The Importance of Life - Our Town.

The Importance of Life - Our Town. There are numerous expressions that are utilized today to reference the lack of time or the significance of life. Carpe diem (hold onto the day), which is a Latin expression that has become some portion of the English language urges individuals to live for the occasion. In any case, regardless of how frequently people hear these expressions, they only here and there tune in. Humanity likes to accept that we control our destiny. We position ourselves in what we accept are the most ideal places in our lives. Time on Earth is a blessing and a vital asset that is our own to use as we see fit. The hurrying around of regular day to day existence makes us visually impaired of its actual worth. The play Our Town by Thornton Wilder makes reference to these focuses as the fundamental subject of the play. When Emily Webb asks the Stage administrator, Do any people ever acknowledge life while they live it, each, consistently (Wilder)? The play compels you to reference the entirety of the occasio ns that things were excessively occupied, and you didn't stop to appreciate the easily overlooked details in life.English: Photograph of American creator Thornton Wi...Throughout the play there are numerous instances of characters not understanding the significance of life. Our Town is a prime case of how American dramatists utilized expressionism and imagery to attempt to change individuals' view of life (Haberman 2-3). The fundamental topic of Our Town is that individuals ought to acknowledge life while they are living it. The creator permits the crowd to see that normal uneventful exercises are important.Our Town is introduced in three acts. Each demonstration sends an alternate message. Act one, Day by day Life, shows what the town resembles. This demonstration gives data from an earlier time, spreads out the town's structure, and sets up noteworthy occasions in the town. As this demonstration is played out, the...

Why does group polarisation occur Essay Example

For what reason groups polarization happen Essay Gathering polarization alludes to the propensity for gatherings to settle on progressively outrageous choices or decisions after conversation when contrasted with the underlying perspectives on bunch individuals. This marvel has intrigued analysts since 1961, when Stoner found the hazardous move, and is fundamental to understanding social impact in gatherings; thusly the significant speculations of social impact have been summoned to clarify it, so far with minimal decisive achievement. This paper will cover the beginnings of gathering polarization and instances of it in regular daily existence, and will at that point continue to talk about various speculations proposed to clarify it. It will at that point be endeavored to find out which of these best clarifies bunch polarization and why. Until the 1960s it was commonly acknowledged that a gatherings mentalities were the mean or normal of its containing people perspectives. In 1961 Stoner requested that some business understudies settle on decisions on a decision predicament poll, this was done separately and afterward in gatherings. By and large, more hazardous than normal pre-conversation, singular choices. This was known as the move to chance, and was immediately reproduced by Wallach et al. (1962). Wallach et al. evised twelve theoretical decision difficulties, and requested that members rate the most minimal degree of hazard that they discovered adequate for someone to go in an unsafe direction. They found that 92% of collective choices were less secure than the normal individual choice; and significantly, that it brought about perpetual psychological change, with 39% taking more hazardous activities after the cooperative choices (Wallach and Kogan, 1965). Early clarifications for this move were based around the possibility that gatherings have a dispersion of duty; with nobody exclusively considered capable, they can bear to face challenges. We will compose a custom paper test on Why groups polarization happen explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on Why groups polarization happen explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Why groups polarization happen explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer Nonetheless, the move to chance was before long seen as a move to furthest point, with a few trials finding that gatherings are not constantly hazardous. Stoner (1968) discovered dependable movements to alert on issues of prosperity and wellbeing; e. g. detainee to endeavor escape, if the detainee gets away from he lives, however in the event that not he will kick the bucket. It was inferred that gatherings spellbind, they move to furthest points, the more outrageous a gathering is in any case, the more extraordinary it appears to become (Brown, 2000, p. 199). This was a significant revelation which tested the exemplary similarity hypothesis tests which normally demonstrated union on the gathering standards. Sherifs 1935 auto motor examination demonstrated gatherings merging on a scope of decisions near the mean or middle of primer individual decisions. Aschs line tests created comparable outcomes (1952, 1955 1956). The unsafe move tests show synchronous union and move to a progressively outrageous gathering standard be it negative or positive. Polarization doesnt simply happen in hypothetical decision problems, it is a general wonder that might be seen in regular daily existence. Kalven and Ziesel (1966) examined jury choices in America and found that the underlying larger part were prescient of 90% of choices. Blacovich et al. (1975) found that gatherings wager more than people in Blackjack; while McCauley et al. seen bunches as more careful than people while wagering on ponies. Moscovici and Zavalloni (1969) asked French understudies their mentalities towards President de Gaulle and the USA, the understudies at that point framed gatherings and gave bunch disposition reactions. These gathering reactions were more extraordinary than their individual reactions with de Gaulle being seen more emphatically and the USA more contrarily than already. In any case, practically all the investigations led into bunch polarization have been inside research centers utilizing specially appointed gatherings and with no sensible result for the members. Consequently it could be contended that these outcomes can't be summed up Of the analyses that have been led with genuine test gatherings, the outcomes have been less dependable (e. g. Semin and Glendon, 1973) however it is a marvel that is happening routinely. The main hypothesis that attempted to represent bunch polarization was by Wallach and Kogan (1965); in light of dissemination of obligation, they had that conversation decreased any tension felt about the negative results of settling on a decision, on the grounds that the duty is shared. This didnt disclose why movements to alert or moves on choices which brought about no outcomes happened. The cooperative choice plans hypothesis (Davis, 1979), was one of the principal powerful speculations in the field; Davis held that gatherings have verifiable guidelines for joining singular situations on choices; the most widely recognized standard being larger part rule. This implies the cooperative choice will be progressively extraordinary or slanted at whatever point the larger part is one-sided towards a specific outrageous. There were numerous reactions leveled at the hypothesis which didnt satisfactorily resolve why polarization really happened. It was dismissed, as skewness doesn't represent moves in dyads where no dominant part can exist; it doesnt clarify why there are moves in the gathering middle just as the mean and the move may likewise opposes the underlying lion's share. Additionally it didnt legitimize why the gathering shift was disguised and even influenced non-taking an interest eyewitnesses (Lamm, 1967). Ultimately, as Graesser (1975) brings up, the hypothesis isn't falsifiable in light of the fact that cooperative choice plans hypothesis depends on vast maths estimations and along these lines it is constantly conceivable to guarantee that the right plan presently can't seem to be found. Various different hypotheses were proposed, including acquaintance hypothesis (Bateson, 1965) and different initiative speculations, none end up being watertight and were excused. Just two hypotheses have endure and both have would in general adjust one of the two double procedures perceived by the social reliance worldview: standardizing and enlightening impact. First we will think about regulating impact and social correlation hypothesis; an expansion of Festingers (1954) social examination hypothesis, Sanders and Baron (1977) have adjusted it to clarify polarization. Regularizing impact is being preferred; satisfying and fitting in with the gatherings desires in order to support positive inclination about oneself. Sanders and Baron attempted to demonstrate that individuals frequently esteem more outrageous qualities than they really hold; anyway they are commonly terrified of being excessively fanatic. Anyway when in a gathering it is really discovered that they hold just moderate perspectives, thus move them further in the gathering course to be seen all the more emphatically. The key factor in this social correlation clarification is people groups information on other gathering individuals positions comparative with the predominant social qualities being referred to (Brown, 2000, p. 202). Subsequently, as Teger and Pruitt (1967) discovered, there is no requirement for any conversation, insofar as gathering individuals positions can be construed, their will be no requirement for a verbal trading of perspectives. As the qualities become progressively unequivocal so individuals spellbind all the more incredibly; Baron and Roper (1976) adjusted Sherifs (1936) auto active impact worldview by adequately educating members that light separation was related with high insight. This unavoidably prompted members assessing higher separations relying on the case made by the member previously. Anyway Burnstein and Vinokur (1977) guarantee that by partner light development with insight, they have furnished the members with an enticing contention to gauge bigger separations (Burnstein and Vinokur, 1977, p. 27). Burnstein and Vinokur have taken an absolutely contradicting position towards fathoming the polarization marvel. They hold that it is an aftereffect of enlightening impact, of powerful contentions which cause individuals to acknowledge data as reality. Vinokur and Burnsteins convincing contentions hypothesis (1974) holds that a socially given pool of contentions exist for and against the choice being referred to, which members can dig into and trade during conversation. For a move to happen it relies on the convincingness of the new contentions produced in conversations. Be that as it may, accessibility, course and influence of these contentions differ, which may take into account tests whereabouts the contentions don't bring about gathering polarization. A powerful contention is characterized as an announcement decided to have a specific cogency (Burnstein and Vinokur, 1977, p. 326), however the contentions effect must be successful inside certain social settings; for else it wouldnt be conceivable to decide its effect. Sanders and Baron have yielded that an enticing contention additionally affects bunch polarization, and that the two speculations work related to each other. This was dismissed in light of the fact that it was too convoluted and that influential contentions can clarify polarization and union. There is a tremendous abundance of proof loaning belief to the powerful contentions hypothesis; including polarization when presented to contentions without introduction to others positions and polarization when simply pondering an issue. Burnstein and Vinokur found that (I) in the event that an individual could contend however not analyze, at that point polarization happened (1973), (ii) on the off chance that he could look at yet not contend, polarization disappears or is significantly decreased (1973, 1975). Burnstein et al. yielded that social correlation may assume a circuitous job in impacting polarization as data about others may manage the individual in producing contentions (Burnstein and Vinokur, 1977, p. 318). Myers and Lamm additionally can't help contradicting the enticing contentions hypothesis, they reasoned that (in spite of the fact that) the proof for (instructive speculations, for example, persuasi

