Monday, September 30, 2019

Patterns Of Inequalities In Health Health And Social Care Essay

Health inequalities are defined as the differences in wellness attention or in the distribution of wellness determiners between different population groups ( Woodward & A ; Kawachi 2000 ) . Health inequalities can be breakdown in to four key subdivisions. The first 1 is inequalities are unjust. Inequalities in wellness are unwanted to the extent that they are unjust besides unfair. Inequalities become â€Å" unjust † when deprived wellness is itself the effect of an unfair distribution of the societal determiners of wellness. For case the mortality rates between people from different societal categories or unequal chances in instruction and employment. The 2nd is inequalities affect every society. Condition that lead to tag wellness disparities are damaging to all members of society. Some types of wellness inequalities have clear effects on the remainder of society, such as the effects of intoxicant and drug abuse, the spread of infective diseases, or the happening of force an d offense. The 3rd is inequalities are evitable. Disparities in wellness are evitable to the extent that they branch from identifiable policy option exercised by authoritiess for illustration ordinance of concern and labor, revenue enhancement policy, public assistance benefits and wellness attention support. The last 1 is intercessions to cut down wellness inequalities are cost effectual. A public wellness programme that reduces wellness inequalities can besides be cost effectual. The instance can be made to give precedence to certain programmes for case, heightening entree to cervical malignant neoplastic disease screen in low income adult females on efficiency evidences. In contrast, few programmes designed to cut down wellness inequalities have been officially evaluated utilizing cost effectivity analysis.History of Health inequalitiesHealth inequalities have been known since the societal and public wellness reform of the 19th century, when Chadwick and Rowntree began to document them. It was grounds on societal inequalities an d of unequal entree to wellness attention in Britain that provided the force per unit area to put up the public assistance province and the National Health Service in the post-war period. An rating in the late-1970s illustrate that Britain was falling behind other states in wellness betterment, despite 30 old ages of the public assistance province. This led to the Black Report in 1980 on inequalities in wellness. The Black Report demonstrated that although overall wellness had improved since the debut of the public assistance province, there still remained widespread wellness inequalities. It besides highlighted the chief cause of these inequalities was economic inequality. The study found that decease rate for work forces in societal category V was twice that for work forces in societal category I therefore demoing the spread between the two was increasing, non cut downing as was expected ( Carter, 2002 ) . The Acheson Report was published 18 old ages after the Black Report, but both show comparing. The Acheson study present a contrast to The Black Report in that it illustrates the troubles of undertaking wellness inequalities despite seemingly improved status.Conveyance and country of abodesConveyance is critical in enabling entree to people, goods and services, therefore promotes wellness straight through the accomplishment and care of societal webs. Forms of conveyance, such as walking and cycling promote wellness straight by increased physical activity and decrease of fleshiness. A deficiency of conveyance may take to damaged wellness by denying entree to people, goods and services and by deviating resources from other necessities. In add-on, conveyance may damage wellness straight, most notably by inadvertent hurt and air pollution. Sing conveyance in a inequalities facets, deficiency of entree to transport is experienced disproportionately by handicapped people, older people and people socioeconomic position, peculiarly single life in distant or rural countries ( Elgar, 2006 ) . For case, single life in council house where hapless entree to transport may restrict work and preparation chance. An addition in monetary values and a limited scope of goods available to persons whose deficiency of entree to transport denies them chances to shop for necessities. Environmental barriers in entree to transport experienced by people with physical disablements. Deprived urban countries tend to be characterised by high traffic volume, taking to increased degrees of noise and air pollution and important rates of route traffic accidents without the benefits of entree to private conveyance. The cost of rail and local coach menus has addition well Campbell ( 2005 ) studies that about one 3rd in existent footings since 1990. This in bend has had the most impact on those single with lower income. Bettering public conveyance may take to improved entree to people and installations fundamental to wellness, such as store, parks wellness attention friends and households. This consecutively should take to betterment in quality of life and wellness. The authorities policies â€Å" Better conveyance † place a increasing in usage of public conveyance by the general population would in bend lessenings air and noise pollution. The Independent enquiry into Inequalities in Health Report recommends the farther development of a high quality public conveyance system which is integrated with other signifiers of conveyance which is a sensible monetary value to single. A lessening in the usage of vehicles would take to a decrease of accidents.UnemploymentEmployment and unemployment is a important factor taking to ill wellness. Carter ( 2002 ) surveies emphasise that non merely is employment a primary beginning of position in Western states, but it is besides important in supplying intent , societal support, construction to life and a agency of take parting in society. Therefore if the person is unemployed this can be a possible major hazard to wellness for the population of working age and their households. In 1997 the international Labour Office stated two million people were unemployed in the UK, besides around a 3rd of unemployed adult females and half of all unemployed work forces had been unemployed for one twelvemonth or more. The bulk of unemployment persons tend to hold a important inauspicious consequence psychological and physiological wellbeing. This can include symptoms of anxiousness and depression to self-harm and self-destruction ( Wildmen, 2003 ) . In relation to physical wellness, unemployment brings a important hazard of morbidity and premature mortality. Johnson, ( 2008 ) place that all major mortality causes was systematically higher than mean among unemployed work forces. He besides found that unemployed adult females had higher mortality from coronary bosom disease, hurts and self-destruction. There are many to better an single wellness during the clip they are unemployment. Bettering fiscal support during unemployment can increase living conditions and resources needed for wellness, including entree to nutrient, shelter and warming. Being unemployed may besides better their ability to by apart of their communities cut downing societal exclusion ( Richter, 2005 ) . Government policies aimed at the creative activity of employment chances, apprenticeship for immature unemployed people, improved degrees of instruction and preparation for immature unemployed people. De Vogli, ( 2009 ) place cardinal factor is the remotion of barriers to work for parents with dependent kids. This should better the opportunities of wellness increasing employment opportunities in add-on to other good effects on wellness and its determiners such as income and lodgingEducationEducation has the chance to play numerical functions in act uponing inequalities in wellness. It has an of import function in act uponing inequalities in socioeconomic place. Educational makings determines an person ‘s labor market place, therefore act uponing at that place income, lodging and other material assets. As a effect, instruction is a traditional path out of poorness for single life in hapless community. Education besides has a function in fixing kids for life. For illustration, guaranting person has the practical, societal and emotional cognition and accomplishments to make a full and healthy life. It has a societal function in fixing kids to lend to the full in society. This can affect educating them about utilizing services, doing kids aware of their democratic rights and duties ( Bromberg, 2003 ) . Sing instruction in an inequalities facets, kids from hapless backgrounds is measured by being in reception of free school dinners. They are found to hold lower educational accomplishment that their equals. Mana & A ; Huston, ( 2008 ) place kids on free school dinners as an index of poorness. They conducted research screening that a high per centum of students eligible for free school dinners have a low per centum of students with a least five base on ballss at GCSE level A star to C. Higher proportions of students in School exclusion and hooky are associated with increased engagement in offense and other harmful activities. In the long term, school exclusion and hooky are associated with unemployment, homelessness, adolescent gestation and captivity ( Mana & A ; Huston, 2008 ) The Independent enquiry into Inequalities in Health Report recommends the proviso of extra resources for schools functioning kids from disadvantage groups to heighten their educational accomplishment. The Revenue Support Grant expression and other support mechanisms should be reviewed more to reflect demands and socioeconomic disadvantage. This is likely, but non convinced to be accompanied by a decrease in inequalities in accident rates.Promotional Intervention and PoliciesThe Government has besides played its portion through a scope of national programmes. These include Certain Start designed to back up the development of pre-school kids from disadvantage households. Change4Life prevents households from going corpulence and the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal which developed to back up an incorporate attack to regeneration in the most disadvantaged communities. The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy which supports lodging betterments targeted at vulnerable family.Change4LifeIs a promotional run that aims to forestall people from going overweight by promoting them to eat better and by more activate. It is the marketing constituent of the Government ‘s response to the addition in fleshiness in the UK. The run aims to animate a social motion in which person ‘s who has an involvement in forestalling fleshin ess, such as concern, health care professionals, school, charities, households or persons can play their portion. The Change4life advertisement run launched in January 2009 and in the early phases targeted immature households with kids aged 5-11 old ages. Six months in Change4life had a great response from immature households. 85 % of female parents reported that the run makes them see about their kids ‘s wellness, and over 360,000 households have already signed up in order to follow a healthier life style ( Department of wellness, 2009 ) .Certain StartCertain start is a promotional run that brings family-support services for households with kids under 5 old ages old. Their purpose is to undertake child poorness and societal exclusion working with parents, attentions and kids to advance the rational, physical and societal development of babes and immature kids so that they can boom at place and when they are go toing school. Certain Start coaction with service suppliers from the statutory sector like wellness, societal services and early instruction, community administrations and parents t hemselves. There provide integrated services for immature kids and their households based on what local kids need and parents want.National Strategy for vicinity reclamation policiesThe National Strategy for vicinity reclamation was created in 2001 and has two overall purposes. To cut down the spread between the most disadvantaged vicinities and the remainder of England and in the worst vicinities to accomplish less offense, better wellness and better educational making. A cardinal construct is that vicinities should non be below a certain degree. This degree cover the full scope of Government activity and many are incorporated into the relevant Public Service Agreements for illustration wellness, instruction and income.UK Fuel Poverty StrategyThe UK Fuel Poverty Strategy was established in 2001. It chiefly focuses is to better energy efficiency and cut down the costs of fuel for fuel in hapless families, since the income steps which form portion of a long term solution are being ad dressed in wider poorness and societal exclusion policies. To accomplish these marks, a scope of programmes and steps have been put in topographic point. This include go oning action to prolong the downward force per unit area on fuel measures, guaranting just intervention for perverse households, and back uping the development of energy industry initiatives to battle fuel poorness. To go on action to cut down poorness and societal exclusion recognizing that these are assorted jobs. In decision it is clear that wellness inequalities are a important concern in Britain. The instance survey shows how wellness inequalities are relentless and hard to alter. They are besides widening and are likely to make so unless we do things otherwise. This means turn toing non merely the short-run effects of evitable sick wellness, but besides the longer-term causes. The Government and assorted national programmes are determined to assist cut down wellness inequalities in Britain by making a fairer and more merely society that will let all single and communities to profit more equitably from public services investing.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Ban the Burqa By Claire Berlinski Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ban the Burqa By Claire Berlinski - Essay Example Claire’s firsthand audience comprised of the magazine’s subscribers and the online surfers, who are less inclined to the reality of cultural and religious significance behind the Burqa ban. Because of the controversies surrounding the banning of Burqa in western countries, it makes sense that her article would highlight the importance of the issue and bring media exposure. Taking advantage of the web platform, she tends to articulate her opinion through the online magazine, for expanding her audience to the global community, bringing greater insight and diversity to the discussion. The Burqa is viewed as one of the traditional Islamic religious ideals, and a visible signifier of Islam and the Muslim people, especially the Muslim women. Even though there are many connotations based on this issue of banning the Burqa, the public rambling and the media stereotyping is the most common consideration. The author clearly poses her argument favoring the ban of Burqa, implying that the use of headgears reveals Islam’s conception of women, women oppression and gender apartheid. The primary purpose of the article is to justify the ban on the Burqa, with considerations on social welfare, women’s freedom and religious oppression. However, the thesis stated in the article expresses a sidetracked view of the author, ignoring the religious ideals and personal freedom of women in a democratic society. The author clearly uses the rhetorical strategies of logos, ethos and pathos to seize the intended audience. At the start of the article, Claire uses ethical appeal that would convince the audience to give consent for the credibility of the argument. By providing facts and real life experiences, the author persuades the audience with Ethos appeal. She even presents the negative impacts of the ban on the Muslims and their religious freedom. â€Å"These bans are outrages against

