Chordates and Vertebrates Lab Essay

Procedures/Methods: For each organism, find and draw a representative image. Each organism may include prepared slides as well as specimens, or students may need to find them on the internet. Provide descriptive notes for each organism and address any questions asked in detail using complete sentences. List all references. Results: 1. Urochordata –Tunicates a. Molgula – preserved i. What is the function of the two knobs/protrusions? The function of the two knobs/ protrusions are the incurrent and excurrent siphons. These creatures are suspension feeders so the siphons are where water and nutrients are exchanged, and wastes and gametes leave. 2. Cephalochordata a. (Amphiox) Lancelets – note the pharynx with gill slits, the nerve cord and the notochord 3. Vertebrata a. Lampreys – most primitive i. How do adult lampreys feed? Lampreys lack the typical jaws of other fishes, in both their larval and adult forms. After metamorphosis though, the oral hood present in larval lampreys is replaced by the adult’s concave, circular, sucker-disk mouth, with horny teeth. The feeding behavior is characterized by rhythmic rasping, negative pressure pulses in the sucker, and swallowing of fluid into the gut. Once the lamprey is attached to a host fish, the parasite extracts blood and/or muscle tissue. They prey on fishes in the ocean or lake system with their toothed oral suction like disc and breaking the skin and using a tongue that is covered with keratinized teeth to suction off blood and bits of tissue. They stay attached to their host usually until the resources are no longer available and are known to kill their hosts, but they can detach whenever they so choose. b. Chondricthyes i. Rays ii. Dogfish shark c. Ray-finned fishes – note bony support structures on fins i. Perch – 1. Note the swim bladder. What is its purpose? The swim bladder, also called the air bladder, is a buoyancy organ possessed by the perch as well as most bony fish. The swim bladder is located in the body cavity and is derived from an out-pocketing of the digestive tube. It contains gas (usually oxygen) and functions as a hydrostatic, or ballast, organ, enabling the fish to maintain its depth without floating upward or  sinking. It also serves as a resonating chamber to produce or receive sound. In some species the swim bladder contains oil instead of gas. In certain primitive fish it functions as a lung or respiratory aid instead of a hydrostatic organ. ii. Catfish iii. Eels Tetrapods (Within Vertebrata) 1. Amphibia a. Toads b. Frogs 2. Reptilia a. Lizards b. Snakes c. What is a distinguishing characteristic between reptiles and amphibians? Although both species are cold blooded, they are very different in appearance and physical makeup. Reptiles are covered in distinctive scales, and some may even have a rough texture. Amphibians, on the other hand, typically have smooth moist skin. Reptiles also have more diverse body types than amphibians. They may or may not have limbs, and can range in size from very small to substantially larger and heavier than humans. Most adult amphibians have four limbs, and while their size varies, very few grow larger than a man’s arm. The role of water is also an important distinguishing characteristic. Though many reptiles live in the vicinity of water, this is not essential for them to stay alive and some lizards and snakes are ideally suited to dry areas. By contrast, many amphibians must remain moist in order to breathe, although they do have lungs, they also take in oxygen through their skin. This thin skin means that they lost moisture easily as well, and  some will even die if their skin dries completely. Life cycles are different in that when reptile eggs hatch, the young look like miniature adults. An amphibian initially emerges from an egg in the form of an aquatic larva, like a tadpole that breathes through gills until they mature and develop lungs so they may survive without being completely submerged. 3. Aves a. Roadrunner b. Barn Owl 4. Mammalia a. Cottontail rabbit b. Opossum c. Which of these organisms is a marsupial? The opossum also just spelled possum is the marsupial of these two organisms. d. What is a marsupial? A marsupial is a mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed. At birth, they take a long, arduous journey from the birth canal, driven purely by instinct, grabbing hold of the mother marsupial’s fur which she has cleaned and made easier to traverse with saliva, to reach the pouch. Upon reaching the pouch, they latch onto a teat which swells in their mouth to prevent them from being accidentally dislodged during the mother’s movements. They remain attached for months to continue and complete their development. Discussion: Students learned all of the following in the chordates and vertebrates lab. Chordates have four key characteristics. They have notochords, a dorsal, hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits or clefts, and a muscular, post anal tail. Two major groupings are Urochordata and Cephalochordata. The  urochordata to be observed are the tunicates. Tunicates retain pharyngeal slits, have incurrent and excurrent siphon, and they are suspension feeders. Lancelets are the cephalochordate that will be observed in the lab. The next grouping are the craniates. The craniates have chordate characteristics plus a distinct head. Myxini are craniates, an example of which being the hagfish, but there are no specimen to be observed in the lab. The next major grouping are the vertebrates. These are craniates plus a backbone. The backbone includes vertebrae, they have a more extensive skull, and more elaborate skeletal support. The Lampreys are basal vertebrates that are jawless with a cartilaginous skeleton, and they retain their notochord. The Gnathostomes are vertebrate characteristics plus a true hinged jaw. Chondrichthyes, sharks and rays have cartilaginous skeletons, are gnathostomes. Another gnathostome is actinopterygii, which are ray-finned fishes. They have bony fin support, and ossified skeleton. The perch is an example of the actinopterygii, which has a swim bladder for buoyancy control which is for air instead of urine. They have a lateral line for vibration sensation, which will be viewed in lab. Catfish and eels will also be observed. The next group are Tetrapods, which have all the characteristics of gnathostome plus limbs. They have five key characteristics. Four limbs and feet with digits, neck for head movement, pelvic girdle that is fused to back bone, no gills, and ears for sound detection. Amphibia are early life aquatic adult life. Examples of these are toads, frogs, salamanders, and caecilians (a legless lizard which even though he doesn’t have legs, he has all the other characteristics). The next group is the amniote, which has tetrapod characteristics plus terrestrially adapted egg. The amniotic egg membranes incled the amnion, chorion, yolk sac, and allantois. Examples are reptilian and aves (birds). The reptilian include tuataras, turtles, crocodilians, birds, snakes, lizards. The scales are waterproof and the lab has specimens of snakes and lizards. The aves have three characteristics, adaptation for flight (most), keratin-containing feathers, and they lack urinary bladder, and no teeth. There are roadrunner (just the foot) and barn owl (just the wing) specimens to observe in the lab. The last big group are the mammals. They have the same characteristics as the amniotes plus hair and milk production. There are five key characteristics. Mammals have mammary glands, hair, high metabolic rate (endothermic), larger brains, and  differentiated teeth (specialized for specific purposes). Under phylum mammalia, there are monotremes (platypus and echnida (only mammals that lay eggs), marsupials (pouched mammals-kangaroo, koala, possum), and eutherians (placental mammals). Conclusion: Students successfully completed this lab and learned the differences and characteristics for each organism. When viewing the Urochordata (Tunicates), the lab showed molgula. Students learned that the function of the two knobs/protrusions are the incurrent and excurrent siphons. Organisms with these incurrent and excurrent siphons are suspension feeders, so the siphons are where water and nutrients are exchanged and wastes and gametes leave. Then the Cephalochordata were viewed in the form of Lancelets, where students saw the pharynx with gill slits, the nerve chord and the notochord. Next, students observed the vertebrata. The lampreys were the most primitive, and from them it was learned that they lack the typical jaws of other fishes both in their larval and adult forms. The Lamprey’s feeding behavior is characterized by rhythmic rasping, negative pressure pulses in the sucker, and swallowing of fluid into the gut. Then the students viewed the chondricthyes in the forms of rays and dogfish. Next the ray-finned fishes were observed, including the perch, catfish, and the eels. The students saw the bony support structures on the fins and also learned about the purpose of the swim bladder. The swim bladder, also called the air bladder, is a buoyancy organ possessed by the perch as well as most bony fish. The swim bladder is located in the body cavity and is derived from an out-pocketing of the digestive tube. It contains gas (usually oxygen) and functions as a hydrostatic, or ballast, organ, enabling the fish to maintain its depth without floating upward or sinking. It also serves as a resonating chamber to produce or receive sound. After the ray-finned fishes, the tetrapods were observed. The amphibians, reptilians, aves, and mammals were all observed. Students viewed toads, frogs, lizards and snakes for amphibians and reptialians respectively. Students also learned the differences between the amphibians and reptiles. Reptiles are covered in distinctive scales, and some may even have a rough texture. Amphibians, on  the other hand, typically have smooth moist skin. Reptiles also have more diverse body types than amphibians. They may or may not have limbs, and can range in size from very small to substantially larger and heavier than humans. Most adult amphibians have four limbs, and while their size varies, very few grow larger than a man’s arm. The role of water is also an important distinguishing characteristic. Though many reptiles live in the vicinity of water, this is not essential for them to stay alive and some lizards and snakes are ideally suited to dry areas. By contrast, many amphibians must remain moist in order to breathe, although they do have lungs, they also take in oxygen through their skin. This thin skin means that they lost moisture easily as well, and some will even die if their skin dries completely. Life cycles are different in that when reptile eggs hatch, the young look like miniature adults. An amphibian initially emerges from an egg in the form of an aquatic larva, like a tadpole that breathes through gills until they mature and develop lungs so they may survive without being completely submerged. Roadrunners and barn owls were observed for aves. For mammals, cottontail rabbits and opossums were observed. Students also learned what marsupials are. A marsupial is a mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed. At birth, they take a long, arduous journey from the birth canal, driven purely by instinct, grabbing hold of the mother marsupial’s fur which she has cleaned and made easier to traverse with saliva, to reach the pouch. Upon reaching the pouch, they latch onto a teat which swells in their mouth to prevent them from being accidentally dislodged during the mother’s movements. They remain attached for months to continue and complete their development. The lab successful familiarized students with all the different types of vertebrates/chordates. References: List all references used in APA format. Carol, R. L. â€Å"The Origin of Reptiles.† In Origins of the Higher Groups of Tetrapods† Controversy and Consensus, edited by H. P. Schultze and L. Trueb. Ithaca, NY: Comstock, 1991. â€Å"Morphology of the Vertebrates†. University of California Museum of Paleontology. Retrieved 2008-09-23 Nelson, J. S. (2006). Fishes of the World (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. pp. 601 pp. ISBN 0-471-25031-7. Personal Communication. Dr. Bledsoe. November 5, 2014. Rychel, A.L., Smith, S.E., Shimamoto, H.T., and Swalla, B.J. (2006). â€Å"Evolution and Development of the Chordates: Collagen and Pharyngeal Cartilage†. Molecular Biology and Evolution 23 (3): 541–549. Shu, D-G., Conway Morris, S., and Han, J (January 2003). â€Å"Head and backbone of the Early Cambrian vertebrate Haikouichthys†. Nature 421 (6922): 526–529. swim bladder. (2014). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/577044/swim-bladder tunicate. (2014). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609172/tunicate/49484/External-features

