Generic Organization Essay

A group is a well structured organization with different individuals that has different characteristics and diversity these groups can be formal or informal. In my research I have found that retail stores such as Wal-Mart and Kmart has organizational structure. Group task satisfaction describes the group-level counterpart to individual job satisfaction and represents the group’s shared attitude toward its task and work environment. Places such as Wal-Mart demonstrate these skills to make their organization. The prevalence of groups and teams in the workplace (Beyerlein, Johnson, & Beyerlein, 1995; Devine, Clayton, Philips, Dunford, & Melner, 1999) makes it important to understand their effects on group members. In this paper I will identify an industry and organization type, explain four problems that could impact groups productivity, develop and describes logical and appropriate recommendations for each of the four problems provided and its recommendation, wide training, and the conclusion. Organizational structure may be defined as the system of relations that subsist among a variety of positions and position holders. Formal structure is a blueprint of relations that has been knowingly deliberated and put into action by the organization. It includes a formal chain of command of power as well as policies and procedures and other premeditated attempts to control conduct. Wal-Mart organizational structure consists of a divisional structure. A divisional structure has three different categories in which are product structure, market structure, and geographic structure. Wal-Mart falls under market structure. This is where groups function by types of customers so that each division contains the functions it needs to service a specific segment of the market. For example Wal-Mart offers vision, pharmacy, haircuts, grocery, crafts, clothes, electronics, house wares and etc†¦ This means each department will conduct its own group within Wal-Mart this will separate each structured group such as managers, supervisors, customer service, stockers, CEO, and so forth. With so many different employees within the company each individual has their own task but it takes group structure to make sure that the task is complete. Every task that is met within the group mostly deals how Wal-Mart revenues. If the each group orks together with their task then the job can be complete and helps Wal-Mart makes money. If the groups fail then Wal-Mart fails, this leads to behavior within the group. According to Losh, S (2010), â€Å"as group members, we frequently behave in ways that we do not as individuals. And our behavior as group members may fluctuate from group to group. † Companies such as Wal-Mart want to be successful and a key component of many businesses is the creation and development of new ideas. Efficient processes or products and services, many times, come from the ideas of more than one individual and generally involve teams or groups. Although teams and groups often are mistaken as identical units because they involve multiple individuals however differ in leadership, decision-making, and accountability. Another aspect to consider with groups and teams is workplace diversity and its effects on these units and especially the dynamics of a team. According to Robbins and Judge (2009), â€Å"a work group’s main purpose is to share information and make decisions that help other members of the group. † Work groups focus is on individual goals, holding themselves individually accountable. It also provides a platform for knowledge and information sharing that would not otherwise be available to us. Group even provides an identity to its members. Still cooperative group is something that comes with lot of effort. For example a cashier’s at Wal-Mart goal is too quickly and accurately process customer’s orders. If asked, he or she will share information regarding a price or item, but his or her main concern is a balanced cash drawer at the end of the shift. The cashier is not concerned about another cashier’s cash drawer even though each cashier is a member of a work group . A team is a small group of individuals with knowledge and skills that complement the knowledge and skills of other team members. The work is interdependent. Team members actively interact together toward a common goal while holding the team aggregate accountable. Work teams create synergy. Synergy happens when a team’s result is greater than the total of the individual results of the members. Group behaviors impact group productivity, by determining the outcome of the productivity. Negative group behaviors will produce negative productivity and vice versa with positive group behaviors. There are four problems that can impact group productivity; culture, conflict, group diversity, group cohesive, and characteristics. Culture in a work group can impact a work group it can be either positive or negative. According to Sergeant J, & Laws Chapman, C. (2012), â€Å"teams that operate in stressful environments are less collaborative and more likely to make mistakes (Business in the Community 2009). Building emotional resilience, therefore, can create healthier workplace cultures, reduce absenteeism, improve teamwork and raise morale. In some ways culture can be like personality. A person personality is made of values and beliefs, interests, underlying assumptions, upbringing and habits. Culture I am sure is influenced by leadership at Wal-Mart such as a manager or executive. With Wal-Mart being a big company and having so many employees you can maybe even look at the manager’s desk and tell his culture and background. Culture may become so dominant that employees and employers alike may dismiss good ideas that seem counter to the organizational culture. Companies that do not have an open and flexible culture can find themselves losing a competitive edge because they do not adapt to the changes within in the market making it bad for the workplace. Another problem that can harm a group organization is conflict if you have an individual that disagrees with others idea then this causes conflicts. The differentiator of a successful group is that the group members share sense of trust among themselves as well as feeling of shared responsibilities however the one that is different from the rest of the group may not and this can create problems in the group. Say for instance if you have a employer at Wal-Mart that thinks that organizing food cans and meat in a different order but you have more than one employee that is okay with what is being done this brings negative impact because then others going to feel that maybe she is right then this may not be good for the employer. Diversity can take many forms namely age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, mental and physical capabilities and ethnicity and culture are the main areas of diversity and have a continuous impact throughout our lives. Managing and valuing diversity is a key component of effective people management, which can improve workplace productivity but sometimes it can create a problem. According to Diversity Takes Center Stage at Wal-Mart (2013) â€Å"Reports on the effort of Wal-Mart Stores to enforce work diversity in its stores in the U. S. Remarks from Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart, on the reduction of bonuses if Wal-Mart does not promote women and minorities in the workplace; Allegations against Wal-Mart for gender bias and unfair treatment of workers; Information on the pay structure implemented by the company. If employees feel that because of their culture race or religion are affecting them then nice times out of ten it would create chaos in workplace such as Wal-Mart. Diversity can aid in bringing awareness of different cultures, races and age difference into a mix, but can have negative effects if people are not well prepared in how to work in that environment. According to MacDonald, Lynne (2010), â€Å"Companies put a great deal of time and effort in to encouraging employees to work effectively with their colleagues. † If a company finds that workers have bonded in to a cohesive group, it should be a positive discovery. However, this is not always the case and it can turn sour. While cohesive groups offer advantages in terms of social support for group members, they also present disadvantages for the employer. Low performance norms can be very detrimental to group productivity meaning they will not make much effort to meet group deadline. Characteristics can also be a problem in workplace bad characteristics from an employee can make a workplace unpleasant reducing employees moral and productivity. Some employees can’t find anything positive to say. They criticize their supervisor, the corporate office, other employees and even customers. If you have a stock person working at Wal-Mart the normally stock at night but really hate the night schedule and all the do is complain, complain this lacks enthusiasm from other co-workers around them. This can also make the group to become dishonery towards upper management in the facility. Even having an am employee that gossips can cause conflict in the group because they are the ones who are always twisting the story and only thing at this point is to put them on disciplinary action. There are many ways a workplace can address the negative impacts in a workplace by developing action plan to address the negative Sometimes enterprise-wide systems and compensation schemes need to be revamp, but more often business performance and results are affected. Using customized survey this means getting employees thoughts and idea and surveying patterns and correlations that are effecting the company. Use open minded questions asking employees if there is anything they would like to address putting everything on the table but in a professional manner. Even the company should sacrifice companywide training. Country wide training should be conducted not only for the employees but also for management such as managers CEO, human resource department, and also crew members. Despite the importance of training, a trainer can encounter resistance from both employees and managers. Both groups may claim that training is taking them away from their work. However, a trainer can combat this by demonstrating that training is actually a crucial part of employees’ and managers’ work, completing task and working well with others. These also open doors for employees to get to know other employees culture and background. Conclusion Group work is important because it helps solve problem and accomplish task in a workplace. Working in a group allows members to share responsibilities, rather than the brunt of the work falling in the hands of one person. Instead, group members can delegate tasks to individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the task successfully. Because we are human beings we have our own characteristics, style, culture and diversity which sometimes can be a hindrance to a group but doing things such as companywide training can help every employee to conquer the power of being in a group in a workplace. Working in a group can help individuals build long-lasting relationships based on trust and loyalty. As group members, people learn about the common things they share and differences, which lead them to seek group members they can build relationships with even outside of the group.

