Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Gender Discrimination And Defame Of Female Identity

On the other hand, Sal himself discovered that he needs the change in his life and become a road lover to discover. But, for Usbek going to Europe was a journey but did not transform his life in any way. As you can see, travel writing has allowed the characters in various novels to find their true self as a result of their journey which for a few was full of struggles and where for others was an enjoyable experience. Through various travel literatures we as readers detect how sexual discrimination and defame of female identity continues for countless women in various places. Women are seen less powerful and objects who are controlled by men in their life making them powerful. When compared and contrasted multiple travelogues it is visible†¦show more content†¦In this society, women like Taalith had to give up whom they liked and commit with someone who they didn’t even like no matter what age they were. This affirms that women are not given the freedom that they deserve in society and as a result, some women can’t take all the pressure and end up giving their life. This is similar, to On the Road because it portrays how women are often targets of men and they are controlled by them. It is evident, when Sal comes home from one of his trips from the West in which he eats whatever he finds in his aunt house. Also, we realize how Sal comes to her for money and whenever he needs a place to live in her house but doesn’t seem to recognize what his aunt has done for him. Instead, he uses her over and over taking advantage of her sympathy who in return supports him, financially and emotionally. Besides, in the text, The Persian Letters, the head eunuch claims that, â€Å"†¦your wives seem to have imagined that your departure granted them complete impunity†¦ Zelis, on her way to the mosque a few days ago, allowed her veil to fall†¦ I found Zachi in bed with one of her slaves†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Montesquieu, 205). Once again, Usbek’s wives are rebelling Usbek’s power while he was away. Usbek’s wives are tired of being in the seraglio under supervision, without out the freedom to live freely in society. His wives couldn’t leave their house without someone, or face covered showing how women wereShow MoreRelatedMgmt 463 : Employment Law3175 Words   |  13 Pageshimself by saying that he did not want to defame Riceâ⠂¬â„¢s reputation, so he instead praised him and misrepresented Rice’s true nature. C: I believe that Kathleen Kiddie can sue both Ray Rice’s prior and current employer. QUESTION –II Sunshine Day Care Center has a policy stating that no employee can be taller than 5 feet 4 inches because the employer feels that children are more comfortable with people who are closer to them in size. Tiffany, a 5 foot 7 inch female, applies for a job and is denied onRead MorePorn and Censorship15240 Words   |  61 Pageshas certain effects or breaks certain taboos in different contexts and cultures. Displays of womens uncovered ankles count as sexually explicit in some cultures, but not in most western cultures nowadays (although they once did: the display of a female ankle in Victorian times was regarded as most risquà ©). There may be borderline cases too: do displays of bared breasts still count as sexually explicit in various contemporary western cultures? However, some material seems clearly to count as sexually

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

The Issues Of Alzheimer s Disease - 2537 Words

Picture this! - being a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, thoroughly respecting the law, working as a public servant and faithfully paying taxes then being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as a senior only to soon be disheartened by the fact that the Ministry of Health provides the poorest and most deficient of services for persons suffering in similar circumstances. Of course this is a reality for too many local citizens today. When questions such as the one above are asked it stands as an offense to the entire concept of basic humanitarian principles such as benevolence, compassion or basic human kindness. Simple humanitarian principles that one could only hope are regarded upon highly by the various Ministries of the Government. As the title suggests, it is the direct and primary responsibility of the Ministry of Health (of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) to serve the public honourably, within the boundaries of moral criterions by determinedly using effective methods t o rectify concerns, issues or dilemmas threatening the health (both mental and physical security) of residents. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that not only encourages chaos in the lives of its helpless victims but also reduces the levels of comfort for caregivers as they would be constantly worrying and concerned about the health of the patient. The Ministry of Health estimates that there are about 10,000 persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Trinidad is a land with a rising population ofShow MoreRelatedAlzheimer s Disease : The Most Prominent Health Issue3029 Words   |  13 PagesAlzheimer’s disease is one of the most prominent health issue in older adults. In fact, more than 35 million people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease worldwide. (D’Aoust, Brewster, Rowe, 2013) Of these individuals, a good portion are taken care of by at home caregivers. These caregivers can described by husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers. â€Å" Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive illness characterized by impaired cognition, loss of ability in instrumental and basic activitiesRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease Is An Ongoing Condition That Destroys The Connection Of Cells1689 Words   |  7 PagesAlzheimer s disease is an ongoing condition that destroys the connection of cells in the brain. According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), it is estimated that as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer s disease today. Alzheimer s disease was discovered by a German physician named Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer saw changes in the brain tissue of a woman who died from what he presumed to be a mental illness. He described her symptoms as memory loss, language complicationsRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease : A Horrific Change1460 Words   |  6 Pages Alzheimer s disease which chronically leads to Senile Dementia, is a horrific change in homeostasis for human beings. The most obvious c hange in homeostasis from Alzheimer s is loss of memory. Memory loss can vary from short term to long term. Alzheimer s disease has been occurring in humans for a long time. This is a disease that affects different body systems, and interrupts homeostasis to a significant point. As Alzheimer s disease is further investigated, there are more discoveries withRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Alzheimer s Disease930 Words   |  4 PagesAlzheimer’s Disease Kevin Arnold from the Wonder Years said â€Å"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, and the things never want to lose.† Memories are the things that are upheld, whether good or bad, those memories are imprinted in the mind and cannot be taken away that is, until later in life. As one ages it is natural for some memories to fade. Loss of memories and brain function deficits that occur and are not from normal aging may indicate a person is sufferingRead MoreEarly Onset Of Alzheimer s Disease1742 Words   |  7 Pagescommon form of dementia is Alzheimer s. Alzheimer s disease literally eats and attacks the human brain (Overview). It is a progressive disease that causes the brain cells to degenerate and die, which causes memory loss and affects other important mental functions (Mayo). Today in America, over five million Americans are living with Alzheimer s disease and someone develops Alzheimer s disease every 67 seconds in the United States . (Overview). A form of Alzheimer s diseases is early onset. EarlyRead MoreThe Most Common Risk Factor For Alzheimer Disease1537 Words   |  7 Pageshave done extensive research on the factors that may afflict alzheimer s disease. Risk factors on their own are not causes of a disease. Risk factors represent an increased chance, but not a certainty, that Alzheimer’s disease will develop. The most common risk factors are age,history and heredity but evidence suggests that there may other factors that can be influenced. Ageing is the most common risk factor for alzheimer disease. Most individuals that are diagnosed with this condition areRead MoreThe Disease Of Alzheimer s Disease1421 Words   |  6 Pagesengulfed by a mysterious disease. The neurons being cut off and destroyed by two abnormal structures. First memory is affected gradually getting worse. Then one is unable to think properly, reason, and lacks of self control. Gaps are formed in the brain s ventricles, due to the amount of dead tissue. In the end, it will lead to death. All of this may sound like something from a science fiction movie but infact its very real. These are all known possible symptoms of a common disease that affects aboutRead MoreThe Graying Of Our Population879 Words   |  4 Pageslikely to develop illness and disease. According to the EWA, nearly 65% of all people 65 and over and 60% of people between 50 and 64 have at least one chronic illness. The healthcare workforce is not nearly large enough to treat the n umber of patients that will require medical attention. Health professionals will be in high demand because it is estimated that over 3,000,000 additional medical workers will be needed to meet the needs of the aging population. Diseases that are associated with agingRead MoreAlzheimer s Disease Is The Most Common Form Of Dementia1086 Words   |  5 PagesDo you know what alzheimer’s disease is? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of death in ages 65 and older. â€Å"2010 Alzheimer s Disease Facts and Figures. Rep. Vol. 6. Chicago: Alzheimer s Association, 2010. Print. Alzheimer s and Dementia.† This disease is the deterioration of the brain that can, and probably will lead to brain loss that cannot be reversed. It is a very slow decline thatRead MoreDealing With Dementia Essay979 Words   |  4 Pagesknow his memory and performance issues were due to a disease. (Life with ALZ)† This disease causes the loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Dementia, is one form of this disease that gradually gets worse over time. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior. (WebMD, 1995) â€Å"Changes that take place in the brains of people. These brain changes may cause the memory loss and decline in other mental abilities that occur with Alzheimers disease. Alzheimer’s generally affects

