Cause and Effect of Corruption

There is a growing worldwide concern over corruption at the present time. Several factors are responsible for this. A consensus has now been reached that corruption is universal. It exists in all countries, both developed and developing, in the public and private sectors, as well as in non-profit and charitable organizations. Allegations and charges of corruption now play a more central role in politics than at any other time. Governments have fallen, careers of world renowned public figures ruined, and reputations of well-respected organizations and business firms badly tarnished on account of it.The international mass media feeds on it and scandals and improper conduct, especially of those in high places. The rising trend in the use of corruption as a tool to discredit political opponents has brought scandalous and corrupt behavior to international attention. Corruption can be a major obstacle in the process of economic development and in modernizing a country. Many now feel that i t should receive priority attention in a country’s development agenda. This greater recognition that corruption can have a serious adverse impact on development has been a cause for concern among developing countries.In a recent survey of 150 high level officials from 60 third world countries, the respondents ranked public sector corruption as the most severe obstacle confronting their development process. Countries in the Asia and Pacific region are also very worried about this problem and they are in substantial agreement that corruption is a major problem that is hindering their economic, political and social development, and hence view it as a problem requiring urgent attention at the highest level. Increasing public interest and concern over corruption have resulted in a large amount of scholarly research on the subject.Admittedly, there are still wide gaps in the current state of information and knowledge on the matter and much more remains to be done. Nevertheless, the oretical and empirical research that has been conducted thus far has yielded fresh insights into the problem. We now have a clearer understanding of the underlying causes of corruption, its consequences, and ideas and approaches on possible measures to combat it. At the same time, a better perspective has been obtained on the reasons why corruption persists in so many countries, and why it is difficult to deal with, although people throughout he world view it with disfavor. It is a common practice in many developing countries to institute price controls and to provide essential goods and services at subsidized prices to consumers. The official price for a key food item, such as rice, is fixed by paying a low administratively set price to farmers, while gasoline, electricity and charges for public transport and other essential items are provided at low subsidized prices. These mostly benefit city dwellers as they are the main consumers of these subsidized goods and services.The urban bias in the provision of subsidized food and other necessities stems from the political reality that city dwellers, especially the large masses at the lower end of the income scale, are more politically conscious, better organized and are easier to be instigated into civil unrest than the rural poor. It is usually discontent in the cities that ignites social and political upheavals in a country. Fixing prices at artificially low levels lead to demand exceeding supply for the subsidized goods so that the all too familiar shortages, rationing, corruption and black markets result.Several undesirable consequences follow. There is a loss of potential government revenue. For example, when those that have access to subsidized gasoline, such as government officials and car owners, sell it on the black market at several times the official price, they make large profits. These profits could be taken as revenue by the government, if there is no subsidy, no price distortion, and gasoline is va lued at its true opportunity cost, that is, charged by the government at its market clearing price.Setting low farm prices on rice and other agricultural products, to provide cheap food for city dwellers, means farmers are subsidizing the people in the cities. Likewise, low prices set on gasoline and energy contributes to deficits in the government budget. Fixing low prices on rice and agricultural products, in the wake of sharp increases in the prices of other domestically produced and imported goods, turns the terms of trade against farmers. This adversely affects their incentive to produce and hinders agricultural output. Low prices set on energy result in huge losses for the government enterprises engaged in this area.Consequently, they do not have the resources to invest in new facilities, to buy spare parts or to properly maintain existing machinery, and equipment that are falling into disrepair. The outcome is frequent breakdowns, unreliable and poor service, and general inab ility to meet requirements in terms both of generating capacity and in the quality of energy produced. Under-pricing energy has other harmful effects. Cheap energy leads to its uneconomic and wasteful use. When energy prices are kept at a level much below cost for decades, there is little incentive for its users to adopt energy efficient technologies and methods of production.So they are not sufficiently prepared for the large price adjustment that inevitably comes when low prices are no longer sustainable due to an internal or an external shock. The result is disruption in production, more corruption as bribery will be resorted to order to avoid payment of the higher charges, and increased inflationary pressures as higher energy costs will be passed on to consumers by raising prices. Thus, price controls, subsidies and the corruption and black markets they generate, can lead to undesirable social and economic consequences.This also illustrates the point that dismantling controls, g etting rid of subsidies and preventing price distortions form a key element in economic reforms and for the establishment of a properly functioning market economy. Unfortunately, corruption places severe constraints on a country’s capacity to undertake economic reforms. The rich and the powerful, the main gainers of a corrupt system, will therefore oppose reforms. The leadership in a country has a key role to play in combating corruption. It is an Asian tradition to hold leaders and those in authority in high regard and esteem.Hence the top leadership must set a good example with respect to honesty, integrity and capacity for hard work. Since fighting corruption will involve taking difficult decisions, the leadership must also display firmness, political will and commitment to carry out the required reforms. Honest and dedicated leaders are an essential, but not a sufficient, condition to counter corruption. Several other conditions are needed as well. Credibility is one of t hem. For success, the offenders both on the demand and supply side of a corrupt deal must be convinced that the government is serious about fighting corruption.Publicly try and punish some well-known corrupt people in the country. Some highly publicized trials and convictions of important officials and businessmen on charges of corruption have taken place in several countries. A publicity campaign to create greater awareness on the adverse effects of corruption and a clear and unmistakable official announcement on the desirability to bring it under control would be helpful. Ordinary citizens have a lot of firsthand experience with corruption, they are a good source of information and their help and cooperation should be solicited for the successful launch of an anti-corruption drive.Once people are convinced that a sincere and genuine effort to combat corruption is underway, they will respond and extend their full cooperation in resolving the problem. Just a little opening up and pr oviding opportunities for them to express their views on the matter will bring forth an outpouring of information, ideas and suggestions. A responsible press to gather, analyze, organize, and present information is considered vital to create greater public awareness and to provide the momentum for undertaking reforms to overcome corruption.Secretiveness has been a key factor that has enabled public officials and politicians to get away with corruption. A responsible and an investigative press has played an important role in many countries, both developed and developing, in exposing misconduct as well as in serving as a watchdog to limit corruption and preventing it from getting out of hand. The press has not always acted in a responsible manner, and like everything else in this world, it is not perfect. Nevertheless, its power to limit misconduct and improper behavior should not be underestimated.Views on the effectiveness of anti-corruption oversight or watchdog bodies are mixed. T here are instances where they have proved useful. However, in surveys and interviews of public officials and members of civil society organizations, most respondents do not have a high opinion of them. Improving institutions involves such things as improving the legal framework, promoting efficiency of the police force, strengthening the auditor general’s office, and appointment of a responsible inspector general empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption.A useful conclusion that has emerged from the current discussion and ongoing debate on the corruption issue is that corruption is a symptom of economic, political, and institutional weaknesses in a country. To be effective, measures against corruption must therefore address these underlying causes and not the symptoms. Emphasis must be placed on preventing corruption by tackling the root causes that give rise to it through undertaking economic, political and institutional reforms.Anti-corruption enforcement measures s uch as oversight bodies, a strengthened police force and more efficient law courts will not be effective in the absence of a serious effort to address the fundamental causes. Another observation that may be useful to bear in mind is that corruption is most prevalent where there are other forms of institutional weaknesses, such as political instability, bureaucratic red tape, and weak legislative and judicial systems. The important point is that corruption and such institutional weaknesses are linked together and that they feed upon each other.

