Fast Food Industry in the US

According to studies conducted in the last 30 years, America continues to lead other countries in the consumption of fast food. Indeed, it is no secret that the country has the largest industry in the world offering fast food to people in over 120 countries (Burstein 34). In the U.S., it is estimated that an average person eats more than three meals from a fast food joint in one week.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Fast Food Industry in the US specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Most people rely on fast food because of the positive benefits associated with their consumption. However, rarely will people pause to reflect on the negative effects of eating such meals. Although the fast food industry has numerous benefits to individuals and the economy, it has nonetheless several challenges that need urgent attention. This paper will discuss the fast food industry in the US with an emphasis on the positive as well as th e negative impacts it has on American economy. The fast food industry has placed America on the world map. The talk about burgers, hotdogs has become the iconic chat of the American culture. Indeed, it has made popular the lifestyle of America in the midst of other nations. In addition, the industry has been of immense benefit to the U.S economy. According to Schlosser, â€Å"Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars† (Schlosser 3). The industry had improved a great deal compared to what it was in 1945, when â€Å"cars, education, and farming were the largest sectors of the economy† (Schlosser 4). It is estimated that the fast food sector has created not less than 3.5 million jobs for American citizens. The fast food industry has transformed towns, from small ones to busy cities. For example, the growth of Anaheim, from a small town to a huge and busy city, has been attributed to the advent of fast food. Another benefit of the industry is that it has rejuvenated competition within itself. Ray Kroc referred top the fast food industry as â€Å"the American way of survival of the fittest† (Schlosser 37). This shows that, at its peak, the industry has created intense rivalry. This spirit of competition has been healthy for the American economy in that it has produced massive employment. In addition, it has helped several businesses to flourish with little risks (Burstein 37).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Despite the economic effects of the fast food industry, there are also numerous challenges that are prevalent in this sector. It has pushed the desire for more production of wheat as well as organic food products. The growth of companies such as ConAgra and IBP, have left many farmers jobless. From an historical background, it is well known that farmers p lay a key role in food security. However, the growing number of agricultural companies has done away with the habitual notion of the village farmer and his small farm. From this perspective, it is clear that the fast food industry is slowly changing the American way of life (Jakle and Sculle 22). The American culture has become a lazy one. Currently, many expectations are placed on households. This pushes people to spend long hours in their places of work or in family or other related commitments, all, which require peoples’ attention. Based on such demands of modern-day life, many people consider fast food convenient (Wilk, 12). As a result, people are now living a lifestyle that can be christened as â€Å"a convenience culture† (Mooij and Mooij 324). Indeed, it is a fact that convenience has become the driving force behind many decisions. Therefore, as households spend more time on business or family related activities, fast food becomes an option as it saves time an d energy. However, the idea of convenience is diminished by the lazy culture that has infiltrated the American people. The time one takes to prepare a meal can contribute to exercising ones muscles. Nowadays, some people even purchase their meals from inside their cars (Lankford 8). Another significant observation on fast food is that it has seen a dramatic increase in obesity cases. Foods such as burgers have high levels of fat. In addition, soft drinks that accompany fast food meals are saturated with sugar. These are taken in abundance in American society, and are the leading causes of obesity. Obesity is the newest killer threat in America, as it comes along with other health complications. In conclusion, the fast food industry has been growing at a very fast rate in the American society. Many people cite convenience as a reason why they prefer fast food to traditional ones. As highlighted above, the negative effects of these foods are adverse. An obese nation is a lazy nation. Children are becoming obese at a very tender age, increasing chances of contracting diseases such as heat attack and diabetes.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Fast Food Industry in the US specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The economic consequences of treating these diseases cannot be empathized. As discussed above, the industry is a key player in stimulating the economy. However, it is also important to question the rationale of earning a decent salary, while at the same time sending people to graves at a very young age due to diseases that can be avoided. It is important that people are educated on the need to prepare their meals and take balanced diet. Education is the key to a healthy living, and this can mitigate the negative effects from this industry. Works Cited Burstein, John. Fast Food: Slowing Us All Down. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2008. Print. Jakle, John and Sculle Keith. Fast Food: Roads ide Restaurants in the Automobile Age. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 2007. Print. Lankford, Ronnie. Junk Food. Michigan: Gale, 2010. Print. Mooij, Marieke and Mooij, K. Marieke. Consumer Behavior and Culture: consequences for global marketing. New York: SAGE. Print. Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006. Print.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Wilk, R. Richard. Fast Food/slow Food: the cultural economy of the global food system. New York: Rowman Altamira., 2009. Print. 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Shakespeare’s Influence on English Literature Essays

