Romanticism in El Matadero

Esteban Echeverria, who spent five years in Paris before returning to Buenos Aires in 1830 when he became a political agitator against the tyrant Juan Manuel de Rosas, is credited with bringing romanticism to Spanish America. As a poet, he is remember for his narrative ballad La cautiva, the story of a white girl’s escape from enslavemente by nomadic Indians. Echeverria inaugurated the theme of the pampas as an archetypal landscape – a place of barbarism; but also the crucible of national identity for Argentina. He also wrote El matadero (‘The Slaughterhouse’, 1838), a short satirical prose piece in which a slaughterhouse becomes a powerful symbol of Rosas’s oppression of liberals in Buenos Aires. In 1839, Echeverria helped to found the Asociacion de Mayo, a group of young anti-Rosas activists, many of whom were to become important writers and future liberal leaders of Argentina. The gauchesque genre had its origins during the wars of independence in the River Plate area. It was influenced by the Spanish tradition of the cuadro de costumbres. Gaucho costumbrismo appealed to the romantics because it seemed to reflect a truly American way of life. By transforming the gaucho into an ambivalent national symbol, Echeverria crystallized the problem of national identity which all the Latin American republics would experience. Echeverria's renown as a writer rests largely on his powerful short story El matadero (â€Å"The Slaughterhouse,† written in 1839 but not published until 1871), a landmark in the history of Latin American literature. It is mostly significant because it displays the perceived clash between â€Å"civilization and barbarism†, that is, between the European and the â€Å"primitive and violent† American ways. Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, another great Argentine writer and thinker, saw this clash as the core of Latin American culture. Read in this light, â€Å"The Slaughterhouse† is a political allegory. Its more specific intention was to accuse Rosas of protecting the kind of thugs who murder the cultivated young protagonist at the Buenos Aires slaughterhouse. Rosas and his henchmen stand for barbarism, the slain young man for civilization.

Preliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles

Preliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles Abstract This essay firstly gives a brief introduction of the status quo of subtitling practice.By elaborating the characteristics and functions of subtitling translation, analyzing the time and space constraints by using concrete examples exerted from Forrest Gump, Waterloo Bridges, Friends, Rain Man, Shrek, You’ve Got Mail, Liar Liar, Mind of Beauty, Schidle’s List, Pride and Prejudice, American Beauty, Out of Africa, After the Sunset for illustration, the author puts forward six workable strategies for subtitling translation, namely, the avoidance of mistakes on common sense, the application of condensation, due attention of cultural factors, the adoption of colloquial words with natural and fluent tone,the achievement of harmony between speed and visual pictures, good consideration of context. Finally, the importance of improving translation skills and work ethic of subtitle translators is high ligh tened with the hope for perfecting the subtitle translator’s practice in an efficient way. Key words: subtitling; characteristics; constraints; strategies; subtitle translators Preliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles OutlineThesis Statement: Translation of film’s subtitles, which plays a very important role in cross-cultural communication, is noteworthy of due attention in order to convey the accurate meaning of the original films to its audience. ?. Introduction: The Status Quo, Characteristics, and Functions of Subtitling Translation ?. Two Limiting Factors of Subtitling Translation A. Time Constraint in Subtitling Translation B. Space Constraint in Subtitling Translation ?. Tactics Drew From the Analysis of Some Movies A. The Avoidance of Mistakes on Common Sense B. The Application of Condensation C. Due Attention of Cultural Factors D. The Adoption of Colloquial Words with Natural and Fluent Speed E. The Achievement of Harmony between Sp eed and Visual Pictures F. Good Consideration of Context ?. ConclusionPreliminary Study on Tactics of Translating Film’s Subtitles ?. Introduction A. The Status Quo of Subtitling Translation With the widening opening-up and deepening reformation as well as the increasing contact with other countries, English original films become more and more popular in our entertainment industry. When Americans are crazy with The Lord of the Rings, laughing with Shrek, arguing about Fahrenheit 9/11, and holding their breath at appreciating Spider-man, Chinese people also want to have a comprehensive understanding of them. However, not all Chinese people could understand English, so they have to turn to subtitles to gain a sense of satisfaction.Therefore, subtitling translation, which plays a very important role in cross-cultural communication, is noteworthy of due attention in order to convey the accurate meaning of the original films to its audience. B. Characteristics of Subtitling Transl ation Subtitles are the words that printed at the bottom part of the screen in the form of target language, following the sound of source language. Nedegaard-Larsen, Birgit once put subtitling translation as a type of special language conversion: the condensed written translation of the original oral speech. 1 Shuttleworth and Cowie also put it in this way—subtitling translation was a process which provides simultaneous instruction to the verbal activities happened in films and television programs. Gottieb once concluded the features of subtitling translation into five aspects: 1) written 2) addible 3) instantaneous 4) simultaneous 5) multimedia. 3 And personally speaking, there are at least three apparent features: 1. Proper condensation of original context: When a film is going, its viewers need to have heed of the subtitles while listening the original sound and appreciating the animated pictures. So subtitling translation not only needs accuracy, but also has to attach eq ual importance to the density of words in each line and the actor’s speaking speed, of which the complexity can be adjusted in accordance with the viewer acceptance. Therefore, proper condensation becomes the key point of subtitling translation.Let’s take a short conversation in Friends as an example, Rachel said: â€Å"Chandler, I gotta tell you, I love your mom’s books! I love her books! I cannot get on a plane without one†. The original subtitle translation goes like this: â€Å" ,!! , ,! † Although we can sense the literary beauty in it, we also can condense it into a better express way like â€Å" ,!! † 2. Conversion from written speech to colloquial form: Usually, the subtitles only stay on the screen for only a very little while. To make sure that the viewer can grasp the main idea easily, the style of the translated version should avoid unreadibility. So the control of oralization and readability outshine other factors.The translat ion of subtitles should to most extent choose oral and easy-understanding words and phrases, avoiding redundant words, repetitive expressions much foreignized set phrases and idioms as well as foreign allusions that Chinese people cannot understand. The sentence should not be tedious and lengthy, but be simple and easy-understanding, also the translation should avoid parenthesis, gerunds and clauses. 3. Being compatible with multimedia: For ordinary written works, information can be conveyed only through the form of characters, while for subtitles, it can convey the message altogether with visual information (movie pictures) and sound information (original sound, music and other stage sounds). Therefore, when the subtitles fail to convey the exact meaning, its viewers can get information from extra-linguistic message.Let’s take â€Å"Shrek† for example, Shrek’s anger can be shown by contorted face; Princess Fiona’s tenderness and kindness can be shown thr ough her gentle smile; the subtle effect can be sensed through its beautiful or soft or exciting music. All of these important extra-linguistic messages can be expressed by mere written characters, and these messages can aid subtitles to bring its functions into full play. C. Functions of Subtitling Translation When mentioning the functions of subtitling translation, usually I would like to conclude them into the following points: 1) Subtitling translation can facilitate its viewers to maximize their understanding to the original films.Because many Chinese viewers cannot understand English, they need some facilitating tools to help them to comprehend and appreciate them. After trying many methods, researchers find that subtitle is a very effective way to achieve this. It can convey the maximum message to the audience. 2) Subtitling translation serves as an aid to visual pictures and sound effect. Subtitle is a type of special conversion between translation and consecutive interpreta tion. Because in simultaneous interpretation and translation, readers and listeners receive the message in a constant way, while in consecutive interpretation, a time difference exists in the process, which is like the subtitle translation’s function in movies.And for subtitle, it must work with pictures and sounds when conveying its information, and in this process, viewers need to scan one line and then another to grasp the main idea, also a time difference happens, but this difference is much shorter than that in consecutive interpretation. 3) Subtitling translation can help its movie viewers to appreciate the original impact brought by the genuine effect. Viewers need just have a glimpse of the subtitles appearing at the bottom part of the screen while listening the original sound. 4) Good subtitling translation can be a good way for people to learn English. When people listen to English, they can see the Chinese.In the process, they may not only improve their English lis tening proficiency, but also enhance their English translation skills. ?. Limiting Factors of Subtitling Translation A. Time Constraint in Subtitling Translation Time constraint means that the picture movement and sound effect should be mutually accordant. Although film subtitle is not so strict as film dubbing, it should also convey the exact meaning by using the similar amount of time as it is used in source language. Furthermore, subtitle should stay on the screen long enough for viewers to scan. Usually, the time is not less than two seconds and not more than seven seconds (except for song lyrics).If translators ignore the time constraint in subtitling translation, some troubles might be caused for viewers to gain a total understanding. So specifically, sometimes translators need to use condensation and colloquial words to achieve the time harmony with other factors, such as the background music, characters’ facial expressions and so forth. B. Space Constraint in Subtitli ng Translation Space constraint means that the words and punctuations of subtitle appeared on the screen at one time should not be too many. According to Gottlieb’s study, the words appeared in each line of the subtitle are not more than thirty-five, and at most, two lines can be on at the same time.Therefore, if the subtitles in original movies are very long, the translators should adopt the condensation of words in order to present the viewers the proper and complete meaning within a limited space on the screen. For these part, the detailed the expatiation will be unfolded in the following strategies. ?. Workable Strategies Dealing With the Above Constraints A. The Avoidance of Mistakes on Common Sense Example1: — Is there a Mr. Gump, Mrs. Gump? — He is on vocation. (Chosen from Forrest Gump) The second sentence is Forrest Gump’s mother’s euphemistic response to the school’s principal’s question. In this sentence, â€Å"on vocation † dose not mean Forrest Gump’s father was really having a vocation or holiday, but means Forrest Gump’s father was dead.So when translating this phrase, translators should do a careful consideration, avoiding mistranslation in order to convey the exact meaning to its appreciators. Therefore, I personally think this sentence can be translated into â€Å" † instead of â€Å" †. Example 2: Myra: Nice of you to come and see me. Roy: Not at all. (Chosen from Waterloo Bridge) This concise dialogue shows that the two major characters are very excited at meeting each other, while the subtitles in aversion are â€Å" † â€Å" †, which obviously are very confusing. However, in another version, the translation is â€Å" ,! † â€Å" †. I think the latter translation is much better. Example 3: Myra: †¦ What the time is it? Kitty: It’s†¦ er†¦ almost eleven. Chosen from Waterloo Bridge) Kitty’s answer is very simple, but the subtitle is â€Å" †, and I think this trivial mistranslation is caused by translator’s carelessness, which seems to be a little bit irresponsible. Example 4: Joey: I gotta tell you. You’re the best in the business. Girl: Get out. (Chosen from Friends) The translation of â€Å" Get out† in the subtitle is â€Å" †, which is really absurd. Suppose we put it in this way, that means when the girl heard Joey’s praise to her, she did not say â€Å"thanks† to show her politeness, contrarily she asked Joey to leave, which is not proper in that context. Also, this scene happened on the platform, where there was no door, how a person could get out.So I think â€Å" Get out† should be translated into â€Å" † rather than â€Å" †. Example 5: I’m ready to pop. (Chosen from Liar Liar) The subtitle of this actor’s lines in a version is â€Å" †, which is really weird and makes th e audience puzzled. In fact, this sentence is the person’s response to the waiter, and it is a kind of euphemistic refusal. So it should be translated into â€Å" † or â€Å" †. So to conclude, Chinese is a parataxis language while English is a hypo-taxis language, so the rooting solution of mistranslation is that the subtitle translators should have a good command of English and Chinese. B. The Application of CondensationBecause of the space constraint, sometimes subtitles should be condensed and translators may eliminate some parts which can be easily sensed through the movie’s context. But this elimination should be proper and correct. Example 1: Momma always says there’s an awful lot you could tell about a person by their shoes. (Chosen from Forrest Gump) Subtitle: â€Å" , , †. Personally speaking, this Chinese translation seems a little bit long, and we might have a try to condense it into â€Å" , †. I think â€Å" , â₠¬  is better than â€Å" , , †. Also the modified translation could achieve the beautiful effect which is similar to a movie’s name Scent of Women ( ).Example 2: I turn on my computer, I wait impatiently as it connects, I go on line and my breath catches in my chest until I hear the three little words: â€Å"You’ve got mail! † I hear nothing, not even a sound on the streets of New York, just the beat of my own heart. I have mail! From you! † (Chosen from You’ve Got Mail) Subtitle: â€Å" , , , ‘ ’ , , , , ,!! † In this translation, two places applied condensation. 1) â€Å"You’ve got mail†. If we translate this sentence according to its literal meaning of each word, then the translation could be â€Å" †, but apparently, compared with the first translation â€Å" , the second one is inferior, because in the original speech, there is a clue â€Å" three little words†. So eliminating  " ? † and translating it into â€Å" † is quite splendid. 2) â€Å"I have mail! From you! † Translating it into â€Å" ! † is much better than translating it into â€Å" ! †, following the original order of each word. Furthermore, the original translation can give a vivid description of the major female character’s eager and excitement. Example 3: Shrek: It’s on my to do list now, come on! Fiona: But this isn’t right. You’re meant to charge in, sword drop, banner flying, that’s what all other knights did. (Chosen from Shrek)Subtitle: â€Å" ,! † â€Å" , , , ,. † Suppose we modified the former part into â€Å" , † or â€Å" , †, it would be concise and natural to Chinese viewers. Then we might adjust the latter part’s order into â€Å" , , †. Put them together and we get the translation â€Å" , † â€Å" , , †. I think the modified translation would exp ress its meaning in a concise way. And also it can keep the original animated sense. Therefore, in order to employ the tactic of condensation freely, the subtitle translators should comprehend the English and Chinese completely.English is a kind of hypo- taxis language while Chinese is a parataxis one. So when translating English into Chinese, translators should omit such unnecessary parts as some conjunctions. C. Due Attention of Cultural Factors In the source language, unavoidably there are many culture-loaded words containing special cultural meaning which cannot be easily sensed by its readers. These culture-loaded words, coming from religious books, historical stories or literature works and so forth, which are not familiar to its target language readers, sometimes may cause cultural clash and cultural vacuum. Considering the space constraint, adding notes is not feasible.So at this time, subtitle translators should adopt â€Å" liberal translation† on the basis of compr ehending the cultural factors. Example1: Don’t you take the Lord’s name in vain with me, you understand? (Chosen from Ghost) This sentence is the conjurator Oda Mae’s dissatisfactory response to Sam’s words. And â€Å" in vain† in this sentence was translated into â€Å" †. But this idiom, if we put it into Chinese, means â€Å" †, â€Å" † in this context. This meaning can be dated back to Bible, in which there is a sentence goes â€Å" Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. †( ). Therefore, the translation there should be modified into â€Å" , Example2: Shall we say swords, gentlemen? Pistols at dawn? (Chosen from Mind of Beauty) This sentence was said by a person who was drinking with his friends and Nash, when a beautiful blond came in, then they began to talk about who had advantage to talk with this girl first. If this sentence is literally translated, it should be â€Å" †, and th is sentence is definitely meaningless and will confuse its audience. Actually, this line contains the cultural content that in the middle century in western countries, the upper-class nobles usually gain their lovers by fighting, in which the tools are swords or pistols. We can see obviously this sentence is wisecrack.To make Chinese viewers understand and avoid additional explanation, subtitle translators had better omit the meanings of â€Å" swords† and â€Å" pistols† and translate it into â€Å" , , †. There â€Å" † is quite appropriate, for it can not only express these gentlemen’s meaning, but also keep the original meaning of gaining lovers through swords and pistols. In addition, this translation showcases the theory of functional equivalence proposed by Neda. Example 3: Shrek: What should we do with him? Donkey: Take the sword and neuter him right here. Give him the Bob Barker treatment (Chosen from Shrek) Subtitle: â€Å" † â €Å" , † Bob Barker treatment has something to do with the cultural background.In a famous American entertainment program The Price is Right ( ? ), the host Bob Barker always says â€Å" Help control the population, have your pets sprayed or neutered†( , ) at the end of the program. â€Å"Spray† is used to describe the female one, and â€Å" neuter† the male one. We can see the translation of this dialogue has expressed its cultural content fully. D. Adoption of Colloquial Words Subtitling translation of films is quite different from literature translation. Because when appreciating literature works, readers can adjust their reading speed according to their liking, capability of understanding as well as the works’ degree of complexity.When readers meet uncommon-used words or particular interesting chapters, they could slow down or read them repetitively; when they meet easy or tedious parts, they also could choose to speed up or just omit them. However, when people see movies, they are in the position of being passive, for they are the information receivers. In the process of appreciating a movie, time for digesting subtitles is short, and each scene is closely related, so the translation of subtitles is not allowed to have vague points. To achieve this, subtitle translators should adopt colloquial expressions. Example 1: My house is in the hills above Trujillo. A very simple place†¦ pink stones that warm in the sun†¦ kitchen arden that smells of herbs in the day†¦ jasmine in the evening. Through the gate is giant popular. Figs, apples, pears. The soil, Marcus, black†¦black like my wife’s hair. Grapes on the south slopes, olives on the north. Wild ponies play near my house, they tease my son. He wants to be one of them. (Chosen from Scrapper) Subtitles: â€Å" TRUJILLO , , , , , , † There are three pronouns at the end of this passage— â€Å"they†, â€Å"he† and  "them†. The literal translation of the last sentence is â€Å" , †.Although this sentence is right, the translating accent is very English, and it is not quite acceptable by Chinese people. So the translator changed it into â€Å" , † which sounds natural, colloquial and easy-understanding. E. The Achievement of Harmony between Sounds and Visual Pictures Film is kind of comprehensive art combine with listening and watching. Visual pictures and sounds are mutual complemented to each other. So to achieve the harmony between them is quite essential. Example 1: Lester: So, Janie. How was school? Janie: It’s ok! Lester: Just okay? (dissatisfied) Janie: No, Dad. It was spectacular! (impatient) (Chosen from American Beauty)There â€Å" spectacular† is a relatively longer word, and the Chinese translation is â€Å" † or â€Å" †, but â€Å" † or â€Å" † is a little bit short. When the subtitle has completed displayed to th e viewers, the actor could probably not stop moving her lips. So to achieve the agreement, the translation had better be â€Å" †. In addition, â€Å" † also could express Janie’s impatient feeling. Example 2: Ah, there it is. (Chosen from Mind of Beauty) When Nash was playing checks with his rival, several students were watching, and in the end, one of them said that sentence. If we translate it literally, the translation should be â€Å" † which is very vague. And in he movie, we can see, following this sentence, Nash smiled. So this sentence contains the hidden meaning that Nash would win the competition. So, if we translate it into â€Å" ? , †, then it will be more accordant with the picture ( Nash’s smile). F. Good Consideration of Context Each exciting moment in film is established through dialogues, and their meanings should be coherent, so the context of film stands in an important position. Subtitle translators should know the a ctors’ purpose very well through the context. Only thus could the translated subtitles be understood by the viewers. Example 1: Go to the mattress. (Chosen from You’ve Got Mail)This sentence is originated from the actor’s line in movie The Godfather, and it means that it is the time for fighting, because this scene happened in the context that the sinister gang would sleep together temporarily on several beds before fighting in the next day. Therefore, the translation of this should be â€Å" †. But if the subtitle translators don not know its origination, they are likely to put it into the way of â€Å" †, which is really ridiculous and probably cause misunderstanding to its viewers about the two major characters’ relationship. Example 2: Karen: And you? How is it with the fighting? Denys: Were taking a beating. It’s likely to last for a while. (Chosen from Out of Africa) A translation version for this dialogue is â€Å" † à ¢â‚¬Å" , †.In this version, the translation â€Å" † for â€Å" taking a beating† is not proper, though from the literal meaning, it is accordant with the later part â€Å" It’s likely to last for a while†. However, if we do a careful analysis, we will find Denys’ answer is not acceptable to Karen’s question. Because Karen asked Denys how the fighting was going on, and she needs a description, while Denys just answered Karen there was a beating. In our daily life, we don not answer others’ questions in this way. In fact, â€Å" taking a beating† is an English idiom, and it means â€Å" difficult to surpass†, so why don’t we translate it in this way â€Å" , †. I think it will be much better.There are many such kind of examples. Now let me compare a word’s meaning in different context. 1) Schidle: Well, I’m a German. All right, you’ve done it. A good company, you think? Stern: M odestly successful! (Chosen from Schindle’s List) There â€Å" good company† can be translated it into â€Å" †, but â€Å" ? † can be divided into many aspects. According to Schidle’s reply and his identity as a businessman, it is not hard to sense his purpose that he wanted to know whether this company was profitable or not. So I think the translation had better be â€Å" ? , , † â€Å" †. 2) Stern: You stand in the line or there, but there is no good. Chosen from Schindle’s List) â€Å" no good† in Chinese means â€Å" †, but according to the situation then— Jews wanted to find a job in Schidle’s factory, but without blue cards, they cannot get any job there, so Stern said to one of the Jews that sentence. Considering all these, I think we can change â€Å" † into another expression like â€Å" , †. 3) Goeth: You want to say where you are. You’ve got things going on the s ide, things are good, you don’t want anybody telling you what to do— I can understand all that, didn’t I? (Chosen from Schindle’s List) This scene happened in this context: Goeth was a bad guy who always kills people.He thought Schindle wanted to build a small camp by employing Jews, so he thought Schindle would turn to him for help. Then he said the sentence above. According to the movie’s content, we know â€Å"thing† means â€Å"establishing a small camp† there, so â€Å"good† means â€Å"profitable†. Then the subtitle could be translated as â€Å" , , , , † 4) Darcy: But that was what she liked. People flatter her so much she enjoys an occasional change. Lizzy: I’m afraid I gave her a good change this afternoon. (Chosen from Pride and Prejudice) According to the movie’s content, we know that Darcy’s aunt is a person who likes other’s flattery.Lizzy’s reply is an irony. I onc e saw a kind of translation in a version was â€Å" †, in which the translation of â€Å" good† is liberal. This translation did not keep the original speaking tone of the speaker, and could not show Lizzy’s smartness and character. So I suggest this translation be changed into â€Å" †. All in all, subtitling translation should be connected with the film’s different context. Then only do so, can it convey the genuine meaning to its viewers. ?. Conclusion In consideration of the time and space constraints as well as the analysis of those examples, I have concluded the subtitling translation tactics into six aspects.Right now, I also would like to provide a piece of advice to the subtitle translators—to be a subtitle translator with intelligence and work ethic. For intelligence, subtitle translators may do their efforts by enhancing the following three aspects. Firstly, subtitles translators should do efforts on dealing with untranslatabili ty. Secondly, subtitle translators should improve their proficiency of language, including the proficiency of both source language and target language. The more proficient about language the subtitle translators are, the more freely and skillfully could they accomplish their task. Last but equally important, subtitle translators should strengthen their listening ability.Correct translation can only be achieved through correct comprehension, and listening accurately is the first necessary step for correct comprehension. Cultural vacuum is unavoidable in subtitling translation. Under the condition of being impossible to find an equivalent word in the target language, subtitle translators might â€Å"create† a new word reasonably. For work ethic, the author thinks subtitle translators may perfect themselves from the following three aspects. First, subtitle translators should be passionate. Because passion can make subtitle translators be interested in their translating work. Sec ond, subtitle translators should be careful and responsible for their work,because their attitudes play a great part in the subtitle translators’ work.Third, subtitle translators should be perseverant. Because subtitling translation needs a great devotion of time and energy, which is rather harsh to many subtitle translators. The author wants to contribute her study and effort to the subtitling translation by writing this essay, and firmly believes by applying correct tactics, we will make a prosperous future in the field of subtitling translation. Notes 1 Nedergaard-Larsen, Bright, â€Å"Culture-bound Problems in Subtitling†in. Perspectives (Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 1993), 27. 2 Shuttleworth M. and Cowie, ed. , Dictionary of Translation Studies. (Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 1997), 264. 3 Gottlieb, H. Subtitling— A New University Discipline,† in Teaching Translation And Interpreting: Training, Talent And Experience C Dollerup & A Lodegaard (Eds) Amsterdam, ed. John Benjamins Company (Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 1992), 47. Bibliography Xu, Lisheng , ed. Intercultural Communication In English. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, 2004. ( ), : ,1999? , : ,2007? , : ,1994? , : ,2001? : ,2001? ( ), : , 2004? ( ), : ,2007? ,. : , 2007? , : ,2001?