Blair Witch Project

â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† After the release and authentic content in the â€Å"Blair Witch Project† it has become a major addition to the horror film collection and has brought unwanted public attention to the small town in Maryland (Burkittsville). This movie was not only a success in theatres, there was also much gained economically and promotionally due to the fame of â€Å"The Blair Witch Project. † While it is obivious that this film has become a popular horror film due to it’s darks theme, what is the story behind the film? How does â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† affect the Burkittsville towns people and the image of the town?And how does it relate to Danielewski’s House of Leaves. While all of the questions are important to answer, it would be beneficial to talk about this documentary turned film, as if it was just a form of motion pictures. This film was made by two directors, Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. â€Å"The Blair W itch Project† is a spooky film made up of suspenseful film footage found years after the death of the three students featured in the movie. â€Å"Montgomery College students Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams arrive in Burkittsville to interview locals about the legend of the Blair Witch for a class project.Heather interviews Mary Brown an old and quite insane woman who has lived in the area all her life. Mary claims to have seen the Blair Witch one day near Tappy Creek in the form of a hairy, half-human, half-animal beast. † Montgomery College students Heather Donohue, Michael Williams and Joshua Leonard take a trip to the town of Burkittsville, MD to capture some interesting footage on a lady accussed of using witch craft. As a female, Heather Donohue is the leader of the three who is driven and becomes the heart and soul of this project.Heather is the only member out of the group who is willing to continuously to film after they hear spooky noises and notice cries outside. Though she is eager to capture as much film as possible, it is evident both Michael and Joshua become annoyed with Heather. The plot of this film climaxes once Jousha wonders off and comes up missing. This part the movie also sets the tone for the following events, the death of both, Michael and Heather. Since â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† is considered a horror film, one would expect to see witches, monsters, killer and even ghost but this movie includes none of these scarey figures.This film simply captures the fears that three people gain while being stranded in the woods. Most of all this film shows the attempt of three people trying to capture images about a witch and turn into an interesting documentary. Before Heather, Michael and Joshua decided to go out and film a documentary, they heard about the stories of Elly Keward (Blair Witch). In 1785, Elly Keward was accused of convincing kids to come to her home to draw blood and later found guilt y of witchcraft. â€Å"Several children accuse Elly Keward of luring them into her home to draw blood from them.Kedward is found guilty of witchcraft, banished from the village during a particularly harsh winter and presumed dead. By midwinter all of Kedward's accusers along with half of the town's children vanish. Fearing a curse, the townspeople flee Blair and vow never to utter Elly Kedward's name again. † In 1809, The Blair Witch Cult book was published, which is considered a fiction genre that tells a story of a town cursed by a loner witch. It is not until 1824 that Burkittsville is found on the Blair website. â€Å"Starting with Emily Hollands, a total of seven children are abducted from the area surrounding Burkittsville, Maryland.An old hermit named Rustin Parr walks into a local market and tells the people there that he is â€Å"finally finished. † After Police hike for four hours to his secluded house in the woods, they find the bodies of seven missing chil dren in the cellar. Each child has been ritualistically murdered and disemboweled. Parr admits to everything in detail, telling authorities that he did it for â€Å"an old woman ghost† who occupied the woods near his house. He is quickly convicted and hanged. † â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† has so many different themes that all can be summed up as dark.This film was made to be informative about the death of the three students, but was also created to be a scary, horrorful and spooky film. Although there are speculations about this film being false or fake, the scenes and frightful events within this film definitely persuade you to believe that its no fiction film. With the collection of dark shots and the noises included in the film it is easy for one to become scared and horrified while watching this film. The scariest thing about this film is that it takes place in an existing town, Burkittsville, MD.The discovery of Burkittsville, MD on the Blair website and the death of townspeople, brought a new perspective for the small town in Maryland. This connection with Blair gives Burkittsville a spooky and creepy image, which relates to Danielewski’s House of Leaves. Although â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† is a movie and House of leaves is a book they both give off an scary or eerie feeling. While both stories are formed due to an experiment, they both are formed into horror stories. Many people see the connection between the two, especially write Nicholas Rombes, who writes an article comparing the horror film and genre. In many ways, the Blair Witch Project and House of Leaves are flip sides of the same coin, experimental works in the guise of horror stories. If it weren’t for the fact that they were from the lowly horror genre, they might have been nominated for Big Prizes like an Oscar or a National Book Award. † (Nicholas Rombes) The reputation that this town has gained due to Blair, is what led Heather, Michael and Joshua to Burkittsville, MD on October 20, 1994 and what might have been the reason they never returned.While these spectacles about â€Å"The Blair Witch† being true or false still linger, the mysterious deaths of the three students still affect the towns people of Burkittsville. â€Å"If they vote to keep the signs, it won't be because they love â€Å"Blair Witch† lore; they hate â€Å"Blair Witch† lore. It will be because Burkittsville, which looks almost exactly the way it did in the Civil War, never throws anything away†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Town leaders think Burkittsville could make $3,000. That's small compensation for all the trouble caused by a film that grossed $249 million. But it could pay to fix some broken sidewalks. † (By Faye Fiore, Los Angeles Times)Overall â€Å"The Blair Witch Project† is a scary film that displays the experiment of three college students on a mission to findout more about the â€Å"Blair Witch. † Wh ile this movie tells the story of a long lost women who practices witchcraft and kills people, it also gives of a sick and scary vibe. This films theme and structure is what makes it compatible to Danielewski’s House of Leaves. This film has not only brought back the store of â€Å"Blair Witch,† it has also been added to the horror film collection. After watching this film, one should be terrified to visit the woods and graveyards of Burkittsville, Md.

Analysis paper on ( is legacy admissions ethical) Essay

Analysis paper on ( is legacy admissions ethical) - Essay Example Does a person who works hard his whole life to get into a good college deserve an admission more than one whose father is capable of writing a large check? Legacy admissions are not based on merit but the wealth of your family and their history with the university that you are applying to. Your father went there, so did his father and you must follow in their footsteps regardless of how capable you are of doing so (Sacks 155). As per the article under discussion, it is stated that, â€Å"justice calls for evenhanded treatment of groups and individuals,† while this is a very noble concept, it is practically impossible. Yes, in autopian world society holds all individual equal. But is it a good idea to put the good of a few people above greater benefit for all? At a glance it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that such admissions are unethical, but the question is, who are they harming? Those that are denouncing legacy admission are doing so by promoting merit. Even former president George Bush spoke against legacy admission, however he himself has been known to graduate from Yale while his academic record shows no distinguishing patterns. Legacy admissions help by giving the educational institutes funds which they further utilize to make the edification experience more enriching. These funds result in high labs, competitive sports programs, state of the art libraries etcetera. Investopedia, an investment company came up with a very simple calculation of yield-measurements e.g. if the university has an endowment fund of $160 million and it has a 7% spending amount, this would yield an annual available income of $11.2 million. For instance the university has allocated an annual budget of $7 million, the access amount $4.2 million is then spent in adding up to the prestige of these universities by offering more scholarships and building up more

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Data Gathering and Analysis - Assignment Example You can either use the raw data (like the balance resistance measurements, if you can get at them) or the measurement the device produces (like the weight shown on the balance display). If you use the measurements the device produces, it would be best if you use a device that you suspect is not giving very accurate measurements, and your formula will enable you to improve its accuracy. Graph the measurements against the standards and determine a formula that would best enable you to make accurate measurements or correct the answers the device gives. Log transform the data if necessary. Convert your formula so that you can predict what result the device will give with one unknown standard from within the data range (interpolation) and one standard outside the data range (extrapolation) is measured. Test to see if your prediction was correct. Comment on the result of this exercise. This exercise shows that measures obtained from measuring devices must be subjected to corrective methods. Besides, measuring devices must be calibrated on a regular basis to reduce instances of error. Produce a graph showing the Olympic Games gold medal times for the men’s 100 metre sprint event from as far back as you can find to 2012. Use the Excel Chart Labeler Add-In to enter the names of the athletes on the graph. Also determine the year at which Olympic Games an athlete is likely to break the 9.5 second mark. Demonstrate how you have tried to make these predictions as accurately as possible, and explain how you knew which was the most accurate method. Follow the Pivot Table notes in the Two Sample Tests Exercise document. Complete the exercises if you haven’t already done so. This will prepare you to be able to complete this exercise, which uses the same

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Literary Response #7 - Essay Example Indeed, a general perusal of Wright’s work reveals his interest in political concerns, but the most underlining features of his writing are the social and human concerns he addresses with great clarity. Consider his seminal poem ‘A Blessing’. In this poem Wright describes his encounter with two horses, and describes the meeting like he might an interaction with another person whom he cares dearly. In ‘A Note Left in Jimmy Leonard’s Shack,’ Wright continues his characteristic use of clear dialogue and concerns with daily human existence. For instance, he writes, â€Å"He’s drunk or dying now, I don’t know which,/ Rolled in the roots and garbage like a fish,/ The poor old man† (Perkins). While lacking stylistic complexity, it’s clear that the most unifying traits of Wright’s work is this ability to explore meaningful human concerns with great ease and clarity. In considering the poems of Edward Arlington Robinson one is drawn to the stark contrast his writing holds from that of James Wright. E.A. Robinson’s work has is more classically ‘poetic’ in that it is much more stylized, with some poems containing rhyming schemes and even iambic pentameter. While throughout the entire canon of Robinson’s work one is capable of identifying a plethora of themes, perhaps because of his upbringing that included the death of a brother to overdose and his largely solitary life. Consider poems like ‘Luke Havergal’ wherein Robinson largely utilizes iambic pentameter to convey the dark tone with a speaker that returns from the grave to implore Havergal to visit the western wall and speak with a mysterious individual. Another poem ‘Richard Cory’ continues Robinson’s use of iambic pentameter and while it begins in describing an individual with his outwardly happy, it concludes with the fateful words, â€Å"And Richard

About the book The New Jim Crow Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

About the book The New Jim Crow - Essay Example This new approach towards racial control is more dangerous as it does not rely on obvious racism, but rather resorts to a very tacit and sophisticated sort of racism. To many readers the theory enumerated by Michelle Alexander regarding the new approach towards racial control may seem more of a rhetorical propaganda, but if one considers the available facts and data, the point made by Alexander comes out to be valid and true. The assertions made by writer Michelle Alexander regarding the dynamics of race in the contemporary American society are indeed valid and do deserve a serious consideration. The apparent racism of the past has reinvented itself to appear as being more unbiased, while it systematically goes on to target the racial minorities. The claim made by Alexander that a professedly color neutral justice system is more poised to target the African Americans and the colored people, does seem valid in the light of the research conducted by varied other experts. As per Walker, Spohn and DeLone, the law enforcement and justice system in the US is more biased towards the African Americans and other racial minorities (493). Even a cursory historical perusal of the race related issues in any print publication does testify to the fact that though the criminal justice system in the US may not exactly come out as being hostile towards the racial minorities, yet, it is a fact that in some stages, the criminal justice system happens to be biased towards the racial minorities. For instance many aspects of the criminal justice system like the selection of the jury do come out as being balanced and color neutral, there are varied other stages of the criminal justice system like seeking a harsher penalty or sentence, which are mor e biased towards the African Americans and the other colored people in the US. Hence, the claim extended by Alexander that the criminal justice

Life is a Trajectory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Life is a Trajectory - Essay Example The river never gets stagnant. From the tender brooks on the lap of the mountains, it runs down as streams getting titanic form and passing by greatest civilisations and mighty cities of the world to end its long drawn journey into the ever eclipsing oceans where the entity of this particular river gets effaced along with many joining the mighty procession called life. In a similar manner, life initiates on the lap of parents, tender and wild, innocent like a flower. At that point of time, love, care and nurturing becomes the only need of life. At the brink of youth, vibrant and exuberant life has an unknown threat to explore the unexplored, to experience the inexperienced and navigate through the dark and unseen abbeys of the wilderment. Then comes the middle age with maturity of perception and wide experiences, where the tramping feet gets shackled with added responsibility and thought that echo in redundant way that wounded knees were better than broken hearts.

