Race / Ethnicity: Compare and Contrast Essay

Although the topic of the certain short stories and poems have different themes and comprehension of what corresponding works that might have similar or different topics, will tell a person what racial background and ethnicities are represented in the short story â€Å"Country Lovers† and the poem â€Å"What It’s like to be a Black Girl†. Finding out whether the characters are the same, if the setting is different between the two, if the theme told outright or did one have to â€Å"think outside of the box† to determine its meaning will lead to what content the two have. If one literary work is a ballad or a play, if one is longer or shorter than the other one, if the tone is the same between the two works, if the language differs between the two works or if it is the same, and whether one works using metaphors, while the other uses similes, will give a person clues as to what the short story and the poem have as far as form, and style. The content of the short story of â€Å"Country Lovers† and the poem â€Å"What It’s like to be a Black Girl† have women who deal with unfairness for the reason of their race and has the main character or protagonist being a black female. Racism can be something that some people experience almost daily just like in the short story â€Å"Country Lovers â€Å". The short story called â€Å"Country Lovers† was written by Nadine Gordimer in 1975† (Clugston, 2010). This short story is about a forbidden love between a young black girl named Thebedi and a young white boy named Paulus Eysendyck which took place on a South African farm. The main characters Paulus and Thebedi were raised together. The setting of the story takes place in mainly three areas, which would be the farm house where the boy lives, the river where they meet to hide their relationship, and the village where the girl lives. The settings in the story help my understanding of the theme because it gives me a distinct awareness as to how the social classes play a part in the prohibition of love. The boy lives in a beautiful home that is described to be of a high social class. In the text the home is described as, â€Å"The kitchen was it lively thoroughfare, with servants, food supplies, begging cats and dogs, pots boiling over, washing being damped for ironing, and the big deep-freezer the missus had ordered from town, bearing a crocheted mate and a vase of plastic iris (Clugston, 2010)†. This quote from the text helps me imagine a well-to-do home for the boy. Paulus Eysendyck was the child of the farm owner and Thebedi’s dad worked for Mr. Eysendyck on his farm. Paulus (a white boy) and Thebedi (a black girl) played together and spent much of their youthful days with each other. As time passed they began to grow up and the closeness between the two also grew apart. They both knew that they could not be together openly. All the way through this short story there are many extraordinary consequences. The first takes place when the narrator talks about Paulus going away to school â€Å"This usefully happens at the same time when the author states about the age of twelve or thirteen; so that by the time early adolescence is reached, the black children are making along with the bodily changes common to all, an easy transition to adult forms of address, beginning to call their old playmates missus and baasie little master† (Clugston, 2010). However, the attachment formed between them as children is still there. Both Paulus’ and Thebedi’s parents never forbid them from seeing one another but there was always this unspoken knowledge that they knew it was wrong because they always seemed to be hiding the fact that they did spend a lot of time with one another. An example of this would be when Paulus came home from school and brought Thebedi a gift. â€Å"She told her father the missus had given them to her as a reward for some works she had done-it was true she sometimes was called to help out in the farmhouse. She told the girls in the kraal that she had a sweetheart nobody knew about, tat away, away on another farm, and they giggled, and teased, and admired her. There was a boy in the kraal called Njabulo who said he wished he could have brought her a belt and earrings. † (Clugston, 2010). There’s loss of innocence and forbidden love as described here when Paulus watches Thebedi wade in the water, â€Å"The schoolgirls he went swimming with at dams or pools on neighboring farms wore bikinis but the sight of their dazzling bellies and thighs in the sunlight had never made him feel what he felt now when the girl came up the bank and sat beside him, the drops of water beading off her dark legs the only points of light in the earth–smelling deep shade. † (Clugston, 2010). They were not afraid of one another, they had known one another always; he did with her what he had done that time in the storeroom at the wedding, and this time it was so lovely, so lovely, he was surprised . . . and she was surprised by it, too—he could see in her dark face that was part of the shade, with her big dark eyes, shiny as soft water, watching him attentively: as she had when they used to huddle over their teams of mud oxen, as she had when he told her about detention weekends at school. † (Clugston, 2010). The racialism sets in hard towards the end of this short story when Paulus Eysendyck arrived home from the veterinary college for the holidays. This is where he finds out that the young black girl Thebedi had given birth to a baby. When he finds out about the baby he goes to Thebedi’s hut to see for himself. When he reaches the hut and see’s the baby first hand â€Å"He struggled for a moment with a grimace of tears, anger, and self–pity. She could not put out her hand to him. He said, â€Å"You haven’t been near the house with it? â€Å"’ (Clugston, 2010). By his response when finding out that the two of them had created a life during their prohibited connection shows how he knew that such thing was not accepted in his society. As the story goes on Paulus returned to the hut where Thebedi and the infant child lived; and it states â€Å"She thought she heard small grunts from the hut, the kind of infant grunt that indicates a full stomach, a deep sleep. After a time, long or short she did not know, he came out and walked away with plodding stride (his father’s gait) out of sight, towards his father’s house† (Clugston, 2010). As you read on you get the realization that Paulus killed the infant child that day when he returned to Thebedi’s hut. â€Å"The baby was not fed during the night and although she kept telling Njabulo it was sleeping, he saw for himself in the morning that it was dead. He comforted her with words and caresses. She did not cry but simply sat, staring at the door† (Clugston, 2010). Reading this part of the story tells me that Paulus was very afraid that the community would find out about the relationship between the two and he tries to cover it up as if nothing ever happened between the two of them of which shows you how difficult life must have been back then with the racial discriminations. At the very end of this story the police had dug up the baby and brought charges against Paulus for murder. Thebedi up on the stand said â€Å"She cried hysterically in the witness box, saying yes, yes (the gilt hoop earrings swung in her ears), she saw the accused pouring liquid into the baby’s mouth. She said he had threatened to shoot her if she told anyone† (Clugston, 2010). Over a year had gone by when Thebedi returned to the court house; but this time she told the court that â€Å"she said she had not seen what the white man did in the house† (Clugston, 2010). Nadine Gordimer penetrates the normal life that guards a person from our own evaluation. As an aspect this insight, the writer also pierces the dissimulations of clandestine operatives, those ordinary-looking folk in one’s circle whose real lives are based on active opposition to the police state. What are exposed are not their secrets, but their humanity. Because of her testimony â€Å"The verdict on the accused was â€Å"not guilty†(Clugston, 2010). The poem â€Å"What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl (For Those of You Who Aren’t)† (Clugston, 2010), which was written by Patricia Smith in 1991. An explanation in its purest form of â€Å"What it’s like to be a Black Girl (for those of you who aren’t)† by Patricia Smith, is just that, an explanation. From the first three syllables â€Å"First of all,† the author gives a sense of a story being told. She uses jagged sentence structure and strong forceful language to also show the reader the seriousness of her topic. Smith’s poem gives the audience an insider’s view into a young black girl’s transition into black woman-hood at a time where both being a black girl and a black woman was not as welcomed. Puberty is usually defined by the biological changes a young girl’s body undertakes around the age of 9 up until about 14. â€Å"It’s being 9 years old and feeling like you’re not finished,† writes Smith, â€Å"like your edges are wild, like there’s something, everything, wrong. † (Smith, 4) These thoughts run through the minds of puberty stricken young girl. The poem, â€Å"What’s it like to be a Black Girl†, is a look into the mind of a black girl in a society that is fueled with racism and discrimination, both of race and gender. This person is transitioning from a young black girl into young black women and trying to accept the changes that are taking place within her body. She has been taught to be ashamed of who she is, what she looks like, and where she comes from. She wants her features to look like those who are accepted in society. Nadine Gordimer was born in 1923, â€Å"She has lived in South Africa since birth and, except for a year spent in university, has devoted all her adult life to writing—completing 13 novels and 10 short story collections, works that have been published in 40 languages. Her strong opposition to apartheid, the socioeconomic system that oppressed the majority black population in South Africa (1949—1994), is a dominant theme in her writing, with her later works reflecting challenges accompanying the changing attitudes in the country toward racial relationships. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991† (Clugston, 2010). Patricia Smith who was born in 1955, was an African American poet and performance artist, has won the National Poetry Slam four times. The hardships that these women suffer during their life can be suffered by anyone but growing up in a discriminatory atmosphere creates a more dramatic story or outcome. The great thing about reading is that it brings you to another place, time and feeling. At times a story can make you smile with the character, and other times make you cry with him. Even with some stories and poems the literature may even allow the reader to identify with the characters. In conclusion, reality can often be a lot like a piece of literature, in that a person may be going through the exact same thing, or something similar, and be feeling the same way. It is effortless to view the tough and unspoken racism demonstrated in Nadine Gordimer’s â€Å"Country Lovers† as well as how the girl feels in Patricia Smith’s What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl (For Those of You Who Aren’t). In both readings you get a sense of the hardship’s that both the characters had faced because of racism; the things that people may do or allow happening because it is so hard. References Clugston, R. W. (2010). Country Lovers, Nadine Gordimer. In Journey into literature (chapter 3) Retrieved from https://content. ashford. edu/books/AUENG125. 10. 2/sections/h3. 2. Clugston, R. W. (2010). Poems for Reflection. In Journey into literature (chapter 12 section 2). Retrieved from https://content. ashford. edu/books/AUENG125. 10. 2/sections/sec12. 2.

Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors Health And Social Care Essay

In this essay I will discourse a patient who had been enduring from Amyotrophic Lateral induration a signifier of Motor Neurone Disease which is a progressive, chronic and debilitating disease. I will discourse the consequence this disease has on the organic structure, look at differential diagnosing, the cardinal status impacting the organic structure by this disease, epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology and the associated pharmacological medicine that are all prevalent with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Motor Neurone Disease is a general term for a few differential discrepancies of the diseases which are combined under the one umbrella ( see appendix A ) the specific disease I will discourse is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ( ALS ) . From this point Motor Neurone Disease will be known as MND and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis known as ALS. The patient I attended was a 53 twelvemonth old who had been enduring from ALS. The patient when we arrived had died but had been in the terminal phases of the disease. In speaking with the household and acquiring a good societal and household history it became evident that this patient had led an active life style until she was diagnosed with ALS. In the early phases this patient managed herself but rapidly became unable to pull off her daily attention and required aid, due to the ALS the patient was known to us but I had ne'er attended to them before. In treatment with paramedic who I was on with they gave me a brief history of the patient so I was prepared when I went in. ALS comes under the umbrella of MND which affects the nervous system ( see Appendix B ) and can be divided into two countries the lower taking to muscle weakness/wasting ( wasting ) and the upper taking to stiffness, abnormally active physiological reactions by and large nonvoluntary and each impacting different countries of the organic structure in changing grades. The forecast for ALS is Death, as it affects the upper and lower nervous system ( see Appendix B1 ) . MND It is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease, nevertheless depending on countries affected it may take a few old ages or it can take longer. There is no remedy for MND and the pharmacological medicine is restricted. The pharmacological medicine for the patient was Riluzule in the early phases can decelerate down the devastation of the motor nerve cells as it is a neuroprotector, Baclofen is prescribed as a musculus relaxer which is used to handle the cramps and stiffness caused by the musculuss, Dantrolene is prescribed to handle long term musculus cramps and stiffness though it can besides do liver harm, Diazepam ( diazepam ) is prescribed for its ataractic consequence and helps command the musculus cramp and stiffness these along with other general medicines and with the aid of psychological and emotional support signifier household, friends and other bureaus all assisted the patient with get bying with their ALS. This patient was in ventilatory failure which is the terminal phase of the disease. On Arrival the patient was still on the ventilator and the Patients ‘ household were around her they stated that she had been experiencing ailing different signifier the disease itself and that she had non been herself, the patient was still able to pass on utilizing her eyes although this was going a strain on her and was now passing greater lengths of clip asleep. The patient had retained her sense of temper throughout the disease. The household managed all the daily patient attention themselves as they stated that they knew her best and as the disease progressed and the patient was unable to vocalize any longer they were still able to understand what was wanted. On Examination the patient had no bosom beat and remained in cardiac arrest, patient students were fixed, all marks of life were negative apart from the ventilator. The household knew that the patient had died but we had to repeat that and do certain as they had requested us to go forth ventilator switched on at that clip which meant that there were breath sounds although false reading as it was mechanical aided airing and there was no existent external respiration attempt from the patient it was explained to the patients sister and hubby that although the ventilator is still on it may be confounding for any of the other relations that were coming to understand and particularly for the patients kids as there were no marks of life but the noise of the ventilator might intend they got confused. Dr was called one time we had arrived and we explained what was go oning and as it was the GP that usually attended to the patients ongoing attention we requested that they attend the house. Dr pronounced the patients ‘ decease and was able to exchange off the ventilator as this was what the household wished, during this clip asperity had begun. The household and Dr stated that the patient was cognizant of the result of the disease and that the patient had a DNAR in topographic point which the Dr brought with them as it was a new issue and the one the household had was out of day of the month. I realised through speech production with the household that the symptoms of this disease were similar to other nervous system diseases and that I knew really small about this I decided I would read up on the disease and larn how these types of neurological diseases affect people. Differential Diagnosis: In order to derive the right diagnosing of any disease you must first regulation out several other different diseases that affect the organic structure in a similar manner. In making so you are able to name and handle the disease efficaciously utilizing the right pharmacological medicine, psychological science, or external aid. This is sometimes hard as they frequently present in this instance with muscular blowing particularly of the upper limbs which is the initial presentation in MND and ALS. Some of the differential diagnosing for ALS and MND are: Intramedullary tumour – See Appendix B. Cervical spondylosis – Cervical myelopathy – see Appendix B Peroneal muscular atrophy- see Appendix B Chronic polymyositis- see Appendix B Cervical rib- see Appendix B Peripheral nervus lesions- See Appendix B ( General Practice Notebook, 2012 ) Once all the differential diagnosing information has been correlated and ruled out it is so clip to look at the factors of MND and it variants that prevarication within the MND umbrella. There are assorted types of MND with ALS being the most outstanding and besides the 1 that appears to be speedy in oncoming therefore a rapid diagnosing eases the patients anxiousness and will besides give the patient the right pharmacological medicine and psychological science with support groups and healers to understand the forecast and the disease and its effects on the organic structure although everyone can bring forth different symptoms and no one individual has the same patterned advance through the disease it is in a sense individualised. MND has changing types under its umbrella some affect specific site and others whole countries of the nervousnesss. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ( ALS ) , both upper and lower motor neurone harm. Primary Lateral Sclerosis ( PLS ) , upper motor neurone harm entirely, Bulbar Palsy, the bulbar paralysiss Progressive Muscular Atrophy ( PMA ) , lower motor neurone harm entirely Epidemology of ALS ALS normally occurs between age 40 and 70, and 90 % of instances represent some signifier of MND disease. The incidence of the disease increases with each decennary, the mean age at oncoming is 63 old ages. The surveies of the addition of the disease are predominately due to one factor that we are all acquiring better wellness attention and that we are in the chief life thirster. Recent information has suggested that there may be some cultural variableness to the disease nevertheless there is still a lower incidence in non-whites or persons of assorted ethnicity. The male to female ratio is 1.3 in the ages between 40-70 but approaches equality at ages older than 70 old ages. ( Sharon M. Valente RN, 2007 ) ( Carmel Armon, n.d. ) The highest rate of ALS in the universe is Finland. There has been a recent survey in Finland to happen out why they have such high rates they found that a mutant in chromosome 9p21 as the major cause of familial ALS. Finland is non the lone state with a high rate Guam has a prevalence of 70 in every 100,00 this they believed was due to the toxins in the Cycad nut and the rhythm it went through to free it of the toxins. The nut was besides consumed by the Flying Fox ( a chiropteran ) which used to be portion of the diet. The toxins in the nut may hold been much more concentrated and as it was consumed it released the toxins. This statistic has been reduced as alterations in diet have occurred the people of Guam now have a prevalence of 7 in every 100,000. ( Sharon M. Valente RN, 2007 ) ( Carmel Armon, n.d. ) Aetiology of ALS: Between 5-10 % of instances are familial. 90-95 % of instances are sporadic. The mean oncoming for people with familial ALS is 10-20 old ages younger. The balance are sporadic. Diagnosis for this disease are blood trials, Electromyogram ( EMG ) , Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( MRI ) and one time every other neurological disease has been rejected so the diagnosing will be of MND so depending on clinical presentation a unequivocal diagnosing of what type of MND will go on next. Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosiss: ALS is a disease of the Motor Neurones it is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease and it is fatal. There is no remedy for this disease and pharmacological medicine is limited to handling the symptoms as they occur. Famillia ALS is caused by a familial defect on chromosome 21 which is an enzyme ( an enzyme allows a cell to transport out chemical reactions really rapidly ) and helps destruct free groups ( Free groups take negatrons from the cells and do a batch of harm ) It is nevertheless non necessary to hold the faulty chromosome to develop ALS as non all bearers of the faulty chromesome contract the disease and people can contract the disease without a faulty chromesome. Sporadic ALS is mostly unknown in its cause nevertheless at that place have been links in the alterations to the organic structures nucleic acid through smoke have been shown to trip the disease oncoming. In ALS progressive musculus wasting predominately is found on the Lower motor neurones which reside in the anterior Grey horn of the spinal cord and in the encephalon root ( corticospinal ) . The upper Motor neurones predominately cause marking on the sidelong column of the spinal cord which may bring forth stiffness or abnormally active physiological reactions. There are instances although rare where the loss of prefrontal neurones may hold caused signifiers of cognitive damage. Although this is non typical in ALS as by and large there is no devolution of the five senses and these nervus cells remain integral. Nerve cell organic structures of the lower and upper motor neurone control the musculuss. The motor axons die by devolution and the larger motor neurones are affected to a higher extent than the smaller motor neurones. Equally long as the regeneration and devolution remains changeless so the nervus cell has the ability to maintain the motor neurones within normal bounds hence no symptoms will be evident, merely when the demand for regeneration of these cells can non fit the devolution it is so the first symptoms of ALS becomes apparent. The axon interruptions and the environing Schwann cells catabolise the axon ‘s medulla sheath and steep the axon interrupting it into fragments. The breakdown causes ovoids which are little compartments which contain the fragments of the axon the ovoids are so ingested and destroyed by the macrophages the hungry white blood cells who come en mass to clean up. This nevertheless leaves a grade on the country and if supply and demand for regeneration are non met this procedure so causes the wasting of the motor nervousnesss go forthing them denervated and unable to execute. There are as with all types of disease clinical manifestations in which we are able to name certain conditions non all of them present at one time and all varying in badness depending on the length of clip the patient has had the disease. Muscle failing is the primary mark of ALS with the musculus cramp and stiffness associated with musculus wast ing active nonvoluntary jerking a weakend clasp, slurred address, there is by and large no redness of the musculuss but the changeless vellication and contraction can do a batch of hurting. ALS begins in one limb before impacting the other limb. This disease can distribute through multiple sites on the organic structure and can impact the critical variety meats as they are made up of musculus tissue this is the terminal stages where the patient is unable to take a breath without the aid of a ventilator and as life anticipation for ALS is between 2-5 old ages it can be swift in oncoming. The pharmacological medicine for the patient was Riluzule in the early phases can decelerate down the devastation of the motor nerve cells as it is a neuroprotector, Baclofen is prescribed as a musculus relaxer which is used to handle the cramps and stiffness caused by the musculuss, Dantrolene is prescribed to handle long term musculus cramps and stiffness though it can besides do liver harm, Diazep am ( diazepam ) is prescribed for its ataractic consequence and helps command the musculus cramp and stiffness these along with other general medicines and with the aid of psychological, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and emotional support signifier household, friends and other bureaus all assist the patient with get bying with their ALS. As ambulance service there is small that can be done to assist the patient apart from doing them comfy. We can utilize Professional-Professional calls to the necessary adviser and inquire for advice as to the best attention for the patient and if we need to set up for the patient to be admitted into infirmary or whether organizing another carepathway would be suited. The carepathway could besides be used and was in this instance a call to the patients ‘ ain GP bespeaking them to see as this was the want of the patient and the household explicating what had happened. The usage of any analgetic drug for the hurting would hold to be discuss ed with the adviser as this may hold inauspicious effects on status or may hold contraindicators to drugs regime the patient was already on. Following the Care program that is in topographic point meant that although the patient had died we could still follow their wants. Pg1.APPENDIX A- The Nervous System The nervous system is the organic structure ‘s communicating web. It plays a critical function in keeping homeostasis and consists of a immense figure of cells called neurones. The nervous system can be split into two different divisions the Central Nervous System ( CNS ) which controls the encephalon and the spinal cord and the Peripheral Nervous System ( PNS ) which controls all the nervousnesss outside of the spinal cord and encephalon. The peripheral nervous system can be sub-divided into the motor or motorial tract and the sensory or afferent tract. The motor map is divided once more into- voluntary- controls motion of the musculuss and involuntary- which is portion of the autonomic nervous system that controls the cardiac musculus and its secretory organs, this system can be divided into two once more the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The nervous system is predominately made up of nervous tissue which consists of two types of cells- nervus cells or nerve cells and neuroglia, it besides includes the blood vass and the connective tissue. Nerve cells Nerve cells specialise in responding to physical or chemical stimulations from the alterations within their milieus. Nerve cells send and receive nervus urges. The construction of a nerve cell is like an arm with thenar and fingers. Dendrites are like your fingers projecting from the thenar of your manus they are little projections coming from the axon APPENDIX B INTRAMEDULLARY SPINAL CORD TUMORS Pain and failing are the most common presenting symptoms of intramedullary spinal cord tumours. Pain is frequently the earliest symptom, classically happening at dark when the patient is supine. The hurting is typically local over the degree of the tumour but may radiate.Progressive failing may happen in the weaponries ( cervical tumours ) or legs ( cervical, thoracic, conus tumours ) . Impaired intestine, vesica, or sexual map frequently occurs early. Patients may hold hapless balance. Rarely, symptoms of subarachnoid bleeding may be present. Examination may uncover a combination of upper and lower motor nerve cell marks. Lower motor marks may be at the degree of the lesion and may help in localisation. Other marks apparent upon physical scrutiny may include spine tenderness, stiffening of pace, trophic alterations of appendage, centripetal loss, hyperreflexia, clonus, and scoliosiscervical spondylosis – Cervical myelopathyCervical myelopathy occurs when terrible cervical spondylosis causes narrowing of the spinal canal ( besides known as stricture ) and compaction of t he spinal cord. When the spinal cord is compressed, it interferes with the signals that travel between your encephalon and the remainder of your organic structure. Symptoms can include: a deficiency of co-ordination, for illustration you may happen undertakings such as buttoning a shirt progressively hard, heaviness or failing in your weaponries or legs, jobs walking, less normally, intestine and urinary incontenance, centripetal loss is normally present but the upper limb failing and lower limb spasticity may be unusually similar to MND. MND has a more rapid myelopathy and cervical phonograph record bulge will be absent on X-ray. Occasionally, MND may co-exist with cervical spondylosis. cervical rib – fasciculation absent, hurting prominent, centripetal loss normally present, characteristic radiology peripheral nervus lesions – localised cachexia, normally accompanied by centripetal loss. peroneal muscular wasting – centripetal loss of the peripheral nervousnesss become damaged it can do the undermentioned symptoms: numbness and prickling in the pess and custodies a combustion, knifing or hiting hurting loss of co-ordination in the affected organic structure parts musculus failing chronic polymyositis – The history of patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis typically includes the followers: Symmetrical, proximal musculus failing with insidious oncoming Muscles normally painless Myalgias occur in fewer than 30 % of patients. Dysphagia ( 30 % ) and aspiration, if pharyngeal and oesophageal musculuss are involved Arthralgias may be associated Trouble kneeling, mounting or falling stepss, stepping onto a kerb, raising weaponries, raising objects, combing hair, and originating from a seated place Weak cervix extensors cause trouble keeping the caput up Engagement of pelvic girdle normally greater than upper organic structure failing Cardiac engagement may do symptoms of pericarditis or myocardiopathy Characteristic roseola of face, bole, and custodies seen in dermatomyositis merely Patients with polymyositis normally present with symmetrical, proximal musculus failing in the upper and lower appendages. Weakness of cervix flexors besides occurs. Patients with polymyositis may describe musculus hurting and tenderness, which may be confused with symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. The disease may be for several months before the patient seeks medical advice, and all of the musculuss of the thighs, bole, shoulders, hips, and upper weaponries are normally involved. Muscle failing may fluctuate from hebdomad to hebdomad or from month to month. Fine motor motions that depend on the strength of distal musculuss, such as buttoning a shirt, run uping, knitting, or authorship, are affected merely tardily in the disease. Dysphagia secondary to oropharyngeal and oesophageal engagement occurs in approximately one tierce of patients with polymyositis and is a hapless predictive mark. Dysphonia is besides a hapless predictive mark but is much less common. Ocular musculuss are ne'er involved in generalised polymyositis. However, stray orbital myositis, an inflammatory upset affecting the extraocular musculuss, is good described. Facial and bulbar musculus failing is highly rare in persons with polymyositis. A household history of neuromuscular disease, endocrinopathy, or exposure to myotoxic drugs or toxins is absent. differentiate by electromyography and musculus biopsy myasthenia gravis – bulbar marks but seldom muscular cachexia ; responds quickly to anticholinesterase

