Marketing Strategies for Low-Income Customers Essay

Good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll could be dead. If a mobile phone ringtone in the shape of the vocalizations of the animated Crazy Frog dominates the billboard charts for months on end, then it could well signal the death knell for the industry, and how it operates. If this ubiquitous amphibian’s aurally annoying song, converted from a mobile phone ringtone, outsold even mainstay acts such as Oasis and Coldplay, why should music companies invest millions in cultivating fresh musical talent, hoping for them to be the next big thing, when their efforts can be beaten by basic synthesizer music? The industry is facing a number of challenges that it has to address, such as strong competition, piracy, changing delivery formats, increasing cost pressures, demanding pri-madonnas and changing customer needs. Gone are the days when music moguls were reliant on sales from albums alone, now the industry trawls for revenue from a variety of sources, such as ringtones, merchandising, concerts, and music DVDs, leveraging extensive back catalogues, and music rights from advertising, movies and TV programming. The music industry is in a state of flux at the moment. The cornerstone of the industry—the singles chart—has been facing terminal decline since the mid-1990s. Some retailers are now not even stocking singles due to this marked freefall. Some industry commentators blame the Internet as the sole cause, while others point to value differences between the price of an album and the price of a single as too much. Likewise, some commentators criticize the heavy pre-release promotion of new songs, the targeting of ever-younger markets by pop acts, and the explosion of digital television music channels as root causes of the single’s demise. The day when the typical record buyer browses through rows of shelves for a much sought-after band or song on a Saturday afternoon may be thing of the past. Long-term success stories for the music industry are increasingly difficult to develop. The old tradition of A&R (which stands for ‘Artists & Repertoire’) was to sign, nurture and develop musical talent over a period of years. The industry relied on continually feeding the system with fresh talent that could prove to be the next big thing and capture the public imagination. Now corporate short-term thinking has enveloped business strategies. If an act fails to be an immediate hit, the record label drops them. The industry is now characterized by an endless succession of one-hit wonders and videogenic artist churning out classic cover songs, before vanishing off the celebrity radar. Four large music labels now dominate the industry (see Table 1), and have emerged through years of consolidation. The ‘big four’ labels have the marketing clout and resources to invest heavily in their acts, providing them with expensive videos, publicity tours and PR coverage. This clout allows their acts to get vital airplay and video rotation on dedicated TV music channels. Major record labels have been accused of offering cash inducements of gifts to radio stations and DJs in an effort to get their songs on playlists. This activity is known in the industry as ‘radio payola’. Consumer have flocked to the Internet, to download, to stream, to ‘rip and burn’ copyrighted music material. The digital music revolution has changed the way people listen, use and obtain their favourite music. The very business model that has worked for decades, buying a single or album from a high-street store, may not survive. Music executives are left questioning whether the Internet will kill the music business model has been fundamentally altered. According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), it estimated that 8 million people in the UK are downloading music from the Internet—92 per cent of them doing so illegally. In 2005 alone, sales of CD singles fell by a colossal 23 per cent. To put the change into context, the sales of digital singles increased by 746.6 per cent in 2005. Consumers are buying their music through different channels and also listening to their favourate songs through digital media rather than through standard CD, cassette or vinyl. The emergence of MP3 players, particularly the immensely popular Apple iPod, has transformed the music landscape even further. Consumers are now downloading songs electronically from the Internet, and storing them on these digital devices or burning them onto rewritable CDs. Glossary of online music jargon Streaming: Allows the user to listen to or watch a file as it is being simultaneously downloaded. Radio channels utilize this technology to transmit their programming on the Internet. ‘Rip n burn’: Means downloading a song or audio file from the Internet and then burning them onto rewritable CDs or DVD. MP3 format: MP3 is a popular digital music file format. The sound quality is similar to that of a CD. The format reduces the size of a song to one-tenth of its original size allowing for it to be transmitted quickly over computer networks. Apple iPod: The ‘digital jukebox’ that has transformed the fortunes of the pioneer PC maker. By the end of 2004 Apple is expected to have sold 5 million units of this ultra-hip gadget. It was the ‘must-have item’ for 2003. The standard 20 GB iPod player can hold around 5000 songs. Other hardware companies, such as Dell & Creative Labs, have launched competing devices. These competing brands can retail for less than  £75. Peer-to-peer networks (P2P): These networks allow users to share their music libraries with other net users. There is no central server, rather individual computers on the Internet communicating with one another. A P2P program allows users to search for material, such as music files, on other computers. The program lets users find their desired music files through the use of a central computer server. The system works lime this; a user sends in a request for a song; the system checks where on the Internet that song is located; that song is downloaded directly onto the computer of the user who made the request. The P2P server never actually holds the physical music files—it just facilitates the process. The Internet offers a number of benefits to music shoppers, such as instant delivery, access to huge music catalogues and provision of other rich multi-media material like concerts or videos, access to samples of tracks, cheaper pricing (buying songs for 99p rather than an expensive single) and, above all, convenience. On the positive side, labels now have access to a wider global audience, possibilities of new revenue streams and leveraging their vast back catalogues. It has diminished the bargaining power of large retailers, it is a cheaper distribution medium than traditional forms and labels can now create value-laden multimedia material for consumers. However, the biggest problem is that of piracy and copyright theft. Millions of songs are being downloaded from the Internet illegally with no payment to the copyright holder. The Internet allows surfers to download songs using a format called ‘MP3’, which doesn’t have inbuilt copyright protection, thus allowing the user to copy and share with other surfers with ease. Peer to peer (P2P) networks such as Kazaa and Grokster have emerged and pose an even deadlier threat to the music industry—they are enemies that are even harder to track and contain. Consumers can easily source and download illegal copyrighted material with considerable ease using P2P networks (see accompanying box). A large number of legal download sites have now been launched, where surfers can either stream their favourite music or download it for future use in their digital libraries. This has been due to the rapid success of small digital medial players such the Apple iPod. The legal downloading of songs has grown exponentially. A la carte download services and subscription-based services are the two main business models. Independent research reveals that the Apple’s iTunes service has over 70 per cent of the market. Highlighting this growing phenomenon of the Internet as an official channel of distribution, new music charts are now being created, such as the ‘Official Download Chart’. Industry sources suggest that out of a typical 99p download, the music label get 65p, while credit card companies get 4p, leaving the online music store with 30p per song download. These services may fundamentally eradicate the concept of an album, with customers selecting only a handful of their favourite songs rather than entire standard 12 tracks. These prices are having knock-on consequences for the pricing of physical formats. Consumers are now looking for a more value-laden music product rather than simply 12 songs with an album cover. Now they are expecting behind the scenes access to their favourite group, live concert footage and other content-rich material. Big Noise Music is an example of one of the legitimate downloading sites running the OD2 system. The site is different in that for every  £1 download, 10p of the revenue goes to the charity Oxfam. The music industry is ferociously fighting back by issuing lawsuits for breach of copyright to people who are illegally downloading songs from the Internet using P2P software. The recording industry has started to sue thousands of people who illegally share music using P2P. They are issuing warnings to net surfers who are P2P software that their activities are being watched and monitored. Instant Internet messages are being sent to those who are suspected of offering songs illegally. In addition, they have been awarded court orders so that Internet providers must identify people who are heavily involved in such activity. The music industry is also involved heavily in issue advertising campaigns, by promoting anti-piracy websites such as www.pro-music.org to educate people on the industry and the impact of piracy on artists. These types of public awareness campaigns are designed to illustrate the implications of illegal downloading. Small independent music labels view P2P networks differently, seeing them as vital in achieving publicity and distribution for their acts. These firms simply do not have the promotional resources or distribution clout of the ‘big four’ record labels. They see P2P networks as an excellent viral marketing tool, creating buzz about a song or artist that will ultimately lead to wider mainstream and commercial appeal. The Internet is used to create communities of fans who are interested in their music, providing them access to free videos and other material. It allows independent acts the opportunity to distribute their music to a wider audience, building up their fan base through word of mouth. Savvy unsigned bands have sophisticated websites showcasing their work, and offering free downloads as well as opportunities for audio-philes to purchase their tunes. Alternatively major labels still see that to gain success one has to get a video on rotation on MTV and that this in turn encourages greater airplay on radio stations, ultimately leading to increased purchases.

Cellular Respiration Study Guide

Cellular Respiration Study Guide 1. What is cellular respiration? Cellular respiration is the process by which cells get their energy from food. It is a pathway where ATP is produced from the working cells. 2. What are the raw materials for cellular respiration? The raw materials are glucose and oxygen. 3. What is the simple reaction for cellular respiration? C6H12O6+6O2=6CO2+6H2O+Energy 4. Why is it not practical for an organism to release all of the energy in glucose at once? There wouldn’t be any energy left to repeat cellular respiration and create more energy. . List and briefly describe the events of the stages of respiration? Glycolysis is where glucose is split into two molecules of 3-carbon sugars. This produces 2ATP, 2 pyruvic acid, and 2 high energy. In The Citric Acid Cycle, Acetyl CoA is created. NAD and FAD are reduced carrying the high energy electrons to the next stage. In the Electron Transport, high energy electrons are passed to oxygen where ATP is then prod uced. 6. What are the three stages of cellular respiration in the correct order? Glycolysis, The Citric Acid Cycle, and Electron Transport. . What is released during cellular respiration? Energy stored in the chemical bonds of glucose. 8. How many molecules of ATP do you get from 1 molecule of glucose in cellular respiration? 28-30 molecules of ATP. 9. What part of cellular respiration occurs in the cytoplasm? Glycolysis 10. What is the net gain of ATP from glycolysis alone? 2 is the net gain of ATP. 11. What is the starting molecule for glycolysis? Glucose 6-carbon sugar 12. What are the two main types of fermentation? Lactic acid fermentation and alcohol fermentation.

