Barbara and Electra Case Study

Question(1):How might top management have done a better job changing Elektra Products into a new kind of organization? What might they do now to get the empowerment process back on track? Analysis of the case study Main issues – 1. Declining of Market shares 2. Few new product ideas or far between 3. Poor staff relationship 4. Low staff morale Weaknesses- 1. approach in change management 2. Organizational culture 3. creating problem solving team 4. the process of employee involvement and empowerment 5. the facilitation by Martin GriffinThe attempt to do staff empowerment is a nice try but it alone is not the complete solution for the root cause of the problems. In order to reach to the solution of all these issues, they have to find out what are the underlying causes of these issues. The newly hired Martin Griffin mentioned in the opening speech that â€Å"As we face increasing competition, we need new ideas, new energy and new spirit to make this company great. And the sourc e for this change is you—each one of you. † Though he mentioned that each of the staff is important, he failed to allow everyone actively participates and play important role in the program.He neglected the importance of each and everyone’s contribution and effort to the program. He should have made understand what does it means by employee involvement and empowerment; how it will help the company solves the issues and, the ways to do and requirements for the staff involvement and empowerment program. It was worsen when the main facilitator, Martin Griffin, had excused from the session at the time Barbara and team enthusiastically presented their innovative ideas to department heads. The facilitator also fails to aim what kind of outputs he expects at the end of the session.For the successful empowerment program, the organization structure and its enabling environment is very critical. Trust building is very important part of the program especially in this situat ion where staff relationship and morale is poor. It is not only important for the top management level but also the department heads or managers from all other departments are important to accept the concept of staff involvement and empowerment. As the company is on its way of changing to a new era, every staff will have different perspective of interest on how it will affect their current roles, responsibilities and job security.All of which are worth to take in consideration in managing the change process. The managers are not so sure why they require these changes as they have been doing well in the past and they believe they can do it again. On the other hand, every staff has a different management theory and surely they are not on the same page with other management staff or with the company’s current management. It is quite critical to ensure that every management staff equipped with relevant knowledge and skills that will contribute the company’s strategic goals .The staff must have a common understanding of the organizational value, culture, strategic goals and how the empowerment process will add on the success of the organization. Instead of creating problem solving team with managers selected by top management, allow all managers to voluntarily work as cross-functional teams and come up with innovative ideas and opinions. By doing so, each team will have a representative from each specialized departments who has his or her own perspective and issue on the ideas.Contribution from different expertise and background will provide the ideas reach wider scope and reality. Then, each team should discuss the ideas with other teams which may require some modification and negotiation process. If everyone satisfies with the ideas, the staff involvement will be improved and the ideas will become action. It is natural that someone could resist the ideas or changes made by others. But if they are put in a position to be part of a cross-functional tea m that needs to come up with an innovative idea, the discussion environment among the team will tend to be more constructive.In addition, since the company is to undergo a big change, the top management should have implemented a good change management strategy and plan. They should also prepare a communication strategy and plan to inform the staff accordingly. So that it will be clear what is going to happen, why, how and who will be responsible in the change process. The communication strategy and plan is also important as the staffs are very concerned with the change and restructuring process.If the staffs are not well communicated about the changes, the restructuring with many rumors will encourage the staff leaving the organization and looking for a new job which will be a lost the trained and skillful human resources of Elektra. Recommendation to top management in changing Elektra to a new kind of organization and to get back empowerment process on track: * Ensure all staff und erstands what are the vision, mission and strategic goals of Elektra. * Recruit or train staff to ensure the organization is equipped with necessary skills for change management. For eg.Hire a skillful and experienced facilitator who can give time and have a sound facilitation plan. A good facilitation plan must aim some specific objectives, processes of facilitation and expected results * Make sure that everyone understand what empowerment is and why it is important and how it will contribute to the vision, mission and long-term strategic goals * Remove the process of selected problem solving team in an attempt to change Elektra and instead make them voluntarily participate in the cross-functional team which includes representative from each department, different backgrounds etc. Facilitate the department heads/managers to address the underlying causes of each problems in their sector from their perspective and reflect their past experiences * Group the causes and brainstorm all th e managers what should they do to reach a solution to these problems so that they understand and practically involve in the change process * Create an organization structure that will encourage enabling environment and culture for the staff so that they can use their abilities and energies which can then lead to job satisfaction, motivation, commitment by employee. Implement a change management strategy and plan that will ensure the process is on track ( what, why, how and by who throughout the change process) and how it will be sustained. * Identify the transformation leadership team to steer the change and operational leadership team to manage the day-to-day deliverables. * Set a time frame for the change process to reach its goal as to ensure the urgency of the change and effectively response to the continuously evolving environment and available opportunities. * Make your strategy and plan be flexible, daptable, acceptable by all stakeholders and suitable for your company and op erational environment so that the plan will be realistically implemented. * Implement a communication strategy and plan to ensure staff received relevant information with regards to the changes which will reflect their interests. * Ensure that the road map and milestones are carefully prioritize and aligned to reach strategic goals so that the manager can monitor and manage the success or failure in each step towards the strategic goals. Set your operating values in trying to achieve the goals that employee understand what the organization expect and values what kinds of behavior and attitude. * Organize programs and trainings that could enhance the leadership, shared value, cooperate culture and trust building * Build capacity of the staff to gain necessary skills and knowledge in implementing staff involvement and empowerment program Questions (2): Can you think of ways Barbara could have avoided the problems her team faced in the meeting with department heads?The problems with th e department heads are due to the lack of cross-functional contribution, communication, mind-set, role and planning. It could be possible for Barbara to handle the situation by; Barbara and her team should have considered the impact of their ideas and possible response by concerned departments. If Barbara has carefully analyzed what could be the challenges of their ideas, she would have prepared for a back-up or contingency plan to negotiate the departmental heads. By this way her team will have full confident on their own ideas and the department heads will feel confident that the plan was crafted carefully.Barbara should open her mind by accepting for their active feedback with thanks as this is a good opportunity to turn the different department heads in the process. She should have faced the resistance and brought up the concern from each department heads. So that and she can start a cross-functional team to brainstorm the more realistic ideas looking from different perspective. Barbara should explain that the ideas shared by her team are only part of the solution to these problems within their scope and the team requires feedback and opinion in a wider scope from other departments.And before Martin Griffin leaves the workshop, she has to confirm with him that when will be the next workshop to hear feedback from Martin griffin about her team’s presentation. So that when the department heads resist and debate on the new ideas, she can note down the issues raised and let that the feedback from the department heads will be thoroughly discussed in next workshop. By doing so, the department heads will feel they also have a role in the process and Barbara got time to do a plan and consider possible solution to the issues so as to move forward the process.Questions (3): If you were Barbara Russell, what would you do now? Why? If I were Barbara Russell, I will work out to keep motivate my team. I will appreciate the team for their effort and contribution to ward the company. I will make sure the team understands that for our ideas to be stronger, more realistic and practical for all of us, we need to look our ideas from various aspects as we have experienced that various departments have their own issues on our ideas.So, in order to successfully implement our ideas, we need collaboration and commitment from all other departments that we must find ways to solve the concerns of other departments. As working within our own team will limit our expertise and other resources, we require contribution of expertise from different sectors. We must find out a way to get support and collaboration from different departments. I will encourage my team to revisit our ideas, gather information from all departments, try to open our mind to accept, and respect the others’ perspective and ideas.I will discuss with Top management and Martin griffin about our team’s ideas, several issues raised by the department heads. I will reflect my experi ence during the presentation of our team’s ideas, expectation of other staff, feeling and concerns of other departments. I will discuss ways to allow all departments to work together as a whole and discuss what specific strategy and plan should we implement to manage the change process to ensure achievement of our strategic goals.

