A sole trading business in Western region Assignment

A sole trading business in Western region - Assignment Example A sole trading business in Western region This international buying and selling of flowers by the sole trading business would be able to take advantage of the several measures taken by the government in improving the performance of the flower industry of UAE. The sole trading business under the name of Florist Fragrance would be in an advantageous position as they would be able to gain from the benefits of the innovative logistics centre set up for the trading of flowers. This would help the sole trading business to deliver the orders of their flower products to the international markets with less time and high quality of flowers with customized fragrance for their customers especially in the western markets. The business of sole trading under the name of Florist Fragrance would face specific disadvantages due to the product chosen for the international buying and selling in the western markets. Despite the resources and facilities available in the flower industry for quick delivery of the flower and the accessory products, the international business faces the disadvantage due to the high volume of cost to be incurred for restoration of the quality and fragrance of the flowers to be delivered to the customers. The flowers are considered to be perishable items which have a fixed span of life beyond which the products perish. The sole trading business are thus required to ensure that the flower goods and the orders of the customers reach them in the overseas market in the proper condition as delivered during the point of sale.

Gun Control Policy in the US: An Analysis

Gun Control Policy in the US: An Analysis Gun ControlIntroduction Gun control remains the biggest challenge to security agencies in America. It has claimed several innocent lives thus leading to great moaning in the United States. Similarly, several people have been left crippled as a result of gun crime and violence. The challenge lies in the issuance and ownership of unlicensed guns in the United States. In order for the gun crime rate to decrease governments should control gun distribution and illegalize its possession with no exception to any circumstances. Gun violence can therefore be defined as the use of firearms to cause harm. The term also denotes the general misuse of guns. It therefore may be broadly be described as a class of crime and violence committed using firearms which may or not cover actions of self defense, law enforcement practices, sports, hunting among others (Alexander, 2003). It encompasses deliberate use of firearms to kill, cause injury or threaten individuals. It is common among adolescents and children who end up caus ing trouble among them and in the general public. The thesis of this paper is, â€Å"Gun control in America.† Implementation of Gun Control Mechanisms There are several ways in which gun control can be implemented. Borrowing from the UK experience and legislation, gun control should be the sole duty of the government as well as private security firms. There is need to decentralize security issues in the United States since the police seem to be overwhelmed by the sheer volumes of crime that they are expected to deal with gun violence in the United States is rampant and has claimed several innocent lives. There are various types of criminal activities ranging from pick-pocketing to international terrorism. Criminal activities are usually accompanied with violence which is fatal and costly. Crime has remained on the increase for a very long period of time. This has always threatened the security of many people, cased loss of lives and destruction of property among other costly effects. As a result, everybody around the globe including renowned leaders like the U.S President is worried of the current insecurity cases in the world. Alt hough a lot of effort has been incorporated in the war against insecurity, recent findings reveal that cases of violence are still high. Many analysts argue that the war against crime in a collective responsibility which has to involve everybody regardless of gender, race or age. Among many incidences which are reported on a daily basis, gun violence has turned out to occur more frequent than any other form of criminal activity. What amazes is how people are accessed to guns so easily including children. In fact, easy accessibility to guns is what makes the war against gun violence to be complicated and quite demanding (Alexander, 2003). There are a number of factors which have also been considered as major contributors to high rates of gun violence. It is important to note that gun violence can only be handled if there is controlled gun distribution and illegalization of its ownership. Although it is a collective responsibility, governments have a considerable bulky responsibility to undertake. As strategies to deal with gun violence continue being formulated, United States of America remains the leading country in the world with highest levels of gun violence. Gun crime laws in USA and statistics Approximately 60-80% of homicide cases in America are as a result of firearms. Despite these alarming rates and figures, gun control in U.S is very reluctant. This laxity in gun control is augmented by a number of factors including politics and politicians. Many influential people have vested interests and decide to use guns to fulfill their target. American constitution also affects efforts to deal with gun violence. For instance, the second amendment of the U.S constitution was as a result of conflict between federalists and ant-federalists in 1789. The clause recognizes the existence of militia groups which have to be organized to protect and give security to the state with un-infringed bearing of arms (Steve, 2004). According to the public opinion, many people believe that they have the right to own a gun without questioning. However, some people argue that the second amendment was meant to affect Americans serving in the militia service and not just any normal citizen as perceiv ed publicly. According to Steve Pudlo, the first gun regulation in the United States of America was in 1911 after an attempt to assassinate William Gaynor who was by then serving as New York mayor. It was until the shooting of Senator Robert Kennedy in 1968 and Martin Luther King that the federal gun control act was passed and became law. It has always been perceived that the United States later developed immune towards horrific gun crimes (Steve, 2004). This is because when of the incidence which occurred in 1999 where two boys shot twelve students and a teacher in Colorado. Although there was pressure from all over for the approval of gun control guidelines, the bill was buried in the House of Representatives. This analysis shows that control of guns has been the major cause of increased gun violence in the united of America making it ranked position one on the world map. What many people do not understand is whether politicians and other influential American personalities feel the need of cont rolled gun ownership and distribution. According to National Crime Victimization Survey, U.S records the highest number of gun violence cases every year. As stated in the survey report, ten percent of all violent crimes that took place between 1993 and 2001 involved the use of firearms. In addition firearm crimes have always been on the increase in the United States for a long period of time. Many people continue to be confronted by gun armed gangs and individuals on a daily. Policy Recommendations for Gun Control Although control of gun distribution and ownership in America and most parts of the world has remained a mirage, many people are optimistic that a permanent solution to the problem exists. As mentioned by Victor Spooner, the best solution to the problem of gun violence can well be understood by getting to the root cause of this security plague that continues to threaten world security. He critically analyzes the role the media in encouraging gun violence in America and around the world. He notes that since the discovery of various media channels, societies have significantly been changed (Victor, n.d.). Although, media educates and augments elimination of some vices in the community, it has as well contributed moral degradation and promoted antisocial behavior among the youth and the general public. Victor Spooner, a social analyst and author of many books covering social life goes a head to analyze how media elites of companies like Hollywood have influenced Americans perception ove r the use of guns in relation to heroism. According to Spooner, Hollywood is one of the major vocal advocates for gun control. He argues that these elites promote antisocial behavior like gun violence through music and movies which not only watched in America alone but across the globe. The government has the greatest responsibility in dealing with criminal activities. It must guard against illegal ownership of gun. It is important to limit people who are supposed to own guns. In relation to these conditions thorough survey should be done prior to allowing the use of a gun by an individual (Alexander, 2003). Such survey should mainly cover the history of an individual in terms of mind soundness and social stability. It would of great importance for people to undergo psychiatric tests before accessing guns. This would ensure that people with mental instability are not allowed to own guns because of their likelihood to misuse. In addition, parents have to emphasize the need of peaceful coexistence among families. It would be better if neighbors embraced good interpersonal relationships for the purpose of ensuring peace and lowering of gun violence cases in the society. Religious teachings should be embraced at all times (Patrick, 2009). This is because of their strong opposition with regard to gun violence and other anti social behaviors. In addition, personnel weapons which work for only one person should be introduced to avoid sharing of firearms. Firearm finger printing can also be used to trace lost and found guns. A serious ban on guns like the one in United Kingdom can work well for the U.S. This would limit the number of people who are legally allowed to posses guns. Although a lot of efforts have been incorporated in the war against Gun violence, it remains rampant in the United States. The war itself is far from being won with everybody being called upon to join hands in combating this global scourge. However, as all these efforts are being involved, it is important to note that governments have the biggest responsibility in dealing with crime. Laws have to be formulated to control distribution of guns and illegalize their ownership. American politics have also been mentioned in regard to causes of gun violence and the uncontrolled distribution of guns across the nation (Obanyi, 2008). There has been laxity in politicians efforts to formulate laws which would cover gun ownership and distribution. For instance, the second amendment of the American constitution legalized militia groups and ownership of guns. According to Spooner, most media channels expose the use of guns as an achievement. This is very common in media violent material like horror movies in which the use of guns is considered as an achievement; many gun users are seen prosper and move from one stage to another without being nabbed by security units (Victor, n.d.). As a result, many youths end up emulating actions taken by most of these actors especially in relation to use of guns to commit criminal activities. Although the media industry denies having links with gun violence, many people believe that this is mainly a form of propaganda that is aime d at promoting and protecting the interests of the entertainment industry. Victor Spoon concludes his analysis by stating that televisions, movies and other media channels inspire gun violence through thuggish music and videos. In addition, the United States government should also develop a policy that is in tandem with the societal problems. For instance, areas known for high crime prevalence should never be allowed to have many individuals possessing guns. Community policing perhaps comes in handy towards ensuring that gun control becomes a success in the United States. The U.K has been so successful in this aspect. The security agents should obtain special government license to carry out random checks in order to crack down on the number of illegal guns owned by some of the United States residents. This will ensure that there is a bit of responsibility when it comes to gun ownership. In the U.K. the police can be able to tell approximately how many individuals own guns. This has bolstered gun control magnanimously. References Alexander, D. (2003). Gun Violence in America: The Struggle for Control. London: UPNE. Obanyi, T.R. (2008). Security in the United States. Cambridge: Oxford University Press. Patrick, F. F.(2009). The Real Root Causes of Violent Crime: The Breakdown of Marriage, Family, and Community.14 May, 2009. â€Å"Private possession of guns: the good bad of it.† Retrieved September 09, 2009 from Richard, F. (n.d.). How worried should we be about the extent of gun crime on our streets? Retrieved September 09, 2009 from Steve, P.. (2004). Gun Control and Crime. Retrieved September 09, 2009 from Victor, S. (n.d.). The root causes of gun violence. Retrieved September 09, 2009 from

Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2004 Essay -- Investment Investor Sarbanes Oxley

Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2004 The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was signed into law on July 30, 2002 by President Bush. The new law came after major corporate scandals involving Enron, Arthur Anderson, WorldCom. Its goals are to protect investors by improving accuracy of and reliability of corporate disclosures and to restore investor confidence. The law is considered the most important change in securities and corporate law since the New Deal. The act is named after Senator Paul Sarbanes of Maryland and Representative Michael Oxley of Ohio (Wikipedia Online).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sarbanes-Oxley consisted of 11 different titles or sections. Title I is Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. It created a five member panel known as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, overseen and appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (Sarbanes-Oxley). The Board is to consist of two CPAs and three people that are not CPAs, but the chairman must be a CPA. The Board is to provide oversight of auditing of public companies while establishing auditing, quality control, independence, ethical standards (Arens 32-33). Public accounting firms that work on audits must register with the Board and pay a fee. Title I also included new auditing rules. Auditors must now retain paper work for seven years, have a second partner review and approval of audit reports, evaluate whether internal controls accurately show transactions as well as sales of assets, and describe any weaknesses or noncompliant internal controls. Public accou nting firms that issue auditing reports for more than 100 companies are to be inspected every year. Accounting firms that issue audit reports for less than 100 companies must be inspected very three years. The Board can discipline or sanction accounting firms for what it deems to be negligent conduct (Conference of State Bankers Online).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Title II of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is Auditor Independence. It creates new rules that auditors must abide by in order to keep their objectivity and accuracy. Auditors are now banned from performing most non-audit related services like bookkeeping, actuary services, and management consulting. An auditor may no longer be the lead auditor of a firm for more than five consecutive years. Auditors are now required to report all significant accounting policies and practices used in the audit, any different trea... ... GE has said that new compliance costs are about $30 million. AIG has said that Sarbanes-Oxley is costing the company $300 million. Many European companies have also complained because they are forced to comply because they are on American stock exchanges. Surveys have also found that many companies are even thinking about going private to avoid compliance Sarbanes-Oxley (Bartlett 1-3). Works Cited Arens, Alvin, Randal Elder and Mark Beasley. Auditing and Assurance Services: An Integrated Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. Bartlett, Bruce. â€Å"The Crimes of Sarbanes-Oxley.† National Review 25 May 2004.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.nationalreview.com/nrof_bartlett/bartlett200405250811.asp Conference of State Bankers Online. Executive Summary of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 10 February 2005. http://www.csbs.org/government/legislative/misc/2002_sarbanes-oxley_summary.htm Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 107 Cong., 2nd sess. 2004.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=107_cong_ bills&docid=f:h3763enr.tst.pdf. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Wikipedia Online. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarbanes- Oxley_Act.

Marketing Reserach

Question â€Å"Marketing Research† Respond to the following: . -Of the marketing research tools identified in the textbook, evaluate those that would be most appropriate for a small business. Textbook=[Iacobucci, D. (2012). MM, 2nd Edition. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning] -When it comes to marketing research, speculate to the blunders that beginning marketers commonly make. Provide a rationale with your response. Answer :- Market research is an effective way to learn about potential customers, their opinions, habits, trends and future plans.It is used to determine the geographic area of a business and demographic characteristics of customers such as age, gender, income and educational level. Marketing research helps a firm identify and solve problems, identify and evaluate market opportunity and develop the effort needed to exploit it. Steps of the Marketing Research Process 1. Identify and Define the Problem/Opportunity – This is the first step in finding a solution; a poor diagnosis will lead to an ineffective solution. 2. Conduct a Preliminary Exploration – Confirming a rejection, the problem as stated by the decision maker is a crucial phase of the research project.In order to do this the researcher must talk to knowledgeable persons both inside and outside the firm. This often gives the researcher a new perspective on the problem. 3. Determine Research Objectives – The earlier steps have given the researcher a better understanding of the problem, and he or she can now begin to formulate hypothesis to fit it. Hypothesis are tentative explanations of a problem, formulated on the basis of weight and knowledge about the problem. The hypothesis may prove to be either right or wrong. 4. Determine Data Needs – Researcher use primary and secondary data.Primary data are originated and collected for a specific problem. They must be generated by original research through observation and/or inquiry. The advantage of such data is that they relate specifically to the problem at hand. In gathering them, new problem may be uncovered and the focus of the research project sharpened. The main disadvantages are the cost and time required to collect them. Secondary data already exist, they are historical data gathered by people either inside or outside the firm to meet their needs.If those needs are similar to the researcher’s needs secondary data can be useful. Although they are cheaper and faster to collect than primary data, their relevance, accuracy, credibility and timeliness must be established before they can be used. 5. Determine Data Sources – The major internal source of primary data is company personals, Retailers, wholesales, customers and competitors are important external sources of primary data. Knowing what primary data are needed gives an indication of who might have them. The major internal source of secondary data is company records.Libraries, trade associations and government publication s are important external sources of secondary data. 6. Create the Research Design – The research design specifies the overall framework and the specific procedures for collecting and analyzing the data. This is the most important step in the research process. Research Design can be classified by function and by methodology. Functional Categories – (a). Exploratory Research. (b). Descriptive Research (c). Casual Research (d). Predictive Research. Methodological Research – (a). Historical (b) Survey (c) Experimental (d) Motivational 7.Collect the Data – Once the researcher has determined data needs, data sources, and the framework and procedures to collect and analyze them, the problem becomes one of searching for and securing data. In collecting data, the researcher implements the research design. For secondary data, a good understanding of internal and external sources is necessary. Primary data, however , must be collected through observation and inquiry . 8. Analyses Data and Convert to Information – The data that have been collected according to the research design must be analyzed and interpreted.This leads the researcher to either accept or reject the research hypothesis After coding and editing, data are analyzed. This involves descriptive responses, calculating averages etc. in order to convert raw data into an understandable form for the purpose of interpreting the data. Tabulation, for example, involves arranging the data in a table, graph, or other summery format to facilitate their interpretation. More sophisticated data analysis techniques may also be used as the research moves beyond the description of the data to sophisticated statistical analysis of them.Cross tabulation is often used to show how variable relates to another variable. 9. Communicate the Information – Communicating research findings to decision makers is a crucial step in a research project because the project will be a failure if the resul ts are not communicated effectively. Among the criteria for judging the quality of a research report are completeness, organization, understandability, interest level, accuracy, clarity, conciseness include : specific sections of the report typically (a) Title page (b) Table of contents (c)Executive summery (d) Introduction (e) Body (f) Conclusions and recommendations and (g) Appendices.

London Jets

Questions for the London Jets Case Download the file LondonJets. xls, available on the course website. I. Perform RFM Analysis: (recency, frequency, monetary (total sales) analysis) as indicated on page 3 of the case; steps for RFM are given on page 8 of the case (I have provided one approach on page 3 of this document). Use pivot table with Frequency and Monetary value for rows and Recency for column. Data field should be Count of CustID. Important Note — The format for this table is shown on the next page; use this format for your RFM table. Please provide a brief interpretation for the RFM analysis – assume you are the consultant to London Jets; how would you explain what the numbers in the pivot table mean (keep the discussion brief; each and every entry need not be explained). II. Additional Analysis: Do two additional sets of analysis beyond RFM. As an example, you may want to analyze attendance patterns for Fan Club Members versus non-members to see if there is any merit in increasing the size of this club (this would count as one analysis). There are several different variables in the database, and as such there are lots of ways in which the data can be analyzed. Think about the issue London Jets is facing – how to increase attendance – and let this objective drive your analysis. For each additional analysis undertaken by your team, provide a rationale as to why should London Jets consider the customer segment you are analyzing. Please also be sure to briefly explain the outcome of your analysis (what did you learn for your analysis, and how London Jets can benefit from this analysis). What to submit? Please submit one hard copy of the report per team. List the last names of team members on the cover page in alphabetical order. Prepare your report in power point such that it could be presented to London Jets’ management (although your team will not be asked to present the report). Your report should end with a Conclusions page where you draw conclusions from all the analyses you have done, and recommended actions London Jets can take to increase attendance to its games based on your work. Please make sure that the report is contained within a maximum of 12 pages (slides) including the title and conclusions pages. Team work models I have seen two models of team work. The first and more commonly used model is where the team divides the workload and each member is responsible for completing their share of work. These disparate pieces are put together as a report. The obvious advantage of this approach is that the work is divided evenly among members. The drawback of this approach is that sloppy work by one or more team members adversely impacts the score of those who put in good work. Additionally, if someone in the team does not take the trouble to integrate the disparate pieces, the end result can be a report that appears disjoint (i. . made up of pieces that do not flow well together). The second, less common approach is where each member provides input on every aspect (question) of the case. Compared to the approach described above, the second approach certainly requires more time from each member. The advantage however is that often the best ideas (i. e. responses to case questions) make it into the report, resulting in a higher quality of sub mitted work. Important Note — This note applies for all cases done in this class. I cannot entertain questions such as â€Å"Professor, please take a look at what we have so far and let us know if we are on the right track†. Teams are expected to work on each case independently. Taking necessary decisions in situations where there is no clear consensus is a part of team learning process. [pic] Learn more about RFM here: http://searchcrm. techtarget. com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci751219,00. html Steps for creating RFM table for London Jets Step 0 — Start by creating a column with 3000 entries such that the first 600 entries are 5s, followed by 600 4s, 600 3s, 600 2s and 600 1s. With copy and paste, this takes  less than  2 minutes and I can gladly show you how. Here are the remaining steps for assigning RFM codes to the London Jets. Step 1 — Sort the entire data on recency of attendance so that customers that attended the games most recently will be on the top of the list. Add a new column to the data labeled R, where you copy and paste the column created in step 0. Step 2 — Sort the entire data, including recency codes assigned in step 1, on the basis of frequency of attendance such that customers with the highest frequency of attendance are at the top of the list. Add a new column to the data labeled F, where you copy and paste the column created in step 0. Step 3 — Sort the entire data, including recency codes assigned in step 1 and frequency codes assigned in step 2, on the basis of  monetary spending such that customers spending the most are at the top of the list. Add a new column to the data labeled M, where you assign first 1000 hundred customers a  M code of 5, the next 1000 a code of 4, and the last 1000 a code of 3. You are done assigning codes at the end of step 3, and are ready to create the RFM table.

