The Mirror Of Weaknesses Of Shakespeare s Othello Essay

Krystal Li Ms. Tafader ENG3U December 17, 2015 The Mirror for Weaknesses Humans are contradictions, which good and evil nature both exists. The grand tragic play Othello written by Shakespeare illustrates the contradictions in human natures through the display of tragic falls of various characters such as Othello, Iago, and Roderigo. Othello, the protagonist of the play, fell in love with the daughter of a nobleman, Desdemona. However, this relationship is soon broken up because Othello believed the accusation from Iago, Othello’s subordinate, towards Desdemona for having a disloyal relationship with her husband Othello’s lieutenant, Michael Cassio. With his hidden nature, Othello chose to trust Iago and murdered his wife with his own hand. In this Shakespearean play, each character created by Shakespeare has distinct and complicated personalities, and Iago, being the main antagonist in the play, acts as a mirror that reflects the natural weakness and flaws in the characters Othello, Roderigo, and himself; ultimately, it displays the underly ing evil intentions of human nature. Primarily, Iago, as a mirror, reflects Othello’s hidden tragic flaws that cause the befell of tragedy on him – credulity and inferiority. In the play, Iago has an evil plan on hurting Othello by falsely accusing Desdemona of being disloyal. With the nature of credulity, Othello did not recognize Iago’s evilness and contrarily, believes Iago’s fake honesty: â€Å"This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,/ AndShow MoreRelated The Manipulation of Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Othello Essay4756 Words   |  20 PagesThe Manipulation of Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Othello Of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, the story of the rise and fall of the Moor of Venice arguably elicits the most intensely personal and emotional responses from its English-speaking audiences over the centuries. Treating the subject of personal human relationships, the tragedy which should have been a love story speaks to both reading and viewing audiences by exploring the archetypal dramatic values of love and betrayal. The final sourceRead MoreLangston Hughes Research Paper25309 Words   |  102 Pagesexperienced similar symptoms as a teenager during his miserable summer in Mexico, Hughes knew he needed a fresh environment. At Rose Valley, Pennsylvania, the Hedgerow Players had a repertory theater in an old mill. There he watched productions of Othello by Shakespeare, The Emperor Jones by Eugene ONeill, and The Devils Disciple by George Bernard Shaw. Hughes wrote, Im getting a sort of inside slant on the theatre, watching the rehearsals and plays every night. Later, he beca me assistant to Jasper Deeter

The Effects Of Internet On Mental Health - 1362 Words

Over the last 30 years, the methods of human interactions have grown explosively, from face-to-face conversations, to video calling, instant messaging, texting, Facebook, Youtube, Snapchat, and Instagram. As the technology we surround ourselves with pervades an increasing number of aspects in our lives, it has begun to affect our mental health. A Carnegie Mellon study concluding that internet usage leads to significant increases in loneliness and depression received U.S. national media coverage (Kraut, Patterson, et al., 1998). However, others argue that the internet may just provide a place of refuge for those suffering from loneliness, anxiety, and depression. (McKenna and Bargh, 59) With this increase in technology, particularly the internet and social media, researchers have begun to question its effects on mental health, particularly anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The internet has become so pervasive that 64% of internet users consider it a necessity (McKenna and Bargh, 57 ). As 64% of the population doesn’t suffer from mental health issues, it is clearly not the internet itself that leads to mental illness. The fear of new technology continually pervades society, starting with fearing the telephone and electricity. As long as there are new technological outlets developed, there will always be fear an superstition of their potential harm (McKenna and Bargh, 58). McKenna and Bargh believe that newspapers and media itself have falsely represented evidence in orderShow MoreRelatedThe Current Youth s Participation858 Words   |  4 Pagesparticipation in modern technology can have favourable and adverse effects on their development. Technological progression has expanded a person’s understanding or the opportunity to further one’s understanding on health. This advancement has a number of positive effects on our developing youth. The main benefit of youth’s relationship with technology is having a source of information readily available for their serious inquires. The internet is a prime method of accessing crucial data that is not availableRead MoreHow Technology Has Impacted Modern Society1493 Words   |  6 Pagessupplies the individual with innumerable facets of entertainment and an endless stream of information. Technology not only provides us with an unchallenging route of accessing knowledge, it also makes many activities which once required some physical or mental effort, easy. The list of how technology has positively impacted modern society through medicine, mechanics, and research is too long to be written down. By all means, the former and ongoing innovations and advances made in the sciences through technologicalRead MoreDo Western Diets and Lifestyle Negatively Affect People’s Health?1489 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Do Western Diets and Lifestyle Negatively Affect People’s Health? Western diets and lifestyle have become more and more popular in many countries all over the world, because western countries are more developed and people think western diets and lifestyle are healthy to people. It is a common knowledge that health includes three aspects: physical health, mental health, and social well-being health, not just without any disease. Western diets refer to the food as red meat, sugary desserts and drinksRead MoreHow Does Mental Heath Services Could Be?1528 Words   |  7 PagesThe black community has its own opinion about how effect mental heath services could be. The most apparent opinion is how African Americans feel that using mental health services is something that is stigmatized to be not useful. There’s been plenty of occasions by which African Americans don’t seek the guidance because of their assumptions on the effectiveness of these interventions. In order to understand this better, Cauce has a three step model that includes pr oblem definition, the decisionRead MoreSocial Media And The Internet1564 Words   |  7 Pagesand the Internet. Many years ago, before phones and computers were invented, simply going outside to play was a great way to spend time with friends and be entertained. Technology has evolved greatly since these days. Teens can communicate, post pictures, and search anything on the Internet nowadays. Although social media is a very big hit in this century, the real question is, is it safe? What does the use of social media and the Internet lead teens to do? Social media and the internet have causedRead MoreInternet Counseling And Clinical Psychology1646 Words   |  7 PagesInternet Counseling in Clinical Psychology: A Brief Review Although psychology has only existed as an institution for just over a hundred years, and clinical psychology for even less than that, it has still developed some harsh stagnations and tendencies to deny progress. That being said, many psychologists push hard to integrate new techniques, theories, practices, and technology into their work. The advent of technology is incredibly important in this regard because it creates an environmentRead MoreIs Social Media Responsible For The Increase Of Mental Health Issues Among Young People?1696 Words   |  7 PagesIs social media responsible for the increase in mental health issues in young people? For the majority of my generation social media is an integral part of our lives. Since the invention of the smart phone we have only ever been a few clicks away from our friends and endless information. However, how is this affecting our mental health? On the one hand it can be argued that it is enhancing our communication skills yet studies have suggested that offline behaviours such as bullying are becoming moreRead MoreCauses of Depression Essay698 Words   |  3 PagesDepression is a rapidly growing mental illness that strikes millions, but they never know the cause of this common, yet sometimes, harmful illness. If victims and potential victims knew what caused depression, they could do more to prevent it from happening. In order to know what causes depression, one has to know what it is. The online dictionary defines it as â€Å"a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reasonRead MoreRea sons For Choice And Refinement Of Question1714 Words   |  7 PagesReason for choice and refinement of question I have chosen the topic of the effect of discrimination on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community’s mental health, because I find this topic interesting and I know a few LGBT people who are afraid to be themselves because of this discrimination and the effects it can have. I have been exposed to the issues this community faces from news stories about gay rights and protests to support gay marriage in Australia. I have always wonderedRead MoreMedia Negative Effects850 Words   |  4 Pagesof the internet (Asano). Merriam Webster Dictionary defines social media as â€Å"forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other such content.† Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, etc. are some of the more popular social media sites. As with anything, there are side effects from the overuse of social media, and the majority of people do not realize the detrimental side effe cts from the excessive internet usage

Appellees Brief free essay sample

Accused-appellant Pedro Sarmiento y Tordecilla together with co-accused Timeo Yhaap y Palparan and Antonio Olanne y Bergdugo was charged before the Regional Trial Court, 12th Judicial Regional Branch 15, Quezon City of robbery with rape. The case was docketed as Criminal Case No. 123456. The accusatory portion reads: â€Å"That on or about February 14, 2006, in Quezon City, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, armed with a knife, and gun, conspiring and confederating together, mutually aiding and assisting with one another, forced open the red Toyota Corrola Plate No. Apple laptop computer, black Nokia N91 cellphone, diamond engagement ring, green Lacoste handbag, and cash, all estimated to be worth P150,000. 00, all belonging to and taken against the will of said   all to the latter’s damage and prejudice; that on the occasion of means of force and intimidation, did then and there willfully and feloniously, have carnal knowledge of the said. We will write a custom essay sample on Appellees Brief or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Upon being arraigned all the accused including accused-appellant Sarmiento pleaded not guilty to the crime charged. The prosecution established the guilt of all the accused beyond reasonable doubt by presenting as evidence the testimony of the victim herself. She got out of the car to survey the damage when suddenly three men, two of which where armed, grabbed her, forced her car open and took her personal belongings inside the said car. Thereafter the all the perpetrators removed their mask one of them pointed a gun at her, took her to a nearby grassy area then and there forcibly raped her at gunpoint. She was able to identify Timeo Yhapp as the rapist and the accused-appellant Pedro Sarmiento as the one holding the knife and was jeering when she was being raped.

Macbeth Themes Essays (408 words) - Characters In Macbeth

Macbeth Themes Throughout Shakespeare's literature similar themes reoccur frequently. One theme which is evident throughout Macbeth is the use of parental and child references. Shakespeare associates children and babies and parenthood within the play. Child references describe many things. One use may be seen when Duncan thanks Macbeth for his bravery in battle, Macbeth replies."Your highness' part is to receive our duties and our duties are to your throne and state children and servants" (Act 1,Scene 4,23-25). Macbeth refers to the king as being a father to his children and his children being his people. Another reference to children can be found before Macbeth decides to kill Duncan. He ponders what will happen after he kills Duncan. "Pity, like a naked new-born babe, /Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubins, horsed /Upon the sightless couriers of the air, /Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, /That tears shall drown the wind" (Act 1, Scene 7, 21-25). He describes Duncan as a baby. He does that because he associates babies with innocence and peace. He also begins to show a consience since he describes Duncan's death would be like a hard wind that brings a tear to the eyes. When Lady Macbeth hears this, she tells Macbeth that he is a coward. "I have given suck, and know /How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: /I would, while it was smiling in my face, /Have Hartman page 2 pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, ?And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you /Have done to this.(Act 1, Scene7, 54-59) This passage again refers to a baby as portraying innocence. It also shows how cold Lady Macbeth is because she tells the reader that she would slaughter a child which she nursed from her own breast. We can assume she tells us that she would kill even if it was her own child. This is an example of the maternal motif. Another part of the theme of children and babies could be seen in the reference to Macduff's birth. He was delivered through an unnatural birth, which gave him the power to kill Macbeth because it matched the witch's prophecy. This is another parental theme which has many references in the play. We also see that Shakespeare has decided to create many characters which are introduced as sons of Duncan. These characters include Malcom, Donalbain, and Lennox. Within this play the motif of babies, children, and parental acts are strong. Shakespeare uses them to show the warmth and also the cold heartedness of his characters' personalities.