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 2

â€Å"Poppy!† Poppy could hear her mother's voice, but she couldn't see anything. The kitchen floor was obscured by dancing black dots. â€Å"Poppy, are you all right?† Now Poppy felt hermother's hands grasping her upper arms, holding her anxiously. The pain was easing and her vision was coming back. As she straightened up, she saw James in front ofher. His face was almost expressionless, but Poppy knew him well enough to recognize the worry in hiseyes. He was holding the milk carton, she realized. He must have caught it on the fly as she droppedit–amazing reflexes, Poppy thought vaguely. Really amazing. Phillip was on his feet. â€Å"Are you okay? Whathappened?† â€Å"I-don't know.† Poppy looked around, thenshrugged, embarrassed. Now that she felt better shewished they weren't all staring at her so hard. Theway to deal with the pain was to ignore it, to notthink about it. â€Å"It's just this stupid pain-I think it's gastrowhatchmacallit. You know, something I ate.† Poppy's mother gave her daughter the barest fraction of a shake. â€Å"Poppy, this is not gastroenteritis.You were having some pain before-nearly a monthago, wasn't it? Is this the same kind of pain?† Poppy squirmed uncomfortably. As a matter offact, the pain had never really gone away. Somehow,in the excitement of end-of-the-year activities, she'dmanaged to disregard it, and by now she was used to working around it. â€Å"Sort of,† she temporized. â€Å"But That was enough for Poppy's mother. She gavePoppy a little squeeze and headed for the kitchen telephone. â€Å"I know you don't like doctors, but I'mcalling Dr. Franklin. I want him to take a look at you. This isn't something we can ignore.† â€Å"Oh, Mom, it's vacation†¦.† Her mother covered the mouthpiece of the phone.†Poppy, this is nonnegotiable. Go get dressed.† Poppy groaned, but she could see it was no use.She beckoned to James, who was looking thoughtfully into a middle distance. â€Å"Let's at least listen to the CD before I have to go.† He glanced at the CD as if he'd forgotten it, and put down the milk carton. Phillip followed them into the hallway. â€Å"Hey, buddy, you wait out here while she gets dressed.† James barely turned. â€Å"Get a life, Phil,† he said almost absently. â€Å"Just keep your hands off my sister, you deve.† Poppy just shook her head as she went into her room. As if James cared about seeing her undressed. If only,she thought grimly, pulling a pair of shortsout of a drawer. She stepped into them, still shaking her head. James was her best friend, her very bestfriend, and she was his. But he'd never shown even the slightest desire to get his hands on her. Sometimes she wondered if he realized she was a girl. Someday I'm going to makehim see, she thought,and shouted out the door for him. James came in and smiled at her. It was a smile other people rarely saw, not a taunting or ironic grin, but a nice little smile, slightly crooked. â€Å"Sorry about the doctor thing,† Poppy said. â€Å"No. You should go.† James gave her a keenglance. â€Å"Your mom's right, you know. This has been going on way too long. You've lost weight; it's keeping you up at night-â€Å" Poppy looked at him, startled. She hadn't told anybody about how the pain was worse at night, not even James. But sometimes James just knewthings. As if he could read her mind. â€Å"I just know you, that's all,† he said, and then gaveher a mischievous sideways glance as she stared at him. He unwrapped the CD. Poppy shrugged and flopped on her bed, staring atthe ceiling. â€Å"Anyway, I wish Mom would let me have oneday of vacation,† she said. She craned her neckto look at James speculatively. â€Å"I wish I had a mom like yours. Mine's always worrying and trying to fix me.† â€Å"And mine doesn't really care if I come or go. Sowhich is worse?† James said wryly. â€Å"Your parents let you have your own apartment. â€Å" â€Å"In a building they own. Because it's cheaper thanhiring a manager.† James shook his head, his eyeson the CD he was putting in the player. â€Å"Don't knockyour parents, kid. You're luckier than you know.† Poppy thought about that as the CD started. Sheand James both liked trance-the underground electronic sound that had come from Europe. James likedthe techno beat. Poppy loved it because it was real music, raw and unpasteurized, made by people who believed in it. People who had the passion, not people who had the money. Besides, world music made her feel a part of otherplaces. She loved the differentness of it, the alienness. Come to think of it, maybe that was what she likedabout James, too. His differentness. She tilted her head to look at him as the strange rhythms of Burundi drumming filled the air. She knew James better than anyone, but there wasalways something, something about him that was closed off to her. Something about him that nobody could reach. Other people took it for arrogance, or coldness, oraloofness, but it wasn't really any of those things. It was just differentness. He was more different thanany of the exchangestudents at school. Time after time, Poppy felt she had almost put her finger on thedifference, but it always slipped away. And more than once, especially late at night when they were listening to music or watching the ocean, she'd felthe was about to tell her. And she'd always felt that if he didtell her, itwould be something important, something as shocking and lovely as having a stray cat speak to her. Just now she looked at James, at his dean, carvenprofile and at the brown waves of hair on his forehead, and thought, He looks sad. â€Å"Jamie, nothing's wrong, is it? I mean, at home, oranything?† She was the only person on the planet allowed to call him Jamie. Not even Jacklyn or Michaela had ever tried that. â€Å"What could be wrong at home?† he said, with asmile that didn't reach his eyes. Then he shook his head dismissively. â€Å"Don't worry about it, Poppy. It'snothing important-just a relative threatening to visit. An unwanted relative.† Then the smile didreach his eyes, glinting there. â€Å"Or maybe I'm justworried about you,† he said. Poppy started to say, â€Å"Oh, as if, â€Å"but instead she found herself saying, oddly, â€Å"Are you really?† Her seriousness seemed to strike some chord. Hissmile disappeared, and Poppy found that they were simply looking at each other without any insulating humor between them. Just gazing into each other's eyes. James looked uncertain, almost vulnerable. â€Å"Poppy Poppy swallowed. â€Å"Yes?† He opened his mouth-and then he got upabruptly and went to adjust her 170-watt Tall-boy speakers. When he turned back, his gray eyes were dark and fathomless. â€Å"Sure, if you were really sick, I'd be worried,† hesaid lightly. â€Å"That's what friends are for, right?† Poppy deflated. â€Å"Right,† she said wistfully, andthen gave him a determined smile. â€Å"But you're not sick,† he said. â€Å"It's just somethingyou need to get taken care of. The doctor'll probably give you some antibiotics or something-with a bigneedle,† he added wickedly. â€Å"Oh, shut up,† Poppy said. He knew she was terrified of injections. Just the thought of a needle entering her skin †¦ â€Å"Here comes your mom,† James said, glancing atthe door, which was ajar. Poppy didn't see how he could hear anybody coming-the music was loud andthe hallway was carpeted. But an instant later her mother pushed the door open. â€Å"All right, sweetheart,† she said briskly. â€Å"Dr.Franklin says come right in. I'm sorry, James, but I'm going to have to take Poppy away.† â€Å"That's okay. I can come back this afternoon.† Poppy knew when she was defeated. She allowedher mother to tow her to the garage, ignoring James's miming of someone receiving a large injection. An hour later she was lying on Dr. Franklin's examining table, eyes politely averted as his gentle fingers probed her abdomen. Dr. Franklin was tall, lean,and graying, with the air of a country doctor. Some body you could trust absolutely. â€Å"The pain is here?† he said. â€Å"Yeah-but it sort of goes into my back. Or maybe I just pulled a muscle back there or something The gentle, probing fingers moved, then stopped. Dr. Franklin's face changed. And somehow, in that moment, Poppy knew it wasn't a pulled muscle. Itwasn't an upset stomach; it wasn't anything simple; and things were about to change forever. All Dr. Franklin said was, â€Å"You know, I'd like toarrange for a test on this.† His voice was dry and thoughtful, but panic curled through Poppy anyway. She couldn't explain what was happening inside her-some sort of dreadful premonition, like a black pit opening in the ground in front of her. â€Å"Why?† her mother was asking the doctor. â€Å"Well.† Dr. Franklin smiled and pushed his glassesup. He tapped two fingers on the examining table.†Just as part of a process of elimination, really. Poppysays she's been having pain in the upper abdomen, pain that radiates to her back, pain that's worse atnight. She's lost her appetite recently, and she's lost weight. And her gallbladder is palpable-that meansI can feel that it's enlarged. Now, those are symptomsof a lot of things, and a sonogram will help rule out some of them.† Poppy calmed down. She couldn't remember whata gallbladder did but she was pretty sure she didn't need it.Anything involving an organ with such a silly name couldn't be serious. Dr. Franklin was goingon, talking about the pancreas and pancreatitis andpalpable livers, and Poppy's mother was nodding as if she understood. Poppy didn't understand, but thepanic was gone. It was as if a cover had been whisked neatly over the black pit, leaving no sign that it had ever been there. â€Å"You can get the sonogram done at Children's Hospital across the street,† Dr. Franklin wassaying. â€Å"Come back here after it's finished.