What is an Anti-Villain (With Definitions and Examples)

What is an Antis) What is an Antis) A Song of Ice and Fire has held the hearts of fantasy-readers for the past 20 years, and Marvel movies have been dominating movie screens for a decade. So you might be wondering: what makes these franchises so compelling? The answer? Anti-villains.These days, people want more than black and white characters (protagonists who are inherently good and antagonists who are inherently bad). They want flawed heroes who struggle to carry out their goals, and complex villains with backstories and motives that show their humanity. Enter: anti-heroes and anti-villains. In other words, characters who defy their literary conventions.This post will cover the latter character type, and we’ll start by answering the question... What's an "anti-villain" and why are they so popular these days? What is an anti-villain?Anti-villains have noble characteristics, values, and goals, but how they strive for those goals is often questionable - or downright abhorrent. Like traditional villains, anti-villains stand in the way of the hero’s goal. But unlike a traditional â€Å"bad guy,† the anti-villain isn’t necessarily evil. Starting to wonder about every villain you’ve ever read? What was Maleficent’s childhood like? Did Bane just need a hug? Perhaps the Sheriff of Nottingham was just misunderstood?To help you plot out your own morally grey characters, check out the following helpful blog posts all about crafting memorable characters.Character Development: How to Write Characters Your Readers Won't Forget 9 Common Types of Fantasy Characters (With Examples) How to Write a Compelling Character Arc 12 Character Archetypes Every Writer Should Know How to Create a Character Profile: the Ultimate Guide (with Template)Did we miss any major anti-villains you think deserve a mention! Drop their name - or any other thoughts or questions - in the comments below!

Stop Cluttering Up the Classroom Walls

Stop Cluttering Up the Classroom Walls Despite a teachers best intentions, a cluttered classroom environment could be distracting students from learning. Too much visual stimulation in the classroom can be distracting, the layout may be unwelcoming, or the classroom wall color may have a negative impact on mood. These elements of  classroom environment  can have a negative or positive effect on student academic performance. This general statement is supported by a growing  body of research on the critical impact that light, space, and room layout have on a students well-being, physically and emotionally. The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture has collected information on this impact: Features of any architectural environment can  have an influence certain brain processes such as those involved in stress, emotion and memory (Edelstein 2009).   While it may be difficult to control all factors, the choice of materials on a classroom wall is the easiest to manage for a teacher.  The  Princeton University Neuroscience Institute  published the results of a study,â€Å"Interactions of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mechanisms in Human Visual Cortex,†Ã‚  they conducted that discusses how the brain sorts out competing stimuli. One heading in the research notes: Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation...   In other words, the more stimulation in an environment, the more competition for attention from the part of a students  brain needed to focus. Michael Hubenthal and Thomas O’Brien reached the same conclusion in their research  Revisiting Your Classroom’s Walls: The Pedagogical Power of Posters  (2009). They found that a students  working  memory uses  different components that process visual and  verbal information . They agreed that too many posters, regulations, or information sources could have the  potential of overwhelming a students  working memory:   The  visual complexity caused by an  abundance of text and small images  can set  up an  overwhelming  visual/verbal  competition between  text and  graphics for which students must gain control in order to  give meaning to information. From Early Years to High School For many students, the  text and graphic-rich classroom environments begin in their early education (Pre-K and elementary) classrooms. These classrooms may be decorated to an extreme.   Too often,  clutter passes for quality, a  sentiment expressed by  Erika Christakis in her book  The Importance of Being Little: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups  (2016).  In  Chapter 2 (Goldilocks Goes to Daycare) Christakis describes the average preschool the following way: First well bombard you with what educators call a print-rich environment, every wall and surface festooned with a vertiginous array of labels, vocabulary list, calendars, graphs, classroom rules, alphabet lists, number charts, and inspirational platitudes - few of those symbols you will be able to decode, a favorite buzzword for what used to be known as reading(33). Christakis also list the other distractions that are also  hanging in plain sight:  the number of  mandated rules and regulations alongside decorations including hand washing instructions, allergy procedures, and emergency exit diagrams. She writes: In one study, researchers manipulated the amount of clutter on the walls of a laboratory classroom where kindergarteners were taught a series of science lessons. As the visual distraction increased, the childrens ability to focus, stay on task, and learn new information decreased (33). Researchers from The Holistic Evidence and Design (HEAD) support Christakiss position. They assessed  hundred fifty-three U.K. classrooms to study the link of classroom environment to the learning of almost four thousand students  (ages 5-11).  Researchers  Peter Barrett, Fay Davies, Yufan Zhang, and Lucinda Barrett published their findings in  The Holistic Impact of Classroom Spaces on Learning in Specific Subjects  (2016).  They reviewed the impact of different factors, including color, on student learning, by looking at measures of progress in reading, writing, and math.  They found that reading and writing performances are particularly affected by levels of  stimulation. They also noted that math received  the most positive impact from a classroom design that is student-centered and personalized spaces. Environment Element: Color in the Classroom The color of the classroom can also stimulate or overstimulate students. This environmental element may not always be under the teachers control, but there are some recommendations teachers might be able to make. For example, the colors  red and orange are associated with negative impact on students, making them feel nervous and unsettled. In contrast, blue and green colors are calming colors.   The color  of an environment also affects children differently according to age. Younger children below five may be more productive with bright colors such as yellow. Older students, specifically high school students, work better in rooms painted in light shades of blue and green which are less stressful and distracting.  Ã‚  Warm yellows or pale yellows are also older student appropriate. The scientific research into color is extensive and color can affect children’s moods, mental clarity, and energy levels,  (Englebrecht, 2003).   According to the International Association of Color Consultants - North America (IACC-NA), a school’s physical environment has a  powerful psycho-physiological impact on its students:   â€Å"Appropriate color design is important in protecting eyesight, in creating surroundings that are conducive to studying, and in promoting physical and mental health.† The IACC has noted that poor color choices can lead to irritability, premature fatigue, lack of interest and behavioral problems.   Alternatively,  walls with no color can also be a problem. Colorless and poorly lit classrooms are often considered boring or lifeless, and a  boring classroom maybe likely to cause  students to become disengaged and uninterested in learning. â€Å"For budget reasons, a lot of schools don’t seek out good information on color,† says Bonnie Krims, of IACC. She notes that in the past, there was a common belief that the more colorful the classroom, the better for the students. Recent research disputes past practice, and that too much color, or colors that are too bright, can lead to overstimulation. An accent wall of bright color in a classroom may be offset by muted shades on the other walls.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The goal is to find a balance,† Krims concludes.   Natural Light Dark colors are equally problematic. Any color that lessens or filters  natural sunlight out of a room can even make people feel drowsy and listless (Hathaway, 1987).  There are multiple studies that point to the  beneficial effects of natural light  on health and mood. One medical study found that patients who had access to a scenic view of nature had shorter hospital stays and required lower amounts of pain medication than those patients who had windows that faced a brick building. The official  blog of the U.S. Department of Education posted a  2003 study  (in  California)  that  found that classrooms with the most (natural light)  daylighting had a 20 percent better learning rate in math, and a 26 percent improved rate in reading, compared to classrooms with little or no daylighting. The study also noted that in some cases,  teachers  needed only  to reposition furniture or move  storage to  take advantage of the available natural light in their classrooms.  Ã‚   Overstimulation and Special Needs Students Overstimulation is an issue with students who may have Autistic Spectrum Disorder  (ASD).  The Indiana Resource Center for Autism  recommends that teachers try to limit  auditory and visual distractions so that students can  focus on the concepts that are being taught instead of details that may not be relevant, and reduces competing distractions. Their  recommendation is to limit these distractions: Often when students with ASD are presented with too much stimulus (visual or auditory), processing may slow down, or if overloaded, processing may stop completely.   This approach may prove  beneficial for other students as well.  While  a  classroom rich in materials may support learning,  a cluttered classroom that overstimulates  may be too distracting to many students whether they special needs or not. Color also matters for special needs students. Trish Buscemi, the owner of  Colors Matter, has experience in advising clients what color palette to use with special needs populations.  Buscemi has found that blues, greens, and muted brown tones tend to be appropriate choices for students with ADD and ADHD, and she writes on her blog  that: The brain remembers color first! Let the Students Decide At the secondary level,  teachers could have  students make contributions to help shape a learning space. Giving students a voice in designing their space along will help develop student ownership in the classroom.  The  Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture  agrees, and notes  the importance of being able to have spaces that students can call their own. Their literature explains, Feelings of comfort and welcome in a shared space are vital to the level in which we feel invited to take part.  Students are more likely to  take pride in the space, and they are more likely to support each others efforts to contribute ideas and maintain organization.   Also, teachers should be encouraged to feature student work, maybe original pieces of art, displayed to elicit trust and student worth.   What Decorations to Choose? To reduce classroom clutter, teachers could ask themselves the following questions before putting that velcro or removable tape onto the classroom wall: What purpose does this  poster, sign or display serve?Do  these  posters, signs, or items celebrate or support student learning?Are the  posters, signs, or displays  current with what is being learned in the classroom?Can the display  be made interactive?Is there  white space in between wall displays to help the  eye distinguish what is in the display?Can students contribute to decorating the classroom (ask â€Å"What do you think could go inside that space?†) As the school year begins, teachers should keep in mind opportunities to limit distractions and reduce classroom clutter for better academic performance.

