Thursday, November 28, 2019

Walt Whitmans Evolution Essays - Psy, , Term Papers

Walt Whitman's Evolution The nursery was a sea of red, newborn faces! I expected to pinpoint you because you are my flesh and blood. I also named you after an exotic flower, so I assumed? And my father's voice would trail sheepishly. To his disappointment, it was a pink name-tag, not a psychic link that enabled him to know which red, newborn face was mine. Like all babies, I was stamped with a name, the first streak of chalk on my spotless slate of identity. Initially, a name is a set of syllables with the sole purpose of marking one face from an another. But later, this practicality (which distinguished me amongst a sea of infants) loses significance because the name begins to hold deeper meanings as one matures. It may even mark individual identities to the point where a mere mention can lead to surmises, fair and unfair. As a result, one can say Benedict Arnold and Traitor easily in the same breath. A name is not a mere utterance by the tongue; because it is categorized (most often by gender and culture), it can forcefully project its own characteristics onto its owner's identity. Often, my fifth grade teacher crabbily speculated that her mother was probably drunk when her mother was pregnant. My teacher's name was Billy, and her brother's name was Sue, not vice versa. Recognizable connotations in names are important tools for authors to convey literary meanings. For instance, Joe Christmas in William Faulkner's Light in August is conspicuous because of his mixed heritage, which is projected by his parchmentcolored skin and his name, which a normal white man does not have. His striking name makes him unique, marking him as a foreigner. However, he chooses not to replace it with his white foster father's name because the name Christmas identifies him and his mixed heritage. Like Christmas, some people choose names that are significant to their identities. But in my case, my elementary schoolmates took the initiative to choose my nicknames: Infinity Eyeballs and Moron. Needless to say, the former was a reference to my glasses, and the latter was a corruption of Mi Ran. I was stung because they were relevant to my identity; I did wear glasses, and my ethnic name can be mispronounced easily by non-Korean tongues. Thus, I became ashamed of my glasses and nationality. Adults seemed even less adept at pronouncing my name, so I began to dread substitute teachers, especially when they took attendance. Some were brave and tried to pronounce my name, but many just sighed, Sorry, I can't read this name. It is also ironic that my fifth grade teacher thought my name was Mia Ron. My given name became a burden, a source of torment. I was bothered that only Koreans could pronounce my name correctly. After one difficult day at school, I screamed at my father, Why didn't you name me Ann? I love that name because it isn't Korean! With hurt in his eyes, he responded that he named me after the orchid because he admired its wild, singular beauty. But, he softened, When you were a baby, your red, newborn face did not epitomize the orchid. Later, however, he did decide that my name was apt because I require as much love and care as an orchid. For a while, I considered compromising by Westernizing Mi Ran to Marion, but that would be no compromise. It symbolizes shedding some of my Korean culture, a part of my identity. Then, I learned to accept my unique name as a gift. As American culture blended into my identity, I learned to accept how non-Koreans try to pronounce my name. In fact, I began to like being called a variety of names that do belong to me, such as Mirm, Mirin, Mir-Ahn, and not just Mi Ran everyday. When I chose to keep my given name, I retained an aspect of my Korean culture and gained an American one. But most importantly, the mispronunciations actually give me a sense of individuality.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

4 questions to ask at the end of an interview

4 questions to ask at the end of an interview It’s game time- the interview is here. You prepped well. You aced the handshake, anticipated the questions they asked, and wowed them with your smooth, competent demeanor and relevant work anecdotes. Or maybe it wasn’t your best interview (it happens), and you need a way to salvage the whole thing. Either way, as the interview is wrapping up, it’s time to close strong. This is your chance to leave a valuable impression on your way out. At this point, most interviewers will open the floor to you by asking if you have any other questions. Before you simply shake hands and say â€Å"thank you for your time,† consider asking these four questions to finish strong. 1. â€Å"How would you describe the culture here in the office?†This question shows that you’re already thinking about how you can fit in and add value to this company. It also gives you an unofficial glimpse into what the company is like- information that you can’t necessarily ge t from online research. The interviewer is unlikely to tell you the â€Å"warts and all† version (after all, they brought you in because they may be inviting you to join the team and have no interest in scaring you away), but it’s a good way to get an initial feel for whether the job will truly be a good fit for you.2. â€Å"What’s been your favorite part about working for this company?†This engages the interviewer’s personal side, letting them give an opinion that isn’t necessarily based on the company motto or the job description. The answer can be even more revealing about the day-to-day life at the company than asking, â€Å"What’s the day-to-day like here?† For example, at one interview I asked this question and was pleasantly surprised to find out that once a month the company throws a pizza party for employees and holds regular events like employee bake-offs and craft fairs. That told me that the company valued employee morale, and was a deciding factor when I accepted the job. If the interviewer seems stumped by this question and has to think for a while before answering what he or she likes about the place, then†¦that may be a red flag, which is also good information to have.3. â€Å"What experience best prepared you for working here?†Again, this engages with the interviewer and gets them responding candidly without being too intrusive or personal. It shows that you’re invested in preparing for this job. It also tells you about the kinds of skills that will serve you best in this role, regardless of what’s in the job description. For example, if the interviewer tells you that working for a chaotic small company prepared her for the â€Å"all hands on deck† attitude of this place, it tells you that teamwork is prized here. You can respond by saying something like, â€Å"I thrive in that kind of atmosphere too. Working at a small mom-and-pop store taught me how val uable it is for everyone to pitch in to get the job done.†4. â€Å"How would you describe the leadership style here?†Up to this point, it’s likely that the interview was focused on the job itself and your qualifications. This question opens it up a bit and tells you more about the expectations of the company for this job- whether it’s a hands-on management kind of company (or potentially micromanaging), or a leadership style that relies on employees being more independent. It also tells the interviewer that you’re thinking about creating a productive, in-tune relationship with your potential manager.As with all interview questions, it’s important to read the flow of the interview. If you’ve covered any of these topics earlier, no need to rehash them at the end- it could look like you weren’t paying attention. But making sure you have a potential list of thoughtful, engaged questions ready to go will help you finish the interview in a polished, professional way.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Impact of (items choose from the requirement) on the culture of an Essay