Asian-Americans and College Admissions

Higher education in the United States is still the main purpose of society. It will be the most important way of social mobility and economic independence and will reward people of all backgrounds and races. However, American universities have undergone intense changes emphasizing the advantages of providing higher education for certain privileged races, limiting the quotas of other Asian Americans. As predecessors of the 1920s denied the existence of Jewish quota, senior officials at Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, and other Ivy League schools today declared the existence of Asian Quotas I strongly deny it. (Unz) However, statistical evidence suggests other As an Asian American activist I am skeptical of Harvard's lawsuit against unequal treatment of Asian Americans at university entrance. This case was proposed by advocacy groups for students' fair enrollment and was meant to represent my interests, which was a serious mistake. During the first year at Ya le University I learned the activities that the first year students stood together and the counselor set the goal to read cards that would not have me. If the prompt matches your background, the student goes ahead. Some tips are easy; Others ask for serious life experiences like discrimination, hunger or violence This is not the first time that the Harvard incident was accused of discriminating against students in Asia. In the 1980s, student activists pointed out that despite the rapid increase in the number of Asian Americans during college years, the admission rate of Asian American universities is still sluggish. They believe that this stagnation is mainly due to prejudice of entrance practices. This is relatively beneficial for Caucasian applicants, with relatively few Asian American enrollment. Due to these complaints, an internal survey on entrance exercises at Stanford University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and University of California, Berkeley was held. Sever al schools like Berkeley believe that they are doing nothing bad and that Asian American students are over-represented in their common population in the United States.

Reply to a letter + rationale Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reply to a letter + rationale - Essay Example As you may know, this could easily be done if you check the expiry dates of the products you buy while you are in the store itself, if the instances of what you accuse are so rampant. Since you have failed to do either of these or to get the testimony of someone whose identity is trustworthy for the public, you are doing nothing misleading the people and gossiping about an institution of good repute for some ulterior motive. I would like to point out some inconsistencies in your argument that Jawad is poisoning its customers in order to make a profit. If you were as much concerned about the health of the people in your locality, you would have tried to do something about the issue as soon as you found out that the puff pastry you bought during Ramadan had expired a day before. However, taking into account the fact that you could have thought of this as a rare incident, one could comprehend your possible excuses for not responding. But it remains the fact that it would have been an id eal time to reveal the store’s hidden motives (if they existed) since you could easily have gone back to the store (because of the store’s â€Å"proximity to your house†) and demanded to check the remaining twin puff pastry with the â€Å"special offer† for Ramadan. Well, the second time a similar incident took place could have been sufficient enough to infuriate you. You should have taken back the nose spray, along with its bill, to the pharmacy as soon as you found out that it had expired two months ago. Instead, you just â€Å"tossed it in the trash†. Your confession that this is another instance of â€Å"more carelessness† is indeed a convincing one. Otherwise, you could have checked the expiry date at the pharmacy store itself, which customers usually do. And your â€Å"strike three† incident sounds all the more curious, since you do not even mention when you found out that the snack bar you bought expired in October. I find that your

Memo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 22

Memo - Essay Example Among the seven stories, the fourth story was subjected to some element of distortion. The key topics under study included: poverty, unemployment, and terrorism. Four conditions under these topics were subject to manipulation. These conditions could either be systemic whereby the government takes full responsibility or they could be dispositional where the individual takes full responsibility. The explanations could either be systemic or dispositional depending on the condition. For instance, when the topic covered poverty, the participants were shown a clip of homeless persons rather than the one that one that discussed the rate of unemployment, this rendered the explanation more dispositional than systemic. Moreover, it was observed that when the explanations were more systemic, President Reagan’s approval rating was lower since any blame to the government was linked to him even though he might not have had direct influence over the matter. This paper shows how easily our vi ews and opinions on certain topics can be influenced by the way they are presented. As a result of this, human beings tend to make casual relationships even when there are no links between them. The reason for the use of this technique is because it’s an easy technique to arrive at hasty conclusions. The paper, â€Å"How Large and Long-lasting Are the Persuasive Effects of Televised Campaign Ads? Results from a Randomized Field Experiment†, examines paid political advertising. In this paper, 1000 voters were interviewed with the sole purpose of finding out how effective campaign advertisements are. The experiment was conducted during the reelection campaign of Texas governor Rick Perry. Based on the research above, this paper concludes that there is a strong correlation between television ads and a voter’s decision though it may be short-lived. Kollman’s book portrays the media