Shakespeare’s Influence on English Literature Essays Shakespeare’s Influence on English Literature Paper Shakespeare’s Influence on English Literature Paper Essay Topic: Cymbeline Shakespeare’s influence on English literature has been unsurpassed. His influence did not confine itself to the intricate detailing of his stories alone, but extended to all aspects of storytelling, namely mellifluous prose, evolved characterization and varied settings.  All of these contributed in making his stories memorable and through primarily these three elements together with the sheer variety and breadth of his storylines, he continues to exercise a dominant influence on English literature and captivate and enthrall. Beyond anything, his life is an example of complete dedication to his craft. His life is marked by a focused devotion to English literature and language through his Tragedies, Comedies and Histories, cumulatively known as the First Folio, Second, Third and Fourth Folios. Whatever is known of Shakespeare is drawn primarily from two sources, his literary texts and remnants of church and legal records from which one can trace the significant aspects of his life, though much of it is conjecture. Shakespeare’s mother, Mary, was the daughter of Robert Arden of Stratford. John, his father, was a leather merchant whose life witnessed tumultuous financial highs and lows. There is a probability that Shakespeare attended grammar school during his early years, though his parents were in all probability illiterate. At the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years older than him. Till 1592, no other record alludes to his life. In 1592, Robert Greene referred to Shakespeare when he wrote in Greene’s Groatsworth of Wit bought with a Million of Repentance about â€Å"an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger’s heart wrapped in a player’s hide, supposes he is as well as able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you; and being an absolute Johan-nes fac totum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country† (Alexander, xvi). This remark only serves to reiterate that Shakespeare had gained significant recognition through his plays by 1592 and inspired sufficient rivalry in literary circles though Greene’s is the only known enmity. Even this remark is a travesty of Shakespeare’s own lines from Henry VI, Part Three; â€Å"O tiger’s heart wrapped in a woman’s hide† Johannes fac totum referred to here means the jack of all trades. This observation was partly correct, for Shakespeare was multifaceted. Apart from being a writer, and starring in his own plays, he was also associated with a theatrical group comprising of Richard Burbage, a noted stage performer and they were known after their patron as Lord Chamberlain’s Men and after King James succeeded Queen Elizabeth, they were known as â€Å"the King’s Men†. It was to this company that Shakespeare directed his unswerving attention by composing all his plays solely for their enactment. In 1593-94, Shakespeare, to much critical acclaim, published his poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucerne. Shakespeare was diffident about the publication of his plays and took no interest in their printing, being interested only in their faithful and dramatical reproduction. This is responsible for the problems in establishing the accuracy of his texts and in dating them. Shakespeare’s first tragedy was Titus Adronicus, (C. 1592-94) in which Ovid’s influence was profound though it did not gain much prominence because of its implicit violence. It has, of late, been revived. During this period, he wrote Henry VI (c. 1588) and Richard III (c. 1593), Henry V (c. 1599). Richard II and Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 were also composed during this time. According to the Lexicon, the principal Comedies written during this time were Love’s Labour Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It and Twelfth Night. He devoted himself principally to Tragedy after 1599. These include- Julius Caeser, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra and Coriolanus. There were some plays that were difficult to categorize such as Troilus and Cressida, All’s Well That Ends Well and Measure for Measure. The end of his writing career was marked by four plays- Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and Pericles. Shakespeare’s supremacy was not confined to English literature alone but extended to the English language as well. The strength of Shakespeare’s influence can be ascribed to his riveting and compelling storylines, his evolved characterization and the mellifluous language. Through his plays, he for the first time in English literature created believable, expressive characters. He delved into the psyche of his protagonists and imbued them with life. What perhaps makes these characters lasting and unforgettable is that they are neither wholly evil nor wholly good, but real. Hamlet fascinates readers with his complexity. Emotional and daring, lackadaisical about revenge and shades of insanity are traits that render him complex. Othello, initially portrayed as courageous and proud, reveals that he is in fact flawed, like all of Shakespeare’s characters, when his implicit trust in Iago betrays him to act upon his jealousy and kill Desdemona. Shylock in The Merchant Of Venice sins as much as he is sinned against, as much a hero as a villain. It has been argued that Shakespeare’s characters stoop to melodrama, but one has to remember that he was, above all a consummate dramatist. It has been said that a compulsive and insightful reading of all of his plays serves to make one a better judge of human character, its motivations, conflicts, passions and fallacies. (â€Å"Bartleby†). His thoroughness in the execution of his characters served to inspire generations of writers. In fact, Herman Melville’s main antagonist in Moby Dick, Captain Ahab, is believed to be a classic Shakespearean character, whose downfall and doom are brought about by his own weakness. According to Wikipedia, Shakespeare’s resonant prose also reverberates through time, through the writing of Charles Dickens, on whom Shakespeare’s influence was profound, and William Faulkner. He also helped develop the English language. English, before the times of Shakespeare was impulsive and unstructured. Shakespeare enhanced the beauty of the language by adding to its vocabulary and gave it depth by the beauty of his prose. Many of the phrases that his characters used have become common parlance. He freed the English language. Successive generations have interpreted and reinterpreted Shakespeare’s plays and will continue to do so for posterity. The vividness of his imagination helped unify the thought and action of his characters and gave them force and passion, so much so that these characters inspire hatred and love, but never indifference. In Othello, for instance, it is the language which defines the play. Othello’s prose is mellifluous in the true sense of the term, so much so that a critic on remarking about the language of Othello has called it â€Å"Othello’s music†. (â€Å"Geocities†). However, the language of Othello gradually breaks down, as consumed by jealousy his character slowly disintegrates. In the Act I, Scene III, Othello states â€Å"And little of this great world can I speak/ More than pertains to feats of broil and battle† (Shakespeare, 1118). The Duke also expresses his opinion that Othello would also win his daughter’s heart. Othello also says â€Å"Yet I’ll not shed her blood/nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow† (Shakespeare, 1149), As his character becomes darker, his language crumbles, he stoops to words to communicate instead of sentences, â€Å"Killing myself, to die upon a kiss† (Shakespeare, 1153). This was one of the first plays in which the language evocatively moves in tandem with the plot. Another way in which Othello was revolutionary was that the main protagonist was one of the first or colored black heroes in the history of English literature. Inspite of his race and also despite the fact that he was a foreigner in conventional Venice; he rises to a position of influence and marries a white woman, a circumstance unthought-of during Elizabethan times. Othello also has to overcome considerable racial discrimination. Shakespeare imbues Othello with all heroic and noble characteristics, save for one tragic flaw, jealousy. With this Othello’s fate was sealed. He became the embodiment of the ‘perfect tragic hero’ in English literature. Also unique among Shakespearean tragedies, Othello was mostly a tragedy of character, while all the other Shakespearean tragedies were set amongst political backdrops, Othello was propelled and instigated by his self doubt, jealousy and by the diabolical wickedness in the character of Iago. The language, the setting, the characterization and the taut plot makes Othello the most heartrending and memorable of Shakespeare’s tragedies. This power to captivate and enthrall readers through delving into Othello’s psyche helped redefine psychological realism. With only three principal characters, Othello, Desdemona and Iago, it is also one of Shakespeare’s most centered plays in which the action concentrates around these three characters. Again, for Romeo and Juliet, the primary element of the play that resonates through time is the language. Romeo says â€Å"Love is a smoke rais’d with the fume of sighs† (Shakespeare, 904). This is more poetry than prose. The characters, besides using poetry in speech, also use metaphors, oxymorons, allegories and paradoxes. Shakepeare also uses sonnets in the scenes between Romeo and Juliet to express their depth of love to each other. In these scenes, the language imbues their emotions with a rich texture. There are also a lot of action words used. It is this poetry of language that was to have a tremendous influence on the romantic poetry of Keats and also of Coleridge. Thomas Carlyle has this to say about Shakespeare’s influence on literature This King Shakespeare does he not shine, in crowned sovereignty, over us all, as the noblest, gentlest, yet strongest of rallying-signs; indestructible; really more valuable in that point of view than any other means or appliance whatsoever? We can fancy him as radiant aloft over all Nations of Englishmen, thousand years hence. From Paramatta, from New York, wheresoever, under what sort of Parish-Constable soever, English men and women are, they will say to one another, ‘Yes, this Shakespeare is ours; we produced him, we speak and think by him; we are of one blood and kind with him. (Bernard Levin. From The Story of English. Robert McCrum, William Cran and Robert MacNeil. Viking: 1986)† (â€Å"Shakespeare Online†). Thus, Shakespeare’s impact on literature is lasting. The range of his genius defies imagination. It will continue to stir future generations till eternity.

IT functions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

IT functions - Research Paper Example Secondly, an organization may outsource all or part of its data storage because it is not willing to purchase, maintain, and manage its data storage system. Therefore, outsourcing is imperative to all organizations regardless of its size. The three most popular Information Technology functions that organizations outsource are Virtualization, Datacenter operations and Disaster recovery. There are different factors to consider while making an informed decision whether to outsource or not. The factors to consider include Quality, communications, staff morale, agility, ability to hire and retain employees, and resource management ability. Firstly, most organizations decide to outsource Information Technology functions, when there is a shortfall of skilled human resources or skill sets of the current IT employees. In other cases, non-strategic IT or menial tasks are outsourced because they are less costly. Secondly, Outsourcing can lead to unique communication difficulties that comprise not only culture, but also language . Therefore, onshore managers responsible in managing an offshore outsource company relationship should have special training in cultural sensitivities. Thirdly, when organizations outsource all or part of Information Technology, onshore staff morale arises. Therefore, it is critical for IT management team to explain to staff reasons as to why a certa in project has to be outsourced and how this matches with other strategic objectives. The more staff comprehends why outsource, the better they appreciate the decisions and assess the reason they stand as long-term workforce. Lastly, it might be difficult to control and manage geographically distributed employees than it is to manage workforce in relative geographic proximity. Therefore, different time zones pose the barrier to project coordination. Another barrier is the inability to have viable face time with employees, something that online collaboration devices, email and instant

Criminal Law U5IP Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Criminal Law U5IP - Research Paper Example in interstate commerce through a pattern of racketeering activity; 3) participating in the conduct of a business engaged in interstate commerce through a pattern of racketeering activity, and 4) conspiring to violate any of the above (section 1962). In order for a RICO claim to succeed the plaintiff must show that the conduct of the enterprise or business is through a pattern of activity connected to racketeering. Prior to the enactment of the RICO Act it was difficult to combat racketeering activities (Batista 2007). It was only possible to convict lower ranking members in the rackets as they were directly involved in illegal activities. This meant that racketeering activities still affected businesses and the economy as the higher ranking members were harder to prosecute since they were not directly connected with the illegal activities. The RICO Act provides prosecutors with a tool to fight organized crime (McNeill 2009). The RICO Act is remarkably effective in combating organized crime as it does not require proving that the suspect committed an illegal act but rather that the individual owns or manages an enterprise that regularly conducts an illegal activity prohibited by the Act (Batista 2005). The RICO Act is given a ve ry wide interpretation, and as such legal issues will always arise out of its interpretation and application. The RICO criminal defense practice will, therefore, remain relevant as long as the Act is in use. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, Pub. L. No. 91-452, 84 Stat. 941 (Oct. 15, 1970), codified at 18 U.S.C. Ch. 96,

RESORT MANAGEMENT Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

RESORT MANAGEMENT - Research Paper Example c. The resort would include 4 main luxury suites and 12 executive double rooms with additional facilities like local sightseeing services, shuttle systems, laundry facilities, restaurants, buffet breakfast options, free internet connection and room services like spa therapy. The service provided by the resort would include both the primary services and a number of augmented services. d. The main departments relevant to the resort would include a tourism management department, operations management department, human resources department and accounting and finance departments (Abrams and Abrams 56). e. The target market trends include increasing interest towards visiting these kinds of places for adventure sports and preference to spend more money for getting high quality service and experience. The visiting trends of the tourist are similar in both winter and summer seasons which mean that the resort is likely to generate good business all round the year (Predeaux 102). a. The resort is expected to add value to the host community. The establishment of the new business would create employment opportunities for the local people and thus create economic opportunities in the area. Also, the local suppliers of products and services required for the hospitality industry would benefit from the scopes of providing their products to the new resort. The investments in the resort would also improve the economic scenario of the area and contribute to the revenue generation of the area. b. However, the equipments and installations required for the skiing and other sporting activities provided by the resort like the gondola services and rope tows may disrupt the local habitats of the area. The deforestation of some areas for establishing the skiing facilities and the accommodation spaces may lead to harmful impacts on the environment. The original ecosystem may be damaged by the establishment of the resort and its ancillary services.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Post Surgery Care

