Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Journal - Essay Example The market In the recent times, the growth in the smartphone market drives the industry for microprocessors. By 2014, it is expected that the total market size for cell phone users alone shall be 1.7 billion primarily driven by the surge in smartphone demand in emerging nations (Fan, Liu, Zhang and Zhao, 2008). As for the market captured by laptops, they completely acquired sales for desktops and face stiff competition from netbooks and tablets who have reported tremendous rise in sales. There are two basic components that hinder entry into the microprocessor industry is prices and innovative technology. Competitors are spending huge sums in new product development, technological upgradation and innovations that can allow patents and hence target market advantage. Companies also need huge economies of scale in order to compete in prices. Off late the substitution in the phone markets has evolved greatly but the substitution of CPU’s is virtually unavailable. The microprocessor industry is extremely competitive in prices. Product differences between major producers like Intel and (Advanced Micro Devices) AMD are virtually absent. Microprocessor industry is a one that entails huge fixed costs but very low marginal costs. This gives each company, the power to undercut the other. Exit costs of the microprocessor industry are also very high owing to huge sunk costs involved. Technology products are characterised by very short product life cycles. Technology changes and industry standards evolve as rapidly as they expire. Innovation here becomes the key to survive. The case of Apple Inc can be cited as a perfect example of innovation that led to market leadership where innovation of the iPhone took away margins and sliced away profits of other cellphone manufacturers who could not keep up. Competitive Business Strategies The desktop market is characterised by slow growth in the recent times. It is presently the largest and one of the most important microproces sor markets with a total of 150 million unit sales globally. The growth figures don’t seem as impressive. Intel, a leading firm in the microprocessor industry, has significant technological and resource advantage in the segment. The low end segment is price sensitive and so companies like Dell and Intel should keep its strategy aligned to prices to maintain itself as a market leader (Fan, Liu, Zhang and Zhao, 2008). In strike contrast to the desktop market, the laptop market needs an entire different strategy. Here front end technologies and processor performance drive sales for a company. In the fig 1 below, it is observed that concentration of exterior design is not as important as data protection. Figure 1: Consumer Need Preference Hierarchy in the Laptop Market (Source: Fan, Liu, Zhang and Zhao, 2008) With a view to capture the laptop market, key industry competitors are targeting the new generation. The trend requires thin and light laptops that do not need batteries and coolers like in CPU’s. Secondly, firms like AMD are increasingly trying to differentiate their laptops by bundling as done in the Centrino platform. The company also seeks to specialise in technologies, like the vPro to enhance security of data, a huge demand fulfilment of the business class. Thirdly, companies like Intel are trying to take on market leadership in the emerging nations via the price advantage. The use of Atom processor has strengthened Intel’

The idea of democracy Essay Example for Free

The idea of democracy Essay The example Provident provides is exemplary of what the founding fathers of America had in mind with the idea of democracy. Since all men are created equally, it seems only right that we would contribute to the betterment of all, including those of different races. The Provident example is key is illustrating that â€Å"a solid investment strategy† in the form of philanthropic giving helps to fuel the economy on many different levels. Since Provident, â€Å"A greater percentage of our population has achieved a higher standard of living than any other country with our levels of diversity. † In the spirit of democracy, self funding provides more opportunities, which provides a positive element to capitalism. Those who have already benefitted from capitalism have the opportunity to fuel new opportunities for more people, providing a unique balance between democracy and capitalism. This is why the United States has been so successful; more successful than any other nation actually. This balance is necessary in order for either of the two systems to work correctly and fairly. Without philanthropic giving, a very unique feature of the United States, this balance would be impossible. Generosity blurs some of the social restraints placed on people in different economic brackets and allows more people more opportunities for success.