Government expansion for international student visas

Government expansion for international student visas Government expansion for international student visas The end of 2017 saw the dramatic expansion of a government pilot programme to streamline the process of obtaining Tier 4 (student) visas for applicants outside the EU, and make it easier for these international students to switch between visa streams and obtain employment post-graduation. Does this represent a sea-change in the government’s approach to international students? We investigate. What’s so special about these institutions? While the rationale behind the number of institutions chosen to participate is unclear, the government claims that each of the universities that belong to the scheme have qualified due to low international student visa refusal rates relative to their geographical area. According to a Home Office statement, choosing these institutions in particular reflects a commitment to admitting “genuine students” on Tier 4 visas â€" a choice of language that is indicative of a long-held suspicion in the current administration that non-EU nationals have abused the Tier 4 visa scheme to gain access to the UK â€" and British jobs â€" under false pretences. Abuse of the Tier 4 visa process The present government has repeatedly claimed the process is abused, though evidence to support this claim is thin on the ground. For some time, the Home Office has clung to an estimate of around 100,000 international students per year who it claimed were overstaying their visas and disappearing into illegal work in the UK. Campaigners have consistently maintained that this estimate was implausibly high, but the government has nevertheless referred to it regularly, and it formed part of the basis for its insistence on counting international students â€" most of whom come to the UK temporarily, leave when their visas expire, and make a high net contribution to the economy while they’re here â€" among net migration figures. The government faced considerable embarrassment in August this year when it was revealed that the 100,000 estimate was an order of magnitude too high, with the actual annual figure of visa overstayers at less than 5000 â€" a negligible figure in the context of the total number of students who are admitted to the UK each year. A tacit acknowledgement that the government has got it wrong Is the new scheme a tacit acknowledgement that the government has got it wrong on international students? Not exactly â€" and the emphasis on “genuine students” and the restriction of the scheme to universities with the highest visa compliance scores suggests they’re still sticking with the narrative that Tier 4 visas are subject to widespread abuse. But there’s no doubt that this scheme represents an overall softening of the government’s tone when it comes to international students, whose visa rights have been steadily more restricted since the automatic right to work for a period post-graduation was withdrawn in 2012. This restriction was followed by a number of additional measures designed to make student visa rules more stringent, including higher minimum savings requirements, additional rules on academic progression, and restrictions on the rights of international students’ spouses and dependants. Despite these measures, the numbers of non-EU students coming to the UK have continued to hold up rather well. The expansion of the streamlined Tier 4 scene does, however, promise a renewed recognition of the value of international students to the UK economy and the functioning of our universities, and now that the true rates of visa overstaying have been exposed we can perhaps expect more initiatives to entice international students to our shores â€" and fewer measures taken with the express purpose of limiting their numbers! You may also like... Universities’ financial prospects: should we be worried? Its high time universities move past BTEC snobbery Why is London attracting so many fresh graduates? international studentsstudent newsstudent visasuniversity applications

Vietnam Dbq - 1212 Words

The Vietnam war brought many changes to the United States in the 1960’s and the 1970’s. Some of the changes were for the better of the country, take the rediscovered Women’s Rights movements and the ever growing Free Speech movements inspired by New Left, while most of the other changes brought on tensions between government and their people. The Domino Theory pushed our leaders to the edge. In order to stop the Domino Theory in Vietnam, the U.S. invaded. The war was useless for the American government to get involved with. Even Robert Kennedy described our presence in Vietnam as ‘... sending a lion to halt an epidemic of jungle rot.’ (Doc E) From new groups forming to rebel, to inflation and loss of trust in the Government, from 1960’s to†¦show more content†¦The same year, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was announced. It was the first program for federal assistance in education. These acts would have been excellent, if i t weren’t for the inflation in 1971. Finally, Nixon froze wages, rent, and prices for three months. This simplistic act greatly heightened tensions for their time period. Social and economic tensions were not the only things strained because of the war, political activities were on the brink as well. The Domino Theory, speculation that if one country takes another to communism, the surrounding countries will fall to it as well, was one of the main reasons for starting the war. If the Domino Theory had occurred, the United States would suffer a horrible loss to foreign affairs, something they were not able to handle at that time. When the affair in the Gulf of Tonkin happened in 1964, the U.S. government jumped on the idea to stop Vietnam. In the Gulf of Tonkin, a ship, the U.S.S. Maddox, was attacked by Vietnam patrol boats. Even though the Maddox was unhurt, the LBJ jumped on the opportunity to squash the Domino Effect before it started. Soon after the attack, Lyndon B Johns on got the ‘stamp of approval’ from Congress to counter attack. He was allowed to â€Å"Take all necessary measure to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.† (Doc A) Little did they know that theirShow MoreRelatedDBQ Vietnam War APUSH892 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Throughout America’s history, few things have left the nation in such controversial turmoil as the Vietnam War. With an American death toll of almost 60,000 troops, the Vietnam War has gone down in infamy as one of the most tremendous struggles Americans have faced both overseas and on the home front. Because of the tumultuous controversies caused by the war, Americans split into two social factions – those against the war and those who supported it. During the years of 1961-1975 - the era inRead MoreVietnam War : History And History1695 Words   |  7 Pages http://www.scribd.com/doc/28238272/Vietnam-War-DBQ#scribd Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Americans became uneasy not only about the troubled position of the United States in world affairs, but also about the disorder wrought at home byforeign entanglements. Vietnam, either because of the searing war experience itself or because of the lessons Americans later drew from the experience, drastically altered society during the1960s and 1970s. The belief in the right to influence the internal affairsRead MoreAp Exam Essays1660 Words   |  7 Pagescauses and consequences of TWO of the following population movements in the United States during the period 1945–1985. †¢ Suburbanization †¢ The growth of the Sun Belt †¢ Immigration to the United States 2009 [pic]AP Exam Essays 1. DBQ: From 1775 to 1830, many African Americans gained fredom from slavery, yet during the same period the institution of slavery expanded. Explain why BOTH of these changes took place. Analyze the ways that BOTH free African Americans and enslaved AfricanRead MoreBoyer Dbq Teacher Guide10764 Words   |  44 PagesUsing the DBQ Practice Questions from The Enduring Vision, Sixth Edition A Teachers’ Guide Ray Soderholm Minnetonka High School Minnetonka, Minnesota Using the DBQ Practice Questions from The Enduring Vision, 6th Edition A Teachers’ Guide This guide is intended to suggest some possible ways that students may organize essays related to the document-based questions in the Advanced Placement version of The Enduring Vision, 6th Edition, and to provide teachers with some information on each includedRead MoreApush Dbqs Essay2248 Words   |  9 Pages2011 DBQ: (Form A) 1. Analyze the international and domestic challenges the United States faced between 1968 and 1974, and evaluate how President Richard Nixon’s administration responded to them. (Form B) 1. Explain the ways that participation in political campaigns and elections in the United States changed between 1815 and 1840, and analyze forces and events that led to these changes. 2010 DBQ: (Form A) 1. In what ways did ideas and values held by Puritans influence the politicalRead MoreWhich Ideal of the Declaration of Independence Is the Most Important?699 Words   |  3 PagesDBQ Our American government became independent from Great Britain, on July 4, 1776. There was a committee of five people who wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration has a structure of an introduction, a statement of ideals about government, a long list of grievances against the British, and a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Yet the four ideals; consent of governed, Equality, Unalienable Rights, and the right to alter or abolish, are the foundation of our governmentRead MoreResurgence of Conservatism1211 Words   |  5 PagesDBQ 15: The Resurgence of Conservatism, 1964-2005 Liberals had dominated American society for most of the 1900s. The 1960s was widely known for being the age of counterculture, social reforms, and liberals. The era witnessed many advancements like racial equality such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a strong advancement in political liberalism, and a significant increase in the power and influence of government-funded social programs as a result of Lyndon B. Johnsons Great Society reforms. BeginningRead MorePhilippine Annexation Dbq : A Primary Cause Of World War I Essay829 Words   |  4 PagesSariah Smith McMaster Gold 3 17 November 2016 Philippine Annexation DBQ Scholars typically cite imperialism as a primary cause of World War I, and though controversial, America was no stranger to the practice. In 1898, the United States won the Spanish American War, resulting in the Paris Treaty. America gained several formerly Spanish colonies from their victory, and through the Treaty of Paris, they annexed the Philippines. Filipino insurgents, who had fought for the Philippines independenceRead MoreDBQ 23 Decolonization and Revolution964 Words   |  4 Pages DBQ 23: Decolonization and Revolution From 1945 and beyond, leaders have selected different paths to affect change. Some encouraged independence through violence, peaceful actions, diplomacy, and the commitment of their struggling nation. Others sparked revolutions by appealing to the peoples’ needs. Through policy, and sometimes uniting a people, trailblazers changed the face and structure of their nation. A column from a journalist during the time period would help to see a broader perspectiveRead MoreDbq Essay Impacts Of New Imperialism3241 Words   |  13 PagesAP World History DBQ Essay Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying Documents 1-8. (The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise.) Write your answer on the lined pages provided. This question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. Write an essay that: Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents. Uses all of the documents. Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many appropriate