Transforming Complaints into Commitments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Transforming Complaints into Commitments - Essay Example I, therefore, came up with a plan that I believed would be the best solution. My plan was to call a Towing company whenever I found a car parked in my space. I was, however, concerned about my safety and that of my property. I assumed that if I call the towing company to tow people’s cars away, they might get angry and vandalize my car, especially because of the expensive tow bills. The people might also turn their anger on me. I developed a different way to deal with the issue. My solution was to talk to the apartment management to place a bigger sign telling people that the parking space was reserved. I noticed that some did not notice that it was a reserved parking space. I am also willing to politely tell people to stop parking on other people’s spaces whenever I see them. Course concepts used are values and assumptions. Values are my beliefs on what is right or wrong. My values guided my decision making since it made me think of solving the problem. I developed an improved way of dealing with the situation. Because of my values, that is, the other people should respect my rights, I thought of involving the towing company. My values influenced my assumptions for I thought of the effect the expense of towing a car would have on their owners. My values influenced my decision. I believe in what is right, but I also value peace. Towing the cars could solve the problem, but it could create another more serious problem. The people could get angry, and this could put my life in danger. They could even decide to vandalize my car. I, therefore, thought of more modest risk. This was communicating with the people to let them know about my parking space. This would yield almost the same results, but was a more modest way. I used assumptions to guide my decision making on a modest way to deal with the issue. I first thought of a solution which would work, which was to call a

Management Compensation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management Compensation - Research Paper Example Compensation is an essential component of human resource management, which aids in motivation of employees, besides enhancing organizational effectiveness. Types of Management Compensation Management compensation encompasses both intrinsic and extrinsic components in the form of monetary benefits and non-monetary benefits such as paid holiday. Compensation incorporates salary, as well as other rewards and allowances given to employees in return for their outstanding services. Compensation can be depicted as representing base pay, long-term incentives, bonuses, stock options, and benefits (Davis and Edge 2). The goal based incentive (stock options, bonuses, and long-term incentives) is fashioned at aligning the corporation’s interests (financial success) with those of top managers. Description Management compensation is an effective means of enhancing the productivity of the employees and ensuring that deserving employees feel appreciated for their efforts. Some companies utili ze management compensation as a tool for fostering a performance-oriented culture where the employees focus on the company’s overall strategic goals. Management compensation is meant to motivate the employees, especially the top management within a company. The motivation of management compensation is to align the employee performance with the business goals, besides enhancing employee satisfaction and retention. ... Management compensation also enhances self-confidence, leading to self actualization. Management Compensation: An Incentive to Manipulate Accounting Reports Managers commit fraud because of the resultant economic benefits flowing from it. Given management’s self interest, executives may manipulate accounting earnings in pursuit of personal agenda, such as bonuses (Armstrong, Jagolinzer & Larcker 225). Income smoothing tends to be dominant in corporations applying internal performance standards compared to those using external standards. The downside of goal based incentives is that, besides encouraging managers to work smarter to deliver positive results (desired results), they also induce executives to manipulate financial results such as profit and share prices. This is an attempt to enhance their pay, which is itself a violation of executive’s fiduciary duty and a fraud (Laux and Laux 870). In most cases, companies design equity-based compensation contracts in order to provide executives with incentives meant to enhance stock prices via legitimate means. However, the contracts may also generate enhanced incentives to produce fraudulent financial statements or engage in actions geared at misleading analysts and investors on the stock value of the company. The incentives to engage in fraudulent activities may be serious in occasions where the executives believe that competition or other constrains limit their ability to enhance the value of the firm legitimately, and consequently reduce the incentives. Some studies show a likelihood of fraud in relation to incentives from unrestricted stock holdings compared to incentives from restricted stock. Managers at fraud firms tend to exercise larger portions of their vested options and are

Childhood Obesity Essay Example for Free

Childhood Obesity Essay Obesity is such a hot topic in America today and childhood obesity and the ethical arguments over obesity has greatly increased over the last 10 years. Health problems that occur from this deadly disease is something that no one wants to talk about. When people think about health, what usually is discussed is cancer or heart disease. Not many people really think about one of the biggest issues out there that is really not taken very seriously and that is obesity. In America there are hundreds of thousands of children that are overweight. Obesity is a disease, a disease associated with many other health issues, including congestive heart problems, diabetes among other physical and mental complications associated with this disease. We will discuss throughout this paper how one of the classical theories would help resolve the problems that are associated with the dangers of childhood obesity, then discuss the perspective of society and how it relates to relativism in todays world. There are many arguments about how childhood obesity starts, whos to blame for allowing this to happen and societies ethical and moral obligation associated with fixing the problem. Who or what is to blame for the increasing levels of childhood obesity? Some believe it is the parents themselves; others accuse the food industry and government. One fact cannot go unchallenged and that is the longer this disease is allowed to grow and is not brought under CHILDHOOD OBESITY 3 control, the higher the percentage of childhood obesity will increase and the effects and diseases will become an even greater risk to kids. It is important to recognize childhood obesity as a disease condition and the role that is played in aggravating the development of other diseases (Barton, 2012). There are numerous health issues that will happen to our children now, and as they reach adulthood if we do not act now to help prevent these ramifications from happening. Childhood obesity is associated with an increase for other diseases not only during childhood but as the youth become adolescent and then into adulthood. â€Å"Obesity in childhood causes a wide range of serious complications, and increases the risk of premature illness and death later in life†. (Strauss, RS, 1999) Obesity in children if left neglected, will increase the risk of developing chronic adult diseases. There are substantial risk for obese children even before they reach adulthood. Of equal concern is that obese children could become obese adults. (Papoutsakis, 2007) Childhood obesity not only affects todays generation but will also affect tomorrows adulthood. Obesity in children has become a major ethical and moral challenge for todays society and is now threatening to become a disease with multiple health risk for today as well as beyond. Obesity is a disease, a disease that if not taken seriously may have health ramifications for years to come. The problem with childhood obesity is not just the weight issue but the other diseases associated with the neglect of this disease. Understanding and working CHILDHOOD OBESITY 4 towards solutions will only improve the chances of solving this disease and all other diseases associated with childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and other breathing issues, and heart disease on the physical side of this disease. On the mental side, childhood obesity can be associated to depression, low self esteem, and learning problems are associated with childhood obesity. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which previously affected only adults, have begun to show up in with increasing frequency in youths in recent years. The primary cause is the growing number of overweight and obese children. (CDC,2011) As the number of childrens weight have increased their cholesterol levels have also increased, adding for concern of cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure. Childhood obesity is also linked to depression in youth as well as young adults. Obese children face ridicule and teasing from other students in school as well as a decrease in friends. This leads to isolation and depression which could lead to low self-esteem into adulthood. Obese children are sometimes withdrawn in the classroom which diminishes their learning ability and social skills development which affects social interaction in adulthood. What causes childhood obesity? Obesity in childhood is influenced by social and family matters as well as their DNA and activity level through out the day. Childhood obesity is the result of eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity.2 (CDC, 2011) In todays society, most children spend most of their day playing video games or sitting around CHILDHOOD OBESITY 5 watching television. â€Å"It has been estimated that roughly 60-92% of children play computer games daily†. (Papoutsakis, 2007) With the staggering number of television viewing, the role of food advertisers must be addressed as one of the causes of obesity. â€Å"Nearly half of U.S. middle schools allow advertising of less healthy foods, which impact students decision making of healthy food choices†. (CDC, 2011) Portion control has also changed for kids in the last five years. â€Å" Portion sizes of less healthy foods and beverages have increased over time in restaurants, grocery stores, and vending machines. Research shows that children eat more without realizing it if they are served larger portions. This can mean they are consuming a lot of extra calories, especially when eating high-calorie foods.† (CDC , 2011) Another factor that is affecting obesity is children is the fact that most families in todays world are way to busy to enjoy a meal at home and spend more time eating out on fast food. In summation, in todays world, kids are not exercising like they should and are eating the wrong type of food as well as eating more to satisfy their appetites. Television and video game playing is a contributing factor because it takes away time that is needed to exercise and influences kids to make unhealthy and irrational choices concerning food consumption based on food advertisements. By not confronting childhood obesity, we are not facing the challenges associated with this disease. It is not a matter of who is to blame for childhood obesity, we all know that this disease is very prevalent in children today. â€Å" Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States – triple the rate of a generation ago† (CDC, 2011). The numbers are staggering and the health ramifications associated with this disease cannot be discounted. The CHILDHOOD OBESITY6 preliminary findings are disturbing with regards to the disease and consequences of not finding solutions to fight this disease. Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that is causing life threatening diseases. Obesity has become a serious health issue and causes 2.6 billion deaths each year. (Raj, Kumar, 2010, p.598) The threat of of this disease cannot be discounted and must be addressed before its too late for this generation. There are many different ways to combat obesity in children. There must be a plan in place for it to be successful. The plan must include changing the eating habits of todays youth. Children must eat planned out meals, eating meals as a family instead of eating out on the run. Limiting the amount of snacking throughout the course of the day, knowing what the children are eating when they are in school. Controlling the portions or the amount of food that is consumed and increasing the physical activity. Putting a plan in place will help manage and hopefully decrease the chance of childhood obesity in todays youth. Executing the plan and trying to resolve the problems associated with this disease is high on the political, public health and research agenda. However, programs to prevent overweight and obesity are susceptible to various ethical shortcomings and need assistance for a successful remedy to eh problem of childhood obesity. One classical therory that should help with the success to combact obesity is deontology. CHILDHOOD OBESITY7 Deontology theroy is to make the correct moral choices, we have to understand what our moral duties are and what correct rules exist to regulate those duties. When we follow our duty, we are behaving morally. When we fail to follow our duty, we are behaving immorally and this is where we have to step in and take moral actions to reduce and prevent childhood obesity. A common criticism of deontological moral systems is that they provide no clear way to resolve conflicts between moral duties. a deontological moral system should include both a moral duty not to lie and one to keep others from harm so we can see why this theory best fits with childhood obesity, although it is our duty to help and support there really is not a clear way to resolve the problem relating to this terrible disease that affects million of children each and every year. In conclusion, childhood obesity has risen to significant levels nationally with serious health consequences. In addition to diabetes, heart complications, emotional, and social issues, this disease poses a serious hazard to the health care of America. Unless this disease is taken seriously, the implications of this disease of future generations will be devastating and might be unrecoverable. CHILDHOOD OBESITY8 References Barton, M. (2012). Childhood obesity: A life-long health risk. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 33(2), 189-93. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/aps.2011.204 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Overweight and Obesity, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html Manu Raj and R. Krishna Kumar (2010), Obesity in Children and Adolescents. Indian J Med Res. 2010 November; 132(5): 598–607 Papoutsakis, C. (2007). Genediet interactions in childhood obesity: Paucity of evidence as the epidemic of childhood obesity continues to rise. Personalized Medicine, 4(2), 133-146. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/17410541.4.2.133 Reilly, J. J. (2007), Childhood Obesity: An Overview. Children Society, 21: 390–396 Strauss RS. Risks and consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity. Int J Obesity 1999; 23 (suppl): S2–11.