Prophet Muhammad the Ideal Character of Human Being

[pic] Today one in every five persons of the world believes Muhammad (pbuh) as the last messenger of Allah (pbuh) and millions of others are continuing to bear testimony to this fact†¦.. Yaqeen ul Haq Ahmad Sikander writes. Ever since dawn of the civilization, mankind has witnessed the emergence of a large number of great people who did significant contributions in their respective fields and immortalized their names forever. Their contributions, which they left behind, have been responsible for moulding the intellect of the people into the fashion of their teachings.The Teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, Ashoka, Aristotle, Plato, etc even today have an avid influence upon the lives of masses globally. But among all these great people, only Muhammad (pbuh) possessed the most distinguished and determined personality. Across the centuries Across the centuries millions and billions of people have lived their lives loving Muhammad (pbuh) and following his principles and guidelin es in every sphere of life. No one other than Muhammad (pbuh) in the history has been so much adored and followed.Today one in every five persons of the world believes Muhammad (pbuh) as the last messenger of Allah (pbuh) and millions of others are continuing to bear testimony to this fact. He was the one who brought has billions of people from darkness of ignorance to light. He brought peace and set of ideals to countless hearts and lives. He is the inspiration for countless people over the globe. Even today Muhammad (pbuh) motivates and induces whole masses to strive to shape their lives according to his teachings.Indeed never before in the history has anyone influenced humankind up to such extent as Muhammad (pbuh) did even beyond his death. That’s why Qur’an rightly tells Muhammad (pbuh) to proclaim that He is the mercy for all nations which clearly depicts the universality of his mission. The Qur’an mentions: â€Å"And We sent you not (O Muhammad), but as a mercy to all the worlds†. (Al Qur’an 21:107). Among all the great emerged lives, only Muhammad (pbuh) was most influential and successful and both ‘Religious and Secular’ levels and this made Michael. H.Hart, an American Mathematician, Historian and an Astronomer to put Him on the No. 1 in the list of the top 100 men which he quoted in his world-famous book â€Å"The Hundred†. And the Argument that he puts forth for it is as follows: â€Å"Since there are roughly twice [the latest estimate is that there are more than one thousand million Muslims in the world and one thousand two hundred million Christians] as many Christians in the world, it may initially seem strange that Muhammad has been ranked higher than Jesus. There are two principal reasons for that decision.First, Muhammad played a far more important role in the development of Islam than Jesus did in the development of Christianity. Although Jesus was responsible for the main ethical and m oral precepts of Christianity (in so far as these differed from Judaism), St. Paul was the main developer of Christian theology, its principal proselytizer, and the author of a large portion of the New Testament. Muhammad, however, was responsible for both the theology of Islam and its main ethical and moral principles. In addition, he played the key role in proselytizing the new faith and in establishing the religious practices of Islam†. Michael H. Hart in his book – â€Å"THE 100? – pages 38-39) Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) : the only answer In the words of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, â€Å"Humankind needs a set of moral principles having universal validity as well as a real personality in which these moral principles are exemplified. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the only answer to this question. He proclaimed the ethics that bear the stamp of divine authenticity, and is, moreover, a model of perfect conduct and character for all mankind. In bodily appearance he l ived in this world, but, spiritually, he was on a different plane†.It was the exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his empyreal teachings that even made the non-Muslims bear testimony to the greatness of Muhammad (pbuh). Some of the verdicts of Non-Muslims on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that I have compiled from various sources are: â€Å"He must be called the Savior of humanity I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness. † (The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. X 1936). Mohammed was the most successful of all religious personalities. † (Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th edition). â€Å"Muhummad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him. † (Diwan Chand Sharma, â€Å"The Prophets of the East,† Calcutta 1935, p. 122). â€Å"Four years after the death of Justinian, A. D. 569, was born at Makkah, in Arabia the man who, of all men exercised the greatest influence upon the human race †¦ Mohammed †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (John William Draper, â€Å"A history of the lntellectual development of Europe†,- London 1875). By a fortune absolutely unique in history, Mohammed is a threefold founder of a nation, of an empire, and of a religion. † (R. Bosworth-Smith, â€Å"Mohammed and Mohammedanism†- 1946). So the Qur’an rightly says to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that, â€Å"And have We not raised high the esteem in which) thou (O Muhammad are held)† (Al Qur’an 94:4). Exemplary Character Muhammad (pbuh)’s character was indeed exemplary for whole of the humankind. Before his death, the whole of the Arabian Peninsula was already under the rule of Islam.He could have easily led a very luxurious life in High palaces and could have enjoyed every pleasure of life and this world. But instead of this, he led a very simple and austere life and created a best example for the generations to come. He used to do his work himself. It is narrated in various Hadith the Muhammad (pbuh) used to milk his goat, mend his clothes, do household work and repair his shoes and visited the sick. All his companions loved him excessively but he forbade them to even getting up for him as a sign of respect. He brought a real revolution to the whole humanity and it was the transformation of the hearts.His companions who loved him more than anything else, were once his most staunch enemies but his sublime character transformed them to such an extent that they even gave up their lives for the sake of Islam. Muhammad (pbuh) brought masses from darkness to light. He was from a rich family that enjoyed highest status in Arabia but because of Islam, he suffered from worst persecutions and painful torture and sufferings. On a certain occasion, his uncle Abu Talib requested him to stop the preaching of Islam and for tha t he was offered the highest status of a chief and a lot of material wealth.But to this Muhammad (pbuh) gave a very sincere answer. he replied, â€Å"I swear by the name of God, O Uncle! , that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either God makes it triumph or I perish defending it† (Ibn Hesham). Such was the determination of Muhammad (pbuh). And the Qur’an again describing the character of Muhammad (pbuh) says that, â€Å"And most certainly thou (O Muhammad) are of most sublime and exalted character† (Al Qur’an 68:4).It was the tolerance and sublime character of Muhammad (pbuh) that brought huge masses into the fold of Islam and the books of Seerah (Life Of Muhammad) are full of such incidents. On the fall of Makkah to the Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) forgave even his most staunch enemies including Wahshi who on the battle on U hud had killed the beloved uncle and cousin of Muhammad (pbuh) namely Hamza and seeing this extraordinary behaviour of Muhammad (pbuh), Wahshi accepted Islam and became one of the Sahabees (The Companions of Prophet Muhammad).There are so many other cases found in the books of Tafseer (exegesis) and Seerah (Life Of Muhammad) wherein Muhammad (pbuh) by his sublime character won the hearts of many including Abu Bakr (RA) and Abdullah bin Salaam (RA) and many others that are considered to be the most eminent Sahabees (The Companions of Prophet Muhammad). Peaceful Preaching It was the peaceful preaching of Muhammad (pbuh) that invaded the hearts of the millions and is still continuing to do so. It was only by the peaceful preaching of Islam that it spread to all the nooks and corners of the world.And even now Islam is the fastest growing religion of the west particularly in USA and UK where many great personalities and intellectuals like Shaykh Yusuf Estes, Hamza Yusuf, Gary Miller, Dr Bilal Philips and Yusuf Islam have accepted Islam and are spreading its peaceful message globally and yet this is fulfilling an another prophecy of the Qur’an: â€Å"It is He (Allah) who has sent his messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), that he may make it prevail over all religions, and enough is God for a witness† (Al Qur’an 48:28).Some of the sublime sayings of the Muhammad (pbuh) are as follows:The believers, in their love, mercy, and kindness to one another are like a body: if any part of it is ill, the whole body shares its sleeplessness and fever. (Bukhari & Muslim) The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals. And the best among them are those who are best to their wives. (Tirmidhi & Ahmad) None of you believes (completely) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. (Bukhari & Muslim) The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and God will sh ow mercy to you. Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud) Smiling at your brother is charity†¦ (Tirmidhi) A good word is charity. (Bukhari & Muslim) Whoever believes in God and the Last Day (the Day of Judgment) should do good to his neighbor. (Bukhari & Muslim) God does not judge you according to your appearance and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and looks into your deeds. (Sahih Muslim) Pay the worker his wage before his sweat dries. (Ibn Majah) A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well, he descended into it, drank his fill, and came up. Then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst.The man said: â€Å"This dog is feeling the same thirst that I felt. † So he went down into the well again, filled his shoe with water, and gave the dog a drink. So, God thanked him and forgave his sins. The Prophet was asked: â€Å"Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals? † He said: There is a reward for k indness to every living animal or human. (Bukhari & Muslim) So to conclude, Muhammad (pbuh) was bestowed by Allah with the most exemplary character. The nature of Muhammad (pbuh)’s teachings is universal and is directed for all generations and times.Muhammad (pbuh) was not just a leader or statesman, but he was and he still is, the best role model for the one who seeks guidance on the path of the Lord. It is in his teachings that one can find solution to the ongoing spiritual turmoil and find an innovative solution to the problems challenging the mankind. And it is in him that every nation and generation can find its last hope and it’s his teachings that can bring a revival to this world and save it from the disasters of hatred, bloodshed, racism and anarchy. The path that was enlightened by Muhammad (pbuh) will guide us to the eternal path of salvation and finally Jannah.Our deviated youth only by following the teaching of Muhammad (pbuh) can excel in all fields. The west has realized this fact and that’s why they are turning to Islam as it’s the only solution to all the problems confronting the humanity. If only our society would be framed and based upon the ideals and morals taught by Muhammad (pbuh), then it would bring an end to all our problems and then this world will really become a place to live in. The Qur’an mentions: â€Å"Most certainly, you have in Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern (of behaviour)† (Al Qur’an 33:21).

Out of This Furnace

Out of this Furnace, by Thomas Bell, tells the story of a multigenerational family of Slovakian immigrants. This family of five generations came to American in the late nineteenth century in search of a better life. One of the first to arrive, Djuro Kracha, arrived in the New World in the middle of the 1880s. The novel starts off telling of his voyage from the â€Å"old country† and the labor he performed to accumulate enough money for his walk to Pennsylvania. He ventured on his journey to Pennsylvania in the search for a job in the steel mills.The story also tells of his rejection by the mainstream community as a â€Å"hunkey,† and the lives of his daughter and grandson. Soon enough though, the family becomes somewhat acculturate and even â€Å"Americanized,† and they soon become to resent the treatments they suffer. Their slow rise to business ownership was quickly ended by a series of events; a summer of Djuro’s drinking habit, Djuro’s return to his work in the steel mills, Mary’s marriage to a worker in the mills, and Djuro’s grandson’s disagreements with unfair labor prices.These events eventually intertwine with America’s transformation of the 1880’s to the 1940’s. During the 1880’s to the 1940’s, a wave of Eastern European immigrants grew in America, triggered by growing industries and advancing technology. This soon led to the establishment of steel mills, other factories, and plants which reshaped the American labor force. The experiences of Djuro and Mike, Mary’s husband, reflect a level of hostility towards Europeans from â€Å"mainstream† Americans and earlier. Without a doubt, the Kracha’s were negatively affected by stereotypes and attributions.However, the men and women who desired citizenship in the New World, Bell suggested only desired it to improve their lives and the futures of their families. Bell does not portray any immigrants who fail to accept the necessity of hard work. Therefore, Djuro’s minor episode of drunkenness shouldn’t take away from the years of efficient and effective work he completed to achieve his â€Å"American dream. † Another point Bell seemed to make clear was that Mike’s idealism was a consequence of his own desire to participant in that dream.The novel is set at a time when most people believed that the diverse ethnic groups entering the United States actually had a damaging effect on culture. Dobie Dobrejcak wanted to improve working conditions, treatments, economic prospects, and the lives of working men. His beliefs of possible social transformation actually confirmed the American Dream and the willingness of people to chase their dreams, even against great odds. The majority of immigrant groups that traveled to America went in search of freedom and economic opportunity.These immigrants, in all actuality, made huge contributions to the growth of the cou ntry. Westward expansion was made possible for workers, even today; immigrants work jobs that might have otherwise gone begging. Thomas Bell even argues that the Jews, Catholics, the Irish and the Slavs were the ones that made America’s achievements and progresses possible. Bell uses Mike and Mary’s lives to reference the Americans’ want and demand for immigrants during expansion, and to express how out of favor immigrants were during America’s recessions.As the 1920s came around, recession and depression made immigrant workers unpopular and unnecessary. This novel tremendously expresses the lives of immigrants like the Kracha’s and Dobrejcak’s and explains their want to achieve parity and equality. In the book, however, the term â€Å"American† did not change. The thing that truly changed was the determination to work against forces trying to prevent the family from entering the mainstream society. To truly understand the â€Å"Amer ican Experience† an immigrant had to realize that it was not a classical experience.It is known that early colonists and new immigrants coming to the United States had the same dreams and values. To them, the New World represented land opportunity, freedom of religion, the ability to overcome an aristocratic Old World, and the freedom to develop one’s own wishes. The topic of immigration in America has always sparked massive controversy. Some people believed anyone had the right to move from country to country as they pleased. Others thought the immigrant population actually benefitted the country by facilitating economic growth, development, and prosperity.The Americans against immigration mainly focused on the differences of new cultural groups. Mostly though, the Native American party argued that the country was about to receive a threat due to the massive increase in the â€Å"body of residents of foreign birth, imbued with foreign feelings, and of ignorant and imm oral character who receive the elective franchise and the right of eligibility to political offices. † Others thought that new immigrants hurt American society because of their lack of education, their impoverishment, lack of skill and their Catholic and Jewish religions.Early opposition to specific immigrants was focused on any groups perceived as inferior to the Anglo-Saxon stock. Disagreements on immigration focused mainly on the immigrant’s lack of adaptability based on different ethnic groups. The views of non-immigrants were that; foreigners lower the intelligence, efficiency, and orderliness plane, they increased alcoholism, crime, and immorality, the barriers of speech, education, and religious faith cause divisions, and that immigrants add to the number of poor people, tend to be illiterate, and cause overpopulation.Early settlers of the United States were a mixture of whites, Anglo- Saxons, and immigrants. Every ethnic group that has come into the United State s has helped shape the American dream and shared that experience, rather happily or not. A major shaping of our economic system resulted from the influence of immigration that helped bring dramatic changes in our population census. The United States of America can mean a variety of different things to several different people.The core of the â€Å"American dream† is without a doubt, freedom and equality. However, this nation was founded on republican principles of justice for all, friendship with all nations, and alliances with none. Since then, these principles have undergone several changes. For example, today the United States has many â€Å"alliances† that influence its domestic and foreign policies. Nevertheless, â€Å"justice for all† remains intact and continuously attracts new immigrants each year, while trying to determine what really constitutes â€Å"justice and equality. †