Lenin State and Revolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Lenin State and Revolution - Essay Example According to him (Lenin), although the previous revolutions have succeeded in ensuring the state machine have perfected, the working class cannot sit down and expect the state machine to produce by itself. He clarifies that, the purpose of state and revolution is to exchange the violent and destructive revolution with very peaceful and coherent transition (Lenin 1941, p. 9). He was for the opinion that, the proletarian cannot achieve their requirement through violent means. His ideas were for the attainment and seizure of power without destruction of properties and the old state structures. Violence destroys the existing resources and work force therefore, conflict is tantamount to destruction of the already established properties which is very unethical. Lenin was not against the reformation but his main concern in the state and revolution was to discourage those people who took the Marx idea for granted that the bourgeois’ (owners of means of production) must be executed and destroyed together with their properties. According to him, the owners of the means of production are not bad but what is uncouth is the method they (bourgeois) use to control the political and economic avenues (Kelvin 1995, p. 90) Lenin observed that, very few countries can survive after destroying the bourgeois state. He believed that, in as long as the proletarian revolution must do away with the old states, it should not destroy and abolish the state itself (Kelvin 1995, p. 90). ... According to him, the owners of the means of production are not bad but what is uncouth is the method they (bourgeois) use to control the political and economic avenues (Kelvin 1995, p. 90) Lenin observed that, very few countries can survive after destroying the bourgeois state. He believed that, in as long as the proletarian revolution must do away with the old states, it should not destroy and abolish the state itself (Kelvin 1995, p. 90). The state must remain and it should life for along period of time without being destroyed. The resources which control and run the state are properties of the bourgeois. This therefore means, destroying the owners of means of production properties is equal to destruction of the state. His stand on the protection of the state does not imply that Lenin was for the opinion of weakening the revolution powers. He insisted that, the revolution power must be strong and need to extend their period of revolution. In as far as the reforms are relevant and important, Lenin insisted on not transforming working class into military militias. The transformation of the working class into military militia is only relevant if the owners of means of production use their military power to deter the revolutionaries’ effort. Nevertheless, transforming the working class to militia should be the last option when all the others options have failed (Kelvin 1995, p. 98). Lucio (1989, p. 69) states that, Lenin was not for the opinion that the proletarian class has only the mandate to dominate but not to govern. Such kind of ideas is for those who do not believe in changes in governance. According to Lenin, the state and revolutions are built on the ground of the proletariats having the capacity of

Ethical issues of teenage abortion (social abortion) Essay

Ethical issues of teenage abortion (social abortion) - Essay Example Considering the dual goals of protecting society and the best interests of the teenager, facilitating access to safe abortion and providing support to the teenager who chooses this option appears to be the best approach. When teenage abortion is debated on the basis of biomedical ethics, it is found that the ethical applications in this context are completely different from those applied in the case of adults. Autonomy denotes the right of â€Å"a reasonable and competent person, who has been given appropriate and complete information --- to make his or her own decisions† (Klugman and Dudding, 2004). In the case of teenagers, a troubling question regarding autonomy is whether the pregnant girl is capable of understanding all the relevant medical information and weighing the risks involved in opting for an abortion. It is generally accepted that the teenager may be short-sighted and give undue importance to physical appearance, has not yet developed a permanent set of values, is more rooted in the present with no clear-cut perception of the future and lacks the cumulative experience which facilitates making correct choices (Dubler, Special Decision Making Concerns of Minors). Autonomy is linke d with respect for the confidentiality of the teenager. The U.K. Department of Health issued a revised guidance to doctors and health care professionals in July 2004, emphasizing the teenagers’ right to confidential sexual guidance and abortion. In the case of abortion, if the teenager â€Å"cannot be persuaded to involve a parent, every effort should be made to help them find another adult to provide support,† but her refusal to involve anyone else must be respected. While its’ detractors claim that teenagers are emotionally and physically ill-equipped to deal with the situation, supporters welcome the recognition of the health professionals’

