bet he'll bash a few heads in and be back in no time,† she added cheerfully, leaving no doubt as to he was. â€Å"Wish I was a boy so I could see it.† â€Å"You were braver than the boys; you were the one who led us here,† Elena told her. Then she consulted Meredith and Bonnie with her eyes. It sounded as if the commotion had moved on elsewhere, and Damon was a master at getting himself out of commotions. He might also†¦need to fight, to rid himself of excess energy from Elena's blood. A commotion might actually be good for him, Elena thought. She looked at Dr. Meggar. â€Å"Will my – will our master be all right, do you think?† Dr. Meggar's eyebrows went up and down. â€Å"He'll probably have to pay Old Drohzne's relatives a blood price, but it shouldn't be too high. Then he can do what he likes with the old bastard's property,† he said. â€Å"I'd say the safest place for you right now is here, away from the Meeting Place.† He went on to enforce that opinion by pouring them all glasses – liqueur glasses, Elena noted – of Black Magic wine. â€Å"Good for the nerves,† he said and took a sip. Ulma smiled her beautiful, heartwarming smile at him, as he took the tray around. â€Å"Thank you – and thank you – and thank you,† she said. â€Å"I won't bore you with my story – â€Å" â€Å"No, tell us; tell us, please!† Now that there was no immediate danger to her friends or to Damon, Elena was eager to hear the tale. Everyone else was nodding. Ulma flushed a little, but began sedately, â€Å"I was born in the reign of Kelemen II,† she said. â€Å"I'm sure that means nothing to our visitors but much to those who knew him and his – indulgences. I studied under my mother, who became a very popular designer of fashions in fabrics. My father was a designer of jewelry almost as famous as she was. They had an estate on the outskirts of the city and could afford a house as fine as many of their wealthiest customers – though they were careful not to show the true extent of their wealth. I was the young Lady Ulma then, not Ulma the hag. My parents did their best to keep me out of sight, for my own safety. But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ulma – Lady Ulma, Elena thought, stopped and took a deep sip of her wine. Her eyes had changed; she was seeing the past, and trying not to upset her listeners. But just as Elena was about to ask her to stop, at least until she felt better, she continued. â€Å"But despite all their care†¦someone†¦saw me anyway and demanded my hand in marriage. Not Drohzne, he was just a furrier from the Outlands, and I never saw him until three years ago. This was a lord, a General, a demon with a terrible reputation – and my father refused his demand. They came on us in the night. I was fourteen when it happened. And that is how I became a slave.† Elena found that she was feeling emotional pain directly from Lady Ulma's mind. Oh, my God, I've done it again, she thought, hurriedly trying to tune down her psychic senses. â€Å"Please, you don't need to tell us this. Maybe another time†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I would like to tell you – you – so you will know what you have done. And I would prefer to say it only once. But if you do not wish to hear it – â€Å" Politeness was warring with politeness here. â€Å"No, no, if you want – go ahead. I – I just want you to know how sorry I am.† Elena glanced at the doctor, who was patiently waiting by the table for her with the brown bottle in his hands. â€Å"And if you don't mind, I'd like to get my leg†¦healed?† She was aware that she'd said the last word doubtfully, wondering how any one being could have the power to heal Ulma like this. She was not surprised when he shook his head. â€Å"Or stitched up, rather, while you talk, if you don't mind,† she said. It took several minutes to overcome Lady Ulma's shock and distress that she had left her savior waiting, but at last Elena was on the table and the doctor was encouraging her to drink from the bottle, which smelled like cherry cough syrup. Oh, well, she might as well try the Dark Dimension version of anesthetic – especially since the stitching was bound to hurt, Elena thought. She took a sip from the bottle and felt the room reel around her. She waved away the offer of a second sip. Dr. Meggar undid Bonnie's ruined scarf, and then began to cut off her blood-soaked jeans leg above the knee. â€Å"Well – you are so good to listen,† Lady Ulma said. â€Å"But I knew you were good already. I will spare us both the painful details of my slavery. Perhaps it's enough to say that I was passed from one master to another over the years, always a slave, always going down. At last, as a joke, someone said, ‘Give her to Old Drohzne. He'll squeeze the last use out of her if anyone can.'† â€Å"God!† Elena said, and hoped that everyone would attribute it to the story and not to the bite of the cleansing solution the doctor was swabbing over her swollen flesh. Damon was so much better at this, she thought. I didn't even realize how lucky I was before. Elena tried not to wince as the doctor began to use his needle, but her grip on Meredith's hand tightened until Elena was afraid she was breaking bones. She tried to ease the grip, but Meredith squeezed back hard. Her long, smooth hand was almost like a boy's, but softer. Elena was glad to be able to squeeze as hard as she liked. â€Å"My strength has been giving out on me lately,† Lady Ulma said softly. â€Å"I thought it was that† – here she used a particularly crude expression for her owner – â€Å"that was leading me to death. Then I realized the truth.† All at once radiance changed her face, so much that Elena could see what she must have looked like when she was in her teens and so beautiful that a demon would demand her as a wife. â€Å"I knew that new life stirred within me – and I knew that Drohzne would kill it if he had the chance – â€Å" She didn't seem to recognize the expressions of astonishment and horror on the three girl's faces. Elena, however, had the feeling that she was groping through a nightmare, on the edge of a black crevasse, and that she would have to keep groping in the dark, around treacherous, unseen fissures in the ice in the Dark Dimension until she reached Stefan and got him free of this place. This casual reference to abomination wasn't the first of her steps around a crevasse, but it was the first she had recognized and counted. â€Å"You young women are very new here,† Lady Ulma said, as the silence stretched and stretched. â€Å"I did not mean to say anything out of place†¦.† â€Å"We're slaves here,† Meredith replied, picking up a length of rope. â€Å"I think the more we learn the better.† â€Å"Your master – I've never seen anyone so quick to fight Old Drohzne before. Many people clucked their tongues, but that was all most dared to do. But your master – â€Å" â€Å"We call him Damon,† Bonnie put in pointedly. It went right over Lady Ulma's head. â€Å"Master Damon – do you think he might keep me? After he pays the blood price to – to Drohzne's relatives, he will get first pick of all Drohzne's property. I am one of the few slaves he has not killed.† The hope in the woman's face was almost too painful for Elena to look at. It was only then that she consciously realized how long it had been since she'd seen Damon. How long should Damon's business be taking? She looked at Meredith anxiously. Meredith understood exactly what the look meant. She shook her head helplessly. Even if they had Lakshmi take them to the Meeting Place, what could they do? Elena bit back a wince of pain and smiled at Lady Ulma. â€Å"Why don't you tell us about when you were a girl?† she said.