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse - 1082 Words

In the United States alone, nearly 18 million people have an addiction to alcohol. This drug can be a mild to chronic addiction and sometimes can turn out fatal for some people (Chakraburtty). Almost 100,000 people have died from overusing this drug (Chakraburtty). Alcoholism and alcohol abuse is not only damaging emotionally, physically, and mentally to the person who is doing it, but to the people around them as well. Both alcoholism and alcohol abuse are each categorized as different cases. Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism because people who are just alcohol abusers still have the ability to stop when they need, or to have the common sense to know when they have had too much. Alcohol abuse is still a very serious case though;†¦show more content†¦People may think that alcohol may be hard only on the liver, but when someone abuses alcohol it can affect much more. For example, alcohol has a major effect on the brain. Alcohol has been known to be a major cause of many suicides, homicides, car accidents, and other death related topics (Chakraburtty). Many people are naà ¯ve into thinking that alcohol can and is harmless, but while they are having that drink to just have a good time, they are unaware of the toll it is taking on their body. Chronic alcohol use is very hard on your health and can lead to many long lasting health problems (Chakraburtty). Alcohol is very harmful to other organs as well as the body’s tissue. According to Alcohol’s Damaging Effects on the Brain, â€Å"moderate drinking leads to short- term impairment,† but it can also lead to long term impairment as well (Parsons). The long-term impairment that can happen, especially with parents, is the huge effect on the people around the alcoholic. Parents that have a drinking problem tend to be blinded and cannot see the damage that is being done. Children who are exposed to any alcoholism may struggle in school, work, and other activities (â€Å"Teensâ₠¬ ). Parents who are abusing alcohol pay more attention to their own problems and trying to cope with them, rather than focusing on their kids and the damage that is possibly building up in that child. Often times theShow MoreRelatedAlcoholism And Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism Essay1891 Words   |  8 Pagesconsumers of alcohol do not suffer adverse consequences. Individuals with excessive drinking patterns, nevertheless, have an elevated risk for alcohol-linked problems ranging from social to health issues. Alcohol abusers are a sub-population of alcoholic or alcohol-dependent individuals. However, the terms â€Å"abuse of alcohol† and â€Å"alcohol dependence† are dissimilar (Harford Muthen, 2001). Consequently, alcohol abusers may drink excessively without being dependent. In addition, alcohol abuse includesRead MoreAlcoholism and Alcohol Abuse1492 Words   |  6 Pagesmortality rates due to alcohol-related accidents and health issues are close to 35,000† ( â€Å"Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse). This fact explains how many problems come along with alcohol abuse, and tell about health issues and accidents that could be caused by alcohol. Alcohol can be very dangerous and threaten the lives of people even if they are not the one consuming alcohol. Wrecks often happen and kill innocent people as a result of people drinking and driving. There are many alcohol related deaths inRead MoreAlcohol Abuse And Alcoholism Abuse1458 Words   |  6 PagesThe alcohol abuse definition is similar to alcoholism in that in both cases alcohol is causing harm to the drinker s life and those around them. The difference is that those who abuse alcohol, but are not yet alcoholics, typically can put some limitations on their drinking and they have not yet become physically addicted to alcohol. The key to the alcohol abuse definition is not in the amount of alcohol consumed but on how it affects an individual. Alcohol abuse is a psychiatric diagnosis in whichRe ad MoreAlcohol Alcoholism And Alcohol Abuse Essay1319 Words   |  6 PagesAlcoholism and alcohol abuse are different, although they have several connected characteristics, including genetics, how you were raised, social environment, and emotional health. Some of the following are indicators of alcohol abuse e.g., craving alcohol, having tried to quit in the past, but could not, spending longer time drinking than you expected, or continuing to drink even though it causes trouble with family or friends. 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Family doctors, pediatricians, schoolteachers, and parents know that alcohol is overwhelmingly the drug of choice among today’s youth, although trendier substances such as cocaine are often given more attention in the headlines (Carla Felsted, p. vii). Furthermore, it is widely acknowledged that drinking alcohol is a part of the youth culture in America;Read MoreAlcohol Abuse Should Not Be Confused With Alcoholism Or Alcohol Dependence950 Words   |  4 PagesAlcohol abuse should not be confused with alcoholism or alcohol dependence. It is important to note the difference between the three. It is predicted that alcohol abuse affects individual physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Although some psychological, physical and economical effects may occur with both, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (alcoholism) for the purpose of this paper the alcohol abuse is the main focus. Introduction Alcohol abuse is a serious disease that impacts individualRead More Alcohol Abuse: Alcoholism as a Disease Essay2176 Words   |  9 PagesThe problem of alcohol abuse has been recognized for thousands of years, but only more recently have we begun to see alcohol addiction as a treatable disorder. According to the Classical Disease Model of `Alcoholism, habitual use of alcohol can be identified as a disease. Websters Dictionary defines the concept of `disease as follows: Any departure from health presenting marked symptoms; malady; illness; disorder. Therefore, as many occurrences of alcohol excess provoke such symptoms, it isRead MoreAlcohol Abuse And Alcoholism Is A Big Part Of The Society Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesAlcohol has been a big part of the society. It is how people socialize whether they are a business meeting, a party, a bar, and many more places and events. They tend to consume alcohol without knowing and questioning how much they have had. A huge amount of the population have not asked themselves this question, â€Å"Do I know what a standard drink is?† According to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA) booklet Rethinking Drinking, â€Å"Many people are surprised to learn what countsRead MoreAlcoholism : A Growing Problem1468 Words   |  6 PagesAlcoholism Alcoholism is a growing problem in today s society. What is alcoholism? Is it a disease? What are the causes of it? What toll does alcohol abuse have on individuals? American society? American economy? What kind of treatments are available to reduce/cure alcoholism? What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is a physical or psychological need for an alcoholic beverage, which is taken for non-medical reasons and produces a noticeable effect on the body (Sheen 93). People develop the need for alcohol