Hazard of Coal and Coal Mining to Human Health Essay Example for Free

Hazard of Coal and Coal Mining to Human Health Essay Coal is a solid but brittle sedimentary rock with a natural brown to black color and is made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and lesser amounts o f sulphur and trace elements. Coal is classified into four types depending on the carbo n, oxygen and hydrogen content on which the higher the carbon content, the more energy the coal contains (Coal at a Glance, 2009). The amount of energy in coal is define d by the heat value measured by British thermal units (Btu). One Btu is equivalent to the amount of energy in a single match (RockTalk, 2005). The four types of coal include lignite, sub bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. The lowest rank of the coal i s lignite and has a heating value of 4,000 to 8,300 British thermal units (Btu) per pound. This type is the softest with high moisture content, least amount of carbon a nd is mainly used to produce electricity. The second least of the four types is sub-bituminous coal with a heating value of 8,300 to 13,000 Btu per pound and contains 35 to 45 percent carbon. After addition of more heat and pressure on lignite, bituminous coal is formed which is made of many tiny layers. It contains 11,000 to 15,500 Btu per pound heating value and is an important fuel for the steel and iron industries. Of the commonly minable coals, anthracite is the hardest and has a heating value of 15,000 Btu per p ound containing 86 to 97 percent carbon (Coal at a Glance, 2009). Coal is a non-renewable source of energy because it takes million of years to form. It has become a powerhouse by the 1800’s in America in which the people used coal to manufacture goods and to power steamships and railroad engines . It was noted that after the American Civil war, coal was used to make iron and steel and by the end of 1800’s, people used coal to make electricity. In the 1900’s, coal is the mainstay for the nation’s business and industries. Coal stayed America’s number one energy source until petroleum was used for petroleum products that became a demand. In 2009, 93.6 percent of all the coal in the United States was used for electricity production. Coal generates almost half of the electricity used in the U.S (Coal at a Glance, 2009). Based from Gree n World Investor (2011), coal has numerous uses primarily as a source of fuel and as a rich carbon source. It also plays an important role in cement and steel industries and coal is the largest source of electricity production. Coal is mainly used as fuel to generate electricity t hrough combustion. In steel production, coal together with iron, are the two raw materials used to produce steel in which the former is used as a fuel to smelt the iron in furnace until the cast iron is further refined. Similar with electricity and cement production, coal is also being used as a fuel in cement industry. Furthermore, paper a nd aluminum industry also uses coal as a fuel since coal is cheap and very available for these types of industries that are huge consumers of energy fuel. According to World Coal Association (2012), â€Å"the biggest market for coal is Asia, which currently accounts for over 65% of global coal consumption; although China is responsible for a significant proportion of this. Many countries do not have n atural energy resources sufficient to cover their energy needs, and therefore need to import energy to help meet their requirements. Japan, Chinese Taipei and Korea, for example, import significant quantities of steam coal for electricity generation and co king coal for steel production†. They also added that coal users further include alumina refineries and chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Chemical products can be produced from the by-products of coal. Refined coal tar is used in the manufacture of c hemicals, such as creosote oil, naphthalene, phenol, and benzene. Despite the myriad benefits coal has to offer, t here is always a disadvantage of using it. According to Fossil Fuel Resources (2012), coal burning causes the emission of harmful waste such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphuric acids, arsenic and ash. Furthermore, coal emits twice as much carbon dioxide compared to natural gas in producing the same level of heat which increases the level of emission of greenhouses ga ses into the earth’s atmosphere. As well as large factories and power industry that burn coal causes acid rain in some areas. Moreover, coal mining damages t he landscape a nd the environment as a whole plus t he large and noisy equipment used for mining may a ffect local wildlife. Transportation of coal can also be a problem since it requires extensive transportation system and causes additional pollution from vehicle emissions. Another huge disadvantage is that the coal is a non-renewable energy source and thi s millennium, coal can be depleted if burning of coal is continued in the future. Likewise, in coal mining industry, health difficulties of miners occur and fatalities due to dangerous nature of work increase. This paper would be tackling about the Health Hazard that is imposed otherwise could be caused by coal and coal mi ning. However, it is important to understand the impact of this activity to economy and environment, which could help in knowing the impact to health t hus socioeconomic and environmental effects of coal mining are at the same time discussed. Developing co untries seek to exploit mineral resources to provide needed revenue thus, mineral wealth is a part of some nation’s natural capital (Davis and Tilton, 2003). However, Sideri and Johns (1990) stated that mineral development does not always boost a country’s economic growth and in some cases contribute to increased poverty. Some of the contributing factors for this misfortune were low level of employment, institutional corruption and mismanagement (Sideri and Johns, 1990). Coal industry development may result in national economic growth however, the benefits are not equally shared, causing local communities nearest to the mining site suffer the most. Miranda et. al (1998) added that mining as a general triggers negative impacts such as alcoholism, prostitution a nd sexually transmitted disease. According to Dr. Michael Hendryx (2009), â€Å"Areas with especially heavy mining have the highest unemployment rates in the region contrary to the common perception that mining contributes to overall employment†. S ynapse Energy Economics (2009) added, referring to Appalachia where mountaintop removal for coal mining is being done, â€Å"History shows that the transition from deep to surface mining devastated the region economically, and that the prosperity of mining companies has not gone hand in hand with the economi c welfare of coal mine workers. Appalachia has suffered from current and persistent economic di stress, and that this distress has been associated with employment in the mining industry, particularly coal mining.† Mountaintop removal coal mining remove the miner from the process, replacing manpower with machinery, and lowering the coal companies’ overhead cost (Appalachian Voices, 2012). From the article â€Å"Mortality in Appalachian Coal Mining Regions: The Value of Statistical Life Lost† authored by Michael Hendryx and Melissa M. Ahern (2009), it was stated that the Appalachian region of the United States has long been associated with severe socioeconomic disadvantages. These results to a poor public health comprising elevated morbidity and mortality rates for a variety of serious, chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. Furthermore, recent studies have confirmed that health discrepancies exist in coal mining regions of Appalachia compared with other areas of the region or the nation . These discrepancies include elevated mortality rates for total causes, lung cancer, and some chronic illnesses. It was noted that t hese studies showed that mortality is related to higher poverty, lower educati on levels, and smoking behavior, and further s uggested that environmental pollution from the mining industry is a contributing factor. In the study of Paul Younger (2004) , â€Å"Environmental impacts of coal mining and associated wastes: a geochemical perspec tive†, it was stated that in the early years of coal mining, impact on the environment adversely affect long -established agricultural interests. The negative impacts of coal mining came to be accepted as a by-product of the generation of coal-based wealth d uring the time when coal trade dominate regional economies in mining districts. These negative impacts became unacceptable when large-scale mining began and took place in major coal-mining economies. It was further stated in the study that t he environmental impacts of coal mining are results of the exposure of reduced earth materials that involves coal and others, to the oxidizing power of the Earth’s atmosphere. The study recognize subcategories of impacts under five major headings consisting of air pollu tion, fire hazards, ground deformation, water pollution and water resource depletion. Production of large quantities of waste is one major environmental issue that can be caused by coal mining. The impacts are more widespread in open-casts compared to underground mining, which produces less waste. Severe impacts could cause degradation of aquatic and marine resources and causes water quality reduction. According to Johnson (1997), erosion after heavy rainfall pushes waste rock piles and runoffs to nearby waste bodies and sometimes, this lead to disruption, diversion, and changing of slope and bank stability of stream channel and t hese disturbances significantly reduces the water quality. Ripley (1996) added that higher sediment concentrations increase the t urbidity of natural waters which lowers the available light to aquatic plant for photosynthesis. Elimination of important food source and decreased available habitat for fish to migrate and spawn usually happens if there is increased sediment loads that s uffocate organisms in marine organisms (Johnson, 1997). Fur thermore, higher sediments decrease the depth of water bodies