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

HISTORY - Essay Example As Lynch points out, one of the letters written to New Orleans’ Daily Delta from the freedom movement fighters states that the colored population loves their home, their property, and their own laves and are ready to shed their blood for defending their rights. The activists became skeptical of the government’s policies and strategies also. The government had not paid any attention to the inexorable violence towards the black activist; and on the other hand, there was lack of federal intervention. These issues caused them turn to armed self-defense, and in many cases they ended up in bloodshed. All blacks got involved in the movement and they called for a black solidarity and nationalism. In the same way, blacks in the northern communities started to draw attention against the uncontrolled racism prevailing in the state. The devastating issues such as the residential segregation, harassments from the police and officials, and the lack of employment opportunities were ac ting as force for the black freedom movements in the 18th century. Furthermore, the self-help institutions organized the blacks and played an important role in shaping the lives of the free black people. As Nuruddin (Ed. Ezra, 2) points out, the emergence of the benevolence associations, mutual aid societies, independent African American denominational churches, and semi-independent free schools contributed to the freedom movement. The later revolutions in the black freedom took place after the period of Revolutionary war when the blacks were literate. Famous historic personalities like Richard Allen and Prince Hall founded several institutions such as the African Masonic lodges, Church institutes and Free African Society by the end of 18th  century. These institutions were later developed into independent and separate institutions that facilitated shaping the lives of the free

MSc Managing & Accounting for Financial Resources - Healthy Hearts Essay

MSc Managing & Accounting for Financial Resources - Healthy Hearts Cardiff case description - Essay Example The operating profit or the gross profit provides indication about the actual profit acquired by the business operation. (Berman, Knight, Case, 2006, p.66). The operating profits or the business profits have to be generated from the current assets or the operating assets. The main weakness that the new center has shown that it has somehow failed to utilize its currents assets to gain more operating profit.( â€Å"Year Book Australia, 2001 ) That is the reason why the operating profit as a percentage of sales is also very less. Also the operating profit of the Cardiff unit may be lesser as a percentage due to the fact that this unit has just started its business operation and is not in a position to utilize its asset base to the optimal level. The next key parameter considered is the operating profit by sales ratio. The difference comes to be 2.42. Here the result of the Cardiff unit is slightly less than the entire most profitable club. That means the center is not able to generate adequate amount of business profit or operating profit. It may be due to several reasons but the main factor that can be identified is that this center in particular operates with higher expenses than that of the average centers. Efficiency Ratio: After this ratio, the following few parameters are almost similar when compared to the overall most profitable club performance of Healthy Hearts. The difference between the sales to operating asset ratio is just 0.46, which indicates relatively better sales turnover ratio for the Cardiff unit. But next ratio shows some negativity as well. The expense to sales ratio is more in the case of Cardiff unit by 2.42. This means the unit makes more expenditure to generate the desired amount of sales figure. This is not always an encouraging sign for any business. Huge gap is also being noticed when sales as a percentage of the current assets are compared. The difference comes to around 8.70.

Plato Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Plato - Essay Example ?The Allegory of the Cave† is taken from â€Å"The Republic† where he deftly handles the lack of knowledge of human beings and he elicits his answer from the mouth of Socrates his mentor. In this particular piece of writing, Plato cuts a clear distinction between knowledge of reality and shadows of illusion (ignorance) To portray this fact he takes the example of a cave in which human beings are chained to a wall with only a tiny light that casts shadowy images which some of the inhabitants take for reality. Those who are freed from the cave have a true knowledge of reality. Plato’s masterly use of imagery of light to depict knowledge and darkness to depict ignorance gives his essay the excellence it deserves, making it one of the most memorable ones. In his explanation of â€Å"absolute knowledge† and the way it affects the â€Å"shadows of images of justice†, he gives us another example of a person who is asked to look straight at the light. In doing so, the person is dazzled and feels pain and hence is unable to see the reality for what it is. But if his eyes get accustomed to the light, his vision would be clearer and he is moves on from seeing the shadowy images, to seeing the real objects. Finally he is able to gaze upon the sun in all its brightness and judge himself rightly. He would then be in a position to look back on his fellow prisoners who still live in the shadows of images and feel pity for them. This is what Plato means by â€Å"absolute justice†. According to Plato, it is better to suffer anything, than to live a miserable life filled with false notions and ideas. If a person lives a life in the shadows of ignorance, he would never learn the realities in life. But on the other hand, if his vision is not blocked or marred by the shadows of images, his vision would be so clear and he would be able to lead others out of their ignorance. In other words, if a person attains this beatific vision, he is unable to draw himself down to a lower level of

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Wedding.com Case Analysis - Essay Example There are four major aspects that Jessica needs to re-evaluate in website design and market strategy: Effective Website layout; SWOT analysis; brand creation; and effective marketing with focus on Porter’s 4Ps. The wedding website needs to be vibrant and colourful so that it sends the message of great romance. While interactive and e-commerce features should be intrinsic part of the website, Jessica needs to incorporate more pictures of the happy couples in the honeymoon destinations to attract prospective brides and grooms. Honeymoon packages at discounted price should become one of the important features of the website. It should also cater to various other requirements of the couple as well as for those who need to get wedding gifts. The website needs to showcase the products and services to attract the future customers and meet their individual demand through customised features of the interactive website. Jessica needs to research the details regarding the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the wedding events come across and then incorporate them into her website. The brand creation has been another successful strategy that would bring in committed customers. ‘Brand building is needed because products are the same’ (Kotler, 2005). Market strategies try to promote their goods and services by creating brands that guarantees the customers of getting high quality goods and services at a price that a customer is willing to pay for. Today the concept of market has changed so much so that instead of customer going to the ‘product’, the product ‘comes’ to the customer. In other words, virtual markets have facilitated the availability of the product much easier with the concept of ‘home delivery’ becoming a reality. Though the localized market still has scope but the unlimited potential of the internet market must be tapped in order to remain afloat in the fast

Reading response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 25

Reading response - Essay Example Likewise, Hitler understood propaganda as the best medicine to have the masses embrace a particular ideology. Instead of having intellectual propaganda that could only be understood by the intellectually gifted, Hitler believed that the masses are gullible and any effective propaganda had to be in its simplest possible form. However, such propaganda had to have a few, but strong slogans that evoked emotions among the public to elicit the required reactions. Considering the public has limited understanding and would not digest too many materials, Hitler maintained in using a few scale but emotions-evoking points as the best tool for propaganda but with great effectiveness in swaying the public. There have been some cases of propaganda in the United States most of which are related to its foreign ideologies and warfare. For example, a general propaganda was used to justify attacking and dethroning Saddam Hussein from power on the pretext that he had weapons of mass destruction which posed a high risk not only to American citizens, but also to the whole world. Spreading the propaganda created fear attracted support for the U.S and her allies to attack Iraq though nothing of the weapons as claimed was found. Similar propaganda are spread about the possibility of terrorist attacks within American territory to ensure everyone is vigilant in guaranteeing home

C-Span analysis paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

C-Span analysis paper - Essay Example The so-called C-Span, or the Cable-Satellite Affairs Network, which is an American cable television network that undergoes broadcasting government and public affairs. It is also made-up of several television channels such as; * C-SPAN features live coverage of the House of Representatives * C-SPAN2 covers the Senate and airs Book TV on weekends * C-SPAN3 covers other live events and airs archived historical programming Some are saying that it is a boring show, for it shows information that is not with the interest of some viewers who are seeking only entertainment. C-Span has something to do with American National Government for it also covers the side of political aspects, the current situation of the politics in the country. The happenings inside the state are broadcasted and are shown to the public. By the C-Span we are informed of the events that are happening from time to time. It up dates us to news. It also archives information for future documentation and viewings.