Dimmesdale as Tragic Hero essays

Dimmesdale as Tragic Hero essays One may ask how The Scarlet Letter would fit the structure of a classical tragedy. The answer to this question is quite simple if you know how to identify a tragedy. A tragedy is a story that depicts serious incidents in which protagonists undergo a change from happiness to suffering, and often involves the death of others as well as the main characters. In The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale follows this structure perfectly. He is happy in the beginning, and then declines into suffering and finally, death. Many people believe that despite his less than noble actions, Dimmesdale can be considered the tragic hero. In order for us to give him that identity, we must investigate how Dimmesdale fits the characteristics of a tragic hero. In my opinion, if Dimmesdale is the hero, he must be in a high social state, have a tragic flaw, and fall to his ultimate fate. Being the minister of the town qualifies Dimmesdale as a person of high social status. He is loved by many people for giving his intelligent and persuasive sermons. Almost every hero that has ever existed had this quality of high social status. If you look back into time, Beowulf, Superman, King Arthur: these heroes were all looked up to by many. In order for heroes to earn their names, they must have people that believe in them. In The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale had many people believing in him. His people believed in him so much that when Dimmesdale confessed to having sinned with Hester Prynne, they could not even picture him going against all that he has taught them. From committing the sin in the first place, Dimmesdale consequently became a more emotional and powerful minister, and his congregation had no idea that it was because of his shame. Dimmesdale had the townspeople on his side throughout the entire story until his confession and death. Dimmesdale had preached so str ongly about sinning that his own followers could not forgive him, and they plac ...

Summary One Essays

Summary One Essays Summary One Essay Summary One Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Summary One The article â€Å"Elements of Strategic Planning and Management in Municipal Government: Status after Two Decades† explores the application of planning and management procedures in municipal governing entities that have populations of over 25,000. A survey was carried out to determine the relevance of strategic planning in municipalities. Strategic planning and management in municipal governments is crucial since it creates efficiency in these systems. Government policy requires municipal governments to employ the use of strategic planning and management approach to maximize efficiency. However, research shows that the application of strategic planning is not always easy to achieve. The article’s point of discovery begins from the determination of what strategic planning is its purpose in municipalities, and its use among other factors. Strategic planning is used to uphold a desirable balance between an organization and the environment within which it operates over a long period. Strategic planning works only when planned action is effectively linked to implementation. A survey given to municipal managers revealed that out of 512 managers only 44 percent employed strategic planning. However, the 44 percent reported that not all strategic plans were implemented. Strategic plan is effective when relevant stakeholders are involved with 60 percent of the local governments that responded affirming that citizens, politicians and other stakeholders were involved in strategic planning processes. Another important factor in strategic planning is the elements used on creating a strategic plan. The respondents of the survey indicated that the most frequently used elements of strategic planning were development of goals and objectives, vision for the future, which was followed by a review of organizational mission goals and finally developing action plans. Implementation of strategic planning requires applying strategic management practices that are divided into four levels. These levels tie into how planning allocates resources, how the municipalities manage their performance and the processes involved in measuring their performance. The results of the survey indicated that strategic planning had helped municipal governments to operate their cities more effectively therefore achieving beneficial result for the municipalities. Summary Two The article â€Å"Effects of Economic Development Strategies in Local Municipalities† by Robbie Waters through survey explore the effects of economic development planning in municipalities that employ them. It has been suggested that economic development planning can be the solution to all the problems facing a community. Literature in economics reveals that effective economic development planning is believed to reduce unemployment rates. In this regard, job creation for the community drives cities to practice economic development strategies and policies. To determine the effectiveness of economic development plans, the article compares the status of cities that employ economic polices to those that do not. This is done by comparing unemployment rates over a five-year period. A survey conducted by International City/Council Management in 1999 and 2004 on chief administration officer in US cities with over 10000 and counties with a population of over 50000 reveal that localities that have written down economic development plans, on an average achieve a reduction in employment rate by 0.76 percentage points. It was also determined that areas with written business strategies had experienced a higher level of unemployment than areas without this form of planning by a 1.16 percentage points. Depending on the model used, the statistical significance is dramatically changed affecting the unemployment rates in the cities. The main aim of economic development planning remains to be growing economically sustainable communities that will create employment opportunities. However, the results acquired from the survey suggest that economic development plans need to be revised to suit the needs of the community. Therefore, the results raise questions as to the relevance of economic development planning in local governments. The results achieved in the survey also suggest that local governments do not employ strategic applications in implementing their economic plans. The evidence also brings into question the commitment of municipal authorities in implementing their plans for the cities they run. In view of the questions raised, future research should aim disambiguating the results and include more parameters that will make to enrich the research and settle the questions that have arisen in research. Summary Three Competing and Cooperating across State Borders in Economic Development: A Call for ‘‘Coopertition’’ by Jon Lombard and John Morris discuss the importance of cooperation of local and state government in economic development. Successful economic development is expected to provide tangible benefits for members of the community within a state or locality. This is seen by the ability for these entities to attract business. Competition however has moved from regional competition to national and international proportions. The essay proposes that competition and cooperation are not opposing forces but rather necessary ingredients to economic success. Considering the relevance of the two, the term coopertition is formed to describe the dual nature of government incentives in aiding economic development. Competition in the past among states for economic developments has been seen to create winners and losers. However, governments have come to the realization that the competition is beneficial to all involved when resources are pulled. Therefore, economic development necessitates a competitive element. Coopertition is an essential part of economic development that seeks to make use of the advantages inherent by cooperating with other governments. It is important to note that coopertition results in the creation of a new economic unit that is not only bigger and better, but also offers its participants a resource base that is unmatched by smaller entities that are competing. The Federal system in America creates a distinction in the political realm with well-defined borders. The hierarchical political structures in the government create levels of competing entities within this structure. From the national level, we derive the states vertically. However, competition exists in the horizontal layer where we have the states competing for economic development. This is the stage at which coopertition for economic development is at its best. The use of cooperation in developing economies has served the well in the United States. Local governments work together in an aim to maximize on benefits imagined in economic development. To achieve the necessity of coopertition, states may make informal agreements or understandings or even interstate compacts. Interstate compacts, however, are not popular because of the formality that goes with creating such an arrangement. Therefore, this is not the right approach to coopertition. In conclusion, the nature of economic development provides rich ground for study. It is evident that the individual forces in competition do not have as many benefits as coopertition does. Individualism undermines economic development. In this sense, it is necessary to explore the benefits of coopertition in enhancing cross-border economic success.

Book Club Discussion Questions for When You Reach Me

Book Club Discussion Questions for 'When You Reach Me' When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is a young adult novel that will delight adults and youth alike. Use these book club discussion questions on When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead to lead your book club or reading group into Steads book. Book Club Discussion Questions  for  When You Reach Me Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal important details about When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Finish the book before reading on. How did the 20,000 Pyramid play a role in the story? How did her mothers quest with the game show mirror Mirandas quest to make sense of her life?Did you have trouble understanding the concept of time travel allowing something to happen before the person actually traveled back in time? Or did Malcolm and Julias explanations make sense to you?Malcolm tells Miranda, Einstein says common sense is just a habit of thought. Its how were used to thinking about things, but a lot of time it just gets in the way of whats true (51). Do you think thats true? Have you ever had to let go of assumptions in order to see the truth? Have you ever known anyone who was very smart but did not seem to have any common sense? Would you rather have a lot of common sense or the ability to see a few profound truths that other people miss?At what point did you realize the laughing man was Malcolm?Were you satisfied with the way all the mysteries came together in the end?A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline LEngle has a big impact on Miranda, but also on Rebecca Stead and the idea for this book. Did reading When You Reach Me make you want to read A Wrinkle in Time again? Is there any book that took hold of you the way A Wrinkle in Time took hold of Miranda―that you read and reread either as a child or an adult?How does Miranda change in this book? In what ways do her relationships with her mother and friends mature?Rate When You Reach Me on a scale of 1 to 5.