Cosmetic Surgery Is Moving Toward Multiethnic Beauty Ideals Essay

â€Å"The increasing number of nonwhites getting cosmetic surgery is helping society accelerate from a crawl to a full-bore sprint toward one truly melted, fusion community.† In the following viewpoint, Anupreeta Das questions whether minorities go under the knife to look more Caucasian. She suggests that as ethnically ambiguous beauties emerge in entertainment and the media, many African American, Asian, and Latino cosmetic-surgery patients want changes that harmonize with their ethnic features. In fact, Das states more surgeons today are specializing in race-specific procedures. This blending and reducing of racial characteristics through cosmetic surgery allow minorities to fit in with beauty standards that are moving away from a Caucasian ideal, she claims. Das is a journalist based in Boston. As you read, consider the following questions: 1.As stated by Das, how do rhinoplasty procedures differ among Caucasians, African Americans, and Asian Americans? 2.Why did Jewish people embrace cosmetic surgery, according to the viewpoint? 3.According to Das, what do critics say about the increase of ethnic models in the fashion industry? For almost a century, the women who have turned to cosmetic surgery to achieve beauty—or some Hollywood-meets-Madison Avenue version of it—were of all ages, shapes, and sizes but almost always of one hue: white. But now, when there seems to be nothing that a few thousand dollars can’t fix, women of color are clamoring in skyrocketing numbers to have their faces and bodies nipped, snipped, lifted, pulled, and tucked. This is a step forward, right? In the land of opportunity, we applaud when barriers break down and more people get to partake in the good life, as it were. There are many explanations for the new willingness of minorities to go under the knife: their swelling numbers and disposable income, the popularization of cosmetic surgery and its growing acceptance as a normal beauty routine,  and its relative affordability. What’s significant are the procedures minorities are choosing. More often than not, they’re electing to surgically narrow the span of their nostrils and perk up their noses or suture their eyelids to create an extra fold. Or they’re sucking out the fat from buttocks and hips that, for their race or ethnicity, are typically plump. It all could lead to one presumption: These women are making themselves look more white—or at least less ethnic. But perhaps not to the extent some suppose. â€Å"People want to keep their ethnic identity,† says Dr. Arthur Shektman, a Wellesley-based plastic surgeon. â€Å"They want some change, but they don’t really want a white nose on a black face.† Shektman says not one of his minority patients—they make up about 30 percent of his practice, up from about 5 percent 10 years ago—has said, â€Å"I want to look white.† He believes this is evidence that the dominant Caucasian-centered idea of blond, blue-eyed beauty is giving way to multiple â€Å"ethnic standards of beauty,† with the likes of Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, and Lucy Liu as poster girls. â€Å"No way† is the answer Tamar Williams of Dorchester gives when asked if her desire to surgically reduce the width of her nose and get a perkier tip was influenced by a Caucasian standard. â€Å"Why would I want to look white?† Growing up, the 24-year-old African-American bank teller says, she longed for a nose that wasn’t quite so wide or flat or big for her face. â€Å"It wasn’t that I didn’t like it,† Williams says. â€Å"I just wanted to change it.† Hoping to become a model, she thinks the nose job she got in November [2007] will bring her a lifetime of happiness and opportunity. â€Å"I was always confident. But now I can show off my nose.† Yet others are less convinced that the centuries-old fixation on Caucasian beauty—from the Mona Lisa to Pamela Anderson—has slackened. â€Å"I’m not ready to put to rest the idea that the white ideal has not permeated our psyches,† says Janie Ward, a professor of Africana Studies at Simmons College. â€Å"It is still shaping our expectations of what is beautiful.† A Peculiar Fusion Whether or not the surging number of minority patients is influenced by a white standard, one point comes with little doubt: The $12.4 billion-a-year plastic surgery industry is adapting its techniques to meet this demand. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), for example, has in recent months held meetings on subjects ranging from Asian upper-eyelid surgery to so-called ethnic rhinoplasty. The discussion will come to Boston this summer [2007] when the academy will host a five-day event that will include sessions on nose reshaping techniques tailored to racial groups. And increasingly, plastic surgeons are wooing minorities—who make up one-third of the US population—by advertising specializations in race-specific surgeries and using a greater number of nonwhite faces on their Web sites. It could be that these new patients are not trying to erase the more obvious markers of their ethnic heritage or race, but simply to reduce them. In the process, they’re pursuing ethnic and racial ambiguity. Take Williams. With her new smaller nose and long, straight hair, the African-American woman seems to be toying with the idea of ambiguity. And maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. The intermingling of ethnicities and races—via marriages, friendships, and other interactions—has created a peculiar fusion in this country. It’s the great mishmash where Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are celebrated in one long festive spirit, where weddings mix Hindi vows with a chuppah, where California-Vietnamese is a cuisine, where Eminem can be â€Å"black† and Beyonce can go blond. And the increasing number of nonwhites getting cosmetic surgery is helping society accelerate from a crawl to a full-bore sprint toward one truly melted, fusion community. There were 11.5 million cosmetic procedures done in 2005, including surgical ones such as face lifts and rhinoplasties and nonsurgical ones such as Botox shots and collagen injections. One out of every five patients was of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent (separate statistics aren’t available for white versus nonwhite Hispanics). According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of minority patients undergoing cosmetic procedures increased from 300,000 in 1997 to 2 million in 2005.  Although the total demand for cosmetic procedures also increased—from 2 million in 1997 to 11.5 million in 2005—the rate of increase for minorities is higher than the overall rate. (Women account for more than nine-tenths of all cosmetic procedures.) Different ethnic and racial groups favor different procedures. Statistics compiled by the AAFPRS show that in 2005, more than six out of every 10 African-Americans getting cosmetic surgery had nose jobs. Unlike rhinoplasties performed on Caucasians, which may fix a crooked bridge or shave off a hump, doctors say African-American and Asian-American nose reshaping usually leads to narrower nostrils, a higher bridge, and a pointier tip. For Asian-Americans, eyelid surgery—either the procedure to create an eyelid fold, often giving the eye a more wide-open appearance, or a regular eye lift to reduce signs of aging—is popular. According to the AAFPRS, 50 percent of Asian patients get eyelid surgery. Dr. Min Ahn, a Westborough-based plastic surgeon who performs Asian eyelid surgery, says only about half of the Asian population is born with some semblance of an eyelid crease. â€Å"Even if Asians have a preexisting eyelid crease, it is lower and the eyelid is fuller.† For those born without the crease, he says, creating the double eyelid is â€Å"so much a part of the Asian culture right now.† It’s probable that this procedure is driving the Asian demand for eyelid surgeries. Breast augmentation and rhinoplasty top the list of preferred procedures for patients of Hispanic origin, followed by liposuction. Asian-Americans also choose breast implants, while breast reduction—the one procedure eligible for insurance coverage—is the third most preferred choice for African-American women after nose reshaping and liposuction. Doctors say African-American women typically use liposuction to remove excess fat from their buttocks and hips—two areas in which a disproportionate number of women of this race store fat. The Culture of Self-Improvement Of course, the assimilative nature of society in general has always demanded a certain degree of conformity and adaptation of every group that landed on American shores. People have adjusted in ways small and large—such as by changing their names and learning new social mores. Elizabeth Haiken, a San Francisco Bay area historian and the author of the 1997 book Venus Envy: A History of Cosmetic Surgery, says ethnic minorities may use plastic surgery as a way to fit in to the mainstream, just as another group used it in the early 20th century. â€Å"The first group to really embrace cosmetic surgery was the Jews,† says Haiken. Her research indicates that during the 1920s, when cosmetic surgery first became popular in the United States, being Jewish was equated with â€Å"being ugly and un-American,† and the Jewish nose was the first line of attack. Most rhinoplasties therefore sought to reduce its distinct characteristics and bring it more in line with the preferre d straighter shape of the Anglo-Saxon nose. That people would go to such extremes to change their appearance should come as no surprise. â€Å"Going back to early 20th-century culture, there is a deep-seated conviction that you are what you look like,† Haiken says. â€Å"It’s not your family, your birth, or your heritage, it’s all about you. And your looks and appearance and the way you present yourself will determine who you are.† In the initial sizing-up, the face is the fortune. Physical beauty becomes enmeshed with success and happiness. Plastic surgeons commonly say that minorities today choose surgery for the same reasons as whites—to empower, better, and preserve themselves. â€Å"It’s the universal desire to maintain youthfulness, and it doesn’t change from group to group,† says Dr. Frank Fechner, a Worcester-based plastic surgeon. The culture of self-improvement that surrounds Americans has also made plastic surgery more permissible in recent years. â€Å"Making oneself over—one’s home, one’s car, one’s breasts—is now a part of the American life cycle,† writes New York Times columnist Alex Kuczynski in her 2006 book, Beauty Junkies: Inside Our $15 Billion Obsession With Cosmetic Surgery. â€Å"Doctors have sold us on the notion that surgery †¦ is merely part of the journey  toward enhancement, the beauty outside ultimately reflecting the beauty within.† Nothing captures this journey better than the swarm of plastic surgery TV shows such as ABC’s Extreme Makeover, Fox’s The Swan, and FX’s Nip/Tuck. These prime-time televised narratives of desperation and triumph, with the scalpel in the starring role of savior, have also helped make plastic surgery more widely accepted. Through sanitized, pain-free, 60-minute capsules showcasing the tr ansformation of ordinary folks, reality TV has sold people on the notion that the Cinderella story is a purchasable, everyday experience that everyone deserves. Mei-Ling Hester, a 43-year-old Taiwanese-American hairdresser on Newbury Street, believes in plastic surgery as a routine part of personal upkeep. So when her eyelids started to droop and lose their crease, she rushed to Ahn, the plastic surgeon. He sucked the excess fat out while maintaining, he says, â€Å"the Asian characteristic† of her eyelids. Hester also regularly gets Botox injected into her forehead and is considering liposuction. â€Å"I feel great inside,† she says. With hair tinted a rich brown and eyes without lines or puffiness, her beauty is groomed and serene. â€Å"I work out, I eat right, I use good products on my face. It was worth it,† she says of her surgery. Although Hester says she pursues plastic surgery for betterment and self-fulfillment, she recognizes her privileged status as someone born with the double eyelids and sharper nose so prized in much of the Asian community. â€Å"I just got lucky, because if you look at my sister, sheâ₠¬â„¢s got a flat nose.† Another sister was born without the eyelid crease and had it surgically created, says Hester. The concept of the double eyelid as beautiful comes from the West. â€Å"For many, many years, the standards for beauty have been Western standards that say you have to have a certain shape to the eye, and the eyelid has to have a fold,† says Dr. Ioannis Glavas, a facial plastic surgeon specializing in eyelid surgery, with practices in Cambridge, New York City, and Athens. Sometimes, the demand for bigger eyes can be extreme. Glavas recalls one young Asian-American woman he saw who, in addition to wanting a double eyelid procedure, asked him to snip off some of the bottom lid to expose more of the white. â€Å"I had to say no to her,† he says. Glavas says both Asian women and men demand the double eyelid surgery because it is a way of looking less different by reducing an obvious ethnic feature. Presumably, Asian patients aren’t aiming to look white by getting double eyelids (after all, African-Americans and other minorities have double eyelids), but the goal is social and cultural assimilation, or identification with some dominant aesthetic standard. Across-the-Board Appeal In recent years, the dominant aesthetic standard in American society has moved away from the blond, blue-eyed Caucasian woman to a more ethnically ambiguous type. Glossy magazines are devoting more pages to this melting-pot aesthetic, designed (like the new Barbies) for across-the-board appeal. Today’s beautiful woman comes in many colors, from ivory to cappuccino to ebony. Her hair can be dark and kinky, and she might even show off a decidedly curvy derriere—a feature that has actually started to prompt some white women to get gluteal augmentation, or butt implants. However, critics say these are superficial changes to what is essentially a Caucasian-inspired ideal—the big-eyed, narrow-nosed, pillow-lipped, large-breasted, boyishly thin apparition. â€Å"There has been a subtle change in the kind of models you see in Victoria’s Secret catalogs or Vogue,† says Dr. Fred Stucker, the head of facial plastic surgery at Louisiana State University, Shreveport. But â€Å"they take the black girl who has the high cheekbones, narrow nose, and pouty lips.† It’s not uncommon, he says, to find â€Å"a white face with dark skin.† Going by the recent surge of minorities demanding plastic surgery, it is plausible that this attempt by canny marketers and media types to promote a darker-skinned but still relatively uniform ideal is working. After all, they are simply following the money. According to the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth, which compiles an annual report on the â€Å"multicultural economy† in the United States, minorities had a combined buying power of several trillion dollars in 2006. In 2007, the  disposable income of Hispanics is expected to rise to $863 billion, while African-Americans will collectively have $847 billion to spend. By 2010, Asians are expected to have buying power totaling $579 billion. And all of these groups are showing a greater willingness to spend it on themselves and the things they covet, including cosmetic surgery. Katie Marcial represents exactly this kind of person. The 50-year-old African-American is newly single, holds a well-paying job in Boston, and has no qualms about spending between $10,000 and $20,000 on a tummy tuck and breast surgery. â€Å"I’m doing this mainly because I’m economically able to do so,† says Marcial, a Dorchester resident whose clear skin and youthful attire belie her age. With her three children all grown, her money is hers to spend. â€Å"I can indulge in a little vanity,† she says. Marcial says she chose a young, Asian-American doctor to perform her surgery because â€Å"I thought she would know the latest techniques and be sensitive to ethnic skin.† Historically, plastic surgery has been tailored to Caucasian women. Glavas says that in medical texts, the measurements of symmetry and balance—two widely recognized preconditions of beauty—were made with Caucasian faces in mind. Such practices led to a general sense among minorities that plastic surgery was for whites and kept them away from tinkering with their faces and bodies. But even as the industry now adapts to its new customers, plastic surgeons are divided over whether surgical specialization in various ethnicities and races necessarily caters better to the needs of minority patients. Dr. Julius Few, a plastic surgeon at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, hails the fact that plastic surgeons are customizing their procedures to focus on minorities, â€Å"so it’s not just the one-size-fits-all mentality of saying, well, if somebody’s coming in, regardless, they’re going to look Northern European coming out.† He even sees â€Å"a sort of subspecialty† emerging in various ethnic procedures. Meanwhile, Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, who is chief of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Boston University Medical Center and has a large number of nonwhite patients, is skeptical of the notion of specialization in ethnic and racial cosmetic surgery. â€Å"It strikes me more as a marketing tool  than a real specialization,† he says. In 1991, Michael Jackson crooned â€Å"It don’t matter if you’re black or white.† Jackson’s message about transcending race may have won singalong supporters, but his plastic surgeries did not. His repeated nose jobs and lightened skin color (he has maintained he is not bleaching but is using makeup to cover up the signs of vitiligo, a skin condition) were perceived by minorities—especially African-Americans—as an attempt to look white. Doctors say that â€Å"Don’t make me look like Michael Jackson† is a popular refrain among patients. â€Å"People were put off by dramatic surgeries and preferred subtle changes,† says Shektman, the Wellesley-based plastic surgeon. The New Melting-Pot Aesthetic Choices have expanded since then. Minorities can now hold themselves up against more ethnically and racially ambiguous role models that may still trace their roots to the once-dominant Caucasian standard but are becoming more composite and blended. â€Å"The concept of ideal beauty is moving toward a mix of ethnic features,† says plastic surgeon Ahn, a Korean-American who is married to a Caucasian. â€Å"And I think it’s better.† The push toward ethnic and racial ambiguity should perhaps be expected, because the cultural churn in American society is producing it anyway. Sure, promoting ambiguous beauty is a strategic move on the part of marketing gurus to cover their bases and appeal to all groups. But it’s also a reflection of reality. Not only are minorities expected to make up about half the American population by 2050, but the number of racially mixed people is increasing tremendously. The number of mixed-race children has been growing enough since the 1970s that in 2000 the Census Bureau created a new section in which respondents could self-identify their race; nearly 7 million people (2.4 percent of the population) identified themselves as belonging to more than one race. For minorities, this new melting-pot beauty aesthetic—perhaps the only kind of aesthetic standard that befits a multiethnic and multicultural society—is  an achievable and justifiable goal. Increasingly, advertisements use models whose blue eyes and dreadlocked hair or almond-shaped eyes and strong cheekbones leave you wondering about their ethnic origins. The ambiguous model might have been dreamed up on a computer or picked from the street. But advertisers value her because she is a blended product—someone everyone can identify with because she cannot be immediately defined by race or ethnicity. By surgically blending or erasing the most telling ethnic or racial characteristics, cosmetic surgery makes ambiguity possible and allows people of various ethnicities and races to fit in. For the Jewish community in the 1920s, fitting in may have had to do with imitating a Caucasian beauty ideal. For minorities today, it’s a melting-pot beauty ideal that is un iquely American. How appropriate this ambiguity is, in a culture that expects conformity even as it celebrates diversity. Das, Anupreeta. â€Å"Cosmetic Surgery Is Moving Toward Multiethnic Beauty Ideals.† The Culture of Beauty. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from â€Å"The Search for Beautiful.† Boston Globe 21 Jan. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. 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International marketing-country of origin, foreign and domestic Essay