Man vs. Machine Essay

Since the yearly Fifties science fiction movies have depicted robots as very sophisticated machines built by humans to perform complex operations, to work with humans in safe critical missions, in hostile environments, or more often to pilot and control spaceships in galactic travels. At the same time, however, intelligent robots have also been depicted as dangerous machines, capable of working against man through wicked plans. In the Terminator the view of the future is even more catastrophic: robots will become intelligent and self-aware and will take over the human race. The dual implication often accredited to science fiction robots represents the clear look of desire and fear that man has towards his technology. From one hand, in fact, man projects in a robot his wild desire of immortality, holds in a powerful and indestructible artificial being, which intellective, sensory, and motor capabilities are much more amplified than that of a normal man. On the other hand, however, there is a fear that a too advanced technology can get out of control, acting against man. The Terminator saga is not just a collection of Terminator, and T2. Instead the saga is one of a continuing storyline that in many ways has spanned all of man’s existence. Machines and technology have always presented temporary change and adversity for man to overcome. A machine may simplify a process but take away the livelihood of a few. From the days of horse drawn carriage drivers fearing being replaced by a key turned automobile, to today’s computer controlled manufacturing environments; workers have always feared of being replaced by â€Å"machine†. The strength of the Terminator movies is the singular humanoid T-800 Terminators one of which is played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Clothed in armor, with the human body’s shape and form, it presents itself as a new evolutionary form of life. Strength, easy coordination with other units, and an absolute sense of duty, drive the units forth to destroy man. From their humanoid skeletal structure and hands to their glaring red eyes, the machines scare viewers more for their similarity to man than for their  differences. To be replaced, to be bettered, to be conquered these are the things which drive animals to the point of extinction. These elements are the primal fears that the terminator machines strike in the human mind As Humanity progresses, warfare has tended to move more and more away from the human combatants. Instead the battles have moved to the weapons or â€Å"machines† that each side uses. In the Terminator movies America extends this principal even further as humanoid machines and automated patrol crafts are used as the backbone of its defense forces. A vast computer network known as Skynet is created to coordinate battlefield tactics. It is decided to place these â€Å"objective† machines in charge of nuclear weapons deployment as human leaders believe that humans could act with hast or with lack of reason in such important decisions. However as time progresses the computer network Skynet becomes â€Å"self aware† and sees the possibility of a new evolutionary age and the birth of a new order of intelligence; that of the machine. In the movie, Terminator represents the prototype of imaginary robots. He can walk, talk, perceive and behave like a human being. But, what is more important, Terminator can learn! He is controlled by a neural-net processor, a computer that can modify its behavior based on past experience. What makes the movie more interesting, from a philosophical point of view, is that such a neural processor is so complex that it begins to learn at an alarming rate and, after a while, it becomes self-aware! In this sense, the movie raises an important question about artificial consciousness: Can a machine ever become self-aware? To answer my own question: not yet, at least. At the end of T2, after a series of action-packed scenes, which would have deprived any human of life or limb, both terminators are dissolved together in their own industrial melting pot. This ending may say something about the modern combination of old and new technologies in the cinema, as it does about the integration of old and new modes of production in industry. But it also seems to me, that the days of the unthinking means of cinematic portrayal, like the traditional factory and its job-classified worker and their similar forms of representation, may be numbered. Work Cited The Terminator. Dir. James Cameron. Perf. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield. Artisan, 1984. Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Dir. James Cameron. Perf. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick. Artisan, 1991.

Exocytosis and the Neuromuscular Junction

Exocytosis and the Neuromuscular Junction: How Does Botox Work? Exocytosis is the process in which secretory vesicles are exported out of the cell membrane. These vesicles contain proteins which are then transported to parts outside the cell (Wilfred D. Stein, 2012). Neurotransmitters are released during this process into the synaptic cleft. These transmitters attract other transmitters to muscle membrane infoldings, which are called junction folds (Etherington & Hong, 2011).They diffuse across the break between the nerve and muscle to activate contraction. The progression in which signals are sent from motor neurons to skeletal muscle fibres to warrant movement of muscles is called neuromuscular junction (Etherington & Hong, 2011). Motor neurons, Schwann cells, muscle fibres and kranocytes are all the different cell types that make up the neuromuscular junction. Motor neurons send out axons to skeletal muscles where an action potential is passed along the axons.The axons form a syna ptic knob where they send activation signals to muscle ? bres (Etherington & Hong, 2011). Muscles are made up of hundreds of muscle fibres that all contract simultaneously when an action potential signal is transmitted by a motor neuron (Etherington & Hong, 2011). Schwann cells and kranocytes cover the nerve terminal. Schwann cells are a form of glial cells and Kranocytes are a cell  that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen (Etherington & Hong, 2011).Acetylcholine is an important aspect in neuromuscular junction. It is used to transmit signals to muscles to initiate contractions or movement of the muscles. The toxin binds to neurons where it separates. One part cleaves a protein ultimately preventing the deduction process necessary for the release of acetylcholine (Gill, 2004). Botulinum toxin, BOTOX, disrupts the release of acetylcholine so when signals are released to muscles, they can’t attach anywhere on the muscle causing the muscle to not contract, effec tively paralyzing the muscle (Gill, 2004).Because of this process, botulinum toxin has been used to treat many different disorders characterized by muscle contractions. BOTOX is a type of botulinum toxin that is used to treat spastic equinus gait in people with cerebral palsy. It is used due to its ability in decreasing spasticity and improving ambulation in those with cerebral palsy. Botulinum toxins block the release of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction which in turn helps people who have cerebral palsy manage their spasticity (Kim, Shin, Kwon, Kim, Jung, Bang, 2010).Neuronox is another drug used like BOTOX which improves spastic equinus and has been tested to be just as safe and reliable as BOTOX. Neuronox is another botulinum toxin which interrupts the nerve connection to muscles resulting in a localized reduction in muscle activity (Kim, Shin, Kwon, Kim, Jung, Bang, 2010). Overall, exocytosis and BOTOX are both connected to the neuromuscular junction while BOTOX is al so connected to the treatment of spastic equinus gate in cerebral palsy.

Read the passage and answer the question referring to the text Essay

Read the passage and answer the question referring to the text - Essay Example This study, therefore, seeks to explore on the methods used by Steinbeck to illustrate the character plan. From the article, it is clear that the character demonstrate a belief in their dreams. The supporting statement here is the use of the repetitive futuristic article will. For instance, use of the words such as, we will fix up the old place, and then we will go live there. Will is a future simple tense that illustrates the affirmative nature of something. The personal pronoun we, makes it inclusive in the team effort that the dream will come true1. The article will, contrasts to would, initially used to talk about the dream, thus emphasizing the shift to a belief. Secondly, George shows excitement as the dream transforms into a plan. The evident to the above underlying fact is in the use of polysyndeton ‘an’. The articles use the word such as I would get a job and makeup the res, and you could sell eggs and stuff like that. Throughout the article, the use of polysyndeton increases pace revealing the belief of George to his vision. The use of such words portrays events that will happen in the future. Another point is the existence of polysyndeton of contrast with short sentences that follow each other. The short sentences lead to the comprehension that the thing they had not believed in was turning out to be a reality. Short sentences enhance slow pace, portraying the dream as a revelation of the truth. Contrast of the past view that is never had, with the true future is evident. Closely linked with the above point is the fact that George’s attitude is changing from disbelief and negativity into that of positivity. The use of adverbs to describe his manner, like reverently, wonderingly, and softly contrast with disgustedly2. The above factors reveals his change in temperament of his belief as an element of positivity. Reverently portrays faith while softly

Information Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Information Security - Essay Example There is also a vast body of empirical evidence that demonstrates that general managers ought to be much more involved in the formulation and implementation of information security because they are more able to assess particular types of risks, more attuned to cost-benefit considerations, and better able to integrate information security into a business organization's larger structure than narrow-minded security specialists (Lacity, 2005). In order to more clearly elaborate how organizations should approach information security issues, this essay will discuss how businesses should strike a balance between information security and information sclerosis and what professional competencies ought to oversee information security policies, procedures, and practices. As an initial matter, it should be noted that information security can be neglected by business organizations (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 1998) as well be over-hyped and made far too complex for complete use (Angus, 2005; Miller, 2005). The most prudent course of action, to be sure, is neither a zero-information security policy nor a systemic approach that is too complex (Angus, 2005) or too expensive (Lacity, 2005) for the organization's needs. A balance needs to be struck. Commenting on a study carried out by the GAO, the National Institute of Standards and Technology established a viable framework for promoting good practices for information security programs; this framework deals with risk assessment, the taking steps to reduce risk, and the creation of a central management group devoted to these risk management functions. This section will address good practices as they pertain to risk assessment and tailoring an information security policy to organizational goals and to remain cost-effective. The essence of an effective risk assessment procedure is not to assume that every conceivable risk can be planned for, but instead to identify steps to reduce the treat of potential risks to levels that are deemed acceptable (Workstation Services Support Group, 1998). This notion of acceptability is crucial to any cost-benefit analysis involving an information security system. The first step is to create a recognition that an organization's informational resources are valuable assets in need of protection. This means creating a pervasive organizational understanding about security risks, new security threats and the procedures for keeping workers informed. The second step is to draft and implement risk assessment procedures which incorporate the information security system into the larger business structure. This means treating information security as a business concern just as much as a technical matter for IT specialists. The third step requires holding individuals accountable for information security issues. This is important as it eliminates the possibility of passing responsibility on to security specialists and demands a comprehensive approach to information security. The fourth and final step requires that security risks be monitored and

New Strategy Related to Cost-cutting Assignment

New Strategy Related to Cost-cutting - Assignment Example This paper analyses as well as provide recommendations for reducing the quality standard issue of management and for improving the performance of the Brisbane branch along with the justification of the analysis. In the Brisbane branch, the managerial issue is one of the major management issues that have an adverse impact on the performance of the organization. The branch is identified to be facing the managerial issue in relation to the creativity of subordinates and lack of technical knowledge to enhance the quality of products as well as services. The management should support the subordinates, so that they can perform their work effectively and can improve the quality in terms of products and services, as in the present day context, customers focus on the quality of products and/or services. The management implementing the cost-cutting strategy relating to the replacement of personnel with technology has been identified to face complexities relating to resistance, skepticism and outright hostility from the end of the employees. If the management implements new strategy related to cost-cutting to improve the quality of products, then the management is able to meet the satisfaction level of the customers and accordingly may mitigate the quality problem. In this regard, the branch facing resistance and skepticism have an adverse effect on sale figure and performance of the organization as a whole. The quality of products and/or services depends on consistency as well as durability of products and/or services.

