Social research methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social research methods - Essay Example These people were of different classes as well as encompassing other races. STUDENT EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONNAIRE Answer the questions below appropriately. Note that comments are optional, you can write them if you wish. 1. What is your gender a. Male b. Female 2. Are students able to balance education and work? a. Yes b. No a. Can work stress and academic stress overwhelm the students? b. Yes c. No 3. Is student employment healthy for the students? a. Yes b. No 4. Can students be competitive in their various jobs without experience? a. Yes b. No 5. Which school students are allowed to enter the employment field? a. Primary school students b. High school students c. College/university students 6. Does student employment help students pay their fees? a. Yes b. No 7. Are there limitations in student employment? a. Yes b. No 8. Does student employment contribute to their working experience? a. Yes b. No 9. Does student employment give students extra money for enjoyment that can make them for get about their schoolwork? a. Yes b. No 10. Can work stress and academic stress overwhelm the students? a. Yes b. No 11. Do students find time to study when employed? a. Yes b. No 12. Is there a job limit for the students? a. Yes b. No Reasons for Using Simple Questionnaire Model This report used the above design of questionnaire called simple questionnaire because it is clear and specific. ... se the questions are framed in a way that an individual cannot ignore them in the sense that they are very simple and a person is only required to share his or her view through choosing between yes and no. The comment box is optional and it is only placed for those who love to explain themselves. The main reason I did not to use the other complex questionnaire is that several people could not respond to them since they need a lot of time for an individual to explain his or her views. Besides, this type of questionnaire was the best to use because the subject of research is controversial in the sense that some people it while other does not. Therefore, it is a good opportunity for the public to share their views through responding to the questions. Part B Micro-Level Data Analysis and Interpretation It is evident in the tables and graphs below that there are social-economic differences in health and lifestyle. Health is examined in terms of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) while lifestyle behavior is examined in terms of social support in the society. GHQ-12 data was acquired from the 2004 Health Survey for England cohort (n=3705). The configuration equation modeling was employed to evaluate the robust of the one-dimensional design, the present ‘best fit’ three-dimensional design and a one-dimensional design with retort bias. The best and suitable model that was employed was evaluated for standards error of measurement, reliability and free from discrimination. Questions and Answers 1. Are men more or less likely to have a high (over 4) GHQ-12 score? What does this indicate in relation to psycho-social wellbeing? There is no doubt that men are less likely to have high GHQ-12 score as compared to women. According to the 2005, Health survey conducted in England,

Parkinsons disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Parkinsons disease - Essay Example Its prevalence in developed countries is just about 0.3%. (Breteler, 532) the percentage exceeds to one percent in individuals above sixty years that increases to three percent for individuals that are older than eighty years. (Huse, 1450) Within the USA, Parkinson’s disease affects nearly hundred to one hundred eighty individuals out of every 100,000 individuals and shows a yearly occurrence of four to twenty out of every 100,000 individuals. The prevalence of the disease increases with the rise in the aging of population. It has been estimated that there will be a rise in the occurrence of the disease in upcoming years; however its medical intrusions will participate to a great extent in combating with the extensive range of unmet requirements connected with the disorder. Statistics show a market of $5.9bn in the worldwide retailing of Parkinsons disease restorative therapeutics that is far more than the last year’s values which used to be $4.6bn. Incomes gained from the authorized Parkinsons disease remedies all over the world (in major countries like America, England and France) found out to be more than $2.2 billion in 2006. A rise of revenues that is equivalent to approximately $6.4bn is anticipated by the end of 2015. (Metz, 251) Due to advancement in the therapies a reduction in the number of deaths due to Parkinsons disease is expected in next five to ten years. The increase in the revenues is mainly due to the latest developments in drugs therapy that brings a reduction in the load of polypharmacy in individuals that are currently on the pharmacotherapy of the disease. A dynamic change in the market of Parkinson’s disease is expected mainly due to the leading therapeutics owned by the names like, GlaxoSmithKlines (GSKs), UCB-Schwarzs Neupro, Lundbeck’s Azilect and Teva etc. (Chrischilles, 410) This has also been observed that a huge portfolio

Disease Process Of Herpes Zoster Health And Social Care Essay

Disease Process Of Herpes Zoster Health And Social Care Essay This paper will describe the disease process of Herpes Zoster. Herpes Zoster more commonly referred to as Shingles is an acute, unilateral, and segmental inflammation of sensory nerve roots. Herpes Zoster will be referred to as Shingles hereafter in this paper. The first section of this paper will explain the epidemiology of Shingles. This will include prevalence, mortality, and morbidity using the latest statistics available. The second section will list the predisposing factors of Shingles. Rationales for all risk factors explaining why each one predisposes the individual for that particular disease will be covered. In the third section the pathophysiology will explained. A brief description of the normal anatomy and physiological mechanism will precede the actual pathophysiology. In the fourth section all clinical manifestations will be listed. Including complaints from patients, and abnormalities found in physical exams. In the fifth section an explanation of all tests used to di agnose the disease and a description of these tests. The subsequent section will list the management of this disease from a medical stand point. This will include a description and rationale for all types of interventions such as invasive, non-invasive procedures, and pharmacological measures used to treat this disease. In the seventh section, nursing management of this condition will be explained. This will include nursing diagnoses, nursing goals, interventions (pharmacological, dietary, and patient education). The eighth and final section will describe research trends for this disorder. Including any new treatments, pharmacological, immunizations, invasive/non-invasive therapies, and, diagnostic testing, that are currently under investigation. Epidemiology Shingles is the resurgence of latent Varicella Zoster Virus (Chickenpox), so statistics from this disorder will be included. Humans are the only known reservoir for Chickenpox. Chickenpox has an attack rate of 90% in susceptible individuals. The virus is endemic in the population but becomes epidemic among susceptible individuals during late winter and early spring. Children between the ages of 5-9 are most commonly affected and account for 50% of all cases. Most other cases involve children 1-4 and 10-14. Roughly 10% of the population in the United States over age 15 is susceptible to the virus. The incubation period of chickenpox is 10 to 21 days however is more likely 14 to 17 days. Patients are contagious 48 hours prior to the formation of vesicular rash and until all vesicles have crusted. Attack rates in susceptible siblings in the same household are 70-90%. About 1 million cases of shingles occur in the United States every year. More than half of the people who develop shingle s are over 60, and nearly 50% of complications from shingles are in older adults. Shingles occurs at all ages but is more likely to affect those in the sixth decade of life. Except for immunocompromised, and AIDS patients recurrent attacks are rare. The total duration of the disease is usually 7-10 days however it may be as long as 2-4 weeks until the skin is back to normal. Predisposing Risk Factors Anyone who has recovered from chickenpox may develop shingles, including children. It is not clear what reactivates the virus. Anyone who has had chickenpox has a 10-30% lifetime risk of developing shingles. At 85 years of age, this risk increases to 50%. This increased risk may be linked to a weakening of the immune system. As people get older, their bodies become more vulnerable to many diseases. Having certain diseases such as cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and, HIV/AIDS, can severely compromise the immune system. Also, treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy; and other drugs such as steroids, and, medication taken to prevent rejection after an organ transplant can reduce immune function. In summary, having had chickenpox is the number one risk factor for contracting shingles. Among those that have had chickenpox advancing age is the number one risk factor. With immunosuppression being the only other risk factor for shingles. Pathophysiology Shingles is a viral disease. The initial infection with Varicella Zoster Virus causes the acute illness chickenpox, which usually occurs in young people and children. Once chickenpox has resolved, the body does not eliminate the virus. The virus lies dormant until the immune system is compromised. At which time it can cause shingles, an illness with different signs and symptoms, often years after the initial infection. The symptoms of shingles follow a series of three stages, prodromal or onset, active or erruptive, and chronic. However it is common for people not to experience all three stages. The onset phase is the most commonly experienced. During this phase, continuous or intermittent burning, tingling, itching, or various types of pain frequently precede rash by a few hours or days. While the onset phase and the presence of cutaneous nerve fibrils indicate that shingles infection is present in the sensory ganglia, a loss of sensation can also occur. The acute phase is considere d the active phase and follows the onset phase, which involves the development of the distinguishing skin lesions. Development of a rash in elderly patients may be accompanied by malaise, headache, low-grade fever, and nausea. Encephalopathy and severe pain may also go along with these symptoms. The active phase is initially characterized by erythematous papules and edema. Papules progress to vesicles in 12 to 24 hours and to pustules within one to seven days. The pustules eventually dry and fall off within 14-21 days, leaving behind erythematous lesions. The chronic phase is unlike any of the other phases and occurs mostly in the elderly. Many patients develop PHN, which is most likely to result during the chronic stage. PHN is Postherpetic Neuralgia is a chronic pain that persist after the shingles have resolved. Clinical manifestations The most common symptom of shingles is pain that can be severe and unrelenting. In the prodromal stage, which is usually 48-72 hours prior to the presence of a rash, symptoms will include: Numbness Tingling Burning Shooting pain Itching Fever Headache Chills Nausea Shingles usually begins with parasthesias, which are itching, burning, or tingling of skin on one side of the body. Patient may develop a fever, a feeling of being sick, or a headache. Within 1-2 days a rash appears on either side of the body in a band like pattern. The chest or back is typically affected by the shingles rash. The rash may also occur on the face, if it appears near the eye it can permanently affect vision .The pain of shingles can be mild to severe, and generally has a sharp, stabbing, or burning quality. Usually the pain is localized to the skin affected by the rash. It can be severe enough to affect ADLà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s. Older adults compared to younger people generally experience more pain. Within three to four days, shingles blisters can become open sores. These sores may become infected with bacteria. If the patientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s immune system is not compromised the sores crust over by day 7-10. The rash generally goes away within three to four weeks. Sca rring and skin color changes may be permanent. Most people recover from shingles without any lasting problems. Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of shingles. PHN is a condition in which damage to sensory nerves, causes severe neuropathic pain. This pain can be continuous or intermittent. The pain can occur without external stimuli. However it may also be caused by external stimuli, light touch, the brush of clothing, and even wind can cause extreme pain. The amount of pain from PHN greatly increases with age. PHN is defined as pain that last at least 3 months after all shingles lesions have went away.PHN is treated with: Analgesics Antidepressants Anticonvulsants Corticosteroids These medications may all be used concurrently. However they should be added to the patientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s regimen one at a time in case there is any adverse reaction, so that the med that caused the reaction can be promptly stopped. Diagnosis Shingles can be diagnosed in the prodromal stage, before lesions appear but this is difficult as the symptoms in this stage can mimic many other illnesses. Virology of skin scrapings once the lesions have appeared is usually the only way to achieve a proper diagnosis. This is done by isolating the Varicella Zoster Virus (Chickenpox) in tissue culture cell lines. The two tests used most are the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen test (FAMA), immune adherence hemagglutination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These two tests are also the most sensitive. Also contact dermatitis is pruritic and shingles is painful. If lesions of herpes simplex are not differentiated from shingles, doses of antibiotics appropriate for shingles should be used. However herpes simplex and shingles are differentiated by the staining of antibodies from vesicular fluid and identified under fluorescent light. Usually the lesions of these two disorders occur in different places. If the CNS is i nvolved, LP results show increased pressure, and protein levels. Medical Management Shingles is usually treated with prescription oral antiviral drugs to significantly reduce the healing time of the infection. Anti inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation, these may be prescription or OTC. Analgesic medication is also used to lower pain level; these may also be prescription or OTC. Antivirals used to treat shingles are: Acyclovir- is administered at a dose of 800mg five times a day for 7-10 days. Famciclovir- is administered at a dose of 500mg three times a day for seven days. Valacyclovir- is administered at a dose of 1g three times a day for 5-7 days. Immunocompromised patients should be treated with IV Acyclovir at a dose of 10-12.5mg/kg q8hrs for seven days. Glucocorticoids such as prednisone administered at a dose of 60mg/d for the first 7 days, 30mg/d for day 8-14 and, 15mg/d for days 15-21. Glucocorticoid treatment should not be used unless there is concomitant antiviral therapy. Analgesics usually used for shingles include: gabapentin, amitriptyline hydrochloride, lidocane patches, codeine, aspirin, acetaminophen, and, fluphenazine hydrochloride. Topical antipruritics such as calamine lotion can be used to reduce pruritis. Nursing Management Nursing diagnoses for shingles include: Acute Pain Disturbed body image Impaired skin integrity Impaired social interaction Risk for infection Outcomes for patients with shingles include: Patient will verbalize that an acceptable level has been achieved. Patient will acknowledge a change in body image. Patient will exhibit healed lesions. Patient will demonstrate effective social interaction skills. Patient will have no further signs of infection. The following nursing interventions should be applied to patients with shingles. Apply calamine lotion as liberally as directed by physician. Apply silver sulfadiazine to soften and debride lesions that are infected. Administer pain medication as prescribed. Patients with severe pain should be referred to a pain specialist. Maintain hygiene to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body. If the patient has open lesions follow contact isolation to avoid spreading the infection to immunocompromised patients. Patient should be reassured that the pain will eventually subside. Also cool wet compresses can be applied to the lesions for 20 minutes several times a day. Domeboro and Betadine soaks may be utilized to reduce crusting. The patient should be encouraged to wear loose fitting clothing to reduce irritation caused from clothing rubbing the lesions. Research Trends New research regarding shingles has been in the area of prevention. Researchers have developed a preventive vaccine, Zostavax, marketed by Merck. Zostavax is a stronger version of the vaccine given to children to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine is 50% effective and is recommended for individuals over the age of 60. Even though an individual may still get shingles after vaccination, the vaccination reduces the risk of complications of shingles. The vaccine has not been utilized by many people because shingles is not a life threatening disease and there have not been many new vaccines for adults, so many people are not aware of this vaccination. Also the vaccine is not covered by insurance so many older adults that are on fixed incomes cannot afford it. Public education about shingles and the extremely painful complications associated with it are presumed to increase the use of this groundbreaking new vaccine. In conclusion shingles is a disease that can affect people that have had chickenpox at any age. However it affects mainly the elderly population. Shingles usually presents with pain, numbness, tingling, burning, shooting pain, itching, fever, headache, chills, and, nausea. Shingles is treated with antivirals, analgesics, and antiinflammatories. Usually a person can only have shingles but there have been rare occasions of people having it more than once. From a nursing stand point relieving pain and starting antiviral therapy are the highest priority interventions. Lastly with patient education about vaccines now available to prevent shingles. The incidence of people getting shingles, or having painful complications if they do get shingles is greatly reduced.