International marketing-country of origin, foreign and domestic consumer predispositions - Essay Example The study will highlight varied internationalization, country of origin and consumer disposition effect related to the marketing plan of Grazia, a leading Italian fashion brand. Finally, the study would also highlight the impact of country of origin and brand positioning effect of apparels produced by leading Italian fashion companies. Country of Origin Effect The country of origin effect would constitute of differences between internationalization and international control strategies that can be due to varied national origins rather than the variations in the marketing environment (Harzing and Noorderhaven, 2000).The differences in the market dynamics and the cultural differences is a contributing factor for the increase in the country of origin effects. The national culture and the upbringing of the customers play an important role in determining the purchasing behaviour (Costa, Krutulyte and Grunert, 2006). In this context, the management of Grazia would try to assess the fashion requirements of the European common people and manufacture stylish and comfortable dresses as per customer preferences. Firstly, it has been noticed that the European people prefer Italian brands over the international brands (Greta and Lewandowski, 2013). The position of Grazia is quite strong in the European apparel industry and hence, the management will utilize this opportunity effectively to retain its marketing position strongly. The management of Grazia will try to create a unique marketing plan, which will also helps in attracting potential investors for the company. The most common trend among the European people is to understand and wear clothes of latest fashion. The company will try its utter best to manufacture comfortable and fashionable clothes at affordable prices to cater to the needs of the European customers. The varied clothing line will also be available in small retail stores throughout the European region. Apparels are regarded as one of the basic fashion nece ssity for European customers. The clothing line manufactured by Grazia is regarded as one of the most coveted fashion products in the entire Italian region (Tronconi, 2012). Much is contributed to the effective marketing strategies and the country of origin effect of the apparel industry. Domestic & Consumer Predisposition Consumer disposition or brand positioning will help the company to attain its market position by accomplishment of goals and objectives. Consumer disposition occurs highly with the high involvement of varied range of goods and services. This would lead to frequent purchase of apparels and also to the positive brand positioning of Grazia. This would also include strong advertising effectiveness, which will be measured by the consumers purchase intentions and impact attitude. The main objective of the brand positioning plans of Grazia would be as follows: To create awareness among the potential consumers who do not have the slightest hint about the varied types of c lothing line manufactured by Grazia To create preferences among the undecided Provide reinforcement among the positive predisposed Conversion of negatively predisposed items into positive items The main objective of Grazia would be to create a niche in the Italian apparel industry and also increase its profitability. In this context, one of the main objectives of Grazia would be to manufacture clothing line from high quality Italian yarn and sell these at an