Comparison of thinprep needle rinse samples versus direct smear Essay

Comparison of thinprep needle rinse samples versus direct smear techniques for fine neddle aspiration biopsies of head and neck lesions - Essay Example As a result, the pathologists and clinicians are to depend on the conveniences of a particular method that is most pertinent to the circumstance. A series of researches was led on the comparative diagnostic accuracy of the two techniques of FNA and their popularity among the clinicians and the pathologists (Frost et al, 1998). An analysis of the studies that have been led on the evaluation and the development of the techniques of Fine Needle Aspiration show an encouraging support for the ThinPrep technique of Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies and trace the significant attempts in avoiding the pitfalls in the technique. In general, researchers are of the opinion that the accuracy of FNA at any site in the head and neck depends on both the skill and knowledge of the sites of the individual who will perform the FNA biopsies. As Layfield (2007) says, ‘Studies have shown that FNA is most accurate when the individual interpreting the FNA is the same individual who obtained the aspirate material’ (p. 798). In order to evaluate the performance of the FNA at the sites in the head and neck studies have had to revolve around the following questions: As far as the procedure of biopsy involves the obtainment of tissue, cell, or other specimen for diagnostic purposes, Fine Needle Aspiration has always played a crucial role as an initial technique of collecting them from a number of sites of human body. Indeed FNA is applied at a number of sites within the head and neck. The pressing appeal of the technique lies in several factors such rapidity, inexpensiveness, high convenience, low morbidity and necessarily in a relatively high diagnostic accuracy (Lester 2007). The amenability that areas in the head and neck show to this technique is mainly due to its capability to overcome the structural obstructions and barriers of the sites such as

Detecting Circulating Tumor Cells using Flow Cytometry Essay

Detecting Circulating Tumor Cells using Flow Cytometry - Essay Example The research field was on Flow Cytometry. It aimed to  establish  a reliable method for counting Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) using flow Cytometry. Flow Cytometry is a  method  of enumerating and examining minute particles suspended in a  fluid  when passed through an electronic detector. The system has a disposable chip. This chip checks for cross contamination  collect  analyzed sample and to freely measurement. CTC is  salient  biomarkers for so many cancers. There are many systems for enumeration based on either EpCAM/CD326 which  express  tumor cell before microscope or  RT-PCR. Protocols for this system can be applied onto other systems. Cultured cancer cells spiked into normal blood got enriched with  MACR  EpCAM  microbeads then  labeled  with APC instead of intracellular staining of cytokeratins.  EpCAM  allows enumeration of  intact  CTC, cellular integrity  maintenance  and concomitant  performance. Combination of  fineà ‚  tuned CTC and cytometric multicolor resulted into linear relationship between input and output  cell  count from zero to hundred of cells. Anti CD45  mAb  was used  to  give  satisfactory  signal/ noise ratio by  gate  exclusion of white blood cells  signal. There is little  influence  on lungs cancer cell PC-9 viability. CTC is of greater importance because it provides stratification of Anti-tumor treatment and furthering characterization. Several researchers have shown that circulating Tumor cells (CTC) in peripheral blood are significant prognostic marker for cancer (1-5). Presence of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients  has been involved  in the Tumor  development  and metastasis  advancement. Response of  therapy  and evaluation of  disease  get  predicted  by change in circulating tumor cells. Several methods  have been used  in the  CTC-enrichment  and  discovery, but the  standard  metho d is the FDA-approved cell search system (Veridex) (Takao, M., Takeda, K., 2011). This employs a 7.5ml of blood and involves epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAM  /CD360) (8)-conjugated  immuno-magnetic  enrichment preceded by cell imaging  process  using  positive  immuno-staining  of  cytokenins. Later negative immunostaining of leucocyte common antigen (CD45) and DNA staining with  DAPI. The overall advantage of this method is the  rapid  read out of routine measurements.  This is due to the fact that  sizeable  information gets included  in the  data  and its capability of multicolor analysis.  This  method  also offers  precise  detection limit of  pure  cells of approximately (10^-5). Related research Benjamin and Steven conducted research on flow Cytometry. They inferred that there has been progress in  immuno-magnetic  and  flow  cytometry. Benjamin and Steven concluded that  flow  cytometry and immunomagneti c can detect and characterize circulating tumor cells. They  infer  that flow cytometry has demonstrated prognostic  importance  in prostate and breast cancer. In Benjamin’s and Steven article about â€Å" circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer †¦Ã¢â‚¬  there are reviews regarding the  historical  and  development  information about  identification  and enumeration of circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer. The presence of circulating tumor cells in patients having metastatic carcinomas get  linked  with poor survival predictions (Tych,  Frederik,  Sjoerd,  Joost, Jan  &Leon, 2011). According to their article based on research, image cytometer,  cell  tracks got  developed  to  advance  the enumeration of rare circulating tumor cells. Cell search  system  got used to  enumerate  circulating tumor cells in seven point five milliliters (7.5 Ml) of  bold  of nine healthy controls and sixty eight patients. The results  were obtained  from cell search  system  were analyzed again using image cytometer. Then automated categorization of events  was executed  by random forest  process  using

Multi Channel Merchandising Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Multi Channel Merchandising - Case Study Example In this report, the case study is chosen to a health care hospital, a service industry. The Heath care facility chosen for the case study is UK Health care, one among the best in UK. UK HealthCare is the patient care enterprise of University of Kentucky Medical Center. UK HealthCare consists of the medical, nursing, health sciences, public health, dental and pharmacy patient care activities of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, and in several off-site locations. It has one among the best health care facilities in the world. It utilizes the expertise of various faculty of University to provide the best possible service to its patients. The physicians, residents, staff and students take pride in achieving excellence in patient care, education, and research and community service. With all its world class facilities, it provides the most advanced patient care and serves as an information resource for the whole industry. UK HealthCare is part of an academic medical center that has a thriving research community. Medical advances are frequently made in a wide variety of health care disciplines. All the elements of UK HealthCare's strategic plan for the future focus on one ambitious goal: achieving Top 20 status among all academic medical centers nationwide. UK HealthCare is committed to providing the highest-quality and safest patient care possible.UK health care is becoming a medical destination where the patients can seek the best in specialty and subspecialty care. Their demand for health care is ever growing within the industry. UK HealthCare is more than just a hospital and a physician practice. As a major health resource for the region and the state, it is an organization dedicated to providing the most advanced and comprehensive patient care underpinned by cutting-edge medical research and the education and training of tomorrow's health professionals. UK HealthCare facilities include UK Chandler Hospital, Kentucky Children's Hospital, UK HealthCare East, Kentucky Clinic, Polk-Dalton Clinic, Kentucky Clinic South, 80 specialized clinics, 143 outreach programs, and a team of 6,000 physicians, nurses, pharmacists and health care workers all dedicated to patient health. It includes some of the highly acclaimed centers, including the Center for Advanced Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Radiation treatment facilities and Transplant Center. The unique capabilities of this health care facility is it ability to combine multispeciality group to enable care providers of UK HealthCare to provide multidisciplinary teams for patient care. Such teams are useful for managing complex medical and surgical cases. The Hospital also pioneers in various departments of health care and serve as a resource center for the local health care community. It attracts patients from many countries with its state of art facilities and the capability to treat any health care problems. Current State of Industry: In a 2007 report by the Commonwealth Fund, the UK was ranked first among six developed countries for its provision of healthcare, in relation to quality of care, access, effectiveness and efficiency. Healthcare services have contributed to some dramatic improvements in the health of people in England and Wales over the last 20 years. This is attributed to the improvements in health care facili

Leadership & Motivation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Leadership & Motivation - Essay Example Employees accept transformational leadership, although some of its aspects within the company need reconsidering to improve both work performance, and financial stability and results. This will also mean that a good understanding is needed regarding the process of managing change within the company. My analysis at Southsea Engineering plc ascertained that many of the issues regarding leadership and motivation need to be analyzed in the prism of organizational change, which has been an ongoing process at Southsea over the years. When Rachel Southsea first headed the company, she introduced a range of organizational changes at all company levels. These changes proved to be not just simple structural reorganizations, but affected employees' attitudes and expectations, also their behaviour and dedication to the work processes. In other words, these novelties caused dramatic cultural changes and influenced the state of the psychological contract within the company. The psychological contract at Southsea plc, as defined by Schein (1978) represents "a set of unwritten reciprocal expectations between a single employee and the organization" (cited by Guest, 2003, p. 10). By the time Rachel Southsea headed the company, employees and even senior managers had an established positive psychological contract with clear expectations, presumably high degree of subjective employment security, and organizational commitment (Guest, 2003) within the "conservative structure" of an engineering company. Introducing new working approaches, such as relaxation of organizational controls caused confusion and irritation among senior managers, who felt that their expectations for their future within the company were no longer to be delivered (Guest, 2003). Release of control also influenced employees in that they felt insecure in the changing organizational environment, and exercised the freedom of not obeying to strict rules. Kurt Lewin, and later on Edgar Schein (1995, cited by Wirth R. 2004) defined this early stage of organizational change as "unfreezing", meaning removing old structures and cultural influences. As Schein ascertains, culture is deeply seated in people's minds (cited by Jossey-Bass, 1992) and change at Southsea Engineering plc was a difficult and time-consuming process. Senior management had to fight anxieties about the uncertain future. The duration and the intrusiveness of these changes made it difficult for employees to accept them and to adapt. The disrupted state of the psychological contract decreased employees' dedication, as they could not identify their role in the new organizational environment. This all lead to impaired work performance and financial results. It was by