Sunday, December 8, 2019

The Trapt Bar and Escape Rooms

Question: Discuss about the Trapt Bar and Escape Rooms. Answer: Marketing Strategy and Plan Overview The Trapt Bar and Escape Rooms located in Melbourne; its objective is to provide customers with thrilling experiences in a game of solving challenges. The game is set up to for users to have fun and become creative in a world where technology has taken over human intelligence. Trapt bar is a once in a lifetime experience that friends and families go to play together which in turn builds a close relationship between individuals. The setting of the game requires 5-6 people; they are put in a room and are required to solve a puzzle that is a getaway from the Trapt room. The different levels of the game are played in 45 minutes. Trend Analysis The game is set for individuals that are outgoing and love to participate in challenges. This marketing element, therefore, should be exploited to reach to new customers who may not find the game fascinating. In the world of technology, the Trapt bar is breaking the culture of indoor lifestyle that has been adopted by a larger percentage of people around the world. The bar seeks to break this barrier and allow people to experience the world firsthand and not through a screen (Ecker 2010). The worlds apart trend approach is the most efficient in this type of business due to the inevitable change that the society faces. The current crisis affecting the world require individuals to be assertive of their environments and devise ways that may help in adaptation. Migration crisis is a challenge that has affected many countries around the world. Resettlement of families in third countries provides an opportunity to start all over again. Although these individuals feel secure, adapting to a new culture is a challenge that may lead to conflicts between natives and immigrants. This section of the population can be a market for the game as individuals and families could be engaged to escape their realities if the world for a while as argued by Ferdig Freitas (2012). It gives them the courage to face the problems affecting them. Many of these individuals have been through horrible incidences in the past. This game provides an opportunity to individuals struggling to adapt to new changes in their environment The game requires individuals to be creative and have the ability to work with others as a team. Cooperation is an important element in unlocking the puzzle and getting out of the Trapt room. The Trapt engages people in an environment where the pressure to give results is high. Decision making requires teamwork and thorough consultation of all parties involved. The corporate industry faces same challenges and to navigate the decision-making process, these individuals have to have fast and effective skills in decision making (Jennings 2010). This game is an opportunity for them to harness and sharpen their skills to become more efficient. It is also an opportunity to unwind from the stress from work. The use of the trend will attract decision makers in the society because the challenge that the game provides gives them a tougher mind to making tough decisions in the outer world. Trapt allows people to work in an environment that require patience and accepting other peoples opinions in different situations. Decision making could be centralized to an individual, but it is important to know that other peoples opinions matter too. The Trapt bar provides a unique opportunity for the mind to be focused and engaged for a while. This builds confidence among participators who have a hard time believing that their opinions matter. The worlds apart trend approach is effective in attracting a wide range of customers because of the changing scope of issues affecting their way of life. Customers could use the game to improve their skills while others would use it for recreational purposes. Families use it for bonding and experiencing challenges together. The game resonates with the population in several aspects and depending on the intended purpose of an individual; it expands the market reach of the service. It has been accredited as a touristic venture by the Australian Tourism Business, and in 2016 it received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Market Analysis of the Trapt Bar Segmentation This involves categorizing the product market share which enables the company to identify customer preferences. The different categories of customers have different preferences which then allow the business focus is satisfying these groups independently. They include: Demographics In the market mix, demographics identification is core in the implementation of the market analysis. Demographics that could be identified in the Trapt Bar business include families, work colleagues, and friends. The size customer is large and is still growing with the increase in publicity through mediated forms of communication. There are different categories in which customers can choose from and would determine if they will proceed to the next level depending on the success achieved. This game provides an opportunity for work colleagues to interact outside work context. The game is structured and has different levels with its set of challenges. Capturing this group is important for market penetration. The game could be used as a reliever from fatigue and stress caused by work. Work colleagues group is the most efficient group that could be used to market the service. The game builds the ability of a person to concentrate on an event which could be translated to the everyday life of an individual. Companies could use it for team building activities for its employees as explained by Rylatt (2001). The use of the trend allows people to understand their role in the world and have strength and bravery to face the challenges of the contemporary society. Many people who have played this game have given positive reviews which motivate new customers to try out the game. The customer service provided during gaming is brilliant according to reviews made by some of the playe rs. It can win more customers who find navigating through challenges. This marketing is critical as it could cost the business negatively if some players lay a negative opinion about the game. A family category is a group that uses the game for bonding while having fun. This group allows the families go through a challenge together which requires each member to make their contribution. Members are put in space where collaboration is crucial to getting a solution for a challenge. Unity is an important element for any family to keep intact. The marketing trend allows this group utilize the opportunity to have fun while solving a challenge. This segment of the market has a lot of issues facing it which then requires them to make sense of these issues. Such issues as sexuality and race have caused controversies around the world and by finding a platform that brings people together to understand each other that none is better than the one is recommendable. The game gives people a chance to participants to learn that difference in how people choose to live their lives doesnt make them any different because the bottom line is that we are all humans. The game could also be used by friends and acquaintances to get to know each other. The game is highly emotive, and by participating in it, you could understand other peoples characters. The game is intense and requires participants to engage each other to get solutions for the challenge given. It gives an understanding of people and creates acceptance among people. It clears the wrong judgments passed on individuals that do not define who they are. The trend is effective in wooing this group because it gives them a chance to understand themselves and other people. Individuals exploit the challenge to push their limits. The game gives a thrilling experience and friends could use it to have fun and bond. The game is designed to fit into different categories, and teams could pick a category. This group could also provide the business with a marketing opportunity as friends could refer each other to the place. This creates new customer chain through references made to the game because o f the experiences it gives. Psychographics This category is identified using the personalities and emotive traits that lead individuals to have the desire to participate in the game. This group is identified as having an attachment to the game drawing from their lives. Lifestyle is an element that prompts some individuals to play the game. The age of computers has resulted in people staying behind closed doors on their screens which make them miss out on the interactive world away from screens. This has led to many health related issues due to lack of exercising and also impacted on the creativity of individuals negatively. Many of these individuals are seeking the services where they could go out and have fun without using their tech gadgets. The game provides individuals with the opportunity to be engaged in the natural interactive world. This game also appeals to people with outgoing personalities who find challenges that engage interesting. Many of this customer group are loyal and always keep coming to play. They could refer each other to the place, and this is an advantage to the business. New customers are attracted, and more input is put into the game to improve the experiences. The business needs to identify this group and use it to create and expand their services. This group is crucial as they could crush or improve the customer base as they are ever active on social media. The location of the bar is also crucial to reaching the concentration of potential market. The bar is located in central Melbourne where anybody could access at any time. Many of the urban population seek such services as an escape from their limited space for having fun-filled activities. The locality is crucial as customers, and potential customers can check out the service. The Urban area has a high population which provides a bigger customer base. PositioningStatement The Trapt Bar and Escape Rooms is a service based business aimed at providing families, work colleagues, friends, and acquaintances with a fun-filled and thrilling experience in solving puzzles to find their way out of a challenge. The bar uses online platforms to sell its service and has formed a partnership with the Australian tourism sector to reach new markets globally. The service is unique, and customers are guaranteed of having a great time while playing and also have entertainment services. The Trapt business provides customers with an experience of a lifetime. The game is put into different categories, and teams can progress from one level to the other depending on their ability to solve the puzzles in time. Many customers use the service for their different intentions which therefore diversifies the market niche for the game. Marketing Strategies Marketing of products require guidelines on how the product or service is portrayed to attract customers. Marketing of a product requires a marketing mix whose combination is likely to produce the desired response from the market. Marketing of products can be a complex task, but its success would see the business grow to higher limits. These strategies incorporate the marketing Ps for it to formulate a comprehensive plan. Some of the marketing strategies that could be applied include: Creating Combination Offers to the Service This marketing strategy enables the service to become a package deal attracting customers from far and beyond. The Trapt bar provides a gaming service while at the same time the participants can be served with drinks after the game. The bar gives challenging atmosphere to the customers but also a fun time in pushing people's limits. The benefits from the game come with a package of challenges and success that customers look forward to experiencing. The pricing of the services is low compared to the unique experience of the activity. The pricing of the service attracts many customers both locally and international. It is affordable and could be used by different groups of people for the different reasons. The increase in customers increases sales volumes of the service which in turn increases the net profit of the business giving it an opportunity to expand its services to different categories. Service improvement is a move that any business strive to achieve to reach new customers. New customers have different tastes, preferences, and the business can identify this potential niche and exploit it. Promotions could be given to customers so as to win new customers or even retain regular players and consumers. Discounts on the price of service is a promotional strategy that is likely to increase sales volumes. This could be done for a specified period and would create new a group of users that would be ardent players who would not miss taking up challenges even after the promotions are over. Trapt should create a promotional program to keep their customers feeling appreciated and have a sense of priority in the organization. Create a Referral Program The market outreach could be achieved if referrals are exploited. This requires the company to provide excellent services to create a loyal customer base. The service quality is a crucial element in creating a referral program. This loyal customer base would be a key marketing tool in reaching to new markets and bringing them to experience the service as Nijssen (2014) notes.The establishment of a review portal is critical to reaching new customers. Ardent players are given a chance to give their views about the games atmosphere and customer services experience. Players are given freedom to give their honest opinions. Pricing of the product is an important factor if gamers are to refer other people to the business. The customers should feel that the experience is worth spending on. Customer satisfaction is important and should be given priority by the management. Game structuring should be easy to follow to avoid confusion and awkwardness while playing. Regular players are given insights into the game, and newcomers consider their opinions before trying the challenge. Trapt bar has to seek opinions from players both new and regular to inform their decisions about the possible changes they could make to the business. The place in which the Trapt Bar is located, at the center of Melbourne business district, is strategic. It is proximate to the market. Urban areas have an increased number of potential customers and could grow with new arrivals getting into the city. Location of the business is important in determining the pricing of the service. Due to the accessibility of the facility, it gives the business management freedom of pricing the service. The business location should be near its market for accessibility purposes and utilization of the facilities by customers. Categorizing Customers This involves putting customers into small categories to manage their needs and preferences in an independent manner. This would facilitate identification of new markets that would attract new customers. Trapt Bar services could be used by different categories of people for different reasons. These groups have frustrations of their own, and by conducting research on these differences, the management may create a business plan to fit the customer needs. Product brand by Trapt is unique, but customers input could create a favorable atmosphere for customers whose preferences are unavailable. Paying attention to customer needs changes the business scope to a customer-based approach. This approach is attractive and creates customer-based relations that sustain the success of the businesses in the industry. Service structuring should be diversified to attract different clients and have a grip on them. Different customer categories would find the service interesting but would be hesitant to participate because the game may not fit their preferred structure. Identification of these groups is important in formulating gaming puzzles to suit their preferences. Product reception depends on the ability to appeal to different groups. The service should resonate with their needs for it to appeal to different sections of the customer base. Porters Typology of Generic Strategies Application This approach identifies strategies that the business could use to identify an available niche and have the ability to attract customers. Application of Porters typology in this business is relevant due to the aspects explained above. Trapt Bar identifies itself as a business that provides unique services in which customers goes through a set of challenges to complete a puzzle within a certain period. The company specializes in an engaging program that requires customers to concentrate on the whole process (Grant 2002). The business is categorized as part of top selling touristic activity in Australia. Trapt bar could adopt a cost leadership strategy in which prices are averagely placed so as to increase the market reach. With an increased market reach, the business should be able to reduce the prices of the services but still make reasonable profits to sustain the business and to retain and expand their market share. Use of focus strategy is crucial for the sustainability of the business where competition is continuously increasing. Trapt Bar has stood out from competitors that rely on the same customer base for sales. The uniqueness of the business is attractive, and customers do not get the experience in any other place. This approach is dependent on the unique nature of the business in the entertainment industry. References Buckley, R. (2010). Conservation Tourism. CABI. Available at https://www.myilibrary.com?id=289352. Driml, S., Robinson, J., Tkaczynski, A., Dwyer, L. (2010). Tourism investment in Australia: a scoping study. [S. l.], Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC). Della Piana, B., Monteleone, M. (2014). The Term Global in Cross-Cultural Studies Films Media Group, Video Education Australasia. (2015). Competitive Marketing in Tourism. Available at https://ezproxy.uu.edu/login?url=https://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=13753xtid=94201 Ferdig, RE., Freitas, SD. (2012). Interdisciplinary advancements in gaming, simulations, and virtual environments: emerging trends. Hershey, PA, Information Science Reference Grigsby, M. (2015). Marketing analytics: a practical guide to real marketing science. Available at https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truescope=sitedb=nlebkdb=nlabkAN=1000089 Grant, RM. (2002). Contemporary strategy analysis: concepts, techniques, applications. Malden, Mass, Blackwell Publishers. Harpaz, Y. (2014). Teaching and learning in a community of thinking: the third model. Heidelberg, Springer. Jennings, G. (2010). Tourism research. Milton, Qld, John Wiley Sons. Kanopy (FIRM). (2016). Selling Australia: The Games. https://www.kanopystreaming.com/node/171176 Lam-Son Le, Hong-Linh Truong, Ghose, A., Dustdar, S. (2012). On Elasticity and Constrainedness of Business Services Provisioning. 384-391. Nagatomo, J. (2015). Migration as transnational leisure: the Japanese lifestyle migrants in Australia. Leiden, Brill Nijssen, EJ. (2014). Entrepreneurial marketing: an effectual approach. Abingdon, Oxon, Routledge. Pearson, D. (2014). The 20 Ps of marketing: a complete guide to marketing strategy. London publishers. Robinson, N. (2015). The Marketing Mix Master the 4 Ps of marketing. Cork, Primento Digital. Available at https://public.eblib.com/choice/PublicFullRecord.aspx?p=4468812. Rylatt, A. (2001). Learning Unlimited: transforming learning in the workplace. London, Kogan Page. Seven Dimensions Films of Australia, (2009). Workplace excellence. Melbourne, VIC, Seven Dimensions. https://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?HRMO;2408463. Tkaczynski, A., Driml, S., Robinson, J., Dwyer, L. (2010). Impediments to tourism investment in Australia: a scoping study. Tourism Review International. 14, 117-128. TV Choice Productions. (2014). The marketing series. 2, 2. Retrieved from https://dev.kanopystreaming.com/node/64910.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Wuthering Heights Questions for Study and Discussion