Civil Action essays

Civil Action essays The legal system is an essential element in the successful operation of this country. It is a system that is utilized every day, by every type of person, from the average blue-collar worker to the average Wall Street broker. There is a multitude of ways that the legal system is put to use. One such way is the class action lawsuit. A Civil Action, by Jonathan Harr, uses the account of a single case, Anne Anderson, et al., v. W.R. Grace The purpose of class action lawsuits is to give the common man the ability to take on the largest corporate or private entities, who can afford the very best legal services, and have a chance of redressing the wrong done by these entities (Clark, sec. 1). Without class action lawsuits, ordinary citizens acting individually would not have the means to challenge corporate and governmental wrongdoers. A Civil Action provides an in depth account of the life of one class action suit. It explores the role of the lawyer in litigating situations, focusing on the critical factor of proving causality. It brings to light numerous pitfalls encountered by both the prosecution and defense. In addition to exposing the potential pitfalls that can occur in a class action lawsuit, A Civil Action also touches on the motivation behind these cases. A definite motivation must exist for all persons involved in a class action lawsuit, since the uncertainty, stress, and pitfalls that accompany this form of civil action are tremendous. A Civil Action did not attempt to sugarcoat the process of trying a case such as the Woburn case. The complication were numerous and often hard to overcome. For the plaintiffs, the biggest hurdle faced was proving causality. Nearly all other obstacles Schlichtmann and his staff encountered were directly related to the attempt to prove causality. In a civil case, as...

Meaning Of French Expression Avoir LEsprit DEscalier

Meaning Of French Expression Avoir LEsprit DEscalier â€Å"Avoir l’esprit d’escalier† - or sometimes â€Å"avoir l’esprit de l’escalier† is yet another weird French idiom. Literally, it means to have the wit of the staircase. So it means nothing really!   Synonyms of Avoir lEsprit dEscalier in French and English In English, you sometimes call this â€Å"escalator wit†, or afterwit. It means to make a witty comeback, to answer someone in a witty (and fast) way. Its something the French really admire and are trained to do as part of our national sport: arguing and debating. To say to make a witty comeback, we use the expression â€Å"avoir de la rà ©partie†. So here, we could say â€Å"manquer de rà ©partie†, â€Å"ne pas savoir rà ©pliquer sur le moment†, â€Å"perdre ses moyens†. Example of Escalator Wit in French and English Moi, je manque cruellement de rà ©partie. Quand je me sens attaquà ©e, je perds tous mes moyens, je bredouille... et puis quand je suis rentrà ©e chez moi, je trouve plein de rà ©pliques fantastiques. Jai vraiment lesprit descalier. I desperately lack the ability to make witty comebacks. When I feel threatened, I lose my cool, I stutter... and once Im back home, I find lots of great comebacks. I really have an escalator wit. Origin of the French Idiom â€Å"Avoir l’Esprit d’Escalier† The philosopher Diderot wrote around 1775: â€Å" « ...lhomme sensible comme moi, tout entier ce quon lui objecte, perd la tà ªte et ne se retrouve quau bas de lescalier  ». Which translates  to: â€Å"The sensitive man such as myself, entirely absorbed by things that are being objected to him, loses his mind and recovers it only at the bottom of the stairs†. He meant that if someone opposed him in a conversation, he was so upset by it that he couldn’t concentrate anymore, and that it’s only once he had left, and reached the bottom of the staircase (therefore too late), that he could come up with a good answer.   French stairs Speaking of lescalier, remember French people do not count their stairs the way Americans do.

Health Care Database Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Care Database Systems - Essay Example Database Management Systems (DBMS) have been introduced to develop and alter these data. Databases are widely employed across the healthcare industry for satisfying a range of needs. As Martin (2008) points out, healthcare databases really assist the industry by performing a range of healthcare functions, including the areas of patient care, hospital administration, and research and education. The author adds that the field of critical care medicine has significantly advanced with the development of well-integrated healthcare databases. Viljoen (2009) argues that these databases are greatly beneficial for physicians to obtain easy access to the previous health history of individual patients and hence to begin treatment as early as possible (p.v). In other words, healthcare databases eliminate the need for a prolonged communication between doctors and patients or any other unwanted delay in treatment. In the current healthcare environment, databases are widely used to facilitate local assessments or evaluations. For instance, health professionals rely on healthcare databa ses for assessing specific outpatient conditions or inpatient hospital events. In addition, these data are increasingly used regionally or nationally for evaluating and comparing the performance of various healthcare systems within or across the industry. As Martin suggests, administrative data provided by healthcare databases can be used for comparing across national boundaries and identifying the differences in healthcare and disease globally. The writer adds that â€Å"administrative healthcare databases are uniquely suitable for epidemiological studies of disease, particularly for studying the incidence or outcome of rare diseases that are impossible to study locally or within traditional cohort studies† (Martin, 2008).  Ã‚  

Diabetes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Diabetes - Essay Example This paper focuses majorly on the bariatric surgery as an intervention for the treatment of diabetes in adults. Bariatric surgery is a consideration for people with type 2 diabetes who have BMI exceeding 35 kg/m ². It involves several surgeries on the gastrointestinal tract. These include the gastric banding or transposing, resecting, or bypassing sections of the small intestine. Interestingly, the gastrointestinal tract surgery had originally been developed for the treatment of morbid obesity. Later on, it was employed as a powerful intervention to ameliorate diabetes in severely obese patients by normalizing blood glucose levels. It reduces or completely avoids necessity for medications alongside being a cost-effective approach for the treatment of the disease. The American Diabetes Association (2014) recommends bariatric surgery consideration especially for adults with BMI 35 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes. It applies particularly when the diabetes or the associated comorbidities prove to be difficult to manage through lifestyle and pharmacological therapy. An observation has been made that patients who have at a time undergone the bariatric surgery in most cases require lifelong medical monitoring and lifestyle support. Research has provided evidence related to the glycemic benefits of bariatric surgery patients with type 2 diabetes and BMI 30–35 kg/m2. The evidence has played a significant role in the recommendation of the bariatric surgery. However, there has been criticism that in well-designed controlled trials which have optimal medical and therapy as the comparing factor, the longtime benefits, cost-effectiveness and risks of bariatric surgery in individuals with type 2 diabetes should be reconsidered in further studies. In terms of the desired normalization of glycemia, studies have shown that Bariatric surgery achieves very close or complete normalization. Buchwald (2009), in a survey carried out on a population of people with type 2 diabetes,

My Writing Experience and Thoughts about Different Cultures Essay Example for Free

My Writing Experience and Thoughts about Different Cultures Essay First of all, I would like to talk about my writing experience. In China, primary students originally talk about the pictures in primary school. There is no particularly difficult impression in my memory, But when I was in high school, I found a primary school second grade examination paper and I found articles particularly well written. I am surprised, I get so good at writing, but also particularly well written. After, grade level increases, When I was in 5 Grade, the teacher asked me to keep a diary every day, but my mind is empty and I do not know what to write. So I just wrote the diary about what happened each day. I was afraid of my teacher said that I cant write very well. Later, when I was in junior high school, I still dont know how to write and what should I write. I remember an unforgettable experience, it is a composition lessons. At that time, my Chinese language teacher ask me to write about the composition of spring as homework, I remembered that I have a book seems to be an article which was written about the spring in my drawer. Thats my cousins textbook when he was in high school, I usually read it if I have a spare time. Thus I opened the catalog and found this article, then I excerpt some well written sentences to complete the composition. When I watch the article I accomplished, I wondered how beautiful sentences which I copied form the first paragraph, and it is also especially good at the last. I was so frightened, because I know that if I hand it to my teacher. Not only the teacher didnt believe I wrote, even I dont believe it. I should say I was lucky. She was not aware of this problem, but I felt so guilty. Later, I found that the au thor which I copied the original article from is a very famous writer in early China. I think my behavior is disrespectful to him. Since then, I had no interest in plagiarism and I began to write article all by myself. I no longer have a copy of the composition, instead of learning their thoughts. Since that time, I concluded a truth, although the plagiarism is a bad behavior, it is also in the process of looking for good ideas. After that I read a lot of books and learned to analysis and appreciation. It laid the foundation for my future writing, this is a big harvest to me. In the United States, plagiarism is a very serious behavior of cheating, but this is very different to China, In China, language teachers always promote students to learn from those who write a good article, even require students to recite those articles and then students can modify this article into their own article. This is a necessary process in China, a lot of good articles learned in class, the teacher will ask students to recite these articles . For me, writing in English is very different from writing in Chinese, although as a Chinese student I started to learn English when I was very young, and did a lot of English writing since primary school, but English is not my original language. Besides, the English wring practice in China is very limited. Specifically in the model of thinking, Chinese and English are in widely vary. Many times, the sequence of grammar between Chinese and English is the on the opposite, so when we write in English, many sentences are called Chinglish. It is probably that maybe many Chinese people can understand the meaning but the Americans do not necessarily know the meaning of it. So, English Writing is such a challenge for me, here is the U.S., I wrote the article is not for the Chinese people, it is written for people here to read, I must think the ways in Americanï ¼Å'to let people here know what I say. So the most important thing I have to do is that I must adapt to American life , and learn the way of thinking in American so quickly, then use the thinking of U.S. to writing. Only in this way, I can adapt to life better and complete my studies here . I chose the major of Business Management, so there may be a lot of writing about Business Management in my further study. So I must learn the writing skills and method well in this writing lesson, and then do a better writing in further courses of study. The differences of cultural may cause differences in students ability, which is reflected in the students between United States and China very clearly. In China all of the knowledge are imparted to students by teachers, Chinese students only need to remember the knowledge that their teacher told them. If you remember it exhaustiveï ¼Å'you can get a good grades in this course. In the United States , the teachers always train students to focus on the ability which they interested in, regardless of the students ideas are correct or not, as long as he has his personal reasons, it will be a good answer. In my opinion, Chinese students have a strong ability to remember so many things though, but they serious lack the ability to think things independently and they lack the imagination. In the classï ¼Å'they are not good at expressing their ideas, because they always looking for the right answer, which could be widely recognized . There are also some differences in writing. In China, junior high school students have a same writing style, The teacher teach them to write with same skills and the contents of the article are almost same at all. Although I do not know the style of American students writing, but in my guess, their writing must have their own ideas. In my opinion, whether writing in Chinese or English , we must have our own ideas, Only in this way, articles will be more valuable.

