The History of Incarceration in the United States. The Use of Private Essay

The History of Incarceration in the United States. The Use of Private Prisons to Incarcerate Prison Inmates - Essay Example Since this was the time of the plantation era of our society, it was deemed wise to make use of the prisoners as manual laborers in the factories and plantations. Originated in Auburn, New York, the Congregate System prisoners were expected to live their incarcerated lives dedicated to penance and contemplation since society placed a high value on religious beliefs being the basis for forgiveness of sins. Due to the failure of the Congregate System in terms of helping incarcerated men and women reform and help them lead better lives after leaving prison, the Congregate system had to give way to a new method of incarceration known as the Reformatory Prison (Johnson, Dobrankza & Palla, 2005). This type of incarceration was used to help produce truly reformed citizens who would become part of the socially acceptable era of disciplined gentlemen and ladies. The men were made to participate in military drills in case they were needed to help fight wars, and women were taught the norms of housekeeping and social decorum. (p.6) Both were expected to become productive parts of the new society once they were released back into the general population of the time. However, both the Congregate and Reformatory systems proved to be ill effective in their incarceration methods. Neither method actually provided truly reformed inmates who could be released into mainstream society and be expected to be of any beneficial use to the public. Instead, they always fell back on their old ways and ended up incarcerated yet again. Such dismal failures were the Congregate System and Reformatory Systems that both methods were discontinued and a new type of incarceration was introduced. This became known as the era of the â€Å"Big House†. This was the era of remarkable economic and social growth for the United States thanks to the advent of the rail road. The prisoners, worked as part of â€Å"Chain Gangs† and participated in most of the construction work that the government was undertaking at the time. Remember, this was in the 1930's so our society was beginning to come into its own as part of a highly progressive and modernizing nation. Since our society had a need for male professionals in the workplace and the women were the epitome of housekeeping success, it made sense to use prisoners for the menial and hard labor jobs whenever possible. The Big House can be considered to be the first successful incarceration system in the United States that employed Corporal Punishment to any prisoner who refused to reform. Although considered to be a drastic punishment, the Corporal punishment worked wonders on the prisoners who were successfully reformed. However, even with those punishments in place, the Big House was still a more humane and effective method when it came to helping reform the incarcerated. This is attributed to the fact that the incarcerated Big House members were given a sense of freedom while in the prison and submitting to the will of the prison administrators. Thus a llowing the incarcerated who truly wanted to reform a chance to mend their ways by proving their worth to society in their government assigned places of work like the â€Å"Chain Gangs† of the railroad tracks. (p.9). The early era incarceration system placed too much value on the norms of the outside world for it to be truly effective in reforming the prisoners. They neglected to recognize that while the person is in prison, he would be moving in a different kind of society. One that would dictate whether he survived to see his

Morrisons Supermarket Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Morrisons Supermarket - Essay Example These are backed up by hundreds of special offers each time (Morrison's, 2006 and Wikipedia, 2006) from discounts to "buy one take one" topped by the wide range of goods offered from their own label "Bettabuy" and "Farmer Boy" to branded ones such as the overtaken and now defunct Safeway (BBC News, 2005) upmarket group products called "The Best." Morrison's is generally acknowledged to cater to "the lower end of the mainstream supermarket sector, offering value above choice and premium quality," of which executive chairman Sir Ken Morrison was quoted as saying "I don't know what a middle class shopper is," (Wikipedia, 2006). Morrison's manages its own commercial operation in-house from buying, packing, to distributing its fresh fruits and vegetables, meat products and fish, with their own temperature controlled warehouses, meat processing and fleet of transport. The company now employs about 130,000 members of staff in stores, factories, distribution centres, and head office administrative functions. They also enjoy a chunk of about 10 million weekly shoppers with their 360 stores across the nation. Morrison was founded in 1899 with a stall in Bradford Market selling egg and butter with its founder William Morrison inspired at innovating to lead the way in supermarket retailing. In 1958, the first town centre shop was opened, followed in 1961 by "Victoria" the first supermarket with 5,000 sq/ft of retail space selling fresh meat, green grocery, among other provisions, with a free parking. By 1967, it went public, with the shares over-subscribed at 174 times. 80,000 investors cashed in. In 1971, the Hilmore House head office was opened and by 1976, new produce Cutler Heights depot became operational after taking over Whelan Stores. By 1980, Morrison opened its "Farmer Boy" factory and in 1988, the Wakefield distribution centre opens. In 1988, Erith Greater London store opened and by 1999, the centennial store at 100th opens at Nelson. In 2001, Morrison Supermarket joined the FTSE 100 and by March 2004, it merged with Safeway (Morrison, 2006). Marketing and Communications: Employing the Market Street format that presents skilled butchers, bakers, fishmongers, pizza makers, among other well-versed staff to address its clientele, Morrison have successfully integrated among other marketing strategies a home-based service to its customers. Other stand-out marketing offers include returns for volume orders, and bell ringing announcement of newly baked goodies. Morrison's maintain its own website for the internet-using consumers, clients and the public that can be viewed at

Explore Travelling Constraints People Face Tourism Essay

Explore Travelling Constraints People Face Tourism Essay Various number of research studies explore travelling constraints people face. In contrast to motivations that push people towards travelling, the overshadowing constraints of traveling could prevent the travelers from engaging in travel although the motivation may perhaps exist (Page and Hall, 2003). Financial Considerations In 2007(DSS, 2008), it was presumed that the income of an individual has a relationship with the number of foreign trips made by him/her yearly. Key findings (DSS, 2005) discovered that the household income of an individual is a critical factor that influences the choice of travelers while deciding the amount of money he/she would spend in travelling for each trip. A study in consumer behavior revealed that people of higher income are likely to explore more for products/services information (Andereck and Caldwell, 1994; Runyon and Stewart, 1987; Robertson, Zielinski and Ward, 1984; Newman, 1977). Heung and Chu (2000) found that tourists with lower income are more concerned about the pricing in comparison to tourists with higher income. In Zhang et al. (2004)s research also stated that respondents with higher income considered travel cost less significant than the lower income groups. Travel expenditure patterns play a fundamental role for travel planners and destination marketers (Jang et al., 2004). The rise in international tourism expenditure had reached 5.6% (adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations and inflation) in 2007, (WTO, 2008). WTO stated that almost 80 countries received more than USD1 million from international tourism in 2007. Hong et al. (2005) revealed that monetary factors specify a notable positive correlation between income and travel spending. Nicolau and Mas (2006), suggest that at the time of selecting a destination for travelling, the motivations of a tourist pacify the effect of prices. A particular group of people is reluctant to pay more for costly places where family or friend dwells, however they are keen to pay to explore new places. According to Nicolau and Mas (2006), travelers who are opting for culture are commonly more willing to pay higher prices, while those looking for climate are less eager. Whilst the majority of travelers spend consciously, there appears to be a tendency of people choosing a destination which offers better exchange rate so more could be spend while paying less. Dwyer, Forsyth and Rao (2002) recommended that price competitiveness is a general concept covering price discrepancies coupled with exchange rate movements and qualitative factors that have an effect on the attractiveness of a destination. The exchange rate movements have largely been altered by the structure of price within respective countries, which has resulted in either an increase or drop in price in travelling segment. In addition, their study discovered that countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Turkey took the advantage from the devaluation of their respective currencies which were compensated by the increases in the consumer prices in these countries. Whereas, Zhang et al. (2009) concluded that other factors remained constant, the chief motivation for a traveler would be the decline i n currency of the domestic market. For example, the higher the US dollar to Thai baht, the more probability of tourists to choose Thailand as their destination as tourists expenditures could be a lot lesser than USA or Europe countries. Distance and Time According to Nicolau and Mas (2006), the significant influence of distance on travelers motivations is balanced out at the time of deciding the destination to travel. The research carried out in Spain concluded that the traveler has a preference for shorter distances and is not inclined towards extended and time-consuming journeys. Nonetheless, travelers favor longer trips if they are visiting their family or friend or exploring new places. While some of the likely causes of short distance travelling could be lack of time availability or economic constraints. Zhang et al. (1999)s study revealed that people with higher income have a tendency to opt for longer journeys, however the correlation is not linear and the higher the tourists perceive their incomes the longer will be the travelling distance. Safety, Security and Visa Issues Mansfeld and Pizam (2006) suggest that travelers may possibly have safety and security concerns because of issues such as war, civil unrest, terrorism, disease, crime (specifically theft), catastrophes caused by human or technical error, natural disasters, and dangerous wildlife. Beirman (2003) stated that the key determinant in travelers choices to go visit a destination is the perception of safety and security. Researchers say that episodes like the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, SARS in March 2003, Tsunami in December 2004 and Swine Flu influenza in April 2009 had tremendously damaged and threatened the travel and tourism industry. Regarding this, Dickman (2003) pointed out that the lack of confidence in an individual could be one of the possible reasons that they are expected to respond strongly on negative conditions like epidemics, disasters and terrorism. Pakistan faced the most prominent plummet in visa issuance for USA after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre. In 2002, the number of tourist and immigrant visas issued to Pakistani citizens fell approximately 70 percent and 40 percent respectively, in comparison to 2001. International tourism to America chopped down for nearly three years following 2001 incident. The total number of Americans who traveled internationally also decreased past 9/11, the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries reports (Jason and Dalia, 2011). Even though travel surveys time after time discover that safety and security are vital concerns among travelers (Poon and Adams, 2000), the latest research conducted by Valencia and Crouch (2008) testing travelers response to risk uncovered that 33% of the surveyed respondents would go ahead as planned regardless; 21% would decide to relocate to another safer destination and 19% would delay their trip. On the contrary with a natural disaster, 36% preferred to reschedule their trip and 19% chose to go to a safer destination and 15% would go ahead with their trips as planned. Likewise, the results in Rittichainuwat and Chakraborty (2009) carried out in Thailand, also discovered that a mean of 2.89 respondents were not put off entirely (by travel risks or epidemics but would decide to visit another safer destination (mean=3.56). Moreover, PATA and Visa (2008) study proved that out of 52% of travelers whose travel plan has been affected by the economic crisis, 75% would switch to less co stly destinations and 31% would delay their trips. In the survey by Zhang et al.(2004), Hong Kong natives identified epidemics as a main aspect while travelling, followed by safety, disaster, good value for money, political and social environments. Pakistanis face the visa restrictions when travel to USA. There is also a lot of abhorrence for USA in Pakistani society because of the losses of their lives during war on terror (Shahnaz, 2012) Edgell (1994) specifies that outbound tourists are commonly affected by different governmental policies and restrictions of various countries. Particularly rules regarding the imposition of restrictions such as limited visa grants, exit visa requirements, limited access to foreign currency and restricted allowances for foreign travel services are widespread. Socio-demographic constraints Researchers suggest that socio cultural, demographic and economic features like nature of society i.e. patriarchal or matriarchal, age, family life cycle stage, influence of family, education, profession, economic position and self-concept also influence decision making in travelling. Constraints in travelling choices are principally linked to gender, life cycle and cultural factors (Jackson, 1991; Shaw, 1994). Factors like family, work, domestic responsibilities, determine the quantity and quality of time accessible for traveling and act as constrictions for some individuals. Although constraining features affect both genders, the extent to which either gender is affected is poles apart. The limitations operate on females more than on males (Sonia, 2011). Apostolopoulos and Sonmez (2001) propose that despite the fact that womens travel patterns and trends reflect their individual societal customs and principles, cultural or religious limitations in regards to their societal positions and socio economic restrictions are expected to decide their travel capabilities and methods (Bartos, 1982; Myers and Moncreif, 1978; Schul and Crompton, 1983; Van Raaij Francken, 1984). In accordance with tourism decision making research DeCrop (2005) has explained the family as a Decision Making Unit (DMU) in which fundamental decisions of life are discussed. When it comes to travelling decisions, in addition to family, close social circles e.g. friends etc. possibly signify significant DMUs as well. The value of family and the influence of each family member are crucial in deciding the liberty that one associate exercises in making independent decisions. The findings, however, point out that females are by and large more controlled by family responsibilities and approvals than males. It is evident that lesser the limitations operating on an individual the more will be the participation in traveling (Sonia, 2011).

