Fast Food and Vending Machines Aren’t the Problem Essay

There has been an ongoing debate as to whether schools should be allowed to subsidize and sell fast food in the cafeterias as well as the use of vending machines in schools. I believe that it is when people who prepared the food started to lose sight of proper nutrition and portioning that made the problem. In some schools, vending machines are also part of the money-making machine that helps fund a schools various academic and day to day activities. At the Old Orchard Beach School, it has been reported that: The team implemented Tulane University’s CATCH nutrition education curriculum and wrote school vending policies that led to the removal of sodas and junk foods, and replaced them with water, 100% fruit juices, and healthier snack options. The vending machine signage was changed to advertise water instead of soda pop. The vendors were very cooperative in making the changes, and vending revenues have remained the same. Students have also taken an active role by writing their own nutrition policies, such as policies regarding foods served for classroom parties. At the Vista High school, Enid Hohn is the Director of Child Nutrition Services for Vista School District. He has learned to use the â€Å"necessary evil† to the benefit of his students and the school system. In 2005, with the support of the School Superintendent, he converted the junk vending machine at the Vista High School into a healthy, popular, moneymaking machine for the school. He relates the success story of his pilot project this way: The Principal was not very enthusiastic about this change. He indicated that he had been receiving $600. 00 per month ($7,200. 00 per year) in vending commission and was not interested in losing it. CNS gave him a $10,000. 00 signing bonus to offset his fears. We had difficulty getting students interested in signing up to try all the free food and beverages so we set up sample tables in a room close to the eating area and coerced students to come in and help us. We conducted food testing for three days and involved about 100 students. Once that was done it was important to set up focus groups with various students. Once school started we determined there was a need for additional machines due to the popularity of the Healthy Alternative Vending Program and the volume of items students were purchasing. (qtd. in Healthy Vending: The Vending Challenge paragraph 16) I am arguing that school vending machines should be allowed to sell fast food that fall under specified criteria controlled by the Child Nutrition Services of each school district based on the above information. The school earns the funding they need while staying within the guidelines of proper health and nutrition, while the children nutritious food without knowing it. Certain school districts argue that selling junk food and sodas in vending machines which are easily accessible to students in between classes since these are mostly located in the lobby cause deterioration in the student’s over all performance. It makes him sluggish, gives him a shorter attention span and prevents him from concentrating. Jeffrey Koplan, vice president of for academic health affairs of Emory University has stated that: Obesity may be a personal issue, but at the same time, families, communities, and corporations all are adversely affected by obesity and all bear responsibility for changing social norms to better promote healthier lifestyles. We recognize that several of our recommendations challenge entrenched aspects of American life and business, but if we are not willing to make some fundamental shifts in our attitudes and actions, obesity’s toll on our nation’s health and well-being will only worsen. (qtd. in National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity; Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government paragraph 2. ) In addition, the National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity; Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government, report also warned parents and schools alike that: By the time they are 14 years old, 52 percent of boys and 32 percent of girls are drinking three or more eight-ounce servings of soda a day. It would help for us to remember that vending machines don’t stock themselves, we do. This whole argument will prove to be a farce if the parents of the children can’t or won’t supervise the children or serve a nutritionally balanced meal at home. I refer you once again to the opinion of the National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity; Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government report: Parents can exert a profound influence on their children by promoting healthy foods and an active lifestyle from an early age and serving as role models. Parents can encourage their children to develop a healthy, varied diet by introducing new foods in a persistent but non-coercive fashion. Studies show that repeated exposure is most critical during the early years of life and that it can take five to 10 exposures to a new food before a child will accept it. (qtd. in National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity; Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government paragraph 5 I therefore, would like to reiterate that, there is no real reason with which to ban junk food and vending machines in schools. Instead, schools should learn to package â€Å"healthy† junk food. Learn how to use these things in order to promote good health and proper nutrition. The students will certainly be much more receptive of this approach. Works Cited: 1. Enid Hohn, R. D. , Director of Child Nutrition Services. Healthy Vending: The Vending Challenge. November 2006. November 13, 2006 2. National Effort Urgently Needed to Combat Childhood Obesity; Actions Required by Schools, Families, Communities, Industry, and Government. September 30, 2004. November 13, 2006. 3. Schools and School Districts That Have Improved School Food and Beverages and Not Lost Revenue. November 2006. November 13, 2006. 4. Bruce Buchanan. Getting to Wellness. October 2005. November 13, 2006.

