Analyst Report

Business 101 4 November 2011 Analyst Report Part 1: Executive Summary VF Corporation is a multi million-dollar industry that produces and distributes apparels from various brand names. Throughout the past two years VF Corp has performed very well as concluded on its annual report. By looking at the annual report for 2010 it is very clear that VF Corp has performed very well over the past year. The total revenues for 2010 were $482,303 more than the total revenues for 2009. The long-term debt for the company reduces by $2,612 from 2009.With the various brand names that VF Corp has, it is clear that the total revenue will always increase as the demand for those brands increases, which they have been increasing. To add to their brand base VF Corp just recently bought the company Timberland so that too will help increase their earnings. By purchasing another popular name brand VF Corp will have a number of appealing brands that the public is always interested in purchasing. This helps VF Corp in the future because the more brands they purchase, the larger their consumer population will become.By doing so they are also highlighting one of their major goals addressed in their mission statement, which states â€Å"Our goal is to continuously exceed the expectations of our consumers, customers, shareholders and business partners. † Part 2: Company Profile †¢ Ticker symbol: VFC †¢ Mission Statement as it is printed in the Annual Report: We will grow by building leading lifestyle brands that excite consumers around the world. Ours is a perpetually driven culture, focused on constant innovation. Using deep research and insights, we combine the art and science of apparel to create products that excite consumers and brands that inspire loyalty.We responsibly manage the industry's most efficient and complex supply chain, which spans multiple geographies, product categories and distribution channels. Our goal is to continuously exceed the expectations of our consumers, customers, shareholders and business partners. We help our retail partners win with consistently solid execution and outstanding service. And we continually find ways to improve our performance and generate bottom line results. †¢ Corporate headquarters location: 105 Corporate Center Blvd. Greensboro, NC 27408 †¢ Name of CEO: Eric C.Wiseman †¢ Name of CFO: Robert K. Shearer †¢ Stock classifications (common, preferred, both): Common †¢ Exchange (NYSE, Nasdaq): New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Part 3: Projections: Based on the graph of the stock performance I project that the stock prices will steadily increase in the years to come. During the 2009 recession the stock levels for VF Corp went down but bounced right back up towards the 70’s closer to 2010. Since then the stock levels slowly increased each month and now are at a steady positive increase and I believe that it will continue to increase.Also VF Corp is associated with various clothin g and apparel companies and regardless of how serious the economy might decline, people will still go out and buy clothes. VF Corp is also associated with a number of big name brands such as The North Face, Lee, Vans, Timberland, Nautica, Wrangler, Majestic, Jansport, and many other brands. These different brands are very popular these days and their sales are always going up so the overall stocks for VF Corp will continue in a positive slope. [pic] Part 4: Current Events The first article discusses how VF Corp is purchasing â€Å"VF Arvind Brands Private Limited†.This company is responsible for marketing VF Corp’s brands throughout India. This is helpful for VF Corp because it can market its own brands and spread throughout Asia as well. This would allow VF Corp to not only have the final say on how exactly it markets its products but to also choose the locations that they want the products to be marketed at. Overall this purchase will greatly benefit VF Corp right no w and in the future as well. The second article discusses how VF Corp is set to buy the brand Timberland. By doing so not only is VF Corp helping increase its profits but Timberland’s as well.Timberland is a famous company that primarily sells boots. This would greatly increase VF Corp’s variety in terms of outdoor wear. By purchasing Timberland VF Corp will also be able to expand oversees as the article stated. Since most of the sales from Timberland occur in China, this would help VF Corp market not only Timberland but many of their other name brands. This purchase will definitely have some very positive results in the future and if more purchases like this are made then VF Corp will increase its earning greatly. Part 5: Recommendations:Based on the information that I’ve gathered about this corporation I strongly suggest that investors should move fast and â€Å"buy† stocks from this company. Using the current ratio I can see that the company’s l iquidity levels will be increasing in the years to come and since the economy is slowly recovering it is clear that VF Corp is going to do well in terms of stock sales. The difference between the current ratio of 2010 and 2009 is 0. 14. though this might not seem like a large enough of a number to make a huge difference, in reality it does. The profit margin between the two years has also increased by 1. %. All of this information tells me that VF Corp is a company that you should invest in because the company is only going on a positive direction. Article 1: VF Corporation To Acquire Joint Venture in India Published: November 2, 2011 GREENSBORO, N. C. , & BANGALORE, India–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 2, 2011– VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, today announced that its subsidiary, VF Mauritius, has acquired full ownership of VF Arvind Brands Private Limited, a majority-owned joint venture between VF Mauritius and Arvind Limited for med in 2006 to market VF brands in India. Our business in India is strong, and now is the time to assume full ownership,† said Eric C. Wiseman, Chairman, President and CEO of VF Corporation. â€Å"Anchored by our Lee ® and Wrangler ® brands, the Indian market will provide a robust platform for future growth in the Asia-Pacific region. † Aidan O’Meara, President, VF Asia, noted: â€Å"VF is grateful for the contribution Arvind made to the development of a fast-growing and profitable business for our brands in India. VF and Arvind will continue to have a strong working relationship, now and in the future. †O’Meara added that he does not expect any impact to jobs or changes in the day-to-day operations of the business in India. The new name of the wholly owned business in India has not yet been announced. Article 2: VF Corporation to Buy Timberland BY MICHAEL J. DE LA MERCED The VF Corporation agreed on Monday to buy the Timberland Company, the boo t maker, for about $2 billion in cash, paying a big premium in an effort to bolster its outdoor clothing offerings. VF, which already owns lines like Wrangler and 7 for All Mankind, will add Timberland to a stable of outdoor brands like the North Face and Eastpak.Eric C. Wiseman, VF’s chairman and chief executive, described the Timberland deal on Monday as a â€Å"transformative† acquisition that will add footwear to his company’s fastest-growing unit. The outdoor and action sports business reported a 14 percent gain in revenue last year, to $3. 2 billion. â€Å"We are confident in our ability to take big brands and make them bigger,† he said during an investor conference call. Still, VF is paying up: Under the terms of the deal, it will pay $43 a share, a more than 40 percent premium to Timberland’s Friday closing price.Founded in Abington, Mass. , in 1952 by the Swartz family, Timberland became synonymous with American work garments and outdoor c lothing, particularly with its hard-wearing boots. But the company has faced rising materials costs, with its operating margins falling to just 9 percent last year. It reported a 30 percent drop in first-quarter profits this year. VF executives appeared confident that it could wring profits by improving Timberland’s business performance, primarily by folding it into the apparel giant’s global platform and cutting costs.On an investor call with analysts, VF’s chief financial officer, Bob Shearer, said his company planned to raise its new acquisition’s operating margin to 15 percent, in line with the rest of the conglomerate’s brands. In Timberland, VF also sees an opportunity to expand its presence overseas. Though Timberland’s popularity in the United States surged years ago, the brand remains popular in high-growth markets like China. The company also has a foothold in Japan, where VF is still building out its presence. VF executives expect to reap benefits from the Timberland deal soon after its closing, which is expected in the third quarter this year.Timberland is expected to begin adding to VF’s earnings by 45 cents a share this year and 90 cents next year, excluding acquisition costs. VF plans to keep Timberland based in Stratham, N. H. Members of the Swartz family have agreed to support the deal. The Timberland sale appeared to stoke hopes that other outdoor apparel makers could soon go on the block as well. Among the big gainers was Wolverine World Wide, another maker of rugged work boots, whose shares jumped about 5. 1 percent to $39. 08. Columbia Sportswear, another purveyor of activewear, rose 1. 7 percent to $59. 43.Shares of VF also rose, gaining 10 percent on Monday to $101. 01. Usually, an acquirer’s shares fall after a deal is announced, as shareholders worry about the transaction being overpriced. Shares in Timberland soared 44 percent to $43. 20. Analysts praised the deal, citing VF†™s history of integrating brands into its business platform. â€Å"We regard Timberland as a high-quality brand that has been operationally challenged for a number of years,† analysts at Sterne Agee wrote in a research note on Monday. â€Å"We believe that VF has exhibited a strong track record and the capabilities to rectify many of the historical problems. †