Marketing practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing practices - Essay Example Marketing of services is a bigger challenge than marketing of products. Products have well defined parameters and the customer can base his decision to some extent on that. Services on the other hand are intangible and relies totally on customer’s needs and finally satisfaction. Hence, the definition of marketing would include customer relationship marketing. The key to success in customer relationship marketing lies on information. Marketing concept has changed in the past decade. It includes market research, brand/product management, public relations, and customer service (Chaffey et al., 2006). It is not more restricted to advertising and sales. Marketing activities have to be designed in coherence with the other activities of the firm for attaining profitability. Today internet marketing and e marketing are the emerging trends, which add to the definition of marketing. Marketing has to be done within the framework of business ethics and the parameters laid down by the local government. Nestle indulged in unethical marketing practices and can hence be called an unsuccessful marketing practice (CEM, 1997). They wanted to market Cerelac while the World Health Assembly emphasized breast feeding upto six months of age. Nestle ignored warnings by Gabon’s government not to advertise Cerelac on the television. They had also been trying to market their products directly through private and government hospitals by offering incentives to the staff. This is an unsuccessful and unethical marketing practice. Market segmentation is important for successful marketing. Consideration has to be given to the age, gender, demographics to derive maximum customer and organizational satisfaction. To provide customer satisfaction, their needs have to be analyzed. Communication and branding are important specially to reach the customers through direct means. Hence, customer orientation is essential. Kotler too defines

Disability Definitions Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Disability Definitions Analysis - Research Paper Example IDEA defines what these disabilities are, and who is eligible to receive education based on their unique needs. This paper will look into some of the descriptions of the disabilities under the IDEA, and what characteristics and features are in place to identify these individual needs. Learning disability: Under the IDEA, this is a disorder where normal psychological processes involved in the using of language, or understanding are able to manifest in a manner that fosters an imperfect inability to either think or listen. In the IDEA definition, there is the inclusion of conditions that count as learning disabilities. These include: brain injury the student may have, brain dysfunction, dyslexia (reading disability), and/or perceptual disabilities (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2001). However, learning difficulties, for example, emotional disturbance and economic disadvantages, do not fall under this definition. Mental retardation: Under IDEA, this is the lack of cognitive abilities. This means that these individuals face limitations when it comes to social skills, taking care of themselves, and issues with communication. Students with mental retardation are typically slower than the rest of the students. These cognitive disabilities render the student much slower when it comes to speech. They also have problems taking care of their personal needs while in school (Burns, 2006). Emotional behavioural disturbance: Under the IDEA’s definition, it is a condition that renders a child with sub average intellectual functioning. This is a disability that cannot be explained by health or intellectual factors. The presence of some factors over a long period might indicate that a student is incapable of maintaining a steady educational environment. Deficits in adaptive behaviour, according to the act, affect the child, hence affecting their educational environment (Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2007). In learning disabilities, there are no factors that affect the student from the

Interview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 14

Interview - Essay Example I also learned that teachers can make use of a great variety of tools in order to communicate. The methods available have naturally changed over the years with advances in technology. I learned though that despite these rapid changes the basis of teaching remains the same, and that is to clearly communicate in a way that can be understood by a diverse group of people. For students who do not have English as a first language it can be even harder. This is where extra effort is required on the part of the teacher, who should not place the same expectations on those students because of their lack of ability. I benefitted greatly from meeting with an expert because I was really able to do more than just scratch the surface and find the answer to questions that have always puzzled me. I am not sure that the teaching field will be my chosen career path, but it was still very interesting to get some quality time asking in-depth questions with an expert. The greatest benefit that I took from this interview was that teaching is not something that I should get myself into unless I am able to put my full heart and soul into it. If I just go along with the motions for a while then it wont be enough and my career would suffer as a result. Even though this might appear to be simple enough or common sense it was actually really good to hear about some real life experience and what can go wrong if the right attitude is not present. The surprising thing that I learned from this assignment is that the teaching field is far more competitive than I ever thought. I had always assumed that with a strong need for teachers there would be plenty to go around. In actual fact the teaching profession requires a lot of dedication and hard work. The pay is relatively low compared to other jobs of importance, but really the teaching field has the most potential of all because it will equip the students of today to become the leaders of tomorrow. Having a

Project Evaluation and Review Technique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Project Evaluation and Review Technique - Essay Example PERT analysis first identify the three risk scenarios i.e. Most optimistic that is fewer risks will occur, Most likely which is weighted average of the all the risks and most pessimistic which is the estimation that the many risks will occur during the project life time. PERT than take three risks into account and calculate the single most accurate estimate of risk. The most important advantage of PERT include that PERT allow the project managers to do the detailed planning which is considered as the backbone of the project management. Further once detailed planning is done, it forces management to plan and make commitment and devise plans to follow them. (http://www.zetamuhendislik.com, 2008). Further to this, PERT estimates allow to account for the uncertaintiy into project management however its most important disadvantages incldue the fact that it is time and labor intensive apart from the fact that it is used for usually large and complex projects with huge magnitude requiring extra ordinary resources. PERT is also a techniqu where assumptions made are considered little over ambitious as it lacks the functional ownership of the estimates. The problem with the task estimation is because of the fact that the objectives as in fast changing external

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

Pasternak - Essay Example In the writings of these two poets readers can see true reflection of the â€Å"shifting biographical, cultural, historical, and sociopolitical circumstances† (Hasty, 591) within which they developed their relationship. Ciepiela based his book on numerous authentic materials that have given the picture of how the two poets immensely influenced each other’s creativity along with the complexities in their relationship. Ciepiela has explored the way gender has been illustrated by the poets in their writing which provides a new perspective in the manner that the poets can be understood like their traditions and cultural backgrounds. One work of Boris Pasternak that was published in the year 1929 was The Tale. This prose is considered as one of the most complex short proses of Pasternak and hence has not been much studied by scholarly articles. While in the views of the scholar A. Livingstone the work is considered as â€Å"unfinished, untidy and confusing†, in the views of M. Aucouturier it is one of the most cleverly written works of Pasternak. However, the complicated structure of the prose is emphasized when it is studies in the backdrop of its literature and history. It was initially conceived under the title Revolution and the story was set in the period between pre-war summer of 1914 and before the beginning of 1917. The Tale is written in the style of â€Å"triple-frame narrative† in which there are two inner tales that act as counterpoint to the outer story. In the innermost tale, the story revolves around a young man who sacrifices all comforts of life as protest against all injustices in the world. Such careless sacrificial gesture of the protagonist â€Å"anticipates the compromised idealism of the coming era† (Swift, 114). In this way Pasternak has made the novel a reflection of the Russian revolution. One of the most popular works of Boris Pasternak outside Russia is Doctor Zhivago which was published in the

Can India Become a Superpower Essay Example for Free

Can India Become a Superpower Essay Can India become a Superpower? The question is common and comes in evey mind, the topic is everlasting and in limeline. For being a superpower a country must have to solve his external and internal conflicts,its true that no country an become a superpower if ts not a developed one and india has yet to devlope andcan be said as an emerging power. Walking on this path is not so smooth you will find thorns that make you lame and sometimes huge rocks are ready to crush you so as India is facing it in this present senario (courption and repeatedly millitant attacks). India: A brief discription India so called as democratic country struggling to become a developed country has got a vast heritage. The overall population of India is 1.2 billion in 2013 and according to survey it will be going to become 1.4 billion in 2025 and in 2050 it will become 1.6 billion. Putting some light on political arena, Indian constitution has parliamentary system, multiparty system, liberal and conservatives. But it doesnt matter what rights we have there in our constitution because all are violated either by us or by governmennt, cant blame on a particular society or league of people. Now, the question comes, why it is not so easy to become a superpower, even we have proved ourself in every section of development? It is not so significant either you have taken your first steps in every section of development but it mainly depends on the factors that converts a country from developing to a developed country. Historical mistakes India has suffered a lot and yet it is suffering from illness, in historical time illness was that we were always being ruptured by foreign invaders Mughals, Englishmen, Portugese etc. The reason was our weakness because at that time trading were made on a large scale and to fullfill our needs manual manufacturing starts declining and industrial revolution take place which was the father of modern history and guess who was the mother none other than renissance that is re birth. Re birth of rationalism so the people of India were divided in many parts and didnt accept this change, now we are facing a big problem as at that time we belive in rituals not on reasons. The reason was, we were not united and till now we are facing the same problem of unity. Internal conflicts As disscused above the first problem we face is Being a united nation but not a united one that is, we say that India is a secular country, every one can follow his/her religion and yes we are enjoying it alot but somehow religion has divided us. The best example, RESERVATION, it is boldly mark because the worst thing to face and to fight, its quite similar to a railway reservation, for that you have to wait for your call, but it never comes because the middle man has reserved all the tickets for journey, here the middle man are bureaucrats. And on other hand the politicians are using it as a weapon to fill their vote banks, the manner, is giving reservation on the bases of religion and earning votes according to it. They alone cant be blame because its we who support them for our own cause. Not only reservation there are many problems like Hindu Muslim conflict, telangana case, diffrent language (yes its also a cause for not being united) etc are also responsible and wrtting on this will take a lot pages and suffcient time. External conflicts India is surrounded by lot many neighbours like Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Afganistan and Sri Lanka. India Has bilatreal relation with all its neighbours and trying to maintain it but if we talk about Pakistan one of the oldest enemy of India causing a lot trouble supported by China. Recently there was a heavy load of firing in Poonch, Kashmir after PAK elects its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who promised to solve problems with India regarding there relation. If we recall our memory Sri Lanka used to say that the LTTE is supported by India to break them. So its quite clear even though we have bilateral relation with our neighbours, we are facing a sense of rebel from there side. Terrorism One of the most significant problem faced by India which is restraining it to become a super power. The word terrorism always recall us Kargil war(1999), 26/11 mumbai attack, Dantewada tragedy and recently the attack on congressmen, not only this a lot many more attacks we have faced. PAK millitants has threaten so called heaven Kashmir anad on eastern side and central part Naxalites responsible for killing innocent people. Naxalites are considerd as terrorist organisation after Unlawfull Activites (Prevention) Act 1967 and also a most dangerous internal threat. Terrorism does not posses any shape, size, face, religion or community it is only to threaten people with gun power. Courption Last but not the least courption one of the major threat which is rotening our admistrative system from inside getting us weak and if we are weak than its only a dream to become a superpower. It adversly effects our economy. No particular person is responsible for it we all are responsible for it. All those scam like 2g colgate and CWG has an immense effect on our GDP rate,4.7% fourth quatqer of 2013 from 6.2% according to 2011-12 fiscal, which make us to count on Hindu rate of growth that is slow rate of growt. The above mention are some of the significant cause apart from others, which are blocking India to become a superpower. No doubt its true that after independence we have raised ourself to a better level in the feild of science, tourism, culture etc, but the goal is far away to achive and presently India is emerging as a superpower.