Culture shock Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Culture shock - Research Paper Example Even if a student is not aware of the culture shock, he or she is always aware of the differences in culture and social setting. A student in this context is basically a sojourner who stays temporarily in another social setting. So is a worker or the missionaries or armed forces. In order to perform efficiently it is important for these people to adapt to the new culture. This adaptation might be costly to them in terms of both individual and physical health conditions. The United States has been witnessing the largest inflow of foreign students. The exchange of education provides a very useful instance to reflect this phenomenon. In 1955 the number was around 34000 from the overseas and it grew to 450000 in 1996. As a result of the rising levels of migration from the economically backward nations to the wealthier ones, the societies are moving form predominantly mono-cultural to multicultural setting. Societies of US, Britain and Canada are eventually transforming themselves into cu lturally diverse ones. As the ambience of an individual changes or as the person relocates to a different cultural background, he or she needs to build some new perspectives or thoughts along with behaviors in order to fit into the new surroundings. A culture shock is basically a process instead of being a particular event and its impact grows weaker as it recurs in the life of the same person. This is because the individual learns new strategies to adapt to these changes once he faces the new situation. (Pederson, vii) The paper will emphasize upon the culture shock related experiences encountered by students who move abroad to earn a foreign degree and eventually work there or return to their home country. Culture Shock – theoretical frameworks A culture is referred as the collective psychological plan formation of the human mind. While the time one takes his food is decided by his human nature driven by hunger, the way the food is eaten is decided by one’s culture ( using fork or using hands). Again whether an individual is going to choose the fork and knife to eat i an individual decision irrespective of what the cultural programming suggests or what the society infers.(Nunez, Mahdi, and Popma, 5) The theoretical setting of similarity attraction hypothesis is applicable in this circumstance. This hypothesis states that an individual tends to interact, feel comfortable with and trust people with whom they share something common in the cultural settings. This might include religion, values and beliefs apart from interests and other characteristics. Cross cultural communications occur between the people who tend to differ in terms of these essential characteristics. Another theory which might be studied in this respect is the cultural distance hypothesis. In this theoretical setting, the geographical distance plays a major role in understanding the cultural differences. For instance Australia and New Zealand are comparatively more similar in term s of cultural setting compared to India and USA. The more the cultural distance is, the greater is the probability of experiencing cultural shock. In fact empirical evidence can prove that Australian executives are more comfortable working in Auckland than at Taipei (Ward, Bochnan and Furnham, 9). The experience of a student who moves aboard for his studies usually undergoes five stages of culture shock. Peter Alder

Frankenstein and Paradise Lost Essay Example for Free

Frankenstein and Paradise Lost Essay Shelleys story of a creature created by Victor Frankenstein has striking similarities to Miltons Paradise Lost from the outset, as the second letter in the novel that documents Frankensteins misfortune, is sent from Archangel. Satan was an archangel before he was banished from heaven for challenging God, and we know that he was supposedly perfect. Frankenstein sought to make a human being in perfection, although both the creature and Satan fell from grace at the hand of their creators. The opening line of Paradise Lost underpins the correlation between the tales; Paradise Lost opens with the lines, Of Mans first disobedience, and the fruit, Of that forbidden tree, this is referring to Adam who took forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge and was therefore exiled by God. This story of Eden and mans downfall has obviously influenced Shelley as Frankensteins pursuit of nature to her hiding places is what led to the demise of himself and his family. Miltons Satan challenges God; Adam and Eve are tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit and this echoes in Shelleys novel and Miltons poem, as he tells us that heaven hides nothing from thy view. Yet both Satan and Frankenstein want more than nature has to offer, and the irony in the events leading up to the monsters creation are highlighted, by Shelleys use of dark and gothic descriptions of foraging in vaults and charnel-houses, and how the worm inherited the wonders of the eye and brain.. This dark depiction echoes the fate of Frankenstein, the monster and Miltons Satan, as they all endure an experience of Hell; Frankensteins personal hell was of of intense tortures such as no language can describe, and his endurance of a deep, dark, death like solitude, ironically echoes his creations feelings of loneliness and despair. The monster however, considered Satan as the fitter emblem of his condition and continued sufferings, but his hell was also a personal one, to be lived out on earth, and unfortunately alone. Satan, at least, had his host of rebel angels and had experience of a father and being loved, his demise was through choice, as was Frankensteins. It is Satan and the monster who initially invoke the readers compassion, as the monster seems of a benevolent nature as he watched the beloved De Lacy family and took pleasure in aiding their labours. He also shows altruistic behaviour in saving a drowning girl, and lighting a fire to warm his creator, making him possibly more sympathetic than Frankenstein, who forgot his family in his aspirations to become greater than his nature will allow. The monster states, after reading Paradise Lost and other literature he has found after eating the metaphorical apple, that sorrow only increased with knowledge, as he became aware from the De Laceys, of such things as love and acceptance that he came to long for. His good intent could also be interpreted on his hearing Saphie play music that he found so entrancingly beautiful that they at once drew tears of sorrow and of delight from my eyes. Satans ruin also came from his pursuit of knowledge, leading both men to their exile from the people they sought acceptance from. According to Stephen Boyd*, Shelleys husband believed that men are not inherently corrupt, and that they are perfectible, adding to the influence of Frankenstein being to blame for the monsters feelings of vengeance to all mankind, and Frankensteins own corruption when trying to discover the elixir of life. Shelley portrays the monster in child-like ways throughout the novel, as he learns empirically; it was a long time before I was able to distinguish between the operations of my various senses, and he burns himself with fire as a child with no awareness would. This allows the reader to feel some empathy towards this wretched creature, as we imagine an abandoned child, but also reinforces her exploration of human nature as potentially good. Frankenstein and the creature both state they were formed for peaceful happiness, like Miltons Adam, making them perfect antiheroes. It could be argued that the monsters rejection is what made him commit such heinous crimes against Frankensteins loved ones, as the rejection he continually faced made him wretched. We could see Shelley taking the stance that man made a monster, and man also made him monstrous. As the monster lives in a hut, we are reminded that he doesnt only live outside physically, but emotionally as he is a mere voyeur of family life while watching the De Lacys, and this social exclusion is to blame for his murderous behaviour, again relating to Satan who was excluded my his creator. We could again relate this to Satan who is looking for earth and is also racked with deep despair, as are Shelleys characters. Frankenstein also resembles God, as he created his own version of Adam, and the monster that he constantly refers to as fiend and devil reminds him; You, my creator, abhor me.. his plea resounds through the humanity of every reader who has ever felt alone or incomplete, but these feelings however are to be changed as the monster commits heinous crimes against the humanity he once longed for, and on his final rejection he cries; oh, earth the mildness of my nature had fled, and all within me was turned to bitterness and gall. This is when the role of God is transferred from Frankenstein and to the monster who will now decide his fate.