Notes on Chemical Bonding :: Chemistry

Chemical notes on bonding Ionic bonding - This occurs between metals and non metals - Fe2+/3+, Cu+/2+, Zn2+, No3- - Metals loose electrons, non metals gain electrons. - Ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved, but not when solid, they also have high m & b points due to strong giant 3d lattice. They are also soluble in water as they have a charge - Metal atoms always form positive charged electrons while non metals from negatively charged electrons Metallic Bonding - They conduct electricity due to a sea of delocalised electrons - They have a lattice of positive atoms. - Transition metals contribute both S and D electrons in the sea of electrons - The attraction is between the ions and mobile valence electrons and not between the layers, this means they can bend over each other - The large the number of valence electrons and the smaller the atoms and the stronger the metallic bonding Covalent bonding - Between non metals with high electron values - Can have single, double, or triple bonds Bond strength C – C: single bond, longest type of bond (154) however is the easiest to break (346) C=C: double bond, second longest bond (134) and second hardest to break (598) C=C: triple bond, smallest bond (121) however is the hardest to break (837) Predicting the type of bonding (1) From electronegativity Electronegativity is the strength of an element/atom to pull electrons towards itself. Metals have a very low electronegativity as they lose electrons in ionic bonding, however non metals have a higher electronegativity as they gain electrons in ionic bonding. (2) From position in the periodic table Metal + non metal = ionic bonding Non metal + non metal = covalent bonding Simple molecular structure Molecular covalent bonds have low m & b points because of weak intermolecular forces called Van Der Waals forces. (more on this later) Giant covalent structures Diamond and graphite both have these structures but they are very different. They both have a giant lattice with strong covalent bonds, in the case of Diamond it is 3d and very hard to break in any way, however with graphite it is only 2d so can be broken if cracked in a certain way. These structures have very high melting and boiling points. Buckminsterfullerere A family of ball shaped C-molecules in which there are around 60 atoms which are found in ball shapes. Uses are being investigated in nano-thecnology. These substances are soluble in non-polar solvents Polar bonds The larger the difference in electronegativity the greater the strength of the polar bond. Now the hard stuff

Progression Module Essay

The progression module is a course which I would recommend for anyone. It has a numerous amount of benefits, one of the main benefits is it allows you to explore a broad range of courses at a variety of university. I feel the progression module has prepared me for university as I have discovered many courses that interest me. The progression module has also helped me understand other vital things that need to be considered when going university, such as deciding whether to live at home or away from home and all the financial implications university life holds. During the progression module I have discovered a great deal about myself and what I would like to pursue a career in. After completing the progression module I feel I now have the opportunity to access the career I want through a variety of routes. I also feel I am now much more confident in terms of writing letters, CV’s and personal statements. This has benefited massively because when applying for voluntary work I was much more assertive when writing my CV, I took a positive approach which I learned from the progression module and due to this approach I was given the role of volunteer in the hospital. Whilst doing a-levels students are expected to deliver presentations on subject topics. In the progression module I had to create a presentations and deliver it, I followed all the information provided from the progression module and I feel I managed to deliver my presentation effectively remaining confident and clear at all times. Another thing the progression module prepared me for was interview, following the progression modules guidelines helped me develop all the positive and necessary skills required for delivering a questionnaire. After following these guidelines I was successful in my mock interview. I remained confident at all times, I did everything possible to express the knowledge and interest I had for medicine without showing arrogance. After participating in a mock interview I was also given feedback on my performance and what I should do to do even better. The mock interview was a huge boost of motivation as all the feedback I received was positive and I was told if I go for an interview tomorrow I will be successful. Universities always look at personal statements before accepting any student for an interview. So essentially the personal statement is a vital part in the acceptance of an applicant. In unit four of the progression module I was expected to write a personal statement but obviously I was given ideas on how to structure it, what to avoid and what to definitely include. This was extremely beneficial as I now feel I am prepared for university, I have a personal statement written and all I need to do is fill in my UCAS. Overall the progression module has helped me decide what I would like to do in terms of living at home or living away from home. I have decided I am going to study at a university close to home so I can love at home. I know about all the financial implication involved when living at home and I know how to approach these implications and deal with them effectively. The progression module was very interesting and intriguing it has been a huge benefit to my future especially my career. I feel I am now much more confident when applying for university and I am also aware of all the options that are available for me to undertake. The progression module is fantastic and completing it not only helps applying for university but also benefits an individual in terms of the academic challenges they may have to face.

Odysseus analysis Essay

‘Odysseus himself, Pheidon said, had gone to Dodona to find out the will of Zeus from the great oak-tree that is sacred to the god, how he should approach his own native land after so long an absence, openly or in disguise. So he is safe and will soon be back. Indeed, he is very close. His exile from his friends and country will be ended soon; and you shall have my oath as well. I swear first by Zeus, the best and greatest of the gods, and then by the great Odysseus’ hearth which I have come to, that everything will happen as I foretell. This very month Odysseus will be here, between the warning of the old moon and the waxing of the new. ‘ Through Pheidon’s point of view, this passage illustrates Odysseus’ return to his homeland of Ithaca, which is near the end of his journey in Homer’s book of â€Å"The Odyssey. † Also, this passage shows the relation Odysseus had with the Greek gods, notably the almighty Zeus. In those days, to seek advice from the goods only few had the privilege of doing. This shows that Odysseus was heroic and important in those days. The next passage which exemplifies Odysseus’ journey is when he first reveals himself to his loyal supporters, Philoetius, and Eumaeus in his home country after 20 years: (Book 21, page 282, lines 200-206) ‘Father Zeus,’ the cowman said, ‘hear my prayer. May some power lead him home! You’d soon know my strength and the power of my right arm. ‘ And Eumaeus added a prayer to all the gods that the wise Odysseus might see him home again. Odysseus, thus assured of their genuine feelings, said: ‘Well, here I am! Yes, I myself, home again in my own country in the twentieth year after much suffering†¦. ‘ This passage is significant in Odysseus’ journey, because this is the first time he is revealing his heroic identity. Odysseus was looking for companions to fight alongside him against the suitors, but he first had to find his loyalists. After Philoetius and Eumaeus genuinely showed their gratitude for Odysseus, he finally reveals himself after 20 years. The next passage takes place during a conversation between Penelope and Odysseus. After a period of 20 years separated from each other, the two finally have time to converse. Odysseus starts with his heroic victory over the Cicones: (Book 23, page 308, line 310-313) â€Å"He began with his victory over the Cicones and his visit to the fertile land where the Lotus-eaters live. He spoke of what the Cyclops did, and the price he had made him pay for the fine men he ruthlessly devoured. † In this passage, Odysseus describes his heroic journey to the fertile land where the Cyclops lived. He then explains about how he made the man-eating Cyclops’ pay for what they had done. This passage really sheds light upon Odysseus’ heroic side, because he acted for the good of men on that journey. Part 2. Risk taking: Odysseus is first to act when hunting a pack of savage boars. (When he obtained his infamous scar on his leg. (Book 19, page 261, lines 446-450) â€Å"†¦. Odysseus was the first to act. Poising his long spear in his great hand, he rushed the forward, eager to strike. But the boar was too quick and caught him above the knee, where he gave him a long flesh-wound with a cross lunge of his tusk, but failed to reach the bone†¦. † Trusting: Odysseus out Philoetius in charge of his estate’s cattle, which proves that he put trust into his true friends. (Book 20, page 271, lines 209-211) â€Å"†¦. Odysseus, that marvellous man who put me in charge of his cattle in the Cephallenian country when I was only a youth†¦. † Courageous: When Odysseus had travelled to Telepylus, the Laestrygonians had destroyed his fleet, and all his fighting men. Odysseus then had to escape alone on the black ship. â€Å"†¦. Next he told how he came to Telepylus, where the Laestrygonians destroyed his fleet and all his fighting men, the black ship that carried him being the only one to get away†¦ â€Å"

