Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Documents in the Revenue Cycle List Assignment Example

Essays on Documents in the Revenue Cycle List Assignment The paper "Documents in the Revenue Cycle List" is a wonderful example of an assignment on finance and accounting. In the present business scenario, manually created revenue cycle documents slow down the revenue cycle operations and that may create a number of financial problems emerging from delayed recoveries from accounts receivables. â€Å"Internet and ERP have injected many changes in the revenue cycle. Sales Orders arrive on the web. In the cases sales orders that need credit decisions in a few minutes, web-based services offer automation of the entire credit approval process.† (Ashotosh Deshmukh, 2005). But sometimes automation becomes inefficient say when customers’ creditworthiness is judged merely on the basis of credit points stored in a system. There is always a need control to maintain a standard Basic objective of control over electronic forms is that accurate data should be available when needed, and all revenue cycle activities are performed efficiently and effectively. For effective control over electronic documentations in the revenue cycle operations the following procedures should be considered:Further processing on Sales orders should be done only on verification that required goods are available.Sales Order processing should be automated as per batch technology and real-time technology.Sequential number to Sales Orders, Sales Invoices and Credit Memos generated through an electronic system should be assigned by the system itself.Regular file backups, file labels, modification of default settings on ERP systems, encryption, etc. are the basic control features of the electronically operated revenue cycle.Under the electronic system, though the customer’s credit is approved as per criteria decided by the Credit Manager and programmed into the system, final approval should be manually done by the Credit manager after generation the hard copy of the Credit memo by the system. In other words, there should be some manual cont rol in approval of customer credit history.Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) should be encouraged instead of receiving cheques and pay orders from Accounts receivables. This will eliminate the mistakes and frauds occurring at the stage of maintaining and operating remittances related documents, like remittance lists and passing of accounting entries on the basis of those documents.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Essay on The Statues of Rahotep and Nefert - 947 Words

The Statues of Rahotep and Nefert nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The first thing that strikes an observer of these two statues is the excellent condition they are in. The paint on the two figures, Rahotep and Nefert, is extremely well preserved and there is only a miniscule amount of perceptible damage. Rahotep, who is seated on the left, retains the air of nobility and grandeur that a king’s son and high priest would have undoubtedly enjoyed during his lifetime. His wife, Nefert, sits adorned with an intricate wig and headband that match her bright jewelry and indicate her elevated social status. Together, the figures complement each other perfectly and provide a valuable glimpse into the world of non-royal funerary art of Ancient†¦show more content†¦Rahotep wears a very plain kilt and a small amulet around his neck. He has close-cropped hair and his face is adorned with a thin mustache. He has broad shoulders and muscular arms and it is worth noting that his right arm is held across his chest while his l eft rests on his thigh. In this respect he resembles Djoser, but the horizontally held arm goes out of fashion later in the Fourth Dynasty. The biggest contrast between Rahotep and his wife is the color of his skin, which is almost the color of clay. In the majority of limestone statues, the husband is portrayed as having much darker skin than his wife has. This is probably due to the fact that men spent more time outside and wore less than women. A similar style is apparent in ancient wall paintings from Thera, Greece that are housed in the Athens Archaeological Museum. In them, the men are portrayed as either red or brown while the women are snow white. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Nefert wears a shoulder-length wig and ornate headband decorated with symmetrical designs. The sculptor paid great attention to details, as her real hair and the straps from her dress can be told apart from the wig and her robe. Nefert’s nipples also protrude from her bosom and only one of her hands is visible. The other hand, much like most of Nefert’s body, seems to mold with the dress which itself molds with the chair. Contrasting with the very

Monday, December 9, 2019

Price Discrimination Essay Example For Students

Price Discrimination Essay Define, discuss, and account for the existence of price discrimination. Compareand exemplify the first, second, and third degrees of such discrimination. Overview Price discrimination is the practice of setting different pricingformulas in different virtual markets, while still maintaining the same productthroughout. The prices are based upon the price elasticity of demand in eachgiven market. In more practical terms, that means that during Ladies Nightat M.P. OReillys, it costs more for me to have a beer than if I were afemale simply because this particular saloon sees fit to charge members of thefemale species less as a means to draw more such females to the establishment onsuch a night. Price discrimination is rampant in many areas of the commercialand business world. Movie theatres, magazines, computer software companies, andthousands of other entities have discounted prices for students, children, orthe elderly. One important note, though, is that price discrimination is onlypresent when the exact same product is sold to different people for differentprices. First class vs. coach in an airline (though sometimes just differing inh ow many free drinks you can get) is not an example of price discriminationbecause the two tickets, though comparable, are not identical. Pricediscrimination is based upon the economic premise and practice of marginalanalysis. This conceptualization deals specifically with the differences inrevenue and costs as choices and/or decisions are made. A good example isillustrated in the textbook by the Hartford Shoe Company model. The mostimportant portion of the model, however, is on page 201. Here, it is calculatedthat if the company raises the prices of the shoes from $60 to $65, theirrevenue and number of shoes sold will shrinkbut their actual profit marginwill raise slightly due to that higher profit margin more than just offsettingin the loss in sales. Profit maximization is achieved neither where the numberof products sold is the highest, nor where the price is the highest. Profitability Price discrimination is only profitable if and when the giventarget groups price elasticity of demand differs to the point where theseparate prices yield to profit maximization for each given group in question(where marginal revenue equals marginal cost). Groups that are more sensitive toprices, students and senior citizens for example, have a lower price elasticityof demand and are thus the ones that are often charges the lower prices for theidentical goods or services. The key to price discrimination and utilizing it tofully compliment other economic practices, ultimately achieving the total profitmaximization, is the ability to effectively and efficiently collect, analyze,and act upon data gathered about the different groups. First of all, the groupsmust be accurately identified and the differences between groups must bediscerned ahead of time. Children, genders, and senior citizens are easilysingled-out by appearance, while military personnel, college students, and othergroups must carry some sort of identification. Firms typically will advertisethe highest prices in publications, and then offer discounts to qualifiedgroups. The three basic conditions for price discrimination to be effective areas follows: 1) Consumers can be divided into and identified as groups withdifferent elasticities of demand. 2) The firm can easily and accurately identifyeach customer. 3) There is not a significant resale market for the good inquestion. First Degree Price Discrimination The premise behind the practice offirst degree price discrimination is that the firm has enough accurateinformation about the end consumer that products can be sold each time for themaximum amount that the consumer is willing to pay. The two most prevalentexamples of first-degree price discrimination are called price skimmingand all-or-none offers, both of which are described below. Skimming hererefers to the demand function, as firms take the top of the demand of a givengood to maximiz e profits on the per diem sale. This, of course, requires thatthe firm know the actual demand for the good that it produces. Furthermore, thefirm must divide its customers into distinct, independent groups based upontheir respective demands for the good. The firm wants to first sell to the groupwho will pay the highest price for the new product. It then reduces the costslightly and sells to another group with only slightly less demand for the good. This process is replicated on numerous occasions until the marginal revenue dipsto equal marginal cost. While this example may seem similar to other examples ofprice discrimination, it should be noted that the most significant differencehere is that there are a virtually limitless number of possible prices that,charged sequentially, will yield profit maximization over the long haul. Thefirm must, of course, be on the ball and must make constant reassessments of thedemand and thus, the price for the good at any given time after the initialprice is set and a number of units are sold. Firms practicing price skimming,then, will generally start their pricing schedules where the demand schedule hasits vertical intercept. From there, as demand at any given price shrinks, thefirm readjusts the price of the good to spur more sales. As before, the firmmaximizes profits where the marginal revenue is equal to marginal cost. The firmwill not continue to sell the good below this threshold. The equ ality here isunlike a scenario where a single profit-maximizing price scheme is practiced. Art Evaluation EssayInterpolation yields the concept that for every $1 that the price increases,sales will fall by 125 units. Likewise, when the student price for the shoes inquestion falls $5, 625 additional pairs of shoes will be sold. This again can beinterpolated to mean that every dollar less the shoes are priced, 125 more unitswill be sold. Thus, a change of just $1 makes students and non-students alikechange their purchasing preferences by 125 pairs of shoes. We can use thisobservation to generate the ideal price and sales figures necessary to achievethe ideal situation of: Marginal Cost = Marginal Revenue We know that marginalrevenue is the change in the total revenue divided by the change in sales. Whenthe price of shoes is reduced by $1, total revenue will increase $2,625 as salesagain increase by 125. The marginal revenue associated with such a pricereduction is $21 (2625/125) and, since this marginal revenue is greater than themarginal cost ($20), lowering the price fro m $66 to $65 actually does increaseprofits for the Hartford Shoe Company. However, as illustrated in the text, ifthe price is originally $65, and the price is lowered to $64, then the marginalrevenue from this move would only be $19. Due to the fact that this marginalrevenue is less than the marginal cost (still $20), profits would actually takea small hit if this price reduction was carried out. Opportunity Cost Pricediscrimination is based upon the most significant of all economic concepts:opportunity cost. For example, American Airlines may offer college students afare from Saint Louis to Chicago for $149 round-trip, while business classfares run significantly higher, say $279 for example. The business traveler, inall likelihood, is more likely to be willing to pay the higher fare because heor she is going to be working for a client in Chicago and will be paid $100 perhour while there. The college student does not have the luxury of having anyextra money (he or she goes to Wash U .), and thus cannot justify paying thehigher rate to travel to Chicago for his or her fall break. Opportunity cost isthe most intrinsic measure of justification for reallocation of any of apersons given resourcesincluding (but not limited to) time, money, andtalent. People often say that they are richer in time than in money, butin fact seldom consider the fact that by choosing not to work, they are actuallypaying for their recreation time. Such is the case with pricediscrimination. If you are a Washington University student and you go to theEsquire Theatre on a Friday night to see the latest big-budget, no-plotHollywood hit, you are inherently less likely to study your Organic Chemistry. This could, in turn, lead to a lower grade in the class. The lower grade couldlead to acceptance to a less-respected graduate program, and such could lead toa job with lower pay. I realize that most of this is highly hypothetical, butthe bottom line is always that, no matter what youre doing, you could bedoing something else. Opportunity cost should be a consideration every timesomeone chooses to sleep in and miss class, or every time that someone takes offof work for a day. Vacation, after all, is the most prevalent exercise andexemplification of someone making a judgment regarding opportunity cost. Conclusion Price discrimination is a significant and influential practice on themarket in the modern economic world. It aids in a firms profit maximizationscheme, it allows certain consumers with more-scarce resources the opportunitypurchase goods or services that would otherwise be attainable, and it aids firmsin balancing what is and is not sold. Devoid of an audience and consumer basealert to it, price discrimination is an effective means by which a firm can sella higher quantity of goods, make a higher profit margin on the goods it doessell, and build a broader consumer base due to differing price elasticity ofdemand for given goods and services. Price discrimination ultimately equalizesprice and value for both the consumer and the firm, creating a more idealsituation for both entities in terms of preference and opportunity cost.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Progressive Era Essays (670 words) - Freemen Of The City Of London