Personal and Managerial Effectiveness (PME) Resit Assignment Essay

Personal and Managerial Effectiveness (PME) Resit Assignment - Essay Example In the recent times there has been a tremendous surge in the analysis and study of diversity and Geert Hofstede happens to be an important diversity expert who propounded the concept of dimensions of national culture that could have a tremendous impact and influence on the management of modern day organizations and institutions. The paper tends to explore and understand the managerial implications of Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture and extends pragmatic recommendations that could yield effective diversity management within organizations. There is no denying the fact that at one time most of the professionals in the UK, are they doctors, engineers or managers had two things in common that are they happened to be mostly white and male. However, in a contemporary context, the constitution of the British work force happens to be quite different. The workforce employed in the British institutions and organizations predominantly happens to be diverse, multicultural and heterogeneous. In a larger context each and every individual on the planet earth tends to be different. However, in an organizational context, when it comes to managerial implications, the eventual success of a group depends to a large extent on the individual team members’ ability to handle the conflicts and differences arising owing to diversity. In that context, the concept of cultural dimensions propounded by Geert Hofstede happens to be of immense importance and relevance. Before grappling with the managerial implications of the concept of cultu ral dimensions, it would be more pragmatic to have an insight into the concept of culture. Cultures is mostly a learned notion and broadly speaking it pertains to the essential, values, norms and beliefs that impact the behaviour of a large pool of people. Besides, culture happens to be an immensely complex notion in the sense that within a

Fruit Delight Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Fruit Delight - Essay Example They want to look and behave like the celebrities who have high influence on them. Hence, as described by Kelman, source attractiveness would be an important characteristic of our communication messenger (Egan 2007). Word Of Mouth marketing using the brand’s current customers would also influence the target audience as they are highly image-conscious and trust their peers more than others. Fruit Winders already has a positive image (especially with the mums) as far as health benefits are considered. Using these indirect customers to propagate the benefits of the product can be effectively used for viral marketing as was done by â€Å"Dove†. They used the real customers in their ads to spread a credible word of mouth (Dahlen, Lange and Smith 2009). Critique of current/recent campaigns to the same target audience The target audience of Fruit Delight overlaps that of Fruit winders for the 10-12 year olds. This can have both favorable and unfavorable implications. A major d isadvantage of this can be the confusion it can create in the minds of this age group. So, far this group of audience has been used to the symbols and self-association with these symbols. With the introduction of the new product which would propagate a different image association, the target audience would not know which one to adopt. There will be a symbol clash in this kind of brand extension. This will erode some customers from the Fruit Winder’s basket which may or may not fall into the Fruit Delight basket as they might get attracted towards other brands in the same product range. This is because they have already perceived this brand as one for smaller kids and they may not be able to associate with the new one as being for older kids. This is what happened with the global brand â€Å"Pierre Cardin†. The company diversified into so many product lines that people did not associate with the core line of business. The brand eventually died (Mininni 2006). Thus, we c an see that any failure of strategy implementation by inappropriate transfer and linkages of brand associations of the parent brand to the new product can lead not only to the failure of the new brand but also that of the parent brand (Juda 2007). However, a major advantage of this brand extension is that it is not moving very far away from its core brand values. This is an important factor to consider before going into a product line. Positive images and strengths of the current brand, Fruit Winders, can easily be leveraged to achieve a successful brand launching into a new segment (Juda 2007). This is one of the ways of â€Å"increasing the rate of new acceptance and purchase intention of customers† (Juda 2007). It can help in penetrating into a new segment while achieving advertising and promotion expenditure efficiencies. Thus, using viral marketing can be a very easy strategy to launch the new product using old customer base. Using the same TV commercials with extra info rmation on the new product can help in promoting the Fruit Delight through the younger siblings of the target audience. Current websites can be used to promote the product but content of the websites for this audience can be designed according to their interest. Using the same billboards and TV commercials to promote websites will help in promoting the product to a great extent. Positioning statement Positioning consists of two main factors –

Human Resource Management of Homecare Housing Essay

Human Resource Management of Homecare Housing - Essay Example The paper tells that Human Resource person is responsible to take care of the issues in order to offer major satisfaction to the workers. But at the same time small business establishments frequently don’t have the employees or the budget to appropriately handle the nitty-gritty elements of HR. Because of this, small business companies have increasingly outsourcing their HR requirements. But at the same time, HR, when relating to health care business, can be defined as the different types of medical and non-medical employees accountable for public and person health intervention. Here, Homecare Housing Association handles 20 units extend over south east England. This includes three ex-local authority old persons’ homes, 10 ex-local authority committee housing estates, and seven new purpose built particular requirements housing growths, mainly sheltered housing for the disabled. As a ‘Strategic Business Partner’ of the company it’s my duty to help the company to deal with the various issues faced by the company. One of the main issues faced by the company is that women handle only the certain positions, roles and particular department. So that it will affect the overall functioning of the Company. Over the last 12 years, the organization has developed from a small voluntary group running organization to two new housing developments employing approximately 600 people. Out of these, 60% of them are female and 40% are male. Majority of the workforce are women. So the women must ready to handle the duty of every department and ready to take care of all the activities. As a ‘Strategic Business Partner’, it my special duty to manage all these activities. The affiliation among health care and human resources is extremely complex, and it needs further examination and study. While examining health care schemes in a worldwide context, many universal human resources questions and issues occur. A number of the issues of greatest significance will be examined in detail further which consists of the composition, size and allocation of the health care employees, issues relating to workforce training, the immigration of health workforce, and the level of economic growth in a particular state and socio-demographic, environmental and cultural issues. The difference of size, allocation and composition inside state’s health care employees is of large concern. As I mentioned earlier, a Strategic business partner has certain duties and responsibilities to do. When studying in detail, I have talked and discussed with some employees and managers in the organization, when I have understood some issues being happened in Homecare Housing association. Some employees are not satisfied with current situations and some customers of this company are not satisfied with the service offered by the company. So it is my duty to study in detail about these problems and to solve these problems. For that, I would be discussing about the demands and problems of the work force in the company. In every organization the value for employee satisfaction should be high. Employees working in every organization should be treated in a descent manner; if the workforce is satisfied then only organizations can achieve their goals. So as a strategic business

Perfomance Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Perfomance Management - Essay Example The mainstream of RBS, the UK banking operations employ a ‘back office’ approach for their operations. Operations when carried on at such a large scale require that the performance levels of these operations are measured with the help of efficient methods, the flow of work is optimized and processes are effectively managed. In the past, companies found it quite difficult to quantify and compare the performances of its systems and assess the effect of application of improvement techniques. The need of acknowledging a common business supporting system that provides the required flexibility, information management and measurement of performances was required. Performance management is one of the most important drives of effective and strategic  HRM  development in any company.  The concept of performance management was initiated in the late 1990’s and has been largely admired and adopted by HR departments across the globe. Performance management has assisted th e companies to understand that the employee talent, motivation, expertise and retention is the main driver of the business growth prospects and profits, (Kaplan, Robert and David Norton, 1996). 2.0 Introduction of Performance Management Systems at RBS The main aim behind introducing a performance management at the RBS was to enhance the efficiency and affectivity of the existing people and process management techniques by employing high quality performance management systems. The Royal Bank of Scotland initiated the performance management system strategy to measure the effect of human capital on its bottom line financial metrics in the year 2000. With the HR executive Greig Aitken at the helm of all the project activities related to successful implementation of performance systems at RBS. The main strategy focused upon the use of PIMMS systems utilizes online software which assists the HR department of the RBS bank to measure the performance of its employees, assess the impact of pe rformance systems on employee performance and business results, and at the same time introduce and implement specific systems as per the requirement of the business. In the same year - 2000, the Royal bank of Scotland introduced a new performance management system with the help of a basic Microsoft Access database at about five of its centers and monitored over 1500 staff employees. The PMS systems which was known as the Productivity Improvement Measurement and Management System proved to be quite a success at RBS and gave considerable advantages to the management in measuring employee performances and processes, (Boris, 2007). However due to its standalone nature, the system could not be applied on a larger scale and expansion of this PIMMS system was rather restricted to the initial 5 sites only. Looking at the vast applicability and usage of the system, the RBS developed the PIMMS systems in a span of 1.5 years and expanded its usage with the help of the company’s intranet system. The system now caters to 15,000 staff employees located on over 85 RBS locations around the globe. 2.1 Advantages of PIMMS to RBS The RBS designed the PIMMS system as a capacity planning and operations management system, which easily allows integrating a number of issues in one system. The new PIMMS system is able to