Essay --

Slaves wanted freedom. They wanted to get away from their malicious and abusive owners, reunite with their families, and have a chance at a new life. The Underground Railroad gave them that chance. Before the Underground Railroad, slaveholders became accustomed to the use of this cruel system in which they called slavery, where slaves were often treated worse than farm animals. Slaves were forced to live in terrible conditions, where they were crowded into poorly built huts, exposed to both the freezing cold and extreme heat, worked from sun up until sun down, and were malnourished. Slaves could also be subjected to torturous punishments at the will of his or her master or overseer. As a southern judge once decreed, â€Å"The power of the master must be absolute.† Slaveholders would even aim to break up slave families just so that their absolute control would never waver. (Landau) It is believed that the system of the Underground Railroad began in 1787 when a Quaker named Isaac T. Hopper started to organize a system for hiding and aiding fugitive slaves. The Underground Railroad was a vast, loosely organized network of people who helped aid fugitive slaves in their escape to the North and Canada. It operated mostly at night and consisted of many whites, but predominately blacks. While the Underground Railroad had unofficially existed before it, a cause for its expansion was the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act. The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act allowed for runaway slaves to be captured and returned within the territory of the United States and added further provisions regarding the runaways and imposed even harsher chastisements for interfering in their capture (A&E). The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act was a major cause of the development o... ...d and inspired blacks to do something about the situation that they were being given, and so they did. Blacks and whites came together to fight on the same side, to fight for the abolishment of slavery. This coming together is what caused the Underground Railroad to expand and evolve, but none of it would have ever happened, or at least not as fast as it did, without the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act which brought blacks and whites together. In this way the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act was a major cause of the development of the Underground Railroad because it caused people to realize just how cruel slavery was, which invoked an increase in the support and aid of the strong, free, black population, who were a crucial component to the Underground Railroad, as well as abolitionist and anti-slavery white, resulting in the expansion of the Underground Railroad.

Miss Ferenczi in “Gryphon” by Charles Baxter Essay

In the short story Gryphon, Charles Baxter creates a far-from-perfect character, the substitute teacher Miss Ferenczi, who lives in a fantasy world without boundaries and tiresome limits. Her arrival has a great influence on the whole rural Five Oaks community. Miss Ferenczi’s appearance and behaviors, portrayed through her student’s eyes, place her as a symbol of reformation and immerses her students into a rich and fascinating world. Charles Baxter introduces Miss Ferenczi into the fourth grade class of Five Oaks community in a mysterious way. Unlike other boring normal substitute teachers the children are used to, she comes in with her purple purse and checkerboard lunchbox signaling the beginning of an unusual experience. As she walks to the blackboard, picking up pieces of white and green chalk, she draws a large oak tree on the left side of the blackboard saying the class needs this tree in it. This first scene alone has already created a mystic fog about the new teacher’s behavior and personality. She then tells the class about her royal Hungarian ancestor, which adds more to the strange atmosphere. She was proud of her mother being a famous pianist who succeeded her first concert in London for â€Å"crowned heads.† The way she nostalgically looks up to the ceiling, makes the students follow her eyes but see nothing except for ceiling tiles. Her actions are far more than what fourth graders can possibly understand. This is the start of strange events following in the plot. However the most remarkable detail is her physical appearance: â€Å"her face had two prominent lines, descending vertically from the sides of her mouth to her chin.† This abnormal feature is foreshadowing for what happens later on and also a hint at an unreal, numinous personality. The two lines remind Tommy, the little narrator, of Pinocchio. The comparison of Miss Ferenczi to this character is foretelling of her later unreliability of her words, since, like Pinocchio, her nose is also prone to extend. The students later on question on the truthfulness of Miss Ferenczi’s lessons. Moreover, Pinocchio is a product of imagination, as Miss Ferenczi living in her unreal world. Miss Ferenczi is also well portrayed through her lectures. The first incident is when John Wazny is doing the multiplication table. As another boy pointed out Wazny said six times eleven is sixty eight, and the right answer should  be sixty six. Miss Ferenczi on the other hand tells them the answer of sixty eight is also right, â€Å"when I am in the room.† She encourages the children to form their own perspective of life and tries to make them break out of the rules and norms other adults created. Mr. Hibler, as well as any other teacher would tell the kid that math, as a science, is facts which cannot be bent. In contrast Miss Ferenczi simply states â€Å"It’s more interesting that way† to explain her odd answer. She exposed her class to â€Å"substitute facts,† things perceived out of ordinary and accepted by the minority or even just an individual. Being with the majority does not mean it is right; there is always another solution for every happening in the world. The utmost influential image is the gryphon when Miss Ferenczi talks about the Egyptians. The magical creature is half lion half bird, which represents Miss Ferenczi herself in this story. The things she tells the students are half truth, and half myth or even unreal. She tells them about the plant that eats meat, which is a fact. She mentioned the sea creatures that are as thin as pancakes and cannot be studied as they will explode in the normal pressure air, which could be the truth. However there is other information which remains to be doubtful, such as Beethoven pretending to be deaf, the Hope diamond’s curse etc. Some are even personal views or beliefs, for instance the comment on the genders and planets control over behaviors. The point is gryphon makes people imagine and long for the other side of the dream world, and broaden their mind, like how Miss Ferenczi makes the children start to form their own thinking. In addition, Miss Ferenczi is unique in her behaviors and reaction with the class. She seems to be strict at the first moment when she first gathers the boy to settle for lecture. However she reveals her sweet side when choosing to have lunch with the kids. She claims other teachers seem to lack ideas, which means they are boring and all the same. She gently warns the children about choosing their food and she tells the stories to them because she knows they like â€Å"these secrets†. Miss Ferenczi’s appearance, throughout the three times she teaches in class, gradually changes as well. She first had an elegant chignon, and then on the second day her clothes were of bright green blouse and pink scarf with her hair done into a pigtail held by red rubber bands. Finally the last day she goes to the class, her hair â€Å"hung  straight down and seemed hardly to have been combed.† The way her appearance changes shows as she goes on the more she gets away from the reality and the ordinary. The climax of the story is when Miss Ferenczi read the fate for the students through her Tarot cards. She reads the cards for several children, and when it comes to Wayne Razmer, the little boy gets a Death card. She tells him the card means he will soon face his fate, but as she mentions earlier, death is not the end; it is just a new beginning. Her motivation on telling to boy about his fate is not to scare him, but to tell him not to fear of what will come on his way. However this action is to the extreme and inappropriate with elementary children, despite her good intentions. At the end of the story Miss Ferenczi has gone too far from the reality world, where the boundaries trap her dream. She lives in a different world, of Gryphon, Sphinx and all beautiful miraculous creatures. Perhaps she does not belong to Five Oaks, where people like Tommy’s mom, Mr. Hibler and others cannot accept such imaginative and individualistic thinking and ideas. Miss Ferenczi is fated to leave the school, as the society not yet realizes the importance of her innovative dreams. As Miss Ferenzci said to the children, â€Å"angels live under those clouds† and they are among us. Angels are everyone inside these children, if they allow their imagination to fly; they will soar up and reach the peak of understanding of themselves and the world. Though she may not be perfect, Miss Ferenczi symbolizes change and creativity that human beings should not put limits on. Dreams and beliefs are the only resources that we never lack, and the teacher in Gryphon changes her fourth grade students, help them wonder and reach out to new concepts. Works Cited Baxter, Charles. Gryphon.1985. Rpt. in Compact Literature ReadingReacting Writing. By Kirszner and Mandell. 6th ed. 2007. â€Å"Gryphon: Often Asked Questions.† Rev. of Gryphon, by Charles Baxter. CharlesBaxter. 3 June 2009 .