The Case Study Of Ruth And Joseph Social Work Essay

The Case Study Of Ruth And Joseph Social Work Essay This paper will look at the case study of Ruth, Joseph and their family. They are Humanitarian Entrants in Australia and face many issues. Their past life in Southern Sudan was fraught with war, violence and displacement. As a social worker assessing their case there are several factors which need to be taken into account which can impact greatly on their future. These include the dominant discourse which as a social worker we will choose to work from. The biomedical discourse deals with many factors which are evident in the work with Ruth and Joseph. Factors such as torture and trauma and the repercussions psychologically which this has had and how it continues to impact on the family. This paper will also look at how the western biomedical model may limit mental illness as just a brain disease and not look at all the factors which are related. When working with trying to resettle a refugee family in a new country which is so far removed from what they know, a social worker needs to deal with broad range of tasks. Selecting the right theory is crucial. The theory which would best work for Ruth and Joseph would be Anti-oppressive. Looking at the anti-oppressive theory when working with new migrants can help us to understand their history and help them overcome the oppression which they have felt for so long. It is our role as social workers to help integrate refugee people into local communities and adjust to a new culture. I will need to evaluate my own values and attitudes when working with my CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) clients. My focus will be on how these differences may impact or inhibit my work with Ruth and Joseph namely our cultural differences. GENOGRAM Assessing clients and intervening as a Social Work practitioner it is essential that we choose the best discourse relevant to our clients needs. As Healy (2008) states the biomedical discourse is one of the most powerful discourses shaping practice contexts, particularly in health services such as hospitals, rehabilitation services and mental health services (p20). Healy discusses how social work practitioners need to learn to understand some form of the biomedical terminology (2005,p22). When working with clients such as Ruth and Joseph whom both have post-traumatic symptoms in varying degrees the biomedical discourse seeks to address the complexity of their problems. Both Ruth and Joseph appear to suffer from some form of mental illness related to their post-traumatic experiences. Penhale and Parker (2008) say that difficulties with mental illness can be deepened if the person/s comes from black or minority ethnic community (p103). The symptoms which Ruth and Joseph are experiencing are in the form of flashbacks, anxiety and fear. The National Centre for PTSD state that refugees frequently experience recurring losses, challenges, and changes during the exile/acculturation and resettlement/repatriation periods (Bolton,2010). When assessing Ruth and Joseph, we have to be careful not to objectify them as just their illness. As a social worker we need to look at a client from varying degrees not just one. We need to look at a client and their past history in a holistic biopsychosocial way. With Ruth and Joseph, addressing their mental illness is just one of the multidimensional factors which they are experiencing. Looking at them as people rather than as an illness can help with assessing their case. STARTTS elaborate saying that It is necessary for social workers in this field to develop an understanding of organised violence and its effects on individuals, families and societies, and also of the refugee experience of escape and surviving in refugee camps (Bowles, n.d.). The biomedical discourse can also have limitations. Healy discusses how there is potential for biomedical knowledge to contribute to social oppression (2005,p26). When working with Ruth and Joseph our practice must be about empowering them and help them overcome any oppression which they have experienced. The implications which we as practitioners may face when working with refugees from the biomedical model is as Healy (2008,p.25) suggests in conflict with the holistic approach. As social workers it is our role to look at a client in a social context. Ruth and Joseph present with a range of problems that stem from the trauma which they have encountered. This branches into areas of social, economic and emotional needs that need to be addressed. Ruth faces trying to navigate her way around the bureaucracy of Centrelink, Medicare and other agencies just to get their simplest needs met. We will need to work with Ruth to overcome her fear of authority which stems from her trauma which sh e experienced in Southern Sudan. In the case study it mentions that Ruth appears afraid of all the questions regarding getting a job and the fear of authority coupled with the language/cultural barrier which she experienced has led to her self-doubting. We need to look at the case of Ruth and Joseph from more of social level rather than a medical level. This model does not consider the role, such as family and community play in development of illness; thus, diagnosis and treatment are narrowly defined (Pardeck and Yuen,2001, as cited in Pardeck,2002,p.4). Assessing clients whom have trauma related symptoms such as Joseph, being aware of his condition and all aspects appear to be from physical to emotional to psychological will help us to make decisions of referrals to other agencies which may need to be done. It appears as though Joseph will need to see a physiotherapist, dentist and a GP to help overcome his physical pain. His emotional and psychological problems range from trouble concentrating to becoming violent towards his family. The safety of Ruth and the children will be made in the initial assessment. It will need to be decided whether Ruth feels safe enough to have Joseph in the house with her and her children if he continues with his violent behaviour. Referrals may need also to be made to a psychologist or a mental health agency for Joseph. Healy places anti-oppressive practice between strengths perspective and the postmodern practices to reflect the common historical lineage of theories for practice, all which have emerged as significant influences in the formal base of social work since 1990s (2005,p173). Adopting an anti-oppressive framework whilst working with Ruth and Joseph, tribute must be paid to the past struggles and sacrifices which they have faced. Ruth and Joseph have suffered great oppression in Southern Sudan. This oppression included imprisonment, relatives killed, being taken from their home, hunger, and lack of safety. OHara and Weber (2006) maintain that an anti-oppressive or radical framework encourages practitioners to understand the structural context of their assessment practice (p,141). Some critical components of the anti-oppressive framework are the isms. These are anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-heterosexism, anti-ablism, and anti-ageism (Moore,2003,n.d). Addressing these components of the anti -oppressive framework when assessing Ruth and Joseph will allow practice