Mendus unconditional love

â€Å"l promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you. † That is a line from a traditional wedding vow that two people who love each other say on their wedding day. Susan Emends believes that a marriage vow Is â€Å"a present intention to do something permanently, where that is distinct from having a permanent intention. † (Emends, p. 238) Emends believes that marriage vows are unconditional, she doesn't think that marriage Is unconditional however. She doesn't think marriage is unconditional because It can end In divorce. People say they fall out of love, cheat, or think their significant other changed.Emends says that If you think that a person has changed and that makes you â€Å"fall out of love† then you never truly loved them. She also thinks that once you make the commitment In marriage vows, you should remain married even If you feel Like you fell out of love. One reason that Emends believes marriage vows are unconditional Is because there Is no time limit on it. When you get married you do not decide that after so many ears you are going to get divorced, instead you plan to be happily in love for the rest of your lives. Throughout our lives we change and mature and because of the vow you made to be together forever, there will be change.If your significant other changes you should remain married because you love each other. Another reason Emends believes marriage vows are unconditional is because you do not make â€Å"terms and conditions†. When you marry someone and promise to love and honor you do not say â€Å"so long as you don't.. (Emends, p. 238) When you love someone you love them for who they are, you wouldn't tell them â€Å"l will love you if you.. – If there were conditions then we would not be able to distinguish the difference between â€Å"respect or admiration for the principles of another and the sort of unconditional commitment to him which the marriage vow involves. (Emends, p. 238) Loving someone is an honorable and cherish able thing. When you love someone you just want to spend time with them and not tell them who to be. If there s any question whether you love your significant other or like characteristics about then you will begin to make conditions and if that happens you should not marry one another. Emends unconditional love By Madison each other say on their wedding day. Susan Emends believes that a marriage vow is vows are unconditional, she doesn't think that marriage is unconditional however. She doesn't think marriage is unconditional because it can end in divorce.People say if you think that a person has changed and that makes you â€Å"fall out of love† then you ever truly loved them. She also thinks that once you make the commitment in marriage vows, you should remain married even if you feel like you fell out of love. One reason that Emends believes marriage vows are unconditional is because there is no ti me limit on it. When you get married you do not decide that after so many you.. † If there were conditions then we would not be able to distinguish the someone you Just want to spend time with them and not tell them who to be. If there

Scoliosis essays

Scoliosis essays Scoliosis is a other way to say crooked and is often referred as an s-shaped side or curve in the spine. Everybody has heard of Scoliosis at one time becuase of school or you know someone how has it. My cousin Jackie Walling had it. There are realativly fours types of scoliosis. Congenital present at birth, Scoliosis due to nueromuscular caused by polio, Idiopathic occurs in adolescence and is mostly mild, Postural caused by postural. My cousin had Idiopathic scoliosis when she was nine. The most common type of scoliosis is idiopathic (meaning unknow). The spinal column twists and rotates creating an uneven shoulder and rib hump. This can lead to discomfort and even breathing problems as the heart and lungs become compressed. The cause of scoliosis is not yet and is to believed to happen in girls more then boys. Scoliosis is not preventable but early detection can increase the chance of a successful treatment. Ways to detect scoliosis are very easy , just look for uneven shoulders, prominet shoulder blades, uneven waist, and hips, leaning towards one side. My cousin had gotten a bug bite on her back and when she bent over her parents noticed the she was leaning sideways. There is also a simple test involving touching your toes which will also show a rasied hump on your back. Scoliosis is a multi-faceted diease, affecting the body in many areas. In the infantile stages, a very mild rotation occurs and is often over looked by doctors. As the condition progresses, symptoms of shoulder unleveling, waitline discrepansices. Treatment should begin right away other wise it will lead to more painful adult scoliosis. The most popular way is to ware a brase on your back to help the back fix itself, my cousin did not ware the brace. Massage therapy does not really help the condition of scoliosis but does relieves muscular pain on a symptomatic basis. The most popular way as of right now for help is surgery, which...

Common Cold essays

Common Cold essays A common cold is an illness caused by a viruse Infection located in the nose.Colds are also involved in the sinuses,ears,and the bronchial tubes. the common cold is caused by any of a number of virusesthat can involve the upper repiratory tract.As your body reacts against the attacking virus you get the symptoms of a cold including nasal congestion,sneezing and shiffles. the best strategy for treating a common cold is to start treatment as soon as there is the recogntion thar a cold is begining and continue treatment on a regular basis until it appers that the cold is over (3-7)days. the other symptoms of a common cold including sneezing, runnynose, nasal odstruction,sore or scratchy throat,coughing,hoarseness and mild general symptoms,like headaches. It deposited into the front of the nasal passages by conaminated fingers or by droplets from coughs and seezes. ...

Get the PowerPoint - Emphasis

Get the PowerPoint Get the PowerPoint PowerPoint has revolutionised presentations. But too many people now use it as a substitute for thinking. They launch the application before theyve even considered what they want to say or what information will help the audience take in what theyre saying. Too often, the result is as exciting as a presentation on watching a plank warp. The key is to let this tool support your talk, not to let it take over. So heres a two-minute guide on how to write PowerPoint presentations: Intro slide With the first slide, introduce yourself. (Obvious we know, but its surprising how many people miss this one.) This frame can be up as your audience comes in if yours is the first or only talk in the session. It should feature: the title of your talk your name your position. Bullet points To use bullets effectively: stick to five bullets maximum keep each point to ten words maximum write statements, not descriptions cut all non-essential words double-check grammar, spelling and punctuation avoid flashy animations theyre just distracting. Graphics Graphics can add variety. Just make sure they are: relevant not too detailed making a clear point properly labelled. Sometimes a graphic on its own (ie with no text or other information) can work well to hold attention and liven up your talk. Sites like Flickr or CDs of copyright-free images can be useful here if youre on a tight budget. Although 30 spent on a decent image from a photo library can make your presentation far more professional. Holding frames Include holding frames when you want more attention on you. Avoid blank screens, it will look like something has gone wrong. Use your holding frame if you have no suitable illustration too. The holding frame should contain as little information as possible, eg just your organisations logo and web address. Avoid putting too much on your screen PowerPoint is there to support your talk. But filling the screen wont help your cause at all. Its easy to overestimate how much people can read on a slide. So dont stuff it full of statistics and excess verbiage. Whats more, if you put something on screen, remember that people will read it rather than listen to you, so you just end up wasting your breath. Less is more, therefore. (See the point about using images in isolation, above.) And finally Always think about your audience: keep things moving: aim for about one frame a minute vary the pace slightly plan your talk separately You can learn more about writing presentations and speeches on one of our courses.