Physician and Nursing Shortages Essay

Healthcare reforms including Obama Care, formally named the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act greatly impacts physicians and nursing shortages. There are several provisions which could direct impact physicians and nurses through incentives for potential recruitment, grants, training and retention. Through potential initiatives, the act may indirect effects that may question or present new reimbursement alternatives and models of health care delivery options. Healthcare reforms will allow millions of additional working as well as no working Americans to obtain healthcare coverage and this may challenge and highly impact physicians and nurses workforces across the United States. Many healthcare facilities have already reported high vacancy rates for technicians, pharmacists, maintenance staff, housekeeping staff and radiology technicians and laboratory technologists. Today, fair percentage of the American population, roughly 20%, lack proper access to needed primary care becau se there is an ongoing shortage of physicians. Some doctors, almost 30% are declining to accept new patients whom are insured with Medicaid. The changing demographics of the United States today and perverse reimbursements are direct impacts from the physician shortage. The looming physician and nursing shortages will inevitably hinder the health care system that is already being tax as well as alter the way patients and their physicians interact because the doctor-to-patient ratio will continue to be raised which will hurt patient outcomes. All workers within the healthcare arena play a vital part in making the healthcare system successful. Physicians and nursing shortages definitely create problems for every department and for all other workers within their system. Worldwide shortages that the United States are currently experiencing may create dangerous and unacceptable care to patients. Shortages additional enable work environments that do the foster retention of highly experienced and  qualified healthcare professionals, resulting in high turnover and revolving worker pool. Physicians and nursing shortages present c hallenges that do not help the workforce in healthcare organizations worldwide. These challenges include inadequate incentives which may attract students to join the profession, understaffing in various medical professions, as well as inadequate training facilities, and primary care being undervalued. Obama Care relies on primary care providers to coordinate care in the hopes of lowering costs and improving outcomes. â€Å"If the population growth, aging and demand for care created by the newly insured, it is estimated that by 2025, the U.S. will face a shortage of 30,000 primary care physicians, nearly 5,000 of which are attributable to the expansion of insurance under Obama Care.† (Howard, 2013) The health care system involves a network that is a combination of hospitals, employers, insurers, physicians, patients and various other stakeholders. A significant change impacting one component will reshape the entire system. Stakeholders are greatly concerned because the qualities of health care as well as the cost of care. Health care reforms will need to a ddress changes that are missing in policy outlines which should make primary health care more rewarding and appealing to potential new nursing and physician staff and which will also help to maintain the nursing and physicians that are already practicing. Additional the current supply of primary health care physicians will continue to fall behind the increasing patient demands. This will also result in stakeholders presented with the problems of increasing shortfall during the next decade within the primary care physicians. The availability of primary care is consistently and positively targeted to continued improvement with patient outcomes, raising health costs, lower utilization of health and reduced mortality rates. The Affordable Care Act set forth millions of dollars to address the problems and concerns that are associated with existing physicians shortages. The Affordable Care Act also has provisions that are aimed to improve the education, ongoing training as well as to help with the recruitment of nursing, physicians, doctors as well as other health care personnel. In addition, there are provisions in place that help to increase workforces’ cultural competency, enhance faculty training of healthcare professionals, and diversity. The provisions also play a vital role because of the fact they are put into place to examine innovative  reimbursement and care delivery models that highlight primary care services value and offer in improvement in the patient care coordination. On an average, primary physician groups may see about four or five patients within an hour, probably about one patient every fifteen minutes. Because of increase productivity and cost restraints and pressures, this number could increase dramatically. This trend, unfortunately, will be matching the burden of physicians declining incomes and job market. A lessor number of physicians earn what physicians earned many years ago. Primary health has been affected more as compared to services rendered. Additionally, the shift to a bundled fee for performance from the fee for service reimbursement system for force solo practicing physicians and small group practices into forming or partnering into larger practices. Physicians and nursing staff are not surprised by many of the findings. The Doctors Company, the largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer in the nation in 2012, released results from a survey in which more than 5,000 physicians participated in across the nation commented on the future of health care reform. A result of the survey concluded that 60% of the respondents concluded that the pressures of trying to increase patient numbers will probably have a negative effect on the level of care physicians whom have the opportunity to provide services. The study concluded that 51% of the physicians thought that their ability to successfully keep positive relationships with their patients and grow patient relationships would be negatively affected. Lastly, the study concluded that out of 10 physicians, nine are disillusioned by the concerns with the shortages so that several of the physicians actively discourage family and friends from pursuing careers in medicine. Unfortunately, this is a shocking reality of what many of us already know, and statistics presented from the study would be even higher if the exact survey questionnaire was conducted today. While the many projected newly insured patients that will enter the health care system may obtain their insurance coverage through available st ate ran exchanges, many new patients may still find themselves unable to afford potential discounted policies. This will cause many to look for coverage from Medicaid out of urgency and because they may feel as though they have no choice. Primary care physician payments have been reduced in the past and we can look for them to be continually reduced maybe even more in the future. Many  physicians are unhappy with the fact that they may owe over 160,000 when they finish medical school. Many potential physicians do not find this attractive because many will have salaries that are likely to be less than the cost of their education. Many physicians in this case will find it more attractive and enticing to become specials which again will attribute to the physicians and nursing shortages. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners may have to step up in fill in. Physician assistants are qualified personnel that have been license and qualified to provide needed preventive care options. Physician assistants have an important role in the management of chronic disease prevention and management, administering blood sugars testing and interpreting blood sugar levels. When physicians have only a short time, less than 10 minutes or so to see a patient, sometimes they encounter issues which may leave no choice but to pass responsibilities to their , who are able, to practice with the supervision of the physician in most states. â€Å"Under the proposals, issued with a view to impending physician shortages, it would be easier for hospitals to use advanced practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants in lieu of higher-paid physicians.†(Pear, 2011) Because these change, hospitals could benefit by seeing savings which would be immediate. Legislation within several states at this time is seeking to extend the physician assistant’s autonomy by enabling the assistance to independently practice without of physicians, but under certain guidelines and protocol s. Many Americans may find this legislation to be filled with controversy, but many may feel that the legislation is needed to increase productivity of physician assistants, nurse practitioners and primary-care physicians whom will ultimately have responsibilities because of the growing shortages. Doctor-patient relationship will definitely change because of the shortages. In the past, patients were granted appointment times that could last up to 60 minutes, these days are gone because patients are rushed out because of people waiting to be seen in addition. This doesn’t mean service will go down or the quality of medical care will not be like it was. Even though many people have doubts and are not optimistic, I feel the quality of medical care and health service will improve. Research also indicates the quality of patient care will improve performance measurements will prove this in the future. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will impose  changes that may be dis ruptive in the delivery of primary care. The act allows expansion of primary care access to physicians, millions of new patients, and policymakers will be faced with increase pressure to resolve primary care practitioner’s shortages. Even though controversy surrounds the Affordable Care Act enactment, the government should do more to drive motivation among physicians, nurses and professional medical associations. They can also embrace medical societies that may offer strategy initiatives suggestions that will help to meet the nation’s primary care needs. Physicians have experience some success to this date with embracing the changes to primary care, such as supporting laws that allows primary care practice to be perform by non-physician practitioners including assistants and nurse practitioners. Some physicians have realized that they may benefit from the integration of primary care practice from population health needs. Many physicians have realized that the environment now created is beneficial, it helps the m. Many physicians have chosen to stop being against non-physician practitioners and are welcoming them to work with them. Physicians can also offer problem solving and physicians should take initiatives to foster policies and develop solutions which addresses primary care shortages. Initiatives can involve no more opposition of non-physician practitioners with primary care providers (in the past medical organizations as well as physicians did show opposition to this). Additionally, physicians should embrace changes with the delivery of primary health care including the shifting of some responsibilities to the practitioners. Lastly, because of the Affordable Care Act focuses with prevention and wellness, physicians should realize that opportunities exist to the integration of the primary care practice with population health. Many Americans will have coverage with the expansion of health insurance coverage. With the nation’s continued growth and new covered Americans the drive the demand for primary care to levels will definitely exceed existing capacity levels. The millions of newly insured Americans who may not had access to primary care will definitely be looking for primary care now with the enactment of the act. Because of this, there will more than likely be disruptive and unwelcome changes in the delivery of primary care. Important ethical issues are presented with health care reform. The recently 2010 enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have  ignited ethical debates over some minor and major controversial topics. Why do many feel as though reform within the health care system such a controversial issue? Politicians seek to gain advantages over their worthy opponents which fuel the policy debate. Differences which are important to us all, with values and moral beliefs are the underlying issues of political differences. To help comprehend the moral paramete rs of debate within health care reform, it may be beneficial to start by analyzing the primary goals of the nation’s health care system. Individuals and as the society want and have high expectations with our health care system. The United States health care system has been shaped by fundamental desires and goals. The American people will accept nothing less those exceptional, high levels of quality care which provides excellent health benefits. Americans expects the United States to continue being the frontiers of medicine and expects the United States to continue improving the quality of health care. The American people also want and welcome having a freedom of choice which means they make their own decisions about their care. These decisions can include deciding where to receive care, if and when they do, what kind of care they get, and from which health care provider in which they seek care. Basically, Americans including myself would like to maintain our on control over our health care needs, choices and providers. We also want affordability with healthcare, we don’t want to spend all our hard earned money on health care costs and not have enough money to cover our other needs. In addition, most Americans feel as though our fellow Americans can share in the costs of providing health care benefits to us all and Americans Americans as well as the government wants to make sure that medical care costs are controlled. This is an important attribute of the cost of medical care and it’s a vital element of the health care reform enactment. Extending care access to everyone without appropriate cost control measures will be unsustainable. â€Å"The number of emergency room visits continues to rise at a rate greater than that of population growth, exemplified by an increase in emergency room visit rates from 352.8 to 390.5 per 1000 persons from 1997-2007.† (Tang, 2010) Today, the United States spends the most on health care per capita, more than any other country. Americans generally would prefer cost containment that does not reduce quality or services. Cost containment approaches are not design to interfere with the  value of health care. The PPACA have address cost containment strategies which include patient care that is accountable, patient-centered medical homes, and programs to reduce patients being readmitted and patients acquiring new conditions while admitted as well as bundled payments. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have some provisions that may be negative for doctors, however in some instances patients can suffer more. However examining the positives, On a positive side, provisions as well programs can help many of us. The Affordable Care Act seeks to provide additional access to coverage, lowering health care spending and improving the quality of health care delivered services. Initiatives of the ACA aid health care organizations; doctors and providers work together to coordinate health care of patient’s beneficiaries to ensure the quality of health care continues to improve while spending and costs are lowered. Many of the elderly have begun receiving the benefits of the provisions of the law. Some of these benefits include lower payments and preventive service care. They also are seeing the benefits of Medicare prescriptions at lower drug cost. The Affordable Care Act is helping seniors by allowing annual wellness visits and preventive services in which they have no upfront or out of pocket costs, offering coverage to individuals that may have pre-existing conditions and it allows for no one to be denied coverage because of pre-existing condition and huge savings on prescription drug costs. Though the health reform law includes measurement which may address the presented and growing shortage, other provisions in the law most likely will raise the demand of primary care. For example, the law is expected to extend coverage to millions of uninsured people by 2019, which will definitely increase the demand for primary care services. â€Å"The PPACA coverage expansions are predicted to increas e the shortage of primary care physicians from approximately 25,000 to 45,000 by 2020.† (Carrier, 2012) There are several measurements that can be implemented to help improve access to primary care providers and services. Because the U.S. has a high percentage of Americans without adequate healthcare a Mobile Health Clinic or a Nursed Managed Centers can be used to attract a lot of people such as the homeless people who do not have the means to be able to go to the doctor (Whelan, et al, 2010). This will allow them to be able to see a doctor and get the proper medical attention they need to have healthier lives. One possible  approach to alleviating pressures on the primary care workforce is greater use of nurse practitioners, which could both increase the number of primary care providers and potentially free up physicians to care for more complex patients. Improving access to primary care services and having more effective public health measures are critical to ensuring that individuals have access to high-quality services at the place and time that best meets their needs. Physician assistants can we be a part of the answer as well. They are well trained, have the clinical skills, with a high level knowledge base, and be a part of the solution. The skills they bring to the table can help address the impending avalanche of patients. Not only are they cost effective with overall labor costs less than a physician, but can take the stress off of a physician needing to see a certain amount of patients per day, as to keep the productive practice (Bahrych 2011). Finally, a scholarship program for students committed to providing primary care in communities with doctor shortages should be implemented; the program can allow open residency slots to be utilized in areas with shortages. Grants and incentives should be established. Also initiatives should be in place to forgive student loan debt. I would also make the following recommendations for improvements that will increase the availability of specialty care through tele-health, bringing specialists to primary care sites, and using physician assistants to deliver specialty services; and also expand the role of primary care providers, physicians and nurse practitioners to handle more specialized health issues through consultations and ongoing training. References: Howard, Paul. (2013, July). Get Obama Care While Supplies Last. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/07/11/obamacare-doctors-medicaid-primary-care-column/2510199/ Tang N, Stein J, Hsia RY et al: Trends and characteristics and US emergency department visits, 1997 – 2007. JAMA 2010; 304: 664-670 Pear, Robert. US Moves to Cut Back Regulations on Hospitals, October 2011. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/health/policy/19health.html?_r=0 Bahrych, Sharon. Let Physician Assistances be Part of the Primary Care Answer, December 2011, Retrieved from