Global And China Ethylene Carbonate Industry Free Essays

The report firstly introduced Ethylene Carbonate basic information included Ethylene Carbonate definition classification application industry chain structure industry overview; international market analysis, China domestic market analysis, Macroeconomic environment and economic situation analysis, Ethylene Carbonate industry policy and plan, Ethylene Carbonate product specification, manufacturing process, cost structure etc. Browse Complete report with TOC : http://www. qyresearchreports. We will write a custom essay sample on Global And China Ethylene Carbonate Industry or any similar topic only for you Order Now com/report/global- and-china-ethylene-carbonate-industry 2013-market- research- report. htm Then statistics Global and China key manufacturers Ethylene Carbonate capacity production cost price profit production value gross margin etc information, and Global and China Ethylene Carbonate capacity production market share supply demand shortage import export consumption etc data statistics, and Ethylene Carbonate Industry 2009-2014 capacity production price cost profit production value gross margin etc information. To Get Sample Copy of Report Visit @ http://www. qyresearchreports. com/sample/ Table of Contents Chapter One Ethylene Carbonate Industry Overview 1. 1 Ethylene Carbonate Definition 1. Ethylene Carbonate Classification and Application 1. 3 Ethylene Carbonate Industry Chain Structure 1. 4 Ethylene Carbonate Industry Overview Chapter Two Ethylene Carbonate International and China Market Analysis 2. 1 Ethylene Carbonate Industry International Market Analysis 2. 1. 1 Ethylene Carbonate International Market Development History 2. 1. 2 Ethylene Carbonate Product and Technology Developments 2. 1. 3 Ethylene Carbonate Competitive Landscape Analysis 2. 1. 4 Ethylene Carbonate International Key Countries Development Status 2. 1. 5 Ethylene Carbonate International Market Development Trend 2. Ethylene Carbonate Industry China Market Analysis 2. 2. 1 Ethylene Carbonate China Market Development History 2. 2. 2 Ethylene Carbonate Product and Technology Developments 2. 2. 3 Ethylene Carbonate Competitive Landscape Analysis 2 2 4 Ethylene Carbonate China Key Regions Carbonate China Market Development Trend lopment S 5 Ethylene 2. 3 Ethylene Carbonate International and China Market Comparison Analysis Chapter Three Ethylene Carbonate Development Environmental Analysis 3. 1 China Macroeconomic Environment Analysis 3. 1. 1 China GDP Analysts 3. 1. 2 China CPI Analysts 3. How to cite Global And China Ethylene Carbonate Industry, Papers

IQ Tests Essays - Intelligence, Psychometrics, G Factor,

IQ Tests The task of trying to quantify a person's intelligence has been a goal of psychologists since before the beginning of this century. The Binet-Simon scales were first proposed in 1905 in Paris, France and various sorts of tests have been evolving ever since. One of the important questions that always comes up regarding these tools is what are the tests really measuring? Are they measuring a person's intelligence? Their ability to perform well on standardized tests? Or just some arbitrary quantity of the person's IQ? When examining the situations around which these tests are given and the content of the tests themselves, it becomes apparent that however useful the tests may be for standardizing a group's intellectual ability, they are not a good indicator of intelligence. To issue a truly standardized test, the testing environment should be the same for everyone involved. If anything has been learned from the psychology of perception, it is clear that a person's environment has a great deal to do with their cognitive abilities. Is the light flickering? Is the paint on the walls an unsettling shade? Is the temperature too hot or too cold? Is the chair uncomfortable? Or in the worst case, do they have an illness that day? To test a person's mind, it is necessary to utilize their body in the process. If everyone's body is placed in different conditions during the testing, how is it expected to get standardized results across all the subjects? Because of this assumption that everyone will perform equally independent of their environment, intelligence test scores are skewed and cannot be viewed as standardized, and definitely not as an example of a person's intelligence. It is obvious that a person's intelligence stems from a variety of traits. A few of these that are often tested are reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spatial relations. But this is not all that goes into it. What about physical intelligence, conversational intelligence, social intelligence, survival intelligence, and the slew of others that go into everyday life? Why are these important traits not figured into intelligence tests? Granted, normal standardized tests certainly get predictable results where academics are concerned, but they should not be considered good indicators of general intelligence because of the glaring omissions they make in the testing process. To really gauge a person's intelligence, it would be necessary to put them through a rigorous set of real-life trials and document their performance. Otherwise the standardized IQ tests of today are testing an extremely limited quality of a person's character that can hardly be referred to as intelligence. For the sake of brevity, I will quickly mention a few other common criticisms of modern IQ tests. They have no way to compensate for cultural differences. People use different methods to solve problems. People's reading strategies differ. Speed is not always the best way to tackle a problem. There is often too much emphasis placed on vocabulary. Each of these points warrants individual treatment, and for more information refer to The Triarchic Mind by RJ Sternberg (Penguin Books, 1988, p18-36). It is possible to classify all the reasons that IQ tests fail at their task into two main groups. The first grouping is where the tests assume too much. Examples of this flaw are the assumption that speed is always good, vocabulary is a good indicator of intelligence, and that different test taking environments won't affect the outcome. The second grouping comes because the tests gauge the wrong items. Examples of this are different culture groups being asked to take the same tests as everyone else, and the fact that the tests ignore so many types of intelligence (like physical, social, etc). These two groupings illustrate where the major failings of popular IQ tests occur and can be used as tools for judging others. IQ tests are not good indicators for a person's overall intelligence, but as their use has shown, they are extremely helpful in making predictions about how a person will perform in an academic setting. Perhaps the problem comes in the name intelligence tests when it is obvious this is not what they really are. The modern IQ test definitely has its applications in today's society but should be be used to quantify a person's overall intelligence by any means.