Friday, September 27, 2019

Method of Calculating the Net Cash Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Method of Calculating the Net Cash - Essay Example The essay "Method of Calculating the Net Cash" talks about two companies - Ford Motor Company and General Motors which are found to be using the indirect method for calculating net cash being generated from their respective operating activities. Justifiably, it has been evident from the proforma of the cash flow statement that both the companies considered net income, instead of sales and revenue, to be the main element for determining the cash amount generating particularly from the operating actions, which related to the above discussed indirect method of computation.The most significant item in the financing section of both the selected companies is identified to be a dividend paid (cash), as they are bound to pay dividends to its shareholders for encouraging them to make further investments. The net cash provided by the operating activities of Ford reveals increasing trend within the last 3 years, as can be observed from the statement that the net cash in the year 2012 generated an amount of $9,045 million, which increased to $10,444 million by the year 2013 and $14,507 million in the year 2014. On the other hand, in the case of General Motors, a fluctuating trend in net cash provided by operating activities can be apparently noted. Justifiably, as per the statement, it has been recorded that the net cash has been decreased in terms of change during the period of 2012-2013, which stood at $1.4 billion, as compared to that of the period 2013-2014 that accounted to $0.9 billion.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Housing In Jerusalem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Housing In Jerusalem - Essay Example Finally, a brief discussion on how NGOs and the international media interpret and represent this unique dynamic will be represented. Firstly, it must be understood that the key economic challenge of housing within Jerusalem has to do with the fact that the demand for housing is extraordinarily high. There are ultimately two reasons for this. The first of these reasons has to do with the ongoing efforts of the Israeli government to settle more Jewish people from around the world within Israel’s borders. As such, the strain to continually create new housing and new infrastructure places a high strain on limited resources and creates a situation in which the price for these accommodations is exorbitantly high. What this in turn effects is a situation in which only the ultra rich can afford to live anywhere near Jerusalem itself; necessarily reducing the possibility for the cities sizeable Arab minority to be able to afford to buy new housing. The second issue that affects the high cost and extreme high demand of housing has to do with the culturally high fertility rates that are exhibited amongst both the Jew ish and Arab population of Jerusalem. As a direct result of this, the overall number of individuals that reach maturity and seek out accommodations within the city that they call home increases exponentially each and every year (Schmemann 4). Not surprisingly, as with almost every other issue, the way in which NGOs and the international media approach this issue of population growth within Jerusalem, and more generally within Israel, is somewhat warped. As such, stakeholders oftentimes assume that the pressures on the housing market within Jerusalem are contingent upon the immigrants to Israel that are brought in as a function of collecting ethnically Jewish individuals from around the globe and settling them in Israel. As such,

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Organizational Behavior Principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Organizational Behavior Principles - Essay Example If there is no conflict within a group, the question is whether the group is actually in total agreement or whether the members of the group lack innovative thinking and are therefore willing to accept any project set forth At this group's level of management, it seems unlikely that either of these situations exists. Therefore, where there is conflict, there must be resolution. Otherwise, the unresolved conflict will build with time, and success of the team will be compromised (Heathfield, 2002). Team Work - In any team, diversity can be an issue. The personalities of the team members, gender, ethnic background, and attitude all must be considered in creating a working relationship with fellow team members. Understanding and appreciating differences becomes a major consideration in resolving conflicts, as well as the ability of the team to reach an agreement when looking at a new proposal. Teams must have respect for each other and show a willingness to listen to other solutions, rather than considering one's solution to be the only one (Becton, Wysocki, Kepner, 2002). Cooperation and Compromise - In discussing suggestions for project ideas to be present

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Consumer Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words - 1

Consumer Behavior - Essay Example This essay focuses mostly on answering nine questions on the topic of consumer behavior. The first question focuses on understanding the statement that Generation Y consumers continue to perplex Marketers. The researcher explaines the terminology of Y Generation and provides detailed analysis on the question. Second question is focused on discussing the statement "Think globally, act locally" in relation to the diffusion of consumer culture. Other questions that were answered describe discussion on the differences, that are involved in buying something for yourself versus buying something for someone else, discussing why children and teenagers form such important segments and demonstrating how marketers might reach these young consumers, outlining the traditional family life cycle, applying it to current US society, and then evaluating the need for its updating, discussing on how demographics are essential measures in consumer behavior analysis with particular reference to the US con sumer and so on. The essay also answers on some practical questiones, such as "Select any three religious, ethnic or social groups and show how the values and attitudes of consumers in each shape their behaviors, and the strategies marketers can use to reach them". The researcher provides deep analysis on the topic and gives references to the real examples too. He also shares some personal practical knowledge to answer questions, such as "consumption subculture to which a member of your family or extended family belongs", provides examples and description needed.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Confidential Human Resource Records Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Confidential Human Resource Records - Essay Example These files could be found in the form of electronic data or paper. The human resource department is highly responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of employee records. The employee records can be divided into three types including personnel file, payroll files, and employee medical file. The data is entailed personnel file includes a job application, contact information, resumes, copy of appointment letter, performance record, etc. The payroll file contains a history on employee compensation record, loans, incentives, etc. The employee medical record is kept under extreme security as it contains employee health record and medical check-up history. The confidentiality of these records is of prime importance. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) demands confidentiality of the information related to employee health insurance given by the employer. Similarly the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensure the confidentiality of employee health and medical record. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) recommends that HR personnel should implement practices for assuring confidentiality by making separate files for keeping each record. The access to these files must be granted under specific conditions (â€Å"The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission† 1). In Ohio, there is no law, which allows an employer to permit an employee the access to his or her personnel record. However, there are two exceptions in which the employee could access the information under specific conditions mentioned in Ohio State law. According to Ohio Revised Code 4113.23(A) the organization, hospital, laboratory or employer is liable to furnish the medical record to the employees related to themselves on their request. This section of the law is applicable on all types of physical

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Knowledge Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Knowledge Management - Essay Example Coming to the skills and ethics that I have and the skills that are required for carrying out the research, it is clear that there is some amount of gap between my current skills and what is required. I have very good and promising plans for the research, but these ideas can come to fruition only if they follow the set path of academic data gathering and research and knowing how to write properly. I have to carefully follow ethics and maintain the required ethical behavior while conducting the research. The ethical behavior can be compromised in a number of factors such as bias, plagiarism, reuse of data, institutional review board, reviewing and reporting results. Bias can occur from actions of the researcher as well as the respondents. It is true that many of my colleagues would be ready to help me complete the research and I also would have sufficient organizational support. However, this should not lead to a situation where ethics are compromised. I should not wittingly or unwitt ingly attempt to goad and direct the research subjects to give responses that I want. In effect, the research should be clear, unbiased and be natural. It is also important that all instances of plagiarism be avoided and this extends to beyond citing sources used in the paper. Efforts should be taken to carefully avoid any previously published research and the research should be original in content, thoughts and spirit. Plagiarism can be avoided by paraphrasing; carefully rewriting the content but this is not observing the spirit.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Classification and Marine Biodiversity Essay Example for Free