which could contribute to flood (Mason, 1997). Deforestation is also a major indirect environmental impact of coal mining especially i n opencast or surface mining. Biodiversity is greatly affected , more importantly the removal of vegetation that alters the shelter and the availability of food for the wildlife. Coal mining also poses an environmental alarm in wetlands such as estuaries, mangroves and floodplains that actually served as natural filters of pollution as well as provide habitat for aquatic organisms. These areas are destroyed through direct habitat elimination or pollution from washable coals that were washed to produc e a clean pure coal (H.A. Mooney et al, 1995). Mining activities in general has many environmental impacts but at the same time, poses a significant risk to human health. The health cost of mining operations most of the time outweighs the advantages gaine d ( Yeboah, J.Y, 2008). Possible hazard including diseases or illnesses acquired from coal mining is discussed below as summary of various studies and articles about health risks caused by exposure to coal and coal mining. The association of pneumoconiosi s and other respiratory health risks with exposure to respirable mixed dust was identified in the study of Love R.G, Miller B.G., 6 The Hazards of Coal and Coal Mining to Human Health et. al. (1997), entitled â€Å"Respiratory health effects of opencast coalmining: a cross sectional study of current workers† conducted in United Kingdom opencast coal mines. The study carried out 1,224 men and 25 women at nine large and medium sized opencast sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Full sized chest radiographs, respiratory symptoms, occupational history questionnaires, and simple spirometry were used in the study to characterize the respiratory health of the workforce. In addition, logistic or multiple regression techniques were utilized to examine relations between indices of exposure and respiratory health. The study c oncluded that the frequency of (mostly mild) chest radiographic abnormalities is associated with working in the dustier, preproduction jobs in the coal mining industry. Although some of these mild abnormalities may be non -occupational (due to aging or smok ing), the association with exposure indicates a small risk of pneumoconiosis in these men, and the need to monitor and control exposures, particularly in the high-risk occupations. This study of respiratory health effects of opencast coal mining seems unalarming and maybe controlled since it was indicated that there is a small risk of pneumoconiosis among miners, however, coal mining effects to humans are not just limited to respiratory health. Furthermore, there are various studies that could prove that co al mining or coal combustion is a great contributing factor of respiratory illnesses most especially black lung disease. The negative impact of coal mining pollution to public health is analyzed in a study in West Virginia. Michael Hendryx and Melissa Ahern (2008) used the data from a 2001 research survey correlated with data from West Virginia Geological and economic survey showing volume of coal production from mining. Hendryx and Ahern study was â€Å"Relations between Health Indicators and Residential Proximity to Coal Mining in West Virginia† which have examined the coal mining in West Virginia if it is related to poorer health status and incidence of chronic illness. The study used data from a survey of 16, 493 West Virginians merged with county- level coal production and other covariates in investigating the relations between health indicators and residential proximity to coal mining. The research sought to find whether the effects of coal mining may result only from socioeconomic factors such as inco me and education problems together with environmental exposure problems or it a lso a ffects the health aspect of the people. It was emphasized that quantitative research on health consequences of residential proximity to coal mining is limited to a few stud ies of respiratory illness, which was conducted in Great Britain. With t hese few studies, one showed no effect of coal mining but there are studies t hat found increased risks. These were the main reason why this study was conducted. The result of the study showed that â€Å"As coal production increased, health status worsened, and rates of cardiopulmonary disease, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney disease increased. Within larger disease categories, specific types of disease associated with coal production included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), black lung disease, and h ypertension.† The research found t hat the result of black lung disease is higher in men compared to women since this condition affects miner’s which are men. The risks for coal -associated illnesses increase with exposure to coal by-products. Toxins and impurities in coal cause kidney disease, hypertension and other cardiovascular disease. The effects also resulted from the general inflammatory or systemic consequences of inhaled particles and these effects may be multi -factorial, a result of slurry holdings that leach toxins into drinking water and air pollution effects of coal mining and washing. This study served as a screening test to examine whether co al mining poses a health risk for adults living near the mining site. The researcher recommended that confirmatory tests should be undertaken to establish mechanism of action, magnitude, and health consequences of an exposure effect. Another study of health hazard brought by coal mining is â€Å"The association between mountaintop mining and birth defects among live births in ce ntral Appalachia, 1996–2003†, a research study authored by Melissa Ahern et. al.(2011). This study examined birth defects in mountaintop coal mining areas compared to other coal mining areas and in non-mining areas of central A ppalachia. The researchers aimed to know if higher birth-defect rates are present in mountaintop mining areas . Moreover, this study analyzed 1996-2003 live births i n four Central Appalachian states using natality files from National Center for Health Statistics. It was stated from the study that â€Å"The prevalence rate ratio (PRR) for any birth defect was significantly higher in mountaintop m ining areas compared to n on-mining areas, but was not higher in the non m ountaintop mining areas, after controlling for covariates. Rates were significantly higher in m ountain top m ining areas for six of seventy types of defects: circulatory/ respiratory, central nervous system, m usculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and ‘other’.† It was found out that mountaintop- mining effects became more pronounced in the latter years (2000–2003) versus earlier years (1996–1999.). Furthermore, it was mentioned that the elevated birth defect rates are partly a function of socioeconomic disadvantage, but remain elevated after controlling for those risks. They also added that both socioeconomic and e nvironmenta l inf luences in mountaintop mining areas maybe contributing factors. In a researc h article authored by Hans L. Falk and William Jurgelski, Jr., â€Å"Health Effects of Coal Mining and Combustion: Carcinogens and Cofactors†, carcinogens and cofactors that may be present in coal is being tackled. As an epidemiologic evidence of carcinogenic risks in coal mining and combustion, it was mentioned that several epidemiological studies imply that the incidence of gastric carcinoma in coal miners is elevated above that of comparable segments of the general population not engaged in mining of coal. On t he other hand, the article noted that death rate of coal miners from lung cancer is appreciably lower than the rate for non-miners of comparable age. It was explained that the data obtained from various studies about lower rate of lung cancer among coal miners strongly suggest that an unknown factor probably coal dust, exerts a protective effect from acquiring cancer. It was further noted that even though the coal dust is beneficial with regard to lung cancer, it is the causative factor of black lung disease. Therefore, while lung cancer rates might not increase as a result of an expansion of coal production, black lung and other respiratory diseases would probably become more prevalent. Health effect of exposure to respirable coal mine dust according to Center for Disease and Control Prevention includes Black Lung Disease or Coal Worker’s Pneumocosis (CWP), silicosis, mixed -dust pneumoconiosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). CWP was defined as a chronic dust disease of the lung and its sequelae, including respiratory and pulmonary impairments, arising out of coal mine employment. It was moreover defined as parenchymal lung disease produced by deposits of coal dust in the lung and the response of the host to the retained dust. The primary lesion of CWP is like that of silicosis however, the amount and nature of dust and quantity and disposition of fibrous tissue and the presence of emphysema differs. Coal macules are rounded, irregular and ranges from 1 to 5 millimeters, lesions are distributed symmetrically found in both lungs with a greater concentration in the upper lobes (Attfield and Wagner, 1992). The proportion of dust, cellular material, or collagen varies depending on the rank of coal dust inhaled (Cotes and Steel, 1987). Silicosis develops when respirable silica inhaled is deposited in the lungs and varies from chronic, complicated, accelerated, or acute. Third is mixed -dust pneumoconiosis, which describes pulmonary lesions where crystalline silica is deposited combined with less fibrogenic dusts as iron oxides, kaolin, mica and coal (Silicosis and Silicate Disease Comittee, 1988). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to three disease processes which involve chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma which are all characterized by airway dysfunction (Barnhart, 1994). COPD is mainly caused by cigarette smoking nevertheless, it could also be caused by air pollution and exposure to dust. Chronic bronchitis is associated with airflow obstruction and abnormalities in gas exchange (Barnhart, 1994). Coal dust and its sequelae are not the only health hazards of coal mining. Common occupational hazards brought by mining are also applied in mining coal. According to Institute for Occupational and Safety Development (2006), â€Å"M ining poses tremendous risks to life and limb, not only to miners but to community as well †. Hazardous mining operations caused both directly and indirectly countless accident. Hazards presented by mining to workers include intense exposure to heat, poor ventilation, fumes, repetitive stress injury, intense noise, manual handling of heavy machinery aside from biological and chemical hazard. Miner’s tend to have fluid and salt deficiency due to constant sweating since hydration is very limited combined with inte nse heat especially in underground mining sites. Furthermore, miners could have increased heart stress, heat stroke, and fertility reduction due to high temperature. Poor ventilation on the other hand, steals the oxygen from the body which results to brain malfunction and this can lead to death. Vibration from handling or operating large machines could result to permanent bone damage and vibration syndrome or dead finger syndrome that could proceed to hand and finger gangrene. The constant shaking could als o progressed to digestive problems because of constant moving of internal organs. Hearing impairment or disruption of body functions such as blood circulation and hormone imbalance could be a result of noise and hazardous sound that comes from drilling, blasting among others. Manual lifting of materials can cause back troubles leading to acute pain. Based from the government statistics, a ccidents in the industry of mining was used to be 0.1% in the year 2000 of the total occupational accidents however in 2 002 it increased to 1.7% of the total accidents which is in fact only 0.3% of the total labor force was into mining and this poses a very dangerous trend for mining ( IODC, 2006). Hazards mentioned above are, of course, i nevitable due to the nature of the activity itself. Yet, there are still other ways for them, in a way, to minimize the occurrence of these while working. In line with this is the importance of risk management. To be aware of the Risk Management is very important most espe cially when involving to activities that could pose risk not only to one ’s heal th but also to emotional, psychosocial, economical and e nvironmental aspect of an individual. Risk management is mainly the identification, assessment and prioritizations of threats brought about the actions going through or have gone through already. Through this method, t he pros and cons o f the action to be considered could be weighed. In t his discussion paper, certain risks that should have been given much attention b y the implementers of coal mining are tackled. From the hazards mentioned above, risk management that could minimize the impact includes the following assessment. There should have been even just an exhaust fan or some opening that some air could enter for them to be able to breathe as normally as possible. Also, to be able to minimize cases of deafness, miners are advised to wear ear plugs when heavy equipment is be i ng operated. Through this, noise could be minimized. It will also be advisable for the miners to have a sufficient supply of water with them as they progress with their work. Proper hydration is very much essential for them because there is poor ventilation inside the mine. The beverage they have with them should contain electrolytes for them to minimize incidence of fluid and salt deficiencies. An excerpt taken from t he article of Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Development s tates that, â€Å"Mines exposes workers to different types of airborne particulates, making them vulnerable to systemic toxic effects due to the absorption of coal dus t. Coupled with poor ventilation, this can trigger accidents and cause death to workers. RSI being a soft -issue disorder is caused by overloading of particular muscle group from repetitive use or maintenance of constrained postures. Miners who suffer from RSI complain of weakness of the affected muscles, heaviness, pins and needles sensation and numbness.† In this hazard, miners are expected to have protective masks that cou ld keep them from inhaling coal dust. Without the masks, this makes them very much vulnerable, primarily, to respiratory diseases and to other health -related illnesses. Presence of openings within the mines should also be considered for them to be able to breathe normally as possible. According to an article posted on www.greatmining.com, â€Å"Coal dust settles like pollen over the surrounding areas.† As what we ha ve discussed o n our Environmental Health class this s ummer, coal dust measures above 100 µm. Thus, it could only irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat but not going further . Yet, considering that there is an occurence of anthracosis, which is detect ed primarily in the lungs. There is a contradiction between this standard measurement and association and the chemical effect of the inhalation of coal dust. According to a study conducted by Sapko,M. J, et. al, â€Å"Particle size can vary both within and between mines, since size is dependent on several factors such as mine type (i.e., longwall or continuous miner, along with cutting speed and depth) and coal seam type. In addition to total incombustible content and methane concentration, the coal dust particle size should be considered as an essential part of the explosibility assessment strategy in underground coal mines.â€Å" Coal mining creates several billion gallons of coal slurry, which contains extremely high levels of mercury, cadmium, and nickel. Although lauded by mining companies that this is a safer, more efficient way to produce coal, this type of strip mining has evoked strong protests from environmentalists and people who reside near coal mining areas. Coal mining work can be extremely dangerous, a s the numerous occupational hazards can cause critical injuries or even death. Since coal is also a necessity in our day to day lives, there is no way to be able to totally terminate or stop the operations of coal mining. All we could do is to minimize the risks that could threaten us if we are to put up or be involved in coal mining. References: Ahern M . e t. al. (2011) . The association between mountaintop mining and birth defects among live births in ce ntral Appalachia, 1996–2003. E nvironmental Research ; Volume 111, Issue 6, Pp 838–846 Attfield MD, Wagner GR [1992]. A report on a workshop on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health B Reader certification program. J Occup Med 34:875Colina N P (2006). Briefing on Mining in the Philippines and the effects on Occupational Health and Safety of Mine Workers Conference on Coal Mining . IOHSAD ; Renmin University, Beijing, PROC Disadvantages of Coal Energy- Biggest Contributor to Global Warming is Co al’s Biggest Drawback (2011). G reen World Investor . Retrived from http://www.greenworldinvestor.com/2011/04/09/disadvantages-of -coal -energybiggest-contributor-to -global -warming-is-coals-biggest-drawback/ Economic Impacts of Mountaintop Removal (2012). Appalachian Voices. Retrieved from http://appvoices.org/end- mountaintop -removal/economy/ Falk H L J urgelski W,Jr (1979) . Health effects of coal mining and combustion: carcinogens and cofactors.Environ Health Perspect; 33: 203–226. Hamburger T (2010). Pressure builds against mountaintop coal mining. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/08/nation/la na-coal8 2010jan08 Hendryx M . A hern M. (2008). Relations between Health Indicators and Residential Proximity to Coal Mining in West Vi rginia. Public Health 12 The Hazards of Coal and Coal Mining to Human Health Hendryx, M Ahern M. (2009) . Mortality in Appalachian Coal Mining Regions: The Value of Statistical Life Lost. Association of Schools of Public Health Public Health Reports Volume 124. Johnson, S.W. et al. (1997), â€Å"Effects of Submarine Mine Tailings Disposal on Juvenile Yellowfin Sole (Pleuronectes asper): A Laboratory Study,† Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol. 36 Love R.G, Miller B .G., et . al. (1997). Respiratory Health Effects Of Opencast Coalmining: A Cross Sectional Study Of Current Workers†. Occupational Environmental Medicine.:54(9): 696. Mason, R.P. (1997), â€Å"Mining Waste Impacts on Stream Ecology,† In C.D. Da Rosa (ed), Golden Dreams, Poisoned Streams, How Reckless Mining Pollutes America’s Waters and How We Can Stop It .Washington, DC: Mineral Policy Center. Miranda, M. A. Blanco-Uribe Q., L. Hernà ¡ndez, J. Ochoa G., E. Yerena (1998), All That Glitters is Not Gold: Balancing Conservation and Development in Venezuela’s Frontier Forests, World Resources Institute: Washington, DC. Ripley, E.A. et al. (1996), Environmental Effects of Mining. Delray Beach, Florida: S t. Lucie Press. Roenker J.M. (2001). The Economic Impact of Coal in Appalachian Kentucky. Center for Business and Economic Research. Sapire R. (2012).Engulfed in a Toxic Cloud: The Effects of Coal Mining On Human Health. Harvard College Global Health Review. Retrieved from http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/hghr/2012/02/01/engulfed -in-a- toxic-cloud- the -effectsof-coal- mining-on- human- health/ Sideri, S. and S. Johns (eds) (1990), Mining for Development in the Third World: Multinational Corporations, State Enterprises and the International Economy. New York: Pergamon Press. The Disadvantages of Coal (2012). Fossil Fuel Resources. Retrieved from http://fossilfuel.co.uk/coal/the-disadvantages-of -coal Uses of Coal (2012) . World Coal Association. Retrieved from http://www.worldcoal.org/coal/uses -of-coal/ Yeboah J.Y (2008). E nvironmental And Health Impact Of Mining On Surrounding Communities: A Case Study of Anglogold Ashanti In Obuasi. Kwame Nkrumah 13 The Hazards of Coal and Coal Mining to Human Health University Of Science And Technology : Department Of Geography And Rural Development . Younger P L (2004). Environmental impacts of coal mining and associated wastes: a geochemical perspective . The Geological Society of London

