Chapter two †Mississippi schools Essay

The following literature focuses on how schools in the Mississippi School district and nationwide are implementing school improvement plans and closing the achievement gap. In School Improvement and Closing the Achievement Gap Report 2003-2004 the accountability of Mississippi Schools past and present is discussed (2004) and Craig Jerald, author of Dispelling the Myth discusses how nationwide high poverty, high minority schools have high achieving students (2001). Both reports will be discussed here. The researcher wanted to know how many high-poverty and high minority schools nationwide have high student performance. The study used the Education Trust Database to identify certain criteria. Over 4500 schools were analyzed. Each meeting the criteria set and performing well above the expectation (2001). Both papers discuss the achievement gap, more importantly they reported the areas of greatest improvement. The Achievement Gap Report (2004) focused on the Mississippi school districts. It gave an accountability report on those school districts that have been struggling, as well as providing a strategic outline to close the gap. Specific schools were used as models of for improving test scores. Dispelling the Myth (Jerald, 2001) focused on school districts nation wide. Although no reasons for poor school performance were given, the author did state that none of the schools were magnet schools. This report showed that most schools with high poverty, high minority students live in urban areas (2001). However, the more recently published Achievement Gap Report (2004) reported that some of the poorest schools are in rural areas. Dispelling the Myth (2001) looked at specific criteria for the study, whereas, the Achievement Gap Report (2004) did not. Both studies failed to look at specific schools and detail specific strategies used in improving the achievement gap. The Mississippi Achievement Gap Report (2004) plan made suggestions on how schools can improve, but a greater detail is needed to truly understand what each school did to improve scores. Model schools or a model program can be established based on greater research. Socioeconomic Influence Literature regarding reading programs was of most interest for this study. Several scientific journals addressed factors of low socioeconomic status and under achievement. The achievement gap found amongst low-income students was addressed in Education: The State We’re In (Donahue & Griggs, 2003). Substantial information was given on the obstacles facing high-poverty youth today. Reading proficiency among elementary school students of low-income families are at a disadvantage (2003). When studying low-income fourth graders, the author found that in 2003, across the nation, only fifteen percent are proficient in reading. The authors also demonstrated that the majority of low-income students read about three grades behind non-poor students (2003). Proficiency differences among races were briefly discussed; Similar disparities exist between white students and students of color; 39% of white 4th graders can read at the proficient level compared to only 12 % of African-American students and 14% of Latinos. Overall, about three in ten fourth graders can read proficiently, and this in itself is cause for concern. (2003) Parental Involvement, Instructional Expenditures, Family Socioeconomic Attributes, and Student Achievement (Okpala, et al, 2001). Parental involvement is a commonly discussed approach to establishing higher student achievement. A study done in North Carolina was based on three factors; (a) Instructional supplies expenditures will affect academic achievement positively; (b) the SES of students in a given school, measured by the percentage of students that participate in free/reduced-price lunch programs, will affect student achievement negatively; and (c) parental involvement that is measured by parental volunteer hours per 100 students will influence student achievement positively. These factors were beneficial in understanding the SES influence on successful reading programs. These factors and the results of this particular study will be investigated further throughout this study. Implementing Change A very brief but informative piece, Evidence from Project Star About Class Size and Student Achievement (Folgers & Breda, 1989) addressed three specific questions to ask oneself when considering changing programs. The three questions were; 1) How effective will the change be? 2) How much will it cost and 3) what are the problems of implementation? (1989) All three of these questions were found to be valuable when assessing existing programs, as well as when considering the necessary factors when looking to improve upon them. The Gallup Poll (1989 Survey) was reported to have an overwhelming approval from parents when asked about reducing class size. The problem with this strategy is that â€Å"reducing class size substantially is very costly† (1989). A widely researched program investigated during this study was the Accelerated Reader Program. One report (Melton, et. al. , 2004) demonstrated the uses and results of the AR program. By definition the Accelerated Readers program is â€Å"†¦a learning information system designed to heighten student interest in literature and to help teacher manage literature-based reading (McKnight, 1992). This study was particularly significant because it was conducted in two Jackson, Mississippi elementary schools. There has been extensive coverage of the AR program. A 2004 study compared the reading achievement growth of fifth graders following a year of participation in the AR program with other fifth graders who did not participate. The results demonstrated that students in the AR program actually scored significantly lower than non-participants. Although many studies show little to no benefits from the AR program, the program has provided a few guidelines; such guidelines include, 1) Engage students in large amount of reading practice with authentic material 2) students should read at their own individual reading level, and 3) student incentives such as ribbons or extra recess improves the odds of a students success. By using computer technology, teachers can use the AR program to assess students reading level and invite and motivate students to read material they find interesting (Vollands, et al. , 1999). Students are given a choice of books suited to their particular reading level. Random multiple choice tests are given to test students’ comprehension of the material. In a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Dept. of Education) evaluation, AR programs and other computerized reading programs were reviewed (Chenowith, 2001). The lack of research on evaluated programs ability to produce long-term gains in reading achievement caused the National Institute to determine the AR programs did not meet standards (2001). Common complaints of the AR program include, 1) when the program ended, participating students went back to reading less than before participating 2) the AR program limited the choice of books available to a student because certain books that were not accompanied by an AR test were not valid (Chenowith, 2001) and 3) AR encourages children to read for the wrong reasons, for example to win a prize (Carter, 1996). However, as Chenowith (2001) noted, many parents responded to the latter, that it did not matter why students read, as long as they were in fact reading. Topping and Paul (1999) found that with the proper educator training on the AR program, the odds of successful student achievement with the program will improve. Students already in at risk in reading before the AR program will gain positive results when AR is implemented (Vollands, Topping and Evans, 1999). â€Å"Many elementary schools have adopted programs which encourage authentic reading time and aid in the development of reading skills for life (Melton, et al. , 2004). However, little research has been conducted on individual, less costly programs (2004). When studying the effects of the AR program on African American students and white students in Mississippi, black students scored lower (2004).