Brazil Imaginative Portrait of a Futuristic Socio

Brazil Imaginative Portrait of a Futuristic Socio Brazil is one of the best works created by Terry Gilliam in 1985. This movie is one of those masterpieces, which may be comprehensible not by every viewer, but if a person gets a clear understanding of the plot, the results and impression will be amazing. Brazil is a cooperative work of Gilliam with Charles McKeown and Tom Stoppard. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Brazil: Imaginative Portrait of a Futuristic Socio-Political Structure specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These people create a cult-favorite movie about the future society tied with one of so-called red tapes and bureaucracy and about a man, who decides to fight against the existed programs and society in order to be free and be able to love. In the movie Brazil, Terry Gilliam tries to present a magnificent imaginative portrait of future society with wrong socio-political structure and the consequences, which wait for any person, who will try to break down this system and be out of it. In this movie, it is rather easy to trace the peculiar features of Kafka’s, Orwell’s, and Kubrick’s stories. Their ideas about possible future and the society that is under control of a certain group of people captivate lots of readers. People always want to know what is waiting for them in future. Those writers, who make an attempt to look a bit ahead of time, are usually criticized by lots of people. To my mind, many people prefer to criticize such attempts because of their disabilities to use their imagination and present possible development of the events by themselves. Brazil displays Gilliam’s really wild and vivid imagination and wittiness. Future socio-political system is perfect and weak at the same time. The life of each inhabitant is under control of one concrete system. When something goes wrong, the government can easily fix the mistake and not bother the rest of the population. One day, the governmental mistake leads to a death of an innocent person. When certain people, such as Sam Lowry, get to know about this mistake, they cannot believe that such mishap and the innocent death should be forgotten. Such mistakes cause lots of misunderstandings and desire to get out of this terrible system that is not already as perfect as it seemed before. Unfortunately, the ruling system is much more powerful than a single person, and Lowry’s objections do not count. In order to save the existed socio-political structure, it is necessary to liquidate anyone, who can put it in jeopardy. Cinematic imagery, presented in the movie, cannot leave any viewer indifferent to the methods used against people. Mysterious disappearance of Harry Tuttle, Sam’s presence at funerals, and all his dreams – this is what makes the movie really futuristic and unforgettable.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More People have the right to dream, and the society usually tries to deprive them from such an opportunity. Terry Gilliam creates one of the possible options of our future, where bureaucratic government and machines may control every person’s life. Is it possible to trace the trends, described in Brazil, nowadays? Of course, it is possible. Nowadays, people are so anxious about their rights and freedom, that they can hardly notice how the government tries to control their lives. In order to be hired and have an opportunity to earn enough money for living, people have to pass numerous tests. In order to leave a country for some time, it is necessary to pass numerous controls and correspond to all the requirements. In fact, there are lots of similar cases, when human destiny is in the hands of a certain system and the government. In Brazil, Terry Gilliam introduces his own vision of the futuristic socio-political structure, where everything is under control of government. Nowadays, our society is on its way to be under control of a certain system, and it is high time to decide whether we are ready to be under control or we should try to fight and protect our interests and the interests of our generations.

Definition of Diffusion in Chemistry

Definition of Diffusion in Chemistry Diffusion is the movement of a fluid from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Diffusion is a result of the kinetic properties of particles of matter. The particles will mix until they are evenly distributed. Diffusion may also be thought of as the movement of particles down a concentration gradient. The term diffusion comes from the Latin word diffundere, which means to spread out. Examples of Diffusion H2S(g) in a test tube will slowly diffuse into the air of a lab until equilibrium is reached.Food coloring in water diffuses until its evenly distributed throughout the liquid.Perfume diffuses throughout an entire room.Adding a dot of dye to gelatin is a good example. The color will slowly diffuse throughout the gel. Note, however, most of the common examples of diffusion also illustrate other mass transport processes. For example, when perfume is smelled across a room, air currents or convection are more of a factor than diffusion. Convection also plays a large role in the dispersion of food coloring in water. How Diffusion Works In diffusion, particles move down a concentration gradient. Diffusion is different from other transport processes in that it results in mixing without bulk matter flow. How it works is that molecules in motion from thermal energy randomly move about. Over time, this random walk leads to uniform distribution of different particles. In reality, atoms and molecules only appear to move randomly. Most of their motion results from collisions with other particles. Increasing temperature or pressure increases the rate of diffusion.

Culture and Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Culture and Business - Essay Example Brahmans are a minority group in India despite their holding of high positions in the society. They are mostly found in the southern area of India and they hold the tradition of plastering their houses using red earth close to their hearts. Traditionally, Brahmans were tremendously influential even when it came to leading religious rituals. Most of these people (Brahmans) are hugely influential business-persons, moneylenders, land owners and government employees. Of essence, also, is for any business person to note that these people do not take the issue of ritual pollution very lightly. They are very conscious when it comes to the ritual pollution of their food and homes. To this, they prohibit entry to their kitchens by other persons (especially from lower castes). They may not involve themselves in plowing or handle any ‘impure’ material as per the taboos set by their tradition. They are also vegetarian. Brahmans are not particularly impactful when it comes to the Ind ian business system due to the fact that they are a minority group, however. (britannica.com, 2011) Lastly, but not least, one should to note that these people do not have a tradition of drinking alcohol. It is also generally considered a sign of disrespect to touch a client with one’s feet and doing so should prompt an apology. ... (Warner, 2003 p69) Buddhism forms its basis on the Siddhartha Gautama teachings, which are called ‘Buddha’. Buddha means the enlightened one and Buddhism set in on the Indian soil in approximately 560 B.C. its main aim was to seek relief for the suffering of humans. Buddhists are vegetarians and thus, do not advocate for animal killing. Businesswise, Buddhism has had its share of impact on India through their beliefs. Their mission as Buddhists is to uphold the right of livelihood for humans in the business context. Thus, in generic terms they are usually against any company that has no care for both animals and the environment. (scribd.com, 2011) Hinduism Hinduism though looked at as the last in this study, is the main religion in India and it forms a group of religious traditions that have been in India for a while. These were witnessed in this nation in the period covering 3000-1500 B.C. In the most recent times, about 780 million people are affiliated to this religio n. Hinduism is viewed to be more of an approach given to the universe as opposed to theologically. Businesswise, they have impacted on the Indian system in a great way. Two main observations are possible when it comes to this religion and business; they (Hindus) have a positive kind of attitude while business is concerned and creating wealth is also another core factor to what they believe in. It should be noted, though, that wealth creation is not their major goal when it comes to business. Salvation and ethics, which they refer to as moksha and dharma respectively is their prime goals in business. (scribd.com, 2011) If one is a business person from foreign and is seeking to do business in India, there are several things to note. This is with specific

Fighting Fire with Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fighting Fire with Psychology - Essay Example They usually rush out and leave the area in no time. They find the nearest exit from where they could flee and reach to a point of safety. This also depends a great deal on the message that has been transmitted to them telling about the spread of a fire in the first place. The intensity of this fire plays a huge role in their leaving off the area. Majority of the people spend a huge amount of time finding information related with fire and its causes. They seem to go deep inside the very basis of a fire and its spread. These types of findings usually play a very significant role in the works of architects, engineers as well as the emergency planners since a real case of fire provides as much learning experience and exposure for these people as they could possibly think of. Thus they document every minor detail that they can get their hands on and try to understand the rational behind the very same. After 9/11 the research has become even more significant since the people seem to have an alarming anxiety within them intensely as compared to what used to be the case pre-9/11 era. It could be due to the falling of the two World Trade Center towers. They just do not want themselves to be caught up in such a situation all said and done. The article sums up the research findings by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which have played a tremendous role at the learning regimes of the human behaviors which are exhibited in fire-related scenarios and instances. With that, the researchers are also trying their best to examine what actually must have happened at the time of 9/11 in the twin towers. What this will ultimately do is to provide a basis for future preparations in cases of attacks, fires and blasts within buildings, complexes and high rises. This article has discussed the research that has been done post-9/11 era since the effect of 9/11 was indeed very