'Wuthering Heights' Questions for Study and Discussion Wuthering Heights is one of the greatest works by Emily Bronte. Here are a few questions for study and discussion. Questions for Study and Discussion What is important about the title? AnswerWhat are the conflicts in Wuthering Heights? AnswerHow does Emily Bronte reveal character in Wuthering Heights?What are some themes in the story? How do they relate to the plot and characters?What are some symbols in​ Wuthering Heights? How do they relate to the plot and characters?Are the characters consistent in their actions? Which of the characters are fully developed? How? Why?Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?How does the novel relate to feminist literature?How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?What is the role of women in Wuthering Heights? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women?What elements of the story, plot, characterization, etc. are the most controversial? Why do you think the book was banned? Do you believe the book should remain banned? This novel has been compared to the Twilight series. Do you agree? Why? Why not?Compare A Rose for Emily, by William Faulkner, with this novel. How do the characters cope with rejection?Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The meanings of words

The meanings of words Over time, means through which creatures have communicated with each other have evolved. From this, we now have words that supposedly carry meaning with them through which we are able to express our ideas and feelings to other. It is my opinion though, that we still do not have a means of communication through which we are able to accurately depict our feelings and ideas to each other because we are do not have the words to accomplish this with. We also have words whose meanings vary substantially from use to use based on the context of the word. Essentially, we are experiencing the symbol grounding problem that Descartes theorized with the way we associate ideas of objects and their representation.Theories about time and evolution have been floating around almost as long as time itself. Where we came from, who we evolved from, and the involvement of god has always plagued mankind.First figure of Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Ph...Science attempted to answer this by tracing our anc estry through our mammalian brothers all the way back to the pre-biotic soup we emerged from. Religion explained it using the Garden of Eden and the creation of man in God's image.Whitehead had his own ideas about these issues just like all of us. As far as evolution, he essentially came up an alternative to scientific materialism, what he called a new doctrine of organism. Basically, everything in this world started out as 'stuff'. From 'stuff' came the pre-biotic soup and after a few more jumps in the chain, there were rats and other such creatures followed by a few more jumps to where we are now. He also felt that through creation, there is no more material now on the earth than there was in the beginning meaning that there is as much 'us' now as there...

Friday, November 22, 2019

History of the Caste System in India

History of the Caste System in India The origins of the caste system in India and Nepal are not fully known, but castes seems to have originated more than two thousand years ago. Under this system, which is associated with Hinduism, people were categorized by their occupations. Although originally caste depended upon a persons work, it soon became hereditary. Each person was born into an unalterable social status. The four primary castes are Brahmin, the priests; Kshatriya, warriors and nobility; Vaisya, farmers, traders and artisans; and Shudra, tenant farmers, and servants. Some people were born outside of (and below) the caste system. They were called untouchables or Dalits- the crushed ones. Theology Behind the Castes Reincarnation is the process by which a soul is reborn into a new material form after each life; it is one of the central features of the Hindu cosmology. Souls can move not only among different levels of human society, but also into other animals. This belief is thought to be one of the primary reasons for the vegetarianism of many Hindus. Within a single lifetime, people in India historically had little social mobility. They had to strive for virtue during their present lives in order to attain a higher station their next time around. In this system, a particular souls new form depends upon the virtuousness of its previous behavior. Thus, a truly virtuous person from the Shudra caste could be rewarded with rebirth as a Brahmin in his or her next life. Daily Significance of Caste Practices associated with caste varied through time and across India, but all shared some common features. The three key areas of life historically dominated by caste were marriage, meals, and religious worship. Marriage across caste lines was strictly forbidden. Most people even married within their own sub-caste or jati. At mealtimes, anyone could accept food from the hands of a Brahmin, but a Brahmin would be polluted if he or she took certain types of food from a lower caste person. At the other extreme, if an untouchable dared to draw water from a public well, he or she polluted the water, and nobody else could use it. In religious worship, Brahmins, as the priestly class, presided over rituals and services including preparation for festivals and holidays, as well as marriages and funerals. The Kshatrya and Vaisya castes had full rights to worship, but in some places, Shudras (the servant caste) were not allowed to offer sacrifices to the gods. Untouchables were barred entirely from temples, and sometimes they were not even allowed to set foot on temple grounds. If the shadow of an untouchable touched a Brahmin, the Brahmin would be polluted, so untouchables had to lay face-down at a distance when a Brahmin passed. Thousands of Castes Although the early Vedic sources name four primary castes, in fact, there were thousands of castes, sub-castes, and communities within Indian society. These jati were the basis of both social status and occupation. Castes or sub-castes besides the four mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita include such groups as the Bhumihar or landowners, Kayastha or scribes, and the Rajput, a northern sector of the Kshatriya, or warrior, caste. Some castes arose from very specific occupations, such as the Garudi- snake charmers- or the Sonjhari, who collected gold from river beds. The Untouchables People who violated social norms could be punished by being made untouchables. This was not the lowest caste. The person deemed untouchable- and their descendants- were condemned and completely outside of the caste system. Untouchables were considered so impure that any contact with them by a caste member would contaminate the member. The polluted person would have to bathe and wash his or her clothing immediately.  The untouchables historically did work that no one else would do, like scavenging animal carcasses, leather-work, or killing rats and other pests.  Untouchables could not eat in the same room as caste members and could not be cremated when they died. Caste among Non-Hindus Curiously, non-Hindu populations in India sometimes organized themselves into castes as well. After the introduction of Islam on the subcontinent, for example, Muslims were divided into classes such as the Sayed, Sheikh, Mughal, Pathan, and Qureshi. These castes are drawn from several sources: The Mughal and Pathan are ethnic groups, roughly speaking, while the Qureshi name comes from the Prophet Muhammads clan in Mecca. Small numbers of Indians were Christian from around 50 CE onward. Christianity expanded in India after the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. Many Christian Indians continued to observe caste distinctions, however. Origins of the Caste System Early written evidence about the caste system appears in the Vedas, Sanskrit-language texts that date from as early as 1500 BCE. The Vedas form the basis of Hindu scripture. The Rigveda, however, which dates from around 1700–1100 BCE, rarely mentions caste distinctions and is taken as evidence that social mobility was common in its time. The Bhagavad Gita, which dates from around 200 BCE–200 CE, emphasizes the importance of caste. In addition, the Laws of Manu or Manusmriti, from the same era, defines the rights and duties of the four different castes or varnas. Thus, it seems that the Hindu caste system began to solidify sometime between 1000 and 200 BCE. The Caste System During Classical Indian History The caste system was not absolute during much of Indian history. For example, the renowned Gupta Dynasty, which ruled from 320 to 550 CE, was from the Vaishya caste rather than the Kshatriya. Many later rulers also were from different castes, such as the Madurai Nayaks (who ruled from 1559 to 1739 CE) who were Balijas (traders). From the 12th century to the 18th century CE, much of India was ruled by Muslims. These rulers reduced the power of the Hindu priestly caste, the Brahmins. The traditional Hindu rulers and warriors, or Kshatriyas, nearly ceased to exist in north and central India. The Vaishya and Shudra castes also virtually melded together. Although the Muslim rulers faith had a strong impact on the Hindu upper castes in the centers of power, anti-Muslim feeling in rural areas actually strengthened the caste system. Hindu villagers reconfirmed their identity through caste affiliation. Nonetheless, during the six centuries of Islamic domination (roughly 1150–1750 CE), the caste system evolved considerably. For example, Brahmins began to rely on farming for their income, since the Muslim kings did not give rich gifts to Hindu temples. This farming practice was considered justified so long as Shudras did the actual physical labor. The British Raj and Caste When the British Raj began to take power in India in 1757, they exploited the caste system as a means of social control. The British allied themselves with the Brahmin caste, restoring some of its privileges, which had been repealed by the Muslim rulers. However, many Indian customs concerning the lower castes seemed discriminatory to the British, so these were outlawed. During the 1930s and 1940s, the British government made laws to protect the Scheduled castes, untouchables and low-caste people. A movement toward the abolition of untouchability took place within Indian society in the 19th and early 20th centuries as well. In 1928, the first temple welcomed untouchables (Dalits) to worship with its upper-caste members. Mohandas Gandhi advocated emancipation for the Dalits, too, coining the term harijan or Children of God to describe them. Caste Relations in Independent India The Republic of India became independent on August 15, 1947. Indias new government instituted laws to protect the Scheduled castes and tribes which included both the untouchables and groups living traditional lifestyles. These laws include quota systems that help to ensure access to education and to government posts. Because of these shifts, a persons caste has become somewhat more of a political category than a social or religious one in modern India. Sources: Ali, Syed. Collective and Elective Ethnicity: Caste among Urban Muslims in India, Sociological Forum, vol. 17, no. 4, December 2002, pp. 593-620.Chandra, Ramesh. Identity and Genesis of Caste System in India. Gyan Books, 2005.Ghurye, G.S. Caste and Race in India. Popular Prakashan, 1996.Perez, Rosa Maria. Kings and Untouchables: A Study of the Caste System in Western India. Orient Blackswan, 2004.Reddy, Deepa S. The Ethnicity of Caste, Anthropological Quarterly, vol. 78, no. 3, Summer 2005, pp. 543-584.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

See the uploaded file Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

See the uploaded file - Essay Example It is necessary to ask the person on his or her plans in the society once the prison life is over. Identifying the factors that led the offender to committing a crime is also required (Miller, 28). Before release, most offenders go through rehabilitation programs, which try to shape moral values in convicted people. Interviewing the rehabilitation officers is very important as they have very important information concerning the attitude of the offender. They recognize offenders who are remorseful about their criminal deed and also those who are ready to change. These people have a special manner in which they survey the offenders, and they can tell the individuals who have earned a chance to be released. It is also necessary to interview law enforcer who operates in the offender’s area of residence. These people have a good background concerning the behavior of the offender before he or she was imprisoned. They also provide important information about the factors contributing to criminal behavior in an offender. They give advice on how to eliminate the problem if it is possible. They also educate on how to deal with them in a situation where one has to live with the cause of the criminal activity. The offender’s previous employer will provide information relation to the person’s relationship with other people. His or her team building capacity can also be stated by the employer. This is if he or she holds such qualities. The employer can also tell how the offender interacts with other people and the help he or she is prepared to give the offender after his release. Close family members might also have important information concerning the offender. These are the people who have known the offender for the longest time and will provide meaningful information on the family background of the offender and his or her behavior when growing up. They also hold information concerning the environment in which the offender lived in before the prison life