I’m Not Scared Essay

His choices, with exception of the ‘Judas’ secret, are the right ones. His compassion and natural sense of what is right and wrong are sure guides, despite his age, naivety and fears. Michele draws upon a naive but heroic sense of right and wrong as he accepts responsibilities. His humanity overwhelms his fears. Fear is one of the most incapacitating and destructive emotions as I’m Not Scared demonstrates. The experience of fear and the ways in which fear can influence the characters actions are at the centre our minds. To say ‘I’m Not scared’ is to deny being afraid, but most of the novels central characters do experience fear. Traditions, circumstances and events govern the lives of both children and adults and create fears. Firstly his fear circulates around peer group isolation and anxiety. He fears losing and having to do the forfeit, but his realization that there was ‘something dirty†¦. something nasty’ that he did not want his sister Maria to see, in Skull’s treatment of Barbara, makes him accept the forfeit in her place. Michele’s protection of his sister, though reluctant, is a moral duty he does not shrink, and is the first sign of his innate goodness. Skull’s abuse of power makes all the children live in fear. But it is how Michele’s is overridden by the morally correct thing to do in this situation even though he feared of not wanting to the forfeit. Michele has imaginary fears of ‘witches meeting at night in abandoned houses’ and ‘an ogre’ that will ‘eat him bit by bit’. Derived from religious stories, comic’s television shows and his vivid imagination, monsters filled his dreams. He tried to foil them by imagining luring them into a golden bus to take then ‘all to the circuses. He imagines that then his stomach opens and they ‘all walked happily into it’. Unfortunately, as he learns more about Filippo Carducci, the kidnapped son of the Lombard business man, Michele’s nightmares shift to reality of his own living world. Michele’s discovery of the boy in hole and what to do is the most serve test of his moral character. The principle questions are; will Michele do anything to help the boy? Or just pretend he never found him? Even when Michele knows he is right to be afraid, he is compelled to act by his sense of moral obligation. He knows he ‘must go’ to see Filippo after he hears Filippo’s mother’s declaration of love on the television, even though he ‘was scared’. His loss of innocence and world of betrayal are distressing and difficult lessons for him. â€Å"Papa was the bogeyman. By day he was good but at night he was bad. † After Michele has promised on his father head that he would not go visit Filippo again, he was torn by the fact that he had also promised Filippo that he will visit him. He calls upon enormous reserves of both physical and moral courage to break his oath sworn on his father’s head, disobey his own father’s edicts, confront his own fears and overcome injuries to free Filippo.

Paintings of Vincent Van Goh and Paul Cezanne Essay

Paintings of Vincent Van Goh and Paul Cezanne - Essay Example The essay "Paintings of Vincent Van Goh and Paul Cezanne" analyzes Vincent Van Goh and Paul Cezanne and their individual works â€Å"The Rocks† and â€Å"The Ravine†. . What can be demonstrated through art, as well as what this paper will show, is that to fully enjoy and understand art, the key idea to keep in mind is that understanding and interpretation comes through finding and knowing what it is that draws you to the masterpiece and how you got there in the first place. Just as with the case of history books, the paintings by the great artists of the time serve as a historical record of the goings on of the time. Often times painters chose to express the world around them the only way they may have known how, and that was through some for artistic expression. Little bits of color, as they are arranged throughout the canvas, find themselves forming together to create images of life, love and the wonder, as well as the amazement that can come with it. They serve as a portal to the imagination as no other artistic creation can. Many people travel to museums such as the Louvre in Paris to experience the greatness that hangs along its walls. To stare into the eyes of the portraits of subjects, or to witness the grander and vastness of the great seascapes and landscapes which provide for a sense of freedom from that which may be otherwise hindering creative thought. With that being said, the works in this analysis pay tribute to the notion that, with creative expression, can come insight.

'Compare and contrast Martin Amis In the Palace of the End with Latif Essay

'Compare and contrast Martin Amis In the Palace of the End with Latif Yahia The Devil's Double' - Essay Example of the End by Martin Amis presents the story of Old Nadir who was the powerful dictators preparing his son, the Next Nadir, for the inheritance of the throne (Finney, 2013:33). On the other hand, the story, The Devils Double by Latif Yahia is based on the ruling regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, who is also preparing his son, Uday Hussein, for the inheritance of the throne (YahÃŒ £yaÃŒ , 2011:2). Thus basically, the two stories follow a similar style of narration, since they center on the lives of the anticipated heirs to the throne, and the vigorous process of inhumane lives they live, mostly characterized by torturing the perceived enemies of the throne. The plot of the two stories has similarly followed the lives of these heirs to the throne, though not mostly centered on their personal lives, but the lives of their personal body doubles, who are meant to act like them in every way, so they can take the risk that such heirs are exposed to, at the expense of the heirs themselves. Latif Yahia is the personal double of Uday Hussein in the story The Devils Double, and he is the narrator of the story. Similarly, the story In the Palace of the End by Martin Amis is narrated by an unnamed character who is the personal double of the Next Nadir (Greaney, 2008:21). Thus, the fundamental comparison between these two stories is that they apply the same style of story narration, which is first person narration. The stories are narrated by the actual individuals who are participating in the activities of impersonating the heirs to the throne, and every aspect of the narration is their own account of what they have done or what has happened to them, in the process of living as the real heirs to the throne (Keulks, 2006:47). The application of this style of narrating the story by the authors of the two books is simply meant to show the real situation of dictatorship in the countries such as Iraq during the reign of Saddam Hussein as experienced firsthand by the characters