The Impact of (items choose from the requirement) on the culture of an organisation 2232 - Essay Example The current paper analyses the importance of power, politics, conflicts and negotiations and how they impact organizational culture and the employees. Power can be essentially described as the ability to make someone do something as per ones will. It is the ability to make things happen as one desires and as they direct others. Power can essentially be described as the influential mechanism one has over others. If an organization lets employees work as they wish without exercising power, they might escape from responsibilities and remain less serious about work. In order to make employees work, it becomes essential to exercise a certain degree of power. It is generally observed that power implemented legitimately is most beneficial. Frequent and over exercising of power may lead to employees feeling over dominated and pressurized (Lawrence, et al., 2005). This might negatively impact performance (Mumby, 2001). Power in an organization should always be directed towards enhancing organizational productivity. Mangers must ensure that while exercising power, they must not display rudeness, anger or ego. Power should be exhibited in a motivating and directive manner. Managers must ensure that power does not induce fear and resentment amongst employees. This would prevent them from sharing their problems and issues with the superiors. The power to direct and guide employees must be vested in the hands of able leaders who understand the needs of both the organization and the employees (Mumby, 2001). Threatening employees, with job loss or severe actions to make them to do their work is not an effective way to exercise power (Lawrence, et al., 2005). Organizational politics can be described as the act of giving more importance to one’s own interest without giving much consideration to the needs of others. Political influences are common in

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

General Electrics Joint Ventures Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

General Electrics Joint Ventures - Case Study Example Furthermore, in the process of being a ‘wholly owned subsidiary’, GE can freely engage itself with strategic alliances (499, 504). Back then, one of the possible reasons why GE stayed away from joint venture agreement is the fear of losing some of its technological know-how to its business partner. For many years, GE has been accustomed of having full control over its business operations. In the process of entering into joint-venture agreement with a local automobile manufacturer in China, GE will have to be forced to share control with its business partner. Q.2 Why do you think that GE has come to prefer joint ventures in recent years? Do you think that the global economic crisis of 2008 and 2009 might have affected this preference in any way? If so, how? In recent years, GE has come to prefer joint ventures over ‘wholly owned subsidiary’. Basically, it is possible that the global economic crisis in 2008 and 2009 has something to with GE’s decision to enter into joint venture agreements. One of the common problems that most business experiences in the host country is related to the differences in political system, culture, language, and business practices (497). Because of these differences, there is a strong risk wherein foreign companies could fail to satisfy the specific needs and wants of its target customers. Eventually, this increases the risks of business failure. GE decided to enter into joint venture with the state-owned Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in China (484). Aside from making it easier to penetrate the market of the host country, joint venture enabled GE to effectively reduce the risks of losing large sum of money in case of business failure. When it comes to huge investment on R&D, GE could share the research costs with its business partner (497). Since the local business partner is more aware of the local

Monday, November 18, 2019

Organizing function of management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Organizing function of management - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that there are four main functions of management such as planning, organizing, leading and controlling. The fourth function of management which is controlling includes monitoring activities and resources efficiently and effectively within an organization. Technological resources include an organization’s ability to innovate and speed with which innovation occurs (The internal environment: A resource-based review of strategy). In order to be successful in the business, companies need to understand and observe customers closely. Only after knowing the customers, we can personalize products and services as per their needs and requirements. Technology is an important organizational resource with which companies can do wonders for their customers if managed this resource wisely. Technology provides companies to add as many features as they would like in a single product. For example, if you go back a decade or two, the function of the mos t advanced cell phone was to make a phone call or send a message. Now, times have changed. Drastic changes have come in the field of technology. The new iPhone by Apple has 10,000 features including wireless Internet, digital camera, global positioning system, and even audio/video player. Apple is the most valuable technology company in the world. Apple introduced tablets and other advanced gadgets in the market which no one can compete. It attracts all the technological freaks towards its latest inventions with its innovative features and great looks.