Classification and Marine Biodiversity Essay Important Background Information that you need to know and understand: (Understand the Key Concepts) Key words: binominal system of naming; science of classification is taxonomy; species; levels of classification (know them); dichotomous identification key; 5 kingdoms; etc†¦ CLASSIFICATION Our oceans have a great variety of life forms. Thousands of new species are discovered each year. We need to identify, name, and know the biology of all the marine species. To understand this huge array of species, a simple classification system is used to produce some order out of chaos. Example: this class has persons of all sorts of shapes, sizes, colour, eye colour, finger shape size, etc†¦.what criteria would you use to separate us all out? HISTORY Historically, we group things according to their likeness or use. There were grouping such as edible, poisonous, or medicinal. In your own dialect, you have local names for the edible things on the reef but there is no name for sponges, ascidians, and nudibranchs which you have no use for. There are only general names for corals, sharks, etc. In Fiji, we have no names for the deepsea snappers because we never caught and eat them but in Hawaii and Kiribati, you have different names for different deepsea snappers because you have caught them for generations. Fiji have large lagoonal areas and never needed to fish off-shore.. 25 years ago, Fijian students knew the local names of fish. Today, many students have lost that knowledge because they rarely go back to the village. Aristotle is the first scientist to classify all living things. John Ray developed keys to identify animals. Linnaeus (1707-1778), a Swede invented a simple naming system which we still use today (binominal nomenclature) made up of 2 Latinized words (genus species). e.g. Homo sapiens (in italics or underlined with the first letter in the genus is in capital). The genus or species may be descriptive or named after a person or place. Using scientific names shows scientific exactness as compared to common names which can be very general. Example: Siganus uspi Woodland and Gawel, 1974. Genus, species, describers, year they described it in. METHODS Members of a group share many characters. We use characters which do not change e.g. structure and method of reproduction. Characters can be countable (number of fins) or expressed as a % of total length (head length etc); Characters can be absent or present. Colour can be used as a secondary character as it can change with the environment (and fade after preservation). Fossil records are used to find out about the evolution of groups of organisms. DNA is now used to separate species too. TAXONOMY The science of classification is taxonomy. A person who classifies things is a taxonomist. 5 kingdoms: animalia; plantae; fungi; protista; monera. Protista have distinct nucleus, monera has indistinct nucleus. See kingdom of living things on page 207. You may wish to break your classification into vertebrates and invertebrates. The categories are (classifying you) Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Sub Phylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Homo Species: sapiens What is a species: A species is a group of organisms (basically alike) and can interbreed under natural conditions to produce fertile off spring. Consider a mule (horse x donkey); a liger (lion x tiger). Infertile off springs. Butterfly fishes can hybridize. Marine Biodiversity Biodiversity refers to the number and variety of earth’s life forms (remember the 5 kingdoms). KNOW THE Importance of biodiversity 1. If you care about the environment, you must feel strongly that other living things have a right to survive alongside each other. Other organisms do not need to benefit humans directly to have a right to exist. 2. By protecting the earth’s biodiversity, we are ensuring my own survival. As we learn about the amazing complexity of earth’s biodiversity, we will discover more and more direct benefits. 3 types of diversities 1. genetic biodiversity (refer to genetic variety and variability within each species – genes vary between individuals within a species). Use your class as an example and see the differences – not only in colour but body shape and sizes, eye color, hair colour, skin color, shapes of hands etc. Marine species also show variability in shape and colour. 2. species biodiversity (refer to the number of different species living on earth) 1.8 million species has been discovered and described by scientists. We think there may be between 5 and 100 million species. Disappearing species- serious loss of biodiversity due to overfishing for food/use as well as increased nutrient levels caused by from pollution from the land. Old timers tell you about the amount of marine life off Suva 30 years ago-if we don’t start conserving biodiversity, we may only see them in marine parks or preserved as a specimen in museums. Endemic species-only found in a certain country e.g. Siganus u spi (USP rabbitfish) only found in Fiji. 3. ecosystem biodiversity- refer to variety in the combination of species that form ecosystems such as ponds, coral reefs, forests, or grassland. It is the variety of ecosystem types that is ecosystem diversity. An ecosystem can be as large as the Great Barrier Reef or as small as the back of a spider crab (that allows sponges, algae and worms to grow on the shell). Biodiversity in the ecosystems is not just the number of different species; it is the variation within them and the different roles they have in forming the ecosystems. Ecosystems are complex because they are formed by a variety of interactions between species. One interaction is food web; provide an attachment base for others; alter current and light patterns; provide camouflage, shelter or compete for space. Ecosystems are functional units of the marine world. Small worms are just as important as large whales because each have a vital role to play in the ecosystem. Humans interfere and the naturally-balanced ecosystem becomes unbalanced (if we take all the herbivorous fish, the algae would grow vigorously and push out the corals on the coral reef). Ecosystems are dynamic†¦changed by physical and biological processes (tides, storms, succession, humans). An ecosystem applies interactions over large and over small scale. Fish from the lagoon ecosystem depend on the mangrove ecosystem (as juvenile nursery ground) and on coral reef ecosystem (as a feeding ground). Ecosystems can be classified at different scales using parameters such as geology, coastal landforms, water temperature’ salinity, currents, upwellings, wave exposure, depth, and patterns of major life forms (e.g. seagrass). Proper functioning of the marine environment is dependent on its ecological integrity (all components are present, operational and ecological viable). Marine ecosystems are continually changing to meet the changing conditions. Biogeography Biogeography is the name given to the study of the distribution of life on earth. We may look at the windward side and leeward side of the Fiji group. The marine environment on the windward side is affected by the tradewinds which bring strong currents which in turn wash away the sediments. It is more rainy too. The leeward side has less wind and less wave action so sediments stay around. Nutrients from the land do not get disperse quickly. We can also look at the northern areas of Fiji and Rotuma (hotter) and the southern areas including Kadavu and Minerva Reef (cooler). Because the conditions are different, the organisms living there may differ too. Biodiversity and Marine Life Plankton The text book does not cover this topic. Plankton (all animals and plants that live in the water but drift about at the mercy of wind and currents). (Nekton can swim against the current e.g. fish). Those organisms that spend all their lives in the plankton are called holoplankton. Those that spend only part of their lives in the plankton are called meroplankton. Plankton are usually small but they can be up to 1.5m across e.g. large jellyfish. Phytoplankton are plant plankton and zooplankton are animal plankton. Plankton is collected by plankton nets (either by a horizontal tow or a vertical tow). Plankton are important because many are the larval stages of marine animals we see. Plankton provides food for many of the filter feeders in the marine environment (from whales to invertebrates to other plankton). Phytoplankton also produces oxygen to release into the atmosphere. Plankton support major fisheries. They recycle nutrients in the microbial loop. Examples of Phytoplankton: diatoms and dinoflagellates (causes fish poisoning). Examples of Zooplankton: copepods, jellyfish. Sunfish, arrow worms. To keep afloat (stay in the epipelagic zone) plankton swim weakly, have body fluids which are less dense than seawater, actively exude heavy ions, have gas filled sacs, use oils and fats (diatoms and fish eggs have oil), have parachute like forms (slow their sinking rate) or growing spiny appendages (also makes them harder to eat), or have watery tissue (jelly-like). Moffatt, B; Ryan, T; and Zann, L 2003. Marine Science for Australian Students. pp608. Wet Papers Publications.

