Social Responsibility And Health Care - 1371 Words

Nursing is more than just the physical care that is delivered; it is the protection and promotion of health, the alleviation of suffering and the prevention and treatment of illness and injury (AHPRA, 2015). Workplace citizenship and its three core elements of team work, social responsibility and communication are essential in the nursing profession to develop skills and give the best nursing care that is possible, because of how these elements work individually as well as together. This essay will explore the negative and positive effects of each core element and how it affects the care that is delivered by nurses. Communication in nursing is an essential skill which allows nurses to capably deliver effective and efficient care. Nurses being providers of health care must be able to recognise and prevent barriers that may occur throughout the communication process as their job is to primarily interact with patients in a culturally diverse workplace (Dwyer, 2012). Barriers such as health illiteracy and poor communication play an important role on the care that is delivered by nurses and other health care providers. In 2006 an adult literacy and life skills survey was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), information collected from the survey had shown that 59% of the Australian adult population displayed low health literacy skills. This high figure indicates that nearly 6 out of 10 Australians over the age of eighteen may not be able to make appropriateShow MoreRelatedResponsibilities Of Health And Social Care Services2880 Words   |  12 PagesUnit 11 Role of Public Health in Health and Social Care CASE STUDY Q6. The future needs of health and social care services will be influenced by current lifestyle choices. Analyze. (AC2.3) In the case study about Mrs Senna who is 34 years old women, I have noticed that she has various medical issues, such as being diagnosed with obesity and diabetes type2, She has been admitted to hospital by the paramedics from emergency services due to heart attack at home. Mrs Senna has been advised by herRead MoreIllegal Immigrants, Health Care, And Social Responsibility1430 Words   |  6 PagesMarsida Barjamaj Prof: L, Niizawa PHL 209 Illegal Immigrants, Health Care, and Social Responsibility Immigration has been and is one big problem that is widespread these days. Immigration means to move from one country to another for the purpose of one better life, better job, better health etc. The other problem that comes with immigration is the illegal immigration that in these days is growing up so fast. Illegal immigration is a problem that affects all the developed countries like AmericaRead MoreUnderstand Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health and Social Care2357 Words   |  10 PagesUnderstand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings Assignment composition Assignment overview In this assessment you will explore aspects of employment law, your role and responsibilities in respect of employment practices and present an issue of public concern that has occurred within either the health, social care or children’s and young people’s sector. Additionally, you will create a career plan which reflects on your continuingRead More Social Responsibility of Physicians Regarding Health Care Essay1776 Words   |  8 PagesSocial Responsibility of Physicians Regarding Health Care I. Introduction The responsibility of physicians in the United States continues to increase as the country grows and becomes more diverse. Because social structures and religous concepts are so much a part of medicine, physicians must be aware of the responsibilities of social justice and cultural sensitivity. One of the ways that physicians must meet the demands of the increasingly diverse community is to become aware of the needRead MoreEmployment Responsibilities and Rights in Health Social Care and Children8829 Words   |  36 PagesLevel 2 Award in Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health, Social Care and Children and Young People’s Settings Workbook Level 2 Award in Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health, Social Care and Children and Young People’s Settings Workbook Contents Modules Topic Contracts of employment Anti-discrimination Age discrimination Statutory rights and responsibilities Disability discrimination Working hours, rest breaks and holiday entitlement Maternity/Paternity, parental and adoptionRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility : Harvard Pilgrim Health Care1207 Words   |  5 Pages The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Billy Sexton Bridgewater State University Author Note This paper was prepared during the Spring Semester of 2016 for COMM 226-003 - Introduction to Public Relations. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Corporate Social Responsibility. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is a nonprofit health service company serving members located along the east coast.Read MoreUnderstand the Different Responsibilities Relating to Health and Safety in Social Care Settings.3785 Words   |  16 PagesOutcome 1: Understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social care settings. 1.1 Identify legislation relating to health and safety in a social care setting. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety. Under this Act, the employer, the workers and the individuals being supported have responsibilities to ensure safety is maintained in the workplace. Your employer should display a copy of this ActRead MoreUnderstand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children and young peoples settings1311 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿201: Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children and young peoples settings 1.1 - List the aspects of employment covered by law. Disability Discrimination Act Sex discrimination Health Safety Right to work Minimum wage Equal employment opportunity Harassment Time off work Notice of dismissal Holiday Holiday pay 1.2 - List the main features of current employment legislation. Disability Discrimination Act Health Safety Other relevant equalitiesRead MoreUnderstanding employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children and young peoples settings.4593 Words   |  19 Pagesï » ¿ Assessment task -201 Understand employment responsibilities and rights in health, social care or children and young peoples settlings. Task 1 – Statutory responsibilities and rights of employees and employers. List the aspects of employment covered by law: The Data Protection Act 1988 – This act covers the rights of an individual. Written, confidentially, retrieval and handling of verbal information. Equality Act 2010-This act has replaced previous anti-discrimination laws withRead MoreDescribe the Roles and Responsibilities of Personnel in Relation to Infection Prevention and Control in a Health or Social Care Setting963 Words   |  4 PagesDescribe the roles and responsibilities of personnel in relation to infection prevention and control in a health or social care setting In every Health and social care setting, each person has a certain responsibility. Each care worker should be responsible for their own actions with regard to protecting themselves and others from infection. Throughout this essay I will be discussing the roles and responsibilities of care and non-care workers, managers and specialist personnel. In every work

The Legend of Miss Sasagawara - 1529 Words

The Longer Paper: What’s the story? The Legend of Miss Sasagawara is a narrative of tragedy. A tragedy typically illustrates the downfall of the protagonist, who is usually a person of good standing, through one or a series of tragic incidents that he or she does not have control over. The protagonist usually has a wish to achieve some goal but encounters obstacles along the way. The outcome is that the protagonist is unable to overcome these challenges and therefore suffers a change in fortune and experiences a tragic ending. In this text, Miss Sasagawara is revealed to be a ballet dancer and an educated woman who owns â€Å"lots and lots of books† (29). However, she is subjected to social alienation when her outer appearance and her behavior†¦show more content†¦As mentioned earlier, Miss Sasagawara does possess worthy merits such as being intellectual and refined. However, her merits are disregarded simply because she was different in appearance from the rest. Yamamoto uses Miss Sasagawara’s character to challenge the presupposed notion that people who are different are necessarily not of value and thus unable to contribute positively to society. There should not be a belittling attitude taken, such as the reception Miss Sasagawara received when she took upon herself to teach a class of girls ballet, and was the only adult rewarded with a bath towel, an intimate gift that she had to open in front of the audience, bearing in mind that this very act could possibly be seen as humilia ting based on traditional conservative Japanese culture. Because of the imposed judgments placed on Miss Sasagawara, she became aloof and withdrawn from society, until misery seeps in. Her admission to the hospital on the assumption she had appendicitis when it was not the case as was verified by the doctor since â€Å"her [blood] count’s all right† (25), subtly suggests that what Miss Sasagawara may really be suffering from was the lack of concern for her emotional wellbeing instead of a physical illness. This characterization therefore serves to remind one of the consequences that arise if one continues to discriminate and disregard the merits of others simply based on their race. It is crucial to understand that discrimination by race is