Chlorine and Magnesium Lab Introduction Essay

Introduction The purpose of this lab experiment is to determine the atomic weight of magnesium by measuring the amount of hydrogen gas evolved when hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium. The reaction is as followed: Mg + 2HCL ? H2 + Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) In this experiment there is a one to one relationship between the number of moles of hydrogen gas evolved and the moles of magnesium metal consumed in the reaction. Therefore in the finding of the experiment moles of H2 evolved is equal to the moles of Mg consumed, and atomic weight of Mg is equal to the weight of Mg consumed per moles of H2 evolved. Procedure 1st. Obtain a 600ml beaker, add 300ml of water 2nd. add 30ml of HCl (2M) to the beaker and stir 3rd. add 10mg of Magnesium metal to the beaker 4th. Allow hydrogen gas to evolve, all of the magnesium should be consumed. 6th. Record the amount of hydrogen gas evolved using the chemical property dialog. Observations and Results Moles of hydrogen evolved: 0. 000829g (8. 29 x 10-4)/ 0. 000411 moles, (4. 1 x 10-4) Calculated atomic weight of magnesium: ______________ Atomic weight of Mg = weight of Magnesium/moles of H2 Moles of H2 evolved = moles of Mg consumed Atomic weight of Mg= /0. 000411moles During my observation I noticed that when 10mg of magnesium metal was added to the beaker a shaded area appeared on the bottom of the beaker. When the bubbles stopped and the shaded area in the beaker disappeared it showed that the magnesium has been consumed. Discussion Conclusion < Within a few sentences, provide a concluding statement about the results of your laboratory>

Vladimir Putin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vladimir Putin - Essay Example ther it was aimed at creating a sovereign Russian democratic system closer to the states own circumstances and traditions (Lieven & Lieven 2005, 73). Putin’s domestic policies intensified fight against organized crime and terrorism that resulted in a twofold time lower murder rate and a significant reduction of the terrorist attacks. The policies were effective in codifying tax and land law, establishment of new labor codes, commercial, administrative and civil procedural law (Herspring 2009, 165). Under the administration, the economy made real gains on a 7 percent average making it the seventh world’s largest economy in terms of its purchasing powers. The investments increased by 125 percent; industries grew by 76 percent, and an increase in construction and agriculture was also reported (Lo 2008, 12). Putin’s domestic political policies resulted in a relative qualitative and quantitative decreased cooperation initiative between Russia and the United States. Putin revived the global power image of Russia that had been lost by the preceding leadership as the nation transformed into a new state. The domestic and foreign policy issues lead to a renewal of political tension between Russia and United state similar confrontation during the era of the cold war losing their support differentiating Russia from the West (Foxall 2013, 149). The foreign policies were characterized by military demonstrations, aggressive, cold and highly pragmatic diplomacy. The policies asserted the nations position in the global political arena. The Russian leadership moved to bilateral partnerships and as well reduced the dependence on the western political guides and expertise (Mankoff 2008, 44). This resulted in a diplomatic and a strong opposition that opposed the US economic and military coercion action, the imposed security initiatives and the centralization of executive power. The nation’s global image was restored by arousing nationalist agenda, as well as the