Neolithic Revolution and the Renaissance Effects on History

The Neolithic Revolution and the Renaissance provided mankind with new ways of life. Although these advancements in architecture, agriculture, education and ideas transpired in different periods of history, they both had massive effects on our way of life today. Without these revolutions, our lives today would be unrecognizable. Life was drastically different before the Neolithic Revolution. During the Paleolithic Period, people were nomads. They lived in groups of 20-30, and survived solely off their surroundings by hunting animals and gathering various plants.Roles ere based on gender; men hunted and women gathered plants. They developed simple tools such as spears and axes out of materials such as stone, bone and wood. Human beings lived in this manner until about 10,000 BCC, when they started to cultivate crops and domesticate animals. This is known as the Neolithic Revolution. The Neolithic Revolution is a major turning point in human history. It was a fundamental change in the way people lived. The shift from hunting & gathering to agriculture led to permanent settlements, the establishment of social classes, new technologies, and the eventual rise of civilizations.Another effect of this revolution was the advanced form of a society. Class systems arose, with the Council of Elders at the top, and farms, merchants and craftsmen at the bottom. After a period of little education or values, Europe was ready for advancement. It was a time of creativity and change in Europe. The Renaissance was centered in Italy during the sass before spreading to the rest of Europe in the 1500 and sass. Achievements in art, literature, science and ideas made this period a golden age. Ideas such as Humanism became widely popular during the Renaissance.Humanism stressed the importance of education. The study of ancient Roman and Greet texts became the learning standard. Humanism also stressed the importance of focusing on the present, rather than the afterlife. People changed th e way they thought of themselves, each other and the world around them. The effects of the Renaissance are still witnessed today. From architecture to mathematical theorems, the Renaissance had a long lasting effect on society. The Pythagorean Theorem, and the use of printing presses and Humanism are all examples of this.As a cultural movement, it encompassed a resurgence of learning eased on ancient texts, the development of unique perspective in painting, and gradual, yet widespread educational reform. Without the Neolithic Revolution and the Renaissance, this world would be very different. Each revolution contributed to our way of life and continues to shape it through values and educational standards. Advancements in architecture, agriculture, education and ideas back then provided a pathway towards the civilized, educated and advanced society we have today. Neolithic Revolution and the Renaissance Effects on History By reclaiming

Julia Donaldsons The Gruffalo Picture Book Review

Julia Donaldson's 'The Gruffalo' Picture Book Review Its not surprising that The Gruffalo, first published in 1999, continues to be a popular read aloud. The author, Julia Donaldson, has written a good story with such strong rhythm and rhyme that it just begs to be read aloud. The illustrations by Axel Scheffler are filled with bold color, detail and appealing characters. Summary The Gruffalo is the story of a clever mouse, three large animals that want to eat him and an imaginary monster, a Gruffalo, who turns out to be only too real. Whats a mouse to do when on a walk in the deep dark wood, he is confronted first by a fox, then by an owl and, finally, by a snake, all of whom seem to be intent on inviting him for a meal, with the mouse as the main dish? The mouse tells each of them that he is on his way to a feast with a Gruffalo. The mouses description of the fierce Gruffalo  who would want to eat them scares the fox, the owl, and the snake away. Each time he scares one of the animals away, the mouse says, Doesnt he know? Theres no such thing as a Gruffalo! Imagine the mouses surprise when the monster of his imagination appears right before him in the woods and says, Youll taste good on a slice of bread! The clever mouse comes up with a strategy to convince the Gruffalo that he (the mouse) is the scariest creature in this deep dark wood. How the mouse fools the Gruffalo after fooling the fox, the owl and the snake makes a very satisfying story. A Good Book to Read Aloud Besides the rhythm and the rhyme, some of the other things that make The Gruffalo a good book for reading aloud to young children are the repetitions which encourage children to chime in. Also, the story arc, with the first half of the story about the mouse fooling the fox, then the owl, then the snake with tales of the imaginary Gruffalo and the second half of the story when the mouse misleads the real Gruffalo with the unsuspecting help of the snake, the owl, and the fox. Kids also like the fact that the 1-2-3 order of the mouses meeting the fox, the owl, and the snake becomes a 3-2-1 order as the mouse walks back to the edge of the woods, followed by the Gruffalo. The Author Julia Donaldson grew up in London and attended Bristol University where she studied Drama and French. Before writing childrens books, she was a teacher, a songwriter,  and a street theater performer. In June 2011, Julia Donaldson  was named the 2011-2013 Waterstones Childrens Laureate in the UK. According to the 6/7/11 announcement, The role of the Childrens Laureate is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of childrens books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field. Donaldson has written more than 120 books and plays for kids and teens. The Gruffalo, one of Julia Donaldsons first childrens books, is also one of her most popular childrens picture books. Others include  Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Snail and the Whale and What the Ladybird Heard. The Illustrator Axel Scheffler was born in Germany and attended the University of Hamburg but left there to move to England where he studied illustration and earned a degree at the Bath Academy of Art. Axel Scheffler has illustrated some Julia Donaldsons books in addition to The Gruffalo. They include  Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, Stick Man and Zog. Book and Animation Awards Among the awards the creators of The Gruffalo picture book have been honored with are the 1999 Smarties Gold Medal Award for picture books and the 2000 Blue Peter Award for The Best Book to Read Aloud. The animated version of The Gruffalo, which is available on DVD, was nominated for both an Oscar and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award  and won the audience award at the Canadian Film Centres Worldwide Short Film Festival. Delight Your Child With a Story Sack If your child loves The Gruffalo, youll want to create a story sack for of crafts and related items. These can include other books by Julia Donaldson about the Gruffalo; mouse, owl, snake and fox crafts; a monster craft and more. Review and Recommendation The story of the clever mouse and the Gruffalo is one that children ages 3 to 6 love hearing again and again. The rhythm and rhyme of Julia Donaldsons story, along with the strong story arc, make The Gruffalo an excellent read aloud. Children quickly learn to help the reader tell the story, and that adds to the fun for all. The dramatic illustrations by Axel Scheffler, with their bold colors and appealing characters, from the little mouse to the colossal Gruffalo, add significantly to the books appeal. (Dial Books for Young Readers, A Division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 1999. ISBN: 9780803731097) Sources: Childrens Laureate siteJulia Donaldson siteChildrens Book Illustration: Axel Scheffler, The Hollywood Reporter

moving about essays

moving about essays Each year, motor vehicle accidents kill an estimated 300,000 people throughout the world. A high proportion of those people are young people. They also have the highest accident rate of all drivers. Accidents are cause by speeding, driving in the wrong lane, making improper turns, and breaking other rules of safe driving. Cars has become safer over the years because of advances in its design and manufacture. Car manufacturers must meet strict government standards designed to prevent accidents and to protect drivers and passengers. Standards to protect car occupants include the installation of automatic seat belts or airbags, head restraints, and bumper system. Seat belts are probably the main safety equipment. Modern road building techniques have increasingly lowered the risk of car accidents. To build safe roads, engineers consider such factors as road foundations and surfaces, lighting, safety barriers, and grading. Collisions or human errors are occurred in most car accidents. The immediate cause of injury or death in traffic accidents are numerous, such as broken glass, fires, the crushing of the vehicle, hurling the passenger against the car itself. In a collision there is a very large change in velocity in a very short period of time. 59% of injury producing accidents are front end collisions. Therefore there is a major effort in designing front end of automobiles so that they will crumple in a way that results in a uniform acceleration over a relatively long distance, in order to keep the forces on the passenger low. In each car crash there are actually three collisions car collision, human collision, and internal collision. Car collision is during a crash, the car crashes to a stop. At 30 mph, a car hitting an object that is not moving will crumple in about two feet. As the car crushes, it absorbs some of the force of the collision. The second collision is the "human collision". At the moment of impact, ...