Progressive Era The Progressive Era The first years of the 1900s is referred to as the ?Progressive Era.? This is because reformer were successful in what they did. Their reforms helped America ?progress? to new changes. Teddy Roosevelt is one of these reformers. He broke up the large railroad trust. The four big railroads in the Northwest was controlled by one holding company by the name of the Northern Securities Company. Since this company owned all the stock in the four major railroads it set all of the rates. So Roosevelt sued the NSC under the Sherman Antitrust Act for having a monopoly. Roosevelt then broke up the beef trust, the oil trust, and the tobacco trust. This reform helped America progress to new changes because Roosevelt started to get the federal government to regulate big businesses and help out the consumer; something that had not been focused on too heavily. Roosevelt also involved the federal government in the coal strike of 1902. The miners went on strike to improve their working conditions but the mine owners refused to deal with the miners. Then Roosevelt intervened and got the discussions between he miners and the owners started. He wanted to see that the miners got a ?squar e deal? and that is what happened. Roosevelt was important in reforming and progressing America by involving the government in regulating big businesses and helping out the common man. Middle class reforms made many changes in America. In many cities all over the country reform mayor were being elected But then in some cites the reform mayors were dying out. To make sure this would not happen some cities got rid of the mayor and city council and replaced them with a small commission. Each member ran a different part of the city. The commission made laws and policies for the cities. Other cities made a city manager. The manager was not a politician. A trained manager carried out the policies set by a small council. Following the lead of Wisconsin and Robert La Follette, state governments made many reforms. Voters had the right to chose candidates for public office, a commission was set up to control railroad rates a competitive civil service was created, restrictions were put on lobbying, and laws were passed for conservation, supervision of state banks, and higher taxes taxes on corporations. Most states began passing child labor laws, workman's compensation was es tablished, women minimum wage laws were started, and intoxicating liquors were outlawed. These changes in state and city governments were major factors in progressing America to a more equal and unique nation because of the new ways cities were run and the laws of the states. Woodrow Wilson made important reforms to the progression of America. He started out by making tariff reforms. He did not necessarily want free trade but free opportunity for American business. The duties proposed provided some revenue for the treasury but would not make industries that no longer needed tariff protection richer. To make up for lost revenue a low rate income tax was included. Though the public felt strongly about this bill and a new tariff policy was created. Wilson also created the Federal Reserve Act. This was for banking and currency reform. The country was divided into twelve districts each with a Federal Reserve bank. Every national bank had to become a member of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve banks were the ? Bankers' banks. They held the banks' reserves, lent money to a member bank and performed other duties. The Federal Reserve Act created a new currency too. Federal Reserve Notes could be issued according to the needs of the business communiti es. This act helped the member banks in time of panic. These reforms helped America progress by making a new trade law and a new flexible currency along with an easier banking method. These reforms and changes made by presidents, governors, and mayors helped America progress. So the early 1900s could accurately be described as the ?Progression Era.? History Essays

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Celebrate the Saturnalia Festival

Celebrate the Saturnalia Festival For how many years shall this festival abide! Never shall age destroy so holy a day! While the hills of Latium remain and father Tiber, while thy Rome stands and the Capitol thou hast restored to the world, it shall continue.- Saturnalia Conspicuous Consumption in Saturnalia as in Christmas Around Christmas, its often difficult to separate commerce from religion. I want to do something different this year. Put up something other than a Christmas tree and creche to which the wooden wise men move nearer each day. Maybe Ill wear a funny peaked cap, buy my friends beeswax candles useful gifts in the event of a power failure, let my son (as Lord of Misrule) plan the day, and just maybe Ill celebrate it early... on December 17, the day of the Saturnalia. The Increasing Period of Saturnalia Celebration This Saturnalia problem may sound familiar. After all, stores put out their Christmas merchandise before Halloween these days. The Saturnalia was originally celebrated in Ancient Rome for only a day, but it was so popular it soon lasted a week, despite Augustus efforts to reduce it to three days, and Caligulas, to five. Like our Christmas, this important holy day (feriae publicae) was for more than fun and games. Saturnalia was a time to honor the god of sowing, Saturn. But again, like our Christmas, it was also a festival day (dies festus) on which a public banquet was prepared. An effigy of the god was probably one of the guests. Saturnalia Was the Best Part of the Roman Year The poet Catullus describes Saturnalia as the best of days. It was a time of celebration, visits to friends, and gift-giving, particularly of wax candles (cerei), and earthenware figurines (sigillaria). The best part of the Saturnalia (for slaves) was the temporary reversal of roles. Masters served meals to their slaves who were permitted the unaccustomed luxuries of leisure and gambling. Clothing was relaxed and included the peaked woollen cap that symbolized the freed slave, which looks an awful lot like Santa Clauss peaked red hat . A member of the familia (family plus slaves) was appointed Saturnalicius princeps, roughly, Lord of Misrule. Celebrate the Saturnalia in the 21st Century Im not alone in my desire to do something... old. Biblioteca Arcana and Nova Roma offer suggestions for turning December 17 into a celebration of Saturnalia. Bringing trees indoors to decorate is a modern custom. Nova Roma suggests decorating outdoor trees with sun and star symbols  and using swathes of greenery over doorways, windows, and on people. But Nova Roma emphasizes that decorations are secondary to revelry, feasting, drinking, merry-making, pranks, and gift-giving of Saturnalia. If you can get your friends and neighbors in the spirit, wrangle a parade permit from your municipality so you can dance (like a Roman) in the street. Biblioteca Arcanas suggestions are for celebrating the religious aspects of the Saturnalia and its two adjoining holidays, the Opalia for Saturns wife, Ops, goddess of plenty, and the Consualia for Consus, god of the storage bin. The site provides a complete ritual with an equipment list, information on preparation, location, timing, the banquet, and the conclusion. Io Saturnalia! Also see: Saturnalia Article