Consumer Learning and Attitude Formation

Consumer Learning and Attitude Formation Emily Keegan Because not all learning theorists agree on how learning takes place, it is difficult to come up with a generally accepted definition of learning (†¦) first, consumer learning is a process; that is, it continually evolves and changes as a result of newly-acquired knowledge (†¦) both newly-acquired knowledge and personal experience serve as feedback to the individual and provide the basis for future behaviour in similar situations (Schiffman, Kanuck and Hansen 2008). In relation to the above quote, it is imperative to first understand that there are many different theories regarding how consumers learn. However this essay intends to discuss and analyse the topic of how consumers learn and formulate their attitudes, by researching two different theories, which is learning by behaviour and learning by knowledge. Through these two different schools of thought we shall be discussing the study of ‘conditioning’, both classical and operant. This will be done by discussing the works of famous learning theorists, such as Ivan Pavlov, and BF Skinner. In terms of attitude formation, it is of course closely linked to our learning, as our attitudes are linked and are informed by our knowledge and feelings towards certain things, for example such as brand names. We shall then be applying this knowledge and these theories to relevant media examples, such as advertising, celebrities and media debates. It has long been a question in the study of consumer behaviour, are the behaviours and attitudes we possess, something we learn or something that we just inherently have. Theorists who agree with the notion of behavioural learning theories believe that: People’s experiences are shaped by the feedback they receive as they go through life. Similarly, consumers respond to brand names, scents, jingles and other marketing stimuli based on the learned connections they have formed over time (Solomon et al. 2010). Effectively meaning that any behaviours learned are a result of external occurrences in your life. This belief led to two of the most influential approaches to learning, the first of which was classical conditioning. Antonides and Raaij (1999, p.221) define classic conditioning as ‘a process in which a previously neutral stimulus acquires the ability to elicit a response by repeated association with a stimulus that naturally produces a similar response’ (Antonides and Raaij 1999). The most famous example of classic conditioning would of course be Ivan Pavlov and the salivating dogs experiment. In short Pavlov presented a dog with an unconditioned stimulus (which was food) and the dog’s unconditioned response was to salivate. He then introduced a neutral stimulus (which was a bell), when the bell was rung, there was no conditioned response from the dog as he did not salivate. However during the conditioning process anytime Pavlov produced food to the dog he also rang the bell. During this process the dog began to associate the sound of the bell with food and after conditioning, when Pavlov simply rang the bell (the conditioned stimulus) without producing any food the dog would salivate, this became known as a conditioned response. Psychologist B.F. Skinner is probably best known for his role in demonstrating the effects of operant conditioning. Bernstein (2010, p.181) defines operant conditioning as ‘a process in which responses are learned on the basis of their rewarding or punishing consequences’ (Bernstein 2010). Skinner created what is now commonly known as the ‘Skinner Box’ to study the learning patterns of animals. The skinner box is a cage that contains a food-release mechanism the animal activates when it responds in a certain way – for example, by pressing a lever or pushing a button. Through operant conditioning, organisms learn responses, such as pressing a bar that produces changes in the environment (release of food). In this form of learning the consequences of a response determine the likelihood that the response will occur again. In this form of learning, the consequences of a response determine the likelihood that the response will occur again (Nevid 2011). A typical example of operational learning and conditioning in relation to the media, is advertisements. In our everyday life the media surrounds or more specifically bombards us with adverts. Solomon et al (2010, p. 253) proposes that ‘advertisements often pair a product with a positive stimulus to create a desirable association’. In fact, most advertisements are so well conducted semiotically, with the intention that they remain in your memory and consciousness. One such commercial that stuck in my mind was conducted by Lancome cosmetics. For their newest perfume ‘Tresor Midnight Rose’. For the advertisement Lancome hired famous young actress Emma Watson to be the star or the face of its advert. As Egan (2007) explains, Advertisers are willing to pay large sums of money for celebrities who would hold the greatest influence on the target audiences and who will, hopefully, influence the consumer’s attitudes and behaviours in a positive way towards the said brand. Lancome describes the perfume itself as ‘sexy, sweet and playful’ and clearly felt that by using Emma Watson they were representing the perfume by using an actress who they felt embodied all those elements. So this would be a symbolic code employed within the advertisement itself. As codes are used in media texts to make them coherent and meaningful. In the commercial (AutoCurate 2011) Emma is portrayed as an independent, beautiful young women living in Paris. Who one day visits a book shop and by chance meets the handsome young man who works there. However she leaves behind her hat, which the young man clings on to in case he sees her again. One night sitting outside a cafà © he notices her walking down the street and runs after her. His chase leads him to a boat which is just pulling away, so he thinks he has missed her. Then he turns around and there she is standing behind him, its faith. It’s meant to be. In reference to positive stimuli, we can look at the name of the fragrance. Midnight could connote magic and enchantment, as some people know midnight as the ‘Witching hour’. Or the word rose, as a rose is one of the most romantic flowers particularly associated with Valentine’s Day and love. The concept of a midnight rose is also significant as the rose is a flower which is supposed to bloom at this time. Which could stimulate a response that the woman who wears this perfume comes alive at night and blossoms. That by wearing this fragrance you will become this enchanting, magical, mysterious women. Thus creating in the mind of the consumer a desirable association with the brand. Perfume is a particularly relevant example of operant conditioning. For example if a woman purchased ‘Tresor Midnight Rose’ and received compliments on her scent (a reward) then she is a lot more likely to continue to purchase the perfume. However if she received negative comments on her perfume (punishment), she is a lot less likely to wear it again. Now in terms of attitude formation: Attitudes can be based on cognitive, affective, and behavioural information (†¦) knowledge about an object can come either from direct experience with the object or from indirect sources such as parents, peers, and the media (Millon and Lerner 2003). One of the most popular models used to describe how an attitude is formulated is the ABC Model. As explained by Augoustinos, Walker and Donaghue (2006) The ABC model takes three elements into account, Affect, Behaviour and Cognition. Affect meaning, how the consumer feels about a certain object or product. Behaviour, essentially meaning an overt behaviour or intention towards an object. Finally by cognition, it is the cognitive response, meaning the convictions and beliefs a consumer has towards a product, brand, person etc. An example that springs to mind, of the power that the media has in changing and shaping people’s attitudes is the Angelina Jolie case. As noted by biographer Kathleen Tracy (2008), Jolie first began to be properly noticed in the late nineties with some very daring and interesting film choices, such as ‘Gia’ and ‘Girl, Interrupted’. However it wasn’t until her breakthrough role as popular video game heroine Lara Croft in Tomb raider that she really came into prominence. Besides her daring film role choices Jolie was known as a bit of a wild child, due to her estranged relationship with her father (acting legend Jon Voight) and her controversial marriages to both actors Johnny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton. Then of course there was her involvement in the divorce of Americas ‘it’ couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. While Jolie was once before seen as a rebellious and provocative young woman, she is now seen by many as a loving mother to six children and as an ambassador for some of the most global and world renowned organisations, such as UNICEF. So the questions begs to be asked, how can strong opinions and attitudes towards someone or something change so drastically? Well what is an attitude? An attitude is the individual predisposition to evaluate an object or an aspect of the world in a favourable or unfavourable manner (Antonides and Raaij 1999). These attitudes of course can be changed. This is due to a number of reasons, for example the ‘knowledge function’. Meaning that our knowledge of a topic or a product can change how we feel about them. Like in the Angelina Jolie example, if your only knowledge of her, was her role in the Pitt and Aniston divorce, you may be inclined to have a negative attitude towards her. However after learning about all her humanitarian work and loving relationship between herself and her six children (that she has gone on to have with Brad Pitt), your attitude towards her is likely to change in a positive way. Another example of attitude formation, could be the recent debate on homophobia in the Irish Media. This debate sprung to the forefront after last weeks ‘The Saturday Night Show’ on RTE. During the show, presenter Brendan O’Connor was interviewing gay rights activist Rory O’Neill (also known by his drag name Miss Panti Bliss). During this interview Mr O’Neil made a number of comments about writers John Waters, Breda O’Brien and the Iona Institute (a Catholic organisation, which promotes marriage and religious values), claiming that these people/organisation were homophobic. Since the show was aired, Brendan O’Connor publically apologised on his Twitter for any offense that may have been caused and RTE paid the Iona institute compensation. This has caused outrage among many different groups in society and in a follow up; A statement from RTE confirmed: The Saturday Night Show will host a debate on homophobia; what constitutes homophobia and who gets to define the word? (Irish Independent 2014). Theory of reasoned action – social pressure! P291. Self-perception theory and social judgement theory! P285. Conclude!!! Bibliography Antonides, G. Raaij, F.V.W. 1999. Learning Processes IN: Antonides, G. Raaij, F.V.W. (ed.) Consumer Behaviour: A European Perspective. New York: John Wiley Sons Ltd, p. 221. Augoustinos, M. Walker, I. Donaghue, N. 2006. Social Cognition: An Integrated Introduction. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd. AutoCurate 2011. Emma Watson in Lancà ´me Trà ©sor Midnight Rose Advertisement [Online]. Available From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVZ1wz7pz4U [Accessed 31 January 2014]. Bernstein, D. 2010. Instrumental and Operant Conditioning: Learning the Consequences of Behaviour IN: Hague, J.D. (eds.) Essentials of Psychology. 5th ed. USA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, p. 181. Egan, J. 2007. Marketing Communications. London: Thomson Learning. Irish Independent. 2014. RTEs The Saturday Night Show to host debate on homophobia. Irish Independent: Irish News [Online], 31 January. Available From: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rtes-the-saturday-night-show-to-host-debate-on-homophobia-29966413.html [Accessed 1 January 2014]. Millon, T. Lerner, M.J. 2003. Attitude Formation IN: Weiner, I.B. (eds.) Handbook of Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology. 6th ed. New York: John Wiley Sons Ltd, p. 311. Nevid, J. 2011. Operant Conditioning: Learning Through Consequences. IN: Hague, J.D. (eds.) Essentials of Psychology: Concepts and Applications. 3rd ed. USA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, p.175. Schiffman, L.G. Kanuck, L.L. Hansen, H. 2008. Consumer Learning IN: Schiffman, L.G. Kanuck, L.L. Hansen, H. (eds.) Consumer Behaviour: A European Outlook. Essex: Pearson Education Limited, p. 208. Solomon, M.R. Bamossy, G. Askegaard, S. Hogg, M.K. Learning and Memory IN: Solomon, M.R. Bamossy, G. Askegaard, S. Hogg, M.K. (eds.) Consumer Behaviour: A European Perspective. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Educated Limited, p. 246. Solomon, M.R. Bamossy, G. Askegaard, S. Hogg, M.K. Learning and Memory IN: Solomon, M.R. Bamossy, G. Askegaard, S. Hogg, M.K. (eds.) Consumer Behaviour: A European Perspective. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Educated Limited, p. 253. Tracy, K. 2008. Angelina Jolie: A Biography. Washington: Greenwood Publishing Group. 1