† Poppy's mother was nodding, calm, serious, andefficient. Like Phil. Or Cliff. Okay, we'll get this taken care of. Poppy felt just slightly important.Nobody sheknew had been to a hospital for tests. Her mother ruffled her hair as they walked out ofDr. Franklin's office. â€Å"Well, Poppet. What have you done to yourself now?† Poppy smiled impishly. She was fully recoveredfrom her earlier worry. â€Å"Maybe I'll have to have an operation and I'll have an interesting scar,† she said,to amuse her mother. â€Å"Let's hope not,† her mother said, unamused. The Suzanne G. Monteforte Children's Hospitalwas a handsome gray building with sinuous curve sand giant picture windows. Poppy looked thoughtfully into the gift shop as they passed. It was clearly akid's gift shop, full of rainbow Slinkys and stuffed animals that a visiting adult could buy as a last-minute present. A girl came out of the shop. She was a little olderthan Poppy, maybe seventeen or eighteen. She was pretty, with an expertly made-up face-and a cutebandanna which didn't quite conceal the fact that she had no hair. She looked happy, round-cheeked,with earrings dangling jauntily beneath the band anna-but Poppy felt a stab of sympathy. Sympathy†¦and fear. That girl was reallysick. Which was what hospitals were for, of course-for really sick people. Suddenly Poppy wanted to get herown tests over with and get out of here. The sonogram wasn't painful, but it was vaguelydisturbing. A technician smeared some kind of jelly over Poppy's middle, then ran a cold scanner over it,shooting sound waves into her, taking pictures of her insides. Poppy found her mind returning to the prettygirl with no hair. To distract herself, she thought about James. And for some reason what came to mind was the first time she'd seen James, the day he came to kindergarten. He'd been a pale, slight boy with big gray eyes and something subtly weirdabout him that made thebigger boys start picking on him immediately. On the playground they ganged up on him like houndsaround a fox-until Poppy saw what was happening. Even at five she'd had a great right hook. She'dburst into the group, slapping faces and kicking shins until the big boys went running. Then she'd turned to James. â€Å"Wanna be friends?† After a brief hesitation he'd nodded shyly. Therehad been something oddly sweet in his smile. But Poppy had soon found that her new friend wasstrange in small ways. When the class lizard died, he'd picked up the corpse without revulsion andasked Poppy if she wanted to hold it. The teacher had been horrified. He knew where to find dead animals, too-he'dshown her a vacant lot where several rabbit carcasseslay in the tall brown grass. He was matter-of-factabout it. When he got older, the big kids stopped pickingon him. He grew up to be as tall as any of them, and surprisingly strong and quick-and he developed areputation for being tough and dangerous. When he got angry, something almost frightening shone in hisgray eyes. He never got angry with Poppy, though. They'dremained best friends all these years. When they'd reached junior high, he'd started having girlfriends all the girls at school wanted himbut he never kept any of them long. And he never confided in them;to them he was a mysterious, secretive bad boy. Only Poppy saw the other side of him, the vulnerable, caring side. â€Å"Okay,† the technician said, bringing Poppy backto the present with a jerk. â€Å"You're done; let's wipe this jelly off you.† â€Å"So what did it show?† Poppy asked, glancing upat the monitor. â€Å"Oh, your own doctor will tell you that. The radiologist will read the results and call them over to your doctor's office.† The technician's voice was absolutely neutral-so neutral that Poppy looked ather sharply. Back in Dr. Franklin's office, Poppy fidgeted whileher mother paged through out-of-date magazines. When the nurse said â€Å"Mrs. Hilgard,† they bothstood up. â€Å"Uh-no,† the nurse said, looking flustered. â€Å"Mrs.Hilgard, the doctor just wants toseeyou for a minute-alone.† Poppy and her mother looked at each other. Then,slowly, Poppy's mother put down her People magazine and followed the nurse. Poppy stared after her. Now, what on earth . . . Dr. Franklin had neverdone that before. Poppy realized that her heart was beating hard. Notfast, just hard. Bang†¦bang†¦ bang, in the middle of her chest, shaking her insides. Making her feelunreal and giddy. Don't think about it. It's probably nothing. Reada magazine. But her fingers didn't seem to work properly. When she finally got the magazine open, her eyes ran over the words without delivering them to herbrain. What are they talking about in there? What's going on?It's been so long†¦. It kept getting longer. As Poppy waited, she foundherself vacillating between two modes of thought. 1) Nothing serious was wrong with her and her motherwas going to come out and laugh at her for even imagining there was, and 2) Something awful waswrong with her and she was going to have to go through some dreadful treatment to get well. The covered pit and the open pit. When the pit was covered, it seemed laughable, and she felt embarrassed for having such melodramatic thoughts. But when it was open, she felt as if all her life before this had been adream, and now she was hitting hard reality at last. I wish I could call James, she thought. At last the nurse said, â€Å"Poppy? Come on in.† Dr. Franklin's office was wood-paneled, with certificates and diplomas hanging on the walls. Poppy sat down in a leather chair and tried not to be tooobvious about scanning her mother's face. Her mother looked†¦too calm. Calm with strainunderneath. She was smiling, but it was an odd,slightly unsteady smile. Oh, God, Poppy thought. Something isgoing on. â€Å"Now, there's no cause for alarm,† the doctor said,and immediately Poppy became more alarmed. Her palms stuck to the leather of the chair arms. â€Å"Something showed up in your sonogram that's alittle unusual, and I'd like to do a couple of othertests,† Dr. Franklin said, his voice slow and measured, soothing. â€Å"One of the tests requires that you fast from midnight the day before you take it. But your mom says you didn't eat breakfast today.† Poppy said mechanically, â€Å"I ate one Frosted Flake.† â€Å"OneFrosted Flake? Well, I think we can countthat as fasting. We'll do the tests today, and I think it's best to admit you to the hospital for them. Now, the tests are called a CAT scan and an ERCP-that's short for something even I can't pronounce.† Hesmiled. Poppy just stared at him. â€Å"There's nothing frightening about either of thesetests,† he said gently. â€Å"The CAT scan is like an X ray. The ERCP involves passing a tube down the throat, through the stomach, and into the pancreas. Then we inject into the tube a liquid that will show up onX rays .† His mouth kept moving, but Poppy had stoppedhearing the words. She was more frightened than she could remember being in a long time. I was just joking about the interesting scar, shethought. I don't want a real disease. I don't want to go to the hospital, and I don't want any tubes down my throat. She looked at her mother in mute appeal. Her mother took her hand. â€Å"It's no big deal, sweetheart. We'll just go home andpack a few things for you; then we'll come back.† â€Å"I have to go into the hospital today?† â€Å"I think that would be best,† Dr. Franklin said. Poppy's hand tightened on her mother's. Her mind was a humming blank. When they left the office, her mother said, â€Å"Thankyou, Owen.† Poppy had never heard her call Dr. Franklin by his first name before. Poppy didn't ask why. She didn't say anything asthey walked out of the building and got in the car. As they drove home, her mother began to chat aboutordinary things in a light, calm voice, and Poppy made herself answer. Pretending that everything wasnormal, while all the time the terrible sick feeling raged inside her. It was only when they were in her bedroom, packing mystery books and cotton pajamas into a small suitcase, that she asked almost casually, â€Å"So whatexactly does he think is wrong with me?† Her mother didn't answer immediately. She waslooking down at the suitcase. Finally she said, â€Å"Well, he's not sure anything is wrong.† â€Å"But what does he think?He must think something. And he was talking about my pancreas-Imean, it sounds like he thinks there's somethingwrong with my pancreas. I thought he was looking at my gallbladderor whatever. I didn't even know that my pancreas was involvedin this†¦.† â€Å"Sweetheart.† Her mother took her by the shoulders, and Poppy realized she was getting a little over wrought. She took a deep breath. â€Å"I just want to know the truth, okay? I just wantto have some idea of what's going on. It's my body, and I've got a right to know what they're lookingfor-don't I?† It was a brave speech, and she didn't mean any of it. What she really wanted was reassurance, a prom ise that Dr. Franklin was looking for something trivial. That the worst that could happen wouldn't be so bad. She didn't get it. â€Å"Yes, you do have a right to know.† Her motherlet a long breath out, then spoke slowly. â€Å"Poppy, Dr. Franklin was concerned about your pancreas allalong. Apparently things can happen in the pancreas that cause changes in other organs, like the gallblad der and liver. When Dr. Franklin felt those changes, he decided to check things out with a sonogram.† Poppy swallowed. â€Å"And he said the sonogramwas-unusual. How unusual?† â€Å"Poppy, this is all preliminary†¦.† Her mothersaw her face and sighed. She went on reluctantly.† The sonogram showed that there might be something in your pancreas. Something that shouldn't bethere. That's why Dr. Franklin wants the other tests;they'll tell us for sure. But-â€Å" â€Å"Something that shouldn't be there? You mean †¦ like a tumor? Like †¦cancer?† Strange, it was hard to say the words. Her mother nodded once. â€Å"Yes. Like cancer.†