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Post Surgery Care Introduction Nursing care of the patient following major surgery is a complex task, involving holistic management of patient wellbeing in the light of several challenges to health and homeostatic stability. This essay sets out to discuss the care of one such patient, following surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. In order to address the issue and provide the highest possible standards of individualised care, nurses need a considerable knowledge base, gleaned from training, from ongoing updating, from the available evidence, and from their experience as professionals in their field. This essay will also set out to explore how nursing knowledge is applied to practice, always keeping the patient as the focus of care, with reference to the underlying physiology which relates to the patient’s condition. Nursing skills are also based on knowledge and experience, both the experience of the nurse themselves and the experience of those who have taught them, who work with them and who collaborate in the provision of care. While this essay focuses on the nurse’s role in relation to the case and the client, it is important to remember that nursing care does not take place within a vacuum, and reference will be made to those with whom the nurse must interact and engage as part of this role. The care of a patient following surgical abdominal aortic aneurysm repair follows the principles of general postoperative surgical care, along with specific interventions, monitoring and support that are a consequence of the condition and the nature of the surgery. The holistic management of this case must also take into account the psycho-social and emotional factors which may affect the case, given the life-threatening nature of the condition and the potential complications of the surgery. The Case David Grainger is a 65 year old man, who is retired and who tries to keep himself fit by playing golf. He had a history of recurrent pain underneath his rib cage for some month, and had been treating himself for indigestion with limited success. His friends became worried about him and his condition when he appeared to be losing weight, and so eventually David plucked up the courage to visit his GP. He was referred to the local hospital for tests, which eventually led to a diagnosis of abominal aortic aneurysm. David was later admitted to the surgical ward for surgery to repair the aneurysm. On return to the ward David had a blood transfusion running and a wound drain (Redivac) from the abdomen close to the surgical incision site. He had an indwelling Foley catheter with an hourly urine bag, which was changed to free drainage after 12 hours of adequate urine output, and a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) device in situ. He has a mepore dressing to the abdominal wound site. David has two IVI sites, one in each hand. The blood transfusion was running via the left hand, and normal saline (0.9%) was running in the other, along with the PCA, on a three-way tap. The day following surgery David’s temperature is recorded at 39.6c with an elevated pulse of 90bpm. He repeatedly complains of feeling cold. Discussion with the senior sister and the SHO suggests that David is experiencing a potential pyrexia. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a fairly common condition (the 14th leading cause of death in the US (Birkmeyer and Upchurch, 2007). It is a life-threatening condition (Isselbacher et al, 2005). The greatest risk of an AAA is the risk of rupture, which has a significant mortality rate attached to it (Birkmeyer and Upchurch, 2007). It is defined as an abnormal localised arterial dilation or ballooning that is greater than one and half times the artery’s normal circumference, and must involve all three layers of the vessel wall (Irwin, 2007). Abdominal aortic aneurysms are those which are located below the diaphragmatic border, and account for 75% of aortic aneurysms (Irwin, 2007). Men are four to five times more likely to develop the condition, and risk factors include smoking, hypertension and dyslipidemia, cellular changes in the tunica media associated with diseases such as Marfan syndrome, inflammation, and blunt trauma (Irwin, 2007). There is also a family history facto r, with increased risk amongst primary relatives of someone with AAA (Irwin, 2007). Another risk factor is atherosceloris, although someone without this condition can develop an aneurysm (Irwin, 2007). Repair is either through open surgical repair, through a large midline incision (Irwin, 2007). The procedure is major surgery, and the aorta is cross-clamped to allow the insertion of a synthetic graft which is attached to proximally and distally to health aortic tissue (Irwin, 2007). Another procedure is endovascular repair using a percutaneous vascular stent (Irwin, 2007; Beese-Bjustrom, 2004). In this procedure, a woven polyester tube covered by a stent is placed inside the aneurismal section of the abdominal aorta, which keeps normal blood flow away from the aneurysm, greatly reducing the risk of dissection and rupture (Bese-Bjustrom, 2004). In this case David underwent open surgery. Assessment Assessment of the patient’s condition is the first stage in nursing care planning and management, forming the basis of nursing decision making (Watson-Miller, 2005). A summary of assessment activities carried out for David can be found in Table 1. Table 1. Nursing Assessment of David on Day 1 Post-Op. Action Rationale Monitor Blood Pressure, Pulse, Pulse Oximetry Respirations Vital observations indicate changes in underlying condition. Low blood pressure with high pulse, for example, would be suggested of haemorrhage. After aneurysm repair, an elevated BP can stress the graft site and cause graft failure (Irwin, 2007). This also increases myocardial oxygen demand, and an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand may lead to myocardial ischaemia and lead to MI (Irwin, 2007). Respiratory rate must be monitored post-anaesthetic, and observation of respirations allows the nurse to prepare for preventive measures to reduce the risk of atelectasis or DVT. Four hourly observations are usual from 24 hours postoperatively (Zeitz, 2005). Monitor Temperature Usually carried out four hourly, to detect potential sings of pyrexia, or reaction to blood transfusion (Jones and Pegram, 2006) or medications. Another complication could be malignant hyperthermia, although this is rare and unlikely to develop this late postoperatively (Neacsu, 2006). Intravenous Monitoring and Fluid balance Monitor site for patency and condition; monitor fluid intake and rate; record fluid balance. IVI pump checked at this time. Urinary output via catheter also recorded. PCA/Pain Pump check should usually be every hour if a controlled drug is used in the PCA, and recorded on the appropriate chart. Pain levels assessed (Manias, 2003). Wound Dressing observed for signs of exudates; wound observed for signs of healing/infection/dehiscence. Wound drain Site observed for signs of infection; drain bottle check for amount and type of exudates; fluid balance recorded. Other monitoring specific to AAA repair. Fluid and electrolyte balance; neurological status; full blood count (elevated white count indicates infection) (Beese-Bjustrom, 2004) Assessment during the first 24 hours is usually aimed at establishing physiological equilibrium, managing pain, preventing complications and supporting the patient towards self-care (Watson-Miller, 2005). These are standard post-operative observations, but the care of the person having undergone abdominal aortic aneurysm repair may be somewhat more specific. Some of these areas will be dealt with in more detail below, considering the evidence base and the nature of nursing knowledge applied to the problem. The nursing knowledge applied in the assessment process derives from acquired knowledge (that gleaned during training, and study), and experiential knowledge, from previous experiences of applying theoretical knowledge to practice. If the nurse has previously cared for patients with this condition, she will apply that experience to this case. If not, the application of clinical, theoretical and other knowledge (such as colleagues’ experience) to the scenario, alongside thoro ugh understanding of physiological principles, should result in effective and appropriate care. The evidence base must also be utilised. Pyrexia Having identified a potential problem in relation to temperature regulation, it is important to plan for ongoing monitoring, identification of the cause of increased temperature, treatment of the cause and relief of symptoms. The cause of the temperature is most likely to an infection. Nosocomial infection is a concern after surgery, especially when the patient has an incision involving any aspect of the vascular system (Irwin, 2007). In order to prevent wound infection, David will be prescribed IV antibiotics, which will then be changed to oral antibiotics at the appropriate time (Irwin, 2007). Symptomatic relief of the pyrexia can be achieved by fan therapy and the administration of paracetamol, which can be given PR if David remains nil by mouth. However, the nurse would ensure this was prescribed and not contraindicated due to any interactions with David’s other medications. David’s increased temperature may also be due to the development of ischaemic colitis (a com plication of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair) and so white cell counts should be checked, as a raised count may be indicative of this (Beese-Bjustrom, 2004). The pyrexia may be in response to the blood transfusion (Jones and Pegram, 2006), although we would expect this to have developed earlier in the treatment. At this point, David’s pyrexia indicated a potential problem, and may not require paracetamol or fan therapy. Instead, prevention of the development of infection, and reassurance that his feeling of being cold may be due to raised temperature, may suffice. Blood Pressure Management and Fluid Balance. Keeping David’s blood pressure within the normal range is critical to maintain end organ perfusion, and so both hypertension and hypotension must be prevented in this case (Irwin, 007). In order to prevent hypertension and the complications described above, David may be given IV beta blockers, and will be monitored for any cardiovascular changes such as chest discomfort, ST-T wave changes, or dysrhythmias (Irwin, 2007). Given his stability 24 hours post-operatively, he may be moved from ITU to a high dependency or standard surgical ward, where telemetry may then be stopped. Monitoring mean arterial pressure and maintaining a reading of at least 70 mmHg can ensure proper perfusion of major organs, and this can be