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Improving Student Behavior With Behavior Contracts

Improving Student Behavior With Behavior Contracts Behavior contracts that describe appropriate replacement behavior consequences and rewards can really help students succeed, eliminate problem behavior and build a positive relationship with the students teachers. Contracts can eliminate the never-ending battle of wits that begins when a student engages the teacher and the teacher gets hooked. Contracts can focus the student and teacher on the good behavior rather than on the problems. A behavior contract can be a positive intervention to avoid the need to write a Behavior Intervention Plan. If a childs behavior merits a check in the Special Considerations section of the IEP, federal law requires that you conduct a Functional Behavioral Analysis and write a Behavior Intervention Plan.  If another intervention can prevent the behavior from getting out of control, you can avoid a lot of work as well as possibly needing to call an additional IEP team meeting. What Is a Behavior Contract? A behavior contract is an agreement between a student, their parent and the teacher. It spells out the expected behavior, the unacceptable behavior, the benefits (or rewards) for improving behavior and the consequence for failing to improve behavior. This contract should be worked out with the parent and the child and is most effective if the parent reinforces the appropriate behavior, rather than the teacher. Accountability is an important part of the success of a behavior contract. The components: Participants: Parent, Teacher, and Student. If both parents participate in the conference, more power to them! It is clearly an indication that they will support your effort. If you are in a middle school and other teachers besides the special educator will be enforcing the plan, they all need to sign off on the contract. Finally, the student should be consulted, especially about the rewards. What is a fitting reward for proving that they can improve their school behavior?The Behavior: Describing the behavior negatively (stop hitting, stop speaking out of turn, stop swearing) will focus on the behavior that you want to extinguish. You need to be sure that you are describing the replacement behavior, the behavior you want to see in its place. You want to be rewarding the student for the behavior that you want to see, rather than punishing the behavior you do not want to see. Research has proven conclusively that punishment doesnt work: it makes a behavior disappear temporarily, but th e minute the punisher leaves, the behavior will reappear. It is important that the replacement behavior serves the same function as the behavior you with to eliminate. Raising your hand doesnt replace calling out if the function of calling out is to get attention from peers. You need to find a behavior that will also provide appropriate attention. Data collection: How will you record when wanted or unwanted behavior has occurred? You may have a student self-monitoring protocol, or even a teacher checklist or teacher record sheet. Often it can be as simple as a three by five-inch note card taped to the desk, where the teacher can place a star or a check for appropriate behavior.The Reward: You need to be sure that you establish both the reward and the threshold for getting the reward. How many inappropriate behaviors are allowed and yet the student can still earn the reward? How long does the student need to exhibit the behavior before the student earns the reward? What if the student backslides? Does he or she still get to keep credit for the success that preceded it?Consequences: If the behavior you are targeting is problematic and can potentially inhibit the success not only of the student in question, but for the whole class, it needs to have consequences. The consequences also need to kick in when a certain threshold is me t. In most cases, the success of exhibiting the replacement behavior, along with the praise and positive emphasis that should accompany the success, it shouldnt need to be instituted. Still, if a behavior disrupts the classroom and puts other children at risk, the consequence needs to be one that returns peace to the classroom and makes the other children safe. It may be to remove the child from the room, or move the child to the quiet corner. Signatures: Get everyones signature. Make a big deal about it, and be sure that you keep a copy of the contract handy, so you can refer to it when you want to either motivate or redirect the student. Instituting Your Contract Be sure that everything is in place before you begin the contract. How will the parents be informed and how often? Daily? Weekly? How will parents be informed of a bad day? How will you know for sure that the report has been seen? What is the consequence if the reporting form is not returned? A call to Mom? Celebrate Success! Be sure to let the student know when you are pleased when they are having success with their contract. I find that often the first few days are very successful, and it usually takes a few days before the there is any backsliding. Success feeds success. So be sure to let your student how happy you are when they do succeed.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Contrasts between Sanders's definition of pornography with the Supreme Essay

Contrasts between Sanders's definition of pornography with the Supreme court's definition - Essay Example On the other hand, the opponents have stood firm to criticize it with the argument that freedom of expression is limited and is not guaranteed on aspects that ruin people’s morality. Some feminists have also criticised it on grounds of propagating gender violence and stereotyping. Sanders’ definition of pornography is vastly different from the Supreme Court’s definition.   Sanders defines pornography as turning of the human body into a commodity that can be sold and be used in transactions like other goods in the market. He further mentions that the act separates the body from the self (Sanders105). The definition of obscenity according to the United States laws emanates from Hicklin standard that was later embraced by the Supreme Court. In the case, Rosen versus United States, it became apparent that the Supreme Court had adopted the definition of obscenity to comprise any material that has potential to corrupt minds that are open to such immoral influences, i t further bound the individual whose hands the material may be found (Blue 79). The law depicted some inconsistencies with Sanders’ definition. The test was found inappropriate and the Supreme Court had to adopt the Roth test for obscenity. The Roth test was a slight milestone to the definition of pornography. Despite the effort, no harmony is evident with the sanders’ definition. ... The Supreme Court has no concrete definition of pornography since it does not have a law that limits on its own. However, the justice system has adopted the law of obscenity. This law leaves many gray areas that provide an enabling environment for pornography in the society. Justice Stewart is well remembered for his stand on obscenity when he reckoned that â€Å"I know it when I see it† (Blue 80). This brings much controversy since different individuals will exhibit different opinions, therefore lacking a standardised way of dealing with such crimes. Pornography issues have been dealt with a lot of disparity. Sander makes it clear that the act of engaging in trade with human bodies has no bounds. In 1968, the Supreme Court suspended the viewing of sexual content by children but upheld their viewing by adults. In a landmark ruling made in the case of Butler versus Michigan in1957, it was established that the adults should not be stooped too low and be categorised similarly as children ( National Academies 6). This type of variable obscenity creates not only amoral crisis but also a constitutional crisis, since the bill of rights gives an equal regard for all citizens. The major setback to such a ruling is the inability to distinguish the consumer of the sexual content given that children can access the same media that is used by adults. The thoughts raised by Sanders in his definition can be universally accepted. This is because they encourage morality, respect for human rights and dignity as well as the need to protect self from being tarnished by the shameful acts of pornography. In real terms, the focus of the supreme on promoting responsible social behaviour is limited and very inconsistent. The fact that the Supreme Court has a leeway to

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Social and Family Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social and Family Law - Essay Example Secondly, she should be aware of the fact that a valid consent is that which is informed and voluntary and that the person who is consenting should have the capacity to make such a decision (Lynch, 2010, p. 70). More importantly, she should be aware that in situations where children are involved in medical treatment, consent from the parent is usually required as a matter of parental responsibility. As a legal concept, Jackson (2009, p. 105) argues that parental responsibility gives her the responsibilities, rights, and authority over her children. As such, treatment of Alex through a wrist operation will greatly depend on her consent to treatment. As has been noted, Alex’s mother is accorded with parental responsibility in regard to the treatment of her son. Additionally, it has been noted that for consent to be valid it has to be informed and voluntary. Therefore, Alex’s mother has the right to be informed about Alex’s condition and right to access Alex’ s health records in order to make the decision on consent to his treatment. In regard to Brad’s situation, Mental Health Act 1983 adequately addresses the issues arising from the situation. Brad should know that the police have proper authority to take him to the hospital. This is because the Act provides that a person diagnosed with a mental illness should be detained in police custody or in hospital so that their disorder can be assessed and treated. Brad was admitted to the hospital as a compulsory patient because he needed assessment and care and to protect their safety or health and that of the public (Department of Health, 2011). Since Brad has refused to take the tablets, the Act the hospital staff can give him an injection against his will. The Act provides that in as much as the interests of the patient should be safeguarded, the patient can be treated against his wish in order to meet their health and safety needs. However, it is important to note that some types of treatment need to be approved by an independent doctor before being administered. Therefore, unless the administration of treatment through injection is an emergency because Brad has refused to take tablets, it should not be administered against his wish until it is approved by an independent doctor. According to Department of Health (2011), the Act stipulates that the hospital should give Brad information about his rights as a compulsory patient. This is essential in facilitating the effectiveness of the assessment and treatment process. Furthermore, the Act allows hospital to use his medical records for the purposes of their annual record validation. However, the details of the record should not be made public against his wish. Brad can look at his own medical records through the help of the nearest relative. The Act has a provision that gives the nearest relative the right to receive written information concerning the detention of the patient. Family Law Task A2. The contract of Marriage and the contract of Civil Partnership are governed by the Marriage Act 1994 and Civil Partnership Act 2004 respectively. These 2 types of contracts differ from the other types of contracts especially in regard to who may enter the contract, where it may take place, and the actual wording of the contract (Edge & Corrywright, 2011, p. 22). However, it should be noted that the legislation that govern these 2 types of co