Friday, September 20, 2019

An Analysis Of Strategies Mcdonalds Marketing Essay

An Analysis Of Strategies Mcdonalds Marketing Essay The founder and the builder of McDonald Corporation is Raymond Krocand he developed and changed the American fast food restaurant industry by striking and controlling the hamburger, French fries and milkshake production. He assured customer that the French fries bought in Topeka and New York City would be the same by developing a sophisticated operating and delivery system. Reliability of operating and delivery system made McDonalds brand name. 1.1 McDonalds Vision McDonalds vision is to be the worlds best quick service restaurant experience. Being the best means providing outstanding quality, service, cleanliness and value so that we make every customer in every restaurant smile 1.2 McDonalds Objectives Sales Total revenue of the business earned by selling food and service Growth Provides a better or greater service by increasing the market share Profit Provide good sustainable profitable growth for its shareholders. Customer Satisfaction Friendly and fun environment for customers. McDonalds External Environment factors Environmental scanning is monitoring and evaluating of information from the external and internal environments to key people within the firm. When analyzing the external environment must consider the task environment as well. External environment could be categorizes as societal and task environment. Societal environment includes general forces that do not directly touch on the short-term activities but often influences its long-run decisions. Factors that affect the societal are economic, technological, political-legal and socio cultural. Task environment means a group of firms producing a similar product or service includes the stakeholders that have as interest over the activities of the company such as customers, suppliers, employees, pressure groups competitors etc. When analyzing McDonalds the external environment could be view as follows, 2.1 Economical Factors This includes GDP trends; interest rates, money supply, inflation rates, unemployment levels etc are some of them. If the interest rates were high, people would tend to save more and would affect the consumption income. When the disposable income is reduced demand for food items would reduce this in turn would affect McDonalds adversely .When the inflation rates are low the prices for products would reduce over time and would increase the demand for consumption goods 2.2 Political Legal Factors This would include environmental protection laws, tax laws, government subsidies, foreign trade regulations, stability of government etc. When the tax imposed on Eg. throughout the 1970s McDonalds became involved with a lot of charity word, further in 1974 they established a charity called Ronal McDonald House as temporary housing for the families of ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. 2.3 Technological Factors This involves spending on research and development, patent protection, new developments in technology, productivity improvements etc. Eg. McDonalds has added improvements for food processing such as filet o fish and burgers. 2.4 Sociocultural Factors This involves lifestyle changes, career expectations, consumer activism, growth rate of population, age distributions, regional shift in population etc. Eg. McDonalds caters its menu in different countries around the world and they cater specialized menus to suit different cultures such as in India non-vegetarian menu includes only chicken and fish and not beef as they consider cow as sacred. 2.5 Task Environment McDonalds task environment includes its suppliers of raw material such as meat items, customers, competitors such as Burger King, KFC, Juicy burger etc. Eg. McDonalds has created alliances with Disney, Coca-Cola etc to fight back the immense competition. When analyzing the industry of McDonalds it is vital that the most affected external factors are social, technology and economic and the affected factors under task are competitors and customers .This is due to the impact it has on the companys performance. Porters five forces 3.1 Rivalry Fast food restaurant chain is extremely competitive trade with numerous fast food businesses try to compete with each and improve their business being innovative and high in customer service. In view of the fact that McDonalds has outshined in this trade after establishment in 1940. However, McDonalds started with McCafe to being part of the competition. It was a great privilege to the company to being a major competitor in this sector. Another most important approach was bringing in the breakfast meal to contend existing business serving breakfast. Therefore, McDonalds should be advance and aware of customer taste and preferences to compete with this huge restaurant industry. 3.2 Barriers to entry Consequently, with this huge competition it is hard to get into this industry and establish a distinctive brand loyalty name as McDonalds. To get into the market there is a high research and development cost involved. Although, McDonalds has a huge reputable distinctiveness to make more difficult the new entrants to get into the market and accomplish the food chain industry with offering for a comparable price scale. 3.3 Threat of Substitutes Currently, we find many alternatives towards the food chain industry. Already there is wide range of commodities available for the customers either is substitute by McDonalds Burgers, Beverages, dairy products and many more. Eg: These substitute products may include products purchased from the local grocery store, food from sit-down restaurants, or delivery foods such as pizza 3.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers Bargaining power of suppliers is very low within the restaurant industry on relative size and attentiveness of suppliers and the differentiation of the contribution supplied. However, if the main ingredient of the product is not available there is a high bargaining power of suppliers. 3.5 Bargaining Power Buyers It always allows customers to seek out for other competitors. In addition, fast food restaurant products buyers can always find alternative suppliers because their benchmarked, undifferentiated. Customers are unable to bargain as they always hold a fixed price. Therefore, there is a very low bargaining influence of buyers in the industry. Porters Value Chain Analysis of McDonalds McDonalds Support activities Margin Failed in India/ pulled out in USAProcurement: sought partners with expertise on down trade distribution. HRM specialists in RD and expertise in food formulation, education to raise Awareness of issues and raise demand Technology and development research and developments in quality assurance and packing was readdress to lower cost. Infrastructure: international organisation more than 50,000 employees works in more than 50 countries, company goal to developing low income products. McDonalds Primary Activities Inbound Logistics *Inbound goods to be used in products *information formed from nutritional studies Operations *RD in field research needs to end users. *Quality developed in collaboration with good supplies. Outbound Logistics *Lack of outbound failed in India Marketing and Sales Lack of understanding between the customers substitute products were easily launched in India. Margin Now outstanding in Singapore and Australia Services Provided by the companies enrolment standards SWOT Analysis 5.1 Strengths Generally, risk assortment factor is concerned with environment act. McDonalds logo is highly recognized worldwide McDonalds got branded menu items further promote products and services. Eg: Big Mac Chicken, Mc Nuggets It has a strong financial performance and a large market share by fast food sales as a property investor and from franchises of own restaurants. McDonalds owns the Ronald McDonalds House of childrens charity house. Precise food safety standards and McDonalds is very vigilant in this regard McDonalds was the first to provide customers about the food nurture Specialized training for managers at Hamburger University 5.2 Weaknesses Unhealthy food image and also yet to accomplish going on the trend of organic food Be deficient in new products Huge employee revenue More advertising on children Quality of the food is incompatible Compared to the other fast food chain order accuracy percentage is low 5.3 Opportunities Always easy to adopt the new product lines Low-cost menus are available to attract customers Easy diversification and acquisition to begin new franchises Franchising in other countries helps to raise the total revenue It can increase the locations with luxurious customer attractive places 5.4 Threats Weaker economy situations with bad impacts from recession though its diversified Health problems regarding quality of the food and healthier menu items Major problem of foreign currency fluctuations Diminish the market share with huge promotion investments McDonalds Existing Strategy McDonalds overall strategy can be view as plan to win; they are not focused on becoming the biggest fast food restaurant chain but the best fast food restaurant. They have customized their menus in different countries as part of their marketing strategy. For example in US they are more focused on breakfast, chicken, beverages and convenience in the outlets. McDonalds feels that by customizing the products and services to match different continents in the world would give them the competitive advantage over its rivals. McDonalds existing organisational strategy is to create better service restaurant operations, menu varieties, and better beverage choices such as hot beverages (hot chocolate, latte etc). Further, they have utilised the marketing mix in order to achieve the marketing strategy by operating the outlets for longer hours, offering everyday value meals and enhancing efficiency in drive-thru. In addition, they focused on becoming the lowest cost producer by minimising the waste; McDonalds reuse many of the disposable items to create higher value. Company focused on increasing profitability through minimising cost as per Porters generic strategies. McDonalds is famous for being differentiation focus as they offer customised products to its customers throughout the world. Recommended Porters Generic Strategies 7.1 Differentiation strategy Differentiation strategy core objective is to be a business oriented proactive market leader. This strategy explains continuously and slightly better prepared than the competitors to attract and force them for a competition. McDonalds have been rank as two in chain industry with a market share 33percent. When Burger King achieves 13 percent market share to stay on as a market leader in fast food industry McDonalds can implement and improve new ways of the ordinary process of the customer and technological development in their restaurants. On the other hand, McDonalds can also bring in new and superior products for customers to gratify their needs. McDonalds can take this strategy to enhance their customer service in a different approach. McDonalds new instructive modules and training process for to get better on poor quality features. 7.2 Cost Leadership strategy The principle of this strategy is always making it difficult for competitors to capture the market. This works well for the firms, which have already achieved business supremacy, while McDonalds is already the food chain leader to preserve and continue their position in the market industry need to select to new tactics using this strategy. Opening more stores around the world would able to increase the market growth and will facilitate to deject smaller companies to expand their market share. In addition, to remain cost competitive and technologically progressive McDonalds need to invest capital in Research and Development to support innovative technologies for their business. Conclusion McDonalds needs to increase its product line, by introducing more deserts and more items like Pizza McPuff. In addition, it should have prolonged quick supply in a clean friendly environment by reducing supply chain cost. McDonalds has the opportunity to improve and establish itself to shareholders, stakeholders and public with every issue challenge to retain and attract customers McDonalds is ready to develop their Happy meal choices and to serve finest coffees and other beverages along with introducing cakes, pastries in McCafees. McDonalds ought to supply extraordinary promos throughout festivals and need to increase space for sponsor college or company festivals and specially childrens birthday parties. In addition, a focal point of gifts for all generations such as kids, youth and adults. Subsequently, evaluating the marketing mix McDonalds achieved the think global, act local by combining the elements of globalization and internationalization.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

The Romantic Sonnet :: Sonnet essays

The Romantic Sonnet The Romantic sonnet holds in its topics the ideals of the time period, concentrating on emotion, nature, and the expression of "nothing." The Romantic era was one that focused on the commonality of humankind and, while using emotion and nature, the poets and their works shed light on people's universal natures. In Charlotte Smith's "Sonnet XII - Written on the Sea Shore," the speaker of the poem embodies two important aspects of Romantic work in relating his or her personal feelings and emotions and also in having a focused and detailed natural setting. The speaker takes his or her "solitary seat" near the shore of a stormy sea and reflects upon life and the "wild gloomy scene" that suits the "mournful temper" of his or her soul (ll.4, 7,8). While much Romantic writing dealt with love and the struggles endured due to love, there was also emphasis placed on isolation, as seen in the emotions of Smith's speaker and also in the setting on the work. Nature, in many Romantic sonnets, is in direct parallel with the emotions being conveyed. Smith, for example, uses the water to aid the reader's comprehension of the speaker's state of mind. Included in this traditional natural setting is the use of the sea as stormy, deep, extensive, and dark which ties the speaker in with the setting as the scene applies to the tone of the poem as well. Also characteristic of the Romantic sonnet is the retreat from the neo-classical age and its significant historical references into a new age where it becomes common to speak of "nothing." In William Wordsworth's "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge," there is no deeper meaning to be grasped other than the beauty of the day's dawning. The speaker's view of the morning and its "majesty" and the "calm" that comes over the speaker are central ideas in the poem (ll. 3, 11). In this sonnet, it is again apparent how influential and prevalent nature is. The reflection upon simplicity runs through many works and is seen quite evidently in William Blake's Songs of Innocence. In these poems, there is much mention of children, whose lives, ideally, should be the most simple. Also included in this simplicity are the innocence of the children and the simplicity of the tone, metaphors, and images in the works. In Blake's "The School Boy," the character of the poem is a young boy whose joy in life should be rising on a summer morning when the birds are singing and when he, in his happiness, can sing with them.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Stoics :: essays research papers