supported by careful infusion of intravenous fluids as described above (Irwin, 2007). In relation to fluid balance (and continuing organ functioning) a urine output of around 50ml/hour would indicate adequate glomerular filtration rate and renal perfusion (Irwin, 2007). Any deviations from these ‘ideals’ would be recorded and reported promptly to the appropriate members of the multi-disciplinary team (Irwin, 2007). Pain Management While David’s pain is being managed effectively with the Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) device, the use of a PCA is not a long-term means of pain management. Therefore, the planning stage of management of David’s care for the nurse looking after him should involved a collaborative plan for pain management. This may be in collaboration with the medical team, the anaesthetist, and David himself. A range of medications are available for David to use once he has reached a stage of being able to manage without the PCA, but it is also important that his pain be properly managed during the postoperative period, because good pain management will help David to mobilise properly and reduce the other postoperative risks, such as those of DVT, PE (Irwin, 2007) and pressure sore development. Another area to address is the prevention of atelectasis. Regardless of the type of surgical procedure, as many as 90% of patients who have a general anaesthetic develop some degree of atlectasis in the postoperative period ( Irwin, 2007; Pruitt, 2006). Pneumonia is another risk (Irwin, 2007). As well as the risks from having an anaesthetic anyway, David is at increased risk because he is more likely to demonstrate postoperative hypoventilation, because pain from abdominal surgery can prevent him from deep breathing and coughing which helps prevent atelectasis (Pruitt, 2006). David can be taught to splint the surgical site with a pillow or roll of blanket, and then carry out these breathing exercises – incentive spirometry, coughing and deep breathing – to help keep his lungs clear (Irwin, 2007). Adopting a good upright position also helps to increase lung capacity and encourage deeper breaths (Pruitt, 2006), and so good pain management is also important in supporting D avid to do this (Irwin, 2007). Adequate pain control is also essential to graft patency, because uncontrolled pain causes the release or epinephrine, noreinephrine, and other hormones that active the fight or flight response (Bryant et al, 2002). The consequent vasoconstriction can decrease blood flow through the graft and can increase risk of thrombus formation (Bryant et al, 2002). Alongside a drug therapy plan for pain management, it might also be appropriate to consider nondrug pain management as well (Tracy et al, 2006). Opioids used to manage postoperative pain can cause respiratory depression (Irwin, 2007). Some of the other advantages of nondrug pain management techniques is that they are readily available, inexpensive, and not associated with side effects, but the biggest advantage in this case is that they promote self-care and enhance personal control for one’s own health (Tracy et al, 2006). For David’s case, promoting self-care may have a number of beneficial effects on him holistically, given that he has recently experienced the diagnosis and treatment of a life-threatening condition (Manias, 2003). There is some evidence to suggest that tailored education and support in such therapies can benefit patient outcomes (Tracy et al, 2006), but this would require that the nurse is knowledgeable about the techniques, and that all members of t he multidisciplinary team are equally invested and have been prompted to include nondrug pain management in the care plan (Tracy et al, 2006). Prevention of Problems Associated with Aneurysm Repair. There are a number of potential complications of surgical abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, which are in addition to the usual postoperative risks. These include graft rupture, haemorrhage, and graft occlusion (Irwin, 2007). This is another reason for close monitoring of David’s haemodynamic status, because a drop in blood pressure or urine output, associated with increased heart rate and perhaps a change in mental status may indicated shock consequent to blood loss (Irwin, 2007). It is also important to carefully and frequently assess the abdomen, for pain, distension or increasing girth (Irwin, 2007). Graft occlusion may manifest as coronary ischaemia, MI, cerebral ischaemia or stroke, ischaemic colitis or even spinal cord ischaemia resulting in paralysis (Irwin, 2007). Similarly, occlusion of an abdominal graft can also compromise renal blood flow, causing acute tubular necrosis and renal failure, or compromise peripheral circulation, which might lead to limb loss (Irwin, 2 007). Therefore it might be prudent to calculcate ankle/brachial index regularly to evaluate lower extremity perfusion (Irwin, 2007). Nursing Issues In an empirical study of nursing in patients undergoing procedures for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, Kozon et al (1998) found that patients who undergo the traditional open procedure require more intensive nursing care of lengthier duration, to move them along the illness-wellness spectrum towards self-care and independence. Kozon et al (1998) demonstrate a tailor made model based on the nursing process, which allows nurses to predict the postoperative course for individual patients. They also consider the psychological aspects of care, discussing the state of fear of patients, which is either externally visible to the nursing staff or is expressed by the patients themselves (Kozon et al, 1998). This is important in ensuring the holistic management of David’s care. However, Kozon et al (1998) also recommend further nursing research on this area to fully optimise nursing and enable the recognition of the nursing needs of the individual patient. This says much about the natu re of nursing knowledge and the evidence base on this topic, which remains very much focused on the physical and medical aspects of care. Kozon et al (1998) developed a protocol to apply to such cases, but in terms of evidence, larger scale studies are needed to validate this. The high risks of both the procedure and the repair are highlighted in the literature (Bryant et al, 2002), and so a thorough understanding of these is vital in order to underpin nursing practice and ensure rapid and appropriate prioritisation of care needs, recognition of deviations from the norm and prompt, appropriate referral and treatment. Another issue which the evidence base throws up is the documentation and monitoring of pain management. In a descriptive, retrospective audit of nursing records, Idvall and Ehrenberg (2002) found that there are many shortcomings in content and comprehensiveness of nurses’ monitoring and recording of patients’ pain. This is of particular importance in relation to postoperative care of those patients having undergoing surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm, given that pain can indicate a number of complications of the procedure. Conclusion As can be seen, the care of the patient having an AAA repair is a complex undertaking, requiring a thorough knowledge base on the part of the nurse, and the skills necessary to recognise complications, deviations from clinical parameters, and effects of treatments in order to promptly and appropriately treat and refer the patient (Warbinek and Wyness, 1994). In David’s case, he has presented with a potential complication of his surgery, but the complex nature of his condition could mean that his potential pyrexia is due to a number of causes. Understanding the underlying physiology of his condition is vital in ensuring all his care needs are met and that he is kept in the optimal state of health to promote rapid recovery. This involves an holistic approach, with attention paid to his pain management and psychological state as well as his considerable medical and physical needs. The evidence base for care is suggestive of the existence of some useful nursing evidence on which t o base care, but also suggests the need for more concrete and comprehensive research to underpin practice. Nursing assessment and intervention can be crucial to the survival of patients with this condition (Myer, 1995). Thus nursing knowledge must draw upon their own and other’s knowledge and experience, and the knowledge and understanding of the patient, and their reported symptoms and feelings, in order to provide the highest standard of care and promote David’s optimal wellbeing and return to health. References Beese-Bjustrom, S. (2004) Aortic Aneurysms and dissections. Nursing 34 (2) 36-42. Birkmeyer, J.D. and Upchurch, G.R. (2007) Evidence –Based Screening and management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Annals of Internal Medicine 146 (10) 749-751. Bryant, C., Ray, C. and Wren, T.L. (2002) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: a Look at the first 24 Hours. Journal of PeriAnaesthesia Nursing 17 (3) 164-169. Idvall, E. and Ehrenberg, A. (2002) Nursing documentation of postoperative pain management. Journal of Clinical Nursing.11 734-742. Irwin, G.H. (2007) How to protect a patient with aortic aneurysm. Nursing 37 (2) 36-43. Isselbacher, E.M. (2005) Thoracic and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Circulation111 816-828. Jones, A. and Pegram, A. (2006) Management of pyrexia during blood transfusion. British Journal of Nursing. 15(5) 257. Kozon, V., Fortner, N. and Holzenbein, T. (1998) An empirical study of nursing in patients undergoing two different procedures for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Journal of Vascular Nursing. 16 (1) (1-5). Manias, E. (2003) Pain and anxiety management in the postoperative gastro-surgical setting. Journal of Advanced Nursing 41 (6) 585-594. Myer, S.A. (1995) Case studies: what a difference a nurse makes. Advanced Practice in Acute and Critical Care. 6(4) 576-87. Neacsu, A. (2006) Malignant hyperthermia. Nursing Standard 20 (28) 51-57. Pruitt, B. (2006) Help your patient combat postoperative atelectasis. Nursing 2006 36 (5) 31-34. Tracy, S., Dufault, M., Kogut, S. et al (2006) Translating Best Practices in Nondrug Postoperative Pain Management. Nursing Research 55 (2S) S57-S67). Warbinek, E. and Wyness, M.A. (1994) Caring for patients with complications after elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery: a case study. Journal of Vascular Nursing. 12(3): 73-9. Watson-Miller, S. (2005) Assessing the postoperative patient: Philosophy, knowledge and theory. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 11 46-51. Zeitz, K. (2005) Nursing observations during the first 24 hours after a surgical procedure: what do we do? Journal of Clinical Nursing 14 334-343.