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Reaction Paper- Asian and Global Crisis Essay Example for Free

Reaction Paper- Asian and Global Crisis Essay Reaction Paper Asian and Global Crisis During the Asian and Global Crisis many of the criticisms are against accounting and accountants. In my further readings, I’ve read that during the Asian Crisis in 1997, where affected countries suffered severe setbacks in their economies and where development stagnated, the accountancy profession, including its standards, policies and levels of information disclosures, had played a role in the start of the crisis, and perhaps had even worsened it. Moreover, I’ve also read that during both crises, the Asian Crisis and Global Crisis in 2008, insufficient clarity in what was being measured, the wrong things being measured or things being measured inappropriately, lack of standards, inadequate transparency and poor ethical conduct, in short, poor corporate governance is the main breadth and depth of the crises. As a future accountant, what will I do after all the doubts and criticisms against the profession? In my opinion, sufficient clarity on what to measure, measuring things appropriately, following the applicable standards, adequate transparency and good ethical conduct are the things that I should carry out. It should be clarified in the accountant on what is the thing that he/she should measure. If I’m the accountant I should be knowledgeable on the nature and I should have understood necessary facts about the account when doing measurement or on examining the reasonableness of the measurement method used by the management. In addition, in measuring risks like financial risk, I should use a valid and reliable risk measurement technique because the information that I’ll be giving will be the basis for the management’s decision-making. If I have measured the things incorrectly or a wrong technique has been used, it could be misleading to the decision-making of the management and may cause chaos in the future to the company. In an accounting perspective, applicable generally accepted accounting standards should be used in the accounts of the financials of the company. Strict compliance should be observed so that transactions are properly recorded, summarized, classified and accounted for. Adequate disclosures should also be done. In the auditing perspective, as an auditor, auditing the company should be in accordance with the applicable generally accepted auditing standards. The auditor should be independent so that the opinion will be unbiased. I would like to emphasize that in compliance with the generally accepted auditing standards, the auditor should always take into consideration if the company provided adequate disclosures. Disclosure on significant matters is really important for the users who don’t have enough information regarding the matter will be informed. However, I have read in an article that there is also a lack of standards that also caused the hitch on crises. Regarding the lack of standards, I think it is already in the hands of the appropriate groups with authorities. Accountants need to refocus the structuring of financial transactions so that they comply with generally accepted accounting principles and that the economic substance of financial transactions is communicated. More accountability and ethical awareness needs to be instilled in the individuals who deceitfully structure financial transactions. Regulatory bodies need to ensure more transparency by closing loopholes and better enforcement of accounting standards. Audit committees, need to be sure that a company is communicating the true economic reality of the financial transactions and financial position of the business entity. Off-balance-sheet financing is one of the most significant ways, among others, that the user of financial statements can be misled. It is time for regulatory bodies to eliminate overly rules-based standards, clearly state the economic objective of each standard, and require firms to disclose the economic motivations for the accounting practices they adopt. While making judgment accountants need to be cautious and prudent. Accounting transactions and other events are sometimes uncertain but in order to be relevant it should be reported in time. Accountants have to make estimates requiring judgment to counter the uncertainty. Prudence is a key accounting principle which makes sure that assets and income are not overstated and liabilities and expenses are not understated. The bottom-line for all of these is to have good corporate governance. As defined by Robert M. Bushman, corporate governance structures serve: 1) to ensure that minority shareholders receive reliable information about the value of firms and that a company’s managers and large shareholders do not cheat them out of the value of their investments, and 2) to motivate managers to maximize firm value instead of pursuing personal objectives. I believe that all of the things I have mentioned are some of the keys that can help me as a future accountant in dealing the reality and to get out of all the doubts against the accounting profession.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Being Nice to Strangers :: Free Essay Writer

Being Nice to Strangers Throughout this literature class we have been reading stories of love & war, history & heroes, and Gods & Goddesses. This literature that has been introduced to us is about much more than that. It is about life. Everyday life. Our lives. If you understand the literature as it is meant to be understood, then you would be able to put yourself in the characters’ shoes. You would be able to relate with the choices they have to make, the feelings they feel, and the burden of society they have gone through. You are able to do so because these literature works are masterpieces, and masterpieces last forever. They aren’t just stories told only for the times when they were written, they are for all times: past and present. Even if it does take an educated person like Dr. Fajardo-Acosta to get the deepest meaning across to us, once you understand it, everything clicks. You think to yourself, "That’s like the situation I went through last week," or "That’s how I feel." And you begin to realize that these works pertain to you and everyone else. You realize that you aren’t the only one that has gone through something or that feels a certain way. Than you start to crave more. You want to learn, read, and understand more. I believe that deep down all human beings are good. Their ways or thoughts may be tainted but who are we to judge. That concept of judging others is very important in literature. Of course, you can’t possibly stop all judgmental thoughts but the key is to limit them and to realize when you are having these thoughts. We as humans are critical people of ourselves and of others. They way we criticize depends on what we have gone through so far in our lives. We think the way we do and perceive others by what has happened to us, whether it was good or bad. We are all conditioned to think the way we do, whether it is the religion you were born into or the experiences that you went through as a child that are stored deep down inside. Whatever it may be and whether you know it or not, they affect you and the way you think, act, and see other human beings. Let’s take Oedipus for example. As a child he was pretty much tortured and thrown into the woods to die.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Essay

Dementia is a set of conditions, medically diagnosed, and leading to recognized and measurable behavioral changes in an individual. Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type is a chronic cognitive disorder that is manifested in impairment of either short-term or long-term memory or even both. It has a slow onset and its etiology is unknown, although many speculate that genetics may play a role as well as the decrease in acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter that is used to carry electrical impulses from the axon of one cell to the dendrite of another. The number of neurotransmitters have been found in the brain tissue of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 70% of dementia cases. Over 4 million people are currently diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s disease. There is not a specific age of onset although it usually occurs in late adulthood. People are living longer now and for this reason, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is on the rise. It is a neurological disorder of the brain that can cause overwhelming anxiety for both those affected and family members of those affected. In Alzheimer’s disease, normal brain tissue is replaced by neuritic plaques which basically just take up space. These brain lesions will inevitably cause death. Various bodily functions begin to be altered depending on the part of the brain affected. Usually as the disease progresses, bladder control will be lost as well as the ability to swallow. The brain lesions will often times trigger the onset of seizures. Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include alteration in language, ability to solve problems, and even the inability to make appropriate decisions. This may often times be the most difficult symptom for nurses and care providers to deal with legally. In the long run, patients will experience complete memory loss and aphasia. Non-cognitive changes include unexplained movements, urinary and fecal incontinence, aggression, and/or agitation. There is currently no known therapeutic treatment that can stop the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In caring for the Alzheimer’s patient, the staff must remember to refer to the patient by name and not by calling them â€Å"sweetie† or â€Å"honey†. A patient has a right to maintain dignity. If dementia is diagnosed early enough, it is advisable for the patient to designate a decision-maker which will help designate that patient’s assets. Quality of life in patients with dementia  is a big ethical topic that becomes very important in the late stages of dementia. During late stage dementia, ability to express pain or discomfort may be altered. In these patients verbal references to pain are absent, not because they’re not experiencing any pain but because they may not know how to express the degree of pain that they are experiencing. Because of this, regular administration of pain medications are often prescribed (Refer to article #1: discomfort protocol). Oftentimes, family members find themselves in a bind between providing care until the very end of life or requesting the cessation of life-sustaining measures (Refer to article #2: euthanasia and assisted suicide). Assessment should include family history, social history, memory (long-term and short-term),behavioral responses such as wandering, suicide risks, appearance, speech, and hallucinations. Oftentimes, a family member is needed to assist with subjective data as the patient may not remember some things. Sometimes, out of frustration, a person with Alzheimer’s will fabricate stories or details. This is believed to be a defense mechanism. They are in denial about having loss of memory. Nursing diagnoses include: -altered thought processes related to dementia. -impaired physical mobility. -alteration in nutrition related to neurological deficits in swallowing. -self care deficit. Goals should include ability to comply with treatment plan and ability to satisfy self-care requirements. Interventions for the Alzheimer’s patient focus on keeping the patient comfortable, nourished, and hydrated. Oftentimes, a patient will request a priest, rabbi, or minister to visit and offer religious support. In late stage Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, comfort is usually one of the primary goals of the care team, since death is  inevitable (refer to article #3: music and dementia). It is important to speak to these patients slowly and clearly. Many times they are able understand what is being said when spoken to at a slower pace. In summary, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia are often secondary diagnoses and because of this, they are often overlooked in the management of care and proper treatment of patients with other diagnoses. Alzheimer’s Disease does not discriminate. Nobody asks to have Alzheimer’s so it is important to remember that patients do not always act out the way they want to. Sometimes they just can’t help it.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