How To Change the Oil in your Cars Engine Essays -- Process Essays Ve

How To Change the Oil in your Car's Engine Automobiles are American's second largest investment after real estate. It is impoprtant to understand how to keep your car performing at its best. The major components of a car consist of the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and tires. The purpose of this essay is to guide you through the process of changing the oil in your car's engine. An oil change is recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on your driving style and conditions. Your car is more likely to need an oil change at 3,000 miles if you live in a metropolitan area where you face stop-and-go traffic, polluted air, and very hot temperatures. Oil change is very easy to do; you don?t always have to go to Jiffy Lube or other instant oil change places to get it done. You can buy quarts of motor oil at almost any store and change them yourself. This way you can ensure the oils are of top quality and the job gets done right. Things you will need--- -3-ton hydraulic jack, jack stands, wheel chocks, and a socket-wrench set, new oil filter, quarts of motor oil, oil filter wrench?. There are different types of oils, 10W30, 5W30, and 10W40 are the most common. 10W30 is the most versatile oil out of them all. Begin by parking your car on a flat surface; make sure the car is in park position. 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pop open the hood and twist the oil cap open. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Put the wheel chocks against the rear wheels. This is done to make sure the car does not r...

The Sociological Imagination – Obesity in United States

Obesity has become a large and dark reality in United States. For someone who does not have sociological imagination being overweight is the result of bad personal choices or genetic predisposition. Being overweight might have been the result of past individual struggles that were caused by wrong individual decision-making or behavior. For those who get the interplay of the heart of sociological imagination this is a complex social issue that is the result of patterns of modern economic and social life. Obesity’s effect in society can be seeing in the number of life-long and potentially life-threatening diseases and conditions, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. People who get sociological imagination would most likely blame how the increase in these diseases put pressure on the health care system in the United States; thus, causing the taxation of already overcrowded hospitals and overworked health care professionals. They might also think that the impact on obesity is linked to diseases that contribute to early death and create an economic burden. A sociological imagination might blame these to the public policies that contribute to the problem are restaurant industries that serve inexpensive and easy-access foods with high calories and low nutrition. A demographer is someone who statistically studies the human population. According to Dr. Crosnoe, in order to compare different populations, we need national or international data. As a demographer, I want to find out the rate of obesity in each state, what ethnicity and race has the highest obesity rate, and the lifespan in United States. I would survey the human population in the United Sates to find the characteristics of the population in obesity. According to CDC report, non-Hispanic black is at 36. 8% and Hispanics is at 30. 7%. Thus, a demographer might hypothesizes that family influence is the causes of obesity. Too often Americans eat out; consume large meals and high-fat foods, and put taste and convenience ahead of nutrition. I can use this survey to rank racial groups in the United States. I can look at the trend of lifestyle behaviors such as what a person eats and his or her level of physical activity. Obesity continues to be a major health problem in the United States, leading to high rates of mortality. A historical sociologist is someone who studies trends across time using historical data. As a historical sociologist I want to know the factors that causes obesity, change in lifestyle. As a historical sociologist might hypothesizes that technology changes affect the obesity rate to go up since the 80s. I can look at how technology has made our lives easier and at the same time, made people lazy. For example, today, more people drive long distances to work instead of walking, live in neighborhoods without sidewalks, tend to eat out or get take out instead of cooking, or have vending machines with high-calorie, high-fat snacks at their workplace. Health-care providers must pay closer attention to obesity, and importantly, do their part to prevent obesity by focusing on children and adolescents who are only slightly or moderately overweight.

Blue Jeans †American Cultural Artifact Essay

Blue jeans in the last thirty years have attained such world wide popularity that they have come to be considered an American icon. However jeans have not always been held in high stead, but rather have had a troubled history including its beginnings within the working class movement, being considered unsavory by religious leaders and also seen as a rebellious statement about ‘western decadence’. According to the University of Toronto, no other garment has served as an example of status ambivalence and ambiguity than blue jeans in the history of fashion. Throughout this essay I will discuss how jeans have become such a common treasured and even expensive item crossing over class, gender, age, regional, and national lines as reflected by the many changing political views and acceptance from various social classes over the past 50 years. History of Blue Jeans According to the University of Toronto, blue jeans were originally created for the California coal miners in the mid-nineteenth century by the Morris Levi Strauss, a Bavarian immigrant who relocated to New York in 1847. Mr Strauss’ fate and the history of clothing changed forever when in 1872 he received an offer from Jacob Davis, a tailor from Reno Nevada. Mr. Davis, in order to improve the durability of the pants that he made for his clients, had been adding metal rivets to the highly stressed seams. The idea was successful and he wished to patent it, but due to financial constraints required a partner and hence Levi became the financial backer and partner. In 1873, the new partners received a patent for â€Å"an improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings†, and thus the history of blue jeans as we know them began. Blue jeans were originally called â€Å"waist overalls† by Levi Strauss and Co and in the 1920’s these were the most widely used worker’s pants in America. The name of these trousers changed to â€Å"jeans† in the 1960’s when Levi Strauss and Co. recognized that this was what the product was being called by the young, hip teenage boys. The history of â€Å"waist overalls† continues as the history of blue jeans. â€Å"Jeans† is now generally understood to refer to pants made out of a specific type of fabric called â€Å"denim† (Fashion Encyclopedia). Blue Jeans through the decades The popularity of blue jeans spread among working people, such as farmers and the ranchers of the American West. According to the Encyclopedia of Fashion, in the 1930’s jeans became so popular among cowboys that Wrangler formed just to make denim work clothing for those who rode the range. Jeans have tended to follow along in popularity with popular culture as evident with the popular Western films which found adventure and romance in the adventures of the cowboys who rode horses, shot bad guys, and wore blue jeans. Those who wished to imitate the casual, rugged look of the cowboys they saw in films began to wear jeans as casual wear (Fashion Encyclopedia). This effect is not hard to understand, as even today fashion trends are greatly influenced by what highly publicized celebrities choose to wear. During World War II blue jeans became part of the official uniform of the Navy and Coast Guard, and became even more popular when worn as off-duty leisure clothing by many other soldiers. In his book, â€Å"Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon†, James Sullivan states that the rise of the popularity of jeans after the WWII can greatly be attributed to the influence of the film and music industry, during the 1950s many young people began to wear jeans when they saw them on rebellious young American film stars such as Marlon Brando and James Dean. By 1950, Levi’s began selling nationally and other brands started emerging, such as Lee Coopers and each with its own particular fit (Sullivan 287). According to the University of Toronto, in the 1960’s and 1970’s jeans were embraced by the nonconformist hippie youth movement, and the history of blue jeans even gets linked to the downfall of communism. Behind the iron curtain, jeans became a symbol of â€Å"western decadence† and individuality and as such were highly sought. Jeans had become extremely popular, but were still mainly worn by working people or the young. In the 1980’s through to the 1990’s jeans were no longer seen as rebellious or a source of individuality, but they were transformed as the term ‘designer jeans’ was discovered. Many designers such as Jordache and Calvin Klein came on board to create expensive jeans and some jeans even reached haute couture status (Fashion Encyclopedia). In the new millennium denim is seen on designer catwalks and there are now hundreds of styles, types and labels available and of various price ranges. Changing Popularity According to Peter Beagle in his book â€Å"American Denim: A New Folk Art†, the popularity of jeans can be attributed to the fact that jeans can be seen to embrace the American democratic values of independence, freedom and equality. Some Americans even consider jeans to be the national uniform. Blue jeans have evolved from a garment associated exclusively with hard work to one associated with leisure. What began as work clothes has transformed into one of the â€Å"hottest† items available on the consumer market today. What was once apparel associated with low culture has undergone a reversal in status. Blue jeans were the first to accomplish a rather revolutionary cultural achievement bringing upper class status to a lower class garment. Conclusion At one point or another throughout history, blue jeans have been the uniform of many groups and are considered the one garment of clothing that has remained hip for over a century and has survived everything from World War II to the eighties. For half a century blue jeans have helped define every youth movement, and every effort of older generations to deny the passing of youth. Fifty years ago America invented the concept of teenager, and it is probably no coincidence that the enduring character of blue jeans, claiming independence and the right to self-expression, can be traced to the same time. Jeans were once seen as clothing for minority groups such as workers, hippies or rebellious youth, but are now embraced by the dominant American culture as a whole.