Beginning Bodybuilding and Tips on Staying Motivated Free Essays

The sport of bodybuilding began in the late 1940’s, when Joe Weider began his noble endeavor for human physique revolution that would soon be a bodybuilding empire. He envisioned bodybuilding as the sport that will epitomize a man’s masculinity. Fitness, Nutrition, and Motivation were the foundation for the sport of bodybuilding. We will write a custom essay sample on Beginning Bodybuilding and Tips on Staying Motivated or any similar topic only for you Order Now One must consider the sport of bodybuilding not as a mere habit but a chance to be the epitome of human physique. Every bodybuilder has a mindset that no ordinary man has. A bodybuilder doesn’t perceive every workout as a routine but as a part of his well-being. Every workout that a bodybuilder does is like breathing for him. It is crucial for him. For one to begin his bodybuilding aspiration, he should find a nearby gym which he can engage himself into various bodybuilding techniques. A neophyte bodybuilder has to be independent inside the gym. Everything should be self-learned yet it won’t hurt to ask an initial training program from a trainer. From there on, you should be on your own inside the gym. Being independent is one of your motivations to succeed in the sport of bodybuilding. Each body part you train is crucial because it complements all your other workouts. For instance, you must train your triceps in order to achieve a good lift on chest workouts. Always bear in mind that your program is integrated. One cannot always train for one body part most of the time. Train all body parts and you will achieve progress. Furthermore, bodybuilding supplements will enhance your performance and progress throughout your bodybuilding career. One must know what supplement to take to complement his desired physique. If your program is bulking up, you should have a Whey Protein, Creatine, and Nitric Oxide for you to achieve your goal of getting enormous muscles. Protein is a staple in bulking up, so your body should be getting enough protein than the usual. This is crucial for your body to be in an anabolic state. It means that even if you are not training, your muscles are spontaneously growing. Remember that your muscles are â€Å"eating† as well. On the other hand, Fat Burner supplements are only to be used whenever a bodybuilder intends to prepare for a bodybuilding competition. A bodybuilder is hell-bent on getting â€Å"ripped† for him to showcase his muscle definition. He does this by reducing water intake, as well as assuming a â€Å"low carbohydrate and high protein† diet.. Most bodybuilders take a respite in taking supplements for them to detoxify. It is important to know when to use such supplements. Always remember that supplements are for the enhancement of your physique. Yet it must not be your source of motivation. Here are five methods on being consistent and motivated as well: 1. Always prioritize fitness among other endeavors. Bodybuilding should be the core of your well-being no matter what crisis you encounter. 2. Consider bodybuilding as a physiological matter. Just like breathing, It’s a matter that you do because you have to and not because you want to. 3. Manage your time. Bodybuilding should be prioritized yet moderated. Consider other careers that will enhance your bodybuilding aspirations. 4. Nutrition should always matter. Eat like its your last meal. Enough is never enough. Eat six meals a day. A combination of light and heavy meals, in order to maintain your body in an anabolic state. 5. Be Aggressive. Unleash the warrior instinct in you. Always be independent inside the gym. Bear in mind that whenever you are going to workout, it’s always a war inside the gym and your ultimate adversary is yourself. Always outlast your previous performance. How to cite Beginning Bodybuilding and Tips on Staying Motivated, Papers

RCT Trial of Older Adults For Fall Assessment - myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theRCT Trial of Older Adults For Fall Assessment. Answer: Introduction Fall is a devastating and a very common issue in the older age affecting a broad array of older adults across the world. Falls causes highest amount of morbidity and mortality in the older people and is one of the prime reasons for primary nursing care admission rates. These falls are associated with different recognizable risk factors such as confusion, weakness, high dose medication, unsteady gait and so on (Muir, Gopaul Montero Odasso, 2014). There are several cost effective fall reduction programs such as fall risk assessment program, targeted interventions, exercise program and hazard-reduction program. Medical evaluation of the risk associated with falls and applied interventions are challenging because the nature of falls are different and involves interdisciplinary collaborations to assess and apply innovative interventions to treat such falls. Particular attention need to be given to the applied interventions such as exercises, medical conditions environmental and hazard co ntrol (Mirelman et al., 2012). In this following assessment, the thorough discussion of the topic EnvironmentalAssessmentandModificationtoPreventFallsinOlderPeople by (), will be done. Furthermore, the description of the paper, its strengths and limitations, implication of the interventions and further two more sources to follow up will be given. Description The project pilot, after receiving ethical approval from the Airedale National Health Service Trust in Yorkshire, England, a process of randomized control trial (RCT) has been taken for the assessment. The care home did not had any specific fall service and they used to name the fall events as an unexpected event. The age group that has been selected for the study are of old people aged 70 or more. The reason for the selection was the risk of falling associated with these kind of aged people. However, people living in this old age home and having applied non occupational therapy on them to deal with the risk of falling were excluded (Ambrose, Paul Hausdorff, 2013). As the rat of people, falling in that old age care center was 50 percent in the year, and if all those people were included in the study, 960 people need to be assessed. Hence, the researchers decided to carry out the research using falls as the secondary outcome and the fear of falling as the primary outcome. Participant s then was assigned to three groups randomly. These groups were non-occupational theory led environmental assessment, environmental assessment in the presence of a trained assessor and finally a usual care control team. Results were obtained at the end of the trial and FES-1 was used to represent the fear of fall EuroQol was used to assess the secondary outcome that is falls, quality of life of those participants and the Barthel index. Baseline or first measures of this research were taken and further results were obtained in 3, 6 and 12 months interval using surveys and self-report questionnaires. All these data were analyzed at the end of baseline, three, six and twelve months interval and those three test groups were analyzed. 66 % of all the participants fell during the research process. The control group was exactly similar to the group under trained assessor and the OT group ontai9ns highest amount of participants falling during the research process. Whereas, the other attribu tes, quality of life was better in assessors group and adherence to the trial was maximum in the OT group (Pighills et al., 2013). Strength and limitation of the assignment The assignment did not had a significant effect on fear of falling among old aged person. This pilot was the very first RCT to compare between occupational therapist and trainer assessors. Number of falls in this one year of trial was significantly high and the primary reason was not properly assessed in the research article. This RCT study was not properly designed to detect any statistically significant data on falls in old aged people. However, the people who left the intervention at the end of one year was very less, 238 people from the trial reported 668 falls. There was a statistically significant difference in Eurokol scores. This difference was between trained assessor groups and the control group, the finding was not very specific. This pilot did not assessed the cognition of the participants. Thedimensionofthisvariablewouldhavedemandeddirectcontactwitheverycontributor,increasingcost.As there is a strong relationship between dementia and fall, the falling incidences can be enhanced due to dementia. These results of the study are applicable to community dwelling older adult and was convinced to single center and may not be generalized to other settings. Implications of interventions TheWestmeadHomeSafetyAssessment(WeHSA)wasapplied to guide the intervention in the positive way. This intervention represented a systematic approach to identify different hazards. A training program for the staff was developed that includes a half-day workshop on the basis of the content of the WeHSA manual. The staff also scored a video of an older person doing tasks at home and practices those WeHSA and practical using assessment tools at home. Interventions were guided using standard protocols only (Stone Skubic, 2015). Two more sources to follow up, why the team need to follow these The first paper by Gillespie et al. (2012), they used different interventions to assess the fall management in the older adults. The intervention applied by them to reduce the number of fall was making the participants aware of the risk factors associated with every consequences. The participants became fearless about the fall and implemented all those ideas to improve their quality of life. Pighills et al. (2014), did not used this intervention hence, this need to be followed up. Another research showed the process to assess the fall in older adults. They used falls as the primary outcome and other environmental factor as the secondary outcome. Hence, these two papers need to be followed up to determine the process (Clegg et al., 2014). Conclusion In this critical analysis, a proper discussion of the paper has been done. Falls in the older adult is nowadays major reason to hospital admissions. There are several risk factors associated with it. Hence, the detailed discussion of the paper was needed. In critical assessment assess the description and methods of the process and compared it with two other articles to rationalize the data found. References Ambrose, A. F., Paul, G., Hausdorff, J. M. (2013). Risk factors for falls among older adults: a review of the literature.Maturitas,75(1), 51-61. Clegg, A., Barber, S., Young, J., Iliffe, S., Forster, A. (2014). The Home-based Older People's Exercise (HOPE) trial: a pilot randomised controlled trial of a home-based exercise intervention for older people with frailty.Age and ageing,43(5), 687-695. Gillespie, L. D., Robertson, M. C., Gillespie, W. J., Sherrington, C., Gates, S., Clemson, L. M., Lamb, S. E. (2012). Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.The Cochrane Library. Mirelman, A., Herman, T., Brozgol, M., Dorfman, M., Sprecher, E., Schweiger, A., ... Hausdorff, J. M. (2012). Executive function and falls in older adults: new findings from a five-year prospective study link fall risk to cognition.PloS one,7(6), e40297. Muir, S. W., Gopaul, K., Montero Odasso, M. M. (2012). The role of cognitive impairment in fall risk among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Age and ageing,41(3), 299-308. Pighills, A. C., Torgerson, D. J., Sheldon, T. A., Drummond, A. E., Bland, J. M. (2011). Environmental assessment and modification to prevent falls in older people.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,59(1), 26-33. Stone, E. E., Skubic, M. (2015). Fall detection in homes of older adults using the Microsoft Kinect.IEEE journal of biomedical and health informatics,19(1), 290-301.