Research Topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Research Topic - Essay Example Is it reasonable to allow technology to decide whether or not a particular race has the right to live and procreate? Thinking of it from a layman’s perspective, it appears that all of this is unfair. A couple has full right to decide whether or not it wants children, an individual has every right to be employed as long as his or her talents fit the eligibility for employment, a particular race has every right to inhabit the earth as do other races. Simple! Problems arise when these questions are answered from the perspective of an expert geneticist. He or she would think that a couple at risk of giving birth to a child with an untreatable disease should not bear children. A race with a recessive trait for a deadly disease should be monitored and the mating habits of its members should be modulated to avoid the multiplication of individuals with disease traits. This reasoning does not sound unfair at all! The problems become more complicated when these questions are answered fr om the perspective of a biased individual, especially one who has the power to influence or even make public policies, who may use such excuses to further his own selfish motives such as the discrimination against a particular race. It is at this threshold that technology takes an ugly turn. Genetic screening and its incorporation in public policy is a matter of widespread debate. Some of the ethical issues and controversies associated with this beneficial yet controversial biotechnological application are discussed here. The paper will introduce the technology of genetic screening, its implications and associated public policies. It will then discuss the ethical issues associated with the incorporation of this technology is public policy. The subject of ethics regarding genetic screening as public policy is vast and it is impossible to draft an exhaustive compilation, no matter how big. However, an attempt has been made here to review some of the most sensitive issues on the matter . 2. Genetic Screening – The Technology and Its Implications Consequent to the completion of the Human Genome Project and advances in the field of genetics, researchers have been successful in identifying genes related to diseases. Diagnostic tests have also been developed to detect such genes. These developments have seeded the â€Å"idea† that if genetic testing is done, it will be possible for healthy people to prevent future incidence of disease (Holtzmann and Shapiro, 1998). 2.1. Introduction to Genetic Screening and Genetic Testing Genetic testing is the process of detecting mutations in chromosomes and DNA (â€Å"Genetic Testing†, 2006). Laboratory analysis of human DNA is performed after isolating it from blood, amniotic fluid and cells in order to predict the risk of a disease, diagnose a specific genetic disease or identify if an individual is carrying a genetic disease. In addition to identifying alterations from DNA, molecular probes and functional b iochemical tests are also used to identify defective genes and proteins. This technology has been existent for almost half a century (Rodriguez, 2011). The earliest known application of this technology was for the identification of phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disease caused by an inborn error in the metabolism, causing the buildup of amino acid in the blood subsequently leading to impaired mental function (Rodriguez, 2011). The application of this technology later on extended to the detection of sickle cell anemia,

Conclusion Chapter Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Conclusion Chapter - Dissertation Example Meanwhile, gender and grade level were found to have a significant relationship with reading achievement, while gender and VARK7G learning styles in turn correlated with the dependent variables. RAAF and FT scores were also found to differ greatly based on gender. Grade and gender were found to be significant factors, especially with respect to reading achievement. Meanwhile, gender and multi-single learning styles were likewise found to have a significant relationship. Gender was also found to affect FT and RAAF scores. While males were found to be affected greatly by grades and VARK7G categories, the same could not be said for their female counterparts. Their learning styles in RAAF were also less error-prone, and particular learning styles were said to be more or less effective for males than females. All in all, learning styles are said to differ not only based on one’s gender, but also on age and grade level – which is why teachers need to vary their lesson plans a ccording to these considerations. Research Question 3 aimed to determine if there are significant differences between males and females in terms of learning style. The study found that at least 1.6% of the variance in learning styles is due to gender, and it has also been observed that males and females alike tend to prefer multi-learning style. All in all, the gender-based differences in learning style preference are marginal at best, with both genders choosing the quad and aural styles as their most and least preferred learning styles, respectively. Research Question 4 asks the following: In Arabic reading classes, do teaching strategies significantly affect reading achievement among students? The TRSQ is divided into subscales referring to reading instruction (RI), reading resources and types of text (RR), reading activities and behaviour (RA), development of

Google Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Google - Essay Example For example, in the third quarter of 2007 alone, Google hired 2130 people to ensure that it had the best brains and the smartest people on board its corporate engine.(Dignan, 2007). As Dignan (2007) has pointed out, employment at Google is largely centred around work on the search engine and ad words; as a result a slow down in business, such as the current recessionary period, could affect the Company adversely. But the Company’s recruitment and HRM policies have been strongly focused on pulling in the best and smartest people into the organization, because of its recognition that innovation is the driving factor ensuring success in the IT business today. One of the reasons for Google’s spiraling success is its thrust on innovation and the belief that good ideas can, and should, come from anywhere.(Business Week, 2005). Engineers in the company are allowed a day off in a week to work on their pet projects and there is a high level of receptivity from the upper echelons of management to new and innovative ideas. By constantly staying on the cutting edge of innovation, the company has been able to sustain itself as the market leader through the development of new products and services. There is no strict hierarchical structure in place at Google and the corporate environment is characterized by informal networking, such that the CEO Eric Schmidt himself, is approachable to every employee, who is at liberty to pitch a new sales or networking/IT idea to him anytime. Google’s HRM policy is different from other organizations, characterized by the high level of informality and networking, which is a very successful business policy insofar as Google is concerned. Since the products and services in the IT business can be easily replicated by competitors who can put out their version of a product or service, the cutting edge in this business lies in the development of innovative new