The Relationship Between Work Stress and Performacne Among Accountants Essays

The Relationship Between Work Stress and Performacne Among Accountants Essays The Relationship Between Work Stress and Performacne Among Accountants Essay The Relationship Between Work Stress and Performacne Among Accountants Essay THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK STRESS AND PERFORMACNE AMONG ACCOUNTANTS. BY KEMIGISHA GRACE 05/U/094/AFD/GV A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF VOCATIONAL STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE OF KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY. SEPTEMBER 2008 DECLARATION I, Kemigisha Grace, declare that to the best of my knowledge this dissertation is my original work except where otherwise acknowledged. Signature†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Date†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. APPROVAL This dissertation has been approved for submission Signature†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ LUTALO GODWIN Date†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. DEDICATION I dedicate this work to all accountants that have ever felt the bite of work stress emotionally, mentally and financially. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank God for continuously blessing me with the presence of mind, health, and faith to complete my Degree. I would like to thank Cathy, Baine and Justine for providing words of encouragement when I needed them. Mr. Geoffrey Haabaasa, Mrs. Anne Akankwasa, Mrs. Rebecca Gumisiriza, Mrs. Jolly Rubambarama, Mrs. Juliet Mikisa and Miss. Gloria Katusiime for your continued friendship, support, and willingness to assist as needed. To Mr. Lutalo Godwin my supervisor, what would I or the other students do without you; thank you so much for the great support and all you do for us as students in the Business Department. ABSTRACT The study investigated the presence and direction of a relationship between work stress and employee performance among accountants. The study tried to uncover the common sources and signs of stress among accountants, the extent of the relationship between work stress and performance, coping strategies applied and other factors that affect performance of accountants. The study was conducted in the central region of Uganda and in particular, the districts of Kampala and Jinja. A quantitative and correlation design was used and tests were applied to a sample of 100 accountants but data from only 86 respondents was utilized. A cross-sectional approach in which tests were applied at only one point in time was used. Accidental sampling was used to select respondents who then provided the required data in the standardized self administered questionnaires supplied to them. Data was presented in tables using frequency counts and percentages, and the inferential data was computer analyzed using a combination of CORREL and Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient techniques. The results of the study showed that there was a significant negative relationship between work stress and performance but no significant relationship between work stress and coping mechanisms. CHAPTER ONE 1. 0Introduction This chapter provides the background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research objectives, research questions, scope of the study, significance of the study and definition of terms. . 1Background to the Study Work stress defined by Beehr and Newman as â€Å"A condition arising from the interaction of people and their jobs that force them to deviate from their normal functions. † Stress is produced when the stressor interacts with the individual’s appraisal to induce emotional, behavioral and psychological reactions. It is likely to occur where demands are high, the individual has low control, and the individual lacks social support. Organizations today are under increasing pressure to improve productivity while simultaneously reducing costs resulting in an epidemic of â€Å"Corporate Anorexia† (Hamel 1996). A new enterprise formula is emerging ; ? x2x3 whereby half as many people are being paid twice as much to produce three times more (Handy 1996). The rapidly changing work conditions and environment now more than ever pose a threat to the health of employees and in turn to the health of the organization. All organizations constantly strive to be the top performers in their industries, a goal that is jeopardized by stress and its effects. It is reported that the psychological, physiological and behavioral changes due to stress are associated with lower job performance; a consistently a negative outcome for the organization. In managing work stress, organizations are one step closer to excellence. Accountants need to be aware of the current stress statistics in the corporate world and the pressures they are constantly warned of. They should know where these pressures are most likely to stem from, how the pressures will change their behavior and performance and ultimately how to cope with these pressures. Many organizations ignore the possible impact of work stress on performance of their employees. Other organizations feel at a loss to do anything about the stress levels among their employees therefore leave it to go unchecked. Stress hurts the organization and continued indifference by organizations puts them at risk. The study is intended to identify the main sources of work stress, the signs of work stress, the ways stress affects job performance and how it can be managed. 1. 2Statement of the problem As organizations grow larger and more competitive, employees are faced with longer work hours, heavier work loads, shrinking pay checks and greater bureaucracy; some of the factors that make it increasingly difficult to perform. In this increasingly complex corporate world, stress is inevitable. And with stress come the associated evils: health disorders, violence at work, errors, mental disorders, drug abuse, and other stress-related disorders that impair the effectiveness of individuals. The consistently changing work environment has led to demands on professionals that are greater than they can handle. The pressure to deliver has created human time-bombs just waiting to go off and this has to be addressed immediately. 1. 3Purpose of the study The overall objective of the study was to ascertain the presence and direction of a relationship between work stress and performance of accountants. 1. Objectives of the study The study was intended to achieve the following objectives: 1. To identify the major sources of work stress among accountants. 2. To determine the signs of work stress that most commonly present among accountants. 3. To assess the relationship between work stress and performance among accountants. 4. To identify the Coping Mechanisms applied by accountants. 5. To identify other factors which significantly affect the performance of accountants. 1. 5Research Questions The study was designed to answer the following questions: 1. What are the major sources of work stress among accountants? 2. What are the signs of work stress that are common among accountants? 3. How does work stress correlate with performance among accountants? 4. What coping mechanisms do accountants apply in dealing with their stress? 5. What other factors significantly affect the performance of accountants? 1. 6Scope of the study 1. 6. 1Geographic: The study was carried out among accountants in the central region of Uganda because of the high density of accountants in this region. Data was collected in Kampala and Jinja. 1. 6. 2Subject: The study focused on work stress because it can be managed by organizations by adjusting the various organization variables. The study emphasized the relationship between work stress and performance among accountants as opposed to the other professions and areas stress is believed to affect e. g. health and psychological wellbeing. 1. 6. 3Time: The study was cross-sectional and all questionnaires were administered at once. The overall study took a period of three months. 1. 7Significance of the study The study may positively impact on HRM policies of organizations as they try to attain a favorable organization stress profile in order to boost performance. The study may push accountants to analyze their stress profiles and apply appropriate coping strategies. It may also aid budding accountants to proactively approach the corporate world with set procedures for dealing with stress on a personal level. The study may aid business students appreciate the relationship between work stress and performance among accountants. 1. 8Definition of Terms Absenteeism: This is a situation in which employees develop a habitual pattern of absence from duty or obligation. Biofeedback: This is a form of alternative medicine in which stress related symptoms are mechanically detected by measuring the quantifiable bodily functions like blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, sweat gland activity and muscle tension. Coping Strategies: These are the techniques individuals apply to master conditions of harm, threat or challenge when routine or automatic responses are not readily available. Presenteeism: This is a situation where employees report to work in spite of illness or where they are present at work and are accomplishing nothing or there is no work available to be done. Stress Profile: This is a report on the level and complexity of stress in an individual or an organization that is produced by using specific computer software. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 0Introduction This chapter presents the analysis of the sources and signs of stress work, the relationship between work stress and performance, the coping strategies applied to deal with work stress and other factors that affect performance as discussed in existing literature. 2. 1Definition of Work Stress and Performance Stress in general has been defined as â€Å"the pressures people feel in life† (Newstrom et al 1997) or an unpleasant emotional state resulting from the perception that a situational demand exceeds one’s capacity and that it is very important to meet that demand (Luthans 1998). Work stress in particular is defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker (NIOSH). Performance has been defined as the way in which an individual does a job, udged by its effectiveness (wiki dictionary). 2. 2Sources of work stress Paul Froiland cited in Newstrom et al (1997) feels that the basic cause of work stress is a high level of job demands and little control over the work to be done. The generally accepted causes of work stress as identified by NIOSH include: Poor job design such that there is heavy work overload, few rest breaks, long work hours, hectic repetitive tasks w ith little relevance, underutilization of employees’ skills, and little control over work tasks. Poor management style composed of low participation by workers in decision making, poor communication in the organization, and Poor quality of supervision. Kreitner (1998) cited a research study, carried out at Southern Bell and other companies that showed the biggest source of work stress to be poorly trained and inept supervisors. Poor interpersonal relationships characterized by a poor social environment, lack of support from work mates and supervisors, harassment and discrimination by coworkers and lack of group cohesiveness. Poorly defined work roles; employees are plagued by conflicting and uncertain job expectations, too much or too little responsibility, and inadequate authority to match responsibility. Career concerns also contribute to work stress as employees worry about the security of their jobs, lack of opportunities for growth or advancement, and rapid changes in th e organization like restructuring. The researcher, Nathan Podsakoff, said hindrance stressors like job insecurity and red tape had a big negative impact on motivation and performance (NIOSH). Unpleasant and dangerous work conditions such as crowding, noise, air pollution, and ergonomic problems. 2. 3Signs of work stress NIOSH has documented the first signs that indicate employees may be stressed. This guide on the changes in behavior that may occur is summarized below: Work Performance Declining or inconsistent performance Uncharacteristic errors and accidents Loss of control over work Loss of motivation or commitment Indecision Lapses in memory Increased time at work Lack of holiday planning and usageRegression Crying Arguments Undue sensitivity Irritability and moodiness Over-reaction to problems Personality clashes Immature behavior Withdrawal Arriving late to work Leaving early Extended lunches Absenteeism Resigned attitude Reduced social contact Elusiveness and evasivenessAggre ssive behavior Malicious gossip Criticism of others Vandalism Shouting and bullying Poor employee relations Temper outbursts Other behaviors Difficulty in relaxing Increased consumption of alcohol or smoking Lack of interest in hygiene Accidents at home or work Unnecessary risk takingPhysical signs Nervous stumbling speech Tiredness Stomach upsets Tension headaches Rapid weight gain or loss Acute stress presents with anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, preoccupation, indecisiveness, presenteeism, recurring feelings of hopelessness, fear of disease, low self esteem, migraines, sleep disorders, and depression. Newstrom et al (1997) however caution that these signs may result from other conditions. 2. 