Human Resource Planning in a Healthcare Organisation

Human Resource Planning in a Healthcare Organisation Analyse the business factors that underpin human resource planning in a healthcare organization Human resource planning refers to the series of steps or actions in analysing and identifying the need for human resources or employees of the organization to meet the company’s goals and objectives. It aims to provide for the future staffing needs of the company and to make certain the use of employees to the greatest degree. Having an efficient and effective human resource planning will result in organization’s stability and sustainability. There are several business factors that underpin human resource planning. These factors dictate the need to plan human resources by considering the influence of the internal and external factors. Some of these business factors include business growth, decline, change, and competition; impact of technology and labour market competition and employee development. Business growth Business growth is the process of improving some measure of an enterprise’s success. Business growth can be achieved either by boosting the top line or revenue of the business with greater product sales or service income, or by increasing the bottom line or profitability of the operation by minimizing costs. Business growth also means expansion in business that causes increased spending and increased business opportunities. As the company expands, so do their HR operations to meet the complex needs of a growing workforce. The HR manager should consider factors such as hiring new employees or training existing employees to meet the demands of its increasing clients. With this, HR management needs to prioritise the departments or units where more staff are needed, do a job analysis, and draw job specifications that will help them in recruiting the right person on the job. Business decline Business decline refers also to a downturn in an organization which is characterized by decreased in profits or clients. When this happens, management compensate by trying to reduce cost which may include cessation in hiring or reducing work hours of the employee. During this stage, planning and implementing workforce reductions and reallocations is also possible. Business change Organization change occurs when business strategies or major sections of an organization are altered. It can create the need for the HR department to focus on staffing issues such as hiring and terminating employees, training of staffs, or changing job specifications which may result from a change in job functions. Business change can also create confusion, resulting the need for HR management to enhance communication by conducting group meetings to keep employees informed about what to expect during the change process. Competition Every businesses face competition so human resource planning will need to ensure that the company stays ahead of other competitors. This forces the management to expand and hire more staff in order to withstand competition and remain competitive in a particular field. Impact of technology The impact of technology innovations has shaped human resource management. Softwares used in HR management is useful in managing and maintaining employee information such as payroll, benefits, hours worked, performance appraisals, and training and development participations. These applications can help the management to be more productive, effective, and error-free. Technology advancements may also increase or decrease the demand for employees in certain industries or profession. For example, human resource management may plan to hire staff who are knowledgeable in computers or they may also reduce staff because what can be done usually by two persons can now be done by one with the help of technology. Furthermore, technology can assist HR in the recruitment process through online recruitment, video interviews, and social media. Labour market competition As the organization plans its future workforce needs, so do other organizations in the same field or industry. This then will result to labour market competition. It is imperative for HR management to do human resource plans such as taking aggressive actions in recruitment or giving incentives to attract more qualified and talented applicants. Having the right people with the right knowledge and skills in the appropriate positions is very important and the lack of it will result to dissatisfaction from clients that may cripple the organization. Employee development As the business continues to evolve, it requires a skilled and knowledgeable workforce composing of employees and staffs who are flexible, motivated, and focused. It is one of the main responsibilities of the HR manager to develop the staff through encouragement, coaching, and conducting training and development activities that match the employee’s career objectives and goals. Analyse the human resource requirements and factors that underpin human resource planning in a healthcare organization. Identifying internal personnel requirements Human resource planning identify the workforce required to perform organizational activities. First, HR managers do assessment which includes job analysis and inventory of the workers and skills available within the organization. Then they need to determine the future needs for human resource in terms of quantity and quality. Then HR department needs to do a matching process to bring demand and supply in an equilibrium so that shortages and over staffing position will be solved. In case of shortages, HR department needs to train staff within the organization or hire new ones. On the other hand, in case of over staffing HR management may also need to reduce the level of existing employment. Internal and external factors in matching personnel to organisational requirements Human resource planning in healthcare organizations involves looking at the current workforce skills and motivation strategy and comparing them with what is needed in the future. To do this the organization has to consider both the internal and external factors in matching personnel to organisational requirements. Internal factors includes skills requirements and workforce profiles. Skills requirements means assessing the skills of the existing staff or employees to build up a profile of the training, experience and qualifications that employees have. Workforce profiles means that the manager observes and monitors the types of employee working for the organization. These observations include details such as age, gender, ethnicity and availability. External factors includes supply of labour. Supply of labour refers to the number of workers willing and able to work in a particular job. The supply of labour is dependent on in unemployment and the type of skills that are needed by employ ers. Government policies Policies of the government like labour policy, industrial policy, and policy towards reserving certain jobs for different communities affect HR planning. The organization needs to comply with these legislations or policies to avoid penalties or possibly closure of the healthcare facilities. HR department should plan to avoid this dilemma by ensuring the compliance of the organizations. Labour market competition As the aging population or healthcare facilities increases in different countries, there is a high demand for healthcare workers. This causes shortages in the skilled profession such as nurses and doctors which then resulted in tight labour market competition. HR department needs to devise a creative recruitment strategy to attract and retain qualified healthcare professionals. One effective recruiting strategy lies on how the healthcare employer profiles itself on job postings. Hospitals or healthcare facilities known for their quality healthcare services and advancements appeal to most applicants. Another strategy is giving out incentives or sign-in bonuses to qualified applicants. References: What is business growth? definition and meaning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business-growth.html What is organization change? definition and meaning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/organization-change.html The impact of human resource technology in a changing workforce environment. Cleveland Human Resources | Examiner.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/the-impact-of-human-resource-technology-a-changing-workforce-environment