Dashain

Dashain ( ) is the 15-day national (religious) festival of Nepal,[2] It is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese Hindu of all castes throughout the globe. It is not only the longest festival of the country but is also the one which is most anticipated. The festival falls around September–October, starting from the bright lunar fortnight and ending on the day of full moon. Dasain is also popularly referred to as Bada Dasain, Dashera, Vijaya Dashami etc.Throughout the country the goddess Durga in all her manifestations is worshiped with innumerable pujas, abundant offerings and thousands of animal sacrifices for the ritual of holy bathing, drenching the goddess for days in blood. This festival is also known for its emphasis on the family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties. [2] People return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together. [2] All govern ment offices, educational institutions and other offices remain closed during the festival period.Dashain commemorates the victories of the god and goddesses over the demons. IT symbolizes the victory of the good over the evil. Mahishasura, a demon, had created terror in the dev-lok (the world of gods). All the gods and saints prayed to the Adi-Shakti in order to kill Mahishasura, Goddess came as Durga emerged and killed the demon thus saving everyone from terror. [3][4][5] The first nine days of Dashain symbolizes the battle which took place between the different manifestations of goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. The tenth day is the day when Durga finally defeated Mahishasura.Goddess Durga is worshipped throughout the country as divine mother goddess. Throughout the festival people pay homage to the various forms of the Supreme Goddess, Durga. The festival is important since it reminds everyone of the universal principles of truth, justice and virtue that must prevail over deception, injus-tice and wickedness. It is believed that if she is worshiped properly and pleased then good luck is bound to happen. However, if the goddess is angered through negligence then misfortunes are said to happen. Dashain is the biggest festival for the Hindus.The followers of Shakta cult take it as the day of falling of demon Mahishasur by goddess Durga. For non-Shakta Hindus, this festival symbolizes the victory of Rama over Ravana, the characters of the epic Ramayana. The Buddhists remember this day as Emperor Ashoka of the Indian subcontinent abandoned violence on this day and entered the path of Buddhism. In the Kathmandu Valley, among the Newars, the festival is known as â€Å"Mohanee†, with slight difference in rituals and significance, thus more than often confused with the Dasain. Day 1: Ghatasthapana The tika (in red color) and jamara (green color) used in Dashain.Ghatasthapana marks the beginning of Dasain. [6] It literally means installing a pot which symbolizes Goddess Shakti. It falls on Aswin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar calendar in the month of Ashvin. On this day the kalasha is filled with holy water which is then covered with cow dung and sewn with barley seeds. Then, the kalasha is put in the center of a rectangular sand block. The remaining bed of sand is also seeded with grains. The priest then starts the puja by calling goddess Durga to bless the vessel with her presence.This ritual is performed at a certain auspicious time which is determined by the astrologers. [7] Goddess Shakti is believed to reside in the Kalash vessel during the Navratri period. The room where all this is done is known as the ‘Dasain Ghar’. Generally, outsiders and women are not allowed to enter the Dasain Ghar. A male family member worships the Kalasha twice every day, once in the morning and then in the evening. It is kept away from direct sunlight,[8] and holy water is offered to it every day, so that by the tenth day of the festival the seed will have grown to five or six inches long yellow grass.This sacred grass is known as ‘Jamara’. These rituals continue till the seventh day. Day 7: Fulpati Fulpati is a major celebration occurring on the seventh day of Dasain. On this day the jamara to be used by the royal family is brought from Gorkha palace, their ancestral house. The Fulpati (jamara and the other items that is necessary for tika) is brought after a three day walk from Gorkha district which is about hundred and sixty nine kilometers away from the valley of Kathmandu. A parade is held in the Tundikhel ground in Kathmandu. 9] The royal Kalasha, banana stalks, jamara and the sugar cane tied with red cloth is brought by the Brahmans from Gorkha which is led by the royal priest's military platoon. Hundreds of government officials gather together in the Tundikhel grounds in conventional formal dress to witness the event. The king observes the ceremony in Tundik hel while the fulpati parade is headed towards the Hanuman Dhoka royal palace. Then there is a majestic display of the Nepalese Army along with a celebratory firing of weapons that continues for ten to fifteen minutes honoring Fulpati.The Fulpati is taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Royal palace by the time the occasion ends in Tundikhel. However, since 2008 when the monarchy system was removed from the country, the two-century old tradition is changed so that the holy offering of fulpati goes to the residence of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has taken over the king's social and religious roles after the fall of the royal government, as he is believed to be ruling the nation and not the king. Day 8: Maha Asthami The eighth day is called the ‘Maha Asthami'.This is the day when the most demonic of Goddess Durga’s manifestations, the blood-thirsty Kali, is appeased through the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of buffaloes, goats, pigeons and ducks in temples throughout the nation. Blood, symbolic for its fertility, is offered to the Goddesses. Appropriately enough, the night of this day is called Kal Ratri (Black Night). It is also the norm for buffaloes to be sacrificed in the courtyards of all the land revenue offices in the country on this day. The old palace in Basantapur Hanuman Dhoka, is active throughout the night with worships and sacrifices in almost every courtyard.On the midnight of the very day the Dasain Ghar, a total of 54 buffaloes and 54 goats are sacrificed in observance of the rites. After the offering of the blood, the meat is taken home and cooked as â€Å"prasad†, or food blessed by divinity. This food is offered, in tiny leaf plates, to the household Gods, then distributed amongst the family. Eating this food is thought to be auspicious. While the puja is being carried out great feasts are held in the homes of common people. Day 9: Maha Navami People standing in queue to visit the Taleju Bhawani MandirThe ninth day is called Maha-navami which literally means the great ninth day. This day is the last day of Navarati. Ceremonies and rituals reach the peak on this day. On this day, official military ritual killings are held in one of the Hanuman Dhoka royal palace called the Kot courtyard. On this occasion, the state offers the sacrifices of buffaloes under the gunfire salutes. This day is also known as the demon-hunting day because members of the defeated demon army try to save themselves by hiding in the bodies of animals and fowls.On this day the Vishwakarma, the god of creativeness is also worshiped as it believed that all the things which help is in making a living should be kept happy. Artisans, craftsmen, traders, and mechanics worship and offer animal and fowl blood to their tools, equipment, and vehicles. Moreover, since it is believed that worshipping the vehicles on this day avoids accidents for the year all the vehicles from bikes, cars to trucks are worshiped on this day. The Taleju Te mple gates are opened for the general public on only this day of the year. Thousands of devotees go and pay respect to the goddess this day.The temple is filled with devotees all day long. [10] Day 10: Dashami An elder member of the family putting Tika to the younger one The tenth day of the festival is the ‘Dashami'. On this day, a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermilion is prepared by the women. This preparation is known as â€Å"tika†. Elders put this tika and jamara which is sewn in the ghatasthapana on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with abundance in the upcoming years. The red also symbolizes the blood that ties the family together. Elders give â€Å"Dakshina†, or a small amount of money, to younger relatives at this time along with the blessings.This continues to be observed for five days till the full moon dur-ing which period families and relatives visit each other to exchange gifts and greetings. This ritual of taking tika from all the el der relatives (even the distant relatives)helps in the renewal of the community ties greatly. This is one reason why the festival is celebrated with so much of vigor and enthusiasm. Before the collapse of the monarchy system in Nepal, thousands of people ranging from the ministers, diplomats and general public used to gather in the old royal palace to take the tika and blessing from the king who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.However after the collapse of the monarchy system the president of the country who is considered the head of the state has been continuing the trend by offering the tika to the general public and ministers. [11] The last day of the festival which lies on the full moon day is called ‘Kojagrata' Purnima. The literal meaning of Kojagrata is ‘who is awake'. On this day Goddess Laxmi who is believed to be the goddess of wealth is worshiped as it believed that goddess Laxmi descends on earth and showers whoever is awake all night with wealth and prosperity. People enjoy over the night by playing cards and many more.Animal sacrifices are often the norms during this time, as the festival commemorates the mythical bloody battles between the â€Å"divine† and â€Å"demonic† powers. The proponents of animal sacrifice interpret that this sacrificial act as the symbolic sacrifice of our animal qualities, but those who are compassionate to the sacrificed victims think otherwise stressing that the sacrificial act is nothing but an excuse to fulfill the appetite for food/meat. [12] Forms of celebration 1. One gets to know that Dasain is around the corner when they see kites all over the sky.Flying kites has been a very important part of celebrating Dasain in the country as it is considered to be one way of reminding god not to send rain anymore. [13] Not only the children of the family but during the festival you can see people of all ages in their roofs flying kites. Colorful kites of different shapes and vo ices shouting out ‘Changa Chet' (this phrase is usually used when one is successful in cutting the other person's kite) fill the days during the festival. 2. Playing cards is another way of celebrating Dasain. Gambling is illegal in the country but it is usually permitted in public places only during this festival. 13] While children are busy flying kites during Dasain, the older members of the family pass their time by getting together and playing cards with each other for money and fun all day long. 3. Buying and wearing new clothes is an important part of the festival. As many people are living in the villages and are below the poverty line and for them it is often the case that new clothes come only with Dasain. [13] Almost all the shops in the country have festival offers and discounts. This makes shopping more attractive to people. Clothes is the item which has the highest sales during the festival. 10] Children playing on traditional bamboo swings 4. Bamboo swings are c onstructed in many parts of the country as a way of celebration. These bamboo swings is called ‘ping' in Nepali. These kind of swings present the best of local culture, tradition, community spirit and fun. [14] These swings are constructed with the help of community members using traditional methods which make the use of ropes made from tough grass, bamboo sticks and wood etc. Theses swings are normally constructed a week before Ghatasthapana and dismantled only after the festival of Tihar which comes after Dasain.Heights of some swings exceed twenty feet and one can swing really high. One can see people of all ages enjoying in the swing. It is specially famous with the children. 5. Different kinds of fairs and celebration events are also organized during the festival. Usually small fairs are organized in the villages with the Ferris wheels for children and other items of entertainment for the adults. However, in the city it is the commercial fairs and celebration events that is usually organized. 6. Thousands of animals such as buffaloes,ducks,he-goats, etc. are slaughtered in Dasain every year.It has been considered an important ritual since it is believed that the goddesses are appeased by such sacrifices. Almost all the temples, specially the Durga and Kali temples of the country are offered with thousands of sacrifices. Asthami and Navami are the days where the sacrifices reach the peak. While thousands of animals are sacrificed to appease the goddesses, people also slaughter animals for the purpose of feasts. Since a large number of feasts and gatherings are organized throughout the fifteen days of the festival, the demand for meat goes up considerably.Hence to meet the demands the slaughtering of animals becomes considerably high and necessary during the festival. However, for the past few years the animal rights activists in the country have been continuously opposing these acts of slaughtering of animals in such a manner. They have been requesti ng people to stop such inhuman acts of killing the innocent animals and instead have suggested them to offer fruits and vegetables to the Goddesses since they believe that it is mentioned no where in the Hindu religious books that such sacrifices appease the gods and goddesses.