CHEM Lab

Another source of error is that possibly the ice and salt did not get to a low enough temperature, but again I would think this would alter the results giving a higher temperature instead of a lower one. Something that would give too low a temperature is if the thermometer bulb was directly on the test tube, and the temperature decreased because of the ice/salt mixture instead of the alcohol/water mixture. This is what probably happened in my experiment. Another thing that would cause the temperature to be too low is contamination in the alcohol, contributing more solute to the solution than expected. Using table salt and road salt, how would you design an experiment to determine which of these affected the boiling point of water the most? Which substance do you expect will affect it the most and why? Procedure: Weight out 1 g of salt and put it in ml of water in a test tube. Put a thermometer in and put the test tube over a Bunsen burner, recording the temperature till it boils. Ass uming equal masses (1 g each) of salt, the table salt should affect it more because sodium is smaller than calcium and there would be more moles of table salt in g than there would be of road salt.Conclusion: Freezing point depression occurs when a solute is dissolved in a solvent. The solute makes the freezing point of the solvent decrease. How much the freezing point decreases depends on the immolate of the solute. The higher the immolate, the more the freezing point will decrease. The solute molecules interfere with the solvent freezing, and so the solution will have to get colder to freeze than the pure substance would. There was a large percent error in this experiment. There were a number of things the test tube and got too cold from the ice/salt mixture on the outside of the test be.Some other sources of error are measuring the alcohol or the water incorrectly. The graduated cylinder is not very accurate when measuring small amounts such as 2 ml. Some of the alcohol could hav e evaporated during the experiment since it is so volatile. There could have been some contamination in the alcohol, such as other solutes, that would contribute to the decrease in freezing point. I used 91% spoilsport alcohol instead of 70%, and this may be a cause of error as well. The formula holds only for relatively small amounts of solute, and maybe the 91% was too much.This experiment did not turn out as well as I had hoped. Perhaps if there were a way to keep the thermometer off of the test tube itself so that it doesn't get so cold, that would be a better procedure. Perhaps if you could cork the test tube (if it were a large enough one to fit a cork in it) with a hole for the thermometer, then the cork would hold the thermometer in the solution instead of having it touch the sides of the test tube. No matter the numerical results of the experiment, I did learn a lot more about freezing point depression than I had known previously. That aspect of the experiment was successfu l.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

The Berlin Conference to Divide Africa

The Berlin Conference to Divide Africa The Berlin Conference was described by Harm J. de Bli in Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts: The Berlin Conference was Africas undoing in more ways than one. The colonial powers superimposed their domains on the African continent. By the time independence returned to Africa in 1950, the realm had acquired a legacy of political fragmentation that could neither be eliminated nor made to operate satisfactorily. Purpose of the Berlin Conference In 1884, at the request of Portugal, German chancellor Otto von Bismark called together the major western powers of the world to negotiate questions and end confusion over the control of Africa. Bismark appreciated the opportunity to expand Germanys sphere of influence over Africa and hoped to force Germanys rivals to struggle with one another for territory. At the time of the conference, 80 percent of Africa remained under traditional and local control. What ultimately resulted was a hodgepodge of geometric boundaries that divided Africa into 50 irregular countries. This new map of the continent was superimposed over 1,000 indigenous cultures and regions of Africa. The new countries lacked rhyme or reason and divided coherent groups of people and merged together disparate groups who really did not get along. ThoughtCo / Adrian Mangel Countries Represented at the Berlin Conference Fourteen countries were represented by a plethora of ambassadors when the conference opened in Berlin on November 15, 1884. The countries represented at the time included Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden-Norway (unified from 1814 to 1905), Turkey, and the United States of America. Of these 14 nations, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Portugal were the major players in the conference, controlling most of colonial Africa at the time. Berlin Conference Tasks The initial task of the conference was to agree that the Congo River and Niger River mouths and basins would be considered neutral and open to trade. Despite its neutrality, part of the Congo Basin became a personal kingdom for Belgiums King Leopold II. Under his rule, over half of the regions population died. At the time of the conference, only the coastal areas of Africa were colonized by the European powers. At the Berlin Conference, the European colonial powers scrambled to gain control over the interior of the continent. The conference lasted until February 26, 1885 - a three-month period where colonial powers haggled over geometric boundaries in the interior of the continent, disregarding the cultural and linguistic boundaries already established by the indigenous African population. Following the conference, the give and take continued. By 1914, the conference participants had fully divided Africa among themselves into 50 countries. Major colonial holdings included: Great Britain desired a Cape-to-Cairo collection of colonies and almost succeeded through their control of Egypt, Sudan (Anglo-Egyptian Sudan), Uganda, Kenya (British East Africa), South Africa, and Zambia, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), and Botswana. The British also controlled Nigeria and Ghana (Gold Coast).France took much of western Africa, from Mauritania to Chad (French West Africa), as well as Gabon and the Republic of Congo (French Equatorial Africa).Belgium and King Leopold II controlled the Democratic Republic of Congo (Belgian Congo).Portugal took Mozambique in the east and Angola in the west.Italys holdings were Somalia (Italian Somaliland) and a portion of Ethiopia.Germany took Namibia (German Southwest Africa) and Tanzania (German East Africa).Spain claimed the smallest territory, which was Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni). Source De Bli, Harm J. Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts. Peter O. Muller, Jan Nijman, 16th Edition, Wiley, November 25, 2013.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Understanding Mayan Human Sacrifice

Understanding Mayan Human Sacrifice Why did the Maya perform human sacrifices? That the Mayan people practiced human sacrifice is not in doubt, but providing motives is part speculation. The word sacrifice is from the Latin and it is associated with the word sacred- human sacrifices, like many other rituals in the Maya and other civilizations, were part of a sacred ritual, an act of appeasing or paying homage to the gods. Grappling With the World Like all human societies, the Maya grappled with uncertainty in the world, erratic weather patterns which brought drought and storms, the anger and violence of enemies, the occurrence of disease, and the inevitability of death. Their pantheon of gods provided some perceived control over their world, but they needed to communicate with those gods and to perform deeds showing that they were worthy of good luck and good weather. The Maya performed human sacrifices during particular societal events. Human sacrifices were conducted at specific festivals in their annual calendar, at times of crisis, at dedications of buildings, at the ends or beginnings of warfare, at the accession to the throne of a new ruler, and at the time of that rulers death. Sacrifices at each of these events likely had different meanings to the people who conducted the sacrifices. Valuing Life The Maya valued life highly, and according to their religion, there was an afterlife so human sacrifice of people they cared for- such as children- was not perceived as murder but rather placing that individuals life into the hands of the deities. Even so, the highest cost to an individual was to lose their children thus child sacrifice was a truly holy act, conducted at times of crisis or times of new beginnings. At times of war and at rulers accessions, human sacrifices may have had a political meaning in that the ruler was indicating his ability to control others. Scholars have suggested that public sacrifice of captives was to display that ability and to reassure the people that he was doing everything he could to stay in communication with the gods. However, Inomata (2016) has suggested that the Maya may never have evaluated or discussed the legitimacy of a ruler: sacrifice was simply an expected part of the accession. Other Sacrifices Maya priests and rulers also made personal sacrifice, using obsidian knives, stingray spines, and knotted cords to draw blood from their own bodies as offerings to gods. If a ruler lost a battle, he himself was tortured and sacrificed. Luxury goods and other items were placed in sacred locations such as the Great Cenote at Chichen Itza and in rulers burials along with the human sacrifices. When people in modern societies try to come up with the purpose of human sacrifice in the past, we are prone to put our own concepts about how people think about themselves as individuals and members of society, how authority is established in our world, and how much control we believe our gods have over the world. It makes it difficult if not impossible to parse out what the reality might have been for the Maya, but no less fascinating for us to learn about ourselves in the process. Sources: Ardren T. 2011. Empowered Children in Classic Maya Sacrificial Rites. Childhood in the Past 4(1):133-145.Inomata T. 2016. Theories of Power and Legitimacy in Archaeological Contexts: The Emergent Regime of Power at the Formative Maya Community of Ceibal, Guatemala. Political Strategies in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Boulder: University Press of Colorado. p 37-60.Pà ©rez de Heredia Puente EJ. 2008. Chen K’u: The Ceramic of the Sacred Cenote at Chichà ©n Itz. Tulane, Louisiana: Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI).