Historical view of Prisons essays

Historical view of Prisons essays A major and prominent development occurred between the late eighteen and the early twentieth century. This development was the use of prison as a mean of punishment. It was at this time which saw the emergence of the idea of the prison as an institution of first option within which the criminal would be reformed. Also during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, saw the development of a range of alternative institutions and sentencing practices, with prison more as a last resort. However, the purpose of imprisonment was to become a major ongoing debate between those advocating its punitive aspects and those its reformatory potential. In this presentation I am going to look at how convincing the view that prisons developed to discipline the working class as opposed to punish offenders. William Eden in 1771 published the influential Principles of Penal Law. In this publication he doubted the value of prison sentences; it was his belief that confinement often made offenders worse. With this principle, Eden, began helping to draft new penitentiary legislation which had the intent of putting offenders into regulated, orderly prisons. The Penitentiary Act was passed in Parliament in 1779. This act was drafted by Eden and also Blackstone and Howard and provided for the construction of two penitentiaries in the Metropolis, one for 600 men, the other for 300 women. Offenders held at these premises could be imprisoned for up to two years and would hold offenders otherwise liable for transportation. They were to be uniformed, kept to hard labour in association with each other during the day. At night they were to be shut in solitary confinement. Section 5 of the act stressed the reforming intentions of the penitentiaries: Inmates were to be accustomed to habits of industry. The legislators were determined to make confinement adequately hard, rigorous and unpleasant. The ...

Longitudinal studies Essays

Longitudinal studies Essays Longitudinal studies Paper Longitudinal studies Paper Longitudinal studies provide data about the same individual at different points in time allowing the researcher to track change at an individual level. Furthermore it could be argued that longitudinal studies can also be used to study change in the lives of organisations and institutions as well as individual people. In this essay I will be focusing on why longitudinal studies may be difficult to undertake and whether they are desirable. I will also mention the different types of longitudinal studies and why longitudinal studies are conducted. (Hakim: 1987) There are many different type s of longitudinal studies. One of these would be individual level panel surveys where samples of individuals are tracked and interviewed. Another type of longitudinal study is household panel surveys. This is where individuals are monitored within the contexts of the household where they live. Additionally, in this type of survey, information is normally collected about the whole household at each wave. Furthermore cohort studies can be categorised as one of the types of longitudinal studies. This consists of studies where samples from a particular age variety are followed to investigate their different trajectories as they age. Also, longitudinal studies which are linked across time can be record linkage studies and administrative or census data. (Hakim: 1987) (Miles et al: 1994) Many argue that the United Kingdom has always taken a prominent role in the development of longitudinal studies and this can be reflected through the numerous types of longitudinal studies such as the Official for National Statistics, Longitudinal Study of the Census and the British Household Panel Survey to just name a few. It could be argued that these studies provide an understanding of social change, of the trajectories of individual life histories and the dynamic processes that underlie social and economic life. Furthermore many claim that their important role in social science and policy research is the core for the continued investment in longitudinal studies in the U.K. This can be seen as one of the main reasons why longitudinal studies are desirable to undertake. Many argue that longitudinal studies are desirable to undertake as they can address issues and support methods in ways that are not possible with traditional cross-sectional approaches. In addition its particularly important and valuable in research areas where the emphasis is directly on change and the occurrence are themselves intrinsically longitudinal such as poverty, employment instability and social attitudes. Also longitudinal studies may be desirable when investigating causal process as determining whether or not certain factors affect a variable for example the effects of unemployment on mental health. Furthermore, supports of the longitudinal design argue that longitudinal studies are desirable in the area when controlling for the effects of unmeasured fixed differences between subjects and also is valuable when studying social change and needing to separate out age, period and cohort effects. Lastly favourites of the longitudinal design claim that longitudinal studies are desirable in a number of research areas where establishing the effect of treatment by following an experimental design or quasi-experimental design or for example comparing periods before and after the introduction of public policy. Evidence illustrates that these advantages have been used for a wide range for important research findings. The first can be in finding the effects on children of school and family background in order to understand social mobility and the effectiveness of educational interventions as well as to identify the key points for intervention. Secondly the longitudinal studies have been able to examine the effects of changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation and childbirth on the time children are likely to spend in lone parent families and furthermore the effects on their later lives. Moreover the features of longitudinal studies have been able to illustrate the defining characteristics of people who experience repeated spells of unemployment and poverty. And also highlight their effects which many argue make it difficult for people to find work and or maybe escape poverty in the future. As it has been argued, longitudinal studies collect data about different times in individuals lives, and across generations, linking evidence from different points in the lives of parents and children. Furthermore this capacity to follow individuals through time and observe how experiences and behaviour is influenced by the wider social and economical contexts in which they find themselves. (Hakim: 1987) (Miles et al: 1994) (Phillips: 1966) (Vaus: 2001)

Janus - Who Is Janus

Janus - Who Is Janus Profile of Janus Two-faced Janus (Ianus), presumed to be native to Italy, is the god of beginnings/endings. Its after Janus that the first month of the year, Januarius January, is named. The kalends (the 1st) of each month may have been dedicated to him. Janus Basics Janus was usually the first of the gods to receive offerings. Consuls entered office on the Kalends of his month January. Janus and the Salian Priests Holding sacred shields, Salian priests sang a hymn to Janus. This hymn includes lines that have been translated as: Come forth with the cuckoo [in March] Truly all things dost thou make open.Thou art Janus Curiatius, the good creator art thou.Good Janus is coming, the chief of the superior rulers.- The Salian Hymn to Janus Rabun Taylor (citation below) eloquently describes the lack of a coherent story about Janus: Janus, like so many ancient gods who lacked the grace of a story, was a messy concrescence of scraps fallen from the table of memory. His incoherence was the cause of some puzzlement in the Roman Imperial era, and so he was periodically subjected to reassessments by master yarn-spinners like Ovid or by cosmologists and philosophers seeking to find profound symbolism in his duality. A Transitional God: War, Peace, Crossings Janus was not only a god of beginnings and transitions, but was also associated with war/peace since the doors of his shrine were opened except in times of peace. He may have been a god of stream crossings. Ovid on the Myth of Janus Ovid, the Augustan Age teller of mythological tales, provides a story about the early benefits conferred by Janus. [227] I have learned much indeed; but why is the figure of a ship stamped on one side of the copper coin, and a two-headed figure on the other? Under the double image, said he, you might have recognized myself, if the long lapse of time had not worn the type away. Now for the reason of the ship. In a ship the sickle-bearing god came to the Tuscan river after wandering over the world. I remember how Saturn was received in this land: he had been driven by Jupiter from the celestial realms. From that time the folk long retained the name of Saturnian, and the country, too, was called Latium from the hiding (latente) of the god. But a pious posterity inscribed a ship on the copper money to commemorate the coming of the stranger god. Myself inhabited the ground whose left side is lapped by sandy Tibers glassy wave. Here, where now is Rome, green forest stood unfilled, and all this mighty region was but pasture for a few kine. My castle was the hill which the present age is accustomed to ca ll by my name and dub Janiculum. I reigned in days when earth could bear with gods, and divinities moved freely in the abodes of men. The sin of mortals had not yet put Justice to flight (she was the last of the celestials to forsake the earth): honours self, not fear, ruled the people without appeal to force: toil there was none to expound the right to righteous men. I had naught to do with war: guardian was I of peace and doorways, and these, quoth he, showing the key, these be the arms I bear.Ovid Fasti 1 The First of the Gods Janus was also an augur and mediator, perhaps the reason he is named first among the gods in prayers. Taylor says Janus, as the founder of sacrifice and divination, since he can see the past and the future through his two faces, is the worlds first priest. Janus for Luck It was Roman tradition at the New Year to give the god honey, cakes, incense and wine to buy favorable signs and a guarantee of good luck. Gold brought better results than baser coins. Then I asked, Why, Janus, when I placate other gods, do I bring incense and wine to you first? So that you may gain entry to whatsoever gods you wish, he replied, through me, who guard the threshold. But why are glad words spoken on your Kalends? And why do we give and receive best wishes? Then the god, leaning on the staff in his right hand, said, Omens are wont to reside in beginnings. You train your anxious ears on the first call, and the augur interprets the first bird he sees. The temples and ears of gods are open, no tongue intones wasted prayers, and words have weight. Janus had finished. I was not silent for long, but tagged his final words with words of my own. What do your dates and wrinkled figs mean, or the gift of honey in a snow-white jar? The omen is the reason, said he - so that the sweetness replicates events, and so that the year should be sweet, following the course of its beginnings.Translation of Ovid Fast. 1.17 1-188 from Taylors article) Read more about Janus. References: The Salii and Campaigning in March and OctoberJ. P. V. D. BalsdonThe Classical Review, New Series, Vol. 16, No. 2 (Jun., 1966), pp. 146-147The Salian Hymn to JanusGeorge HemplTAPhA, Vol. 31, (1900), pp. 182-188Janus Custos BelliJohn BridgeThe Classical Journal, Vol. 23, No. 8 (May, 1928), pp. 610-614Problems about JanusRonald SymeThe American Journal of Philology, Vol. 100, No.The Shrine of Janus Geminus in RomeValentine MüllerAmerican Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 47, No. 4 (Oct. - Dec., 1943), pp. 437-440Watching the Skies: Janus, Auspication, and the Shrine in the Roman ForumRabun TaylorMemoirs of the American Academy in Rome, Vol. 45 (2000), pp. 1-40