Audit of a Workplace as a Learning Environment Essay

Audit of a Workplace as a Learning Environment - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that learning in this organization is a continuous process as many employees do not possess the required skills for effective work performance and those who are experienced need reinforcement. The assignment will be evaluate and discuss this learning in three ways. First the audit will evaluate the understandings, knowledge as well as dispositions required for employees to perform their tasks effectively. Secondly, the contribution of the workplace towards enhancing or hindering learning will be discussed after which the strengths and weaknesses of the workplace as a learning environment will be evaluated and summarized.As the discussion highlights  learning in workplace refers to the skills and knowledge gained through interactions and leads to change in behavior, attitudes and understandings. It increases employees’ innovative capacity and efficiency hence increasing company’s competitiveness. Workplace learning takes various forms which can be intentional or unintentional, formal or informal.  Formal learning occurs when programs are created to offer training to staff so that they can acquire skills such as a training department established to train tailors how to make garments. Informal learning occurs through daily experiences and through educational influences and environmental factors such as knowledge on how to cut, iron. Trim and pack garments. Intentional learning involves moving towards a set objective by the learner such as a tailor assistant willingness to become a tailor.

Jews of Germany and Austria-Hungary, 1780-Present Assignment

Jews of Germany and Austria-Hungary, 1780-Present - Assignment Example He came to Berlin in 1743 and taught himself many languages such as German, English, French and Latin, and read other writings by philosophers in order to enlighten himself. He translated the Torah into German and this book was used to teach the German language to the German Jews. They were taught how to read and write in German. Moses began enlightening the German Jews but upheld his Jewish heritage. He encouraged the Jews to speak both German and Hebrew. However, some Jewish believers were against his ideas and considered it profane to learn anything else apart from Hebrew. Several Jewish education institutions were founded from 1778 to 1815 to instruct the German Jews in general science and scripture in German. With time, the Jews changed their thinking which was mainly centered on their religion into an enlightened culture focused on man. Once they learnt German, the Jews started following the ways of the Germans .The Jewish and German culture became more integrated and some Jews completely adopted German culture (Volkov 254). In 1782, a new law was enacted by Emperor Joseph II of Austria. This law was called the Edict of Tolerance and it aimed to fully integrate Jews into German life. They were granted access to education and training for jobs. The law also abolished all documents written in Jewish and decreed the use of German language only. The Jews were also required to use German surnames and drop the Jewish ones. German states followed the example of Austria and in 1812, the Prussian King, Frederick William enacted his Edict and many Prussian Jews were given rights of citizenship and change of names (Hertz 108). Goethe’s concepts of Bildung and Kultur were promoted through literally salons in the 1780s and 1790s. The literary salons were mainly apolitical meetings. Rahel Levin started the most prominent salon in 1791. This woman did not uphold her Jewish identity and supported the

Sensory Perceptions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sensory Perceptions - Essay Example Humans, by relying solely on these senses, face numerous limitations and challenges. Our ability to survive in the world this far amidst harsh conditions could be a result of our ability to maneuver safely within it by the use of our senses. However, the mounting threats, global warming, nuclei arms race, and incurable diseases such as AIDS, could be an indication of the unreliability of the senses to foresee looming human extinction. Humans have intellect and should not always rely on inaccurate information generated by the senses in making decisions. There are many reasons to justify the inaccuracy of sensory information. According to Descartes, our human background knowledge is the principal contributor to the inaccuracy of the senses (2002). He says, â€Å"Others are in error respecting matters of which they believe themselves to possess a perfect knowledge† (51). By questioning the certainty of two plus three being five, Descartes argues that as much as adding the values represent simple and general objects, our responses could be a result of the background knowledge we have on arithmetic. With no such information, even dealing with absolute objects that their existence is absolute becomes complicated. Additionally, the accuracy of the senses depends on the reliability of observed facts. ... 22). Sense data can be accurate and precise. However, this is subject to many factors. Primarily, the sources of data and the cognitive ability of an individual must be accurate. Our senses rely heavily on the data they receive to make a judgment. If our ability to smell, see, hear, or feel is impaired, it is highly possible that senses will make erroneous decisions. However, humans have highly developed organs that ensure accurate reception, analysis, and interpretation of received data. The human ears, for example, have sensitive receptors, which can detect over 400,000 types of sounds and act as amplifiers. The availability of these sensitive receptors ensures that the data sent to the brain is perceived accurately. Therefore, this rules out the possibility of any deception. Secondly, the human brain has the cognitive ability to analyze any form of sensory data received. Once data are received by the five senses, smell, touch, sight, taste, and hearing, it is then transmitted to t he brain through the spinal code for analysis. The human brain, being the most sophisticated organ known to man, has the capabilities of giving accurate analysis of the data received. Senses also rely on experiences to interpret data, and since such experiences are past realities, the senses can never be too wrong. The debate on the role of heredity and environment in child development has remained controversial over the last decades. Psychologists agree on the importance of nurture and nature in child development, but disagree over which plays a more significant role in the development process (Arkinson, 1993). Nurture dictates that environment influences a child’s development.

E-Recruitment in the banking Industry a comparative study in to the UK Dissertation

E-Recruitment in the banking Industry a comparative study in to the UK bank Lloyds TSB and Indian bank ICICI - Dissertation Example A primary research study which is composed of a combination of quantitative research survey and research interview was conducted to determine the factors that could significantly influence the e-recruitment practices in both banks. Based on the research findings, the three (3) significant factors that can affect the ability of the banks to maximize the full benefit of its e-recruitment practices includes: the unique recruitment practices in each bank, access to Internet, and the ability of the people to use the computers. To make Lloyds TSB and ICICI be able to maximize its full investment on e-recruitment platform, this study highly recommends the idea that the bank manager(s) should be able to design and implement strict policies with regards to the use of the banks’ e-recruitment process. In the case of Lloyds TSB, its bank personnel should redesign the banks’ existing e-recruitment practices to be more friendly in the sense that it should allow the bank personnel to get to know each candidate on a personal level. In the case of ICICI, its existing e-recruitment process is not highly dependent over the use of its official website. For this reason, one of the best ways to improve ICICI’s existing e-recruitment is for the bank to offer better online forms. Other study recommendation includes the need to simplify the online testing. Through the use of basic and simple IQ test, maths test, or English, the banks will have lesser risks of screening out individuals with positive work attitude and pleasing attitude and personality needed in serving the bank customers. It is also necessary to keep the actual design of the virtual recruiting environment simple and user-friendly. SPECIMEN ABSTRACT STUDENT NAME Kirandeep KAUR DEGREE MBA International Business DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR Richard Knight DISSERTATION TITLE E-Recruitment in the banking Industry a comparative study in to the UK bank Lloyds TSB and Indian bank ICICI DATE September 3rd 2012 KE YWORDS E-RECRUITMENT CULTURE RECRUITMENT METHODS ABSTRACT E-recruitment is pertaining to the use of information technology in the recruitment processes of each bank. Through the strict implementation of e-recruitment, each bank can speed up and improve the overall quality of the banks’ recruitment services. Banks like Lloyds TSB in UK and ICICI in India spent a lot of money on its e-recruitment platform. Among the common reasons why these two banks invested on e-recruitment is to get hold of the most highly competitive individuals to join the team, speed up, and further improve its existing recruitment services. A primary research study which is composed of a combination of quantitative research survey and research interview was conducted to determine the factors that could significantly influence the e-recruitment practices in both banks. Based on the research findings, the three (3) significant factors that can affect the ability of the banks to maximize the full benefit of its e-recruitment practices includes: the unique recruitment practices in each bank, access to Internet, and the ability of the people to use the computers. To make Lloyds TSB and ICICI be able to maximize its full investment on e-recruitment platform, this study highly recommends the idea that the bank manager(s) should be able to design and implement

Paraphrase Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Paraphrase - Essay Example This extends sources of the practitioners’ knowledge to available historical data through existing publications (Hoffmann, Bennett and De Mar, 2010; Akobeng, 2005). Systematic review is also important to knowledge development for new research. Its analytical approach that plays the same role as formal literature review allows researchers to consolidate existing knowledge on a subject and to identify knowledge gaps for possible new studies. The reviews, with this respect, contribute to new research through informing research objectives, research questions, and research hypotheses. In addition, results of systematic reviews identify theories from related research that can be used in proposed or future studies. Effects of the reviews also extend to influence on research methodologies of new studies through elements such as selection of research methods and design, sampling strategy, and data collection strategy and tools. Ability of systematic reviews to identify weaknesses of pr evious studies also offer a basis for corrective measures and therefore helps to resolve such problems like bias in studies (Booth, Rees and Beecroft, 2010). Data extraction is a process by which data is collected from their sources and is organized into desired form for presentation to the audience. Examples of forms in which extracted data can be communicated are tables and graphs that facilitate understanding. Data extraction is a fundamental process in systematic reviews and helps in identification of elements of a research such as a study’s methods and design, sample and population, and applied treatment and mode of application. The process of data extraction is however largely subjective to a researcher’s interest and opinion and therefore susceptible to bias (Cochrane Handbook, 2011; Petticrew & Roberts, 2006). Summary of studies’ findings is important to any form of analysis and