Stoicism was a group of philosophers in the First Century who made laws that they thought should be followed by the citizens of Rome. Two of these laws were the concepts of rationality and nature. Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor of Rome at the time and he also the most known Stoic. His concepts were vital to the survival of the Stoics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The concept of rationality is what tells a human being what’s right and wrong and what should be done and what is good for the human and the state by thinking. â€Å"the reason also, in respect which we are rational beings, is common: if this is so, common also is the reason which commands us what to do, and what not to do; if this is so, there is a common law also; if this is so, we are fellow citizens; if this is so, we are members of some political community; if this is so, the world is in manner of a state.†(1) Marcus Aurelius says here that the citizens who are ration beings as a part of the whole political spectrum, should combine to make he world one state. He wants the world to join as one state and governed by one, the people are all part of the same political system, so they should join together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In his Meditations Aurelius talks about every action having a purpose. â€Å"Let no act be done without a purpose, nor otherwise than according to the perfect principles of art.†(2) He says here that the reason we have is because everything we do has a purpose. The purposes are there because they are the unwritten rules of art. These rules are abided because they just happen. The art sets its own rules through the purposes of the acts that are done. No act should be done if it does not follow the rules of art. Yet, the rules of are made by the act’s purposes. This meaning everything has a reason why it is done and the purposes are legitimate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A man’s life does not become worse unless he makes it worse. â€Å"That which does not make his life worse, nor does it harm him either from without or with in.†(3) In this quote, Aurileus tells the Stoics that the things that don’t harm him won’t make his life worse inside or outside including the soul. This meaning that a person should do what they feel is right, because it will not hurt them physically or mentally.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Human Nature in Chapter Four of Lord of the Flies Essay -- William Gol

Golding's views about human nature are displayed and developed quite extensively in chapter four. This essay is going to explore what they are and how they are portrayed throughout the duration of this chapter. The chapter reveals that Golding feels that humans enjoy, or are at least fascinated with controlling things. This is first shown when Henry was sitting at the beach and "tried to control the motions of the scavengers", with a stick. "He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things," here, instead of looking after nature and taking responsibility for things as you would do in a society, all he is doing is trying to control them. This is shown again when Jack brings back a pig, "Look! We've killed a pig, we stole up on them, we got in a circle," they enjoyed frightening the pig and controlling its movements by limiting it in a circle. When angered by Piggy and his own hunters, Jack is driven to violence, "He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy's stomach. Jack smacked Piggy's head. Piggy's ... Human Nature in Chapter Four of Lord of the Flies Essay -- William Gol Golding's views about human nature are displayed and developed quite extensively in chapter four. This essay is going to explore what they are and how they are portrayed throughout the duration of this chapter. The chapter reveals that Golding feels that humans enjoy, or are at least fascinated with controlling things. This is first shown when Henry was sitting at the beach and "tried to control the motions of the scavengers", with a stick. "He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things," here, instead of looking after nature and taking responsibility for things as you would do in a society, all he is doing is trying to control them. This is shown again when Jack brings back a pig, "Look! We've killed a pig, we stole up on them, we got in a circle," they enjoyed frightening the pig and controlling its movements by limiting it in a circle. When angered by Piggy and his own hunters, Jack is driven to violence, "He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy's stomach. Jack smacked Piggy's head. Piggy's ...

Monday, September 16, 2019

Patients Need of Healthcare by Strategic Management

The deliberative model in healthcare is expected to meet quite a few of the needs of the American public regarding the general area of healthcare. Of the many areas that may decide to look at this problem, an attempt is made here to look at two specific problems. One is the need of patients taking medicine properly and the other is the needs of patient care among all Americans. The problems in taking medication have been taken up on the issue of individual needs of patients for education on medicine taking. The education needs of patients in this area are not being met by healthcare providers. It may be worthwhile to take up a study to develop medication taking instructions for patients which can be used by health care providers in the long run. The aim should be to reach an approach which will be based on the view of patients regarding their needs of taking medicine and at the same time, also taking into account the concerned theories for health and education. The problem has been accentuated by the development of new medicines for the treatment of problems in diseases. This is clear when one notices that in Canada it self, 167 new drugs were introduced in the period from 1997 to 2001. This has led to the total number of drugs in the market reaching a figure of over 3,000. This shows that there is no shortage of drugs, yet a large number of patients are not being able to get the benefits that the medicines are expected to give. In one study it was seen that about 12% of the cases of hospitalization that are taking place now could be avoided if the condition of the patient was properly managed when the patient was undergoing treatment at home. They could have been cared for by family physicians, nurses and pharmacists. This is further accentuated with the knowledge given by another study that 43% of these avoidable admissions were in the area of some chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes or heart failure. These diseases require patients to use medicines over a long term. This shows clearly that patients with chronic diseases are being hospitalized regularly when they could have been cared for in the home by doctors working outside the hospitals. (Bajcar, 2003) When the patients are put on medicines, they should receive the maximum benefits from their medicines. For this purpose, the first point is the correct procedure of prescribing the medicine for the patient along with the dosing requirements. The second part is that these medicines have to be taken and this has to be done properly. This is generally decided by the patient. It has been seen in many instances that the process of preparing the prescriptions is not linked correctly to the process of taking the medicines. This often leads to the future hospitalization of the patient. During an analysis that was done recently it was seen that pf the total number of admissions to hospitals in recent times, 7. % were directly caused by the medicines that were taken by the patient or the failure of the medicines to act or the medicines were not taken properly by the patients. Further it was seen that 59% of these admissions could have been avoided as the causes were due to inappropriate care or errors in medication. In medical terms, the adverse effects on patients are called drug related morbidity and mortality. The cost of drug related morbidity and mortality in United States during 1995 to the healthcare system was $76. 6 billion. These costs have been rising at a very fast rate and the costs in 2000 went to a figure above the $177 billion mark. This also showed that hospital admissions related to drug related morbidity and mortality was now above 70% of the total costs. (Bajcar, 2003) The major cause behind this problem is the shortcoming in patient education as felt by the patients, though the groups of healthcare professionals at different levels are trying to give a lot of importance to it. The patients say that they are not given enough information about the side effects of medication, risks of medication, the choices that they have about medication and the period for which the medication should be taken. This problem has been realized and the differences which are being caused by the differences in the approach of the health care professional and patient requirements are being sorted out. The problem is the greatest for patients who are on long term medication. (Bajcar, 2003) The shortage of information to patients is because of not getting enough information, or not receiving the information they want, or not receiving the information in a manner that gives the patients a chance to ask questions or seek involvement from the patients, or providing them information that is suitable for their special needs. The difference is in what information the patients want and what information the health care professionals feel they should be given. There is a clear change among patients that they are informed about their healthcare, and this is line with the present day thinking that healthcare is centered on the patient, increase the participation of the patient, and give the patients greater powers. This will enable the patients to take better decisions. The problem is compounded by the fact that there is no proper literature regarding the education needs of patients, who are on long term medication. This does not permit an analysis of the education needs of these patients. At present the emphasis regarding education on medication taking by the patients has the greatest focus on the information to be provided by the healthcare professional and does not consider the educational aspect. The teachings to the professionals consist of sets of guidelines given to professional or a set of questions to be asked of the patient. These are not related to the understanding of how the patient is taking the medicine. This is leading to a situation where the medication taking practices of patients on long term medication is remaining underdeveloped, and this is also keeping in dark the relationship between the actual medication consumption and the final effects that the medication is providing. There are definite needs for the development of a model for education of patients regarding their taking of medicine, and for the present levels of knowledge are not adequate. (Bajcar, 2003) A similar area where there is a lack of communication between the doctors and the patients is in the area of health insurance. This is reflected from the continuous rise in numbers of Americans without insurance and these are causing poor access to health care systems in the country. It is seen that about 20% of the people in the country are not able to pay healthcare bills, and an even higher proportion of 25% forgo medication based on cost. This ultimately results in deaths of the order of 18,000 a year as was seen in 2000. There are certainly troubles that are being caused to individuals, but even the society is suffering. The costs of care for the patient keep increasing, and the final cost has to be met by the government which is reflected on the average citizen. (Will Insured Citizens Give Up Benefit Coverage to Include the Uninsured? ) Patients Need of Healthcare by Strategic Management The deliberative model in healthcare is expected to meet quite a few of the needs of the American public regarding the general area of healthcare. Of the many areas that may decide to look at this problem, an attempt is made here to look at two specific problems. One is the need of patients taking medicine properly and the other is the needs of patient care among all Americans. The problems in taking medication have been taken up on the issue of individual needs of patients for education on medicine taking. The education needs of patients in this area are not being met by healthcare providers. It may be worthwhile to take up a study to develop medication taking instructions for patients which can be used by health care providers in the long run. The aim should be to reach an approach which will be based on the view of patients regarding their needs of taking medicine and at the same time, also taking into account the concerned theories for health and education. The problem has been accentuated by the development of new medicines for the treatment of problems in diseases. This is clear when one notices that in Canada it self, 167 new drugs were introduced in the period from 1997 to 2001. This has led to the total number of drugs in the market reaching a figure of over 3,000. This shows that there is no shortage of drugs, yet a large number of patients are not being able to get the benefits that the medicines are expected to give. In one study it was seen that about 12% of the cases of hospitalization that are taking place now could be avoided if the condition of the patient was properly managed when the patient was undergoing treatment at home. They could have been cared for by family physicians, nurses and pharmacists. This is further accentuated with the knowledge given by another study that 43% of these avoidable admissions were in the area of some chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes or heart failure. These diseases require patients to use medicines over a long term. This shows clearly that patients with chronic diseases are being hospitalized regularly when they could have been cared for in the home by doctors working outside the hospitals. (Bajcar, 2003) When the patients are put on medicines, they should receive the maximum benefits from their medicines. For this purpose, the first point is the correct procedure of prescribing the medicine for the patient along with the dosing requirements. The second part is that these medicines have to be taken and this has to be done properly. This is generally decided by the patient. It has been seen in many instances that the process of preparing the prescriptions is not linked correctly to the process of taking the medicines. This often leads to the future hospitalization of the patient. During an analysis that was done recently it was seen that pf the total number of admissions to hospitals in recent times, 7. % were directly caused by the medicines that were taken by the patient or the failure of the medicines to act or the medicines were not taken properly by the patients. Further it was seen that 59% of these admissions could have been avoided as the causes were due to inappropriate care or errors in medication. In medical terms, the adverse effects on patients are called drug related morbidity and mortality. The cost of drug related morbidity and mortality in United States during 1995 to the healthcare system was $76. 6 billion. These costs have been rising at a very fast rate and the costs in 2000 went to a figure above the $177 billion mark. This also showed that hospital admissions related to drug related morbidity and mortality was now above 70% of the total costs. (Bajcar, 2003) The major cause behind this problem is the shortcoming in patient education as felt by the patients, though the groups of healthcare professionals at different levels are trying to give a lot of importance to it. The patients say that they are not given enough information about the side effects of medication, risks of medication, the choices that they have about medication and the period for which the medication should be taken. This problem has been realized and the differences which are being caused by the differences in the approach of the health care professional and patient requirements are being sorted out. The problem is the greatest for patients who are on long term medication. (Bajcar, 2003) The shortage of information to patients is because of not getting enough information, or not receiving the information they want, or not receiving the information in a manner that gives the patients a chance to ask questions or seek involvement from the patients, or providing them information that is suitable for their special needs. The difference is in what information the patients want and what information the health care professionals feel they should be given. There is a clear change among patients that they are informed about their healthcare, and this is line with the present day thinking that healthcare is centered on the patient, increase the participation of the patient, and give the patients greater powers. This will enable the patients to take better decisions. The problem is compounded by the fact that there is no proper literature regarding the education needs of patients, who are on long term medication. This does not permit an analysis of the education needs of these patients. At present the emphasis regarding education on medication taking by the patients has the greatest focus on the information to be provided by the healthcare professional and does not consider the educational aspect. The teachings to the professionals consist of sets of guidelines given to professional or a set of questions to be asked of the patient. These are not related to the understanding of how the patient is taking the medicine. This is leading to a situation where the medication taking practices of patients on long term medication is remaining underdeveloped, and this is also keeping in dark the relationship between the actual medication consumption and the final effects that the medication is providing. There are definite needs for the development of a model for education of patients regarding their taking of medicine, and for the present levels of knowledge are not adequate. (Bajcar, 2003) A similar area where there is a lack of communication between the doctors and the patients is in the area of health insurance. This is reflected from the continuous rise in numbers of Americans without insurance and these are causing poor access to health care systems in the country. It is seen that about 20% of the people in the country are not able to pay healthcare bills, and an even higher proportion of 25% forgo medication based on cost. This ultimately results in deaths of the order of 18,000 a year as was seen in 2000. There are certainly troubles that are being caused to individuals, but even the society is suffering. The costs of care for the patient keep increasing, and the final cost has to be met by the government which is reflected on the average citizen. (Will Insured Citizens Give Up Benefit Coverage to Include the Uninsured? )