Crisis in Ukraine Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Crisis in Ukraine - Assignment Example But there are two perspectives and interpretations from the entire scenario. The standoff came about in the form of Ukraine’s possible enrollment into E.U. Backed by Russia, it abstained from it. The first is about the possible attack and other punitive measures undertaking by United States of America. However, writers like Loren Thomspon argue that Untied States of America would never go into war or to the extreme limit with Russia. It is based on the fact that United States would not want to disturb the prevailing status quo that has been in place for last two decades. Thomspon has given a set of reasons based on which he supports his claims of United States of America’s helplessness and its inability to unleash war upon Russia. These reasons range from awareness in the domestic segments to the internal realization of the fact knowing that America can least afford a war on new battle field in present circumstances and that too against a far more formidable rival in the form of Russia (Thompson). Russia has time and again expressed and shown its interest in the region, and more so in the Crimea where it states that the people have historic, lingual and religious affiliations and thereby must be protected at any cost. The other dimension of Russia’s interest and influence is subject to the natural resources and primarily the gas pipe line that touches past this area and is of high importance to the Russian industries. So far, even the actions and potential political maneuvers and diplomacy of the European powers in the form Germany and Great Britain have also failed. The upcoming meeting between the two foreign ministers is of high value and hopes are pinned against it towards a resolution of the issue faced (GORDON). Russia has an edge in this case and has caught United States of America on a weak footing. The only option United States of America is the backing of European Nations

Hobbes and Internationalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Hobbes and Internationalism - Essay Example Hobbes’ State of Nature It would be taxing for anyone vaguely familiar with Hobbes to not be aware of his widely quoted vision of man’s brutal and short life in the state of nature. For Hobbes, man’s equality in the state of nature is the cause of his terrible existence in that every man has the right to everything, which causes conflict. Man possesses an inherent selfishness which causes him to strive constantly for self-preservation, and in turn is the cause of his suffering (or seeking) competition, glory, and distrust. Such a state is ultimately â€Å"no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death† (1996: xiii). This is not to say that man is a blundering, blind fool simply seeking to grab that which promises to bring greater comfort and success to his life. Rather, man is in possession of reason, which causes him to grasp an understanding of right and wrong conduct. Yet, because no formal standards of right and wrong exist in a state of nature, opinions and rights clash and differ. This is not to assume that Hobbes denies the universality of morality or natural law, rather man is governed by agreements and contracts. However, Hobbes’ contracts are a product of the selfishness of man, and hence are not based upon any form of honour or trust because they will be valid to the point that an individual believes that another will not fall foul of his promise. An example would be that Y does not punch Z because Y does not want Z to punch him. This ‘contract’ is formed on pure selfishness, and only extends to the point that Z complies with the agreement. If Y feels that Z’s agreement lacks strength, he will quickly feel free to break his part of the contract. Such contracts, because they are without honour and because they are a product of selfishness, are very likely to be breached. If we are to apply these points on an international scale, some contradictions emerge. While on the surface it would appear that each state has the right to do anything, the existence of equality is highly questionable. Hobbes evidently thinks that a â€Å"genuine condition of war† exists between states (Hokestra 2007: 118), though not their individuals; rather their sovereigns who are constantly â€Å"in the state and posture of gladiators† (1996: xiii, 12, 63/78). The lack of common power on an international level today is evident, yet could this be utilised to lead to the conclusion that each state is constantly read for, or under threat of war? The temptation to answer this query negatively is backed by the concept of equality. Indeed, there is a great deal of â€Å"radical uncertainty† surrounding the cooperation between states (Newey 2008: 161). Though Hobbes saw men as equal in a state of nature, it could not be said that all states are equal; the opposite is actually evident. America certainly does not feel the need to harbour pre-emptive aggres sion against countries such as Iceland, for example. This leads to the conclusion that internationally, states are in a state of war as man is in the state of nature (Bull 1977: 49). This concept can also be applied to Hobbes’ view of man in nature as essentially unsociable: states across the globe often enter into mutually beneficial agreements. Even larger states provide aid to third world countries, particularly after crises and where poverty is extreme. Although these distinctions may be rather primitive, they gather much ground in establishing weaknesses in Hobbes’ theory being applied on an international level. Man in the state of nature is certainly more equal than countries in the ‘

- Radiographic Technique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

- Radiographic Technique - Essay Example This paper seeks to discuss how do techniques are changed for a given part of the body while keeping the same density on a film, and the tips for remembering this type of information. X-rays are techniques of radiography used in controlled radiation rays in recording an image of the inside of the body on film. A radiographic technique has varying effect on different parts of the body. This is because different parts of the body appear differently since density affects how images appear on an x-ray. When a bone is targeted, the radiation must be adjusted because bones absorb most of the radiation, this is because a bone is white and much or the radiation is absorbed. On the other hand, for a soft tissue like a muscle, organs or fat, the technique is changed again by minimizing radiation from the x-ray. This is because soft tissues allow more of the x-rays since they appear gray. When this is done, the density on the film remains the same. In summary, radiographic technicians have also employed radiographic tenets that ensure safety for patients. For example the ALARA, an acronym, for As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This principle is used to minimize the doses of radiation on various parts of the body by employing reasonable radiation methods. The technicians have also applied the 3C’s principle which denotes, Correct patient, Correct site, and Correct procedure for any part of the