Biomechanical Differences: Male and Female Marathon Runner

Biomechanical Differences: Male and Female Marathon Runner More than by brain size or tool-making ability, the human species was set apart from its ancestors by the ability to jog mile after lung-stabbing mile with greater endurance than any other primate. The introductory quotation (Hotz, 2004) simply, yet vividly, expresses the results of a recent study completed by two American scientists, Dennis Bramble and Daniel Lieberman, and released in the journal Nature(2004). Bramble and Lieberman contend that the ability to run long distances was the driving force shaping the modern human anatomy.Hotz’s characterization of early humans as marathon men and women from the tips of their distinctively short toes and long Achilles tendons to the tops of their biomechanically balanced heads (emphasis added) sets the backdrop for this essay—an exploration of the biomechanical differences between male and female marathon runners. After a few additional historical comments, this essay opens with a presentation of anatomical differences between men and women with specific reference to running then continues with definitions and descriptions of the term marathon, as a form of organized running sport, and definitions for the term biomechanics in preparation for a discussion of how the field of biomechanics is applied to running. With this information as a foundation, the objective and scope will be articulated followed by presentation of previous methods and findings revealed from a search of the literature on the topic of biomechanical differences between male and female marathon runners and closely-related topics. These findings will be discussed and conclusions drawn. Finally, recommendations for further research will be presented. To return briefly to the research findings of Bramble, a paleontologist and biomechanics expert, and Lieberman, a physical anthropologist, to continue setting the backdrop for the essay, Bramble states: Running made us human, at least in an anatomical sense. We think running is one of the most transforming events in human history (Chui, 2004). Endurance running is an activity that is reserved for humans in the primate world and not common in other mammals with the exception of dogs, horses and a few others. Bramble and Lieberman contend that running permitted humans to scavenge and hunt for food over significant distances and that the high protein food they secured was instrumental in developing larger brains (Wilford, 2004). To facilitate running, humans developed several traits including large buttocks with strong muscles which connect the femur to the trunk of the body preventing the body from over-balancing with each step. In addition, humans have a lengthy arm-swinging stride and [l]ong ligaments and tendons—including the Achilles tendon—[which] serve as springs that store and release mechanical energy during running.(Hotz, 2004). Bramble’s reference to today’s running in the evolutionary context he and Lieberman established provides an appropriate introduction to the exploration of the biomechanical differences between male and female marathon runners (Wilford, 2004): Today, endurance running is primarily a form of exercise and recreation, but its roots may be as ancient as the origin of the human genus. The description of anatomical differences between men and women,which is focused on anatomical features that are involved in running,begins with a gender-neutral discussion to establish a foundation for the more gender-specific information. Rossi (2003) emphasizes the complexity of walking, a precursor torunning. He writes that half of the 650 muscles and tendons in thehuman body are involved in what most people consider to be the simpleact of walking. He suggests that, in the evolution of the human body,there were hundreds of adaptations that had to take place,adaptations that required repositioning of everything in the bodyover several million years. Rossi writes: The arms, no longer needed for branch swinging, became shorter, thelegs longer, the pelvis wider, the shoulders narrower, the neck longerand more slender, the spine changed from C-shape to S-shape. Majorchanges were required in the hip, knee and ankle joints. Hundreds ofmuscles, tendons, ligaments and joints gradually shifted in position,size and function. And of course, the new posture and gait requiredimportant changes in the size and position of all the organs of thechest and abdomen. Rossi suggests that some of these changes were extremely significantfrom a biomechanical perspective. For instance, he calls attention tothe blood pumping requirement of the upright human form: Daily in eachindividual, approximately 74,000 quarts of blood must travel through100,000 miles of blood vessels from the brain to the feet and legs in acircular pattern. Rossi emphasizes the human engineering challengethat was required to design a system that would counteract the effectsof gravity in moving blood vertically in this manner. Rossi’s commentsare particularly important in the context of the current discoursebecause they provide some insight into the current state of relevantanatomical features of today’s runners and how those features werederived. The anatomy of humans, unlike that of other living creatures,provides for speed and endurance. The unique characteristics related torunning include (Science in Africa, 2005, citing University of Utah Public Relations, 2004): †¢ Skull features. These features, which include sweating from the scalp and face, cool the blood. †¢ A balanced head. This shape of head with a relatively flat face,small teeth, and short snout moves the center of the mass backwardwhich helps to counter the effects of moving upward and downward duringrunning. †¢ A ligament running from the rear of the skill and neck downward tothe thoracic vertebrae. This feature serves as a shock absorber thataids the arms and shoulders in counterbalancing the head during runningactivity. †¢ Shoulders decoupled from the head and neck. This feature allowsrotation of the body while the head faces forward during running. †¢ A tall body. This feature, which includes a narrow trunk, waistand pelvis, provides for increased skin surface allowing for enhancedbody cooling and permits the upper and lower body segments to moveindependently. †¢ Short forearms. This feature permits the upper body to act as acounterbalance to the lower body during running activity while reducingthe muscle power required for maintaining flexed arms. †¢ Large vertebrae and disks. This feature permits the human back to accepted heavier loads when runners impact the ground. †¢ Large, strong connection between the pelvis and the spine. Thisfeature supports more stability and shock absorbing capacity duringrunning activity. †¢ Large buttocks. This feature, and the muscles that form it,stabilize the body during running activity. The connection of thesemuscles to the femur prevents the body from pitching forward. †¢ Long legs. This feature allows humans to take large strides duringrunning activity. The tendons and ligaments permit the legs to belighter and less muscular thereby requiring a smaller amount of energyto propel them while running. †¢ Large hip, knee, and ankle joint surface areas. These featuresprovide enhanced shock absorption by reducing the impact in any onespecific area. †¢ Arrangement of bones in the foot. This feature provides for a morerigid foot by creating a stable arch, allowing runners to push off in amore efficient manner and to use ligaments located on the bottom of thefeet as springs. †¢ Large heel bone, short toes, and a big toe. These features providefor enhanced shock absorption and increased capacity to push off duringrunning activity. With the running-related anatomical features applicable to allhumans as a foundation, the focus now turns to the differences inanatomical features between men and women, specifically those featuresthat are involved in running activity. Holschen (2004) writes that,until puberty, males and females are equal in terms of strength,aerobic power, heart size, and weight; they also have similar amountsof body fat. Starting at puberty, according to Holschen (2004), male and female sexhormones begin affecting bone and lean body mass, circulation, andmetabolism in different ways. A female typically has a wider pelvis,femoral anteversion (inward twisting of the femur), genu valgum (kneestouch but ankles are separated), and external tibial torsion (feet donot line up in a straight manner because of out-toeing from outwardrotation of the large calf bone). Center of gravity differences betweenmen and women are minimal, correlating more by body type and heightthan with gender. (Atwater, 1985, cited in Holschen, 2004). Whencompared with males, females typically have smaller bones accompaniedby smaller articular surfaces. They also have proportionately shorterlegs with resulting decreased potential force in certain maneuvers.(Holschen, 2004). At puberty, girls gain both fat and lean muscle mass due to theinfluence of female hormones; boys lose body fat and add muscle massdue to the influence of male hormones (Holschen, 2004). Women inadulthood have about ten percent more body fat than do their malecounterparts (Greydanus, D. and Patel, D., 2002, cited in Holschen,2004). The basal metabolic rate is approximately ten percent lower inwomen than in men. The presence of female hormones mandates that womenrely more on fat metabolism at any given exercise level when comparedto men. In addition, glycogen uptake, storage, and use are increased.(Holschen, 2004, citing Bonekat, H. W. et al., 1987; Dombovy, M. L. etal., 1987; Frankovich, R. J. and Lebrun, C. M., 2000; Nicklas, B. J. etal., 1989; Tarnopolsky, L. J., 1990) Cureton and associates (1988,cited in Holschen, 2004) attribute the differences in muscle strengthbetween men and woman to skeletal and cardiac muscular hypertrophy andmuscle mass percentage; they contend that muscle mass in men is fortypercent compared to twenty-three percent in women. Changes in body composition and circulatory capacity beginning atpuberty result in approximately twenty percent highercardio-respiratory capacity in men. Men also have comparatively higheroxygen-carrying capacity, larger heart and lung mass, a higher strokevolume, and higher maximal cardiac output which result in greatereffectiveness in aerobic and anaerobic activities, although trainingcan overcome the inherent differences (Williford, H. N. et al., 1993,cited in Holschen, 2004). The results of the current research point to fundamental anatomicaldifferences between men and woman, differences that largely begin toappear during puberty and which have some bearing on runningcapability. The term running can be defined as [moving] swiftly on foot sothat both feet leave the ground during each stride (American HeritageDictionary of the English Language, 2000). The research by Bramble andLieberman (2004, cited in Nature, 2004), which was presented earlier,seems to indicate that running has been part of human existence sinceits beginnings and, in fact, contributed significantly to developmentof human life today. Humans no longer require running for survival, atleast in their normal affairs; that is, typically, humans do not haveto run from danger or run in pursuit of animals to kill for food. Inmodern times, running has taken on a new form—competition foot racing.This competition racing can be against oneself to achieve one’s ownpersonal best or with others. Racing against others can take manyforms ranging from informal competitions between two young friendsracing against one another on a playground to very formal competitionssuch as those in the quadrennia l Olympics. The more formal runningcompetitions are typically classified by the length of the run: 100,200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000, and 10000 meters as well as marathons(Dollman, 2003). There are many terms that refer to specific forms of foot racing: run,dash, sprint, relay, meet, competitive trial of speed, footrace, andmarathon (Webster’s New World Thesaurus, 1997). Of these, the termsdash and sprint are typically used interchangeably to describe ashort, fast run or race (Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1988) or ashort, swift movement (Webster’s New World Thesaurus, 1997). Organizeddashes and sprints are commonly of 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters,50 yards, 100 yards, and 200 yards in length (Webster’s New WorldThesaurus, 1997). Marathons are a form of long-distance running, whichare on- and off-the-track competitions of more than 3000 meters (Hlus,1997). Specifically, a marathon is a footrace of 42 kilometers, 195meters (26 miles, 385 yards) run over an open course, or anylong-distance or endurance contest People who compete in marathons arecalled marathoners (Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1998).Physiologically, there is a fundamental difference between a sprint ordash and a marathon. According to Pritchard (1994), A sprinter canexert maximum force throughout the run, but this is not possible forlonger runs, where propulsive force must be reduced to match energyavailability. Historically, marathons are not new events. According to legend, thename marathon is derived from the Greek city, Marathon, to commemoratePheidippides’s run from that city to Athens to announce Greek victoryover the Persians. The marathon was introduced to the Olympics in 1896and today’s official distance was established in 1908. (Hlus, 1997; TheColumbia Encyclopedia, 2005) Today, in addition to marathon races inthe Olympics, many cities throughout the world serve as sites forannual or other periodic marathons (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2005). A new form of marathon race has recently taken form—the ultramarathon,which is any organized footrace extending beyond the standard marathonrunning distance of 42 kilometers, 195 meters†¦[they] typically begin at 50 kilometers and extend to enormous distances (Blaikie, n. d.).Standard distances for ultramarathons are 50 and 100 kilometers and 50and 100 miles (Meyers, 2002) with the longest certified race being theSri Chinmoy, a 2092 kilometer race held annually in New York (Blaikie,n. d.). The research produced numerous and varied definitions for the termbiomechanics. The following are representative of the findings: †¢ The study of the mechanics of a living body, especially of theforces exerted by muscles and gravity on the skeletal structure. (TheAmerican Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2000). †¢ [The] application of mechanical engineering principles andtechniques in the field of medicine and surgery, studying naturalstructures to improve those produced by humans (The HutchinsonEncyclopedia, 2003). †¢ [A] science examining the forces acting upon and within a biologicalstructure, and the effects produced by those forces (The University ofCalgary, n. d.). †¢ [T]he science that deals with forces and their effects, applied to biological systems (Freivalds, 2004). †¢ [T]he application of the principles and techniques of mechanics to the human body in motion (Snowden, 2001). †¢ Biomechanics is a specific field which evaluates the motion of aliving organism†¦and the actions of forces on that organism†¦acombination of several different areas of study [including] anatomy andphysiology, kinematics (the study of motion without regard to itscauses), kinesiology (the study of human movement) and kinetics (thestudy of forces acting on a system) (National Endurance SportsTrainers Association, 2005). In furnishing a definition for biomechanics, the Quintic ConsultancyLtd. (2005) provides some additional insight into the origin anddetails of the term, stating that the name is derived from the Greekbios meaning life and mekhaniki meaning mechanics, adding that theseindividual terms are combined to mean the mechanics of life forms.The biomechanics discipline