4The Relationship between Work stress and performance Creating a high performance organization is the aim of all management teams and it is believed that stress can limit the achievement of this dream. Newstom et al (1997) and Wagner et al (1995) agree that low levels stress enhance job performance. Mild stress may lead to increased activity, change and overall improvement in performance. Selye (1956) emphasizes that stress is a necessary part of life and that it does not always have negative consequences; at certain moderate levels, stress can actually improve performance. However, many studies have shown that stress has various adverse effects that can be categorized under psychological, physiological, and behavioral effects. Psychological effects: The most common psychological effects of stress are poor decision making, loss of concentration, anxiety, loss of self esteem, depression, repression of emotion, displacement of anger, isolation, irritability and forgetfulness. Physiological effects: The researcher Blyth in 1973 identified a list of diseases with a fairly high causal relationship with stress and these were hypertension, allergies, migraines, intense itching, peptic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, nervous dyspepsia, skin disorders, overactive thyroid glands, diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis. Even though these ailments could have originated from other causes, it has been suggested that stress aggravates them. The physical effects create the most costs to the company through medical expenses and absenteeism. Behavioral effects: Work stress can increase behaviors like insomnia, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, aggressive behaviors, over and under reacting, withdrawal, regression and declining performance. At very high levels, stress even leads to burnout and trauma. Most research on stress has emphasized the impact of stress on the physical health of employees (Luthans 1998). Whereas the physical ailments have a drastic effect on the individual, they have an equally serious effect on the organization. The largest cost to the organization is reduction in productivity but aside from this are costs related to lost company time in replacing employees, absenteeism, high turnover, increased client complaints and increase in work related accidents that disrupt production. Cole (1997) argues that the symptoms and effects of stress whether triggered by work problems or social problems, will eventually lead to reduced employee performance, loss of motivation and increased absenteeism. Stress interferes with human emotional, intellectual and interpersonal functioning; creativity and innovation which are crucial for excellent performance and the survival of an organization are compromised in the typical high stress workplace. (David Lee, an article on Employee Stress and Performance). Peter Nixon carried out a study on the relationship between work stress and performance and the results are illustrated below (Stewart 1997). 2. 5 Coping Mechanisms The organization and work conditions have to be altered appropriately if stress at the workplace is to be properly managed. Coping Mechanisms are the specific efforts, both behavioral and psychological, that people employ to master, tolerate, reduce, or minimize stressful events. The following methods have been suggested for the reduction of work stress in employees: Incorporation of ‘intent to reduce undue stress’ into the organization policies. Management should recognize the positive impact such an amendment would have on productivity. The policy could include factors like frequent counseling sessions and medical exams. The change of policy would automatically lead to change of plans, procedures and systems to ensure that a favorable working environment that protected the wellbeing of the employees was achieved. Management can aid employees improve their ability to deal with work stress by: oClearly communicating their expectations of employees and to them. Expectations may be communicated to a group of employees or to individuals. The aim is to verify the roles the employee is expected to fulfill and the scope of the position held. Devising a performance-evaluation-feedback system such that each employee is aware his performance based on the feedback received. Employees would then be able to know whether they are meeting management expectations or not, and if not, work towards a resolution. oEnsuring that employees are capable of carrying out work tasks by tightening the recruitment process or training employees. Job training programs provide employees with broader knowledge and skills to better ha ndle the expectations from their roles. Cole (1997) made general recommendations on how to reduce stress in organizations and they include: Designing jobs to permit maximum use of skills, allow employees discretion in carrying out job tasks, to be challenging and have variety. Developing participative management styles. Encouraging team spirit and inter-departmental communication Ensuring delegation of decision making. Giving employees authority to match their responsibilities. Limiting procedures associated with execution of tasks. Allow employees express their feelings to their superiors, colleagues or counselors. Provide sports and social facilities. Provide adequate canteen and restroom facilities. It has been documented that people work more effectively in a participative management style and are better motivated when work tasks meet their needs (CIPD). The quality guru, Demming, argued that about 80% of improvement required management effort and major changes in the work place, while only 20% of improvement could be instituted by front line managers (Beardwell et al 1997). On a more personal level, individual employees are advised to use relaxation exercises like yoga or to apply biofeedback and personal wellness (Newstrom et al 1999). The individual coping and preventive strategies include: Exercising to a sweat at least twice a week Meditation exercises can be used hand in hand with biofeedback Behaviorally conditioning oneself to circumvent stressful situations Redefining one’s thoughts about themselves and their ability to cope with stressful situations through self talk. Getting support from friends, family and colleagues during stressful periods. Ensuring one achieves holistic wellness by taking responsibility for oneself, eating well, using relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, and being sensitive to one’s surroundings. 2. Other factors that affect performance Results of a 40 year study by Ralph Goldman to explore the relationship between employee performance and the environment showed that factors like good ventilation, lighting, acoustics and indoor air conditioning could increase productivity by 6% (Kreitner 1998). The major factors that affect employee performance are: HRM Strategies : A strong causal link has been established between HRM and business performance by Patterson et al (1998). Compared to other management practices like strategy and investment in research, human resource practices explained 18% of the variation in productivity. Job design: Challenging jobs with adequate levels of authority and responsibility stimulate the performance of employees. Employment Benefits and Rewards: Employees are motivated to perform effectively and efficiently to reap various benefits and rewards which include bonuses, medical coverage, recognition at the work place, training and advancement opportunities and allowances. Employee level of Training and Training Requirements of the Job: The level of training of employees vis-a-vis the training requirements of the job plays an important role in that employee’s performance. An under-qualified employee will not be able to effectively carry out work tasks and perform as required by the organization. Organization Culture: An open organization culture enhances communication and encourages employees to exchange views and participate in decisions. This gives employees a feeling of control over the work environment, a state of mind that is believed to improve performance. Technology: The mix of technologies used in the organization affects the performance of employees. Organizations where all work e. g. preparation of ccounts and financial statements is done manually cannot compare to those that use computerized accounting systems. CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3. 0Introduction This chapter discusses the methods that were used to carry out the study; the research design, study area and population, sources of data, data collection methods, data quality control measures, data presentation and analysis methods, and the problems encountered and limitations of the study. 3. 1Research design The study was co-relational so as to determine the relationship between work stress and performance among accountants. A cross-sectional design was adopted so all tasks and measures were applied on one occasion and not to over a period of time because the study sought to determine conditions as they were and not changes in the relationship between the variables over a period of time. 3. 2Study area and population of the study 3. 2. 1Study area: The study was carried out in the central region of Uganda; in the districts of Kampala and Jinja. 3. 2. 2Population of the study: A sample of 100 accountants was chosen from organizations across various industries in the public and private sectors. Data collected from 86 respondents was used as 14 respondents did not return their questionnaires. 3. 3Sources of data Both primary and secondary sources of data were used 3. 3. 1Primary: The chosen sample of accountants provided data in the form of self administered questionnaires that were distributed to them. 3. 3. 2Secondary: Data was also obtained from existing literature i. e. pamphlets, journals, text books and the internet. 3. 4Data collection methods Two methods were applied in the collection of data: sampling and questionnaires. 3. 4. 1Sampling: Accidental sampling was used for the purposes of this study. The time frame in which the study was conducted did not give allowance for random sampling techniques to be used and only respondents who were available were served questionnaires. 3. 4. 2Questionnaires: Self administered questionnaires were used to gather data critical to the study. The standardized questionnaire contained 50 close-ended questions and 5 open-ended questions in 3 categories to be answered on a four point scale i. e. ranging from Never to Sometimes to Often to Always. The categories explored were; work related stress, performance, and coping mechanisms. Questionnaires were delivered to and collected from selected respondents. 3. 5Data quality control Standardized questionnaires were used to ensure uniformity of possible responses and this was further enhanced by the use of primarily close-ended questions. A four point scale was used to maximize simplicity as a wider scale would have created ambiguity and confusion among respondents. Questions were weighted according to the significance of the factor under consideration. This ensured that critical factors got appropriate recognition therefore giving more reliable results. 3. 6Data presentation and analysis Data was presented in tables by frequency counts or scores and percentages. It was then analyzed using correlation analysis and in particular, a combination of the CORREL and Pearson’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. The results of the study are presented and discussed in Chapter 4. 3. 7Problems and limitations There was a non-response rate of 14%. It is possible that the results are biased away from respondents that did not return the questionnaires. The public sector contributed 55% of the respondents while the private sector provided 45%. The results may be biased toward the public sector. Cost constraints necessitated the reduction of the number of respondents from 200 which was the desired sample size to 100 which eventually became the sample size. It may not be practical to extrapolate the results to all accountants in the region. Non-random sampling was used and the results are to a degree biased. CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS 4. 0Introduction This chapter presents analyses and interprets the results of the study. Presentation is done by frequency counts or scores and percentages and analysis is done using a combination of CORREL and Pearson’s Rank Coefficient Correlation techniques. . 1Bio Data The results in this section are presented in tables 1 to 4 under the titles age, sex, marital status and working hours (per week) of respondents. Table 1: Age of Respondents AgeFrequencyPercentage Below 301112. 8 Between 30 and 454451. 2 Between 45 and 552731. 4 Above 5544. 6 Total86100. 0 From the above table, majority of the resp ondents (51. 2%) were 30 to 45 years old followed by 45 to 55 year olds (31. 4%), then those aged below 30 years (12. 8%), and the least were aged above 55 years (4. 6%). Table 2: Sex of Respondents SexFrequencyPercentage Male5968. 6 Female2731. 4 Total86100. As shown in the table above, majority of the respondents were male (68. 6%) and the minority female (31. 4%) Table 3: Marital Status of respondents Marital StatusFrequencyPercentage Single2934. 0 Married5361. 6 Widowed44. 4 Total86100. 0 As shown in the table majority of the respondents were married (61. 6%), 34% were single and the minority (4. 4%) were widowed. Table 4: Working hours (per week) of Respondents Working HoursFrequencyPercentage Less than 3022. 3 Between 30 and 406373. 3 Between 40 and 601618. 6 Above 6055. 8 Total86100. 0 As shown in the table, majority of the respondents (73. %) worked for 30 to 40 hours per week, followed by those that worked 40 to 60 hours a week (18. 6%), then those that worked more than 60 hours a week (5. 8%) and finally those that worked less than 30 hours per week (2. 3%). 4. 