How do history events lead to frequent extreme weather Research Paper

How do history events lead to frequent extreme weather - Research Paper Example This paper seeks to discuss how different historical events have contributed to the uneven extreme weather that is experienced in different parts of the world today. The first example that can prove this is the agrarian revolution that took place from the 1600s. This was a time when agriculture was getting a new face, and all businesses were revolving around agriculture1. New farming technologies had been invented, and every farmer wanted to part of the invention. It was a great revolution that affected almost all fields of life. Agricultural production increased, and there was a need to develop other sectors of the economy so that the excess food could not be a waste2. People developed the food processing industries so that food would be processed, preserved and exported to other areas, for sale. As a result, the transport industry was also developed, so that transportation from farms to factories and from the factories to the market would be easy3. By the year 1940, agriculture had taken a completely different turn4. People had graduated from simple farming to tractors and other technologies like the seed drill. Improved fertilizers were produced, which contributed greatly to agricultural production. As all this was taking place, there was a lot of pollution that was un-noticed. All the industries that were coming up were hurting the ozone layer5. They were major air and water pollutants, and this has contributed to the adverse weather changes that the world is currently experiencing. In the modern world, many scholars have been forced to set down for long hours, just to discuss about the climate changes. There are extreme weather changes, which are affecting various parts of the world. All these can be linked to the agrarian revolution in one way or another. For example, when industries were releasing carbon emissions uncontrollably, into the atmosphere, they led into the destruction of the ozone layer6. This is clear evidence that the current world is suffe ring a great deal because of the mistakes and events that that happened many years ago in the world’s history. Industrialization is another thing that has had very adverse effects on the weather, and climate. The first phase of industrialization was marked by a lot of changes in the world of business. The production and manufacturing industry, the processing industry, and other service industries were affected. Factories were being constructed at a very fast rate. Many products were being manufactured, and there was a need for a lot of fuel to facilitate all these processes. Electricity as scarce, and expensive to produce, as a result, many people used coal and wood as a source of fuel. Many trees were cut down in search of fuel and wood for manufacturing different items. This was one of those ties when the world experienced the highest ate of deforestation. Many trees were cut down, and a lot of initial forested and was left bare. This has had a very negative effect on weath er, even up to today. One of the most important functions that trees play is that they absorb carbon dioxide from the environment, and release oxygen. Carbon dioxide cannot be absorbed from the atmosphere if trees are not available. The historical mass cutting of trees has led to a considerably low number of trees, which means that enough carbon dioxide cannot be absorbed from the environment. High concentrations of carbon dioxide lead to global

Ethical Issues in Healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ethical Issues in Healthcare - Essay Example This essay examines some of the key ethical issues concerning contentious health services such as abortion, euthanasia and consent. In brief, the main body contains first paragraphs presenting the arguments in support of the hypothesis and the second against argument on the hypothesis. Our main hypothesis involves the argument for or against the contentious health issues such as abortion, consent or euthanasia. In the process, the essayist looks into the factors involved, the guidance for dealing with specified ethical issue, evaluation of euthanasia based on different moral and ethical arguments. Euthanasia refers to an instance where patients who have a terminal illnesses, such as cancer, HIV/AIDs or diabetes, may opt to propose be given some drugs for terminating life. A nurse or any medical practitioner usually facilitates this. First, it has been argued that people have a right to decide when they want to die and therefore nobody should prevent them from using euthanasia. Secondly, it was revealed that to deny people the right to live their lives as they wish implies that each individual does not know what his or her own rights is. This was based on the concept of individualism, a fundamental factor within a democratic based political theory. The theory reveals that individuals should be given rights to own their life and nobody should question them on how they are managing personal life just like assets. Another argument was that it is wrong to keep any person alive for longer period than they are meant to be.

Point Helper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Point Helper - Assignment Example governments bailout. Daniel Akerson, Chairman and Chief Executive of GM, spoke to his shareholders regarding the current position of his company. He stated that â€Å"GM has gone from almost being history to making history† (Terlep). A new GM has been created after bringing about numerous changes in his company. The new GM has gone on to become the largest IPO ever in a span of 18 months. The progress has happened through review of design, engineering and manufacturing footprints, reducing complexities and eliminating costs (Terlep). A new senior management team had been recruited and more talented people from within and outside had been employed to build new business models. Some analysts have predicted that GM will have a market growth of more than 12MM units from 2010 to 2015, and GM has become the market share leader in the BRIC countries (Terlep). They have successfully invested $3.4B in U.S and thereby generated 9000 new jobs since its bankruptcy. They have further announced an additional $2B in U.S. facility investment which will support 28000 other jobs (Terlep). â€Å"GM has great potential to deliver profitable growth around the world as the recovery continues,† said Dan Ammann, senior vice president and CFO of GM to the shareholders (Terlep).Thus we see that GM has rebuilt itself out of the ashes like a phoenix by creating a strong customer demand for its new fuel efficient vehicles and a competitive cost structure which has leveraged their strong brands in the market and increase their profits year by

Trends in obesity over the last 20 years and implications for the Coursework

Trends in obesity over the last 20 years and implications for the future - Coursework Example This essay "Trends in obesity over the last 20 years and implications for the future" outlines an increasing trend in the obesity of the USA in the last twenty years and if the effects of the policy implemented are ineffective in the USA. The body mass index (BMI) includes a significant importance. It is a measurement of the weight defined as kg per square meter. In a conventional manner when the range of BMI is between 25 and 30, then the person is said to be overweight and the person is said to be obese when the value is greater than 30 (Akil & Ahmad, 2011, p. 58). This obesity problem is a common trouble in almost every country in the world especially in the Western countries. Statistical analyses is an important tool which will be directed towards analyzing the trends of obesity in different countries and can give us a clear idea about the historical pattern and suggest important policies for the future. Obesity is very crucial problem in every society and it is indeed an importa nt problem in the developed nation like United States of America (USA). There has been a growing awareness of the health problems attached with weight as well as availability of light or no fat foods. But despite that there had been a significant incidence of obesity problem in the United States of America. There has been documentation initiating from period as early as 1960s and there has been a consistent year to year rise in the percentage of adults who are suffering from overweight. This trend increases seem to have accelerated. Data collected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) indicates that within a period of 1985-1995 there has been an increase in the BMI from a level of 29.2 to 34.4 and there has been an increase in the percentage from a magnitude of 8.6 to 15.2. The correlation between overweight and many of the chronic diseases as well as various obnoxious health outcomes has made this a serious health concern. Obesity as a factor also gets associa ted with nation’s burgeoning health care bill. It is estimated that for the year 1990, the costs including direct and indirect costs of the excess weight in the USA were figured at the amount of $46 billion and $ 23 billion respectively (Binkley, Eales & Jekanowski, 2000). The propositions which will be examined in the paper are: 1. There has been an increasing trend in the obesity of USA in the last twenty years 2. Obesity is the highest for USA as compared to other countries 3. Race also plays an important part in USA with respect to obesity 4. The standard deviation of obesity of the data of USA is highly scattered 5. The effects of the policy implemented are ineffective in USA. 4. Analysis Before moving into analysis, the method of data collection is to be mentioned. For the purpose of data collection, we have relied on the government site of USA .The database for data collection which is used is the center for disease control and prevention (CDC) in USA. CDC helps in the creation of expertise, information as well as tools which the people as well as the communities requires for the purpose of protecting their health with the help of promotion, disease prevention, injury and disability as well as preparedness for the threats of new health problems. CDC directs towards accomplishing its mission through working with the partners all over the nation as well as in a global basis for the purpose of detecting as well as investigating the health problems, conducting research as

Explain the matching principle as it relates to pre-paid expenses, Essay

Explain the matching principle as it relates to pre-paid expenses, unearned revenue, and operating assets - Essay Example They provide benefit for a long period of time so it will be necessary to apportion those expenses between more than one periods. For example prepaid insurance is paid for a longer period than one year so, only the expired portion of the prepaid insurance is charged in the income statement. Matching principle states that the prepaid expenses should be apportioned in the period to which they belong or in other words expenses should be recognized not when they are paid but when they are used to generate revenue (Stahl, 2004). The remaining balance of the prepaid expenses should appear in the balance sheet until they are recognized in the income statements. Unearned revenues are the revenue of the prepaid expenses. Every entity which prepays an expense before the benefit is actually realized, another entity receives the revenue for which the services have not been rendered these are called unearned revenues or deferred revenue (Jay S. RiJefferson P Jones, 2011). For example the courier services receive the payment in advance and they record it as deferred revenue until the delivery of the courier. The matching principle regarding the unearned income states that the only those revenues should be recognized for which the entity has incurred expenses and the rest should be shown as a liability because the company is not yet untitled to recognize them. Operating assets are expected to benefit the organization in more than one accounting period that is why they are classified under long term/fixed assets in the balance sheet. The most common examples of the operating assets are building, tools, furniture and equipments etc. Matching principle states that the benefit obtained from the operating assets should be realized on some logical basis over the asset’s useful life. The application of the matching principle on operating assets is little more complex than the prepaid assets and unearned revenue because the

Smoking and Its Affects on Americans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Smoking and Its Affects on Americans - Essay Example This report approves that reasonable persons who happen to smoke, an overwhelming majority, acknowledge that actions such as smoking in a car with the windows rolled up while the kids are in the car is at least a mild form of child neglect. It is unreasonable for citizens not allowed the civil liberty to engage in any activity that does not harm other persons or their property. Smokers have actually become an oppressed minority in the U.S. As an example, smokers are commonly the victims of workplace discrimination due to their unfortunate cigarette addiction. Personal freedoms are an American birthright that is slowly but surely eroding over time. This essay makes a conclusion that smoking is now widely regarded as an activity that can be associated with numerous health risks, not only for the individual engaging in the activity, but also for those who are in the immediate vicinity and thus must partake of what has been termed ‘second-hand smoke’. For these reasons, it has been determined in a variety of different venues and states, that smoking in public and public-use places, such as libraries and government offices, restaurants and shopping malls, should be banned. While restrictions in closed-area spaces may be reasonable and justified, smokers argue that unreasonable restrictions on their freedoms such as enjoying a nice smoke after dinner in the designated smoking section or while outdoors crosses the line of reason and damages the concepts of liberty and personal freedom as defined by the nation’s founding documents.