How Do You Earn Your Pocket Money Essay Example

How Do You Earn Your Pocket Money? Essay My parents give me twenty pound pocket money per month. i can earn extra money by doing house hold task e. g. washing up, ironing but i have to tidy my room regularly. i think twenty pound is sufficient. Sometimes my dad will give me extra money to go shopping. when I go shopping I buy lots of clothes from topshop and some new shoes, but it is nearly Christmas so I am saving up for Christmas presents for my family. 2. no, i do not have a little job because i do not have time to work and i am too young. ut if i could, i would like to have a little job on Saturday evenings, in a restaurant being a waitress. Then i could earn my own pocket money. 3. (yes, last summer I had a job as a waitress, I cooked food and served it to customers. I worked there for 3 weeks and i earned enough money to buy myself a bracelet as I earned 7. 00 pound an hour) no, i have not already done a work experience as i am too young, but i am doing it in six months. in six months i am going to work in the law cou rts, as it interests me greatly and i would like to do it when I’m older. find the law courts very interesting and there is good pay. 4. the advantages of a work experience is that it is useful, and motivates you to work hard. it helps you to choose a profession and get used to the world at work. one could also learn a lot eg how to socialise, and work hard. i am looking forward to seeing what the law courts are like. 5. i would like to become a lawyer, because i am very interested in crime and justice and i think i would be good at arguing for. some lawyers are very valued and earn good money 6. nemployment is a problem for young people as it is difficult to find a job opportunity because of the economic crisis which means we cant get a good job and earn money. 1. Mes parents me donnent vingt livres dargent de poche par mois. je peux gagner de largent en faisant par exemple les tache menageres les vaisselle,repassage, et je dois ranger ma chambreregulierement. Je pense que ? 20 est suffisant. Parfois, mon pere va me donne plus dargent pouraller faire du shopping. uand je fais du shoppingjachete beaucoup de vetemen ts de Topshop et de nouvelles chaussures, mais il est bientot Noel et je suis donc a economiser pour les cadeaux de Noel pour mafamille. 2. Non, je nai pas de petit boulot parce que jenai pas le temps de travailler et je suis trop jeune. maissi je pouvais, je voudrais avoir un petit boulot le samedi soir, dans un restaurant comme serveuse. Ensuite, je pourrais gagner mon propre argent de poche. 3. (oui,lete dernier, jai eu un emploi comme serveuse, je les aliments cuits et servis aux clients. We will write a custom essay sample on How Do You Earn Your Pocket Money? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How Do You Earn Your Pocket Money? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How Do You Earn Your Pocket Money? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Jy ai travaille pendant 3 semaines et jai gagne assez dargent pourmacheter un bracelet que jai gagne ? 7,00 de lheure)Non, je nai nest pas encore fait un stage en enterprise que je suis trop jeune, mais je le fais en six mois. Dans six mois je vais travailler dans les tribunaux, car se minteresse beaucoup et je voudrais le faire quand jesuis plus vieux. Je trouve la loi tribunaux tres interessant et il ya un bon salaire. 4. les avantages un stage en enterprise est quil est utile, et vous motive a travailler dur au college. il vous aide a choisir uneprofession et de shabituer au monde du travail. n peutaussi en apprendre beaucoup par exemple, commentsocialiser, et le travail acharne. Je suis impatient devoir ce que les tribunaux sont similaires. 5. Je voudraisdevenir avocat, parce que je m’interesse au crime et a la justice et je pense que je serais bon a valoirpour. certains avocats sont tres apprecies et gagner de largent bon 6. le chomage est un probleme pour les jeunes car il est difficile de trouver une possibilite demploi a cause de la crise economique qui signifieque nous ne pouvons pas obtenir un bon travail etgagner de largent.

Test your proofreading - Emphasis

Test your proofreading Test your proofreading Taking the time to proofread your writing whether its a letter, report, proposal or even just an email shouldnt be an optional extra. After all, it can mean the difference between sending Ill definitely be done by five and Ill defiantly be gone by five. But proofreading is a skill and it can take a bit of practice. So why not test your ability on our example? Simply copy and paste the text into the comment box below, and correct all of the mistakes. Well mark them on Friday, and send the five people who spot the most mistakes a free copy of our style guide, The Write Stuff. From: Anna Gooding To: All office staff Subject: The need for poofreading Hi eveyrbody As your probably aware, its become apparant that weve recently been sending out a lot of letters and emails wih an umber of typos in them Their is no excuse for this this and it really cant goon, as it makes us look utterley unprofessional. From now on, lets make sure that nothing is snet out with out first being proof read (this includes email.) To begin with, Id like to see how we get on checking each others work. If neccessary, we may look into some traning . If anyone has any question about this, please bring them up at the staff on meeting tuesday. Many Tanks Anna Test your proofreading Test your proofreading The proofreading competition is now closed. Taking the time to proofread your writing – whether it’s a letter, report, proposal or even just an email – shouldn’t be an optional extra. After all, it can mean the difference between sending ‘I’ll definitely be done by five’ and ‘I’ll defiantly be gone by five’. But proofreading is a skill and it can take a bit of practice. So why not test your ability on our example? Simply copy and paste the text into the comment box below, and correct all of the mistakes. We’ll mark them on Friday 7 October, and send the five people who spot the most mistakes a free copy of our style guide, The Write Stuff. From: Anna Gooding To: All office staff Subject: The need for poofreading Hi eveyrbody As your probably aware, it’s become apparant that weve recently been sending out a lot of letters and emails wih an umber of typo’s in them Their is no excuse for this this and it really can’t goon, as it makes us look utterley unprofessional. From now on, lets make sure that nothing is snet out with out first being proof read (this includes email.) To begin with, Id like to see how we get on checking each others work. If neccessary, we may look into some traning . If anyone has any question about this, please bring them up at the staff on meeting tuesday. Many Tanks Anna The proofreading competition is now closed. Thanks to all those who took part. The winners and the corrected email can be found here and our tips for better proofreading are here.

English Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

English Paper - Essay Example The song begins somewhat in medias ressince we can tell he is aggrieved, but we never get to find out the nature of his grievance until the last part when we see his woman who cuckolded him.This song is a true modern quiescence of the myriad of emotions ranging from bitterness, and pain that result from spurned love. It is no less representative of the concept than the classic literature in traditional works such as sonnets that are commonly associated with eloquence in expressing the theme of unrequited love. The idea of scorned love is introduced in the first words, which he sings as he drags massive, old-fashioned piano down the road. Immediately although without actual evidence, one realizes the bitterness in his voice as he belts out the first words; "easy come easy go that’s how you live oh, take take, take, but you never give". His tone is not just bitter, but it is also accusatory, this is a common characteristic when a love affair has gone south, as one often feels embittered and betrayed. His bitterness is brought out in his saying she has beaten him until he is black and blue, in a display of artistic decorum and candor, he tells her to say hey to the devil when she gets back home. The insinuation of the woman’s diabolism further supports the claim that he is as bitter as can be. As the song progresses we are get insight into why he is so bitter, in the chorus, the unrequited nature of this love is laid up in a starkly when he claims,he would have caught a grenade, jumped in front of a bus or even caught a bullet for her. Indeed die for her, but asserts with a face clouded in pain that she would never do the same. This juxtaposition serves to show the disparity in emotional priorities for the couple with the man giving his all and the woman giving nothing. There is intermittent interaction between the singer and clips symbolic of the actions he is singing about such as jumping in front of a train. Bruno Mars, the main

HW1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HW1 - Essay Example (The administration of troubled President Al-Assad puts the amount of nationalities marginally higher, at 80 or more.) Conversely, the shows how the U.S government has not yet evaluated the amount of its nationals battling in Syria. The kind of data leaving the US includes reports of secluded occurrences, for example, in November 2013, when an administrator in the N.S.A proclaimed that three US nationals were confronting charges identifying with arrangements to make a trip to Syria to bond withthe Al-Nusra Front. Battling in Syria picking up across the board consideration in the Western press, authorities from the Parliament of Europe being compelled to remark on the dangers of joining in the battling, and the implications for the security of Europe. There are specific reasons for alarm with respect to what will take place provided remote contenders come back to Europe and their likely interest or association in suicide operation. Regardless of Benotmans declaration that a few Europeans may end up consuming jihad in the wake of going to Syria for different reasons, there are still numerous who end up radicalized by the dynamic vicinity of Islamist activist gatherings online prior to leaving for Syria. Online recruitment through social networking, web journals or sites on the Internet had gotten much simpler than some time recently. "To such an extent that the supposed third era of warriors inside the equipped gatherings grew up with engineering and are more connected with it particularly as keen gadgets and online networking sites have gotten across the board," he said. Online recruitment fights seem to have been compelling enough that a few governments in the West especially the U.S have propelled counter-battles accordingly. For instance In Dec 2013, The New York Times distributed an announcement by a United States State Department administrator who stated that a test case project would react to tweets, interpreted feature cuts show by

Understanding Challenges In The Third Sector Essay

Understanding Challenges In The Third Sector - Essay Example Moreover, I have learnt that people suffering from learning disabilities can be recuperated with the constant compassionate support and care (St Elizabeth's Centre, 2013). Social enterprises are organisations that conduct business, bearing the primary objective to maintain the betterment of the societies through education, social activity and financial aid which assist in generating income for the organisation (Social Enterprise Alliance, 2013). The enterprises are also liable for common good to provide safety and security along with performing economic activity (Economic and Social Research Council, 2013). Based on this conception, the essay intends to provide a reflective assessment based on the experiences obtained in St Elizabeth's Centre, on the concepts and models of third sector organisations and challenges faced by the organisations in the modern day context. It also provides certain pertinent understanding regarding the ways to deal with the challenges. Concept, Theories and Models Resources and Impact The successful orientation of an organisation focuses on the availability of adequate resources within the workplace premises. It can be stated that mobilisation of the resources is significant in building third sector organisations such as St Elizabeth's Centre, which generally indicates a charitable organisation. Resources assist in maintaining time and work efficiency in the charitable organisation, which enables them to build and foster effective work culture. Moreover, with adequate supply of resources, it positively influences the process of work performed in the organisation. This would in turn facilitate in solving the problems of... Understanding Challenges In The Third Sector It can also be stated that third sector organisations focus on facet of common good irrespective of diverse work culture as well as cohesion of activities. The sector also comprises practical logic as well as different types of social entities. Third Sector Research Centre is considered to be one of the core components of the Civil Society Almanac working for over for 10 years with the collaboration of National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Third Sector Research Centre focuses on the charitable organisations related to civil society. It can be stated that the TSRC plays an important role in providing charitable needs to the people in the communities of the United Kingdom. TSRC receives financial support from Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is the office for the Civil Society and Barrow Cadbury Trust. TSRC as a part of the civil society argues that organisations in every sector depend on civil support that necessitates the commitment of individuals through sh aring of financial aid and time in accordance with the organisations. These organisations provide support with the assistance of required finance, management support, competent and supportive human resources as well as governmental influence for maintaining effective functioning in the society. Thus, third sector organisations focus on ascertaining the common good through their comprehensive efforts towards societal development.