Strategy Book Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategy Book - Case Study Example The sand dunes are the largest in the world, and they cover the largest coastal sand dune area in the USA (50 miles). The Stellar sea lion rookery is the only one in the mainland 48 states (Essentix). Florence has impressive man-made resources, as well, including: a rich history (Siuslaw Indians and loggers), a doll museum and pioneer artifacts museum, a sand dune golf course and an award-winning golf course. The Old Town has been tastefully restored. There is shopping, art, restaurants, river walks, historical buildings, live music and dancing. Peace Harbor Hospital serves Western Lane County. There is an existing tourism industry (Essentix). All towns have weaknesses, however. Florence’s population is weighted unevenly on the side of senior citizens. According to the 2010 census, the median age is 57 (Wikipedia). I suspect this has a negative effect on available tax income, and would shape the town in a conservative direction, where stability is preferable to risky opportunities. An older population is probably not attractive to young people, and there might be insufficient motivation to relocate there. In considering opportunities, what stands out in my mind is healthy, natural living and tourism. Residents are mostly older, so health support is attractive to them. People are living longer and want to feel good. Tourists want active, outdoor activities. That is why they come to Florence. For opportunity, we must build on tourism and natural resources, perhaps targeting a group not currently targeted. Threats may include resistance to abrupt change, due to an older population. Expanding nature-based tourism is dependent on outsider cooperation, as well as insider cooperation. Florence is not as well-known as Newport and Coos Bay, although it is uniquely positioned. Based on my SWOT analysis, it is clear that Florence is all about healthy, natural living and tourism. In googling Florence, this emphasis is quite visible. Although the town experienced

London Transportation Essay Example for Free

London Transportation Essay London, England has long been regarded as a cosmopolitan metropolis with international appeal at the cutting edge of culture and technology, as well as its ancient and innovative transportation options. London’s location next to a major tributary â€Å"in the middle stretch of the Thames valley† , its basin rim terraced with materials formed from sedimentary sand and clay, has played an integral part in its transportation history(a full geographical representation of the city is shown in Appendix A). It was water-borne trade which allowed it to grow and prosper after the Romans, renowned for their road-building systems, built the city they named Londinium. No longer relying just on watercraft as a lifeline to the rest of the world, London today provides a wealth of sophisticated transportation options to its citizens with the vast entirety of its public motor thoroughfares redesigned after World War II. A modern visitor to London can now board a train or bus, descend underground and take a tube (subway), hop on a light rail or take a ride from one of many express terminals. It has taken decades for London to achieve, and then regain, its status as a great city for transportation, however. The second world war nearly devastated the city. During the following two decades, â€Å"London’s status as the hub of the British Empire† declined along with a reduction in public transport options . By 1986, the Greater London Development Council, which had dealt with issues of reconstruction, was abolished and for the first time in 97 years, â€Å"there was no unified representative government† for the city . London was now forced to address its post-war problems including the challenge of providing additional transportation options for the growing populace and creating a federal transport authority. Today, the United Kingdom has a population of 60,776,238, with the majority of this based in London and Great Britain. The country enjoys a strong economy and low unemployment while the government is focusing on â€Å"the improvement of education, transport, and health services, at a cost in higher taxes and a widening public deficit† . The numerous transitions in London’s transportation are examined here in chronological order beginning with its ancient history, its revival post-war, continuing into the 1960’s, a look back at the era of the 1980’s and finally, an overview of mass, affordable transportation options in today’s London society with a forecast for the future. History The Romans were the first recorded populace to recognize the importance of the Thames River. After their invasion of the area in AD 43, the Romans built a permanent bridge over the river as well as a network of roadways . The course of many of these roads is still the basis of modern thoroughfares today. In the 1st century, Londinium’s port was active with commerce. The River Thames was used by invaders as a waterway to storm the city during Viking times and new streets laid out after the takeover by the Saxons, some of which even used lanes much like we would expect today to subdivide them . The famed London Bridge was rebuilt in the late 12th century and during this time many of the streets were named with monikers still in use today. The Great Fire of 1666 prompted the construction of two new streets to intersect city as well as the widening of many of London’s streets and lane. Six new bridges were added to cross the River Thames between 1750 and 1835 and toll roadways were created to pay for repairs to existing thoroughfares. Hansom cabs were first introduced as another form of transportation in 1834 while the first passenger railway appeared just two years later. Deep water basins were added to the river at this time to reduce congestion from shipping. The Thames Tunnel was opened in 1843 to provide another avenue of transport over the river. Victorian London witnessed a revolution in transportation with the arrival of omnibuses, the extension of the railways for passenger trains to completely traverse the city, trams (first horse-drawn, then electrified by the turn of the century) and tube railways. The first underground railroad was opened in London in 1884. It was the very first of its kind and a model for other metropolitan areas in the ensuring decades. Appendix B contains a map of London’s current underground system with its extensive labyrinth of passageways. The growth of the commuting labor force living in the suburbs prompted the construction of new trunk roads and the expansion of the underground system to accommodate them in the years prior to World War II. Subsequent bombings of the city during the war in the 1940’s would escalate redevelopment of its ancient roadways. World War II In the midst of the second World War in September, 1940, Germany instituted the Blitz, a sustained six-month bombardment of London which killed 20,000 residents. After the bombing ended in May, 1941, London became a â€Å"major centre of wartime production† before Hitler renewed his assault on the city in summer of 1944 resulting in 29,890 Londoners killed and 50,507 injured. Underground rail stations were even used as shelters and the tunnels pressed into use for weapons storage. While the negative effects of these bombings included reduction of the population and significant damage caused throughout parts of the city, the end of the war became the impetus for England to start replanning the layout of London and surrounding towns, roadways and public transport and urge relocation from overpopulated areas to the suburbs (see Appendix C for a map of areas affected by bombing). Without a federal transport authority to draw up plans for redevelopment of roadways, much of the work was undertaken by landowners and commercial developers whose interests it would best serve. Construction of an airport began in 1946. In 1947, the legislature passed the Town and Country Planning Act to redevelop the slums of the East End, which had long been largely ignored since the majority of wealthy citizens resided in the West End. Narrow and impassable roads in the area were replaced for a nearly complete revitalization. After years of austerity in the war, it was with great acclaim that Britain crowned their new queen, Elizabeth II, in 1952. Her coronation ceremony, complete with a drive through London in the ancient Gold State Coach, prompted a renewed interest in horse and carriages. The British Driving Society was formed soon thereafter to honor the ancient sport of driving various horse-drawn vehicles . Royalty used the Long Walk at Windsor to display their horsemanship skills while the general public was confined to the pathways of parks in the West End. While Queen Elizabeth began her reign, the last of the famous London trams was officially retired. The decade of the 50’s was one rife with innovation, however. 1953 saw the opening of the newly completed Heathrow Airport in London. The first commercial air service between London and Moscow was launched in 1957 and the city received its first parking meters in 1958. The initial section of the London-Birmingham Motorway opened in 1959, closing out the decade with a loud roar.

The Difference between Traditional and New Law Enforcement Strategies Essay Example for Free

The Difference between Traditional and New Law Enforcement Strategies Essay Professor Maia Jefferson The law enforcement community plays an important role in our day-to-day lives. They are not only tasked with enforcing the laws, but they are also tasked with helping out the community in various ways. What happens when the traditional model of law enforcement is changed? Will there be any resistance from certain divisions of the police force? What will be the major factor for the success of a new program, if implemented? Under the traditional law enforcement model, officers are tasked with responsibilities such as patrolling the streets and reporting broken sidewalks, potholes, street, and traffic lights that need to be replaced. Under the new program called â€Å"Employing Creative Closure Strategies,† patrolling officers work with sergeants and lieutenants to review crime data and come up with the best solution to problems. In doing this, it allows officers to display their expertise in areas such as criminal investigation, traffic enforcement, drug suppression, and routine patrol. With any organization, change is going to come with resistance. Some of the major resistance would most likely come from senior members of the force. These members that have been around for awhile have probably seen many leaders want to â€Å"make their mark† by implementing their own ideas. These skeptics have probably accepted the idea that certain divisions are specialized in the area of expertise and that changing the way that they operate would disrupt the tempo of the force. However, most people agree that change is a good thing and can lead to improvement within the police force. The new changes would no doubt endure opposition on some levels, but there would also be many who would support them. The supporters would most likely be the officers that are directly affected by the changes. By allowing patrolling officers to work directly with investigators, the police officers would feel more important and more connected with the community. Moreover, the actual responsibility of investigations will be shared among the patrolling officers and the investigation team. The collaboration of these two units will not only save time, but also money. The success rate for the â€Å"Employing Creative Closure Strategies† program has been proven more effective than the traditional patrolling methods. The change held individual officers accountable for investigating and resolving crimes in their patrol area, which played a major role in their success. (Johnson, 1997) Productivity and case closure rates began to rise, proving that the patrol officers were capable of assuming more responsibility. After 14 months, the number of cases that were solved increased dramatically. The new program â€Å"Employing Creative Closure Strategies† has proven to be a step towards improving the way law enforcement patrols. With any change comes disbelievers, yet there is always room for improvement. The ultimate goal of law enforcement is to protect the community and its citizens. By implementing the new system, there will be an increased level of security and an opportunity for police officers to learn from each other by taking on more responsibility. Bibliography Johnson, R. A. (1997, November). Integrated Patrol: Combining Aggressive Enforcement and Community Policing. Retrieved from Federal Bureau of Investigation web site: www. fbi. gov