Coding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coding - Essay Example Further, coding plays an important role in the provision of government statistics. This comes to play during the budgeting of a country’s medical care, as the correct statistics are provided. For example, the government officials are aware of medications given, the number of people that passed on maybe because of certain diseases. It also offers a road map for the formulation of medical strategies that will help a nation curb vital illnesses. In addition, proper coding is important in ensuring that patients are forced to pay for the care they did not receive. Medical practitioners and insurance organizations can have a common understanding on the services provided and thus, the correct charges are made and paid (Capstone, 2010). Nurses are an essential part in the practice of medical care. They help in service delivery and assist doctors in a number of ways. They are often in contact with patients; this aspect of their work enables them to understand the patients more and offer them the necessary services. It also equips them with first hand information on the type of care the patients need in reference to their illness. This enables them to code the diagnosis appropriately. Moreover, before a patient is referred to a doctor, it is the duty of the nurse to offer first hand services, which put the nurses at an appropriate position to identify the type of care to be given to the patient (Shi & Singh, 2010). Additionally, being the ones to provide complete reports about patients to the doctors, nurses are professionally equipped and familiar with the importance of proper coding for record keeping. It is usually the responsibility of the nurses to offer comprehensive medical care; therefore, they have a duty to ensure the coding is appropriate to avoid mischarging the patients. They also proffer the accurate records for medication for the patient to the necessary authorities.

Literary review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Literary review - Essay Example t the rate of overall walking of the people who were new dog owners largely increased through gaining possession of dogs in comparison to those people who are non-owners. In addition to the augmentation of the physical activity of the dog owners the possession of dogs also is observed to transform relationships from single to courtship (Cutt, Knuiman and Korti, 2008). Selby et al (1979) notes that the act and practice of keeping pets like dogs and cats can be referred to as a set of best practice in that it helps in rendering shelter to the innocent animals from harsh climates and other vulnerable conditions. However in that the dog owners must focus that keeping of pets does not happen to disturb the healthy climate in the surrounding areas. It is often found that keeping of dogs as pets has resulted in the growth of dog population in the neighbourhood that in turn has contributed to polluting the region with bulks of faeces and urine. The owners of the dogs when consulted of such problems reflected less interest in neutering their pets. Large groups of non-owners refer that keeping of dogs only adds to social troubles like increasing both noise and environment pollution which is again opposed by the owner groups. However the best practices that stands to this end that the dog owners must enhance their focus on the behaviour and activities of th eir dogs and thus help in protecting the natural and social environment (Selby et al, 1979, p.385-386). Vidovic, Stetic and Bratko (1999) and McKee and McKee (2007) remark that children of the households both boys and girls reflect a growing association with pets like dogs and cats. In fact the children tend to regard the pets as their playtime companions by responding to their different calls and gestures. Again it is found that the tendency of affinity to dogs and cats increases for a girl child than that for boys for the girls whether in tender age or tending towards adolescence feel the dearth for companions. It is

Reflection and Evaluation of three Technologies Essay

Reflection and Evaluation of three Technologies - Essay Example Additionally, retrieval of content from the internet relies on flash player programs such as adobe. The technology was initially applicable through Smart sketch application because the designers focused on addressing the needs of varied platforms. The flash content files were stored in shock wave format. This allowed the programmers to use Action script language in encoding the graphics in different formats. Additionally, the programmers use flash editor to enrich web content when designing the application. The content can be encoded using java script format, and the extension .swf is used in storage format. Short wave extension makes images appear smaller in the flash player. The format increases flash images capacity to store huge volumes of data (Enticknap, 2005, p.1). The storage codes allow flash images to support different applications making it the preferred technology when disseminating and storing website contents. Evaluation The use of flash technology has led to advances i n computer graphics. It has enabled website developers to design interactive websites that stream data at faster speed. The component manipulates graphics and presents them in different version. The use of XML file is dominant in image edition. According to Enticknap (2005, p.34), the template stores the contents of the website before the transformation of the image. The technology manipulates the contents when designing images that are user friendly to the audience. Flash is a suitable technology that can access images online. Software developers use the technology when designing slideshows that enhance interactions with clients online. Computer programmers use flash image technology to encode information in auto script version. This saves storage capacity and time taken to retrieve flash images. Additionally, the technology uses small bandwidth when streaming information. This makes it compatible with various technological components such as Macromedia Flash MX that carries this a pplication. The compatibility of flash image technology allows web views to obtain information from different places. However, it is necessary to obtain a plug in feature when planning to view the web contents. Flash images application demand less from the users in terms of operational skills. Moreover, the applications are affordable and exude high performances. This has lead to the preference of technology in computer applications. Flash images are instrumental when enriching internet application. The technology enhances interactivity by combining graphics technology when coming up with interactive computer programs. Lastly, the feature supports multidirectional display of website content. HTML5 Technology Overview HTML5 is an assortment of web-based applications that are still evolving. The concept of HTML5 began after developers noticed various deficiencies in HTML4 and associated XHTML. These deficiencies ranged from minor syntactic incoherence to insufficient support of media presentations (Meyer, 2010, p.83). Consequently, recent developments within the HTML5 technology have targeted such defects to develop quickest advances that would improve the performance of internet technology. Developers are standardizing the HTML5 technology into simpler and less controversial pieces. The HTML5 is a technology that organizes and presents information of the World Wide Web.

Michle Bear and Mark D. Cannon Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Michle Bear and Mark D. Cannon - Article Example he article explains the assumption made to analyze each situation considering the authors find that there had been no research done to justify the decision process for PFP plans by the management. The article state that the managers found that the cost of the PFP plans was greater than its benefits. The managerial thought effective leadership, clear objective, coaching and training to be better investment. The authors have done a research on the implementation of PFP and the context in which the system was implemented. The article suggest that cost and benefit analysis has led to the elimination of PFP system. That authors state that the study allowed them to understand the reason why the managerial did not implement PFP programs. Their challenges in making decision regarding PFP system was studied through experiment. The study included organization of United States and workers were blue – collar employees. In study, Beer and Cannon understood that the PFP program of Hewlett Packard was eliminated in three years of its implementing. The article explains about the five case example of experiment project of HP at different sites in America as San Diego site, Boise printer formatter shop, PRCO Loveland, Colorado Memory System, The workstation group. The PFP programs included bonus packages on completing of project also stock awards were given to the employees for quality of product and customer service. The trial projected only lasted for 6 months and the employees felt there was no benefit out of this PFP program and some did thing it was a successful attempt. However the experimental projects were dropped as the HP management felt such a motivation was not necessary for a positive outcome. They found that the current pay system is sufficient to support the work team environment. The authors tell that HP management has gained information from this experiment and this has given an insight about the decision making process of the management. The management of the

Network and computer intrusion threats Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Network and computer intrusion threats - Essay Example Security is a psychological impulse within ourselves so we feel comfortable and protected.   Security is the idea of something being in a location unable to be modified, stolen, damaged and or removed without permission.   According to the American Heritage Dictionary of English Language (2006) secure is a word describing freedom of danger, attack and risk of loss.   A sense of security has always been an element of the human infrastructure to protect what is theirs from outside intruders.   We can see this in the methods by which ancient people constructed their homes and the usage of fortifications in their villages, towns and cities. These ancient protections were an essential part of life, to live in safety and comfort while the daily activities were carried out.   In modern times our military, the civilian police force and other  Ã‚   government services reflect such protective methods.   A major difference is, while physical fortifications were sufficient for our ancestors, we must incorporate cyber fortifications to meet the challenges of today’s environment.Intruders today use malicious binary codes as the latest weaponry for a battering-ram technique to demolish and bypass our cyber security walls, so they can pillage and collect the bounty of their victim’s cyber home.   Jang describe the growing age of information warfare, which reflect information security as displaying patterns that expand into a more offensive than defensive stance.  ... Figure 4 Technologist Intruder Profiling - Conceptual Framework Figure 5 The process of executing an Exploit using Metasploit tool (Hicks, Mark. 2005) Table of Tables: S.No. Name and Hyperlink Table 1 Format of analysis of the outcome of survey TABLE 2 The proposed time table for the research Introduction: This research is targeted to establish a detailed methodology of network intrusion profiling such that security policies on collaborative IDPS frameworks can be implemented. A brief overview of the context is introduced in this section. 1.1 History of Security & Intrusion Security is a psychological impulse within ourselves so we feel comfortable and protected. Security is the idea of something being in a location unable to be modified, stolen, damaged and or removed without permission. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of English Language (2006) secure is a word describing freedom of danger, attack and risk of loss. A sense of security has always been an element of the human infrastructure to protect what is theirs from outside intruders. We can see this in the methods by which ancient people constructed their homes and the usage of fortifications in their villages, towns and cities. These ancient protections were an essential part of life, to live in safety and comfort while the daily activities were carried out. In modern times our military, the civilian police force and other government services reflect such protective methods. A major difference is, while physical fortifications were sufficient for our ancestors, we must incorporate cyber fortifications to meet the challenges of today's environment. Intruders today use malicious binary codes as the latest weaponry for a battering-ram technique

What does Buctler and Hamnett's (2011) study add to our understanding Literature review