E.B. Whites Once More to the Lake Essay -- E.B. White Once More Lake

E.B. White's Once More to the Lake "Once More to the Lake", by E.B. White was an essay in which a father struggles to find himself. The essay is about a little boy and his father. They go to a lake where the father had been in his childhood years. The father looks back at those years and tries to relive the moments through his son's eyes. He knows he can't, and has difficulty dealing with the fact that he can't go back in time. E.B. White's way of letting the reader know that the father is in a way depressed, is through great detail and description. The story mentions how the lake has changes since the father had seen it last. How the once gravel roads have been paved over, and the sail boats are now replaced with boats with outboard motors. As the reader, one can sense a...

The Box Tree Case

Strike always results to the loss of trust between the employer and striking workers. In the case of the Box Tree Restaurant, the workers went on strike after losing their trust on their former employer, Augustin Paege, who denied them of their commissions because he wanted to reduce his payroll expenses by $100,000. After the strike, these workers could be expected to hold back as far as trusting their employer is concerned. On the other hand, after what Baruch and her replacement employees went through at the hands of the striking workers, they are not expected either to easily trust the returning workers.The most critical job for Gila Baruch, therefore, if she wants to â€Å"restore the once sterling reputation† of Box Tree, is to rebuild trust among all parties concerned. (Corsun, Young, & Shinnar, n. d. ) The situation, however, is not hopeless. Rebuilding trust is still possible. But they should do several things urgently. First, everybody should resort to â€Å"self-ac ceptance. † This means that they should learn to accept who they are and be secured in their identity so that they could develop trust in others. (Messina, n. d.) For instance, Baruch should accept the fact that if not for the strike she would not end up owning a promising business. The replacement workers are on the same boat as Baruch. They have the strikers to thank for their jobs. If not for the strike, there would not have been any vacancy in the restaurant for them to fill. In addition, they should not forget that they, too, are workingmen like the strikers and as such, want to be fairly compensated for their time and effort – exactly what the strikers wanted in the first place.Finally, the returning strikers should be aware that they are also indebted to Baruch and the replacement workers who made it possible for the Box Tree to stay in operation in spite of the work stoppage that they tried to instigate. Without them, the restaurant would have collapsed, they wo uld have completely lost their jobs, and then their strike would have been an exercise in futility. Once they accept who they are and what the strike has done for their benefits, they should be able to trust each other because their livelihood, in fact, clearly depends on one another.Another way by which trust could be rebuilt is for everybody to work hard for the establishment of â€Å"a healing environment. † This means that Baruch, the replacement workers, and the returning strikers should adopt a â€Å"healing mode† which will enable everybody to employ â€Å"forgiveness, understanding, and healthy communication to resolve problems and issues. † Once they are in this mode, they would be able to forget the insults and the animosities during the strike and heal the wounds they created, thereby allowing for an atmosphere conducive for the rebuilding of trust.(Messina, n. d. ) They, particularly the replacement workers and the returning strikers, should also str ive for a â€Å"reduction of a sense of competition. † In other words, they should do away with their jealousies and stop being defensive with one another. Instead, everybody should start cooperating for the common good. (Messina, n. d. ) The replacement workers, specifically, should not make a big thing out of the seniority status afforded the returning strikers and instead accept the fact that they joined the company at a much later time.The affected parties should likewise â€Å"let go of their fear. † Fear is such a restricting feeling which impedes people from behaving normally and objectively towards one another. A person who fears another for any reason could never trust that person. (Messina, n. d. ) The replacement workers, for instance, should not feel threatened by the return of the strikers. They should find security in Baruch’s desire â€Å"to reward [their] hard work and loyalty† during the strike. (Corsun, Young, & Shinnar, n. d.) The retur ning workers, on the other hand, should not be afraid that Baruch will be treating them with suspicion because of what they did. They should instead show Baruch that they mean no harm for her and the restaurant and that their only reason for returning to their jobs was to resume working and continue earning for their families. Reference Corsun, D. L. , Young, C. A. & Shinnar, R. S. (n. d. ). The Box Tree. Order #32096240 attachment. Messina, J. J. (n. d. ). Building Trust. Retrieved October 10, 2007 from http://www. coping. org/growth/trust. htm