Overview Of Belgium :: essays research papers

Belgium is located upon northwest Europe from which is bounded on the north by the Netherlands and the North Sea, on the east by Germany and Luxembourg, and on the south and southwest by France.1 Due to this location, Belgium is also known as â€Å"the Crossroads of Europe† because it promotes trade and prosperity.2 Following the end of WWII, (NATO) in April 1949 to provide safeguards against possible Communist aggression and, Belgium joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization like the efforts of other democratic countries, to accomplish economic recovery.1 U.S.-Belgian relations are excellent. Belgium is a close ally and works with the U.S. on many international issues. Belgian governments have been committed to the development of a strong, federal European Union with the ability to set common foreign and security policies as well as common economic policies.3 The Belgium government have also been proponents of strong transatlantic ties within NATO. The current Dehaene gov ernment has repeated its desire for close ties with the United States on security issues and has expressed support for enlarging NATO to accommodate certain former Warsaw Pact nations.3 Belgium is a substantial aid donor, making bilateral and multilateral contributions to humanitarian aid and development programs.3 Belgium is a provider of peacekeeping troops and has participated in various peacekeeping operations in Somalia, Rwanda and former Yugoslavia.3 The United States and Belgium are indeed allies. Belgium joined the UN as a charter member on June 26, 1945, the country gave consistent support to the other Western democracies during the intense ideological and political struggle (the so-called cold war) with the USSR and the states within the Soviet sphere of influence.1 The United States and Belgium both share a promising and extensive economic relationship with each other. Under the evolving federal system, the primary areas of interest to U.S. business include foreign trade, environment and investment regimes and incentives.3 Belgium and the United States have strong reciprocal trade relations. Belgium is a major market for American exports in 1995. Since the end of World War 2, American businesses have played an active and important part in the Belgian economy.4 One example of US and Belgium economic relationship include the Telecommunications Services (TES). The partial privatization of BELGACOM and Ameritech’s involvement in the company have met the greatest growth potential in mobile telephone services.5 Also, many other U.S. companies are already active in the value-added network services market in Belgium.

Hewlett-Packard Under Carly Fiorina, and After Her Essay

1) How do you judge the quality of a product, whether a computer or something else? Is it mostly by price? Discuss your perception of price and quality as well as any ramifications. The quality of a product depends how well it was made and how well the product works to meet expectations. Price can be a determinate of quality, but this is not always true. A product may be cheaper and still be of good quality if the company has figured out a way to reduce overhead cost which helps determine price. I normally base my buying decisions off of quality and price. Many companies cut cost to make their products cheaper so their sales will increase, but lowering cost is not always a good plan. The companies that cut prices normally fall behind because the companies that have better quality products get ahead in the long run. 2) â€Å"Tradition has no place in corporate thinking today.† Discuss this statement. Many companies stay active by practicing tradition (ex. Starbucks employee treatment). Though tradition is an important aspect of many companies, tradition can hinder companies’ growth over time and the need for innovation can be faulted. I think tradition can be kept within a company and the company still be successful, but traditions gradually change to keep the company’s original objective alive. Depending on the company and the company’s objective determines whether tradition can be incorporated or not. 3) Giant organizations are often plagued with cumbersome bureaucracies. Discuss how this tendency could be prevented as an organization grows to large size over many years. Bureaucracy can limit the growth and innovation of a company. The leaders/management of a company need to be able to promote change and motivate others throughout the organization. Bureaucracy starts to form between different levels of an organization and can cause decision making processes to become slower, such as the case with Carly. A company may try decentralizing and delegating jobs to different parts of the organization. Though decentralization and delegations can be problematic for companies, it can also speed up processes and be less costly to the organization. Having strong leadership within each department can deter any fraudulent or selfish acts and allow for a more successful business with less bureaucracy. 4) Playing a devil’s advocate, present the case against the Compaq merger. Some risks were present in the potential merger of HP and Compaq. How would the merger take place? Would the merger affect the overall  structure and business plan of HP? Was PC growth the future of HP and would this venture help HP become and stay profitable? How long would the merger take? Would this merger be cost effective or would it be more costly to overtake Compaq? Would loyal customers to each brand stay around throughout the merger or would the customers switch their brand loyalty? All of these questions are potential arguments and reasons why HP should not complete the merger with Compaq. In the end the merger was a good decision for HP even though it took a while for the company to get where forecasters projected. 5) â€Å"HP is gouging the consumer in charging such high prices for its ink refill cartridges. Sure, it’s a high profit item, but such profits cross the line and are obscene.† Discuss. HP’s printer and ink business had high profits to help keep its other products stay in production. Though ink refills was HP’s sweet spot in the market, HP would probably not hold out in the long run and would eventually need to venture into other types of markets with a strong presence to stay afloat. Just because HP was successful in the ink cartridge market in the beginning did not mean the company would remain that way, especially with the other competition in the technology market. 6) Do you think the 17,000 jobs lost in the merger was laudatory, or should it be condemned? What would swing your opinion? Cost cutting is to be expected when mergers or reorganization occurs in a company. Even though 17,000 is a large number of job losses it might have been warranted. When merging the company there were many duplicate jobs and departments. With so many duplicate positions it can be hard to manage a successful company. These duplications can cause excessive amount of costs that aren’t warranted. The job cutting in the case of HP seemed to be necessary but have been a bit excessive in some instances. 7) Why do you think Hurd’s efforts were so successful and so quickly accomplished? Support your conclusions as persuasively as you can. Hurd’s success came after the merger was already completed. He took advantage of what was already completed and made the other necessary changes to finish making the company successful. His strategic marketing and application of more costs cutting techniques helped the company reach Carly’s projected goals. Both Hurd and Carly should receive credit for making HP the company it is today since the merger. 8) Why do you think Dell lagged so far behind HP in tapping into retail markets? Dell was succeeding in the business market and staying very  profitable. They probably focused all of their attention on this market instead of targeting both markets (business and retail). Since Dell used a low price strategy, the company remained one of the top companies in the market and did not need to worry about expanding and incurring more costs. None of the companies expected the overseas companies to start producing and marketing in the United States thus increasing competition in the technology market. Because Dell focused on low prices and the business market, the invasive competition made them start expanding to the retail market which increased costs and prices of their products. This increase and change took time and affected the company’s profits. I think this is why it took so long for Dell to enter the retail market.

The Shocking Aspects of Theater in Ancient Rome

The Shocking Aspects of Theater in Ancient Rome Roman theater began before Roman culture began to emulate the Greeks. However, very little is known of early theater produced by Etruscans and other ancient cultures. The Roman plays that live on in written form were produced in Greek-style amphitheaters, and many of the plays were essentially rewritten versions of Greek stories. In ancient Greece, plays were unlikely to contain graphic violence or sexuality, but the opposite was true in Rome. The Roman Theater and Violence The Roman public loved a good spectacle. They loved to watch combat and admired blood sports and gladiator competition. As a result, there was plenty of gore in most Roman theater. Roman audiences also preferred less subtlety than the Greeks when it came to sexuality on stage. In fact, according to  the book Living Theater by Edwin Wilson, one Roman emperor ordered an entire troupe of mimes to engage in actual intercourse on stage. The fact that this event was recorded for posterity suggests that it wasnt the norm, but it may not have been an isolated event. Famous Roman Playwrights Fewer plays were written in ancient Rome than in Greece. Many of those that were written seemed to be retreads  of old Greek myths (transplanted with the very similar Roman Gods). Perhaps the noted exception to this rule would be the domestic comedies of Plautus and Terence. And of course, Seneca - perhaps Romes best-known tragedian. There were hundreds more playwrights besides the three mentioned below. The Roman Republic and its subsequent empire greatly enjoyed the arts and entertainment. However, while there were many playwrights in ancient Rome, only a small percentage of their works  have survived the passage of time. Plautus If you have ever seen Stephen Sondheims A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, then you have experienced a taste, albeit with a corny 1960s flavor, of the Roman comedy master Plautus. A founder of the comedic theater, he created over a hundred plays in his remarkable career, many of which lampooned iconic figures within Roman society: the soldier, the politician, the clever slave, the philandering husband, and the wise but nagging wife. Terence Terences life story is an ancient tale of rags to riches. Terence was the slave of a Roman senator. Apparently, his master was so impressed with young Terences intellect that he released him from his service and even funded Terences education. During his adult years, Terence crafted comedies which were primarily Roman-style adaptations of Greek plays by Hellenistic writers, such as Menander. Seneca In addition to being a playwright, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a lawyer and a Roman senator. He witnessed some of the darkest days of Romes empire, as he served under the sadistic Emperor Caligula. The next emperor in line, Claudius, banished Seneca, sending him away from Rome for over eight years. After returning from exile, Seneca became the advisor to the infamous Emperor Nero.  According to dramaturg William S. Turney, Nero ordered the assassination of his own mother and then commissioned Seneca to write a speech that excused Neros crimes. During the playwrights lifetime, he wrote tragedies, many of them re-inventions of Greek myths of decadence and self-destruction. For example, his play Phaedra details the sensual depravity of Theseus lonely wife who lusts after her step-son, Hippolytus. Seneca also adapted the Greek myth of Thyestes, a sordid tale of adultery, fratricide, incest, and cannibalism, with enough carnage to make even modern audiences cringe. Seneca retired from public life assuming that he might spend his elder years writing and relaxing, but the suspicious Nero ordered Seneca to commit suicide. Seneca complied, slashing his wrists and arms, slowly bleeding out. Apparently, it was too slow, because according to the ancient historian Tacitus, Seneca called for poison, and when that failed him, he was placed in a hot bath to be suffocated by the steam. Source Wilson, Edwin. Living Theatre: A History of Theatre. Alvin Goldfarb President, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill Education, January 10, 2011.