Frostbite Chapter 3

Three THE LOBBY OF MY DORM was abuzz when I sprinted downstairs to my before-school practice. The commotion didn't surprise me. A good night's sleep had gone far to chase away the images from last night, but I knew neither I nor my classmates would easily forget what had taken place outside Billings. And yet, as I studied the faces and clusters of other novices, I noticed something weird. The fear and tension from yesterday were still around, certainly, but something new was there too: excitement. A couple of freshmen novices were practically squealing with joy as they spoke in hushed whispers. Nearby, a group of guys my own age were gesturing wildly, enthusiastic grins on their faces. I had to be missing something hereunless all of yesterday had been a dream. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to go over and ask somebody what was happening. If I delayed, I'd be late for practice. The curiosity was killing me, though. Had the Strigoi and their humans been found and killed? That would certainly be good news, but something told me that wasn't the case. Pushing open the front doors, I lamented that I'd just have to wait until breakfast to find out. â€Å"Hath-away, don't run-away,† a singsong voice called. I glanced behind me and grinned. Mason Ashford, another novice and a good friend of mine, jogged up and fell in step with me. â€Å"What are you, twelve?† I asked, continuing on toward the gym. â€Å"Nearly,† he said. â€Å"I missed your smiling face yesterday. Where were you?† Apparently my presence at the Badica house still wasn't widely known. It wasn't a secret or anything, but I didn't want to discuss any gory details. â€Å"Had a training thing with Dimitri.† â€Å"God,† muttered Mason. â€Å"That guy is always working you. Doesn't he realize he's depriving us of your beauty and charm?† â€Å"Smiling face? Beauty and charm? You're laying it on a little thick this morning, aren't you?† I laughed. â€Å"Hey, I'm just telling it like it is. Really, you're lucky to have someone as suave and brilliant as me paying this much attention to you.† I kept grinning. Mason was a huge flirt, and he liked to flirt with me in particular. Part of it was just because I was good at it and liked to flirt back. But I knew his feelings toward me were more than just friendly, and I was still deciding how I felt about that. He and I had the same goofy sense of humor and frequently drew attention to ourselves in class and among friends. He had gorgeous blue eyes and messy red hair that never seemed to lie flat. It was cute. But dating someone new was going to be kind of difficult when I still kept thinking about the time I was half-naked in bed with Dimitri. â€Å"Suave and brilliant, huh?† I shook my head. â€Å"I don't think you pay nearly as much attention to me as you do your ego. Someone needs to knock it down a little.† â€Å"Oh yeah?† he asked. â€Å"Well, you can try your best on the slopes.† I stopped walking. â€Å"The what?† â€Å"The slopes.† He tilted his head. â€Å"You know, the ski trip.† â€Å"What ski trip?† I was apparently missing something serious here. â€Å"Where have you been this morning?† he asked, looking at me like I was a crazy woman. â€Å"In bed! I only got up, like, five minutes ago. Now, start from the beginning and tell me what you're talking about.† I shivered from the lack of movement. â€Å"And let's keep walking.† We did. â€Å"So, you know how everyone's afraid to have their kids come home for Christmas? Well, there's this huge ski lodge in Idaho that's exclusively used by royals and rich Moroi. The people who own it are opening it up for Academy students and their familiesand actually any other Moroi who want to go. With everyone in one spot, they're going to have a ton of guardians to protect the place, so it'll be totally safe.† â€Å"You can't be serious,† I said. We reached the gym and stepped inside out of the cold. Mason nodded eagerly. â€Å"It's true. The place is supposed to be amazing.† He gave me the grin that always made me smile in return. â€Å"We're going to live like royalty, Rose. At least for a week or so. We take off the day after Christmas.† I stood there, both excited and stunned. I hadn't seen this coming. It really was a brilliant idea, one that let families reunite safely. And what a reunion spot! A royal ski lodge. I'd expected to spend most of my holiday break hanging out here and watching TV with Lissa and Christian. Now I'd be living it up in five-star accommodations. Lobster dinners. Massages. Cute ski instructors †¦ Mason's enthusiasm was contagious. I could feel it welling up in me, and then, suddenly, it slammed to a halt. Studying my face, he saw the change right away. â€Å"What's wrong? This is cool.† â€Å"It is,† I admitted. â€Å"And I get why everyone's excited, but the reason we're getting to go to this fancy place is because, well, because people are dead. I mean, doesn't this all seem weird?† Mason's cheery expression sobered a little. â€Å"Yeah, but we're alive, Rose. We can't stop living because other people are dead. And we have to make sure more people don't die. That's why this place is such a great idea. It's safe.† His eyes turned stormy. â€Å"God, I can't wait until we're out of here in the field. After hearing about what happened, I just want to go tear apart some Strigoi. I wish we could go now, you know? There's no reason. They could use the extra help, and we pretty much know everything we need to.† The fierceness in his voice reminded me of my outburst yesterday, though he wasn't quite as worked up as I'd been. His eagerness to act was impetuous and na?ve, whereas mine had been born out of some weird, dark irrationality I still didn't entirely understand. When I didn't respond, Mason gave me a puzzled look. â€Å"Don't you want to?† â€Å"I don't know, Mase.† I stared down at the floor, avoiding his eyes as I studied the toe of my shoe. â€Å"I mean, I don't want Strigoi out there, attacking people either. And I want to stop them in theory†¦ but, well, we aren't even close to being ready. I've seen what they can do I don't know. Rushing in isn't the answer.† I shook my head and looked back up. Good grief. I sounded so logical and cautious. I sounded like Dimitri. â€Å"It's not important since it's not going to happen anyway. I suppose we should just be excited about the trip, huh?† Mason's moods were quick to change, and he turned easygoing once more. â€Å"Yup. And you'd better try to remember how to ski, because I'm calling you out on knocking down my ego out there. Not that it's going to happen.† I smiled again. â€Å"Boy, it sure is going to be sad when I make you cry. I kind of feel guilty already.† He opened his mouth, no doubt to deliver some smartass reply, and then caught sight of somethingor rather, someonebehind me. I glanced over and saw Dimitri's tall form approaching from the other side of the gym. Mason swept me a gallant bow. â€Å"Your lord and master. Catch you later, Hathaway. Start planning your ski strategies.† He opened the door and disappeared into the frigid darkness. I turned around and joined Dimitri. Like other dhampir novices, I spent half of my school day on one form or another of guardian training, be it actual physical combat or learning about Strigoi and how to defend against them. Novices also sometimes had practices after school. I, however, was in a unique situation. I still stood by my decision to run away from St. Vladimir's. Victor Dashkov had posed too much of a threat to Lissa. But our extended vacation had come with consequences. Being away for two years had put me behind in my guardian classes, so the school had declared that I had to make up for it by going to extra practices before and after school. With Dimitri. Little did they know that they were also giving me lessons in avoiding temptation. But my attraction to him aside, I was a fast learner, and with his help, I had almost caught up to the other seniors. Since he wasn't wearing a coat, I knew we'd be working inside today, which was good news. It was freezing out. Yet even the happiness I felt over that was nothing compared to what I felt when I saw what exactly he had set up in one of the training rooms. There were practice dummies arranged on the far wall, dummies that looked amazingly lifelike. No straw-stuffed burlap bags here. There were men and women, wearing ordinary clothes, with rubbery skin and different hair and eye colors. Their expressions ranged from happy to scared to angry. I'd worked with these dummies before in other trainings, using them to practice kicks and punches. But I'd never worked with them while holding what Dimitri held: a silver stake. â€Å"Sweet,† I breathed. It was identical to the one I'd found at the Badica house. It had a hand grip at the bottom, almost like a hilt without the little side flourishes. That was where its resemblance to a dagger ended. Rather than a flat blade, the stake had a thick, rounded body that narrowed to a point, kind of like an ice pick. The entire thing was a little shorter than my forearm. Dimitri leaned casually against the wall, in an easy stance he always pulled off remarkably well, despite being almost six-seven. With one hand, he tossed the stake into the air. It spun around in a cartwheel a couple of times and then came down. He caught it hilt first. â€Å"Please tell me I get to learn how to do that today,† I said. Amusement flashed in the dark depths of his eyes. I think he had a hard time keeping a straight face around me sometimes. â€Å"You'll be lucky if I let you hold it today,† he said. He flipped the stake into the air again. My eyes followed it longingly. I started to point out that I had already held one, but I knew that line of logic would get me nowhere. Instead, I tossed my backpack on the floor, threw off my coat, and crossed my arms expectantly. I had on loose pants tied at the waist and a tank top with a hoodie over it. My dark hair was pulled brutally back into a ponytail. I was ready for anything. â€Å"You want me to tell you how they work and why I should always be cautious around them,† I announced. Dimitri stopped flipping the stake and stared at me in astonishment. â€Å"Come on,† I laughed. â€Å"You don't think I know how you work by now? We've been doing this for almost three months. You always make me talk safety and responsibility before I can do anything fun.† â€Å"I see,† he said. â€Å"Well, I guess you've got it all figured out. By all means, go on with the lesson. I'll just wait over here until you need me again.† He tucked the stake into a leather sheath hanging from his belt and then made himself comfortable against the wall, hands stuffed in pockets. I waited, figuring he was joking, but when he said nothing else, I realized he'd meant his words. With a shrug, I launched into what I knew. â€Å"Silver always has powerful effects on any magical creatureit can help or hurt them if you put enough power into it. These stakes are really hard-core because it takes four different Moroi to make them, and they use each of the elements during the forging.† I frowned, suddenly considering something. â€Å"Well, except spirit. So these things are supercharged and are about the only non-decapitating weapon that can do damage to a Strigoibut to kill them, it has to be through the heart.† â€Å"Will they hurt you?† I shook my head. â€Å"No. I mean, well, yeah, if you drive one through my heart it will, but it won't hurt me like it would a Moroi. Scratch one of them with this, and it'll hit them pretty hardbut not as hard as it'd hit a Strigoi. And they won't hurt humans, either.† I stopped for a moment and stared absentmindedly at the window behind Dimitri. Frost covered the glass in sparkling, crystalline patterns, but I hardly noticed. Mentioning humans and stakes had transported me back to the Badica house. Blood and death flashed through my thoughts. Seeing Dimitri watching me, I shook off the memories and kept going with the lesson. Dimitri would occasionally give a nod or ask a clarifying question. As the time ticked down, I kept expecting him to tell me I was finished and could start hacking up the dummies. Instead, he waited until almost ten minutes before the end of our session before leading me over to one of themit was a man with blond hair and a goatee. Dimitri took the stake out from its sheath but didn't hand it to me. â€Å"Where are you going to put this?† he asked. â€Å"In the heart,† I replied irritably. â€Å"I already told you that like a hundred times. Can I have it now?† He allowed himself a smile. â€Å"Where's the heart?† I gave him an are-you-serious look. He merely shrugged. With overdramatic emphasis, I pointed to the left side of the dummy's chest. Dimitri shook his head. â€Å"That's not where the heart is,† he told me. â€Å"Sure it is. People put their hands over their hearts when they say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the national anthem.† He continued to stare at me expectantly. I turned back to the dummy and studied it. In the back of my brain, I remembered learning CPR and where we had to place our hands. I tapped the center of the dummy's chest. â€Å"Is it here?† He arched an eyebrow. Normally I thought that was cool. Today it was just annoying. â€Å"I don't know,† he said. â€Å"Is it?† â€Å"That's what I'm asking you!† â€Å"You shouldn't have to ask me. Don't you all have to take physiology?† â€Å"Yeah. Junior year. I was on ‘vacation,' remember?† I pointed to the gleaming stake. â€Å"Can I please touch it now?† He flipped the stake again, letting it flash in the light, and then it disappeared in the sheath. â€Å"I want you to tell me where the heart is the next time we meet. Exactly where. And I want to know what's in the way of it too.† I gave him my fiercest glare, whichjudging from his expressionmust not have been that fierce. Nine out of ten times, I thought Dimitri was the sexiest thing walking the earth. Then, there were times like this †¦ I headed off to first period, a combat class, in a bad mood. I didn't like looking incompetent in front of Dimitri, and I'd really, really wanted to use one of those stakes. So in class I took out my annoyance on anyone I could punch or kick. By the end of class, no one wanted to spar with me. I'd accidentally hit Meredithone of the few other girls in my classso hard that she'd felt it through her shin padding. She was going to have an ugly bruise and kept looking at me as though I'd done it on purpose. I apologized to no avail. Afterward, Mason found me once again. â€Å"Oh, man,† he said, studying my face. â€Å"Who pissed you off?† I immediately launched into my tale of silver stake and heart woes. To my annoyance, he laughed. â€Å"How do you not know where the heart is? Especially considering how many of them you've broken?† I gave him the same ferocious look I'd given Dimitri. This time, it worked. Mason's face paled. â€Å"Belikov is a sick, evil man who should be thrown into a pit of rabid vipers for the great offense he committed against you this morning.† â€Å"Thank you.† I said primly. Then, I considered. â€Å"Can vipers be rabid?† â€Å"I don't see why not. Everything can be. I think.† He held the hallway door open for me. â€Å"Canadian geese might be worse than vipers, though.† I gave him a sidelong look. â€Å"Canadian geese are deadlier than vipers?† â€Å"You ever tried to feed those little bastards?† he asked, attempting seriousness and failing. â€Å"They're vicious. You get thrown to vipers, you die quickly. But the geese? That'll go on for days. More suffering.† â€Å"Wow. I don't know whether I should be impressed or frightened that you've thought about all this,† I remarked. â€Å"Just trying to find creative ways to avenge your honor, that's all.† â€Å"You just never struck me as the creative type, Mase.† We stood just outside our second-period classroom. Mason's expression was still light and joking, but there was a suggestive note in his voice when he spoke again. â€Å"Rose, when I'm around you, I think of all sorts of creative things to do.† I was still giggling about the vipers and abruptly stopped, staring at him in surprise. I'd always thought Mason was cute, but with that serious, smoky look in his eyes, it suddenly occurred to me for the first time that he was actually kind of sexy. â€Å"Oh, look at that,† he laughed, noticing how much he'd caught me off guard. â€Å"Rose gets rendered speechless. Ashford 1, Hathaway 0.† â€Å"Hey, I don't want to make you cry before the trip. It won't be any fun if I've already broken you before we even hit the slopes.† He laughed, and we stepped into the room. This was a class on bodyguard theory, one that took place in an actual classroom instead of the practice field. It was a nice break from all the physical exertion. Today, there were three guardians standing at the front who weren't from the school's regiment. Holiday visitors, I realized. Parents and their guardians had already started coming to campus to accompany their children to the ski resort. My interest was piqued immediately. One of the guests was a tall guy who looked like he was about a hundred years old but could still kick major ass. The other guy was about Dimitri's age. He had deeply tanned skin and was built well enough that a few of the girls in class looked ready to swoon. The last guardian was a woman. Her auburn hair was cropped and curly, and her brown eyes were currently narrowed in thought. As I've said, a lot of dhampir women choose to have children rather than follow the guardian path. Since I too was one of the few women in this profession, I was always excited to meet otherslike Tamara. Only, this wasn't Tamara. This was someone I'd known for years, someone who triggered anything but pride and excitement. Instead, I felt resentment. Resentment, anger, and burning outrage. The woman standing in front of the class was my mother.