Endorsement of the Reproductive Health Bill as a Law Essay

The â€Å"The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011† or simply the RH bill, has been a very controversial topic for the past decade. Not a few disagreements came between MalacaÅ„ang and the Catholic Church. The later making every step of the acts approval a hard one. Whose side should we support? There are several points in the Reproductive Health Bill that should be reconsidered. The third guiding principle which states that ‘since human resource is among the principal asset of the country, maternal health, safe delivery of healthy children and their full human development and responsible parenting must be ensured through effective reproductive health care’, is being challenged by the bill’s Section 11 ‘Procurement and Distribution of Family Planning Supplies’. The phrase full human development will be put in jeopardy because some of the items that will be distributed are not good for the development of the first stages of life. One of its functions is killing the fertilized egg – a stage where life started – which is no difference to aborting an infant, or killing an adult. In addition, the fifth guiding principle states that the State shall promote, without bias, all effective natural and modern methods of family planning that are medically safe and legal – the supplies would all be legal, safe for the mothers but definitely dangerous for their babies. Another hole to this Section (11) is the funds to be used. Instead of using the nation’s money on items for killing the beginning of infants the government could use it on more reasonable projects – project that might help the poor, develop the services offered, or stop corruption perhaps. The amended last phrase of Section16 ‘Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education’ states that Age-appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall be integrated in all relevant subjects – but the section says that this kind of education is mandatory, once again violating its own principle for freedom of choice. The Section 20 ‘Ideal Family Size’ opposes the first guiding principle of the act. Section 3 no. 11 talks about freedom of choice, a matter not considered in the making of the 20th section. On the other hand, there are also good points to consider in the act. Sections 5 and 6 promote the protection of the health & lives of mothers and saving babies undergoing dangerous delivery, support and deploy more public midwives, nurses and doctors. The Bill also responds to those who want smaller families, in the form of promoting various family planning methods and at the same time it helps prevent induced abortions. It also guarantees funding for & equal access to health facilities. Section 15 ‘Mobile Health Care Service’ promotes the medical services in the mountainous areas in the country – it would be such a help to the indigenous people who cannot reach the aid of medical facilities in their town. There are pros and cons to be considered in the endorsement of the Reproductive Health Bill as a law. There may be more pros we could gain through it but there is one con that should be well thought-out first and foremost, that is the use of substances to destroy a natural process – the process of reproduction. By making this bill a legal law we are violating the law of nature, as well as the God’s. No one was given the right to kill anybody. There are many ways to avoid unwanted pregnancy without consciously or unconsciously killing a life from developing, we should implement that instead and with it all we need is discipline and responsibility to make the Philippines a better country and its people better citizens.

Free Essays on Understanding David Hayden’s Meaning Of Guns As Protection In Larry Watson’s Montana 1948

There are many guns that come in and out of David Hayden’s life in Larry Watson’s Montana 1948. As each of the guns is encountered, many meanings come to mind but of the entire meanings one is constant. The meaning of protection is always there. As he encounters each gun, David understanding of how the guns serve as a meaning for protection is reinforced. David’s images of Wes Hayden’s gun, which was acquired during an arrest of a â€Å"drunken transient†, is seen as â€Å"a small .32 automatic, Italian-made and no bigger than your palm† (17-18). David believes that compared to a â€Å"Western Colt .45† this small insignificant gun could not protect anyone (17). He compares the differing structures of the guns; the â€Å"Italian-made† is small and doesn’t feel like it would contain much fire power while the â€Å"Western Colt .45† shows strength (17). Even though Wes’s small gun â€Å"looked my like a toy†, David never attempted to play with it because it was still something that could protect his father if the moment arose (18). When Wes did carry his gun, it was in a â€Å"holster meant for a larger gun and revolver† (18). In David’s eyes, this meant that the small gun might not be able to protect the Hayden family if called upon to do so. The feeling that David has is that Wes should carry a gun like the one that his grandfather, Julian, might own in his arsenal out on the ranch. It is one of the guns in Julian’s arsenal makes it’s presence during a family trip to Minneapolis. After returning from the bar, Wes tells Gail that â€Å"Pop has pulled out that .32 revolver of his† to let â€Å"the city boy† know he is not intimidated by what he was saying (74). Julian tries to protect the boots that he loves, his life as a rancher, being an outsider in this town and being a lawman during this confrontation. David interprets the meaning of Wes’s story to be that the â€Å".32 revolver† that Julian had served as pr... Free Essays on Understanding David Hayden’s Meaning Of Guns As Protection In Larry Watson’s Montana 1948 Free Essays on Understanding David Hayden’s Meaning Of Guns As Protection In Larry Watson’s Montana 1948 There are many guns that come in and out of David Hayden’s life in Larry Watson’s Montana 1948. As each of the guns is encountered, many meanings come to mind but of the entire meanings one is constant. The meaning of protection is always there. As he encounters each gun, David understanding of how the guns serve as a meaning for protection is reinforced. David’s images of Wes Hayden’s gun, which was acquired during an arrest of a â€Å"drunken transient†, is seen as â€Å"a small .32 automatic, Italian-made and no bigger than your palm† (17-18). David believes that compared to a â€Å"Western Colt .45† this small insignificant gun could not protect anyone (17). He compares the differing structures of the guns; the â€Å"Italian-made† is small and doesn’t feel like it would contain much fire power while the â€Å"Western Colt .45† shows strength (17). Even though Wes’s small gun â€Å"looked my like a toy†, David never attempted to play with it because it was still something that could protect his father if the moment arose (18). When Wes did carry his gun, it was in a â€Å"holster meant for a larger gun and revolver† (18). In David’s eyes, this meant that the small gun might not be able to protect the Hayden family if called upon to do so. The feeling that David has is that Wes should carry a gun like the one that his grandfather, Julian, might own in his arsenal out on the ranch. It is one of the guns in Julian’s arsenal makes it’s presence during a family trip to Minneapolis. After returning from the bar, Wes tells Gail that â€Å"Pop has pulled out that .32 revolver of his† to let â€Å"the city boy† know he is not intimidated by what he was saying (74). Julian tries to protect the boots that he loves, his life as a rancher, being an outsider in this town and being a lawman during this confrontation. David interprets the meaning of Wes’s story to be that the â€Å".32 revolver† that Julian had served as pr...