includes research into various life formsincluding plants, insects, reptiles, birds, fish, humans, and others.Within the human specialty, topics include mechanics of bone, tooth,muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, skin, prostheses, blood flow, airflow, eye movement, joint movement [and] whole body movement (TheQuintic Consultancy Ltd., 2005). Historically, according to Knudson (2003), the study of humanbiomechanics has alternated between emphasizing each of its twocomponents—the biological and the mechanical. Atwater (1980, cited inKnudson, 2003) claims that, during the first half of the twentiethcentury, scholars emphasized medicine and anatomy under the termkinesiology. The distinct field of biomechanics was born from the workof biomechanists in the 1960s and 1970s. From that point the fieldbegan to emphasize mechanics over biology. Today, the competing forcesto move the discipline either toward a biological emphasis or toward amechanical emphasis continue (Knudson, 2003). The field of biomechanics, already narrowed in a previous sectionfrom consideration of all life forms to only humans for the purpose ofthis essay, can be focused even further to a sub-field called sportsbiomechanics (The Quintic Consultancy Ltd., 2005): Sports biomechanics uses the scientific methods of mechanics tostudy the effects of various forces on the sports performer. It isconcerned, in particular, with the forces that act on the humanneuromusculoskeletal system, velocities, accelerations, torque,momentum, and inertia. It also considers aspects of the behavior ofsports implements, footwear and surfaces where these affect athleticperformance or injury prevention. Sports biomechanics can be divided upinto two sections: performance improvement [and] injury prevention. The Australian Sports Commission (n. d.) furnishes additionaldescriptive information on the application of biomechanics to sports,using a term the Commission calls applied sports biomechanics whichincorporates techniques from physics, human anatomy, mathematics,computing and engineering to analyse technique to prevent injury andimprove performance. The Commission’s division of sports biomechanicsinto two categories—performance improvement and injuryprevention—echoes the classifications offered by The QuinticConsultancy Ltd. Williams (2003) describes how biomechanics can help runnerperformance, specifically that of the marathoner. Leading into hisrecommendations, he describes how marathon runners use a simplebiomechanical strategy known as drafting off another runner whenrunning into the wind to reduce the adverse effects of air resistanceand reduce oxygen consumption for the latter part of the race. Hewrites: The goal of the sport biomechanist is to improve movement efficiency,mainly by maximizing propulsive forces and minimizing resistive forces,and thus provide the athlete with a mechanical edge. Using high-speedcinematography, the biomechanist can analyze a runner’s form and detectproblems in running form that may be inefficient, such as overstriding,and that may waste energy. Although most elite and experiencedmarathoners have developed efficient running styles, even a smallimprovement in running efficiency may make a significant differenceover the duration of a marathon. In addition to the strategy of drafting off another runner,Williams offers several other biomechanical strategies includingselecting the proper sportswear (i.e. uniform and shoes) and optimizingbody weight and composition. Thus far the topics of anatomical differences between men and womenwith specific reference to running; definitions and descriptions of theterms marathon (as an organized, competitive form of running) andbiomechanics; and the application of biomechanics to running have beenpresented and discussed. With this as a foundation, the focus of thediscourse now turns to the topic of biomechanical differences betweenmale and female marathon runners and closely-related topics. The objective of this portion of the essay will be to explore thebiomechanical differences between male and female marathon runnersthrough a review and analysis of selected literature on the topic andrelated issues. The scope of the literature review will include marathon running withspecific reference to available information on the differences betweenmales and females. Although running of shorter distances (e.g. sprintsand dashes) and longer distances (e.g. ultramarathons) as well as othersports activities are excluded from the specific scope of this essay,references will be made to these activities when they related tomarathon running. Performance improvement and injury prevention werementioned as the two primary areas addressed by applied sportsbiomechanics. Gender-specific issues in each of these areas will beexplored briefly as well. REVIEW OF EXISTING RESEARCH ON METHODS AND FINDINGS One researcher who has studied gender differences in enduranceperformance, including marathon running, is Stephen Seiler (1996) ofThe Institute for Sport, Agder College in Kristianstad, Norway. Hewrites: Some years ago it was proposed by some that women wouldactually perform better [than men] at ultra-endurance type activities.This theory has been disproved in the laboratory and in practice. Aslong as women are women, I don’t think they will surpass men, statesNorways perennial marathon winner Grete Waitz (quoted in Holden,2004). The anatomical differences between females and their malecounterparts, specifically those that affect running, were presented inthe introduction. Now an attempt will be made to show that the generalanatomical differences between men and women extend to biomechanicaldifferences that affect marathon running performance and injury. Holschen (2004) writes that [T]he female athlete remains less wellunderstood and less well studied compared with male athletes,especially in the areas of performance factors, repetitive stress, andacute injuries. She continues: Logical reasons for this include: (a)a limited two-generation span of the high-profile elite female; (b)fewer females involved in coaching, research, and sports medicine; and(c) limited areas of female youth sports historically (gymnastics,swimming, dance). The reality of Holschen’s findings proved to be truein the current research activity. There were remarkably few availablesources on the biomechanics involved in women’s marathon running. Mostof the research either applied to males or did not identify the gender.Results from a review of selected research literature will be presentedin this section beginning with gender-differentiated research resultson running performance. Following this, results of research into thetwo applied sports biomechan ics specialties will be presented with afocus on studies concerning footwear and injuries. Holden (2004) writes about performance in running with specialattention to female runners. She quotes physiologist Henrik Larsen ofthe Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre in explaining women’s marathonperformance vis-à  -vis men: Women had not developed long distance;that’s why the improvement is much greater on the marathon. Larsen,who seems to attribute the performance improvements of femalemarathoners to focused training instead of anatomic factors, claimsthat [w]e don’t see any higher oxidative capacity in women. Holdenalso offers comments by exercise physiologist Timothy Noakes of theUniversity of Cape Town, South Africa who agrees with Larsen’sassessment: A smaller body frame gives women an edge on endurance†¦butmen can run 10% faster even when the difference in body size iscontrolled for. Stephen Seiler (1996), who was quoted at the start of this sectionstating that the proposal that women could perform better inultra-endurance activities has been disproved, confirms that there aresome physiological differences between the sexes that impactperformance in females independent of age. He notes that there is aten percent difference in marathon times between men and women, addingthat this difference is the same across the distance runningperformance spectrum. He attributes this difference, not to adifference in training, but to physiological differences. He studiedmaximal oxygen consumption, the lactate threshold, and efficiency toanalyze the differences between men and women as these factors mightaffect long-distance running performance: †¢ Maximal Oxygen Consumption. There is a 43 percent differencebetween men and women with men possessing a VO2 max (oxygen-deliveringcapacity measure) of 3.5 liters per minute and women with a capacity of2.0 liters per minute. Seiler attributes this in part to male size; menare larger. But, even when size is factored in, male oxygen consumptioncapacity is still fifteen to twenty percent higher. Males have agreater capacity to deliver oxygen to their muscles and organs. †¢ The Lactate Threshold. This is the point at which lactic acidbegins to accumulate at higher than normal levels in the blood streamindicating an exercise intensity boundary at which the level ofintensity can be maintained over a long period and that which willresult in quick fatigue. Seiler does not believe that lactatethresholds are different for men and women as a percentage of their VO2max. †¢ Efficiency. After finding conflicting information comparing theefficiency of males and females—revealing that females are lessefficient, more efficient, or the same as males in terms ofefficiency—Seiler believes that differences in efficiency do notaccount for the differences in endurance performance. Seiler concludes with his determination that the ten percentperformance difference between men and women in endurance running canbe attributed to the first of the three physiological factors hestudied—maximal oxygen consumption. Another researcher who explored gender differences in athletics,and especially in endurance events, is Dollman (2003). Citing Shepard(2000), Dollman writes that there is consistent evidence, based onobservations, that males possess larger measures of the following(quoted): †¢ Heart volume, even when corrected for stature. †¢ Haematocrit, which gives males a 13 percent greater oxygen-carrying capacity than females. †¢ Plasma volume. †¢ Total muscle mass, which means that females perform the sameabsolute task at a higher percentage of maximum voluntary contraction,with concomitant vascular impedance limiting cardiac ejection and peakcardiac output. In addition, male skeletal muscles may have a higher succinatedehydrogenase (an integral membrane protein) concentration (Dollman,2003, citing Costill, et al., 1987). Males may produce bettermechanical efficiency during running (Dollman, 2003, citing Miura,1997) although this is arguable as it may be rooted in cultural origins(Dollman, 2003, citing Shepard, 2000). Now attention will turn briefly to a review of selected researchinto the two primary application areas addressed by applied sportsbiomechanics: running performance and injuries. Regarding performance,footwear will be discussed followed by a presentation of selectedfindings on research into injuries. Gender issues will be introduced. Lipsky (2001, citing Hennig, 2001) presented research findings ongender-specific requirements for athletic footwear designed forrunning. The research experiment involved fifteen women and seventeenmen of the same body weights, heights, and ages. Each subject wore thesame shoe size and each tested five types of shoes which included threestyles of men’s shoes and two styles for women. Using Kistler forceplatforms at a set velocity, ground force reactions, tibialacceleration, angular foot motion, and plantar pressures at eightstrategic locations on the foot were measured. According to Lipsky, theexperiment revealed that none of the variables demonstrated asignificant interaction among gender and footwear type meaning, Lipskycontends, that women had the same biomechanical dilemmas in men’sshoes as they did in their own footwear. Despite similarity in thetest subjects’ weight and other factors, men exhibited higher pressurerates in all regions of the foot. Men had sig nificantly higher heelloads, but less midfoot loads, indicating that the arches of women donot support the middle of their feet. According to Lipsky, theseresults support the conclusions that women have a stronger collapse ofthe longitudinal arch†¦during weight bearing and have an increasedtendency of pronation and the smaller amount of pressure to theground. The recommendation from this study is that women should selectrunning shoes that protect against overpronation. This, according toLipsky, will help prevent knee injuries. Bartold (2004) adds to the literature on the differences inrequirements for athletic shoes for men and women. He claims thatrunning footwear is largely designed and manufactured for malerunners, making little recognition that women have significant injuryissues compared to men. Although Bartold acknowledges that reasons forinjuries are not scientifically established, he indicates thatproposals have been made that known differences in structure maypredispose female athletes to differences in running mechanics, andthese differences may lead to specific injuries, continuing by statingthat [a]necdotally, we have excellent evidence [that] the particularbiomechanics of female athletes and the way they run predisposes themto specific injury patterns. With regard to injuries, Parfit (1994) compared running injuries ofmiddle distance runners and marathon runners, concluding that thelatter incur more injuries when compared to the former (approximatelyeighty-two percent for middle distance runners compared to ninety-sevenpercent for marathoners). Acknowledging validity questions due to smallrunner populations studied and lack of injury definitions, Parfit foundthat whilst marathon runners suffered from back problems and hipailments, middle distance runners were more susceptible to kneeproblems, stress fractures, and shin splints. Certain types of knee, shoulder and back injuries are more commonin females and can in part be attributed to differences in body shapeand biomechanics, reports Glasgow, Scotland’s Daily Record (2004).Taunton et al. (2002) found that there were significant differencesbetween running injuries incurred by men and women. According to thisstudy, knee injuries seemed to be the most common injury in both sexeswith men experiencing higher incidences of the following injuries (thefirst percentage shown in parenthesis is for men; the second forwomen): †¢ plantar fasciitis, an injury to the fascia connective tissue on the bottom of the foot (54%/46%); †¢ meniscal injury, a condition in the knee cartilage that acts ascushion between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) (69%/31%); †¢ patellar tendinopathy, a rupture in the tendon that connects the kneecap to the tibia (57%/43%); †¢ Achilles tendinopathy, tendon pain or dysfunction in the muscle that connects the calf to the heel of the foot (58%/42%); †¢ gastrocnemius injury, a condition in the largest, most prominentmuscle in the calf which allows for extending the foot and bending theknee (70%/30%); †¢ adductor injury, a condition, such as a tear, in the muscle in the inner thigh (68%/32%); and †¢ osteoarthritis of the knee, a degenerative joint diseasecharacterized by breakdown of the articular cartilage in the joint(71%/29%). The study by Taunton et al. (2002) revealed that women experiencedhigher incidences of the following running injuries (the firstpercentage shown in parenthesis is for women; the second for men): †¢ PFPS, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, a pain behind the kneesometimes known as runner’s knee (62%/32%, does not add to 100%); †¢ ITBFS, or iliotibial band friction syndrome, a conditioncharacterized by injury to the thick band of fibrous tissue that runsdown the outside of the leg beginning at the hip and extending to theouter side of the shin bone just below the knee joint (62%/32%, doesnot ad