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry in Ecuador Essay -- agricultural contam

The Costa region is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, and is made up of coastal lowlands, coastal mountains, and hilly hills that separate river valleys. Ecuador has a long and varied coastline. It is the country’s most fertile and productive land. The crops that would be commonly found in this region are: Bananas, rice crop, and cocoa. The truly coastal provinces have active fisheries. Coastal waters are rich with anchovies, mackerel, tuna, shrimp, fish, tilapia, and crab. Shrimp and tilapia are raised in small ponds. Cocoa is grown primarily by small scale farmers mainly in tropical cropping systems. Rice is a very important crop grown by small and medium scale farmers. (1) Most of this nation’s bananas, cacao, coffee and sugar cane are raised on plantations in the coastal lowlands. Oranges and rice are also grown in the coastal lowlands. Ecuador is the world’s leading producer of balsa wood which grows in the coastal lowlands. (5) The Sierra region has two major chains of the Andes Mountains, the Coproduce mainly beef and dual purpose cattle with dairy. For a country that’s no bigger than the state of Colorado, it’s amazing how diverse its agricultural regions are. (1) SOURCES: 1) Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, (2013), â€Å"South America: Ecuador†, http://www.cia.gov/library/publications, World Fact book 2) CROPS, U.S. Library of Congress, 1989. http://countrystudies.us/ecuador/46.htm 3) Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles , J.M. Suttie and S.G. Reynolds in January, 2003 and modified by S.G. Reynolds in May 2006, http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/pasture/forage.htm 4) Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2014 Advameg, Inc., http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Ecuador-ENVIRONMENT.html#ixzz2rMkJUyg3 5) World Book Encyclopedia, 2014, World Book inc., Chicago, IL 6) Culture Shock Ecuador, Nicholas Crowder, Marshall Cavendish 2001, Tarrytown, NY

Why are similar independence claims the subject of different responses Essay

Why are similar independence claims the subject of different responses from the international community The international communitys position on Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia - Essay Example vestigation of the issues and facts that divide the international community in its responses to the secessions of Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia reveal that the legality of these secessions are not the only determining factors. A review of the literature seems to suggest that power politics has a role to play in the responses to these secessions. In other words, there is an emerging trend indicating that it is possible to conclude that world powers are more inclined to support or refuse to support an entity’s secession based on political rather than legal reasoning. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that power politics permits what amounts to a spin on the international legal framework for statehood and state recognition. The secessions of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Kosovo will be compared and contrasted with a view to determining the way that the international community should have responded to these secessions and how they in fact, responded. It will be argued that from a purely legal perspective the secessions are no different from one another, and power politics plays a greater role in the international community’s responses than international customary law. The 2008 declarations of independence by South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Kosovo was met by entirely different responses by the international community, specifically international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organizations for Security Cooperation with Europe (OSCE) .2 The CoE, the UN and the OSCE readily recognized Kosovo’s independence but at the same time did not accept and recognize the secession of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.3 The European Union (EU) which occupies a unique position in its relationship with Russia, was split on Kosovo’s independence and unquestionably unsupportive of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.4 NATO and the United States (US) accepted and recognized Kosovo’s independence but outright refused to accept

Are connectionist models and symbolic models competing or Essay

Are connectionist models and symbolic models competing or complementary appraoaches to artificial intelligence - Essay Example Both these approaches have their supporters who have used them to show the various benefits which can be derived from taking different viewpoint to AI (Minsky, 1991). At the same time, there are those who have said that the approaches are complimentary and do not compete with each other. To justify these statements it is necessary to take a look at each approach to see how it works. The symbolic approach is based on the creation of AI models that work with symbol manipulation. Computation is based on the fact that a symbol or a group of symbols can be arranged in a manner to represent information. Once the order or position of symbols is changed, the information can also be updated to reflect the changing environment. It must be noted that in this approach a symbol can represent any type or nature of information and the symbols can be modified if required (Bader & Hitzler, 2005). Thus a symbol here represents an idea which has certain basic premises but which can be modified by the machine based on experience or intelligent action. This process of symbol manipulation can be very successful if the AI process is being applied to well-structured problems. That means if the symbols are predefined for the AI system, it can modify the associated parameters based on its own experience and manipulation of the symbols (Bader & Hitzler, 2005). This method seeks to replicate the higher order thinking processes of the human mind which has the same ability to modify and learn from experiences as they are collected in a person’s memory. However, this approach has certain failings as well since it is difficult to grasp commonsense reality with this approach. On the other hand, the connectionist models for AI are based on the idea of using a large number of relatively simple units which can handle extremely difficult and

Clinical Focus and Advocacy in Patients Care in Specialist Nursing Literature review

Clinical Focus and Advocacy in Patients Care in Specialist Nursing Practice - Literature review Example The current trend of offering master’s programs in nursing schools was seen to start begin around the 1970’s with the gradual phasing out of the public health nursing programs in most of the schools offering public health studies. The very first programs to start preparing and offering Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) courses started doing so in the 1950’s (Fulton, Lyon and Goudreau 2010). A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) can be described basically as an advanced practice and registered nurse who has undergone graduate preparation resulting in their earning a master’s or doctorate from one of the programs that prepares clinical nursing specialists. Clinical nurse specialists are generally experts at the diagnosis and eventual treatment of illness that fall in their area of expertise. The focus of clinical nurse specialist generally falls into three basic areas; these areas are administration, patients and their respective families and nurse management. Although these three spheres are seen to be interrelated and it is quite normal for them to overlap, they are quite different and possess distinctive focus from each other. In all three areas of influence, the primary role of the CNS is to ensure that there is continuous improvement of the nursing care and patient outcome in general (Fulton, Lyon and Goudreau 2010). The rest of a medical facilities nursing staff tend to look to the Clinical Nurse Specialist to help them improve the efficiency in the work place as well as to receive guidance as they perform their everyday nursing duties. Some of the key elements of practicing CNS is to ensure that there is the creation of an environment that can be seen to implement effective system changes and mentoring programs that will help in the empowerment of nurses who are better able to adequately respond to the diverse patient needs, and develop caring best practices that are not only evidence based but are also able to alleviate

Integrated Marketing Communication Program for Zamda Motors Research Paper

Integrated Marketing Communication Program for Zamda Motors - Research Paper Example Integrated marketing communication is the process of developing and implementing various forms of persuasive communication programs with customers and prospects with a view to influence and directly affects the behavior selected market audience (Percy, p. 6). IMC refers to a careful coordination of various promotional messages including traditional advertising, sales promotions, personal selling, event marketing, public relation etc for marketing a particular product or service with a basic objective of maintaining consistency in information to be conveyed to the prospective customers. Yeshin (p. 14) emphasized that the underlying requirement of integrated marketing communication is to ensure maximum consistency in message being communicated to the public as it forces all aspects of communication programs to deliver a single-minded and unified message to the audience. Weiss stressed that the marketer needs to have graphic consistency and message consistency throughout every communica tion emanating from his organization.  Ã‚   Integrated marketing communication is a strategic tool that helps a marketer plan, design and develop coordinated, systematic and measurable brand communication program with customers, employees and other important stakeholders to ensure short term financial benefits as well as long term brand value.     Marketing mix and IMC In an attempt to prepare an IMC project for Zamda motors, it is worth explaining the concepts of marketing mix to illustrate how various marketing elements of the company are coordinated. Traditionally, the marketing mix comprises of four marketing elements; product, price, place and promotion. Many literatures have suggested adding people, process and physical evidence (Palmer, p. 259).   IMC is related to the promotion mix of marketing mix. Promotion, the fourth element of marketing mix, consists of five sub-elements; they are advertising, consumer promotions, personal selling, direct marketing and public re lation. While planning for an effective marketing communication program, it is highly important to consider evaluating all the four marketing mix and sub-elements of the company in order to carefully coordinate the message to be conveyed to the targeted audience.

Week 3 discussion questions and summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Week 3 discussion questions and summary - Essay Example Strategic planning highlights its importance both for domestic and international markets. Although there are some differences between the strategic planning of the two but they are almost the same. The only major difference is that in an international market a business finds tougher competition and a more radical environment. Brand loyalty is less; customers look for better quality at cheaper rates, hence strategic planning for international market needs more research and critical thinking. Strategic planning should vary country to country it is important for a country to alter its strategic planning according to its customers. In the same way different countries should adopt different strategic planning. Another reason for varying strategic planning is the competition that prevails in the international market. Every firm is competing to be the best hence they keep an eye on the strategies of their competitors. Adaptation is an ongoing process that has been observed in the history and is still carrying on. An adaptation is a process in which every new aspect of a thing is taken up in order to peak its performance. Adaptation is applicable in international market in different scenarios for example the hand knitting method was replaced by the knitting machine that was more effective but a little less in quality at that time. The early adapters took the advantage and later a more advance machine updated the quality as well. Well adaptation can have different results depending on the scenario; diminishing returns can result due to adaptation. A perfect example is when the demand of a product is less and an organization adapts to a better technology resulting in excess production that in turn results in diminishing returns. But its not always this way, Adaptation if done with proper planning and strategy will always give positive results. Adaptation is a very important phase in a business and

Clinical Focus and Advocacy in Patients Care in Specialist Nursing Literature review

Clinical Focus and Advocacy in Patients Care in Specialist Nursing Practice - Literature review Example The current trend of offering master’s programs in nursing schools was seen to start begin around the 1970’s with the gradual phasing out of the public health nursing programs in most of the schools offering public health studies. The very first programs to start preparing and offering Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) courses started doing so in the 1950’s (Fulton, Lyon and Goudreau 2010). A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) can be described basically as an advanced practice and registered nurse who has undergone graduate preparation resulting in their earning a master’s or doctorate from one of the programs that prepares clinical nursing specialists. Clinical nurse specialists are generally experts at the diagnosis and eventual treatment of illness that fall in their area of expertise. The focus of clinical nurse specialist generally falls into three basic areas; these areas are administration, patients and their respective families and nurse management. Although these three spheres are seen to be interrelated and it is quite normal for them to overlap, they are quite different and possess distinctive focus from each other. In all three areas of influence, the primary role of the CNS is to ensure that there is continuous improvement of the nursing care and patient outcome in general (Fulton, Lyon and Goudreau 2010). The rest of a medical facilities nursing staff tend to look to the Clinical Nurse Specialist to help them improve the efficiency in the work place as well as to receive guidance as they perform their everyday nursing duties. Some of the key elements of practicing CNS is to ensure that there is the creation of an environment that can be seen to implement effective system changes and mentoring programs that will help in the empowerment of nurses who are better able to adequately respond to the diverse patient needs, and develop caring best practices that are not only evidence based but are also able to alleviate

