Essay on An Analysis of Sexism and Its Effects on Igbo...

An Analysis of Sexism and Its Effects on Igbo Society There are a lot of things in the world that people take for granted. That is, until those things start to damage them. And slowly, but surely, the damaging starts to turn to destruction. By the time they realize their mistake it is too late. Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart takes place in Igbo Nigeria before and during its colonization by the white man. It centers around Okonkwo, a Nigerian man from the clan of Umuofia, who holds power and prestige and whose life is constantly dominated by anger and fear of being weak. Throughout the novel, one of the recurring themes is that of women and fairness in gender. Men and masculinity overall†¦show more content†¦The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves telling him to go home and work like a man is concrete evidence of the Umuofian superstition that masculinity is the preferred way of living. When the Oracle, the very religion of Umuofia, states that it is unmanly to be lazy and weak, it implies without statement that hard work and success are traits relative to masculinity. Such traits are generally agreed upon as very respectable and important in the eyes of most prosperous societies. Furthermore, when Okonkwo is farming yams with his eldest son Nwoye, he constantly faults Nwoyes efforts, because he believes that, Yam stood for manlinessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Okonkwo wanted his son to be a great farmer and a great man. He would stamp out the disquieting signs of laziness which he thought he already saw in him (32). Okonkwo thinks Nwoye is lazy just due to the fact that he is not a farmer of the masculine yam crop. His thoughts are proof that the Umuofians believe in superiority of masculinity and preference of masculine traits. The belief is so ground into the people that it is evident in several aspects of Umuofian life, including the agricultural economy that feeds the mouths of the clan, and even family. While manliness is considered a virtue, women and agbala are for the most part delegated to being subordinate to men, showing onceShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesLandscape Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform Michael Adas, ed., Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in Ancient and Classical History Jack Metzgar, Striking Steel: Solidarity Remembered Janis Appier, Policing Women: The Sexual Politics of Law Enforcement and the LAPD Allen Hunter, ed., Rethinking the Cold War Eric Foner, ed., The New American

Gfcjhgf Essay examples - 599 Words

1) Describe briefly the relashonship between Tito and Bimbo. In what way was Tito almost like a dog and Bimbo almost like a boy? (2) While noone had the slightest idea of where this young boy came from, how old he was or even who his parents were, they had remembered seeing Bimbo right at his side. Bimbo was Titos everything; he was his nurse, his mother, his pillow and his father. I think Bimbo acted more like a boy because he would always bring the food home, and although it had become a regular thing for them, I feel like Bimbo was more in control that Tito. Tito, on the other hand, never got the food, or even looked for it. He acts more like dogs, as if theres always going to be food on a silver platter and he just has to wait.†¦show more content†¦He was starting to make his ways towards the inner gate when Bimbo started biting his clothes. Tito suddenley realized he was urging him towards the sea gate, as it was safe there. He leaded Tito around the open pits and pools of bubbling mud, and when Tito got to the sea gate he noticed Bimbo was missing. 5) Although this is not a happy story, it is not a tragic one. What do we find out at the end of the story trhat gives us a warm feeling? What do you think Untermeyer is trying to say about human nature? (2) In the midst of everything that was going on in that particular moment in time, all that was on Bimbos thoughts were Tito. I think he had noticed him going alittle pale and not keeping his balance so he went to the bakery to get him some cake. Untermeyer was trying to show just in general how much an animal or a human would do to protect someone they truly love. In the end Bimbo died, and although he was a smart enough dog to know he wouldve, he loved Tito and he sacrificed his life to protect and help

Information System Implementation Free Essays

System Implementation When it comes to implementing or installing a new system within a company or organization, there are many factors to consider, not only technology. System implementation takes place when testing is complete and the team and project manager become responsible for implementing the new information system successfully for the sponsor or for the client’s organization or company. A successful implementation can result in overall organizational efficiency and also strengthen the organization. We will write a custom essay sample on Information System Implementation or any similar topic only for you Order Now However, a failed implementation can result in a strain on funds, schedule, and on the organization. Even though there are different implementation methods, there are more things to consider such as: commitment, risks, resistance, user involvement, training, and planning. User commitment plays a huge factor on implementing and installing a system successfully. An implementation method, such as direct cutover, will create a huge sense of commitment. When the direct cutover method is used, the old system is being disposed of and the new one is being installed. It is as if yesterday, you were using an old computer or system, and today you came in and there is a new computer or system in front of you. This method creates a huge sense of commitment with users because there is no system to go back to. When it comes to user commitment, the user must also be committed to change. The company or organization must be willing to implement changes, procedures, structure, and any other factors that are crucial for the system to function. This commitment, however, should not only come from users, but through the entire organization from top management down through the entire project. Edgar Schein, a former management professor from MIT, describes the perfect leadership qualities for building commitment. He states that management should pay attention to the project effort and respond to project issues in an important manner. Schein also states that it is necessary to coach the organization to be prepared for the new system. Executive level commitment is probably the most important because employees can follow the management’s lead and can encourage shared commitment of the project goal. Every systems project has some type of risk involved. This is because the system will impact the organization and organizations are constantly changing. To manage some risks, project managers or leaders should look at the size of the project. If it is too big, they should consider breaking it into modules. They should look at the changes in technology and determine if they can stick to the same technology or whether they really do need the latest technology and if it will be beneficial. Management should also look at the capability of their team. They should question the team’s expertise. Top management should be supportive and committed as well. They can look at the budget for the project and question if it is realistic or not. Lack of risk management is also a major risk factor. Management should have contingency plans if something goes wrong. Contingency plans can be very beneficial if the organization is constantly changing. Management will have more than one plan ready depending on what might happen. Management can also question the schedule and see if it is even possible to complete it on time. However, sometimes the organization will have clearly defined goals with top management support allowing the successful implementation. Communication is also a key success factor in system implementation. The direct cutover method, for example, might create a sense of high commitment which is a success factor; however, this method is also the riskiest. There is no system to go back to if this fails. Sometimes an organization may underestimate how much things will change when it comes to implementing a new system and overestimate the organization’s ability to handle these changes. Also, if a system is very complex, it directly relates to the amount of risk involved. At times, system implementation can be effected be resistance. There are many reasons a new system may be resisted. Sometimes a person may resist because of factors unique to the group or themselves. In this situation, the individual or group must be informed or educated and the organization can increase user participation. This is an internal factor. An external factor would be the system itself. The system could possibly be non-user-friendly or have a poor design. In this situation, the system should be corrected. It can also be modified to better suit the organization’s processes or procedures. Sometimes factors can be both internal and external. This deals with the organizational interaction of the system. System could possibly be inadequate and users may resist using it. The parallel system implementation would be a good method to use. In this method, both systems are running simultaneously. This is the safest of all methods. However, this is the most expensive of all methods and has no user commitment. There is no commitment because users feel that they can always go back because the old system is sitting right there. User involvement is correlated to quality of management. When implementing a system in an organization or company, changes should be communicated to the users relating to their experience. When these changes are clearly communicated, users can compare and contrast and this can lead to a successful implementation. Users should also be involved in the decision process. Sometimes a new system can bring a hindrance of control over users’ work. In this case, a pilot implementation method would be beneficial. In this method, the new system is tested in one area. The old system eventually overlaps with the new. There is a low risk and a low cost. However, if the test group does not consist of many people, there is not much testing taking place. Some parts of the organization may resist being the testing group. Training is also a vital factor in successful system implementation. A successful training plan should include everyone who will use and support the new system. There should be appropriate timing on when to schedule the training. Training should ensure that users understand the new processes, interdependencies, and workflows as well as the basic functions of the system. In this situation, a phased implementation method would be beneficial. During the phased method, the system is introduced to different parts of the organization or company. They may introduce the system in specific departments at certain times. This will allow the department to prepare and allow the project team to learn from experience when it comes to implementing the system in different parts of the organization. Planning is a huge part of any project, no matter the size. A project plan should be well defined. If an organization has strong leadership along with a great plan that is clearly stated and well accepted by the organization, then there will be a strong source of motivation allowing members of the rganization to work together to reach that common goal. A good project plan should have an analysis of the needs of the organization, specifications of team members’ roles, project schedule, success factors, risk analysis, training requirements, and functions and processes that will be effected. Having a clearly stated project plan will allow all members of the organization to know what to expect, how it is going to affect them, and how long it will affect them for. There may be more than one way to implement a system. However, commitment, risks, resistance, user involvement, training, and planning are important factors to look at. Some methods may be quicker or cheaper than others; however, if the organization is committed, all the risks have been analyzed, there is little to no resistance, the user is involved with proper training, and there is a clearly defined project plan, the system implementation will most likely succeed regardless of what implementation method is used. How to cite Information System Implementation, Papers