Green Technology: Impact and Uses

Green Technology: Impact and Uses As human lives are advancing constantly, the basic needs of human being are increasing tremendously as well. The human intrusion needs have altered the natural environment and arouses problems such as pollution, climate change and global warming. In order to get rid of these problems, Green Technology is introduces to recover the Earth back to a healthy state. Green Technology is a new technology that introduced to protect the Earth against environmental pollution. (Renewable Solar Energy, n.d.) It plays an important role in conserving the natural resources and environment. (Whitney, n.d.) Green technology is known environmental technology or clean technology as well. It produced energy to non-toxic cleaning products by using different methods and materials. (Green Technology, n.d.) Green Technology is introduced to reach five goals which are sustainability by satisfying the societys needs without damaging or depleting the availability of the resources for the future generations, cra dle to cradle design by designing products that are reusable, source reduction by changing the amount of raw materials consumption and ways of production to reduce the waste products, innovation by developing new and alternative technologies and viability by creating economic activity such as new career that associated with technologies and products. (Green Technology, n.d.) Currently, green technology is developing in 5 majors areas which are energy, green building, environmentally preferred purchasing, green chemistry and green nanotechnology. (Green Technology, n.d.) Green Technology has a great impact on the international market. According to the BBC research, the international market of green technologies will grow about 9.2 per cent which is from $200 billion in 2010 up to $311.7 billion by the year of 2015. (Companies Sand Market, 2011) Besides that, the global market for installation and retrofitting of combined heat and power was $55 billion in the year 2009. In 2010, it has grown about 9.1 per cent which is equivalent to $60 billion. Therefore, the BBC estimated that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will be maintained around 8.4 per cent until 2015 with a total amount of $90 billion. (Companies Sand Market, 2011) Moreover, the BBC research also predicts that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the global market for waste-to-energy installation and retrofitting will be around 6 per cent from the year 2010 to 2015. This means, it will grow from $22.3 billion in 2010 to $30 billion in 2015. (Companies Sand Market, 2011) On the other hand, the Senior Adviser of Environmental Technology and Service (ITC), Nikolai Semine stated that, from the year 1988 to 2008, green technologies have provided a global market the roughly worth about $650 billion. (Semine, 2010) It was the same amount as the aerospace and pharmaceutical revenues of the leader countries such as United States, the European Union and Japan. Moreover, the European Forum on Eco-Innovation predicts that the global market will increase another $1,650 billion by 2020. (Semine, 2010) According to Nikolai Semine, the developments of South-South trade in green technology has brought up the opportunities on the exportation of green technology and increase its revenues, sustainable development and creates green jobs. (Semine, 2010) There are several countries that are successful in the exportation of green technology, such Malaysia, China, India, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand. Lets take Thailand as an example. In 2007, Thailand has exported pol lution control, water treatment and renewable technologies that generated revenues about US$ 2.3 billion. (Semine, 2010) Green technology also contributes in the expanding of environmental businesses. For examples, the United Kingdoms Joint Environmental Markets Units predicts that the environmental business will expand about 10 per cent which is equivalent to US$ 178 billion. (Semine, 2010) On the other hand, green technology also brings benefits to the environment. It helps to protect the sustainability of natural resources and the environment by removing the threat to the environment. Lets look at one example of the green technology. There are at least 600 million of cars around the world. In addition, the huge amount of cars burn about 120 billion gallons of gas annually and 19 pounds of carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere by each gallon of gas. (Taheshea, n.d.) According to the United States Transportation Specialists, vehicles that are not energy sufficient have contributed about 45 per cent of the carbon emissions of the world. (Taheshea, n.d.) To overcome these problems, several automobile manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda and Peugeot started to execute green technology by manufacturing hybrid vehicles. Compare to traditional gasoline vehicles, hybrid vehicles emit 97 per cent lesser of carbon, save 169 gallons of gasoline each year and its car batteri es can last about ten years. (Taheshea, n.d.) The lesser amount of carbon dioxide emission can help to prevent acid rain, global warming. Carbon dioxide reacts with rain water to form carbonic acid which causes acid rain to occur. Highly acidity rain can affect the sea life by lowering the pH value of sea water, forest on the world due to the highly acidic soil that is not suitable for the plant to grow and human health by drinking contaminated water. (Oracle, n.d.) By reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere, less carbon dioxide can react with rain water and reduce the acidity of rain water. Thus, it can protect the welfare of the environment as well as human being. Since carbon dioxide is the major type of greenhouse gasses that trapped heat energy within the Earth and cause global warming to occur, according to Global Commons Institutes, if the total carbon dioxide emission decrease about 2.5 per cent per year, it can definitely slow down the process of global warming by 10 years. (Cooper, n.d.) Thus, t he issues such as biodiversity of plants and animals and extinctions of endanger species that cause by global warming can be prevented. (Britannica, n.d.) Hybrid car can save about 169 gallons of gasoline per year. Non-renewable sources of energy such as gasoline and petroleum can be prevented from over exploitation by using hybrid car as an alternative vehicle. (Cars Direct, n.d.) Besides that, hybrid vehicles use lesser amount of gasoline. It emits less gas fumes and carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. (Car Direct, n.d.) Therefore, the air in the atmosphere can be cleaner and contain more breathable oxygen. With a cleaner and breathable air, it can prevent human being from respiratory diseases such as asthma and reducing the death rate due to respiratory diseases. Lastly, hybrid car helps in reducing the noise pollutions in the environment as well. This is because the engine of hybrid cars only churning the amount of horsepower required and without any extra roaring. When it is changed to electric power mode, the cars operate silently compare to traditional gasoline consumption car. (Buzzle, n.d.)Therefore, green technology brings seve ral benefits to the environment such as preventing acid rain and global warming, protecting the plants, animals as well as human being, providing cleaner and breathable air and reducing noise pollution.

The Importance of Communication in Marriage Essay -- essays research p

Throughout the last half of the century, our society has watched the divorce rate of married couples skyrocket to numbers previously not seen. Although their has been a slight decline in divorce rates, â€Å"half of first marriages still were expected to dissolve before death.† (Stacy, 15, 1991) Whatever happened to that meaningful exchange of words, â€Å"until death do us part,† uttered by the bride and groom to each other on their wedding day? What could have been the cause of such inflated divorce rates? Perhaps young married couples are not mature enough to be engaged in such a trremendous responsibility, or, maybe, the couples really do not know each other as well as they thought. Possibly, they have been blinded by infatuation rather than by true love, or, quite simply, the couples mistakenly have different relational expectations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ultimately, all the possibilities point to one thing, which is a lack of communication. Somewhere along the line, there must have been a breakdown in the interpersonal communication process. Seemingly, the marital dyad has not used the correct communication patterns needed to sustain their relationship. In some way, each of them has notevaluated their partner carefully enough to ensure that this chosen individual is, in fact, truly their life long partner. By no means, is this the sole reason for divorce, but it certainly plays an enormous role. In fact, no one could ever pinpoint the exaact cause of divorce since each situation is unighu and is usually quite complicated. However, it would be unreasonable not to believe that interpersonal communication does not play an integral part in marital satisfaction. Since interpersonal communication affects almost all facets of a relationship, it has a huge impact on each and every part of both individuals’ lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marital satisfaction, something that everyone would like to find an equation for, is the goal that all married couplesnaturally wish to achieve. Since marital satisfaction obviously has a direct relationship to marital stability, the more satisfaction that is achieved within a marriage, the more stable and more positive the relationship. This stability is accomplished through hard work and communication between the partners, and a mutual understanding of what part each must play in the relationship.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Communication has often been cited as the ‘primary predictor’ to... ...tionship. As with any relationship, marriage is no different. Each member of a marital dyad must have clearly defined, and understood communication between them. Satisfaction and stability in a marriage is achieved through communication and interaction between its members. A breakdown of interpersonal communication is positively related to dissatisfaction in a marriage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  How can this problem of dissatisfaction be taken care of before it begins to be a broplem within the dyad? Is it even a possibility to alleviate the rising divorce rate? Too many people are getting divorced today, and the institution of marriage is losing its meaning. It is no longer thought of as a bond, or a tie that keeps people together â€Å"till death do us part†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that by continuing research on marital stability and satisfaction many more questions will be answeres. Many more ways in which satisfaction is obtained will be uncovered as well. I know that there will never be an equation for marital satisfaction, but hopefully people will realize that communication is the key factor to having positive relationships. And by using good communication, satisfaction in those relationships will follow.

The street doesn’t adopt pets

The street doesn't adopt pets, that is what I tell myself when I see some animals wandering around the streets, in the case of our city the most of these poor animals are dogs that for some reason ended In that way. I am against of this situation, not only because it brings a bad aspect for the city, but also those dogs deserve a better life like any other animal, maybe they can ‘t get an owner, but shelter and food are essential things that they should have, so a program to help them to satisfy those eeds would be awesome and Is something that I hope become real as soon as possible.First, though It Is true that many mongrels were born In the streets and get angry or act In an aggressive way with humans, this Is not a reason to leave them alone, living a dangerous life, because the cycle Is going to repeat over and over, and that Is not a choice, so one solution Is to take them to temporary homes while they are puppies. second, some people believes that the best way to end with this problem would be creating campaigns to kill these poor animals.Although there may e lower dogs wandering around than before, this is not even an option to take in consideration, because killing animals is a crime according to the law, and also killing an animal that could be considered like a pet is an indignant act. Finally, in spite of the fact that the cost of keeping dogs in shelters with food and water is just too costly, the price paid for leave this situation in the same way in the long term is even higher. An example of this would be the increase of attacks of mad dogs due to the great population of mongrels starving in the streets.To conclude, I'd like to talk about a group called ADA (Association in Defence of Animals) who look after the care and treatment of these helpless animals, so then taking them to temporary homes until they can be adopted. I admire the great devotion that this group of people put in each case, as an example, I could talk about the day when I knew about their work. It was the last month when I was with my dog in its veterinarian, these guys entered with a dog in a very bad state and ask to the doctor to give him an immediate treatment.