Linux, the Operating System of Choice

Linux, the Operating System of Choice Introduction In recent years, the global marketplace has witnessed an enormous rise in the use of computers and ultimately the software used in them. Computers have principally made their mark in almost all the spheres of mankind (Kirby, 2000), and with this growth the softwares required for them have also grown at an exponential rate (Kumbhar et al., 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Linux, the Operating System of Choice specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More With an abundant rise of the computer industry, new software products keep on creeping in the market, adding more capabilities as well as complexities to the assiduous and conscientious end users. Now, more than ever before, customers or end users have a wide range of software options available at their disposal which can be used for their requirements and/or business purposes (Lone Wani, 2011). As acknowledged by Kumbhar et al (2011), the development of high quality software has followed two main trajectories, namely open source and closed source softwares. A recent trend in the field of software is the open source genre, and it can rightly be said that the Linux operating system has become the embodiment of this genre (Kirby, 2000). The present paper purposes to argue that Linux has not only emerged as a competitor to both Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems, but is a better choice than the other two. Overview the Linux Operating System The history of the Linux operating system can be traced back to 1991 when Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Finland in Helsinki, decided to develop a UNIX-type operating system called MINIX (McLaren, 2000). Available literature demonstrates that the MINIX platform was initially developed by university student Andrew S. Tannenbaum, but Linus decided to add more functionality into the system than originally proposed by Tannenbaum (Delozier, 2009). As acknowledged by Bala krishnan (1999), Linus â€Å"†¦released version 0.02 of the operating system in 1991 and worked steadily on till 1994 when he released version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel† (p. 3). Eventually, according to this particular author, more and more programmers around the world came together and decided to give a Portable Operating System Interface for Computer Environments (POSIX) compliant UNIX-like system hinged on the founder’s operating system to global users under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Technically, according to MacKinnon (1999), â€Å"†¦Linux just refers to the core of the operating system, the so called kernel, which interacts directly with the hardware and supervises the operation of other programs† (P. 2). However, it is imperative to underline the fact that a fully functional Linux system includes many other components, without which the system would not be of much use. The important fact that makes Linux more appealing than Windows or M ackintosh operating system in this context is that most of these components are entirely non-commercial, and are developed and maintained by thousands of volunteers across the world (Delozier, 2009).Advertising Looking for research paper on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Growth Trends of Linux Operating System The popularity of Linux, the open source operating system originally developed and launched by Linus Torvalds, has grown noticeably over the past decade, (Delozier, 2009) and even more tenaciously over the past three years (Hong Rezende, 2011). While some sources cited in McLaren (2000) now claim that millions of end-users have already installed Linux on their computers, a report released by the International Data Corporation (IDC) and cited in Kirby (2000) point to a â€Å"†¦rapidly increasing usage of the Linux operating environment among a large sampling of organizations† (p. 85). In 2006, the IDC projected that Linux-based server shipments would reach 25.7% of total shipments by 2008, and that Linux-based packaged software was expected to surpass $14 million the same year (Economides Katsamakas, 2006). In 2006 some studies suggested that the market-share of Linux operating system was around 3% though it was largely anticipated to rise to 7% by 2007 (Economides Katsamakas, 2006). As acknowledged by these authors, the slow growth of Linux in these formative years was largely â€Å"†¦attributed to lack of ease of use, small variety of applications and problems with drivers that [enabled] users to connect other devices to their computing systems† (p. 210). Many of these challenges have been adequately solved by the open source community, making Linux to become the operating system of choice as we progress deeper into the 21st century (Hong Rezende, 2011). Statistics released in 2011 by the IDC demonstrated that Linux server demand was increas ingly growing and represented â€Å"†¦18.4% of all server revenue, up 1.7 points when compared with the fourth quarter of 2010† (Vaughan-Nichols, 2012, para. 2). It is important to note that while the market share for Windows and UNIX-oriented software shrank in 2011, the demand for servers running on Linux open source software grew due to high performance computing (HPC) as well as cloud infrastructure deployments (Vaughan-Nichols, 2012). Available literature demonstrates that â€Å"†¦with a reputation for speed, reliability, and efficiency, GNU/Linux now has more than 12 million users worldwide and an estimated growth rate of 40% per year† (Lone Wani, 2011, p. 166). The market threat of Linux to Microsoft’s and Apple’s proprietary software (Windows and Mackintosh) is becoming more evident because more that 50% of Fortune 500 companies has already made the big switch to GNU/Linux (Lone Wani, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom re search paper sample on Linux, the Operating System of Choice specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Linux: Why it’s a better Choice than Windows or Mackintosh A strand of existing literature (e.g., Hong Rezende, 2011; Lone Wani, 2011) demonstrates that with the recent surge in the use and adoption of Linux operating system by individuals and organizations, it may be just a matter of time before users of Linux eventually outshine those using Microsoft’s and Apple’s proprietary software. This section attempts to demonstrate why Linux is a better choice than Windows or Mackintosh by analyzing several issues, including: code accessibility; cost concerns; security issues; distrust of monopolies; functionality and features; applications; support availability; as well as ease of use and quality. Code Accessibility A predominant attribute of the Linux operating system that differentiates it from Windows, Mackintosh, and other propri etary software is that it is one of the few feasible operating systems whose source code is also easily obtainable as free software under the protocols of the GNU GPL. According to Balakrishnan (1999), â€Å"†¦the GNU GPL is intended to safeguard and guarantee the freedom of any user of free software to share, modify and also share the modified software† (p. 1). This view is reinforced by Mackinnon (1999), who argue that open-source software such as Linux â€Å"†¦is free in the sense that it can be obtained without payment, and it is free in the sense that users are allowed to modify it, but it is not free in the sense that anyone can do whatever they want with it† (p. 2). This orientation, according to Balakrishnan (1999), is in sharp contrast to the authorization agreements given for Windows and Mackintosh commercial software that forbids customers or end-users to distribute or adjust the software without seeking express permission from the parent companies . It can be remembered that â€Å"†¦Apple pioneered the home computer, only to pay the penalty for steadfastly refusing to make its Mackintosh operating system available to users of other PCs† (Daisy, 2004, p. 12). In sharp contrast, Linux software code is freely available online and thus holds the advantage of being entirely customizable to cater for the unique needs and demands of different customers and end-users (Delozier, 2009). According to Daisy (2004), this is precisely the reason why Linux is increasingly becoming the operating system of choice for government-sponsored institutions within emerging countries like China and India who are also using a Sun Systems package instead of the well known Microsoft Office operating system.Advertising Looking for research paper on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cost Concerns As noted by McLaren (2000), â€Å"†¦the most obvious way in which Linux differs from Microsoft Windows is in its price: Linux is free† (p.82). Indeed, Linux and many of its components can be downloaded from hundreds of FTP sites on the internet for free because it was developed, and continues to be developed and fine-tuned, by a huge number of hobbyists and enthusiasts from all over the world (Kumbhar et al., 2011). The difference in cost between Linux and other proprietary software such as Windows and Mackintosh makes Linux operating system a very serious contender in the home, business, government, and academic domains (McLaren, 2000). The cost consideration seems to put Linux squarely ahead of other operating systems, including Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s Mackintosh. Security Issues Security challenges and risks are hurting windows operating system, thereby giving millions of computer users a reason to migrate to Linux (Schryen, 2011). An independent study cited in Economides Katsamakas (2006) demonstrates â€Å"†¦that Linux kernel has 0.17security flaws per 1,000 lines of code, compared to average 10-20 flaws of proprietary software† (p. 211). According to Schryen (2011), the Linux open source software development is credited for preventing extremely bad patching behavior that is repeatedly accused of leading to potentially harmful security vulnerabilities in Windows and Mackintosh operating systems. The way the account privileges are assigned in Linux makes it impossible for users to be given administrator access by default as is the case with Windows (Kumbhar et al., 2011). In Windows, users have access to everything on the system, making it vulnerable to attacks from viruses and worms. However, due to the incapacity by users to get ‘root’ privileges in a Linux system, the viruses and worms are denied access to critical system resources, implying that only a few user local files and pr ograms are damaged in the event of an attack (Noyes, 2010). This in effect means that Linux has more efficient security features than either Windows or Mackintosh and therefore is a better choice. Distrust of Monopolies One of the reasons that continue to draw more customers into the Linux fold is the modicum of distrust associated with Microsoft. As noted by McLaren (2000), Microsoft is viewed by many enlightened software consumers as an undemocratic organization because it has â€Å"†¦too much money, too much control, [and] too much industry influence† (p. 82). This author bravely contend that monopolies are not good for consumers and Microsoft is a monopoly in the software market due to too much control and too much influence on the industry. In sharp contrast, there is no â€Å"corporation† or â€Å"influence† behind Linux as it is a grassroots operating system that has the interests of customers and end-user organizations at heart (McLaren, 2000). Func tionality Features Theoretically, the fact that Linux is a fully-fledged operating system makes it â€Å"†¦a viable alternative to any other operating systems, including DOS, Windows, UNIX, NetWare, and so on† (McLaren, 2000, p. 82). Extant literature demonstrates that â€Å"†¦Linux does true multitasking and includes virtual memory, shared libraries, demand loading, memory management, TCP/IP networking and other features that are available with current full featured commercial operating systems† (Balakrishnan, 1999, p. 1). In multi-tasking, the Linux operating system allows manifold programs to share a computer system that give the end-user the illusion that the programs are running simultaneously either preemptively or cooperatively (Schryen, 2011). Virtual memory, according to Balakrishnan (1999), â€Å"†¦is a scheme employed by the operating system to provide means of executing programs whose code occupy more space than the size of the on-board sem iconductor memory† (p. 2). The Linux operating system is capable of accomplishing this important function by provisionally managing recently