2Sources of Work Stress among Accountants Table 5: Sources of Work Stress among Respondents Sources of Work StressScore Percentage Job Design2716. 4 Management Style3621. 8 Social Support2414. 5 Reward Structure3420. 6 Work Environment4426. 7 Total165100. 0 As shown in the table, the main source of work stress among the respondents was Work environment (26. %), followed by the management style applied (21. 8%), followed by the reward structure in place in the organizations (20. 6%), then the design of jobs (16. 4%) and lastly lack of social support (14. 5%). More specifically, the results showed that numerous demands made of the respondents, insufficient remuneration to match job tasks, a poor work environment, poor attitudes to diverse perspectives at the work place, boring job tasks and inadequate resources to do the job were the causes of work stress common among majority of respondents. 4. 3Signs of Work Stress among Accountants Table 6: Signs of Work Stress among Respondents Signs of Work StressScorePercentage Exhaustion4117. 4 Limited Social Contact3113. 1 Difficulty Relaxing2912. 3 Leaving Work Early2811. 9 Irritable and Moody2811. 9 Others7933. 4 Total236100. 0 As shown in the table, the sign of stress most common among the respondents was exhaustion (17. 4%) followed by limited social contact with colleagues and peers (13. 1%), followed by difficulty relaxing (12. 3%), then leaving work early and irritability and moodiness (11. 9% each) and other signs (33. 4%). 4. 4The Relationship between Work Stress and Performance Table 7: Stress Levels of Respondents Stress LevelFrequencyPercentage Low78. 1 Moderately Low3338. 3 Moderately High4147. 7 High55. 9 Total86100. 0 As shown in the table, 47. 7% of the respondents showed moderately high stress levels, 38. 3% showed moderately low levels of stress, 8. 1% showed very low levels of stress and 5. 9% showed very high levels of stress. The results showed that 45% of the respondents suffered from ailments and disorders attributable to stress and the most common among the respondents were hypertension, peptic ulcers, allergies, depression and anxiety. Table 8: Performance Levels of Respondents Performance LevelFrequencyPercentage Low1213. 9 Moderately Low33. 5 Moderately High5968. 7 High1213. 9 Total86100. 0 As shown in the table, majority of the respondents (68. 7%) had moderately high performance levels, followed by respondents that had high and low performance levels (13. 9% each), and finally 3. 5% who had moderately low levels of performance. The results showed that almost 50% of the respondents worked outside formal working hours to finish their work, rarely took vacations, and had little or no control over how they performed on their jobs. Table 9: Correlation between Work Stress and Performance Work StressPerformance Work Stress1. 0000-0. 6312 Performance-0. 63121. 0000 As shown in the table, there was a relatively significant negative correlation between work stress and performance of -0. 6312. This means that there is a significant inverse relationship between stress and performance. 4. 5Coping Mechanisms applied by Accountants Table 11: Level of use of Coping Mechanisms Level of use FrequencyPercentage Low910. 5 Moderately Low5361. 6 Moderately High2225. 6 High22. 3 Total86100. 0 As shown in the table, majority of the respondents (61. 6%) showed moderately low levels of use of coping mechanisms, followed by 25. 6% who showed moderately high levels of use of coping mechanisms, then 10. 5% who showed low levels and finally 2. 3% that showed high levels of us of coping mechanisms. The coping mechanisms that were commonly used by respondents were exercising, setting time to relax, and pursuing religious/spiritual interests. 24% of the respondents said they dealt with their stress primarily through sleeping while 17% consumed alcohol. Table 12: Correlation between Work Stress and Coping Mechanisms Work StressCoping Mechanisms Work Stress1. 0000-0. 1169 Coping Mechanisms-0. 11691. 0000 As shown in the table, there was an insignificant negative correlation between work stress and coping mechanisms. This means that there was a very low and therefore insignificant inverse relationship between work stress and coping mechanisms. 4. 6Other Factors that Affect Performance Table 10: Other Factors that affect Performance Other FactorsFrequencyPercentage Financial Constraints 3034. 9 HR Policies1922. 1 Organization Culture910. 5 Technology2023. 2 Others89. 3 Total86100. 0 As shown in the table 34. 9% of the respondents cited financial constraints as the leading disincentive to their performance, followed by technology (23. 2%), Human Resource policies (22. 1%), organization culture (10. 5%), and others (9. 3%). CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5. 0Introduction This chapter discusses the findings in relation to the objectives and existing literature. It also includes the conclusion and recommendations. 5. 1Bio data Of the 86 respondents, the majority was male, 30 to 40 years old, and married. The respondents were from various organizations in both the public and private sectors and were accountants and accounting officers by virtue of their positions and their tasks and duties. Majority of the respondents worked for 30 to 60 hours a week. 5. 2Work Stress and Performance The results showed that majority of the respondents felt that their jobs were boring, did not get adequate pay to match the work they did, their working conditions were poor, and they had many people at the workplace make excessive demands of them. These factors have been identified as some of the most significant organizational stressors (Luthans 1998). The respondents claimed to be exhausted and indicated that they did not maintain social contact with their friends and colleagues, found difficulty relaxing, and were irritable and moody. These signs have been associated with stress by many authors and researchers. The results showed that there was a moderately high correlation between work stress and performance among the respondents. This suggests that an increase in stress levels will lead to a significant drop in performance. These findings agree with Sanders (1983) who found that performance was optimal at moderate levels but reduced when stress levels were too low or too high. Jamal (1985) and Vroom (1964) also support the idea that â€Å"stress at any level reduces task performance by draining an individual’s energy, concentration and time. † Work stress in moderately high and high levels among employees, as some respondents showed, is not the productive type that organizations desire; it does not improve the use of resources or enhance performance. This type of stress disrupts relationships both at work and outside work, damages mental and physical health, and tarnishes one’s outlook on life. It is near impossible to be productive under such conditions. Up to 50% of the respondents were suffering from various stress related ailments and disorders like hypertension, ulcers, allergies, depression and anxiety. Newstrom et al (1997) has however cautioned that the signs and effects associated with stress may result from other conditions. 5. 3Work stress and Coping Mechanisms The main coping strategies respondents used were exercise, relaxation and pursuit of spiritual and religious interests. These are both proactive and reactive and probably served to protect the respondents from very high stress levels. The results showed an insignificantly low negative correlation between work stress and coping mechanisms. This might be attributed to personality factors like a hardy personality, a strong sense of commitment, an internal locus of control or the need to meet challenges in life. McGuigan (1999) said that a stressor is an event that can be perceived as stressful by an individual; and therefore what is distressful for one individual may not be so for another. Majority of the respondents had moderate work stress results but they did not cope with their stress the same way, probably because their personalities differed. While some could have been suffering under the pressure, others may have considered conditions to be normal or simply challenging. Dennis Warren in an article in the Montana Lawyer said â€Å"it’s our attitude toward what we do and how we do it. It’s out perspective- how we see and experience the challenges and difficulties in our lives. † Adults are believed to apply coping strategies at different levels as was suggested by Lazarus et al (1984) when they stated that â€Å"coping is constantly changing; involving cognitive and behavioral efforts applied to handle specific external and internal demands appraised as stressful. 5. 4Other Factors that affect Performance The results showed that financial constraints were the leading disincentives to accountants’ performance, followed by technology, Human Resource policies, and lastly organization culture. These have been cited by Kreitner (1998) as the major factors that affect employee performance. 5. 5Conclu sion In regard to the findings of the study, a conclusion can be drawn that; 1. There is a significantly moderate relationship between work stress and performance. Though some people may perform highly as they undergo moderately high and high levels of stress while others perform poorly in conditions of low stress, it is more common for highly stressed people to perform poorly and vice versa. 2. There is no significant relationship between stress and coping mechanisms. Most accountants do not apply coping mechanisms basing on their stress levels or as a way of dealing with stress; they do it as part of their way of life. 5. 6Recommendation Stress is a descriptive term used to cover conditions of a physical, biological, or psychological nature that typically cannot be controlled by people and therefore strain them beyond their powers to adapt (Gaillard et al 1994). Although majority of the respondents showed medium stress levels, accountants rarely recognize and admit that they are stressed until irreparable damage has been done. Wagner et al (1995) support this observation and mentioned that employees were afraid to admit that they could not overcome some of problems with their work tasks for fear of being labeled chronic complainers. It is important for accountants to try and minimize work stress and its effects, and more so to be proactive rather than reactive in dealing with their stress. It has been found that performance suffers where stress exists and stress should therefore be checked to counter its effects and in particular, loss of productivity or poor performance. This should concern management of the organization as they strive for increased performance and employee productivity. Organization structure, culture and policies should be evaluated and restructured so as to be supportive to employees and the duties they have to undertake. Management should also evaluate the design of jobs, pay structures, HR policies and practices, the working environment and organization stress profile, and take appropriate steps to bring the organization to a stress free state. References: Brian White, 2003. Dissertation Skills for Business and Management Students; Continuum. Fred Luthans, 1998. Organizational Behavior, 8th Edition; Irwin/McGraw Hill. G. A. Cole, 1997. Personnel Management, 4th Edition; Letts Educational, Aldine Place, London. Gaillard A. W. K. and J. M. Seyvers, 1989. Sleep Loss and Sustained Performance; Kluwer Academic Publishers. Gareth Morgan, 1997. Images of Organization, 2nd Edition; Sage. Ian Beardwell Len Holden, 1997. Human Resource Management; A Contemporary Perspective, 2nd Edition; Pitman Publishing. Jacques Barzun Henry F. Graft, 1957. The Modern Researcher; Jacques Barzun. Jamal M. , 1985. An article on â€Å"Relationship of Work stress to Job Performance: A Study of Managers and Blue-Collar Worke rs† published in Human Relations Vol. 38. John A. Wagner III John R. Hollenbeck, 1995. Management of Organizational Behavior, 2nd Edition; Prentice Hall Inc. John W. Newstrom Keith Davis, 1997. Organizational Behavior; Human Behavior at Work, 10th Edition; McGraw Hill. Paul Hersey, Kenneth H. Blanchard Dewey E. Johnson, 1969. Management of Organizational Behavior; Utilizing Human Resources, 7th Edition; Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Peter F. Drucker, 1999. Management Challenges of the 21st Century; Butterworth Heinemann. Robert Kreitner, 1998. Management, 10th Edition; Houghton Mifflin Company, New York. Rosemary Stewart, 1997. The Reality of Management, 3rd Edition; Butterworth Heinemann. Selye H. , 1956. The Stress of Life; Mc-Graw Hill, New York. Stephen P. Robbins Mary Coulter, 1999. Management, 6th Edition; Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey. Laurie J. Mullins, 1996. Management and Organizational Behavior, 4th Edition; Pitman Publishing. Vroom V. H. 1964. Work and Motivation; Wiley Press, New York. Kworoba Elly, 2006/2007. Lecture Notes; Organizational Behavior; Faculty of Vocational Studies, Kyambogo University. Mwasa Patrick, 2004/2005. Lecture Notes; Stress and Stress Management; Faculty of Community Psychology, Makerere University. www. cdc. gov/niosh National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Journals. www. cipd. o. uk Chartered Institute of Personnel and development, 2006. Absence of Management. Survey Report; London CIPD. www. humannature. com An article on Employee Stress and Performance written by David Lee. www. matrix-performance. com www. mobar. com An Article on The Laws of Stress and Performance by Dennis Warren published in the 1998 issue of The Montana Lawyer. www. news. ufl. edu www. worc. ac. uk Gbola han Gbadamosi. A Paper on Perceived Stress, Performance Appraisal Discomfort and Core Self Evaluation in a Non-Western Context; University of Worcester. www. wikipedia. com