Discussion Board Post Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 31

Discussion Board Post Response - Essay Example One of the threats relating to your identified need is exposing patients and care providers to risks particularly in relation to toxicity due to overdose. Therefore, strategic planning in this case would help in effective planning of care processes and implementation of standardization strategies aimed at preventing negative outcomes linked with self medication in hospitals. Long queues in ERs is a major challenge in many healthcare organizations. In this regard, I agree that achievement of optimal waiting periods at the ER is an example of an unmet need. According to Dr. Carol Huston in the media, strategic planning involves analysis of both the internal and external environment in an effort to identify unmet needs (Laureate Education, 2013d). Your assertion that attending minor injuries and illnesses in the ER is costly and inefficient shows an existing problem that ought to be addressed. Forecasting is also an element of strategic planning. Your proposition that opening small urgent care centers around the county to reduce number of patient in the main ER is an illustration of strategic planning involving looking at the desired future of the organization (Laureate Education, 2013d). I also agree that involvement of clinical staff, board of directors, and the community as stakeholders is imperative for the achievement of the projected outcomes. Strubhar, A. J. (2011). The application of an environmental scanning and strategic planning framework in an academic department of physical therapy.Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 25(3),

Are corporate governance system dichotomous (Anglo-American v Essay

Are corporate governance system dichotomous (Anglo-American v. German-) Is the Russian Federation consistent with any of these - Essay Example The parts may be essentially same in their basic purpose however, their orientation may be different and therefore the overall implications can also be different too. The dichotomy hypothesis therefore suggests that the world views may be divided into two different parts which are non-overlapping and mutually exhaustive in nature. These characteristics of the dichotomy suggest the views on the corporate governance could also be dichotomous in nature. Based on this, the corporate governance models are divided into two models of Anglo- American and Eurasian models. This paper will aim to study and explore the dichotomous nature of corporate governance and whether Russia is consistent with any of the models defined under dichotomous nature. Corporate Governance Before discussing dichotomous nature of the corporate governance systems, it is important to discuss corporate governance as a subject and its implications for the organizations. Corporate governance is considered as a multi-face ted and interesting subject considering the fact that it deals with the diversified range of issues faced by the organizations. Corporate governance as a discipline suggests that it is a set of processes, policies, laws and procedures which govern the overall behavior of an organization within a given society. ... Companies like WorldCom and Enron continued to defraud different stakeholders by engaging themselves into activities which may not be considered entirely ethical Due to this, legislations such as Sarbanes Oxley were enacted in order to ensure that organizations are discouraged from engaging themselves into unethical behavior. The current financial crisis was also one of the key reasons for the renewed emphasis on the corporate governance as a process. The large scale failure of financial institutions outlined that the corporate governance may be a process which could have ensured that organizations engage into the activities which are favorable for all the stakeholders without actually jeopardizing the overall interests of all stakeholder groups. Dichotomous World Hypothesis Corporate governance as a model is practiced under two different aspects of the same concept. The dichotomous world hypothesis outlines that there are two different models of corporate governance systems. One mod el is based on the American shareholders model whereas another model is based on the German model of stakeholders. This hypothesis therefore identifies the corporate governance as a phenomenon which is perceived under two different schools of thoughts or opinions on the nature of the corporate governance systems. Dichotomy as a concept outlines something which can be divided into two halves however, each half remain mutually exclusive from other. What is critical about this concept is the fact that the halves remain independent however, they form the part of the whole and such re-enforce ach other. (Peng,) The groups of stakeholders which are often associated with an organization include shareholders, government, executives, employees, general public,

Martime Delimitation and Territorial Questions Between Qatar and Essay

Martime Delimitation and Territorial Questions Between Qatar and Bahrain - Essay Example The essay examined how the proceedings and judgments of the court worked to satisfy the involved states. The research paper aims to investigate the issues related with the case of maritime delimitation and territorial questions between Qatar and Bahrain. It discusses the factors that have affected the proceedings and judgements of the court and also describes the progression of the case from time to time in order to show how the dispute was evolved between these two states and what roles was played by the decisions of the International Court of Justice to settle their dispute. Bahrain took the case of maritime delimitation and territorial questions between Qatar and Bahrain before the court in July 1991. The Foreign Affair Minister of Qatar filed an application in the registry of international court in which he made the request to institute the proceeding against state of Bahrain. The application requested the court to resolve the dispute between the two states regarding the sovereignty over the Hawar Island, rights of the states, over the shoals of Dibal and Qitat Jaradah and the delimitation of the maritime area of Qatar and Bahrain (Plant, 2002, p198). The roots of the dispute between these two countries could be traced back to 1965 when the Qatar attempt to settle the issue by arbitration was declined by Bahrain. After the termination of the British presence in Bahrain and Qatar, the King Fahd of Saudi Arabia attempted to resolve the dispute in 1971. These efforts resulted in the establishment of set of Principles for the framework for reaching a settlement that was approved by the representatives of three involved parties Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. These principles were during the tri-parties meeting held in March 1983. These principles clarified that the disputing matters between the two states regarding the issue of sovereignty over the island, territorial

Definition of Curriculum Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Definition of Curriculum - Research Paper Example The curriculum development and proper allocation of curriculum to the academic area forms an important part of this process. This paper aims to define and analyze curriculum and its importance and application in the nursing field. The definition of curriculum is defined by different researchers in different ways. The existence of curriculum and its relative importance, however, cannot be ignored in any field. Traditionally curriculum was defined as the path and lessons of study or the material being taught. Others like Oliva(2005) believe that curriculum points towards and makes its way to achieve some ‘purpose’. In the modern era, the definition of curriculum is widened and comprises a body of knowledge and procedures to define the objectives and results (Ellis 2004, p. 4). Regardless of the prevalent differences in the definitions of curriculum, it is evident that curriculum is designed and used with a motive to increase learning and working efficiency, determining and communicating goals and providing a path to move in order to gain knowledge about certain subjects and matters. In the field of nursing, curriculum plays a vital role in explaining the nature, extent and scope of the profession. The practices are related to the health and require closer attentions by the practitioners, hence, curriculum and active learning helps in understanding the peculiar tasks. The nursing area requires higher attention to every task assigned, practice performed and care given (Iwasiw et al. 2009 pp. 4-7). Curriculum in nursing practices and learning environment helps in identifying the potentially risky areas and an insight to resolve those issues. In the nursing practice, curriculum provides detailed analyses of the situations that may arise in the practical application of the learned concepts. These practical areas like hospitals and other healthcare service providers use the theoretical understanding as a key to proper nursing care. The internship requireme nts of nursing curriculum helps in developing the initial practical working experience in the nurses. Such requirements are helpful in training the nurses under the supervision of highly qualified and experienced healthcare practitioners. In conclusion, it can be said that the curriculum provides a good informational and practical structure to train nurses. The requirements and rules of curriculum help in understanding the aim of the profession, legal responsibilities and theoretical knowledge of the concepts related to the field. Bibliography Ellis, A. K. (2004). Exemplars of curriculum theory. Larchmont, N.Y: Eye on Education. Iwasiw, C. L., Goldenberg, D., & Andrusyszyn, M.-A. (2009). Curriculum development in nursing education. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Oliva, P. F. (2005). Developing the curriculum. Boston: Allyn and

Ancient Greece Architecture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ancient Greece Architecture - Research Paper Example The most distinctive characteristic of ancient Greek architecture is its temples. Ancient Greek architecture is best recognized for its temples. Many of them are situated all the way through the area, generally as ruins or remains but a lot are still to a large extent intact. The succeeding most significant form of structure that endured all throughout the Hellenic world is the uncovered, open-air theatre. The earliest among them dates all the way back roughly around 350 BC. Each Greek township had these kinds of theatre, which were used for communal and social gatherings and meetings as well as for theatrical presentations and shows. The theatre was typically placed in a hillside right out of the town, and had rows of seats placed one above the other, in a half circle surrounding and around the middle area for the performance or presentation, the orchestra. Behind that was a building called the skene. This functioned as a dressing room for the performers, a storage room for props, e tc. and as background scenery to the action happening in the orchestra. A couple of Greek open-air theatres have survived and remained nearly undamaged. The best known among all is located at Epidaurus. The architect who designed this theatre was Polykleitos the Younger who was also a sculptor of athletes and the architect of Tholos. Aside from the theatre, there are also other architectural structures that are even now still in sight. One of them is the processional entry used for ceremonies. This gateway is called the propylon. A storied row of pillars called the stoa borders the agora, or the public square. The town building where the ruling body meets called the bouleuterion can also still be seen in some places. Others include the public memorial, the massive mausoleums and the stadium as well. Towns in Greece with a population of significant size also had a gymnasium or palaestra. This was the public center for males. This included watcher/spectator sections, baths, lavatories , and clubrooms as well. There were other sport-associated buildings. One of the most significant in ancient Greece was the hippodrome, used for horseracing. Only bits and pieces of the hippodromes have lasted. The stadium used for for foot races were 600 feet in length. A number of them exist in different places, which includes the ones in Olympia, Epidarus, Delphi and Ephesus. The 45,000-seating Panathinaiko Stadium which is situated in the Greek city of Athens, was repaired and restored back in the 1800s. It was later used in a number of Olympic Games, the ones held in 1896, 1906 and 2004 Olympic Games. Ancient Greek architecture is known for its greatly formal distinctiveness, equally of formation and ornamentation. Temples were frequently lifted up on elevated ground so that the sophistication of its magnitude and the effect of daylight on its exterior features might be observed from all perspectives. Nikolaus Pevsner refers to these magnificent architectural structures,  "placed before us with a physical presence more intense, more alive than that of any later building". The official terms of Ancient Greek architecture, in particular the dissection of architectural manner. Stylistically, the architecture of Ancient Greece is separated into three â€Å"orders†: the Doric Order, the Ionic Order and the Corinthian Order. The names of these orders reveal their origin. The Doric Order, th