Logistical issues in the Brazilian coffee supply chain Thesis

Logistical issues in the Brazilian coffee supply chain - Thesis Example is has been facilitated through an in-depth analysis of facts and figures related to production, exports, quality, logistics processes and problems associated with the coffee industry in Brazil. 1. Coffee Production in Brazil 1.1 Production Quantity & Trends Coffee is classified into two types of beans: arabica and robusta. Arabica is cultivated in majority of the coffee producing nations with its share accounting for about 80% of the production. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Brazilian coffee production is expected to reach about 3.78 million metric tons in 2012 (sfgate.com). Based on estimates for the year 2012 and actual figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the coffee production quantities (in million Metric Tons) are shown in the form of a graph below: Figure 1: Coffee Production: Brazil – 10 year trend (Source: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012) As it can be seen, the coffee production in Braz il has not changed significantly over the years. While the growth rate has been in the region of 2 to 4% annually, the only surprising spike observed (estimates for 2012) is for the year 2012, where almost 30% gain is expected to be reported over the previous year. It also helps to have an overview of the state wise coffee production in Brazil. Refer Table 1 for the state-wise production. (The values are in million 60-kg bags). Table 1: Brazil’s state-wise Coffee production trend (in million 60-kg bags) Â   MY 2001/02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Minas Gerais 16.20 26.70 14.40 21.40 16.30 23.70 18.10 25.75 21.00 Espirito Santo 9.70 11.50 7.90 8.10 8.40 10.00 10.40 11.80 10.40 Sao Paulo 3.20 5.90 3.10 4.90 3.30 4.90 3.10 4.85 4.20 Parana 0.50 2.60 2.20 2.60... This research will begin with the presentation of coffee production in Brazil. Coffee is classified into two types of beans: arabica and robusta. Arabica is cultivated in majority of the coffee producing nations with its share accounting for about 80% of the production. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Brazilian coffee production is expected to reach about 3.78 million metric tons in 2012. Based on estimates for the year 2012 and actual figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the coffee production quantities (in million Metric Tons) are shown in the paper. According to the research findings the coffee production in Brazil has not changed significantly over the years. While the growth rate has been in the region of 2 to 4% annually, the only surprising spike observed (estimates for 2012) is for the year 2012, where almost 30% gain is expected to be reported over the previous year. It also helps to have an overview of the state wise coff ee production in Brazil. Refer Table 1 for the state-wise production. (The values are in million 60-kg bags). It can be observed that the ratio of Arabica to Robusta is in the region of 70% to 77%. While Arabica is higher quality coffee beans grown at high altitudes, robusta is lower grade coffee beans which can flourish on medium and lower altitudes also. The state of Minas Gerais has accounted for maximum production of coffee, largely on account of its geography. Moreover, it was one of the earliest states to start production of coffee.

Short Essay on Gender Stereotypes (450 words) Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Short on Gender Stereotypes (450 words) - Essay Example rest in issues related to punctuality attendance and priorities involving family concerns to undermine women’s capability in performance (McDermott, 2007, p31). In this context, women are assigned duties that limit their potential as certain responsibilities as managerial posts are left a reserve for men. In light of the above issue, when a man exhibits enthusiasm and drive to similar portfolios, his behavior would be granted as normal whereas to the female she might be branded as aggressive, which is attributed to outdated sex roles and socialization (Cranny-Francis, 2003, p45). However, the reality is that having more women in positions of power affects gender wage inequality as much of the gap in wages stem from occupational sorting Peterson (Cranny-Francis, 2003, p47). Therefore, placement of women in managerial and supervisory occupations should mitigate gender wage gap. Salaries of women in managerial and supervisory positions should also be updated and earn more wages than male employees who are their juniors. This will be a major step in eliminating female stereotyping that they are inferior to men. Currently, the increase of female managers in various organizations has been characterized by a decrease in the wage gap among managers. This is the reason as to why female manage rs still earn fewer wages and are less powerful than men (Cranny-Francis, 2003, p89). Women in the positions of power serve as mentors to other women. This can also mitigate gender difference through increasing number of women in positions of power. Placing women in managerial posts is necessary because, if inequality lessens under women, then existence of mentor women might have an unbalanced representation over time. Clothing is one is one of most visible consumption performing a major role in the social construction of identity. It is one of the most visible makers of social status and gender. Therefore, it is useful in maintaining or subverting symbolic boundaries. It has shown

Different ethnic groups in Nigeria Essay Example for Free

Different ethnic groups in Nigeria Essay Nigeria is very rich in culture. Various ethnic groups in Nigeria have their own culture. The Durbar festival in the various emirates of the North of Nigeria symbolizes strength and dexterous skills in riding of horses. Durbars are called up during religious festivals like Id el Fitri and Id el Kabir. They are also called up during installation ceremonies of the Emirs. They are also called up during installation ceremonies of the Emirs. The Durbars serve as entertainment for very important visitors. Durbars are also called up during the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Id el Maulud). The horses are colorfully adorned and the horse riders are in procession. The riders are dressed in aristocratic regalia blowing bugles and trumpets accompanied by drumming and dancing. They make displays in riding the horses and come to abrupt halt to salute and pledge loyalty to Emirs. Also in Kano and Katsina, there is the Kalankwa Festival, which usually comes at the end of the harvest season. At the Kalankwa Festival, traditional boxing, wrestling, music and dances of different types are performed. In Benue State the Eje Alekwu Festival is an annual festival celebrated to relate with the ancestral gods of Idoma land. Before the Eje Alekwu masquerades appear, sacrifices are offered to the gods to appease them and appeal for protection for the future. The festival is celebrated by different masquerades to represent various ancestral characters and spirits of the ancestors. The Tiv Day is a national day for the Tiv all over the country. During the festival the people send delegates from ever town to converge at the Tor Tivs palace for deliberations on developments strategy among the Tiv local government areas. At the same time old and offensive laws are abrogated and new ones made for the people for peace and progress. New traditional titles are conferred on deserving sons and daughters of the land. It is held annually on the 19th of September to coincide with the day the first Tor Tiv was installed in 1946. In Nigeria, boat regattas are part of the socio-cultural life of the riverine people in the Niger Delta. The boats do not have engines but they are rowed manually with traditional paddles by over twenty to fifty people on board depending on the size of the boat. Boat regattas are special festival to celebrate attachment of the people to water, as fishing is their dominant occupation. When there is a bountiful catch and sea yields boat regattas are held that year. In Bonny, River State we have the masquerade group known as Owogbo. Each of the major houses in the Bonny Kingdom has their end of the fishing season locally known as Fungu. The masquerade is the traditional way of paying homage to the sea gods. They carry a carved shellfish. The masquerade is usually brightly colored with locally made fabrics. Both men and women take part in the dancing. Among the Efik and some Ibibio tribes of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria the Ekpe Secret Society occupies a significant position and functional as an instrument for law and order. Mention of Ekpe brings fear and terror to the uninitiated. The word Epke literally means leopard and its masquerade are so named for its multi-colored costume. Membership of Ekpe Society is seen as a status symbol. The Ekemini Theatre Troupe of Akwa Ibom State captivates local and international audiences through a galaxy of choreographed dance drama. Traditional instruments are used. The group has fused many of the folk tale and culture of Akwa Ibom and neighboring states with contemporary dance styles. The star performer of the group is Ofonine Felix Essien popularly known as Udo Maryam who at the age of four started playing many traditional instruments. Among the Ibos, festivals play an important role in the social cohesion. There are such festivals as the Ofala and the new yam festival. The spices of these festivals are cultural dances and drama while masquerades add mythical splendor. The Atilogu dances are a very popular form of cultural display in Igoland. It comprised of series of systematic acrobatic dance  actions like twisting, somersaulting and building of human pyramids. During joyful occasions the dancers dress in bright colors but on sorrowful occasion they dress in dark attires and their movements are slow and mournful. Because of the rich mix of ethnic groups in Ondo state. It presents a wide variety of culture and festivals. Prominent among them are the Bata Dance, the Ititum Maiden Dance, Ajabore, Igogo, Oluwa and Ogun festivals. Animals such as dogs are offered to the god of iron, Ogun during the celebration. The Akoo and Ekiti areas are well known for cloth weaving while Owo is popular for its special cloth or royalty. In Lagos State, the eyo masquerade is of traditional importance and it has a historical background. It is the pride of the Oba, Chiefs and people of Lagos. It was first performed in Ikoyi in the 18th century as a traditional play. It now features during special ceremonies. Eyo is hooded and robed in flowing white gowns. These cover his hands and feet. It carries a special staff known as the Opabata. The Eyo is barefooted and spectators who want to see the Eyo must be barefooted in order not t incur the anger of the masquerade. The offender is beaten with Opabata. The Benin Kingdom, the best-known center of civilization in the pre-colonial days, has the oba as the traditional head. The Igu festival is celebrated annually in December for the Oba and his subjects. It is a combination of nine principal ceremonies during which animals especially goats are sacrificed. The celebrants dress in their finest attires and join in songs and dances. I find Nigeria culture interesting in that it unites the people and also leads to progress.