Friday, November 15, 2019

The Germ Theory Of Disease

The Germ Theory Of Disease The germ theory of disease is a theory that suggests that all types of specific infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms called germs. This theory was developed by Louis Pasteur through the influence of Antoine Bechamp. Observation and questioning stage: 1854: Pasteur, the 19th century biologist and chemist, becomes the director of scientific studies where he had studied. 1857: He begins his work on the theory of germs and micro-organisms. His first research based on: Fermentation in alcohol, such as wine and beer. Through his research, he found that fermentation without oxygen, involved living organisms that abound in the surface of all objects in the air and in water. 1861: Pasteurs germ theory is published. Hypothesis and experiment stage: 1864: He used the process of pasteurisation to heat liquid: such as, milk and alcohol at about 50 degrees Celsius for certain time and then cooled them in order to destroy the micro-organisms. From his observation, Pasteur was aware that if the microbes could affect liquids, then it was a possibility that they could also affect animals and humans. 1865: Pasteur begins his studies again after his asked by the silk industry to find the cause of the disease that had been affecting the silk worms. From his research he found that this infectious disease was caused by living organisms, in this case parasites, bacteria and fungi. Sharing findings stage: 1867: After Pasteurs influence, Joseph Lister a Surgeon decides to use this theory in medical procedures. Joseph begins to use phenol (Carbolic acid) solution to treat surgical wounds, reducing infections and deaths. Repeat by others stage: 1876: Robert Koch, a German physician was one of the people who established that bacteria actually cause diseases. Based on Pasteurs previous studies, Koch was the first to discover the cause of anthrax (a disease that was destroying cattle and sheep in Europe). With his research, Koch found a rod-shaped bacterium now known as: (Bacillus anthrax) in a dead cows blood. Koch experimented by growing a culture of the bacteria from the dead cow and injecting samples into healthy animals. When these animals became sick and subsequently died, Koch separated the bacteria from the blood of these cows and compared them with the original set of bacteria samples taken from the blood of first cow. He concluded that both samples of blood had the same bacteria. This occurrence proved that Pasteurs previous study on microbes; the cause of most animal deaths meant that these infections where motivated by micro-organisms. Theory acceptance stage: 1888: The Pasteur institute was founded in Paris for the treatment of diseases and Pasteur became the director. Task 2 M1 Scientific questioning. Questions science is currently addressing. Is there a cure for AIDS? Global warming, can it be stopped? Issue: First of all, global warming has not been proven; it is as much a theory as is the theory of evolution and neither has been established as incontrovertible fact. The causes for global warming are many and varied; the latest proponent is that there are too many of us already on the planet and the numbers are increasing rapidly. The mere fact that we are continuously breathing out carbon dioxide means that CO2 levels can only increase which will further increase the warming effect. Science is being used in many ways to bring about the aims of Agenda 21, which was divulged at the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Brazil on June 14, 1992. The main purpose of Agenda 21 is to control the world and reduce our population by 80-90%, which would bring the population down to around 500 Million. Vaccines have been developed and are being used covertly to render populations of developing countries infertile and therefore reduce the size of future generations. Questions science cannot answer yet. Where did humanity come from? Is there life on other planets? Issue: At the moment, from the scientists point of view there is no technology available at present to investigate this point which makes the whole question very difficult to answer. Firstly, there is no way of knowing what forms of life could exist on the planets outside of our solar system. Moreover, the universe is simply too vast and present technology cannot provide space ships with the ability to travel fast enough to explore these far off regions. Water has been found on the moon in higher quantities than ever thought possible, and as Mars (which is thought most likely planet to support some form of life) has conditions close to what is found in Antarctica (other than the absence of oxygen). It is quite likely that Science will be able to answer this question definitively within the next 10 to 20 years or so. Questions science may never answer. Can time travel be possible? When will the world end? Issue: The only way a definitive answer can be substantiated is if time travel was possible and that information could be relayed back to the present time. This in itself is a paradox. However, in order for science to answer the question, other questions need to be presented. There is a raft of media attention focusing on the fact that the last date on the Mayan calendar is December 21st 2012. As most of the predictions relating to key events in history have been successfully predicted, then it is quite reasonable to hypothesise that by using the Mayan calendar, some catastrophic event could well happen on or immediately after the 21st of December 2012. Philosophical proponents of the last days have different opinions as to when this event will take place. For instance, Christianity teaches that the world will end will end once Jesus has returned to earth and taken his true followers to heaven. It is written that Jesus himself does not know the date, as it is God the Father alone who knows. Ultimately, it is a known and proven fact that the earth will eventually burn up in a billion or so years time, when the sun has expanded into a giant red ball of fire. However a date within a million years either way cannot be substantiated. Reasons why these questions are different: Is there life on other planets? Global warming, can it be stopped? When will the world end? Each of these questions are different, because in order for them to be answered there needs to be an evolutionary step ladder of scientific knowledge. In other words, the level of scientific knowledge we have at present can only provide answers to a limited number of questions. However once our present level of scientific knowledge evolves to yet a higher level, todays mysteries will be disclosed with ease. Argument For and Against The Theory of Evolution. D1 We should all be aware that evolution is just a theory and as such this assignment addresses arguments both for and against the Theory of Evolution. What is evolution all about? We are initially taught in schools, universities and by the media that all existence evolved from a simple life form over millions of years; that the more intricate species on earth were compelled by natural selection, thus encouraging all present life on earth to have arrived at its present state as a result of what is termed as survival of the fittest. This is what most people take for granted as to what the term Evolution represents. However, there are modern aspects to the term Evolution, One example in microbiology, is where bacteria has become resistant to antibiotics; these bacteria are said to have evolved into an antibiotic strain. For the purpose of this argument, I will deal with the former, where the term Evolution assumes that all present life has evolved from primordial forms of life. Evidence has been presented to support this theory; most coming from fossil records. According to some records, the fossils examined as evidence reveal that living organisms such as the horse has modified over time. If we look at an example of a transitional form of record, we find that the horse has developed from a tiny animal with multi-toed feet existing within a tropical rainforest type environment, into a single-toed animal that is accustomed to a totally different environment. Additionally, evolutionists have proposed ideas that suggest that whales developed from early mammals such as: camels, elephants and cows. Fossils of different animals were found to have similar characteristics as early whales. In their view this was the evidence to show different transitions. In contrast, there is also strong evidence that overrules the theory of evolution. If we take a close look at the whales formation, we start to question: how is it possible that what was once a camel, adapted to breathing air and land based have the mental ability to know how to hold its breath in order to put its head under water? And how many generations of camels would have to have been born for this ability to become an inherent characteristic of its nature? Camels are herbivores, so at what point in their supposed evolutionary process were they able to begin to digest a wide range of food such as: microscopic plankton and very large animals? Likewise, although evolutionists have argued that birds have developed from reptiles such as crocodiles there hasnt been any evidence to support this. Reptiles do not breathe in the same manner as birds, so how could a birds lung function possibly change from another type of lung function? To further support this argument of birds evolving from reptiles, there are no fossil records showing reptiles with feathers, birds with scales or anything in-between. Also, creationists argue that there is nothing in the fossil records which definitively proves that there is a relationship between humans and apes or even between any other living systems. This view is supported by the bible in Genesis chapter 1:24-25, which states: And God said, Let the earth be filled with animals, each producing more of its kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals, let each produce more of its kind. And it happened. Verse 25: So God made the wild animals, the tame animals and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their kind. God saw that it was good. The key we learn from this quote is that every kind of living thing was spoken into existence at the same time, hence the word: Kind. This includes all life forms that have become extinct since that time and are now to be found in the fossil records. To further support this; when we look at the different types of animals of the same kind: dogs, whales, lizards and butterflies in the world, the theory that one simple life form evolved into many different types of life forms, becomes negated. Conclusion To conclude, looking at the arguments above it is quite fair to say that evolution is still a theory and not proven as fact; there is as much evidence, if not more, to disprove it as a theory. Despite the fact that evolutionists have found evidence in fossil records to support transitional forms, there is still no obvious evidence of fossils which show development between crucial life-forms such as; humans and the apes. It is clear when looking at the likeness in the anatomy of all living systems that they indicate exceptional evidence for Intelligent Design rather than the development of living things from a simple life form. Bibliography (Scientific theories) Encyclopaedia Wikipedia Discovery channel YouTube Books: An introduction to microbiology (first edition)

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Essay --

Told by a charming priest and kindly man, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale is a beast fable in Chaucer’s genius framed narrative, The Canterbury Tales. Written in the late 14th century, The Nun’s Priest’s Tale is a fable about an all too egotistic rooster named Chanticleer who dreams of his impending doom which takes the form of a beast. Deeply troubled, he seeks the consolation of other wise barn animals and his favorite wife, Pertelote. Being a beast fable, the Nun’s Priest mocks the Court World by lowering nobles to the level of animals to be mocked. As this fable displays that animals act like humans is to also imply that humans, namely people of the court, act like animals. Using the technique of a mock-heroic tale, the Nun’s Priest takes a trivial event and elevates it to a climatic story in an almost comic way. When the fox runs off with Chanticleer clenched in his jaws, the entire scene is narrated with elevated and sophisticated language used in many epics to enhance the climatic tones and spectacular actions taking place. By using intricate language to describe a fox snatching a rooster in a barnyard, the tale is given a very comical and ironic tone. The chase is described as, â€Å"O Geoffrey, thou my dear and sovereign master Who, when they brought King Richard to disaster And shot him dead, lamented so his death, Would that I had thy skill, thy gracious breath, To chide a Friday half so well as you! (For he was killed upon a Friday too.) Then I could fashion you a rhapsody For Chanticleer in dread and agony† (Chaucer, 228). By comparing this chase to King Richard the III and his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field suggests the Nun’s Priest’s mocking and comic absurdity of the situation. In doing so, the Nun’s Priest and possibl... ...ght. The phrases such as â€Å"redder than fine coral† or â€Å"battlemented like a castle wall† and â€Å"burnished gold† evoke the image of a knight in shining armor. The color azure is â€Å"one of the five standard colors in coats of arms† (asur, Middle English Dictionary Entry). This establishes his appearance as a person from the court. Thus, the prideful and charming Chanticleer is representative of the egocentric values of the court world that the Nun’s Priest is ridiculing. The irony of this tale is blatant. The highly philosophical intellect of the roosters and hens represents the ideals of the court world that is derided by having the setting as a barnyard. The Nun’s Priest is using this beast fable as a moral story of warning. The court world is insulted by the pointing out of its flaw: treachery through flattery. Chaucer himself could be criticizing the court of its fault.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