Explain the matching principle as it relates to pre-paid expenses, Essay

Explain the matching principle as it relates to pre-paid expenses, unearned revenue, and operating assets - Essay Example They provide benefit for a long period of time so it will be necessary to apportion those expenses between more than one periods. For example prepaid insurance is paid for a longer period than one year so, only the expired portion of the prepaid insurance is charged in the income statement. Matching principle states that the prepaid expenses should be apportioned in the period to which they belong or in other words expenses should be recognized not when they are paid but when they are used to generate revenue (Stahl, 2004). The remaining balance of the prepaid expenses should appear in the balance sheet until they are recognized in the income statements. Unearned revenues are the revenue of the prepaid expenses. Every entity which prepays an expense before the benefit is actually realized, another entity receives the revenue for which the services have not been rendered these are called unearned revenues or deferred revenue (Jay S. RiJefferson P Jones, 2011). For example the courier services receive the payment in advance and they record it as deferred revenue until the delivery of the courier. The matching principle regarding the unearned income states that the only those revenues should be recognized for which the entity has incurred expenses and the rest should be shown as a liability because the company is not yet untitled to recognize them. Operating assets are expected to benefit the organization in more than one accounting period that is why they are classified under long term/fixed assets in the balance sheet. The most common examples of the operating assets are building, tools, furniture and equipments etc. Matching principle states that the benefit obtained from the operating assets should be realized on some logical basis over the asset’s useful life. The application of the matching principle on operating assets is little more complex than the prepaid assets and unearned revenue because the

Reflection and Critical Evaluation of Performance, Progress and Essay

Reflection and Critical Evaluation of Performance, Progress and Learning - Essay Example â€Å"Work experience can be of real value to individuals and to employers. However, in itself, such experience is not enough. It is the recognition of skills and awareness of the work context that is important† (Work Experience Module n.d., p. 6). The workers who successfully complete this module will: Set attainable goals for work experience Understand how the work is planned and organized at different stages Develop skills and capabilities to face challenges in the work Discover future employment opportunities Maintain a work place diary which describes and analyses experiences at workplace. Recognize equality problem connected to the workplace e.g. age, gender, sexual orientation, etc Competition for work experience placements has constantly been severe. The best probable possibility of securing work lies in the quality of the people who approach the job. This requires a short introductory email or letter, and CV to catch the attention of employers. This work based learnin g experience will help the employees to perform their job better, able to identify and evaluate where they went wrong, how to achieve the set standards, and what actions need to be taken to improve the performance. Performance appraisal system will help evaluate the employee’s performance. Interpersonal Skills: Through work based learning, the employees can develop their interpersonal skills. â€Å"The most common form of learning from other people takes the form of consultation and collaboration within the immediate working group: this may include teamwork, ongoing mutual consultation and support or observation of others in action. Beyond the immediate work environment, people sought information and advice, from other people in their organization, from customers or suppliers or from wider professional networks† (Eraut n.d., Interpersonal skills include: Increased cooperative working relationships Working with others to efficiently solve conflicts Methods of Assessing Interpersonal Skills Include: Personality inventories (e.g. MBTI), Interviews, 360 degree feedback, Assessment centers, peer evaluations of class projects. Assessment of interpersonal skill signifies an exchange between organizational problem and behavioral evaluation. When evaluating the different methods to determine interpersonal skills, it is significant to take into account the costs that have to be met by the organization. These expenses may comprise the idea to expand or acquire, organize and manage the evaluation process. The progress of an interview is a simple job, but organizing individual interviews need time. Other forms of evaluation (360-degree feedback and evaluation centers), on the other hand, can frequently be troublesome, and they necessitate time to expand and manage. Therefore it is classified as high on administrative costs. The team-working skills provide the capability to work in teams, and to make use of suitable interpersonal skills to make relationships w ith team members, colleagues and external stakeholders. â€Å"Good teamwork releases group synergy so that the combined effect of individual contributions far exceeds the sum of their individual effects. There is mutual accountability and togetherness amongst members of a well-knit team. The basic premise here is that individual contributions cannot be as good as all of us working together in a team† (Leadership and Teamwork n.d.). Networking is an important part of any job search. It is the method of creating contacts for