Andrew Jackson Essays - Cherokee Nation, Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson Like any hall of fame, its inductees are the best in whatever they do, from baseball or football to something like being President. If you are a member of any hall of fame (including the one for the Presidents), it means that you have done something special or have a certain quality about yourself that makes you worthy to be in a hall of fame. My nominee for the Presidents hall of Fame is our seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. I'll go over his presidency, focusing on both the highs and the lows of his two terms in office, from 1829-1837. The issues that I'll focus on are states' rights, nullification, the tariff, the spoils system, Indian removal and banking policies; these controversies brought forth strong rivalry over his years of president. He was known for his iron will and fiery personality, and strong use of the powers of his office that made his years of presidency to be known as the "Age of Jackson." Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, in a settlement on the border of North and South Carolina. He was orphaned at age 14. After studying law and becoming a member of the Bar in North Carolina later he moved to Nashville Tennessee. Their he became a member of a powerful political faction led by William Blount. He was married in 1791 to Rachel Donelson Robards, and later remarried to him due to a legal mistake in her prior divorce in 1794. Jackson served as delegate to Tenn. in the 1796 Constitutional convention and a congressman for a year (from 1796-97). He was elected senator in 1797, but financial problems forced him to resign and return to Tennessee in less than a year. Later he served as a Tennessee superior court judge for six years starting in 1798. In 1804 he retired from the bench and moved to Nashville and devoted time to business ventures and his plantation. At this time his political career looked over. In 1814 Jackson was a Major General in the Tennessee Militia, here he was ordered to march against the Creek Indians (who were pro-British in the war of 1812). His goal was achieved at Horseshoe Bend in March of 1814. Eventually he forced All Indians from the area. His victory's impressed some people in Washington and Jackson was put in command of the defense of New Orleans. This show of American strength made Americans feel proud after a war filled with military defeats. Jackson was given the nickname "Old Hickory", and was treated as a national hero. In 1817 he was ordered against the Seminole Indians. He pushed them back into Spanish Florida and executed two British subjects. Jackson instead that his actions were with approval of the Monroe administration. His actions helped to acquire the Florida territory, and he became a provisional governor of Florida that same year. In 1822 the Tennessee Legislature nominated him for president and the following year he was elected the U.S. senate. He also nearly won the presidential campaign of 1824 however as a result of the "corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay. Over the next four years the current administration built a strong political machine with nationalistic policies and a lack of concern of states rights. In 1828 through a campaign filled with mud slinging on both sides, Andrew Jackson became the seventh President to the United States. Instead of the normal cabinet made up by the president, he relied more on an informal group of newspaper writers and northern politicians who had worked for his election. I believe that this made him more in contact with the people of the United States, more in contact with the public opinion and feelings toward national issues. President Jackson developed the system of "rotation in office." This was used to protect the American people from a development of a long-standing political group by removing long-term office holders. His enemies accused him of corruption of civil service for political reasons. However, I think that it was used to insure loyalty of the people in his administration. States rights played an important part in Jackson's policy's as president. In the case of the Cherokee Indians vs. The State of Georgia,

Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies Essay

Business-Level and Corporate-Level Strategies - Essay Example A wide range of products are offered through the McDonalds stores like food items, coffee, soft drinks and other types of beverages (Yahoo Finance, 2012a). The analysis of the competitive business environment of McDonalds would also be discussed in this study. These strategies that are taken up by McDonalds at different levels would be compared and contrasted to help in the overall strategic analysis. Business level strategies A business level strategy can be defined as an action plan that is developed by a business organization which gives a description about the various means through which it would compete in a given industrial or market segment (Ireland, Hoskisson, and Hitt, 2008, p. 88). The primary objective of a business level strategy formulated by any organization is to create increased value for its customers in a consistent manner. There can be five different types of business level strategies that can be employed by an organization. They are: a) Cost leadership, b) Focused cost leadership, c) Differentiation, d) Focused differentiation, and e) Integrated differentiation or cost leadership (Ireland, Hoskisson, and Hitt, 2008, p. 88). The business level strategies employed by McDonalds Corporation have been discussed in this section. ... The business strategy employed by McDonalds is competitive in nature in a number of different categories like quality, price, employee training and management. McDonalds serves its customers globally who are of different ages and comprises of various demographics as well. The company's strategy is to satisfy the needs of its target customers by providing them with good quality food products that are less expensive and in quick time. The company offers different variety of food items to its customers through its restaurants located in different parts of the world. McDonalds operates its business in nearly 119 nations of the world and its strategy is to provide different kinds of products in accordance with the specific needs and wants of people staying in different countries. This type of knowledge base and flexibility of McDonalds helps it to achieve its global objectives and targets and sustain the existing competition in the market. According to Hin (2008), the business structure o f McDonalds has a significant impact on its business strategies. Corporate level strategies In corporate level strategy companies can adopt three types of models. a) Directional Strategy (focusing on growth of the business, managing market share of the company to a stable platform, b) Portfolio Strategy (analyzing market in terms of strength, opportunities, weakness, threats), c) Parenting Strategy (companies transfer resources and maintain workforce in the foreign country). Corporate level strategy is a strategy which is aimed at the long term position of a business. McDonalds operates its business in the global fast food industry. The company has its presence in nearly 119 nations of the world (McDonalds Corporation, 2012). The corporate level strategies of McDonalds are

A Strategic Choice of Market Segmentation in the Medical Aesthetic Dissertation

A Strategic Choice of Market Segmentation in the Medical Aesthetic Devices industry - Dissertation Example Fashion specialists indicate that fashionable trends start in big cities as centers of invention. However, developed societies like America have shown a big trend in the way the market has responded to the changes in the customer tastes, preferences and need for new devices in the industry (Mei~data, 2012). To this cause, medicine field had evolved from the aspect of just treating diseases to more sophisticated operations like changing the actual form of the human body. Specifically, the medical field has moved to the aesthetic level of changing the physical appearance, whole or in part of the concerned person (Moretti, 2009). With the current generation endeared towards fashion and beauty, the medical aesthetic devices industry has become very interesting although it is still very young, having started just close to 35 years ago. By 2012, the annual industry growth had grown to an all-time high of 11.9%. The devices used earlier on were based on medical use in which case high risk d evices such as lasers were used. However, the needed changes raised the need to have better devices leading to introduction of other devices such as IPL, Electroporation and RF devices. Much safer devices have since been introduced into the market. Beauty salons, Spas and aestheticians then decided on the need to have these devices for their customers. They created a very important market segment (GBI, 2012). Over the years, the complexity of the industry has seen simpler operations carried out at homes and non-specialized places (Jesitus, 2008). This was a market niche that had developed leading to a more rampant consideration as another segment in the industry. These home-based aesthetic medical services became a center of consideration since there had to be pricing, assurance of efficiency of these products, product regulation and marketing (Frentzen, 2013). A strategic direction has to be therefore identified in the market that would effectively and efficiently not only be profi table to the companies in the industry but also serve the market well. Three niche markets are identified therefore for service by this industry; the medical field, home use and the beauty section. Companies have come up and focused in the market through different strategies that have allowed them to venture into different markets as stated by the niches above (Jassal, 2013). There are companies that have concentrated on any of the three choices the companies have come up with aspects of production aiming at devices that; hair removal, acne treatment, skin rejuvenation and many other aesthetic services (Kuechel, 2004). Research Aim Taking a reference at the research question, we get the idea that companies require a strategic choice for their medical aesthetic devices in the three identified market niches. The aim will therefore direct the companies on whether there is need to make changes to their current marketing strategy, expand them or invent new ones. This will also lead to th e invention of the need to either segregate the market or come up with a clearer way of operating. Research Question and Objectives From the hypothetical statement indicated in the proposal, the research questions look to determine whether there is a need for a strategic change for market segmentation for a medically focused aesthetic company considering that there are recent changes and

A Profitable Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A Profitable Business - Research Paper Example After adding up these costs, the value of unsold goods (closing stock) is deducted to give the cost of goods sold. When the COGS is deducted from total revenues from sales, the gross profit is achieved. Gross profit is also known as operating profit because it is a measure of the manufacturing operations of the business. Net profit is calculated after deducting general, selling and administrative expenses from the gross profit. These expenses include items like electricity expenses, depreciation, salaries of office staff, and other expenses related to the day to day running of the business (Pride, Hughes, and Kapoor 513). Sometimes, other income such as interest on loans, etc. is added to the gross profit. The net profit is a measure of the profitability of the business as it represents the amount that would be shared among the shareholders. For this reason, investors use net profit to determine the earnings per share (EPS) by dividing the net profit by the number of outstanding shar es. This tells investors how much return each share of the business earns for shareholders. 2. Misconceptions about Revenues and Expenses A common misconception new business owners have about revenues is that they are the same as profit. Revenues measure what a business received by selling its products. Profit is calculated after deducting expenses from revenues. ... Secondly, when accounting for business operations, the amount of revenue and expenses reported may differ. Under the cash-based accounting method, revenues and expenditures are identified when cash is collected or paid. But under the accrual accounting system, revenues and expenditures are identified when the right to receive or duty to pay has been established. The cash may be received at a later time. New business owners also sometimes fail to distinguish expenses from costs. For accounting purposes, cost is usually used to mean the price of a long-term benefit such as a fixed asset. On the other hand, expenses such as electricity payments and office stationery are payments in the course of the normal running of the business. Some new business owners also hold a misconception that all expenses involve payment of cash. In some cases, such as depreciation expense, there may be no payment of cash. Depreciation and amortization expenses simply involve the spreading of a cost over the p eriod during which the benefits of the cost are realized by the business. 3. Business Management Software InFlow is one of the most popular inventory management software for small and medium-sized businesses. Launched in 2007, it allows for products to be organized into categories with picture and price identification. Furthermore, the system also allows items to be tracked at the aisle and bin level. It supports bar code scanning for efficient point of sale operations. Users can have real-time access to the updated data. The system also produces invoices, purchase orders and other documentation. Customized sales, profit and cost reports can also be produced. The company offers a free edition of the software that has a capacity of storing up to 100 products (InFlow, 2013). QuickBooks is

Explain why you need a business plan,including some of the important Essay

Explain why you need a business plan,including some of the important factors of a business plan. prepare an outline of the elements entrepreneurs include in their business plan - Essay Example curity offered and credit rating which are not directly connected to the ‘statistics’ of the plan, but have overall impact on the proposal are also highlighted. It can be concluded that the business plan properly developed with attention to details is appreciated by the banks and investors.   This document also acts as a reference guide not only for the banks and investors, but also to the entrepreneurs to compare the actual performance to the ‘standards’ as specified in the business plan.   The achievement of the goal enhances the credibility of the business and the promoters and their trustworthiness.   The business plan carefully prepared seeks to give comfort to the lenders with regard to repayment of loan and implied assurance to them that the servicing of the debt could be comfortably undertaken without undue pressure in the operations and schedule of repayment as agreed would be adhered to.  Ã‚   All other factors should be in a position to enhance this comfort level of the banks. Another important aspect the banker would like to look into is the background of the entrepreneur in terms of his qualifications, experience, skill and capability and reputation of the entrepreneurs, status of the earlier projects if any, the honesty and integrity of the entrepreneur, etc.   These factors can also play in favor of the companies in respect of the rates of interest, and the banker could offer a very competitive rate. If the bankers are satisfied on both these counts, then it is only the question of formalities.   However, the other factors assume greater significance in the case of new entrepreneurs.   The new entrepreneurs should be able to sell their concept effectively by concentrating all the aspects of the business plan to improve the confidence level of the bankers.   Because, the other factors put together should compensate the lack of experience and reputation for the bankers to act upon the proposal favorably.   Under the circumstances prevailing