Paul Gauguin free essay sample

Paul Gauguin: Vision After the Sermon Paul Gauguin was born to a Journalistic father and a socialistic mother June 7, 1948. As a young child, Gauguins parents decided to start a new life in a new city due to the political climate. Tragedy stole away Gauguins father on their Journey to their new life. Spending a few years in Peru, the city in which his father dreamed of living, Gauguin moved back to France, his birth place. Still young, Gauguin began to pursue excellence in his schooling, learning new things like French. As mandated by his country at the time, Paul had to enter the military. At age seventeen, he decided upon a military career as a merchant marine. After serving for three years, he decided to join the naw in which he remained for another two years. Gauguin finished serving his country in 1871; he decided to move back to Paris obtaining a stock brokering Job. He met a lady in which he found beautiful, and in 1873, marries Mette Sophie Gad, of Danish decent. Multiplying was an easy task for Gauguin and his spouse, the bore 5 children in ten years. Art had always had a special place in Gauguins heart. He would paint and visit galleries often. His mentor was Vincent Van Gough, who taught Paul many things. As Gauguin got older he appreciated artwork more and more, forming friendships with other known artists in 1881, he rented a studio in which he would paint and show artwork. Gauguin wanted to provide for his family, so he decided to move to Copenhagen to pursue stockbroking which would provide financial stability. Feeling lost without his art, he decided to leave his family, his career, and return to Paris to his artwork. Leaving his family meant that they had no source of income, forcing them to take up residence with his wifes family. Gauguin lived longer than two of his own children. Gauguin became a close friend to his mentor Vincent Van Gough, the two spent months painting together. During this time, it became clear that his life was not what he expected, and he became depressed. Depression led to a suicide attempt and he knew that he needed to find a spark to get his life back on track. He was drawn to symbolism, vigor, color, and excitement in artwork. Gauguin was upset because his artwork was not being recognized by his fellow neighbors, so he set sail to escape to a place where his work would be appreciated. Over the years, he presented several pieces of work which were full of ymbolism and exotic views. Toward the end of his life, Gauguin experienced trouble with the law; he was sentenced to three months behind bars. During this time he become sick due to an illness called syphilis and died before he was escorted to prison. At 54 years old, an alcohol and tobacco weakened body was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Polynesia. Throughout his life he became known for his boldness on a canvas, his use ot color and thick line. He stepped out ot the comtort zone ot ni time and created pieces that stood out. Gauguin died an artist. Although Gauguin created many pieces, his accomplishments were post-life. He created work that generations after him would appreciate; he never found fame during his lifetime. The Vision After the Sermon is an oil painting on canvas, 74. 4 x 93. 1 cm. Gauguins stylized painting depicts the scene in which Jacob wrestles an angel. This scene was influenced by a narrative from the Bible. Aside from the wrestle match taking place in the upper right hand area of the painting, the bottom of the painting, wrapping around to the upper left hand side is a crowd of women praying and watching this match. The women are wearing black wardrobes and white headpieces, almost nun- ike figures. Running straight through the middle of the canvas in a diagonal line is a tree, separating Jacob and the angel from a cow. Gauguin represents a noticeable red background color adding to the drama. He uses a typical brown and green for the tree, and black and white colors for the cow and praying women. The painting has mostly flat areas filled with color and outlines by a thick black line. The painting also has a birds eye point-of-view look, objects getting smaller the further away they are. In this painting. Gauguin paints the fgures almost void of color. The story that Gauguin painted was about people having a religious experience. Looking at the picture it is confusing to decipher the meaning because Paul used symbolism and boldness to express the story. He places a large tree trunk diagonally through the canvas which separates physical from a spiritual realm. The struggle taking place is symbolic because it represents the everyday human struggle in life. The angel wants to give Jacob something, but only when he is deserving of it. Yet Jacob wants it right away. The ladies are facing away from the viewer, as if we are excluded from the story in which they are watching unfold. Gauguin constructed a piece that religiously represented nature in a sense that we all struggle. This painting is a point-of-view on many perspectives of the religious story, not necessarily portraying religion. The style in which Paul Gauguin worked is known as Post-Impressionism, nineteenth century France. The subject matter reflected in these paintings include poetic subjects, myths, biblical stories, and French symbolism which he learned while he lived in France. Typically, Gauguin used boldness of line and unrealistic color to express his thoughts as he did in the Vision After the Sermon. In his work, Paul used linear methods and extreme colors to leave a sense of mystery in his creation. Paul Gauguin was not like other artist of his time; he didnt want to create the traditional western naturalistic style. Instead of nature as inspiration, he abstracted figures and created symbols. Gauguins mentor was Vincent Van Gough; Paul stepped away from his mentor to create his own style of art. Obsessed with trying to do something different from his time of artist painting Impressionistic pieces, he made this painting Nision After the Sermon to overturn the theories surrounding Impressionism. The way in which he painted Vision After the Sermon would become known as synthetism at his time by his society. During Gauguins life, he witnessed many historical events like the stock market crash in 1882 that led to his becoming a full- time artist. Only a few years after becoming a full-time artist, Paul conceived the bold painting Vision After the Sermon: Jacob Wrestling With the Angel, in 1888. During Paul Gauguins time, King Louis Philippe rules and the city was in chaos. Horrible living conditions ot poverty and lack ot wealth, unemployment, and protest ontributed to this chaotic status in Paris, France. France was not an exciting place to live during Gauguins time; the king was a tyrant and made the lives of the lower class tough. France was mostly Christian based because the Christians had destroyed the pagan and primitive lifestyle and this led to the various perspective of ideas in the painting. In Paul Gauguin: His Life and Art by John Gould Fletcher the author explains that is Gauguin would have known his future of a life of struggle, hunger, and never becoming famous in his life time, the artist would still have pursued his rtistic career, daring everything, as he strode into the future. Gauguin painted pieces that he knew would take the public some time to accept. Nonetheless, he wanted material comfort, he wanted his artwork to bring him wealth. Although he did not receive materialistic things in life, in death he received a name for himself, and his artwork would be remembered in future generations. The Paul Gauguin Museum in Tahiti is a museum remembering Gauguin for all his accomplishments and achievements. John Gould Fletch also writes Though he never conquered the flesh e remained to the end, and man ertainly the better stone in which to build. Gauguin wrote a letter a few days before death, received after death, he ended his life with these thoughts, l am on the ground but I am not beaten. Gauguin created work that had potential and possibilities, yet he was a problematic individual. He abandoned his family, uprooted himself when he felt that his work was not being appreciated. He was hungry for attention, and he died early due to his obsessive alcohol and to bacco usage. In the Vision After the Sermon, he managed to obtain a strange atmosphere. The colors that he portrayed give the mysterious, unreal feeling that he would rather focus on making something magic-like, than factual. From the standpoint of a viewer, the artist portrayed a personal struggle in front of an audience to watch the action take place. This portrays a Judgmental aspect. For a crowd to surround a struggle of this nature represents interest, mystery in whats going on, and Judgment. Gauguin should have portrayed the struggle in a personal manner, secluded. This artists use of colors attracts an eye, but he is more worried about stranding out.

The Internet is a Powerful Force

aspectos problematicos del espaol essays

aspectos problematicos del espaol essays Aspectos problemticos del espa Conocimientos previos: vocabulario sobre medios de transporte, relaciones entre parejas, verbos de movimiento, presente, pasado/copretrito, futuro. No se dar la regla gramatical, se pretende que el alumno infiera los diferentes usos de las preposiciones. No se presentarn todos los usos de por y para, durante el transcurso de la clase se tomarn slo 4 modalidades: Que el alumno sea capaz de utilizar expresiones con las preposiciones por y para. Dar y pedir informacin en situaciones causales, de finalidad, temporalidad, finalidad y medios. Interactà ºe con sus compan sobre Estados de la Repà ºblica Mexicana. Que el alumno identifique diferentes estados de la Repà ºblica Mexicana. Que hable sobre dichos estados. Que el alumno infiera la reglas para la utilizacin de las preposiciones por y para. 1. Sensibilizacin (3minutos). El maestro har preguntas del tipo  ¿Alguna vez has tenido que separarte de algà ºn ser querido?" Con el objeto de contextualizar al alumno con el tema de la actividad. Presentacin de los personajes. 2. Dilogo. Juego de roles. (1 minuto) Dos alumnos leern el dilogo propuesto en donde se presentar la situacin que da pie al uso de dichas preposiciones. Se le proporcionar al alumno una hoja con preguntas, las cuales contestar con la ayuda de su compan) 3.1 Revisin de las preguntas acentuando la importancia de las preposiciones (todos los usos juntos) (5 minutos). 4. Ejercicios de transformacin (10 minutos) El maestro presentar fotografà ­as de personas y dar informacin extra para asà ­, de esta manera, procurar que el alum...

Intercultural Communication Gap Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Intercultural Communication Gap - Assignment Example Canadian people do not like any exaggeration in their discussion and that is why they do not like people who do not discuss the point matter. The Communication styles of African people are quite relaxing, just as if these Mozambican may not start their meeting at the particular fix time. It does not mean that they are not punctual rather they are not that much strict in the professional matters. The Mozambican people love to talk to each other irrespective of the fact that they know him or her or not. It is an obligation for them to greet any person whom they meet during their daytime. The discussions and the meetings always start with the formal talks and end with the informal and family conversation. Socializing and building relationships is most important and top priority fact for the Mozambican people. For this reason, they can even negotiate the formal and professional matters. According to the research of different cultures, it is clear that there are many points of differences between the Canadian and the Mozambican cultures. There are many of the theories, which can explain these intercultural conflicting issues and the differences. Power Distance: the theory of power distance means that the people living in any society are not at all equal to each other with respect to different factors and elements. Therefore, the power distance means the gap between the people having different levels of authority. By comparing two cultures, it is quite evident that Mozambican is a highly hierarchal society where people are treated according to their individuality and the status. On the other side, Canadian society has less power distance, which means that people are more dependent upon each other. If we talk about the failure of the dinner party, then this power distance conflict can be one of the main reasons.

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Constitutional Convention of 1787 - Essay Example While the United States had previously passed the Articles of Confederation, it was realized that a stronger and more complex vision of government would need to be presented. It was with this understanding in mind that representatives from twelve states met in Philadelphia in May 1787 to discuss various aspects of government (Collier). This meeting was referred to as the Constitutional Convention. Today the on-goings of this convention is known through the diaries of James Madison. Madison is also recognized as perhaps the Constitutions key contributor, as he was the primary drafter of the document. In addition to Madison other key contributors included many of the nation’s prominent forefathers. Among these individuals included Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. In all fifty-five delegates from the twelve states attended the convention. There were a number of compromises that were reached during the constitutional Convention of 1787. The most prominent compromise has come to be termed the Great Compromise. The main consideration within this aspect of the convention was the extent of and boundaries of state powers. A prominent aspect of this debate was how many representatives would be elected from each state and in what proportion to the population (Gordon). ). Clearly a variety of divergent opinions emerged on this issue as larger states desired further representation because of population size, while smaller states desired a system wherein there would be equal representation

Retaining and Attracting Staff in Organisation Research Proposal

Retaining and Attracting Staff in Organisation - Research Proposal Example Key lessons and findings would be summarised and compiled to provide a useful reference that would be of benefit for any company of any size and in any part of the world in the task of facing this global challenge. First, the characteristic of the workplace is constantly changing because of the increasing globalisation of firms, which has affected firms in several ways such as raising the level of competition, demanding better performance and productivity from employees, and requiring higher standards of innovativeness, work values, skills and attitudes. This increased competition amongst firms has been extended from the marketplace for products and services and into the market for talented employees who need to be attracted and retained with the use of increasingly innovative and effective strategies. Second, the characteristics of the workforce -current, long-term, and incoming - are changing due to several factors, such as demographics, academic and professional qualifications, and job-related expectations. As companies compete and grow, they are increasing the demand for workers in a world where the population of talented workers is not growing as fast as the rise in demand. To take an example, companies need to attract and retain the highly educated Generation Y and the highly mobile Generation X (post-baby boom) and aging baby boomers. The research study will consider these two issues using updated findings based on primary and secondary research data as explained in the next section. The basic foundational materials for the study will be four of the latest research sources on the topic of attraction and retention of staff in organisations. The first is the latest Human Resources Salary Survey 2006/2007 conducted by the Tokyo (Japan)-based global recruitment and consulting agency Michael Page International (Leithead 2007) based on their experiences in global hiring and retention with a