Early Years Childcare Essay

Early Years Childcare Essay Introduction Early learning is, quite simply, vital for all children as it lays the foundation for everything that is to come (John Hopkins University, n.d.). Research studies indicate that the development of active neural pathways (Shonkoff and Phillips, 2000) in the brain primarily take place before the age of three and that it is during the early childhood period that the brain is most receptive to learning (John Hopkins University, n.d. ; endorsed by State of Victoria, 2010). Therefore, it is critical that children in their early years are given opportunities for social, physical, emotional and intellectual development through high quality early years provision which in turn provides the potential for not only educational but economic and social benefits (Barnett, 2008). The way in which this provision is facilitated is a mark of how well any nation takes care of its children inclusive of their health and safety, their education and socialisation, their material security, â€Å"†¦ their sense of being loved, valued, and included in families and societies†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (UNICEF, 2007, p. 4 cited in Aldgate in McCauley and Rose, 2010, p. 23). Adults who wish to work with children in this age group have to wear many ‘different hats’ in order to facilitate children’s needs which necessitates their having an understanding of their role and responsibilities with regard to interacting with children (Rose and Rogers, 2012). The aim of this essay is to highlight the most important elements which need to be considered in the education, preparation and training of those who wish to work within the field of Early Years Childcare. The Early Years Sector – Work and Training As early as 2009-10, the House of Commons recognised the need for greater rigour in the training of teachers for Early Years age group, stating that standards should be modified in order that this sector was no longer associated with the least skilled part of the children’s workforce (House of Commons, 2009 -10). These comments concur with the findings of research studies such as that of Sylva et al (2004) which indicated that the quality of the provision provided for children is commensurate with the quality of the adults working in them (Miller, 2010 in Cable et al, 2010, p. 55). As from September 2014, Early Years educator qualifications have been introduced in the United Kingdom in order to meet the Early Years educator criteria as set by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. This qualification operates at Level 3 (A-level) and enables practitioners to be â€Å"†¦ included in the ratios specified in the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework† (National College for Leadership Teaching, 2013, p. 2). This qualification aims to provide learners with opportunities to develop their understanding of how to support and promote children’s early education and development, to develop skills of planning for effective care which prepares children for school, to utilise assessment effectively, to work with children in a safe environment which safeguards their welfare, to develop effective working practices and to work in partnership alongside the key person, other colleagues and parents for the benefit of young children (National College for Leadership Teaching, 2013). A similar qualification is the CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator- QCF) which has been developed for use from September 2014 to provide a high quality qualification that â€Å"†¦ reflects the priorities of practitioners and employers to meet the needs of young children† (CACHE, 2011, para 4). Minimum entry requirements include the stipulation that all entrants to these type of training courses must have GCSEs in English and Mathematics at grade C or above which should have the effect of raising the â€Å"†¦ overall quality and literacy and numeracy skills of those entering the workforce† (Foundation Years, 2014, para 1). Clearly, once qualified, these individuals will work closely with those who have Early Years Teaching qualifications. Those who wish to embark upon gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) must have a minimum standard of a grade C GCSE in English, Maths and a science subject as well as a degree. Candidates for teacher training must also have experience of the school system, over and above having been a pupil themselves; most courses stipulate that individuals must have at least 10 days experience prior to embarking upon their training (Department for Education, n.d.). Prospective teachers must also pass numeracy and literacy skills tests as part of the application process (Department for Education, n.d.a) prior to embarking upon Early Years Initial Teacher Training. There are four ways in which Early Years teacher status can be accredited graduate entry (a one year full-time course), graduate employment-based (a one year part-time course for graduates in Early Years settings who need further experience and/or training to demonstrate Teacher Standards), undergraduate entry (full-time Level 6 qualification in an early childhood related subject in conjunction with Early Years Teacher status over a 3 or 4 year period) and assessment only (graduates with significant experience of working within the age range [0 – 5] over a period of three months) (Gov. UK, n.d.). In addition to this, a clear set of Teachers’ Standards have been developed by the government in order to ensure that practitioners are â€Å"†¦ accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in their professional practice and conduct† (National College for Teaching Leadership, 2013a, p. 2). The rationale behind these newly implemented criteria and renewed emphasis upon appropriate qualifications is the need to establish an education system which allows children to move from one phase to another seamlessly, as a result of the fact that practitioners recognise that learning is a continuum from the Early Years through to Key Stage 4 and beyond (National College for Teaching Leadership, 2013a). It is based upon the evidence that 94% of children who attain good levels of development by the age of five progress to achieving their expected reading levels at Key Stage 1 and are statistically five times more likely to achieve higher levels (Department for Education, n.d.c). It is clear that these levels of attainment are attributable to the increasing impact that graduate practitioners are having on the quality and the delivery of Early Years provision across the United Kingdom (Mathers et al, 2011). Furthermore, Sylva et al (2004) contend that there is a direct correlation between practitioners’ qualifications, the quality of the learning environment and the attainment levels of children in a pre-school learning setting. Learning and Play In order for practitioners to create quality learning environments, it is essential that they have an understanding of how children learn. Learning is quite difficult to define as it can include the process of thinking and becoming aware, using imagination and creativity, observing, hearing, remembering and problem solving (Malone, 1991 cited in Ostroff, 2012, p. 2). Ostroff (2012) contends that learning is something which is embedded deep in our psyche which is rooted in the need to assimilate new information through actively exploring the environment. She believes that the process of learning is physical in nature, taking place within the sensory systems which feed information back to the brain in order to dictate an individual’s actions. Pollard et al (2008, p. 170) regard it as the mechanism through which â€Å"†¦ knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes are acquired, understood, applied and extended† whilst Pachler and Daly (2011, p. 17) view it as â€Å"†¦ twin processes of ‘coming to know’ and ‘being able to operate’ successfully in and across new and ever changing contexts and learning spaces, as a process of meaning making†¦Ã¢â‚¬  that occurs as a result of communication and interaction with others. Learning, for children, is the development of their thinking processes and knowledge base as a result of adding new concepts and ideas to what they already know (Wood in Anning, Cullen and Fleer, 2004). The means through which young children achieve this is play. This is an umbrella term (Bruce, 1991) which describes a process of interaction between different individuals which facilitates the development of thinking skills (Dunn, 1993; Meadows, 1993). This is regarded as a social cultural process that is impacted upon by the context and the environment in which any interaction takes place (Robson, 2006). It is an integral part of children’s development physically, intellectually and emotionally (Elkind, 2008). Play allows children to gather a wealth of first-hand experience as a result of the exploration of the environment in which they find themselves and it is the means through which they solve problems and in so doing develop an appreciation of the world around them (Bruce, 1993; Hurst, 1997; Phillips and Soltis, 1998; Edgington, 2004). Play provides opportunities for children to make discoveries not only about the world around them but about themselves. Hughes (2006) indicates that there are many different types of play which contribute to children’s development including the use of language, expressive movement, the examination and use of space as well as physical ‘rough and tumble’ play. It is the vehicle through which children learn to be creative and to utilise their imagination through interacting and communicating with others in their group in a variety of different roles (Edgington, 2004). It is through this vehicle that they learn about cultural conventions (Wood and Attfield, 2005) as well as the means through which they are able to develop physically as a result of exercising through running around (Manning-Morton and Thorp, 2003). Play also appears to have a positive effect upon children’s emotions (Russ, 2004) and it is the mechanism through which they are able to learn about how to control their own emotions and gain an appreciation of the views and feelings of others (Sayeed and Guerin, 2000). However, learning through play cannot take place unless there is an appreciation and a deep understanding of its purpose and function in children’s lives. It is therefore important that the thinking which underlies child centred learning is also taught to, and understood by prospective practitioners. The notion that children could create their own bank of knowledge was first mooted by Piaget who believed that individual children were young investigators of their world who experimented with their environment in order to gather an appreciation and understanding of it (Moore, 2000). He stated that there were distinct stages in children’s development (sensorimotor, 0 2 years of age; preoperational, 2 – 6 years of age; concrete operational, 7 11 years of age; formal operational, 11+) (Jardine, 2006) through which children developed their beliefs and how to express them; it also allowed them to hone their logical thinking as a result of modifying their beliefs and subsequent actions as a result of assimilating new information (Barnes, 1976). Piaget believed that each experience that children undergo is vital to their development which is an opinion shared by Vygotsky. However, it is his contention that learning is a social activity and it is the means through which children develop as a result of learning to communicate with each other using both language and gesture. He believed that children learnt as a result of observing the actions and reactions of others and that through cooperating with individuals within their environment who are more experienced, they are able to achieve a greater degree of learning. The evident gap between that which children are able to achieve alone and with the aid of someone else he called the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). It is the function of the practitioner to create an environment in which children learn as a result of individual work and through interacting with those around them in order to develop skills for their future (Brown, 2006). Good Practice The creation of a vibrant, child-centred learning environment is critical in encouraging play and communication, a point which is recognised in the government’s existing literacy and numeracy strategies (Wood, 2004 in Anning, Cullen and Fleer, 2004). The play based curriculum as highlighted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) documentation (2012, p. 6) as being â€Å"†¦ essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others.† Children should be provided with opportunities to learn through play which they initiate themselves and by engaging with activities lead or guided by adults. It is critical, in creating any learning environment, that children’s interests and needs are catered for, inclusive of the different ways individuals learn. The EYFS states that the characteristics of effective teaching and learning are playing and exploring (providing children with opportunities to investigate and to experience different things), active learning (children are motivated to concentrate and be persistent if they enjoy their experiences) and creating and thinking critically (individuals are provided with opportunities to develop their own ideas, make connections between different concepts and to utilise different strategies to do things) (Department for Education, 2012). It is the function of the Early Years practitioner to lead the child in their learning, supporting and helping them as and where appropriate (MacShane, 2007 cited in Allen and Whalley, 2010, p. 4) which is achieved through the planning and resourcing of appropriately challenging learning activities embedded in play (Wheeler and Connor, 2009). It must be understood that it is planning which ensures a continuity of learning (Wood, 2004 in Anning, Cullen and Fleer, 2004) and that the learning environment which is dependent upon play will lead to individuals having a more rounded educational experience leading to a greater depth of knowledge, understanding and skills (Moyles and Adams, 2001). In order to facilitate the rounded development of individuals, as highlighted by the EYFS, parents must be involved in the educative process so that children have support for their learning in both the home and school environments. The needs of each individual must be discussed with parents in order to create a working partnership (Department for Education, 2012) which can foster united approaches towards teaching and learning to ensure that children are able to maximise their potential. Families can become involved in a number of activities to encourage their child’s learning; for example, reading with children, teaching nursery rhymes, teaching songs, practising letters and numbers, drawing and painting, visiting the library, taking children on day trips and engaging in play with their friends at home (Sylva et al, 2003). If parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child’s education they can have the effect of enhancing their child’s rate of development and progress (Wheeler and Connor, 2009), can ensure that children are fully aware of their cultural background and can foster a positive attitudes towards diversity. Inclusion and Cultural Awareness All prospective educators need to be aware of the idea of inclusion and inclusive practice. This involves modelling positive behaviour towards everyone no matter their background, their abilities or their race in order that everyone is seen as being of equal value. It is critical that every child is provided with equal opportunities to learn about and experience their culture and that they face no barriers to their learning. Furthermore, it is crucial that diversity in all its forms is a matter for celebration (Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education [CSIE], 2014). In practice, this necessitates practitioners and schools providing a curriculum that allows complete access for all in order that they are able to experience success to the extent of their ability (Mittler, 2000). It is also equally important that children are taught the skills that enable them to remain safe and healthy, to achieve everything that they are able, to make a valuable contribution to society and to attain financial stability in the future (Every Child Matters Green Paper, 2003). Within the EYFS, practitioners are expected to treat every child as being unique, to develop positive relationships with every individual in their care, to create environments which enable them to learn as an individual and as a member of a group whilst acknowledging that every person develops and learns at a different rate but still needs to be provided with activities that cater for their needs (Department for Education, 2012). Conclusion Clearly, there are a number of important elements which contribute towards the education, preparation and training of those who wish to become Early Years educators. It is vital that they have an understanding of the importance of this phase of a child’s education and the responsibility that is commensurate with working to cater for their needs. Prospective Early Years practitioners must be appropriately qualified and have an appreciation of how children learn. They must develop the ability to plan activities which cater for the needs of every child in their care and an ability to utilise different approaches towards teaching and learning. It is important that they are able to communicate with not only the children in the classroom but also their parents and develop positive working relationships with them in order that they feel valued and involved in a partnership towards the education of their child. In the classroom, they must be able to provide support, care and encouragement as well as positive feedback to every child in order that they are able to feel positive about themselves and their learning. It is of the utmost importance that each prospective educator is willing to find out about and cater for the differing cultural needs of those with whom they are dealing and ensure that each individual child and their family feel valued members of the community. They also need to demonstrate the ability to reflect upon their performance, display decision making skills, the ability to be a role model, to lead and support others, instil values within their working environment and work competently to effect change (Whalley et al, 2008 cited in Allen and Whalley, 2010, p. 2). In short, they must demonstrate a willingness to cultivate an understanding of how children develop and learn, how practitioners are able to support and enhance that process as well as nurture and cultivate their beliefs about what education should be for children, and how that vision should be supported (Stewart and Pugh, 2007 cited in Allen and Whalley, 2010, p. 4). References Aldgate, J. (2010) ‘Child Well-Being, Child Development and Family Life.’ in McCauley, C., Rose, W. (Eds) Child Well-Being: Understanding Children’s Lives. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers pp. 21 – 38 Allen, S., Whalley, M. E. (2010) Supporting Pedagogy and Practice in Early Years Settings. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd Barnett, W. S. (2008) Preschool Education and its Lasting Effects: Research and Policy Implications. National Institute for Early Education Research Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Barnes, D. (1976) From Communication to Curriculum. Harmondsworth: Penguin Brown, F. (2006) Playwork: Theory and Practice Buckingham: Open University Press Bruce, T. (1993) ‘The Role of Play in Children’s Lives.’ Childhood Education Vol. 69 #4 Bruce, T. (1991) Time to Play in Early Childhood Education. London: Hodder Stoughton CACHE (2011) ‘CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) (QCF).’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from http://www.cache.org.uk/Qualifications/EYE/Pages/CACHE-Level-3-Diploma-for-the-Early-Years-Workforce-(Early-Years-Educator)-(QCF)-.aspx Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (2013) ‘What is Inclusion?’ Retrieved on 20th October 2014 from http://www.csie.org.uk/inclusion/what.shtml Department for Education (2012) Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage: Setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five . London: Department for Education Department for Education (n.d.) ‘Get Into Teaching – Basic requirements to become a qualified teacher.’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/apply-for-teacher-training/basic-requirements Department for Education (n.d.a) ‘Get Into Teaching – Professional skills tests for training teachers.’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/apply-for-teacher-training/skills-tests Department for Education (n.d.b) ‘Early Years Evidence Pack.’ Retrieved 20th October 14 from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/180884/DFE-00274-2011.pdf Dunn, J. (1993) Young Children’s Close Relationships: Beyond Attachment. London: Sage Edgington, M. (2004) The Foundation Stage Teacher in Action: Teaching in 3, 4 and 5 Year Olds. (3rd Ed) London: Paul Chapman Elkind, D. (2008) The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children. Cambridge, MA: De Capo Lifelong Every Child Matters Green Paper (2003) Norwich: The Stationary Office Foundation Years (2014) ‘Entry Requirements for Early Years Educators.’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from Entry Requirements for Early Years Educators Gov.UK (n.d.) ‘Early years initial teacher training: a guide for providers – overview.’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from https://www.gov.uk/early-years-initial-teacher-training-a-guide-for-providers House of Commons Children, Schools and Families Committee (2009-10) Training of Teachers Fourth Report of Session 2009-10. London: House of Commons Hurst, V. (1997) Planning for Early Learning. (2nd Ed) London: Paul Chapman Jardine, D. W. (2006) Piaget Education. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc John Hopkins University (n.d.) ‘Why is Early Learning important?’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from http://web.jhu.edu/CSOS/early_learning/ Manning-Morton, J., Thorp, M. (2003) Key Times for Play: The First Three Years. Maidenhead: Open University Press Mathers, S., Ranns, H., Karemaker, A., Moody, A., Sylva, K., Graham, J., Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2011) ‘Evaluation of the Graduate Leader Fund Final Report.’ Retrieved 20th October 2014 from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/197418/DFE-RB144.pdf Meadows, S. (1993) The Child as Thinker. London: Routledge Miller, L. (2010) ‘Professional roles in the early years.’ in Cable, C., Miller, L., Goodliff, G. (Eds) Working with Children in the Early Years Abingdon: Routledge pp. 54 – 62 Mittler, P. (2000) Working Towards Inclusive Education: Social Contexts. London: David Fulton Moore, A. (2000) Teaching and Learning: Pedagogy, Curriculum and Culture. London: Routledge Moyles, J. R., Adams, S. (2001) StEPS: Statements of Entitlements to Play: A Framework for Playful Teaching with 3 – 7 Year-Olds. Buckingham: Open University Press National College for Leadership Teaching (2013) Early Years Educator (Level 3): Qualification Criteria. London: Government Publications National College for Leadership Teaching (2013a) Teachers’ Standards (Early Years). London: Government Publications Ostroff, W. L. (2012) Understanding How Young Children Learn: Bringing the Science of Child Development to the Classroom. Alexandria VA: ASCD Pachler, N., Daly, C. (2011) Key Issues in E-Learning: Research and Practice. London: Continuum International Publishing Group Phillips, D. C., Soltis, J. F. (1998) Perspectives on Learning. (3rd Ed) New York: Teachers College Press Pollard, A., Anderson, J., Maddock, M., Swaffield, S., Warin, J., Warwick, P. (2008) Reflective Teaching. (3rd Ed) London: Continuum Robson, S. (2006) Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children. London: Routledge Rose, J., Rogers, S. (2012) The Role of the Adult in Early Years Settings. Maidenhead: Open University Press Russ, S. (2004) Play in Child Development and Psychotherapy New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Sayeed, Z., Guerin, E. (2000) Early Years Play: A Happy Medium for Assessment and Intervention. London: David Fulton Shonkoff, J. P., Phillips, D. (Eds) (2000) From Neurons to Neighbourhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press State of Victoria (2010) Making the most of childhood: the importance of the early years. State of Victoria: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Sylva, K., Melhuish, E., Sammons, P., Siraj-Blatchford, I., Taggart, B. (2004) The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) Project: Findings from Pre-school to End of Key Stage 1. Nottingham: DfES Publications Wheeler, H., Connor, J. (2009) Parents, Early Years and Learning: Parents as Partners in the Early Years Foundation Stage Principles into Practice. London: National Children’s Bureau Wood, E. (2004) ‘Developing a Pedagogyv of Play.’ in Anning, A., Cullen, J., Fleer, M. Early Childhood Education: Society and Culture. London: Sage pp. 27 – 38 Wood, E., Attfield, J. (2005) Play, Learning and the Early Childhood Curriculum London: Paul Chapman