See the Best Architecture in Seattle, Washington

See the Best Architecture in Seattle, Washington The architecture in Seattle, Washington tells a story not only of itself but of a nation. Exploration of the lands west of the Mississippi River increased in the 1800s when the city was first settled by Easterners of European descent. The California and Klondike gold rushes had a home base in the community named for Chief Seattle, leader of the local inhabitants. After the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed much of the original 1852 settlement, Seattle bounced back, eventually throwing itself into the modernity of the 20th century. Visiting the Pacific northwest city is like taking a crash course in architecture. Although well-known for the nearby snow-capped mountains and the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, the City of Seattle should be especially admired for its approach to design and urban planning. When tragedy strikes or when opportunity knocks, this American city has taken action. Seattle, Washington is a very smart city, and heres why. Seattle Takeaways: 10 Sites to See Smith TowerThe Arctic Club BuildingPioneer Square and Underground ToursVolunteer ParkPike Place Market Historical DistrictSeattle Public LibraryMoPOPHammering Man and Other ArtFloating Houses on Lake UnionThe Space Needle Get High in Seattle The 1914 Smith Tower is not the tallest skyscraper anymore, but it gives a great introduction to historic Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle. The pyramid roof used to contain a huge water tank to supply the building with indoor plumbing. Todays visitors can take an Otis elevator to the 35th floor observation deck to get a first glimpse of the city. The Seattle skyline is recognized by its iconic observation tower, the Space Needle. Completed in 1961, it was originally built for the Century 21 Exposition, also known as the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair. At over 600 feet tall, the observation tower allows a 360 degree view of the region at 520 feet, from the distant Mount Rainier to the swervy metal Frank Gehry-designed museum nearby. This observation tower has become a symbol of Seattle and an icon of the Pacific Northwest. Higher still is the 902 foot observation deck at Columbia Center,  originally the Bank of America Tower built in 1985. As one of the top ten tallest buildings in Seattle and one of the the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi River, the Columbia Center offers the Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor for sweeping views of the Seattle area. Like other great tourist destinations around the world, Seattle now has a huge ferris wheel located by the waters edge. Since 2012, the Great Wheel has been getting tourists high in enclosed gondolas that travel over land and water. Seattle Space Needle and Frank Gehrys Music Experience Project. George Rose/Getty Images Stay Low in Seattle Most of the original 1852 settlement - wooden structures that had been built on the low, marshy ground - was destroyed by the Great Fire of June 6, 1889. After the tragedy, the area was filled, raising the street level about eight feet. The Yukon Gold Rush of the 1890s brought business to the town, but the rebuilt storefronts eventually had to be built up to reach the street level, creating what is now known as Seattles underground. This entire area known as Pioneer Square was saved and preserved by local citizens such as Bill Speidel, who started giving tours in 1965. The underground tours begin at the historic Pioneer Square, near Doc Maynards public house. Who was Doc Maynard? Born in Vermont, Dr. David Swinson Maynard (1808-1873) befriended Chief Seattle and became one of the founding fathers of Seattle in 1852. Closer to ground level is the 1912 Volunteer Park, landscaped by a man who became known as the Father of Landscape Architecture. For over three decades, the Massachusetts landscape architecture business founded by Frederick Law Olmsted had a presence in Seattle. The city first bought this park land in 1876, and the Olmsted firm was on board early on. Volunteer Park, one of many parks in Seattle, now includes a famous water tower, conservatory, and an Asian Art Museum - all great Things to do in Capitol Hill. Pioneer Square Where Seattles Underground Tour Starts. Joel W. Rogers/Corbis via Getty Images (cropped) The Pioneer Square Historical District is at the heart of Seattle. After the Great Fire of 1889, Seattle laws mandated rebuilding with fire-resistant masonry. The Pioneer Building (1892) is a fine example of the kind of Richardsonian Romanesque style used to rebuild Seattle. The Cadillac Hotel (1889) is also one of the first masonry structures built in post-fire Pioneer Square. The three-story Victorian Italiante structure was built to house local laborers: longshoremen, loggers, fishermen, rail yard workers, and prospectors preparing to search for gold in Canada. Nearly destroyed by arson and the 2001 earthquake, the structure is now outfitted with solar panels and considered a textbook example of adaptive reuse. Although the building is said to be haunted, the Klondike National Historic Park is located here. Another popular destination in Seattle is the Pike Place Market Historical District. A farmers market since 1907, Pike Place now hosts hundreds of independent artisans in what is said to be the oldest continuously operating and most historically authentic public market in the country. Farmers Market Since 1907. Carol M. Highsmith Buyenlarge/Getty Images (cropped) Modern Designs by Famous Architects The 1991 Seattle Art Museum known as SAM was designed by the architecture team of Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates. Although the architecture is world class, the downtown campus may be better known for the 48-foot outdoor sculpture of Hammering Man by Jonathan Borofsky and the totally free Olympic Sculpture Park nearby. The Museum of Pop culture (MoPOP) used to be called the Experience Music Project (EMP) when it opened in 2000. This high-tech, interactive museum explores creativity and innovation in music, science fiction, and popular culture. It is the brain-child of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen but the architecture is pure Frank Gehry. Take a quick look by riding the Seattle Center Monorail that goes right through the building. The Seattle Public Library built in 2004 is another deconstructivist design by the Dutch modernist architect Rem Koolhaas and American-born Joshua Prince-Ramus. Open to the public, the library represents the art and architecture that Seattles citizens have come to expect. Seattle Public Library. Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images Floating in Seattle Washington State has been called the floating bridge capitol of the world. Pontoon bridges that carry Interstate-90 traffic over Lake Washington are the 1940 Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge and the 1989 Homer M. Hadley Bridge. How are they engineered? Large, water-tight concrete pontoons are prefabricated on dry land then towed onto the water. The heavy, air-filled containers are placed end-to-end, and connected by steel cables, which are anchored to the riverbed or lakebed. The road is built on top of these pontoons. Despite their heavy concrete composition, claims the Washington State Department of Transportation, the weight of the water displaced by the pontoons is equal to the weight of the structure (including all traffic), which allows the bridge to float. Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge in Seattle. Atomic Taco via flickr.com, Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) Staying in Seattle The Arctic Club built in 1916 played host to lucky prospectors returning to Seattle with Klondike gold. Known for its sculptured walrus heads and Beaux-Arts opulence, the Arctic Building is now a DoubleTree by Hilton. The first skyscraper built in Seattle still stands. The 14-story, L-shaped Alaska Building, built in 1904 was the first steel-framed skyscraper in Seattle. Now a Courtyard by Marriott, the Alaska is more Chicago School style than the Beaux-Arts Hoge Building, Seattles second skyscraper built in 1911. Both buildings were surpassed in height when L.C. Smith built his own skyscraper with the pyramid roof. Where do people live in Seattle? If youre lucky, youll own a perfect little house by Brachvogel and Carosso, a local architectural firm that continues to build functional, historically modern houses for the Seattle area. Modernist style in the Pacific northwest flourished in the mid-twentieth century. Enthusiasts of northwest modernism have documented the lives and works of over 100 architects and designers who are associated with Washington State. Likewise, the independent documentary film Coast Modern includes Seattle in their examination of West Coast Modernism. Seattle is part of the Coast Modern story say the filmmakers in their blog. Most unique to the housing in and around Seattle, however, is the number of houseboats being designed for residents and vacationers, especially in the Lake Union area. Called floating homes, these residences embrace Seattles natural environment and northwestern lifestyle of mixing work with pleasure. Houseboats on Lake Union. George Rose/Getty Images (cropped) The City of Seattle claims the International District to be the only area in the continental United States where Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, African Americans and Vietnamese settled together and built one neighborhood. Living together has never been an easy path, however. In 2001 the William Kenzo Nakamura U.S. Courthouse was renamed for a Japanese-American war hero whose family was ordered to internment camps during World War II. The 1940 courthouse is an interesting building architecturally, being described as Classically modern, Federal Art Deco, and PWA Moderne by the General Services Administration (GSA). The PWA or Public Works Administration was part of the New Deal of the 1930s. When the federal government renovated the building in the 1980s, the GSAs Art in Architecture project commissioned Caleb Ives Bach to paint The Effects of Good and Bad Government, an American version of the 14th century Lorenzetti fresco. Another U.S. Courthouse in Seattle is well-known for large murals in the lobby painted by artist Michael Fajans. Seattle is not only an interesting mix of art and architecture, but also a fascinating brew of people and history. Sources City of Seattle. Historic Districts. seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/historic-preservation/historic-districtsGeneral Services Administration. William Kenzo Nakamura U.S. Courthouse, Seattle, WA. https://www.gsa.gov/historic-buildings/william-kenzo-nakamura-us-courthouse-seattle-waHistoric Seattle. History of the Cadillac Hotel. https://historicseattle.org/documents/cadillac_exhibit.PDFNational Park Service. A Short History of Seattle. https://www.nps.gov/klse/learn/historyculture/index.htmWashington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Floating bridge facts.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/About/BridgeFacts.htm#floating

Massage Therapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Massage Therapy - Essay Example The value of a massage to your overall wellbeing cannot be understated. But it is important to take the steps necessary to achieve the best possible results. This may mean different things depending on the purpose of your massage. If the massage is meant to simply relax and rejuvenate, it is helpful to at least drink plenty of water before and after the massage in order to maintain proper hydration of the muscles. Proper nutrition is also helpful in getting the most out of a massage. Being weighed down by heavy, greasy foods is never a good idea from a health perspective, and even less so before or after a massage. The best dieting approach is one that assists the massage as a tool to help purge the body of toxins. That means eating plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. If your massage is treatment for muscular or other physical ailments, it is often a good idea to exercise and stretch muscles before hand, which increases circulation and aids the therapist's e ffort to accurately target and loosen problem muscle groups.