What does Buctler and Hamnett's (2011) study add to our understanding of ethnic minority aspirations for social mobility in the 'new East End' - Literature review Example The aspiration that the ethnic minority had in mind was to move from the low class to the middle class. This is because they lacked the social mobility (Grusky, Ku and SzeleÃŒ nyi 2008). This paper is going to analyze what Buctler and Hamnetts (2011) study add to the understanding of ethnic minority aspirations for social mobility in the new East End. London is among the global city that is leading in the whole world. This is because of the position that it takes, the financial flow and migration that takes place on the two end sides of the labor market at the top and the bottom (Butler and Hamnett 2011). On one, hand, there are those workers that are highly paid and those that are poorly paid. For example, those that are highly paid came from US, France, Germany, Japan, China, on the other hand, the less skilled are the large masses from Africa and Asia. Those in good living environment with wealth are the whites while the rest are non-white. During these periods, there has been great de-industrialization, which has shaped East End dramatically (Grusky, Ku and SzeleÃŒ nyi 2008). There has been a prominent social division in East End and the West End in terms of races. The east was made of the poor and deprived ethnic minority. While, on the other hand, the west was full of wealth and power. The people on the west end were mostly the whites. With the development of the docks in the nineteenth century the working class of individuals became much established than the previous centuries (Harvey 2005). East End had been an abiding area for the whites who are in the working class. They had a tight social link that was on the basis of kinship and class. But as the transformation transpired more began to suburbanize out to areas like Woodford and other areas elsewhere. East End remained to retain the old traditional characters (Harvey 2005). The dramatic

The Google Story Book Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Google Story Book Report - Essay Example With fascinating characters like Larry Page and Sergey Brin and CEO Eric Schmidt, one is bound to turn the pages of this book and fast. My personal favourite among these characters presented by the authors is Larry Page for his sense of wit more than anything else. Also, he has shown immense perspective where thinking out of the box and having tremendous foresight is concerned. With his characteristic quiet sense of humour he is a man who makes things happen. Unassuming as he comes across, he has been hailed as a hero by many. As an example, this hero celebrated the first check earned for Google by having breakfast with his partner at Burger King! (Vise et al, 2006) This might also be due to the fact that he is the precursor of the social movement created by Google which brings people and information within close proximity of each other. The Google story, has a vast story board set across a plethora of settings and shaped with tons of research. This is apparent in the details presented in the book. Also, there is a strong personal and human touch to the story and the way it has been told, a style that is a welcome departure from the typical academic format followed by most writers of such subjects. This makes the book all the more hard hitting. In this regard, I will seek to examine various elements that are most relevant in today's dynamic environment and pace of life. The first of these elements is management style. Google, as a company and a global brand, has a flexible management style where every employee is an individual resource. Also, this company is adaptive in its style and its management is one that focuses on an investigative approach to each problem. Further, its management style is one that demonstrates a vast representation of the countries it operates in, where work culture is concerned. (Vise et al, 2006) Google has set new standards in unique management styles by showing how each company needs to tap into the personal goals of its employees to create and maintain a distinctive style that will contribute to the same and help integrate the organization's goals with those of the individuals working within. In this regard, Google's management style is one that is forward looking and based in results and employee satisfaction. It has a strong nexus with the humanitarian approach to all problems, which makes it all the more enjoyable to work here and be a part of the Google team. Also, the fact that it is very informal and effortless in its approach to everyday operations, makes it all the more easier to relate with Google at a personal level. Globalization is another element that contributes to the basic image of Google. As a company that has a specific set of services and virtual products as far as global outreach is concerned, Google has ushered in an era of vast information and knowledge management. Therefore, globalization has been Google's middle name and this has been thoroughly examined in the book by Vise and Malseed. Google has helped shape the global cultural industry with its services like Orkut, which

Nike Business Essay Example for Free

Nike Business Essay 3. Is it ethical for Nike to pay endorsers millions while its factory employees receive a few dollars a day? 4. Is Nike’s responsibility to monitor its subcontracted factories a legal, economic, social, or philanthropic responsibility? What was it 10 years ago? What will it be 10 years from now? 5. What could Nike have done, if anything, to prevent the damage to its corporate reputation? What steps should Nike take in the future? Is it â€Å"good business† for Nike to acknowledge its past errors and become more socially responsible? 6. What are the goals of the Jonah Peretti decided to customize his Nike shoes and visited the Nike iD website. The company allows customers to personalize their Nikes with the colors of their choice and their own personal 16-character message. Peretti chose the word â€Å"sweatshop† for his Nikes. After receiving his order, Nike informed Peretti via e-mail that the term â€Å"sweatshop† represents â€Å"inappropriate slang† and is not considered viable for print on a Nike shoe. Thus, his order was summarily rejected. Peretti e-mailed Nike, arguing that the term â€Å"sweatshop† is present in Webster’s dictionary and could not possibly be considered inappropriate slang. Nike responded by quoting the company’s rules, which state that the company can refuse to print anything on its shoes that it does not deem appropriate. Peretti replied that he was changing his previous order and would instead like to order a pair of shoes with a â€Å"color snapshot of the 10-year-old Vietnamese girl who makes my shoes.† He never received a response. 1 THE PR NIGHTMARE BEGINS Before Nike could blink an eye, the situation turned into a public relations nightmare. Peretti forwarded the e-mail exchange to a few friends, who forwarded it to a few friends, and so forth. Within six weeks of his initial order, the story appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Village Voice. Peretti himself appeared on the Today Show, and he estimates that 2 million people have seen the e-mail. At the height of the incident, Peretti was receiving 500 e-mails a day from people who had read the e-mail from as far away as Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America.2,3 Nike refused to admit any wrongdoing in the incident and stated that they reserve the right to refuse any order for whatever reason. Beth Gourney, a spokesperson for Nike, had the following to say regarding the incident: Clearly, he [Peretti] was attempting to stir up trouble; he has admitted it. He’s not an activist. Mr. Peretti does not understand our labor policy. If he did, he would know that we do not hire children; our minimum age for hiring is 18 . . . and we don’t apologize for not putting the word â€Å"sweatshop† because our policy clearly states: â€Å"We reserve the right to cancel any order up to 24 hours after it has been submitted.†4 Nike, Inc., is no stranger to sweatshop allegations.