The Importance of Ion Channels Essay -- Disease, Disorders

Oculocutaneous albinism is the lack of color in an individual skin hair and eyes. This is a condition that exists from birth. This a The Importance of Ion Channels: An Analysis of the Long QT Syndrome Inheritance method Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is an uncommon congenital heart condition in which patients affected by this syndrome are at high risks for cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death due to mutations in cardiac ion channels (Crotti et al., 2008). There are two particular variants to the Long QT Syndrome; one is called the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome (J-LN), which is associated with deafness, and the other has been named the Romano-Ward Syndrome (R-W), in which there is no connection with deafness (Crotti et al., 2008). The Romano-Ward Syndrome is known to be the more common type of LQTS and is autosomal dominant (Russell et al., 1996), whereas the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome is less common and is autosomal recessive (Crotti et al., 2008). Gene(s) responsible or implicated in the disorder The research community has divided the Long QT Syndrome by types, depending upon the different mutations in four of the cardiac ion- channel genes, KVLQT1, HERG, SCN5A, and KCNE1 (Zareba et al., 1998). Mutations within these voltage-gated ion channels ultimately disrupt the normal nerve impulses that take place within myocardial cells. Sodium and potassium channels play key roles during action potentials as it is through these channels that their respective ions are able to enter and leave the cell in order to generate electrical excitation or inhibition throughout. Such channels are composed of subunits of proteins, and damage within even one subunit can alter the overall function of the action potential, which will alte... ...ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: 52. Priori, S., Napolitano, C., Schwartz, P., (1999). Low penetrance in the long-qt syndrome. Circulation 99, 529-533. Russell, M., Dick, M., Collins, F., Brody, L,. (1996). KVLQT1 mutations in three families with familial or sporadic long QT syndrome. Human Molecular Genetics 5, 1319-1324. Westenskow, P., Splawski, I., Timothy, K., Keating, M., Sanguinetti, M., (2004). Compound mutations: a common cause of severe long-QT syndrome. Circulation 109, 1834-1841. Zareba, W., Moss, A., Schwartz, P., Vincent, M., Robinson, J., Priori, S., Benhorin, J., Locati, E., Towbin, J., Keating, M., Lehmann, M., Hall, J., Andrews, M., Napolitano, C., Timothy, K., Zhang, L., Medina, A., MacCluer, J., (1998). Influence of the genotype on the clinical course of the long-QT syndrome. The New England Journal of Medicine 339, 960-965.

Gender and Sexuality Essay -- Sociology, Gender Roles, Stereotypes

Gender and sexuality can be comprehended through social science. Social science is â€Å"the study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society† (free dictionary, 2009). The study of social science deals with different aspects of society such as politics, economics, and the social aspects of society. Gender identity is closely interlinked with social science as it is based on an identity of an individual in the society. Sexuality is â€Å"the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex† (free dictionary, 2009). There are different gender identities such as male, female, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual that exists all around the world. There is inequality in gender identities and dominance of a male regardless of which sexuality they fall under. The males are superior over the females and gays superior over the lesbians, however it different depending on the place and circumstances. This paper will look at the gender roles and stereotypes, social policy, and homosexuality from a modern and a traditional society perspective. The three different areas will be compared by the two different societies to understand how much changes has occurred and whether or not anything has really changed. In general a traditional society is more conservative where as a modern society is fundamentally liberal. This is to say that a traditional society lists certain roles depending on the gender and there are stereotypes that are connected with the genders. One must obey the one that is dominant and make decisions. On the other hand, a modern society is lenient, It accepts the individual’s identity and sexuality. There is no inequality and everyone in the society is to be seen as individuals not a part of a family unit... ...dual changes are closely related to the media because the actors carry out the roles and thus the members of the society play out those roles in their daily life style. â€Å"Homosexuality exists in different societies and cultures and with some minor exceptions it is considered abnormal and disdained. It affects social order, invades personal privacy and rights, and leads to criminal behaviour. As a result, homosexuals are more likely to encounter and be penalized administratively and criminally† (Likosky, 1992, pp. 38) Also, the two societies view homosexuality different. Nevertheless modern society has not completely accepted the idea of homosexuality because in areas such as legal forms, the people with nonconventional sexual orientation are not shown. This demonstrates the inferiority of homosexuality and for which the government is responsible for such actions.