A Clockwork Orange †Literary Response Essay Example for Free

A Clockwork Orange – Literary Response Essay Nadine Gordimer, South African writer and Nobel Prize winner, said that penetrating fiction doesn’t give answers, it invites questions. This quote is accurately reflected in Anthony Burgess’ novel, A Clockwork Orange, in which many questions and moral values are explored. Burgess strongly believed that humans’ ability of choice is the only factor distinguishing us between animals or machines. The two most predominant recurring themes of and questions relating to the novel involve ‘good vs evil’, and ‘fate and free will’. The novel begins with the words: â€Å"what’s it going to be then, eh? †, through which Burgess poses a literal question that ultimately leads to choice, and is always asked before determining one’s fate. This question introduces all three parts of the novel, as well as the final chapter. The repetition emphasises the symmetrical and symbolic structure of the book. It also echoes one of the aforementioned explored themes: fate and free will. The novel concludes with Alex finally deciding ‘what it’s going to be’, by him consciously deciding to discard his previous violent and ‘evil’ habits. Society and religion recur frequently in A Clockwork Orange, and each hold similar views and opinions concerning choice and good vs. evil. In Part 1, Chapter 4, Alex wonders why ‘evil’ is analysed and goodness is not only universally strived for, but accepted as the norm: â€Å"They don’t go into the cause of goodness, so why of the other shop? Badness is of the self, the one, the you or me on our oddy knockies and that self is made by old Bog or God and is his great pride and radosty. But the not-self cannot have the bad, meaning they of the government and the judges and the schools cannot allow the bad because they cannot allow the self. † Here, Alex refers to society and authority as the ‘not-self’. He believes that people are born ‘evil’, and suggests that conditioning human-kind to be ‘good’ removes individualism. The passage concludes with Alex saying, â€Å"I do what I do because I like to do†, which is almost animalistic in the sense that his action depends solely on desire, impulse and instinct. In Part 2, Chapter 3, the questioning of fate and free will is asked yet again, from the perspective of Christianity. The chaplain refers to the Reclamation Treatment a physiologically imposed behavioural modification that would render the incapability of performing ‘evil deeds’ which Alex is to undergo. He asks Alex if God wants goodness or the choice of goodness. (â€Å"Is a man who chooses the bad perhaps in some way better than a man who has the good imposed upon him? It is interesting that the questioning of free will is articulated by the novel’s religious figure, and that this time, it does not come from Alex himself, but is rather asked of him. The chaplain wonders if good acts are morally valueless if performed without free will, and if forced benevolence is in fact more evil than sin itself. Although he rhetorically directs this to Alex, he is essentially asking the reader’s opinion, because it is indicated in previous chapters that Alex disagrees with the conditioning of ‘goodness’. The question is left open-ended and unresolved for the reader to interpret. Thus, rather than being didactic, ‘penetrating fiction’ does solicit more questions than it answers. It allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions, rather than enforcing a particular point of view. In A Clockwork Orange, this is true in a number of ways (as demonstrated), but most powerfully in terms of the constantly revisited themes; good vs. evil, and fate and free will.