Pramoedya ananta toer, his life and his literary achievements

Pramoedya ananta toer, his life and his literary achievements Chapter 2: Pramoedya Ananta Toer, his life and his literary achievements The account of Pramoedya Ananta Toers life and literary achievements, and the summary of his novel Bumi Manusia are mostly based on A. Teuuws book Citra Manusia Indonesia dalam Karya Sastra: Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1997:1-55), Schultz and Felters article, History, Education, and Nationalism in Pramoedya Toers Buru Quartet (2002), Dwi Elyonos unpublished dissertation of the Australian National University Harry Avelings and Willem Samuels Translations of Pramoedya Ananta Toers Novel Gadis Pantai: A Study of the factors, purposes, methods and effects of literary translation(2006:34-40), and two journal articles by GoGwilt entitled Pramoedyas Fiction and History: An Interview With Indonesian Novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer (1996) and The Vanishing Genre of the Nyai Narrative: Reading Genealogies of English and Indonesian Modernism (2007). 2.1 The Literary Achievements of Pramoedya Ananta Toer Pramoedya Ananta Toer (6 February 1925-30 April 2006) was a leading Indonesian writer who was internationally renowned for his literary works which dwell on themes of social justice and humanity. He had written more than fifty novels, short stories, essays, social critiques and histories of which the majority have been translated into over 36 languages. He had collected more than a dozen international awards and had been frequently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature since 1981. He was also an important figure in Indonesian literature, â€Å"an exponent of ‘universal humanism, the liberal and individualistic cultural ideology of the loose association of writers, artists and intellectuals often referred to as the ‘Gelanggang group or the ‘Angkatan 45, the generation of the revolution† (as cited in Foulcher, 2008:1). The exceptional quality of Pramoedyas novels lies in his power as a storyteller to re-create the historical scene for the present audience. In a statement by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Pramoedyas novels â€Å"[illuminate] with brilliant stories the historical awakening and modern experience of the Indonesian people† (as quoted in a book entitled Polemik Hadiah Magsaysay, 1997:212-13). In Pramoedyas interview with GoGwilt about the English translation of the Buru tetralogy, he emphasized the importance of historical settings in his novels as well as the complex relation between history and personal biography (GoGwilt, 1996). Considering the historical scope of his work, his novels are also regarded as a typical example of post-colonial literature in South East Asia. One particular characteristic of this literature is the actual historical setting, which describes the diverse culture and language environment and its role in creating social difference within zones of c olonial contact (cf.see Niekerk, 2003 and Errington, 2008). Pramoedya was often compared to many great authors of the Western literature Camus, Tolstoy and Gorky, to name a few. The historical scope of his novels suggests an affinity with the great historical novels of nineteenth-century Europe, particularly in the context of socialist-realism in literature, in terms of narrative style and content. The story deals with themes of universal humanism such as freedom of expression, power struggle, racism and social injustice (see Kurniawan, 1999; GoGwilt, 1996). In general, Pramoedyas novels and short stories cover four different periods, spanning the period of Singasari and Majapahit kingdoms (1300-1600) (e.g. Arok Dedesand Arus Balik), the pre-independence period under the Dutch colonial rule at the end of 19th century (e.g. Buru Quartet, The Fugitive), the the Japanese occupation period under the Japanese in Indonesia during WWII (e.g. Perawan Remaja dalam Cengkeraman Militer), and the post-independence period of Soekarnos (e.g. Corruption,The History of the Overseas Chinese in Indonesia) and Soehartos (e.g.The Girl from the Coast andA Mutes Soliloquy) regimes. The blunt criticism of the ruling government contained in some of Pramoedyas works had caused him several periods of imprisonment under different government administrations.  · Some some of the international awards conferred upon himPramodya include the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award in 1988, the Wertheim Award, in 1992, the controversial Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in 1995, .  · the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize in 1996 and the Chevalier de lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres Rà ©public of France in 2000. 2.2 The life of Pramoedya Ananta Toer Pramoedya Ananta Toer was born in a the small town of Blora, in the Province of Central Java, Indonesia, as the firstborn of eight siblings. His father, Mastoer, was a strong nationalist who took part in the Indonesian struggle for independence from the Dutch colonial rule and worked as a headmaster in a school under Boedi Oetomo Institute of Education, the first political native political organization in the Dutch East Indies (todays Republic of Indonesia). His mother, Oemi Saidah, was born from an aristocratic Javanese family. She was a full-time housewife who later took the role of the main breadwinner for her family when her husbands school was closed due to the oppression of the Dutch colonial government. His parents, particularly his mother, had a great influence in formulating his idealized image of the Indonesian people, which was reflected in most of his works. After spending his childhood in his home, Pramoedya went to the Radio Vocational School in Surabaya, but and had almost graduated when the Japanese invaded the city on the last day of the schools final examination period. During the Japanese occupation period he worked as a typist for the Japanese news agency Domei in Jakarta, where he met and built relations with many outstanding figures in Indonesian history. Having felt that he was treated unfairly, Pramoedya decided to escape from his work with the Japanese. In October 1945 he joined a paramilitary force known as Badan Keamanan Rakyat (BKR)in Cikampek (West Java) after the proclamation of Indonesian independence. During this time he began to write short stories and novels and also translated a several books from J.Veth, Frits van Raalte and Lode Zielens. His first major novel, Perburuan (The Fugitive), was completed during two years of captivity by the Dutch government in the Bukit Duri prison, Jakarta. During the first two decades of Indonesian independence, from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s, Pramoedya became a renowned figure in Indonesian literature. This had broadened his social contacts especially in the world of literature and the arts. With time, these contacts contributed to his new perspective in politics and ideology. Several cultural exchanges, including trips to the Netherlands, the Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China, had opened his mind to the worlds political situation at that time. However, the most important event for Pramoedya at that time would be his short trip to China in 1956. This visit seemed to have sparked his interest in Marxist ideology, an apparent reason of for his decision later on to join Lekra (Peoples Cultural Insitute), a leftist organization, in 1958. From then on, Pramoedya became more active in politics. His writing style became more politically driven, as evidenced in the publication of a book which contains the correspondence he h ad with an imaginary Chinese discussing the history of the Indonesian Chinese, Hoa Kiau di Indonesia (History of the Overseas Chinese in Indonesia). It specifically criticized the governments instruction at that time which banned the Chinese minority in Indonesia to do business in rural areas, forcing them to close down their businesses or hand them over to the local natives and relocate to urban areas. This created friction between him and Soekarnos government and caused his detention at the Cipinang prison for nine months. Nonetheless, Pramoedya continued to build up his reputation as a literary and social critic, writing in various newspapers and literary journals, translating several literary works which were mostly came from Russian authors including Leo Tolstoi, Mikhail Sholokhov, Maxim Gorky, Aleksandr Kuprin and publishing a book about the history of the nationalist movements in Indonesia. In 1962-1965 he worked as an editor of Lentera, the weekly cultural edition of the lef t-wing newspaper Bintang Timur, where he published many articles on Indonesian history and literature around 1900-1920. He was also a lecturer of Indonesian language and literature at the University of Res Publica and was a founder of the Multatuli Language and Literature Academy in 1963. In October 1965 he was again put behind bars due to his association with Lekra, the cultural and literary institute affiliated with the Indonesian Communist Party as the organization which was alleged to be responsible for an attempted coup with the assassination of several senior generals of the Indonesian military. This bloody event ended Soekarnos political career and marked the transition of power to Suhartos â€Å"New Order† regime. After this incident, Pramoedyas books were banned in Indonesia and he was arrested as a political prisoner without trial in the penal colony of Buru Island from 1965-1979. During this period, he composed the first two parts of the famous Buru Quartet (Bumi Manusia/This Earth of Mankind and Anak Semua Bangsa/Child of All Nations) but did not have the opportunity to write it down. They were originally meant as a semi-biographical work of Tirto Adhie Soerjo, a nationalist figure and the founder of Sarekat Islam, the first native organization in I ndonesia. After Pramoedya was released from prison, he remained was placed under house arrest in Jakarta until 1992. During this time period he completed the last two parts of the Buru Quartet: Jejak Langkah (1985; Footsteps) and Rumah Kaca (1990; House of Glass), which instantly became best-sellers in Indonesia and gained him an international recognition. Unfortunately, ten months later these books were banned by the government as subversive materials which contained Marxist-Leninist ideology. In spite of these hardships, he continued to write other great novels such as Gadis Pantai (The Girl from the Coast) in 1982, a semi-fictional novel which portrayed his grandmothers life; Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu (A Mutes Soliloquy) in 1995, a personal biography based on the collection of letters that he wrote for to his daughter during his imprisonment in Buru, which were but was not allowed to send; and Arus Balik in 1995, a long historical novel considered by some literary critics to be his greatest literary work, which was revolved around the Tuban Kingdom, at the beginning of the Portuguese invasion of the Indonesian archipelago in the 16th century. In 1998, with the toppling of Soehartos regime and the beginning of the reformation era, the ban for on his books was eventually lifted. Pramoedya remained active as a writer until the last days of his life, when his health deteriorated due to old age and bad smoking his habit of smoking. In 2006 Pramoedya was hospitalized because of complications with diabetes, heart and lung diseases. He died on April 30, 2006 at the age of 81. 2.3 Pramoedya Ananta ToersBumi Manusia Bumi Manusia was first published in 1980, a year after Pramoedyas release from Buru Island. It is the first part of a semi-biographical tetralogy of Minke, the protagonist who is modelled after RM. Tirto Adhi Soerjo, a real historical figure of the anti-colonial movements in Indonesia. The story revolves around the historical emergence of Indonesian nationalism at the turn of the century when the Dutch colonial empire ruled in the East Indies. It explores various themes of universal discourse such as the emergence of nationalism, the corruption of the legal system, gender issues, the contradiction between traditional and modern values, and the importance of language as an instrument for articulating national identity. However, there are two important aspects to be highlighted in the novel: the realistic portrayal of colonial life in Indonesia, which provides the present audiencereaders today with a historical overview of that time and the way the author manages to convey to the prese ntmodern readers the complex socio-cultural interactions among various ethnicities in the colonial period and the inherent social attitude underlying these interactions. The story is reconstructed from the historical work which had been carried out before he was imprisoned for years without trial in Buru. In the first six or seven years of imprisonment in Buru, political prisoners were not given access to any writings or articles, let alone allowed to write on a piece of paper, so Pramoedya had to recite the story to his fellow prisoners. The story is what shaped the Buru quartet: Bumi Manusia, Anak Semua Bangsa, Jejak Langkah, and Rumah Kaca. The story isdeveloped through inner conflicts of the main character, which is are caused by the contradiction between the modern values he acquired from his western education, the traditional values which came from his Javanese roots, and the harsh social reality of living under the a colonial rule which denies all of the values he was taught to believe. The novel is told in the first-person and tells the life of Minke, a young Javanese aristocrat and the only native who receives a western education in an elite school which only Europeans are allowed to attend. It is set at the end of the 19th century, during the final years of the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia, and provides detailed illustration on the situationpicture of colonial life in Surabaya at that time. At the beginning of the novel, the main character is introduced to an exceptional native woman known as Nyai Oentosoroh, the concubine of a Dutch property owner called Herman Mellema, and to her beautiful daughter, Annelies. Over time, Nyai Oentosoroh becomes an important figure in Minkes life, his personal life mentor and spiritual mother. The story of her origin, how she was sold into concubinage by her father, her rise in position as the overseer of her masters entire estates and businesses, as well as the fate of her daughter, Annelies, forms major parts of the storyline in Bumi Manusia. Minke falls in love with Annelies, whom he eventually marries according to his native customs. However, because of the family dispute over Mellemas inheritance, Annelies had to annul her marriage to Minke by the order of the Dutch colonial court. At the end of the novel, Annelies is forced to leave her mother and her husband Minke, and go to the Netherlands to live with her legal guardian, despit e all the efforts made by Nyai Oentosoeroh and Minke to resist the decision of the Dutch courts. Socio-cultural interaction among different ethnicities (Dutch, Europeans, Indos, Chinese, and natives) in the East Indies plays an important role in the development of the story and is skilfully portrayed by Pramoedya through his inventive use of Indonesian language variations, combination of different registers and the complexity of interplay between Javanese, Old Malay, Dutch, English and Jakartan dialects. One example is given below, where Minke tries to predict tell the identity of a man who follows him covertly, based on a certain ethnic stereotype which is widespread in Indonesia: Melihat dari pemunculannya, ia bukan orang Tionghoa, juga bukan Peranakan Tionghoa, juga bukan pedagang. Kalau toh Tionghoa Peranakan boleh jadi dari kalangan terpelajar, mungkin pegawai pada kantor Majoor der Chineezen.Atau peranakan Eropa-Tionghoa yang habis berlibur dan kini kembali ke tempat pekerjaan di Surabaya [] Ia jelas bukan pedagang. Bukan begitu pakaian pedagang. Atau ia seorang jurubayar pada Borsumrij atau Geowehrij? Atau mungkin sendiri Mayor der Chineezen? Tetapi seorang mayor biasanya angkuh dan merasa setara dengan orang Eropa, tak mungkin memperhatikan diriku, bahkan takkan peduli pada Pribumi siapapun. (Bumi Manusia, 1991:146) He didnt look Chinese, or like a Mixed-Blood Chinese, nor like a merchant. Anyway, if he was a Mixed-Blood Chinese, he was probably an educated one, perhaps an employee at the office of the Majoor der Chineezen the Dutch-installed leader of the local Chinese community? Or perhaps a Mixed-Blood European-Chinese returning from holidays to his workplace in Surabaya? He was clearly not a merchant. They werent the clothes of a trader. Or perhaps he was a cashier at one of the ‘Big Five Dutch trading companies Borsumij or Geowehrij? Or perhaps he was the Majoor der Chineezen himself? But the major were always arrogant, considering themselves equals with Europeans and so wouldnt take any notice of me, or any other Native for that matter. (Bumi Manusia, Lanes translation 1991:111) Words containing socio-cultural references abound in the dialogue. However, it is very difficult to render these socio-cultural nuances into English, thus it is understandable if sometimes the English translation cannot convey completely the richness of the dialogue in the novel. One great difficulty in the translation of Bumi Manusia is how to convey to the foreign readers the inherent social attitudes embedded in these culture-specific words which operate under different socio-cultural norms and history. One example of a culturally-marked word containing an important socio-cultural reference in Bumi Manusia is the word nyai. Nyai originally refers to a respectful form of address to a Javanese woman. However, the form undergoes a considerable change of meaning when it is adapted used into Indonesian. It becomes a â€Å"euphemistic, pejorative, and disrespectful term† referring to a historical stereotype of a native concubine or mistress in a colonial Dutch East Indies househo ld and implying the inherent social attitude behind the word nyai(GoGwilt, 2007:412): Bukan hanya Mevrouw Tà ©linga atau aku, rasanya siapa pun tahu, begitulah tingkat susila keluarga nyai-nyai: rendah, jorok, tanpa kebudayaan, perhatiannya hanya pada soal-soal berahi semata. Mereka hanya keluarga pelacur, manusia tanpa pribadi, dikodratkan akan tenggelam dalam ketiadaan tanpa bekas [] Semua lapisan kehidupan menghukum keluarga nyai-nyai; juga semua bangsa: Pribumi, Eropa, Tionghoa, Arab. (Bumi Manusia, 1980:44) Not only Mrs. Telinga and I knew, but it felt as if the whole world knew, that such indeed was the moral level of the families of nyais: low, dirty, without culture, moved only by lust. They were the families of prostitutes; they were people without character, destined to sink into nothingness, leaving no trace [] All social classes had passed judgment on the nyai; also all races: Native, European, Chinese, Arab. (This Earth, 54) Interactions between Minke, Nyai Oentosoroh and other characters in the book who came from different cultural and language backgrounds are parallel to the diverse culture and language situation in modern Indonesia. The vital role of Nyai Oentosoroh in Minkes life, as the person who is mostly responsible for Minkes growing awareness ofn the oppression oppressiveof the Dutch colonial towards rule over him and his fellow countrymen, in some way, represents in some way the indispensable role of language in growing nationalism in Indonesia. The account of Nyai Oentosorohs life,her extraordinary characteristics and excellent ability in to absorbing the knowledge given by her Dutch master and using use it to climb up from the bottom to the top rank of the colonial society, may have an indirect association with the historical development of the Indonesian language and its elevated status as a national language today. In the past, Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language), a variant of Bazaar Ma lay, was a minority language in the East Indies. It was a language of trading and commerce, which is used throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Bazaar Malay was once considered as a language with no aesthetic values and lacking in expressiveness compared to other languages. However, its use as a trading instrument throughout the Indonesian archipelago has enhanced its flexibility in absorbing modern concepts and elaborate cultural elements from other languages and modern concepts brought by western civilisation. This is likelymight be one of the reasons why it was selected as the national language of Indonesia. Bumi Manusia,as the first part of the Buru quartet, provides an important historical account and unique perspective of colonial life at the end of the 19th century, an important period in Indonesian history, which determined the future of the Indonesian people as a free nation. As Razif Bahari argues in his book entitled Pramoedya Postcolonially,the tetralogy and its literary and social context may provide valuable insights regarding the force which drives the main character to obtain power and freedom, and could answer some of the questions regarding the construction of history, language, and gender within postcolonial literature literary studies (Bahari, 2007). It is the significance of cultural, historical, and literary aspects of Bumi Manusia which makes the study of its translation worthwhile. It gives new insights into strategies and methods employed in the translation of cross-cultural texts as well as their cultural implications; and ways to convey effectively the message of the original text to foreign readers without disturbing the story narrative flow and maintaining the target readers interest and expectations.