Hack man and old hams Job Characteristic model

Hack man and old hams Job Characteristic model (JCM) has been used extensively for a long time as a outline to understanding five key charachteristics to promote satidfaction and motivation within a work place. These five factors are skill variety, taks identity, task significance autonomy and feedback from the job (Hackman and Oldham 1976) these characteristics in turn promote psychological states experience of meaningfulness, experience of outcome responsibility, and knowledge of results of work (Hackman and Oldham 1976). These states subsequently effect the outcomes; work motivation, performance, satisfaction within the work, low absenteeism, and turnover (Hackman and Oldham 1976). Hackman and Oldham proposed that when these five job characteristics and the work outcomes are combined to find motivating potential score (MVS), which can then be used measure the job will affect employees satisfaction, behavior , and desire to grow within their job. This theory was used as a framework for many years, generating a great deal of research. As a whole the JCM does maintain the prediction that when a worker is motivated, satisfied , and their performance is high, they see their job as high within The five key job characteristics, and mediates a more positive physical state. (Fried and Ferris 1986). However the JCM comes under scrutiny, due to the distinctiveness of the five job characteristics that it uses, it doesnt approach the job with the certainty that it can be changed. Within the five core characteristics Hackman and Oldham (1967) failed to recognize important features within a work place such as the social envirmonment and work context (Humphreys et al 2007) One of the limitations to the JCM that needed looking into more detail was the mediation of critical psychological states(CPS). Fried and Ferris (1987) found that although the JCM has stimulated over 250 published studies, only eight of these studies included the CPS. Hackman and Oldham originally stated that the CPS would each separately act as mediators, however Oldham(1996) later corrected this by stating that the true mediation model is different. Johns et al (1992) also backed this statement in their earlier research suggesting that experienced meaning was a particularly encompassing psychological state and it served as a mediator for all five motivational characteristics (Johns et al 1992 in Humphrey et al 2007 )Johns et al (1992) was not suggesting that the other states should be taken out but each contributes in their own way to the mediation development. Since Hackmans and Oldhams (1976) theory, other researchers have expanded on the JCM, as although it was evolutionary in expanding the understanding of occupational psychology it was also very limited. Humphreys (2007) meta analysis is a good example of this, as it has found enchanced characteristics than the initial core five that Hackman and Oldham (1976) came up with. One of the first important factors accounting for motivation which was stated earlier the social environment and work context (Humphrey et al 2007) both incrementally predicted enchanced motivation and positive behavior better than the original five core characteristics. Humohrey expanded on the importance of social environment, observing that social characteristics are extremely important factors to promote a positive environment at work motivational qualities, well beingness, and how meaningful the work is to the employee( Myers 1999). Because these characteristics reduce the likeliness of negative events happening at the work place, they therefore reduce the job stress on the employee. These are extremely imrotant factors in promoting occuopational health as Adler anKwon (2002 in Humphrey et al 2007 ) found that they also increase motivation and prosocial work behavior, promoting resilence, security , and positive moos on the job. When redesigning jobs, consultants might look at social characteristics such as organized team work, which promotes interdependence between associates. Furthermore interdependence offers social support and a network of co workers and supervisors to assist fellow employees and offer support when needed. This network of support also offers role identity and deal with concerns they have More generally working in a team just sustains the opportunity for social interaction, researchers have now started to emphasize the significance of team work and interdependence (Arthur, Edwards, Bell, Villado Bennet 2005). This also helps to clarify which roles the particular person fills. Which in turn allows for feedback to enhance perception of the individuals responsibility within a role . Biddle (1979 in Humphreys et al 2007) emphasized that social characteristics should improve and develop role awareness as employees roles become more evident with more contact with other people. Furthermore soci al characteristics enable interections between employees allowing them to learn from one another and gain valuable experience, that can only be sought from face to face interactions. This facilitates the employees to transfer implicit and explicit knowledge, so they can perform more effectively (Humphreys 2007). If employees find the social environment they work in to pbe a positive atmosphere and somewhere they like to work then there will be reduced absenteeism, and will want to carry on working for their employer or organization. Additionally as part of being in a group or team, jobs often require leadership, and group leadership ivolves teams with assorted skills from different division of an organization sucha s cross funsctional teams. Team work envolves sharing leadership roles, or envoles rotating different leaders, allowing team members to gain more experience and elevate power (Bens 2006)   Following this Humphreys et al (2007) found that work context actually accounts for more varience than social environment, Humphreys et al (2007) specifically looked at three work context characteristics these are physical demands, work conditions, and ergonomics. Physical demands indicate the actual amount of physical exertion or activity is required for the job This also looks at how much stamina, patience and activity one has to do with the job and if it is satisfactory for the individual. work conditions examines the physical environment that the employees work in, such as ; health hazards, temperature and noise (Edwards Scully and Brtek 1999). Ergonomics shows if the work allow for travel, stance and movement. All three of these characteristics take into account how the job is designed in terms of biological concerns(Campion 1988). If these three characteristics dont work in synergyand complement each other then the job will be physically unpleasant, and the employees will not find working there to be a positive experience, and absentee levels will rise. Following Hackman and Oldhams theory,. Humphreys meta analysis has allowed us to pinpoint specific out comes, and see where more research needs to take place in order to throuroughly and successfully redesign jobs to promote better health. However it also highlights gaps in research, still the outcomes are unknown and a gnereic model cannot always be used due to individual characteristics, it can only be used to pinpoint specific relationships. Bond and Bunce (2001)s longitudinal study, was a quasi experiment measured job stressers and strain using the occupational stress indicatior, job control, self rated performance and sickness absence, with participants that were particularly stressed within middle management employees working for a government minister, and a very strict control group. A Parcipitative action research program (PAR) was put in place to reduce the employees amount of stress. On the basis of Bond and Bunce (2001) findings , the comitee involved decided to develop proposals and action plans to increase workers jobcontrol over three problem areas: assignment distribution procedures, within-unit consultation and communication, and informal performance feedback(Bond and Bunce 2001). Subsequently in agreement with PAR the committee offered everyone in the different units a chance to give their opinion, and discuss the changes that they would like to improve the occupational health within the company, before the stratagies were finalized. And each Par unit had to meet specific goals set by the committee. The study found that giving the individual some power by being involved in the job redesign gives the indiviaul more job satisfaction. Furthermore it was the longitudinal and quasi experiment to prove that a work restructuring interventeion can reduce stress in the work place and mental health (Bond and Bunce 2001). However there are some problems with this experiment as it lack generalizability due to its common source bias, as the study has asked the individual and it is self report,a job analysis may have beena a better option when redesigning the work place as the results can be generalized more easily. However Bond and Bunces (2001) study is extremely interesting and shows progression in occupational health psychology. In conclusion Hackman and Oldhams (1967) study was very influential in occupational health psychology, and although now it can be criticised greatly for its limitations it is a framework that has just been improved upon time after time, promotiong mediation in job redesign throughout all occupations to make it more positive for the employee.  · ^ Ingrid Bens (2006). Facilitating to Lead. Jossey-Bass.  

The Fools in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet :: Romeo and Juliet Essays

The fall of Romeo and Juliet is a culmination of many factors. A controlling father, an ongoing feud and a gullible friar all contribute to this catastrophe, but, for the most part, it was Romeo and Juliet themselves that lent a hand to their own doom. The two lovers were fated to meet and die, but this never could've happened without their help. Had they been patient and rational, perhaps the situation would've worked itself out, but what can one expect from a couple of thirteen year olds who insist that they are in love? The first instance of Romeo's immaturity occurs when he first encounters the lovely Juliet. He know that the party is hosted by the Capulets, and yet he still chooses to attend anyway. As a teenager, he loves to party and is sure that there will be pretty girls there in which to flirt with. Instead of being rational and realizing that this party was a bad idea for a Montague, he and his friends enter without fear. Once the party is over, Romeo hears Juliet on her balcony talking of how she loves Romeo and together they speak of their impending marriage. What? It seems that they are obsessed, not in love. How could they love each other when in fact they have just met hours earlier? They are children who have crushes and plenty of melodrama to enhance it. Romeo demonstrates his immaturity again when he slays the Capulet, Tybalt. Being an idealist, he does not think about the consequences of his actions. He knows that Tybalt is Juliet's cousin, and that injuring him would wreck any chance of them getting together legitimately, yet he does it anyway. Instead of pausing a moment and thinking about the situation in an adult manner, Romeo allows "fire[ey'd] fury be [his] conduct..." and instantly kills Tybalt. Although a bit more realistic than Romeo, Juliet has instances of emotional drama and impatience that symbolize a thirteen year old girl with a terrible infatuation. True, her father is insisting that she marry Paris, but Juliet never lets her feeling for Romeo be known to her parents. Instead of telling the truth about her marriage to Romeo, she leads her parents to believe that it is