A study on John Calvin Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

A study on John Calvin - Research Paper Example His father's intention was to bring his sons to the priesthood. John turned out to be smarter and more quick-minded than his brothers, and by the age of twelve he already served as bishop's clerk. Furthermore, Gerard Cauvin managed to engraft John into the home of one of the best Noyon families, the Montmors where he "received a more thorough classical grounding, and acquired a polish of manners to which he must ever have remained a stranger had he grown up under his father's humble roof"3. The Montmors helped John get enrolled at the Collge de la Marche in Paris, a school where he took his first formal studies4. Upon finishing the school in 1525, Calvin entered philosophy faculty of the Collge de Montaigu, the second of Paris' two universities in those days (Sorbonne was the first one)5. At the university, John focused on the study of philosophy and logic for BA and MA degrees. The discipline practiced by Calvin's tutors was literally iron while the schedule was exceptionally tough. Thus, a typical day began at four o'clock in the morning, and the first lecture lasted until six. However, Calvin was so intent on studying his majors that missed mealtime and even "long after others were locked in sleep, he was still awake; he would be pouring over the pages of schoolman or Father until far into the morning"6. Despite impressive progress made by John in his philosophic endeavou... Despite his personal reluctance, Calvin obeyed his father and spent three years studying law from brightest lawyers of those days, Pierre de L'Estoile. In 1529, John entered the University of Bourges to continue his legal education. It was there that Calvin became interested in the ideas of Andreas Alciati, an outstanding humanist lawyer. During his one and a half years in the University Calving learned Greek which was necessary for reading and studying the New Testament8. During the period 1529 and 1533, Calving focused upon studying Greek, Hebrew and theology. It was here too that his prowess as an evangelist and teacher of theology was first recognized. God-fearing, harassed Protestants in the city clamored for his refreshing exposition of Scripture. Almost daily, men and women were "added to the church" as a result of the visits of Calvin to humble homes in the city. Before him stretched, he was convinced, a vast and profitable field for labor9. By 1532, Calvin received his diploma in law and published his first work, which was a commentary on Seneca's De Clementia. The year of 1533 saw gradually increasing tensions at the Collge Royal between the humanist/reformist and conservative wings of faculty members. Rector of the University, Nicolas Cop, represented the humanist wing and on 1 November 1533 he delivered his inaugural address emphasizing the need for reformation and renovation of the Catholic Church. Entitled "Christian Philosophy", the address included a scholarly statement of the doctrines of grace and immediately produced huge effect in the city. After Cop's speech, Catholic priests left the university hall muttering "Grace, pardon of God, Holy Spirit; that's all this speech is filled with. Nothing about

Recearch paper 2 Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Recearch paper 2 - Statistics Project Example According to the results and analysis of obtained data presented â€Å"in the July 2001 SUR11 for study 091and the Clinical Study Report (CSR) filed with the FDA in July 200316 for study 078.17 This analysis provided evidence of the excess risk associated with rofecoxib for noncancer deaths (HR, 2.71; 95%CI, 1.57-4.68; P_.001). Most of this excess was due to heart disease deaths (HR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.54-9.51). The independent analysis also confirmed the increased risk of total mortality (HR, 2.13; 95%CI, 1.36-3.33; P_.001) first identified by the sponsor’s statistician in April 2001.14†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Psaty & Kronmal, 2008). In any case, the analysis was on the intention-to-treat principle that encompassed different events occurring within a span of 1 year of protocol 091 including additional 14 days employed in following up of the patients in order to ascertain the condition. Median is the statistical measure vividly described in the article. In the article, confirm that after the medication period of following up was the median of up to 1.7 years. In order to attain this median value as one of the measures of central tendency, the researchers used Cox Model, which was later on adjusted for purposes of accumulating ate and sex (Psaty & Kronmal, 2008). In statistics, median is the middle value or number in a given set of data. In order to find the median or middle value, the given set of data is arranged in value order from the highest to the lowest of from the lowest to the highest (Psaty & Kronmal, 2008). After arranging the data in ascending or descending order, the middle value becomes median, a measure of central tendency. 2. Interpret Inferences. Do one of the following, in everyday language without any special mathematical symbols; and make sure to have the correct measures and units. (a) Pick 3 confidence intervals (CI) from the article and give a formal interpretation for each. Answer the question: Which one is the most

Arthropods PowerPoint Presentation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arthropods - PowerPoint Presentation Example Among the arthropods, insects portray the highest degree of species diversity (Lecointre & Guyanden 67). In this discussion, we will focus on the reasons why insects are the most diverse. This paper will also focus on the limitations of these diverse species. Elipura is made up of collembola and Protura. The diplura is closely related to the insecta class. However, research indicates that crustaceans closely resemble insects than the entognatha class. Further research indicates that the collembolla have a different origin from the insects. The first evidence of Hexapods dates back to the Devonian period (Approximately 390 years ago). During this time, the insects are said to have been wingless. However, the preservation of the fossils was poor due to their exoskeleton, which is made of chitin. The evolution of the wings was an adaptation to allow them to survive the harsh conditions of the terrain. Insect fossils believed to have been from the Devonian period have been described. The oldest is a precursor of Rhyniella Praecusor found in Scotland. Primitive rooted plants of the time were localised in moist areas, and hence created soil for early arthropods such as myriapods (Grimaldi & Engel 66). Today, majority of the insects are terrestrial with a few in the marine habitat. The figures described in the previous slide are only representative of the species that have been documented. Forecasting shows that there could be many more species of insects living in non accessible areas that have not been scientifically described. To be recognized, insect species have to be described scientifically. This involves publishing of their description in the specialist journals. This is followed by thorough research. The purpose of this is to describe the insect, as well as classify it depending on it features. New species are recognised after formal descriptions. In Borneo, for the decade 1994-2004, 361 new species were found. 260