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Jeff Bezos Makes Another Push for Amazon Fashion. Will It Work Essay

Jeff Bezos Makes Another Push for Amazon Fashion. Will It Work - Essay Example Integral to this effort is Amazon Fashion, a section of main website that sells well-known brands the â€Å"contemporary† category. These are labels that do not carry the astronomical price tags of luxury fashion houses like Chanel and Prada. In 2013 the site also launched its first TV campaign looking forward to persuade shoppers that it can be relied on as a source of swanky merchandise. Moreover, this month, it hired Vogue editor Caroline Palmer to head up editorial duties at the site. Amazon also pushed websites shopbop and Zappos toward a higher-end aesthetic in order to attain its fervent desire for more affluent clothing customers. And for the very first time in New York, a menswear version of Fashion Week will come this summer. Bulbs will flash as photographers hustle to document best looks from the spectacle’s dapper attendees; most creative garments will be showcased on radiant catwalks. All this will be sponsored by Amazon; this announcement was made by the council of Fashion Designers of America earlier this month. Observers say that it is difficult to insert couture items under the Amaxon anner, which they claim to have long thrived on offering a practical, easy way to buy just about everything. Fashion is about experience, it is often impractical, dominated by unpredictable trends and personal teste. However, Amazon is known for being massive vending machine whose brand has only been about convenience and price, but instead they should be concerned with what is missing in the field of fashion, what can be improved upon so as to make their products a trend that everyone looks upon. They are forgeting that all that is done is to meet the customers’ needs, rather than their ambitious move in order to be a two-hundred-billion-dollar company by learning how to sell clothes and food products. If the brands are luxury, aesthetically appealing to the eyes and

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Conform Essay Example for Free

Conform Essay In other cases being beautiful is very important to many people and some are willing to change to conform to everyone else’s perspectives to beauty. Others find themselves comfortable with just the way they are. Some people decide to go into painful plastic surgeries to fit in with the rest of the so-called beautiful people; others rebel against pleasing others and don’t put so much importance to it. They focus on being on what they really are. In â€Å"Barbie Doll† by Marge Piercy and â€Å"Lost Sister† by Cathy Song Girlchild and Sister struggle with their decision on whether to rebel or conform to what society expects. Girlchild from â€Å"Barbie Doll† chooses to conform to society’s expectations. Girlchild does not consider herself beautiful because she has large nose and chubby legs. Even though she is described as smart and in good conditions, the people around her only care of how she looks physically. The requirements to be beautiful are so limited and her good features are not one of them. Physically, Girlchild does not believe herself as beautiful. Barbie dolls are the ideal form of beauty, with the perfect body, big eyes, and perfect nose. Girlchild does not carry any features of a Barbie doll but that does not mean she is ugly. Instead of finding her own way of beauty Girlchild decides to fit in. So Girlchild loses weight, changes her look, and attitude to please others. Even like that people criticize her of being imperfect all they still see is â€Å"a fat nose on thick legs† (Piercy 11). She fails to find acceptance, even after all the hard work she puts into it. To conform to everyone else she finally decides to cut her nose and legs off. This decision to fit in causes her life to end. After that the undertaker fixes her up putting on a fake nose and fixing other imperfections. At her uneral now that she carries a different nose, the so-called perfect nose, everyone finally asks â€Å"Doesn’t she look pretty? † (Piercy 23). At last she succeeds to be accepted but now it doesn’t really matter, because she is dead. In the other hand sister from the poem â€Å"Lost Sister† did not conform instead she decides to rebel. Her culture expects women to be loyal, obedient, and t o stay at home and care for their family throughout all their lives. Sister is compared to a jade stone, because like the stone women are able to do so much, but are not able â€Å"to move freely† (Song 13). In Sister’s culture women are destined to take care of their family and are not capable to achieve anything else. They also have to go through a painful process of foot binding that didn’t allow them to walk comfortably. This foot binding procedure is for women to have small cute feet. It also enables them to move fast and far. Sister does not conform to this lifestyle unlike Girchild, Sister decides to seek opportunities and equality in America. Sister leaves to another country to find freedom. In America she does not have to go through painful procedures to be accepted. She now has the opportunity to â€Å"stride along with men† (Song 36). While this is what she wants, she is still not satisfied. In America she has no family. By rebelling she gets what she wants but she is unable to share this with her family. She is unable to understand the new language. The city is nothing like where she was born; in the city there is always light and the air is not the cleanest. She starts to miss China. She realizes it wasn’t so easy after all. Even though one decides to rebel and the other to conform at the end, ironically, they are both unhappy. Girlchild is lifeless unable to enjoy her accomplishment and Sister was unable to share her freedom with her family.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Free Scarlet Letter Essay: Secrets :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Secrets of The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is considered by many to be the greatest accomplishment of an author hailed as the master of the American short story. It is set in Salem, Massachusetts. In this strictly controlled Puritan town the inhabitants live by harsh laws and fierce prejudices. Hester Prynne, a young wife whose husband is presumed dead, is being publicly humiliated for the sin of adultery. The proof of her sin is her baby girl Pearl. She conceals the identity of Pearl's father to protect him from the harsh judgement of Puritan law. She however is doomed to spend the rest of her life marked as an adulterer by wearing a scarlet "A" on her chest. Hester's husband meanwhile has arrived in the colony and taken up practice as a doctor. He makes Hester promise that she won't reveal his identity to anyone. The book covers a seven year period during which the identity of the father becomes known. It is the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, who is renowned as an especially holy and pi ous man. Wracked by guilt he starts to show outward signs of serious illness. Hester's husband under the assumed name Roger Chillingworth moves in and begins taking care of Dimmesdale. Chillingworth soon discovers that the Reverend is Pearl's father. Dimmesdale however thinks that Chillingworth is simply a doctor. Chillingworth uses his influence to multiply the feelings of guilt in the minister while trying to keep him in physical health, as a form of emotional torture. At the climax of the story, Dimmesdale confesses and dies. Hester and Pearl leave the colony. Chillingworth whose whole purpose was to get revenge from Dimmesdale suddenly finds his life without purpose and dies within a year. Hawthorne used the settings in the book, not only to develop the story, but to make a statement about Puritan Society through the use of allegory. The Puritans were a people dedicated to perfecting themselves according to a certain set of values that were uniquely Puritan. On the individual level a Puritan would try to reach perfection by living out this series of values. If they did not succeed, as in Hester or Arthur Dimmesdale's cases, their punishment would be in the fact that they did not live up to the perfection they strived for. The prison, in The Scarlet Letter is proof that Salem is a society striving for self perfection, not only individuals dedicated to perfecting themselves.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Construction Case Study Essay