Contemporary Themes of The Merchant of Venice :: Free Merchant of Venice Essays

Contemporary Themes of The Merchant of Venice      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the many elements that make up a classic, is that the book, novel or play can be read in any generation, decade, century or in any part of the globe at any time and have relevance to the reader. The themes of the work should be universal, so that the reader can take something and create a parallel to an event or situation in his or her own life. The Merchant of Venice has elements that make it a classic. The Merchant of Venice has many contemporary themes in it. In this essay I will provide you with examples of themes that still hold true today, many years after Shakespeare wrote this masterpiece. The re-occurring themes of love, anti- Semitism and inter-racial marriages are a few examples of contemporary themes that are manifest in The Merchant of Venice that are still issues that we discuss, worry, and care about today.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A key theme in the book is love. There are many loving relationships in this play and not all are the type that involves the love that a man has for a woman, or vice versa. Bassanio and Portia, Jessica and Lorenzo and Gratiano and Nerissa are all types of love that involve a man and a woman, which are of course relevant to today's society. When one looks deeply into these relationships, they would see parallels to the ones of today. For instance, the concept that all three marriages will probably not last, is a parallel to the number of divorces that are occurring today. More and more divorces are happening and the increase from other years is shocking! One of the main reasons why this is happening is that more people are getting married too fast and leaving no time to realize that there are not meant for each other. This is the same in two - and possibly three - of the relationships. Gratiano and Nerrissa got married after knowing each other for only several hours and Bassiano and Portia got marri ed before they go to know each other (, but you can't fault Portia for this, for strict policies were ordered onto her). Jessica and Lorenzo's marriage might split for other reasons.

Essay --

Mission and Values RNOH mission is, Royal National Orthopedic Hospital works to provide its patients and families the best care possible through state of the art technology. Through emphasis on education, this facility will continue to attract and develop junior medical staff by providing a critical mass of high quality routine work as part of our academic strategy. RNOH will uphold and monitor all agreements with other providers for a range of clinical support services that support stand-alone services. Their vision is to continuously expand on their national benchmarking to international benchmarking to demonstrate world class services. Royal National Orthopedic Hospital will maintain strong contract management arrangements with the NHS Trusts while creating bonds with alternative providers through academics and services. Long-term Goals & Short-term Goals NHS Trust organization is a divisional level structure. National and local strategies are being implemented to continue the development of high performance in the measurement of clinical, academic, financial, and patient experiences. In this division level, quality and service improvements are implemented and executed and will constantly be updated to ensure continuous cycle of effectiveness and efficiency. ("Royal National Orthopaedic,") Corporate-level strategies within Royal National Orthopedic Hospital are internal. Besides financial, executives and managers must strategies within their sector; staff motivation at work, support from immediate managers, and always putting patients first. The organization is design to put clinical leadership at the heart of the hospital to keep values in all aspects of our business and ensuring they are adhered to and implement new ways o... ...s. RNOH, to stay ahead of other organizations will need to build on its social media exposure. Recommendations to building social exposure would be to build a network community whether it is on Facebook or Twitter. Using these sites, facilities can create hashtags for campaigns and help with awareness and presence. This community will allow updated posts linking these posts to other channels. Another option is forum outreach which would give relevant information about local or specific issues. Another way this organization keeps its competitive edge is that RNOH signed a â€Å"three-year contract with Spire Healthcare to run the PPU at its Stanmore site in London. Doing this helps to improve existing private patient services and drive up revenue. In late 2011 executive saw significant uplifts in private patient revenue being achieved.† ("Response to competition," 2013)

Friends or Lovers :: Love Letters Dating Email Relationships

Dear Chase, I'm not quite sure where to begin; I know this past week has been a mess, both our faults, I'm not just directing it towards you. I have had ten million things running through my mind the past few days, and I am going to try and get a few of them out right now. For one, I do cherish your friendship, like I said in one of my messages, you and I have shared things and conversations about our lives, our families that I would never with anyone else. The main reason for that is because I trust you, and you listen to me, as I do to you. I can say that I have had some of the most wonderful times with you that I have ever had in my entire life. I had told you before that when you talk I hold onto every word that comes out of your mouth and it's like they are engraved in the back of my mind forever. I don't know why you have that affect on me; maybe it's the fact that we have become such good friends. To be quite honest with you, I don't trust people very easily as you very well know, and I could probably say the same for you. I think that is why I did let that wall down and let you into my life and my heart, because I felt safe. Let me ask you, why do I feel like building it back up? Let me explain what I want in my life. I want someone to share my laughter and my fears, someone to listen and be there when I feel like the world is crashing down on me. I want to give that same courtesy back to them in return. I don't want someone standing at my door waiting for me to get home, or around constantly, because that drives me absolutely crazy. I do think that since you and I have spent so much time together that I have become a little dependant on you, and wanting to talk to you. That doesn't necessarily mean seeing you every day, or a three-hour phone call, but just the reassurance to know that you are in fact still there. Is that too much for you? It sometimes feels like you only call when you know I am upset because you haven't called. You hardly ever call just because you want to.