British Press in 1840-1860s Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

British Press in 1840-1860s - Essay Example However, these attempts failed, and when the editor of a radical paper was sued in 1819, "The paper's circulation rose by over 50 per cent" (Curren, 1991, 12). Even the Stamp duty on paper, which was increased massively between 1789 and 1815 (Curren, page 13), was not enough to control the radical papers, and in 1836 the Government reduced the duty by three quarters: the intention was to "Put down the unstamped papers" (Curren, page 14). In fact, by the middle of the 1840's the intent had changed to influencing the workers "To secure the loyalty of the working classes to the social order" (Curren, page 27). The beginnings of the popular press, were therefore in the intention of the government to suppress and smother the radical working-class papers which had appeared in the later Georgian era. Influenced by the rise of newspapers backed by men with money, the campaigners in the 1830's demanded the development of a free market: "Free tradewould 'give to men of capital and respectability the power of gaining access by newspapersto the minds of the working classes'" (Curren, 1991, 29). Other developments also influenced the growth of the press in this twenty-year period. The first was the blossoming of working class literacy, from about two-thirds of men and half of women in 1841 to four fifths of men and three quarters of women in 1871: In addition, the twent... In addition, the twenty years between 1840 and 1860 saw a growth in the industrialization of the press, which meant that each paper could now achieve higher sales, with numbers of papers rising from " 200 in 1846 to 750 in 1865" (Newsome, 1998, page 144). There were nearly four times as many papers available in 1860 than were there in 1840; but these were not the same papers which had been produced in the 1790's. The huge machines which now printed newspaper runs, and the repeal of taxes served to increase the running costs of the papers: by 1855, the prime minister was told "That a capital of about 20,000 was needed to start a London daily paper" (Curren, 1991, page 36). What this meant is that by the 1850's, most of the newspapers being produced where owned and established by the wealthy: land magnates, factory owners, and the upper-middle and upper classes. Other papers, such as the Morning Post, began as Whig supporters, and were turned into Tory publications by new owners (Cambr idge, chapter 9). In addition, the price of a newspaper had risen from about 1d before the Stamp Duty repeals to 3 or 4d afterwards. These were the first effects upon the social fabric of the working class; between 1830 and 1840, the popular press became more and more focused on capitalism, and its readership centered upon the middle classes, and the lower classes fell back into pamphlets, or 'penny dreadfuls' as they were known in the Victorian era. Much of the concern came from clergymen, journalists and magistrates Who seem to have assumed that the penny dreadful readership was Almost entirely young, working class and male (Chris Willis, 2000) The

Temperament Theory Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Temperament Theory - Research Paper Example It also shows the difference between each and every individual infant. The way children behave in the society forms the major part of this study. Since behavior of children in each stage of their life changes, this theory gives us an opportunity to study about the difference in their behavior. It also provides a way to know about the children’s psychological development and factors that determine a child’s relationship with their parents. Temperament theory paves a way to analyze a child’s social activities and its approach towards life. As parent play a major part in a child’s life, their experiences are also taken into consideration. Temperament theory was proposed way back in the 1970’s but it has gained popularity only after the intervention of certain researchers. Researches specify that parents and pediatricians have a major part to play in a child’s life and they are considered to be the best people from whom a child’s characteristic feature can be understood. (Rothbart, 1981).This theory uses parents report to analyze the children and this report is of great help to measure a child’s level of tolerance and behavior. Recent studies have proposed advanced techniques to assess a child’s behavior and temperament. Temperamental characteristics of a child are recorded for a longer duration since the behavior differs depending on the situation. Though there are various methods to analyze a child’s temperament, certain unique theories and methods have been used for a longer of period of time. They have proved to be successful among most of the countries. These methods consider a child’s activities, level of stress and fear to a particular situation. The level of persistence is also taken into consideration since it enables them to know about the child’s annoyance and arrogance. This process cannot be done hastily and no child can be analyzed overnight. It requires months of study and analysis. To accomplish this, a questionnaire

Protecting Your Child from Internet Pornography t Research Paper

Protecting Your Child from Internet Pornography - Research Paper Example According to Goessl, one merit of the internet is that it has increased the ease of access to information and news worldwide. With just a click, one can get access to news happening all over the world. One is also able to read newspapers from other countries online. In most cases, the publication of news on the internet is faster than on major media networks. In June 2009 for instance, the government enforced a ban on foreign media in the aftermath of the Iranian election. Through Twitter, however, news of street protests was able to get to the rest of the world. Actually, people were able to upload a video of one protester that the police had shot on you-tube (2). The internet has also positively contributed to the cementing of networking among individuals quickly and efficiently. In the wake of the 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan, for example, the internet proved very useful in rallying volunteers to assist in evacuations (Nomura, 2). More recently, during the devastating earthquake in Haiti, charity organizations were able to help the victims by giving their contributions online. Additionally, Haitians in the Diaspora were also able to look for missing family members by submitting their names online and waiting for feedback from people on the ground. The internet has also been invaluable to companies and individuals who conduct business. They are able to advertise and sell their products online. A good example is that of the Google search engine, one of the world’s largest companies. Google has optimized the searches that people carry out by matching their searches with corporations that vend similar products. They do this using ad words and when one clicks on any of the adverts, the companies pay Google for that (Historyofthings.com, para8).

How to Sleep Well Essay Example for Free

How to Sleep Well Essay In order to sleep well we should follow three reasons. First of all, don’t eat or drink a lot before bedtime. If you drink too much liquid before sleeping, youll wake up repeatedly in the night for trips to the bathroom or cause you to wake up repeatedly. Don’t eat spicy or fatty foods because they cause heartburn especially, don’t eat something that triggers serotonin, which makes you sleepy. Second, do and dont exercise when you have free time. For example, if you have a sedentary job, a lack of physical exertion may be reducing the quality of your sleep. A day of physical exertion (such as taking a run or a swim) or, better yet, regular exercise can make for deeper and more restful sleep. The best time to exercise is in the afternoon. Third, Change your sleeping position. You may think that its impossible to control what position you sleep in since you arent fully aware of what you are doing, but it can make a considerable difference. When you go to sleep, or if you wake up in the middle of the night, make a conscious effort to follow these guidelines until it becomes habitual. Keep your body in a mid-line position, where both your head and neck are kept roughly straight. Dont use a flat pillow that causes your head to tilt down toward the mattress. Its difficult to maintain the mid-line position, and it is more likely to cause pains. This will help alleviate stress on your back and neck by slightly propping up your body on one side. To sum up, try one or two or a combination until you have enough quality sleep to feel alert and well rested.