Resistance to organisational change is a natural reaction to those who want to protect their self-interests in the organisation. However, it is clear from the case study that the employees of XYZ Construction showed little resistance to the change implemented by the incoming managing director. The primary reason that change was welcomed was due to the former Managing Director’s management style which was not widely accepted in the organisation. Employees feared him and it was not acceptable to speak openly and honestly. Employees were aware that this behaviour was often counterproductive, and created a negative impression with the former Managing Director. As the newly appointed Managing Director had previously worked at the organisation, he was aware of certain of the issues and concerns of the employees. The experience gained from working at other companies, and the reputation he built from his career prior to returning to XYZ Construction ensured that the employees had faith in his leadership ability. The new Managing Director’s first step in developing relationships with managers and employees was to incorporate key employees into Senior Management Team activities. His actions made it clear that he was willing to retain the current workforce and promote from within the organisation. This created a positive environment which encouraged employees to work harder and produce results Employees and managers did not fear loss of employment with the new Managing Director, but rather felt included in the decision making process. The new Managing Director’s attitude and actions were clear and concise which addressed the problems within the organisation. His actions were collectively moving in the same direction, to achieve a clear goal of improving internal and external relations and improving the organisations performance. He correctly identified problem areas such as relationships, communication and the structure of the organisation. An incorrect diagnosis of the problems within an organisation may result in incorrect changes being implemented, which can lead the organisation into complete disarray. The new Managing Director identified two crucial activities to be performed in conjunction with each other to enable the transformation of the  organisation. The two activities identified were: To introduce new practices and techniques to improve service to customers and thus improve the organisation’s performance. To change the attitudes and behaviour of employees By identifying the two activities above, the new Managing Director identified crucial steps to improve its performance. Only through improving services to customers can the overall organisation’s performance improve. A satisfied customer is likely to return and recommend the organisation to others. This is directly linked to the growth of the organisation. The new Managing Director is aware that to provide better service to customers, the employees will have to develop and learn new practices and techniques to ensure superior service quality is provided to customers. The implementation of the second activity is critical to the success of the overall goal of improved customer relationships. The employees and managers attitudes and behaviours are to be transformed to ensure the best results are achieved. Employees and managers who were unhappy under the former Managing Director are more willing to adhere to the recommended changes. The willingness to adhere also stems from the approaches presented being feasible and there is no fear for loss of employment. The changes bring new opportunities for employees and managers to develop in their current roles and possibly grow into new roles. The potential positive outcomes as a result of these changes are a contributing factor in the lack of resistance experienced by the Managing Director. The cost effectiveness of the changes implemented also contributed to the lack of resistance from employees. The new Managing Director introduced a small-scale Kaizen programme. The programme was introduced with the four goals namely (Burnes, 2009, p. 162); ï‚ · Improvements could be achieved on a quick low cost/no cost basis Promote teamwork Build manager’s confidence such that they can delegate work Empower staff The goals above are all positive resulting in the support of employees and minimises resistance to change. An additional contributing factor was the Managing Directors’ communication regarding his commitment to this initiative. This eradicates any confusion regarding the implementation of this change, and strengthens the â€Å"buy-in† of employees and manager. 3 Introducing a new management style This section will discuss the following statement and to what extent I agree or disagree with the statement; â€Å"the new Managing Director has not changed the culture of XYZ Construction but has merely introduced a new management style†. 3.1 Organisational Culture To understand the statement clearly, the term organisational culture needs to be defined and understood. Organisational culture is defined as â€Å"the  collection of basic assumptions, values, norms and artefacts that are shared by and influence the behaviour of an organisation’s members† (Burnes, 2009, p. 600). Organisation culture is also commonly defined as â€Å"how organisations do things† (Watkins, 2013). 3.2 Management Style The management style of XYZ Construction changed from an autocratic management style to a participative style when the new Managing Director was appointed. The former Managing Director was feared by his colleagues, where open and honest relationships did not exist. Autocratic leadership is an extreme form of transactional leadership, characterised by a manager who makes decisions on his own without input from colleagues. This type of management style has the advantage that decisions can be made quickly and efficiently, however this approach is not suitable in all organisations and is limited in its application. The disadvantage of this approach is that it leads to high employee turnover, demotivated employees and poor performance (Unknown, 2013). The autocratic management style of the former Managing Director was not suitable for XYZ Construction and was identified by the parent company. The parent company’s view was that the company was underperforming due to the poor management and lack of cooperation within the organisation. Once the former Managing Director retired he was replaced by a new Managing Director with the primary objective to improve the overall managerial competency and improve the performance of the organisation. The new Managing Director displayed a Participative management style, which was required for the necessary operation, culture and structure changes in the organisation. A Participative management style is characterised by managers that â€Å"use various decision procedures that allow other people some influence over the leader’s decision† (Yukl, 2013, p. 115). This is clearly displayed in the New Managing Directors action of inclusion of key employees who were not directors to p articipate in Senior Management Team. This action has a significant impact on relationship building within the organisation and an impact on the structure. The organisation under former management was hierarchical conscious which hinders the development  of relationship and the sharing of information and ideas. The new approach in management style results in a culture change in the organisation. 3.3 Discussion I agree with the statement, with the effect that a culture change has taken place in XYZ Construction under the new Managing Director, however this was achieved by the change in the managerial style rather by changing the culture. The new Managing Director’s participative managing style, has allowed for a culture change. Employees and managers are able to speak openly and honestly changing the norms within the organisation. The transformation is a long-term change with initiatives rolled-out in intervals. This allows for employees and managers to acquire and develop the necessary skills and characteristics at each level before moving to the next step of the transformation. The new Managing Director’s management style requires that the attitude and behaviours to be changed of both employees and managers to meet the demands of the initiatives aimed at increasing the organisation’s performance. My agreement with the statement is not significant, as the new Managing Director has brought upon a new management style however the initiatives that he proposed require a change in culture. A culture change of the employees and managers supports that new Managing Director’s management style. 4 South African context South Africa as a country has been transforming during the post-apartheid regime. The most significant transformation that is currently taking place in organisations is the implementation of various BBBEE initiatives, one of which is to increase in females in the workplace. The BBBEE initiative focusses on reconciling indiscretions of the past and allowing for the workplace to be balanced based on race, gender and disabilities. There are many examples of organisations in South Africa where this transformation has taken place. An example of this transformation is in PPC Ltd. which  appointed Ketso Gordhan as the new CEO effective 1 January 2013 (Allix, 2012). Ketso Gordhan’s extensive experience in multiple industries such as his role as director-general in the Ministry of transport, serving in the Presidency and head of private equity in FirstRand makes him extremely capable and suitable for the position. His experience in the multiple he roles he has fulfilled has provided him with knowledge as to how to bring change to an organisation. The cement industry had faced a major fall in sales during the financial recession coupled with competitive forces. These factors had started to be addressed by the former CEO with the goal of growing the business and earning a significant portion of profits through operations in Africa (Allix, 2012). It was at this point that Ketso Gordhan was appointed with the crucial task of growing operations into Africa. The approach that was taken by Ketso Gordhan to achieve this goal is based on two key strategies of expanding business into Africa and to keep current operations in South Africa to operate efficiently (â€Å"keep the home fires burning†) (Allix, 2013). Ketso Gordhan made the goals and the direction taken very clear to ensure a collective drive from employees. His actions are the same actions taken by the newly appointed Managing Director of XYZ Construction. Ketso Gordhan made he’s commitment to PPC Ltd. clear through his actions as well as through the acquisition of PPC Ltd. shares summing a total of R30 million (Shevel, 2014). This action indicated internally and externally he’s commitment and faith in the organisation to achieve a significant improvement in the organisation’s performance (Hasenfuss, 2013). Ketso Gordhan’s management style has brought a culture change in the organisation. The culture change has included a more hands-on approach from the CEO with constant   interaction with employees and managers. This once again reinforces his ideas and motivation in the workplace. Earlier in 2014, Ketso Gordhan reduced his salary by R1m in an effort to  support the reduction of salary gap between the highest and the lowest paid employee in the organisation. He took grievances from the lowest paid employees and acted to resolve the items. He approached the top 60 managers, asking whether they would volunteer their increases to be distributed to the lowest paid employees. This approach enabled the organisation to increase 1 200 of the lowest paid employees salary by R10 000 per year and an interest related increase later in the year (Shevel, 2014). This initiative received great response from employees, which was primarily attributed to the feeling that grievances were heard and action was taken. The initiative allowed the CEO salary to reduce from 120 times the lowest paid employee to 48 times with the clear goal to reach 40 times in future. This was achieved through the decrease in the highest paid salary and the increase in the lowest paid salaries (Shevel, 2014). The initiative has an impact external to the organisation. In South Africa which currently is facing numerous problems, one clear problem in the large economic gaps that exists. The actions of Ketso Gordhan are an encouragement to fellow JSE-listed organisation’s CEO to follow suit and attempt to reduce the large salary gaps that exist in many organisations. Collective actions will enable the country to reach goals of social development at a faster rate. Ketso Gordhan is a participative leader which is clear through his engagement with the organisationâ€⠄¢s employees and through the initiative he has developed. He has initiated the â€Å"I Care, PPC Cares† programme coupled with the Kambuku philosophy in the organisation (PPC Ltd, 2014). This philosophy and initiative is aimed at addressing the following (PPC Ltd, 2014): Disparity between the cost of living and salaries of lower-level employees Substandard housing and access to housing for some employees Effectiveness of first-line managers and team members Individual development plans and organisational climate initiatives Improving the perception of employees in terms of job satisfaction The philosophy is aimed at not only improving the internal environment but also the external environment of the organisation, such as the assistance in providing housing for employees. The approach is very fitting in the South African context. References Allix, M., 2012. Ketso Gordhan to replace Paul Stuiver at PPC. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2012/10/11/ketso-gordhan-toreplace-paul-stuiver-at-ppc [Accessed 3 May 2014]. Allix, M., 2013. Safika deal to help PPC ‘keep the home fires burning’. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2013/08/08/safika-deal-to-helpppc-keep-the-home-fires-burning [Accessed 3 May 2014]. Burnes, B., 2009. Managing Change. 5th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Hasenfuss, M., 2013. PPC chief Ketso Gordhan splashes out on cement firm’s stock. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/industrials/2013/09/12/ppc-chief-ketsogordha n-splashes-out-on-cement-firms-stock [Accessed 3 May 2014]. Investopedia, 2014. Definition of ‘Kaizen’. [Online] Available at: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/k/kaizen.asp [Accessed 16 April 2014]. PPC Ltd, 2014. Our People. [Online] Available at: http://www.ppc.co.za/about-us/our-people.aspx [Accessed 3 May 2013]. Shevel, A., 2014. Ketso Gordhan: Laying the foundations for a fairer workplace. [Online] Available at: http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/management/2014/03/23/ketso-gordhanlaying-the-foundations-for-a-fairer-workplace [Accessed 3 May 2013]. Stroh, U., 2005. Chapter 3: Approaches to Change Management, Pretoria: University of Pretoria etd. Unknown, 2013. Leadership Styles. [Online] Available at: http://ofd.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Leadership-Styles-1_11_13.pdf [Accessed 30 April 2014]. Watkins, M., 2013. What Is Organizational Culture? And Why Should We Care?. [Online] Available at: http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/05/what-is-organizational-culture/ [Accessed 30 April 2014]. Yukl, G., 2013. Leadership on Organizations. 8th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

English Learning Essay

This case study is based on Patricia, a Spanish national in her twenties who is in her last year studying an Economics degree course. She is also a student on the Elementary course at the British Language Centre. Patricia’s started learning English at the bi-lingual school she attended. She learnt English for 3 years but did not take any official examinations, but sees this as a possibility for the future. At school she learnt English because it was obligatory. The only other language she speaks is Spanish. She started attending the British Language Centre (which she still attends) to help her find a job in an international company and to prepare her for her visit to Eastbourne, East Sussex (UK) in July. She will be staying with a house family for one month and hopes to improve her English and use all of the language she has been learning to date. Her reasons for learning English are a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic ones. The main reason she is motivated to learn English is because she believes it will help her find a good job and earn loads of money, she also reads a lot about English culture and customs and watches films in English with subtitles for her own enjoyment. This can also be related to her learning styles. The results of her â€Å"multiple intelligences† questionnaire indicates that her learning style preferences are linguistic, spatial and interpersonal. Her conversations in English refer to things that she has read or heard, she enjoys solving mazes and other visual puzzles and considers herself to be a leader. 3 Problems and Possible solutions with Grammar The student enjoys English grammar, and generally finds it much easier than Spanish grammar. An example of this is the verb formations. She normally uses the correct tense when speaking in English but sometimes uses the infinitive form instead of the progressive. â€Å"I read† instead of â€Å"I’m reading†. Spanish often use an infinitive where English would use a progressive; this can be†¦

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Outsiders locking in essays

Outsiders locking in essays In the United States something very odd happened during the period of time from the middle of the 1950's up to the impact of the crisis of the 1960's. For once in the storied history of the United States a majority of Americans accepted the same system of assumptions. This shared system of assumptions is known as the liberal consensus. The main reason there was such a thing as liberal consensus was because of the extreme economic growth we experienced in the U.S. during the post World War II era. However, the consensus didn't apply to one important group of people. These were the combat soldiers it the Vietnam War. Their experiences at home and abroad suggest that they were outsiders to the ideology that Godfrey Hodgson outlines in his book America In Our Time and that they were not motivated by the promises and values of the liberal consensus. To understand what makes these soldiers outsiders we must first understand what the liberal consensus was. Hogson argues that the social and intellectual world view of the 1950's and early 1960's was based on the ideology that "capitalism was a revolutionary force for social change, that economic growth was supremely good because it obviated the need for redistribution and social conflict, that class had no place in American politics." This is the reason for such a liberal consensus, but what is it really? First, the liberals consisted of the Democratic Party, middle class college students, the civil rights movement, and some members of the labor community. Also known as the Left, these groups of people shared a common belief in anti-communism, the rights of minorities, the willingness to accept the existence of the labor unions, and that the federal government had to play some role in the economic life of the U.S. capitalist system. "Since the consensus had made converts on the Right as well as on the Left, only a handful dissidents were excluded from the Big Tent: southern die...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Tips for Taking Great Cemetery Pictures