Business Ethics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Ethics - Assignment Example This is in spite of the fact that Hooters lawyer, Patricia Casey, had explained in earlier court preceding, and evoked similar exceptions in the 1964 Civil Rights Act, that Hooters used the sex appeal of the flimsily dressed female servers to attract and entertain customers (Nations Restaurant News, 1995). It is to be noted that Playboy Clubs had repeatedly cited the latter act successfully in their numerous court charges for similar hiring discrimination charges. Critics, therefore, wonder what EEOC was really up to in the Hooters’ case, and hold the opinion that the commission was only using Civil Rights laws to protect out-of-work men from hiring discriminations (Nations Restaurant News, 1995). The EEOC has apparently gone to an extent of advising Hooters to incorporate a scholarly fund to help enhance the skills, education and employment opportunities of males. To this demand, Bureaucracy activist James Bovard wonders what EEOC expected Hooters to train the male employees in; â€Å"†¦how to flirt with burly construction workers without getting punched in the nose?" (Nations Restaurant News, 1995) Most importantly, the EEOC politically correct stand on the Hooters’ case attracts the following questions: a. Does anti-discrimination go too far in disallowing a business concept? Business ideas come in as a result of innovation and creativity. Given that human beings have different capacities to these, no one should be discriminated against, especially when their product of creativity seems to pay off and expand. Hooters of America incorporation is a unique business idea that seeks to provide predominantly entertainment, diversion and amusement based on the sex appeal of the Hooters Girls as stated by the hooters lawyer Patricia Casey (Nations Restaurant News, 1995). Therefore the anti-discrimination law by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is absolutely wrong, especially because their accusations of the Hooters were solely b ased on nothing but the implementation of their great business idea. However, all businesses invariably face moral and ethical issues during operation and Hooters is no exception. The company is apparently not promoting itself as an â€Å"equal opportunity employer† buy employing only beautiful young ladies and discriminating against not so beautiful ladies and men. These are no doubt legitimate moral issues that the hooters need to address within their business ethics and draw clear lines on how to deal with this issue. It is vital to appreciate that as we seek the freedom to implement great ideas, we must abide by the law and should uphold all business morals and have clear business ethics in place to deal with moral issues that may come up from time to time. The EEOC asked the hooters to give 40% of their job openings to male servers as a way to deal with gender discrimination (Nations Restaurant News, 1995). The question however is, how about the issue of not hiring the n ot so good looking women and men? Should we then argue that all men and women are attractive in the eyes of their beholders? This remains a big dilemma. b. Would you consider being a hooters boy or not? I see no problem in being a hooters b

Professional Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Professional Issue - Essay Example In nursing, a combination of clinical experience, technical skill and theoretical knowledge is required in providing high standard care (Funnell et al 2009). Hence, an Act of Parliament in 2002 created the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to regulate nurses, and protect the public by ensuring that nurses provide high standard of care to the patients (Kozier et al 2008). NMC code of conduct stipulates that nurses are obligated to act ethically and are accountable for their own actions (NMC 2010). This essay will reflect on the roles and responsibilities of a registered nurse in relation to consent to treatment. For this reflection, I will apply Driscoll’s (2007) reflection model that asks three main questions: What? So what? and Now, what? (Bulman & Schultz 2008). To protect the anonymity of patients and staff, real names shall not be used (NMC 2008). Nurse role in relation to consent What? Luke is an 18 year old male with a diagnosis of major depressive with psychotic sympt oms. He was admitted informally to acute mental health inpatient following an impulsive overdose few months after the death of his father. On a morning shift during my placement, Luke was elated in mood, very anxious and was observed to be experiencing auditory hallucination saying that â€Å"he wants to go and rest with his deceased father". Hence, Nurse A decided to urgently administer his medication after consulting with the duty doctor who prescribed Risperidone 2mg. Luke refused to take the medication stating that his mum has not been informed. However, Nurse A had an informal discussion with Luke where she informed Luke that he would not be allowed to the servery if he does not take his medication. Hence, Luke reluctantly took the medication without formally consenting to it. Hence, Nurse A breached the informed consent requisite to care when she failed to adequately provide information to Luke and his mother and enable them to make an informed decision. So What? Luke was adm itted informally and had previously made an advanced directive to have his mother make the medical decisions for him. Elkin et al (2007) noted that in advance directives, patients communicate their wishes or values about future medical care to help guide decisions that include overwhelming illness, sedating drugs or unconsciousness, when the patient can no longer participate. It is a means of empowering a person with mental illness by increasing autonomy and decreasing coercion in the treatment they receive (Kozeir et al 2008). According to the Department of Health (DoH 2008), patients may want to nominate a person to be notified of, or involved in, decisions related to their treatment and care. The involvement of his mum can have a major benefit for the treatment and care of Luke. DoH (2008) asserts that such involvement can provide reassurance to Luke, who may feel distrustful of practitioners who are relatively unfamiliar and unknown to him, or able to impose compulsory measures on him. However, Nurse A administered the medication without adequately informing the patient and his mother. Thus, nurse A’s actions violate Luke’s right to informed consent. The role of nurses is to gain informed consent based on the provisions on standards of conduct indicated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008). Even if Luke handed the reins of the decision-making authority to his mother, Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2007) stipulates that patients must be informed in which circumstances they can be treated without

Different Massage Modalities Essay Example for Free

Different Massage Modalities Essay Massage modalities have been around since ancient times and have evolved with the recognition that touch combined with the natural defense and healing processes of the body is a restorative, maintenance and preventative treatment that counters the wear and tear effects of strenuous physical activity involved in day to day life. Most of the modalities discussed in this paper are of Western origins. The basic difference between Western and Eastern techniques lies in how they view the body and its functioning. Western massage therapies treat the body as a physical structure, like a machine, which over time and along with human activity wears down. The â€Å"parts† suffering from damage and malfunction are â€Å"repaired† through massage therapy. Eastern therapists view the body as the interaction of the energies in the universe and a pattern of energy channels or meridians. Injury and illness are seen as obstructions or discrepancies in these channels. Thus the goal of massage therapy is to restore the normal, balanced and unimpeded flow of energy within the energy meridians. Eastern massage therapies include TuiNa, shiatsu and Thai massage. Whatever paradigm one clings to, it is a fact that all types of massage therapy brings unparalleled benefits to the human body and mind and effective alternatives to existing medical treatments for pain and other body ailments. List of references http://www. acupressureschool. com/east_or_west. html Swedish Massage Swedish massage is the classic or traditional form of massage in the United States developed in Europe in the early 19th century by Pehr Henrik Ling, a Swedish gymnastics instructor. Ling’s system was based on his classification of the massage forms used by ancient Greeks and Romans. Swedish massage is characterized by 5 fundamental strokes: effleurage – gliding, petrissage – kneading, friction – rubbing, tapotement – pounding and vibration – shaking, where each stroke contributes particular benefits. The use of French terminology for these strokes was popularized by Johann Mezger, a Dutch physician who advocated the use of Swedish massage as a medical treatment. Massage therapists have developed their own versions of Swedish massage based on these basic strokes. The principal aim of Swedish massage is to increase the circulation of blood and oxygen without giving the heart an additional work load. Strokes are made following the movement of blood as it flows towards the heart resulting in smoother circulation which purges the body tissues from accumulated toxins such as lactic or uric acid, natural by-products of metabolism. The secondary purpose is to induce the relaxation of superficial muscles by rubbing them against deeper muscles and bones. Stretching the tendons and ligaments make them supple and pliant. In the process, the skin and nerves are equally stimulated. Swedish massage promotes complete relaxation and reinvigoration from the general stresses of daily life through its positive effects on the nervous, circulatory, endocrine and the musculoskeletal systems. A typical full-body massage takes an hour or more to complete and is accompanied with the use of oils and lotions. List of references http://www. findamasseur. com/swedish-massage. html http://www. mamashealth. com/massage/sweed. asp Deep Tissue Massage Deep tissue massage is used as a rehabilitative treatment to muscle pain in constantly tense and compressed areas of the body such as the neck, back and shoulders. It is recommended for those recovering from injuries such as whiplash or falls as well as postural problems, repetitive strain injury (e. g. the carpal tunnel syndrome), fibromyalgia, ostheoarthritis pain and muscle tension or spasm. Chronic muscle tension occurs when there are adhesions or bands of painful, stiff and contracted muscles resulting in the inability of smooth blood circulation in the area, inflammation and constrained physical movement. Deep tissue massage serves to break down adhesions and bring the muscles back to their normal state easing the pain and restoring unhampered movement. A combination of Swedish and Thai massage strokes are used but performed slower and with more intense finger pressure localized on the areas of pain in order to align the deeper muscles, tendons and myofascia (connective tissues), layer by layer. Penetrating movements involve compression along the length of the muscle fiber and cross fiber friction as well. The knuckles, elbow, fist and forearm are also used by massage therapists in the process. It is expected that there may be pain during and after the massage and it is helpful for the therapist if the client voices out when the strokes are beyond their comfort zone. Pain normally subsides in a few days and applying ice on the area is recommended for relief. List of references http://altmedicine. about. com/od/massage/a/massage. htm http://drdavedc. com/deep-tissue. html http://www. amtamassage. org/about/terms. html http://www. tealcenter. com/modalities. shtml#Anchor-NEUROMUSCULAR-24500 Trigger Point Therapy Trigger point therapy is also known as myotherapy or neuromuscular therapy. This massage modality was introduced by Janet Travell and David Simons and developed around the theory that pain is caused by myofascial trigger points which are tiny contraction knots that form in a muscle once it is injured or subjected to too much stress. Muscles are made up of sacromeres, tiny units that alternately contract and relax in a synchronized fashion during body movement enabling blood circulation. Trigger points develop when sacromeres overlap and become entwined. Blood flow is impeded in the immediate area and the oxygen shortage results in the accumulation of metabolic wastes which irritate the knotted sacromeres. These trigger points send out pain signals, not from its actual site but from another part of the muscle or body, hence the concept of referred pain. Trigger point therapists say that it is ineffective to treat muscle pain where it hurts. One has to look for the site of the trigger point and apply therapy there to guarantee successful treatment. Travel and Simons reveal that headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome can be attributed to trigger points and that they are also the causes of pain in the shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle joints that is so often mistakenly diagnosed for arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, or ligament injury. Trigger points also display other seemingly unrelated symptoms such as dizziness, earaches, sinusitis, nausea, heartburn, false heart pain, heart arrhythmia, genital pain, and numbness in the hands and feet. Even fibromyalgia is said to have its beginnings with myofascial trigger points. Using mainly finger pressure, trigger point therapy releases the interlocked sacromeres into a state where they are neither contracted nor stretched. Typical therapy lasts between 3-10 days in order to achieve marked results. In treating chronic conditions that have also persisted over long periods of time, results can be achieved in a span of 3 weeks. List of references http://www. amtamassage. org/about/terms. html http://www. triggerpointbook. com/triggerp. htm Therapeutic Bodywork Therapeutic bodywork is a modality that combines Western and Eastern massage practices with emphasis on establishing harmony between mind and body. Stress, injury, traumatic experiences and anxiety affects not only the mind but also the body. This form of massage aims to bring about complete relaxation of both spheres by reinstating the natural flow of energy, with particular consideration of the breathing pattern. Massage strokes using the palms and forearm in long, rhythmic flowing movements alternating light and deep pressure, holding and stretching relieves the body and mind of deep seated tensions giving a sense of completeness, wellness, reinvigoration and freedom. Touch facilitates the innate body processes involved in self healing and should be treated as a maintenance therapy for the prevention of dysfunction in both body and mind brought about by daily stresses in life. List of references http://www. bodywork-Londonvienna. co. uk/phdi/p1. nsf/supppages/1702? opendocumentpart=2 http://www. therapeuticbodywork. co. uk/therapies_holistic. html Sports Massage Sports massage is utilized both for treatment of muscle stress after intense physical activity (post-event) or for muscle conditioning before engaging in it (pre-event). Thus, it decreases the chances for injury while increasing performance levels and mobility. It also promotes a positive mindset with the release of body endorphins and a relaxed state after activity. Strokes intended for athletes include vigorous manipulation, assisted stretching for muscle warm-up prior to strenuous movement and soothing manipulation to ease muscle contractions and promote blood circulation after physical exertion. If injury occurs, focused massage movements are applied to lessen muscle inflammation, facilitate recovery and prevent scar tissue formation. There are massage techniques aimed for particular body areas and also particular injuries. Specifically, sports massage can render the following physiological benefits: 1. Improved tissue permeability deep pressure massage strokes enable constricted tissue membranes to open up and allow vital body fluids to enter and for metabolic waste products such as lactic and uric acid to be flushed out. The entry of much needed nutrients and oxygen through the blood enable muscles to heal faster. 2. Thorough stretching of muscles massage stretches muscles, ligaments and tendons in a way that can not be achieved using traditional methods. Muscles are stretched lengthwise and crosswise. Massage also stretches the myofascia, or the thin membrane that holds muscles together, thereby releasing tension there. 3. Restores tissue elasticity grueling training can cause tissues to become rigid and inflexible. Massage can make overworked tissues pliant and elastic. 4. Promotes micro-circulation massage facilitates smooth blood flow to tissues by expanding blood vessels in order for oxygen and nutrients to pass through unhampered. The development of classic or Swedish massage techniques into a modality that was appropriate for athletes’ conditions and needs began in the early 1900’s in Finland, specifically in the Finnish School of Massage.