Obesity in Childhood with Regard to Nutrition

Obesity in Childhood with Regard to Nutrition Obesity is a term used in medical in which body accumulates an extra amount of fats; gathered to the degree that it may have a negative impact on health. It leads to reduce the life expectancy or expanded health issues. Risks of diseases and health issues increase due to obesity in the form of heart problem, high blood pressure and diabetes. Stoutness or obesity builds the probability of different diseases, especially coronary illness, diabetes, obstructive slumber apnea, certain sorts of growth and osteoarthritis. Stoutness is most normally initiated by a mix of inordinate nourishment energy consumption, absence of physical action, and hereditary defenselessness, in spite of the fact that a couple of cases are brought about principally by genes, endocrine issue, and drugs or psychiatric. Evidence to help the view that some hefty people take less food yet they gain weight because of a moderate digestion system is constrained. Normal fat individuals have more excellent vitality or energy consumption than their slight partners because of the vitality needed to keep an enhanced figure mass (Obesity). Reasons of Obesity in children due to Nourishment The most evident reason for overweight during childhood as it is in mature and adults are vitality unevenness between calories expended and consumed. Stationary lifestyle and imbalanced sustenance and nourishment support the increment in overweight kids. Scientists estimated modifying systems in newborn children and youthful kids, a trans generational nature of heftiness customizing. This implies that fat moms and the individuals who put on exorbitant weight increase throughout pregnancy by one means or another incline their youngsters towards getting overweight themselves. Once settled in the populace, the expanded danger of stoutness or obesity may proliferate from era to era (Katz). Diet of Children Throughout the most recent decades affordability of food and nourishment has much increased to bigger amounts of individuals as the cost of buying food has diminished generously in respect to income and the idea of food has transformed from a method of sustenance to a marker of lifestyle and a wellspring of joy. Plainly, builds in physical action are not liable to balance a vitality rich, poor nutritive eating regimen. It takes between 1–2 hours of to a great degree overwhelming movement to check a solitary expansive measured (i.e., >=785 kcal) kids supper at a quick nourishment restaurant. Regular utilization of such an eating regimen can scarcely be balanced by the normal youngster or mature person (Zieve, 2011). Unhealthy Eating Habits With the progression of time children have changed their dietary patterns to a considerable measure of degree. Children are consuming a great deal of bad nourishment that is expanding fats in their physique. Utilization of quick and fast food is expanding step by step which incorporate cheeseburgers, pizzas and other quick nourishment things. This sustenance is enjoyed in entire United States of America regardless of sex and age. In the consequence everyone who utilizes this fast food in excess is casualty of fatness. This fast food is unhygienic for everybody who utilizes it (Obesity in Children). Intake of Calories In spite of the fact that obesity and overweight are basically thought to be the consequences of expansion in caloric intake there is insufficient supporting confirmation for such sensation. Nourishment recurrence strategies measure common eating regimen, however gauge caloric intake defectively. Different strategies, for example, 24-hour review or nourishment journals assess caloric intakes all the more precisely however it does not take into consideration the long term intake. All out vitality admission is troublesome to measure correctly at a populace level. Be that as it may, a little caloric awkwardness (inside the wiggle room of estimation techniques) is sufficient over a long time of time to prompt obesity. With simultaneous ascent in adolescence obesity pervasiveness in the USA, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) noted just unobtrusive change in calorie intake around US kids from the 1970s to 1988–1994. For this period, NHANES III discovered an expansion calorie allow just around white and dark juvenile females. The same example was seen by the most recent NHANES (1999–2000). The Bogalusa study which has been taking after the health and sustenance of kids since 1973 in Bogalusa (Louisiana), reported that aggregate intake calorie of 10-year old children remained unaltered throughout 1973–1988 and a slight yet critical reduction was watched when intake of energy was communicated for every kilogram form weight. The consequence of an overview did throughout the past few decades in the UK prescribed that normal intake of energy, for all age aggregations, are easier than they used to be. Some little studies additionally discovered comparable vitality admission around fat kids and their thin counterparts (Zieve, 2011). Fat intake For a long time it has been argued that the increment in pediatric obesity has happened in light of an expansion in high fat taking, conflicting effects have been acquired by cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. The principle complaint to the idea that dietary fat is answerable for the quickened pediatric obesity plague is the way that in the meantime the commonness of adolescence obesity was expanding; the utilization of dietary fat in distinctive population was diminishing. Despite the fact that fat consumed in overabundance prompts obesity, there is not solid enough confirmation that the intake of fat is the core purpose behind the rising pattern of obesity during the childhood (Staff, 2013). Other nourishment factors There is a developing proof recommending that escalating consumption of dairy products by something like two servings for every day could decrease the danger of overweight by up to 70%. Moreover intake of calcium was connected with 21% lessened danger of improvement of insulin safety around overweight children and may lessen diabetes hazard. Higher calcium consumption and more dairy servings for every day were connected with lessened adiposity in youngsters in accordance with the longitudinal study (Overweight and Obesity, 2014). There is less information reporting the connection between calcium or dairy consumption and obesity around the children. However it is possible that drinking soda in the place of milk would cause in grater intake of aggregate energy, it cant be finished up authoritatively that soft drink containing sugar result in increasing weight gain on the grounds that these items dislodge dairy items (Mahshid, Noori, Anwar, 2005). Conclusion: Obesity in the childhood due to nourishment is continuously increasing which is an alarming situation. It is because of the wrong intake of food. Children are more inclined to eating the fast food like burger, pizza and other products like this which cause the obesity in the childhood which further result in many health issues like heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. Products containing more fat and calorie are also the reason of increasing obesity in the children. Dairy products are also becoming the reason of obesity. Bibliography Katz, D. L. (n.d.). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from liebertpub: http://www.liebertpub.com/overview/childhood-obesity/384/ M. D., N. A., Anwar. (2005). hildhood obesity, prevalence and prevention. Nutrition Journal , 24. Obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved from who.int: http://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/ Obesity in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved from webmd: http://www.webmd.com/children/guide/obesity-children Overweight and Obesity. ( 2014, February 24). Retrieved from cdc.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/ Staff, M. C. ( 2013, June 07). Diseases and Conditions Obesity. Retrieved from mayoclinic.org: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/basics/definition/con-20014834 Zieve, D. (2011, September 9). Obesity in children. Retrieved from nlm.nih.gov: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007508.htm

Mummification Essay -- Ancient Egypt

It started thousands of years ago when the first Egyptian was mummified by the natural sand found in the Sahara desert. Mummification is a method of preservation of a dead body. By performing this procedure, it assists the deceased to reach the Afterworld. There are three main methods of mummification, each depending of the wealth of the deceased. In this essay you will discover how pharaohs and high officials were mummified. Once the person has died, he or she is taken to the ibu, also known as the tent of purification. Usually, mummification is performed during nighttime due to the odoured caused by the dead body. When the embalmer is ready to begin the procedure, he first washes the body with water from the Nile. After, he uses an iron hook like device to remove the brain. The embalmer does this by inserting it to the nostril breaking up the cartilage until the hook can reach the brain. Once this procedure is achieved, he removes the brain by crushing it until it becomes watery enough to be drained by laying the person flat on its stomach. The remains of the brain are than ke...