Student English Text

6 1 A SHORT HISTORY OF WESTERN PAINTING Art is influenced by the customs and faith of a people. Styles in Western art have changed many times. As there are so many different styles of Western art, it would be impossible to describe all of them in such a short text. Consequently, this text will describe only the most important ones, starting from the sixth century AD. The Middle Ages (5th to the 15th century AD) During the Middle Ages, the main aim of painters was to represent religious themes. A conventional artist of this period was not interested in showing nature and people as they really were.A typical picture at this time was full of religious symbols, which created feeling of respect and love for God. But it was evident that ideas were changing in the 13th century when painters like Giotto di Bondone began to paint religious scenes in a more realistic way. The Renaissance (15th to 16th century) During the Renaissance, new ideas and values graduallv replaced those held in the M iddle Ages. People began to concentrate less on religious themes and adopt a more humanistic attitude to life. At the same time painters returned to classical Roman and Greek ideas about art. They tried to paint people and nature as they really were.Rich people wanted to possess their own paintings, so they could decorate their superb palaces and great houses. They paid famous artists to paint pictures of themselves, their houses and possessions as well as their activities and achievements. One of the most important discoveries during this period was how to draw things in perspective. This technique was first used by Masaccio in 1428. When people first saw his paintings, they were convinced that they were looking through a hole in a wall at a real scene. If the roles of perspective had not been discovered, no one would have been able to paint such realistic pictures.By coincidence, oil paints were also developed at this time, which made the colours used in paintings look richer and deeper. Without the new paints and the new technique, we would not be able to see the many great masterpieces for which this period is famous. Impressionism (late 19th to early 20th century) In the late 19th century, Europe changed a great deal. from a mostly agricultural society to a mostly industrial one. Many people moved from the countryside to the new cities. There were many new inventions and social changes. Naturally, these changes also led to new painting styles.Among the painters who broke away from the traditional style of painting were the Impressionists, who lived and worked in Paris. The Impressionists were the first painters to work outdoors. They were eager to show how light and shadow fell on objects at different times of day. However, because natural light changes so quickly, the Impressionists had to paint quickly. Their paintings were not as detailed as those of earlier painters. At first, many people disliked this style of painting and became very angr about it. They said that the painters were careless and their paintings were ridiculous. Modern Art (20th century to today)At the time they were created, the Impressionist paintings were controversial, but today they are accepted as the beginning of what we call â€Å"modem art†. This is because the Impressionists encouraged artists to look at their environment in new ways. There are scores of modern art styles, but without the Impressionists, many of these painting styles might not exist. On the one hand, some modem art is abstract; that is, the painter does not attempt to paint objects as we see them with our eyes, but instead concentrates on certain qualities of the object, using colour, line and shape to represent them.On the other hand, some paintings of modern art are so realistic that they look like photographs. These styles are so different. Who can predict what painting styles there will be in the future? Unit 3 A healthy life-Reading ADVICE FROM GRANDAD Dear James, It is a be autiful day here and I am sitting under the big tree at the end of the garden. I have just returned from a long bike ride to an old castle. It seems amazing that at my age I am still fit enough to cycle 20 kilometres in an afternoon. It's my birthday in two weeks time and I'll be 82 years old!I think my long and active life must be due to the healthy life I live. This brings me to the real reason for my letter, my dear grandson. Your mother tells me that you started smoking some time ago and now you are finding it difficult to give it up. Believe me, I know how easy it is to begin smoking and how tough it is to stop. You see, during adolescence I also smoked and became addicted to cigarettes. By the way, did you know that this is because you become addicted in three different ways? First, you can become physically addicted to nicotine, which is one of the hundreds of chemicals in cigarettes.This means that after a while your body becomes accustomed to having nicotine in it. So when the drug leaves your body, you get withdrawal symptoms. I remember feeling bad-tempered and sometimes even in pain. Secondly, you become addicted through habit. As you know, if you do the same thing over and over again, you begin to do it automatically. Lastly, you can become mentally addicted. I believed I was happier and more relaxed after having a cigarette, so I began to think that I could only feel good when I smoked. I was addicted in all three ways, so it was very difficult to quit.But I did finally manage. When I was young, I didn't know much about the harmful effects of smoking. I didn't know, for example, that it could do terrible damage to your heart and lungs or that it was more difficult for smoking couples to become pregnant. I certainly didn't know their babies may have a smaller birth weight or even be abnormal in some way. Neither did I know that my cigarette smoke could affect the health of non-smokers. However, what I did know was that my girlfriend thought I smel t terrible. She said my breath and clothes smelt, and that the ends of my fingers were turning yellow.She told me that she wouldn't go out with me again unless I stopped! I also noticed that I became breathless quickly, and that I wasn't enjoying sport as much. When I was taken off the school football team because I was unfit, I knew it was time to quit smoking. I am sending you some advice I found on the Internet. It might help you to stop and strengthen your resolve. I do hope so because I want you to live as long and healthy a life as I have. Love from Grandad Unit 5 The power of nature-Reading AN EXCITING JOB I have the greatest job in the world.I travel to unusual places and work alongside people from all over the world. Sometimes working outdoors, sometimes in an office, sometimes using scientific equipment and sometimes meeting local people and tourists, I am never bored. Although my job is occasionally dangerous, I don't mind because danger excites me and makes me feel alive . However, the most important thing about my job is that I help protect ordinary people from one of the most powerful forces on earth – the volcano. I was appointed as a volcanologist working for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) twenty years ago.My job is collecting information for a database about Mount Kilauea, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Hawaii. Having collected and evaluated the information, I help other scientists to predict where lava from the volcano will flow next and how fast. Our work has saved many lives because people in the path of the lava can be warned to leave their houses. Unfortunately, we cannot move their homes out of the way, and many houses have been covered with lava or burned to the ground. When boiling rock erupts from a volcano and crashes back to earth, it causes less damage than you might imagine.This is because no one lives near the top of Mount Kilauea, where the rocks fall. The lava that flows slowly like a wave down the m ountain causes far more damage because it buries everything in its path under the molten rock. However, the eruption itself is really exciting to watch and I shall never forget my first sight of one. It was in the second week after I arrived in Hawaii. Having worked hard all day, I went to bed early. I was fast asleep when suddenly my bed began shaking and I heard a strange sound, like a railway train passing my window. Having experienced quite a few earthquakes in Hawaii already, I didn't take much notice.I was about to go back to sleep when suddenly my bedroom became as bright as day. I ran out of the house into the back garden where I could see Mount Kilauea in the distance. There had been an eruption from the side of the mountain and red hot lava was fountaining hundreds of metres into the air. It was an absolutely fantastic sight. The day after this eruption I was lucky enough to have a much closer look at it. Two other scientists and I were driven up the mountain and dropped a s close as possible to the crater that had been formed during the eruption.Having earlier collected special clothes from the observatory, we put them on before we went any closer. All three of us looked like spacemen. We had white protective suits that covered our whole body, helmets, big boots and special gloves. It was not easy to walk in these suits, but we slowly made our way to the edge of the crater and looked down into the red, boiling centre. The other two climbed down into the crater to collect some lava for later study, but this being my first experience, I stayed at the top and watched them. Today, I am just as enthusiastic about my job as the day I first started.Having studied volcanoes now for many years, I am still amazed at their beauty as well as their potential to cause great damage. THE BEST OF MANHATTAN’S ART GALLERIES The Frick Collection (5th Avenue and E. 70th Street) Many art lovers would rather visit this small art gallery than any other in New York. H enry Clay Frick, a rich New Yorker, died in 1919, leaving his house, furniture and art collection to the American people. Frick had a preference for pre-twentieth century Western paintings, and these are well-represented in this excellent collection.You can also explore Frick's beautiful home and garden which are well worth a Visit. Guggenheim Museum(5th Avenue and 88th Street) This museum owns 5,000 superb modern paintings, sculptures and drawings. These art works are not all displayed at the same time. The exhibition is always changing. It will appeal to those who love Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. The Guggenheim Museum building is also world-famous. When you walk into gallery, you feel as if you were inside a fragile, white seashell. The best way to see the paintings is to start from the top floor and walk down to the bottom.There are no stairs just a circular path. The museum also has an excellent restaurant. Metropolitan Museum of Art (5th Avenue and 82nd Stre et) The reputation of this museum lies in the variety of its art collection. This covers more than 5,000 years of civilization from many parts of the world, including America, Europe, China, Egypt, other African countries and South America. The museum displays more than just the visual delights of art. It introduces you to ancient ways of living. You can visit an Egyptian temple, a fragrant Ming garden, a typical room in an 18th century French house and many other special exhibitions.Museum of Modern Art (53rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues) It is amazing that so many great works of art from the late 19th century to the 21st century are housed in the same museum. The collection of Western art includes paintings by such famous artists as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Matisse. A few words of warning: the admission price is not cheap and the museum is often very crowded. Whitney Museum of American Art (945 Madison Avenue, near 75th Street) The Whitney holds an excellent collection of contemporary American painting and sculpture.There are no permanent displays in this museum and exhibitions change all the time. Every two years, the Whitney holds a special exhibition of new art by living artists. The museum also shows videos and films by contemporary video artists. Suppose you were the president of a high school council and you received the letter below. It is from a group of students who would like to make their school more attractive. Read the letter and then use the outline on the next page to make notes for a report about the letter to the school council. Class 2A Seaforth High School Ramsay Rd Seaforth Mrs L Kroll President, Seaforth High School CouncilPO Box 235, Seaforth 12 May Dear Mrs Kroll, Lately our class has become worried about the environment at the back of the school, and we would like to do something to make it more attractive. We have done some research and have come up with a plan. With the help of our parents, we can do most of the work ours elves, but we will need a small amount of money for equipment, plants-and paint. I am writing to ask the council for permission to do this work and to ask if the school council could donate $500 towards our project. We would like to turn the empty land at the back of the school into a nature garden.We would plant trees and grasses, make paths through the garden and dig a small pond. We think this would provide a peaceful place for students and teachers to walk in. It would also attract birds, insects and small animals which students could then study in science classes. We would also like to paint the back wall of the school that faces the new garden. Some of our art classes could then paint a huge picture on it. It might be possible to paint over the wall each year so the next classes can make a new picture. Lastly, we would like to paint all the rubbish bins. At the moment they look old and the paint is coming off.If we paint them in bright, attractive colours, students might be mo re likely to use them. We think our plan would greatly improve the back of the school and everyone in the school would benefit. We have already asked our parents and they have promised to donate one weekend of their time to help us complete the project. We hope you will give us permission for this worthwhile project and will be able to donate the $500 we need. When we have finished the work, we hope the council will join us in a celebration morning tea so that the whole school can thank you. Yours sincerely, Jo Ryan (Class president)Reading and discussing Before you read the poster below, discuss what you know about HIV/AIDS with your classmates. Make a list of words that you might come