Describe the major topographic features of the ocean basin floor Research Paper

Describe the major topographic features of the ocean basin floor - Research Paper Example it is these basins that are of most interest when studying the topology of the ocean floor, as they differ greatly from the features of the surrounding landmasses (Garrison, Oceanography). This essay will briefly discuss several types of the features of the deep ocean basins and some of their implications for the science and study of oceanography. These features are primarily related to various effects of tectonic plate shifting. A significant portion of the ocean floor is categorized as the abyssal plain, which are large and mostly flat areas, covered in oceanic sediment (Garrison, Oceanography). In fact, the abyssal plain covers the largest proportion of the Earth's surface, more than any other known geographical feature (Garrison, Essentials of oceanography). The abyssal plain is the portion of the seabed found at the bottom of the ocean basins, in the absence of other features or tectonic activity. They may sometimes contain areas of abyssal hills, which are formed through low-le vel volcanic activity (Karleskint). The seafloor has numerous geological structures that rise up out of this abyssal plain, most of which are also volcanic in nature. One of these is seamounts, which are volcanic protrusions from the ocean bed taller than 100 meters from base to summit (Wessel, Sandwell, & Kim). These make up approximately 5% of the known area of the ocean floor (Yesson et al.). Seamounts can be active or extinct, and play a myriad of roles in the ocean ecosystem and the flow of surrounding water (Wessel, Sandwell, & Kim). Another are knolls, which are similar to seamounts in origin, but are smaller and do not have such a large effect on the surrounding ocean. These make up approximately 16% of the ocean floor habitat. Tens of thousands of such seamounts and knolls exist on the ocean floor, many of them still unmapped or even undiscovered; the ones that are known are biased towards areas with heavier ship activity and so such proportions may be considerably differen t from the actual makeup of the rest of the ocean basin (Yesson et al.). Larger volcanic structures may even be exposed above the surface of the ocean water, and result in chains of volcanic islands (Garrison, Oceanography). These chains, and many other volcanic bathygraphic features, are generally found along the boundaries of the tectonic plates making up the Earth's crust. Island chains may also be found along the borders of deep ocean trenches, another feature of the seabed. This type of island chain is referred to as an island arc (Karleskint). Rugged oceanic ridges are another feature of the deep ocean floor, appearing in areas where the ocean floor is spreading due to a divergent plate boundary. The area where the highest volcanic activity is found is called the rift valley, and the locations where new ocean floor is being formed due to such activity are referred to as the rift zones. These rift areas are often home to vibrant communities of deep-sea ocean life, unlike the ec osystem seen on the relatively lifeless abyssal plain (Karleskint). These communities exist as a result of the hydrothermal vents, or springs of hot water, produced by these zones (Garrison, Essentials of oceanography). Ocean ridges are also usually accompanied by fracture zones, which run perpendicular to the direction of the ridges. (Karleskint). The

In what ways, and for what reasons, did the form and function of the Essay

In what ways, and for what reasons, did the form and function of the printed book change during the first hundred years of its existence in Europe - Essay Example There are different purposes for printing: to inform, educate, sell, and entertain or to impress. The function aspect of printing includes the audience, copywriting the message and cost of printing (Grendler 1993, p43). Form and function have to work together in order to accomplish a printing goal. Print has a rich and long history, dating back to 500-800 AD, when Chinese used woodblock kind of printing. This printing was called the woodblock method (Eisenstein 2005, p52). It involved engraving the background on wood. This was used for both illustrations and text. Page normally consisted of multiple wood blocks joined together. When the page was complete, it would then be inked and a printing surface such as a sheet of paper placed over it. This kind of printing usually consumed a lot of time and effort and it was also not durable (Moran 1973, p45). Printing as we know it could not have been possible without the important invention of Johann Gutenberg. This German inventor came up with a printing press that completely changed the world of printing (Childress 2008, p37). The printing press is a machine that integrates several technologies such as ink and paper and movable type printing. The printing press also changed the function and form of the printed book during the first h undred years of its existence in renaissance Europe (Grendler 1993, p45). This paper aims at exploring the ways in which the printed book’s form and function changed during this time. It also analyses the reasons that led to this change. In order to print one has to have type. The types used in printed books were somewhat different from those used in Manuscripts. Type fonts were created depending on the local scripts that were in use (Grendler 1993, p61). Much of the type used in the early years of printing was usually calligraphic, meaning that it imitated handwriting. In 1476, the Englishman William Caxton

Organ Donation Ethical Issues

Organ Donation Ethical Issues The need for the organ transplant is increasing in our sector of health care as more and more end stage diseases are being diagnosed. Organ transplantation may be a life-saving option, but they are not without their challenges and risks. The concept of organ transplantation is both miraculous and challenging at the same time. Whether a patient needs a new kidney, liver, heart, or lung, there are multiple issues that the patient and the family need to deal with. They involve decisions before the transplantation and medical issues postoperatively. An organ transplant bill that had been under study with the senate since 1992 was finally approved on 5 September 2007 as A Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Ordinance 2007 by the Government of Pakistan, and many illegal organ donation and transplantation centers were closed down and many senior doctors involved in the act were charged against it. The issue over here is much diversified and complex when we go into the details of the consequences of the act. Firstly, the question arises of what is right and what is permissible? Secondly, the right of making the laws for the right and wrong act is disputed and challenged by mankind, on the basis of his reasoning and self judgment. Moral Issues The organ transplantation has been long debated and addressed by many scholars from both religious and secular perspective. The major issues concerning the wide permissibility of the act are of bypassing the virtue ethics cardinal features: respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence and justice. If we further categorize the ethical dilemmas we can address he organ transplant act under these broad types, which encompass their own challenges when it comes to making a sound and safe decision. These categories are: Transplant organ from a living person. Transplant of organ from a dead person Transplant from a fetus. If we were not being guided by the supreme law, which has been transedented on us, and let us believe, that man has the power of brains over all other logics and laws of nature. Then trying to find any solution for a given problem, or setting any rules to follow for any system to work would have been very difficult. In other words trying to find analogies for God grounded systems is beyond human competence and reasoning. Considering moral principles Considering the issue of organ donation and transplantation, the respect for autonomy is the right to choose for the decision making of certain biomedical ethical dilemma. It not just involves giving respect for the attitude, but also for the action to be performed. From pure secular ethics point, we can relate what Immanuel Kant had recognized from the concept of unconditional worth, stating that each individual has the capacity to determine his or her own moral destiny. To violate a persons autonomy is like treating that person merely as means, without regard to that persons own goals. Example if a person s dead and his organs are taken from his body without his previous advance directives of any such act, then, its again considered to be using that body as a means. But what if that organ was so precious in saving the life of a living person, who could have benefitted humanity if given a chance to live, e.g. a doctor or a well trained militant, etc. this shows the beneficence over the autonomy and serving the utilitarian ethical principle. If we consider the case of organ taken from a fetus, then again who is the ultimate supreme authority to give consent on behalf of that minor? What makes one decides the ruling of a certain act to be just for an individual? Then here comes the question of, who plays the role of the unquestionable evaluator and who among us is eligible to be devoid of all flaws in reasoning and decision making? Does the living donor has the ultimate right over his body or his relatives who have the right to decide the answer to this if another influential family member is the supposed recipient of the organ? A wife cannot take decision over her own medical issues without her husbands will and consent? A poor clan member of a certain tribe falls victim to the Jirga rulings. Similarly what happens to the war prisoners? The freedom fighters in occupied areas, who have been mutilated for organ trafficking? Who plays the role of just decision mak ing and for what principle? Is it justified that Greatest happiness Principle is fulfilled by the Utilitarian approach? Kantian approach, a duty to save human life? Egalitarian approach, to get equal benefit? Communitarian to serve the community benefits at the cost of ones own necessities and health. The questions remains open ended, if we try to rebut the argument with one ethical principle, then the other might get offended. Does virtue ethics answers every thing? Promoting Organ transplantation has three basic issues namely social, religious and political. The controversy still goes on whether to openly accept the permissibility of the act or to completely Bann it. Another important debate is on the issue of burial in case of cadaveric transplants. The question is of the sanctity of the deceased maintained at the time of burial if he is stripped off all his organs and a hollow coffin is buried instead; would any of us want such an end of life. Moreover some people are of the view that every individual holds the right to be buried as a whole and taking out his body organs (in cases when he hasnt left a clear will regarding the issue) despite in all good faith sounds unethical. These delicate and intricate details further complicate the allowance of this transplantation and organ donation act in full context in all diversities of cases. But the arguments strength depends upon careful analysis of each of the cases keeping in mind all kinds of ha rms and benefits ; be it physical, emotional or financial pertaining to the donor, recipient, and / or their families. Argumentative views regarding the retrieval of an organ from a cadaver as being a part of the corpse or not is also an aspect that cannot be overlooked. The controversial role of Advanced Directives has led to two main questions: 1. Does one have legal rights over ones body? 2. If that is the case, then what exactly is wrong with even selling something that belongs to me? Another view held by many individuals is that, so what it is just an organ? People can sell their organs, which is supposedly their ownership, to gain financial benefits for their families. This again holds the view of providing benefit to many, without doing harm(as the removal of organ is done under anesthesia). But doesnt this promotes the evil of organ trafficking which would harm many poor population and weaker ones in the society. This consequentionalist approach is again challenged here. The chain of this reaction would eventually affect many people, be it a good end or a bad. The principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence can be advanced in the context of different issues: like the expertise available, the disclosure of all the possible outcomes and complications of the procedure, for the donor and the recipient, both medical and financial. The support that would be needed by the family and the prognosis of such advanced procedures should be looked into detail to benefit the patient and do no harm to the donor and the family members. The professional may have an influential role on the decision making. The autonomy of the patient is usually surrogated by the financial and moral obligation of the social setup. There is a strong need for a system to keep a check on the medical problems of certain disease transmission through non screened donor organs, the use of unskilled surgeons in removing the organ, organ trafficking and selling, the actual financial damages of the post operative chemotherapy and potential need for the failure of the graft or re-transplantation, the actual life expectancy even after the transplant of individual case etc. Every states constitution differs in some aspect to their religious and cultural norms, example, what ever is permissible in Germany is not accepted in many Muslim states, so the need for a definite, supreme, sovereign law cannot be denied. Conclusion Finding the ultimate law which would be unchallengeable and flawless is yet to be defined by the human nature. The unlimited limits of transedental laws and reasoning begins, where my horizons of imagination and limited reasoning ends. The noble act of organ donation should be encouraged only in the limits drawn by the Shariah rulings of the contemporary times in view of its divines as an act of saving the humankind and helping those who are suffering. It should be given prime importance that these rulings certainly apply to variations of case selection as well.