Attachment Theory Young Children And Their Families Social Work Essay

Attachment Theory Young Children And Their Families Social Work Essay Attachment theory derives from psychoanalyic psychology, however it is used in social work to attempt to understand behaviour in infancy and childhood to show the way in which children develop emotionally (WALKER 2009) This theory centres on the idea that children need to form secure relationships with other people, such as parents or guardians, as it is a significant contributer to their emotional development. Social bonds and relationships that are made in early childhood are believed to influence an individuals life and can impact upon their well-being to determine their emotional and social stability later in life. Consequently, attachment is seen as an integral component within infants and young childrens lives, as these experiences can shape a persons personality and identity in future years. (WALKER, J and K, CRAWFORD 2010). If these experiences of attachment are negative, and the child does not develop adequate relationships with their caregivers, then this can have detremental consequences on their psychological and emotional development. (WALKER, J 2009). The Attachment theory originates from the ideas of John Bowlby who believes that humans are biological predispositioned to seek attachment from others. He proposes that survival is closely related to the ability to possess emotional bonds with other individuals (GREEN 2003). This is because by forming an attachment with an authority figure who is seen as the stronger of the species, this reduces the vulnerability of the individual as it provides increased security and protection from harm posed by potential predators (BOWLBY 1958, cited in LISHMAN 2007). The theory looks at the way that attachment relationships are formed, and the reasons behind their manifestation. Children are seen to form these relationships for reasons such as safety, comfort and to provide guidence. These attachment behaviours, according to learning theorists, are displayed in infancy through talking, laughing and crying. This enables them to persue their basic needs for survival, such as food for nurishment, by their attachment to their mother who is able to support them in fulfilling their needs (WALKER, J and K, CRAWFORD 2010). This initial attachment to caregivers also guides the individuals thoughts, feelings and expectations as they become aware of peoples responses towards them which help them recognise how to behave (WALKER 2009). There are four assumptions of Bowlbys attachment theory which attempt to explain his beliefs. The first, is that infants and young children develop emotional ties with individuals early in life, which acts as a biological function and plays an integral part to their survival. The second assumption is that the way a child is treated early in life has a major contributing factor to their future relationships and the way their personality is formed. The third assumption is that attachment behaviour can form an internal working model which guide the childs thoughts, feelings and expectations as a result of the reactions of others towards their behaviour. The final assumption of Bowlbys attachment theory is that although it is difficult to alter attachment behaviour, it is not impossible, thereofre there is the possibility of alteration at any point in life, both in a positive and negative way (GREEN 2003). Although infants and young children are able to have more than one attachment figure, they are still affected when they are exposed to seperation from their primary attachment figure. This can happen for many reasons, such as a child being removed from a family home and placed into care, or perhaps death. This can be a very distressing and confusing time for a child as they are unsure of who to turn to for security and protection. This is evident in social work practice in instances where an abused child wants to remain with its parents, even though it is not a stable or supportive attachment (LISHMAN 2006). Bowlby proposed that children who have experienced seperation from their main attachment figure will suffer in a process involving protest, dispair and detachment, in an attempt to overcome their loss (BOWLBY 1958, cited in LISHMAN 2006). However, although Bowlby provided an important contribution to the idea of attachment, his research can be criticised in many ways. This is because Bowlby tends to focus his ideas on one primary figure of attachment, often the mother, when it is possible for children to form attachments with other people within their lives such as their father. Also, developing relationships with other people alongside the attachment figure is also important, this is because having to rely on the caregiving relationship of one person can be detrimental due to the fact it often results in dependency and does not allow other relationships to be formed with others, which can the hinder the social and emotional development of the child (WALKER, J and K, CRAWFORD 2010). According to Lishman (2007), the attachment theory believes that when a child is stressed or afraid, they exhibit particular behaviour and emotions which can be perceived as attachment. This is because they seek protection from harm through the help and security of an adult who they see as stronger than themselves. This is closly linked to two types of behavioural systems: the exploratory behavioural system and the fear behavioural system. The exploratory behavioural system is based of the belief that when an infant or young child feels comfortable and safe, the attachment behaviour remains dormant and therefore the child will be willing to explore the people around them and their surroundings. However, if a child feels threatened or vulnerable, the fear behavioural system will become active, where the child will no longer seek exploration and instead they will seek protection from their attachment figure and exhibit behaviour related to that attachment. However, the behaviour that they display is not intended to provoke affection from the attachment figure, instead it is to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“regain a state of equilibriumà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  (p59). This means that infants and young children are not dependent upon the caregiving nature of the attachment figure, instead their aim is to diminish their fears. There is a classification of attachment patterns which identifies four different types of attachment, which attempts to enanble professionals to assess young childrens behaviour and emotions (secure, ambivalent, avoident and disorganised). Secure attachment is based of the belief that children depend upon their caregiver as a base for exploration. The caregiver is available to the child and responds to the childs needs, therefore the child behaves in a positive manner. Ambivalent attachment looks at how children are unwilling to explore their surroundings as the caregiver is not consistent in their support. This can leave the child distressed, clingy and dependent. The third category is avoident patterns of attachment, and features an unresponsive caregiver, therefore the child feels rejected and they view themelves as dependent whilst actively avoiding or ignoring the caregivers presence. And finally, disorganised attachment is where children are fearful of their caregivers, and the y themselves may feel confused or depressed. This type of attachment is most often seen in children who have suffered abuse (HOWE 2001, cited in LISHMAN 2007). How a critical understanding of Attachment Theory can contribute to Social Work Practice. Social workers are seen to have three roles to play when working within an attachment perspective: assessment, planning and direct work with children, parents and carers. Assessment looks at areas within attachment such as the needs of a child, the parenting that they receive, their emotional and behavioural development and the relationships which they have formed. There are also tests created specifically for measuring attachment, such as Ainsworths stranger test which provide an indication of the pattern and quality of their attachments. The second role, planning, looks at how planning for new attachments when placing children with new families needs to be approached carefully. This is because they need finding the most suitable parenting figures where new attachments can be made. The third role is direct work with children, parents and carers. This is because direct contact and communication is necessary to achieve the best possible outcome when working with children and families. For example, when a child has been removed from their home and is being placed with new carers, direct work can provide support to the child to prepare them for change. It can also be useful with the adoptive or foster family to provide guidence and support towards what to expect and to help with any problems they face (LISHMAN 2007) Attachment theory has been used within social work practice as the basis for many child care policies. This is because the idea of a infant or child being attached to their family, which can influence their development in many ways, has been used as the basis for many legislation (LISHMAN 2007). For example, Sure Start Childrens Centres have been introduced in response to the importancy of family support to enable them to build and maintain positive family relationships (LAMING REPORT 2009, cited in BRAMMER 2010). Attachment theory had also contributed to policies such as shared parental responsibility, as it has emhasised the need for emotional and social relationships with caregivers, whilst also suggesting possible consequences to a childs development and the negative impact later in life if these needs were not met effectively. (LISHMAN 2007). Attachment theory also provides guidence to enable social workers to judge the quality of a relationship between a child and its parents. This can enable them to gain an understanding of at what point, if at any, intervention is necessary as it gives them the ability to evaluate the attachment that is present within the relationship. The attachment theory also gives a more comprehensive understanding of the loss experienced by an infant or child when they lose their main attachment figure. This means that people working within social work practice are aware of the common and typical behaviours of a child who is going through this process and can therefore support them to overcome it. A further way the attachment theory is used to benefit social work practice is that as it is known that attachment figures are necessary for children to develop adequately, individuals such as adoptive parents can be taught to exhibit behaviour which will encourage new attachmentment from the child which is needed for personal growth (WALKER, J and K, CRAWFORD 2010). However , care needs to be taken when placing a child with a new family as to prevent a repeating loss of attachment figures which can cause them to blame themeselves and produce feelings of worthlessness. This can mean ensuring that the child is appropriatly prepared and ready to form new bonds of attachment and that the new carers of the child receive sufficient support within their role. (LISHMAN 2007). Attachment theory can also be linked to the way in which a mother bonds with her new born baby. However, these early bonds are not solely restricted to mothers, it is also possible for fathers. Although, this bond is typically formed within the first few hours after birth as the mother and baby connect both physically and emotionally. The initial bond that is made is thought to have a significant effect on their future relationship as it is the beginning of their attachment. This knowledge enables social workers to support mothers who are particularly vulnerable to poor parenting, although this is only effective if the support continues throughout the first few months after the baby is born.. However, it is important to note that just because a mother fails to achieve an initial bond with her baby, this does not mean that abuse is inevitable. How are issues of diversity relevant to human growth, behaviour and development? GREEN, V. 2003. Emotional development in Psychoanalysis, Attachment Theory and Neuroscience: Creating Connections. East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge LISHMAN, J. 2007. Handbook for Practice and Learning in Social Work and Social Care: Knowledge and Theory. London: Jessica Kingsley WALKER, J and K, CRAWFORD. 2010. Social Work and Human Development. Exeter: Learning Matters WALKER, J. 2008. Studying for Your Social Work Degree. Exeter: Learning Matters BRAMMER, 2010. Social Work Law. London: Longman