Criminal law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Criminal law - Coursework Example As such Ben will be guilty of unlawful manslaughter, which becomes manifest when one focuses on committing a less crime yet ends up killing someone. As such, it is evident that death arises from an act of omission. Indeed, the stipulations indicate that the criminal may have embraced dangerous activities, which in turn resulted in death. It is evident that Ben’s intention was noble since he was propagating nobility among the populace whilst dealing with animals. However, using a bomb was rather dangerous since the likelihood of death is increasingly high. According to Michaelides-Mateou and Mateou (2010, p 25) Ben may have acted in conformity with mens rea since the act arose from recklessness and failure to foresee the likely repercussions of his actions. In order for Ben’s action to constitute constructive manslaughter, it is paramount to acknowledge that Ben must have committed an unlawful act. As such, the placing of the bomb is unlawful since it distorts the working capacity of the individuals. Such an unlawful act ought to be combined with recklessness. It is evident that Ben failed to consider that a bomb specialist might be dispatched to the area to address the fears. Ben’s intellect failed since he was focusing on the broader picture whilst shunning the chances of individual sufferers. An analysis of diverse cases such as (R v Franklin [1883]) offers insight into constructive manslaughter (Michaelides-Mateou and Mateou 2010, p 25). In such a case, the defendant’s actions were objectively determined to discover their motive, which turned out to be appropriate but fuelled by recklessness. The second crime pertains to criminal negligence since Ben acknowledged the danger that may have arisen from his actions but went ahead instituting such a crime. This means that Ben knows that his omission would lead to death. This is