Models of Writing

Writing can be an intimidating task.   Many people of all ages will admit to avoiding and even fearing the writing process.   For some reason, the task seems daunting, so methods have been adapted to help ease the process for those that struggle. The five step writing process is typically composed of some derivation of the following steps:   prewriting, planning, drafting, revising, and proofreading.   These steps are widely taught in classrooms from the elementary school level through post graduate work.   The depth of each level is the thing that differs as writers grow and mature. Similar essay: Principles of Good Writing by L.A. Hill Summary The prewriting phase involves the production of ideas and even strategies for later writing of the essay.   This can include using one of many types of graphic organizers such as bubble charts or outlining techniques.   It can also be less organized like brainstorming lists or even random thoughts.   The prewriting phase is a time to explore all facets of an idea without judging or commitment.   During this phase, the writer will find a topic and create his questions for research.   In conducting his research, whether it be formal or informal, he will discover the answers to his questions. Thus the next sequential stage of writing is the planning stage.   Here the writer accumulates all of the information necessary and begins to sort it into categories.   This coincides with the text’s second step of finding and evaluating information from various sources.   Here the writer is still gather information without being certain exactly which he will use. These first two steps correlate with McQuinn and Roach’s first step in their writing process which is the idea step.   According to their website, â€Å"ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece, the main theme, together with the details (documented support, elaboration, anecdotes, images) that enrich and develop that theme by building understanding or holding a reader's attention.†Ã‚   Here the writer comes up with the central focus of his work and gather information to support it.   This information may be anecdotal, research-oriented, observed or simply created.   The ideas are important to the process because they allow for wide-ranging creativity from the writer. The third step in the general writing process is drafting.   The text suggests taking notes from the sources and making a formal outline.   It is at this point that the final decisions are made as to what information should be included.   It is important to note that a draft is not a final copy.   Many students of writing make that mistake.   The drafts are sometimes a type of trial and error routine.   Several drafts may be necessary before the writer becomes satisfied with the content of the essay. This stage correlates with the organization stage of McQuinn and Roach.   They note that organization is the â€Å"internal structure† of a piece which includes is central message and the flow of ideas seamlessly from one to another.   This particular process offers that a well-organized piece of writing will begin with a strong opening and conclude with a powerful conclusion, with many developed and stimulating ideas in between.   Of course the writer will have had to already choose his content in order to accomplish this type of structure in his writing. After the drafting stage, the writer must undertake the process of revising.   The revision stage is one that involves many steps.   The paper must be examined for its content, its logical progression, its flow of ideas, its choice of words, phrasing, and overall impact.   The revising stage is much like the drafting stage because each revision is simply a new draft.   Until the revision stage is complete, the drafting stage is not. McQuinn and Roach’s fourth and fifth area are called word choice and sentence fluency.   These two ideas are key to the revision process.   Word choice has to do with, as the name suggests, the careful choosing of the most perfect words to express meaning.   Sentence fluency is the smoothness and fluidity with which the sentences in the writing roll seamlessly from one to another. According to McQuinn and Roach, â€Å"word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader. It is the love of language, a passion for words, combined with a skill in choosing words that creates just the right mood, impression, or image in the heart and mind of the reader.†Ã‚   To accomplish this is to really wrestle with words until the most perfect choices are made.   Likewise, sentence fluency focuses on the sounds of the sentences.   This forces the writer to consider sound devices such as rhyme, alliteration, creative phrasing, sentence structure, complexity and length.   The sentences will read, in some cases, like music. Finally, the writer has achieved a focused, organized and creatively crafted piece.   He has one more step to complete.   This step is the revision step.   This step demands that the writer proofread his paper to ensure that the conventions of the English language are followed.   This gives the writer and the writing legitimacy.   The reader recognizes that his writing will be more powerful if it is also correct in its use of punctuation, usage, spelling and other such conventions.   While proofreading may be less creative than the stylistic drafting of the piece, it is nevertheless a vital step in the whole of the writing process. While most process driven models of writing end here, the McQuinn and Roach model includes another area.   This area is that of voice.   They note that voice is the heart and soul of a piece, the magic, the wit. It is the writer's unique and personal expression emerging through words. Voice is the presence of the writer on the page. When the writer's passion for the topic and concern for the audience are strong, the text dances with life and energy, and the reader feels a strong and intimate connection to both the writing and the writer. Voice is a more abstract tenet of writing, one that is harder to explain and harder yet to produce. Voice pervades all writing, but not all voice is unique or engaging or even literate.   Many writers take years to produce a recognizable voice.   Some students never learn it.   However, voice is the quality that separates adequate and good writing from great and enlightened writing, yet it is the most elusive quality of all. The process described in the text and the process designed by McQuinn and Roach have many structural similarities.   They both depend on good ideas, organization, drafting, revising and proofreading.   However, the McQuinn and Roach model go beyond this to demand an element of uniqueness, of style, from the writers.   This style is very difficult to teach.   For this reason, it is much more difficult to use. A student of writing would find the text much easier to follow.   The steps are well-defining, and a student who carefully follows them will produce a good piece of writing.   The steps are easy to repeat and practice, and they can be applied to many situations. However, a student who has mastered this type of writing and desire another level to his work will find McQuinn and Roach an excellent step in this direction.   While the tutorial on their website cannot guarantee that one will become a stylist, it gives a mature writer more dimensions with which to experiment in his writing.   Word choice, sentence fluency and voice are all components of this dimension.   Merely good writing can exist without them, but great writing can only emerge with them.   Thus, the user-friendliness of these two models will depend on the level of adequacy that the writer has achieved. References McQuinn, C. & Roach, M.   The Writing Process. WORDSMITH A GUIDE to College Writing 3RD EDITON   

Passing-Death of Clare Essay

The death of Clare at the end of Nella Larsen’s Passing though left unclear was, in my opinion, caused by Irene pushing her out of the window. Nella Larsen does not specify what exactly happened, but Irene pushing Clare out of the window seems like the most plausible one. I don’t know whether Larsen intentionally left the ending so abruptly but I just feel as if Irene was the one to kill Clare. Larsen makes this point clear through the phrasing she uses when describing the self-esteem destruction Irene undergoes once Clare has reinserted herself into Irene’s life, and the situations Irene finds herself as a direct result of Clare. Prior to Clare’s reentrance into her life Irene is a self-assured, independent, and confident woman; however, she soon turns self-conscious, dependent, and hesitant. When viewing Clare at the hotel Irene is struck by Clare’s beauty stating, â€Å"She’s really almost too good-looking â€Å"(Larsen 27). The word â€Å"good-looking† shows that Clare is beautiful, however, it is the addition of the word â€Å"too† that indications that Irene feels inferior to Clare’s beauty. Clare embodies beauty, as she is â€Å"too good-looking†. When Clare requests her presence at tea Irene fears Clare will not believe that she had a previous engagement. Larsen writes, â€Å"She was afraid Clare would not believe it† (Larsen 27). It seems foolish that Irene should care what Clare believes of her integrity. Irene’s self-esteem not only continues to deteriorate, but displays of internalized racism begin to present themselves through illogical thought and irrationality. Irene describes Brian in the same way she does Clare as, â€Å"extremely good-looking† (Larsen 77). Irene, does not view herself as â€Å"good-looking†, therefore she believes herself unworthy of Brian an â€Å"extremely good-looking† man, so she assumes Brian and Clare are engaging in an affair. Despite assurances from Brian that he does not view Clare as â€Å"extraordinarily beautiful†, Irene remains convinced that they have engaged in a relationship. As an African-American woman Irene must contend with the ideology that she is not worthy because of her complexion. Clare’s presence in her life forces Irene to face feelings of inferiority. Though Clare is African-American she lives her life as a white woman. Irene no longer views Clare as African-American, but a white woman who threatens her life. White women are believed to be the epitome of beauty, so why would Brian, when presented with the best, not choose the finest option according to society? Larsen writes, â€Å"Irene Redfield wished, for the first time in her life she  had not been born a Negro† (151). Larsen includes the word â€Å"first† to inform readers that Clare is the cause for Irene’s internalized racism. She had never before contemplated what it would be like to have been born of another ethnicity. Clare forces Irene to feel inferior within her own home because she is not white. She is told everyday by society that she is inferior because of her skin color and now because of Clare she must return home and struggle with the knowledge she is not worthy of her husband because she is not white. While Clare never voices her emotions to Irene, she fears Clare; though she never verbalizes this fact Larsen shows it by writing, â€Å"A conviction that the words were intended as a warning took possession of Irene† (Larsen 166). Irene is in her own home, yet she feels Clare somehow â€Å"possessing† her. Larsen creates an image of an innocent person forced into a situation. The word possession implies a lack of choice and that Irene feels lesser. In Irene’s eye Clare is not a woman who passes, but a white woman whose presence in her home threatens the comfort and security of her life. Irene has managed to eradicate all knowledge that Clare is actually a biracial woman â€Å"passing† as white, allowing her to see Clare as she views all white women in society, as threats. Larsen indications this when saying, â€Å"she was aware that, to her, security was the most important and desired thing in life† (169). Towards the end of the book, after Irene runs into John Bellew, she begins to think about Clare and John divorcing. And Larsen writes, â€Å"Then came a thought which she tried to drive away. If Clare should die! Then – Oh, it was too vile! To think, yes, to wish that! She felt faint and sick. But the thought stayed with her. She could not get rid of it† (101). The thoughts that Larsen has Irene thinking makes it seem as if Irene wants Clare dead. If she really cared about her she would never have thought about her dying and if she had for some reason then the thought would not have stayed with her. Later on in the same scene, Larsen writes, â€Å"She turned her face to into her pillow to cry. But no tears came† (101). I think that if Irene really felt bad about her thoughts, she would have cried about it. When Irene finally realized that Clare had died she had so many thoughts in her head. Larsen writes, â€Å"It was an accident, a terrible accident,’ she muttered fiercely. ‘It was† (112). The inclusion of that last line, the italicized â€Å"was† makes it seem as if Irene was trying to reassure herself that it wasn’t her fault. And then she goes on thinking about whether she  should have stayed or not because she knew that people would eventually find her body and ask questions. In a few sentences Larsen establishes that Irene is self-conscious about what Clare will think of her, dependent on the approval of Clare, and hesitant to make a decision for fear of what Clare might choose to believe. Irene’s destruction continues as Clare inserts herself into Irene’s inner circle of family and friends. Irene went from having a good head on her shoulders to becoming a paranoid jealous women; which leads readers to believe that Irene pushed Clare.