Relevancy of Effective Personal Health Care Communication Term Paper

Relevancy of Effective Personal Health Care Communication - Term Paper Example It has been noticed that the cases of patient complaints are likely to be lowered when effective communication activities are maintained between the service providers and the patients. It facilitates them to identify the problems faced by the patients and assists them in solving problems in a better way. Therefore, it can be stated that effective communication enhances the overall quality of care as well as the services provided by the several caregivers to the patients, and improves the satisfaction level of patients (BA & OO, 2012). Healthcare communications have a significant influence on the health outcome of individuals. It facilitates the individuals to get aware of the health hazards that they might face, and also educates them about the preventive measures which should be taken in order to minimize as well as eliminate the chances of health problems to occur. Healthcare communications provide various means for the individuals to be healthy by providing adequate knowledge to the individuals about the nutritional necessity of human body and facilitate them to lead a healthy life. This type of communication activities can also educate the individuals about the adverse effects of consuming alcohol and other such drugs. It aids individuals in minimizing the consumption of alcohol and other similar drugs. Furthermore, healthcare communications aid in improving quality of services rendered to the patient and also ensures safety of the patients (National Business Group on Health, 2012). Ineffective communications have several significant effects on health outcomes. Certain researches carried out during the period 1995 to 2005 have revealed the fact that ineffective communication has been the major cause in almost 66% percent of the medical miscalculations (Institute for Healthcare Communication, 2012). Furthermore, it has also been noticed that ineffective communication acted as a cause for physical and emotional injury to the patients.

Descartes Meditations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Descartes Meditations - Essay Example He expresses his disdain about the knowledge acquired through the senses because the senses are deceptive. He compares the state of wakefulness and dream and finds no distinguishing features; they are alike and one cannot tell either from the other. He does this to find what is real. Having thought that all things could be imaginary, he assumes everything is imaginary. From this, he observes that even in dreams the objects have resemblance to real objects. Thus, he concludes that there must be some objects that are unquestionably real. In this class of real objects, he places figures, quantities or magnitudes, number and time. On these findings, he finds that only geometry and arithmetic constitute true knowledge which is irrefutable. Descartes examined the existence of God. He argued that if he exists, then he allows people to be deceived. He then disqualifies this pointing to the fact he is all good. In assuming there is no God, he concludes that the being responsible for human bei ng’s existence would be even more imperfect. Leaving this assumption, he devices the deceiving devil. In the second meditation, he observes that the only truth that remains even if there is a devil that deceives is the fact that he exists. Because even if he experiences deception in the existence of all things, it shows he exists; albeit as a thinking being. He observes that though wax changed in form when heated it still remained as wax through this analogy, he came up with other real things. The idea of a substance and identity is also true. In the third meditation, Descartes seeks to examine the existence of God. He wants to expand on his limited list of true knowledge. He argues that one idea cannot be truer than the other and cannot be considered false if it does not refer to an object. Because the existence of God is no bases on any assumptions, (it is an idea) then there is no base to evaluate its falsehood. Since his idea of God extended beyond the finite, it could no t have originated from himself as a finite being. Therefore, because he had an idea of God, then God exists. In the fourth meditation, he explains the chances of his erring in reasoning. Having recognized that a perfect God created him, Descartes seeks to know how he commits errors. He recognizes error as a defect and not a trait given by God. This error occurs because the power to differentiate between good and bad given by God to humans is finite, just as a person is finite. His knowledge and power to choose deceives him into error. In meditation five, Descartes finds another way of demonstrating the existence of God2. He observes that the things for which he has clear thoughts about, whether they exist out of his mind or not, they are true. The characteristics assigned to these ideas remain true. Then it follows that, in his clear thought, he has an idea of God with certain characteristics, then existence of God is true. In meditation six, he evaluates the existence of tangible o bjects and the difference between the soul and body. First he differentiates between thought and intellect. He uses the example of a triangle and notes that he can easily conceive of a three sided figure as well as thousand sided polygons. The difference was when he tried to form a mental image of the two figures; the triangle formed easily while the thousand-sided polygon did not. That which requires more effort to visualize is from imagination and that which is easy to visualize is f

Windshield Survey Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Windshield Survey Reflection - Essay Example From a study on the way of life in the state, the cost of living would be rated approximately at 85. The home worth, therefore, would stand at a higher level on a scale of comparisons. In terms of the incomes by the residents, only 10% earn below the poverty line. From a random survey conducted on the members of the village, the rates of unemployment stood at an outstanding 10%. Majority of the population comprises of males, 60% while the females are 57%. From the population numbers, at least 80% of each group are said to have acquired education, even though, up to high school. A good number in the population had ventured into higher institutions of learning for further studies. The household sizes range from 3 to 5 individuals. From this Windshield survey, points of discussion that may affect the health of this community include the likelihood of high obesity rates, diabetes, cholera and accidents in the town. The number of fast food restaurants in the town stand at over 1000, justifying to the possibility of high obesity and diabetes cases, constant complaints from the area residents on contaminated water from their taps and finally lifestyles that can afford the youth vehicles to drive-some are too reckless-thus a possibility of numerous accidents in the town. This survey will look at obesity and overweight as a health indicator. Over the years, obesity has posed a great challenge to the human race and requires constant treatment. Other illnesses come about with obesity such as high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke amongst others. In this case study, this disease may not be attributed to genetic inheritance but the lifestyle of people in the area. One nursing role that may be applied in this case is advocating for a complete lifestyle change in the lives of Kasaka individuals. The nurse may advice the patients to change their dietary habits or increase the amount of hours they dedicate to physical activities. As a result, they may be in a