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage Essay

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage - Essay Example Amongst the numerous concepts and tools that can come under application for the problem related to the facility location and layout, centroid method came under consideration as the best applicable tool for the company Eldora (EDC) who were leading manufacturers of bicycle in the U.S. The highlighting issue of EDC illustrates the information that the manufacturing plant units did not come under relocation to other locations such as in Asian countries as this market was becoming the leader in the manufacturing industry especially due to its cheap labor. Because of a domestic strategy allied to the production of the bicycles, all the business processes of EDC remained to one location only. As an outcome of this decision, they came across several issues associated to the facility location; centroid methodology was the finest solution if adopted by EDC would resolve the concerned issue. This tool proves to be fruitful for the organization as it has numerous benefits that can aid the compa ny. The expected results of this method will lead them to reduced costs in their production due to cheap labor, having the prospect to penetrate into new market segmentation, competitive advantage over others as being present into a global marketplace. In addition, the manufacturing enterprise will also have the advantage from the environmental regulations in the local plant and will also develop and persuade the relationships with the local residents of that area, and will help in removing the cultural barriers between them and there are many more benefits that the organization can have from it. Background Information The organization that is under discussion in the thesis paper is Eldora Company (EDC), which is considerably one of the dominant, well-known and most popular businesses that manufacture and supply bicycles in the United States of America (Chase, 2006). Eldora experienced a boom in its sales and recognition in the marketplace since the last decade, as their lower price of the bicycles for a very long time gave them an edge over their competitors. With the increasing reputation, EDC became the market leader as it contributed to more than twenty-five percent of the bicycle sales of the United States. Eldora Company’s business units were located at the same site and all the operational units and the corporate office shared one roof. EDC was a huge organization with numerous employees and workers; and they have come under division according to their capabilities, areas of expertise and skills (Chase, 2006). Through the joint venture with a company based in Europe, Eldora expanded its business into the European market as well. Eldora was an organization that encouraged and promoted the viewpoints, innovative ideas, and recommendations of their employees related to the mechanism of the bicycle that provides with additional features. The loyalty and dedication of the employees towards the company can come under limelight as information and awaren ess of most modern and recent fashion and approach was the key motive of the members of the staff (Chase, 2006). The principal motivation and influencing factor for the bicycle manufacturers’ repositioning of facility location to the Asian world was that this market was experiencing a boom of bicycle producers at a phenomenal and an unprecedented rate, which allowed them to have cheaper labor in comparison coupled with low distribution costs (Chase, 2006). Problem Description One of the primary and high-priority

Innovation Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Innovation Management - Essay Example In the current business environment, technological innovation is the key driver of achieving competitive advantage among the companies. Firms rely on the recently developed products as the major sources of revenue and increase in the profit margin. Thus, innovation is becoming a metric measure of the current performance level of firms in different sectors. Globalization has taken, and is taking place in the business world (Aalbers et al., 2014). As such, it has contributed towards the development of innovative strategies among the firms. Such emerges from the foreign pressure that local firms receive in terms of the quality of their products and services. Therefore, companies are engaging in the production of differentiated products and services so that they can survival foreign competition. The introduction of the new products ensures that firms have the potential of protecting their margins and lowering their production costs. Such includes improving on abilities of the firms in th e competitive market. Technological advancements have also triggered firms to focus on innovation. These advancements include computer-aided manufacturing and computer-aided design, which help in the short-run production, as well as the attainment of economies of scale within the production chain. The aim is to ensure that the products and services meet the customer needs. Such is essential because different customers express unique needs in terms of the quality of the quality of services and products that they receive from the market.

Biomedical Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Biomedical Ethics - Essay Example Where Mary Anne Warren maintains that legal rights should not be extended to fetuses as doing so would violate women’s rights such as the right to self-determination for one, I concur that it would prove difficult to protect individual persons who share one body. This was evident in the Supreme Court’s decision in the Case of Ms. G (Thomas & Waluchow, 2002). The ruling further supports Warren’s position on the issue. I will conclude the paper stating that a fetus is also a person and thus deserves our moral respect but any right it may have comes only second to a higher right, that of the woman who bears it. This may sound harsh but it will be best to remember, as history has shown us with slavery, apartheid & abortion, that what is legal isn’t always going to be moral. For the subject of this paper, I will be treating a fetus’ moral right separately from its legal right. In discussing why birth, not conception, is morally significant, Mary Ann Warren presented several opposing assumptions. Believers of the intrinsic-properties assumption find that birth does not change any intrinsic properties of a fetus. Both fetuses & newborn infants almost have the same intrinsic properties. According to one believer, only the capacity of sentience, or being responsive, and the degree of such is a valid basis for moral standing. Warren argues other species would have a higher moral standing than infants if proven that these species are highly sentient. She further says that if the sentient criterion is true then all sentient beings should be treated as moral equals. Therefore, killing other sentient beings such as a mouse or a fly should be considered as immoral as killing an infant. Another philosopher claims that unless a being is capable of wanting to exist, it can’t have a right to life. Since neither an infant nor a fetus is self-aware then killing them wouldn’t be inherently

Dianmondz Corp report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Dianmondz Corp report - Essay Example To Anoop and Meli, cash flow is very important as it translates the earnings reported in the company’s income statement which is subject to accounting decisions and reporting regulations- into a simple summary of how much cash has been generated by the company during the stated financial period (Porter and Norton 674). Cash flow statement also plays a huge role in facilitation of decision making by the provision of judgments on the financial condition, profitability and company’s financial management. The cash flow statement for Diamondz has a net decrease in cash of 25,000 which indicates that the financing and investing activities were more than the cash inflow during the year which may be an indication of a poor financial performance on the company. b. Issuing equity and issuing debt to finance the construction and purchase of equipment is both advantageous and disadvantageous. The advantages of issuing debt are it is better when the financing is a short term one, it provides a tax shield, and it acts as a signal of the strength of a company (Porter and Norton 674). The disadvantages of issuing debt are that it increases the risk level of the company, the assets of the company may be used as collateral, and the debt has to be paid and hence the need to have positive and stable cash flow. The advantages of issuing equity to purchase equipment include the fact that equity does not have any maturity date and the company does not have any obligation to redeem, equity also enhances creditworthiness of the company as it cushions the lenders and dividends from equity are exempted from tax (Porter and Norton 674). The cost of issuing equity is very high, and the sale of equity shares to outsiders usually dilutes the control enjoyed by the existing owners-this is some of the disadvantages of issuing equity. For Diamondz, there are other viable options available to them for example; a loan from the bank would be a viable option to help them in financing the construction and purchase of the equipment. Based on the 2012 financial statement, the company can acquire a bank loan to perform its operations. c. The debt to equity ratio for Diamondz Corp was 1.264 in 2011 and 1.863 in 2012. This indicates that there was an increase in the proportion of debts used by the company in financing its assets. The ratio for 2011 and 2012 also shows that the company was somehow aggressive in using debt to finance its growth. If the company issues debt, debt to equity ratio will increase since there will be an increase the total liabilities of the company which is more than the shareholders equity (Porter and Norton 674). Issuing equity by Diamondz Corp would lead to an increase in the shareholders equity more than the total liabilities which would then result into a reduction in debt to equity ratio. d. The fact that Anoop’

Should firms price discriminate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Should firms price discriminate - Essay Example Therefore, PD can be defined as the situation in which price charged to a customer can be based partly on the value of the good to the customer, rather than just on the cost of producing the good itself (Paul, 1987). As a result, allowing a firm to capture all or most of the consumer surplus, increasing overall profit of the firm. Although this definition is different, it highlights an importance of utility and consumer surplus theorems allowing us to analyze how firms might use their monopoly power. In other words, how PD could be applied, so maximum profit can be gained in different monopoly markets. First of all in order to discuss the usefulness of PD as a profit maximizing tool, we should identify the conditions that firm must meet in order to price discriminate. According to Fritz Machlup, (Fritz, 1955)there are three main prerequisites, firstly, a firm has to have the monopoly power in order to set the price. For example, if a firm is a price taker and its operates in perfectly competitive market it cannot price discriminate as demand curve is perfectly elastic, therefore there is no consumer surplus to capture, whereas if a firm is a monopoly it has a downward sloping demand curve therefore, there are some consumers who are willing to pay more than the uniform price. Secondly, for different groups of consumers it is necessary to have different price elasticity. For example, assume that all consumer groups have the same price elasticity then ceteris paribus; monopoly firm does not have an incentive to apply PD as the profit will be the same as a firm would have applied sing le price strategy. The third criteria, is that a firm must be able to prevent an arbitrage, in other words preventing resale of its products. For instance, why do Apple restricts on the number of IPhones that can be purchased, it is not because Apple products are exclusive, the reason is to prevent an arbitrage. Some people might buy IPhones in the US and sell them in the

Critique Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critique Assignment - Coursework Example The research being conducted is a quantitative research where trials and simulations were used to collect data. In this research, the participants were subjected to tests, some of which were multiple choices, while some involved the use of a Likert-scale, to measure their response towards the questions asked, and the research question at large. The previous studies in the research include a study by Ackerman, Kanfer and Goff (1995) with their study on cognitive and noncognitive determinants and consequences and complex skill acquisition. Another study is by Kanfer and Ackerman (1989). Kraiger, Ford and Salas (1993) are other authors whose study on the interaction between goal orientation and cognitive ability, was used in the study. Studies by Dweck (1986, 1989) on motivational processes affecting learning were also used in the literature and motivation, were also used in the literature. Farr, Hofmann and Ringenbach (1993) on goal orientation and action control theory, also had their study used in the literature of this study. Studies by Button et al. (1996) on goal orientation in organizational research, Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully and Salas (1998) on relationship on goal orientation, Kozlowski et al. (2001) on effects of training goals and goal orientation on multi-dimension training, and Philip and Gully (1997) on role of goal orientation, ability need for achievement and locus of control in the self-efficacy goal setting process, are among other studies listed in the literature review.