Violence In Youth Culture Essay Example for Free

Violence In Youth Culture Essay The youth is the future of any nation. Every young person has the potential to lead towards the detriment of himself and others as well as towards the beneficial aspects. The life of violence is expectedly, a personal choice; but this choice oftentimes is impacted by social structure and individuality. For some who have lived the life of violence all their lives, option is not within their fate, so to speak. It is their byword most of the time that â€Å"life has few if not, no choices at all† for people like them. Crime, especially committed by the youth, comprises a major, escalating portion of the nation’s criminal problem. Whats more, majority of adult offenders in the country’s jails grew up from child and adolescent life of criminal behavior. In addition, many of the adults in prison today began their criminal careers as youths and teenagers. . Consequently, whatever approaches the government seeks to implement in order to curb juvenile delinquency must touch every segment of society that has bearing, in any way, upon children (Source:www. cato. org/testimony/ct-wc67. html). A lot of studies on demographical statistics have been made to figure out the problem of juvenile delinquency. As a result of these studies, awareness is achieved as to what to do or how to deal with this rising problem of youth in general. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) formed a Study Group on very young offenders to look at the special case of children from ages 13 down and examine the incidence and the frequency of crimes committed by this particular age group. According to their study, the number is rising of children committing crimes based on the record of the juvenile justice system; i. e. according to court caseloads. Considering their age (at a very young age of 13 – below), one would automatically understand the odds of these children committing more crimes as they pass through adolescence into adulthood) (Source: Organization of African Unity and UNICEF, â€Å"Africa’s children, Africa’s future†, a background sectoral paper prepared for the OAU International Conference on Assistance to African Children, Dakar, 25-27 November 1992, Accessed:www. cato. org/testimony/ct-wc67. html, Dec. 3, 2006). A. Demographics Latest statistics show, as U. S. Department of Justice’s has done in their survey, youth offenders with age ranging from 7 to 12 years, are becoming more and more involved with the juvenile justice system. Meaning, â€Å"criminals† within this age group are increasing. One in ten juvenile arrests involves kids under thirteen years old. Offenses range from arson, rape, homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, to not so serious but persistent disruptive behavior such as truancy and incorrigibility. These children â€Å"have a two to threefold greater risk of becoming serious, violent, and chronic offenders† (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). Of course, if these children are not given enough attention and not dealt with effectively, by the authorities (including, first of all, their parents), the likelihood is that they will be spending their future years, in a more prone condition, to commit the same crime/s repeatedly (given the opportunity), as they had already committed the same in the past. They will be â€Å"in it† for the long haul. When this happens, the result will not be a good prospect for the citizenry of the nation, and even more for the parents. Large funds will be siphoned from educational system, child welfare system, the justice system, mental health agencies, just to alleviate this worsening problem. Added to this dismal prospect, is the continuing threat to public safety and property (Loeber and Farrington, 2001). B. Age and Crimes Committed Survey tells us that among U. S. penitentiaries, it’s very common to see very young children behind the bars (Snyder, 2001). The FBI has its own collected data under its branch Uniform Crime Reporting Program. The data shows that, all in all, law enforcement agencies in 1997 have recorded arrests of children less than thirteen years of age, and they are approximated at about 253,000 arrests (Snyder and Sickmund, 1999). And of these arrests, ten percent are violations such as running away from home, curfew violations, and drunkenness violations. The FBI data also shows that nine percent of these overall arrests (253,000) of delinquent children are youths younger than thirteen. Notwithstanding this overall projection, there is good news: Intervention and prevention programs are being made to curb this increasing problem on child delinquency. These programs are seen to produce positive results as they are addressing the factors that constitute this whole concern (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). In 1998, OJJDP, in attempt to better comprehend the studies made thus far, convened the Study Group on Very Young Offenders. Their aim was to analyze the existing data so as to be able to address the remaining key issues left untouched in available publications that time. The Study Group members together with some experts on juvenile delinquency and psychopathology (most of them authors) found out that â€Å"some young children engage in very serious antisocial behavior† show by their behavior that they had early delinquency problems. They were able to identify several factors that are, based on their observations, contributing parts to the early onset of the child’s offending (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). The convening of these experts resulted in the completion of The Child Delinquency Bulletin Series in 2001 with grant number 95-JD-FX-0018 which was published subsequently by Sage Publications under the title Child Delinquents: Development Intervention and Service Needs (edited by Rolf Loeber and David P. Farrington). Now, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention encourages all concern – the parents, teachers, and the juvenile justice community to avail and use the information compiled in this book to deal with the needs of youth offenders and proceed to think of ways on how to be more strategic and effective as they implement their steps (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). C. Background (home, childhood, and family) Sociologists, in an attempt to explain and point out the reasons behind delinquency, have concluded that there are connections between specific youth behaviors with the home environment, family background, the neighborhood, associations, and many other aspects that together, or separately affect the formative years of young people’s social environment. Delinquent children usually come from a background of difficult circumstances. Some of them were virtually forced under certain circumstances that leave them no other options but commit certain crimes. Parental alcoholism, poverty, breakdown of family, abusive conditions in the home, death of parents during armed conflicts or drug overdose, and the HIV/AIDS scourge, and etc. are some of the various reasons that can leave children virtually orphaned. One or both parents may be physically present, but because of irresponsibility on their part (if even one of them is addicted to drugs or alcoholic), a child may grow developing certain ways and attitudes that are directly/indirectly caused by the parent/s addiction or drug-related behavior. In this case, true delinquency lies on the parents; and the children are, in a way, orphaned or unaccompanied, and without any means of subsistence which, in the first place, the parents’ fundamental responsibility to provide. Few children, if there are any, survive these disastrous environment. They are first in the line of those who are at greatest risk of falling into juvenile delinquency. According to UNICEF, between 1992 to 2000, children in especially dire conditions of life have increased in number from 80 million (1992) to 150 million (2000) (Source: Organization of African Unity and UNICEF, â€Å"Africa’s children, Africa’s future†, a background sectoral paper prepared for the OAU International Conference on Assistance to African Children, Dakar, 25-27 November 1992, Accessed:www. cato. org/testimony/ct-wc67. html, Dec. 3, 2006). There are behaviors which can be said as normal part of growing up years of children in general. Some even stretched it too far as to say that antisocial behavior may be normal at some stage between childhood and adolescence. It is either just a part of growing up path in which everyone must pass, or if not given proper guidance, antisocial attitudes may become part of a long-term pattern of criminal activity(United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency or The Riyadh Guidelines).. â€Å"Youthful behavior or conduct that does not conform to overall social norms and values is often part of the maturation and growth process and tends to disappear spontaneously in most individuals with the transition to adulthood† says The Riyadh Guidelines. It is quite common to young people, especially in teenage or adolescent years, to have committed or commit some kind of petty offence at some point. But this pattern should not continue into adulthood turning someone into a full pledged criminal (United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency or The Riyadh Guidelines). Guidance and oversight by parents or responsible adults are very important during crucial years of a child. This stage is between childhood to adolescence. Children must be closely monitored and mentored and be guided/assisted between transitional periods. While it is true that delinquency is part and is a common characteristic of immaturity, it is very important to bear in mind that during this period of growth, juveniles (if left alone and unguided) often tend to create stable criminal groups. With this more permanent association, an atmosphere of stability and belongingness begin to impress into young people’s subconscious until it becomes a virtual reality where life for them comes alive (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). Without noticing it as it is typical of any youth to be lacking in prudence, with newly embraced group, a corresponding subculture starts to assimilate them, and before long, they start to engage in activities of adult criminal groups. It is usually after being engaged in criminal activities for an extended period of time with its accompanying consequences (such as ending up in prison or rehabilitation institutions for drug addicts) that delinquents realize they are into a very dangerous zone. They have, in effect, chosen delinquent careers (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). According to available Statistical data in many countries, delinquency is, by and large, a group trend. A large portion of all juvenile violations (between two-thirds and three-quarters) are perpetrated by youths who are members of certain gangs. â€Å"Even those juveniles who commit offences alone are likely to be associated with groups. According to data from the Russian Federation, the rate of criminal activity among juveniles in groups is about three to four times higher than that of adult offenders† † (Venkatesh, 1997). If the subcultural aspect of juvenile group activities is only given the attention it deserves, it will be better understood. The culture being advocated by different juvenile groups is a heterogeneous mix. It is a mixture of predominant values of a certain social class, which are (unfortunately) spread mainly by the entertainment industry unconsciously. It can be values or lifestyle systems which are particularly indigenous to a neighborhood or even to a smaller group. â€Å"Subcultures can be defined as particular lifestyle systems that are developed in groups and are in structurally subordinate positions as a result of pressure exerted by the predominant systems. Subcultures reflect individual and group attempts to solve structural contradictions† † (Venkatesh, 1997). Because juvenile groups exist in a locality, this fact must be taken into consideration. A community is defined by its geographic location, â€Å"by the similarities of social characteristics of its residents, such as membership in a social class or ethnic group† (Venkatesh, 1997). Children who are well taken care of by their parents and are thus adequately supervised are at less odds to be involved in criminal activities. Studies have proven that. Dysfunctional family, on the other hand, which is commonly characterized by regular conflicts, parental negligence, poor communication because of absorption to outside activities by parents, are always assumed to be the breeding ground for delinquents. Children in disadvantaged family settings are usually insecure, have a low view of self, and consequently have fewer opportunities for legitimate employment. They face a higher risk of social exclusion† (Venkatesh, 1997). Because of the breakdown of family institution, the ever increasing rate of single parenting and the many factors that contribute to this disintegration, the family as a unit has been redefined and as a result children are reaping the effects((OJJDP, Mar. 2003). An important assumption here is that, boys coming from the low-income families search for models of masculinity from these gangs. These forms, in a lot of instances, serve as their surrogate family, filling in the void for leadership roles which are supposed to be filled in by their real fathers. Instead of finding what they are looking for in a family, through those substitute groups, what they get is more than what they bargained for: â€Å"cruelty, becoming bully themselves, excitability and anxiety† (OJJDP, Mar. 2003) Conclusion Because family is the true breeding ground for achievement and true success, great importance is now being given for the well-being of this important unit of the community. Children’s achievements and/or performance in school are directly influenced by their parents more than the school itself. The parents’ moral, emotional, and financial capacity are basic for children’s early training: e. g. the acquisition of educational resources depends so much on the parents’ determination to obtain them for the enhancement of their children’s education (Wiig, 2001) . Here now is the immense disparity: young people aged 18 and below, who come from the socio-economically-deprived level most of the time feel excluded because of their disadvantages. Thus, they resort to looking for ways to help this area where they see themselves deprived. Gangs, to them, are easy solutions. Delinquents who are already part of this subcultural group are eager to recruit them. Opportunities are equal to everyone (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). Unlike in school and their family, these have no strict rules to be followed except loyalty to the group. It gives young people esteem when they somehow feel they are the â€Å"rule† in themselves. This is the lure of gangs. It gives the promise of fulfillment to would be delinquents. Popularity, access to the powerful figures on the streets, freedom to express one’s self, as well as easy flow of money (if the gang is also involved in some illegal activities such as drug dealings, which is common in most gangs) are seemingly within grasp of anybody who just have the guts to dare (OJJDP, Mar. 2003). Reference: Griffin, Torbert, and Szymanski, 1998. See J. Hearn, The Violences of Men: How Men Talk about and How Agencies Respond to Men’s Violence to Women (London, Sage, 1998); L. A. Goodman and others, â€Å"Male violence against women†, American Psychologist, vol. 48, No. 10 (1993), pp. 1,054-1,058; and M. P. Koss and others, No Safe Haven: Male Violence Against Women at Home, at Work and in the Community (Washington, American Psychological Association, 1994). Loeber, R. , and Farrington, D. P. , eds. 2001. Child Delinquents: Development, Intervention, and Service Needs. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. OJJDP, Mar. 2003. (The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, and the Office for Victims of Crime.) http://:www. cato. org/testimony/ct- wc67. html.. (Accessed Dec. 2006)J. Flores, Administrator. Snyder, H. N. , and Sickmund, M. 1999. Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report. Report. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention. Snyder, H. N. 2001. Epidemiology of official offending. In Child Delinquents: Development, Intervention, and Service Needs, edited by R. Loeber and D. P. Farrington. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. , pp. 25–46. United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency   or The Riyadh Guidelines http://:www.cato.org/testimony/ct-wc67.html.. (Accessed November 2007)J.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Flores, Administrator.

Importance of Vaccination to the Survival of Humanity

Importance of Vaccination to the Survival of Humanity Bokota, Rachael People in developed countries are able to live without the fear of a plague breakout. They are able to attend festivals, ride the subway, and share food without worrying that they could bring home a deadly pathogen to infect their loved ones. This is possible through the advent of vaccines. Surviving the year was not always so simple. There were times when there would be mass outbreaks of disease regularly. Cities would be breeding grounds for deadly pathogens, and the population would live in fear of having contact with neighbors, as they might be given the deadly blight. Vaccines have changed all of this. Not only do people these days feel protected from diseases, some even feel that in a way, man has conquered nature, allowing for more people to have longer lifespans and a greater quality of life. Vaccines have saved us by allowing pathogens to be bent to our will and serve our immune system, protecting more than just the individual, and making our schools safe by requiring vaccin ations. Vaccinations have changed our lives by using pathogens to aide our immune system rather than harm it. To understand how helpful vaccines are, it is important first to understand how vaccines work. Vaccines function one of four ways: by utilizing live, attenuated microbes, killed microbes, toxoids, or recombinant DNA from microbes (Krasner and Shore 2014). When live, attenuated microbes are used, the microbial strain has been tested multiple times in mice until a non-lethal strain is found and injected into a person. This person will then be able to easily fight off the disease and will have immunity through the antibodies made against the microbes for life. The use of killed microbe vaccines are slightly safer than live, attenuated vaccines, as the virus is dead but still causes antibodies to be produced. The downside to killed-microbe vaccines however, is that they often require a few boosters to be really effective and keep a lasting memory in the hosts immune system (publichealth. org). Toxoid Vaccines are taken from the microbe and then detoxified and injected into a person. This will cause the person to create antibodies against the toxin, effectively making them immune. Furthermore, antitoxins can be produced by injecting a small amount of toxin into a large animal such as a horse, which will produce antibodies against the toxin and then be injected into a person if the need arises (Krasner and Shore 2014). This is used to combat venomous animal bites or stings. Finally, recombinant DNA from a microbe can be taken and added to a nonvirulent virus and then injected into a person, who will then produce antibodies against the code of the microbe. Through these four ways, vaccines actively use microbes to create antibodies in the individual who is given the vaccine, giving them protection against that very microbe. Vaccines protect more than the individual through herd or community immunity. Herd immunity is the idea that when a critical immunization threshold of people vaccinated is met, the spread of diseases will be so reduced that the disease is no longer a threat, and even people who are at risk or who have not received the vaccine will acquire protection (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)). An excellent example of herd immunity at its finest is the way in which developed countries deal with the different strains of the flu each year. Every year, scientists come up with a vaccine which is a combination of the strains which are prevalent that year. Many people will receive these vaccines, and a herd immunity is built up so that less and less people get the flu every year. Furthermore, less and less people die from the flu nowadays that they did in the past, partly due to advances in medicine, but also due to the lack of spread of the disease. Measles has been eradicated in North America due to vaccinations and herd immunity. According to the California Department of Public Health, an outbreak of Measles was confirmed in December of 2014 when 40 people who had been at Disneyland contracted the disease. Whereas in other areas of the world this outbreak would have become a national epidemic, the disease only spread to six other states and the outbreak was found to have ended in April of 2015. The short duration of the outbreak and its relative containment were all due to the strong herd immunity that citizens of the U.S. had built up over decades of Measles vaccinations. For these reasons, vaccines are able to protect not only an individual who has been given the vaccine, but also other members of the community who have not been vaccinated. Vaccines have become important to community health through the controversial requirement by schools for students to be vaccinated. An ongoing debate in the education field has been whether or not schools should require their students to have been vaccinated for various diseases. Proponents of school immunization point out that the more students are vaccinated, the greater the herd immunity that is generated, and thus the safer the students and the community are. Opponents argue that there is always the possibility that a child could have an adverse reaction to the vaccine or perhaps develop Autism as a result. The claim that vaccines cause Autism has been widely refuted through numerous studies conducted around the world, which has led most experts to believe that not immunizing a child based on this risk is a fallacy. As Plotkin, Gerber, and Offit write, However, both epidemiological and biological studies fail to support these claims, (Plotkin, Gerber, and Offit 2009). Since 2009, more studies have been done on the issue, all showing that there is a negligible link between Autism and vaccines. As for other adverse effects which vaccines may cause, one is much more likely to get the disease when unvaccinated than to have an adverse reaction to a vaccine, and the consequences of contracting the disease will be much more severe. For these reasons, school immunization should be required as it makes the students and community much safer. We in the United States are fortunate to live in a vaccinated world. We dont have to live under the shadow of disease as our ancestors did, and as some people in the world still do. Through the use of vaccines we have generated enough herd immunity in schools and communities that our children can grow up safe from the illnesses that used to plague our country and world. Therefore, vaccines have saved us by allowing pathogens to be bent to our will and serve our immune system, protecting more than just the individual, and making our schools safe by requiring vaccinations. Work Cited Community Immunity (Herd Immunity) | Vaccines.gov (2017, January 18). In Vaccines.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2017. How Vaccines Work (2014, June 4). In PublicHealth.org. Retrieved February 19, 2017. Krasner, R. I., Shors, T. (2014). The Microbial Challenge (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning. Measles (n.d.). In California Department of Public Health. Retrieved February 19, 2017. Plotkin, S., Gerber, J. S., Offit, P. A. (2009, February 15). Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48(4).