Tips for Taking Great Cemetery Pictures Pictures are a wonderful way to document cemeteries and graveyards, from scenic views of the cemetery, to inscriptions of individual tombstones. It isnt always as easy as it seems, however, to achieve sharp, clear photographs of stones that may be centuries old. That old stone may be easy enough to read when youre standing just a few feet away, but capturing its three dimensional carving and inscriptions on a flat picture sometimes takes a bit of work. What to Photograph Its not every day that you get to visit an ancestors cemetery, so take the time, if you can, to create a photographic record of the entire cemetery, rather than just a single tombstone: Take at least two shots of each headstone, one close up so that you can read the inscription, and one from a distance which identifies the markers location in the cemetery. If the gravestone is one of several in a family grouping, then you may also want to take a wide angle shot of the entire family plot (a tombstones position in relation to other family members may provide a clue to relationships).Take several pictures (from different angles) showing the entire cemetery, or at least as large a portion of it as you can fit in a single picture.Unless it is a small family plot hidden in the middle of a cornfield, the front gates or entrance of the cemetery makes another good view to record on film. What Time of Day is Best? Proper lighting is the most critical factor in achieving a good, high-definition tombstone photo. According to tradition, many older cemeteries have individuals buried facing East, which generally means that the inscriptions on the headstones also face East. For this reason, morning light is often the best option in which to obtain the best lighting for photographing tombstones. There are, obviously, many exceptions to this very general rule, however. Tombstones may be situated so that they face the road, a beautiful view, etc. Overhead trees and cloudy days can also make photographing tombstones a difficult task. For this reason, it is best to scout out the cemetery in advance in order to determine the best time of day for taking pictures.   Lighting the Tombstone When optimal lighting is not possible, several tools can be used to reflect light onto shadowy tombstones. Directing sunlight or other light diagonally across the face of a gravestone casts shadows in indentations which makes inscriptions more visible and easy to read: Mirror - A mirror is a common tool for reflecting sunlight onto shadowy tombstones. Mylar (plastic) mirrors are available at most home stores (no reason to risk travelling around with a glass mirror in your car) and can be easily equipped with a set of legs (like an easel) to aid in propping the mirror to effectively reflect sunlight where you need it. Larger mirrors can even be used to reflect sunlight from a distance to light up tombstones resting under shady trees. Collapsible Reflector - A common accessory used by many photographers, a collapsible light reflector can be purchased for about $30-$50. They typically fold up into a small 4-6 package, handy for traveling. Aluminum Foil - A low budget alternative, and handy for travel, aluminum foil makes a decent light reflector in a pinch. Youll either need a piece of cardboard to support the foil, or a partner to hold it for you. Enhancing the Inscription When good lighting isnt enough to bring out a badly eroded inscription, there are a few other methods employed by many genealogists: Water - Wetting down a tombstone with a spray bottle of fresh water can sometimes make carvings stand out much more than when dry. After wetting the stone, allow the surface to dry for a few minutes, leaving the indented lettering damp, which makes it darker and easier to read. Shaving Cream - A method used by many genealogists, shaving cream can do wonders at bringing out hard-to-read inscriptions. This practice is discouraged by most professional conservators, however, as shaving cream contains acidic chemicals and greasy emollients which make it hard to remove from the stone and damaging if left there over time.Black Light - Suggested by some, a black light bulb (75 watt or higher) can be used to make a worn inscription pop out. While an extension cord may be a problem in many cemeteries, you can find portable, battery-operated black light units in many party or novelty stores (they are especially popular around Halloween). Cast the light directly on the tombstone and the words j ust seem to pop right out at you. Black light works especially well when it is dark, but since cemeteries are not always the safest place to visit at night, try draping a large, dark blanket over both you and the tombstone while using the black light. This should create enough darkness for a very illuminating inscription.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

The Influence of Global Economic and Political Environment on Airline Essay

The Influence of Global Economic and Political Environment on Airline Industry in China - Essay Example "Globalisation" was coined by Levitt (1983) who describes it as the shrinking of the world as brought about by the expansion of the reach of global media and the reduced cost of communication, resulting in the convergence in the tastes of consumers worldwide and the large-scale creation of global markets for standardised products. According to Giddens (2001), it is "the growing interdependence between different people, regions and countries in the world as social and economic relationships come to stretch worldwide". It is these economic and political relationships which have encouraged nations to reevaluate their political agenda and economic policies. According to Rosenberg (2000), "The term 'globalisation' after all, is at first sight merely a descriptive category, denoting either the geographical extension of social processes or possibly, as in Giddens' definition, 'the intensification of worldwide social relations'." Among the major economic changes in a more globalised world is the diminishing role of nation-sates and the increased significance of transnational corporations in the transformation of the economies in bothy the national and international scales. Business is at its primacy and transnational corporations which possess cross-border markets and production systems are the poster boys of an increasingly globalised planet. In business and industry, Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989), Hout et all.(1982), Campbell (1993), Keegan (1995), Bertrand (1994), Parker (1998) find that "Globalization [to business administration] is the set of transformations faced by companies as a consequence of the contemporary phenomenon typical of the post cold war which is constituted by: (1) the empowerment of transnational organizations; (2) the mass information technology evolution; (3) the increasing flows of capital, merchandise, people and data across national borders; and (4) the tendency of world market homog enisation." (Azevedo and Bertrand, 2000). Among the most dynamic economies of the 21st century is China. It has for the past five decades undergone numerous, often radical transformations, finally emerging from its cocoon to become among the most powerful and influential economic and political players in the Asian region and the global stage. In fact, China has opened its doors to the world, providing business investments in many parts of the globe especially among developing and underdeveloped nations. It has also adopted shifts in policy and governance, designed to attract robust invest6ments and businesses from abroad and bolster the vast potentials of its trade, commerce and other potentials of its economy. Like all other nations, China must reckon with the permeating effects and challenges of an increasingly globalised world. Like all other nations, China must reckon with the increasing role and dominance of transnational corporations and the diminishing roles of nation-states. From a highly centralised form of government, China must begin to not only delegate policy and decision-making to its corporations, but also encourage and develop its corporations into globally-competitive entities. This entails empowerment of its domestic corporations, gradually increasing their capability to undertake vital economic, operational and management decisions for both

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Interpetive Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Interpetive - Essay Example In the beginning, the streets of London are represented by Woolf as amazingly pleasing and interesting to people. Walking around the city of London arouses the imaginations and discoveries of identity where people are unbound to shortly become â€Å"a nomad wandering the desert, a mystic staring at the sky, a debauchee in the slums of San Francisco, a soldier heading a revolution, a pariah howling with skepticism and solitude† (Woolf 3). This sense of liberty and independence while walking the streets of London somehow manages to merge the individual identity of the narrator to those of the passing crowd. The narrator is simply carried away by the exquisiteness and magnificence of the city that dissolves any form of her hang-up into a â€Å"central oyster of perceptiveness† (Woolf 1). Her character then becomes identity-less as she absorbs the color and light of the city roads. But when the door shuts on us, all that vanishes. The shell-like covering which our souls hav e excreted to house themselves, to make fro themselves a shape distinct from others, is broken, and there is left of all these wrinkles and roughness a central oyster of perceptiveness, an enormous eye. How beautiful a street is in winter. (Woolf 1) In addition, the freedom that the modern city of London offers to the narrator allows her to lose herself in the crowd, and thus discovers herself inquiring about the everyday life of a dwarf (reference)? This event of losing oneself while exploring the streets of modern London is the fundamental reason that haunts the narrator. As she walks around the city, she witnesses different disturbing realities: a dwarf woman, two blind men, a retard, and the limping ludicrous dance of â€Å"the humped, the twisted, and the deformed† (Woolf 2). These realities have brought deep thinking to the narrator that makes her feel so lost in the modern world. The monstrosities that the narrator has witnessed and the beauty that she has experienced shake her identity and left her unstable. All the way through the narration of Wolf in her essay â€Å"Street Haunting† this feeling of uncertain identity is stressed out by referring to her narrator as â€Å"we† instead of â€Å"I†: â€Å"We shall never know† (Woolf 4) and â€Å"We are no long quite ourselves† (Woolf 1). The very instance of the narrator stepping out her door and into the modern city of London immediately strips off her individuality for anonymity. She can no longer identify herself with the different oddities and, at the same time, beauty that she is witnessing around the streets of modern London. The narrator becomes estranged to herself because she cannot connect anymore to the outside world that is entirely different to her inside world. Indeed, the various technological advances and behavioral changes brought by the rapid modernization of the London’s society highly contribute to the new definition and understanding of mobility, communication, time, and speed. Contrastingly, these advances and changes have also expanded the modern London outside the limits of coherent perception making the city unfathomable and too intricate for people to figure out. The enormity of the modern society and how it has become incomprehensible is repeatedly expressed in the essay. The narrator’s encounter at the second-hand bookstore conveys how she finds it

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Anti-copper Therapy among Pregnant Women Can Lower the Risk of Wilsons Research Paper

Anti-copper Therapy among Pregnant Women Can Lower the Risk of Wilsons Disease in Their Children - Research Paper Example Therefore, the physicians encourage the pregnant women to use zinc in reducing the amount of copper in their neurological system in a mild way that would not affect the unborn child. Trientine can also be highly effective in treating copper toxicity, while protecting the expectant mothers and her unborn child’s life (Walshe, 129). Some of the measures which health experts would take are a screening test falsification ring assessment and ceruloplasmin serum copper assays. The test relies on a liver biopsy using quantitative copper assays. Immediately a pregnant woman is diagnosed with such symptoms the siblings might be genotyped via making comparison. Medical practitioners advocate for proper use of anti copper therapy. Anti –copper drugs widely used include Trientine, zinc and tetrathiomolybdate. Penicillamine is often administered to pregnant women. Despite its toxicity, it is proven to be the best. Trientine is alternatively used to people who not tolerate Penicillamine and the body responds better notably there is lower quantity of urine copper, which gently reduces to insignificant levels (Schilsky and Scott, 214). In reality, compliance with the recommended therapy and close monitoring of the copper status are the most beneficial practices that patients should observe during treatment. Similarly, the most effectively monitoring tool is used non-ceruloplasmin plasma copper though it also has some side effects; their frequency and impact are minimal. In addition, the neurological worsening especially in the patients using Trientine for the first time is less severe as in Penicillamine. Zinc, it is extremely vital for the maintenance of the therapy. It reduces mettallothionein in the cells. When using copper, urinary secretion of harmful copper is similar to the normal body loading system (Schilsky and Scott, 220). Tetrathiomolybdate, is also used to eliminate copper out of the body, it forms a complex tripartite of

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Efficacy of Growth Factors Concentration after PRP