Critically discuss this statement, indicating to what extent you agree Essay

Critically discuss this statement, indicating to what extent you agree with it - Essay Example Firstly, there should be a distinction on what is accepted as perception. In this case, the law should clearly define what would qualify as a perception which may warrant compensation. The second issue concerns what would be deemed as a liability arising from the damage. In this case, there should be limits which are spelled out in regards to liability. The third aspect of the law entails what is known as the threshold which concerns the recovery made as a result of a claim or legal suit. The following discourse seeks to prove that the sentiments by Lord Oliver are true. The law on psychiatric damage is paradoxical. It seeks to protect the victim while at the same time puts caution on the kind of claim that can be sought by the victim. The objective of the law is to accord justice to all people irrespective of creed or personal influence1. The law carefully outlines what ‘damage’ in case of psychiatric pain is. The damage defined by the law states that is should not have been inflicted by a physical pain. This implies that for one to be eligible for consideration of a claim for any form of psychiatric damage, it should not be a physical injury. This is the paradox that surrounds the law on negligence in relation to causes of psychiatric damage. Such a situation evokes different reactions from law and policy makers. In fact, it makes one understand the sentiments, ‘I cannot, for my part, regard the present state of the law as either entirely satisfactory or as logically defensible’ (Alcock and Others v Chief Constable of the South Yorkshire Police [1992] PIQR 1, 26. When it comes to negligence that leads to medical conditions, the law is a bit clear. However, when it comes to psychiatric damage, the law tends to be a bit ambiguous. For instance, the law defines forms of injury as those that can be proven medically. However, in technical terms, a mental damage can be so abstract to even have a medical proof. The human psychology is a

Whole Foods Market 2007 Essay Example for Free

Whole Foods Market 2007 Essay Introduction John Mackey, current president and cofounder of founder of Whole Foods, opened â€Å"Safer Way† natural grocery store in 1978. The store had limited success as it was a small location allowing only for a limited selection, focusing entirely on vegetarian foods. John joined forces with Craig Weller and Mark Skiles, founders â€Å"Clarksville Natural Grocery† (founded in 1979), to create Whole Foods Market. This joint venture took place in Austin, Texas in 1980 resulting in a new company, a single natural food market with a staff of nineteen. Whole Foods Market was an early entrant into the organic food market and they have used their early mover advantage to solidify their position and continue their study growth. Synopsis of the Situation In 2005 Whole Foods Market acquired the Wild Oats Food chain. Wild Oats operates 100 full service stores in 24 states and Canada. With the changing economy and a more competitive industry landscape, John Mackey is uncertain about how to meet the company’s aggressive growth targets. Whole Foods Market’s objective is to reach $12 billion in revenue with 300+ stores in 2010 without sacrificing quality and their current reputation. Key Issues With increased demands from mainstream super markets also carrying organics, the demands for such products could outreach the limited supply. Changes in the Availability of Quality Natural and Organic Products could impact our Business. There is no assurance that quality natural and organic products will be available to meet our future needs. If conventional Whole Foods Market 20073 supermarkets increase their natural and organic product offerings or if new laws require the reformulation of certain products to meet tougher standards, the supply of products may be constrained. Any significant disruption in the supply of quality natural and organic products could have a material impact on our overall sales and cost of goods.

Music And Its Effect On The Psychology Of Teenagers Media Essay

Music And Its Effect On The Psychology Of Teenagers Media Essay There has been a massive amount of research, trying to identify the psychological and behavioral effects of music on a teenager. Society stigmatizes different genres with common belief and misconceptions, such as listening to classical music makes someone smarter and heavy metal and hardcore rap causes uncontrollable rage and hostility. Stereotypes, misconceptions, and the tendency to interpret observations and research too broadly have tainted the true essence of musical psychology, which is the analysis of how different musical aspects react with the behavioral and emotional aspects of teenagers. Deeha (2008) [online] According to brainyquote.com (n.d) [online], Music is defined as The science and the art of tones i.e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various degrees of tension; the science of harmonical tones which treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties, dependences and relations of tones to each other; the art of combining tones in a manner to please the ear. Music is also defined as vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. Oxforddictionaries.com (n.d) [online] Music is universal and yet it is also relative and subjective. What may be music to one may not be so to another. Estrella (n.d) [online] Definitions.net defines music as an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony and dynamics. Definitions.net (n.d) [online] Merriam-Webster.com (n.d) [online] defines psychology as the mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual or group or the study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity. Dictionary.com (n.d) [online] defines psychology as  the  mental make-up  or  structure  of  an  individual  that causes  him  or  her  to  think  or  act  in  the  way  he or  she  does. There are many theories regarding when and where music originated. Many agree that music began even before man existed. Historiographers point out that there are six periods of music and each period has a particular style of music that greatly contributed to what music is today. Estrella (n.d) [online] Medieval/Middle Ages Music during the Middle Ages is characterized by the beginning of musical notation as well as polyphony. During this time, there were two general types of music styles; the monophonic and the polyphonic.Estrella (n.d) [online]. Monophonic means one note  at a time  while polyphonic means two or more  different  notes  at the same time. wiki.answers.com (n.d) [online] Renaissance Renaissance means rebirth and in music this period brought about many changes in the way music was created and perceived. Estrella (n.d) [online] Classical The music of the Classical period, which spans from 1750 to 1820, is characterized by simpler melodies and forms such as the sonatas. The piano was undoubtedly the primary instrument used by composers during the Classical period. Estrella (n.d) [online] Romantic Historiographers define the Romantic Music period to be between 1800 to 1900. It is characterized by using music to tell a story or express an idea, and the use of various instruments including wind instruments. Melodies are fuller and more dramatic. Estrella (n.d) [online] 20th Century Music during the 20th century brought about many innovations on how music was performed and appreciated. Artists were more willing to experiment on new music forms and used technology to enhance their compositions. Estrella (n.d) [online] TYPES Music is of different types. We have; Classical Music Rock Blues Jazz RB Hip-Hop Reggae Country New Age. Bhattacharyya (2012) [online] Rock and roll is a form of music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with roots in mainly Blues, Country, RB, Folk and Gospel music, and quickly spread to the rest of the world. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] Classic rock and roll is played with one or two electric guitars (one lead, one rhythm), a string bass or an electric bass guitar, and a drum kit. In the earliest rock and roll styles, either the piano or saxophone was often the lead instrument, but these were generally replaced or supplemented by the guitar in the middle to late 1950s. The massive popularity and eventual worldwide view of rock and roll gave it a unique social impact. Far beyond simply a musical style, rock and roll, as seen in movies and in the new medium of television, influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] Jazz is an American musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions. The styles West African pedigree is evident in its use of blue notes, improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online]   From its early development until the present, jazz has also incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music. The word jazz began as a West Coast slang term of uncertain derivation and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915. Jazz has, from its early 20th century inception, spawned a variety of subgenres, from New Orleans Dixieland dating from the early 1910s, big band-style swing from the 1930s and 1940s, bebop from the mid-1940s, a variety of Latin jazz fusions such as Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz from the 1950s and 1960s, jazz-rock fusion from the 1970s and late 1980s developments such as acid jazz, which blended jazz influences into funk and hip-hop. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] Hip-hop  music, also referred to as  rap music, is a music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with backing beats. Hip hop music is part of culture, which began in the Bronx, New York City in the 1970s, predominantly among African Americans and Latinos. The term rap is often used synonymously with hip hop music. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] Rapping is a vocal style in which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat. Beats are traditionally generated from portions of other songs by a DJ, or sampled from portions of other songs by a producer, though synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands are also used, especially in newer music. Rappers may perform what they have written down ahead of time, or improvise on the spot with or without a beat which has become known as free-styling. Though rap is usually an integral component of hip hop music, DJs sometimes perform and record alone and many instrumental acts are also defined as hip hop. In the 1990s, a form called gangsta rap became a major part of American music, causing controversy over lyrics which were perceived by some as promoting violence, promiscuity and drug use. Nevertheless, hip hop continued to increase in popularity, and by the year 2000, it was a staple of popular music charts. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady. Reggae is based on a rhythmic style characterized by regular beats on the off-beat, known as the skank. Reggae is normally slower than ska, and usually has accents on the first and third beat in each bar. Reggae song lyrics deal with many subjects, including religion, love, sexuality, peace, relationships, poverty, injustice and other social and political issues. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s. The term country music began to be used in the 1940s when the earlier term hillbilly music was deemed to be degrading, and the term was widely embraced in the 1970s, while country and Western has declined in use since that time, except in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it is still commonly used in the United States. In the Southwestern United States a different mix of ethnic groups created the music that became the Western music of the term country and Western. Acesandeights.com (n.d) [online] All these types of music have different effects on different teenagers; both positive and negative. The average person spends several hours a day listening to music, whether they see it as a main activity or just as something to take up space in the background. It is not surprising, then, that music has a great effect on how humans think and act, possibly even affecting intelligence. Several studies have been conducted on this theory; though some results are questionable, the consensus view seems to be that music has the capacity for both positive and negative effects. Andrew (n.d) [online] In America; Researchers found that people could make accurate judgments about an individuals levels of extraversion, creativity and open-mindedness after listening to ten of their favorite songs. Extraverts tend to seek out songs with heavy bass lines, while those who enjoy more complex styles such as jazz and classical music tend to be more creative and have higher IQ-scores. Another study conducted by researchers at Herriot-Watt University looked at more than 36,000 participants from all over the world. Participants were asked to rate more than 104 different musical styles in addition to offering information about aspects of their personality. Cherry (n.d) [online] Also, music can have a positive therapeutic effect. Musical therapy uses music and all aspects of music to improve and maintain physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health of an individual and is defined by the Music Therapy Association as an evidence based music intervention to accomplish individual goals within a therapeutic setting. People of all ages can reap the benefits of musical therapy, especially those who suffer mental health disorders, developmental disorders, Alzheimers disease, substance abuse, brain injuries, physical disabilities, or chronic pain. Pediatrics.aapublication.org [online] The lyrics of music also affect the psychology of teenagers. Music lyrics have undergone dramatic changes since the introduction of rock music more than 40 years ago. This is an issue of vital interest and concern. Pediatrics.aapublication.org [online] Rock music lyrics have become more explicit-particularly with reference to sex, drugs, and violence. Recently, heavy metal and gangsta rap music lyrics have had the greatest concern. In some cases, the lyrics communicate potentially harmful messages such as drug use, sexually transmitted diseases, injuries, homicide, and suicide have all become part of everyday life for many American teens. Pediatrics.aapublication.org [online] In the U.K; Heavy-metal music has been a source of controversy since its origin in the 1980s. Heavy metal typically contains aggressive music, accompanied by violent lyrics, leaving many to claim that it can have certain negative effects on the teenagers that listen to it. There have been several studies done to test the effects that heavy metal actually has on teenagers. Godard (n.d) [online] One of the most vocalized claims about heavy-metal music is that it makes its listeners, especially its young listeners, more violent. A study done by Loyola University has found that this is, in fact, not true and there is no direct relationship between heavy-metal music and violence in teenagers. In fact, it was found that participants that listened to heavy-metal music were less violent than those in the control group. The reason is unclear, but one guess is that since the listener is exposed to violent music, they become adverse to it and decrease their desire to be violent. Godard (n.d) [online] Also, the Calgary Herald has reported that teenagers with higher levels of intelligence are naturally drawn to heavy-metal music, specifically because it relieves the pressure of a stressful life. There is also a large sense of community and solidarity among fans of heavy-metal music, something that intelligent people prefer. Listening to heavy metal is seen by most teens as a way of releasing their internal anger and can actually help relax teens, leading to more hard work and increased academic performance. Godard (n.d) [online] Furthermore, it has been found that there is a link between the amount of heavy-metal music a teenager listens to and the so-called macho personality. Teenagers that listen to heavy metal a lot are more likely to fall into a personality type that craves constant sensation and thrills from life. These will be generally extroverted individuals sexually, though they may not be socially. Godard (n.d) [online] Lastly, all kinds of music have an effect on mood. Heavy-metal music was tested to see if it evoked positive or negative emotions in its listeners. A study by Shaleen L. Coss of the psychology department at Loyola University found that participants who listened to heavy-metal music with violent lyrics and music were less likely to feel depression afterward than those who listened to non-violent songs. They also found that heavy-metal music listeners had higher self-esteem than other participants because of the rush one feels from violent music. Godard (n.d) [online] In Nigeria; Akpogena (n.d) [online] says Music captures the heart. It is a powerful spiritual force. It can be a tool of great good or a weapon of great destruction. Too much of our popular music is not even singable. Not only is it often without recognizable tune, pitch, cadence or tenor and even without melody, harmony or regular rhythm but it is also so profane that it is unrepeatable. Many rap and rock songs have gone far beyond the mere bounds of pornography to vile brutality, scatological filth, sadistic nihilism, blasphemous irreverence and provocative decadence. Previously, pop music was almost always sentimental, sappy and insubstantial. Now, it is nightmarishly barbaric. With the advent of grunge rock, hip-hop, goth rock, gangsta rap, death metal and speed metal, a new wave of wildly angry music with minimal melody lines or hooks, harsh and distorted electronics, incessant syncopations, and vile lyrics has swept onto center stage. Steeped in a hopeless worldview of suicide, occultis m, sexual abuse, self-mutilation, brutal sadism and random revenge, the music is depressing, dark and deleterious. ANALYSIS The works above shows that music that music has both positive and negative effects and the type of music that a teenager prefers can create a significant effect on how the teenager behaves. It also shows that classical music, specifically Mozart, can cause an increase in the academic performance of a teenager. Furthermore it also shows that the lyrics in the songs teenagers listen to affects the way a teenager behaves and thinks. As the lyrics become more explicit, so does the teenager. CONCLUSION Music has both positive and negative effects and it differs from one teenager to another.