Water fluoridation

Water fluoridation ABSTRACT The safety and efficacy of water fluoridation has been a topic of great controversy throughout Americas communities. Scientific evidence has shown that ingesting low to moderate levels of fluoride can benefit the dental health of a community, especially those populations in a community that may be classified as having low socioeconomic status. Children in all areas, but especially those with low SES, are at greatest risk for developing dental caries and having a community water fluoridation program (CWFP) will help them reduce their dental caries. Moderation of fluoride ingestion for individuals is the key. Low to moderate daily ingestion of fluoride, averaging 1.0 mg/liter per day is optimum. Dental and skeletal fluorosis can occur if ingestion levels are greater than 3.0 mg/liter per day for long periods of time. This is a discussion on the safety and efficacy of water fluoridation. INTRODUCTION This commentary presents the on-going controversy on community water fluoridation in the United States, and I will attempt to analyze science-based evidence in support of water fluoridation. There have always been questions on the safety and efficacy of fluoride in drinking water, some school of thought believes that fluoridation has some adverse effects to exposed human populations, especially in infants and children. Another school of thought believes that water fluoridation is essential in preventing tooth decay, and therefore the practice should be sustained. According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) water fluoridation is one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century in the United States (CDC, 1999), which is attributable for increased lifespan of Americans by 25 years ( Bunker et al., 1994). This paper will discuss science-based evidence that proves the efficacy and safety of water fluoridation among children as well as offer some reco mmendations to the various stakeholders. POSITION STATEMENT Water fluoridation is the adjustment of the concentration level to the optimally regulated level of which the naturally occurring fluoride presents in public or community drinking water supplies. In most cases, deflouridation is needed when the naturally occurring fluoride level exceeds recommended limits. The recommended fluoride concentration in drinking water by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) is 0.7-1.2mg/L, to effectively prevent dental caries and minimize the occurrence of dental fluorosis (NRC, 2006). Low decay rates were found to be associated with continuous use of water with fluoride content of 1ppm (Meskin, 1995). There has been serious questions as to the efficacy of fluoride intervention in preventing both tooth decay, as it benefit is said to be merely cosmetic or topical (CDC, 1999). Such topical effect of fluoride can be achieved by the use tooth without the risking the overexposure from ingested fluoride (NRC, 2006). However, it has also been reported that fluor ide exposure provides both systemic and topical protection. Ingested fluoride deposited on tooth surface during tooth formation, and fluoride contained in saliva provides long-lasting systemic protection against booth tooth decay than topical application using tooth paste or fluoride foams (CDC, 2001). WHAT IS FLUORIDE Fluoride is a naturally occurring element. It is found in rocks and soil everywhere. Fluoride can be found in fresh water and ocean water. Naturally occurring fluoride levels ranges from 0.1ppm to over 12ppm (NRC, 2006).Fluoride is present in the customary diets of people and in most portable water sources. The average dietary intake of fluoride is approximately 0.5mg daily from either naturally occurring fluoride in the water or the fluoride found in produce. It is also a normal component of tooth enamel and bone studies have shown that the calcified tissues of both enamel and bone are made up of a combination of hydroxyl- and fluor-apatites of varying composition depending on the abundance of fluoride at the site of formation. These tissues are the principal sites of deposition of fluoride (NRC, 2006). HOW FLUORIDE PREVENTS AND CONTROLS DENTAL CARIES Dental caries is an infectious, transmissible disease in which bacterial by-products (i.e., acids) dissolve the hard surfaces of teeth. Unchecked, the bacteria can penetrate the dissolved surface, attack the underlying dentin, and reach the soft pulp tissue. Dental caries can result in loss of tooth structure, pain, and tooth loss and can progress to acute systemic infection. Cryogenic bacteria (i.e., bacteria that cause dental caries) reside in dental plaque, a sticky organic matrix of bacteria, food debris, dead mucosal cells, and salivary components that adheres to tooth enamel. Plaque also contains minerals, primarily calcium and phosphorus, as well as proteins, polysaccharides, carbohydrates, and lipids. Cryogenic bacteria colonize on tooth surfaces and produce polysaccharides that enhance adherence of the plaque to enamel. Left undisturbed, plaque will grow and harbor increasing numbers of cryogenic bacteria. An initial step in the formation of a carious lesion takes place when cryogenic bacteria in dental plaque metabolize a substrate from the diet (e.g., sugars and other fermentable carbohydrates) and the acid produced as a metabolic by-product demineralizes (i.e., begins to dissolve) the adjacent enamel crystal surface (CDC,2009). Demineralization involves the loss of calcium, phosphate, and carbonate. These minerals can be captured by surrounding plaque and be available for reuptake by the enamel surface. Fluoride, when present in the mouth, is also retained and concentrated in plaque. Fluoride works to control early dental caries in several ways. Fluoride concentrated in plaque and saliva inhibits the demineralization of sound enamel and enhances the remineralization (i.e., recovery) of demineralized enamel (Featherstone, 1999 Koulourides, 1990). As cryogenic bacteria metabolize carbohydrates and produce acid, fluoride is released from dental plaque in response to lowered pH at the tooth-plaque interface. The released fluoride and the fluoride present in saliva are then taken up, along with calcium and phosphate, by de-mineralized enamel to establish an improved enamel crystal structure. This improved structure is more acid resistant and contains more fluoride and less carbonate (Featherstone, 1999). Fluoride is more readily taken up by demineralized enamel than by sound enamel. Cycles of demineralization and remineralization continue throughout the lifetime of the tooth. Fluoride also inhibits dental caries by affecting the activity of cryogenic bacteria. As fluoride concentrates in dental plaque, it inhibits the process by which cryogenic bacteria metabolize carbohydrates to produce acid and affects bacterial production of adhesive polysaccharides. In laboratory studies, when a low concentration of fluoride is constantly present, one type of cryogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, produces less acid. Whether this reduced acid production reduces the carcinogenicity of these bacteria in humans is unclear (Van Loveren, 1990). Saliva is a major carrier of topical fluoride. The concentration of fluoride in ductal saliva, as it is secreted from salivary glands, is low approximately 0.016 parts per million (ppm) in areas where drinking water is fluoridated and 0.006ppm in non fluoridated areas. This concentration of fluoride is not likely to affect cryogenic activity. However, drinking fluoridated water, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, or using other fluoride dental products can raise the concentration of fluoride in saliva present in the mouth 100- to 1,000-fold. The concentration returns to previous levels within 12 hours but, during this time, saliva serves as an important source of fluoride for concentration in plaque and for tooth remineralization (Murray,1993). Applying fluoride gel or other products containing a high concentration of fluoride to the teeth leaves a temporary layer of calcium fluoride-like material on the enamel surface. The fluoride in this material is released when the pH drops in the mouth in response to acid production and is available to remineralize enamel. In the earliest days of fluoride research, investigators hypothesized that fluoride affects enamel and inhibits dental caries only when incorporated into developing dental enamel (i.e., preeruptively, before the tooth erupts into the mouth) (Murray,1993). Evidence supports this hypothesis, but distinguishing a true preeruptive effect after teeth erupt into a mouth where topical fluoride exposure occurs regularly is difficult. However, a high fluoride concentration in sound enamel cannot alone explain the marked reduction in dental caries that fluoride produces . The prevalence of dental caries in a population is not inversely related to the concentration of fluoride in enamel, and a higher concentration of enamel fluoride is not necessarily more efficacious in preventing dental caries (Mcdonagh etal.,2000). The laboratory and epidemiologic research that has led to the better understanding of how fluoride prevents dental caries indicates that fluorides predominant effect is post eruptive and topical and that the effect depends on fluoride being in the right amount in the right place at the right time. Fluoride works primarily after teeth have erupted, especially when small amounts are maintained constantly in the mouth, specifically in dental plaque and saliva (Mcdonagh etal., 2000). Thus, adults also benefit from fluoride, rather than only children, as was previously assumed. RISK FOR DENTAL CARIES The prevalence and severity of dental caries in the United States have decreased substantially during the preceding 3 decades. National surveys have reported that the prevalence of any dental caries among children aged 1217 years declined from 90.4% in 19711974 to 67% in 19881991; severity (measured as the mean number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth) declined from 6.2 to 2.8 during this period (Burt, 1989). These decreases in caries prevalence and severity have been uneven across the general population; the burden of disease now is concentrated among certain groups and persons. For example, 80% of the dental caries in permanent teeth of U.S. children aged 517 years occurs among 25% of those children. Populations believed to be at increased risk for dental caries are those with low socioeconomic status (SES) or low levels of parental education, those who do not seek regular dental care, and those without dental insurance or access to dental services (Meskin,1995). Persons can be at high risk for dental caries even if they do not have these recognized factors. Children and adults who are at low risk for dental caries can maintain that status through frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride (e.g., drinking fluoridated water and using fluoride toothpaste). Children and adults at high risk for dental caries might benefit from additional exposure to fluoride (e.g., mouth rinse, dietary supplements, and professionally applied products). All available information on risk factors should be considered before a group or person is identified as being at low or high risk for dental caries. However, when classification is uncertain, treating a person as high risk is prudent until further information or experience allows a more accurate assessment. This assumption increases the immediate cost of caries prevention or treatment and might increase the risk for enamel fluorosis for children aged NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR FLUORIDE USE PHS recommendations for fluoride use include an optimally adjusted concentration of fluoride in community drinking water to maximize caries prevention and limit enamel fluorosis. This concentration ranges from 0.7ppm to 1.2ppm depending on the average maximum daily air temperature of the area (PHS, 1991). In 1991, PHS also issued policy and research recommendations for fluoride use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is responsible for the safety and quality of drinking water in the United States, sets a maximum allowable limit for fluoride in community drinking water at 4ppm and a secondary limit (i.e., non-enforceable guideline) at 2ppm (EPA,1998). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approving prescription and over-the-counter fluoride products marketed in the United States and for setting standards for labeling bottled water and over-the-counter fluoride products (e.g., toothpaste and mouth rinse) (ADA,2007). Nonfederal agencies also have published guidelines on fluoride use. The American Dental Association (ADA) reviews fluoride products for caries prevention through its voluntary Seal of Acceptance program; accepted products are listed in the ADA Guide to Dental Therapeutics (ADA, 2007). A dosage schedule for fluoride supplements for infants and children aged 16 years, which is scaled to the fluoride concentration in the community drinking water, has been jointly recommended by ADA, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (Meskin,1995). In 1997, the Institute of Medicine published age-specific recommendations for total dietary intake of fluoride. These recommendations list adequate intake to prevent dental caries and tolerable upper intake, defined as a level unlikely to pose risk for adverse effects in almost all persons. COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUORIDE MODALITIES Documented effectiveness is the most basic requirement for providing a health-care service and an important prerequisite for preventive services (e.g., caries-preventive modalities). However, effectiveness alone is not a sufficient reason to initiate a service. Other factors, including cost, must be considered. A modality is more cost-effective when deemed a less expensive way, from among competing alternatives, of meeting a stated objective (Garcia,1989). In public health planning, determination of the most cost-effective alternative for prevention is essential to using scarce resources efficiently. Dental-insurance carriers are also interested in cost-effectiveness so they can help purchasers use funds efficiently. Because half of dental expenditures are out of pocket (Garcia, 1989), this topic interests patients and their dentists as well. Potential improvement to quality of life is also a consideration. The contribution of a healthy dentition to quality of life at any age has not been quantified, but is probably valued by most persons. Although