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Epidemiology Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Epidemiology - Research Proposal Example The beginning issue of a case-control study is topics with the infection or status under study (cases). The cases' annals of exposure or other characteristics, or both, former to onset of the infection, is noted through interview and occasionally via notes and other sources. A evaluation assembly comprising of persons without the infection under study (controls) are assembled, and their past annals is noted in the identical way as for the cases. The reason of the command assembly is to supply an approximate of the frequency and allowance of exposure in topics in the community without the infection being studied. Whereas the cohort study is worried with frequency of infection in revealed and non-exposed persons, the case-control study is worried with the frequency and allowance of exposure in topics with a exact infection (cases) and persons without the infection (controls). In case-control investigations, facts and numbers are not accessible to assess the incidence rate of the infection being investigated, and the genuine relation risk will not be determined. The assess of association between exposure and incident of infection in case-control investigations is the so-called odds ratio: the ratio of odds of exposure in unhealthy topics to the odds of exposure in the non-diseased. ... Advantages: 1. Allow entire data on the subject's exposure, encompassing value command of facts and numbers, and know-how thereafter. 2. Provide a clear temporal sequence of exposure and disease. 3. Give an opening to study multiple conclusions associated to a exact exposure. 4. Permit assessment of incidence rates (absolute risk) as well as relation risk. 5. Methodology and outcomes are effortlessly appreciated by non-epidemiologists. 6. Enable the study of somewhat uncommon exposures. Disadvantages 1. Not matched for the study of uncommon infections because a large number of topics is required. 2. Not matched when the time between exposure and infection manifestation is very long, whereas this can be overwhelm in chronicled cohort studies. 3. Exposure patterns, for demonstration the composition of oral contraceptives, may change throughout the course of the study and make the outcomes irrelevant. 4. Maintaining high rates of follow-up can be difficult. 5. Expensive to convey out because a large number of topics is generally required. 6. Baseline facts and numbers may be sparse because the large number of topics does not permit for long interviews. Case-control studies Advantages 1. Permit the study of uncommon diseases. 2. Permit the study of infections with long latency between exposure and manifestation. 3. Can be commenced and undertook over somewhat short time periods. 4. Relatively cheap as contrasted to cohort studies. 5. Can study multiple promise determinants of disease. Disadvantages 1. Information on exposure and past annals is mainly founded on interview and may be subject to recall bias. 2. Validation of data on exposure is tough, or incomplete, or even

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Capital Market Theories Market Efficiency Versus Investor Prospects Essay

Capital Market Theories Market Efficiency Versus Investor Prospects - Essay Example One example of such services is information technology consultancy provided by the external auditors to their audit clients. This approach was an already existing policy of many good governance advocates. The huge scandals that involved companies like, Enron and WorldCom, who were associated with accounting frauds characterized by presentation of obscure, incomplete and confusing financial data and business relationships that had misled external investors, had suggested the necessity to introduce an act that will impose strict regulations on the accounting system all over the world, thereby giving rise to a robust governance framework. That being said, it is not surprising that following the scandals, the reforms that were brought in the post-SOX governance framework were mostly related to the process of auditing and presenting financial data. The largest dollar impact on the US economy was stimulated by the post-SOX changes made in the auditing regulations. The post-SOX reforms were directed towards eliminating and reducing relationships that may pressurize, tempt or influence an external auditor into acting in a biased manner towards their corporate clients. The underlying idea behind these changes was to render the auditing officials less likely to fall into the pattern of acting as reciprocating relatives. This was done in order to satisfy their interests at the expense of the investments made by the public. As far as the new audit related changes in the board of governance is concerned, the mandates had called for changes to be made in the managerial level in order to reduce any conflict of interest and interpersonal pressures. This reform was brought primarily because it would require the directors to act as judgmental monitors of management instead of acting as a reciprocating friend. In addition to these rules that emphasized on conflict reduction, other standards were also

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Business Information Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Business Information Management - Essay Example Raw data is reformed into meaningful purposes. The information can be achieved from data using different transformations and data processes. After this, information is categorized as good and bad information. The quality of information depends on different attributes e.g. timing, content and form of information. Just like other assets in the business information, it is also considered as an important asset. Management refers to the effective and efficient operation of a business. Owners or managers or both administer their business. They manage the basic/primary components of business that are resources (capital and tangible), financial resources and human resources. The management in a business if performed is different aspects like financial management, human resource management, strategic management, marketing management and information technology management etc. Business Information Management (BIM) is an integrated system, which established effective information channels to brin g business functions and information modules together. These channels are very useful in term of making timely and accurate decisions in organizational productivity and competitiveness (Benyon-Davies 2009). 1: BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM Nature: A system is a collection of different components that work together to achieve a common goal. A system gets inputs from different sources and generates outcomes. The organizations are controlled by information systems because information system provides information that is necessary to control a business. Thus a business information system is a group of systems, which are related to each other and they work collectively. They carry out inputs, process them, generate outputs and control the information. This information is then used for forecasting, planning, coordination and control activities in a business (O’Sullivan & Sheffhrin 2003). The business components can be classified into five resources people, hardware, software, communic ation and data. People resource consists of information system manager and technical support staff to maintain and operate the business information system. Hardware resources are said to be computers and other devices. Software resources are based on instruction manuals as computer programs. Communication resources consist of networks but computers and software are needed to support them. And data resources are a computer database or paper files of business, which organization has access. Need & Purpose: Due to growth in the competitive environment and development in technology, there become necessary for the organization to make their operation; tactical and strategic process more effective and efficient using the information system. The business information system plays the important role in the e-business and e-commerce operations and in strategic success of the business (Case 2012). Business information system becomes a management information system when it applied in an organiz ation by directors to improve the management. Therefore, the management information system is said to be a collection of manpower, business tools, software and procedures to perform different business tasks and improve the efficiency of management in business. Due to a fundamental change in the external environment, the organizations also change their business information strategy. Now days the most important and significant development in business use of information sy

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Effect of Sun Protection on Children