Dissolved Oxygen Essay Example for Free

Dissolved Oxygen Essay Oxygen in Liquids (DISSOLVED OXYGEN) Dissolved Oxygen – the amount of dissolved oxygen in a body of water as an indication of the degree of the health of water and its ability to support a balanced aquatic ecosystem. Oxygen – is a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that dissolves in water. Small but important amounts of it are dissolved in water. OXYGEN: Aquatic Life Depends on it Plants and Animals depend on dissolved oxygen for survival. Lack of dissolved oxygen can cause aquatic animals to leave quickly they are or face death. Factors Affecting Oxygen Levels Temperature Rate of Photosynthesis Degree of Light Penetration (turbidity water depth) Degree of Water Turbulence or Wave action The amount of oxygen used by respiration and decay of organic matter Oxygen in the Balance Dissolved Oxygen levels that are at 90% and 110% saturation level or higher consistently considered healthy or good. If the Dissolved Oxygen are below 90%, there may be large amounts of oxygen demanding materials. What Is Dissolved Oxygen In Water? Dissolved oxygen in water is vital for underwater life. It is what aquatic creatures need to breathe. Why Is Dissolved Oxygen Important? Just as we need air to breathe, aquatic organisms need dissolved oxygen to respire. It is necessary for the survival of fish, invertebrates, bacteria, and underwater plants. How Is Dissolved Oxygen Measured? Dissolved oxygen concentration can be reported as milligrams per liter, parts per million, or as percent air saturation. Polarographic Cell It is very similar to the galvanic cell. However, the polarographic cell has two noble-metal electrodes and requires a polarizing voltage to reduce the oxygen. The dissolved oxygen in the sample diffuses through the membrane into the electrolyte, which usually is an aqueous KC1 solution. If there is a constant polarizing voltage (usually 0.8 V) across the electrodes, the oxygen is reduced at the cathode, and the resulting current How is proportional to the oxygen content of the electrolyte. This current flow is detected as an indication of oxygen content. Galvanic Cell All galvanic cells consist of an electrolyte and two electrodes (Figure 8.43c). The oxygen content of the electrolyte is equalized with that of the sample. The reaction is spontaneous; no external voltage is applied. In this reaction, the cathode reduces the oxygen into hydroxide, thus releasing four electrons for each molecule of oxygen. These electrons cause a current flow through the electrolyte.. The magnitude of the current flow is in proportion to the oxygen concentration in the electrolyte. Flow through Cells In the flow-through cells, the process sample stream is bubbled through the electrolyte. The oxygen concentration of the electrolyte is therefore in equilibrium with the samples oxygen content, and the resulting ion current between the electrodes is representative of this concentration. These types of cells are usually provided with sampling consisting of (but not limited to) filtering and scrubbing components and flow, pressure, and temperature regulators. Thallium Cell Thallium cells are somewhat unique in their operating principle and cannot be classified into the category of either galvanic or polarographic cells. At the same time, they are of the electrochemical type. One thallium-electrode cell design is somewhat similar in appearance to the unit illustrated on Figure 8.43c except that it has no membrane or electrolyte. This cell has a thallium outer-ring electrode and an inner reference electrode. When oxygen contacts the thallium, the potential developed by the cell is a function of  the thallous ion concentration at the face of the electrode, and the ion concentration is in proportion to the concentration of dissolved oxygen. Fluorescence-based Sensor In this case, a compound containing ruthenium is immobilized in a gas-permeable matrix called a sol-gel. Sol-gels are very low-density, silica-based matrices suitable for immobilizing chemical compounds such as the ruthenium compound used in this measurement technique. Effectively, the sol-gel is equivalent to the membrane in a conventional DO sensor. Using fiber optics, light from a light-emitting diode is transferred to the backside of the sol-gel coating. The emitted fluorescence is collected from the backside of the sol-gel with another optical fiber and its intensity is detected by photodiode. A simplified sensor design is shown in Figure 8.43g. If no oxygen is present, the intensity of the emitted light will be at its maximum value. If oxygen is present, the fluorescence will be quenched, and the emitted intensity will decrease. Twinkler Titration The Winkler Method is a technique used to measure dissolved oxygen in freshwater systems. Dissolved oxygen is used as an indicator of the health of a water body, where higher dissolved oxygen concentrations are correlated with high productivity and little pollution. Temperature Effects Pressure Effects Salinity Effects Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the oxygen used by microorganisms to decompose this waste. If there is a large quantity of organic waste in the water supply, there will also be a lot of bacteria present working to decompose this waste. In this case, the demand for oxygen will be high (due to all the bacteria) so the BOD level will be high. As the waste is consumed or dispersed through the water, BOD levels will begin to decline. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure for the quantity of oxygen required for the biodegradation of organic matter (carbonaceous demand) in water.It can also indicate the amount of oxygen used to oxidise reduced forms of nitrogen (nitrogenous demand), unless their oxidation is prevented by an inhibitor. A test is used to measure the amount of oxygen consumed by these organisms during a specified period of time (usually 5 days at 20 ÌŠÌŠÌŠÌŠC). Classification: BOD is devided in two parts which is Carbonaceous Oxygen Demand and the Nitrogenous Oxygen Demand. Carbonaceous Oxygen Demand it is the amount of oxygen consumed by the microorganisms during decomposing carbohydrate material. Nitrogenous Oxygen Demand it is the amount of oxygen consumed by the microorganisms during decomposing nitrogenous materials. Relationship of DO and BOD If the Dissolve Oxygen (DO) of a water is high, the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)is low. If the BOD of the water is hight, the DO is low.Therefore DO and BOD is inversely Proportional to each other. Why we should need to know BOD? BOD directly affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in rivers and streams. The greater the BOD, the more rapidly oxygen is depleted in the stream. This means less oxygen is available to higher forms of aquatic life. The consequences of high BOD are the same as those for low dissolved oxygen: aquatic organisms become stressed, suffocate, and die. Knowledge of oxygen utilization of a polluted water supply is important because: 1. It is the measure of the pollution load, relative to oxygen utilization by other life in the water; 2. It is the means for predicting progress of aerobic decomposition and the amount of self-purification taking place; 3. It is the measure of the oxygen demand load removal efficiency by different treatment process. Factors that contributes to variations in BOD The Seed Is the bacterial culture that affects the oxidation of materials in the sample. If the biological seed is not acclimated to the particular wastewater, erroneous results are frequently obtained. pH The BOD results are also greatly affected by the pH of the sample, especially if it is lower than 6.5 or higher than 8.3. In order to achieve uniform conditions, the sample should be buffered to a pH of about 7. Temperature Standard test condition calls for a temperature of 20 ÌŠC (68 ÌŠF). field tests often require operation at other temperatures and, consequently, the results tend to vary unless temperature corrections are applied. Toxicity The presence of toxic materials may result increase in the BOD value as a specific sample is dilluted for the BOD test.Consistent value may be obtained either by removing the toxic materials from the sample or By developing a seed that is compatible with the toxic material in the sample. Incubation Time The usual standard lab test incubation time is 5 days, results may occur at a flat part or occur at a steeply rising portion.Depending on the type of seed and the type of oxidable material, divergent result can be expected. Nitrification In the usual course BOD test, the oxygen consumption rises steeply at the beginning of the test owing to attack on carbohydrate materials. Another sharp increase in oxygen utilization occurs sometime during 10th to 15th day in those samples containing nitrogenous materials. How we determine or measure BOD? Five-Day BOD Procedure The BOD test takes 5 days to complete and is performed using a dissolved oxygen test kit. The BOD level is determined by comparing the DO level of a water sample taken immediately with the DO level of a water sample that has been incubated in a dark location for 5 days. The difference between the two DO levels represents the amount of oxygen required for the decomposition of any organic material in the sample and is a good approximation of the BOD level. Test procedures: 1. Take 2 samples of water 2. Record the DO level (ppm) of one immediately using the method described in the dissolved oxygen test. 3. Place the second water sample in an incubator in complete darkness at 20oC for 5days. If you dont have an incubator, wrap the water sample bottle in aluminum foil or black electrical tape and store in a dark place at room temperature (20 ÌŠC or 68  °F). 4. After 5 days, take another dissolved oxygen reading (ppm) using the dissolved oxygen test kit. 5. Subtract the Day 5 reading from the Day 1 reading to determine the BOD level. Record your final BOD result in ppm. Note: Generally, when BOD levels are high, there is a decline in DO levels. This is because the demand for oxygen by the bacteria is high and they are taking that oxygen from the oxygen dissolved in the water. If there is no organic waste present in the water, there wont be as many bacteria present to decompose it and thus the BOD will tend to be lower and the DO level will tend to be higher. At high BOD levels, organisms such as macro  invertebrates that are more tolerant of lower dissolved oxygen may appear and become numerous. Organisms that need higher oxygen levels) will NOT survive. Extended BOD Test Continuation of BOD test beyond 5 days shows a continuing oxygen demand, with a sharp increase in BOD rate at the 10th day owing to nitrification. The latter process involves biological attack on nitrogenous organic material accompanied by an increase in BOD rate. The oxygen demand continues at a uniform rate for an extended time. Manometric BOD Test In the manometric procedure, the seeded sample is confined in a closed system that includes an appreciable amount of air . As the oxygen in the water is depleted, it is replenish by the gas phase. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) absorber within the system removes any gaseous carbon dioxide generated by bacterial action. The oxygen removed from the air phase results in a drop in pressure that is that is removed with a manometer. This fall is then related to the BOD of the sample. Electrolysis System for BOD The measuring principle for all electrolytic respirometers is quite similar. As micro-organisms respire they use oxygen converting the organic carbon in the solution to CO2 gas, which is absorbed to alkali. This causes a reduction in the gas pressure, which can be sensed with various sensors or membranes. A small current is created in electrolysis cell and this generates oxidation/reduction reactions in the electrolysis cell and oxygen is formed at the anode. Electrolysis of water can supply oxygen to a closed system as incubation proceeds . At constant current, the time during which electrolysis generates the oxygen to keep the system pressure constant is a direct measure of the oxygen demand. The amount of oxygen produced by the electrolysis correlates with the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Is the standard method for indirect measurements of the amount of pollution in a sample of water that cannot be oxidized biologically. Is based on the chemical decomposition of organic and inorganic contaminants, dissolved or suspended in water. Why Measure Chemical Oxygen Demand? It is often measured as a rapid indicator for organic pollutant in water. Normally measured in both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and gives an indication of the efficiency of the treatment process. It is measured on both influent and effluent water. Standard Dichromate COD Procedure A sample is heated to its boiling point with known amounts of sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate. The loss of water is minimized by the reflux condenser. After 2 h, the solution is cooled, and the amount of dichromate that reacted with oxidizable material in the water sample is determined by titrating the excess potassium dichromate with ferrous sulfate. Dichromate consumed is calculated as to oxygen equivalent for the sample and stated as milligrams of oxygen per liter of sample (ml/l). Factors preventing the concordance of BOD values to COD values: Many organic materials are oxidizable by dichromate but not biochemically oxidizable, and vice versa. For example, pyridine, benzene, and ammonia are not attacked by the dichromate procedure. A number of inorganic substances such as sulfide, sulfites, thiosulfates, nitrites, and ferrous iron are oxidized by dichromate, creating an inorganic COD that is misleading when estimating the organic content of wastewater. Although the factor of seed acclimation will give erroneously low results on the BOD tests, COD results are not dependent on acclimation. Chlorides interfere with the COD analysis, and their effect must be minimized in order to obtain consistent results. The standard procedure provides for only a limited amount of chlorides in the sample. This is usually accomplished by diluting the sample to achieve a lower chloride concentration and interference. This can be a problem for low COD  concentration samples, as the dilution may dilute the COD concentration below the detection level or to levels at which accuracy and repeatability are poor. COD Detector The term COD usually refers to the laboratory dichromate oxidation procedure, although it has also been applied to other procedures that differ greatly from the dichromate method but which do involve chemical reaction. These methods have been embodied in instruments both for manual operation in the laboratory and for automatic operation online. They have the distinct advantage of reducing analysis time from days (5-day BOD) and hours (dichromate, respirometer) to minutes. Automatic On-Line Designs Takes a 5 cc sample from the flowing process stream. Injects it into the reflux chamber after mixing it together with dilution water (if any) agents. One ozone-based scheme enriches dilution water with and with two reagents: dichromate solution and sulfuric acid. The reagents also contain an oxidation catalyst (silver sulfate) and a chemical that complexes chlorides in the solution (mercuric sulfate). The mixture is boiled at 302 °F (150 °C) by the heater. Vapors are condensed by the cooling water in the reflux condenser. During which the dichromate ions are reduced to trivalent chromic ions, as the oxygen demanding organics are oxidized in the sample. The chromic ions give the solution a green color. The COD concentration is measured by detecting the amount of dichromate converted to chromic ions by measuring the intensity of the green color through a fiber-optic detector. The microprocessor-controlled package is available with automatic zeroing, calibration, and flushing features. Sampling and Traditional Parameter Parameter Limit Value Sampling: pH, Standard Units 6.0 9.0 Traditional Parameters: Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) ≠¤ 30 ppm Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) ≠¤ 200 ppm COD has a large value than BOD because BOD measurement is based only in decomposition of organic matter while COD measures the decomposition of both organic and Inorganic compound. Sources of Error Cause of using nonhomogeneous sample is the largest error. Use of volumetric flasks and volumetric pipettes with a large bore. Oxidizing agent must be precisely measured. Make sure that the vials are clean and free of air bubbles. Always read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level. Total Oxygen Demand (TOD) The quantitative measurement of the amount of oxygen used to burn the impurities in a liquid sample. Thus, it is a direct measure of the oxygen demand of the sample. Measurement is by continuous analysis of the concentration of oxygen in a combustion process gas effluent. A quantitative measurement of all oxidizable material in a sample water or wastewater as determined instrumentally by measuring the depletion of oxygen after high-temperature combustion. BOD and COD have long time cycles. COD use corrosive reagents with the inherent problem of disposal. Analysis is faster, approximately 3 min, and uses no liquid reagents in its analysis. Can be correlated to both COD and BOD. Unaffected by the presence of inorganic carbon. Also indicate noncarbonaceous materials that consume or contribute oxygen Since the actual measurement is oxygen consumption. Reflects the oxidation state of the chemical compound. TOD Analyzer The oxidizable components in a liquid sample introduce into the combustion tube are converted to their stable oxides by a reaction that disturbs the oxygen equilibrium in the carrier gas steam. The momentary depletion in the oxygen concentration in the carrier gas is detected by an oxygen detector and recorded as a negative oxygen peak. Sample Valves Sliding Plate Upon a signal from a cycle timer, the air actuator temporarily moves the valve to its â€Å"sample fill† position. At the same time, an air-operated actuator moves a 20-ul sample through the valve into the combustion tube. A stream of oxygen-enriched nitrogen carrier gas moves the slug of sample into the combustion tube. Rotary Sampling Valve A motor continuously rotates a sampling head, which contains a built-in sampling syringe. For part of the time, the tip of the syringe is over a trough that contains the flowing sample. 2 or more cam ramps along the rotational path cause the syringe plunger to rise and fall, thus rinsing the sample chamber. Just before the syringe reaches the combustion tube, it picks up a 20-ul sample. As it rotates over the combustion tube, it discharges the sample. Oxygen Detectors Platinum-lead Fuel Cell Fuel Cell Generates a current in proportion to the oxygen content of the carrier gas passing through it. Before entering the cell, the gas is scrubbed in a potassium hydroxide solution, both to remove acid gases and other harmful combustion products to humidify the gas. The oxygen cell and the scrubber are located in a temperature-controlled compartment. The fuel cell output is monitored and zeroed to provide a constant baseline. The output peaks are linearly proportionate to the reduced concentration of oxygen in the carrier gas as a result of the sample’s TOD. Yttrium-doped Zirconium Oxide Ceramic Tube Coated on both sides with a porous layer of platinum. It is maintained at an elevated temperature and also provides an output that represents the reduction in oxygen concentration in the carrier gas that is a result of the sample’s TOD. The operation of these oxygen detectors involves the ionization of oxygen in both a sample and a known reference gas stream. When the sample and reference gas streams come in contact with the electrode surfaces, oxygen ionizes into O-2 ions. The oxygen ion concentrations in each stream is a function of the partial pressure of oxygen in the stream. The potential at each electrode will depend on the partial pressure of oxygen in the gas stream. The electrode with higher potential (higher oxygen concentration) will generate oxygen ions, whereas the electrode with lower potential (lower oxygen concentration) will convert oxygen ions to oxygen molecules. Calibration Analysis is by comparison of peak heights or areas to a standard calibration curve. To prepare this curve, known TOD concentrations of a primary standard (KHP) are prepared in distilled and deionized water. Standard solutions are stable for several weeks at room temperature. Water solutions of other organic compounds can also be used as standards. Several analyses can be made at each calibration concentration, and the resulting data are recorded as parts per million (ppm) TOD vs. peak height or area. Applications: Correlation: Many regulatory agencies recognize as the basis for oxygen-depleting pollution control only BOD or COD (preferably BOD) measurements of pollution load, because they are concerned with the pollution load on receiving waters, which is related to lowering the DO due to bacterial activity. If other methods described are to be used to satisfy legal requirements of pollution load in effluents or to measure BOD removal, it is important to establish a correlation between the other methods and BOD or COD (preferably BOD). Salient Features: a measurement of property of the sample, i.e. the amount of oxygen required for bacterial oxidation of bacterial food in the water, the BOD dependence of the oxygen demand on the nature of the food as well as on its quantity dependence of the oxygen demand on the nature and amount of the bacteria Another extensive study concluded the following: (1) A reliable statistical correlation between BOD and COD of a wastewater and its corresponding TOD can frequently be achieved, particularly when the organic strength is high and the diversity in dissolved organic constituents is low. (2) The relationship is best described by a least squares regression with the degree of fit expressed by the correlation coefficient (3) The observed correspondence of COD-TOD was better than that of COD-BOD for the wastewaters. (4) The BOD-COD ratio of an untreated wastewater is indicative of the biological treatment possible with the particular wastewater. Comparison: COMPARISON BOD COD TOD Definition The oxygen required when a population of bacteria causes the oxidation reaction in a population of bacteria. The oxygen equivalent when the oxidation is carried out with a chemical oxidizing reagent such as potassium dichromate. The oxygen equivalent when oxidation is caused by heating the sample in a furnace in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen. Analyzer Utilize bacteria to oxidize the pollutants Measured through chemical oxidation and catalytic combustion techniques Oxidize the sample in a catalyzed thermal combustion process and detect both the organic and inorganic impurities in a sample Response-Range 5 days 30 mg/L 2 hours 250-500 ppm 3 minutes 100-100,000 mg/L Inaccuracy-Cost 3 – 20% / $500 $20,000 2 – 10% / $8,00 $20,000 2 – 5% / $5,000 $20,000