Context of Indigenous health Essay

Historical context and social determinants of Indigenous health There is a clear relationship between the social disadvantages experienced by Indigenous people and their current health status [1]. These social disadvantages, directly related to dispossession and characterised by poverty and powerlessness, are reflected in measures of education, employment, and income. Before presenting the key indicators of Indigenous health status, it is important, therefore, to provide a brief summary of the context within which these indicators should be considered. The historical context of Indigenous health Indigenous peoples generally enjoyed better health in 1788 than most people living in Europe [2][3][4][5][6]. They did not suffer from smallpox, measles, influenza, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, venereal syphilis and gonorrhoea, diseases that were common in 18th century Europe. Indigenous people probably suffered from hepatitis B, some bacterial infections (including a non-venereal form of syphilis and yaws) and some intestinal parasites. Trauma is likely to have been a major cause of death, and anaemia, arthritis, periodontal disease, and tooth attrition are known to have occurred. The impact of these diseases at a population level was relatively small compared with the effects of the diseases that affected 18th century Europe. All of this changed after 1788 with the arrival of introduced illness, initially smallpox and sexually transmissible infections (gonorrhoea and venereal syphilis), and later tuberculosis, influenza, measles, scarlet fever, and whooping cough [3][4][7][8]. These diseases, particularly smallpox, caused considerable loss of life among Indigenous populations, but the impacts were not restricted to the immediate victims. The epidemic also affected the fabric of Indigenous societies through depopulation and social disruption. The impact of introduced diseases was almost certainly the major cause of death for Indigenous people, but direct conflict and occupation of Indigenous homelands also contributed substantially to Indigenous mortality [7][9][10]. The initial responses of Indigenous people to the arrival of the First Fleet were apparently quite peaceful. It didn’t take long, however, before conflict started to occur – initially over access to fish stocks and then over access to other resources as non-Indigenous people started to plant crops and introduce livestock. This pattern of conflict was almost certainly widespread as non-Indigenous people spread across the country. Conflict escalated in many places, in some instances resulting in overt massacres of Indigenous people. The 1838 massacre at Myall Creek (near Inverell, NSW) is the most infamous [11], but less well-known massacres occurred across Australia [10]. As Bruce Elder notes, as ‘painful and shameful as they are’, the massacres ‘should be as much a part of Australian history as the First Fleet, the explorers, the gold rushes and the bushrangers’ ([10], p. vi). Prior to 1788, Indigenous people were able to define their own sense of being through control over all aspects of their lives, including ceremonies, spiritual practices, medicine, social relationships, management of land, law, and economic activities [12][13][14]. In addition to the impacts of introduced diseases and conflict, the spread of non-Indigenous peoples undermined the ability of Indigenous people to lead healthy lives by devaluing their culture, destroying their traditional food base, separating families, and dispossessing whole communities [3][4][7]. This loss of autonomy undermined social vitality, which, in turn, affected the capacity to meet challenges, including health challenges; a cycle of dispossession, demoralisation, and poor health was established. These impacts on Indigenous populations eventually forced colonial authorities to try to ‘protect’ remaining Indigenous peoples. This pressure led to the establishment of Aboriginal ‘protection’ boards, the first established in Vic by the Aboriginal Protection Act of 1869 [15]. A similar Act established the NSW Aborigines Protection Board in 1883, with the other colonies also enacting legislation to ‘protect’ Indigenous populations within their boundaries. The ‘protection’ provided under the provisions of the various Acts imposed enormous restrictions on the lives of many Indigenous people. These restrictions meant that, as late as 1961, in eastern Australia ‘nearly one-third of all Australians recorded as being of Aboriginal descent lived in settlements’ ([16], p. 4). The provisions of the Acts were also used to justify the forced separation of Indigenous children from their families ‘by compulsion, duress or undue influence’ ([15], p. 2). The National Inquiry into the separation of the children concluded that ‘between one-in-three and one-in-ten Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities in the period from approximately 1910 until 1970’ ([15], p. 31). It was the 1960s, at the earliest, when the various ‘protection’ Acts were either repealed or became inoperative. The importance of contemporary social determinants and cultural concepts of Indigenous health The health disadvantages experienced by Indigenous people can be considered historical in origin [14], but perpetuation of the disadvantages owes much to contemporary structural and social factors, embodied in what have been termed the ‘social determinants’ of health [1][17][18]. In broad terms, economic opportunity, physical infrastructure, and social conditions influence the health of individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. These factors are specifically manifest in measures such as education, employment, income, housing, access to services, social networks, connection with land, racism, and incarceration. On all these measures, Indigenous people suffer substantial disadvantage. For many Indigenous people, the ongoing effects of ‘protection’ and the forced separation of children from their families compound other social disadvantages. It is also important in considering Indigenous health to understand how Indigenous people themselves conceptualise health. There was no separate term in Indigenous languages for health as it is understood in western society [19]. The traditional Indigenous perspective of health is holistic. It encompasses everything important in a person’s life, including land, environment, physical body, community, relationships, and law. Health is the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of the whole community and the concept is therefore linked to the sense of being Indigenous. This conceptualisation of health has much in common with the social determinants model and has crucial implications for the simple application of biomedically-derived concepts as a means of improving Indigenous health. The reductionist, biomedical approach is undoubtedly useful in identifying and reducing disease in individuals, but its limitations in addressing population-wide health disadvantages, such as those experienced by Indigenous people, must be recognised. Indicators of Indigenous social disadvantage. The key measures in these areas for Indigenous people nationally include: Education According to 2011 Australian Census [20]: 92% of 5 year-old Indigenous children were attending an educational institution 1. 6% of the Indigenous population had not attended school compared with 0. 9% of the non-Indigenous population 29% of Indigenous people reported year 10 as their highest year of school completion; 25% had completed year 12, compared with 52% of non-Indigenous people 26% of Indigenous people reported having a post-school qualification, compared with 49% of non-Indigenous people 4. 6% of Indigenous people had attained a bachelor degree or higher, compared with 20% of non-Indigenous people. An ABS school report [21] revealed, in 2011: the apparent retention rate for Indigenous students from year 7/8 to year 10 was 99%, from year 7/8 to year 12 it was 49% for non-Indigenous students, the apparent retention rate from year 7/8 to year 10 was 101%; and from year 7/8 to year 12 it was 81%. The 2011 national report on schooling in Australia [22] showed: 76% of Indigenous students in year 3 and 66% in year 5 were at or above the national minimum standard for reading, compared with 95% and 93% respectively of all Australian students 80% of year 3 Indigenous students and 69% of year 5 Indigenous students were at or above the national minimum standard for persuasive writing, compared with 96% of all year 3 students and 94% of all year 5 students 72% of year 3 Indigenous students and 69% of year 5. Indigenous students were at or above the national minimum standard for spelling, compared with 94% of all year 3 students and 93% of all year 5 students 71% of year 3 Indigenous students and 65% of year 5 Indigenous students were at or above the national minimum standard for grammar and punctuation, compared with 94% of all year 3 students and 94% of all year 5 students 84% of Indigenous students in year 3 and 75% in year 5 were at or above the national minimum standard for numeracy, compared with 96% and 96% respectively of all Australian students. Employment According to the 2011 Australian Census [20]: 42% of Indigenous people aged 15 years or older were employed and 17% were unemployed. In comparison, 61% of non-Indigenous people aged 15 years or older were employed and 5% were unemployed the most common occupation classification of employed Indigenous people was ‘labourer’ (18%) followed by ‘community and personal service workers’ (17%). The most common occupation classification of employed non-Indigenous people was ‘professional’ (22%). Income According to the 2011 Australian Census [20]: the mean equivalised gross household income for Indigenous persons was around $475 per week – approximately 59% of that for non-Indigenous persons (around $800). Indigenous population Based on information collected as a part of the 2011 Census of Population and Housing, the ABS has estimated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 669,736 people at 30 June 2011 [23]. The estimated population for NSW was the highest (208,364 Indigenous people), followed by Qld (188,892), WA (88,277), and the NT (68,901) (Table 1). The NT has the highest proportion of Indigenous people among its population (29. 8%) and Vic the lowest (0. 9%). Table 1: Estimated Indigenous population, by jurisdiction, Australia, 30 June 2011 JurisdictionIndigenous population (number)Proportion of Australian Indigenous population (%)Proportion of jurisdiction population (%) Source: ABS, 2012 [23] Notes: Preliminary estimates are subject to revision; population projections are expected to be finalised by 2014 Australian population includes Jervis Bay Territory, the Cocos (Keeling). Islands, and Christmas Island Proportions of jurisdiction population have used total population figures estimated from demographic information for June 2011 NSW208,36431. 12. 9 Vic47,3277. 10. 9 Qld188,89228. 24. 2 WA88,27713. 23. 8 SA37,3925. 62. 3 Tas24,1553. 64. 7 ACT6,1670. 91. 7 NT68,90110. 329. 8. Australia669,736100. 03. 0 There was a 21% increase in the number of Indigenous people counted in the 2011 Census compared with the 2006 Census2 [24]. The largest increases were in the ACT (34%), Vic (26%), NSW (25%) and Qld (22%). For all jurisdictions, the 55 years and over age-group showed the largest relative increase. There are two ‘structural’ reasons contributing to the growth of the Indigenous population: the slightly higher fertility rates of Indigenous women compared with the rates of other Australian women (see ‘Births and pregnancy outcome’); and the significant numbers of Indigenous babies born to Indigenous fathers and non-Indigenous mothers. Two other factors are considered likely to have contributed to the increase in people identifying as Indigenous: changes in enumeration processes (i. e. more Indigenous people are being captured during the census process); and changes in identification (i. e. people who did not previously identify as Indigenous in the census have changed their response). Based on the 2011 Census, around 33% of Indigenous people lived in a capital city [25]. Detailed information about the geographic distribution of the Indigenous population for 2011 is not yet available, but figures from the 2006 Census indicated that the majority of Indigenous people lived in cities and towns [26]. Slightly more than one-half of the Indigenous population lived in areas classified as ‘major cities’ or ‘inner regional’ areas, compared with almost nine-tenths of the non-Indigenous population. (As well as these two classifications of ‘remoteness’ in terms of access to goods and services and opportunities for social interaction, the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) has four other categories: ‘outer regional’, ‘remote’, ‘very remote’, and ‘migratory’ [27]. ) Almost one-quarter of Indigenous people lived in areas classified as ‘remote’ or ‘very remote’ in relation to having ‘very little access to goods, services and opportunities for social interaction’ ([28], p. 3). Less than 2% of non-Indigenous people lived in ‘remote’ or ‘very remote’ areas [26]. In terms of specific geographical areas, more than one-half (53%) of all Indigenous people counted in the 2011 Census lived in nine of the 57 Indigenous regions (based largely on the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) regions) [25]. The three largest regions were in eastern Australia (Brisbane, NSW Central and the North Coast, and Sydney-Wollongong), which accounted for 29% of the total Indigenous population. According to the 2011 Census, around 90% of Indigenous people are Aboriginal, 6% are Torres Strait Islanders, and 4% people identified as being of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent [25]. Around 63% of Torres Strait Islander people3 lived in Qld; NSW was the only other state with a large number of Torres Strait Islander people. The Indigenous population is much younger overall than the non-Indigenous population (Figure 1) [23]. According to estimates from the 2011 Census, at June 2011 about 36% Indigenous people were aged less than 15 years, compared with 18% of non-Indigenous people. About 3. 4% of Indigenous people were aged 65 years or over, compared with 14% of non-Indigenous people. Figure 1. Population pyramid of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, 30 June 2011 Population pyramid of indigenous and non-indigenous populations, 2011 Source: ABS, 2012 [23] References Carson B, Dunbar T, Chenhall RD, Bailie R, eds. (2007) Social determinants of Indigenous health. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin Jackson LR, Ward JE (1999) Aboriginal health: why is reconciliation necessary?. Medical Journal of Australia; 170(9): 437-440 Butlin NG (1993) Economics and the dreamtime : a hypothetical history. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press Campbell J (2002) Invisible invaders: smallpox and other diseases in Aboriginal Australia 1780-1880. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press Webb S (2009) Palaeopathology of Aboriginal Australians: health and disease across a hunter-gatherer continent. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Anderson W (2007). The colonial medicine of settler states: comparing histories of Indigenous health. Health and History; 9(2): 144-154 Butlin NG (1983) Our original aggression : Aboriginal populations of southeastern Australia, 1788-1850. Sydney: Allen & Unwin Thomson N (1991) Tuberculosis among Aborigines. In: Proust AJ, ed. History of tuberculosis in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Canberra, ACT: Brolga Press: 61-67 Reynolds H (1982) The other side of the frontier: Aboriginal resistance to the European invasion of Australia. Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin Books Elder B (2003) Blood on the wattle: massacres and maltreatment of Aboriginal Australians since 1788. 3rd ed. Frenchs Forest, N. S. W: New Holland Harrison B (1978) The Myall Creek massacre. In: McBryde I, ed. Records of times past : ethnohistorical essays on the culture and ecology of the New England tribes. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies: 17-51 Howitt R (2001) Rethinking resource management : justice, sustainability and Indigenous peoples. London: Routledge Hunter E (1993) Aboriginal health and history: power and prejudice in remote Australia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Saggers S, Gray D (1991) Aboriginal health and society: the traditional and contemporary Aboriginal struggle for better health. North Sydney: Allen and Unwin National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families (1997) Bringing them home: report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families. 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Mouse-Like Rodents Myomorpha