Dopamines role in the Psychological Architecture of Pleasure and Rewar

Dopamine's role in the psychological architecture of pleasure and reward indicates that it is a major element in the determination of reinforcement (Arias-Carrià ³n & Pà ¶ppel, 2007, p. 484). This role was postulated from the discovery of dopamine in reward pathways that are found originating from the midbrain (2). From these discoveries, it has been shown that dopamine has a profound impact upon the existence of â€Å"reward-seeking behaviors† (Arias-Carrià ³n & Pà ¶ppel, 2007, p. 481). A 2006 study done by Mathias Pessiglione and his colleagues demonstrated that subjects given L-DOPA, a precursor to dopamine, were more likely to remember decisions that led to rewards and continue to make those decisions (3). While the experiment central to this study was conducted in the form of a gambling game, the effects that dopamine has on decision making and reinforcement can be derived from the observed effects that L-DOPA had on the participants. This derivation can be made not o nly because L-DOPA is synthesized into dopamine once in the brain but also because gambling is an illuminative behavior in terms of how it represents general reward-seeking behaviors and decisions. As Óscar Arias-Carrià ³n and Ernst Pà ¶ppel put it, â€Å"DA [dopamine] is the brain's mean for reinforcing behavior† (Arias-Carrià ³n & Pà ¶ppel, 2007, p. 486). Furthermore, it has also been shown through experimentation that the responsiveness of dopamine levels in the brain to rewarding experiences is characterized by a degree of neuronal plasticity (4). In this context, â€Å"plasticity† refers to the brain's ability to alter its responses to experiences in accordance with how new or unique the experience is. This quality can help the brain to act as a sieve, filtering out experiences that are n... ...re rapid release of dopamine into the synapse (13). While these mechanisms are different, both essentially achieve the same end result of euphoria, wakefulness, and increased motor activity. These symptoms mirror those of a person with high levels of dopamine, as is seen in psychotic patients. Indeed, high doses of stimulants can even lead to psychotic states involving hallucinations. The contrasting effects of antipsychotics and stimulants on not only behavior but also cognition and physiological processes help to generate a greater understanding of the way that dopamine affects both the mind and the body. While the many nuances and subtleties of dopamine neurotransmission are not well understood, observation of the way that psychoactive drugs influence dopamine's normal functioning can help to create stronger links between this neurotransmitter and human behavior.

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

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

Brand Name Clothes Essay -- Business Marketing

Brand Name Clothes Would you choose a friend based solely on their name? Of course not, the idea seems absurd. Is it possible, however, that we might use such a ridiculous method when selecting the type of clothing we wear? In my opinion, many of us do. Throughout my research, I will be testing the hypothesis that college students buy more brand name clothes than generic name clothes. In colleges especially, there seems to be an emphasis on appearances, so many students have a tendency to steer clear of clothing with generic names. Do they believe that generic name clothes are of less quality? This is another question I am hoping to answer through my research. In addition, I would like to determine the accuracy of my assumption that females are more inclined than males to buy brand name clothing. Nevertheless, I am a male yet I still tend to buy more brand name clothes. Regardless of our gender, we all must make decisions about clothing every day, even if the decision is only based on what smells clean. Because of this, I thought it would be interesting to find out the factors involved in the type of clothing we buy in the first place. What brands in particular do most college students prefer? Are we influenced by our family, friends, or the people we see on television? Are there any other reasons why we buy the brands we do such as their price, comfort, or popularity? If students really do buy more brand name clothing, is it because they are of better quality than generic name articles? In order to determine some answers to these questions, I have utilized three different research methods. First, I performed a survey of 20 students who are currently attending the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Our c... ... Feel brand names are of better quality 50% 60% Feel generic names are of better quality 50% 40% Buy these clothing brands: Abercrombie & Fitch 40% 10% Aeropostal 50% 10% American Eagle 60% 50% Banana Republic 20% 20% Gap 30% 10% Pacific Sunwear 10% 10% Ralph Lauren 10% 10% Wal-Mart 10% 30% 9.99 Stock Room 30% 30% Other brand names 60% 90% Other generic names 0% 10% Influenced by: Friends 50% 60% Family 40% 20% Famous People 10% 10% No One 40% 40% Girlfriend 10% 0% Why buy the brands they do: Availability 10% 10% Fit/Comfort 30% 10% Looks 90% 80% Popularity 30% 20% Price 30% 40% Quality 50% 60%