across in this poster. HIV/AIDS:ARE YOU AT RISK? HIV is a virus. A virus is a very small living thing that causes disease. There are many different viruses, for example, the flu virus or the SARS virus. HIV weakens a person's immune system; that is, the part of the body that fights disease. You can h ave HIV in your blood for a long time, but eventually HIV will damage your immune system so much that you body can no longer fight disease.This stage of the illness is called AIDS. If you develop AIDS, your chances of survival are very small. HIV is spread through blood or the fluid that the body makes during sex. For a person to become infected, blood or sexual fluid that carries the virus, has to get inside the body through broken skin or by injection. One day scientists will find a cure for HIV/AIDS. Until that happens, you need to protect yourself. Here are some things you can do to make sure you stay safe. If you inject drugs: do not share your needle with anyone else. Blood from another person can stay on or in the needle.If a person has HIV and you use the same needle, you could inject the virus into your own blood. do not share anything else that a person has used while injecting drugs. Blood could have spilt on it. If you have sex with a male or a female: use a condom. This will prevent sexual fluid passing from one person to another. The following statements are NOT true. A person cannot get HIV the first time they have sex. WRONG. If one sexual partner has HIV, the other partner could become infected. You can tell by looking at someone whether or not they have HIV. WRONG. Many people carrying HIV look perfectly healthy.It is only when the disease has progressed to AIDS that a person begins to look sick. Only homosexuals get AIDS. WRONG. Anyone who has sex with a person infected with H1V/AIDS risks getting the virus. Women are slightly more likely to become infected than men. If you hug, touch or kiss someone with AIDS or visit them in their home, you will get HIV/AIDS. WRONG. You can only get the disease from blood or sexual fluid. Unfortunately, people with HIV sometimes lose their friends because of prejudice. Many people are afraid that they will get HIV/AIDS from those infected with HIV!AIDS. For the same reason, some AIDS patients cannot find a nyone to look after them when they are sick. You can get HIV/AIDS from mosquitoes. WRONG. There is no evidence of this. Before you read Tom's essay on environmental problems, glance at the title and pictures and predict the main idea of the essay. CLEAN UP YOUR BUTTS AND BAGS All sorts of items become litter, but two of the most common and most dangerous are cigarette butts and plastic bags. Litter is a big problem for our environment, but it is a problem that individuals can easily do something about.Not littering at all or cleaning up litter, such as cigarette butts and plastic bags, greatly improves the quality of our environment. Although cigarette butts are small, they are bad for the environment. Over 1,600 billion cigarettes are smoked each year in China and large quantities of the butts are thrown away. Worldwide, about 4. 5 trillion butts are littered every year. Apart from the fact that butts spoil the beauty of the environment, they contain some very toxic chemicals. Thes e find their way into the water supply where they decrease the quality of the water and endanger plants and animals that live there.Because there are so many butts and because they can take up to 5 years to break down, the toxic chemicals add up to a large amount. So, if people have to smoke, they should not throw away the butts but put them in the rubbish bin instead. Plastic bags are another common form of litter that is a danger to the environment. There are several reasons for this. They are made from oil and gas, which are non-renewable resources, ff they are not recycled, these resources are lost to us. In China, 2 billion plastic bags are used every day. An enormous number of these become litter.This is a huge problem because they last from 20 to 1,000 years in the environment. They float easily in air and water and travel long distances. They find their way to rivers, parks, beaches and oceans. Plastic bags kill up to one million seabirds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless f ish each year worldwide. When the animal dies and breaks down, the plastic bag can become free again to kill another animal. It is up to people not to let plastic bags become litter. It would be better if they used fewer and recycled them. Cleaning up your cigarette butts and plastic bags would improve the environment.The earth would be a better place because it would be less polluted. And we would know that we were doing something to look after our planet. However, I believe the best solution would be not to smoke or use plastic bags at all. THE EARTH IS BECOMING WARMER-BUT DOES IT MATTER? During the 20th century the temperature of the earth rose about one degree Fahrenheit. That probably does not seem much to you or me, but it is a rapid increase when compared to other natural changes. So how has this come about and does it matter? Earth Care’s Sophie Armstrong explores these questions.There is no doubt that the earth is becoming warmer (see Graph 1) and that it is human ac tivity that has caused this global warming rather than a random but natural phenomenon. All scientists subscribe to the view that the increase in the earth's temperature is due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil to produce energy. Some byproducts of this process are called â€Å"greenhouse† gases, the most important one of which is carbon dioxide. Dr Janice Foster explains: â€Å"There is a natural phenomenon that scientists call the ‘greenhouse effect'.This is when small amounts of gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour, trap heat from the sun and therefore warm the earth. Without the ‘greenhouse effect', the earth would be about thirty-three degrees Celsius cooler than it is. So, we need those gases. The problem begins when we add huge quantities of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It means that more heat energy tends to be trapped in the atmosphere causing the global temperature to go up. â₠¬  We know that the levels of carbon dioxide have increased greatly over the last 100 to 150 years.It was a scientist called Charles Keeling, who made accurate measurements of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from 1957 to 1997. He found that between these years the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere went up from around 315 parts to around 370 parts per million (see Graph 2). All scientists accept this data. They also agree that it is the burning of more and more fossil fuels that has resulted in this increase in carbon dioxide. So how high will the temperature increase go? Dr Janice Foster says that over the next 100 years the amount of warming could be as low as 1 to 1. degrees Celsius, but it could be as high as 5 degrees. However, the attitude of scientists towards this rise is completely different. On the one hand, Dr Foster thinks that the trend which increases the temperature by 5 degrees would be a catastrophe. She says, â€Å"We can't predict the climate well e nough to know what to expect, but it could be very serious. † Others who agree with her think there may be a rise of several metres in the sea level, or predict severe storms, floods, droughts, famines, the spread of diseases and the disappearance of species.On the other hand, there are those, like George Hambley, who are opposed to this view, believe that we should not worry about high levels of carbon dioxide in the air. They predict that any warming will be mild with few bad environmental consequences. In fact, Hambley states, â€Å"More carbon dioxide is actually a positive thing. It will make plants grow quicker; crops will produce more; it will encourage a greater range of animals – all of which will make life for human beings better. † Greenhouse gases continue to build up in the atmosphere.Even if we start reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the climate is going to keep on warming for decades or centuries. No one knows the ef fects of global warming. Does that mean we should do nothing? Or, are the risks too great? WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING? Dear Earth Care, I am doing a project on behalf of my school about global warming. Sometimes I feel that individuals can have little effect on such huge environmental problems. However, 1 still think people should advocate improvements in the way we use energy today.As I'm not sure where to start with my project, I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you! Ouyang Guang Dear Ouyang Guang, There are many people who have a commitment like yours, but they do not believe they have the power to do anything to improve our environment. That is not true. Together, individuals can make a difference. We do not have to put up with pollution. The growth of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide in the air actually comes as a result of many things we do every day. Here are a few suggestions on how to reduce it. They should get you started with your project. W e use a lot of energy in our houses. It is OK to leave an electrical appliance on so long as you are using it – if not, turn it off! Do not be casual about this. So if you are not using the lights, the TV, the computer, and so on, turn them off. If you are cold, put on more clothes instead of turning up the heat. 2 Motor vehicles use a lot of energy- so walk or ride a bike if you can. 3 Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags and newspapers if circumstances allow you to. It takes a lot of energy to make things from new materials, so, if you can, buy things made from recycled materials. Get your parents to buy things that are economical with energy – this includes cars as well as smaller things like fridges and microwaves. 5 Plant trees in your garden or your school yard, as they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and refresh your spirit when you look at them. 6 Finally and most importantly, be an educator. Talk with your family and friends about global warming and tell the m what you have learned. Remember – your contribution counts! Earth Care THE LRKE OF HERVEN Changbaishan is in Jilin Province, Northeast China. Much of this beautiful, mountainous area is thick forest .Changbaishan is China's largest nature reserve and it is kept in its natural state for the people of China and visitors from all over the world to enjoy. The height of the land varies from 700 metres above sea level to over 2,000 metres and is home to a great diversity of rare plants and animals. Among the rare animals are cranes, black bears, leopards and tigers. Many people come to Changbaishan to study its unique plants and animals. Others come to walk in the mountains, to see the spectacular waterfalls or to bathe in the hot water pools.However, the attraction that arouses the greatest appreciation in the reserve is Tianchi or the Lake of Heaven. Tianchi is a deep lake that has formed in the crater of a dead volcano on top of the mountain. The lake is 2,194 metres above sea level, and more than 200 metres deep. In winter the surface freezes over. It takes about an hour to climb from the end of the road to the top of the mountain. When you arrive you are rewarded not only with the sight of its clear waters, but also by the view of the other sixteen mountain peaks that surround Tianchi. There are many stories told about Tianchi.The most well-known concerns three young women from heaven. They were bathing in Tainchi when a bird flew above them and dropped a small fruit onto the dress of the youngest girl. When she picked up the fruit to smell it, it flew into her mouth. Having swallowed the fruit, the girl became pregnant and later gave birth to a handsome boy. It is said that this boy, who had a great gift for languages and persuasion, is the father of the Manchu people. If you are lucky enough to visit the Lake of Heaven with your loved one, don't forget to drop a coin into the clear blue water to guarantee your love will be as deep and lasting as the lake itself.Look at the title of the story and the picture below. Can you predict what the story is about? Then read the story quickly and see if you were right. TRAPPED BY THE FLOOD â€Å"It's not looking too good, darling. I think you'd better pack a few things and go to your mother's place. And you'd better take Rosie and Monty with you. † Putting down the phone, Sara sighed. Tomorrow was her husband Tony's birthday. She had planned to cook him a nice meal and then surprise him with the new mountain bike she'd bought for him. If she went to her mother's house, Tony wouldn't get his present for days.However, her mother's house was the best place to be right now. Being on higher land, it would be safe from the floods. It had been raining heavily for almost two weeks and the river near Sara and Tony's house was rising higher and higher all the time. Tony and others from the village had spent the last two days putting sandbags along the side of the river to stop it overflowing . Now they feared that their hard work had been useless and soon the whole valley would be flooded. Sara dressed baby James in warm clothes and collected the things she would need for him over the next few days.She put the lead on the dog and went in search of Monty, the cat. It took her a long time, but eventually she found him safe and warm under the covers on her bed. She placed him in his cat basket and took him into the kitchen where James and the dog, Rosie, waited. Just as she was reaching for the car keys, Sara heard a sound like the noise bath water makes when you pull out the plug. She looked at the back door. Water was flowing in underneath. Turning around she saw dirty brown water fountaining out of the drain and filling the sink. Quickly she put James into her backpack and pulled it onto her back.Calling to Rosie, she picked up the cat basket and ran to the front of the house and out into the front garden. The water was already up to her knees. Rosie was swimming beside her. Knowing the water would soon be much deeper, Sara ran to the car and opened the doors. She threw the cat basket onto the roof of the car and pushed Rosie up beside it. Using the car seat as a step she climbed first onto the front of the car and then onto the roof. James, sately attached to her back, made no sound at all. Sara stared down at the water which was rushing past the car. It was already half way up the doors, and still rising.