Mindless Humans Essay -- essays research papers fc

Humans have been socially networked with each other since the time they have been created. Civilization was fashioned by humans interacting with one another. With this interaction with others and communal peers, â€Å"social man is a somnambulist† (Asch 61). In other terms, when humans become social, they are really â€Å"sleep walking†, or following the crowd, even though belief in the western world has it that people are â€Å"free† to choose for themselves. This sleepwalking factor then turns individuals into mindless ants. It only occurs because a human is a social animal and with that comes, social pressures and authoritative figures. Stanley Milgram studied at Harvard University and tested how social humans would react in a certain situation. Milgram tested how certain individuals would respond to inflicting harm onto another person because another figure told them to. He was interested in why regular day people would actually do such horrific things to the victim. In the experiment there was no physical consequence for the individual pushing the button if they said no. People in this situation believed in that the scientist knew what he/she was doing so they assumed that what they were doing was acceptable even though in actuality they believed it was not right. Subjects gave up their free will to choose because a higher authority told them to do so. This is similar to ants in that the majority of ants are worker ants; they obey the authority of the queen and will act out every wish she wants. Even though the ants can think for themselves, they follow the authority. Originally the theory was that many would stop the experiment being aware that the person that they were shocking is indeed being harmed, but that was proven wrong (Milgram 41). A different scientist who redid this experiment found that 85 percent of his subjects were obedient (Milgram 42). As a result it was evident that individuals will succumb to authoritative figures. Strudler and Warren explain that the subjects acted the way they did because of authority heuristics, which is the reliance on an authority figure (57). In Milgram’s experiment, the scientist was the authority figure in the experiment and the subject trusted his/her judgment because they believed that the scientist knows what he/she is doing. Even though the subject believed they have â€Å"free† will in their choices, the pressures of t... ...ately, disinterestedly, without emotions† (38). To do so would allow us to think for ourselves and not be swayed in any other direction by any other factors. As humans we are naturally social creatures. That is how civilization began, by humans interacting with each other. We need to be able to understand ourselves and trust ourselves so that we can make the decisions for ourselves and not me mindless ants just following the crowd. In the end the main person that is affected by decisions is the one who is making the decision. Works Cited Lessing, Doris. â€Å"Group Minds.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 37-38. 2000 Milgram, Stanley. â€Å"The Perils of Obedience.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 39-50. 2000 Nssani, Moti. â€Å"Review on Stabley Milgram’s Experiments on Obedience.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 51-54. 2000 Strudler, Alan. â€Å"Authority and Excuses.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 55-60. 2000 Asch, Solomon. â€Å"Opinions and Social Pressure.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 61-66. 2000 Fromm, Erich. â€Å"Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem.† Writing Two Reader. Grafikarts: Santa Barbara. 67-71. 2000

Physician-Assisted Suicide :: Euthanasia Death Suicide Essays

Introduction The history of physician-assisted suicide began to emerge since the ancient time. Historians and ancient philosophers especially had been debating over this issue. Thus, this issue is no longer new to us. However, it seems little vague because it has not yet been fully told. The historical story consists of patterns of thought, advocacy, and interpretation on whether to legalize assisted death. "Only until June, 1999, the United States Supreme Court issued decisions in two cases that claimed constitutional protection for physician-assisted suicide, Washington v. Glucksberg and Vacoo v. Quill, by a single 9-0 vote covering the case (Bartin, Rhodes, Silver, 1). They also say that this decision mark the beginning of long period debate, which will not be fully resolved (1). Hence, the debate began by professionals from different aspects, especially the physicians themselves. "I will never give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect". A frequent quoted portion of the Hippocratic Oath, written in Greece sometimes during the fifth to forth centuries B.C.E, represented an effort by an apparently small group of physicians to build public respectability by distancing themselves from other physicians who commit assisted suicide. It has had considerable influence in the history of Western medical society and now, once again, physician-assisted suicide has become a major ethical issue in medicine, as well as an issue that involves law and public interests. Of the various issues at the medicine issue, perhaps none has drawn as much attention as assisted suicide. This topic is being discussed with great frequency in newspaper, journals and books about whether it is really necessary and ethical to physicians to participate in this life-ending act. Proponents or advocates of physician-assisted suicide argue that each per son has freedom over their own life. Persons whose quality of life is nonexistent and who are having a terminal illness should have the right to decide to seek assistance. In contrast, opponents say that physician-assisted suicide is not an acceptable practice for the physicians legally as well as morally. This issue has become a central concern to the medical profession, legislators, philosophers, social psychologists, as well as the public. Interests in this controversial matter continue to grow increasingly whether it should be legalized. Perhaps everyone would have one's own thought and opinion. Nevertheless, assisted death is never a proper expression of compassion. It shows no care for the patients.

Persecuting The Innocent :: essays research papers

Schools tend to have cliques, small groups of narrow-minded people who criticize others. These teens in cliques parallel adults in today’s society. They prey on those who believe in different things, come from different backgrounds, and have different morals and values. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, three characters, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch, all resemble mockingbirds, in that people persecute them for no reason.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The people of Maycomb County victimize the innocent Boo Radley. His mysterious life interests the Finch children, Jem and Scout, and their friend Dill. They imagine Boo as a drooling, savage, six-and-a-half foot beast with a long jagged scar on his face, yellow teeth, and bulging eyes. They suspect that he peers into people’s windows at night to stalk them and he may try to kill them. The real Boo, however, possesses a kind soul and a gentle heart. He manages to find ways to communicate in a positive and playful way with Jem, Scout, and Dill, but everyone suspects Boo of enigmatic crimes when â€Å"once the town was terrorized and†¦people still looked to the Radley Place, unwilling to discard their initial suspicions† (9). The townspeople do not give Boo a chance; they rather make rash conclusions. His seclusion from the town instantly opens him up to ridicule and gossip. Scout learns to judge him and others by their actions, not by the town gos sip.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tom Robinson, a Negro, represents another mockingbird. He lives a life of simplicity beyond the town dump, and attends the same church as the Finch family cook, Calpurnia. Tom regularly assists people in need, especially Mayella Ewell, but he finds himself punished for it. Mayella, a white woman, accuses Tom of rape and abuse, and her father Bob takes this matter to court and uses subterfuge in his testimony. During the trial Link Deas, Tom’s former employer, announces, â€Å"That boy worked for me eight years an’ I aint had a speck o’ trouble outta him† (195). Link tries to stand up for Tom because he instinctively knows Tom would never rape anyone, especially a white woman. Because of Link’s experience with Tom, he steadfastly believes in Tom’s innocence. However the prejudice that exists in Maycomb influences the jury to convict Tom of rape, leaving him and his attorney Atticus Finch disappointed but not surprised.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Atticus, a very respected lawyer, defends Tom and subsequently takes criticism for it.

Evaluating Historical Views of Leadership Essay

The process of evaluating historical aspects of leadership involved critically analyzing the commonalities and disparities among a group of influential leaders, such as Thomas Carlyle, Mohandas Gandhi, Niccolo Machiavelli and W.E.B Du Bois. Carlyle (1795-1881), a Scottish historian emphasized the importance of heroism that required men to be subordinated to the commander of men (Wren, 1995 p.53). Further analysis of the evaluation revealed theories of Gandhi and Machiavelli which produced evidence of conflicting viewpoints on the topic of violence among historical leaders throughout the ages. Gandhi‘s leadership style was against any acts of violence. He focused on using spiritual guidance to solve problems. Machiavelli’s leadership style believed in having mercy but also defending yourself if necessary. W.E.B Du Bois’s leadership style focused on educating black men to be great leaders. Each leader’s theories on the quality of acceptable leadership were different, yet acceptable in their communities, however, each leader presented various methods of effective leadership abilities, which will influence other leaders as they develop their theories. Commonalities and Disparities Thomas Carlyle, believed that the commander of men was superior, and all men were to be subordinated. Carlyle focused on the theory that leaders who exhibited themselves in a dignified manner embodied the qualities of a great leader (Carlyle, 1795-1881; Wren, 1995, p.53). Carlyle also emphasized that heroism existed in whoever embodied the spiritual qualities of a commander. Further examination of Carlyle’s leadership theory revealed that he believed that a leader who is a nobleman can be trusted by all people (Carlyle, 1795-1881; Wren, 1995, p.53). Niccolo Machiavelli’s theory of a leader was  described as someone who can lead men whether they abided by or disobey the law. Machiavelli also believed that leaders who can establish authority can be merciful, humane, but cautious. Mohandas Gandhi theory believed leaders should operate using self- control and discipline. Gandhi also described a powerful leader as someone who uses passive resistance (Gandhi, 1869-1984; Machiavelli, 1469-1527; Wren, 1995, p.68 &75). Finally W.E.B Du Bois was an advocate for educating black men, and he placed great emphasize on how education involved the training of one’s mind, body and surroundings (Du Bois, 1868-1963; Wren, 1995, p.78). Du Bois theory on learning is that people can be influenced by their surrounds and motivated by different groups of people. Critical Analysis After completing the commonalities and disparities involving three great leaders my critical evaluation has led me to the conclusion that even though these leaders embody the characteristic to be excellent facilitators and commanders, each leader lacks the ability to use effective communication skills. Previous research has suggested that the lack of communication can be confusing, misunderstanding and lethal. For example, Emperor Frederick 13th century ruler of the Holy Roman Empire conducted research to determine what language mankind had spoken at birth. The experiment involved isolating infants from hearing any communication until they spoke their first words. However, as a result of the experiment the babies died (Samata, 2012). Further studies have concluded that leaders who implement communication skills can establish their existence and define their image, but leaders who fail to communicate effectively and positively, risk damaging their reputation (Samata, 2012). Effective leadership requires leaders to be competent communicators, which is achieved by using clear and concise communication (Adubato, 2010). Furthermore, leaders who can use communication skills effectively, are able to comprehend and express ideas (Ringer, 2002; Tareq, 2008). Achieving effective oral communication skills requires leaders to limit words and phrases, which results in explaining their concepts and ideas. Levinson also states, leaders who use too many words have a tendency to ramble about non-relevant issues, however summarizing the main points, staying focused and avoiding distractions helps leaders discipline what information is relevant, resulting in  translating their thoughts into a profitable action faster (1968). Effective communication requires leaders to be prepared, organized and observant, giving leaders the ability to execute their message successfully (Showry & Manasa, 2012). Conclusion. By evaluating the leadership styles of historical leaders, I was able to understand how their theories influenced people throughout the ages. Carlyle, Gandhi, Machiavelli, and DuBois were all very influential leaders during their times in history. However, after comparing their similarities and disparities in theory and style, it is apparent that Carlyle viewpoints on what a great leader should be is entirely different from the perspectives of Gandhi, Machiavelli, and DuBois. Carlyle emphasized that all men should being entirely subordinate to their commander, and Gandhi believed in spirituality and taught leaders to focus on positive concepts. Machiavelli used a more drastic approach that required him to be prudent, be observant and maintain authority. Du Bois believed that black men should be educated. Further observation revealed that, even though, each leader embodied leadership qualities, using effective communication skills are essential to providing leaders with better communication technique, making the message clear and concise. Leaders have the ability to achieve effective communication skills by limiting their words and stating the main facts. Finally leaders who can improve communication skills, can empower people, and maintain stability. Reference Adubato, S. (2010). Communication is key to effective office team building. NJBIZ, 23(27), 9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/644992473?accountid=35812 Levinson, R. E. (1968). How to get through to people. Industrial Management, 10(5), 11. Ringer, R. (2002, Jul 28). Communication skills valued by employers. Pantagraph Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/252480712?accountid=35812 Tareq, N. A. (2008, Mar 06). Affective communication skills. Yemen Times Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/429795478?accountid=35812 Samata, P. (2012). Importance of Effective Communication Skills. Language In India, 12(10), 333-341. Showry, M., & Manasa, K. (2012). Effective Communication for Professional Excellence. IUP Journal of Soft Skills, 6(1), 39-46. Wren, J. T. (1995). The Leader’s Companion: Insight on leadership through the ages. Carlyle, T. The Hero as King (pp.53-54) New York, NY: The Free Press. Wren, J. T. (1995). The Leader’s Companion: Insight on leadership through the ages. Du Bois, W .E.B. The Talented Tenth (pp.78-80) New York, NY: The Free Press. Wren, J. T. (1995). The Leader’s Companion: Insight on leadership through the ages. Gandhi, M. Satyagraha (pp.72-77) New York, NY: The Free Press. Wren, J. T. (1995). The Leader’s Companion: Insight on leadership through the ages. Machiavelli, N. How Princes Should Keep Faith (pp.67-68) New York, NY: The Free Press.