Comparative study of Verisign and TRUSTe Essay Example for Free

Comparative study of Verisign and TRUSTe Essay Web security: Comparison of websites of two companies, Verisign and TRUSTe In the modern world of business, where internet is being used on a large scale, web security is an important aspect that must be looked into for the purpose of development of business. This is extremely beneficial for people or organizations that are involved in e-commerce in some or other way. The advantage is that, if one is signing up with any of these two companies, they would provide a seal which would be displayed in the organization’s website. This would in turn increase the trust of their customers especially while passing highly confidential information such as credit card numbers. This would finally result in increasing their confidence in the organization and thereby increasing business. The present essay is intended to analyze and compare the websites of two such companies Verisign and TRUST e that offer web security for wide range of customers. Verisign provides a Secure Sockets Layer Certificate to the organizations who are signing up with them and they would provide a guarantee for security in e-commerce, communications and other interactions through internet. The other products include domain name services, identity and authentication services, enterprise security services, communication services, code signing, internet defense network and content and messaging services. In addition, they also provide a wide range of solutions for financial services, consumer products and retail companies, healthcare and life sciences and public sector. They offer extended validation services also to add on to the confidence on the site. From their website it could be understood that they offer 14 day trial offer to those who want to understand the benefit of signing up with them, before actually doing so. The site appeared to be very complex and loaded with unnecessary information. The link for existing customers did not show the names of any customer who are using their services currently. The important products of TRUSTe include web privacy seal, email privacy seal, EU safe harbor seal, Children’s privacy seal and Japan privacy seal. The site appeared to be simple less complex and could be easily understood. The mission of this company is the same as Verisign, but Children’s privacy seal which would guarantee security of information about child to the parent and Japan privacy seal which provide a security seal for all websites in Japanese language are additional programs in this site. The email privacy seal would be highly beneficial to those organizations that are undertaking email campaigns. EU safe harbor privacy seal would be beneficial to those who are doing business in Europe. It would be possible to get certification with EU Directive on Data Protection known as safe harbor framework, which is developed jointly by U. S. Department of Commerce and European Commission. This is an indication of world-class privacy standards. A trial offer is not provided in this site, but links for audio and video exerts that are intended for easy understanding of the products by clients are given. Another important attraction of the site is the display of satisfied customers for each of their programs who are world leaders in web business. Other interesting links include link for news related to web security and TRUSTe, industry events etc. They also publish a business newsletter which would carry information regarding the latest developments in the field of web security. Compared to Verisign the number of products specifically meant for business groups are less in this company. Solutions that include industry and business solutions offered by Verisign is not offered here. Thus after comparing the two site, it was found that the site of TRUSTe appeared to be simple to understand and less complex, but with more details and more helpful and truthful links. Verisign offers more products and even offer a trial period. It was felt that most of the big business organizations might prefer the service of Verisign compared to TRUSTe.

The Killers Essay Example for Free

The Killers Essay Hemingway is a great figure of the  « lost generation  », like Fitzgerald, S. Anderson, G. Stein, S. Lewis†¦ F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote â€Å"all gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken† to describe the feeling the young intellectuals had in this years. The writers of the â€Å"lost generation† added their own feelings of loss and failure to the previous tradition of realism. The short story The killers by Hemingway is representative of this realism and those feelings of loss and failure, because it seems that Summit (the town where the action takes place) and its inhabitants are part of a sterile and destructive world without any god or powers above. How and why is this short story representative of this â€Å"lost generation† ? I)Realism : †¢The setting the atmosphere : the setting seems to be a commonplace : comparison with Ed. Hoppers’s painting Nighthawks, representing a similar place a very common lunch counter, in an American town, Summit artificial atmosphere with â€Å"streetlight†, â€Å"arc light† in the street ; the colours seem to be absent of the scene : this is a sort of black white scene, with the darkness of the night and the artificial white light, the â€Å"black overcoat† and â€Å"the face was small and white†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦) the town seems to be a dead town, with a great impression of loneliness †¢The mundanity: everything is prosaic : for instance, the menu :  « a roast pork tenderloin with applesauce and mashed potatoes  » or  « ham and eggs, bacon and eggs, liver rand bacon, or a steak† the language is contaminated by this mundanity, it reflects the disenchantment of the world †¢The time : -the time is passing minute after minute without real action : â€Å" it’s five o’clock †, â€Å" it was a quarter past six †, â€Å" it was twenty past six †, â€Å"at six fifty-five†, â€Å"the hands of the clock marked seven o’clock and then five inutes past seven† -the rhythm of the story could be comparated with the rhythm of blues music : it is very slow, without any real action, filled by a pointless conversation †¢ The violence in the contact between the characters : -violence is omnipresent, subjacent even in the dialogs between the characters:â€Å"what the hell do you put it on the card for†, â€Å"oh, to hell with the clock†, â€Å"you’re a pretty bright boy, aren’t you ? † and then â€Å"well, you’re not†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ -the cook and Nick are tied up : â€Å"I got them tied up like a couple of girl friends in the convent†, the â€Å"killers† use arms â€Å"Al [.. with the muzzle of a sawed-off shotgun resting on the ledge†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ II)An everyday tragedy : †¢An imposed behaviour : -every action is imposed by a sort of automatic reflex, for instance Ole Andreson is always on the run â€Å"I’m through with all that running around†, the inhabitants of the city â€Å"all come here and eat the big dinner† everyday, Ole Andreson â€Å"comes here to eat every night [†¦] at six o’clock†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ -the characters are locked in the routine †¢The passivity of the characters : the characters are all passive : they do not react when the killers come in the restaurant, they accept to be tied up without any form of rebellion, at the end of the story, the cook says â€Å"I don’t even listen to it† when Nick is telling George about his visit to Ole, George says â€Å"you better not think about it†, Nick wants to â€Å"get out of this town† -Ole stay lying on his bed looking at the wall while he is sure to be killed, he does not react and just says â€Å"after a while I’ll make up my mind to go out†, when going out means to be killed The characters are failures : -the killers are described only by there garments : â€Å"a derby hat and a black overcoat buttoned across the chest†, â€Å"they were dressed like twins†, â€Å"both wear overcoats too tight for them†, they are â€Å"about the same size†; it is as f all their nature could be locked in their appearance -Al is described with only two features : â€Å"his face was small and white and he had tight lips†, max is not described -They are seen as a â€Å"vaudeville team†, a sort of comic pair (like laurel Hardy for instance), which is far away from the representation of killers, they are too much real that they seem unreal -Ole, who was a boxer, is now seen as â€Å" an awfully nice man†, â€Å"he’s just as gentle† says Mrs Bell : all the characters seems to be failures III)Adversity of the world : The loneliness : the town, Summit, is a sort of symbol of loneliness despair the death is omnipres ent, even in a subjacent form : for the killers, the death of a man is just a simple action (detachment) : â€Å"what are you going to kill him for, then ? † and the answer â€Å"we’re killing him for a friend. Just to oblige a friend†, â€Å"he never even seen us† for ole, life seems to be worse than death : he has no passion, he keeps looking the wall when Nick says he is going to be killed by two men (total failure to act) The characters seem to be interchangeable : -as seen before, the characters seem to be interchangeable : they are devoid of personality, there is a play on resemblance / dissemblance (the 2 killers look alike even if they are different) -Ole does not look at Nick, but is always looking to the wall (it is as if Nick as lost his humanity for Ole) -Mrs Bell is confused with Mrs Hirsch†¦ †¢A refuge in the language ? in that story, it seems that language is only used as a refuge for the characters : they speak only to fill the time passing by (inanity of conversation), to forget the loneliness of the place.. -when Al says â€Å"shut up ! you talk to goddam much†, Max answers â€Å"well, I got to keep bright boy amused† or â€Å"we have to keep amused, haven’t we ? † : it is as if language was used only to fill a gap -the words are used two or three times : for instance, â€Å"well, good night†, â€Å"I guess† or â€Å"it’s a hell of a thing† and â€Å"it’s an awful thing† (it is like a dialog of the deaf) A disenchanted world : the story stop short : there is no suspense, the killers have told George they were about to kill Ole, but they do not the title â€Å"the killers† announced a story of gangsters, of killers, but there is finally no murder, therefore the end of the story is quite â€Å"flat† It is as if nothing could move the characters (Ole resolved to death, immutability of the characters†¦) Summit and its inhabitants seem to be a sterile and destructive world deserted by God, accomplishing a destiny without any form of rebellion Conclusion : The short story The killers is quite representative of the writing of the â€Å"lost generation†; here, it seems that human beings have been abandoned by God, in an hostile world, where action is doomed to failure. Men are resolved to death, since they cannot do anything to change life. Ole Anderson, destined to death, keeps lying on his bed, unable of any action, saying â€Å"there ain’t anything to do†, and will surrender to his enemies : it is as if life were worse than death for him. Hemingway uses the realism to show how much life is insipid and bland for those men, and describes the â€Å"everyday tragedy† they live in and the adversity of the world.