Week 3 discussion questions and summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Week 3 discussion questions and summary - Essay Example Strategic planning highlights its importance both for domestic and international markets. Although there are some differences between the strategic planning of the two but they are almost the same. The only major difference is that in an international market a business finds tougher competition and a more radical environment. Brand loyalty is less; customers look for better quality at cheaper rates, hence strategic planning for international market needs more research and critical thinking. Strategic planning should vary country to country it is important for a country to alter its strategic planning according to its customers. In the same way different countries should adopt different strategic planning. Another reason for varying strategic planning is the competition that prevails in the international market. Every firm is competing to be the best hence they keep an eye on the strategies of their competitors. Adaptation is an ongoing process that has been observed in the history and is still carrying on. An adaptation is a process in which every new aspect of a thing is taken up in order to peak its performance. Adaptation is applicable in international market in different scenarios for example the hand knitting method was replaced by the knitting machine that was more effective but a little less in quality at that time. The early adapters took the advantage and later a more advance machine updated the quality as well. Well adaptation can have different results depending on the scenario; diminishing returns can result due to adaptation. A perfect example is when the demand of a product is less and an organization adapts to a better technology resulting in excess production that in turn results in diminishing returns. But its not always this way, Adaptation if done with proper planning and strategy will always give positive results. Adaptation is a very important phase in a business and

Homosexuality Essay Example for Free

Homosexuality Essay How would you feel if the government would not allow you the right to get married? Homosexuals in the United States do not have the full right to marriage and they should. I. Many people in the US claim they are for same-sex rights but when the idea of marriage is brought up, they suddenly become against it. II. In 1924, the Society for Human Rights in Chicago became the country’s earliest gay rights organization. III. In 1951, the Mattachine Society became the first official national gay rights organization formed by Harry Hay. IV. Five years later, Daughters of Bilitis was founded as the first national lesbian organization. V. Six years after that, Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexual acts in private between couples. VI. Twenty years later in 1982, Wisconsin became the first state who outlawed the discrimination of sexual orientation. VII. In 1993, the government issued the â€Å"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell† policy for the US Military stating that homosexuals were permitted to serve in the military however homosexual activity was strictly banned. VIII. On December 18, 2010, President Obama took a huge step towards homosexual rights when he repealed the â€Å"Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell† policy. IX. In 2000, Vermont became the first state to legally recognize civil unions between homosexual couples. X. Four years later, same-sex marriages became legal in Massachusetts. XI. Six state governments (along with the District of Columbia, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Suquamish tribe) have passed laws offering same-sex marriage: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire. XII. Following lead, civil unions became legal in Connecticut in 2005 and New Jersey in 2006. XIII. In November 2007, the House of Representatives approved the bill ensuring equal rights in the workplace for homosexuals. XIV. In just 2008: a. Oregon passes the law permitting same-sex couples to register as domestic partners. b. In May, California legalized same-sex marriage only to ban it again in November. c. In October, the law is passed that Connecticut will perform same-sex marriages instead of civil unions. XV. In 2009: d.  The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously rejected same-sex marriage laws on April 3rd only to be required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples twenty-one days later. e. On April 7th, Vermont legalized same-sex marriage and also became the first state to legalize through the Legislature. f. Maine shortly legalized same-sex marriage in May only for the vote to overrule making the state the 31st to ban same-sex marriages. g. In June, New Hampshire legalizes sam e-sex marriage while President Obama also signs a referendum allowing the same-sex partners of federal employees to receive benefits except full health coverage. XVI. In March 2010, Congress approved the law to legalize same-sex marriages in the District of Columbia. XVII. People like to argue that homosexuals are just promiscuous and not able to form long-lasting relationships when that is completely untrue. Homosexual couples are just the same as heterosexual couples. XVIII. The Kinsey Institute has ongoing studies on homosexuality to determine whether sexuality is decided in the womb. As of this time, their studies show that it is something a person is born with and they cannot help it. XIX. The Kinsey Scale rates a person’s homosexuality from 0-exclusively heterosexual with no homosexual feelings to 6-exclusively homosexual. XX. In February of this year, Obama ended the Defense Against Marriage Act which had once defined marriage against a man and a woman, taking the country one step closer to legalizing same-sex marriages. XXI. Obama stated that he supports the civil unions as an alternative, however, his views are constant XXII. In February of this year, Obama ended the Defense Against Marriage Act which had once defined marriage against a man and a woman, taking the country one step closer to legalizing same-sex marriages. XXIII. Obama stated that he supports the civil unions as an alternative; however, his views are constantly evolving. XXIV. Legalizing same-sex marriage in the US really does not cause harm to anybody. XXV. It would put same-sex couples on the same level as heterosexual couples. XXVI. It is not anybody’s right to judge them for something they cannot help, no matter how hard they may try.