Effect of Sun Protection on Children Queenie J. Magadia   Introduction Research and evaluation are both characterized by same features that focuses on answering a question using data collection and analysis methods. Evaluation is a set of research process and practice that critically examines the existing programs. The purpose of evaluation is providing judgments about a programs actions, activities and outcomes to improve its effectiveness and policy making (Elliot, 2005). Health program evaluation is important to ensure the effectiveness of the quality of a programs goal. It can also help in identifying areas of program design and implementation that needs improvement. Evaluation can demonstrate outcomes or impact of program success and by the health sector to continuously monitor the progress of the programs goal more effectively and efficiently. Background of the Study Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand and they have the highest rates in the world. It is characterized as melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer. According to Cancer Society (2015), there are 486 New Zealanders died from skin cancer in year 2012 and over 90% skin cancer cases are due to excessive sun exposure. Furthermore, there are about 67,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer a year and it plays around 80% of all new cancers registration each year. As early as possible, early detection is the best chance of treating skin cancer successfully. New Zealand high skin cancer rates are due to high level of UV radiation during daylights saving months, low ozone levels, outdoor lifestyle and large number of people with fair skin. Skin cancer is largely preventable by reducing the excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun or sunbeds through encouraging people to be SunSmart and to slip, slop, slap and wrap in the months when UV radiation are very high between September and April from 10am-4pm (Cancer Society, 2015). This paper will review the five (5) recent evaluation research about skin cancer programmes in different countries and critically evaluate their significance, methodology, and quality that can provide information in identifying its success and effectiveness for every individual. This will also analyze the four (4) audit and evaluation processes and approaches evaluated which are process, economic, impact and outcome process evaluation. Economic evaluation of the US Environmental Protection Agencys SunWise program: sun protection education for young children This study assessed the clinical or health benefits and economic impact of school-based SunWise sun protection education programme for young children from 5-15 years of age to protect them from overexposure to the sun and prevent them from having skin cancers. The researchers used the quantitative methods to conduct a surveys in a participating school. They also used standard cost/ benefit and cost effectiveness analytical approach as a method to explain any reduction in sun exposure into decrease occurrence of skin cancer and measure the estimated intervention cost to be sustained by the US government which funds the SunWise program (Kyle, et al., 2009). For results of the study, the economic analysis showed that if the SunWise Educational School Program remains through 2015 at current funding levels, it should prevent more than 50 premature deaths, approximately 11,000 skin cancers and 960 quality adjusted life-years amongst participants (Kyle, et al., 2009). This study contributes to the knowledge of educating children about sun safety for the reduction of incidence and mortality of skin cancer. Economic evaluation of skin cancer prevention in Australia This research evaluated the cost effectiveness of SunSmart skin cancer prevention program as an upgraded and ongoing national program in Australia. The significance of the study is to prevent the occurrence of skin cancer using the prevention program. They used the quantitative method to express the results of the reduction of melanoma skin cancer incidence rates used to showed key health outcomes and non-melanoma skin cancer was separately showed based on national survey results (Shih, Carter, Heward, Sinclair, 2009). The results of the study estimated that SunSmart has avoided 28,000 disablity-adjusted life years (DALYs), similar to 22,000 life-years saved since it was introduced in 1988 in addition to saving money from cost balance in skin cancer management (Shih, Carter, Heward, Sinclair, 2009). This study contributes to prove that a continuous modest investment in skin cancer like sun protection program is possibly provide an excellent value for money. Evaluation of a health promotion intervention for skin cancer prevention in Spain: The SolSano program. This study was done to evaluate the effects of SolSano sun protection program on students knowledge, practices and attitudes about SunSafety. The researchers used a non-randomized, community intervention without control group, and with schools as the unit of intervention. There are 5845 children from 215 Argonese Primary Schools are participated in the program. The pre and post-test surveys were consisted of two parts, the Draw and Write research strategy and the questionnaires. Majority of interventions are improved and presented a significant change in knowledge and behaviors based on the increase in the total of students score of using sun protective methods (Gilaberte, Alonso, Teruel, Granizo, Gallego, 2008). This study demonstrates the achievement on improving the knowledge and habits of the children about the sun damage and protection. It contributes the importance of the use of sunscreen for the children to protect them from the effects of radiation coming the sun and to change the sun protection behavior by promoting and developing a well-designed educational programs. Australian primary schools sun protection policy and practice: evaluating the impact of the National SunSmart Schools Program This study examined the trends in sun protection policy and practice of Australian primary schools and the impact of the National SunSmart Schools Program. The researchers used the quantitative methods to conduct a survey to all primary schools from all states and territories of Australia. They were surveyed their sun protection policy and practice between September and November 2005 to compared and analyzed it into 1998 and 2001 data using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (Jone, Beckmann, Rayner, 2008). The results of the study, there was an increase to 80% in the percentage of primary schools with written sun protection policy, even though some parts of policy were less expected to be included in 2005 than in 2001(Jone, et al., 2008). The researchers found that the SunSmart Schools have a higher level of protection policy and practice than non-SunSmart schools. This study contributes the need of encouraging the development of complete written sun protection policies in all primary schools and a continuous supporting the primary school sun protection activities. Continued Impact of SunSmart Advertising on Youth and Adults Behaviors This research examined whether the exposure to summer campaigns in the past decade has sustained to impact sun protection behavior and to study the age groups behavioral impact. The researchers used quantitative research method and conducted a cross-sectional weekly telephone survey of Melbourne residents from 1987-1988 to 2010-2011 over summers and evaluated in 2012-2014 to determine the frequency of a particular point of exposure, their sun-related attitudes and sun protection. Furthermore, the exposure level of SunSmart TV advertising campaign with tanning preference and behavioral outcomes was calculated as cumulated weekly target audience rating points (TARPs) in terms of reach and frequency for four (4) weeks (Dobbinson, Volkov, Wakefield, 2015). The findings showed that there was an increase TARPs related to increased preference for no tan, sunscreen use, and reduction in the percentage of sun exposure and these effects are inadequately related with age group, gender, skin type or time period (Dobbinson, Volkov, Wakefield, 2015). This study contributes on the importance of continuous advertising health promotion campaign that focused on adolescents and young adult especially on summer months with reliable useful effect on sun protection behaviors. Audit and Evaluation Processes Economic evaluation of the US Environmental Protection Agencys SunWise program: sun protection education for young children Economic evaluation is a type of evaluation that identify and measure the inputs and outcomes of using societys resources which can be defined as a comparative analysis of different courses of action based on both their costs and consequences (Brouwer Georgiou, 2012). The researchers used the standard cost/benefits and cost effectiveness analysis, a form of economic evaluation to evaluate the SunWise health benefits and regulate the programs net benefits and cost-effectiveness. The intervention costs were measured as program cost and health outcomes were measured as skin cancer and premature mortalities (Kyle, et al., 2009). They used the effectiveness evaluation of SunWise to represent the health outcomes based on pretest and posttest surveys administered to students who joined in the program. This evaluation showed that if the SunWise School Program lasts through 2015 with the present funding levels, then it should prevent premature deaths and productivity losses are saved, depending on the funding situation (Kyle, et al., 2009). The study showed the importance of educating children about sunsafety and it may result in decreasing the incidence and mortality of skin cancer. Economic evaluation of skin cancer prevention in Australia The researchers used the economic evaluation to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the ongoing national program of Australia which is SunSmart skin cancer prevention program. The reduction in melanoma rate due to SunSmart was showed as the primary end-point. Melanoma incidence rate were used to modelled the key health outcomes from Australian states and non-melanoma skin cancer was showed separately based on national survey result (Shih, Carter, Heward, Sinclair, 2009). The main purpose of cost-effectiveness analysis is to identify the most effective decision or course of action for accomplishing an objective that is not measurable in economic terms like health goal outcomes relating mortality and morbidity effects of intervention (Brouwer Georgiou, 2012). The study showed that an upgraded national program SunSmart can saved more life-years and estimated to prevent disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) with reductions in the use of health care resources for the next 20 years (Shih, Carter, Heward, Sinclair, 2009). Evaluation of a health promotion intervention for skin cancer prevention in Spain: The SolSano program. Outcome evaluation investigates the programme effects in the target population by evaluating the progress in the outcomes or objectives (Trochim, 2006). This study evaluates the effects of SolSano SunSafety health promotion programme on students knowledge, attributes and practices. The researcher used pretest and posttest surveys which is composed of two parts: the Draw and Write research strategy and questionnaires. Pretest and posttest design are used to compare participant groups and evaluate the degree of change happening or the effectiveness of SolSano on students as an outcome of intervention (Shuttleworth, 2009). The findings showed that SolSano programme accomplished a reduction in the percentage of reported sunburns and there was a significantly increased in the use of sunsafety resources after the intervention. The evaluation demonstrates that significant knowledge can be learned, attitudes about the healthiness of a tan can be changed and behavior regarding sun protection can be developed by educational programs (Gilaberte, et al., 2008). Australian primary schools sun protection policy and practice: evaluating the impact of the National SunSmart Schools Program Impact evaluation is an analysis of how the intervention being assessed affects outcomes of the programme (OECD, 2001). This research evaluated trends of Australian primary schools sun protection policy and practice and the impact of the National SunSmart Schools program. The researchers conducted a survey on primary schools from all states of Australia to gather data about their sun protection policy and analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and chi-square (Jone, Beckmann, Rayner, 2008). Impact evaluation showed that there has been an increase in the percentage of schools with written sun protection policy and have a higher level of policy and practice found in SunSmart schools compared to non-SunSmart schools. This evaluation highlights the Importance of encouraging and giving support for the development of sun protection policies in primary schools (Jone, Beckmann, Rayner, 2008). Continued Impact of SunSmart Advertising on Youth and Adults Behaviors. The researchers make use of process and impact evaluation to determine the outcome of the study. Through process evaluation, it monitors the process of delivering the programme or technology which is Televised advertising SunSmart campaign and this evaluation showed how accessible and acceptable the program to the youth and adults (Trochim, 2006). This also evaluates the influence of SunSmart campaign to sun protection attitudes and behaviors. The results of a process evaluation will use to strengthen the program and use to improve the future activities for the good outcomes of the campaign. If the campaign program did not produce the expected outcomes, it may be due to some implementation issues (Trochim, 2006). Therefore, it is useful to conduct process evaluation while implementing impact evaluation. Impact evaluation was done to evaluate the effectiveness of the ssadvertising campaign to the youth and adults since the televised advertisement plays an important role in public education for preventing skin cancer in Australia (Dobbinson, Volkov, Wakefield, 2015). Figure 1: Logic Evaluation Model Source: University of Idaho (1999) Retrieved from: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/CIS/CIS1097.pdf The Logic Model    The Logic Model process is a tool similar to evaluation models that has been used by program managers and evaluators to demonstrate the effectiveness of the programs. It explains the logical relationships among programs resources and activities, interventions, audiences, and short and long-term outcomes related to a situation or problem. Logic models demonstrate a system of cause and effect relationship- which is an approach to achieve the desired outcome. This model has four (4) basic essential components, the inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes. (Frye Hemmer, 2012). The Inputs evaluation includes all the related resources, skills, fundings and facilities that delivers an opportunity to communicate the quality of the program. Evaluating the effectiveness of the program is made easier when the prearranged inputs are effectively described. The second component of Logic Model is Activities, it is the set of treatments, strategies or planned for the program. On the other hand, the outputs purpose is to establish the relationships between the problem and the impact or the intended outcome of the program. The outcomes evaluation can be short-term, medium-term or long term results of the program activities. It includes the learners skill acquisition, program participants implementation of new knowledge or any changes in health status of participants from the effectiveness of the program (Frye Hemmer, 2012). This evaluation model can contribute in the implementation of health promotion campaign programme of preventing skin cancer especially in New Zealand which has the highest rates in the world. It can provide and improve the attitudes, knowledge and behaviours about sun damage and protection policy and practices. Furthermore, this model can identify the critical measures of performance and effectiveness of the skin cancer programme. The Logic model is useful for recognizing the element of the skin cancer program and measuring the progress in the outcomes of the skin cancer prevention. Conclusions Evaluation research is an important process of examining and assessing the programs achievements. It is an important tool to provide and achieve the objectives for the improvement and success of the program. Evaluation is important to an organization ensure the effectiveness of quality of the program design and implementation and monitor the progress of the goal more effectively. Brouwer, R., Georgiou, S. (2012). Economic Evaluation. Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2012/ch12.pdf Cancer Society. (2015, April). About skin cancer. Retrieved from Cancer Society: https://auckland-northland.cancernz.org.nz/en/reducing-cancer-risk-2/what-you-can-do/sunsmart/about-skin-cancer/ Dobbinson, S., Volkov, A., Wakefield, M. (2015). Continued Impact of SunSmart Advertising on Youth and Adults Behaviors. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(1), 20-28. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.01.011 Elliot, S. (2005). Evaluation Research Methods. Retrieved from Sage Publishing: https://au.sagepub.com/en-gb/oce/evaluation-research-methods/book226796 Frye, A., Hemmer, P. (2012). Program evaluation models and related. Medical Teacher, 34(5), e288-e299. doi:10.3109/0142159x.2012.668637 Gilaberte, Y., Alonso, J. P., Teruel, M. P., Granizo, C., Gallego, J. (2008). Evaluation of a health promotion intervention for skin cancer prevention in Spain: the SolSano program. Health Promotion International, 23(3), 209-219. doi:10.1093/heapro/dan020 Jone, S., Beckmann, K., Rayner, J. (2008, August). Australian primary schools sun protection policy and practice: evaluating the impact of the National SunSmart Schools Program. Health Promotion, 19(2), 86-90. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18647119 Kyle, J., Hammitt, J., Lim, H., Geller, A., Hall-Jordan, L., Maibach, E., . . . Wagner, M. (2009). Economic evaluation of the US Environmental Protection Agencys SunWise program: sun protection education for young children. Pediatrics, 121(5), 1074-1084. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-1400 OECD. (2001). Outline of principles of impact evaluation. Retrieved from OECD: http://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/dcdndep/37671602.pdf Shih, S. T., Carter, R., Heward, S., Sinclair, C. (2009). Economic evaluation of future skin cancer prevention in Australia. Preventive Medicine. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.01.013 Shuttleworth, M. (2009). Pretest-Posttest Designs. Retrieved from Explorable: https://explorable.com/pretest-posttest-designs Trochim, W. (2006, October 20). Introduction to Evaluation . Retrieved from Social Research Methods: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/intreval.php University of Idaho Extension. (1999). The Logic Model for program planning and evaluation. Retrieved from University of Idaho Extension: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/CIS/CIS1097.pdf