Health Policy Regarding To Smoking Health And Social Care Essay

Health Policy Regarding To Smoking Health And Social Care Essay This essay will demonstrate the government health policies regarding to smoking including with changes in health care field from the development of NHS with current scenario. It is important to know what is policy. Policy is a collection of different ideas and methods which is used for the improvement in any field including health care and on the other hand, health policy is a practical device, or advantageous procedure and political course of action [ Hennessy, D. Spurgeon, P., 2000]. Health policies may be explained as the strategies methods adopted as being advantageous, measure to provide within the recourses available from health systems that, at least maintain and preferably improves health. As time is changed there is changed in people thinking, behavior and their lifestyle due to this reason the consumption of cigarette smoking in society is increased from last few decades. Smoking has been recognized as one of the most considerable causes of avoidable death and disease. Smoking alone is the supreme cause of preventable illness and premature death in UK and smoking is responsible for 23 Percent in males and 12 Percent in female deaths. There is more than 106,500 deaths are due to cigarette smoking (Wilkinson S. et al, 2004). Smoking is defined as the inhalation and exhalation of smoke from flaming tobacco in cigarettes, cigars and pipes etc. Historically smoking put into practice, was followed by inhabitants of western hemisphere, in spiritual rituals and for therapeutic purposes. Smoking has a history preliminary from the late 1500s.Cigarette smoking is a serious health hazard. Tobacco contains nicotine a toxic substance named alkaloid -and some others dangerous stuff like carbon monoxide, prussic acid, and ammonia etc which are very harmful for the health. The current scenario of smoking in England have fallen from 28 percent in 1998 to 25 percent in 2003-means approximately 1.2 million smaller numbers of smokers (Department of health,2003). Due to smoking , one in five deaths held in UK and smokers lose, Tobacco smoke can causes the 90 percent of lung cancer then non smokers(Peterson and Peto,2004) [Neubeck, L., 2006]. It is anticipated that about 120,000 young men who aged between 30 and 50 years in the United kingdom are impotent as a consequence of smoking [British Medical Association(BMA)] , 2004]. The main aim and purposes for choosing this topic is to study smoking policy in united kingdom and to improve knowledge about current health policies on local level or at national level and to see the statistical data of smoking cessation and what are the government policies regarding the smoking cessation in the society for different age groups and to discuss the need, origination and operation of policies in health care. To develop the understanding about health care system in the United Kingdom and to improve knowledge about NHS as an organization and its role and policies in health care system. Smoking is considered very dangerous for health not only for an individual but for the nation also because many billion pounds every year spend by NHS for prevention. Smoking is a causing factor of many diseases which is related to our health and environment directly or indirectly such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart diseases lifestyle related problems and behavioral problems. Due to smoking, people become habitual and then it is hard to come out from this situation or if a person suddenly quit then it gives some harmful effect to our body. Smoking affects the person and it effects others through second hand smoking and passive smoking. if a pregnant women involves in any kind of smoking during pregnancy then, this is not only harmful to her but also to her baby too and the results are baby deliver with some congenital anomalies. In the UK (Department of health, 1998) illustrates that, approximately 23% in 1995 and 15% in 2009 babies were born with disabilities who were delivered from smoker mothers. So the government introduced new health policy on smoking ,Choosing health (Department of Health, 2007) introduced the smoke free public policy which says that no is allowed to do smoking in public place such as malls, buses and railway station etc.. This policy included with, to regulate the way of smoking is portrayed on television and on advertisement in newspapers and mark health warning notice on tobacco products. There are some causing factors which enhance or encourage youth to involve in smoking such as now a days it shows as a symbol of prestige and personality which effects the youth and children. Specially children are more prone to be affected by smoking directly or indirectly because they learn from elders and they are more curious to learn and try everything and on health effect their lungs are smal l compare to adults and their immunity is low and they are more prone to get and harmful effect of cigarette smoke. According to human anatomy children breaths faster than the adults and hence they inhale more toxins and harmful chemicals as compare to adults. Smoking can cause many diseases it affects the respiratory system and can lead to diseases like cancer, bronchitis etc. .It also causes the headache and poor circulation, bad breath and stomach cancer and cancer of the pancreas ( Peterson and Peto,2004).According to Department of health (2005) in the general adult population for 2001 still shows that approximately 28 percent of men and 25 percent of women smoke (Department of health 2005). There are some other effects of smoking cessation like restlessness, waking up at night, increased appetite, Depression, Mouth ulcers and cancers, with poor concentration on work (smoking and health, 2005). There are some other risk factors associated with the second-hand smoking. In adults it causes coughing, feeling sick and breathing problems and in babies and children much higher rate of cot death as compared to the children of non smokers. Higher chances of ear infection, complaints of coughs, sneezing and cold and flu (Source Jamrozik, 2005). Nowadays due to change in the disease pattern people are thinking about their health .They want to have smoking policies which reduces the rate of smoking. Thinking of people Behavior and life style is changed. The disease rate of lung cancer, cardiovascular system and respiratory problems are increased due to smoking. In UK 12000 people are die in every year due to second-hand smoke (Jamerozik, 2005). In addition to this, smoking affects in a loss of productivity among workers, and ill health. A smoke free policy needs to be practical and impartial. Second-hand smoke is of two types: Main stream and Side stream smoke. The Residential and Commercial Services (RCS) introduce that all public places including residential areas, offices areas will be smoke free. This policy comes into progress on Sunday 1st July 2007.Smoking Is prohibited in all enclosed premises i.e. university buildings, covered walk ways. This policy applies to all university employees, students, residents and visitors etc. NHS Direct has a duty to promote and maintain the health of the community. It extends to the work environment, and thus help in promotion of general well being of all people. The NHS Direct policies not worried with people who smoke but with where they smoke and to prevent effects of smoking on visitors, and non smoking colleagues. It is also alarmed with the presence of carcinogenic substances in the vicinity of NHS Direct sites. From 1st July 2007, practically all enclosed places including work places in England will become smoke free, which will make sure a better and healthy environment, so that everyone can relax, travel and work free from second-hand smoke ( NHS Direct,2008 ).According to this policy smoking is prohibited in all working areas, such as centers and offices surroundings at all times, it will also includes after working hours periods and shifts as well as evenings and weekends and will also in the following ordinary areas: meeting Room, kitchen areas, Store Room reception Areas. According to Health and Safety at work etc Act, 1974). In UK the Department of Health (NHS Direct, 2008) has taken achievement to increase the general awareness of the risks concerned with the second-hand smoke through the following: countries first ever multimedia and education campaign. Funding to facilitate smoke free cities network and to help cities move towards smoke free on a voluntary basis. Almost all 50 percent in UK (there are 60,000 in the UK) and half of the Restaurants Association (10,500 group and individual restaurants). Benefits of Action and Second-Hand smoke: Environment and Economic benefits for society individual and industries includes: The NHS expenditures is reduced through smoking prevalence. The costs from the sickness absence are reduced. It enhances safety benefits (such as reduced fire risks).The cleanliness and maintenance costs are reduced. The Action on smoking and health report relates to strategy of tobacco control for England and recommendations which reflects the current balance and reserved powers in England. By helping smokers to quit, harm of tobacco can be reduced. All health professionals should have the skills to provide basics to stop smoking advice to the persons who smokes including the provision of treatment and referral to specialist stop smoking services. There are medicinal products on the market to help the smoker to quit and they also provide substitutes of Nicotine products. The tobacco control community looks ahead to working with the government in shaping the new strategy and new era in tobacco control. The Department of Health, 2004 has set a further public sector agreement(PSA) targeted as to reduce the rate of smoking to 21 percent or less by 2010( 26 percent in 2002). According to a Report of Smoking in public places on 15th December 2005 was published by the House of Commons Health Committee. They command paper sets out the government response in the report. The aim of government to achieve reduction in smoking frequency through along with combination of policies, which will help 70 percent of smokers who they want to quit. Smoking in pregnant women remains and issue of public health because the women who continued smoking during pregnancy, the infant born were hospitalized for a considerably more number of days (Petrou etal, 2005)[ ]{midwives attitude to smoking and smoking cessation in pregnancy}. The other national services highlights the danger of smoking like National Services Framework for heart diseases, cancer and children, young person and maternity services they highlights of the danger of smoking . The Health Action Zone in England, April 1999 to March 2000. The White paper Smoking Kills announced the new money for setting up the cessation services over a three year period. The NHS smoking cessation services will provide a new move towards help the people who want to quit smoking. They provide specialist and intermediate services. In specialist smoking cessation services they provide intensive treatment, usually clinics, run by smoking cessation specialists, usually in form of group over the course period of 5-6 weeks. It also includes Nicotine Replacement Therapy. In intermediate services provided by the other health practitioners who have taken some kind of recognized training usually they provided on a one to one basis, their services also include Nicotine Replacement Therapy. The new evidences has made by committee in 2004 , which has based on the report of Scientific Committee On Tobacco and Health [SCOTH],1998.They pay attention to the new organization between the secondhand smoke and lung disease. They have published their latest report from SCOTH was along with the Choosing Health White Paper.[Department of Health,2009]. The carpool vehicles should need to display the No smoking signs (NHS, smoking in workplace.2009). The cost effectiveness for government like NHS cost in overall smoking is estimated approximately 1.5 billion pounds a year. This cost will be reduced by decreasing the rate of smoking, about 1.7 percentage rate of smoking is reduced from 25 percent, then it means that about 100 million pounds are saved annually( ). The development of a smoke-free policy needs to be a practical and impartial. These policies are created to give staff guidance, patient and visitor clear guidance on what is acceptable. The government policy for smoking in the work places is that to reduced passive smoking all employers have to provide designated smoking areas outside the organization (Department of Health, 2009). Nowadays, the lifestyle of people has been changed the smoking rate is increased in both men and women. Parents smoke in front of their children this leads to affects the children because the children are more curious to learn and they want to trial and experiment of smoking in their peer groups. In pubs and discos youth enjoying their parties with wine, alcohol and smoking. They start due to their peer pressure and thereafter they become habitual of smoking. People spend most of times outside from their homes and they live alone so they start drinking alcohol and smoking to reduce their boredom and tensions. Due to this kind of social impact on the people the rate of smoking is increased. Nurses play an significant role for delivering health policies in the society through the use of education program for on individual and to the community. Encourage people to attend workshop for the cessation of smoking provide them support to come out of this .Use the opportunities to explain the relationship between changes in health status and smoking. They assess the smoking status of patients and to give advice all smokers to stop. They assist the people who interested in doing so. Health care practioners offer follow up and refer them to specialist stop smoking services if they required. For heavily addicted smokers who are currently unable or to quit, there is also the possibility of switching to pure Nicotine products (which like the current medicinal products on the market, contain Nicotine only and other tobacco derivates).Smokers are addicted to Nicotine but they are harmed by the tar and toxins in tobacco. Now there is more than ever a need for increased efforts to promot e tobacco education and the intervention amongst nurses in order for them to have the prospective to be credible and successful advisers to patients and the public. The community healths nurses are in very good position interfere with smokers. Many who want to give up smoking do so as a result of the health problem. So the problems in community in those nurses have a significant role to help them and community and community people to quit from this lethal problem. People who are habitual to smoke of if they want to quit from it then and nurses and government have to prepare policies to available to them substitute of smoking for example Nicotine Replacement therapy such as chewing gums. Asses the smokers to and help them to quit the smoking give them proper advice and suggestions and help them to take classes and join workshops to the smoking in the society. Advice them that take proper substitute of smoking instead of taking tobacco instance they may consume nicotine substances or the cigarettes and they also take some medical subanstances to reduce their smoking habit. the community health nurse should health to stop smoking . And there are fa ster acting NRT produce Department of Health, 2000ts available and are being developed in the current scenario. There are more and more treatments are becoming available for smoking cessation. It is a rapidly developing field in the society and there are some others methods like Hypnotherapy is suggested and Acupuncture therapy is beneficial. The care which is offered to the pregnant women would impact on society. In conclusion, many government policies have been implemented in local and national level for the development of people and encourage them to adopt healthy life style and stop smoking although the government gets several incomes from the sale of tobacco products. These policies and recommendations are taken from NHS and the department of health and implemented in the society. The harmful effects of smoking not only affect to the mother but also their baby in the womb and the impact of health care policies in health care system. It starts with the effects on the fetus and carries on throughout childhood.

Poetic Inspiration in Kubla Khan and Rime of the Ancient Mariner Essay

Poetic Inspiration in Kubla Khan and Rime of the Ancient Mariner      Ã‚  Ã‚   An examination of the characters that Coleridge presents in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Kubla Khan" and the situations in which they find themselves reveals interesting aspects of Coleridge's own character that are both similar to and different from the characters named in the titles of these poems. In particular, an examination of these characters with an eye toward Coleridge's conception of poetic inspiration and success can be fruitful.    In "Kubla Khan," Coleridge depicts a powerful character who "did ... a stately pleasure dome decree" ("Kubla Khan" lines 1-2). The fact that Kubla Khan is able merely to decree a pleasure-dome and know that his orders will be executed implies that he is a character of both strong will and great creative power. This faith in himself is not misplaced. The Khan decrees that a pleasure-dome be built and his order is immediately executed: "So twice five miles of fertile ground/ With walls and towers were girdled round" (6-7). Some aspects of the landscape and the dome echo the hardness implied by the chieftain's single-minded determination: the fountain "with ceaseless turmoil seething," the "dancing rocks" that are tossed into the air by the fountain, the "ancestral voices prophesying war," and the fact that the sacred river itself is "flung up momently" by the fountain (18, 23, 30, 24). As the Khan's creation, the dome can reasonably be expected to contain clues to his character, and th e characterization of the Khan harmonizes well with these clues about his character given by the pleasure dome: the image of a Mongol chief is one associated with danger, war, and a large amount of strength.    ... ... of a broken and essentially conciliatory force. When seen in these terms, it seems that the mariner may be the image with which Coleridge most closely identified himself, but both are symbols of his creative process.    References The Bible. Authorized (King James) Translation. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. "Kubla Khan" in Samuel Taylor Coleridge: A Critical Edition of the Major Works. Ed. H J. Jackson. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. "The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere, in Seven Parts" (1798 text) in Romanticism: An Anthology, Second Edition. Ed. Duncan Wu. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd., 1998. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In Seven Parts" (1817 text) in Samuel Taylor Coleridge: A Critical Edition of the Major Works. Ed. H J. Jackson. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985.   

The Extreme Right in Britain Essay -- Political Politics

The Extreme Right in Britain Introduction Perhaps, one of the highly debated issues in the electoral procedures of different European nations is about the extreme right. Based on the premise that the nation is the primary unit of social and political organization, extremist nationalism has been revived since the demise of communism. Unlike civic nationalism, which stresses equality and solidarity, the exaggerated, chauvinistic, and aggressive nationalism of the extreme right upholds the significance of the nation and national identity against any other value. Each person is defined by membership in ancient ethnic and cultural groups that are hierarchically arranged according to the "natural order." In the extreme rights’ view, violating this natural order through racial combination leads to corruption in society. Consequently, the extreme right portrays itself as the defender of the nation, protecting society's integrity and purity from the onslaught of foreigners and unwanted change. Therefore, national identity subordinates all other identifications; it divides good from evil and friend from enemy. It is a source of pride that right-wing extremists feel has been denied them by the state and liberals. The resurgence of extreme right parties gained its first sudden and dramatic momentum when the Front National (FN), led by Jean-Marie LePen, scored 11.2 percent in the 1984 European elections. This took many by surprise, including political and social scientists, most of whom at the time had expected rightist extremism to disperse altogether. Indeed, until the mid-1980s, the organized extreme right remained completely marginalized in Europe, enjoyed little political support, and performed poorly in elections. Even mor... ... as Compared with Previous Ones. Jerusalem, 1996. Hainsworth, P. â€Å"The Extreme Right† In Politics of the Extreme Right: From the Margins to the Mainstream. London, 2000. Heath, A. â€Å"What has happened to the extreme Right in Britain. Working Paper, 23, 1993. Ignazi, P. Extreme Right parties in Western Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Margetts, H. John, P. Weir, S. Latent Support for the far-Right in British Politics: The BP and UKIP in the 2004 European and London Elections. Paper Presented to PSA EPOP conference: University of Oxford, 2004. Rensmann, L. â€Å"The New Politics of Prejudice; Comparative Perspectives on Extreme Right Parties in European democracies†. German Politics and Society, 21:4 (2003). Taguieff, P.A. "The New Cultural Racism in France". Telos, 83: Spring (1990) Walker, M. The National Front. Fontana Collins: Glasgow, 1978.