Sunday, September 15, 2019

The Indigo Spell Chapter Twenty-Four

I FELT PRETTY BAD about burning down my teacher's house. Ms. Terwilliger, for obvious reasons, seemed to think that was the least of her problems. She wasn't sure if her insurance would cover the damage, but her company was pretty speedy in sending someone out to investigate the cause. We were still waiting to hear their verdict on coverage, but one thing they didn't report finding was any sign of human remains. Part of me was relieved that I hadn't actually killed anyone. Another part of me feared we hadn't seen the last of Alicia. What silly comparison had Adrian made? The Moriarty to your Holmes. I had to imagine that being hit in the face with razor blades and then left in a burning building would make anyone hold a grudge. A little investigation eventually turned up Veronica at a Los Angeles hospital, checked in as Jane Doe. Visiting her comatose sister became the greatest of Ms. Terwilliger's priorities, and she harbored hopes of possibly finding a way to undo the spell. Despite how busy she now was, my teacher still managed to urge me to meet her coven, and I agreed for a few different reasons. One was that it was kind of impossible for me to act like I didn't want to wield magic anymore. The other reason was that I didn't plan on being around. I was still resolved to go with Marcus to Mexico, and the week flew by. Winter finals were a breeze, and before I knew it, it was Friday, the day before our trip to Mexico. I took a risk by telling my friends goodbye. The safest thing would've been to disappear without a trace, but I trusted them all – even Angeline – to keep my secret and feign ignorance once the Alchemists discovered they had a runaway. I told Trey as well. No matter what had gone down between us, he was still my friend, and I would miss him. As the day wore on, the dorm grew quieter and quieter – aside from unending Christmas music playing in the lobby. Not wanting to exclude other religions, Mrs. Weathers had also set out a menorah and â€Å"Happy Kwanzaa† banner. Tomorrow was officially the last day before everyone had to be out, and a number of people had already left for winter break. I'd finished my own packing, which was light. I didn't want to be burdened down with excess luggage since I really had no idea what to expect in Mexico. I still had two people I needed to say goodbye to: Adrian and Jill. I'd avoided them both for very different reasons, but time was running out. I knew Jill was just a flight of stairs away, but Adrian was more difficult. We'd been in touch a couple times after the fire, simply to sort out some details, but he'd soon gone silent. No calls, no texts, no dreams. Maybe I should've been glad. Maybe I should've welcomed the chance to leave without any painful goodbyes . . . but I couldn't. My chest ached with the thought of not seeing him again. Even though he was the reason I was leaving, I still felt like I needed some closure. It's not about closure, Sydney. You want to see him. You need to see him. And that's exactly why you have to leave. Finally, I took the plunge and called him. It took me so long to work up the nerve that I could hardly believe it when he didn't answer. I resisted the urge to immediately try again. No. I could wait. There would still be time tomorrow, and surely . . . surely he wasn't avoiding me? I decided to hold off on talking to Jill until the next day. Telling her goodbye was just as difficult – and not just because of what she saw through the bond. I knew she'd think I was abandoning her. In truth, if I stayed and ended up with Adrian, I'd possibly be caught and never be able to help her at all. At least if I was away and free, I could try to help her from the outside. I hoped she'd understand. Waiting on her gave me the opportunity to take care of an unwelcome errand: returning Malachi Wolfe's gun. I'd never gone to his home without Adrian, and even though I knew I had nothing to fear from Wolfe, there was still something a little unsettling about going to the compound alone. To my complete and utter astonishment, Wolfe let me into the house when I arrived. All was quiet. â€Å"Where are the dogs?† I asked. â€Å"At training,† he said. â€Å"I have a friend who's an expert dog trainer, and he's giving them some stealth lessons. He used to work for a local K-9 unit.† I didn't think it was in the Chihuahua genetic code to ever be stealthy. I kept that to myself and instead stared around in amazement at Wolfe's kitchen. I'd expected something like a ship's galley. Instead, I found an astonishingly cheery room, with blue-checkered wallpaper and a squirrel cookie jar. If someone had asked me to describe the most unlikely Wolfe kitchen out there, it would've looked something like this. No – wait. On the refrigerator, he had some magnets that looked like ninja throwing stars. That, at least, was in character. Adrian's going to flip out when I tell him. Then I remembered I might not see Adrian for a very long time. That realization killed whatever amusement I'd just felt. â€Å"So what do you need?† asked Wolfe. Peering at him, I suddenly had a strange feeling the eye patch really was on a different eye from last time. I should've paid more attention. â€Å"Another gun?† I returned to the task at hand. â€Å"No, sir. I didn't even need the first one, but thanks for lending it to me.† I removed it from the bag and handed it to him. He gave the gun a once-over and then set it inside a drawer. â€Å"Fixed your problem? You can still hang on to it if you want.† â€Å"I'm leaving the country. Bringing it over the border might cause me some trouble.† â€Å"Fair enough,† he said. He grabbed the cookie jar and took off the lid, leaning it toward me. An amazing scent drifted out. â€Å"Want one? I just made them.† I was really regretting not being able to tell Adrian about this. â€Å"No thanks, sir. I've had more than enough sugar these last few weeks.† I felt like I should have a frequent customer card for Pies and Stuff. â€Å"I thought you looked better. Not all skin and bones anymore.† He nodded in approval, which felt really weird and slightly creepy. â€Å"So where are you two kids going?† â€Å"Mexi – oh, Adrian's not going with me. I'm going with someone else.† â€Å"Really?† He slid the squirrel back across the counter. â€Å"I'm surprised. I always figured when you two left here, you went home and had your own private ‘training sessions.'† I felt myself turning bright red. â€Å"No! It's not like – I mean, we're just friends, sir.† â€Å"I had a friend like that once. Silver Tooth Sally.† He got that faraway expression that always came on when he had an anecdote to share. â€Å"I'm sorry, did you say – â€Å" â€Å"Never met a woman like Sally,† he interrupted. â€Å"We fought our way across Switzerland together, always watching each other's backs. We finally got out alive – just barely – and she wanted to come back to the States and settle down. Not me. I had dreams, you see. I was a young man then, drawn to danger and glory. I left her and went off to live with an Orcadian shaman. It took two years and a lot of vision quests to realize my mistake, but when I got back, I couldn't find her. When I close my eye at night, I can still see that tooth sparkle like a star. It haunts me, girl. It haunts me.† I frowned. â€Å"I don't think the Orcadians have vision quests, sir. Or shamans.† Wolfe leaned forward and shook a finger at me, his eye wide. â€Å"Learn from my mistakes, girl. Don't go to the Orkneys. You don't need some mystical vision to see what's in front of you, you hear me?† I gulped. â€Å"Yes, sir.† I hurried out after that, thinking that being in a different country from Malachi Wolfe might be a good thing. The next morning, I prepared to tell Jill goodbye, but she beat me to it and showed up at my door. It was the first time we'd truly spoken since the morning after that last dream with Adrian. She walked into my room and frowned when she saw the suitcase. â€Å"You're really going?† â€Å"Yes. And I'm sure you know why.† She crossed her arms and looked me straight in the eye, without any of the reservation she'd shown last time. I had trouble holding that stare. â€Å"Sydney, don't leave Adrian because of me.† â€Å"It's more complicated than that,† I said automatically. â€Å"It's really not,† she said. â€Å"From everything I've seen and heard, you're just afraid. You've always controlled every detail of your life. When you couldn't – like with the Alchemists – you found a way to seize back that control.† â€Å"There's nothing wrong with wanting control,† I snapped. â€Å"Except that we can't always have it, and sometimes that's a good thing. A great thing, even,† she added. â€Å"And that's how it is with Adrian. No matter how hard you try, you aren't going to be able to control your feelings for him. You can't help loving him, and so you're running away. I'm just an excuse.† Who was she to lecture me like this? â€Å"You think I'm lying about how awkward it is for you to see everything that happens between us? Every intimate detail is on display. I can't do that. I can't live like that.† â€Å"Adrian's learned to.† â€Å"Well, he's had to.† â€Å"Exactly.† Some of her fierceness mellowed. â€Å"Sydney, he brought me back from the dead. It's the greatest thing anyone can or will do for me. I can't pay him back, but I can let him live his life the way he wants to. I don't expect him to shelter me because of the bond, and I'm not going to judge him – or you. Someday, he and I will learn to block each other.† â€Å"Someday,† I reiterated. â€Å"Yes. And until then, we do the best we can. All you're doing by leaving is making three people miserable.† â€Å"Three?† I frowned. â€Å"I'm helping you.† â€Å"Do you really think I'm happy when he's miserable? Do you think I like the darkness that crawls over him?† When I said nothing, she pushed forward. â€Å"Look, I don't have the same physical reaction to you that he does, but when he's with you, he's so full of joy . . . it radiates through to me, and it's one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. I've never been in love like you guys are.† â€Å"I'm not – † I couldn't say it, and she gave me a knowing look. I tried a different tactic. â€Å"Staying here is dangerous, especially with him. The Alchemists might find out about everything – him, my tattoo, Ms. Terwilliger, and God knows what else.† â€Å"And if they don't find out, look at what you get. Adrian. The rest of us. Magic. The chance to uncover their secrets. I know you love this life. Why would you give it up? You're too smart to get caught. We'll help you. Do you really think Marcus and his Merry Men can do that much fighting when they're always on the run?