The Host Chapter 31: Needed

I froze and then looked quickly over my shoulder to see if someone was behind me. â€Å"Gladys was his wife,† Jamie whispered almost silently. â€Å"She didn't escape.† â€Å"Gladys,† Walter said to me, oblivious to my reaction. â€Å"Would you believe I went and got cancer? What are the odds, eh? Never took a sick day in my life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His voice faded out until I couldn't hear it, but his lips continued to move. He was too weak to lift his hand; his fingers dragged themselves toward the edge of the cot, toward me. Ian nudged me forward. â€Å"What should I do?† I breathed. The sweat beading on my forehead had nothing to do with the humid heat. â€Å"†¦ grandfather lived to be a hundred and one,† Walter wheezed, audible again. â€Å"Nobody ever had cancer in my family, not even the cousins. Didn't your aunt Regan have skin cancer, though?† He looked at me trustingly, waiting for an answer. Ian poked me in the back. â€Å"Um†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I mumbled. â€Å"Maybe that was Bill's aunt,† Walter allowed. I shot a panicked glance at Ian, who shrugged. â€Å"Help,† I mouthed at him. He motioned for me to take Walter's searching fingers. Walter's skin was chalk white and translucent. I could see the faint pulse of blood in the blue veins on the back of his hand. I lifted his hand gingerly, worried about the slender bones that Jamie had said were so brittle. It felt too light, as if it were hollow. â€Å"Ah, Gladdie, it's been hard without you. It's a nice place here; you'll like it, even when I'm gone. Plenty of people to talk to-I know how you need to have your conversation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The volume of his voice sank until I couldn't make out the words anymore, but his lips still shaped the words he wanted to share with his wife. His mouth kept moving, even when his eyes closed and his head lolled to the side. Ian found a wet cloth and began wiping Walter's shining face. â€Å"I'm not good at†¦ at deception,† I whispered, watching Walter's mumbling lips to make sure he wasn't listening to me. â€Å"I don't want to upset him.† â€Å"You don't have to say anything,† Ian reassured me. â€Å"He's not lucid enough to care.† â€Å"Do I look like her?† â€Å"Not a bit-I've seen her picture. Stocky redhead.† â€Å"Here, let me do that.† Ian gave me the rag, and I cleaned the sweat off Walter's neck. Busy hands always made me feel more comfortable. Walter continued to mumble. I thought I heard him say, â€Å"Thanks, Gladdie, that's nice.† I didn't notice that Doc's snores had stopped. His familiar voice was suddenly there behind me, too gentle to startle. â€Å"How is he?† â€Å"Delusional,† Ian whispered. â€Å"Is that the brandy or the pain?† â€Å"More the pain, I would think. I'd trade my right arm for some morphine.† â€Å"Maybe Jared will produce another miracle,† Ian suggested. â€Å"Maybe,† Doc sighed. I wiped absently at Walter's pallid face, listening more intently now, but they didn't speak of Jared again. Not here, Melanie whispered. Looking for help for Walter, I agreed. Alone, she added. I thought about the last time I'd seen him-the kiss, the belief†¦ He probably wanted some time to himself. I hope he isn't out there convincing himself that you're a very talented actress-slash-Seeker again†¦ That's possible, of course. Melanie groaned silently. Ian and Doc murmured in quiet voices about inconsequential things, mostly Ian catching Doc up on what was going on in the caves. â€Å"What happened to Wanda's face?† Doc whispered, but I could still hear him easily. â€Å"More of the same,† Ian said in a tight voice. Doc made an unhappy noise under his breath and then clicked his tongue. Ian told him a bit about tonight's awkward class, about Geoffrey's questions. â€Å"It would have been convenient if Melanie had been possessed by a Healer,† Doc mused. I flinched, but they were behind me and probably didn't notice. â€Å"We're lucky it was Wanda,† Ian murmured in my defense. â€Å"No one else -â€Å" â€Å"I know,† Doc interrupted, good-natured as always. â€Å"I guess I should say, it's too bad Wanda didn't have more of an interest in medicine.† â€Å"I'm sorry,† I murmured. I was careless to reap the benefits of perfect health without ever being curious about the cause. A hand touched my shoulder. â€Å"You have nothing to apologize for,† Ian said. Jamie was being very quiet. I looked around and saw that he was curled up on the cot where Doc had been napping. â€Å"It's late,† Doc noted. â€Å"Walter's not going anywhere tonight. You should get some sleep.† â€Å"We'll be back,† Ian promised. â€Å"Let us know what we can bring, for either of you.† I laid Walter's hand down, patting it cautiously. His eyes snapped open, focusing with more awareness than before. â€Å"Are you leaving?† he wheezed. â€Å"Do you have to go so soon?† I took his hand again quickly. â€Å"No, I don't have to leave.† He smiled and closed his eyes again. His fingers locked around mine with brittle strength. Ian sighed. â€Å"You can go,† I told him. â€Å"I don't mind. Take Jamie back to his bed.† Ian glanced around the room. â€Å"Hold on a sec,† he said, and then he grabbed the cot closest to him. It wasn't heavy-he lifted it easily and slid it into place next to Walter's. I stretched my arm to the limit, trying not to jostle Walter, so that Ian could arrange the cot under it. Then he grabbed me up just as easily and set me on the cot beside Walter. Walter's eyes never fluttered. I gasped quietly, caught off guard by the casual way Ian was able to put his hands on me-as though I were human. Ian jerked his chin toward Walter's hand clasped around mine. â€Å"Do you think you can sleep like that?† â€Å"Yes, I'm sure I can.† â€Å"Sleep well, then.† He smiled at me, then turned and lifted Jamie from the other cot. â€Å"Let's go, kid,† he muttered, carrying the boy with no more effort than if he were an infant. Ian's quiet footsteps faded into the distance until I couldn't hear them anymore. Doc yawned and went to sit behind the desk he'd constructed out of wooden crates and an aluminum door, taking the dim lamp with him. Walter's face was too dark to see, and that made me nervous. It was like he was already gone. I took comfort in his fingers, still curled stiffly around mine. Doc began to shuffle through some papers, humming almost inaudibly to himself. I drifted off to the sound of the gentle rustling. Walter recognized me in the morning. He didn't wake until Ian showed up to escort me back; the cornfield was due to be cleared of the old stalks. I promised Doc I would bring him breakfast before I got to work. The very last thing I did was to carefully loosen my numb fingers, freeing them from Walter's grasp. His eyes opened. â€Å"Wanda,† he whispered. â€Å"Walter?