Selecting the right tools to learn French

Selecting the right tools to learn French So you already asked I want to learn French, where do I start? and answered  fundamental questions on why you want to learn, and what your goal is - learning to pass test, learning to read French or learning to actually communicate in French. Now, you are ready to pick a learning method. There are so many French learning method available out there that it can be overwhelming. Here are my tips on selecting a French learning method which best suits YOUR needs and goals. Selecting the right method to learn French Its really worth spending some time researching and sorting through the ton of French material out there to find what is good for you. Look at the customer reviews, and also what experts recommend.Be smart and make sure you dont fall for paid advertising (like Google ads) or affiliate links (links to product which give  the referring site a percentage of the sale†¦ Many very popular  audio methods such as Rosetta Stone use this marketing technique†¦ It doesnt mean they are necessarily bad, but it means you cannot trust the rating they are getting because the person wrote the review to get the affiliate fee†¦).Doing your own research here is essential because at the end, you can only trust yourself!  Make sure you know what you are buying: a decent site should have samples, and plenty of VERIFIED customers reviews.Many methods offer a 100% money back guarantee or free trial - thats always a good thing.Ask and you shall receive - if the method you are interested in doesnt offer samples or free trial, contact them and ask them for some. If there is no customer support, in our days and age, its a ve ry bad sign... Look for the right method for your own needs I dont believe there is only one good method. But there is one best suited for each student. If you speak Spanish for example, the structure of French, the logic of the tenses is going to be quite easy for you. You need a method that will give you the facts, lists, but you wont need much grammatical explanations.   On the contrary, if you only speak English, chances are that you will say at one point French grammar is so difficult (and I am being extremely polite here†¦). So you need a method that truly explains grammar (both French and English, a method that doesnt assume you know what a direct object is, for example†¦) and then gives you plenty of practice. Learning with level appropriate tools Many people will tell you to read the newspapers, watch French movies, speak with your French friends. I personally disagree.   There are always exceptions of course, but in my experience (20 years teaching French to adults) for the majority of people, that is not how you should START to learn French. Its what you do when you are a confident French speaker, but not how you start.   Studying with something too difficult, speaking with people who cannot adapt their language to your present level may  destroy your emerging self confidence in French. You have to nurture this confidence, so that you can one day get over your - only natural - fear of actually speaking French with someone else. You must always feel you are progressing, not running into a wall.   Nurturing methods do exists, but finding them will require a little research and sorting from your part. For beginners/intermediate students of French, I personally recommend my own method - Moi Paris downloadable audiobooks. Otherwise, I really like what they did at Fluentz. In my opinion, whatever your level may be, learning French with audio is an absolute must.

Introduction to Organisations and Management Essay - 7

Introduction to Organisations and Management - Essay Example The labour force is the one of the most crucial resources for a business organisation and its productivity depends on the organisational culture, structure, leadership, motivation, communication etc. Therefore, management has to take these necessary factors into account for bringing enhancement in productivity level contributed by the labour force. Traditionally, the business owners used to perceive the employees’ related expenses as an added cost of the company; whereas, as per the post-modern organisational concepts, the managements have realised the employees as vital investments for a company which will have return in future. Therefore, the nature structure and process of for completing a task has changed significantly in comparison to the earlier periods (Sole and Costa, 2001, p.2-3). Dodgson, Gann and Salter have identified the two paradigm of managements based on traditional and modern concept. The following the table depict the old paradigm of the managements and the c hanged paradigm of management. Table 1: Old and New Paradigm of Management (Source: Dodgson, Gann and Salter, 2008, p.42) As per the above table, it can be observed that the organisation in the post-modern age become very flexible and growth oriented. The organisations that have successfully understood and incorporated these changes are successful in an industry in comparison to companies following old paradigm of management (Dodgson, Gann and Salter, 2008, p.42-43). This paper will attempt to discuss organisation management of the separate companies i.e. Watsons Engine Components and H & M Consulting based on two case studies. The paper will focus on comparison of the certain areas of the both companies through analyses by using models and theories. The major areas relating to organisation management of the two companies will be organisational design and structure, teams and team working, approach to leadership and management, and approach to leadership and management. 2. Organisat ional design and structure The first step in the successful managing organisation is to create a healthy and smooth management decision making process which is crucial for achieving the organisational growth. Senior and Fleming has described that â€Å"the structure of an organisation is the formal way of identifying who is taking responsibility for what; who is to execute authority over who; and who is to be answerable to whom† (Senior and Fleming, 2009, p.78). Therefore, the organisation structure mainly focuses on the process of the decision making and it involves the top managements who are responsible for taking critical management decisions. For designing a growth oriented organisation, a favourable organisation structure is mandatory and each of the top level management must identify the plays their responsibility considering prevailing scenario for achieving the best possible outcome. Mcshane and Travaglione have identified two fundamental essentials for developing or ganisational structure. These two fundamental requirements are division of labour and coordination. The division of labour is helpful in shaping the specialized skills and coordination means the relationship status among the employees and top level managements. The coordination can be achieved through â€Å"Informal communication†, â€Å"Formal hierarchy†

Critically discuss the view that capital markets created the Essay - 4

Critically discuss the view that capital markets created the conditions that led to the new economy bubble and the banking crisis - Essay Example This essay aids, to discuss the view that capital markets created the conditions that led to the â€Å"new economy† bubble and the banking crisis. Old economy firms were or are large, well established firms that operate in a form of traditional sector. Old economy firms have small investment and less involved in the current technology era (Torre & Schmukler 2007, p. 88). These old economy firms were the ones, which dominated the entire economic activities before the introduction of the dotcom epoch. The current dotcom era ushered in the economy back in the 1990s, leading to the creation of new and high-growth firms hence improving the economic status of many countries â€Å"bubble† and causing banking crisis internationally. Old economy firms usually exhibit low volatility and suffer continuous dividends as they continue to participate in mature firm sectors, which tend not to provide potential investments for companies (United Nations Conference On Trade And Development 2009, p. 90). In contrast, new economy firms operate in advance technology industry sectors and the highly competing and successful firms have the opportunity of building value at a higher growth rate. Good examples of these new economy firms include primary firms, whose operations involve commerce and technology-based services such as Intel, Google, eBay, and Cisco. These new economy firms typically operate in environments, which are extremely different from of the old economy firms and have more volatile stocks (Stiglitz & Ocampo 2008, p. 30). New economy firms do not necessarily pay dividends since they opt to reinvest their profits into new businesses or expansion. Old and new economy firms not only differ in terms of their activities, but also they differ in the way markets value them. New economy firms tend to have strong volatility valuations since their modes of