To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Boo and Tom Misunderstood :: Kill Mockingbird essays

Boo and Tom Misunderstood in To Kill a Mockingbird In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus tells Jem and Scout to, "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird," he is referring to the notion that a mockingbird is a harmless creature and does nothing but sing and bring happiness to the world. Harper Lee takes the title for her novel from this passage because the imagery of the mockingbird is analogous to the characters of both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. These two characters are "harmless songbirds" who are sinfully destroyed. Although Boo Radley only actually physically appears in the story once, he serves two essential purposes. At the beginning of the novel, Boo serves as an enigma to the children, giving them something to make the focal point of their games, as well as a topic of conversation. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Boo embodies more character than most of the citizens of Maycomb, emerging as a symbol of what is truly just and right. Boo stands up for what he believes is right, no matter what people think of him. In the beginning of the story, Boo represents the unknown. The children wonder about Boo and his strange way of life, but really have no concept of who he is. At first, the children ask questions about Boo with regards to his "weird" living style. When this does not satisfy their curiosities, they make up games and stories about Boo which present him as being a monster. At one point, the children invade the Radley property in hopes of finding some clue which will better explain Boo's character As the story progresses, Boo becomes more of a symbol of kindness and bravery than that of the "town freak" which he is made out to be. Boo leaves presents for the children in the hollow trunk of an old tree, as well as covers Scout with a blanket during Miss Maudie's fire. However, it is not until he saves Jem and Scout's life from the hands of the deranged Mr. Ewell, that Boo shows his true heroic character. Even though Boo is a physically weaker man, he shows no fear when it comes to protecting Jem and Scout's life. It is not until after this rather odd episode that Scout is finally able to come to terms with her true feelings towards Boo.

Philosophy of Education Essay -- Philosophy of Teaching Statement

Philosophy of Education Education is an essential element to the life of every person. Teachers must have a philosophy of teaching to be effective in the classroom. No matter what way of teaching an educator chooses, it should positively affect his or her students and help to keep them on track to growing into strong intelligent adults. If a child is placed in a positive environment, then it will help shape them into good citizens. According to Plato, a student's environment determines his or her morals and character. It is very important for children to be able to function in society and to learn to interact well with other people; providing a positive learning environment plays a crucial role in instilling these characteristics. If all teachers would stress these concepts there would be a lot less discipline problems in the classroom. Philosophy Discipline plays a key role in the learning environment of the child. A teacher must have an effective discipline method to keep order in the classroom. The view of behaviorists seems to work in most situations. If positive reinforcement is utilized in the classroom, students will want to do well academically. Punishment often times causes students to rebel against authority. If the teacher rewards students for good behavior, then they will want to be consistent in their behavior they will see that this will benefit them. Knowledge is dependent upon the person and their situation, therefore the nature of knowledge is relative. Everyone is different and can not be expected to learn in the same manner. Some students learn best through experiencing things and doing things hands-on, these students are tactile-kinesthetic learners. Some students are auditory learners, ... ...variety of viewpoints. Elementary teachers should make sure that children have a good foundation in reading and math. It is very important that children have the basic skills that they need to build on and excel in the higher grades. As graduation approaches, my plans are to obtain a certificate in special education, concentrating on children with learning disabilities. After teaching for a few years, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in special education while I am still teaching. Educating young people is something that is very important to the future of society. As an educator, I would like to make a difference in the lives of my students. Upon leaving my classroom, I hope that my students will become open-minded and strong of heart. I want them to know what kind of things that they enjoy and to think of learning as a wonderful and valuable experience.

T.V Soap Opera Analysis

Anna Shvets Jennifer Katman Tuesday Thursday T. V Class April 26,2010 T. V Soap Opera Analysis In the T. V series of â€Å"Will and Grace†, there is one gay male character named Will, one male character named Jack who acts feminine, a straight female character named Grace and heterosexual female named Karen which is Graces’ friend. Will and Grace who live together are both looking for love, but will never find it with each other because Will is gay and Grace is straight. All of these characters play and important role in this show either gay or straight. I can tell whether the characters are gay or straight by how they act towards each other or just in general. Will is a gay male who is very handsome and attractive, and works as a successful lawyer in Manhattan. When he attends work it is a total institution because there is authority over him and he has to follow certain kind of rules to not get fired. In the show, he doesn’t act gay to me because he lives with Grace and acts very high class. His gay side comes out when he goes on a date or to a gay bar. This is another total institution when he goes to gay bars because usually the gay people are in authority and pretty much there are rules! On the other hand, Jack who acts feminine who plays a really funny role can’t find a job so he is unemployed. His role as a male is hilarious because he totally acts like a girl but doesn’t hid on men even though, judging his outside I would think that he is the more gay one. Even though he is funny he is unstable because he has nothing to depend on for example a job to help him provide money. The portrayals of the gale males in this show are positive. Their roles are humorous throughout all the series. Jack is always acting feminine and Will is always acting more serious but that’s what makes him be more humorous. It is shown in a multidimensional way because it shows Will who acts as a more serious gay male and it shows Jack who acts more feminine but is still considered gay. I can tell that’s the portrayal is more positive because even though the T. V show has gay males, it doesn’t show them making out or being all touchy, it just shows an example of gay males who have a big sense of humor. On the other hand when you try to relate it back to the real world you can see that not all gay men are like that. There was one episode where Grace took Jack to her dinner party, and Jack couldn’t settle down until they got out of there because he was very suspicious what people would think of him. He was expecting to have all eyes one him, which would make him feel very uncomfortable and maybe even hearing some name calling. At the dinner party Jack gave compliments to everyone, and one of Graces coworkers really adored Jack because he was in love with her shoes and I don’t even think she noticed that he was gay. The image that this program portrays of gay men is both good and bad from different points of views. For example, I am against gays because that’s against my religion. Even though I don’t like homosexuality, that doesn’t mean that I hate every gay or lesbian person out there, it just means that I don’t like what they do or what they believe in. I have seen many gay males everywhere, at the mall, at salons and they seem to be the nicest people with great personalities but I just don’t like the whole gay part. To other people who are for gays, I think that this program shows them an even better side of gays because they are filled with humor. Some of the pictures that are shown with gay males holding hands or hugging do bother me because I don’t think that it’s right. There was a part where Grace said something like real intense but Jack didn’t get offended but if you look at it from a side you would say that it is ok to call people names. That is a negative effect on society because if you have a child and saw a lady on T. V calling a gay guy a faget, it would not be ok for her to call a gay guy she sees on the street a faget. The content of this program contributes to our socialization process because in sociology we learn to view things from other people’s perspectives and being gay or lesbian is what people choose to be even though some are against it. From society we learn that gay men can also reach a goal in life and have a high paying job or look handsome because they are also people that want a good future. From these T. V shows we can analyze a lot but we need to here every character before we make a decision whether we like the show or not. I do acknowledge that there are negative effects and there are positive ones. For example my mom told me that this show is a way of making people gay because it shows men happy and funny so men just try to be like them. She says that it is a negative effect on us and everyone who watches it. Opinion- In my opinion, I think that the TV’s powers of socialization is going a little bit out of control because everything is being shown on TV that was never shown before and its starting to become normal. I’m not saying if you watch it you’re going to want to be gay. I just don’t remember having so many shows with gay characters. Either was I thinking it is good that they have characters like that that way we don’t cut any kind of people off. Gay people are just like you and me! In this show there is one thing that I absolutely did not like. It was the fact that Grace and Will find love but at the same time there is always something wrong with it. When grace bring someone home Will like them at first and hates him after he uses Grace. This show is an on going conflicting story about these four characters that try to get love but somehow it fires back at them say there isn’t any true love out there. It’s a bumber to watch those kind of thing because when kids watch it they can have a negative effect on themselves saying that there’s no point looking for mr. write or for my princess. When having a negative affect from a show it makes you think about how you can change it.