The Importance of Arts in Education

The Importance of Arts in Education To strive for excellence, schools ensure their provided education is impressive, compared to other independent school districts in the area, delivering the correct tools and necessities in education to prepare their students for the real world. Schools want students to choose from numerous amount of class options, programs and organizations their district provides. However, some hesitate keeping art programs such as band, theater, art, culinary, choir etc. in their district, simply because it will not be necessarily needed for their time in school when in fact, the arts, most specifically band, is proven to create a more affective impact on the brain than other arts improving cognitive development, verbal memory, mathematics, phonological awareness, reading development and other skills. Cognitive development is heavily proven when introduced to arts, resulting greater than those who are not artistically active. As a child, painting activities, drawing or dancing engage the brain to develop other complex ways of thinking when continued. How? They are natural forms of art. According to Author SousaThe arts are not just expressive and affective, they are deeply cognitive. They develop essential thinking toolspattern recognition and development; mental representations of what is observed or imagined; symbolic. This proves that something as simple as drawing, singing or dancing to a child, is more than increasing their mentality ability and developing different complex forms of thinking. Although the arts are often thought of as separate subjects, like chemistry or algebra, they really are a collection of skills and thought processes that transcend all areas of human engagement. (Sousa). Cognitive development plays a critical role in a childs future, leaving permanent ab ilities in and outside of school, keeping this gift through life because of effortless habits through childhood. Not only does musical training seek unique cognitive skills, musical training shares the same brain pathway process as mathematics therefore, is quite beneficial towards math. Music is closely connected to mathematics by ratios, proportions, music intervals, arithmetic progressions in music to geometric progressions in geometry, including the simplicity of counting one, two, three, four, in a measure. Researchers conducted a study that piano lessons would increase math scores, specifically focused on proportions and ratios which are difficult as an elementary student along with another group of student without piano lessons but with a computer software program. Four months after the study, the group of kids with musical training scored one-hundred sixteen percent higher on proportional mathematic skills than those without the musical training. According to Author Sousa, These findings are significant because proportional mathematics is not usually introduced until 5th or 6th grade an d because a grasp of proportional mathematics is essential to understanding science and mathematics at higher grade levels. Math is known as a complex core class and is a subject that society does not know that makes it a lot easier on kids who study music at a young age. Another study in California took in students with low socioeconomic skills who were not involved with music, take music lessons eighth through twelfth grade following a test that would determine if the involvement with music would benefit kids in the class. The results of the study shown the musical training increased their test scores in mathematics and scored significantly higher than those low socioeconomic students who were not involved in music. (Sousa). History and geography test scores were affected through the music lessons increasing by forty percent. Not only did the music lessons improve mathematic skills. But history and geography, which is beneficial for the other core classes in education. Music is greatly related to mathematics but yet, in addition can also have an advantage in reading development. Identical to the brains responsive connections between music and math, music comprehension picks up specifically reading skills, allowing the brain to recognize auditory memory in a very intricate and extraordinary way. Researchers suggest this relationship results because both music and written language involve similar decoding and comprehension reading processes(Sousa). Students reading fluency is finer when in constant musical training. The abilities of better reading development through art is an advantage in the classroom increasing test scores, and comprehensions compared to other kids who dont study music. With reading being another complex core class, it will ease students who suffer from reading difficulty in their future, especially since reading is an everyday action for every movement in our body through thought processes during the day. The arts assist many acts we do that we do not think of and expand our abilities as human beings to do certain activities with our brain others cannot. The arts create and benefit other skills that will determine how we perform in school to our education, followed by a project by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Justice Department called the YouthARTS Development project. The program established young adults involved in art programs increased cooperation with others, optimistic viewpoints towards school, self esteem along with other positive feedback that will greatly benefit through the students school years. the arts teach students how to learn from mistakes and press ahead, how to commit and follow through.(Arts and Smarts). This proves the arts make useful tools and potential standards for students who will manage challenges and problems well, considering how difficult the task may be which will not only be useful in school, but in the real world. Fine arts are a ble to reduce dropout rates, create a sustainable and well-balanced individual increasing socioeconomic skills, and have a good sense of leadership. (According to Jessica Hoffman Davis from Harvard Graduate School of Education from Arts and Smarts)We have been so driven to measure the impact of the arts in education that we began to forget that their strength lies beyond the measurable . The statement made by Davis, proves we underestimate what the arts can really do what they can create within students apart of it. The arts do not make one smarter, but they can discover unlimited pathways of what a brain could really do when introduced to the studies of music. Parents want their kids to turn out to be well balanced adults, but would be impossible without the engagement of both left and right sides of the brain, therefore, will require introduction to the Arts. The education system lies pressure in the four common core classes, without any consideration of the Arts, simply because learning how to play a trumpet is irrelevant to interest in the medical field or dancing and singing will not require you to be a lawyer. School districts need to be more aware of the potential their students could have through the arts if they take the time and learn about how important and relevant arts are with education . The brain awaits undiscovered passage ways and skills,as the importance of arts are waiting to make a difference in education References Bryant, Bob. The Importance of Fine Arts. Katy Independent School District. Bob Bryant, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 17 Evans, Karen. Arts and Smarts. Greater Good, Karin Evans, 1 Dec. 2008, greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/arts_smarts Rodale, Ardath. Education: the human touch. Prevention, Oct. 2003, p. 180. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPSsw=wu=j020902v=2.1id=GALE%7CA108882595it=rasid=e9345db4ee24c3da8cbe281ea9b36868. Sousa, David A. How the arts develop the young brain: neuroscience research is revealing the impressive impact of arts instruction on students cognitive, social and emotional development. School Administrator, Dec. 2006, p. 26+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPSsw=wu=j020902v=2.1id=GALE%7CA156417562it=rasid=eb6b505e4a2204d78a0d342d22a3eda2.