† I wasn't sure how long he would know me, or if he would remember last night. His hand clutched at the empty air, so I gave him my left, the one that wasn't dead. â€Å"You came to see me. That was nice. I know†¦ with the others back†¦ must be hard†¦ for you†¦ Your face†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He seemed to be having a difficult time making his lips form the words, and his eyes went in and out of focus. How like him, that his first words to me would be full of concern. â€Å"Everything's fine, Walter. How are you feeling?† â€Å"Ah -† He groaned quietly. â€Å"Not so†¦ Doc?† â€Å"Right here,† Doc murmured, close behind me. â€Å"Got any more liquor?† he gasped. â€Å"Of course.† Doc was already prepared. He held the mouth of a thick glass bottle to Walter's slack lips and carefully poured the dark brown liquid in slow drips into his mouth. Walter winced as each sip burned down his throat. Some of it trickled out the side of his mouth and onto his pillow. The smell stung my nose. â€Å"Better?† Doc asked after a long moment of slow pouring. Walter grunted. It didn't sound like assent. His eyes closed. â€Å"More?† Doc asked. Walter grimaced and then moaned. Doc cursed under his breath. â€Å"Where's Jared?† he muttered. I stiffened at the name. Melanie stirred and then drifted again. Walter's face sagged. His head rolled back on his neck. â€Å"Walter?† I whispered. â€Å"The pain's too much for him to stay conscious. Let him be,† Doc said. My throat felt swollen. â€Å"What can I do?† Doc's voice was desolate. â€Å"About as much as I can. Which is nothing. I'm useless.† â€Å"Don't be like that, Doc,† I heard Ian murmur. â€Å"This isn't your fault. The world doesn't work the way it used to. No one expects more of you.† My shoulders hunched inward. No, their world didn't work the same way anymore. A finger tapped my arm. â€Å"Let's go,† Ian whispered. I nodded and started to pull my hand free again. Walter's eyes rolled open, unseeing. â€Å"Gladdie? Are you here?† he implored. â€Å"Um†¦ I'm here,† I said uncertainly, letting his fingers lock around mine. Ian shrugged. â€Å"I'll get you both some food,† he whispered, and then he left. I waited anxiously for him to return, unnerved by Walter's misconception. Walter murmured Gladys's name over and over, but he didn't seem to need anything from me, for which I was grateful. After a while, half an hour maybe, I began listening for Ian's footsteps in the tunnel, wondering what could be taking him so long. Doc stood by his desk the whole time, staring into nothing with his shoulders slumped. It was easy to see how useless he felt. And then I did hear something, but it wasn't footsteps. â€Å"What is that?† I asked Doc in a whisper; Walter was quiet again, maybe unconscious. I didn't want to disturb him. Doc turned to look at me, cocking his head to the side at the same time to listen. The noise was a funny thrumming, a fast, soft beat. I thought I heard it get just a little louder, but then it seemed quieter again. â€Å"That's weird,† Doc said. â€Å"It almost sounds like†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, his forehead furrowing in concentration as the unfamiliar sound faded. We were listening intently, so we heard the footsteps when they were still far away. They did not match the expected, even pace of Ian's return. He was running-no, sprinting. Doc reacted immediately to the sound of trouble. He jogged quickly out to meet Ian. I wished I could see what was wrong, too, but I didn't want to upset Walter by trying to free my hand again. I listened hard instead. â€Å"Brandt?† I heard Doc say in surprise. â€Å"Where is it? Where is it?† the other man demanded breathlessly. The running footsteps only paused for a second, then started up again, not quite as fast. â€Å"What are you talking about?† Doc asked, calling back this way. â€Å"The parasite!† Brandt hissed impatiently, anxiously, as he burst through the arched entry. Brandt was not a big man like Kyle or Ian; he was probably only a few inches taller than me, but he was thick and solid as a rhinoceros. His eyes swept the room; his piercing gaze focused on my face for half a second, then took in Walter's oblivious form, and then raced around the room only to end up on me again. Doc caught up with Brandt then, his long fingers gripping Brandt's shoulder just as the broader man took the first step in my direction. â€Å"What are you doing?† Doc asked, his voice the closest to a growl I'd ever heard it. Before Brandt answered, the odd sound returned, going from soft to screaming loud to soft again with a suddenness that had us all frozen. The beats thudded right on top of one another, shaking the air when they were at their loudest. â€Å"Is that-is that a helicopter?† Doc asked, whispering. â€Å"Yes,† Brandt whispered back. â€Å"It's the Seeker-the one from before, the one who was looking for it.† He jerked his chin at me. My throat was suddenly too small-the breaths moving through it were thin and shallow, not enough. I felt dizzy. No. Not now. Please. What is her problem? Mel snarled in my head. Why can't she leave us alone? We can't let her hurt them! But how do we stop her? I don't know. This is all my fault! Mine, too, Wanda. Ours. â€Å"Are you sure?† Doc asked. â€Å"Kyle got a clear view through the binoculars while it was hovering. Same one he saw before.† â€Å"Is it looking here?† Doc's voice was suddenly horrified. He half spun, eyes flashing toward the exit. â€Å"Where's Sharon?† Brandt shook his head. â€Å"It's just running sweeps. Starts at Picacho, then fans out in spokes. Doesn't look like it's focusing on anything close. Circled around a few times where we dumped the car.† â€Å"Sharon?† Doc asked again. â€Å"She's with the kids and Lucina. They're fine. The boys are getting things packed in case we have to roll tonight, but Jeb says it's not likely.† Doc exhaled, then paced over to his desk. He slouched against it, looking as if he'd just run a long race. â€Å"So it's nothing new, really,† he murmured. â€Å"Naw. Just have to lay low for a few days,† Brandt reassured him. His eyes were flickering around the room again, settling on me every other second. â€Å"Do you have any rope handy?† he asked. He pulled up the edge of the sheet on an empty cot, examining it. â€Å"Rope?† Doc echoed blankly. â€Å"For the parasite. Kyle sent me out here to secure it.† My muscles contracted involuntarily; my hand gripped Walter's fingers too tightly, and he whimpered. I tried to force it to relax while I kept my eyes on Brandt's hard face. He was waiting for Doc, expectant. â€Å"You're here to secure Wanda?† Doc said, his voice hard again. â€Å"And what makes you think that's necessary?† â€Å"Come on, Doc. Don't be stupid. You've got some big vents in here, and a lot of reflective metal.† Brandt gestured to a file cabinet against the far wall. â€Å"You let your attention wander for half a minute, and it'll be flashing signals to that Seeker.