Efficacy of Growth Factors Concentration after PRP Efficacy of growth factors concentration (hGH, IGF-1, FGF-2, PDGF, VEGF) after autologous Platelet-rich plasma injection (PRP) on accelerating healing of proximal hamstring tear for athletes. Ahmed Gaballah 1- Department of Sports Health Sciences, Damietta University, Damietta, Egypt. 2- Kinesiology and Health Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA Abstract Platelet rich plasma (PRP) become popular biologically method used to accelerate healing in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery field. PRP is concentrate the human platelets to supra-physiologic levels. It is an autologous producing high level of the platelets concentration centrifuged from the peripheral vein. Then it re-injected under the ultrasound gaudiness during surgery or at a site of injury. METHOD: Seventeen physically active males (age 22.0 ±0.6) with acute hamstring strain injuries divided to 8 case group and 9 matched controls (age 21.6 ±2.8) were recruited as research participants. Case group participants were injected with single 3 ml of extracted PRP under ultrasound gaudiness. However, Blood samples were collected by venipuncture at standardized time points: before the injection and 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after for case group and 4wks. and 8wks for both groups. RESULTS: there was significantly difference between the growth factors results of the case group a fter 4 weeks compared with the 8 weeks result of the control group. Additionally, the same significant results between the two groups after the 8 weeks. Nevertheless, the physical measurements related with hamstring Strain and Knee flexion range of motion between the two groups were not significant after 4 weeks or 8 weeks. CONCLUTION: a single 3-mL injection of autologous PRP combined with a rehabilitation program was effective in time return to play and reducing the severity of pain after an acute grade 2 hamstring injury. Additionally, increase in circulating concentrations of VEGF, IGF-1, PDGF and FGF-2. Key Words: Platelet rich plasma (PRP), Human Growth Factors, Hamstring Tear. 1. Introduction: Skeletal muscle injuries are up to 55% of all sports injuries and causes excessive long term pain and physical disability, Muscles strains and contusions representing more than 90% of all sports related injuries and are the most muscular injuries frequent. [1] [2]   Proximal hamstring tear injuries are common in athletes and frequently result in prolonged rehabilitation, time missed from play, and a significant risk of re-injury. Reports of acute hamstring strains without avulsion in dancers have suggested recovery times for return-to-play ranging from 30 to 76 weeks [3]. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) become popular biologically method used to accelerate healing in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery field. PRP is concentrate the human platelets to supra-physiologic levels. It is an autologous producing high level of the platelets concentration centrifuged from the peripheral vein. Then it re-injected under the ultrasound gaudiness during surgery or at a site of injury [4] [5]. As a result of the lack side-effect and the autologous nature of PRP, it has utilized exponentially over the last few years in sports medicine and orthopaedic. Historically, since the 1950s the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used to dermatological conditions and manage maxillofacial as well [6]. Furthermore, Platelet-derived preparations including PRP were first regulated by WADA under the 2010 Prohibited List because of concerns that the elevated concentrations of growth factors in PRP may confer an unfair advantage to treated athletes. However, WADA lifted the ban on PR P in 2011 in recognition of the lack of evidence to support a systemic performance-enhancing effect and to allow further research in the field [7]. Indeed, the blood contains 6% platelets, 1% white blood cells, and 93% red blood cells.   The PRP technique aims to reverse the concentration of the platelet in lieu of red cells to increase the growth factors that more useful in accelerating the healing. [8] However, Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a centrifuged blood product that contains a supraphysiologic amount of platelets. Therefore, the preparation process to product concentrative platelet above the baseline values have started with an autologous extraction of patients` blood, then by plasmapheresis centrifuged to obtain a concentrated suspension of platelets. It then separates the solid and liquid components of the anticoagulated blood after a two-stage of centrifugation process [9]. The initial phase separates the plasma and platelets from the erythrocytes and leucocytes. The second stage concentrates the platelets further into platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma components [10] [11]. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) contains some biologic factors which have been enhanced the proliferation and collagen secretion of tenocytes. These factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), and transforming growth factor ÃŽ ² (TGF ÃŽ ²) [12] [13]. There is an increasing the stimulus response of PDGF and TGF-ÃŽ ² in the early stages of tendon and muscles healing after PRP injection resulting in new vessel formation and collagen synthesis. [14]. In addition to decrease oxidative stress that could lead to cell apoptosis, PRP has been promoted tendon and muscles cell growth [15]. This is evidenced and reinforced by release of inflammatory meiators such as COX-1 and2, PGE-2 [16] [17]. Recently, there are various approaches reported the benefits of treating the soft tissue injuries such as muscles tears and tendinosis by injecting platelet rich plasma (PRP). Despite this popularization and increasing use in soft tissue injuries, its efficacy still not clear and remains controversial. It has been previously established that platelets provide regenerative potential by the process of chemo-taxis [18] [19] [20]. The use of PRP in order to accelerate recovery time after muscle injury has become a relatively common practice in sports medicine. Several studies represent that PRP can improve skeletal muscle healing after acute injury. In particular, local PRP which increased expression of several myogenic factors at mRNA level acting on modlating the inflammatory response and myogenesis in the early stages after acute injury [21] [22]. Rossi L, et al. reported the effects of an autologous PRP injections on time to return to play in randomized controlled study conducted on 75 patients. The study represented time to return to play for recreational and competitive athletes and recurrence rate after acute muscle injuries as well. The main result in the study that PRP injection significant reduction of re-injury rates at 2 years. Additionally, it was decreased the pain severity score and significantly decreased the time of return to sports as well [23]. One more study reported that 14 professional athletes were treated with ultrasound-guidance injections of PRP after acute muscle injuries. The athletes showed a quick return to activity and improved healing in muscle tears [8]. Similar results have represented in Sanchez et al study, which conducted on 20 athletes. These results supported the benefits of PRP and its role in muscle healing. The patients recovered in half of the expected time [24]. Figure 1. Process of platelet activation (PDGF, platelet derived growth factor). Source [25] Platelet Activity in muscles: (Figure 1,) represents the released serotonin contributes to vasoconstriction. The conversion of ATP into ADP releases the energy necessary to establish and maintain the aggregation. The release of the calcium ions inside the platelet makes the myofibril within it contract, thus allowing the aggregation and release of the content of the granules. This is serum calcium, which is necessary for the formation of the fibrin network [26]. The presence of the Ca2+ ions in the plasma makes the coagulation factors activate and group, forming the fibrin network, which is stabilized by factor XIII and transformed in a stable clot. The calcium ions also inhibit the anticoagulant activity of heparin, preserving the clot [27]. The PRP and the growth factors: The functions of these growth factors are presented in Table 1. It should be noted that the mechanism of action of platelet-rich plasma does not differ from the physiological healing process, but allows for obtaining higher concentrations of growth factors. As a result, the process of tissue regeneration is accelerated [28] [29] [30]. Platelet ÃŽ ±-granules are comprised of haemostatic factors, regulators inflammation, and wound healing. Substances stored in dense granules are thrombocyte-activating factors. Platelets also contain lysosomal granules, which secrete acid hydrolases [31] [32]. Platelet activation results in growth factor release. Platelet growth factors include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor ÃŽ ² (TGF-ÃŽ ²), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [33] [8]. Table 1. Growth Factors function Growth factor Abbreviation Functions Transforming growth factor TGF-ÃŽ ² A mitogen for fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, osteoblasts Angiogenesis promotion, extracellular matrix production Platelet-derived growth factor PDGF Chemotactic effect on monocytes, neutrophils, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts A mitogen for fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells Angiogenesis promotion, formation of fibrous tissue, re-epithelialization Vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF Angiogenesis promotion Chronic wound healing promotion Inhibition of bone formation Epidermal growth EGF factor A mitogen for fibroblasts, endothelial cells, keratinocytes Chronic wound healing promotion Insulin-like growth factor IGF-1 Regulation of bone maintenance Modulator of cell apoptosis Stimulation of bone tissue regeneration Platet derived endothelial growth factor PDEGF Promotes wound healing by stimulating the proliferation of keratinocyes and dermal fibroblasts Endothelial Growth Factor EGF Cellular proliferation Differentiation of epithelial cells Figure 2. Platelet degranulation and action of the released cytokines in the process of formation of new bone and muscle tissue (VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; PDGF, platelet derived growth factor; BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; TGF-b, transforming growth factor). 2. Methods 2.1. Participants: This study was approved by Damietta University, Egypt, Alexandria University, Egypt and Utah state University, UT, USA. Twenty-three physically active males with acute grade 2 hamstring tear were voluntarily recruited for data collection (age 21.8  ± 2.64y, mass 71.52 ±2.74 Kg, height 175.4 ±2.32). All patients receiving local ultrasound-guided intratendinous PRP injection at our institution between September 2014 and December 2016 were screened for eligibility to participate in the study, and 17 patients were ultimately enrolled. Exclusion criteria included five participants with previous injury or diagnoses in hamstring. 8 physically active males (age 22.0 ±0.6) with acute hamstring strain injuries and 9 matched controls (age 21.6 ±2.8) were recruited as research participants. The case and control groups were performed rehabilitation program included aquatic exercise for 8 weeks. The history of pain data and the daily hours of using the smartphones were collected by surve y. Furthermore, the procedures were explained to the subjects and their written signatures were obtained on the informed consent. 2.2. Platelet rich plasma preparation and injection: In accordance of GPSTM III Systems instruction the blood collected for PRP was prepared by (Biomet Biologics, Inc., Warsaw, Ind) and standard 60 ml GPSTM III kit. Approximately of 7 ml of PRP was prepared in 30 minutes. Furthermore, single 3 ml of extracted PRP were injected under ultrasound gaudiness after adding 8.4% sodium bicarbonate buffered PRP for increasing the pH to normal physiological levels. The sodium was added in a ratio 0.05 ml to 1 ml of PRP. All the participants blood samples were stored in -25 ° Celsius and were analyzed to determine the concentration of the growth factors. The PRP injection of the current study were injected directly into the injured area under aseptic technique. The case group participants only received the single autologous PRP combined with the rehabilitation program. The participants were kept under observation for 96 hours and were performed the rehabilitation program after 5-7 days of PRP injection. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture at standardized time points: before (baseline) and 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours to 4wks. and 8wks. after administration of PRP. blood was drawn at precisely the same time each morning and at least 3 hours after eating and exercising per WADA standards Figure 3. PRP set up. 2.3. Growth Factor Quantification: Six growth factors and related molecules that are concentrated in PRP preparations were quantified in PRP and blood by direct immunoassay using the Quantikine enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA kit), as outlined   the Growth factors studied were: human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), basic fibro blast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet-derived growth factor- BB (PDGF-BB). Because bFGF is present in the blood only at very low concentrations, a high-sensitivity ELISA kit was used to ensure accurate detection [34] [35] [5]. Figure 4. PRP injection under ultrasound guidance. 2.4. Rehabilitation program: A Physical rehabilitation program was performed for six weeks and designed for lower limb. In particular, hamstring muscles. both groups participants (8 case and 9 control) performed the exercises protocol once a day for 55 minutes for each training session and 5 times a week (275 M. / week). The exercise protocol was consisted of aquatic exercise and strength exercises and was divided to tree stages, the first stage was focused on the flexibility and isotonic strength exercise with 5 sets and 12-15 1RM intensity. While, the second stage was designed for strength exercises with 3 sets and 8-10 1RM intensity. While the third stage for endurance and exercise related of activity performance. Aquatic pool, Machine weights and The Thera-Band resistance bands exercises were used during the 6 weeks especially the colors (red, blue, black, silver). The red and blue bands were used in the first stage and the black and silver used in second stage. Furthermore, all the exercises were performed by stretching the band between 75 100 %. knowing that, the weight of stretching in Thera-Band between 75-100% is red 3.3-3.9kg, blue 5.9-7.1kg, black 8.1-9.7, and silver 11.1-13.2kg. 2.5. Statistical Analysis The paired t-test was used to compare the collected data before performing the exercise protocol (Pre-test) and those which were obtained after the 6 and 8-weeks training period (Post-test). The differences between the samples were significant at the t = 1.740 p < 0.05 level. All the analyses were performed by using SPSS 21 software for Windows 7 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Additionally, all values within the text and table are observed as standard deviation and mean (mean  ± SD). 3. Results: Table 2, 3 illustrate the large variations in growth factor concentrations between participants in the two groups before and after PRP injection. Regarding growth factor (GF) trajectories for the case group participants are shown in Figure 3, and data are summarized in Table 2, the human growth hormone increased dramatically within the first 24 hours after PRP injection while these results were not significant after the 4 weeks and 8 weeks.   Moreover, IGF-1 increased relative to baseline within 24 hours after PRP and remained elevated at all-time points thereafter, and the change was statistically at 24 until 96 hours as well after 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Likewise, VEGF and PDGF were significantly elevated at 24 hours and at all-time points thereafter and were significant after 4 and 8 weeks.   Furthermore, FGF-2 rose at the point between 24 to 96 hours after PRP injection but not significantly, while it was elevated significantly after 4 week and 8 weeks. It obviously represented in table 3, the spectacular significantly difference between the growth factors results of the case group after 4 weeks compared with the 8 weeks result of the control group. Additionally, Figure 6, reveals the same significant results between the two groups after the 8 weeks. Nevertheless, the physical measurements related with hamstring Strain and Knee flexion range of motion between the two groups were not significant after 4 weeks or 8 weeks. Table 1. Data Summary for the Growth Factors after PRP Injectiona unit   Ã‚  Ã‚   Pre-test 24 h 48 h 72 h 96 h 4 weeks 8 weeks hGH   pg/mLpg/mL pg/mL 1.927  ± 0.67 8.117  ± 2.414 2.276  ± 0.030 2.776  ± 0.180 5.597  ± 1.910 2.321  ± 0.554 2.175  ± 0.651 IGF-1 pg/mL 0.577 ±0.283 1.078  ± 0.914 1.101 ±0.341 1.122  ± 0.239 1.133  ± 0.165 0.817  ± 0.844 0.793  ± 0.141 FGF-2 pg/mL 2.233  ± 1.22 2.105  ± 0.772 2.292  ± 0.736 1.911  ± 0.201 2.314  ± 0.877 3.652  ± 0.567 3.921  ± 0.822 VEGF pg/mL 0.346  ± 0.18 1.313  ± 0.42 1.544  ± 0.463 1.836  ± 0.463 1.554  ± 0.419 0.784  ± 0.098 0.749  ± 0.077 PDGF pg/mL 0.352 ±0.11 0.884  ± 0.949 1.702 ±1.572 1.602  ± 2.021 1.262  ± 1.423 0.856  ± 0.108 0.807  ± 0.133 aPRP, platelet-rich plasma; hGH, human growth hormone; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; FGF-2, basic fibroblast growth factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor. Table 2. Difference of the Growth Factors concentration between the Case and Control group Case Group (N=8) Control Group (N = 9) Unit Pre-test 4 weeks 8 weeks Pre-test 4 weeks 8 weeks P ≠¤ 0.05 hGH   pg/mLpg/mL pg/mL 1.927  ± 0.67 2.321  ± 0.554 2.175  ± 0.651 1.941  ± 0.201 1.997  ± 0.088 2.063  ± 0.477 1.215 IGF-1 pg/mL 0.577 ±0.283 0.817  ± 0.844 0. 793  ± 0.141 0.582  ± 0.247 0.633  ± 0.145 0.637  ± 0.114 1.760 * FGF-2 pg/mL 2.233  ± 1.22 3.452  ± 0.567 3.921  ± 0.822 2.228  ± 0.721 2.593  ± 0.687 2.627  ± 0.514 2.046 * VEGF pg/mL 0.346  ± 0.184 0.784  ± 0.098 0.749  ± 0.077 0.341  ± 0.163 0.384  ± 0.187 0.396  ± 0.106 2.584 * PDGF pg/mL 0.352 ±0.117 0.856  ± 0.108 0.807  ± 0.133 0.358  ± 0.121 0.421  ± 0.633 0.429  ± 0.008 2.632 * PRP, platelet-rich plasma; hGH, human growth hormone; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; FGF-2, basic fibroblast growth factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; N, Number; * Significant difference P ≠¤ 0.05, t =1.740 (N= 17). Table 3. Difference of Hamstring Force and Knee Flexion (ROM) between the Case and Control group Case Group (N=8) Control Group (N = 9) Unit Pre-test 4 weeks 8 weeks Pre-test 4 weeks 8 weeks P ≠¤ 0.05 HF N 26.62  ± 4.67 104.32  ± 5.67 107.06 ±1.64 25.31  ± 3.41 102.71  ± 4.75 105.75  ±3.18 0.743 KF(ROM) Deg. ËÅ ¡ 51.72  ± 5.17 147.92  ± 0.43 148.62  ± 0.78 52.04  ± 2.43 147.02  ± 0.14 147.36  ± 0.88 0.632 aPRP, platelet-rich plasma; HF, Hamstring Force; KF(ROM), Knee Flexion range of motion. N, Number. P ≠¤ 0.05, t =1.740 (N= 17). 4. Discussion: There is little published evidence to support whether a statistically significant increase in growth factors with performance-enhancing potential, including IGF-1, hGH VEGF, PDGF and FGF-2, necessarily leads to clinically relevant ergogenic effects. This is further complicated by evidence from some animal studies that local IGF-1 overexpression enhances local muscle mass and strength without systemic increases in IGF-1. The current study aims to determine the effect of PRP in accelerate the healing of hamstring strain. Moreover, to identify potential molecular markers that could be used to distinguish athletes who have been treated with local PRP injections from those who have not. Figure 5, The concentration of the growth factors after the PRP injection. PRP, platelet-rich plasma; hGH, human growth hormone; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; FGF-2, basic fibroblast growth factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor. The performance of the growth factors after a single PRP injection was enhanced and increased significantly from 24 until 96 hours.   Indeed, hGH was peaked within the 24-hour window, although the results were not significant after 4 weeks or 8 weeks. Similarly, IGF-1 is significantly increased by 24 until 96 hours after PRP, while its activation was decreased after 4 weeks and 8 weeks but with significantly difference compared with the pretest and the control group 8 weeks test. Furthermore, IGF-1 is generated in the liver in response to hGH, is the primary downstream mediator of hGH, and is the most specific marker of supraphysiological hGH exposure [36] [37]. Figure 6. Difference between the case and control group in the concentration of the Growth Factors after 8 weeks. hGH, human growth hormone; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-1; FGF-2, basic fibroblast growth factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor. Despite that both groups performed the same rehabilitation program, our study reported a significant increase in the growth factors for the control group after 4 and 8 weeks (Table 3, figure 6). However, the values of the case group after 4 weeks for the case group were more advanced than the 8 weeks values of the controlled (Figure 7,8). Therefore, the PRP injection enhanced the concentration of the growth. It is notably that the physical measurements of hamstring force and knee flexion range of motion were not significant at either 4 or 8 weeks. Wallace et al demonstrated that an acute bout of exercise increases total circulating IGF-1 by only about 20% [38] [9]. Figure 7, Difference between the case and control group in (NFROM) Knee flexion range of motion after 8 weeks. Figure 8, Difference between the case and control group in (HF) Hamstring Force after 8 weeks.          By comparison, participants in case group who treated with PRP and exercise program. Our study demonstrated a 38% increase in IGF-1 in case group and 9.5% in control group. Relative to baseline, suggesting that PRP treatment activates the hGH-IGF-1 pathway but that a single PRP injection is important to combined with the exercise to maximally stimulate. [39] [9] (Table 3) (Figure 6). We also observed FGF-2 and VEGF also peaked after treatment with PRP.   Fibroblast growth factor contributes to angiogenesis by stimulating the proliferation of endothelial cells to enhance the proliferation of satellite cells, which are the stem cells of mature muscle [40]. Basic fibroblast growth factor may enhance athletic performance by inducing muscle hyper- trophy and increasing oxygen transport. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a powerful stimulator of angiogenesis and could have noteworthy performance-enhancing effects if it entered systemic circulation and exerted its effects in tissues o ther than the site of injury [41]. The potential effects of autologous biological substances to hasten muscle healing were reported in several case reports [34] [42] [43]. Borrione et al [34] noted that athletes with grade 3 muscle strains treated with PRP showed earlier functional improvement and more complete recovery than those treated nonoperatively. Hamid et al   [44] demonstrated that a single PRP injection was effective in accelerating recovery for grade 2. However, the PRP Group achieved full recovery significantly earlier than controls and returned to play after 27 days while control group returned after 43 days. Another approach successfully treated an athlete with a grade 2 semimembranosus muscle injury with a single 3-mL infiltration of platelet-enriched plasma under ultrasound guidance. The athlete was pain free and allowed to train at the preinjury intensity 21 days after treatment [45]. The effect of a preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF) to hasten muscle recovery was reported in a 35-year-old pr ofessional bodybuilder diagnosed with a right adductor longus rupture. The athlete successfully returned to competitive training within 1 week after the third PRGF injection [43]. The effect of PRP in accelerated and associated a hamstring injury was also observed in the current study. The PRP preparation contained a high concentration of several growth factors including TGF-b, FGF-2, and insulin-like growth factor-1, but the amount of platelets and WBCs present was not stated. Additionally, the actual effect of PRP on soft tissue healing is not fully understood,22 our findings supported the possible role of higher growth factors (concentration level) in hastening recovery as postulated by previous researchers [46] [47] [42]. Sanchez et al reported full functional recovery of hamstring and adductor muscle injuries 2 times faster in 20 professional athletes treated with a PRGF [24]. Similar designed study by Rettig et al was investigated the effects of an autologous PRP injection and was retrospective case-control study conducted to determine the effect of the PRP on return time to play after acute hamstring injuries. The study included 10 professional National Football League (NFL) players with acute hamstring injury. The participants were divided equally into PRP and Control groups. Under ultrasound guidance the PRP group patients were injected once with 6 mL of PRP. Both groups were performed the same rehabilitation program. Several differences were identified between the study by Rettig et al and the current study. For instance, the