Pacs Implementation Within A Radiology Department Information Technology Essay

Pacs Implementation Within A Radiology Department Information Technology Essay Information technologies and systems have revolutionised the way people think and act in many spheres of life. Information systems are deemed to be one of the major tools available for business managers for achieving operational excellence, developing new products and services, improving decision making and achieving competitive advantage (Laudon Laudon, 2009). The domain of information systems is an exciting evolution creating digital content in their products and services and delivering them over digital networks as being practiced widely in businesses, including in the healthcare enterprise. In the healthcare industry, information systems have created opportunity to restructure both the operational and architectural aspects in general, particularly in the radiology department (Rostenberg, 2006, p. 15). Perhaps as Jalaludin et al. (2005, p. 56) stated, no other specialty in medicine has benefited as greatly as in radiology with respect to advances in electronics and computers. The transformation of digital radiology will strive on giving way from the expensive and time-consuming endeavour of film and paper based methods to the faster and simpler computer based ones. As radiology continues to grow and evolve, paradigm changes such as reengineering information storage and delivery, as well as refining the overarching data repositories and access systems that support the healthcare consumer is required in order to be competitive. In keeping with the challenges, a prominent feature of evolution would be the proliferation of enterprise-wide electronic Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), which has changed the face of radiology by radically altering the core drivers of traditional film-based imaging facilities. Filmless image management systems will become popular in all hospitals in the near future (Furukawa et al., 2004). Therefore one should investigate the merits demerits of implementing this system effectively taking into consideration the productivity improvements and cost reductions while providing better patient care. 2.0 Purpose The purpose of this report is to propose PACS implementation within a radiology department in a public sector medical centre located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of a strategic business plan to create competitive advantage in the ever increasing patient demand. The author will conduct an analysis of the competitive environment and resources evaluating the strategic options in implementing PACS. Apart from this, an outline of the MIS requirements for the successful implementation of the selected PACS strategy and the associated plan needed to be undertaken will also be highlighted. This will lend a hand in securing funding and to provide a roadmap for its implementation within the timeline of one (1) year. The judicious planning of PACS strategy business plan will aim towards reengineering information storage and digital delivery as part of fulfilling the departments goals and objectives in creating a filmless environment, thus adding value and improving the business of radiology. 3.0 Organisational and Environmental Audit. The development of PACS strategy in the evolving field of radiology, as stated by Chan (2002) consists of two main interrelated processes such as: gaining insight into the organisation and its environment; and positioning the organisation for sustained competitive advantage Organisations need to respond to changes in their environment by continuous adaptation, which warrants making decisions on how to adjust and develop their products and services by keeping pace with environmental changes; otherwise they will lose their competitiveness (Chan, 2002). In addition, government regulation such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has driven many to demand improvements in the management of the information systems within the healthcare system with PACS being one of the primary components of this requirement (Smith Hirschorn, 2006, p.157). As such, it is important to answer three essential strategic questions and develop the framework for PACS strategy, thus focusing on few elements that relatively contribute to sustained competitive advantage (Table 1). Strategic Questions Framework Where is our organisation right now? Wide range of information is collected. Where do we aim to go in the future? Insight developed and options generated. How do we get there? Implementation of new strategy. Table 1: Strategic questions and framework in PACS strategy development (Chan, 2002) As part of gathering wide range of information to set the framework for PACS strategy development, strategic analysis such as external environment and organisational audit is required as shown in Table 2. Strategic Analysis Outcome Development in radiology context External Environment Review events and trends that have occurred, occurring or anticipated to occur. Changes in economic, governmental, technologic, physical, cultural and managerial process. Mandate the conversion from the analogue paper and film based systems to a purely digital department. Organisational Evaluate the structure, operations, resources and culture of the organisations. Identify the current capabilities and the availability for the future strategic initiatives. The support of personnel from all levels will bring it closer to the department goals of going filmless. Capabilities enhanced through proper training and coaching sessions. Table 2: Strategic Analysis in PACS development (Chan, 2002) In addition, it is also imperative to gain information regarding the interrelationships between the two. As such, a simple integrative analysis, known as SWOT is performed to highlight the inherent strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats about the organisation and the relevant environmental factors facing the organisation in implementing PACS strategic business plan, as shown in Table 3. STRENGTHS: The development of an organisations particular set of resources, which leads to sustainable competitive advantage. Collective organisational learning that results in superior performance, especially in coordinating and integrating new activities and workflows. New strategy and initiatives fosters new views of the role of radiology in the health care industry, thus adding value to the services rendered. WEAKNESSES The resulting strategy may fall out of favour as a result of plans becoming too detailed and cumbersome to implement. Different divisions may be inflexible in the face of changing business conditions and new competition. Should this be unsuccessful, the managers and employees who were responsible for the implementation of the chosen strategy may feel disempowered. OPPORTUNITIES Building new capabilities and inventive in the use of limited resources to close gap should there be misfit between available resources and the resources needed for the desired goal. The push to possess leadership qualities along the new development path and change management. Room to exercise imagination and creativity throughout the development and implementation of new strategy. THREATS External events or environmental trends that cannot be foreseen by observers could affect or even invalidate the viability of each strategic option that is considered. High costs of increased government regulations in radiology practices may deter the implementation. Table 3: Authors framework of SWOT analysis about the organisation and the relevant environmental factors in implementing PACS strategic business plan 4.0 Competitive Analysis Once the insight of an organisation and its environment is gained, it is fundamental to undertake competitive analysis. These include a definition of the immediate radiology market, a description of competitors and the status of their PACS implementations (Levine, 2006, p. 37). In creating the framework to help determine industry competition, arguably the most widely used model will be Porters five forces model (Figure 1). Figure 1: The five competitive forces that shape strategy (Porter, 2008) According to Porters five competitive forces model, the strategic position of the firm and its strategies are determined by competition with its traditional direct competitors and also greatly affected by new market entrants, substitute products and services suppliers and customers (Laudon Laudon, 2009, p. 107). A market research conducted by Frost and Sullivan (2010) stated that the radiology markets in Southeast Asia have considerable potential, regardless of their maturity. In addition, the analyst further reiterated that with the decline in costs and advancements in PACS applications, smaller hospitals have begun to implement PACS in radiology and also in various medical disciplines such as the cardiology and dentistry departments that produce medical images too; thus enabling better image management. Therefore, the strategic plan should note any PACS advertising done by local competitors in order to highlight any potential threat to market share, then perform the market share at risk if PACS is not implemented at this institution to estimate the amount of additional revenue that may be shifted to or from a competitor that has respectively superior or inferior radiology services. However Levine (2006, p. 39) stated that, a potent argument for PACS in the strategic plan will be to compare capacity and productivity gains that can be expected to accrue from the implementation to the future increases in demand for radiological services due to the normal growth and increased market share. As such, applying Porters five forces competitive analysis in PACS strategy would generate a framework as shown in Table 4. Competitors: Government hospitals Teaching hospitals Private medical centres Potential competitors: All radiology businesses Substitute products: Advances in hardware and software Breakthrough products in other emerging imaging technology with built-in information systems Networking only a few workstations together from radiology department to a particular department Buyers: Individual hospitals or medical centres Regional health care networks and integrated delivery systems Government programmes Managed care organisations Suppliers: Information technology providers (HIS, RIS, PACS, Application Service Providers) Manufacturers of imaging devices and supplies Table 4: Authors framework using Porters five forces competitive analysis applied in PACS strategy 5.0 Strategic Implications There are three basic strategic options available to organisations for gaining competitive advantage, according to Porters Generic Competitive Strategies model (Figure 2), namely, cost leadership, differentiation and focus, thus developing the edge, which brings revenue for the organisation and takes it away from ones competitor (Mind Tools, 2011). Figure 2: Porters Generic Competitive Strategies model (MBA Knowledge Base, 2011) With the implementation of PACS, this organisation aims to provide low-cost, thus achieving cost leadership by gaining market share, whilst maintaining profitability and pursue a differentiation-based strategy by offering unique product and services; thus offering a greater value package to customers and competitors. In addition, it is imperative to use technology, where possible, to create or enhance customer value and satisfaction. As such, Porters value chain model (Figure 3) can be generalised to the practice of radiology to identify the key value drivers to build customer satisfaction through the implementation of PACS as a new strategy. Figure 3: Porters value chain generalised to the practice of radiology (Schomer et al., 2000) The model views a series of primary and support activities that add value to the organisations products or services (Laudon Laudon, 2009). In radiology practice, these include four support activities; namely, the organisation infrastructure, human resources, technology development and procurement, which is straightforward, focusing on reducing costs in these areas for both customers and organisation. On the other hand, the five primary activities, namely, inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and service are quite specific and leveraging using technology, such as the PACS, can often significantly enhance each of these activities. Each activity has an associated cost and therefore the residual margin (black area in Figure 9) will be retained as the shareholder earnings (Schomer et. al., 2000). 6.0 PACS Strategic Plan Recommendation What is PACS and why choose this strategic plan in a radiology set-up? PACS include computers or networks with dedicated storage, retrieval, distribution and image management, which are stored in an independent Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format (Amber Diagnostics, 2010). PACS can eliminate many of the time-consuming processes associated with film-based medicine and enable the practice of filmless medicine (Figure 4). This adds value to the radiological services, which not only provides services by generating diagnostic reports, but also expedites the timely delivery of results (Levine 2006, p. 27). PACS completely reengineers radiology practices by enabling ubiquitous availability of images to be electronically viewed virtually anywhere and simultaneously, resulting in improved clinical care and productivity throughout the healthcare enterprise. Figure 4: Film-based medicine and filmless medicine (Furukawa et al., 2004). The current set-up of the radiology department encompasses of digital multi-modalities such as, Computed Tomography (CT) Scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Digital Angiography and others performing approximately 180,000 200,000 examinations per year. As part of aiming towards creating a digital environment, besides procuring these digital modalities, the department has also established connectivity to a Radiology Information System (RIS) and Hospital Information System (HIS). The HIS feeds verified patient demographics to the RIS, which in turn is responsible for scheduling orders, capturing relevant clinical information and providing a platform for radiologists to prepare examination reports. However, currently hard-copy medical images are the only image capture, display and storage medium. Besides radiology, view boxes are found in diverse locations such as wards and clinics in order to view the radiological images. There is usually only one copy of film to be displayed at any one time, thus reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of patient management. The image management in a conventional environment involves exceedingly complex, high manual and work-intensive processes involving as many as eight (8) different types of personnel performing up to ten (10) different tasks and takes about 1 to 4 hours to generate results [Figure 5(a)]. However in a fully electronic environment, this can be reduced to approximately eight (8) tasks, many accomplished by computers, allowing the number of people involved to be reduced to four (4) and results to be generated within 45 minutes to 1 hour [Figure 5(b)]. As such, the implementation of PACS will foster stronger development of consolidated delivery networks at not only the departmental level but also at the organisational level. Figure 5: Workflow process from radiological examination request to final report in a (a) conventional environment and in an electronic (b) RIS and PACS environment [distrib. = distributed, Dx = diagnosis, Phys. = Physician, Sched. = schedule] (adapted from Bryan, 2003) With the need for increased quality, clinical effectiveness and meeting the pressure of market competition in the digital world, PACS is seen as an opportunity to provide patients with clinical services that could never be provided in the analogue world. The scope and benefits of PACS reach beyond the radiology department, whereby, it also greatly expands the exposure, expense and operational impact; hence the need to be comprehensive and include all key players in the decision making process, planning and the development of new strategy is crucial (Chaney Cotter, 1998). Implementing and integrating PACS requires significant planning, workflow redesign, system configuration and training. However a common problem in implementing PACS will be recognising the mix of image generation technologies or modalities and identifying different types of interfaces (Chaney and Cotter, 1998). With regard to this, older equipment already installed in this radiology department may require specialised protocol conversion to talk to the new PACS equipment although the established communication standards can be supported by the newer equipment in the market today. As such, the PACS and modality vendor input is crucial to identify the required number of modalities to be linked and whether any licensing or implementation costs attached to each modality connection will be required. An enterprise-wide strategic planning methodology for PACS, which involves a broad cross section of the imaging and user community, proposed for this medical centre is outlined as in Figure 6. Figure 6: Development of an enterprise-wide PACS strategic plan (adapted from Chaney and Cotter, 1998) Once a structured PACS strategy planning process to establish a sound business case has been undertaken, the next step will be developing a Request For Proposal (RFP) and conducting the PACS vendor selection process. The PACS equipment needs and archive size requirements are instrumental in preparing an effective RFP. The RFP will include detailed specifications for the locations and types of required equipment and a high-level project plan in order to specify the installation accurately as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7: PACS life cycle overview (adapted from Chaney and Cotter, 1998) In addition, it is also imperative for vendors to be able to specify all devices required during the vendor quotation phase of the project. Finally, establishing connections to the already existing RIS-HIS, computed radiography, digital radiography and results reporting may consume months prior to the roll-out of the system as shown in Gantt Chart (Appendix 1). 7.0 Financial analysis The financial analysis plays an integral part of the business case development and is crucial to the assessment of the economic viability of the proposed PACS initiative. This would set the stage for the technical and performance specifications prior to the establishment of a procurement exercise. Lim (2008) stated that the budgets for PACS acquisition project are usually identified as capital budget estimate, which encompasses the probable costs to purchase and implement the technology and recurrent budget estimate that represents the projected future costs of managing and maintaining the system in a sustainable operational state. The capital and recurrent costs descriptive items are as shown in Table 5. Types of costs Descriptions of items Capital costs Capital purchase costs of PACS Installation and commissioning costs Any costs associated with imaging equipment upgrades Infrastructure costs (e.g. data centre, network, computers for image distribution) Change management Recurrent costs Staff and accommodation Consumables Ongoing training Upgrade costs Table 5: Capital and recurrent costs for PACS acquisition project (Lim, 2008) With regards to the PACS acquisition, Lim (2008) further stated that there are a few financial models to be considered when acquiring PACS, namely: The traditional purchase, where purchase is outright and owned and managed by the institution, with vendor providing technical support under a service contract agreement, which is a common method in public sector; Application Service Provider (ASP), where the facility purchases a service from the vendor with charges based on fee-per-service arrangements; Leasing models, which can have some financial incentives in private sector context. The proposed budgetary costs for PACS implementation recommended for this public sector medical centre is based on a traditional purchase acquisition model, which illustrates how a capital and recurrent budget may be established amounting to costs assumption of RM 3,487,000 presented in Appendix 1. However, calculating the purchase, upgrade and running costs is only half of the budgeting task, the other side of the equation is the cost savings, efficiencies and service improvements that this technology can bring to an imaging facility. These savings include film and stationery costs such as jackets, chemistry costs, film storage and handling including space and file room staff, processor purchase and running costs. Therefore it is important to undertake a cost-benefit analysis to see whether an individual option has financial or economic merit. A study conducted by Van Genip et al., (1994, cited in Becker and Arenson, 1994) stated that the overview of data from 15 cases collected with CAPACITY (Cost and Critical Analysis of PACS Indicating its Yield) cost-modelling software suggests that, when the cost of hardware components is allowed to drop 5% to 25% per year, some hospital-wide systems will become less expensive than film in the future with breakeven between 4-8 years, which is applicable for this scenario. As such, with the fast decreasing price of digital storage in the current market, it is deemed that PACS will provide cost and space advantage as compared to film archives. However, a downtime contingency plan, where costs for backup film printing using laser printers is also crucial to support successful implementation. Cost benefit analysis will provide useful information, but not all the answers. Therefore, one should also consider the intangible benefits such as the service efficiencies and quality improvement that PACS can generate, particularly with fast throughput of images; hence these factors should be taken as part of any economic justification. 8.0 Conclusion The informed decision to select, implement and operate PACS begins with a sound, business oriented approach and judicious planning up front in implanting PACS as a strategy. As such building a documented business case and report is the first step to establish baseline expectation for system implementation throughout the enterprise as well as providing an accountability structure and project leadership as has been presented in this report. In this age of high information density and the necessity of its efficient and rapid dissemination through the integrated delivery of networks in healthcare, enterprises should see the decision to implement PACS as a necessary step in maintaining their market position. The greater value of a secure and fast repository of images provided by PACS, will improve the detection of disease through improved patient outcomes. These factors will have a huge impact on the way medicine is practiced and the quality of care patients receive. As such it is important for the radiology department to adopt PACS considering the service efficiencies, cost savings and service quality improvements that it can generate; thus creating a competitive advantage in the business of radiology. 9.0 References AMBER DIAGNOSTICS. 2010. Radiology Management System RIS / PACS. Amber Diagnostics [WWW] http://www.amberusa.com/ris/ris-index.asp (29 October 2010). Becker, S. H. and Arenson, R. L. 1994. Costs and Benefits of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. [Online journal]. 1(5). pp. 361-371. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC116218/ (10 April 2011). Bryan, R. N. 2003. The Digital rEvolution: The Millennial Change in Medical Imaging. Radiology. [Online journal]. http://radiology.rsna.org/content/229/2/299.full. (22 March 2011). Chan, S. 2002. The Importance of Strategy for the Evolving Field of Radiology. Radiology. [Online journal]. http://radiology.rsna.org/content/224/3/639.full. (25 March 2011). Chaney, D. M. and Cotter, N. K. 1998. Comprehensive business planning for PACS. Applied Radiology. [Online journal]. 27(12). (http://www.appliedradiology.com/uploadedfiles/Issues/1998/12/Articles/v0027i12/00801387/main.pdf (25 March 2011). Furukawa, H., Endo, M. Aramaki, T., Morimoto, N., Uematsu, T., Yukizawa, S. and Yuen, S. 2004. Picture Archiving and Communication System Introduced to a New Japanese Cancer Center Hospital. Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology. [Online journal]. 34 (7). pp. 425-428. http://jjco.oxfordjournals.org/content/34/7/425.full (20 March 2011). Frost and Sullivan. 2010. Overview of Total Southeast Asian RIS-PACS Market. [WWW] http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/report-toc.pag?ctxixpLink=FcmCtx1searchQuery=PACSrepid=P48C-01-00-00-00bdata=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mcm9zdC5jb20vc3JjaC9jYXRhbG9nLXNlYXJjaC5kbz9xdWVyeVRleHQ9UEFDU0B%2BQFNlYXJjaCBSZXN1bHRzQH5AMTMwMjcxMzI1NjAxNA%3D%3DctxixpLabel=FcmCtx2 (23 April 2011). Jalaludin, M. A., Abdullah, B. J. J., Sarji, S.A. and Hoong, N. K. 2005. University of Malayas Vision for Research Imaging. In: Abdullah, B. J. J., Sarji, S.A., Ranganathan, S. and Hoong, N. K. eds. A New Phase For Imaging, Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press. p. 56. Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P. 2009. Essentials of Management Information Systems. 8th edn. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. LEVINE, A. L. (2006) PACS Strategic Plan and Needs Assessment. In: Smith, G. ed. Administrative Issues. In: Dreyer, K. J., Hirschorn, D. S., Thrall, J. H. and Mehta, A. (eds.) PACS: A Guide To The Digital Revolution. 2nd edn. United States of America: Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. MBA Knowledge Base. 2011. Porters Generic Competitive Strategies. [WWW] http://www.mbaknol.com/marketing-management/porters-generic-competitive-strategies/ (10 April 2011). MindTools. 2011. Porters Generic Strategies: Choosing your Route to Competitive Advantage. [WWW] http://mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_82.htm (12 April 2011). Porter, M. 2008. The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy. Harvard Business Reviews. [Online journal]. http://hbr.org/2008/01/the-five-competitive-forces-that-shape-strategy/ar/1 (28 March 2011) Rostenberg, B. 2006. The Architecture of Medical Imaging: Designing Healthcare Facilities for Advanced Radiological Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, United States of America: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Schomer, D. F., Schomer, B G. and Chang, P. F. 2001. 2000 Plenary Session: Friday Imaging Symposium: Value Innovation in the Radiology Practice. RadioGraphics. [Online journal]. http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/21/4/1019.full (1April 2011). Sim, L. H. 2008. Budgeting for PACS. Biomedical Imaging and Intervention Journal. [Online journal]. http://www.biij.org/2008/4/e32/e32.pdf (12 April 2011) Appendix 1 PACS Implementation Strategy Plan Gantt Chart (activities based on PACS life cycle overview presented in Figure 7) Phase Activities Month Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 1 PACS comprehensive planning (business technical, functional) 2 PACS vendor selection signing of contract 3 PACS system implementation, training testing 4 PACS implementation system support and enhancement