Aphrodite Essay -- essays research papers

HEPHAESTUS AND APHRODITE APHRODITE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aphrodite is one of the most famous figures of Greek mythology. Because Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and sexual rapture,1 she was desired by nearly all of the Greek gods. Aphrodite was one of the twelve main gods on Mt. Olympus,2 and she was the most powerful goddess when it came to members of the opposite sex. THE BIRTH OF APHRODITE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many origins to Aphrodite's birth. Some of them are: 1) She arose full-grown out of the foam of the sea, 2) She is the daughter of Zeus and Dionne, 3) She is the daughter of Uranus and Gaia, which would make her a Titaness, or 4) She is the daughter of Titans Oceanus and Tethys, making her an Oceanid.3   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most common origin of her birth is her being foam-born, which is what her name means. This origin says that Aphrodite arose nude and full-grown out of the foam of the sea and riding into the shore of Cythera on a scallop shell. She found Cythera to be too small of an island, so she went to live in Paphos, in Cyprus, which is still the principal seat of her worship.4 THE MYTH OF APHRODITE AND HEPHAESTUS AND ARES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, she had a magic girdle that she wore that made everyone fall in love with her. She could hardly ever be persuaded to lend it to anyone. Since Aphrodite had the magic girdle and was so beautiful, all of the gods fell in love with her.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  All of the goddesses were jealous of Aphrodite because all of the gods loved her instead of the other goddesses. Because of this, Zeus arranged a marriage for her with Hephaestus, the lame smith-god.5 Aphrodite didn't really mind this marriage arrangement, though, because she thought Hephaestus would never notice her having marital affairs.6   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hephaestus knew nothing of deception until, one night, he caught his wife and Ares, the god of war, making love at Ares' home. Hephaestus went back to his home very angry.7 Hephaestus was so angry that he decided to get revenge on Aphrodite by literally catching the while they were making love. He got out a bronze hunting-net and attached to the posts and sides of the bed. He told Aphrodite ... ...ympus. His plan backfired on him though, actually revealing himself as someone who was attempting to retain the love and devotion from his wife.25   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now that Hephaestus had embarrassed himself in front of all of the gods, Hephaestus became unhappy in his marriage to Aphrodite. He lost all interest in her and turned his attention to Athena who, like Aphrodite, was not in love with him. Hephaestus fell in love with Athena when she came to him for a spear. When he tried to initiate intercourse, she rejected him.26 HEPHAESTUS AND APHRODITE   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both Hephaestus and Aphrodite are powerful and popular figures of Greek mythology. They did many great, and maybe not so great, things during their lifetimes that are still remembered today. They were both main gods on Mt. Olympus. They may have not had many great times with each other according to myth, but they were still significant gods who had great lives. Many people use both of these gods to relate to things today, and they will be remembered for years and years to come. Their characters in Greek mythology are very significant and they will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Defining Family Essay -- Family Psychology

Determining family structure and dynamics as well as defining the family is a complex process. Personally, I come from a very traditional family. Much like the assumptions made by the students in the article Defining Family: Young Adults’ Perceptions of the Parent-Child Bond by Mellisa Holtzman (2008). This is what comes to mind when most people define family; a nuclear family, with married parents, and biological children. However, a family is a complex system and can take on many different forms. Today, in a world of the â€Å"postmodern family† the traditional lines of family structure are blurred. Children may come from diverse types of homes, or a couple, married or not may choose to have no children and consider themselves a family. The roots of these modern families may stem from ethnic origins, sexual orientations, or even seen as a rebellion of sorts from traditional ways. Children may live in homes of single parents, which is an exceedingly more common phenomenon as the divorce rate well publicized at around fifty percent. They may also live with homosexual parents either as a biological child of one partner or adopted by both. Also, the traditional married couple may choose to adopt locally or internationally, potentially blending ethnic backgrounds into one household. Whatever the background of the new nuclear family the challenges and experiences follow similar patterns. This change in family structure and definition has become a very public issue in recent years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau a family is defined as â€Å"two or more persons, including the householder, who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption, and who live together as one household† (www.census.gov). This legal... ...to make dysfunctional environments. Whatever the common thread is that links an individual to their family should be recognized and supported as that is what has shaped us all. Works Cited Family - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family Frequently Asked Questions - U.S Census Bureau. (n.d.). Census Bureau Homepage. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/about/faqs.html Holtzman, M. (2008). Defining family: Young adults' perceptions of the parent-child bond. Journal of Family Communication, 8(3), 167-185. Stephen, A. O., & Sabatelli, R. M. (2007). Family interaction: a multigenerational developmental perspective. (4 ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Edu.

Feudalism in Today’s Society Essay

When searching for information on feudalism it is difficult to find modern sources speaking of it in a positive connotation. Most seem to regard it as merely a necessary step to capitalism. However, there are many aspects of feudalism still present in our society. Our society’s modes of defense and organization, as well as the devices used to make our standard of living possible, can be traced back to the age of feudalism. The feudal system stemmed from the people’s need to defend themselves from their many enemies. The main reason that people were willing to become vassals and work for their lord was so that they could be protected by him (Tierney 162). In the same sense, people in modern society expect their government to provide protection from any enemies that arise. In the feudal system, this protection was in the form of armies provided by the vassals to the lord. These armies where made up of knights who where expected to fight when called upon by their lords to do so (Tierney 162 ). In modern society the armies are also made up of people in the community who are called upon during times of war through, a system of drafts. In the Middle Ages, when a neighboring fief controlled by the same lord was attacked, the neighbor was expected to help defend it (Feudal Life). If one of the United States is attacked by a hostel force, soldiers are drafted from all of the adjoining states, not just th e one under attack. The organization of the country into different states that are in turn divided into counties and cities is also reminiscent of the feudal system. Each successively smaller division is run by it’s own elected official and each official answers to the one higher up the ladder. This is very similar to the feudal system where the lord had vassals who in turn had vassals of his own and serfs. All of the vassals where involved in decision making of the land. Counsels had to be consulted before any major decisions were made (Tierney 162-163). Another thing that emerged in the Middle Ages that we still see today is the middle-class society. During the feudal era there were plenty of people who could farm so some of them started to do other things such as carpentry and blacksmithing. There were enough specialists  around that the farmers didn’t have to do everything themselves anymore. For example, many manors in the Middle Ages had mills on the property. These Mills provided everyone with the flour needed to make bread (History). Today, few people in the general population would be able to do everything required for their survival. Everyone has one or two things that they are good at and that they make their living from and everyone buys what they need from other such people. In order to make all of the food and other goods required to keep modern society functioning normally, many devices are used that originate from the time of the feudal system. Around this time, slaves were replaced by serfs and free workers so ways of making the work easier surfaced. One of these was the practice of using work animals to help with farm labor (History). Granted this is not practiced as much now as it was then because we now have things like tractors and cars to make labor easier, but there are still some animals used for labor. Another device developed during this time that made work easier for the workers was the wheelbarrow. This is still widely used today for all sorts of things, along with the gear or toothed wheel which is the basis for most machinery and clock mechanisms. Another practice started in the middle ages that is extremely useful to us is the use of wind and water for energy (History). We generally use the power of these elements to provide us with electricity where they used them for mills and similar applications, but the basic idea is still the same. So it is apparent that our society is indebted to the age of feudalism for many things that we take for granted. We still use aspects of feudalism for producing food, defense, and structuring our government. Perhaps those socialists that can only speak of feudalism as a necessary step to capitalism with an arrogant detachment to its true importance should be reminded of what it was like trying to survive during one of the most dangerous periods of civilization. Works Cited History of Feudalism in Europe; History Interactive. National Heritage Academies. http://michiganepic.org/NHA/Feudalism/feudalism.html. Feudal Life in the Middle Ages. Learner.org. http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/feudal.html Tierney, Brian. Western Europe in the Middle Ages: 300-1475. Sixth Edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1999

Letter of Inquiry

   Dear Or alternately: Dear Sir/Madam: I have been informed of a job opportunity as IPRO Management and Technical Support Engineer by [name of referrer/optional]. I am a very interested in such a position because [qualifications or related work & interests/bulleted type lists of qualifications if possible]. I am currently employed at [name of organization] as [title of position]. Or alternately: I have just finished my Bachelor’s degree in the Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations – Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Science, and Management Studies from [name of academic organization]. I believed my academic competencies would match qualification requirements of aforementioned position. I am looking forward to further discuss this job opportunity and how I can be a part of the success of Stratosphere, Inc. Sincerely,    One final way to be noticed the reader and to show a personal touch is by adding a post script or PS to your letter personally handwritten if at all possible.(â€Å"Cover letter advice†, 2007) Reference: Cover letter advice. (2007).  Ã‚   Retrieved March 15, 2007, from http://www.cvtips.com/cover_letter_guide_3.html