Nursing Practice

My nursing practice has been characterized by a marked transition from the general wards to the intensive care unit. Nevertheless, my values have remained intact. Initially, I must admit, I believed that patients had no role in determining the medication or intervention they receive. However, since I came to know about it, in a nursing class, the value of decision-making independence has guided my practice. I learnt the value in class, thus, my definition of the term is influenced by Fahrenwald et al., who defined decision-making autonomy as the act of allowing patients to make their own decisions regarding diagnosis and treatments, albeit after receiving all relevant information (2005). The value of decision-making autonomy and working with patients under intensive care have shaped my understanding of person-centered care and its relevance to nursing, as a profession and a practice. In the ICU, it is easy to view the person as just a patient. However, I have deliberately chosen to consider them people who are just momentarily inconvenienced by illness. As a nurse, I am in agreement with Ross, Tod, & Clarke's (2015) observation that the definition and use of person-centered care has been fluid and varies in distinct research, guidance, policy and daily practice. Still, I concur with the definition offered by the American Geriatrics Society; eliciting individuals' preferences and values and, once expressed, letting them guide all healthcare aspects, and supporting their practical life and health goals (2015). However, I find an earlier definition by McCormack, Dewing, & Breslin (2010) quite relevant to practice. They define person-centered care as an approach to nursing practice that is created by forming and fostering therapeutic relationships between patients, care providers and other people who are significant to the patients' lives. Drawing from the two definitions, I believe person-centered care is viewing patients as persons with social networks and accomodating their beliefs and values in the provision of care, while developing relationships that enable the attainment of healthcare as well as life goals. In adherence to the value of decision-making autonomy, I always communicate to patients their diagnosis and suggested interventions. To attain the goals associated with the value, one needs excellent communication and people skills, which is one of my strengths in practice. More specifically, I have demonstrated empathy, which is a person-centered communication skill. In the course of my practice, I try to comprehend and share into the perspectives, current situation and feelings of the persons under my care. That creates a bond of trust, social support and mutual understanding. The informed patients then get to decide whether they agree with the diagnosis, and whether they are willing to receive the suggested interventions. In case of the ICU, I consult with the patients' families and let them make the decisions. Human dignity is another value that has influenced most of my decisions in my professional and personal life. As a nurse, I believe it is important to respect all individuals, including the patients, their families and the entire society. In line with the value of human dignity, I respect patients' belief systems and consider their natural human values during my interactions with them and their families. However, at times, it is difficult to know some patients' beliefs, especially in the ICU. Although it is possible to get information about patient beliefs from their families and close friends, I consider it my duty to ensure that the informants do not pass out their own belief systems as the patients'. Trustworthiness and honesty are important strengths that have enabled me uphold human dignity in my practice. Without being trustworthy, patients and their families would not reveal their secrets to me. Many a times, the secrets are critical to the formulation of interventions. Human dignity also dictates that I protect patients' confidentiality during clinical interactions. For instance, I always ensure that I cover all exposed body parts of patients. What's more, I demonstrate my respect for human dignity through respectful communication with patients' families and keeping their secrets confidential. Respecting human dignity calls for mindfulness, which is another person-centred communication skill I believe I possess. Hafskjold et al., (2015) define mindfulness as the art of drawing unique variations by being present in interactions. By being mindful, I am able to observe the happenings and act according to what I notice. Research shows that mindfulness by nurses leads to more satisfied patients (Ross, Tod, & Clarke, 2015). My practice has also been guided by altruism. My own conceptualization of altruism is in line with the definition of the term offered by Shahriari et al., (2013); focusing on patients as human beings, while striving to promote their health and welfare. In nursing practice, the ICU is ostensibly the most tasking department to work in. It requires working without losing concentration, whether one is on a day shift or night shift. I have often found myself standing next to patients' beds throughout the night just to make sure they are fine. Despite the tough requirements, I believe I have exhibited devotion and selflessness the entire time I have attended to patients in the ICU, and even before. Undeniably, sometimes I have felt exhausted by the demands of the job, but my altruistic tendencies have always reminded me that nursing is not just a job, but a calling that requires me to give my all towards the healthcare and welfare of others. To reflect on my professional practice, I use two different strategies; the Gibbs model and John's reflective framework. The Gibbs (1988) Model has six stages; description of event, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action. On its part, John's framework has three important elements; bringing the mind home, experience description and reflection (Palmer, Burns, ; Bulman, 1994).Part 2 Wanda formulated a reflection model that requires students to follow a five-step process during reflective practice, also known as the 5Ds structured reflection model (2016). The 5Ds stand for Doubts/differences, Disclosure, Dissection, Discover and Decision. The learner reflects on whether s/he has any doubts in his/her practice, or whether there are any differences between what s/he did in a clinical setting and what is found in literature. Disclosure entails writing about the experiences or situation on the topic discussed in the doubts section, while the dissection section considers why it happened and the impact. Discover involves finding additional information from relevant literature and the decision part describes a future plan.5Ds model of structured reflection (Wanda, 2016) The Rolfe model enables students to reflect on their experiences based on three questions; what, so what and now what (Rolfe, Freshwater, ; Jasper, 2001). The first question allows students and nurses to describe the situation, while the second question gives students room to discuss what they learnt, while the answers to the last question identify what the person should do to develop learning and improve future outcomes. The 5Ds Structured reflection The two models have various similarities and differences. For starters, the two reflective models allow students to explore their experiences while being guided by something. However, in the Rolfe model, students are guided by the questions, while in Wanda model (2016); students are guided by the 5Ds expressed earlier. A key strength of the 5Ds reflection model is that it focuses on the student as an individual (Wanda, 2016). Consequently, it enables students to decide what they need to learn more about, which makes them more self-directed in their learning. Secondly, it has a positive impact on students' ability to self-evaluate during clinical practice (Wanda, 2016). When used by students, it improves their ability to assess their own performance in clinical practice.Despite the apparent strengths, the model also has some limitations. To begin with, the effectiveness of the model can be restricted by students' characteristics (Wanda, 2016). For instance, the less motivated students are not suited to the reflective model. As a result, the model is not an effective learning tool for all students. What's more, the use of the 5D model requires consistent supervision, which is sometimes not possible because faculty members might have workloads that limit their time (Sicora, 2017).Grant, McKimm, & Murphy (2017) posit that the analysis part of the Rolfe et al. framework considers not just the technical-rational knowledge but also other forms of knowledge that might inform the comprehension of a particular situation. This is one of the strengths of the reflective model since it allows learners explore all knowledge points. However, it runs the risk of leading to superficial reflections (Sicora, 2017). At times, the students might just result to answering the three questions in short answers. That would not help in yielding a comprehensive reflection that would help them learning about their achievements and shortcomings that can help improve their practice. At a personal level, I prefer the 5Ds model. My preference for the model is informed by my desire to identify my doubts in practice as well as the tasks I perform in a way that is different from dictates of literature. That would help me refine my skills and procedures in practice, while making me a more confident practitioner, particularly in the ICU. BibliographyFahrenwald, N., Bassett, S., Tschetter, L., Carson, P., White, L., & Winterboer, V. (2005). Teaching core nursing values. Journal of professional nursing , 46-51.Gibbs, G. (1988).Learning by doing: a guide to teaching and learning methods. Oxford: Oxford Polytechnic.Grant, A., McKimm, J., & Murphy, F. (2017).Developing Reflective Practice: A Guide for Medical Students, Doctors and Teachers. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.Hafskjold, L., Sundler, A. J., Holmstrà ¶m, I. K., Sundling, V., Dulmen, S. v., & Eide, H. (2015).A cross-sectional study on person-centred communication in the care of older people: the COMHOME study protocol. BMJOpen , 1-10.McCormack, B., Dewing, J., & Breslin, L. (2010).Developing person-centred practice: nursing outcomes arising from changes to the care environment in residential settings for older people. International Journal of Older People Nursing , 93-107.Palmer, A., Burns, S., & Bulman, C. (1994).Reflective practice in nursing. Oxford: Blackwel l Scientific Publications.Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Framework for Reflective Practice. London, United Kingdom: Palgrave.Ross, H., Tod, A., & Clarke, A. (2015).Understanding and achieving person-centred care: the nurse perspective. Journal of Clinical Nursing , 9-10.Shahriari, M., Mohammadi, E., Abbaszadeh, A., & Bahrami, M. (2013).Nursing ethical values and definitions: A literature review. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research , 1-8.Sicora, A. (2017). Reflective Practice. London, United Kingdom: Policy Press.Smith, K. (2016).Reflection and person-centredness in practice development. International Practice Development Journal , 1-6.The American Geriatrics Society . (2015).Person?Centered Care: A Definition and Essential Elements. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society , 15-18.Wanda, D. (2016). The development of a clinical reflective practice model for paediatric nursing specialist students in Indonesia using an action research approach. Open Pu blication of UTS Scholars , 1-288.Wanda, D., Fowler, C., & Wilson, V. (2016).Using flash cards to engage Indonesian nursing students in reflection on their practice. Nurse Education Today , 132-137.