Healthy Living For Homeless Families Health And Social Care Essay

Chronic maladys atomic number 18 the prima causes of b execrable over and dis fittedment nation-wide. Populations with economic and societal unfairnesss ar unreasonably pertained by inveterate complaint, predominately labored and fleshiness. Statisticss obligate shown the incidence of all t ace-time(a) in all chronic complaints is highschooler(prenominal) for people in the two lowest-income conventions than for those in the deuce-ace amphetamine-income root words ( 1 ) . Over charge and fleshiness argon the study signifiers of mal nu push overmasterent in state slight house conquers ( 2 ) and mortality grade of the dispossessed in northward America atomic number 18 at least 3-5 times greater than that attend ton in the adept general cosmoss of Canada and the U.S ( 3 ) . Low income groups too compel in more(prenominal) high happen behaviours, such(prenominal) as coffin savvy smoke, un levelheaded diet, and deficiency of corporeal natural put throu gh, than groups with higher incomes ( 1 ) . encumbrances concentrating on the old omit of chronic disease utilizing forcible natural action and nutrition instruction in the low-income race birth been essential and reviewed in the yesteryear. These interferences proved to observe fortunate result move within bureauicipants, including an burdenming up of harvest-tide and veg use, corporeal act and whole weight loss. There has been deficient committedness at the national, province and local degrees to experience policies and consider support and resources to the enlargement of comprehensive primary preventive fancys that deliver services to this exclusively population.Statement of ProblemThe in ecstasyt of this pile is to find the effectualness of a union-based nutrition instruction and physical activity inter lieu political program to a low-income population. The inter emplacement provide be knowing and facilitated by a Loma Linda University nutriti on potassium alum disciple. shop classs ordain be implemented in traditional group Sessionss dwelling of angiotensin-converting enzyme hr apiece calendar week for louver workweeks. Participants argon graveed in the interior fugitive Homes facete in Loma Linda, atomic number 20. Fundss for the forge decease be provided by the City of Loma Linda done the awarded California healthy Cities grant.HypothesisW reverse the nutrition and demeanor manner intercession object have positive health results of instrumentalists harmonizing to evaluated nurtures from pre and office intercession study s and pre and invest intercession trials?90 % of the participants exit go to all quin shop classs.90 % of participants go show up say more inquiries right on the stockpile-test than on the compar subject pretest.90 % of participants testament summation gain and veg usance comp bed to their pre-intervention study.90 % of participants pull up s obtains increase physical activity compared to their pre-intervention study.60 % of participants, harmonizing to pre and station study importees, go forth go along-up the ghost up one mannequin of transmutation from baseline towards the action arcdegree as evaluated utilizing the Trans hypothetic Model.Null HypothesisThere exit be no difference surrounded by the pre and station intercession studies of the participants measuring the strength of the nutrition and physical activity intercession. limit point linesBoundary lines of this position include geographical location, make up measuring and the rating of one workshop. Participants are limited to those of the inland shipboard Homes fit(p) in Loma Linda, CA. The consequences of this scene whitethorn non be generalized to other locations or income categories. quartet assembles of workshops are offered to participants for apiece one twelvemonth. This survey entrust merely include the consequences from one of the Sessionss.Restricti ons phrase and literacy shut outriers may be restrictions of the survey. This survey testament be limited by the self-reporting fairness of the participants. Specifically, participants depart be asked to supply randomness on statements of their someoneal life tendency wonts, nutritional, physical activity degree. Any inaccuracy of these self-reports may impact the survey consequences. The investigate proletarian has no control over who at persists the workshop and how some abodes bequeath bear away part during the evaluated workshop.PremisesThe undermentioned premises are make a ) the participants self-report on the study is honorable, accurate, and complete.Operational Definitions interior Temporary Homes a non- get organisation that provides lodging, rehabilitation, and ongoing support to roofless households polish off-to-end the interior Empire.Transtheoretical Model Assesses an person s readying to move on a raw healthier behaviour, and provides schemes, or p rocedures of renewal to level the person through the descriptors of alteration to action and care.Chapter 2Literary ReviewPopulation Background rooflessness is a quickly intensifying melodic phrase in both rural and urban United States. health jobs associated with homelessness attested passim publications show that around 40 % of stateless persons are reported to hold some type of chronic disease ( 4 ) including change magnitude rate of cardiovascular and infective diseases ( 5 ) along with extravagant rates of substance ( baccy, intoxicant and cocaine ) maltreatment ( 6 ) . Many of these instances, nevertheless, travel un-reported. In the United States, more than 50 % of the stateless deficiency health reporting ( 7 ) , doing diagno guggle and intervention of their cardiovascular profess factors even more ambitious. big(p) and fleshiness are the major signifiers of chronic disease and malnutrition in stateless households. orotund is defined as holding a BMI of 30 or greater and beingness morbidly corpulent is holding a BMI of over 40 ( 8 ) . Bing weighed come out or corpulent is associated with many another(prenominal) diseases and conditions such as coronary meat disease, high blood cabalure, shot, malignant neoplastic disease, increased cholesterin and triglycerides, sleep apnea and gynaecological jobs ( 8 ) .Dietary Habits of Low-Income PopulationHomeless people eat nutritive prepared, by municipal and charity shelters, drop-in centres, fast nutritive eating houses, 24-hour convenience shops and from refuse bins ( 3 ) . Research suggests that because diets high in fine-tune grains, added sugars, and added fats by and large cost less than salutary diets composed of thin meats, wholly grains and fresh aspires and veggies, the low-income population has greater ikon to an unsanitary diet ( 9 ) . Calorie-dense, affect and nutritionally un oppose food points are clear accessible in low-income vicinities and more cost-efficient opt ions to healthier nutrient picks. ruin these nutrient points may lend to fleshy and fleshiness and lead to chronic disease in the low-income population. Datas on the nutritional pulmonary tuberculosis of stateless population is slightly limited. However, intimately surveies report a high prevalence of inadequate or unbalanced food, vitamin and mineral consumption puting the homeless at hazard for nutrition-related upsets and lending to the increased prevalence of ill controlled diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterin ( 10 ) , all trustworthy launch hazard factors for Cardiovascular disease. Luder et Al ( 11 ) revealed that stateless people s diets are oft high in unvoiced fats and cholesterin and inadequate in immanent foods, lending to adverse lipid profiles. other survey of nutritionary position among a group of grownup stateless big egg-producing(prenominal)s found that recommended day-to-day allowances ( RDA s ) were ordinarily exceeded for Na and saturated f ats, both of which are independently associated with increased cardiovascular disease hazard ( 12 ) .Intervention Programs Targeting the Low-Income PopulationInterventions concentrating on draw a blank of chronic disease with purposes to change physical activity and nutritionary wonts have been developed and reviewed in the yesteryear. Outcome peaks for these plans have shown an addition of fruit and vege remand wasting disease, physical activity and fat decrease ( 1 ) . Intervention plans targeted at low-income audiences with the most successful results tend to be delivered in an synergistic optic format, to be culturally appropriate, supply trim stuffs, administered in accessible primary attending scenes, and to give motivators to move on the data provided ( 1 ) . sustenance intercession plans with successful results involved some signifier of nutrient readying and tasting ( 1 ) . The end of this attack was to make for to the 5 -A -Day cognitive content ( devouring 5 help ings of fruits and veggies per twenty-four hours ) with vivacious shows, while supplying participants with an chance to black rockweed and smell alimentary nutrient samples in a comfy encyclopaedism environment. Educators besides demonstrated lightheaded and cheap ship canal to fix and function veggies and fruit, and provided participants with promotional earn stuffs such as formulas, booklets, spines and magnets ( 1 ) .A gulf between diet and wellness among low-income groups calls for nutrition intercessions that educate low-income households on cheap, healthful feeding and chronic disease bar in a structured environment. This literature reappraisal leave alone assist set up the principle for grooming and implementing a nutrition and lifestyle intercession plan aiming the homeless population. The intent of this reappraisal is to consume out and compare assorted methods of plans developed for the same population to pause program and implement the intercession plan.Overvie w of Intervention ProgramsA get a line of intercession schemes advancing primary bar and wellness have been intended to better the nutritionary position of the stateless population. Interventions ranged in a salmagundi of attacks from traditional group Sessionss taught by wellness professionals, peer-led workshops, one-on-one guidance and home-based bid and mail intercessions to multimedia schemes and experiential activities such as nutrient presentations, educational depicting and group exercisings ( 1 ) .One survey ( 13 ) implemented and evaluated an educational plan for female parents who resided in a homeless shelter. The aim was to better the nutritionary position of stateless barbarians ages 18 months to 6 old ages. Mothers lore of nutrition was tested in the beginning and later on plan usement. Four lessons aiming the nutritionary demands of immature kids based on emergence and development demands were designed and addressed by a registered dietician. Classs were of fered over a ball club moth period and each social class lasted an hr. As an inducement to lift engagement, female parents who effected all four categories were wedded bus base on ballss for one hebdomad, and their kids were presumption a effectual bite. Subjects for the four lessons were Benefits of Beverages, grammatical construction Strong Bones and Muscles, Healthy meal Choices, and Nutritious Snack Ideas. Teaching stuffs, press releases, and category activities were developed in a low-literacy format. Teaching stuffs were visually appealing, with a assortment of colourss and images. Ocular presentations were used to demo the differences in fat and sugar in healthy and non-healthy nutrient points. Consequences of the intercession found that female parents significantly scored higher on each post-test than on the comparable pretest ( 14 ) .Theory of FrameworkThe passel of intercessions incorporated theoretical theoretical accounts or were guided by theories. Such docu mented theories included the transtheoretical ( phases of alteration ) theoretical account, societal cognitive theory theoretical account, the societal ecological model, the community intercession theoretical account, and the wellness publicity manner ( 1 ) . These theories were tailored to the participants conceptual adulthood.The Transtheoretical Model ( TTM ) forget be used as a model for the intercession. Participants may be in different phases of the TTM throughout the plan, and the plan exit on each phase of alteration so that everyone participating may profit.Nutritional counseling in InterventionMethods of nutrition reding with behavioral dietary guidance have proved respectable in change magnitude low-income grownups long margin alterations in ingestion of fruit and veggies ( 14 ) . The combination of turn toing the importance of fruit and vegetable ingestion and its benefits to wellness with specific, tell apart advice and terse and long-run goal-setting proved to bring on alteration in this population. Steptoe et Al ( 14 ) compared brief nutrition reding with behavioural dietetic guidance in a primary watchfulness puting. Each 15- slight audience was supported with written information, and an overall mark was to increase the consumption of veggies and fruit from baseline degrees. The nutrition reding group authoritative instruction about the importance of change magnitude the consumption of veggies and fruit, and the nutritionary benefits were emphasized. The behavioural group was given reding tailored to each person s demands harmonizing to motivational facility, with personalized, specific advice and short-run and long-run end scene. Both methods of reding proven good in increasing low-income grownups ingestion of veggies and fruit.IncentivesIncentives were used in many intercessions to advertize engagement and/or straight affect results. Incentives can be used