† I sucked in a shocked breath; it was loud in the still room. â€Å"See?† Brandt said. â€Å"Guessed its plan in one.† I wanted to bury myself under a boulder to hide from the bulging, relentless eyes of my Seeker, yet he imagined I wanted to guide her in. Bring her here to kill Jamie, Jared, Jeb, Ian†¦ I felt like gagging. â€Å"You can go, Brandt,† Doc said in an icy tone. â€Å"I will keep an eye on Wanda.† Brandt raised one eyebrow. â€Å"What happened to you guys? To you and Ian and Trudy and the rest? It's like you're all hypnotized. If your eyes weren't right, I'd have to wonder†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Go ahead and wonder all you want, Brandt. But get out while you're doing it.† Brandt shook his head. â€Å"I've got a job to do.† Doc walked toward Brandt, stopping when he was between Brandt and me. He folded his arms across his chest. â€Å"You're not going to touch her.† The throbbing helicopter blades sounded in the distance. We were all very still, not breathing, until they faded. Brandt shook his head when it was quiet again. He didn't speak; he just went to the desk and picked up Doc's chair. He carried it to the wall by the file cabinet, slammed it to the ground, and then sat down hard, making the metal legs squeal against the stone. He leaned forward, his hands on his knees, and stared at me. A vulture waiting for a dying hare to stop moving. Doc's jaw tightened, making a little popping noise. â€Å"Gladys,† Walter muttered, surfacing from his dazed sleep. â€Å"You're here.† Too nervous to speak with Brandt watching, I just patted his hand. His clouded eyes searched my face, seeing features that weren't there. â€Å"It hurts, Gladdie. It hurts a lot.† â€Å"I know,† I whispered. â€Å"Doc?† He was already there, the brandy in hand. â€Å"Open up, Walter.† The sound of the helicopter thumped quietly, far away but still much too close. Doc flinched, and a few drops of brandy splattered on my arm. It was a horrible day. The worst of my life on this planet, even including my first day in the caves and the last hot, dry day in the desert, hours from death. The helicopter circled and circled. Sometimes more than an hour would pass, and I would think it was finally over. Then the sound would come back, and I would see the Seeker's obstinate face in my head, her protruding eyes scouring the blank desert for some sign of humans. I tried to will her away, concentrating hard on my memories of the desert's featureless, colorless plain, as if I could somehow make sure she saw nothing else, as if I could bore her into leaving. Brandt never took his suspicious stare off of me. I could always feel it, though I rarely looked at him. It got a little better when Ian came back with both breakfast and lunch. He was all dirty from packing in case of an evacuation-whatever that meant. Did they have anywhere to go? Ian scowled so hard he looked like Kyle when Brandt explained in clipped phrases why he was there. Then Ian dragged another empty cot beside mine, so that he could sit in Brandt's line of sight and block his view. The helicopter, Brandt's distrustful watch, these were not really so bad. On an ordinary day-if there was really such a thing anymore-either one of these might have seemed agonizing. Today, they were nothing. By noon, Doc had given Walter the last of the brandy. It seemed like only minutes later that Walter was writhing, moaning, and gasping for breath. His fingers bruised and chafed mine, but if I ever pulled away, his moans turned to shrill screams. I ducked out once to use the latrine; Brandt followed me, which made Ian feel like he had to come, too. By the time we got back-after nearly running the whole way-Walter's screams no longer sounded human. Doc's face was hollow with echoed agony. Walter quieted after I spoke to him for a moment, letting him think his wife was near. It was an easy lie, a kind one. Brandt made little noises of irritation, but I knew that he was wrong to be upset. Nothing mattered beside Walter's pain. The whimpers and the writhing continued, though, and Brandt paced back and forth at the other end of the room, trying to be as far from the sound as possible. Jamie came looking for me, bringing food enough for four, when the light was growing orangey overhead. I wouldn't let him stay; I made Ian take him back to the kitchen to eat, made Ian promise to watch him all night so he wouldn't sneak back here. Walter couldn't help shrieking when his twisting moved his broken leg, and the sound of it was nearly unbearable. Jamie shouldn't have this night burned into his memory the way it would surely be burned into Doc's and mine. Perhaps Brandt's as well, though he did what he could to ignore Walter, plugging his ears and humming a dissonant tune. Doc did not try to distance himself from Walter's hideous suffering; instead, he suffered with him. Walter's cries carved deep lines in Doc's face, like claws raking his skin. It was strange to see such depths of compassion in a human, particularly Doc. I couldn't look at him the same way after watching him live Walter's pain. So great was his compassion, he seemed to bleed internally with it. As I watched, it became impossible to believe that Doc was a cruel person; the man simply could not be a torturer. I tried to remember what had been said to found my conjectures-had anyone made the accusation outright? I didn't think so. I must have jumped to false conclusions in my terror. I doubted I could ever mistrust Doc again after this nightmarish day. However, I would always find his hospital a horrible place. When the last of the daylight disappeared, so did the helicopter. We sat in the darkness, not daring to turn on even the dim blue light. It took a few hours before any of us would believe the hunt was over. Brandt was the first to accept it; he'd had enough of the hospital, too. â€Å"Makes sense for it to give up,† he muttered, edging out the exit. â€Å"Nothing to see at night. I'll just take your light with me, Doc, so that Jeb's pet parasite can't get up to anything, and be on my way.† Doc didn't respond, didn't even look at the sullen man as he left. â€Å"Make it stop, Gladdie, make it stop!† Walter begged me. I wiped the sweat from his face while he crushed my hand. Time seemed to slow down and stop; the black night felt unending. Walter's screams got more and more frequent, more and more excruciating. Melanie was far away, knowing she could do nothing useful. I would have hidden, too, if Walter hadn't needed me. I was all alone in my head-exactly what I had once wanted. It made me feel lost. Eventually, a dim gray light started to creep in through the high vents overhead. I was hovering on the edge of sleep, Walter's moans and screams keeping me from sinking under. I could hear Doc snoring behind me. I was glad that he'd been able to escape for a little while. I didn't hear Jared come in. I was mumbling weak assurances, barely coherent, trying to calm Walter. â€Å"I'm here, I'm here,† I murmured as he cried out his wife's name. â€Å"Shh, it's okay.