Why the Pros out weigh the Cons of legalizing marijuana Essay

Why the Pros out weigh the Cons of legalizing marijuana - Essay Example Herein will contain the reasons why the legalization of marijuana should take place, taxes placed on it for the purpose of debt relief and the medicinal value of the plant. It is imperative that the United States pass legislation to legalize the use of marijuana, as there are many people that use the drug for recreational reasons, and those who use it for medicinal reasons as well. According to a survey conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009, 16.7 million Americans over the age of 12 had used marijuana at least one time in the month before this survey was conducted. That is roughly 5% of the population in the U.S. that were honest enough to admit to marijuana use. Given that so many people use the drug, if legalization were to take place, the taxation of it alone would critically help the United States’ debt problems. Often marijuana is labeled as a ‘gateway’ drug, meaning that it is the beginning drug for people to pursue other more dange rous drugs, like cocaine or heroin. This is a false assumption, and this report will seek to prove that as well. Marijuana has been used for centuries by varying indigenous peoples throughout Europe and Asia. It is thought to be first used as an intoxicant around 1000 B.C. in India. In China, it was used to make cloth and medicine, and considered to be in use in other parts of the world prior to 500 A.D. (National Commission of Marijuana and Drug Abuse, 2010). Among the many religions that use marijuana for religious purposes, the most commonly known are the Rastafarians. They use the drug to â€Å"enhance their consciousness of the relationship between God, Creation and the individual soul.† (Marijuana Legalization Organization, [MLO] 2006). Among other religions, the Quakers, Judeo-Christian, and Shinto use marijuana for religious reasons (MLO, 2006). Marijuana should be legalized, taxed and restricted to certain age groups for use in the United States, as the reasons for l egalization far outweigh the reasons not to legalize. Methodology In order to find out the medicinal value and the reasons for taxation of marijuana, I employed a Google search, and found a multitude of articles, journals and other written outlets both for and against legalization. Marijuana has been found to relieve pain and is a safe and effective treatment of peripheral neuropathy, which is a common occurrence in HIV/AIDS patents. Caused by nerve damage, this type of pain often cannot be effectively treated with standard narcotic pain medicines, but marijuana was shown to give these sufferers relief. It has also been shown to help those suffering from hepatitis C virus to curb the nausea associated with the traditional treatments. It is also being used for sufferers of multiple sclerosis and diabetes (Kampia, 2007). Although there are many medicinal purposes for the plant, legalization and taxation of it would be of enormous benefit to the United States Economy. The costs to the United States and taxpayers are enormous to keep marijuana illegal. There are no certain numbers available due to the variability of costs of factors. Some of those factors are: Cost of law enforcement officers Cost of prosecution and defense of offenders Cost of incarceration of convicted offenders Cost of social services and foster care for children of offenders (MLO, 2006). Given these costs, which are few in the plethora of available issues concerning keeping marijuana illegal, the costs of growing the plant and taxing it are hugely different and beneficial. According to MLO (2006) estimates, the U.S. spends anywhere from $7 to $12 billion each year on drug control programs. These do no include misdemeanor cases, but it is important to note that these numbers to not allow for the expenditures on marijuana alone, as it is all

Ancient Greece Architecture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ancient Greece Architecture - Research Paper Example The most distinctive characteristic of ancient Greek architecture is its temples. Ancient Greek architecture is best recognized for its temples. Many of them are situated all the way through the area, generally as ruins or remains but a lot are still to a large extent intact. The succeeding most significant form of structure that endured all throughout the Hellenic world is the uncovered, open-air theatre. The earliest among them dates all the way back roughly around 350 BC. Each Greek township had these kinds of theatre, which were used for communal and social gatherings and meetings as well as for theatrical presentations and shows. The theatre was typically placed in a hillside right out of the town, and had rows of seats placed one above the other, in a half circle surrounding and around the middle area for the performance or presentation, the orchestra. Behind that was a building called the skene. This functioned as a dressing room for the performers, a storage room for props, e tc. and as background scenery to the action happening in the orchestra. A couple of Greek open-air theatres have survived and remained nearly undamaged. The best known among all is located at Epidaurus. The architect who designed this theatre was Polykleitos the Younger who was also a sculptor of athletes and the architect of Tholos. Aside from the theatre, there are also other architectural structures that are even now still in sight. One of them is the processional entry used for ceremonies. This gateway is called the propylon. A storied row of pillars called the stoa borders the agora, or the public square. The town building where the ruling body meets called the bouleuterion can also still be seen in some places. Others include the public memorial, the massive mausoleums and the stadium as well. Towns in Greece with a population of significant size also had a gymnasium or palaestra. This was the public center for males. This included watcher/spectator sections, baths, lavatories , and clubrooms as well. There were other sport-associated buildings. One of the most significant in ancient Greece was the hippodrome, used for horseracing. Only bits and pieces of the hippodromes have lasted. The stadium used for for foot races were 600 feet in length. A number of them exist in different places, which includes the ones in Olympia, Epidarus, Delphi and Ephesus. The 45,000-seating Panathinaiko Stadium which is situated in the Greek city of Athens, was repaired and restored back in the 1800s. It was later used in a number of Olympic Games, the ones held in 1896, 1906 and 2004 Olympic Games. Ancient Greek architecture is known for its greatly formal distinctiveness, equally of formation and ornamentation. Temples were frequently lifted up on elevated ground so that the sophistication of its magnitude and the effect of daylight on its exterior features might be observed from all perspectives. Nikolaus Pevsner refers to these magnificent architectural structures,  "placed before us with a physical presence more intense, more alive than that of any later building". The official terms of Ancient Greek architecture, in particular the dissection of architectural manner. Stylistically, the architecture of Ancient Greece is separated into three â€Å"orders†: the Doric Order, the Ionic Order and the Corinthian Order. The names of these orders reveal their origin. The Doric Order, th

Innocent Commission Essay Example for Free

Innocent Commission Essay It is better to let a thousand guilty individuals go free than to let one innocent person suffer (Volokh, 1997). The rationale behind this statement is that nobody can put a price in the life and liberty of a person. Wrongful conviction of an innocent man destroys his whole life and family. While the innocent is suffering the punishment for something that he did not do, the guilty is enjoying the freedom that the innocent man deserved but has been deprived of. The Criminal Justice System provides that in criminal cases, the burden of proof required to convict a person is proof beyond reasonable doubt and this burden lies in the State. This means that if there is so much of an iota of doubt in the innocence or guilt of a person then the State has no choice but to let the accused go because it has not fully satisfied its burden. Wrongful conviction is caused by several factors such as improper forensics, false conviction and other unfortunate incidents. Improper or unvalidated forensics is one of the biggest causes of wrongful conviction in the United States. Before DNA testing was available, many individuals were sent to prison on the basis of the eyewitness testimonies which are not one hundred percent accurate. The discovery of DNA analysis in the 80s greatly helped in ruling out and identifying innocent from guilty persons. Aside from DNA testing, other forensics tests are used to verify completely the identity of the victim and the accused such as tests to compare bite marks, shoe prints, firearms, hair microscopy and many more. Some of these may not be fully subjected to rigid evaluation and there may be a tendency for these tests to be handled incorrectly or presented vaguely in trial which in turn may lead to a wrongful conviction (Innocence Project, N. d.). Innocent individuals also get convicted based on false confessions not only from them but from acclaimed eye witnesses as well. In some cases, the accused, even though innocent says some incriminating statements that sooner or later lead to their conviction. There are many reasons why innocent people confess to crimes they did not commit. Some of them are just coerced or under duress when they made that statement. Studies show that some confessions are influenced by the mental state of the person. For instance, confession from minors are often unreliable given the fact that they are not fully aware of the repercussions of their actions and they can easily be persuaded. Children under legal age can seem to be quite vulnerable that some law enforcers seem to take advantage of this kind of situation(Innocence Project, 2003). When a crime happens and the victim files a charge, he becomes a witness for the State and in turn, the government will do everything they can to overturn the burden and get the bad guy out of the street. It is a good thing that the State is there to protect its people, however, it becomes a bad thing when the prosecution oversteps some boundaries in order to secure a conviction regardless of the guilt or innocence of the accused. The Criminal Justice System should be given credit for their hard work solving crimes and capturing the guilty. The police and other fellow law enforcers are reliable and trust worthy but as rewarding as the job is, there can be a few bad apples in the department and as sad as it is to admit, these incidences cause people to lose faith in the government (Innocence Project, 2003). Helping the victims get justice for what happened to them and putting guilty people in jail are both remarkable acts but helping an innocent person escape the punishment he does not deserve also has its own equal reward. References Innocence Project. N. d.   Understand `the Causes. Retrieved June 3, 2009, from http://www.innocenceproject.org/about/Contact-Us.php Innocence Project. 2003. North Carolina Actual Innocence Commission.Retrieved June 3, 2009, from http://www.innocenceproject.org/docs/NC_Innocence_Commission_Mission.html Volokh, A. 1997. n Guilty Men. University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Retrieved June 3, 2009, from http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/guilty.htm