7-Eleven Japan Business Domain

| | | Assessing Business- IT Alignment| Rosa Kemper Cohort 27 Dr. K. Cousins February 17, 2013 Table of Contents I – Executive Summary/Overview Baptist Hospital a) Mission Statement b) Vision statement II. Information Technology: a) Mission Statement b) Vision Statement III. The Business As-Is: Business Scope and Value Discipline IV. Information Technology AS-IS: IT Infrastructure and Scope of Business V. Assessing Business Strategic Alignment and Maturity: IT To-Be Business To-be VI. Evaluation of Strategic Alignment Maturity Assessment: Luftman’s SAM Survey Part I: Effectiveness of IT and Business communications (Score 2. 8) Part II: Measurement of the competency and value of IT Score (Score 2. 93) Part III: The governance Partnerships between IT and Business Functions (Score 2. 41) Part IV: Partnerships between IT and Business functions (Score 2. 31) Part V: Scope and Architecture of the IT Infrastructure (Score 2. 67) Part VI. Human resource skills (2. 56) VII. Reco mmendation to address gaps in the alignment VIII. Strategic Alignment Enablers IX. Strategic Alignment Inhibitors I – Executive Summary/Overview: Baptist Health South Florida, Inc. a not-for-profit health care organization, operates medical plazas, surgical facilities, and hospitals. It offers addiction treatment, behavioral medicine, blood conservation program, cancer, cardiovascular, care and counseling, children's health, community wellness, critical care center, diabetes, emergency, endoscopy, executive health, gamma knife center, heart surgery, home care, hyperbaric, imaging, intensive care unit, international, interventional/surgical, laboratory, neonatal, neuroscience, and nutrition counseling services.The company also provides occupational health, orthopedics, outpatient/diagnostic, pain center, pastoral care, pediatric, pel†¦ Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) is the largest faith-based, not-for-profit health care organization in the area. It has an exceptional reputation for medical and service excellence. Baptist Health South Florida, Inc. was formerly known as Baptist Health Systems of South Florida, Inc. and changed its name to Baptist Health South Florida, Inc. in March 2002. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.It has a network of seven hospitals, Baptist, Baptist Children's, South Miami, Homestead, Mariners and Doctors Hospitals, and Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, with services extending throughout Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. There are a total of 28 Baptist Outpatient Services Facilities and Medical Plazas which provide outpatient diagnostic, surgical, home health and urgent care services. Specialty areas are: Cancer, Cardiovascular, Children's Health, Diabetes, Gamma Knife, Diagnostic, Childbirth, Rehabilitation, Senior Services, Women's Health, and Urgent Care. Baptist Health serves more than 100,000 people each year.Approximately 2,000 physicians and nearly 12,000 employees adh ere to the organization’s mission to provide high-quality, cost-effective, compassionate healthcare services to all, including, as permitted by its resources, charity care to those in need. In 2007, Baptist Health provided an estimated $124 million in charity care. The Baptist Healthcare International Center of Miami is one of the largest hospital-based international programs in America. Thousands of people each year travel to Miami from around the world to visit their medical facilities and respected physicians. The pineapple logo is an age-old symbol of hospitality and warmth.It is reflected in their customer and patient-oriented focus. Baptist Health was created in 1990, but its tradition of medical excellence goes back decades. Baptist Hospital Baptist Hospital is a 680-bed facility located in the Kendall area of south Miami-Dade County. It was founded in 1960. Today, the hospital is a major medical center, attracting patients from all over the U. S. , the Caribbean, Lati n America and beyond. More than 32,000 people are hospitalized at Baptist each year; about 78,000 receive emergency care in our 24-hour Emergency Center and Children's Emergency Center. Mission Statement The mission of Baptist Health is to improve the health and well-being of individuals, and to promote the sanctity and preservation of life, in the communities we serve. Baptist Health is a faith-based organization guided by the spirit of Jesus Christ and the Judeo-Christian ethic. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of clinical and service excellence, rooted in the utmost integrity and moral practice. Consistent with its spiritual foundation, Baptist Health is dedicated to providing high-quality, cost-effective, compassionate healthcare services to all, regardless of eligion, creed, race or national origin, including, as permitted by its resources, charity care to those in need†. Vision statement â€Å"Baptist Health will be the preeminent healthcare provide r in the communities we serve, the organization that people instinctively turn to for their healthcare needs. Baptist Health will offer a broad range of clinical services that are evidence-based and compassionately provided to ensure patient safety, superior clinical outcomes and the highest levels of satisfaction with a patient- and family-centered focus. Baptist Health will be a national and international leader in healthcare innovation†. II.Information Technology: Mission Statement â€Å"To support the BHSF vision by providing the highest quality technology solutions to our customers in an efficient and cost effective manner†. Vision Statement â€Å"Fully leverage our technology capabilities to provide meaningful information anywhere, anytime to our physicians, clinicians, patients, and employees in a secured and user friendly manner. In order to meet this goal, we will continue to implement advanced technologies such as wireless networking, multi-media telecommunic ations, digitized imaging, and web-based clinical and business applications throughout BHSF†. III. The Business As-Is:Business Scope and Value Discipline The organization has created a new delivery of care model built on a value-based strategy. The employment of advanced technology strategies with state of the art web based applications, complex data security platforms and data monitoring offers a wide variety of technology resources made available to the participants in the delivery of care. The highly efficient and widely accessible web and smartphone application for consumer speaks of the Value Discipline and Product Innovation aimed at benchmarking and incentivizing customer satisfaction, care coordination, and total care management.Moreover, the emphasis on technology leadership positions the business as a frontrunner in the marketplace thus cultivating a distinguishable loyal culture among its customers as a niche. Customer satisfaction is primarily what gives the compan y its competitive edge. The overall goals are to improve individual patient care, improve overall performance, minimize risks and decrease medical costs. The matrix style management ensures that interdisciplinary membership actively reflects on decisions affecting the overall organization.Innovation is a constant on all aspects of the organization’s dynamic strategy creating an agile and successful business. Whether in technology being applied, products and services, etc†¦ strong partnerships are created with other organizations in order to distinguish itself in the hyper competitive market. As an example recently BHSF has announced a newly formed Accountable Care Organization (ACO) alliance with BCBS to meet the needs of cancer patients in response to the changing environment and the â€Å"age† of the Affordable Care initiative. (1) IV. Information Technology AS-IS:IT Infrastructure and Scope of Business Scope of Business – â€Å"The Information Technolog y Department provides computer support and implementation services for all BHSF entities including the BHSF Medical Staff. Computer support and implementation services include the appropriate levels of hardware, application, network, telecommunications, operating system, media and telemedicine support required to maintain operations†. The goals and duties of the department are to contribute towards creating an efficient information exchange that can help in improving health outcomes and lowering delivery costs.To identify educational needs with regard to training existing workforce and future workforce in the information technology healthcare environment. Compliance efforts pushed the department towards the a) centralization of management, b) auditing and c) reporting tools. V. Assessing Business Strategic Alignment and Maturity: IT To-Be Baptist Health prides itself on its health care competences and outstanding reputation. The IT department effectively participates in functi onal level in the decision process and overall structure of the business and project requirements.The IT infrastructure is well integrated throughout the organization and effort and cooperation between the business and IT exists in moderate alignment. This partnership helps maximize the goals of the organization. Emphasis on bringing their own internal IT operations up to speed and using their internal personnel resources is part of the organization’s priorities. To validate this observation some examples may shed some light into concerns of processes management, efficiency and standardization that presented potential catastrophe for the business but were appropriately and positively addressed.The IT system had become outdated and cumbersome. The business and IT collaboratively reached out to an outside consultant to streamline its IT process and improve the perceived value to the business. There were many options on how and where to enter time, so time was often omitted. The re was no centralized data warehouse. Project database inaccuracies were updated irregularly. There was no reporting tool for IT resource expenditures, which made establishing the value-add of technology difficult. Finding details on current projects- because there was no consistent reporting process in place- was challenging for managers.Managing work demand and outcomes was nearly impossible. â€Å"The project database gave the level of detail needed for improved project management but the centralized time tracking database has improved efficiencies for resource management as well. Using Planview Enterprise, we have better management, prioritization, and review of project requests. This improved business efficiency assures accurate and timely service delivery to our customers. †(2) Baptist Health also evaluated many resources and criteria to implement the Oracle Identity Analytics (OIA) as the solution to maintain its roles and place the foundation for automated role govern ance.BHSF employed Simeo Solutions as a â€Å"trusted† advisor to build the strategy to seamlessly transition the roles into an electronic repository and also build the roadmap for role attestations and role lifecycle management†. (3) The IT department has a high degree of participation in aligning itself with the business structure and on the hands-on implementation of projects that support the organization’s strategy and strategic plans. The have value and the respect they need to maintain the organizational support. However, decision making process on the organizational level rests on the board of directors and upper level business management.Business To-be Business processes and workflows are generally communicated based on expectations about technology, people and organizational goals that can become obsolete over time. Companies finally must reengineer their processes. Key to the company’s success is analyzing and implementing sustainable processes. Baptist Health has a well-thought-out approach to solution strategy by utilizing top leaders in the industry as consultants in the areas of: a) operational efficiency, b) regulatory compliance, c) user productivity and e) business agility.The internal IT infrastructure serves fundamentally in an educational and supportive role as well as the launching platform to implementation of the developing framework. The maturity of the alignment appears to be an established and focused process. VI. Evaluation of Strategic Alignment Maturity Assessment: Luftman’s SAM Survey The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the level of alignment that exists between IT and the business within this organization and to point out what, why and how strategic deficiencies pertaining to the alignment or lack thereof were resolved.As a tool, the Luftman’s Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) Survey (4) was administered to two IT and two business Mid-Management level executives at Baptist Hospi tal, one of the largest facilities in the BHSF system. The results validate the intra-organizational limitations that may exist in the relationship between the business and the IT department but portray a dynamic institution striving to align itself while creating a competitive advantage and differentiating itself as a leader in the healthcare market. The organization’s strategic alignment is measured by focusing on six aspects of the organization.These six aspects are what provide the different criteria for determining the maturity of an organization’s alignment. The six categories are: 1. Effectiveness of Communications 2. Measurement of Competency and Value of IT 3. IT Governance 4. Partnerships Between Business and IT Functions 5. IT Infrastructure Scope and Architecture 6. IT Infrastructure Scope and Architecture Part I: Effectiveness of IT and Business Communications (Score 2. 88) Senior and Mid-level It mangers work together to seek and promote innovation and cu tting edge products in the changing healthcare environment.Communication exists in the form of weekly formal meetings that address emerging processes and projects. Unit business and IT managers are encouraged to promote IT integration in the business process and senior level business managers have a good understanding of the value that IT brings to BHSF. They work in tandem to continue improvement of the internal IT infrastructure by bringing in external sources as advisors, continuous training for management level as well as workforce level members.The phone-mail and the intranet are integrated into the daily operations and used as the main form for communication and Intranet is also applied for educational purposes. There is structured sharing of information at the unit level that is in turn shared with upper level management at formal board meetings. Part II: Measurement of the Competency and Value of IT Score (Score 2. 93) Both business and IT use formal traditional technical an d cost efficiency measures to determine the return on investment (ROI) and activity-based costing (ABC) per survey data.As described earlier the continuous innovation in technology that is implemented across the organization, be it in the delivery of care, documentation applications, medical procedures, management tools and entire IT infrastructure that makes up the fabric of the organization in itself, serve as a guide of how BHSF distinguishes itself in the regional industry. Competencies are measured by metrics. Feedback is obtained in the form of surveys administered to clients and used point out areas for potential improvement and overall customer satisfaction.Part III: The Governance Partnerships between IT and Business Functions (Score 2. 41) Strategic planning is done at the functional unit level with some business involvement. Because of the support and collaboration that IT provides for the organization, there is an understood interdependency. The governance of the IT depa rtment is mostly centralized and it controls its own infrastructure. Planning occurs in the functional unit level and in some degree intra-organizationally – as demonstrated in the examples mentioned above where the IT department played a key role in restructuring the then-deficient and outdated process.Part IV: Partnerships Between IT and Business Functions (Score 2. 31) Because the partnership that exists between the IT and the business, better management, prioritization, and review of project requests is achieved across the company. This improved business efficiency assures accurate and timely service delivery to customers. Project Performance that IT delivers is a key resource in providing services and sound business outcomes and assists in measuring the performance of the company. Part V: Scope and Architecture of the IT Infrastructure (Score 2. 7) The IT department function is mostly Federated in that the corporate IT Unit administers the responsibility of the architect ure, the administrative systems and standardized decisions but authority for resources applications lies with each functional unit. IT is budgeted as a cost center and financial decisions regarding IT are done at a functional organizational level. The productivity and effectiveness that the IT department brings to the organization is viewed as a strategy enabler and is subject to traditional financial reviews.The IT steering committee meets as needed but also formally to recap the effectives of project implementation and metrics. Part VI. Human resource skills (2. 56) By using one centralized project data base the BHSF IT organization is able to manage its employee payroll systems and administrative functions in a seamless manner. Career cross-over, education and entrepreneurial innovation is strongly encouraged in the organization. The in-depth knowledge of these individuals assists with the alignment of the functional units and the overall business and helps decipher the needs of the enterprise.Trust and confidence among business and IT is an enabler for the corporation. It fosters a positive social and political, productive and efficient work environment that promotes employee participation and loyalty. It is perhaps the vital element that makes BHSF a successful corporation. VII. Recommendation to address gaps in the alignment The web-based platform is compatible with all other current IT systems and will improve the efficiency and accuracy of reporting throughout the company. Some of the ways that this technology will achieve its desired results are:Plan | Goals/Objectives| Outcomes| Management Planfor Information Management| Improve record keeping and information | IT Project will allow for real-time information and data entry, increased information accuracy, and a consolidated source for all payroll and administrative data| Consulting for Information Management| Utilize new technology to support company and department missions more effectively| New tech nology will allow many payroll and administrative functions to be automated reducing the levels of staff required to manage these systems|Continuous collaborative efforts from the IT department and the employment of consulting firms to advise and formulate a more centralized administrative platform will enabled BHSF to manage its employee payroll systems and administrative functions in a consolidated efficient manner. Another enabler is the technology implemented that has already proven to reduce overhead costs associated with the large workforce currently required to manage tasks, training, reporting, and various other administrative tasks.In the long run the company will also benefit from more timely and accurate financial reporting as a result of managers’ ability to enter and continuously update their financial metrics. The cost is justified by the benefit. Sharing of risks and rewards in projects will improve the business and help move the company forward to the next lev el of maturity. VIII. Strategic Alignment Enablers: * Senior executives support IT and use outside resources to augment performance. * IT involved in strategy development to moderate extent. There is Business- It partnership with a common goal to benefit the corporation IX. Strategic Alignment Inhibitors * There is a close relationship between IT and Business. * IT understands the business better than the business understands IT. * Projects are prioritized however change is moderately slow. Management is working on Changing this culture. Bibliography: 1) http://hcafnews. com/tag/Baptist-health-south-florida/ Florida Blue, Baptist Health and Physicians Group to Set Up Accountable Care Organization in Miami. 2) http://search. aol. com/aol/search? s_it=topsearchbox. earch&v_t=comsearch51-txtlnkusaolp00000051&q=case+study+baptist+healthcare+south+florida+planview – Project management Gets a Shot in the Arm at Baptist Health – Business Technology Consultant and Planview Ent erprise Administrator Baptist Health South Florida Diane Novas. 3) http:// www. simeiosolutions. com/Baptist-health-south-florida/ – Baptist Health South Florida Implements Oracle Identity Analysis for Role Lifecycle Management 4) Assessing Business-IT Alignment Maturity. Volume 4, Article 14, Dec 2000. Jerry Luftman, School of Management, Stevens Institure of Technology.