Introduction to Education Essay

1. Diagram 1: Factors contributing to a great lesson  Discuss the above diagram using the learning theory/theories.  (20 marks) Answer:  A great lesson is very important for students and teachers. How to make a  lesson perfect? Maybe different people keep different viewpoints. Here are some  criteria for a great lesson from my opinions. First of all, the quality of learning is exceptional. Students demonstrate excellent concentration and are rarely off task even for extended periods without adult direction. They have developed a resilience when tackling challenging activities. Their keenness and commitment to succeed in all aspects of school life and ability to grasp opportunities to extend and improve their learning are exceptional. Moreover, Progress is at least good for different groups of students and exemplary for some students. See more: how to start an essay Secondly, Teaching is at least good and often outstanding as students are making exceptional progress. Students are enthused which ensures they learn really well. Excellent subject knowledge is applied to challenge and inspire students. Resources, including new technology make a marked contribution to learning as does the targeted support from other adults. Teachers are aware of students’ capabilities and their prior learning and understanding and plan effectively to build on these. Marking and dialogue between teachers and other adults and students are of consistently high quality. Besides, The following factors are some of the other essential ingredients required for a great lesson: †¢ Differentiating for various groups of learners †¢ Engaging and motivating students †¢ Developing independent and resilient learners †¢ Delivering skills and content essential for passing exams †¢ Assessment as part of developing progress in learning †¢ Challenging the most able learners †¢ Using technology and tools to make an impact on learning †¢ Effective collaborative learning and peer review †¢ Effective classroom management †¢ Sharing the criteria for success In summary, To be an great lesson teaching is at least good in all or nearly all respects and is exemplary in significant elements. As a result, learners thrive and make exceptionally good progress. 2. Compare and contrast the Islamic and western perspectives of education. (20 marks) Answer: There are some fundamental differences between the Western worldview and the Islamic worldview. The Western concept of value is adopted from study of knowledge, in particular philosophy and social sciences, Islam puts the revelation as a primary source of values which make education in Islam means the value of education itself. Firstly, The difference in worldview in conceptualizing human, knowledge, religion and God, have made Islam and Western education fundamentally different. Western secular education that is valuefree results in the disattachment of knowledge and science from ethics, morality and spirituality. And as such the corruption of knowledge due to the Western materialistic educational concept impacts the Islamic world which has long adopted such concepts due to western colonialization. Secondly, The Western concept of value is adopted from study of knowledge, in particular philosophy and social sciences, which then was developed in the world of education with all its relative variants. Nevertheless it is a whole different issue in Islamic perspective. The virtue of value in Islam means a belief of choice in behavior and actions under normative guidance prescribed by the revelation (wahy) of Allah and the sayings of His Messenger. In addition, education emerged as a response to moral and existential crisis caused by the Western worldview which is value-free. Value in Western conception is relative, created by human ratio and neglects the revelation. Values and morals evolve and change from time to time as a response to the social and political situation in Western civilization. Islamic conceptions of value and moral are different from Western conceptions. The value and morality in Islam comes from the revelation which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad and written in the Qur’an. Education in Islam is not value free and could not be separated by the metaphysical elements, but includes both the physical and metaphysical reality, and contains the principles of Islam which is useful as a guide for man to find true happiness in the world and the Hereafter. In conclusion, Value education developed by the West, should not be accepted by Muslims without adequate criticism, because there are some fundamental differences between the Western worldview and the Islamic worldview, especially in the concept of truth and knowledge. 3. Secularization and modernization of education give a huge impact on the lifestyles of Muslims. From your perspective, discuss how the concept of education can be Islamized in the Muslim majority countries? (20 marks) Answer: In the Muslim majority countries, Islamization of knowledge as a methodological foundation for cultural and social reform brings the Muslim world and Muslim intellectuals and political leaders to the step of second-stage of effective and comprehensive reforms to rebuild the Ummah’s life and institutions. At this stage, the central question is where to begin rebuilding — in the economic, political, scientific, or military sectors? Indeed education lies the answer. Firstly, Education is an important factor in the development of any society. The level of development of any nation is usually determined by its level of education. Therefore, Muslims should coordinate their efforts and establish their priorities, where education comes at the top. The more Muslims give to the cause of education and development at this stage to create sound Muslim mentality and psychology, the more Muslims acquire higher capabilities in all other fields. Besides, education can be seen from three aspects: a) Individual: Human is seen to have a bunch of potentials and abilities that are unknown either to the individual themselves or to others in general. Therefore, through the education process, all these potentials and abilities will be discovered and developed to benefit the individuals as well as the societies. b) Society: Education is seen to play its role as an instrument to internalize and transmit the culture from one generation to another. c) Interaction between individual and society: Education as a process of transaction between the individual and the society that is the development of potentials of the individuals will contribute to the betterment and improvement of the societies. Finally, Islamization of education, is the Islamization of the Muslim child and the coming Muslim generation. It is the process of liberating them from a culture of fear and superstition to recapture and reestablish the Muslim spirit. In short, it should be noted that the Islamization of education or the reformation of Islamic principles in education must be pursued rigorously, and the Islamic notion that man is Allah’s vicegerent on this earth and that he should carry on his shoulders certain duties and responsibilities should also be emphasized. That being said, the whole Muslim community should support the move of the Islamization of education. 4. â€Å"Students’ academic achievement is the yardstick of the school leadership’s successes†. Discuss whether you agree with this statement or not. Answer: Effective education leadership makes a difference in improving learning. There’s nothing new or especially controversial about that idea. What’s far less clear, even after several decades of school renewal efforts, is just how leadership matters, how important those effects are in promoting the learning of all children, and what the essential ingredients of successful leadership are. First of all, All current school reform efforts aim to improve teaching and learning. But there are huge differences in how they go about it. Some reforms, for example, attempt to improve all schools in a district, state or country at the same time. Other reforms attempt to influence the overall approach to teaching and learning within a school, but do so one school at a time. Still others, focused on innovative curricula (in science and mathematics, for example), typically address one part of a school’s program and aim for widespread implementation, while innovative approaches to instruction, such as cooperative learning, hope to change teachers’ practices one teacher at a time. Secondly, There seems little doubt that both district and school leadership provides a critical bridge between most educational-reform initiatives, and having those reforms make a genuine difference for all students. Such leadership comes from many sources, not just superintendents and principals. But those in formal positions of authority in school systems are likely still the most influential. Efforts to improve their recruitment, training, evaluation and ongoing development should be considered highly cost-effective approaches to successful school improvement. Finally, Our purpose was to summarize the starting points for a major new effort to better understand the links between leadership and student learning. There seems little doubt that both district and school leadership provides a critical bridge between most educational reform initiatives and their consequences for students.

Realism in Romantic poetry Essay

Reality is abstract, as it depends on every individual’s own perspective. When Wordsworth says, â€Å"world is too much with us†, it depends on us how we look at the world, as every being has a world of his own. We acknowledge the events around us with whom we can relate, but ignore many other changes considerable for others. Most of the times, Romantics are considered escapist, and are alleged that their writings reflect an Imaginary world far from the reality surrounding us. But going through various poems of Wordsworth and Coleridge, I find it vice versa. â€Å"All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendor, valley, rock, or hill; Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! The river glideth at his own sweet will: Dear God! The very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still! † [Westminster Bridge; Wordsworth; Sept 3,1802] The allegation that Wordsworth moved from the harsh realities of the cities brought about by the industrial revolution initiated in 1765. This allegation was made relatively stronger by placing Wordsworth vis-a-vis Victorian realism. In my view such an allegation is a product of superficial readings of his poems. The poem composed upon ‘Westminster Bridge’ illustrates keen sense of socio-economy of the then London. It describes the urban landscape departing from his stock theme based on rural landscape. It talks about the landscape of the city which has been divested to its negative qualities. Like the smoke of the industries, the busy crowd, insensitive to its fellow man and the incessant desire in man to control nature. The term smokeless air is for him a matter to rejoice a state of the city distilled of the harmful effects of industrialization. The line, â€Å"the river glideth at his own sweet will† encapsulates the entire project of Wordsworth vis-a-vis the new call given by the middle class to conquer and exploit nature. In this sense his realism is much more pronounced and subtle than it is taken into account of. Citing from historical context, one can notice the involvement of the likes of Coleridge, Wordsworth and Lamb during French revolution. In 1798, the year ‘Lyrical Ballads’, a joint effort by Wordsworth and Coleridge, came out, was a turbulent period in England’s history. Hostilities had broken out between Her and France in 1793 (and was to last with unremarkable intermission for over twenty years), and by 1798, she was faring badly in the war. Wordsworth had, of course, visited France in 1791-92, and had been in Paris at perhaps the most critical of all the great moments of the French Revolution that began with the destruction of the notorious prison of the Bastille in July 1789. (Coleridge’s poem, An Ode on the Destruction of the Bastille). The political tussle between the Girondins and the Jacobins were at a height, and Wordsworth saw clearly the slow rise of the Jacobins under Robespierre. He felt a deep concern for the Girondin leaders whom he felt were the genuine revolutionaries. He believed in the â€Å"reasonableness† of human nature and also believed passionately that men were â€Å"worthy of liberty†. Wordsworth’s early republicanism, his concern for France and the Revolution is described memorably in his long and autobiographical Prelude: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very Heaven! O times, In which the meager, stale, forbidding ways Of custom, law and statute, took at once The attraction of a country in romance! The prelude testifies to the shock that Wordsworth felt in his â€Å"moral nature† when he saw the Revolution that was to redeem mankind, turn to dust. For many, Tom Paine, William Godwin, Coleridge and Wordsworth, the French Revolution was not simply as struggle of a people to be free- it was mankind’s struggle to achieve something better- a new age for the entire human race- when aristocracy and class privilege would give to democracy and â€Å"Reason† would destroy the fetters of superstition and tyranny. Coleridge, like Wordsworth, had been swayed by the ideals of the Revolution, but the savagery and unrestrained mob frenzy under the Terror disillusioned him as did the rise of Napoleon and France’s aggressive conquests of other European nations. In France, An Ode and Fears in Solitude, Coleridge describe his feelings with candour: O France, that mockest Heaven, adulterous, blind, And patriot only in pernicious toils! Are these thy boasts, Champion of humankind? To mix with kings in low lust of sway, Yell in the hunt, and share the murderous prey; To insult the Shrine of Liberty with spoils From freemen torn; to tempt and to betray? [France, An Ode] British sympathizers of the French Revolution like Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey were lampooned in the conservative press. Coleridge was so much influenced by William Godwin’s idea (Political Justice, 1793) of rejection of authority, abolition of private property, creation of a just state that along with Robert Southey, he was ready to set sail for America to establish a perfect state along the lines charted by Godwin. The political ideas of Wordsworth and Coleridge was also strengthened by pursuing the ideological goals of Unitarianism (which verged on radical deism) and drew heavily on the ideas of English â€Å"Commonwealthman† of the seventeenth century. Side by side to these intellectual debates between the conservatives and the liberals, the economic and the human cost of the war proving to be enormous. In the country, rural poverty was becoming acute and the number of beggars, starving children, gypsies, wounded soldiers roaming the country lanes could be seen from early poetry. Wordsworth’s poetic capability to recreate the sorrows and hardships of these homeless, starving populace is one of his lasting achievement as a poet. The Old Cumberland Beggar in poem of the same name, the traveler of Guilt and Sorrow, the blind London beggar in The Prelude are all powerful figures of forsaken humanity who become permanent symbols of the human condition. The effect of industrialization was viewed by both Wordsworth and Coleridge with a mixture of excitement and distrust. The new industrial cities- Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, by 1815, contained a large population that had come from the country to look for work, and both Wordsworth and Coleridge were increasingly worried about the rising number of poor. Against the expanding complexities of men living in an industrial wasteland, the destruction of old livelihoods and an increasing impossibility to believe in a benign Providence, harmony with Nature offered the Romantic poets another way of life. The disruptive force of the French Revolution added the impetus to romanticism. There are individual differences among the great romantic poets concerning the conception of nature. But all of them share a common objection to the mechanistic universe of the eighteenth century- even though Wordsworth admires Newton and accepts him, at least in the orthodox interpretation. All romantic poets conceived of nature as an organic whole, on the analogue of man rather than a concourse of atoms- a nature that is not divorced from aesthetic values, which are just as real (or rather more real) than the abstractions of science. My conclusion concerning the romantic poets may be unorthodox and even unconventional. On the whole political criteria seem grossly overrated as a basis for judging a man. References Blake, Wordsworth and Coleridge [Edited by Debjan Sengupta and Shernaz Cama; Worldview Critical Editions] The Prelude by William Wordsworth An Ode on the Destruction of the Bastille by Samuel Taylor Coleridge