Pharmacists Role in Complementary Alternative Medicines

Pharmacists Role in Complementary Alternative Medicines Pharmacists Role in Complementary Alternative Medicines The first section of this paper will provide background information on the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and their associated risks and benefits. Additionally, information on the pharmacists’ role in CAMs and services in their pharmacies will be discussed. Next, the theory that potential ethical conflicts arise for pharmacists between keeping the health and wellbeing of clients and the community as their primary concern versus the prospect of turning a profit will be considered. Before concluding, other important ethical issues including duty of care, and liability will be discussed. Background The term CAM refers to any healing practise that doesn’t fall under the heading of conventional medicine. It encompasses not just pharmaceutical preparations, but diet, and traditional forms of health care including acupuncture, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, etc.1 In the past, people who sold CAMs were sometimes referred to as quacks, or someone who promotes unsupported methods that lack scientifically credible rational.2 CAMs were regarded as old wives tails, and their claims dismissed by the medical community.3   More recently CAMs have become a prominent feature in today’s health care regimens. In 2000 according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) 52 percent of Australians were using at least one non-prescribed complementary medicine.4 The Therapeutic Goods Act of 1989 effectively legitimised CAMs by allowing them to be entered into the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as a listed medicine. They have to meet a lesser set of standards than conventional medicines, which is one of the major concerns of allopathic practioners.5 With the passing of this act, pharmacies could legitimately sell two types of products; medicines for which there is scientific evidence   (prescription and over the counter products) and unproven medications (some CAMs) that may lack efficacy.   There are many risks associated with using CAMS including direct risks, substitutions made, nonprofessional advice received, and unreliable diagnostic tests.6 In some cases, CAMs have caused serious harm. The adverse effects range from infection due to dirty acupuncture needles, altering the effectiveness of other pharmacologically proven agents, to death from chiropractic manipulation. Substitutions pose a great risk for serious conditions. Replacing conventional treatments with CAMs can lead to many adverse effects. For example, treating melanoma with a herbal ointment rather than surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy can have disastrous consequences. Some patients, especially those with life threatening illnesses, will try anything to improve their symptoms. Some CAM practitioners take advantage of this and recommend treatments that are very costly and at the expense of other proven treatments. Unproven tests include, but aren’t limited to, reflexology and electro-dermal t esting.6 The danger in this type of testing is the high likelihood of misdiagnosis.   Despite the large body of evidence in the scientific community of the poor efficacy of CAMs, there is some evidence for their use as seen in cranberry for urinary tract infections St. John’s Wart for depression and a variety of others.7 In 1993 Australians spent an estimated 1 billion dollars on CAMs and by 2000 that number had risen to 2.3 billion.8   Shockingly, only 57 percent of Australians reported or discussed the use of these products to their doctors.9 The potential dangers outlined above and these statistics show the need for a pharmacists intervention. Pharmacist’s Role Pharmacists are a vital part of the allopathic health care team, often being the first port of call for patients requesting CAMs.10   The community pharmacy is an ideal environment to deliver quality, cost effective, and professional services to the general public. Patient’s safety and access to this high quality care is of paramount importance.11 Pharmacists counsel life style choices, recommend an appropriate non-prescription medication, or refer patient’s to a physician to improve outcomes.12      When responding to enquiries about CAMs pharmacists need to consider a variety of issues. The customers’ cultural and social beliefs and desire to take control of their own treatment should be viewed non-judgementally. Pharmacists need to stay up to date, and be aware of evidence to support the use of different products. Information about CAMs should be provided on an evidence-based level so the most accurate information is delivered to the patient. Pharmacist s also need to be aware of potential interactions with conventional products, and report adverse drug reactions to both the Adverse Drug Reaction’s Committee and the product’s sponsor.7 Furthermore, pharmacists must remind patients that CAMs are medications and should be openly discussed so potential interactions and side effects can be identified. Ethics and profit In a 2005 study of 484 community pharmacists in New South Wales 77% of respondents personally used CAMs and said that they offered CAM products for sale in their pharmacies. A majority of the pharmacists believed CAMs enhanced customers’ image of the pharmacy and 87% reported they increased customer numbers and annual sales.13 From these results it is evident that a potential conflict between promoting and selling CAMs and ethics could arise. Pharmacists are intrinsically placed in an ethical dilemma daily. They have dual roles as health care providers and businesspeople. As health care professionals they are expected to provide a high level of unbiased health care, while their business side is expected to sell products and generate a profit. Professional and business roles are generally believed to be in conflict with each other and roles are traditionally viewed as being exclusive. According to Chappell et al community pharmacists are one of the few occupations where professional and business values co-exist.   They found no correlation between the value placed on business and the level of care or â€Å"professionalism† displayed by the pharmacists. This suggests pharmacists are able to act dually as a salesperson but still deliver professional information.14 The degree of professionalism has been called into question by Kennedy et al. They demonstrated that in some cases pharmacists, especially proprietors, sometimes recommend more expensive products when a cheaper generic version is available, but the overall outcome was satisfactory. All pharmacists recommended an appropriate treatment for the condition but the product selected differed among owners and employee pharmacists. Although the patient received a high level of care, the fact that he or she had a cheaper option calls the level of professionalism into question.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Further evidence for professionalism is seen in a study by Perepelkin et al. where they found pharmacists, regardless of their ownership structure, are professionally oriented in their practise. The difference in services provided was only seen in terms of professional autonomy, decision-making and amount of control. There was no difference in the amount of profit-driven goals between the groups.16 Similarly, in a recent study, Kronus found that pharmacists, regardless of their role orientations (business versus professional), were similarly motivated by service and income values. She suggested that the theoretical model suggesting that business is based on extrinsic values and professionalism is based on altruistic values should be revised when talking about pharmacy. She found altruism (professionalism) was the dominant factor in the field of pharmacy. Since most pharmacists are salaried employees there is little pressure to increase profit by pushing CAMs with no supporting evidence. It would be very easy to jump to the conclusion that the need to make a profit would in some way have a negative effect on pharmacy owners or employed pharmacists (reward systems) to act as independent ethical health care providers when CAMs are viewed as huge profit generators.17 Wingfield et al suggest that ‘ethics is so integrated and intrinsic to daily practise that there is no need to single ethical issues for special attention,’ as demonstrated by a lack of a journal dedicated to pharmacy ethics (there are ethical journals for medicine and nursing). Rather the ethical behaviour of the pharmacist is displayed in all aspects of daily practise culling the drive for profits.18 In Australia the behaviour of pharmacists is guided by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Code of Professional Conduct (PSACPC).7 Pharmacists sell CAMs in pharmacies that does give credibility to CAMs and to some extent promote their usage.   Also, pharmacists are in a unique position to influence the sale of certain products. For example, CAMs are used by 60 to 80% of oncology patients. According to the British Columbia Cancer Society the psychosocial needs of patients including ‘increased anxiety, need for information, maintenance of a sense of hope, a sense of control, negative experience with conventional medicine, and perceived holistic nature of complementary medicine,’ is the reason for the high percent of people using the medicine and not the availability of the product in pharmacies.19 Pharmacists don’t need to promote these products as psychosocial needs are very powerful and patients are clamouring for these medications in increasing numbers. Although the pharmacy is a business, business objectives wouldn’t necessarily suffer, as knowledgeable and honest patient counselli ng plays an important role in customer satisfaction and thus profitability. An unsatisfied customer would certainly seek another pharmacy.20 These satisfied customers will keep coming back to the pharmacy not just for CAMs but for prescription and personal products as well. This is a win-win situation for both the customer and the pharmacist who now has the opportunity to play an active role in the health of the patient as well as make a decent living. It is the pharmacist who provides the factual advice for patients who seek out these products. Through professionalism this temptation to take advantage of this behaviour is easily removed. Pharmacists develop close relationships with their customers by taking time to talk about medications. Professional orientation happens because patient counselling of all medications including CAMs is at the cornerstone of ethical pharmacy practice and high quality care. As previously stated, the pharmacist’s role in counselling in the use o f CAMs is the most effective in ensuring the health and safety of patients.   When counselling patients, pharmacists follow the PSACPC. By following the PSACPC pharmacists remain in the scope of their practice, are covered for malpractice liability for negligent care and for informed consent issues, and foremost, ensure the health and well-being of clients and the Australian community. Under the 9 key principles of PSACPC, counselling advice for CAM usage is about adhering to the principles of evidence based medicine and critically examining and honestly informing patients of unproven medications and therapies. Pharmacists must also respect the beliefs and judgements of patients and other health professionals while regarding the patient’s autonomy to make decisions regarding their own treatment but at the same time offering guidance and advice based on evidence-based information.21  Ã‚   Thus, when a pharmacist gives advice on the use of Cams based on PSACPC guidelines after considering clinical and patient factors there may be commercial benefits but they do not necessarily compromise the quality of the recommendations. In pharmacy, ethics and profit can and do exist without conflict in the sale of all products.   Duty of care regarding informed consent As outlined above a majority number of Australians are using and want to use CAMs. It is therefore the duty of pharmacists to discuss these treatments with their patients.22 A study in the US found almost three-quarters of the pharmacists surveyed worked in stores where herbal medicines were sold.23 Almost half of the pharmacists agreed with the statement, ‘herbal medicines are not accepted by the majority of my colleagues’ and only a quarter agreed with the statement ‘herbs are efficacious’.24 25 It can be seen that most pharmacists don’t believe in the products so recommending them is difficult. But, they have an ethical obligation to adhere to the PSACPC and respect the autonomy and dignity of the patient to make informed decisions.21 Once the pharmacist has disclosed and openly discussed the different treatment options his or her ethical obligation has been fulfilled. In the United States this is taken one step further.   It is a legal obligatio n for practioners to disclose information for CAMs if they are generally accepted within the medical community. Failure to do so can result in legal action.26 Liability in referring to CAMs Liability issues are new territory for pharmacists recommending CAMs to patients. Homeopathy, for example, is completely contradictory to the principles of modern pharmacology. The incompatibility of homeopathic paradigms with all of basic science must be taken into consideration.22   Keeping in line with the PSACPC, pharmacists cannot ethically recommend a product or service to which they know there is no evidence to support its use, and is not in the best interest in the health and well being of the patient or community. In Canada, The Pharmacy Code of Ethics requires pharmacists to never knowingly provide any products which are not good quality.27   In the United States medical practitioners can be held liable for referring patients to a CAM practitioner if they â€Å"should have known† the CAM practitioner might be â€Å"incompetent†. This shows that medical professionals are not just ethically but legally responsible for protecting patients from inferior medical treatments.28 CAM practitioners argue that their treatments are holistic and some of the therapeutic benefits are unmeasurable. Because western medicine supports evidence based on quantifiable outcomes the two doctrines of practise often clash. It is very difficult to compare the s piritual healing power of CAMs to the physical healing of western medicine.28 As long as the CAM treatment is not interfering with a patient’s level of care, there is no reason to discredit a potential treatment that may make a patient ‘feel’ better. An honest answer to the efficacy of a specific CAM and reporting that some people say it makes them feel better is the best course of action.     Further compounding the issue is the training level of the CAM providers. Most are not ‘health care professionals’ and have inadequate understating of biology, pharmacology, patho-physiology, and other sciences that govern western medicine. Since pharmacists cannot ethically refer a patient for a treatment that they believe may affect their health or wellbeing the ethical dilemma of whether to recommend this option is exacerbated. Although, a recent Canadian study reported only 2% of pharmacists felt they had adequate information about complementary and alternative health care, they are still better suited than CAMs to provide information on the prodcuts.10 A pharmacists guidance is based on principles 1 and 8 of the (PSACPC), advising patient of the scientific evidence available while still respecting their autonomy.28 Where CAM providers have no such code of ethics. Conclusion This paper examined the background issues associated with complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and the associated risks and benefits that go along with them. Additionally, the pharmacists’ role in providing CAMs was discussed. The many ethical issues, including profit, although seemingly complex can and should be negotiated using the PSACPC guidelines. The introduction and sale of CAMs have not changed the pharmacist’s code of ethics where the patient’s well-being and health remains the focus. As CAMs are becoming more popular and accepted by the public, pharmacists need to have a high level of understanding of the many issues associated with them. The ethical issues pharmacists face daily are apparently being handled appropriately according the literature cited, and based on the public’s perception of pharmacists being one of the most trusted health professionals.