used constituents of a program from memory into the system’s hard disk and replicating them back on demand (Delozier, 2009). When combined with Linux’s low initial purchase price and an ever-increasing number of enterprises willing to provide fee-based technical support for Linux, these two features provide a compelling reason for customers and end-user companies to consider Linux as an effective and efficient alternative to commercial operating systems such as Windows and Macintosh (Kirby, 2000). Moving on, it is imperative to mention that shared libraries are used with dynamic linking in the Linux open source software not only to distribute commonly used routines but also to achieve efficiency and reliability. As suggested by Balakrishnan (1999), â€Å"†¦each reference to a library routine is replaced with a stub tha t indicates how the appropriate routine can be located in memory† (p. 2). A stub primarily executes/implements and substitutes itself with the signature of the suitable library schedule, meaning that the next time round a similar code fragment is triggered the library schedule is executed/implemented directly with no additional outlay of situating the memory-resident sector of the library (Balakrishnan, 1999). The overall effect of this functionality is that Linux operating system is efficient in optimizing resources and therefore runs faster on slow computers (Kirby 2000). Proprietary software such as Windows has this functionality but is expensive to purchase and heavy on slow computers, ultimately affecting efficient optimization of resources (Loni Wani, 2011). Additionally, The Linux operating system has the demand loading functionality, which is basically â€Å"†¦a method of loading only parts of the program that is currently being executed into primary memory (RAM ) from secondary memory (disk)† (Balakrishnan, 1999, p. 2). In memory management, the Linux operating system bears the capability to share â€Å"†¦the memory in a computer system among several programs or several programs or several modules of the same program† (Balakrishnan, 1999, p. 2). Applications Many computer users all over the world think that the most obvious drawback for Linux operating system must be the sustained lack of software applications that run on the system. However, this belief is further from the truth as â€Å"†¦there are thousands of applications that will run on Linux, and most of these are also free, from Web browsers to word processors to spreadsheets† (McLaren, 2000, p. 83). The OpenOffice.org, which is an office software suite incorporating word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and drawing applications, runs well on the Linux platform and has inherent advantages when compared to the Windows Microsoft Office package not o nly because it utilizes XML file formats, but also because it is open source and multiplatform (Wusteman, 2004). Additionally, while it is often difficult for users to read a document using a previous version of Word software because Microsoft is yet to provide filters on its Web site, the OpenOffice.org appears to have no difficulty in availing filters for all versions of Microsoft’s Word currently in use (Wusteman, 2004). This predisposition, in scope and context, implies that Linux is a better choice than Windows. Other end-users believe that although Linux is supported by many applications, it is incredibly hard to use these applications and probably this is the sole reason why the operating system is being held back by Microsoft Windows in terms of competition (Karimi Noori, 2011). However, as noted by McLaren (2000), â€Å"†¦Linux has a number of GUI shells that can be loaded over the top of the command line interface (just as Windows 98 was loaded over DOS) that will give it a Windows look and feel† (p. 83). Two of the most recognized shells used by Linux, according to this author, include the K Desktop Environment (KDE) and Gnome, not mentioning that Linux has an actual Windows emulator available called WINE. This view is reinforced by Economides and Katsamakas (2006), who observe that â€Å"Linux has been mostly an operating system for power-users who have Unix-like skills but this may change since the open source community is developing several friendly user interfaces such as KDE† (p. 210). These applications, it is argued, make Linux unbelievably easy to use for computer amateurs (Loni Wani, 2011). Extant literature demonstrates that Linux operating system has in recent years emerged as a viable competitor to other proprietary operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Mackintosh and other commercial implementations of UNIX, primarily due to its solid support systems (Choi et al., 2007), as well as multifaceted functi onalities (Delozier, 2009). Indeed, as postulated by Kirby (2000), â€Å"†¦Linux provides a robust, stable computing environment on a variety of architectures including Intel X86, SPARC, and Alpha† (p. 85). Overall, these capabilities have made it possible for a substantial number of desktop and server applications to be ported to Linux (Kirby, 2000), making it the operating system of choice in the 21st century. Support Availability McLaren (2000) is clear in his analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of Linux that â€Å"†¦it will fail precisely because it does not have the one characteristic that causes so many to hate Microsoft Windows: a huge corporation backing it up† (p. 83). Microsoft Windows users can escalate challenges discovered at their workstations or mission-critical servers to Microsoft technical support on a 24/7 basis, but it may not be possible for Linux users to receive immediate support to deal with their challenges because the system is developed by a global team of enthusiasts and lobbyists who appear thrillingly uncontrolled and unregulated (Schryen, 2011). It may take a while for Linux users to get the kind of guarantees of system compatibility and stability provided by Windows and Macintosh operating systems (Apple Computers, Inc., 1997; Daisy, 2004), but this incapacity does not necessarily implies that Linux is simply inoperable due to support hitches (Economides Katsamakas, 2006). On the contrary, millions of users across the world are making the switch to Linux operating system due to small startup companies like Red Hat and Caldera that are beginning to get into the support act for Linux for a small fee (McLaren, 2000). More importantly, according to McLaren (2000), â€Å"†¦is the interest that industry juggernauts like IBM and Hewlett Packard are starting to pay to Linux support† (p. 84). It has been reported in the literature that multinational computer company IBM is investing billions of dollars in Linux operating system and backing its distributors/ suppliers such as Red Hat and Novell (Moranda, 2005). Available projections indicate that Linux may have a global support platform by 2015 (Delozier, 2009), further demonstrating that it is increasingly becoming the operating system of choice due to a multiplicity of variables that put Windows and Mackintosh operating systems at a distinct disadvantage, such as cost overruns and limitations of use (Hong Rezende, 2011). Even so, users must be cautious that it may take a very long duration of time before these companies demonstrate any support capabilities which may be equated to Microsoft’s or Apple’s knowledge base (Weber, 2007). Ease of Use Quality Extant literature demonstrates that Linux is â€Å"†¦far easier to use out of the box than any proprietary version of UNIX, partly because it comes with so many useful programs already installed† (MacKinnon, 1999, p.3). It is noted in the liter ature that most of these programs, including the comprehensive GNU tool kit, can be easily downloaded and installed on any adaptation of UNIX but fulfilling this command would generally consume time and effort (Delozier, 2009). Additionally, it is important to note that â€Å"†¦commercial training and support are available for most widely used OSS [open source software] such as Linux and Apache† (Wusteman, 2004, p. 232). In terms of quality, extant literature demonstrates that the approach used in the development of Linux â€Å"†¦can result in software of higher quality and greater stability than that of many commercial rivals† (Wusteman, 2004, p. 232). Additionally, according to this particular author, the Linux operating system avail a Web site and discussion lists for users and programmers, as well as other documentation which assists to improve the quality attributes of the open source software when compared to either Windows or Mackintosh. Conclusion Fro m the ongoing, it is indeed clear that Linux has gained much acceptance from users for a number of reasons. Indeed, the growth of Linux operating system in the global marketplace augurs well when factors such as code accessibility, cost concerns, security issues, functionality and features, as well as applications, ease of use, and quality issues are concerned. Although Microsoft has evolved to become the dominant force in the computer software sector for almost a generation (Moranda, 2005), a sense of their decimation of the competition in the operating systems sector tends to be the prevailing feeling among mainstream commentators due to the increasing use and adoption of Linux by individuals and organizations across the world. While Microsoft and Apple face challenges of their own and their dominance even in operating systems business seems not secure, Linux is increasingly becoming popular among users and governmental organizations in the developing world not only due to its low cost solution, but also its efficiency, security and enhanced functionalities. Indeed, it is now correct to say that Linux has not only emerged as the new threat to Microsoft and Apple in developing markets, but will soon surpass them and become the incumbent operating system of choice. Reference List Apple Computer, Inc. (1997). 75 Mackintosh advantages: Why mackintosh computers are better than PCs running windows. Retrieved from 13idol.com/mac/75reasons.pdf Barakrishnan, S. (1999). The Linux operating system. Retrieved from ias.ac.in/resonance/Apr1999/pdf/Apr1999Balakrishnan.pdf Choi, C.J., Millar, C.J.M., Chu, R.T.J. Berger, R. (2007). Increasing returns and marketing strategy in the twenty-first century: Nokia versus Microsoft versus Linux. Journal of business Industrial Marketing, 22(5), 295-301. Daisy, L.M. (2004). What does the future hold for Intel, Apple and Microsoft? Big three face new challenges ahead. Strategic Direction, 20(11), 10-13. Delozier, E.P. (2009). The GNU /Linux desktop: An open source primer for libraries. OCLC Systems Services, 25(1), 35-42. Economides, N Katsamakas, E. (2006). Linux vs. Windows: A comparison of application and platform innovation incentives for open source and proprietary software platforms. Journal of Econometrics 85(2), 207-217. Hong, S.H., Rezende, L. (2011). Lock-in and unobserved preferences in server operating systems: A case of Linux vs. Windows. Journal of Econometrics, 167(2), 494-503. Karimi, A., Noori, A. (2011). Threads in the operating systems. International Journal of Academic Research, 3(2), 1008-1013. Kirby, S. (2000). Free to Choose: The real power of Linux. Library Hi Tech, 18(1), 85-88. Kumbhar, S.S., Ghotkar, S.N., Tumma, A.K. (2011). Appraisal and dissemination of open source operating systems and other utilities. Trends in Information Management, 7(2), 154-162. Lone, M.I., Wani, Z.A. (2011). Analysis of operating systems and browsers: A usage metrics. Trends in Information Management, 7 (2), pp. 163-175. MacKinnon, J.G. (1999). The Linux operating system: Debian GNU/Linux. Retrieved from http://qed.econ.queensu.ca/faculty/mackinnon/linux-review.pdf McLaren, S. (2000). Linux: A viable alternative or direct mirage? Library Hi Tech, 18(1), 82-84. Moranda, M.I. (2005). Microsoft’s fighting future: software giant’s dilemmas and lessons in ring craft. Strategic Direction, 21(10), 5-8. Noyes, K. (2010). Why Linux is more secure than Windows. PC World. Retrieved from pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/202452/why_linux_is_more_secure_than_windows.html Schryen, G. (2011). Is open source security a myth? Communications of the ACM, 54(5), 130-140. Vaughan-Nichols, S. (2012). Linux servers keep growing, windows UNIX keep shrinking. Retrieved from zdnet.com/blog/open-source/linux-servers-keep-growing-windows-and-unix-keep-shrinking/10616 Weber, R.M. (2007). I (mostly) love my Mac. Journal of Financial Service Professionals, 61(2), 34-36. Wusteman, J. (2004). Poten tially ridiculous. Library Hi Tech, 22(2), 231-237.