Recearch paper 2 Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Recearch paper 2 - Statistics Project Example According to the results and analysis of obtained data presented â€Å"in the July 2001 SUR11 for study 091and the Clinical Study Report (CSR) filed with the FDA in July 200316 for study 078.17 This analysis provided evidence of the excess risk associated with rofecoxib for noncancer deaths (HR, 2.71; 95%CI, 1.57-4.68; P_.001). Most of this excess was due to heart disease deaths (HR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.54-9.51). The independent analysis also confirmed the increased risk of total mortality (HR, 2.13; 95%CI, 1.36-3.33; P_.001) first identified by the sponsor’s statistician in April 2001.14†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Psaty & Kronmal, 2008). In any case, the analysis was on the intention-to-treat principle that encompassed different events occurring within a span of 1 year of protocol 091 including additional 14 days employed in following up of the patients in order to ascertain the condition. Median is the statistical measure vividly described in the article. In the article, confirm that after the medication period of following up was the median of up to 1.7 years. In order to attain this median value as one of the measures of central tendency, the researchers used Cox Model, which was later on adjusted for purposes of accumulating ate and sex (Psaty & Kronmal, 2008). In statistics, median is the middle value or number in a given set of data. In order to find the median or middle value, the given set of data is arranged in value order from the highest to the lowest of from the lowest to the highest (Psaty & Kronmal, 2008). After arranging the data in ascending or descending order, the middle value becomes median, a measure of central tendency. 2. Interpret Inferences. Do one of the following, in everyday language without any special mathematical symbols; and make sure to have the correct measures and units. (a) Pick 3 confidence intervals (CI) from the article and give a formal interpretation for each. Answer the question: Which one is the most

Business Driven Technology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Driven Technology - Research Paper Example In the modern era, two popular business driven technologies are social networks and e-commerce. These technologies are considerably transforming the retail industry (Mercier et al., 2012). Based on this aspect, the paper describes the way in which these technologies have transformed the retail industry and also provides example of two companies that have applied them in the businesses. How Social Networks is Transforming Retail Industry The proliferation of social media is transforming the way people connect with each other and how they make purchasing decisions. As the channels for sales have increased and boundaries between them are disappearing, consumers are in higher requirement of combining brand experience. Due to social networking, consumers are more empowered and influential than before. Through social networking, they can easily compare prices, review products’ quality and evaluate the opinions of other customers which facilitate to shape the products and services of retail companies. The retail industry is already exploiting the social media for the purpose of marketing and commerce. The social media trends are forcing the industry in the direction of individual oriented marketing approach from retailers comprising components such as social commerce, real time marketing and supply chain collaborations. Essentially, this approach is subjected to transaction history of customers in combination with pertinent social networking behaviors. Social networking is starting to play an essential role in the associated retail experience. The retail shopping experience is facilitating to target individual customers (Symphony Teleca Corp., 2013). Social Media Strategies of Walmart Walmart is an international retail company which provides general merchandise products and groceries. The following figure demonstrates the SWOT analysis of one of the largest retail chains, Walmart. Walmart has learnt regarding the management of social networking in its business. The company faced several challenges due to controversial commercial activities and hence, it has utilized the social media for promoting the brand. For example, in the year 2008, the company introduced ‘checkoutblog.com’ which features the employees of the company. They provided their valuable opinions regarding the product varieties of Walmart and also gave supportive recommendations. It helped to develop a positive image of the company for large audience. Apart from this, Walmart also sponsored a blog named ‘Eleven Moms’. This blog has rapidly become a large community where women consumers’ converse subjects about motherhood, health products and budgeting (Barker, 2013). Walmart has attempted to leverage the technological tendencies of social networking by investing in mobile marketing services. For instance, in 2011, Walmart had acquired a social networking technology company namely Kosmix. This acquisition is essentially intended to utilize the monitoring application and to enlarge the online business. The Walmart program for iPhone delivers guidance to the customers while shopping electronic products, reviewing products and placing orders. These social media services are quite convenient and enjoyable for the present generation of customers (Barker, 2013). How Electronic Commerce is Transforming Retail Industry The other important business driven technology