to empower and enable and support them to gain more control over their lives. As Milner and OBryne mention †¦..social work should make a difference so that those oppressed may regain control of their lives and re-establish their right to be full and active members of society (2009,p.23). In an initial assessment with Ruth and Joseph factors to be considered include whether an interpreter is needed as translation will play a vital role in the assessment process. Ruth and Joseph have obviously sought freedom from persecution because of war, assault and torture and/or other degrading treatment. STARTTS state that Social workers in this field are exposed to stories of gross human rights violations, and cannot maintain neutral opinions concerning the actions of various groups and regimes. Conversely, one is also exposed to the complexities of civil and international conflicts; ones own political ideologies, stereotypes and beliefs are all challenged in this work. Culture plays a significant part in anti-oppressive practice when working with Ruth and Joseph. Penhale and Parker (2008, p.197) points out: Cultural competence stems from an anti-oppressive approach to practice and concerns the competence and understandings to work with diverse groups, respecting and acknowledging difference whilst working with people to effect changes that have been agreed and negotiated together. There is no need to be a cultural expert as such but awareness of cultural differences and how this may impact on communicating effectively with Ruth and Joseph is important. By doing some research if possible of Ruth and Josephs Dinka culture will help when working with assessing their needs. For example the WYDA states that Dinka family members provides an essential support network (2008, para 5). This is important when talking to Ruth and Joseph about their family life and roles in the family etc. Another consideration to make would be to ask them what some of their expectations may be and ask them how things were done in their country. Breaking down this cross-cultural barrier in the initial assessment can lead to a more positive outcome for both the social worker and Ruth and Joseph. . Thompsons PCS interactive model of oppression (Penhale and Parker, 2008, p.155) shows oppression to be the constructor of personal, cultural and societal views and that the personal prejudice alon e does not explain racism. Furthermore it is important that a social worker understands how these aspects of life interact can create and recreate patterns of oppression and discrimination. It is important also to note that Ruth and Josephs children appear to be acculturating faster therefore may have to take over the role of translators in official realms. This reversal of roles can create stress in both parents and children and can sometimes lead to intergenerational conflict. Parents can feel like their children have lost respect for them and that that their authority may have been undermined. Social work practice must address a myriad of issues when dealing with asylum seekers and refugees. In establishing themselves in the community Ruth and Joseph they will require a number of services with which to access which will play a vital role in providing a safe community. Offering ongoing support and adopting an anti-oppressive practice Working with CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) clients as a social work practitioner this can raise several issues with values and attitudes which I may have. I am white, Australian and a social work student. I have a different cultural identity and am from a different country which holds different views and ideas to Ruth, Joseph and their family. Being a female and a mother I can empathise with Ruth in regards to running a household and caring for children. Ruth has had to take over as head of the family as Joseph appears to be mentally unwell and not fit to lead his family for the time being. She also has a large family and caring for seven children can be a struggle let alone being in a new country and trying to navigate our welfare and schooling systems. Having different cultural identities could limit my capacity when working with Ruth and Joseph. I need to recognise that refugees have similar social, emotional, spiritual and financial needs to everyone else and be wo rk in a culturally sensitive way. As I am from the Australian culture this is another subgroup which I have membership. With all the negative media attention surrounding asylum seekers or boat people it has been hard not to form an attitude. My attitude is that I believe that I dont understand, and I never will, the desperation that asylum seekers must feel to have to put themselves and their family in such unsafe environments such as a rickety boat from Indonesia just to escape the persecution and fear which they must experience in their own country to have to flee. I know that Ruth and Joseph are Humanitarian Entrants meaning that Ruths sister sponsored them to come and live here but they still were in fear of persecution and subjected to torture and trauma in their own country. As I am citizen of a country that lives in democracy I will never fully understand but my values of respect, honesty and Another subgroup I am part of is that of a family. I have two children of my own and I know personally that my family is my initial support network. As mentioned, the Dinka culture regards their immediate family as their initial support network also. When working with Ruth and Joseph my values and attitudes towards family support can enhance my capacity with addressing their needs. I feel that it is important to work with the positives of Ruth and Josephs situation and in this case it is their family is together in the one place. Offering some family counselling would allow a safe space for the family to address any issues which have arisen, such as Josephs lack of connectedness with the family. Along with Joseph receiving some therapy in regards to his mental health this would put the family on the path to healing together. Oommen, Brian, Stephen and Komersee (2008, p.6) state that An equally important concept when working in culturally diverse settings is the need for a health professional to suspend their personal biases and judgements about those for whom he or she may be planning health programs. As with so many areas involving values, reflective practice and self-awareness are central. I need to examine and question the sources and nature of my own power and the ways in which this is exercised in my relations with children and my family. By using reflective practice when working with Ruth and Joseph can help me maintain a level of self-awareness so as to apply my attitudes in an appropriate manner. As there is a domestic violence issue this could be one of the areas where my value of respect could limit my capacity when working with Ruth and Joseph. I could overcome this limitation by looking at the all the factors and understanding that the domestic violence is something that is perpetuated from their history as displaced persons and the trauma and torture which they have experienced. Working with a non-judgmental attitude will also help with conflicts such as domestic violence. Conclusion