William Wordsworth & Romantic Poetry

William Wordsworth and romantic Poetry In Wordsworth’s â€Å"We are seven†, characteristics of nature was included because beginning on line 41 the little cottage girl says† My stockings there I often knit, My ‘kerchief there I hem; And there upon the ground I sit- I sit and sing to them,† this stanza shows how the girl enjoys the therapeutic quality of sitting outside by the church-yard tree with her brother and sister.The beautiful girl also discusses how she is one out of seven, even when she is be told she is really one of five. Her debate with the writer is very spiritual and depicts the supernatural characteristic that her dead siblings are still apart of her world. This poem can be best categorized as a Common Life concept because the little cottage girl is expressing her opinion to the other freely in a very simple way and she is in harmony with the environment she is in. Lines written in early spring† contains the characteristic of bound less aspirations with birds being inserted around line 13 and they represent how free they are, the birds are not bounded by the limitations that we have as humans. Wordsworth also glorified the common place by making every little flower, twig, bird, and even air sound better than what the average person would describe them. He seems to be writing about an overflow of powerful feelings by appreciating every little detail in the scene and discussing his sweet mood yet grieving about â€Å"what man has made of man. Wordsworth had a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings in â€Å"I wandered lonely as a Cloud†; he recollected in tranquility of the stars, daffodils, and waves, which could also be considered glorification of the common place. One could also establish a characteristic of nature in this poem when the author’s heart â€Å"dances with the Daffodils,† at the end of the poem. Wordsworth was discussing a â€Å"poet’s goal† in this poem, enj oying life without a violent stimulus, and can be proven on line 15 with â€Å"A Poet could not help but be gay. In â€Å"Elegiac Stanzas,† Wordsworth discusses the supernatural by mentioning the Elysian quiet, and has an overflow of emotions. For example, â€Å"a sea that could not cease to smile; on tranquil land, beneath a sky of bliss,†is an excerpt that makes the author happy and tranquil. Once again we can say that Wordsworth had an overflow of feelings and emotions, as a Wordsworth concept, and he wrote real language with vivid sensation in this piece.