Jose Orozco artist essays

Jose Orozco artist essays He is one of the great Mexican avant-garde painters. He studied at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City, and since he was very young, he was a plastic interpreter of the revolution; as we can see in the political and social topics developed in great mural compositions. He gave these ideas a heroic style, based on a realism with an expressionist character, consciously linked to the old Mexican artistic traditions, violently dynamic and widely manufactured. He was born in Ciudad Guzmn (Zapotln el Grande), Jalisco, in 1883; he died in Mexico City in 1949. Together with his family, he moved to Guadalajara and then to the country's Capital, arriving in 1890. Still being a child, he met Jos Guadalupe Posadas, and his pictures were what made Orozco take interest in painting. He attended to some drawing classes at the Academy. He studied agriculture (3 years in San Jacinto) and high school. He finally came back to San Carlos and stayed there from 1906 to 1910. From this year to 1916 (when he presented his first individual exhibition at the Biblos Bookstore) he drew caricatures for El Hijo del Ahuizote; he was part of the illustrator staff of La Vanguardia (Orizaba, 1914); he painted watercolor and oil pictures reproducing, in a synthetic way "the stinking shadows of closed rooms", after his own expression; a series of drawings with scenes of the revolution, and his first painting of large dimensions: "The last Spaniard forces honorably evacuating the San Juan de Ulà ºa Castle" (1915). In 1917, he travelled to the United States, and when he came back, he worked on some pictures, especially "Soldier women", "Combat", and the portrait of his mother. When the renaissance of the mural painting began in 1922, Orozco reserved for himself the walls of the large patio at the National High School, a former jesuitic college, San Ildelfonso. His first compositions were: "Elements", "Man fighting against nature", "Man f...

Development of the theory of public administration

Development of the theory of public administration Introduction The fifties (and especially late fifties) of the twentieth century were marked by certain shift in public administration theory in the USA. Theorists in this field focused on human resources and people’s behavior within organizations. Leadership and decision-making were regarded as some of the most important components of public administrators’ functioning (Cox et al., 2010).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Development of the theory of public administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the most prominent public administration theorists of that period were Philip Selznick, Douglas McGregor and Charles E. Lindblom. These theorists contributed greatly to the field of public administration as they developed certain approaches which became the basis for further research. The Theorists and Their Contribution Selznick was one of the proponents of organizational approach. One of his major contributions was his attention to the goals set by the organization and employees’ goals (Shafritz Hyde, 2012). The theorist noted that people often had different goals and this dichotomy often led to poor performance. Thus, according to Selznick, employees, who did not share the organization’s values and set goals which differed from the ones, set within the organization, could not function effectively (Shafritz Hyde, 2012). Furthermore, the theorist also stressed that it was crucial to develop proper environment within the organization to enable employees to cooperate and be efficient. Thus, communication was one of the keys to success. Another prominent theorist of that period was Douglas McGregor. He also focused on the environment within the organization. The theorist claimed that motivation, control and leadership play essential role in the development of proper environment (Shafritz Hyde, 2012). Thus, McGregor emphasized that leadership was imp ortant as employees needed support and control. Inspiring leaders could motivate public administrators, which could improve performance of the latter. Effective cooperation between employees could be achieved with the help of control. Noteworthy, the researcher stated that public administrators had to know the organization’s goals to be able to perform effectively. The theorist also paid specific attention to motivation as he believed public administrators (as well as any other employees) needed motivation to perform properly and achieve the goals set. Finally, Charles E. Lindblom also considered the human component of public administration. However, the theorist focused on the process of decision-making. Noteworthy, Lindblom was an advocate of democratic approach and stressed the importance of leadership. However, when it came decision-making, the theorist stressed the importance of cooperation. Lindblom claimed that the government consisted of a number of elites that cooper ated (Shafritz Hyde, 2012).Advertising Looking for critical writing on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This cooperation was necessary for proper functioning of public administration. The researcher also noted that public administrators had to be aware of peculiarities of decision-making processes (Shafritz Hyde, 2012). He noted that it was essential to analyze the process of decision-making to enable public administrators to function effectively. Conclusion On balance, it is possible to note that Philip Selznick, Douglas McGregor and Charles E. Lindblom contributed greatly to the development of the theory of public administration in the field of human resources. The theorists exploited behavioral approach and provided valuable insights into the processes of cooperation and decision-making. It was acknowledged that public administrators needed motivation and leadership to ensure effective work of the US government. More importantly, the researchers developed specific tools which could be used by public administrators. Thus, communication, leadership and decision-making acquired the necessary attention and became central to further research. Reference List Cox, R.W., Buck, S.J., Morgan, B.N. (2010). Public administration in theory and practice. New York, NY: Longman Publishing Group. Shafritz, J.M., Hyde, A.C. (2012). Classics of public administration. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

The Impact of Multinationals on Economic Growth and Prosperity in Essay

The Impact of Multinationals on Economic Growth and Prosperity in Developing Countries - Essay Example This essay offers a comprehensive review of the influence, exerted by multinational companies, on the growth of developing economies. In the paper, four examples of successful beneficial co-operation between Indian government and multinational companies are provided. Globalisation leads to liberalisation. In economic terminology, governments use the term liberalisation to indicate an open economy system. Governments attract FDI through attractive incentives and subsidies. Multinationals are encouraged to invest and produce goods and services for local and external consumption. There is an unimpeded flow of goods and services between economic jurisdictions. Multinational companies in their activities look for political stability, a strong skilled workforce, and profits, as prerogatives for investment. Countries that attract such investors look at capital investment flow, equity participation, and employment benefits for its workforce. Consumers also benefit from quality international products at low costs. The topic of globalisation became intense in 1990s, when major players began to debate on the benefits developing countries could have from it. Most third world countries were under pressure to clear debts, intense illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and infrastructural development. Most experts were unanimous that most developing countries required foreign direct investment to bail them out of their debts. This could be done only if the countries were willing to share the fruits of investment and provide equal leverage.

Impact of Information Systems on Aalsmeer Flower Auction Essay

Impact of Information Systems on Aalsmeer Flower Auction - Essay Example This paper illustrates that as the world moves one step forward each day, the advancements in information systems move a hundred step ahead, and has advanced to an extent that once considered as a support function, today information systems drive the business model for many organizations. An interactive information system of the base organization allows its stakeholders to interact with the system in various forms and modes, with differing rights and restrictions. The classical example of such a scenario is the Walmart-P&G strategic partnership whereby the IS is inter-linked allowing the supply chain to be automated for inventory replenishment as well as for ensuring that the right product is placed at the right place, in the right quantity. Auction websites follow a business model that is based in the whole sum on the fundamental of the information system. A classical example of such models has been applied at eBay, Souq, etc. Amazon is another classical application whereby online s elling is displayed to perfection by the business. The right level of application of an IS has also led firms into a competitive advantage over their competitors, since most of the developments in IS by a particular business are patent for their usage. The object of analysis for the purpose of this assignment is Aalsmeer Flower Auction, later referred to as ‘the business’ in this essay. The business is a mediator between the Dutch flower growers and buyers – it is a platform whereby they interact and enter into sale/purchase agreements. The business is often used as a price indicator since it presents the pricing where deals are made. Initially, the supply side ruled the markets; however, there are three trends that have changed the outlook of the respective industry, as stated by Bocij: development of e-markets, unsatisfied needs of retailers, and mergers and Acquisitions amongst retailers, and professional growth amongst sellers. With this, it seems visible tha t the business lacks an information system that can deal with these and the other growing trends in the industry – an IS that can swallow the current and the upcoming changes and trends in the flowers industry.

Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) - Essay Example Even after retirement, he remained active and productive. The assassination of Malcolm X became the turning point of his life where he changed his name to Amiri Baraka and dissolved his marriage to Hettie Cohen. He became a leader of Newark’s African-American community. Amiri Baraka was well known for his writing. He used his popularity as a way of defending the weak from social injustices (Koolish, 2001). Through poems, plays, fiction, and essays, he showed his leadership by condemning oppression and racial injustice of the African American community in the United States (Epstein, 2006). Through his works and words, Baraka was able to he was able to promote drama created by African American playwrights and performed for the African American audience that showed African American issues (Baraka, 1995). For example, his two plays The Toilet and The Slave which were both written in the year 1962 showed his mistrust and hostility towards the white society. His award winning production, Dutchman, showed the damage that America inflicts on African men (Baraka, 2000). In 1960s racial discrimination against African Americans was still high. Many black leaders started to rethink their goals, while dome embraced more militant ideologies of self-defense and separatism (Lie, 2006). The struggle for civil rights was high aimed at drawing the attention of the nation to the brutality and injustice that African Americans faced. Even though the economic situation was good in the country, many blacks lived under poverty which was evident in many black urban neighborhoods. Leadership is the ability of a person to lead a group of people or a team to achieve specific task (Northouse, 2012). After studying Amiri Baraka, it is clear that leadership is an in built quality. It can also be attained through an individual’s experience which inspires the leader (OSullivan, 2009). Leadership cannot be learnt by simply reading about it but it is something that someone gets