Links Between Investment in Infrastructure and Job Creation

Links Between Investment in Infrastructure and Job Creation Sourav Roy (13060242044) Sourav Das (13060242043) Saptarshi Maiti (13060242036) Devika Kannan (13060242013) Executive summary The effective tool to create jobs is counter-cyclical spending on infrastructure. As the demand for private sector is weak, the government helps the people with jobs and also aggregate demand. Investments of infrastructure are divided into two parts: Economic sectors include increasing efficiency in transportation, including roads, railways and waterways, Social sectors such as education, water and sewage system. Investments in a local scenario and their impact on development strategies lead to creation of more jobs, greater ownership, and can rapidly boost up the local economies. This is particularly applicable in times of crisis. Decentralized public investment should be favored where ever possible. It is very important to assess the resultant labour output of these investments with respect to its impact on direct as well as indirect and employment, not only to assess their productivity in short run, but also to assess the long run impact on growth and other subsidiary effects. There are number of infrastructure projects in low and medium-income countries which are financed fully or partially by IFI. Institutions like these should make an effort to allow for larger labour participation in infrastructure development. Fiscal decentralization can be defined as a two-dimensional policy: 1). Decentralization of tax instrument. 2). Decentralization of expenditure. The relation between decentralization and government efficiency can be divided into two large areas: a) The classical theory: There are three main contribution where this theory can be restricted, those are Tiebout’s model of local public good provision where decentralization coupled with mobile households solve the problem of the efficient provision of public goods. The second most influential contribution is of Oates’(1972) Decentralization Theorem that involves the tradeoff between centralized and decentralized provision of public goods in favour of former if average preferences across citizen of different region are equal. The theorem stresses on to maximize social welfare. And the last is Leviathan hypothesis where it shows the mechanism for constraining the expansionary tendencies of government mechanism. b) The second generation theory: The effect of fiscal decentralization has been modeled to embody the political process and the possibility of asymmetric information across political agents. Description of Policy Challenges According to the paper, on an average major percentage of total stimuli package in infrastructure is spent in emerging economies as compared to developed economies. The policy-brief paper tried to link infrastructure spending to job creation across economies. In this section the paper mentioned the main challenge of gestation period of the infrastructure projects. It viewed the time differential in processing of such projects as a challenge, as it failed to produce the expected outcomes on the stipulated time during a crisis situation. It later pointed out how infrastructures in different areas bear different results. Infrastructural Investment in rural area created more jobs than in urban areas as the jobs in rural areas are more labour intensive. It said, â€Å"The policy challenge is to match the targeting of infrastructure investments with the targeting of employment creation, be it by category or geographic area.† It explained the challenge with the help of examples of policies in three economies: USA, Indonesia and Egypt. The paper said that in USA infrastructure expenses consists only a minor portion of the total fiscal stimulus. According to the paper, expenditures on infrastructure accumulated up to 30 September 2009 amounted to US$4.44 billion or 2.6 per cent of the total fiscal stimulus during the period. However, according to a few articles in Forbes and Bloomberg Obama is planning to spend highly on infrastructure like science research and education and upgrade bridges, ports and roads to create more jobs. (Runningen, 2013) (Lenzner, 2011). The amount spent by USA in infrastructure is huge but, if we consider the share of infrastructure in GDP is only 2.4%. In USA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed in 2009 which was a stimulus package to help recover the country from the Great Recession. The Act followed Keynesian macroeconomics wherein high public expenditure was necessary for improving the unemployment condition and further economic deterioration. USA’s planned stimulus package after revision was 831 billion dollars and according to Paul Krugman it was too less though he was supportive of the law. (Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman: Too Little Stimulus in Stimulus Plan, 2009) Some of the critics for this policy said that it was too slow and had a huge price tag but according to the data the policy had resulted in decrease in unemployment as the unemployment rate is around 6and half percentage points lower. (Blinder Zandi, 2010) The policy paper further gave examples of Indonesian and Egyptian stimulus package. The Indonesian Government spent 7.6 billion dollars to boost aggregate demand and this spending on infrastructure was 17% of the GDP. Estimation of the government to set a job creation target of over one million workers was surpassed. As for the Egyptian government the stimulus package was worth 2.82 billion dollar in the financial year 2008-09. According to various estimates it stated that the complete stimulus package is expected to create between 661,420 and 729,650 new job opportunities. This section of the policy paper concluded by mentioning that some amount of public expenditure (read infrastructure spending) is good as it helps in growth and development of economy through skill development of the labour and promotion of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). It further wrote â€Å"spending cuts in such forms of investment would have a serious negative impact on employment and recovery unless ways could be found to maintain services with reduced costs.