Improving The Risk Return Performance Of Portfolios

Improving The Risk Return Performance Of Portfolios With the development of the Chinese capital market, more and more investors start to look for a more rational way to invest. To increase the investment return and decrease the risk, investors must learn to allocate their funds in order to diversify risk. However, due to the limited assets that can be invested in, the convenience and effectiveness of portfolio diversification must be studied. This paper mainly explores the function of futures in the ordinary stock portfolio through the study of risk-return performance. By comparing the efficient frontiers of different portfolios, the risk-return performance of the futures portfolio and mixed stock-futures portfolio is better than the stock only portfolio. Futures play an important role in upgrading the integrated portfolio of stock and futures. The results of this study provide investors with a feasible way to diversify their funds in multi-type investment portfolios, which is of great theoretical and practical significance. I. An introduction to Chinese capital market Ever since December 19, 1990, when Shanghai stock exchange opened, people become more and more interested in investing in the security market to make money. After twenty years, investing in stocks is a quite popular and important way for ordinary Chinese people to manage their money. However, stock market itself can not meet investors needs of diversifying risk and increase capital return, and investment diversification becomes a natural solution and guiding concept. Although twenty years have passed since Shanghai stock exchange came in existence, development of Chinese capital market is quite slow, with limited kinds of investment products. Lack of varieties of trading tools and incomplete structure of capital market products make it difficult to diversify in Chinese capital market. In developed capital markets such as Hong Kong, over 80% of financial derivative instruments in international financial market have been introduced. In stock market, the trading of index futures, options and warrants is quite active with a trending of exceeding the trading of spot market. Hong Kong bond market is even more diversified. Based on three basic kinds which are bond, note and certificate of deposits of fund-raising tools, many more complicated derivatives such as floating rate bonds, variable rate bonds, convertible bonds, credit card receivables, and the current debt instruments traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing has been increased to 129.(20 09) On the contrary, despite of stocks, there are few more than five years investment instruments in mainland China capital markets. The trading of 1-5 year instruments is also confined so that the available trading instruments are quite limited. As an emerging market the risk of stock market is higher than normal, both systematic risk and market risk. The systematic flaws in Chinese stock market such as no trades of state owned and corporation owned stocks and lack of index futures  [1]  or other kinds of hedging instruments make the whole stock exchange system more uncertain. The strong influence of state policy changing is also a reason for high uncertainty. As for the market risk, stock market is in sharp adjustment since the end of 2007. On the one hand, the overall risk has lowered a little; it is still too high compared with the mature capital markets. On the other hand, the low self-control ability of the participants involved in stock market makes the unsystematic risk highe r than average. Investing only in stock market can not successfully diversify risk. Considering the incompleteness of Chinese warrant market, futures have been chosen to diversify risk. Chinese future market also started in 1990. After six years of cleaning up and reconstruction (1995-2000), future market is in good development. In 2002, stock market turned down, which made part of the stock market capital switch to future market and made it a hot deal. This situation is quite similar to what happened in 2007-2008. Chinese future market developed from first pilot reform to rectification and now has entered a new stage of stable development. The legal operation and market discipline have been significantly improved. These features make futures possible as a component of portfolio. At present, research of the role of futures in the portfolio is focused on index futures and its hedging properties, while the research of commodity futures is focused on its function of price discovering. Adding futures into ordinary stock portfolio has not been well discussed so that this article will research on the performance of portfolio with commodity futures to see whether futures can effectively diversify risk and raise the return. How to optimize investment portfolio becomes the first and most important question that investors need to consider. Thus, modern portfolio theory becomes quite widely applied in practice. Portfolio means investors allocate certain amount of money to different kinds of assets in order to gain as much as possible return or to get the lowest possible risk. II. Past literature review in portfolio selection theories In 1959, Markowitz published his paper named Portfolio Selection: Eficient Diversification of Investments, which conducted a pioneering study of optimizing portfolio in the security market. Ever since then, modern finance and investment decision making comes into a quantitative stage. Portfolio theory is a set of theories and methods to help investors choose certain types and allocate their money from varieties of instruments to form efficient portfolio. In Markowitz theory, mean-variance model can be applied to any class of financial assets, as long as its expected return and the correlation of each asset can be accurately estimated (Markowitz, 1959). In his model, mean represents the expected return of an asset and its risk is represented by the variance. In order to use the Markowitz mean-variance method, we need to find the expected rate of return and risk. However, considering the ineffectiveness of Chinese stock market, the simple mean-variance is not applicable. Thus, more app ropriate method of evaluating return and risk needs to be found. Among these different evaluating methods, people tend to agree using expected return as a representative of future earnings. The return of a financial asset is consisted of two parts: intertemporal cash flows and capital premium (asset price changes during the holding period). The return that this article is going to use is the daily logarithmic rate of return, so the intertemporal cash flows can be ignored. The yield can be expressed as: Because logarithmic rate of return can be simply added which facilitate the data processing by software and its value can be any real numbers, this article will use logarithmic rate of return as the evaluation of asset yields. The simplest way to get the expected rate of return is calculating its average. Its flaws are also quite obvious: the result is far from accurate. In order to find more accurate estimation, we need to fit time series data to appropriate model and find the unconditional expectation of asset return. In 1980s and 1990s, lots of literatures have discussed the predictability of stock market and suitable model of predicting asset returns. M.Hashem Pesaran and Allan Timmermann (1995) found that the predictable components of stock returns are highly correlated with business cycle and the magnitude of shocks influences the model more than expected. But because what they studied is a long term relationship in the stock market, the results can only be a consultation. As for the daily stock return, many researches suggest that it shows significant dependence on former returns. Vedat Akgiray found in his paper about the conditional heteroscedasticity in stock returns that the probability distribu tion of return lag of s days is dependent on return today for several values of s (1989). He used daily returns on the CRSP (Center for Research in Security Prices) value-weighted and equal-weighted index from January 1963 to December 1986 to find that GARCH (1,1) shows the best fit and forecast ability among the econometric models. Noticing that the return he used is also logarithmic rate, the features of logarithmic rate in this article can be expected to be just like that in his study. Similar results can be obtained from other literatures. There is a positive relation between the expected risk premium and the predictable level of volatility and a negative relation between unpredictable component of stock market risk and excess holding period return (K. R. French et al, 1987). Although they can not determine a certain model to describe the exact relation (difficult to choose between ARIMA and GARCH-M), the relation between return and risk is quite significant. Studies about Chinese stock market also show evidence of fitting stock return data in ARMA or GARCH models. The daily returns of Shanghai and Shenzhen index indicates significant ARCH effect and the data fit in GARCH-M model well (Hua Tian and Jiahe Cao, 2003). It is reasonable to choose ARMA or GARCH model to simulate the actual stock movement. But as for the measurement of risk there are comparably various methods. Markowitz explained the mean-variance theory in his 1959 portfolio selection paper which introduced the statistical concept of expectation and variance into the study of investment portfolio. Under a certain probability distribution of returns, he used the average deviation from the average return of all the random returns. Thus, risk can be quantified with the expectation of return as return expected and standard deviation as the measurement of risk. Although variance has some easy to use features such as simple calculating and easy understanding, it is only an approximate measurement of risk. Using variance needs the distribution to be systematic and does not take the investors different feeling about capital gain and loss into consideration. Given the same amount of gain and loss, the pain of loss is usually larger than the happiness of the capital earnings. Variance ignores this asymmetry while LPM (lower partial moments) would be a better measurement. Harlow proposed this new indicator as a more accurate way to describe risk (1991). LPM is an abbreviation of lower partial moment, which P (partial) stands for its measuring only one side of the returns compared with the fundamental rate and L (lower) stands for less than fundamental rate (downside risk). LPM is a risk measurement which meets the requirements of Von Neumann Morgenstern utility function and can cover almost all peoples risk preference. It shows a new way to describe risk apart from the traditional utility measurement which is the function of variance or the standard deviation. The expression of LPM is: , where n is called the order of LPM indicators, representing the risk aversion of investors, and z is called fundamental rate of return which is the minimum return that investors would accept. Different values of n would change LPM into different measurements of risk and therefore meet different investors risk preference, from risk preference to risk neutral, then risk aversion. One advantage of LPM is that it can show only the pain or loss possibility when the return is lower than the expected. The other is it can show what investors different risk preference can affect the feelings to the same asset by simply changing the order n. LPM is less popular in evaluating volatility than variance as the calculation of LPM is more complicated. Another reason is that LPM must be calculated separately for each variable while variance can be added or processed under certain assumptions. This means people need to program it in order to use LPM with computer data processing programs. On the contrary, all the data processing programs have a default function of calculating variance. The way to evaluating the performance of asset portfolios is its efficient frontier. Every combination of risky assets can be plotted in a risk-return space, and those combinations with the highest return under the same risk or with the lowest risk under same return are called efficient portfolios. Usually, the upper part of the curve which describes risk-return features of efficient portfolios is called efficient frontier. Ordinary efficient frontier of investment portfolio is calculated by Markowitzs mean-variance method. This article will use LPM to substitute variance to calculate efficient frontier which makes it more like investors thoughts of risk. Merriken suggested that variance and LPM are suitable for the study of short-term investment (1994), which is quite popular in Chinese capital market. Based on the review of the related literatures, this article will use econometric models to get expectation daily return of stock and futures and both variance and LPM to calculate efficient frontiers to see whether adding futures into stocks would improve the performance of portfolios. III. Theoretical study and empirical data results i. Theories of econometric models and multi-type asset portfolio The econometric models used to estimating the expected return and risk are ARMA and GARCH models depending on the features of different stock and futures time series. ARMA is an abbreviation of autoregressive and moving average model, which is typically used in estimating autocorrelated time series. As what is mentioned in the literature, auto-correlation in daily logarithmic return is shown by theoretical study, and the empirical study of the realistic data also suggests this result. Typical ARMA model is consisted of two parts: AR (auto-regressive) part and MA (moving average) part. It is normally notified as ARMA (p, q) where p is the order of autoregressive part and q is the order of moving average part. AR part is written as: , where are the parameters and is the error term (usually white noise). The value of p suggests how many lags of are regressed on and therefore is a measurement of autocorrelation. For the need of stays stationary, usually we need the absolute value of is less than unit. MA part is written as: , where are the parameters, is the expectation of , and is still the error term (usually white noise). The value of q suggests how many error terms are included in the smoothing process of average and MA process is always a stationary time series. Thus, ARMA model is written as: , which is a combination of autoregressive part and moving average part. The value of parameters is generally determined by the least square method which minimized the residual error term. The value of p and q is chosen to better fit the model without too much lags or smoothing terms. The method used in this article is through the value of ACF (autocorrelation function, which is used to determine the order of moving average) and PACF (partial autocorrelation function, which is used to determine the order of autoregressive part). In spite of autocorrelation, there are other special features of financial time series data such as fat tails, extreme values and volatility clustering. Simple ARMA models assume that the error term is independently and identically distributed which does not meet the fact. Thus, Engle (1982) posed ARCH (Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) model to analyze this volatility feature of financial data. Four years later, T.Bollerslev improved this model and made it GARCH which is a generalized ARCH model. GARCH model is developed specially for financial data and is widely used in the study of volatility. In addition to the normal econometric model, people use GARCH to better analyze and forecast volatility. GARCH model can be written as: where the first equation is a simple ARMA model, but this time is not an independently and identically distributed normal error term. is an independently and identically distributed error term and is called conditional variance which is estimated by the third equation (also an ARMA model). and are independent of each other and the distribution of is not restricted as normal but can be changed to satisfy actual situation. This makes GARCH a more accurate model in estimating the expected rate of return and risk. Hiroshi Konno and Katsunari Kobayashi (1997) made an attempt to add bonds into ordinary stock portfolio to find a new way of allocating investment. Their purpose is to extend the mean-variance model normally used in optimizing stock portfolios to integrated bond-stock portfolios. At that time, big scale mean-variance models were restricted in stock portfolios although the computer technology and mathematical methods in financial engineering developed fast. Although bonds seem always to be considered separately when people intend to invest in financial market, Hiroshi and Katsunari still want to add bonds into portfolios. The reason is that before 1980s, the return of bond was far less risky than that of stock due to the stable interest rate. However, after 1980s, interest rate became much more volatile and investors bore heavily loss and huge risks. Actually, the volatility of bonds at that time was even higher than that of stocks. Considering this, combining bonds and stocks into the same portfolio is of great realistic meanings. The method they used is mean-variance and mean-absolute deviation models where variance and absolute deviation are as the different measurement of risk. The results are also quite satisfied as adding bonds into stock portfolios can increase the expected return under the same risk level. Never the less, Raimond Maurer and Frank Reiner in 2001 also used this idea of multi-type asset portfolio to discuss the possible outcomes of adding real estate securities into international asset portfolios under a shortfall risk frame. They noticed the fact that financial time series data had its own features and the tradition way of evaluating risk using variance can not reflect what investors think in the reality. Therefore, LPM was introduced as the way of measuring risk to reflect the asymmetry in the rate of return of asset. They compared the situation in Germany and in US by calculating the efficient frontiers of common portfolios, then calculating the efficient frontiers of adding real estate securities into portfolios. Because they studied between different countries, Raimond Maurer and Frank Reiner also calculated the effects of hedging. The results are also quite satisfied as the efficient frontiers move to the left, especially for those high risk-averse investors in Germany. Also, hedging could improve the performance of portfolios, especially for the US investors. With hedging they can build investment portfolios with higher rate of return under a relatively low risk level. But as mentioned above in the introduction part, there are few commercial bonds besides the government bonds; the only possible type of asset besides stocks that can be added into investment portfolios is futures. This article will also calculate the efficient frontiers of stocks, futures and combined portfolios separately, using both variance and LPM as the measurement of risk. As to the number of assets that should be held in one portfolio, investors have different opinions. Most mutual funds in the US market hold more than 100 stocks. Although these over-sized investment portfolios may well diversified risks, the expected return can be just acceptable as higher operational fee are needed to maintain such a huge portfolio and these stocks usually contains some low return ones. Xianyi Lu (2006) discussed this question that how many stocks are suitable for Chinese investors to hold in a single portfolio. He constructed portfolios with different number of stocks to compare their risk-return performance. The measurement of risk he used is variance. He came to the conclusion that 20 stocks would be enough to diversify most of the risk. The close-up price of stock is quite easily obtained while to find suitable closing price of futures is somewhat tricky. Futures are contracts which specify certain quantity and quality of fundamental assets between two parties to trade at a specified date in the future with a price agreed today. Thus there can be various contracts with the same kind of fundamental asset in different delivery date. Considering the trading characteristics of Chinese future market, Chengjie Ge and Yong Liang from a Chinese fund called Guotai Junan tried to construct a continuous future contract to get the daily closing price in 2008. When a contract first comes into market, the transactions are quite few. One contract is traded most actively just three or four months before delivery date, as the coming of specified date the trading volume begins to fall quickly. Those investors, especially the speculators would only trade those contracts that so-called à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“dominant contractà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Thu s, each future contract is in good liquidity only for a short time period. A continuous future contract is selecting the most actively traded contract of same fundamental asset at the same time to form a new, artificial contract to get the continuous price time series of one asset. ii. Data collection and analysis This article uses daily closing price of stock and futures from the time period 04/01/2007 to 31/12/2008. The data is obtained from RESSET database  [4]   Futures chosen are copper, aluminum, rubber and fuel oil from Shanghai Future Exchange, corn and soybean meal from Dalian Future Exchange and cotton and wheat gluten from Zhengzhou Future Exchange. In order to get daily return we need to construct continuous future contracts by selecting the most active contracts. As to the 8 futures used in this article, the most active contracts of wheat gluten, soybean meal, cotton, fuel oil and corn are those contracts with delivery date four months before the current month (not accounting current month); the most transacted contracts of rubber, aluminum and copper are those with delivery date two months before the current month (still not accounting current month). For example, current time is 19970201, so the contract which should be selected for cotton is the 199705 contract whose delivery month is May 1997. When it comes to 19970301, the contract selected for cotton should be 199703, and so on, so forth. After constructing eight continuous future contracts, we can get the time series of close-up price. The calculation of logarithmic rate of return, variance and LPM is just like the stock data. Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics of futures like the mean, the standard deviation, and some others. As the bond market is not mature in China, the risk free rate that used in this article is the three-month central bank bill rate which is also from the RESSET database, same database as the closing price of stocks and futures. From the statistics in the table we can find that the logarithmic daily return of futures shows asymmetry and fat tails, far from the assumption of mean-variance model that the distribution of returns should be normal distribution, or at least a symmetric bell-shaped distribution. Thus, using variance or standard deviation or any other kind of symmetric statistics would be less accurate. Fitting data into econometric models should provide a better estimation of expected rate of return and risk. Table 2.1-2.4 and Table 3.1-3.3 show the estimation of coefficients using ARMA and GARCH models. The models of stock returns are mostly ARMA models, but of futures are half GARCH models and half ARMA models. Table 2 is the results of future data and table 3 is the results of stock data. From the table we can see that there are four futures which are better fit in GARCH models and for the other four, ARMA is enough as the residual series after ARMA does not show significant heteroscedasticity in error terms. As for stocks, none of the 19 stock time series show significant heteroscedasticity which means ARMA could describe the features of stock price series. One interesting finding is that only 11 stock price time series show the correlation effect while the other 8 stock price series seem to be random walk. Table 2.1 and Table 2.2 are the GARCH results of future returns. Cotton, soybean meal, aluminum and copper show significant auto correlated heteroscedasticity. The basic model that used to estimate the return is ARMA model, and the first two lags show the most correlation with current logarithmic rate of return. The null hypothesis for all the coefficient in the model is the coefficient equals zero. The constant terms in the models are not significant despite that of soybean meal whose p-value is 0.0202, which means we can reject the null hypothesis under a 5% confidence level. The reason for not able to reject the null hypothesis of constant terms equaling zero may be the absolute value of daily logarithmic rate of return is too small, usually under 0.01. In such a low level the normal test to calculating p-value may become not suitable. So the value of constant terms is still used in the ultimate model to calculate the estimation of expected return although we can not reject the po ssibility that it actually equals zero. Table 2.3 and Table 2.4 show the ARMA results of future returns. Wheat gluten, corn, fuel oil and rubber daily logarithmic rate of return are estimated by ARMA model. The null hypothesis is also that any coefficient equals zero with p-value stands for the probability of making mistakes when rejecting the null hypothesis. The problem is the same with that of GARCH models as the p-values are too large to reject. But still we accept this result and make forecast using the present model. In spite of the not-so-satisfying results in the constant term, the coefficients of AR term and MA term are quite significantly different from zero which can be tell from the p-values. This is also true in futures GARCH model and stocks ARMA models. The significance of correlations in logarithmic rate of return series matches the features of financial time series and is what we would like to expect when estimating these coefficients. There are 19 stock return series to be modeled, but only 11 of them shows autocorrelation with their lags. None of these shows significant heteroscedasticity in the error terms so the model chosen is ARMA model. The constant terms of each stock return model is smaller than that of future return model, and the p-value is bigger than 0.05 as expected. The current return of four stocks out of this eleven shows significant correlation with the six and seven lags, showing the existence of cycle effects in the stock market. For these four stocks, what happened in the week before affects the price of this week more compared with other time. Other seven stocks show the ordinary one or two lags correlation. The coefficients of AR and MA part are also of great significance and the null hypothesis can be rejected. For those 8 stocks which do not show the existence of autocorrelation, the processing method is to calculate the basic descriptive statistics such as mean and variance. This method may ignore the asymmetry and fat tails of the data, but as there is no good econometric model to estimate random walk series, this simple way has its own advantage and also of quite high accuracy in estimating the expected rate of return and risk. This article use the forecast value of each model as the expected rate of return, and the variance of the sample as the expected risk for the mean-variance model of investment portfolios. For those 4 GARCH future models, the expected risk is the forecast value of the error part model. As for those eight stocks whose logarithmic daily return series are random walk, simply use the mean as the expected rate of return and the variance as the expected rate of risk. LPM1 is using the three-month central bank bill rate as fundamental rate of return because of its risk-free characteristic. The mean-LPM model also uses the results of expected rate of return from the forecast of GARCH and ARMA models as the only change in this new model is the risk measurement from variance to LPM. Someone may argue that different econometric models could cause different estimation of expected rate of return, thus the results of efficient frontiers become not so convincing. The purpose of this article is to compare the efficient frontiers of different asset portfolios, trying to find the possible improvement of adding futures into the ordinary stock portfolios. The econometric estimation is used to construct Markowitzs mean-variance model. What can be seen from Table 2 and Table 3 is that most of the assets can be fitted into ARMA model. As a matter of fact, because the absolute value of daily logarithmic rate of return is too small, the difference of constant terms between GARCH and ARMA model for the same asset is very small that can be ignored. The calculation of efficient frontiers is using MATLAB financial tool box, and the original data is what has been done above. After calculating the correlation coefficient matrix of 19 stocks and 8 futures, there is not much correlation of each asset. In fact, most of the correlations coefficients are between 0.1 to 0.3, with some of them even to be negative correlated. It suggests that the risk diversify of investment portfolios should successful using these 27 assets according to the statement of Markowitz. 8 futures portfolio Stock and future portfolio (The green line is the efficient frontiers of 19 stocks portfolio, the purple line (in the middle) is of 8 futures portfolio and the blue line is of the mixed stock and future portfolio.) Compared these three efficient frontiers, we can find that adding futures into the ordinary stock portfolio can greatly improve the performance of portfolios, which is even greater under lower risk level. Single future portfolio also performs well compared with single stock portfolio as it can offer higher rate of return under the same risk level. From Figure 1 we can find with the same expected return of 0.4ÃÆ'—10-3, the mixed stock and future portfolio can reduce the risk from 0.012 of single stock portfolio to less than 0.006. This more than fifty percent of risk reduction shows great practical meaning of multi-type asset investment portfolios. Figure 2: the efficient frontiers of stock, future and mixed portfolios using mean-LPM model Figure 2 shows the same results as the Figure 1. The mixed stock and future investment portfolio can improve the risk-return performance of portfolios. Similarly, future portfolio performs much better than stock portfolio, and it can greatly raise the expected return under higher risk level. The mixed portfolios improvement is mainly under low risk level, as the risk becomes bigger, the performing difference between future portfolio and mixed portfolio are not so significant, for the efficient frontiers overlap each other. The efficient frontiers are straight lines in Figure 2 while they are curves in Figure 1. The different risk measurement may result in this. Because LPM only calculates the downside risk, the risks of the portfolios which provide same return are not the same. Every single LPM must be calculated separately. So the shape of the new efficient frontiers may look different from the traditional hyperbola-shaped curves in mean-variance models. Both the mean-variance model and the mean-LPM model show that only investing in stock market can not get as much return as investing only in future market under the same risk level because the efficient frontier of stock portfolio is to the right of that of future portfolio and the distance between the two efficient frontiers is quite large. It reveals a fact that investing only in stock market can not guarantee ideal revenue. Although twenty years has passed since the establishment of