A Growing “Threat” to Society Essay Example for Free

A Growing â€Å"Threat† to Society Essay The Internet is one of the most powerful sources of information today. Thus, it has the capacity to enlighten, as well as to mislead. This double-edged potential has turned the Internet into the latest avenue for terrorism. Terrorists are now harnessing the power of the Internet to wreak havoc among the public (Conway, 2002). Terrorists use the Internet mainly as a propaganda tool – it is a venue wherein they publicize their cause or explain their ideological justification without misinterpretation or censorship. As of 2002, a majority of the 33 groups deemed foreign terrorist organizations by the United States State Department had their own web sites. There are also many other websites, that, despite not being related to any terrorist group, provide information on how to commit terrorist activities such as bomb-making. The latter often escape criminal prosecution due to the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech to the general populace (Conway, 2002). The very idea of cyber-terrorism, however, is not without contention. For one, it is still not clear as to what differentiates cyber-terrorism from freedom of expression. Also, there are certain Internet-related crimes that cannot be considered as cyber-terrorism, although they inflict damage upon the public. Indeed, terrorism in itself is already a notoriously difficult concept to define. The addition of computers to it further complicates the idea (Conway, 2002). The Internet: A New Weapon The Internet was originally intended as a means of resuming contact in the event of a nuclear attack. But due to its speed and convenience, it is currently a major venue for information, communication and commerce. As of September 2006, there were more than 1 billion Internet users worldwide (Vatis, 2006). With just one click of a mouse, an entrepreneur in Germany can deposit funds to a bank account in Switzerland and talk to a London-based cousin face to face through a web camera. A student in California, meanwhile, can learn everything about the Great Wall of China with merely a few keystrokes. After 9/11 It was only after 9/11 that the very concept of cyber-terrorism was actually developed. Before 9/11, Internet-related crimes were usually in the form of sending pornographic email to minors, defacing web pages, stealing credit card information and launching computer viruses (Conway, 2002). After 9/11, however, US officials realized that terrorist organizations could use the Internet to generate more bloodshed (Weimann, 2004). Al-Qaeda, for instance, could launch missiles or biological weapons to the US by simply pressing the â€Å"Enter† button of a laptop (Stohl, 2006). To a certain extent, the fears of the US were well-founded. In November 2000, an electronic attack was carried out from Pakistan against the Washington-based pro-Israeli lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Aside from defacing AIPAC’s site with anti-Israeli commentaries, the attacker likewise stole some 3,500 email addresses and 700 credit card numbers, sent anti-Israeli diatribes to the addresses and published the credit card data on the Internet. The Pakistani hacker, known by the alias â€Å"Dr. Nuker,† claimed responsibility for the incident. It turned out that â€Å"Dr. Hacker† was a founder of the Pakistani Hackerz Club, an organization whose objective was to â€Å"hack for the injustice going around the globe, especially with (sic) Muslims† (Conway, 2002). The aforementioned cyber assault was not without precedent. The Lebanese Shiite Islamic group Hezbollah established its collection of web sites in 1995. At present, the group has three websites that can be viewed in either English or Arabic – one for its press office, another to describe its attacks on Israeli targets (http://www. moqawama. tv) and a third, Al-Manar TV, for news and information (http://www. manartv. com). These websites regularly provide the latest information about Hezbollah, including press statements, political declarations, photos, video and audio clips. An email address is also provided as contact information (Conway, 2002). After 9/11, as a result, federal agents issued subpoenas and search warrants to almost every major Internet-based company, including America Online, MSN, Yahoo! and Google. In addition, many web sites were subjected to official closure by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Included among those that were closed down were radical Internet radio shows such as â€Å"IRA Radio,† â€Å"Al Lewis Live† and â€Å"Our Americas. † The â€Å"jihad web ring,† a collection of 55 jihad-related websites, lost dozens of its sites due to pullouts by Yahoo! Lycos Europe, meanwhile, created a 20-person team to filter its websites for illegal activity and terrorist-related content (Conway, 2002). Cyber-terrorism: Is There Really Such Thing? One of the most common arguments against cyber-terrorism is that it is an imaginary threat (Lacey, 2007). Contrary to popular perception, there is a minimal chance that cyber-terrorists would exact harm on innocent people by attacking corporate and governmental computer networks. As of this moment, terrorist organizations use the Internet only for fundraising, communications and propaganda. There is the possibility that terrorists might use computers as weaponry to a significant degree, but this will â€Å"probably happen in the (distant) future† (Conway, 2002). At present, terrorists would draw more attention to their cause by setting off bombs instead of hacking bytes (Conway, 2002). Instead of getting extremely paranoid about cyber-terrorism, the government should instead focus on eliminating cyber attacks against companies. As of July 2002, hackers had successfully launched at least 180,000 Internet attacks against more than 400 public, private, governmental and non-profit organizations. The brunt of these attacks fell on the power and energy industries, as well as on the technology and financial services. If left unchecked, these cyber attacks would be very detrimental to consumers – in order to make up for their losses to hackers, owners of the above-mentioned industries will have to raise the prices of their products and services (Fishman, Jospehberg, Linn, Pollack, Victoriano, 2002). Conclusion Paranoia over cyber-terrorism is very dangerous. Aside from diverting attention from more serious crimes such as cyber attacks, it violates civil rights and liberties. Under the guise of â€Å"fighting terrorism,† even websites whose only crime was to express radical ideas were closed down. While it is the duty of the state to safeguard its constituents from danger, doing so should not infringe their inalienable rights. It is true that terrorism might turn to cyberspace in the future in order to spread even more fear and bloodshed. But before the government rushes out to eliminate â€Å"cyber-terrorists,† it must first have a clear-cut concept of what constitutes cyber-terrorism and what makes a cyber-terrorist. Otherwise, the government will end up worse than the terrorists that it aims to get rid of. References Conway, M. (2002). What is Cyberterrorism? Current History, 101, 436-442. Retrieved October 17, 2008 from Academic Research Library. Fishman, R. M. , Josephberg, K. , Linn, J. , Pollack, J. , Victoriano, J. (2002). Threat of International Cyberterrorism on the Rise. Intellectual Property Technology Law Journal, 14, 23. Retrieved October 17, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global. Lacey, D. ComputerWeekly. com. (2007, April 29). How Real is the Threat of Cyber Terrorism? Retrieved October 17, 2008, from http://www. computerweekly. com/blogs/david_lacey/2007/04/ how_real_is_the_threat_of_cybe. html Stohl, M. (2006). Cyber Terrorism: A Clear and Present Danger, the Sum of All Fears, Breaking Point or Patriot Games? Crime Law Soc Change, 46, 223-238. Retrieved October 17, 2008 from SpringerLink. Vatis, M. (2006). The Next Battlefield: The Reality of Virtual Threats. Harvard International Review, 28, 56-61. Retrieved October 17, 2008 from ABI/INFORM Global. Weimann, G. United States Institute of Peace. (2004, December). Cyberterrorism: How Real Is the Threat? Retrieved October 17, 2008, from http://www. usip. org/pubs/specialreports/sr119. html#threat