The Neurobiology of Memory and Aging Essay -- Science Scientific Essay

The Neurobiology of Memory and Aging "I lost my keys again," my mother exclaimed at dinner a few nights ago, "I really am getting old." This use of old age as a justification for memory deficits is extremely common. Many people relate old age with loss of memory and other neurobiological functions. Why is it that aging seems to go hand in hand with losing and forgetting things? Is there a neurobiological explanation for this phenomenon? It is clear to neurobiologists that aging results in a decrease in brain size as well as a decrease in the efficiency of brain functions. It has been a widely held belief that aging causes neurons to die and for the overall number of neurons to decrease as one reaches old age. Studies conducted by Dr. David Merrill refute this idea, sighting a lack of neuronal loss in the entohinal cortex after running an MRI on a healthy subject. Instead, Merill indicates that loss of neurons may occur in degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimers, but not in healthy brains. However, it remains true that some aspects of cognition do decline as age increases, such as short term and long term memory. Since these effects are not caused by a decrease in the number of neurons present, there must be another neurobiological explanation. In order to understand memory loss it is necessary to understand how memory works in a normal brain without any cognitive deficits. Memory can be separated into three distinct parts: working memory, declarative memory, and procedural memory (1). Working memory is the most short term, and it involves repeating something that someone has just said in conversation or remembering something you had just seen briefly. This part of memory does not ever become fully sto... ...mplex.. http://psych.wisc.edu/postlab/Psych733/Nadel_Moscovitch.1997.pdf 4)Nadel and Moscovitch. "Memory Consolidation, Retrograde Amnesia and the Hippocampal Complex.. http://psych.wisc.edu/postlab/Psych733/Nadel_Moscovitch.1997.pdf 5) The Symptoms of Alzheimer's. . http://www.diseases-explained.com/Alzheimers/symptomsalzheime.html 6) Greenwood. . http://sln.fi.edu/brain/nutrition/carbohydrates/brainpower.html 7) Alzheimer's Secondary Victims. . http://sites.unc.edu/error.html 8)Alipoprotein E. . http://home.mira.net/~dhs/apoe.html 9) Determining the Cause of Memory Loss in the Elderly . http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/10_15_99/welsh.htm 10)Stress tied to Memory Loss . http://www.academicpress.com/inscight/04221998/grapha.htm 11)University of Kuopio, Series Reports, Department of Neurology . http://www.uku.fi/neuro/39abs.htm The Neurobiology of Memory and Aging Essay -- Science Scientific Essay The Neurobiology of Memory and Aging "I lost my keys again," my mother exclaimed at dinner a few nights ago, "I really am getting old." This use of old age as a justification for memory deficits is extremely common. Many people relate old age with loss of memory and other neurobiological functions. Why is it that aging seems to go hand in hand with losing and forgetting things? Is there a neurobiological explanation for this phenomenon? It is clear to neurobiologists that aging results in a decrease in brain size as well as a decrease in the efficiency of brain functions. It has been a widely held belief that aging causes neurons to die and for the overall number of neurons to decrease as one reaches old age. Studies conducted by Dr. David Merrill refute this idea, sighting a lack of neuronal loss in the entohinal cortex after running an MRI on a healthy subject. Instead, Merill indicates that loss of neurons may occur in degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimers, but not in healthy brains. However, it remains true that some aspects of cognition do decline as age increases, such as short term and long term memory. Since these effects are not caused by a decrease in the number of neurons present, there must be another neurobiological explanation. In order to understand memory loss it is necessary to understand how memory works in a normal brain without any cognitive deficits. Memory can be separated into three distinct parts: working memory, declarative memory, and procedural memory (1). Working memory is the most short term, and it involves repeating something that someone has just said in conversation or remembering something you had just seen briefly. This part of memory does not ever become fully sto... ...mplex.. http://psych.wisc.edu/postlab/Psych733/Nadel_Moscovitch.1997.pdf 4)Nadel and Moscovitch. "Memory Consolidation, Retrograde Amnesia and the Hippocampal Complex.. http://psych.wisc.edu/postlab/Psych733/Nadel_Moscovitch.1997.pdf 5) The Symptoms of Alzheimer's. . http://www.diseases-explained.com/Alzheimers/symptomsalzheime.html 6) Greenwood. . http://sln.fi.edu/brain/nutrition/carbohydrates/brainpower.html 7) Alzheimer's Secondary Victims. . http://sites.unc.edu/error.html 8)Alipoprotein E. . http://home.mira.net/~dhs/apoe.html 9) Determining the Cause of Memory Loss in the Elderly . http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/10_15_99/welsh.htm 10)Stress tied to Memory Loss . http://www.academicpress.com/inscight/04221998/grapha.htm 11)University of Kuopio, Series Reports, Department of Neurology . http://www.uku.fi/neuro/39abs.htm