† The words were meaningless. It was something to say, though, and it did seem that my voice calmed the worst of his cries. I don't know how long Jared watched me with Walter before I realized he was there. It must have been a while. I was sure his first reaction would be anger, but when I heard him speak, his voice was cool. â€Å"Doc,† he said, and I heard the cot behind me shake. â€Å"Doc, wake up.† I jerked my hand free, whirling, disoriented, to see the face that went with the unmistakable voice. His eyes were on me as he shook the sleeping man's shoulder. They were impossible to read in the dim light. His face had no expression at all. Melanie jolted into awareness. She pored over his features, trying to read the thoughts behind the mask. â€Å"Gladdie! Don't leave! Don't!† Walter's screech had Doc bolting upright, nearly capsizing his cot. I spun back to Walter, shoving my sore hand into his searching fingers. â€Å"Shhh, shhh! Walter, I'm here. I won't leave. I won't, I promise.† He quieted down, whimpering like a small child. I wiped the damp cloth over his forehead; his sob hitched and turned into a sigh. â€Å"What's that about?† Jared murmured behind me. â€Å"She's the best painkiller I've been able to find,† Doc said wearily. â€Å"Well, I've found you something better than a tame Seeker.† My stomach knotted, and Melanie hissed in my head. So stupidly, blindly stubborn! she growled. He wouldn't believe you if you told him the sun sets in the west. But Doc was beyond caring about the slight to me. â€Å"You found something!† â€Å"Morphine-there's not much. I would have gotten here sooner if the Seeker hadn't pinned me down out there.† Doc was instantly in action. I heard him rustling through something papery, and he crowed in delight. â€Å"Jared, you're the miracle man!† â€Å"Doc, just a sec†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But Doc was at my side already, his haggard face alight with anticipation. His hands were busy with a small syringe. He stuck the tiny needle into the crease at Walter's elbow, on the arm that was attached to me. I turned my face away. It seemed so horribly invasive to stab something through his skin. I couldn't argue with the results, though. Within half a minute, Walter's entire body relaxed, melting into a pile of loose flesh against the thin mattress. His breathing went from harsh and urgent to whispery and even. His hand relaxed, freeing mine. I massaged my left hand with my right, trying to bring the blood back to my fingertips. Little prickles followed the flow of blood under my skin. â€Å"Uh, Doc, there really isn't enough for that,† Jared murmured. I looked up from Walter's face, peaceful at last. Jared had his back to me, but I could see the surprise in Doc's expression. â€Å"Enough for what? I'm not going to save this for a rainy day, Jared. I'm sure we'll wish we had it again, and too soon, but I'm not going to let Walter scream in agony while I have a way to help him!† â€Å"That's not what I meant,† Jared said. He spoke the way he did when he'd already thought about something long and hard. Slow and even, like Walter's breath. Doc frowned, confused. â€Å"There's enough to stop the pain for maybe three or four days, that's all,† Jared said. â€Å"If you give it to him in doses.† I didn't understand what Jared was saying, but Doc did. â€Å"Ah,† he sighed. He turned to look at Walter again, and I saw a rim of fresh tears start to pool above his lower lids. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I wanted to know what they were talking about, but Jared's presence made me silent, brought back the reserve I rarely felt the need for anymore. â€Å"You can't save him. You can only save him pain, Doc.† â€Å"I know,† Doc said. His voice broke, like he was holding back a sob. â€Å"You're right.† What's going on? I asked. As long as Melanie was going to be around, I might as well make use of her. They're going to kill Walter, she told me matter-of-factly. There's enough morphine to give him an overdose. My gasp sounded loud in the quiet room, but it was really just a breath. I didn't look up to see how the two healthy men would react. My own tears pooled as I leaned over Walter's pillow. No, I thought, no. Not yet. No. You'd rather he died screaming? I just†¦ I can't stand the†¦ finality. It's so absolute. I'll never see my friend again. How many of your other friends have you gone back to visit, Wanderer? I've never had friends like this before. My friends on other planets were all blurred together in my head; the souls were so similar, almost interchangeable in some ways. Walter was distinctly himself. When he was gone, there would be no one who could fill his place. I cradled Walter's head in my arms and let my tears fall onto his skin. I tried to stifle my crying, but it made its way out regardless, a keening rather than sobs. I know. Another first, Melanie whispered, and there was compassion in her tone. Compassion for me-that was a first, too. â€Å"Wanda?† Doc asked. I just shook my head, not able to answer. â€Å"I think you've been here too long,† he said. I felt his hand, light and warm, on my shoulder. â€Å"You should take a break.† I shook my head again, still keening softly. â€Å"You're worn out,† he said. â€Å"Go clean up, stretch your legs. Eat something.† I glared up at him. â€Å"Will Walter be here when I get back?† I mumbled through my tears. His eyes tightened anxiously. â€Å"Do you want that?† â€Å"I'd like a chance to say goodbye. He's my friend.† He patted my arm. â€Å"I know, Wanda, I know. Me, too. I'm in no hurry. You get some air and then come back. Walter will be sleeping for a while.† I read his worn face, and I believed the sincerity there. I nodded and carefully put Walter's head back on the pillow. Maybe if I got away from this place for a little bit, I'd find a way to handle this. I wasn't sure how-I had no experience with real goodbyes. Because I was in love with him, no matter that it was unwilling, I had to look at Jared before I left. Mel wanted this, too, but wished that she could somehow exclude me from the process. He was staring at me. I had a feeling his eyes had been on me for a long time. His face was carefully composed, but there was surprise and suspicion in there again. It made me tired. What would be the point of acting out a charade now, even if I were that talented a liar? Walter would never stand up for me again. I couldn't sucker him anymore. I met Jared's gaze for one long second, then turned to hurry down the pitch-black corridor that was brighter than his expression.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Maximilian Kolbe essays