Politics and Modern Musical Artists Essay -- Music Essays

Politics and Modern Musical Artists Musical artists of the modern age have had a great affect upon the generation that the writers of the paper are a part of. Not only have the songs they produced brought us enjoyment and heightened our emotional states, they have also informed us of their opinions. One of the issues drawing the strongest opinions as of late is the American government, particularly the Bush administration. Some of the most popular bands and artists have made it a point to express their views on such matters through their music and concerts, rallying to fight or support a matter relating to the U.S. government. The following bands have influenced at least one of us as their listeners, and the message we carry is that opinion expressed through music is quite an important thing. Eminem has become a huge media icon, not only amongst young people, but also by the regard given to him by older adults. He is the king of controversy, not only for his opinions of homosexuals and drugs, but also his political views. He has been in the public spotlight for about five years now, and ever since his first single, â€Å"My Name Is†, in which he portrayed a promiscuous President Clinton; he has made his view on political figures clear. Eminem seems to have a major problem with authority, and the President is the highest authority, so you can bet your bottom dollar that he has a few things to say pertaining to our Commander and Chief. For Eminem this is not a one-time thing, throughout all of his albums he has always had something to say about politics or the government. In songs such as â€Å"White America†, he speaks on the government's efforts to silence him with censorship. In ... ...hville, 2002. Klosterman, Chuck. â€Å"Fitter Happier: Radiohead Return† Spin Magazine . 2003. Vibe Ventures LLC. 14 Nov. 2004 Mathers, Marshall . Encore . Interscope Records, 2004. Mathers, Marshall . Straight from the Lab EP . Interscope Records, 2003. Mathers, Marshall . The Eminem Show . Interscope Records, 2002. Radiohead. Hail to the Thief . Capitol Records, 2003. Radiohead. OK Computer . Capitol Records, 1997. Sum 41. Chuck. Island Records, 2004. â€Å"Sum 41 Online: Biography.† Island Records . 2004. Fearless Concepts. 16 Nov. 2004 â€Å"Toby Keith: Biography.† CMT.com . 2004. Viacom Company. 17 Nov. 2004

How to Meet Your Deadlines :: Process Essays

How to Meet Your Deadlines It's a gorgeous fall day and my mind is drifting like a dinghy on the lake. But I'm inside my house watching the clock tick away, hoping to pull together this essay before the deadline arrives. If you're like me, deadlines drive you crazy, but they also keep you driven. Chances are, you've spent countless nights awake, fretting over an upcoming deadline, even ones that are easy to meet. The Pressure Cooker So how can you handle the pressure -- real and imagined -- of deadlines? And what should you do if it looks like you're going to miss one? Here are a few tips on handling the dreaded D-word. Always meet your deadlines. There's simply no excuse, short of calamity not to. As Cameron Foote writes in "The Business Side of Creativity": "You're very raison d'etre is to do for others what they cannot or will not do for themselves. When you accept an assignment, the client expects you to be competent, professional, and most of all a fanatic about meeting his or her deadlines." Treat deadlines with the respect they deserve. Woody Allen once said, "eighty percent of life is just showing up." You'll be amazed and how much return business you can earn simply by being on time. Negotiate longer lead times. Deadlines are like money, they aren't easily renegotiated. Even if you think you can meet the proposed deadline with little problem, it's best to win yourself a little extra time during the initial negotiation. Extra time acts as insurance should a work or personal emergency arise or if the job becomes inexplicably complex. The slack can also come in handy if you need to accommodate a rush job, particularly one with extra dollars attached. Ask for an extra day or week or month, whatever is appropriate to the work you do and the scope of the project. Whenever you start talking to a client about a deadline, think about your kids, significant other, or beloved hobby, and silently ask yourself: Is this deadline going to prevent me from spending time with the people or activities I love? If nothing more, this ploy gives you the incentive to ask for that extra week or two. Break up chores into manageable pieces. Perhaps the problem is not the deadline, so much as the sheer size of a project you face. One way to battle this daunting specter is by creating a Gantt chart to break the project into smaller chunks.

Kitchen Best

Grade: 84/100 87/100 Challenges: 16/20 Causes: 16/20 PoA: 20/25. Be more specific Research: 20/20 Writing: 12/15. Work to organize your paper more concisely and coherently with more effective headings/subheadings/visual aides Grade update: I added 3 more points to make this section 15/15 based upon your re-draft.? Henry Chan, who is the CEO of Kitchen Best, has set some ambitious targets for the business in 2008. However, his plan suffered a setback when a series of crises happened in 2010.These incidents involved in serious management problems such as personal gains made at the expense of the company and kickbacks offered and accepted between Kitchen Best and its partners. Symptoms Deep rooted practices of kickbacks, bribing and corruption: Accepting kickbacks, bribing and corruption were common in business dealings of kitchen best. Chan dong, founder of kitchen best treated his employees as family, and turned blind eye on any such practices as long as they were helpful in business expansion.But later when Henry Chan took over the business, a series of incidents had led him to take a deeper look into the company and uncover serious instances of misconduct. Unethical means followed by kitchen best’s most trusted employee: The shago incident : Horatio Sze : Sze awarded the contract to a factory owned by his brother in law, for his personal gain. Knowing that the products were faulty, he hasn’t taken any remedial action or cancel the contract. Macy wei :Having known that the products showed faulty in the in-house testing and Sze’s negligence towards this for his personal gain, she hasn’t reported it to the higher management, considering the good relation between Sze and Li. Ignorance of Henry and Ma luk : Sze reported directly to Ma Luk. Neither Ma took the responsibility to enquire further on the issue, nor did Henry involve himself much in monitoring the decisions of sub-contracting made by Sze. Haus de metro :Henry Chan, after havin g learnt from an anonymous letter that a shipment for German retail chain HdM did not meet the company’s safety requirements, did not pursue the case any further for fear of losing the customer. Honghua appliances : Ma Luk: Ma has built good relations with Honghua’s general manager for greater china, through wining, entertainment, dining and offering kickbacks. But the changed management of Hanghua was strictly against these practices and reevaluated the competency of all its suppliers. So, kitchen best’s relations with Honghua were at risk.Also, Ma has misused the company expenses for his personal gain. Henry Chan: Henry Chan didn’t have much grip on the clients and relations with them. He was mostly dependent on the experience of the senior management, like Ma who were mainlanders, to build relations with the clients and customers and he saw such practices as inevitable part of Chinese business culture. Lack of well-designed financial policies: Kitchen best did not have any well-defined policies or guidelines to control the expenses for entertaining customers.Henry Chan’s Cultural barrier: Henry Chan found it difficult to deal with mainland customers due to his cultural barriers. He was born and brought up at Hong Kong, and had not much exposure to deal with the mainland customers. So he had difficulties to cope up with the business culture and dealings with mainlanders. He had to depend on senior management, hence had no proper grip on the business there. Causes: Unplanned/sudden shift in management: Kitchen best’s employees were not prepared for the sudden change in management from Chan dong to Henry Chan.Each of them had completely different managing styles. Chan followed a paternalistic managerial style, treating the employees as a family and maintaining good relations with them, while Henry followed the western style of management. This gave the employees a chance to misuse the liberty of taking decisions that w estern style invoked †¢ â€Å"In the west, the ideal boss is a â€Å"resourceful democrat†. He sets the vision and strategy for the business but empowers subordinates to execute. He encourages two-way communication with his employees and allows bottom-up input in decision-making. In China, the ideal boss is a â€Å"benevolent father†. He is like a parent (a Chinese parent, by the way) who supervises his children on everything that need to be done. He believes in discipline and attention to details and manages his people at a micro level. He also spends lots of time caring for the personal welfare of his employees and regards it as part of his job. † – reference; management style differences between china and U. S Author: Joy Huang Shift of focus on different set of customers: eastern and western management (business cultures)is for 95% the same and differs in every important aspect. †- Takeo Fujisawa (Honda) Kitchen best mostly focused on Asian market but Henry focused on extending the business to western customers. Till then the company had no experience with directly dealing with the customers of Europe and America, and hence has no grip over these regions. The dealings at mainland and decision making were completely left to trusted employees without Henry’s personal monitoring and they took advantage of it.Henry’s experience as compared to that of senior management: Henry’s experience was far less than most of the employees in senior management who have been working for the company from its very beginning. Employees like Ma, Sze were very much trusted by Chan dong and Henry couldn’t go completely against the practices they followed although they were unethical. Lack of control over decision making and financial management: Henry relied much on his senior management for decision-making. But unlike Chan, he did not involve himself much, in making important decisions in mainland business operat ions.Any other monitoring measures were not implemented in the company. Kitchen best did not have any well designed financial policies that checked the ineffective expenses like dining, wining or entertaining the clients. Employees faked invoices and used the expenses for their personal gains. This would have been controlled if there was frequent auditing. Henry’s cultural limitations: Henry was born and brought up in Hong Kong, studied at U. S. Although he had experience in marketing of electric and electronic appliances, it was the first time for him to work with kitchen best.He was not so familiar with the business culture of mainland nor did he have good relations with the mainland clients. He believed that some unethical practices were inevitable in Chinese business culture, so although determined to change these practices, he ignored some cases and hand not implemented strict measures to control them altogether. â€Å"Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. cultural differences are nuicanse at best and often disaster† –Dr. Geert Hofstede Recommendations :A strong policy for internal contro l and financial management has to be designed and implemented. 2 months a strong policy †¢ to mitigate financial risks, continually asses new risks and minimize operational distractions to achieve the key results established in a commission's strategic plan †¢That should clearly and consistently maintain an internal control framework by developing a control policy and accompanying procedures that establish a commitment to reducing risk of loss and preserving commission resources.This document should briefly explain the objectives/goals of the commission, the ethical standard expected from employees, and the policies/procedures it is committed to adhering to in order to meet those objectives. Henry must first concentrate on getting a good grip on existing territory and then expansion of business to the west. Immediately 1-2 months †¢Henry Chan should start working more on the existing territory business operations, by involving himself in decision making, interacting directly with clients of mainland, rather than leaving it to Ma. Then strategically work on expanding direct business with the west, like getting to know the business culture and training a set of employees according to western business culture. Investigate and warn/ take disciplinary action Next one month †¢Ignoring the ethical breach of employees could lead to more corruption. Completing the investigation of cases and warning or taking disciplinary actions on employees responsible for it irrespective of their seniority could be substantial in reducing the corruption in business dealings.Set up a monitoring committee 15 days †¢Set up a monitoring committee that is headed by Henry, and includes legal , financial advisors of kitchen best, and auditing group. †¢This committee should constantly work on monitoring the activities, and flow of finance at different branches of the company Trial implementation of the policy made and make amendments if necessary 2 months †¢Implementing the designed policy for a period of two months and check for any loopholes, and make amendments if necessary. Managing the risk of fraud : The truth is you cannot defeat internal fraudsters if you are unfamiliar as to where and how they play their game of deceit and betrayal—you fail to know where your operation’s greatest risks and vulnerabilities are—or you fail to have enough knowledge to develop and implement a realistic anti-fraud action plan. † – reference book; business fraud – Jack L Hayes Ethics management : Keep the unique ethical climate of each market in mind when crafting your code of ethics to ensure that it is relevant to the international arena Apply standards equally in all markets, and among all subsidiaries.Stick to your standards, whatever they are. If yo u have a policy of following your home country's ethical standards around the world, be prepared to turn down opportunities in markets with unfavorable ethical climates. Make company-wide ethics training a regular activity, in addition to administering comprehensive ethics training programs for new hires. Use training sessions to highlight actual areas of concern in your organization, citing specific examples as often as possible. References Journal of Academic and Business Ethics: International Business Ethics †¢International Business Ethics Institute: Top Ten Mistakes References : http://www. f5ac. org/item. asp? id=3340 first five financial control guide; ch 6. Internal control http://www. slideshare. net/anandsubramaniam/cross-culture-east-west http://smallbusiness. chron. com/accounting-principles-general-financial-ethical-standards-36283. html http://www. copedia. com/internal_controls. html http://smallbusiness. chron. com/cultural-communication-barriers-workplace-13888. html