Genetic Engineering in Food Production Essay Example for Free

Genetic Engineering in Food Production Essay Genetic Engineering in Food Production: Is it Safe, Wise, and Moral? Over the past couple of decades, the genetic engineering has been found and is regarded as the improvement of advanced technology in the field of biology. Ever since the first gene was cloned in 1973, genetic engineers have been pursuing at break-neck speed the unlimited possibilities promised by biotechnology . Their excitement, which has generated billions of investment dollars for the industry, is understandable. Bioengineering allows scientists to identify specific gene sequences responsible for particular characteristics and then to transfer the genes and the specific trait into entirely different species. One of the more current and controversial issue in the field of biotechnology is the use of bioengineering in food production. Scientists are experimenting with many different plants, but the genetic engineering of the tomato, dubbed Flavr Savr has been the most highly publicized project by far. The new tomato is supposed to boast more red and be tastier due to its longer staying time on the vine, thereby giving it more time to accumulate sweetness; yet, it will not rot or spoil because of its new genetic makeup. (Davidson 1993). With this advanced technology scientists argue that it could offer the greatest hope in the aid to stop hunger in Third World countries. This new technology could be used to make bulk levels of food production more efficient and less costly. However, despite all of its advantages in creating better crops, many people are very skeptical about its safe and possible long-term health effects. Moreover, the social issue lies deep in the realm of ethical and moral concerns. Do people really want to eat meat that is leaner and tastier but contains genes from humans? Or, would individuals (like vegetarians) be able to eat certain vegetables that may contain genes from animals? Personally, I would not support the use of genetic engineering in food production based on moral and ethical reasons: I do not think that scientists should be able to use their knowledge and social prestige in society to be able to play the role of God in creating new or better living things even if their justification is for the purpose of serving mankind. Although we still have much to learn about genes, recently developed techniques have already given rise to a new technology of molecular genetics. Genetic engineering, also known as gene splicing/manipulation and recombinant DNA technology is a set of techniques for reconstructing, or deliberately manipulating, the genetic material of an organism. Operating at the molecular level, this process involves the addition, deletion, or reorganization of pieces of an organisms DNA (known as genes) in order to alter that organisms protein production (Arms et al. 1994). The use and applications of genetic engineering range from medical and pharmaceutical to industrial crops and food products. Its applications, today or in the future, include†¦creating improved strains of crops and farm animals (Arms et al. 1994). All of these applications rely on the ability to transplant genes into a cells makeup, or genome. The new gene may come from another organism, of the same species, or it may contain DNA produced in the laboratory. One example, the new Flavr Savr tomato, developed by Calgene, a biotechnology company based in Davis, California, was subjected to years of scrutiny before the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) agreed that it was safe to eat. They found, copied, and rebuilt a gene that lets these tomatoes stay on the vine without softening and spoiling. That means that the fruit can develop more of the sugars and acids that make a home-grown tomato taste so sweet and rich. Conventional tomatoes sold in the stores are often hard and flavorless because they are picked while green and firm enough to transport, then ripened by spraying with ethylene (Wood 1995). This turns the tomato red but does nothing to develop a riper flavor. Ethylene, a colorless, odorless gas that once kicks in, so do all the problems of perishability (Wood 1995). Since tomatoes have a softening gene, it produces RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) to help manufacture a protein that causes rotting. To stop the tomatoes going soft too soon, the researchers devised a way to block production of the enzyme polygalacturonase, which breaks down cell walls and eventually causes the fruit to rot (Miller 1994). The Calgene scientists inserted a mirror image of the softening gene that produces a reverse copy of the RNA. This reverse RNA blocks the action of the regular RNA and helps to preserve the fruit. All in all, Calgene seems to have produced a good but hardly outstanding tomato using antisense technology, given all the propaganda and advertisements. A couple of the reasons for why the tomato failed were because: (a) the manipulation of the ripening gene had unintended consequences (soft skin, weird taste, compositional changes); and (b) the high price they tried selling it at first for$2. 99 a pound (as expensive as organic tomatoes), then later dropped the price to $2. 49, then $1. 99, then . 99. Furthermore, the general public does not seem persuaded or have caught up with this trend yet. For one, people are greatly concerned about the safety of the product since the FDA does not insist that genetically engineered foods carry a special label, even though the FDA assured consumers that they can be confident in knowing that foods produced by genetic engineering are as safe as food in our grocery stores today, stated FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, MD (Miller 1994). However, critics have cited a case in which at least 31 people died and 1500 contracted a fatal blood disease after ingesting a genetically engineered batch of L-trytophan, a dietary supplement (Davidson 1993). Without proper labeling it will be impossible for consumers to exercise their right to choose what kind of foods they eat. Another issue among consumers and environmental activist groups is that of moral and ethical concerns. Many people feel that scientists might have gone too far in terms of experimentation. We have now come to the end of the familiar pathway of leaving everything to the creation of Mother Nature. With the rise of advanced technology in genetics, scientists now possess the ability to manipulate genes, and redirect the course of evolution. They can reassemble old genes and devise new ones. They can plan, and with computer simulation, anticipate the future forms and paths of life. Hence, the old ways of evolution will be dwarfed by the role of purposeful human intelligence. However, just as nature stumbled upon life billions of years ago and began the process of evolution, so too would the new creators of life find that living organisms all have a destiny of their own. To evaluate the validity of the benefits of this technology, we need to answer three simple questions: Is it safe, is it wise, is it moral? Sinsheimer 1987). To answer the first question about whether it is safe, if the technological developments are kept open to public knowledge and scrutiny, I think in the short term it could be. This way the general public can monitor the hazards of any new product introduced into the biosphere, and can probably cope with any immediate problems or consequences. In answering the second question of whether it is wise, I would say that it is not. Through decades of research, scientists have learned of the different pathogens that prey on humans, animals, and major crops. But I believe that their knowledge is still very limited in trying to understand what led to these organisms existence and modes of adaptation. Thus scientists cannot really predict whether all their new discoveries and creations might somehow lead to a new and unexpected group of harmful species since potential organisms that could be converted by one or more mutations be transformed from harmless bugs to serious risks. Finally, to answer the question of the advantages of genetic engineering in terms of morality and ethics, I can only say that the more we create, the more problems we will have in the long run in trying to solve them. Life has evolved on this planet into a delicately balanced and fragile network of selfsustaining interactions and equilibrium. If we try to change or replace the creatures and vegetation of this earth with human-designed forms to conform to human will, I believe we will forget our origins and inadvertently collapse the ecological system in which we were found. Moreover, do we really want to assume the full responsibility for the structure and make-up of our world? I think that we seriously need to intervene between the scientists and engineers to consider a solution that will help slow down all of these experiments so that we could step back and look at what we are doing. If not, I think that these practicing scientists and researchers should be more broadly educated in our humanistic values and traditions. They need to understand the implications of what they are doing in order to be able to balance the concerns of the natural environment and that of societys humanistic needs; to bear in mind that technology exists only to serve and not create. Human beings, are of course, sprung from the same DNA and built of the same molecules as all other livings things. But if we begin to regard ourselves as just another group of subjects to test our experiments on by altering or tampering with the foods we eat, just like another crop to be engineered or another breed to be perfected, we will surely lose our awe of humanity and undermine all sense of human dignity.

Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 Summary

Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 Summary Introduction Broadly, a forced marriage takes place where both parties have failed to give valid consent and there is duress involved. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 inserted s63A into the Family Law Act 1996, which gives family courts power to make Forced Marriage Protection Orders (injunctions) to protect a person from being forced into a marriage or from any attempt to be forced into a marriage; or a person who has been forced into a marriage. An order can forbid families from: taking a person abroad for marriage, taking their passport away, and intimidating someone into agreeing to marry. It can also require family members to reveal the whereabouts of a person who is being forced into marriage. The police can apply for a Forced Marriage Order, a breach of which can be punished by two years imprisonment. As of 16 June 2014 there are two new criminal offences relating to forced marriage. Section 63CA Family Law Act 1996 creates a criminal offence of breaching a forced marriage protection order, which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. In addition, s121 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 makes it a criminal offence to use violence, threats, or any other form of coercion to cause someone to enter into a forced marriage. This offence is punishable by up to seven years imprisonment. Forced marriage is now a criminal offence under s121 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The breach of a Forced Marriage Protection Order is an offence under s120 2014 Act. Forced marriage is a marriage where one or both spouses do not consent to the marriage, and duress is involved.[1]However, a forced marriage is different from an arranged marriage. An arranged marriage is where the families and/or friends of two young people take a lead role in arranging or determining the suitability of their prospective marriage but the consent is still needed.[2] The forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is a government agency to . The statistic has showed that many victims of forced marriage do not actually report the matter to relevant authorities. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the effectiveness of family law in protecting victims and potential victims from forced marriage. Therefore, the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, the criminalisation of forced marriage and the possible alternatives for victims who have been forced to wed will be discussed in this essay. Inherent Jurisdiction For Children Victim Nullity (For person who had been forced to wed) Enforcement of a FMPO Contempt of Court The main weakness with this legislation is The Family Law Act 1996 (Forced Marriage) (Relevant Third Party) Order 2009 Enforcement of a FMPO Criminal Offence Forced marriage is now a criminal offence under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Police Act 2014. A person commits an offence under the law of England and Wales if he or she uses violence, threats or any other form of coercion for the purpose of causing another person to enter into a marriage, and believes, or ought reasonably to believe, that the conduct may cause the other person to enter into the marriage without free and full consent.[3] A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine or both; on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.[4] Other Protection or Assistance against Forced Marriage Conclusion Bibliography Table of Cases UK cases A v SM and HB (Forced Marriage Protection Orders) [2012] EWHC 435 (Fam) A Chief Constable v YK, RB, ZS, SI, AK and MH [2011] 1 FLR 1493 Bedfordshire Police Constabulary v RU [2013] EWHC 2350 (Fam) Hirani v Hirani [1983] 4 FLR 232 M v B, A and S (by the Official Solicitor) [2006] 1 FLR 117 NS v MI [2007] 1 FLR 444 SK (Proposed Plaintiff) (An Adult by Way of her Litigation Friend) [2005] 2 FLR 230 European Cases Table of Legislation Table of Legislation: UK Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Children Act 1989 Family Law Act 1996 Forced Marriages (Civil Protection) Act 2007 Table of Legislation: EU Table of Legislation: Other jurisdictions Government Publications Books Gilmore S and Glennon L, Hayes Williams Family Law (5th edn, OUP 2016) Harris-Short S, Miles J and George R, Family Law (3rd edn, OUP 2015) Herring J, Family Law: Marriage (7th edn, Pearson Education Limited 2015) Probert R and Harding M, Cretney and Proberts Family Law (9th edn, Sweet Maxwell 2015) Journal Articles Patel H, Langdale R and Obe H, Forced Marriage: the Concept and Law [2009] Fam Law 726 Pearce N and Gill A, Criminalising Forced Marriage through Stand-alone Legislation: Will It Work? [2012] Fam Law 534 Website [1] Rachel Langdale, Anne-Marie Hutchinson and Hanisha Patel, Forced Marriage: The Concept and Law (2009) 39 Fam Law 726, 726. [2] Ibid 726. [3] Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s 121(1). [4] Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s 121(9).

Gothic Art :: essays research papers

Romanesque may first be sensed in new structural developments.. Sophisticated but unsatisfactory attempts to vault the great basilican naves safely, with elements of Roman, Byzantine, or Eastern origin, impelled progressive Romanesque engineers, from about 1090 onward, to invent a new type of ribbed groin-vaulted unit bay, using pointed arches to distribute thrust and improve the shape of the geometric surfaces. Fifty years of experimentation produced vaulting that was light, strong, open, versatile, and applicable everywhere--in short, Gothic vaulting. A whole new aesthetic, with a new decorative system--the Gothic--was being evolved as early as 1145. The spatial forms of the new buildings sometimes caused acoustic difficulties, which may help to account for the concomitant development of the new polyphonic music that supplemented the traditional Romanesque plainsong. Romanesque architecture became old-fashioned, but its heavy forms pleased the Cistercian monks and, likewise, other conservative patrons in Germany, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Thus, buildings that were essentially Romanesque in spirit continued to be built, even when such extraordinary Gothic works as the Amiens cathedral were under construction (begun 1220). (see also Index: Gothic architecture, music, history of) The development of proto-Romanesque in the Ottonian period culminated in the true Romanesque style represented by five magnificent churches on the international pilgrimage routes leading from central France to the reputed tomb of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain: Saint-Martin at Tours (a huge once wooden-roofed basilica that was rebuilt on the new model beginning about 1050), Sainte-Foy at Conques ( c. 1052-1130), Saint-Martial at Limoges (c. 1062-95), Saint-Sernin at Toulouse (1077 or 1082-1118), and the new cathedral at Santiago de Compostela itself (c. 1075-1211). This was a real family of buildings; each one had a splendid apse with ambulatory (a sheltered place to walk) and radiating chapels, a transept and nave with aisles and galleries, an

Disadvantage of clonning Essay

Cloning can be define as the creation of an organisms that is an exact genetic copy of another. This means that every single bit of DNA is the same between two. This is use to make multiple identical copies of DNA, create or propagate an organism from a clone cell and reproduce or propagate asexually such as clone a plant variety or animal. Cloning has its advantages and disadvantages but most people opined human cloning is playing the role of god. There are many disadvantages of cloning such as uncertainty of science technology, losing the diversity of genes, great diseases and leading to extinction. The disadvantage of cloning is uncertainty of science and technology. Science and technology cannot solve everything. Do you ever think what will happen if we allow cloning is widespread?. Will the results be controllable?. Scientist cannot promise they can controlled the cloning result. There are some potential crises lurking behind. The primary drawbacks to cloning are its ethical problems. Some scientist do a cloning for their own benefits which to make they on top of the world instead of giving the benefits to the society. In addition, many years ago, a scientist successfully clone a sheep. The cloned sheep was named Dolly and identical to the sheep which the genetic material was derived. However, Dolly died in 2003 (Ian Wilmut 1997 as cited in Betsy, 2008). Furthermore, in cloning Dolly, it resulted in the death of many embryos and newborns before success achieved which is 29 embryos were transferred to 13 sheep and only one became pregnant with Dolly. Therefore, unexpected in s cience and technology may damage the cloning. In a nutshell, cloning have many disadvantages than the advantages which are uncertainty of science technology, losing the diversity of genes and the great disease and leading to extinction. REFERENCES Betsy, T.L.H. (2008). Longman Essential Biology Form 4. Petaling Jaya: Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Disadvantages of cloning. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2013, from http://library.thinkquest.org/C0122429/ethics/disadvantages.htm The University of UTAH. (2013). What is Cloning. Retrieved August 18, 2013, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/whatiscloning/