† I shook my head. â€Å"They're like me. They understand me.† She was obstinate. â€Å"They aren't like you at all. They talk. You act.† It was so surprising to see her like this, so confident and so much wiser than her years. It was also a little irritating. If she was so wise, why couldn't she understand how much was at stake? â€Å"Jill, staying is a big risk – in all ways.† â€Å"Of course it is!† she exclaimed, her eyes flashing with anger. â€Å"Any life worth living is going to have risks. If you go to Mexico, you'll regret it – and I think you know that.† My phone rang, cutting off my next response. It was Eddie. He rarely called, and panic seized me. â€Å"What's wrong?† I demanded. He sounded mystified. â€Å"I wouldn't say anything's wrong . . . just surprising. Is Jill with you? You guys should really come down. We're outside† He hung up, and I was left totally confused. â€Å"What's up?† asked Jill. â€Å"Something surprising, apparently.† She and I went down to the lobby, with no more mention of Adrian. When we stepped outside, we found Eddie and Angeline pointedly avoiding eye contact with each other. Standing near them was a tall, good-looking guy with neatly trimmed black hair and bright blue eyes. He wore a stern, serious expression and was scanning the area. â€Å"He's a dhampir,† Jill murmured to me. His eyes locked onto us at our approach, and that fierce look relaxed. â€Å"Jill, Sydney,† said Eddie. â€Å"This is Neil Raymond. He's going to be joining us here.† Neil swept Jill a bow so low, it was a wonder he didn't hit the ground. â€Å"Princess Jillian,† he said in a deep voice. â€Å"It's an honor to serve you, and I'll do so to the best of my abilities, even if it means sacrificing my own life.† Jill took a step back, her eyes wide as she took him in. â€Å"Th-thank you.† Eddie looked back and forth between them, a small frown appearing on his face. â€Å"Neil's been sent as backup. I guess you filed some complaint about Jill not having enough protection?† That was to me, and unless I was mistaken, there was an accusatory note in his voice. â€Å"No – I. Oh. I guess I kind of did.† When I'd been trying to do damage control with Stanton, one of my grievances had been that I never felt Jill was safe. I guess this was Stanton's response. It was surprising, just as Eddie had said, but more eyes on her couldn't hurt. From the way she was sizing Neil up, she certainly didn't seem to mind either. I shook his hand. â€Å"Nice to have you around, Neil. Are they passing you off as another cousin?† â€Å"Just a new student,† he said. That was probably just as well. Our â€Å"family† was in danger of taking over Amberwood. I would've liked to learn a little more about him, but my time was up. Marcus was picking me up soon to go to the train station, seeing as Latte had been declared totaled. I guess that was a different sort of closure, albeit a sad kind. I told them all goodbye as I left to get my suitcase, acting as though I just had to run an errand. Eddie, Angeline, and Jill knew the truth, and I could see the hurt and regret in their eyes – especially Jill. I prayed they'd be okay without me. When I came back downstairs, I found Jill was the only one still there. â€Å"I forgot to give you this,† she said, handing over a small envelope. My name was on the outside, and I recognized the writing. â€Å"I've been trying to get a hold of him and thought he might be avoiding me. This is his goodbye, huh?† I felt disappointed that I wouldn't be able to see Adrian in person one last time. Maybe a letter was better than nothing, but I wished I could have left with those beautiful eyes fresh in my mind. â€Å"Is he . . . is he really upset?† I couldn't stand the thought of him hurting. â€Å"Read the letter,† she said mysteriously. â€Å"And remember, Sydney. This isn't about me. This is about you guys. You can control everything else, but not this. Let go, and accept how you feel.† We left on that note, and I went outside to sit on the curb and wait for Marcus. I stared at the envelope, looking at the way Adrian had written my name. Three times I nearly opened it . . . but chickened out each time. Finally, I saw Marcus drive in, and the envelope disappeared into my purse. As soon as he picked me up, he began talking excitedly about the big plans ahead. I barely heard. All I kept thinking about was Adrian and how empty my life was going to seem without him. Marcus and I were meeting Wade and Amelia at the train station, but I couldn't picture any of them understanding me like Adrian – even if they were human and shared the same background. None of them would have his dry wit or uncanny insight. And simmering beneath all those emotions were the more heated memories . . . the way we'd kissed, the way it had felt to be wrapped up in him. . . . â€Å"Sydney? Are you even paying attention?† I blinked and glanced over at Marcus. I think it was another of those moments where he couldn't believe someone wasn't hanging on to his every word. â€Å"Sorry,† I said. â€Å"My mind's somewhere else.† He grinned. â€Å"Well, shift it to beaches and margaritas because your life's about to change.† It was always beaches and margaritas with him. â€Å"You left out the part about us sealing the tattoo. Unless your tattooist is also a bartender.† â€Å"There you go again, funny and beautiful.† He laughed. â€Å"We're going to have a great time.† â€Å"How long will we be down there?† â€Å"Well, we'll take care of the tattoos first. That's the most important thing.† I was relieved to see him taking that seriously. â€Å"Then we'll lie low, enjoy the sights for a few weeks. After that, we'll come back and follow some leads on other dissatisfied Alchemists.† â€Å"And then you'll repeat the process?† I asked. In the rear-view mirror, I could see the Palm Springs skyline disappearing as we drove north. I felt a pang of longing in my chest. â€Å"Get others to retrieve critical information and then free them?† â€Å"Exactly.† We drove in silence for another minute as I processed his words. â€Å"Marcus, what do you do with that information you gather? I mean, what are you going to do about Master Jameson?† â€Å"Keep finding more evidence,† he said promptly. â€Å"This is the biggest lead we've ever had. Now we can really push forward in finding out more.† â€Å"It's more than a lead. Why not leak it to the Moroi?† â€Å"The Alchemists would deny it. Besides, we don't want to be hasty.† â€Å"So what if they do deny it?† I demanded. â€Å"At least the Moroi will have a heads-up.† He glanced over at me with a look that reminded me of a parent trying to be patient with a child. Ahead of us, I saw a sign for the train station. â€Å"Sydney, I know you're eager, but trust me. This is the way we've always done things.† â€Å"I don't know that it's the right way, though.† â€Å"You have a lot of ideas for someone who just joined up.† He chuckled. I wished he'd stop doing that. â€Å"Just wait, and then you'll understand.† I didn't like his condescending attitude. â€Å"I think I already understand. And you know what? I don't think you guys do anything. I mean, you've uncovered some amazing information . . . but then what? You keep waiting. You run away and skulk around. How is this really helping? Your intentions are good . . . but that's all they are.† I could almost hear Jill's voice: They talk. You act. Ironically, Marcus was speechless. â€Å"You could do so much,† I continued. â€Å"When I first found out about you, you seemed to hold all the potential in the world. Technically, you still do. But it's being wasted.† He pulled into the train station's parking lot, still looking utterly stunned. â€Å"Where the hell is this coming from?† he asked at last. â€Å"Me,† I said. â€Å"Because I'm not like you guys. I can't do nothing. I can't run away. And . . . I can't go with you.† It felt good to say that . . . and it also felt right. All week, my brain had been telling me the right thing to do was to walk away before things with Adrian and the Alchemists blew up. And yes, that probably was the smart thing. My heart had never entirely been on board, but I'd tried to ignore it. It wasn't until I'd listened to both Jill and Marcus that I realized just this once, my brain might have to opt for the less logical solution. I had to give Marcus credit. He actually looked concerned and wasn't just put out at not getting his way. â€Å"Sydney I know how attached you are to this place and these people, but it's not safe for you here. It's not safe for you anywhere, not as long as the Alchemists are watching. Not as long as your tattoo is vulnerable.† â€Å"Someone told me any life worth living has risks,† I said, unable to hide a smile. I never thought I'd be quoting Jill. Marcus slammed his fist against the dashboard. â€Å"That's sentimental bullshit! It sounds good in theory, but the reality is completely different.† â€Å"What kind of reality could you have created if you'd stayed with the Alchemists?† I asked. â€Å"How much could you have uncovered?† â€Å"Nothing if I was caught,† he said flatly. â€Å"And no matter how useless you think we are, I've freed dozens of Alchemists. I've helped Clarence and other Moroi.† â€Å"You aren't useless, Marcus. You do good work, but we're just not on the same path, that's all. I'm staying and doing things my way. Isn't that what you said when we first met? Helping the Moroi on our own terms? These are mine.† â€Å"You're wasting your time!† â€Å"It's my time to waste,† I said. Adrian had said exactly the same thing to me on the flight to the wedding, when I'd told him he couldn't keep loving me. I felt bad for Marcus. I really did, especially since he'd truly been counting on me to come with him. He caught hold of my hand. â€Å"Sydney, please don't do this,† he begged. â€Å"No matter how confident you feel, no matter how careful you think you are, things will spiral out of control.† â€Å"They already have,† I said, opening the passenger door. â€Å"And I'm going to stop fighting them. Thank you for everything, Marcus. I mean it.† â€Å"Wait, Sydney,† he called. â€Å"Just tell me one thing.† I glanced back and waited. â€Å"Where did this come from? When you called me to tell me you were coming, you said you'd realized it was the smart thing to do. What made you change your mind?† I gave him a smile that I hoped was as dazzling as one of his. â€Å"I realized I'm in love.† Marcus, startled, looked around as though he expected to see my objet d'amour in the car with us. â€Å"And you just realized that? Did you just have some sort of vision?† â€Å"Didn't need to,† I said, thinking of Wolfe's ill-fated trip to the Orkneys. â€Å"It's always been right in front of me.†