† Policy Options to address the challenge The examples illustrated above clearly reflect the issues related to the number of jobs created and the targeting of different sections of labour force. The focus of policy making in this area should shift from the amount of money spent to the number of jobs created relative to the set of employable workers and to the amount of public services provided. A prolonged strategy needs to be developed whose objective would be to provide short term relief from unemployment and long term creation of jobs aiming to meet the structural infrastructure deficits. Measures to guarantee timely implementation Higher public spending in periods of crisis for job creation involves a lag which is inherent in the cycle of identifying, formulating and approving projects. Therefore, objective should be a speedy and timely implementation, as an economy which is already in recession can deteriorate even quickly. The rate at which jobs can be created depends on the type of projects (large construction projects versus small or medium maintenance projects). Another important factor which determines the pace of the projects is the distribution of public tender procedures. A number of countries experience effective execution of public investment at less than 50% of the amount budgeted. Therefore, the short term objective is to achieve full execution of available resources rather than just allocation of additional resources. In order to ensure the timely implementation and to reap benefits from the existing administrational structures, public work schemes can be given additional funds to scale up. Taking up planned infrastructure and improving the efficiency of implementation of works formulated in public investment programmes are few of the features of the fiscal stimulus package. Decentralization of standard administrative procedures and dividing them into small grants at local levels to employ small-scale local contractors, labourers and local resources to efficiently enhance the employment opportunities of the infrastructure component of the packages is often a more effective than centrally planned and executed projects. Targeting Traditionally, the options of targeting were limited in public investment programmes, since majority of the works were generally executed by private enterprises. As objectives of targeting can be influenced to a certain degree through innovations to procurement systems hence, Public Employment Programmes, in which special targeting mechanisms can be applied, play an important complementary role. An important means of targeting constitutes the prioritization of investment projects in areas most affected by crisis. Subcontracting small works to local labourers allows for the targeting of special groups, such as women. In regular maintenance activities, women may take a larger share of job opportunities. Impact of infrastructure spending An investment in infrastructure is the first stepping stone towards the long run development and also takes into account immediate social needs. Generally, investments in infrastructure includes those in economic, such as, improving transportation viz. roads, railways and waterways and social sectors, such as health and education, treatment of water and sewage, and other public sectors. These investments depend mostly on the urgent requirements of the country. A major part of these expenditures can be executed through small-scale or medium-scale enterprises and thereby promoting them. Investments in infrastructure with a focus on the employment have a strong employment multiplier effect, since it leads to job creation both directly and indirectly. Increased usage of local goods and services creates a high indirect employment effect, which in turn leads to higher local incomes and thereby stimulates the local demand and consumption. However, this has to be taken cautiously as the way a job is defined varies from one country to another. There is no valid way to measure the direct employment created because of the fiscal stimulus package, as most countries face problems in gathering reliable data. Therefore, we need a consolidated effort to improving our way of understanding and documentation of the effects, in order to provide better guidance on the measures where the effects of multiplier are most prominent, given the requirements of the particular country. Conclusion Investments in infrastructure should be launched to build up capital for sustainable development and inclusive growth: human capital including skills, employment (including green jobs) and entrepreneurship development, and physical capital such as construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure. As told earlier decentralized public investment should be preferred:- First, because decentralized decision-making processes are faster and local population more committed to the projects. It improves targeting and its proper use and maintenance. Secondly, the works undertaken are usually on a smaller scale and involve less expensive tenders, which mean there is less need for heavy machinery. Third, decentralized tenders are more likely to be executed by local firms using workers from the area, thus boosting the local economy as a whole. Because many infrastructure projects in low and medium countries are co- financed by international financial institutions, these institutions should make sure that their regulations allow for an increase in labour content in infrastructure development. Readjusting the design, procurement and contracting modalities of such products could have a major effect on employment. Works Cited Blinder, A. S., Zandi, M. (2010, December). Stimulas Worked. Retrieved from www.imf.org: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2010/12/blinder.htm Council-on-Foreign-Relations. (2014, March 4). Infrastructure. Retrieved from www.cfr.org: http://www.cfr.org/infrastructure/infrastructure/p26178 Lenzner, R. (2011, October 23). A $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Creates 27 Million Jobs In 5 Years. Retrieved from www.forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertlenzner/2011/10/23/the-u-s-wont-be-able-to-grow-again-until-2016-18/ Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman: Too Little Stimulus in Stimulus Plan. (2009, February 19). Retrieved from http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/nobel-laureate-paul-krugman-too-little-stimulus-in-stimulus-plan/ Runningen, R. (2013, November 9). Obama Urges Infrastructure Spending to Spur U.S. Economy. Retrieved from www.bloomberg.com: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-09/obama-urges-infrastructure-spending-to-spur-u-s-economy.html Spending on transport infrastructure: Latest Data Released. (2013, July 11). Retrieved from www.internationaltransportforum.org: http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/Press/PDFs/2013-07-11Spending.pdf