to increase engagement and involvement in the acquisition activit ies. Surveies have demonstrated that low-income populations may profit from inducements such as nutrient vouchers to better the affordability of veggies and fruit, and therefore increase ingestion ( 1 ) . These surveies provide grounds that authorities attempts should centralize on taking the barriers of cost and accessibility of healthy nutrients by turn toing societal and economic factors that pass on extenuate wellness unfairnesss.DrumheadThe reviewed literature provided positive results of step on ends of increasing nutritionary position and acquaintance of low-income participants. Nutrition intercessions aimed at low-income audiences tend to be delivered in an synergistic ocular format, are culturally appropriate, administered in accessible scenes, and give inducements to move on the information provided. thump the better ofing barriers refering to this population is of concern when planning this intercession plan. These barriers include low literacy, handiness, intelligen ce and skill degree, and deficiency of clip and money. experiential activities such as cooking presentations, group exercisings, and synergistic pictures have been used as schemes to turn to these barriers. Suggestions for polish of intercessions included kid attention for care-givers and convenient timing of categories, integrating motivational factors impacting female parents abilities to use wellness publicity, and turn toing other factors other than instruction, such as life style, that affect healthy behaviours.Chapter IIIMethodsThe intent of this survey is to measure the potency of a community-nutrition intercession plan for low-income occupants sway parting in the upcountry Temporary Homes plan in Loma Linda, CA. Residence of Inland Temporary Homes go away be take parting in a serial of nutrition and lifestyle workshops. The plan is designed to increase the wisdom of wellness and nutrition while advancing healthy life and feeding in a community of predominately low i ncome households. Chapter III is an overview of the investigate participants, plan design and execution of the nutrition intercession.Survey ParticipantsParticipants of the survey are limited to low-income grownups ( ages 18 and sometime(a) ) who presently participate in the Inland Temporary Homes ( ITH ) . Inland Temporary Homes is a non-profit organisation that provides lodging, rehabilitation, and ongoing support to homeless households throughout the Inland Empire ( 15 ) . Inland Temporary Homes is a nurturing channelize environment where households can emerge self-empowered with the cognition and tools to re-establish themselves in the community. Applications to inscribe in the plan are considered throughout the twelvemonth although outer space in the tooshies is limited. Throughout their 60-90 twenty-four hours residence, it is demand that each grownup complete true plans. One of the plans is go toing the City of Loma Linda s series of nutrition workshops. Engagement in t he Nutrition Workshop depends on when occupants enroll in the ITH plan and motorcoachs facilitate who attends the five hebdomad academic term of categories during the twelvemonth. Nutrition Workshops are offered four times a twelvemonth to suit for new enrollees and to do certain(prenominal) each occupant gets the chance to take part. Past workshops have accommodated any come on from three to fifteen participants during a given session of categories. Once occupants of Inland Temporary Homes have been rehabilitated, they re-enter back into the work depict with their households. Many of the participants find lodging in Loma Linda s North Central Neighborhood.Study DesignThe survey leave be a constructive rating research survey focused on run intoing the plan, behavioural and knowledge aims. Knowledge of nutrition and physical activity bequeath be tested before and after engagement in the plan. Pre-and post-intervention studies bequeath besides be filled out by participants. The intercession calls for a upper limit of 15 participants to go to a 60 minute seminar together one time per hebdomad for a sum of five hebdomads. Weekly seminars go forth be developed and facilitated by a original MPH/Nutrition student at Loma Linda University and tailored to increase consciousness and cognition of the importance of physical activity, increasing fruit and vegetable ingestion and schemes relevant to accomplishing a healthy diet and life style and cut downing chronic disease hazard.IncentivesA alimentary meal allow be prepared for participants at each workshop. unfreeze nutrient is a great inducement for participants to go to the workshop. Free kid attention during the workshop leave behind besides be offered to those who have little kids and cut down restrictions to go to. Participants result have a booklet consisting of reading stuff for each lesson program. Each hebdomad after the lesson, inquiries will be asked to the participants. If they answer the in quiries right, they will able to pick from a assortment of healthy nutrient options and awards. Participants will be able to maintain workshop stuff and booklets after go toing the fifth and concluding workshop. These inducements will heighten engagement within the population and attain attending throughout the all-inclusive series of workshops.Meal EngagementA healthy and alimentary repast will be prepared for participants at the beginning of each workshop. Some repasts will include synergistic engagement from occupants. For illustration, a pizza crust along with snap veggies will be premade and displayed and participants will be responsible to add veggies and low-fat cheese to their pizza. This battle of activity with the repasts will let participants to go after in merriment and healthy behaviours in a hands-on environment. Each formula prepared for category will be simple and easy to follow, low-cost and easy for participants to seek at their ain place with their households. Recipes for the highlighted repast will be given to each participant each hebdomad.Lesson PlansEach hebdomad a different subject will be covered. The subjects covered by hebdomad will be 1. Introduction to the aliment Guide Pyramid, 2. Reading a Label, 3. How to browse in a Grocery Store, 4. The basic principle of Cooking and Snacking and 5. Why Should You Trouble oneself with Nutrition? Videos will besides be shown during category as synergistic acquisition tools. conference engagement and treatment will be encouraged each hebdomad. This will give participants the opportunity to inquire inquiries, talk with each other, job solve and be accompany by a nutrition disciple who can help them with any barriers they may hold sing the subjects. After each session, participants will compose down short term and long term ends they would care to accomplish. The group atmosphere will promote participants to remain accountable of their ends.Data Collection and ProceduresMeasures and Inte rpretationPre and post trial and studies will be conducted to evaluate and construe the effectuality of the intercession. The trials and studies will be administered in a manner so that the participant will remain unnamed , but besides so the pre and station information can be compared on the same individual. Each set of studies and trials will hold a figure from 1 through 15 on the upper right manus corner. Each participant will randomly pick a set of documents and must retrieve the figure on their story. Merely the participant will cognize their figure. A piece of account will be handed out so that participants can compose down their name on the line coordinated to the figure they randomly picked. This paper will be kept in a safe topographic point in instance participants bury their figure. At so terminal of the intercession, studies and trials will besides hold Numberss 1 through 15. Each participant will be asked to make full out the study and trial inquiries from the pape r with the same figure they had during the pre-survey and pre-test. This will let the participants to experience more comfy reacting to the inquiries without find themselves to the pupil. It will besides let canvas ratings to be driven for each participant.Surveies will utilize simple footings and be easy to read. Surveys will give participants the ability to turn to what they would wish to larn from the category and how good the category was for them. This will let the pupil to turn to specific issues within the lessons. Participants will be able to measure how they felt up about the category anonymously with the manager of Inland Temporary Homes, and the information will be directed back to the pupil research thespian.Surveies ( see appendix ) will besides inquire participants sing how frequently they visit fast nutrient constitutions, how many times they eat inside the place, downlike drink and intoxicant ingestion, fruit, veggie, whole grain, dairy farm and meat ingestio n, if they read nutrient labels, how many yearss per hebdomad they engage in physical activity and preparedness for alteration.The study will measure their phase of alteration in conformity to the Transtheoretical Model. Participant s phase will be measured at the beginning and at the terminal of the intercession utilizing two methods. Measured on a graduated table of one to ten ( one being least confident, 10 being most confident ) participants will be asked to mensurate their current preparedness to increase fruit and vegetable ingestion from baseline ingestion and their self-efficacy to accomplish this end. Participants will besides be asked to weigh the Pros and Cons of increasing fruit and vegetable ingestion. Precontemplation is the phase in which people are non moment to take action in a six-spot month period. In this phase, the Pros of fruit and vegetable ingestion far outweighs the Cons and self-efficacy tonss are low because they may be uninformed about the wellness bene fits or held back by fiscal agencies or other grounds. reflection is the phase in which participants are meaning to alter in the following six months. In this phase, the Pros and Cons are more equal and self-efficacy mark may be mean. In the Preparation, Action and Maintenance phases, the Cons of fruit and vegetable ingestion outweigh the Pros and self-efficacy tonss are comparatively high ( 16 ) .The pre and station trials ( see appendix ) will inquire inquiries refering to the lesson programs throughout the five hebdomads. Trials will inquire nonparallel forward inquiries and be of appropriate literacy degree. attempt tonss will be measured to measure if cognition was gained as a consequence of the lesson programs.Ethical ConsiderationsThe IRB regulations and ordinances will be followed during the class of this survey. Participants will be informed that any information they provide in respects to studies and trials will be kept clandestine and non abandoned to anything that w ill take to the designation of the person who provided the information. Information provided will non specifically place the supplier of information. The pupil research worker must be a certain Food Worker in the county of San Bernardino in order to fix and manage nutrient decently for the workshops.ProtocolsThere will be no prejudice refering to the research worker sing the population, category treatments or results of the ratings. All information from participants will be kept confidential and merely accessible to the pupil research worker who will analysis the informations. Pre-and post-tests and studies will be graded and consequences will be implemented into SPSS by the pupil research worker.Data Measurement and AnalysisDatas from the studies will be entered into the SPSS plan and consequences evaluated. Pre and station trials will be graded manually by the pupil, and that information will be entered into SPSS for rating. To find the phase of alteration pre and station interc ession, both the graduated table and list of pros and cons will be evaluated pre and station intercession by the pupil and entered into SBSS for comparing. The effectivity of the intercession will be determined by the consequences of the participants pre and station studies, trials, and rating of phase of alteration.BudgetThe City of Loma Linda with the fiscal assistance of the California Healthy Cities Grant aimed to better nutrition and the quality of life among the low income occupants of Inland Temporary Homes. The grant enables the City of Loma Linda to engage a pupil houseman from the Loma Linda initiate of Public Health, Nutrition Department as the Nutrition and Wellness Educator. The financess will frequent the workshops for Inland Temporary Homes.Annual Cost of Workshop ( For 15 Participants )Forces Cost-Student houseman $ 1,000-Child assist $ 200Supplies-Prizes- $ 100-Folders $ 20-Printed Material $ 50Food & A Beverage $ 800 menu system $ 100Facility $ 250Entire addres s $ 2,520MentionsChaudhary N. Kreiger N. Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions for Low-Income Populations. Canadian daybook of Dietetic Practice and Research. 2007 68201-206.Schwarz K, Garrett B, Hampsey J, Thompson D. High Prevalence of Overweight and corpulency in Homeless Baltimore Children and Their Health professionals A Pilot Study. MedGenMed. 2007 9 ( 1 ) 48.Jones C, Perera A, eats M, Ho I, Nguyen J, Davachi S. Cardiovascular illness insecurity Among the Poor and Homeless-What We Know So Far. live Cardiology Reviews. 2009 569-77.Plumb J. Homelessness attention, bar, and public policy. Ann Intern Med. 1997 126973-975.Schanzer B, Dominguez B, Shrout PE, Caton CLM. 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