Inotropes, Vasopressors and Vasodilators

Inotropes, Vasopressors and Vasodilators Suruchi Hasija, Jatin Narula ,Vandana Maravi. ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS AND SIGNALING PATHWAYS The main control over cardiac contractility is provided by the ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œadrenergic signaling pathways and that over the vascular tone by both ÃŽ ±- and ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œadrenergic pathways. The ÃŽ ± and ÃŽ ² receptors are stimulated by catecholamines circulating in the bloodstream and those released locally from the adrenergic nerve endings. The two main subtypes of ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œadrenergic receptors (ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs) in the cardiovascular system are the ÃŽ ²1 and ÃŽ ²2 subtypes. Myocardial ÃŽ ²1 and ÃŽ ²2-AR stimulation leads to increased contractility, whereas vascular ÃŽ ²2-AR stimulation induces vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Drug binding to myocardial ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs activates stimulatory G protein. This leads to activation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. A cascade of intracellular reactions finally leads to the physiological effect of increased myocardial contraction or vasodilation. The ÃŽ ±Ã¢â‚¬â€œadrenergic receptors (ÃŽ ±Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs) are further classified as ÃŽ ±1 and ÃŽ ±2 subtypes. ÃŽ ±1-AR on vascular smooth muscles are the main mediators of vasoconstriction. ÃŽ ±2-AR on the neurons function in a negative feedback loop to control ÃŽ ±-adrenergic vasoconstriction. Stimulation of ÃŽ ±1-AR coupled to G protein activates phospholipase C which in turn raises intracellular Ca+2. Stimulation of ÃŽ ±2-AR coupled to inhibitory G protein inhibits adenylate cyclase, thereby lowering intracellular Ca+2. INOTROPES Inotropy or contractility is the intrinsic property of the cardiac myofibril. It defines the amount of work that the heart can perform at a given load. Contractility is primarily determined by the availability of intracellular calcium. Depolarization of the cardiac myofibril leads to the entry of a small amount of Ca+2 into the cell which triggers the release of additional Ca+2 from intracellular storage sites (sarcoplasmic reticulum). The binding of Ca+2 to troponin, displacement of tropomyosin from the binding site on actin and formation of actin-myosin crossbridges eventually leads to contraction of the myofibril. All inotropic agents act by increasing intracellular calcium. Catecholamines, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and calcium sensitizers are the broad classes of available inotropic agents. Catecholamines Catecholamines comprise the major type of available inotropic agents. Their chemical structure includes a catechol ring, catechol hydroxyl groups and variable side chains. Endogenous(present naturally in the body) catecholamines include epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, and synthetic catecholamines include isoprenaline, dobutamine, dopexamine and fenoldopam. Besides acting directly on adrenergic receptors, some catecholamines may act indirectly by releasing or inhibiting reuptake of norepinephrine at the nerve terminal or by metabolism to form norepinephrine. Table 1: Site and mechanism of action of sympathomimetics Table 2: Haemodynamic effects of catecholamines and phosphodiesterase inhibitors CO=cardiac output, dp/dt=force of myocardial contraction(change in pressure/time), HR=heart rate, SVR=systemic vascular resistance, PVR=pulmonary vascular resistance, PCWP=pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, MVO2=myocardial oxygen consumption Modified from Lehmann A, Boldt J: New pharmacologic approaches for the perioperative treatment of ischemic cardiogenic shock. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 19:97-108, 2005. Epinephrine Epinephrine, a naturally occurring catecholamine, is secreted from the adrenal medulla. The effects on ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs predominate at lower doses and on ÃŽ ±Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs at higher doses (> 0.1  µg/kg/min). It increases heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV) and coronary blood flow (CBF). The rise in blood pressure (BP) results from increase in HR and cardiac output (CO). Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreases at low doses (ÃŽ ²2-AR effect) but increases at high doses (ÃŽ ± effect). It is metabolized in the liver by the enzymes catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO), and the metabolites are excreted in urine. It has arrhythmogenic potential. In cardiac surgical patients it is used as an infusion at 0.01-0.4  µg/kg/min to wean patients with poor ventricular function off cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). (Tables 1 and 2) Norepinephrine Norepinephrine is the postganglionic neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system. It acts on ÃŽ ±1–AR, ÃŽ ±2–AR and ÃŽ ²1–AR, and has negligible action on ÃŽ ²2–AR. The ÃŽ ²1-AR action predominates at lower doses, thereby increasing inotropy, SV and CBF. It increases BP and SVR; but decreases HR. The CO remains unchanged. It has arrhythmogenic potential. The clinical dose range is 0.01 to 0.1  µg/kg/min. Like epinephrine, it is easily oxidized. It is metabolized by COMT and MAO and taken up by the sympathetic neurons. It decreases renal, hepatic, mesenteric and splanchnic blood flow. Dopamine Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system. It is the immediate metabolic precursor of norepinephrine and epinephrine. It acts on ÃŽ ±Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs, ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œARs and dopaminergic receptors (DA1-DA5). At 0.5-3  µg/kg/min it increases renal and mesenteric blood flow (dopaminergic effects), between 3-8  µg/kg/min it increases HR and contractility (ÃŽ ²-AR effects) and, above 8  µg/kg/min it causes vasoconstriction (ÃŽ ±-AR effects). Intravenous dopamine does not cross the blood brain barrier. It is metabolized in the liver by COMT and MAO. Isoprenaline Isoprenaline has pure ÃŽ ²Ã¢â‚¬â€œAR agonist activity. It causes an increase in HR and contractility (ÃŽ ²1-AR effect) and decreases SVR (ÃŽ ²2-AR effect). CO increases due to combined ÃŽ ²1 and ÃŽ ²2-AR effect. It dilates pulmonary, skeletal, renal and mesenteric vascular beds. It is indicated in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, bradycardia (especially after orthotopic heart transplantation), heart block and conduction abnormalities. It is used in the dose 0.01 to 0.1  µg/kg/min. it is metabolized in the liver by COMT. It is arrhythmogenic. Dobutamine Dobutamine is primarily a ÃŽ ²1-AR agonist and has positive inotropic effects. It causes modest increase in HR (ÃŽ ²2-AR effect) and decrease in SVR (ÃŽ ²2-AR effect). The clinical dose range varies from 2-15  µg/kg/min. It is particularly indicated in patients with myocardial pump failure. Its chemical structure lacks the hydroxyl group of catecholamines. It is metabolized in the liver, although not by COMT and MAO. It increases SV, CO and CBF. The arrhythmogenic potential is less than other catecholamines. Dopexamine Dopexamine is a synthetic analog of dopamine. It has potent ÃŽ ²2-AR and dopamine agonist properties and little ÃŽ ²1-AR and ÃŽ ±-AR activity. It causes vasodilation, increase in HR and inotropy. CO and renal blood flow are increased. It is used in the dose 1-10  µg/kg/min. It undergoes methylation and sulfation in the liver and is taken up into the tissues via extraneuronal catecholamine uptake mechanisms. Unlike other catecholamines, it lacks arrhythmogenic potential. Fenoldopam Fenoldopam mesylate is a dopamine DA1 receptor agonist that causes systemic and renal arteriolar vasodilation. It increases renal blood flow at doses of 0.05-0.1  µg/kg/min and reduces BP at 0.1-0.3  µg/kg/min. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors Phosphodiesterase inhibitors act by preventing the breakdown of cAMP, thereby prolonging its physiological response. They do not act via ÃŽ ²-AR stimulation. Their addition to a catecholamine has a synergistic effect in increasing inotropy. They also produce vasodilation and are termed ‘inodilators’. They improve myocardial diastolic relaxation (positive lusitropic effect) and augment coronary perfusion. The clinically used phosphodiesterase inhibitors include amrinone, milrinone and enoximone. Amrinone Amrinone is a bipyridine derivative. It provides positive inotropy and decreases SVR. The decrease in SVR is apparent immediately after administration, whereas positive inotropy is appreciable after 10-15 minutes. They are particularly useful in heart failure by increasing forward flow. It is administered as a bolus loading dose (0.5-1.5 mg/kg) followed by infusion (5-20  µg/kg/min). The potential side effects are thrombocytopenia (2-3%), gastrointestinal upset, myalgia, fever, hepatic dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmias and allergy. Milrinone Milrinone is a derivative of amrinone and is 20 times more potent. It does not cause fever or thrombocytopenia. It is administered as a bolus loading dose (50  µg/kg over 10 minutes) followed by infusion (0.375-0.75  µg/kg/min). Enoximone Enoximone is an imidazole derivative that has more pronounced vasodilatory effect than inotropic effect. It is administered as a bolus loading dose (0.5-1 mg/kg) followed by infusion (5-10  µg/kg/min). Levosimendan Levosimendan is a new inotropic agent belonging to the class of calcium-sensitizing agents, i.e., it sensitizes the myocardium to the actions of calcium. It has vasodilating and anti-ischemic properties mediated by opening of K+-ATP channels. The haemodynamic effects include increase in SV and CO and reduction in filling pressures, mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and SVR. It also promotes lusitropy. It is useful in patients with compromised left ventricular function, difficulty in weaning from CPB and right ventricular failure. It is used in a loading dose of 12  µg/kg over 10 minutes followed by an infusion of 0.1  µg/kg/min. Calcium chloride Calcium ions play an important role in excitation-contraction coupling in the cardiac myofibrils. It has positive inotropic effect that is effective after CPB and in the short-term treatment of myocardial pump failure. The rise in BP occurs secondary to increased inotropy and vasoconstriction. However, it can attenuate the ÃŽ ²-AR effects of epinephrine in the postoperative cardiac surgical patients. It is administered in the dose of 2-4 mg/kg every 10 minutes. Calcium Gluconate the clinically available compound of calcium ,contains less than half of ionized calcium and has to be metabolized in the liver before action. VASODILATORS Vasodilators cause relaxation of arterial smooth muscle thereby reducing SVR and MAP. In addition, they also have venodilating property. They aid discontinuation of CPB by decreasing preload, right and left ventricular afterload, improving lusitropy and CBF. They are useful in the perioperative treatment of systemic and pulmonary hypertension, myocardial ischemia and ventricular dysfunction complicated by excessive pressure or volume overload. Sodium nitroprusside Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) acts by acting as a substrate for the formation of nitric oxide (NO) in the vascular endothelium. Binding of NO to its receptor induces a conformational change in the enzyme guanylate cyclase and production of cGMP from GTP. cGMP is the second messenger that eventually leads to vascular smooth muscle relaxation via numerous intermediate steps. SNP predominantly causes arterial and arteriolar vasodilation, but at high doses venodilation also occurs. Reflex tachycardia is apparent with its administration. SV and CO are increased only if the preload is maintained with intravenous fluids. SNP has a potential to cause ‘coronary steal’ phenomenon in patients with coronary artery disease as the epicardial coronary arteries also dilate diverting blood away from the stenosed endocardial coronary arteries. It decreases pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and MPAP. It abolishes hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and may contribute to hypoxia. The infusion rate is 0.5  µg/kg/min, and titrated to effect. It is reconstituted in a dextrose-containing solution. SNP is sensitive to light, therefore the infusion syringe and tubing are wrapped with opaque material to prevent light induced structural breakdown of the drug. Cyanide toxicity may occur with the use of SNP above 1.5 mg/kg acute dose or 8  µg/kg/min chronic infusion. SNP is used during hypothermic CPB to promote uniform cooling by preventing cold induced vasoconstriction, to reduce the perfusion pressure, to reduce afterload by decreasing SVR and to increase pulmonary blood flow by decreasing PVR. Nitroglycerin Nitroglycerin (NTG) acts by the same mechanism as other nitrates. NTG is primarily a venodilator and reduces ventricular preload and myocardial oxygen consumption. NTG is of particular importance in patients with congestive heart failure as it unloads the left ventricle. It has modest effects on SVR and BP. It reduces PVR. The starting dose of intravenous nitroglycerin is 0.5  µg/kg/min which may be titrated to effect. Attention must be paid to the fluid status as CO may drastically reduce. At higher doses systemic vascular dilation occurs. NTG is helpful in coronary artery disease because it causes epicardial coronary artery dilation. It is metabolized in the liver. Methemoglobinemia occurs at high infusion rates. Intravenous nitroglycerin has a half-life of 1-3 minutes. Tolerance develops when administered for more than 8 hours. Nitric oxide Nitric oxide (NO) is the endothelium derived relaxing factor. Its mechanism of action has been described above. It has a very short half-life of 5 seconds. Inhaled NO promotes pulmonary vascular dilation. It can be used upto 80 parts per million (ppm) in patients with severe right ventricular failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension. As inhaled NO is rapidly taken up by the heme group of guanylate cyclase, it only acts locally in the pulmonary vascular bed causing pulmonary vasodilation. It has no systemic effects. Phenoxybenzamine Phenoxybenzamine is a non-competitive ÃŽ ±1 and ÃŽ ±2-AR blocker. It decreases PVR and SVR, thereby increasing CO. It is used to promote vasodilation during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for uniform cooling and for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Phenoxybenzamine is a very potent and long acting vasodilator. It was traditionally used for afterload reduction, pulmonary vasodilatation, and in adrenal tumors such as pheochromocytoma. Phentolamine, a shorter acting agent is now more commonly used. VASOPRESSORS Vasopressors act on arteries and arterioles to increase SVR (ÃŽ ±-AR effect). They have some ÃŽ ² –AR effect also. Catecholamines such as norepinephrine, and epinephrine and dopamine at high concentrations are potent vasoconstrictors. In addition, sympathomimetics such as phenylephrine, methoxamine, ephedrine, metaraminol and mephentermine are also vasoconstrictors. They are metabolized by COMT and MAO. Phenylephrine Phenylephrine is a pure ÃŽ ±1-AR agonist and its primary action is to increase SVR. Reflex bradycardia may be seen. Vasoconstriction of renal, splanchnic and other vascular beds occurs. Coronary perfusion pressure is increased due to increase in diastolic pressure. The intravenous bolus dose is 50-100  µg and infusion rate is 0.5-1.0  µg/kg/min. Its effect is apparent in 1 minute and lasts upto 20 minutes. It is commonly used to increase SVR and therefore the perfusion pressure on CPB. Mephentermine Mephentermine has direct action on ÃŽ ±-AR and ÃŽ ²-AR, and indirect action by releasing norepinephrine at the nerve terminal. It increases CO and SVR. Its acts immediately on intravenous injection and it’s action lasts 30 minutes. It is used in 15-45 mg bolus doses and as 0.1% infusion titrated to effect. Vasopressin Vasopressin,a hormone of the anterior pituitary is a potent vasoconstrictor. It mediates vasoconstriction by inhibiting K+ ATP channels on vascular smooth muscles and blunting the rise in cGMP (due to NO and ANP) and cAMP (due to ÃŽ ²2-AR stimulation). It is one of the modalities of treating vasodilatory shock after CPB. It is used in the infusion dose of 0.01-0.1 U/min for this purpose. At higher doses it has the potential to cause renal and splanchnic vasoconstriction. It is also administered as a bolus dose of 40 U i.v. during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Suggested reading Hoffman TM. Newerinotropesin pediatric heart failure. 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