Interm Acct Essay

1. What is the defining distinction between for-profit businesses and not-for-profit, including governments? What are the implications of this distinction for financial reporting? Governments and not-for-profits provide services that are targeted to groups of constituents who advocate a political or social cause or who carry out research or other activities for the betterment of society. The objectives of governments and not-for-profits cannot generally e expressed in dollars and cents and are often ambiguous. Government and not-for-profit have relationships (unlike with a business) with the parties providing their resources. 2. Why is the budget a far more important document in both governments and not-for-profits than it is in businesses? Revenues and expenditures are controlled or strongly influenced through the budgetary process. 3. What is meant by â€Å"interperiod equity†? What is its consequences for financial reporting? The term interperiod equity is the concept that emphasizes that entities should not transfer costs eve to future years, let alone future generations. 4. Why may the â€Å"matching concept† be less relevant for governments and not-for-profits than it is for businesses? 5. What is the significance for financial reporting of the many restrictions that are placed upon a government’s resources? 6. Why is it difficult to develop accounting principles that are appropriate for governments within the same category and even more difficult to develop them for governments within different categories? 7. What is the significance for financial reporting of a government’s power to tax? How does it affect the government’s overall financial strength? 8. Why has it proven especially difficult to establish accounting principles that enable governments to satisfy all three elements of GASB’s first objective of financial reporting in a single statement of revenue and expenditures or balance sheet?

Visual Rhetoric Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Visual Rhetoric - Research Paper Example At the close of 1860, James Buchanan asked in his State of the Union address, â€Å"Why is it, then, that discontent now so extensively prevails, and the Union of the States, which is the source of all these blessings, is threatened with destruction? â€Å" By this time the Missouri Compromise had been put into place, prohibiting slavery in the western territories even if they were to become states later on. Buchanan saw the Southern states’ intolerance with the North’s interference in slavery as a direct infringement of their state’s rights to make decisions. Because slavery was an integral part of Southern agriculture by 1860, the prohibition of the practice was an immediate threat to both economy and culture there. Buchanan agreed with the South and forewarned that trouble would ensue. â€Å". .the people of the North are not more responsible and have no more fight than with similar institutions in Russia or Brazil†. He continued at length, though, to dissuade secession, both by individual Southern states and by the allowance of Congress. Enter Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln promised not to extend slavery, in accordance with the Missouri Compromise. Because the U.S. had added large amounts of territory as a result of the Mexican War and the Oregon territory up to the 49th parallel after signing a treaty with Great Britain, only the existing Southern states were allowed to maintain the practice. The Republican Party’s position on slavery led to its 1860 victory – most party members were not for abolishing slavery nationwide.

Microsoft Word Funtionality Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Microsoft Word Funtionality - Research Paper Example Any student or large business employee or owner can benefit from the simplicity of Microsoft Word, as well as the hundreds of options that it comes with to create the perfect report or project. As Microsoft Word is often used to prepare reports for both schools and businesses, one of the most beneficial functions is the ability to make an outline of the required assignment. With the bullets and numbering functions, including special features to do a tiered outline, detailed outlines can be created to prepare the writer and give them the confidence they need to complete their research paper while staying on track. The outline can also help to maintain the notes that the researcher may obtain during their research. Furthermore, through the use of Microsoft PowerPoint paired with Microsoft Word, the outline can be converted into a PowerPoint slide (Ion, 2009), which can be used to present the initial idea of the report to anyone who may ask for it, as well as further help organize the writer. Students especially find constant need to have a computer equipped with Microsoft Word while they sit in on their classes, using the simple features of Word to take notes and organize th eir ideas on the class. Microsoft Word is the most useful program when it comes to writing the actual report. Depending on which update of the software that a student or business person has, they can display their outline to the side of their paper, giving them the opportunity to follow their outline as they write their report. Microsoft Word comes complete with easy to use and easy to access tools that help to make the report unique and appealing to the reader. Changing the font, inserting images, graphs, and diagrams, and creating tables helps to organize the information in the report (The Garlic Press, 2000). These functions are often sought out for businesses and college students as they begin their dissertations and theses. One

Crime Rate in Hillsborough County Florida 2000-2012 Research Paper

Crime Rate in Hillsborough County Florida 2000-2012 - Research Paper Example These statistics only represent the crimes reported to the police. Under normal circumstances, so many crimes never reach the police desk. Hence, the police reports though correct, are not inclusive. In the US, violent crime includes aggravated assault, murder, homicide, rape, robbery with violence, violent crime between intimate partners, hate crime, fraud and impersonation, truancy, financial crimes, and killing of law enforcement officers. In the US, security agents that deal with crime include the police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Criminal investigation Agency. However, despite the huge amount of resources that the US federal government spends on crime prevention and management, the US records approximately 12 million crimes annually which is the worst criminal record in the world. Nevertheless, crime does not occur universally in the US with some states recording higher crime rates while others record low crime rates (Sperling et al 97-101). Indeed, the New En gland records the lowest crime rates of violence, property, and homicide in the US. Louisiana ranked first every year from 1989 to 2010 on per capita homicide rate. On the other hand, Detroit city has the most thriving crime rates of violent crime. Florida has one of the highest crime rates in US (Thuma et al 5-6). One is either a crime victim or a criminal. Ideally, the chance of one becoming a crime victim in the US depends on location and other demographics. Nevertheless, men, the financially unstable, minorities, and the young are more likely to commit crime or fall victim to crime in the US. However, women of any race are more prone to rape and violence against women than men. In average, 20 % of American citizens become victims of crime every year, which is the highest rate in the world. With the recent economic depression, skyrocketing unemployment, and increasing population crime rate in the US may upsurge due to the hard times and desperation among the citizens (Pearce Web) . However, according to the FBI, US were safer in 2010 than in any other year for the last 40 years (Jonsson Web). In comparing US crime rate with other countries, the FBI considers the nation’s wealth, development, and the nature of the crime. This paper will consider the Crime Rate in Hillsborough County Florida and specifically in Tampa area. It will include the crime rates from 2000-2012 and show what things have been done to combat the level of crime to get the levels lower. The paper will equally highlight some of the major crime events that featured in local and national news. Crime rate in Florida closely compares to that of Louisiana. The crime rate in Florida hit its lowest in 40 years this year (Thuma et al 5-6). However, it is arguably true that where man exists, crime exists. Hence, crime is still present in Hillsborough County Tampa area. Tampa area is a city in Florida and the county headquarters of Hillsborough County situated in the west coast of Florida. Tam pa city offers tourists attraction sites, historical sites, suburb life, and city life. The crime rate of Tampa city is favorable compared to that of other cities. Though there are no serious crimes here, thieves still open car doors and steal personal belongings. In addition, there are cases of shoplifting (Tampa Bay’s News Leader Web), credit card fraud, sex offences, prostitution, and liquor violations. However, these crimes are not on large scale and the security

Multiculturalism in Democratic European Countries Essay

Multiculturalism in Democratic European Countries - Essay Example Managing diversity in democratic European countries has several issues to address. Similar to Africa, Europe is not a monumental space. It is a rich and abundant continent occasionally divided by history into several fragments, languages, and cultures. Furthermore, similar to African societies, European democratic societies, in their distant past or recent history, have been faced by the same concern: discovering the most suitable form of government to guarantee respect for minority rights, at the same time as supporting the determination to live together. The implementation of democracy and legitimacy as ideals rising above multiculturalism, the execution of protection systems for minorities and regionalization and decentralization strategies have aided in addressing the concern, mitigate conflicts and build an established and secure Europe. However, there is still some form of tension that persists in Europe and there is still development to be initiated in particular democratic so cieties where groups continue to experience discrimination in education, employment, and housing (Kymlicka 2001). The concern of diversity management emerges increasingly in terms of the assimilation of migrants. Democratic European countries have had various experiences in the issue, frequently affected by the manner in which these societies themselves were established as nations. It can be noted that the boundary between these various models is not, though, watertight. Beyond the various frameworks, the same problems continue everywhere in terms of the assimilation of migrants into public economic life. The outcome is that numerous of the youth descending from immigrants have more and more problematic in acknowledging a life of social, educational and professional failure. There is hence an urgent necessity to form the appropriate conditions for migrants to break out from a social life constricted to the boundaries of ethnic communities and have access to an opportunity of genuine participation in the life of democratic European societies (Lisbon Forum 2005).  Ã‚  

Different Christian Views Surrounding Euthanasia Essay

Different Christian Views Surrounding Euthanasia - Essay Example Non-voluntary euthanasia occurs when it is performed without the patient’s consent or when someone else gives the consent. Involuntary euthanasia is to put patients to death and involves infants born with defects or the elderly people. The principle behind this sort of death is that ‘they have a life not worthy of life’, which was devised during the Nazi Regime in Germany when the state authorized the killing of the aged, mentally ill, and the handicapped. The definitions of euthanasia vary and this itself leads to controversy. Hemel (2005) quotes the Webster defining euthanasia as "the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy." The American Heritage College Dictionary, plainly states that euthanasia is "the act culture practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition." There is no mention of mercy here at all. The definitions of euthanasia has inherent problems. Some religious ethicists believe that passive euthanasia should not be included under the umbrella at all because according to Catholic moral teachings, "unless the actual intent to end a persons life is present, euthanasia has not occurred†. Some other religious groups are of the opinion that the definition of euthanasia should be governed not by the underlying intent but by the en d result of the action. The Christian response to euthanasia is to oppose it. Simply put, it amounts to killing. In legal terms, it is ‘the intentional killing of a patient as part of his or her medical treatment.’ (Cornwall-Kelly). Mercy killing has been debated over by many religious heads and has to be addressed seriously because it is a matter of life and death. Fr. Frank A. Pavone (Priests for Life) is of the firm conviction that suffering