Rivers in Nepal

Nepal is rich in water resource. There are many small and big rivers. These are the natural gifts for Nepal. It is proved by the fact that Nepal is the second richest country in the world after Brazil in water resource. Most rivers in Nepal originate from the snow clad mountains. Among these rivers in Nepal Koshi, Gandaki, Narayani and Karnali are some of the biggest rivers which flow from the Himalayas all through the year. Koshi is considered as the largest and Karnali is considered as the longest rivers in Nepal.Similarly, there are other rivers such as Bagmati, Bheri, Rapti, Kamala, Seti, Marshyangdi, etc. And many zones of Nepal are named after these rivers. Rivers are known as the white gold in Nepal. Rivers have been used to generate hydroelectricity. For example, Sunkoshi, Marshyangdi and Trishuli are some of the leading hydroelectricity projects in Nepal. Since Nepal is an agricultural country, the multi purpose river projects have eased the farmers in the terai and some hil ly regions in irrigation and having multiple farming.Besides, these projects also have helped in the supply of drinking water in many parts of Nepal. Some of the big rivers like Narayani and Kali Gandaki have also provided a good navigation service to facilitate the villagers and the tourists. Another important use of rivers in Nepal is the most famous rafting sport. Mostly Bhote Koshi, Karnali and Trishuli are well known for rafting. They are helping Nepal to earn a substantial foreign currency which adds to the lion’s share of the national economy.It is therefore essential for Nepal to value and exploit the potential of these rivers in a sustainable manner. There is no denying the fact that Nepal can sell its electricity to its gigantic neighbours–India and China thereby adding a huge foreign currency into the pocket of its budget. The future of Nepal can be brightened if water resource is utilized well. Suggestions: In this question, our topic has two major words at the focus. They are Rivers and Nepal; therefore we have to show the relationship in between them. Understand the topic well first.On many occasions, students deal with only one part of the topic which makes them deviate from the content thereby resulting in poor performance in tests and exams. Pay more attention on writing the introducing and the concluding paragraphs. Make these two paragraphs short and specific. Do not end your essay with any negative aspect of the topic. Always end with a positive note and emphasis. Use connectives wherever necessary, but do not overuse them. Use them most importantly for connecting one paragraph with the other. Rivers in Nepal Nepal is rich in water resource. There are many small and big rivers. These are the natural gifts for Nepal. It is proved by the fact that Nepal is the second richest country in the world after Brazil in water resource.Most rivers in Nepal originate from the snow clad mountains. Among these rivers in Nepal Koshi, Gandaki, Narayani and Karnali are some of the biggest rivers which flow from the Himalayas all through the year. Koshi is considered as the largest and Karnali is considered as the longest rivers in Nepal. Similarly, there are other rivers such as Bagmati, Bheri, Rapti, Kamala, Seti, Marshyangdi, etc. And many zones of Nepal are named after these rivers.Rivers are known as the white gold in Nepal. Rivers have been used to generate hydroelectricity. For example, Sunkoshi, Marshyangdi and Trishuli are some of the leading hydroelectricity projects in Nepal. Since Nepal is an agricultural country, the multi purpose river projects have eased the farmers in the terai and some hill y regions in irrigation and having multiple farming. Besides, these projects also have helped in the supply of drinking water in many parts of Nepal.Some of the big rivers like Narayani and Kali Gandaki have also provided a good navigation service to facilitate the villagers and the tourists. Another important use of rivers in Nepal is the most famous rafting sport. Mostly Bhote Koshi, Karnali and Trishuli are well known for rafting. They are helping Nepal to earn a substantial foreign currency which adds to the lion’s share of the national economy.It is therefore essential for Nepal to value and exploit the potential of these rivers in a sustainable manner. There is no denying the fact that Nepal can sell its electricity to its gigantic neighbours–India and China thereby adding a huge foreign currency into the pocket of its budget. The future of Nepal can be brightened if water resource is utilized well.Suggestions:In this question, our topic has two major words at th e focus. They are Rivers and Nepal; therefore we have to show the relationship in between them. Understand the topic well first. On many occasions, students deal with only one part of the topic which makes them deviate from the content thereby resulting in poor performance in tests and exams. Pay more attention on  writing the introducing and the concluding paragraphs. Make these two paragraphs short and specific. Do not end your essay with any negative aspect of the topic. Always end with a positive note and emphasis. Use connectives wherever necessary, but do not overuse them. Use them most importantly for connecting one paragraph with the other.

Marriage in Traditional African Society and It’s Televance Essay

The African marriage is full of deep-rooted culture that cannot be wished away. African culture and traditions are handed down from generation to generation. The African marriage is an integral part of the whole African culture and was a rite of passage for every mature man and woman. In African tradition, marriage was done after someone had gone through the adolescent stage where different lessons on respect, morality and upholding the tribes culture and traditions. Once the man found a lady who was willing to marry him and of his choice, the man and his kin would go and visit the lady’s family and get permission from the bride’s parents. He would visit the home with a few of his peers and they would wait in the simba (bachelors hut) as the man went to get confirmation from the bride’s family. If he received good news he would come back and tell his peers. This traditional practice is still relevant as it is respectful for a suitor to get permission from the bri de’s family if he should marry their daughter. Though not compulsory in today’s society, it is a good show of faith from the bride’s family that they entrust their daughter in the man’s hands. The dowry ceremony which was known as Ayie (which means I agree). The man’s family would visit the woman’s homestead. It is on the Ayie ceremony that a groom officially meets the parents of the bride for the first time; all other visits that could have taken place prior to the Ayie ceremony are unofficial and in some cases may attract disciplinary action on the groom. If a groom visits the parents of the bride but without the intention to pay Ayie during the visit, he may be considered undisciplined, as his action may be interpreted as arrogance or prematurely show off his relationship with the bride to her parents to time, although the mother of the bride may negotiate a higher price whilst the groom may also negotiate a lower price. The dowry ceremony is still relevant in today’s society as it’s a sign of appreciation to the bride’s family for taking care of her. Polygamy in traditional Luo society is rampant. The man was allowed to marry to marry as many wives as he wished.  This practice, though now constitutional is irrelevant in that most Luo men of today are Christians and conduct religious wedding ceremonies which forbid the union of a man to more than one woman. The practice is also expensive and does not cater for the needs of the women in the relationship. There was also wife inheritance in traditional Luo society. Once a woman’s husband died one of his brothers was to cater to all her needs and would take her in as a wife. This practice caused emotional distress to the mourning widow and also allowed for the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The traditional Luo marriage ceremony has its pros and cons. Like in every culture there are many important values to carry on and many practices that cannot be sustained in the 21st century. As individuals it is up to us to sift through the good in every culture and adapt it or throw away the irrelevant.