Maximilian Kolbe essays His name wasn't always Maximilian. He was born the son of a poor weaver on 8/1/1984 At Zdunska Wola in Poland, and was given the baptismal name of Raymond. His parents were devout Christians with a particular devotion to Mary. In his infancy Kolbe seems to have been normally mischievous but we are told that one day, after his mother had scolded him for some mischief or other, her words took effect and brought about a radical change in the child's behavior. Later he explained this change. 'That night I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.' Thus early did the child believe and accept that he was destined for martyrdom. His belief in his dream colored all his future actions. He was received as a novice in September 1910 and with the habit he took the new name of Maximilian. From 1912 to 1915 he was in Rome studying philosophy at the Gregorian College, and from 1915 to 1919 theology at the Collegio Serafico. He was ordained in Rome on 28 April 1918. He formed several organizations to help aid the less fortunate. He did many good thing for his country and the people of his country he helped all kinds of people including Jews this resulted in him being sent to concentration camps. It is amazing to think that despite all this Fr Kolbe never lost faith in good he knew his calling and followed it whole heartedly never turning his back on those in need. Even when things seemed bleak Fr. Kolbe went on and with the help of God he helped others. I have learned much from his life and his good works. I have learned that we must trust in the good ness of God and to always try and do whats right. ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

How to Write a DBQ in APUSH in FIVE EASY STEPS Essays (292 words)

How to Write a DBQ in APUSH in FIVE EASY STEPS Essays (292 words) How to Write a DBQ in APUSH in FIVE EASY STEPS Read the prompt Brainstorm OI using categories Read the documents and place in the categories Write thesis Write essay STEP ONE: Read the questions Read the question. (What am I supposed to answer in my essay?) Pay attention to verbs! **Review IB terms on the board. STEP TWO: Brainstorm Similar to what we do for the FRQ, we brainstorm for the DBQ FIRST. You are required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the TOPIC not just the documents! You can use the pre-write structure. (T-chart, venn diagram, etc.) STEP THREE Read the documents. Its a good idea to take little notes in the margins about the main idea of each. That way you dont spend time later re-reading each one. Be careful to pay attention to APPARTS stuff. Underline author/date to save time. As you go, jot down which category each doc goes into. STEP FOUR: Thesis Use the formula to guide you. (X, However A, B,C therefore, Y) You need to do TWO things in a thesis: Say what you are going to write about (this is where you answer the question- Y) Say how youre going to answer the question (this is where you set up your answer- ABC) STEP FIVE: Write the body Each paragraph should have a category. NEVER write chronologically. You should answer the question using the documents AND outside information DONT RELY ON THE DOCS ALONE! Avoid direct quotes. If you do use them, you must apply them to the prompt! Write a conclusion if you have time. PRACTICE! Use the 1993 DBQ to practice the steps 1-4. You are not writing the full essay so ignore five. Remember to brainstorm for OI first then look at the docs.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Toyota - Global Environment Forum Research Paper

Toyota - Global Environment Forum - Research Paper Example This is supported by its accountable financial practices, transparent government and open policies. Australia has a legal system that consists of both common laws and statutes. Equality before the law is highly upheld as both domestic and foreigner business stand the same chances before the law. The countries property protection enjoys a higher ranking as it comes in second in Asia. Another advantage it has is in its time zone. It lies 10 hours ahead of GMT. It stands right in the middle of business closing hour in America and opening hour in Europe. This time zone advantage simply allows for a flow of business though out nonstop (Sydney Australia/ New South Wales Government 2012). The tax system in Australia is favourable as business income tax is at 30%. This comes with no capital flow restrictions, capital repatriation, transfers or royalties profit remittances, and other trade-related payments. Major business cities such as Sydney do offer business costs that are competitive. Thi s provision is lower than what is provided in other cities around the world such as Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, Paris and Singapore (Sydney Australia/ New South Wales Government 2012). There also exists government subsidies for regional business, subsidies such as reduced power bill, reformed railway freights, reduced port charges, and a streamlined land use planning process and approvals. The major cities also have transport and communication systems that are world class. These are supplemented by support services for business and superior commercial property at affordable prices as compared to other regional cities (Sydney Australia/ New South Wales Government 2012). Australia has a state-of-the-art telecommunication system that consists of fibre optic, microwave, wireless and satellite systems, with fibre optic being the dominant technology. Other favourable factors include multilingual and well educated

Friday, November 1, 2019

Staff Training and Prevention of Violence in mental Health Care Units Research Paper

Staff Training and Prevention of Violence in mental Health Care Units - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that the growing number of violence in the health care industry has evoked a variety of responses and those health care professionals who work in mental health care units are most vulnerable to workplace violence. There are a large number of studies that focus on the physical assault or verbal violence shown towards mental healthcare workers including nurses, physicians, psychologists and social workers. These studies emphasize the growing need to implement effective strategies to prevent and manage violence and aggression in the mental healthcare setting. While there have been many strategies implemented to manage and prevent violence in the mental health care units, the significance of effective staff education and training has been stressed by many researchers. However, there have not been many authentic studies that unearthed how far staff training contributes to the prevention of violence in the mental health care industry. In this res pect, the U.S. Department of Labor identifies â€Å"lack of staff training in recognizing and managing escalating hostile and assaultive behavior† as a crippling factor in preventing violence in acute health care units. There are also studies that have highlighted the need to offer staff in-service training to the mental health care professionals. The growing statistics on violence towards the health care professionals in mental and psychiatric units is quite alarming and shocking. In this respect, Adams and Whittington (1995) conducted a remarkable study among a sample group of hospital based nurses and community mental health nurses. The results of the study showed that 29% of the target population experienced verbal aggression over a 10 week period; 44% of the incidents involved threats and the rest consisted of abuses (Adams & Whittington, 1995, p. 171). These shocking statistics point towards the need to offer timely staff training to the mental health care professionals . Duxbury and Whittington (2005) have successfully brought out the staff and patient perspectives on violence in mental and psychiatric health care units. The researchers undertook a survey among a sample of 80 patients and 82 health care professionals (3 ward managers, 10 charge nurses, 35 staff nurses and 32 nursing assistants) from three inpatient mental healthcare wards. The mental illnesses of the patients varied from chronic schizophrenia to depressive disorders. The results of the study showed that the patients regarded ‘environmental conditions and poor communication’ as the two significant factors behind aggressive behavior whereas the nurses identified that the patients’ mental illness was the root cause for the violence; however, both the groups were thoroughly dissatisfied with the ‘restrictive and under-resourced provision that leads to interpersonal tensions’ (Duxbury & Whittington, 2005, p. 469). The study also showed that both the pat ients as well as the nurses were also dissatisfied with the way violence and aggression has been managed. The researchers identified staff training in the use of fundamental therapeutic communication skills as the potential solution to this interpersonal tension. The adverse effects of patient violence on the mental health care workers are many and varied. Patient violence on mental health care professionals not only leads to staff sickness and absenteeism but also to various psychological and mental distresses. Whatever may be the underlying causes for violence, â€Å"a major consequence for individuals affected directly or indirectly by violence is often psychological pain, whether depression, anxiety, isolation, trauma or other reactions