Mexican Americans in American Popular Culture Essay

It is a known fact that modern entertainment media created certain images and stereotypes of Latin, Asian and other ethnic minorities living in our country. American cinema movies, TV series or even PC games mostly picture the members of Latin and Mexican cultures as aggressive tempered mustached guys, who smoke and fight a lot, and who are always involved in drug distribution or some criminal activities. This tendency had very negative effects on our minds, and many of our citizens are convinced that there are no educated, good-mannered and decent people in Mexican communities. I was always wondering why it happens this way, and studying some historic material, including the articles from the site Digital History, helped me to find some answers on this question. This tendency proved to have a long history and it was formed during the second and the third decades of the twentieth century, when Hollywood producers started expressing their concern and fears caused by the afflux of talented Mexican actors, including Lupe Velez or Dolores Del Rio, their success and public recognition in the US. That is why many performers of Latin origin were given the roles of bandits, thieves and other not attractive characters. After the World War II a number of movies were produced, in which the directors tried to restore the image of Mexican Americans, but after the 1960s, when the problems of illegal immigration from the South became topical, caricaturizing the Mexicans continued. During the last decades, negative characters of Hispanic origin have been appearing in many popular cinema movies or TV series, starting from Chico and the Man and ending with 24. Also, a great contribution to reinforcing the distorted images of the Mexicans was made by a series of popular video games Grand Theft Auto (GTA). In my opinion, this situation is really dejecting, and I am convinced that recent attempts of Mexican artists to demonstrate their true cultural identity and unique distinctive heritage must be supported in our society, and their ethnic voices must be heard.

Discuss the Impact of Data Quality Problems

(Databases behind MySpace, CH-6) Discuss the impact of data quality problems on MySpace as described in this case study. How did they solve their data problems? What management, organization, and technology issues had to be addressed? 1) – Discuss the impact of data quality problems on MySpace as described in this case study. Since the Site was launched in 2003, the social network site â€Å"MySpace† has become the world’s leading social portal for connecting people who relate in connection with its content, and culture. MySpace projects an idea to its global community to experience the Internet through a social lens by integrating individual’s personal profiles, photo sharing, professional and entertainment videos, blogs, instant messaging, as well as one of the largest music community. MySpace. com has been one of the fastest growing sites on the Internet with 65 million subscribers and 260,000 new users registering each day. Yet with their unexpected growth along came the growth of other popular social networking sites such â€Å"Face book† and few other competitors which seemed to have gained ground, do to â€Å"MySpace† criticized performance. In its initial phases, MySpace operated with two Web servers communicating with one database server and a Microsoft SQL Server database. The site continued adding Web servers to handle increased user requests and demands, once the number of accounts exceeded 500,000 the site added more SQL Server databases; one served as a master database, and the others focused on retrieving data for user’s page requests. After two million accounts were activated, MySpace switched to a vertical partitioning model in which separate databases supported distinct functions of the Web site, such as the log-in screen, user profiles, and blogs. Yet at some point the separated functions will still share data which will create another problem to their list! After three million accounts were reached, rather than investing in more sophisticated types of servers that could eventually solve their problems, the site scaled out by adding many cheaper servers to share the database workload which became just another shortcut option and not a long term solution for the company. 2) How did they solve their data problems? The Company eventually switched to a virtualized storage architecture in which databases write data into any available disk, therefore eliminating he possibility of an application’s dedicated disk becoming overloaded. MySpace later installed a layer of servers between the database servers and the Web servers to store and serve copies of frequently accessed data objects so that the site’s Web servers wouldn’t have to query the database servers with lookups as frequently. Unfortunately, MySpace still overloads more frequently than other major Web sites. With a log-in error rate of (20 to 40%) on some days, the site is not effectively organizing or storing data at all, reason for which the site may have been losing subscribers. After the review of this case study, we can see the Importance of Database Technology and the Impact Data Quality provides to Websites and Social network sites and it can be determined that their existence depend on it.. (Information based on, MySpace Case study and www. forbes. com) 3) What management, organization, and technology issues had to be addressed? Some of the problems MySpace has encountered are the inadequate storage space on their database servers, slow access or no access through its log-in application, and the users’ inabilities to access data when requested. Over the years, MySpace has attempted to fix these problems by adding more Web/Database servers. Yet the main problem seems to be, adding the servers without restructuring the entire system in order to use their hardware and software more effectively. Another major problem â€Å"The MySpace Organization† has faced it’s been their management and personnel, It’s well known that they’ve had too many changes in personnel they were constantly hiring NET developers and losing them just as fast, which can create a definite unbalance for the company. In Jan, 2011 they announced a staff reduction by 47%. On the other hand they have dealt with numerous changes in management as well; many of the important people who helped create â€Å"The MySpace empire† are now gone. Few to mention are, former President â€Å"Tom Anderson who stepped down† while CEO â€Å"Chris DeWolfe was replaced† by former Facebook COO â€Å"Owen Van Natta†. The company’s most recent plan is to reinvigorate itself in the (social networking space) by going back to what made them popular in the first place â€Å"entertainment†. ith hopes that a new focus on the entertainment media including television, movies, & music will help in making the social networking site reclaim its place on the web. Despite efforts of redesigning the site their users have decreased, as well as their popularity. In November 2010, the company fully integrated with Facebook Connect calling it â€Å"Mash Up with Facebook† in an announcement widely seen, which in reality I believe is just the way of acknowledging Facebook is their # 1 competitor and is currently dominating the social networking industry. In my Opinion their main weakness was with strategy implementation, they concentrated in what came up day to day, like the additions of servers to support their users demand but they never really focused on priorities such as a solution to their Technical problems and the whole structural change it required. As time progresses business competitors will copy your product or service and a lot of times they won’t just copy, they’ll Innovate and overpass the quality of what’s already available therefore taking the place of # 1 and not a competitor.