Student Relationship Essay Example

Teacher/Student Relationship Essay Example Teacher/Student Relationship Essay Teacher/Student Relationship Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Teacher/Student Relationship Education has always been considered as the key to success. It is however becoming more evident that the education system is increasingly becoming irrelevant. The irrelevance of the system is because of the pedagogical approaches that are aimed at forcing information on students in a manner that undermines the process of education. The banking concept of education by Paulo Freire depicts education as one that is keen on enhancing memorization rather than enhancing understanding. This system is teacher centered as opposed to learner centered. Many have agreed with this analysis and have advocated for a complete overhaul of the education system to one that takes into account students passions and interests to make learning a fulfilling experience. The movie â€Å"School of Rock† is an American musical comedy that depicts the kind f pedagogical experience that Paolo Freire is proposing where the teacher and the learner share a bond in the learning process that translates into tr ue knowledge. Freire contends that students and teachers have to become partners in the learning process. Dewey Finn is a struggling rock artist who has taken up a job as a teacher (Rudin). However, his teaching methods are not effective (Rudin). His teaching skills at this point are determined by his ability to deliver content. This depicts the traditional methods of education where the teacher is expected to act as a narrator (Freire 71). The concept o the narrator by Paolo Freire proposes that a teacher is the sole holder of information and that the students are expected to listen to what he teacher is saying without question. The teacher is deemed as being superior and that students have knowledge gaps that only the teacher can fill. In this sense, students’ brains are receptacles waiting to be filled. This in turn undermines critical thinking by learners where they are allowed to analyze and review the content being taught by the teacher (Freire 73). The situation Dewey Finn is faced with clearly illustrates the problem with the education system. The problem is that if the teacher is limited in their ability to be a ‘narrator’ then learning cannot take place. The education system as stipulated by Freire is one that requires the teacher to be versed with vast amount of knowledge, without which, the learning process stalls. The process of education according to Freire should be one that enhances communication between the teacher and the student. Freire argues that goals outlined in traditional or banking educational systems must be done away with and should be replaced â€Å"with the posing of the problems of human beings in their relations with the world† (Freire 75). Traditional teaching methods are better when they are used together with active teaching-learning strategies. Dewey Finn in teaching his class employs the use of traditional teaching methods while at the same time actively involving the class in the learning process. Dewey Finn, the substitute teacher realizes that his class is interested in music, especially pop and hip-hop (Rudin). He dedicates his time to improve his learners’ skills and assisting them to get ready for a competition dubbed â€Å"battle of the bans†. In the process, he reveals t his class the development of rock through history so that they can understand what it is they are learning. This is an aspect of traditional teaching process where teacher assumes the role of knowledge bearer. However, Dewey Finn as a teacher allows the class to practice music allowing them to be creative and produce their own material. Here, an integration of the traditional teaching approach and encouraging learner participa tion allows the student to develop a better appreciation of course content. In essence, this approach reduces learners need to memorize while at the same time improves the relationship between the learner and tutor. Problem posing education is a concept that focuses on practical or realistic application of concepts and theories that have been learned through education (Freire 81). The problem posing approach is effective in situation where learners need to use their cognitive ability and become creative during the learning process. In this sense, children must understand that what they learn in the classroom can help in shaping the world in which hey live. Freire proposes that when students are presented with problems rather than just information, then the education process is less alienated and becomes more practical. The teacher in this sense is â€Å"always cognitive† (Freire 80). The teacher engages the students in dialogue and conducts project that enhance the learners critical thinking. The movie shows that Dewey Finn is thinking critically when teaching his students. He is aware of his students’ musical interests in pop and hip-hop. He ensures that he is able to integrate all these interest into creating a class rock band. Music in itself is a process of critical thinking. Musical compositions require the composer to analyze musical choices to ensure that a composition constitutes harmony. Dewey Finn in the movie â€Å"School of Rock† in which his students were to perform during the battle of the bands competition. One important aspect of Dewey Finn as a teacher is that he is motivated to make his learners share the same passion he has for music. There is evidence in the movie that the learners are thinking critically. Music is inherently a creative process where critical thinking is vital. While the Dewey Finn was teaching his class a song for them to perform for the battle of the bands, the class finally performs a song â€Å"School of Rock† a song that as written by their lead guitarist Zack Mooneyham (Rudin). This is the embodiment of Freire’s position when he says that he teachers thought process achieves authenticity by the authenticity of his student’s thinking (Freire 77). In this sense, Dewey Finn managed to develop Zack Mooneyham’s ability to be creative without his help thus, qualifying Dewey Finns’ teaching methods. Oppression through education is the process through which the teacher inhibits the learner’s ability to think critically by using teaching methods that aim to store information in the learner’s brain rather than enhancing understanding. In this regard, the movie exhibits how Dewey Finn exercised educational freedom where learners have the ability to express opinions and ideas creating an interactive learning process and improving the teacher-learner relationship. The freedom of education has been expressed through the ability of students to come up with heir own musical compositions. The teacher in this sense does not oppress the learner’s creative mind by insisting on his knowledge. It is evident that the movie â€Å"School of Rock† ensures that learners enjoy the ability to explore their critical thinking capabilities. The movie has revealed that traditional teaching methods enhanced by banking of information are not effective in the learning process. The movie shows that traditional teaching methods make learning seem useless. This can be seen in when Dewey Finn is forced tom teach the actual content of the class assigned to him. The class is not as lively as when they are discussing music. In the music class, the students are lively and it is evident that the students are eager to learn since they ask questions and give opinions about what the teacher is saying. This is evidence that the class is actually thinking about what is taught during the lesson. This process allows the teacher and his students to cooperate in the learning process as partners (Freire 80). Freire, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: Continuum, 1992. Print. Rudin, Scott, Mike White, Richard Linklater, Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman, Lee Wilkof, Kate McGregor-Stewart, Adam Pascal, Suzzanne Douglass, Joey Gaydos, Miranda Cosgrove, Kevin Clark, Robert Tsai, Maryam Hassan, Rebecca Brown, Caitlin Hale, Rogier Stoffers, Sandra Adair, Craig Wedren, and Karen Patch. The School of Rock. Hollywood, Calif: Paramount, 2003.

Persuasive Essay on Gun Control

Persuasive Essay on Gun Control Persuasive Essay on Gun Control English teachers encourage students to look for controversial issues in society on which to base a persuasive essay. The reason is that the teacher wants a topic that can be easily debated on either side of the issue and that brings forth strong emotions from both sides. The purpose is to help students organize and express ideas in a clear and coherent manner. One such controversial issue is gun control. One side of the argument is that the policies for owning and using guns should be stricter. One who holds such a position might argue as follows: It is very unfortunate that people are losing their loved ones due to the misuse of guns. While guns should be used to enhance security of people in a society, the same guns have been using in perpetuating crimes that have worsened the security status of many countries. In order to eradicate the issue of insecurity, guns should be used only when necessary. In this case there is a need to put in place policies that will ensure that gun use is properly controlled. In addition to this example are suggestions below on how to write a persuasive essay on gun control. Suggestions on How to Write a Persuasive Essay on Gun Control: First, determine what your position is on gun control. Next, plan the major arguments in support of your position. Be sure to offer explanations, facts and statistics, as well as examples. You can even include anecdotal material. Do not forget the â€Å"so what† factor. In other words, make certain to get the reader to see why it is important to that individual’s personal life. Secondly, when preparing a persuasive essay on gun control, the writer should explain the reason why guns are in the hands of the people. Constitutional rights can be discussed as to the original intent and modern interpretation of those rights. In addition, the writer can point out reasons why people should respect the sanctity of life and the right of every human being to be alive, regardless of ones stance on regulations involving gun control. Next, the writer can help the reader to explore whether everyone should have a right to own and operate a gun. For example, should criminals be permitted to own and use a fire arm? What about individuals with mental health issues? While every person is entitled to security, not all people should be issued guns. This is the reason why governments put into place stringent measures for applying for and purchasing weapons. Additionally, the writer can remind the reader that cooperation between civilians and the police is important in following the due process for acquiring guns. Regulations and the need for regulations can be explored in this context. Preparing a persuasive essay on gun control is not as easy as one may think. Emotions run high. On one hand is the need to protect oneself and even ones country. Furthermore, some individuals use weapons for sport, such as range shooting or hunting. However, there are safety issues where someone acts out anger or frustration by pulling a gun and shooting the other person. In addition to that are issues with criminals. Some say that guns should be better monitored to keep them out of the hands of those who would harm society, while others argue that those who break the law will obtain guns anyway. However, regardless of what side of the issue you choose to support, you will need to make your position clear and your arguments strong. Moreover, you will need to convey your ideas in a clear and compelling manner. Feel free to succeed in persuasive essay writing with !