Mouse-like rodents (Myomorpha) are a group of rodents that includes rats, mice, voles, hamsters, lemmings, dormice, harvest mice, muskrats, and gerbils. There are about 1,400 species of mouse-like rodents alive today, making them the most diverse (in terms of a number of species) group of all living rodents. Members of this group differ from other rodents in the arrangement of their jaw muscles and the structure of their molar teeth. The medial masseter muscle of the jaw in mouse-like rodents follows a rather bizarre route through the eye socket of the animal. No other mammal has a similarly configured medial masseter muscle. The unique arrangement of the jaw muscles in  mouse-like rodents provides them with powerful gnawing capabilities—a valuable trait considering their diet which includes an assortment of  tough plant materials. Mouse-like rodents eat a variety  of foods including berries, nuts, fruit, seeds, shoots, buds, flowers, and grains. Although many mouse-like rodents are herbivorous, others are also  granivorous or omnivorous. Mouse-like rodents have a pair of ever-growing incisors (in their upper and lower jaws) and three molars (also known as cheek teeth) on either half of both their upper and lower jaws. They have no canine teeth (there is a space instead called a diastema) and they have no premolars. Key Characteristics The key characteristics of mouse-like rodents include: The unique arrangement of the  jaw muscles used for chewingThe unique structure of the molar teethJaw structure and musculature well-suited for gnawingA single pair of incisors and three cheek teeth on each side of the jaw (upper and lower) Classification Mouse-like rodents are divided into the following taxonomic groups: Dormice (Myoxidae) - There are about 29 species of dormice alive today. Members of this group include African dormice, garden dormice, mouse-tailed dormice, and giant dormice. Dormice are small rodents with fur-covered tails. Most species are nocturnal and arboreal. Dormice have a keen sense of hearing and are agile climbers.Jumping mice and relatives (Dipodidae) - There are about 50 species of jumping mice and their relatives alive today. Members of this group include jerboas, jumping mice, and birch mice.  Jumping mice and their relatives are small- to medium-sized rodents. They are skilled jumpers that move by taking hops or leaps. Many species have long legs and feet, as well as a long tail that serves as a counter-balance to their movements.Pocket gophers (Geomyidae) - There are about 39 species of pocket gophers alive today. Members of this group are burrowing rodents that are best known for their tendencies to stash away large quantities of food supplies. Pocket gophers are the most avid  hoarders of all of the mouse-like rodents and stock up on foods such as roots, tubers, stems and other plant material that provide them with food throughout the winter (pocket gophers do not hibernate).Pocket mice and kangaroo rats (Heteromyidae) - There are about 59 species of pocket mice and kangaroo rats alive today. Members of this group include spiny pocket mice, kangaroo mice, and kangaroo rats. Pocket mice and kangaroo rats are burrowing rodents that inhabit the deserts, scrublands, and grasslands throughout western North America. Pocket mice and kangaroo rats gather seeds and plant material in their cheek pouches and store the food in their burrow for the winter months.Rats, mice, and relatives (Muridae) - There are about 1,300 species of rats, mice, and their relatives alive today. Members of this group include hamsters, mice, rats, voles, lemmings, dormice, harvest mice, muskrats, and gerbils. Rats, mice, and their relatives are small rodents that inhabit Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia that are prolific breeders that produce large litters several times each year. Source Hickman C, Roberts L, Keen S, Larson A, lAnson H, Eisenhour D.  Integrated Principles of Zoology.  14th ed. Boston MA: McGraw-Hill; 2006. 910 p.

Mineral Photos - How to Take Great Photos of Minerals

Do you want to take great pictures of your mineral specimens? Here are some tips and tricks to help your mineral photos turn out looking wonderful. Mineral Photography Tips Know your camera.You can take wonderful pictures of mineral specimens using a disposable camera or cell phone; you can take terrible photos using a high-end SLR. If you know what works in terms of distance and lighting for the camera you are using then youll have a much better chance of taking a great shot.Be accurate.If you are taking a photo of a mineral out in the field, then take the picture of the mineral where you found it rather than moving it to a pretty location.Take multiple pictures.If youre in the field, approach your specimen from different angles and take a variety of shots. Do the same back home. Taking ten shots of the exact same angle, background, and lighting is less likely to give you a great photo than taking several different photos.Make the mineral the center of attention.If possible, make it the only object in the photo. Other objects will detract from your specimen and may cast nasty shadows on your mineral.Choose your background wisely.I take the majority of my pictures on a white plastic cutting board because it doesnt cast reflections back toward the camera and because I can apply light behind the mineral. White is great for specimens with good contrast, but it doesnt work as well for light-colored minerals. Those minerals may do better with a gray background. Be careful using a very dark background because some cameras will take a picture that washes the detail out of your specimen. Experiment with different background to see what works best.Experiment with lighting.You are going to get different pictures in sunlight than you will under fluorescent or incandescent lights. The angle of the light makes a big difference. The intensity of the light matters. Look criticially at your photo to see if it has distracting shadows or whether it flattens out any three-dimensional structure of your mineral specimen. Also, keep in mind some minerals are fluorescent. What happens in you add black light to your specimen?Process your image, with care .Pretty much every device that takes pictures can process them. Crop your images and consider correcting them if the color balance is off. You might want to adject the brightness, contrast, or gamma, but try not to go beyond that. You might be able to process your image to make it prettier, but dont sacrifice beauty for accuracy.To Label or Not To Label?If you are going to include a label with your mineral, you can photograph a (neat, preferably printed) label along with your mineral. Otherwise, you can overlay a label on your picture using photo editing software. If you are using a digital camera and arent labeling your specimen right away, its a good idea to give your photo a meaningful name (like cordundum rather than the default filename, which is probably the date).Indicate ScaleYou may wish to include a ruler or coin with your specimen to indicate scale. Otherwise, when you describe your image you might want to indicate the size of your mineral.Try the ScannerIf you dont have a camera, you may be able to get a good picture of a mineral specimen by scanning it with a digital scanner. In some cases a scanner can produce a nice image.Take NotesIts a good idea to jot down what works and what fails miserably. This is especially helpful if you are taking a large sequence of pictures and making a lot of changes.