solid data on the cost-effectiveness of fluoride modalities alone and in combination are needed, this information is scarce. In 1989, the Cost Effectiveness of Caries Prevention in Dental Public Health workshop, which was attended by health economists, epidemiologists, and dental public health professionals, attempted to assess the cost-effectiveness of caries-preventive approaches available in the United States (Downer et al., 1981). Community Water Fluoridation Health economists at the 1989 workshop on cost-effectiveness of caries prevention calculated that the average annual cost of water fluoridation in the United States was $0.51 per person (range: $0.12$5.41) (Burt, 1989). In 1999 dollars, this cost would be $0.72 per person (range: $0.17$7.62). Factors reported to influence the per capita cost included: size of the community (the larger the population reached, the lower the per capita cost); number of fluoride injection points in the water supply system; amount and type of system feeder and monitoring equipment used; amount and type of fluoride chemical used, its price, and its costs of transportation and storage; and expertise of personnel at the water plant. When the effects of caries are repaired, the price of the restoration is based on the number of tooth surfaces affected. A tooth can have caries at >1 location (i.e., surface), so the number of surfaces saved is a more appropriate measure in calculating cost-effectiveness than the number of teeth with caries. The 1989 workshop participants concluded that water fluoridation is one of the few public health measures that results in true cost savings (i.e., the measure saves more money than it costs to operate); in the United States, water fluoridation cost an estimated average of $3.35 per carious surface saved ($4.71 in 1999 dollars). Even under the least favorable assumptions in 1989 (i.e., cities with populations A Scottish study conducted in 1980 reported that community water fluoridation resulted in a 49% saving in dental treatment costs for children aged 45 years and a 54% saving for children aged 1112 years (Downer et al., 1981). These savings were maintained even after the secular decline in the prevalence of dental caries was recognized. The effect of community water fluoridation on the costs of dental care for adults is less clear. This topic cannot be fully explored until the generations who grew up drinking optimally fluoridated water are older. School Water Fluoridation Costs for school water fluoridation are similar to those of any public water supply system serving a small population (i.e., Assessment of the Adverse Health Effects of fluoride Evidence of the adverse health effects of prolonged exposure to high concentrations of fluoride are well documented by several peer reviewed studies, which are examined in this paper. Higher concentrations of total ingested fluoride from potential sources like drinking water, food and beverages, dental-hygiene products such as toothpaste, and pesticide residues can have adverse health effects on humans (NRC, 2006). Some of the adverse health effects of fluoride in drinking water are enamel fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, bone cancer and bone fracture. (NRC, 2006, PHS, 1991). Fluorosis is caused mainly by the ingestion of fluoride in drinking water (Viswanathan et al., 2009). Fluoride has high binding affinity for developing enamel and as such high concentration of cumulative fluoride during tooth formation can lead to enamel fluorosis, a dental condition from mild to severe form characterized by brown stains, enamel loss and surface pitting (DenBesten Thariani, 1992). These dental ef fects are believed to be caused by the effects of fluoride on the breakdown rates of early-secreted matrix proteins, and on the rates at which the degraded by-products are withdrawn from the maturing enamel (Aoba Fejerskov, 2002). Children are much more at risk of enamel fluorosis, especially in their critical period from 6 to 8 years of age, than adults. Fluoride uptake into enamel is possible only as a result of concomitant enamel dissolution, such as caries development (Fejerskov, Larsen, Richards, Baelum, 1994). There is a 10% prevalence of enamel fluorosis among U.S. children in communities with water fluoride concentrations at or near the EPAs MCLG of 4 mg/L (NRC, 2006). The CDC estimates that 32% of U.S. children are diagnosed with dental fluorosis (CDC, 2005). Today, there are convincing evidence that enamel fluorosis is a toxic effect of fluoride intake, and that its severe forms can produce adverse dental effects, and not just adverse cosmetic effects in humans (NRC, 200 6). Burt and Eklund (1999) states: â€Å"The most severe forms of fluorosis manifest as heavily stained, pitted, and friable enamel that can result in loss of dental function†. Epidemiological data from both observational and clinical studies have been examined. Sowers, Whitford, Clark Jannausch (2005) investigated prospectively for four years bone fracture in relation to fluoride concentrations in drinking water in a cohort study, by measuring serum fluoride concentrations and bone density of the hip, radius, and spine. The authors reported higher serum fluoride concentrations in the communities with fluoride concentrations at 4 mg/L in drinking water; and higher osteoporotic fracture rates in the high fluoride areas that were similar to those in their previous studies in 1986 and 1991. It is unclear in their recent study whether existing factors in the population like smoking rates, hormone replacement and physical activity were examined as potential cofounders for fractures. Fasting serum fluoride concentrations are considered a good measure of long-term exposure and of bone fluoride concentrations (Whitford, 1994; Clarkson et al., 2000). Findings by t he Sowers studies were complemented in several ways by Li et al. (2001) in a retrospective cohort ecologic study. The combined findings of Sowers et al. (2005) and Li et al., (2001) lend support to the biological gradients of exposures and fracture risk between 1 and 4 mg/L of fluoride concentration. Evidently, the physiological effect of fluoride on â€Å"bone quality† and the fractures observed in the referenced animal studies are consistent with the effects found in the observational studies. RECOMMENDATIONS Before promoting a fluoride modality or combination of modalities, the dental-care or other health-care provider must consider a persons or groups risk for dental caries, current use of other fluoride sources, and potential for enamel fluorosis. Although these recommendations are based on assessments of caries risk as low or high, the health-care provider might also differentiate among patients at high risk and provide more intensive interventions as needed. Also, a risk category can change over time; the type and frequency of preventive interventions should be adjusted accordingly. Continue and Extend Fluoridation of Community Drinking Water Community water fluoridation is a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to prevent dental caries. This modality benefits persons in all age groups and of all SES, including those difficult to reach through other public health programs and private dental care (CDC, 2001a). Community water fluoridation also is the most cost-effective way to prevent tooth decay among populations living in areas with adequate community water supply systems. Continuation of community water fluoridation for these populations and its adoption in additional U.S. communities are the foundation for sound caries-prevention programs. In contrast, the appropriateness of fluoridating stand-alone water systems that supply individual schools is limited. Widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, availability of other fluoride modalities that can be delivered in the school setting, and the current environment of low caries prevalence limit the appropriateness of fluoridating school drinking water at 4.5 times the optimal concentration for community drinking water. Decisions to initiate or continue school fluoridation programs should be based on an assessment of present caries risk in the target school(s), alternative preventive modalities that might be available, and periodic evaluation of program effectiveness (CDC, 2001a). Frequently Use Small Amounts of Fluoride All persons should receive frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride, which minimizes dental caries by inhibiting demineralization of tooth enamel and facilitating tooth remineralization. This exposure can be readily accomplished by drinking water with an optimal fluoride concentration and brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily(CDC, 2001a). Supervise Use of Fluoride Toothpaste among Children Aged Childrens teeth should be cleaned daily from the time the teeth erupt in the mouth. Parents and caregivers should consult a dentist or other health-care provider before introducing a child aged Use an Alternative Source of Water for Children Aged 8 Years Whose Primary Drinking Water Contains >2 ppm Fluoride In some regions in the United States, community water supply systems and home wells contain a natural concentration of fluoride >2ppm. At this concentration, children aged 8 years are at increased risk for developing enamel fluorosis, including the moderate and severe forms, and should have an alternative source of drinking water, preferably one containing fluoride at an optimal concentration. In areas where community water supply systems contain >2ppm but 8 years. For families receiving water from home wells, testing is necessary to determine the natural fluoride concentration (CDC, 2001a). Label the Fluoride Concentration of Bottled Water Producers of bottled water should label the fluoride concentration of their products. Such labeling will allow consumers to make informed decisions and dentists, dental hygienists, and other health-care professionals to appropriately advise patients regarding fluoride intake and use of fluoride products (CDC, 2001). CONCLUDING POSITION STATEMENT When used appropriately, fluoride is a safe and effective agent that can be used to prevent and control dental caries. Fluoride has contributed profoundly to the improved dental health of persons in the United States and other countries. Fluoride is needed regularly throughout life to protect teeth against tooth decay. To ensure additional gains in oral health, water fluoridation should be extended to additional communities, and fluoride toothpaste should be used widely. Adoption of these and other recommendations in this paper could lead to considerable savings in public and private resources without compromising fluorides substantial benefit of improved dental health. What is consistent from the literature review is the fact that infants and children are much more at risk of overexposure and the development of adverse health effects. A community water fluoridation program (CWFP) is very safe and efficient, not only in terms of reducing dental caries, but also on the communitys budg et (CDC, 2001a). A CWFP can especially help those communities who have populations in the low SES category. These populations have children whose parents or guardians dont always have access to dental insurance and so regular dental checkups to curb the dental caries is not always an option. Reducing dental caries before they lead into more extreme oral morbidity can be very beneficial to these children. Implementing a fluoridated water program can also be beneficial to a whole community in terms of saving communities thousands and millions of dollars. Implementing a water program would follow strict guidelines set by the EPA, so the optimum level of fluoride would be followed, staying in the range of 0.7 to 1.2, where people would ingest no more than an average of 1 mg/liter of fluoride per day. Moderation is the key. There are studies confirming that ingestion of fluoride greater than the optimum level could produce dental fluorosis. Though unconfirmed by studies, individual reports have even suggested that ingestion of fluoride >8 mg/liter per day over a long period of time could produce skeletal fluorosis. However, with proper surveillance and reporting of fluoride in water systems, the greater population could be served, increasing the dental health of all individuals, especially the youth and saving dollars from excessive health care costs (ADA, 2009). Remember, a little prevention now can go a long way later. REFERENCES ADA (2005).Fluoridation Facts: ADA statement commemorating the 60th anniversary of community water fluoridation. Retrieved October 19, 2009 from www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/facts/fluoridation_facts.pdf ADA.(2007). ADA Guidelines to Dental Therapeutics. Retrieved October 23, 2009 from http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/advocacy.asp ADA (2009). Fluoride: Natures tooth decay fighter. J of the Am. Dental Ass., 140(1), 126-126. Alphajoh, C.(2009). (PhD Student). Service Learning Activity: Environmental Health. Walden University. Assessed November 13, 2009 from http://environmentalhealthtoday.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/commentary-and-position-statement-on-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-water-fluoridation/ Aoba, T., Fejerskov, O. (2002). Dental fluorosis: Chemistry and biology. Crit. Rev. Oral. Biol. Med., 13(2), 155-170. Bowden, G.(1990). Effects of fluoride on the microbial ecology of dental plaque. J Dent Res 1990; 69(special issue):653—9 Brunelle, J.(1987. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in U.S. children. J Dent Res.(Special issue) 68:995. Bunker, J.P., Frazier, H.S., Mosteller, F. (1994). Improving health: measuring effects of medical care. Milbank Quarterly,72, 225-58. Burt, B. (1989).(Ed.). Proceedings for the workshop: Cost-effectiveness of caries prevention in dental public health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 1719, 1989. J Public Health Dent 1989; 49(special issue):3317. Burt, B.A., Eklund, S.A. (1999). Dentistry, dental practice, and the community. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: WB Saunders Company, 204-20. CDC (1999). Ten great public health achievements United States, 1900 1999. MMWR,48(12), 214-243. CDC (2001a). Promoting oral health: intervention for preventing dental caries, oral and pharyngeal cancers and sport-related craniofacial injuries a report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR 2001, 50(21), 1-12. CDC. (2001). Recommendations for using fluorideto prevent and control dental