The Benefits of Alternative Medicine over Conventional Medicine Essay

The Benefits of Alternative Medicine over Conventional Medicine   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I used to be like millions of Americans, thinking: "I'm too busy to research alternative health care. I don't even have time to slow down enough to think about it. I know I don't eat right; but there's not enough time to make healthy food. I'm not even sure what is healthy; the "experts" seem to come up with new findings that counter previous ones at least once a week. I rely on my doctor to keep me abreast of any problems; and when one does come up, he has a quick fix for me: antibiotics, anti- depressants, tension relievers, and pills to counter the side effects (like stomach upset, restlessness) caused by the others. I've heard of other "holistic" health care methods, but I'm skeptical of everything, and some of those "alternative" methods sound like "quack" treatments. Besides, I don't have the time or money to go out and learn about or try every one to see if any work. It's much easier to just go to my doctor and walk out with a pill; and I am qu ickly back in the rat race, which I don't necessarily like, but I do have to keep working."   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Now, along with a growing number of concerned people, my thinking has changed. I can't believe what is going on in this country. I can't believe I grew up learning to trust the medical industry when they aren't just concerned with my health; they're more concerned with profits. Learning about healthier ways to live was so time consuming, because I had patterns that took a lifetime to develop that were unhealthy. Had I been raised to live a healthy life and know about my body and what it needs, the process would have been natural and actually taken up less time; like recycling, it seems like such a time ... ...mily guide to homeopathy. New York: Penguin Studio, 1995. Levy, Stuart B., M.D. The antibiotic Paradox, How miracle drugs are destroying the miracle. New York: Plenum Press, 1992 Colt, George Howe. "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me." Life September 1996: 35-50. Hogue, John. Nostradamus & the Millennium. New York: Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1987 Weil, Andrew, M.D. "Eight Weeks to Optimum Health." KAET, Public Television, 1997. Winkelman, Michael. Introduction. Pharmacological properties of some Piman (O'odham medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes. Tucson: Native Seeds/SEARCH, 1992. 5. Difranco, Ani. "Egos like Hairdoos." Puddle Dive. Righteous Babe Records 1995. Dessaint, Alain, Ph.D. a. "I did it my way." Healthy &Natural Journal. Vol. 3, No. 2, 1996: 107-110. Miller, Richard A. The magical and ritual use of HERBS. Rochester: Destiny Books, 1993

Susan Isaacss Critique of Ntozake Shanges Sassafrass, Cypress, and Indigo :: Sassafrass Cypress Indigo

Susan Isaacs's Critique of Ntozake Shange's Sassafrass, Cypress, and Indigo Susan Isaacs believes that Ntozake Shange's first novel, Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, is mildly entertaining and enjoyable, but her writing, "sometimes loses a thread and makes a mess" (395). Isaacs praises Shange's style, while finding fault with some of the techniques she employs. The main character that is introduced to the readers in Post Modern American Fiction's excerpt from Shange's novel, Sassafrass Cypress, and Indigo, is Indigo, the youngest of three daughters in the story. Indigo's character borders on the mystical. She has dolls she still talks to, and a fiddle that Sister Mary Louise, a friend of Indigo's, remarks, "Too much of the Holy Ghost came out of Indigo and that fiddle" (Shange, 44). One of Isaacs's criticisms has to do with Indigo's use of magic. Indigo is an avid fiddle player, she, "had mastered the hum of the dusk, the crescendoes of the cicadas, swamp rushes in light winds, thunder at high tide, and her mother's laughter down the hall" (Shange, 45). The technique of mixing magic and fiddle playing does not sit well with Isaacs, who states, "It's an intriguing idea, but it fails because although the author tries to present Indigo as a wise innocent, a mystical power, a joyous embodiment of the black spirit, the rhetoric of her musings is earthbound radical-feminist, predictable and silly..." Isaacs continues her criticism of the notion that Indigo has any magical abilities, and the use of magic as a story line and as a part of Indigo's character, saying, "And if Indigo's black magic is real,...How can she and her people-a people with such potent magic-tolerate the evils the author catalogues so movingly?" (396). Isaacs wonders about the reason for Indigo's magical, mystical qualities, and continues along this track, wondering if the magic might be a metaphor, a fantasy of Indigo's, or Shange's own portrayal of black folklore. Regardless of the intended portrayal of Indigo's magical qualities, Isaacs believes that, "it is not presented with enough clarity. The reader remains mildly fond of Indigo--people who talk to dolls can be enchanting--but it is nonetheless befuddled about her role in the novel" (394). Despite Isaacs' problems with the structure of the novel, and some of the devices and techniques Shange used in her character development, she does praise Shange as a novelist, comparing her art to weaving, a skill shared by both the mother and the eldest daughter in Sassafrass, Cypress, and Indigo.