Earnings per share FASB project on convergence with the IFRS Essay

Earnings per share FASB project on convergence with the IFRS - Essay Example The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) avers to serve "the investing public through transparent information resulting from high-quality financial reporting standards" (FASB, Home Page)The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the FASB acknowledge that the convergence of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Generally, Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the primary objective of both boards. The FASB has taken up several 'projects' to address issues where differences have been found in reporting standards and have successfully concluded many; some are under current scrutiny. One of the current issues is the reporting of 'Earnings per Share' or EPS as it is popularly known.Different tools are available for making financial analysis of stocks and range from the very simple and elegant to the very complex and difficult to understand. The financial performance of the company, and therefore, its future prospects and stock performance, i s better understood through the calculation of some important ratios that assist us in a detailed appraisal. The EPS method looks at the financial performance of the company; focusing on the earnings recorded per ordinary share in a particular accounting period. This number provides a clear picture of the actual profitability of the company and is used to calculate the Price to Earnings (PE) ratio which represents the ratio of the market price of the share compared with EPS. Since the share price changes almost continually this latter ratio also keeps changing and needs to be calculated on real time basis at the time of making investment related decisions. This is the most important ratio used by the market generally to assess the relative rating of a share and the company's prospects and, of course, is the easiest to understand. It identifies the number of years' earnings needed to cover the current market price of the share. This paper presents the results of a detailed study of this project and its immediate and long term implications for the accounting fraternity as well as the users of accounting statements, viz. the management, shareholders and other stakeholders of the company as well as auditors, potential suitors (for takeover bids) and public. The Standards IAS are a set of financial reporting policies that typically require increased disclosure and restrict management's choices of measurement methods relative to the accounting standards of the local GAAP standards (Ashbaugh & Pincus, 2001). With regard to the Earnings per Share the FASB issued a statement (Statement No. 128: Earnings per Share) and the IASB its statement IAS-33. Both boards have been working together to resolve the differences in order to bring convergence in the two statements and plan to make their final recommendations open for public comment in the first quarter of 2008. This draft will be open comment for 120 days and will then be adopted, with modifications, if required through public opinion. This draft will represent the third such 'exposure draft' on the subject, the earlier ones required many changes based on public comment and had to be revised. The earlier drafts were based on the comments on the statement 128 in 2003 and the first exposure draft in 2005. The description of EPS i.e. The basic earnings divided by the average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period (IAS33-R.10) leads us to the immediate issues involved: a) How are the basic earnings to be calculated, and b) what is the number of shares the earnings must be divided by to arrive at the EPS. We examine how these are considered under the IFRS and GAAP to arrive at the differences between the current practices under the two regulations. Basic Earnings The concept is to arrive at the profit of the company that is attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the company and therefore the basic earnings must be calculated as net profit (or loss) less preference dividends

Audit Theory and Practice Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Audit Theory and Practice - Article Example This requires of the auditor to issue a 'statement of independence' containing a number of declarations such as: As per information derived from literature sources, the major criteria of a standard auditing process are: professional ethics, auditors' legal liability, audit risk, accepting the engagement and planning the audit, internal control over auditing process, audit sampling, designing substantive procedures, auditing different financial instruments and completing and reporting the audit (Cosserat, 2004, Eilifsen & Messier, 2006). Each of these core criteria will later be examined for strengthening our core argument that successful auditing can only ensue from a high degree of dissimilarity between auditors and the company being audited. The independence of auditors for various business activities has been ensured over a long period of time based on unsavoury corporate scandals such as Enron in 1997. At present, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) as part of its standard code of ethics (revised rules) has proposed the following structural changes in auditing activities: 1. 1. Taking a 'conceptual approach' to independence: This is an approach which reconciles any perceived threat to independence of auditors, accepts safeguards and takes appropriate steps (interventions) to eliminate threats (Liandu, 2002). 2. No one fixed set of rules: Under IFAC guidelines, it's no longer possible to allow just one set of rules for a given auditing scenario. This is because each specific scenario is now recognised for its own merit in order to generate a set of financial instruments for the auditing activity (Liandu, 2002). 3. The importance of assurance services: In addition to company data, auditors are now encouraged to increasingly rely on secondary data such as performance indicators, statistical information, market and media reports, systems and processes and compliance with regulatory guidelines (Liandu, 2002). The purpose of assurance services is to enhance the credibility of overall information at the disposal of the auditor. 4. Safeguards mechanism: The general principle is that any kind of self-interest, self-review, advocacy, familiarity and intimidation can threaten auditing independence (Liandu, 2002). A number of safeguards are hence, proposed. Regulatory enforcement of independence requirements, external review of a firm's quality control service, keeping technical data up-to-date, a corporate governance structure which provides oversight to services provided by a firm, communications about independence, rotating senior personnel and performing annual review of the auditing exercise (Liandu, 2002). With regard to Cosserat (2004) core criteria of auditing

Bible As Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Bible As Literature - Essay Example It is also very rich in literary forms that can develop a student's appreciation and analysis of literature. The study of the bible can also help students practice their respect for each other's beliefs by analyzing the books within an impartial academic context that sets aside emotionality. Studying the bible can be very beneficial to students not only for learning about literature but also about life in general. Any legal or educational system builds its foundations from a set of moral values. In fact, Harvard, Yale and Princeton were schools established to teach young men to be pastors and America's children were once generally schooled with the Christian moral values that upheld respect for authority figures like parents and disapproval of sin. ("Cause and Effect," n.d.) Studying the bible as literature can help students identify, appreciate, and implement moral values that can be very beneficial not only to them but to the country itself. regarding the authenticity of the story of creation but the narration about the life of its characters provide clues as to how man had lived in the past. If the genealogy of its characters is to be examined, the bible's information dates back to 4223 years before Jesus Christ was born. (Petrie, n.d.) Its pages write about the culture and beliefs of people who lived through many different eras that can help students appreciate history. There is a great chance that more people have heard about the bible but not read it yet if one turns to the printed text as a shaper of reading, one can truly go further. (Norton, 2000, p. 78) People frequently read the bible in religious perspective yet many artistic forms of writing abound in it. The bible is rich in similes, metaphors, metonymy, synecdoche, personification, anthropomorphism, apostrophes, ironies, hyperboles, euphemisms, litotes, pleonasm, ellipses, zeugma, aposiopesis, allegories, riddles, symbols, narratives, tragedies, poetry, parallelisms, oratories, epistles, etc. Throughout the books of the bible, students can read many samples of literary forms that can help hone their skills in analysis of literature. ("Literary Forms in the bible," n.d.) Studying the bible as literature can help students appreciate their religious differences without emotional involvement. Many different religions have interpreted the bible in their own perspectives and these analyses have even lead to the birth of many other religious sects. Should the bible be studied for its moral values and literary form, students can learn to respect diversity because the books are treated academically instead of spiritually which can be very personal. Teaching Through the bible One of the problems encountered by some students today reveals some professors who cannot help themselves from using the course on bible literature to impose their own religious beliefs. The bible must remain as a learning tool by ensuring that professors are impartial to it. The National Council on Bible Curriculum's web site

Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Essay Example for Free

Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Essay On May of 1607, the first English colony in the present-day United States was founded at Jamestown, Virginia (A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States of America, 2007). After many years, a Dutch ship arrived at the port of Jamestown and brought about twenty African slaves to the English colonists. Thus, the so-called African slave trade began. The African slaves came from the savannahs of central and southern Africa. The Dutch often called them â€Å"humanlike† monkeys, barbarians, and uncivilized brutes. Thus, the Dutch preferred locking them in the sub cabins of their caravels (A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States of America, 2007). They were irregularly provided with food. Most of the times, they were held in chains (because the Dutch were afraid that they might cause some trouble in the ship). When they were brought to Jamestown, their condition worsened. They were forced to work in flat farmlands at least 15 hours a day. Large plantations of cotton and other agricultural products were assigned to them by the English colonists without pay. Although they were provided with housing, it was in shambles. The houses were designed in the form of â€Å"barnyard† to accommodate as many slaves as possible (a form of segregation). Added to that, this type of housing was a means for the English colonists to â€Å"distinguish† themselves from these â€Å"lofty and barbaric† human beings. The food provided by the English colonists was never adequate to balance the energy the slaves consumed in farm work. Added to that, the children of African slaves were also forced to work in the plantations. Their work varied, from weaving cotton to harvesting agricultural products. The landlords, insensitive to the contributions of these African slaves to their estates, usually utilized the â€Å"whip† against the African slaves as a form of disciplinary measure. Thus, not only the African slaves provided a cheap and efficient source of agricultural and household labor, they were also the source of prejudice, discrimination (described above), racism, and â€Å"embarrassment† to the English colonists. For example, the English colonists did not regard the African slaves as a separate race. The English colonists regarded them as â€Å"subhuman, but a little higher than primates. Even after the Declaration of Independence, the descendants of these slaves were not better of. Usually, the American landlords regarded them as personal properties. They had no civil or political rights. At times, American colonists in the West used them as soldiers (unpaid) in its wars with Indian tribes. Thus, it can be said that the history of African-Americans was a history of discrimination, oppression, and prejudice. They were the target as well as the source of racial cynicism of white Americans, British, and almost all Americans of European descent. The stigma attached to them by these cultural groups remained until (as one may notice) the present time. The labor market in the United States at the close of the 19th century was comprised of poor white farmers and African slaves-descent laborers (using the term Black is a form of discrimination in this case) (Bohmer, 2007). In 1876, an alliance between African slaves-descent laborers and poor whites was defeated by Southern landlords. The alliance was formed out of the perceived oppression of their class by the ruling Southern landlords. For example, their pay was inadequate to support their families. Nonetheless, their working conditions under these Southern planters were really â€Å"bad† in terms of long-working hours and high rents. Their defeat was magnified y the 1896 Supreme Court ruling that segregation was constitutional. Although their labor produced much of the wealth of the Southern planters, they were never given safety nets (such as social security) in the procurement of their labor in the market. In contradiction to the conception that African-Americans are never interested in environmental issues, here are some African-Americans who contributed much in protecting the environment. George Washington Carver can be regarded as one of America’s finest agricultural researchers. He was able to develop throughout his lifetime over 325 new products from peanuts and over 100 products from sweet potatoes. He often told his students that nature was his best teacher (A Selection of African-American Environmental Heroes, 2007). Vernon Jones is another African-American who led the struggle to preserve government-owned lands in a county in Georgia. In March 2000, he was able to pass a 125 million dollars bond referendum to acquire public lands for the construction of parks (A Selection of African-American Environmental Heroes, 2007). This is an indication that even if African-Americans are still discriminated, they would never be indifferent to issues that can affect the lives of people outside his ethnic group. Affirmative action can be defined as a set of state policies and objectives created to help eliminate past and present discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, and sex. The United States government under the terms of different presidents implemented a series of affirmative actions in order to eliminate forms of discrimination in the United States. For example, President Truman issued an order to the Bureau of Employment Security to implement nondiscriminatory labor policies (Sykes, 1995). Today, the Equal Employment Opportunities Act was passed to put an end to â€Å"discrimination† in the workplace, by giving minority groups opportunities to assert their employment status (Sykes, 1995). These series of affirmative action was the result of struggle of minority groups, especially African-Americans, to assert their rights as citizens of the United States. In the present, however, discrimination in the workplace against minority groups (e. . African-Americans) is never totally eradicated. Redlining, or more particularly service redlining, is the custom of refusing to provide goods and services to people of low-income and minority groups (Fuller, 1998). In the United States, African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups are experiencing this form of segregation. Some â€Å"white† establishments typically create â€Å"excuses† for the purpose of not allowing minority groups (especially African-Americans) to procure goods and services. This was the most controversial issue in the 1950’s. There were different types of services: one for whites, and one for African-Americans. Although this system was abolished, many â€Å"white† retail stores in the United States still find â€Å"excuses† of not providing goods and services for minority groups. African-Americans today face what sociologists call double jeopardy. Because African-Americans are discriminated, they have difficulty of finding good jobs. It is estimated that a majority of African-Americans in the United States today are in the poverty threshold. They comprised also the majority in service sectors jobs. Their poverty reinforces their minority status. Thus, the so-called â€Å"ladder of discrimination† as what sociologists call is also reinforced. African-Americans have the difficulty of upgrading their status by economic means. Thus, white Americans always associate African-Americans with poverty. The institutionalization of discrimination was the most noted issue in African-American history. Before the handing down of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (which abolished segregation in public schools) in May 1954, all public schools in the United States were segregated. African-Americans were provided separate public schools, usually close to their communities. Added to that, the formulation of educational curriculum of some states was also segregated. This was in line with the â€Å"early† belief of white Americans that higher forms of education were only a matter for white Americans. Segregation could also be noted in the construction of residential areas. Reverse discrimination can be defined as the negative effect of an affirmative action to some members of the dominant ethnic group which is seen as tantamount to another form of discrimination (Pincus, 2002:1). Often some white Americans complained that they were rejected in some jobs because of preferential treatment for African-Americans. They call it â€Å"reverse discrimination. † This is though not really a form of discrimination since it does not â€Å"question† the nature of the ethnic group to which one belongs. In the case of African-Americans, the opening of new opportunities is a means to upgrade their economic status. It cannot be a form of discrimination. Glass ceiling can be defined as the barriers or blocks that confront minority groups in reaching the upper ladder of corporate America (The Glass Ceiling for African, Hispanic (Latino), and Asian Americans, 2004). African-Americans today have little difficulty of reaching the upper ladder of society (noted personalities like Oprah, Morgan Freeman, and Janet Jackson serve our examples) although not as easy as that of white Americans. Personally, I identify myself to the cultural group I belong, although I recognize the commonalities between African-American and white cultures (especially those which relate to equality and freedom of the individual).

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