School Breakfast Programs Essay -- Essays Papers

School Breakfast Programs For most kids waking up in the morning, getting dressed and sitting down to a bowl of cereal and some toast is a normal occurrence for them. However for some students that luxury may not be possible. Over the past couple of years several states across the US have spent millions of dollars and served over 360 million breakfasts and lunches for children who cannot afford to have a regular priced meal or who don’t have money for food at all. With these programs producing such great results for the children in the classroom and out of school more and more states have begun to implement similar programs for underprivileged children. One of the major reasons for the popularity of the breakfast programs is that it enables the children to start there day off with a healthy, nutritional meal. And for kids that are in elementary and middle school having a well balanced meal to start their day off is important because at that age children tend to hit growth spurts sporadically and having the right nutrition in there bodies will enable them to grow with out any complications. Another key reason as to why the Breakfast programs have become such a major success is the in class room behavior of the students. In different polls taken across America schools that were using the breakfast programs had shown that students who took part in the programs overall grades improved, along with attendance and classroom behavior. In an article written by the Advantage Press it was stated that â€Å"A surprising benefit has been observed: there has been a sharp decrease in the number of children going to school nurses. Thus, less class time missed by students. Even teachers who had worried about the added work of overseeing br... ...Programs January 2004 http://www.mtcef.org/activities_3a.htm 5. Provision 2 Guidance National School and Lunch Programs 3 March 2004 http://www.sde.state.id.us/child/docs/CNPResources/Publications/P2Guidance- July242002.pdf 6. Chicago Public School Meal Programs September 2004 http://www.cps.k12.il.us/Parent/Enrollment/School_Lunch/school_lunch.html 7. ThedailyJounranl.com Monday, May 14, 2001 http://www.thedailyjournal.com/news/stories/20010514/opinion/568745.html 8. Policies and Procedure Manual Mississippi Nutrition Program September 2004 http://www.cn.mde.k12.ms.us/resources/forms/ta/mscnp15.pdf 9. Federal Food Programs http://www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/sbp.html 10. School Breakfast Programs August 2003 http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Breakfast/AboutBFast/bfastfacts.htm

Sexual Orientation and Body Image Dysmorphia :: Sexuality Homosexuality Essays

Sexual Orientation and Body Image Dysmorphia Recent research has concluded that sexual orientation, in both men and women, may play a significant role in the feelings of dissatisfaction of one’s physical appearance and the development and onset of disordered eating habits. Numerous studies have found that homosexual men have a higher likelihood of being more dissatisfied with their overall physical appearance. It is not so clear for homosexual women. In this paper I will review a number of published research article and try to more clearly explain the contrasting results about homosexual women. ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ORIENTATION Although most of the studies look at an adult population, a study by French, Story, Remafedi, and Resnik, examined the effects of sexual orientation on an adolescent population. In their study they looked at a population based sample of about 35,000 students between the grades of seven and twelve. Each of these students completed a survey that asked questions about sexual orientation, body satisfaction, and different weight control measures. The final report included the findings from 212 heterosexual males and 182 heterosexual females for comparison with 81 self- identifying homosexual males and 38 self- identifying homosexual females, and 131 bisexual males and 144 bisexual females. They discovered that homosexual males were much more likely than heterosexual males to report having a poor body image (27.8% to 12%) and admit to frequent dieting (8.9% to 5.5%), binge eating (25.0% to 10.6%), or purging (11.7% to 4.4%). On the other side, homosexual females were more likely than heterosexual females to report that they were happy with the way that they looked (42.1% to 20.5%). Interestingly though, homosexual and heterosexual females were about equally as likely to diet, participate in binge eating, and partake in purging. PROBLEMS WITH STUDY Although the study seems to be appropriate, one must be wary about looking at a study, which was conducted through the use of surveys. This is particularly true when you are asking adolescents questions that deal with sexuality. It is possible that an adolescent’s embarrassment could be a factor in the answering of the questions. Social stereotypes could easily influence a heterosexual male to answer positively to questions about his body image because body angst is usually associated as a female behavior. This study is important to research on this topic because it shows that from the beginning of sexual orientation decisions, eating habits are a priority to some. Finicky and disordered eating problems are not something that develops later in life.

Importance of Humor and Laughter in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest :: One Flew Over Cuckoos Nest

Importance of Humor and Laughter in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest "There are three things which are real: God, human folly, and laughter. Since the first two pass our comprehension, we must do what we can with the third." In One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, humor is present in a very powerful form. Normally, insane people don’t have the capacity to laugh or find the humor in something as we "normal" people do. They live tragic existences, wandering day by day in the bland, depressing world of an asylum. They have forgotten how to live because they are under the authoritative rule of the head nurse, and under the behavioral influence of drug doses and bossy orderlies. The patients have no real existence of their own, and they are essentially lifeless. As the Lord works in mysterious ways, Randall MacMurphy is "sent" to heal the patients of the asylum. He shows them that to laugh is good, and laughing at yourself can sometimes be the best medicine. He is the comic healer who gives life to the otherwise hopeless patients of the asylum. MacMurphy seems to have an affinity for laughter. In essence, it is an escape for him- it makes him feel good, and most importantly, it radiates to his friends, an d helps heal them. This book is about so many things, it is hard to stay on one topic for any length of time. In order to focus on the laugh and laughing as a healing agent, I would like to look towards other influential writers and thinkers to tie together laughing and healing. First, let’s see what laughter is according to Meriam Webster: laughter- n. a cause of merriment. Using this simple definition, we can assume that laughter can come from any form of merriment or emotion like triumph, contempt, relief, and almost any other emotion there is. It is easy to picture in your head different underlying emotions in laughter; the sinister laughs of witches and ghosts, the insincere, fake laughs you hear after pointless, humorless attempts at jokes on the six o’clock news, to the silent laughs of mimes and clowns that fill the people around them with a happy feeling. These are all examples of what laughter is and how it is used. But why do we do it? What in nature created the laugh and mad e it so successful?

The Young Can Teach the Elderly

According to common belief, we, especially the younger, usually learn many things from previous generations. Some even believe that the young cannot teach in turn the elderly. To my way of thinking, I do not agree with this idea in many aspects. On one hand, I admit that the elderly has played an important part in teaching young men, and we benefit a lot from their knowledge. In particular, they have incurred and undergone many events in their lives; therefore, they have gathered lots of experiences, which are very useful for us. Time has taught them how to deal with problems and difficulties, and they can teach us about it. On the other hand, I feel we, the young, in turn can teach them about a lot of things as follow. The first thing to mention is modern knowledge, especially innovations in technology, which the elderly can hardly follow. For example, we can show them about how to use the internet, a marvelous invention in modern day, which is quite strange to them. Similarly, the elderly usually are not familiar with learning foreign languages, like English, thus we teach them how to learn and use it effectively. Another thing we can teach the elderly is communication skill. As we can see, the elderly tend to limit their relationships, and they almost communicate with a few relatives and friends only. On the contrary, the young usually talk to a lot of people, even strangers, through using social network or chatting utility. Hence, they always feel happy and relaxed, because they can share their emotions and thoughts with many people. Moreover, they feel more comfortable and self-confident in real life’s communication, therefore may succeed more in work. All these things should be taught to elderly, whose timid characteristics sometimes lead to their failure. To sum up, though the knowledge of the elderly is very large and extensive/ however experienced and wise the elder generation may be, they sometimes have to learn many things from the young. Only by this way can they achieve success in this new era. Vice versa, the young should also take all advantages from the elderly to be more successful in life.

To Direct Or Not Direct Essay

In Hamlet, like in many of William Shakespeare’s plays, there are very few stage directions. This gives directors an unavoidable opportunity to manipulate the audience’s view of the characters and the plot. The director always has the option to change the dialogue but in Hamlet, since there is little stage direction, one can have many varieties of the same scene using the same dialogue. Being a tragedy, Hamlet involves many complex characters such as Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet is the son of the recently deceased king of Denmark, avenging his father’s death after the visit from his fathers ghost accusing Hamlets uncle as his murderer. Scene 3.1 involves the characters Hamlet and Ophelia that clearly have many internal emotions that can only be determined by their actions and tone. In scene 3.1, Hamlet recites his famous to be or not to be speech. In this speech Hamlet contemplates whether or not to live, â€Å"To be†(3.1.64), or to take his own life, â€Å"not to be† (3.1.64). Written in this play Claudius, Polonius, and Ophelia are directed to not exit but to withdraw before Hamlets soliloquy. One way to have this staged would be to have only Claudius and Polonius withdraw and hide behind a curtain while Ophelia watches Hamlet enter because Polonius only addresses Claudius when he says, â€Å"(Let’s) withdraw, my lord† (3.1.63). Hamlet would enter in subconsciously knowing Ophelia is in the room. As Hamlet does his soliloquy, he never makes eye contact with Ophelia. The reason for having Ophelia out with Hamlet rather than behind a curtain is to show the audience her change in mood as she considers Hamlets arguments he makes in his speech. At first she is focused on her task her father has given her and by the end she is questioning, â€Å"Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer/ The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/ Or to take arms against a sea of troubles†(3.1.65-67). This scene is the turning point of Ophelia from sane to madness. This blocking for Ophelia is also foreshadowing her death. Staging how absorbed Ophelia is with Hamlets self-argument provides another and possibly greater reason she made the tragic decision of suicide. After Hamlet’s last line of his soliloquy there is a pause. Ophelia then snaps-out of her trance and then calls for Hamlets attention. Now back to her task of discovering the source of Hamlets madness, Ophelia takes out the letter. In this part of the scene it can either be directed so that Hamlet may know Claudius and Polonius are watching or he may not. Staging it so that he does know fro early on in his and Ophelia’s conversation makes this scene more dramatic. Ophelia being timid would hint to Hamlet that there must be someone watching. The curtain Claudius and Polonius hide behind moves just in time for Hamlet to respond to Ophelia, â€Å"No, not I. I never gave you aught†(3.1.105). Ophelia now nervous and unsure panics. She glances her head slightly enough for the audience to see she is looking at where her father and Claudius spy. â€Å"Where’s your father?†(3.1.141), Hamlet asks suspiciously and angrily. To show Ophelia nervousness she trembles as she responds and hopes Hamlet did not catch her looking at her father again. These subtle changes in direction and mood of the character make a huge impact of not only how the audience view each character but also changes their understanding of the play. If Ophelia were to confront Hamlet confidently and sure of herself, not only would it affect the audience’s view of Ophelia, but hamlet too. Hamlet would seem even crazier acting suspicious for no good reason. To be a director is to have the power to change an audiences perspective of a play that has been performed from either zero or over a million times or has been written a day ago or ages ago.