Preferred Learning Style for University Students Essay

Preferred Learning Style for University Students - Essay Example Multiple intelligences is a new approach that uses multiple learning styles. People using verbal linguistic learning techniques and styles are recognized and considered as bright. Learning style has a greater influence on the learning ability of a person than one may realize. A person's learning method is guided by the preferred style of learning. Therefore every person has a preferred style of learning. People who use less preferred learning styles are usually labeled under low grades. The negative and positive belief associated with learning styles can label a person as dumb or smart. A person can improve the quality and speed of learning by understanding and be recognizing the best-suited learning styles and techniques. The learning style also changes the way a person internally envisages experiences, the method of recollecting information and the words chosen to express thoughts (Overview of Learning Styles 2007). The perception of each person is different and shapes the thoughts and decisions. It is the perception that determines the learning style or natural learning strength of an individual. There are several approaches to learning styles. The Gregorc model explains the two perceptual qualities from an abstract and concrete perspective. A concrete approach to learning enables a person to record information directly using the five senses: taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell. A concrete approach is a method of dealing with the obvious. There is no hidden message or there is no relationship between concepts and ideas. In contrast, the abstract approach to learning enables a person to visualize, understand the unseen and conceive ideas that are not actually seen. A person uses imagination, intuition and has a sight beyond the obvious. Though all human beings have both abstract and concrete perceptual abilities, each person is comfortable using either of the approaches. This is envisaged by the natural strength in abstract or concrete abilities of the person (Mills, D.W. 2002). The concrete and abstract approach may be linked to verbal linguistic and visual-spatial styles of learning respectively. The verbal or linguistic style o f learning includes abilities in both spoken as well as written word. If a person uses this style of learning it becomes easy to express both verbally and in writing. People who use this style usually love writing and reading and has a special interest in learning the sounds and meaning of words like rhymes, tongue twisters, and limericks. Individuals who adopt verbal learning style takes care to include words and phrases they have learned recently in their conversations (The verbal (linguistic) learning style 2007).  Verbal-linguistic learning style or intelligence indicates a person's capability to solve problems, reason and learn through language. The characteristics of this style are the clear expression and good listening skills. A person talented with learning through this method usually prospers in writing and reading curriculum at school. They have well-developed memory for the contents they read and have the ability to recall the information in a clear manner in their spe ech. Language is a fascination for people who use verbal linguistic style. People who prefer verbal linguistic styles tend to learn well when taught through written and spoken materials.

Management appreciation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Management appreciation - Essay Example Is a forecasting tool that is used to comprehend the Strengths of a particular organization its Weaknesses, Opportunities, and involved Threats (BHC 1999). It includes identifying the objective of that particular business or organization and specifying the internal and external aspects that are supportive or unfavorable towards achieving that objective. SWOT is also used during the process of strategic planning. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats make up the acronym SWOT (Austrainer 1999). The SWOT Matrix Model at first sight this might look like a simple and easy model to apply, but to do an effective and meaningful SWOT analysis, one requires time and a significant input and requires teamwork since it cannot be done by just one person effectively (PMI- Plus, Minus, Interesting 1999). The decisions of managers of any business are affected by various macro environmental factors. PESTEL analysis describes suitable framework of these factors to be used in the environmental scanning section of strategic management (Havergal & Edmonstone 1999). PESTEL is an acronym for political, economic, social, technological, and legal analysis. These factors can be categorized into: Political factors, economic factors, Social factors, technological factors, environmental factors and legal factors: An executive assistant is the epicenter of a number of managerial duties that fall under the senior management executives. His/her duties include managing a wide range of administrative tasks such as; scheduling, prioritizing of tasks, representative of the executive, executes the executive’s instructions among others (Parkinson 1993). SWOT and PESTEL techniques help the executive assistant to come up with useful procedure for evaluating the environmental forces on the team or an organization (Boone & Kurtz 1992). It also helps in researching information for future predictions revolving