Essay --

In the book Playing with the Boys: Why Separate Is Not Equal in Sports by Eileen McDonagh and Laura Pappano, the authors examine how sex segregation is present in sports today. McDonagh and Pappano distinguish the difference between voluntary sex segregation and coercive sex segregation and what the main problem today in sports is. Along with the types of sex segregation, they also identify something that is an example of sex segregation along with the causes and effects of it. Sex segregation in sports can lead to gender inequalities in sports of all levels. Coercive sex segregation differs from voluntary sex segregation in that with coercive females are assumed to be inferior to males, which contributes to the segregation. With voluntary, females willingly self-segregate themselves into things like all girls schools or an all women’s sports team. The Three I’s associated with coercive are inferiority, injury, and immorality. The Three I’s are false assumptions that contribute to sex segregation in sports. Inferiority refers to the idea that females are inferior to males, injury r...

The Media Needs Regulation Essay example -- Media Argumentative Persua

The Media Needs Regulation      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The death of Princess Diana on August 31, 1997 shocked the world; her death was considered the biggest tragedy of the year, and the media responded accordingly. Her death prompted the media into a frenzy to sanctify her memory; however, through the documentaries and commemorative magazines, the media proved their guilt of invasion of Princess Diana's privacy by displaying the immense amount of information they gathered throughout her life. In fact, a week before she died, she vacationed in Greece with writer friend Rosa Monckton, and they tried to outsmart the paparazzi for simple privacy. Diana said to Monckton, "It's a hunt, Rosa. It's a hunt. Will you really tell people what it is like?" The article expressing to people the paparazzi's hunt lay half-written on a desk when Monckton learned her friend died being "hunted to her death" (108-109). This opened my eyes to the fact that the media needs limitations. The media should refrain from intruding into the personal lives of people, and in the United States the problem is evident throughout media history. Proper actions can be taken in the United States to hinder invasion of privacy by the media without reducing the power of the first amendment. If the United States adopted an organization similar to Great Britain's Press Complaints Commission which self-regulates their media, it would be a great start for protecting people's right of privacy from the media in the United States.    The media in the United States did not begin by reporting the private lives of people in the news or people in the public eye. The 1960's i... ...the PCC." Available: www.pcc.org.uk/about/home.htm.    "Code of Ethics." Available: www.pcc.org.uk/about/default.htm.    Day, Nancy. Sensational TV. Springfield, New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 1996.    "Key Benefits of the System of Self Regulation." Available: www.pcc.org.uk/about/benefits.htm.    "Minnesota News Council Determinations." Available: www.mtn.org/newscouncil/determinations/determin_index.html.    Monckton, Rosa. "My Friend Diana." Newsweek Commemorative Issue: Diana, A Celebration of Her Life. October 1997: 108-112.    Shaw, Bob. "How to Start a News Council." Available: www.mtn.org/newscouncil/General/Shaw.html.    Sobel, Robert. The Manipulators. Garden City, New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1976.    Weiss, Ann E. Who's to Know? Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1990.   