Analysis of Act 5 in Othello :: Othello essays

Analysis of Act 5 in Othello      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Iago's intelligence causes the self destruction of Othello.   He appears to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by the way he acts and handles some situations.   Iago is set to plan revenge on Othello for not making him lieutenant.   He gains the trust of Othello by telling lies to him, and these lies cause the destruction of Othello.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Othello should have investigated on some of the outrageous things Iago has told him.   Iago is simply just trying to gain Othello's trust.   This is shown when Iago talks about killing Roderigo because he was saying bad things about Othello.   "Nine or ten times I had thought t' have yerked him here under the ribs." (1:2, 4-6).   The same thing happens again, this time about Cassio. "With her - on her - what you will."   (4:1, 42).   Iago tells Othello about Cassio sleeping with Desdemona.   This appears to be Iago's smartest move because this causes the death of Desdemona and Cassio.   This part also appears important to Iago because he is finally made lieutenant.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Othello changes dramatically when he hears all these lies from Iago. He is now less patient.   He hurries through many decisions to be made.   Such as the one to kill his wife.   He also jumps to conclusions too quickly.   This is shown when Iago and Bianca are talking about Cassio and Othello misinterprets them talking about Desdemona.   "Ay, let her rot and perish and be damned tonight, for she shall not live."   (4:1, 200-201.   Othello is planning Desdemona's death.   He appears to be very stressed out, by the way he acts and

Gangrene Essay

Gangrene is a condition that occurs when body tissue dies. However, in the book Whale Talk, Andy Mott states, â€Å"Gangrene †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (is) â€Å"†¦ rot. † (p. 134) Technically he is right. It is caused by a loss of blood supply due to an underlying illness, injury, and/or infection. Gangrene is probably one of the worse types of infections that can result in an amputation. Fingers, toes, and limbs are most often affected, but gangrene can also occur inside the body, damaging organs and muscles. There are different types of gangrene and all require immediate medical attention. Blood plays a very important role in your health. Not only does it transport oxygen and nutrients throughout your body to feed cells, it delivers disease-fighting antibodies that protect your body from infection. When blood cannot travel freely throughout the body, your cells cannot survive. Infection can develop and tissue can die from gangrene. So, Andy Mott’s blood in his leg could not travel freely. In the book Whale Talk Andy states, â€Å"My mom’s boyfriend (Rance Haskins)†¦ he’d tie my leg to the pipe under the kitchen sink†¦I’d been there almost twenty-four hours†¦ I guess I kept trying to get away†¦ and the knot just got tighter. † (p. 65) Any condition that affects blood flow increases your risk of gangrene, including: Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, Peripheral arterial disease, Trauma, or injury. Injuries that leave a portion of muscle tissue deprived of oxygen make a perfect home for infections. Some of the cells in a wound are already dead, and the infection starts in these. â€Å"Crush† injuries are most likely to cut off blood supply to a large amount of tissue, and are most prone to gangrene. The infection usually strikes the hands or legs, where blood supply is most easily cut off. In Andy Mott’s case gangrene affected his leg. He said, â€Å"†¦ my foot was discolored all the way to my calf†¦they had to whack†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (his leg)†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ off before it snuck up and got something really important. † (p. 165) Surgery can also produce areas of died tissue. This is common in people who have preexisting vascular problems, or risk factors for heart disease. For example, high cholesterol can make blood more likely to clot. A person with high cholesterol is more likely to have more clotted blood vessels after surgery. The tissue that’s normally fed by those blood vessels can run out of oxygen, allowing bacteria to multiply and gangrene to start. Serious diseases that interfere with blood flow can cut off oxygen supplied to arms or legs, even when there’s no trauma or injury. For example, peripheral vascular disease in which blood flow to the legs is poor and can deprive a foot or leg of blood or oxygen and cause gangrene. People with diabetes are prone to gangrene in the feet. Diabetes-related infections are the most common reason for foot amputation. Severe frostbite (due to overexposure to the cold) can also lead to gangrene due to lack of blood flow to the tissues. Your arteries carry blood rich in oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. When the arteries in your legs become blocked, your legs do not receive enough blood or oxygen, and you may have a condition called peripheral artery disease, sometimes called leg artery disease. In severe peripheral artery disease, you may develop painful sores on your toes or feet. If the circulation in your leg does not improve, these ulcers can start as dry, gray, or black sores, and eventually become dead tissue resulting in gangrene. The presence of atherosclerotic disease (a disease in which arteries are stiff and hard, with fatty deposits blocking blood flow) is a major factor to gangrene, particularly in the toes, feet, and legs. Gangrene is caused by a loss of blood supply due to an underlying illness, injury, and/or infection, like: Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, Peripheral arterial disease, Trauma, or injury. This is why gangrene is probably one of the worse types of infections that can result in an amputation. But when you really think about it, it could be so much worse!