Friday, October 25, 2019

odyssey, a look :: essays research papers

There are many traditions and values that the people of Ancient Greece followed very closely. These acts, such as, hospitality and respect for one’s peers are usually overlooked by gods and goddesses. The people are expected follow these traditions or they may feel wrath from a god or goddess.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Odyssey, the tradition of hospitality is shown being broke in several ways. When a person in Ancient Greece received a guest, they were to treat them with the highest respect and they should offer them gifts. The host was expected to give the guest a place to bathe, something to eat, and if they were of importance they should make a sacrifice. This tradition was not followed by the Cyclops Polyphemus and the suitors in Ithaca. When Odysseus and his men arrived in the cave of Polyphemus, they were hardly treated with proper hospitality. Not only did Polyphemus eat some of Odysseus’ men, but he also blocked the only entrance to the cave with a giant boulder. Odysseus was offended by the treatment and warned the Cyclops that Zeus will punish him. Polyphemus ignored the warning and was eventually outsmarted by Odysseus for his escape.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Guests are expected to not take advantage of hospitality given out by the host. The suitors in Ithaca took tremendous advantage of Penelope and others in Odysseus’ absence. The suitors lived there for many years eating the food and drinking the wine owned by Odysseus. They wore their welcome very much and were eventually punished by Odysseus and Telemachus upon Odysseus’ return.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Odyssey showed a couple instances that someone disrespects another peer. Two good examples are Agamemnon and Achilles, and Paris and Hector.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

King Louis Xiv of France

Absolute monarchs had a significant impact on European history and the way their nation lives today. Absolute monarchs had control over political, social and religious aspects of their nation’s life. Absolute monarch had a positive and negative effect on society and European history. From 1550 to 1800 was a time known as the Age of Absolute Monarchs. The Age of Absolute Monarchs was a period of European history when monarch had total control over laws and the power of their nation.Some well know absolute monarchs during this time period are Phillip II, Maria Theresa, King John, and Peter the Grate. An absolute monarch is a king or queen who has total control over all aspects of society. Another absolute monarch is Louis XIV. Louis XIV was born on September 5, 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. He stated to ruling at only age 13 and was also engaged in the Franco-Spanish war. When he was 22 he got married to Maria-Theresa which helped him become the most powerful monarch in Europe. During the first 20 years of Louis XIV ruling he make many contributions and achievements. Some contributions he made is that he helped build up Frances military and invaded the Spanish Netherlands . He also helped promote art such as , music, architecture, painting, and sculpture. and managed to reduce Frances taxes. Louis XIV also help stabilized France by building up its power. Louis XIV also had some negatives effects on France. One negative impact he had on France is that he lead France into debt.He also demanded that the nation convert to catholic or else he would leave France. A positive effect is that Louis the Great had was that he reduced France’s taxes and had a major impact on the arts. Absolute monarchs had a significant impact on European society. Their total control over their nation allowed them to make positive and negative choices that effect the way their nation lives today. The paragraphs above show how Louis XIV contributed to European history.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Dorothy and the Tree Essay

Dorothy and the Tree: A Lesson in Epistemology Stanley Fish discusses how we in society base our lives off of assumptions. Using the example of Dorothy and the tree, Fish is able to show how with our assumptions, we as people categorize others and things into what we believe to be correct. Whether or not we have actually taken the time to figure out if we are right is irrelevant. He notes that we should just â€Å"keep trying to expand our sense of ‘us’ as far as we can†, so we can avoid judgments and isolating ourselves from the rest of society. Even though Dorothy realizes her mistake, she doesn’t realize that it is not a failure, but her consciousness assuming the classification of things in the world. Fish later on defines thought as the â€Å"structure that at once enables perception†, meaning that within categories things emerge, limiting perception and nothing can allow one to see everything because that is God’s job. Fish uses many Bible allusions to create justification for his assertions. He uses Genesis 1:26, and Paul’s road to Damascus to show that people can be persuaded to change their placement of things in society. Despite all of his valid points, Fish states that it is nearly impossible for one to change just on realizations. He believes it takes practice to accept the fact that there are things that we cannot comprehend because there is no limit on the conceptual trappings of society.