Faustus and Conflict Essay

Christopher Marlowe’s play â€Å"Doctor Faustus† presents a story that is filled with various forms of significant philosophical conflict. While, on the surface, the play is intended to focus on the â€Å"form of Faustus’ fortunes,† the scope of the play includes commentary on several other important themes (Prologue.8). Marlowe uses Faustus’s position to demonstrate a sharp contrast between the values of the medieval time period with the developing values associated with the Renaissance movement. Faustus’s story shows a direct conflict between the traditional and the modern in its form, its ideology, and its view of religion. Since Marlow maintains an ongoing struggle between these various elements throughout the play, a struggle also exists between the tragic and comedic elements of the story. Marlowe’s ambiguity toward the primary direction of the play creates a situation in which the ultimate purpose of the play’s comedic scenes remains uncertain even after Faustus’s final moments. The content of Faustus’s story superficially focuses on Faustus’s struggle to maintain control over the destiny of his own soul. Faustus’s desire to become â€Å"a mighty god† leads him to make a deal with Lucifer, in which he exchanges his soul for twenty four years of demonic power (1.62). Throughout the play Faustus struggles with repentance and disbelief, and he is eventually condemned to Hell for his actions. Symbolically, Faustus’s story is more appropriately a representation of the struggle, evident during Marlowe’s time period, between the traditional ideas of the medieval period and the modern ideas of the Renaissance. This conflict is evident within the first few lines of the play. Marlowe begins the play by having Faustus announce that he has given up on the traditional schools of thought, such as the study of religion, law, and medicine. Instead, he plans to study â€Å"that damned art† of necromancy or black magic (2.29). While traditional medieval thought encouraged the unquestioning acceptance of ancient philosophy, Renaissance thought encouraged experimentation and a rethinking of previously accepted beliefs. While Faustus’s actions may show his support of these Renaissance beliefs, his ultimate demise suggests that Renaissance thought may also be imperfect because it does not include a belief in God. This dualism between modern and traditional thought is also evident in the structure of the play. Marlowe employs elements that would be common in most traditional plays, such as the use of a chorus. He also uses mythical comparisons, depicting Faustus as another Icarus, a man who will eventually â€Å"mount above his reach† (Prologue.21). Faustus is also depicted as a tragically flawed character. Faustus is portrayed by the Chorus as being â€Å"swollen with cunning† (Prologue.20). Like Achilles, Hercules, or other traditional Greek heroes, Faustus has a character flaw that will mostly likely lead to his demise, but the eternal damnation of Faustus, to the Elizabethan audience, would be the equivalent of damning great Greek heroes, and thus creates artificial traditional expectations of the play. Simultaneously, Marlowe also ignores many of the important characteristics of traditional tragedies. While most tragedies depict historically important characters, Faustus’s story is a tale of an ordinary man, not of the â€Å"courts of kings† or the â€Å"pomp of proud audacious deeds† (Prologue.4-5). By focusing on the common man and also by writing in blank verse, a style that was uncommon during this period, Marlowe breaks away from the traditional expectations of a tragic play. Faustus’s view of religion also constantly vacillates between a traditional acceptance of Christianity and a modern rejection of it. When Faustus initially reads that â€Å"[t]he reward of sin is death,† and that â€Å"[i]f we say we that we have no sin, / We deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us† he suggests that Christianity is a futile endeavor and decides that â€Å"What will be, shall be! Divinity, adieu!† (1.40-43, 48). He mistakenly characterizes Christianity as being based on punishment rather than on forgiveness, a mistake that he repeats throughout the play. Later, he believes his heart has become â€Å"so hardened† that he â€Å"cannot repent!† (5.196). While he initially suggests that Hell is nothing but a fable, Faustus’s religious convictions continue to grow. Upon seeing Lucifer and Mephistopheles, he cries out, â€Å"O Faustus, they are come to fetch thy soul!† and even murmurs â€Å"Consummatum est,† meaning â€Å"it is finished,† which were Christ’s dying words on the cross, after signing his deal with Lucifer (5.264, 74). In this manner, Marlowe remains ambiguous throughout most of the play as to his position on the various conflicts he has depicted. For the audience, Faustus position as a modern man and Marlowe’s portrayal of religion remain in doubt. For this reason, the comedic scenes also remain ambiguous throughout the play. The audience remains uncomfortably unsure as to whether the comedy is intended to garner support for Faustus as the ultimate hero of the story or to mock Faustus by foreshadowing his own demise. The conclusion of the play demonstrates that the comedy depicted in the play, in addition to its theatrical purpose of providing a comedic interlude, provides a critical depiction of Faustus’s fall from grace. One of the first comedic scenes in the play occurs when Faustus asks the demon Mephistopheles to reappear in the habit of a friar since â€Å"[t]hat holy shape becomes a devil best† (3.26). While the depiction of a devil in the garb of a Catholic friar would have undoubtedly been hysterical to Marlowe’s staunchly Protestant audience, the scene also carries significant meaning. By having Mephistopheles disguise his true figure, Faustus, despite his fearless speech, seems unable to stomach the true nature of Hell. Even when Mephistopheles seems to warn Faustus that his own â€Å"pride and insolence† have forever barred him â€Å"from the face of heaven† and that he is now â€Å"tormented with ten thousand hells,† Faust clings to his own diluted version of Hell (3.67-68, 79). He delusionally envisions Hell as a continuation of an earthly existence, and criticizes Mephistopheles for his lack of â€Å"manly fortitude† (3.85). The comedy within the play is continued by the antics of the characters Wagner, Robin, Rafe, and the Clown. Most of these comedic actions seem to foreshadow Faustus’s own downfall. The first depiction of Wagner and the Clown mirrors Faustus signing his soul over to Lucifer. During this scene, Wagner convinces the Clown to become his servant for seven years, and the Clown jokes about how he would sell his soul for a shoulder of well-seasoned mutton. While represented in a comedic fashion, this scene foreshadowing the triviality of the power Faustus has obtained in exchange for his soul. As suggested by Mephistopheles’s unwillingness to discuss things that are â€Å"against our kingdom,† Faustus soon discovers that there are severe limitations placed upon the power wielded by Lucifer and his minions (5.247). In another comedic scene involving these characters, Robin, the stable hand, and Rafe steal a cup from a tavern and are pursued by the tavern wine-maker. Robin summons Mephistopheles to frighten the vintner, and is chastised by the demon for being summoned for a practical joke. Mephistopheles threatens to turn the two men into a dog and an ape. While Mephistopheles is obviously angered by the triviality of Robin’s request, his anger also reflects his own suggestion that Faustus abandon his â€Å"frivolous demands† (3.81). This scene foreshadows how Faustus will eventually abandon his own lofty goals and will also use his power primarily to play practical jokes. Much of the comedy in the play is related to the digression of Faustus’s goals and the ways in which he employs his power. Faustus begins the play with many lofty goals. With his powers, Faustus plans to have spirits bring him jewels from around the world, teach him vast secrets of the universe, and make him king of Germany. He planed to change the course of the Rhine River and remake the entire map of Europe. Initially, Faustus appears to be on the path toward reaching these goals. Wagner tells how Faustus has ridden through the cosmos on the back of a dragon learning the secrets of astronomy from Mephistopheles. But Faustus quickly losses momentum, and, upon reaching Rome, decides to use his power to play practical jokes on the Pope. While this idea would, once again, be extremely funny to Marlowe’s Protestant audience, it represents the beginning of Faustus’s digression. As time progresses, Faustus’s audiences also decrease in their level of importance. Following his time with the Pope, one of the most influential figures during this time period, Faustus meets the German Emperor Charles V, who is also an important figure but not as important as the Pope. During this meeting, Faustus, unable to fulfill the requests made by Charles due to more limitations on his powers, embarrasses a disrespectful knight in the King’s court by placing antlers on his head. This digression continues as Faustus final audience is with a simple nobleman and his wife. Faustus’s display of power consists of fetching out of season grapes for the nobleman’s wife. The comedy during these scenes primarily includes a practical joke Faustus plays on a horse-courser. Like Robin and Rafe’s practical joke, Faustus now uses his power to play jokes on people his has already angered. Like many other aspects of the play, the comedy depicted by Faustus’s gradual demise also remains ambiguous. For many, this demise can be seen as a failure in Renaissance thought. Faustus’s search for power and knowledge has left him disconnected from God, the ultimate source of both. By not including God or morality in his search for truth, Faustus has become corrupted by the influences of power and no longer retains his somewhat nobler purposes. But Faustus also simultaneously fails in his attempts to incorporate a more traditional view of religion into his life. He recalls that â€Å"Christ did call the thief upon the cross,† believing that he too will be brought into paradise. Faustus, particularly during his last hours on Earth, seems to exhaust every possibility of incorporating religion into his life. He offers to make deals with God, begs for mercy if not redemption, and even turns to Helen of Troy, a representation of feminine virtue or Mother Mary, for reprieve. Faustus’s condemnation demonstrates how Faustus has been simultaneously failed both by traditional religion and by the beliefs held by modern Renaissance thinkers. In conclusion, the comedy within this play serves a variety of purposes. Like many of the other elements in the play, the comic and tragic elements seem to struggle with one another throughout the play. This struggle is also seen in Faustus’s struggle between Renaissance thought and form and a more traditional view of life and religion. When coupled with these various forms of conflict, the comedic scenes within â€Å"Doctor Faustus† cause the play to constantly waver between tragedy and comedy, leaving the audience without any knowledge of how the play will ultimately end or of the true meaning of the play. Most of the comedy seems to mock Faustus’s decision to embrace a modern philosophy toward life, but, when religion ultimately fails him as well, Faustus seems to be a completely hopeless representation of man. The play’s comedic scenes are another method, employed by Marlowe, to create confusion and veil the true significance of the play.