Interesting Facts About Magnesium

Interesting Facts About Magnesium Magnesium is an important alkaline earth metal. Its essential for animal and plant nutrition and is found in a variety of foods we eat and many everyday products. Here are some interesting facts about magnesium: Magnesium Facts Magnesium is the metal ion found at the center of every chlorophyll molecule. Its an essential element for photosynthesis.Magnesium ions taste sour. A small amount of magnesium imparts a slightly tart flavor to mineral water.Adding water to a magnesium fire produces hydrogen gas, which can cause the fire to burn more fiercely.Magnesium is a silvery-white alkaline earth metal.Magnesium is named for the Greek city of Magnesia, a source of calcium oxide, which is called magnesia.Magnesium is the ninth-most abundant element in the universe.Magnesium forms in large stars as a result of the fusion of helium with neon. In supernovas, the element is built from the addition of three helium nuclei to one carbon.Magnesium is the 11th-most abundant element in the human body by mass. Magnesium ions are found in every cell in the body.Magnesium is necessary for hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. The average person requires 250 to 350 mg of magnesium each day or about 100 grams of magne sium annually. About 60% of the magnesium in the human body is found in  the skeleton, 39% in the muscle tissue, with 1% being extracellular.Low magnesium intake or absorption is associated with diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, sleep disturbances, and metabolic syndrome.Magnesium is the eighth-most abundant element in the Earths crust.Magnesium was first recognized as an element in 1755 by Joseph Black, however, it wasnt isolated until 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy.The most common commercial use of magnesium metal is as an alloying agent with aluminum. The resulting alloy is lighter, stronger, and easier to work than pure aluminum.China is the leading producer of magnesium, responsible for about 80% of the worlds supply.Magnesium may be prepared from  the electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride, most commonly obtained from seawater.

The Mysterious Banana Essays

The Mysterious Banana Essays The Mysterious Banana Paper The Mysterious Banana Paper Barrie, ON. 9 March 2007 http://web. ebscohost. com. Kehler points of the references made in â€Å"Krapp’s Last Tape† which relate to both â€Å"Othello† and â€Å"Gooseberries†. This article gives insight to the reader as to where Samuel Beckett came up with some of the ideas for writing â€Å"Krapp’s Last Tape†. I did not use this in my research essay. Kriszner, Laurie G. , Stephen R. Mandell, and Candace Fertile. Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. 2nd ed. Scarborough: Nelson 2007. This is the text that â€Å"Krapp’s Last Tape† came from but also served as a reference to types of theatre. This text covers many kinds of literature such as short stories, drama, and poetry. Chapter 20, Understanding Drama, was particularly helpful as it described all of the genres of drama including the Theatre of the Absurd which was relevant to my essay. Santrock, John W. and John O. Mitterer. Psychology. 2nd ed. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson 2004. Santrock and Mitterer wrote this text as a learning tool for first year psychology students. It contains an overview on all of the fields of psychology. Chapter 1, What is Psychology? , was very helpful in explaining Freudian theory. Chapter 6, States of Consciousness, further explained Freud’s theory of wish fulfillment.