An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder Essay -- Diseases/Disorder

Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism spectrum disorder has become the most common neurological and developmental disorder diagnosed in children today. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) estimate that 1 out of every 88 American children have been properly diagnosed. There is no known cure for autism, and the inconsistencies of the symptoms of autism in each case make it difficult to target a particular set of effective treatments. However some behavior management therapies, specifically physical therapy, may help to significantly control the unwanted symptoms in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Symptoms. Children begin showing symptoms of autism as early as twelve months of life, making two to three years old the typical age of diagnosis. The symptoms of autism are truly of a spectrum, hence the name, meaning no child is affected by the disorder in quite the same way. However, symptoms of autism are generally categorized into three basic areas of impairment, the first of these being sociability. Most children with autism have trouble comprehending basic social situations. A child with autism likely makes little eye contact, fails respond to other people in their environment, and reacts inappropriately when others show extreme emotion. It is common for children with autism to misread emotional cues because they focus on a person’s mouth while speaking instead of their eyes as would an unaffected person. Likewise, people may have difficulties understanding the emotions of an autistic child. Many times their body language or tone of voice will not match the emoti on that they are trying to express. The second area of impairment is communication. Children with autism ... ...#pub12 Nicholson, H., Kehle, TJ., Bray, MA., & Heest, J. (2011). The Effects of Antecedent Physical Activity on the Academic Engagement of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Psychology in the Schools, 48(2), 198-213. Ospina, MB., Krebs, SJ., Clark, B., Karkhaneh, M., Hartling, L., et al. (2008). Behavioural and Developmental Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Systematic Review. PLoS ONE, 3(11). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19015734 Petrus, C., Adamson, SR., Block, L., Einarson, SJ., Sharifnejad, M., & Harris, SR. (2008) Effects of Exercise Interventions on Stereotypic Behaviours in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Physiotherapy Canada, 60(2), 134-145. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2012) Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Asian American Literature :: essays papers

Asian American Literature Asian Americans seem to be fighting an unwinnable battle when it comes to the content of their writing. Writers are criticized by whites for speaking out against discrimination, and by their fellow Asian Americans for contributing to the stereotypes through their silence. I believe that Asian Americans should include politics in their writing as they so choose, but should not feel obligated to do so, as Frank Chin suggests. For those Asian Americans who make known their discontent with the injustice and discrimination that they feel, in the white culture, this translates to attacking American superiority and initiating insecurities. For Mura, a writer who dared to question why an Asian American was not allowed to audition for an Asian American role, his punishment was â€Å"the ostracism and demonization that ensued. In essence, he was shunned† (Hongo 4) by the white people who could not believe that he would attack their superior American ways. According to writers such as Frank Chin and the rest of the â€Å"Aiiieeeee!† group, the Americans have dictated Asian culture and created a perception as â€Å"nice and quiet† (Chin 1972, 18), â€Å"mama’s boys and crybabies† without â€Å"a man in all [the] males.† (Chin 1972, 24). This has become the belief of the proceeding generations of Asian Americans and therefore manifested these stereotypes. Those authors who contest these â€Å"American made† stereotypes are said to betray the American culture and white power around them, and to be â€Å"rocking the boat† in a seemingly decent living situation. It is as though Asian Americans are succombing to the thought that America is the only place to be and that they should be grateful to live here. On the other hand, keeping silent due to pressures from the white population means being shunned by the members of the Asian American population. I disagree with Chin’s ascertation that â€Å"years of apparent silence have made us accomplices† to the makers of stereotypes (Chin 1991, xxxix). I agree with Hongo’s argument that Chin viewpoint â€Å"limits artistic freedom† (Hongo 4). Declaring that those writers who do not argue stereotypes of the good, loyal, and feminine Chinese man or the submissive female, are in any way contributing to or disagreeing with them is ridiculous. Chin’s opinion that politics should be included in some aspect of every Asian American piece eliminates choice from writing topics for other writers. Authors are the voices of the people (whichever people they choose to represent) and should not be criticized for choosing to discuss issues other than those that Chin deems necessary.

Tracey †Wiersema Triple Axis (Operational Excellence)

Treacy and Wiersema assert that companies achieve leadership positions by narrowing, not broadening their business focus. Treacy and Wiersema identify three â€Å"value-disciplines† that can serve as the basis for strategy: operational excellence, customer intimacy, and product leadership. As with driving forces, only one of these value disciplines can serve as the basis for strategy. Treacy and Wiersema’s three value disciplines are briefly defined below: Operational Excellence: Strategy is predicated on the production and delivery of products and services. The objective is to lead the industry in terms of price and convenience. Customer Intimacy: Strategy is predicated on tailoring and shaping products and services to fit an increasingly fine definition of the customer. The objective is long-term customer loyalty and long-term customer profitability. Product Leadership: Strategy is predicated on producing a continuous stream of state-of-the-art products and services. The objective is the quick commercialization of new ideas. Dr. Franklin C. Lewis set up Energy Services Providers Inc. n October 2002, obtaining approvals from the New York Public Service Commission, the New York Independent System Operator, and various New York utilities. By April 2003 he started serving customers, from an office in his home on a quiet hill in Vermont. In 2005 ESPI became the largest electricity supplier in the National Grid territory in New York, with more accounts than any competitor, and by November 2007 the business became so big Lewis decided to move to premises in Williamstown, in the northwestern tip of Massachusetts. Some electricity suppliers attract new customers by offering amazing deals for three months, but require the customer to sign a contract for a year or two or more. ESPI does not have any contracts or cancellation fees. They just say, â€Å"try us and see. † Every company likes to advertise its customer service, but few live up to their promises. In the deregulated electricity market, however, ESPI has found that superior customer service is a sure way to differentiate itself. Many supply companies tend to do a churn and burn. They put telemarketers on to call a territory, get as many customers as they can, then go to the next territory. They don’t care whether those customers are saving money or not. † The ESPI business model is all about educating customers to save money on their electricity bills, which is a great incentive for new customers, and once they begin to realize the benefits, they tend to stay. Since deregulation, customers have been changing electric ity suppliers almost as fast as their socks, but ESPI can boast of customers who have remained loyal since 2003. Another service offered is help with grant applications to NYSERDA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which offers grants to businesses for projects that will reduce their usage of electricity, whether by installing energy-efficient lighting or a new refrigeration unit. ESPI has experts who know exactly which form to fill out, how to do it, and they can walk you through it. ESPI dwells upon superb operations and execution. It is provided by their reasonable quality at very low cost. They have a task-oriented vision towards personnel which helps them excel amongst their competitors.

American Parkour Movement

The start of Parkour started with a French naval officer named Gorges Hebert. During World War I Herbert when on a trip to Africa. While he was there he was rather impressed with one of the native tribes. â€Å"Their bodies were splendid, flexible, nimble, skillful, enduring, and resistant but yet they had no other tutor in gymnastics but their lives in nature. †Ã¢â‚¬â€Georges Hebert. This was the beginning of his idea that physical fitness combined with mental creativity are fundamental necessities for a living person.While Hebert was stationed in Saint Pierre, Martinique, he was placed in charge of an evacuation of around seven hundred people because of the erupting of Mount Pelee. This event forwarded his new idea and he then began to apply it to his career. He started to incorporate this new idea to the training of French soldiers since World War II. One soldier that took a particular interest to this training was Raymond Belle. He continued with his training because it a lso later helped in become skilled within the Paris fire department.He also began to teach his soon about this philosophy, that one must achieve strength and dexterity in order to be useful in life and that you must be able to see beyond society’s ideas of objects. Just because a group of people have place a permanent purpose for a particular object. For instance, most people are stuck to the idea that a rail or wall is a barrier. Others who can see around this could use these as vaults or ladders. David took this idea to heart and created Parkour, which rapidly spread throughout France.Eventually this traveled to other surrounding countries and even America. For a while Parkour had no real definition, it was just a wondering lifestyle heard by ear but the American Parkour committee, along with members outside of the committee, gathered together to discuss the definition based of it original philosophy and this is what was finally created: Parkour is the physical discipline o f training to overcome any obstacle within one's path by adapting one's movements to the environment. Parkour requires†¦ consistent, disciplined training with an emphasis on functional strength, physical conditioning, balance, creativity, fluidity, control, precision, spatial awareness, and looking beyond the traditional use of objects.* Parkour movements typically include†¦ running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, balancing, and quadrupedal movement. Movements from other physical disciplines are often incorporated, but acrobatics or tricking alone do not constitute parkour. Parkour training focuses on†¦ safety, longevity, personal responsibility, and self-improvement. It discourages reckless behavior, showing off, and dangerous stunts. * Parkour practitioners value†¦ community, humility, positive collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and the importance of play in human life, while demonstrating respect for all people, places, and spaces.