Philosophical Context in Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis

Intro Kafka never fully embraced Zionism, and he remained ambivalent toward Judaism. He was more openly interested in anarchism and socialism, but was not committed to either philosophy because he refused to completely align himself with an established worldview. Modernism -Kafka was exposed to Modernism. -Modernism was a movement during the late 19th century and early twentieth century of scientific, technological and industrial development. Modernists shared a desire to create literature that was new and different. Their belief was to capture the reality of modern life and that rapid change cause uncertainty, disjointedness, and alienation. Kafka wrote about the absurdity of existence, the alienating experience of modern life, and the cruelty of authoritarian power. -The word Kafkaesque has passed into the literature to describe an unsettling, disorienting, nightmarish world that is at once both fearful and menacing in its ambiguity and complexity. Kafka's views on Humanity Speakin g with his friend Max Brod, Kafka once explained that he thought human beings were trapped in a hopeless world. This belief never leaves Kafka's writing, and it is present in The Metamorphosis, where Gregor's only option, in the end, is to die. Ironically, the story ends on an optimistic note, as the family puts itself back together. Existentialism -Kafka never studied philosophy but he was friends with several intellectuals and read works by famous philosophers. -Several people think of Kafka as an existentialist. -Existentialism is a 20th-century philosophical movement, which assumes that people are entirely free and thus responsible for what they make of themselves. -The early 19th century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard is regarded as the father of existentialism. -Franz Kafka was an important literary author in existentialism. His story, which is surreal, is one of many modernist literary works that was influenced by existentialist philosophy. -The Metamorphosis advances the existential view of the responsibility of the individual to maintain a balance between work and leisure. If one chooses to devote their life entirely to work, they are no more than droning insects, yet if they devote their lives to leisure, they are no better off. -Gregor initially chooses society over himself, which in turn transformed him into the working drone he was. After his physical transformation, he is forced reassert his focus to himself, and society abandons him. Nietzche and Kierkgaard -Kierkegaard and Nietzsche considered the role of making free choices,  Kierkegaard's  knight of faith  and Nietzsche's  Ubermensch  are representative of people who exhibit  Freedom and define the nature of their own existence. -Nietzsche's ideal individual invents his or her own values and creates the terms under which they excel. -Gregor's monstrous insect form represents Gregor's radical refusal to submit to society's values like Nietzschean Ubermensch. Martin Buber -Kafka was friends with philosopher and existentialist Martin Buber. They would send each other letters and these letters were later published in Bubers The letters of Martin Buber: a life of dialogue. Together they discussed existentialism and were part of a literary circle. They were both jewish and anarchists. -Shared existentialist rejection of achieving real satisfaction in life. Characters in Kafka’s tales are left wanting something, needing a connection to the world that can never be made complete. Sigmund Freud -Kafka was familiar with the newly published works of Sigmund Freud. -However, he was no Freudian disciple and wrote negatively of psychoanalytic theory. But Gregor's conflict with his father and the dream-like quality of the story realtes to Freud's analysis of dreams and the Oedipal complex: – A subconscious sexual desire in a child, especially a male child, for the parent of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by hostility to the parent of the same sex. – All sons feel they are in competition with their father and often feel in a battle against the father. Father vs. Son in Metamorphosis -Gregor seems to have a difficult relationship with his father. His family rejects him, and his main enemy is his father, who wants to kill him. When Gregors father sees Gregor in his insect form, he shakes his fist at him and glares at him fiercely. Later he attacks him with a newspaper and a walking stick, and, bombards him with apples, causing him serious injury. -He is also makes sarcastic comments, suggesting for instance that Gregor's room is untidy. -It also turns out that he has deceived Gregor about the family finances, thus extending the length of Gregor's employment at the hateful traveling salesman's job. -He also does not seem particularly appreciative of the money Gregor has been bringing in. Gregor's disappointment over the lack of appreciation is one of the few critical thoughts he thinks about his father. -He also thinks briefly that the money his father hid from him could have been used to free him from his job sooner, but he quickly dismisses the thought by saying that no doubt his father knew best. -Basically Gregors father abuses him, but he suppresses his angry responses and accepts his downtrodden state. Marx and Kafka -Karl Marx believed alienation is a result of capitalism. – Kafka was influenced by his political philosophy of Marxism. A Marxist would read Gregor's inability to work as a protest against the dehumanizing and alienating effects of working in a capitalistic society. -Gregor Samsa, the protagonist, signifies the proletariat, or the working class, and his unnamed manager represents the bourgeoisie. -The conflict that arises between the two after Gregor's metamorphosis, which leaves him unable to work, represents the dehumanizing structure of class relations. -Finally, the results of Gregors inability to work is abandonment by his family and death. -The words he chooses to describe his job, â€Å"torture,† â€Å"worrying,† and â€Å"miserable† show his discontent with his job. He says, â€Å"If I didn't hold back for my parents' sake, I would have quit long ago†. It is only economic necessity that keeps him going to work everyday. Historical Context -In 1912, when Kafka was writing â€Å"The Metamorphosis,† Prague was a city of ethnic tensions, primarily between Czechs and Germans and between Czechs and Jews. -Economically, the late nineteenth century marked the climax of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. -Industrial development within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was not as advanced as in Europe but Prague was one of the most advanced and prosperous cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, along with the prosperity created by the new industrialism came dislocation and disruption of the old ways, largely as a result of the shift of large numbers of people from the countryside to the city. Industrialization also meant the appearance of large numbers of jobs, for both factory and office workers, which was hardwork. And the school syst em enforced a system of routine learning that seemed relentlessly joyless—at least it seemed joyless to young Kafka, who hated school, just as he hated his first full? time job. Long hours at boring jobs create alienation. And oppressive employers like Gregor's were normal.