Impact of New Media on Society – Smartphones

Impact of New Media on Society: Smartphones The term ‘new media’ is one that is constantly evolving, and on a daily basis, encompassing more as well as newer and innovative elements in it. In the broadest sense, it is the opposite of ‘traditional media’, which includes print, television and film, and radio. According to New Media Basics, new media is essentially interactive, and it includes a host of communication mechanisms that revolve around the internet, and include elements such as e-mail, social networks, websites, blogs, online videos and pictures etc.And new media also includes new media devices and technologies such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, i-pods, and a host of other devices, which also includes smartphones, the main emphasis of this paper. New media tools have enabled increased collaboration between people across the world, and has thus accelerated the pace and reach of globalization. It has allowed an unparalleled connectivity with wid espread information, and most significantly, it has allowed for creativity, inventions and inno vations, as well as entrepreneurship.This paper will focus on the impact of smartphones on society, focusing on the education, business, health and government sectors, as well as on an individual’s personal life. It will weigh the argument from multiple sides, with the support of theories put forth by specialists and theorists within this realm. The IBM Simon, released in 1993, was the first ever ‘smartphone’ known to man. This propelled Nokia and Ericsson into the creation of their own superior versions, the ‘Communicator’ and GS88 respectively.It was in 2002 when the smartphones as we know them came into being with the Pocket PC, Palm OS and most significantly, the first Blackberry 5810. It was after this point that smartphones began to flood the market, with Apple’s I-Phone line, the Google Android, the Motorola Droids, HTC’s, and the Sams ung line of smartphones. Smartphones have had a dizzying and echoing impact on society, with its effects being felt in nearly every aspect of life. In regards to reach and richness, no doubt it is wide spread, and rich in content, options, accessibility etc. According to Colin Dean Murphy of University ?of? KwaZulu?Natal South Africa, it has been statistically proven that mobile phones are the most widespread and predominant ICT’s (Information and Communications Technology) of this day and age. For starters, â€Å"they are generally cheaper than computers, offer mobility, and are densely converged platforms. † And most importantly Murphy states, that this has led to ‘globalized convergence’. It has supported and significantly enhanced links to global networks. Smartphones have enabled constant connectivity, which one could argue is also allowed by computers, but what distinguishes the smartphone from a laptop or desktop, is the factor of mobility.Mobile ph ones enabled connectivity between people via phone calls and text messages, however smartphones have disrupted this, as they have allowed connectivity that is almost unparalleled. It has allowed people to interact on social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, with all of these creating applications for the multiple smartphones out there. This does not only allow for enhanced communication but has enabled people to, for example via Facebook, to ‘check in’ and thus publically state their current location, allowing for others to physically access them more easily; it has also enabled eople to share precious moments such as holidays, graduations, holidays, a baby’s first steps etc. with their friends and family as soon as the picture is snapped with the smartphones cameras. It has brought about ease and efficiency in the workplace, and have allowed for employees, employers and coworkers to constantly be accessible officially via e-mail for instance, and important documents and information can be exchanged constantly. The browsers are available just as they are on a laptop or desktop, and enables students and the work force alike to promptly search for things, translate documents, and research topics and so on.Students have found it to enhance their learning, and even enabled them to do entire assignments while being on the go. Additionally, smartphones are a source of entertainment, ranging from music, to fun apps, games and videos. It is for these smartphones that a whole range of apps have been created. Some apps are entertainment oriented, such as those surrounding photographs, music and games; others allow you to book flights or do bank transactions, while some are designed to accelerate knowledge and learning.There is no genre that has not been explored by apps, and no lifestyle and culture, preferences and tastes that they have not catered to. We will now examine the effects, both negative and positive, of smartphone in detai l across different sectors. Education Sector: In ‘The Impact of Mobile Access on Motivation: Distance Education Student Perceptions’, by Penn State University, students were interviewed in regards to their usage of smartphones, as well as the benefits and drawbacks they perceived and experienced.Overall, students found smartphones to expedite learning and information, while offering the gift of mobility. Students we re able to access textbooks and course materials on their smartphones, their study time knew no barriers, as they could access the information at their ease and convenience. It was easier for them to seek help and get advice, as well as getting important class course updates from online groups and communities. Another favorite was flashcards, which students would download on their phones and study, especially if they were commuting, for instance on the subway.Students can even download or stream class podcasts on their phones, and listen to it at a later tim e, and to utilize otherwise ‘dead time’ (for instance, commuting, travelling, waiting for lift/cab etc. ) This paper explored an up and coming sector, which has accelerated, and has also come to be entir ely defined by smartphones: ‘m-Learning’. M stands for ‘mobile’, which in turn stands for ‘on the move’. MLearning evolved from eLearning, since in this day and age, with the spread of smartphones and tablets, people are mobile, on the go, while they are acquiring knowledge, skill and information.According to Tella, an m-Learner can access and work on his smartphone at any given point, at any given time, and thus it means the decentralization of information handling. According to USA Today, schools and universities globally are spending a large part of their budget on smartphones and tablets as a mode to attract students to their institutions as they have realized that it is such an important element in supplementing education. How ever, students are not all praise either for their smartphones. They have found smartphones to be very intrusive.With the ever increasing pressure of studies, they feel that they cannot get away, as their smartphones are always with them, allowing them to get notifications and calls for duty by their class mates and professors alike. Also, it has made students lazy to a degree, and encouraged several to do their work in the last minute, which in turn results in many of them plagiarizing content and handing it in to the teacher right before class. Smartphones offer such an attraction and constant entertainment that students are sucked into the online world, that it greatly hinders interaction with nature and the value of face to face communication.Business Sector: The Blackberry was initially marketed as a phone for the business man, and smartphone services initially were primarily for the business and industrial sector. Forrester Consulting conducted a study on RIM to ascertain the economic impact of a blackberry solution in North American enterprises. Blackberry smartphones, as well as other smartphones offer invaluable services and features to enterprises, such as ‘wireless voice and data applications including push e-mail, wireless calendaring, voice, text messaging, multimedia applications, and Web browsing’, to name a few.Forrester Consulting found that with the introduction of Blackberry smartphones and services, (and thus we can apply this to all smartphones over all) there was an increased productivity, greater efficiency, less wastage and a more economical utilization of time and resources. Smartphones allow enterprises and businesses to constantly be connected. Business decisions can be made promptly; important files and documents can be sent, accessed, read and approved as soon as they crop up. However, a major criticism to this development is the fact that the line between ‘work time’ and ‘leisure time’ has be en blurred.No longer can an individual be separated from his work life, and it keeps invading his personal life, family time, meal hours and so on. Mazmanian, in her 2006/2007 study on Blackberry handhelds and services pointed out several benefits and drawbacks experienced by Blackberry users, and their gains and costs, can effectively be applied to other smartphones. On the one hand, she said it enabled monitoring communication flow and controlling message receipt, but conversely, there was a compulsion to always check your blackberry, and an inability to disengage yourself from it.There are major implications in the realm on social relations, as it reduced the quality of social life, and quality time spent with family and friends, and instant messaging applications such as Whatsapp and BBM, resulted in people spending less time together, and actually engaging in verbal communication and physical contact. Health Sector According to Boulos, Wheeler, Tavares and Jones, the health sec tor has found smartphones very advantageous to their industry. It has allowed for immediate access to medical sites by doctors and patients alike.Patients are able to make their appointments on their smartphones, with several hospitals and clinics having their own apps for this purpose. Also, patients of various diseases have apps, specific to their diseases and treatments on their phones, which allow them to monitor their health regularly and efficiently. Government Sector: The government sector as well has initiated and embraced the age of m-Government, an enhanced, and rather mobile form of e-Government, as explained by Pierre Rossel, Matthias Finger and Gianluca Misuraca in â€Å"Mobile† e-Government Options: Between Technology-driven and User-centric.Through this the government attempts to invest in research and development in ICT’s. It aims to maximize productivity and innovation in areas of public administration. It also aims to create a link and relationship be tween the government and the users of their services. As we can see from the world around us, new media is a very powerful medium, which creates a ripple effect all over society, and smartphones is just one of its tools. There are several disadvantages that this technology depicts, but it is hard to compete with the advantages and progress it offers across the board, in every sphere of human life.It offers limitless possibilities, and has offere d solutions and innovations in the various facets of society, from education to business, entertainment to health, whilst catering to the old and the young, cutting through cultures, nations and any other tangible or intangible barrier.BIBLIOGRAPHY: New Media Basics Aids. gov http://aids. gov/using-new-media/new-media-basics/ Mobile? Convergence? and? Mobile? Adoption? Colin Dean Murphy University? of? KwaZulu? Natal South Africa http://146. 230. 128. 141/jspui/bitstream/10413/6320/1/Murphy_Colin_Dean_2012. df ‘The Impact of Mobile Acc ess on Motivation: Distance Education Student Perceptions’, Penn State University http://learningdesign. psu. edu/research/MLRTWhitePaper. pdf M-Learning—Cybertextual Travelling or a Herald of Post-Modern Education? Sappo Tella, 2003 University of Helsinki http://www. helsinki. fi/~tella/mlearningtella. pdf Economic Impact Of A BlackBerry Solution In North American Enterprises Forrester Consulting, 2009 http://us. blackberry. com/content/dam/blackBerry/pdf/whitePaper/northAmerica/english/Economic_I mpact_Of_BlackBerry_Devices_2. df UBIQUITOUS EMAIL: INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCES AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF BLACKBERRY USE Mazmanian, Yates and Orlikowski MIT Sloan School of Management http://seeit. mit. edu/publications/blackberry_aom. pdf How smartphones are changing the face of mobile and participatory healthcare. Boulos, Wheeler, Tavares and Jones, 2011 http://www. biomedical-engineering-online. com/content/10/1/24 â€Å"Mobile† e-Government Options: Between Te chnology-driven and User-centric Pierre Rossel, Matthias Finger and Gianluca Misuraca Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne, College of Management of Technology Switzerland http://issuu. com/academic-conferences. org/docs/ejeg-volume4-issue2-article81 http://www. bitrebels. com/technology/the-evolution-of-smartphones-infographic/ http://www. usatoday. com/educate/devry/devry1. pdf http://sheryllam. wordpress. com/2012/06/06/the-impact-of-electric-telegraph-and-iphone-on-socialrelationships/ http://thetamnews. org/2011/09/editorial-the-impact-of-smartphones-on-student-life/ http://www. marketingtimes. com/2011/01/whats-the-impact-of-smartphones-social-media-on-ourlives/