Stalin vs Trotsky

Stalin vs Trotsky The weaknesses and failures of Stalins opponents were not the main reason why Stalin rose to power over Trotsky. However, it did slightly affect the outcome of the power struggle. In some historians point of view, such as E.H Carr and I. Deutscher, they hold the conviction that Trotsky had no talent for leadership among equals.  [1]  On the similar side of the debate, G. Hosking, a Scottish historian, described Stalins opponents to be rather incautious. They were content to leave him to assemble and classify the personnel files, not yet realizing what power were accumulating therein.  [2]  However, I do not totally agree with these historians because Stalins personality is dangerously strong since no one could have possibly stopped him. Deutscher who agreed with this point of view wrote, It seemed to Trotsky almost a bad joke that Stalin, the willful and sly but shabby and inarticulate man in the background, should be his rival.  [3]  Deutschers work could be interpreted in two ways. He could be saying that Trotsky was foolish enough to not target Stalin as his rival but in a more logical sense, it should be interpreted as Stalins sly personality that made Trotsky not able to his is true intentions. Trotsky was not weak since he commanded the Red Army and Lenin disagreed with the historians point of view because in 1924, Trotsky was recommended and claimed the most capable man in the present Communist Party. In Lenins Testament, he wrote, Comrade Trotsky, on the other hand is distinguished not only by his outstanding ability. He is personally perhaps the most capable man in the present Central Committee.  [4]  The evidences state that Trotsky was a great intellectual and he was one of the best orators in the Soviet Union and he was able to work crowds to bring them around his point of view. His position as Commissar for War also gave him a strong base in the Politburo. E.H. Carr wrote, He (Trotsky) could not establish his authority among colleagues by the modest arts of persuasion or by sympathetic attention to the views of men of lesser intellectual caliber than himself.  [5]  This analysis is accurate because in the 1900s, most families were from the working class or t hey were peasants whom were mostly illiterate. Trotsky had a great advantage because as commander of the Red Army, he was in a strong position to crush his opposition. However, Trotsky did show some weaknesses and his arrogant manner convinced the Politburo members fears. In Lenins view, He has displayed excessive self-assurance.  [6]  Trotsky had also openly disagreed with Lenin on policies at times and Trotsky bombarded Lenin with long memoranda, explaining why so much was wrong in Soviet Russia and how to correct it.  [7]  His acts did not give Lenin a good impression since he was questioning the decisions themselves. By fate, Trotsky was a former Menshevik and he had a Jewish origin which halted his progressive promotions in the party. The Bolshevik Party was heavily founded on heavy bureaucracy and Trotsky was dull enough to criticize the party for becoming too bureaucratic and less democratic.  [8]  His attack on bureaucratization was a contradiction with the nature of the Bolshevik Party. On the other side, Rob ert Conquest wrote Trotsky had no clear political tactics and E.H Carr added, He had made major mistakes that affected the outcome of the power struggle.  [9]  Both of these points are very logical and clear because in 1925, to reassure his innocence, he relinquished his position as Commissar for Military Affairs. Trotsky could fire masses of men to acclaim and follow him but historian Chris Corin wrote, He had no intention of becoming a dictator and had always been aware of the tendency for a power struggle after the revolution.  [10]  History has shown that Trotsky had not attempted to use the Red Army to secure his position. But Deutscher argued, The truth is that Trotsky refrained from attacking Stalin because he felt secure.  [11]  Nevertheless, Trotsky had major flaws in his attitude, argument and his political tactics since he was determined that he would be Lenins successor. Trotsky should have voiced over the debate on censoring the Lenins Testament to prove his innocence. However, we can see that Stalins political skills are overwhelmingly important in the struggle for power. Stalins strategies were powerful and his opponents had no clear thoughts before they acted. The party members were all focusing on defeating Trotsky because he was a commander of the Red Army.  [12]  The Politburo leaders were very incautious because if they had noticed Stalins moves on setting up loyalists in the Central Committee, they would be in an alliance with Trotsky. With the same point of view, G. Hosking said, Most of them, being well read in the history of past revolutions, were obsessed by a very different danger: that of finding the revolutions hijacked by another Bonaparte.  [13]  What G. Hosking said is very true; they have never seen anything like Stalins Administrative Approach in history therefore the significance of Stalins tactics consumed most of the reasons to his uprising. Stalins opponents took the wrong move in the event of Lenins testament. Lenin wrote a testament in December 1922 called Letter to Party Congress and presented to congress in 1924. Lenin wrote, Comrade Stalin has enormous power. I am not sure that he always knows how to exercise that power with sufficient caution.  [14]  In this situation, we can see the weaknesses of his opponents that led to Trotskys downfall. This, Testament was censored because Stalins opponents Zinoviev, Kamenev and the others were criticized and they were afraid that Trotsky would soon become the leader. Lenins testament recognized Trotsky as the most capable man. Lenin wrote, He is personally perhaps the most capable man in the present C. C. Stalins opponents did not listen to the advice of Lenin because if they did, Stalin would have lost his General Secretary position. Lenin wrote, Stalin is too rude, and this faultà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦becomes unacceptable in the office of General Secretary. Therefore, I propose to the comrades that a way be found to remove Stalin from that post an d replace him with someone else.  [15]  If the letter was to be uncensored by the Politburo members, Stalin would have a harder time succeeding Lenins role over Trotsky. Conclusion After having examined the true factors that led to Trotsky not being able to become the sole leader of Soviet Russia since he was the favorite Candidate, this investigation came to the conclusion that Stalins political skill and ruthlessness was the most important cause of Trotskys downfall because his weaknesses were only limited to his complacency and party views. When Stalin took control of the General Secretary position, it was nearly impossible to stop him from becoming the sole leader of Soviet Russia. Through Stalins administrative approach, he had won his perceived survival game. Trotskys weaknesses were circumstances that existed as a benefit to Stalin but it was ultimately his cunning personality that allowed him to take full advantage of them. It is, evident that the use of Stalins own skills played a major role in the events in Soviet Russia from 1924-1929. Therefore in history, we see that Stalin is ruthless and skilled in his journey for power.

Knute Rockne - Coach And Legend Of Notre Dame Essay -- essays research

Knute Rockne - Coach and Legend of Notre Dame Knute Kenneth Rockne was born on March 4, 1888 in Voss, Norway. He first moved to Chicago at the age of 5. Nobody liked him there, and he was in many fights. Before football or even baseball, Knute discovered skiing.   He loved it, and went skiing every chance he got during the winter. Knute was a natural athlete, and excelled in all of the sports he tried. He excelled in track, making a name for himself later on. Although he was always one of the shortest guys around, Knute was one of the toughest. The only protective gear he ever wore was adhesive tape that he stuck to his ears to prevent them from being torn off. Knute often said "Show me a good and gracious loser and I'll show you a failure." Knute discovered the great game of football at the age of 7. He played in games against other teams his age. The team he played on was called the Tricky Tigers. All of the teams were "sandlot" teams. Knute could not get enough of the sport. He praticed every chance he got. In fact, the other boys thought him crazy for practicing so much. This obsession almost got him an education. Knute never made the starting team until he was a senior, so he played on the scrubs team. At the same time, Knute tried playing many other sports. His school attendance slipped and his grades became mediocre. Persistence paid off, and after 3 years on the scrubs, Knute finally made it to the starting football team. After this successful senior football season, it was time for him to leave high school. It was a wonder that he got into Notre Dame with his high school record. At the age of 22, Rockne decided that he wanted to fulfill a dream. That dream was to become a pharmacist and to eventually own his own drug store. Two of Knute's friends gained acceptance to a small college in South Bend, Indiana called Notre Dame.   Knute decided to try to get into this same school, although his high school grades were dismal. He was accepted, but his parents were not fond of the idea of him going to a Catholic school, as they themselves were practicing Lutherans. However, they did not forbid him to go. Interestingly, Notre Dame was not Rockney's first college choice. For years he had saved and planned to go to the University of Illinois. Knute had not even planned on playing football in college. That decision would have resulted i... ...! Practice makes perfect and perfect practice makes a winning team." One of his most innovative ideas was the Notre Dame Shift'. This was when the entire backfield would move all to oneside of the ball before the ball was snapped. This really screwed up the defenders and it worked a lot for ND. "Knute was the most innovative and charismic coaches of his era." The Cleavland Press called him "the Buffalo Bill of his generation." In his last game as coach he defied his doctors   orders and went to the field. The players looked on in horror when the man they thought might die in front of them told them to win or watch him die. Rockne ended his career with the greatest all time % of .881: 105 wins,12 losses, 5 ties, 6 national championships and 5 undefeated seasons. Rokne tragically died in a plane crash a the age of 43. Studebaker named a car after him and the U.S. government named a ship after him. Will Rogers put it best when he said, " It takes a big calamity to shock a country all at once, but Knute, you did it. You died one of our national heroes. Notre Dame was your address, but every gridiron in america was your home."(needs to be proofread)

Why Walker Percys Literature Truly Matters :: Biography Biographies Essays

Why Walker Percy's Literature Truly Matters      Ã‚   Did you ever have one of those days when you just weren't all there? when your body seemed to be doing your whole daily routine automatically? when nothing, not even the things you love most could engage you? I know I have.    Walker Percy refers to this disengaged state as "sunk in everydayness" and as dead in life (The Moviegoer 10). In his novels, Percy relates his fears that many of us are living in this automaton state perpetually without realizing it. He warns us that until we cure ourselves of this disease, our souls, our truest selves, will remain in bondage.    Walker Percy began his life growing up in the South, and after finishing med. school, he interned to become a psychiatrist. Then a bout with tuberculosis drove Percy to marry his wife, convert to Catholicism, and give up his practice in pursuit of writing. After a writing essays for a time, Percy published his first novel, The Moviegoer, in 1961.    Percy's heritage shaped his literature from the beginning. As a Southerner, Percy understands the South better than other geographies and sets most of his scenes there. As a psychiatrist, Percy knows intimately what goes on in the minds of others, extremely valuable knowledge in character development. As a scientist, Percy understands the physical world well and notices things in nature that other authors would miss. As a Catholic, Percy wants to spread his faith to others, to share the joy he gets from his religion. All these experiences go into the mix in Percy's writing and give his novels a unique, masterful style.    Percy's protagonists are all questing after an end to the everydayness of their old lives. They are leaving behind a life they see as a living death, and they all use different approaches to escaping it. In The Moviegoer, Binx Bolling goes on a search to find "himself," his place in society, and what he believes. Will Barrett goes on a similar search in The Last Gentleman, a search to find his place in the world. Binx and Will are both in their twenties and their searches are fitting for their ages. Percy's later books use older characters and their search differ from the others' accordingly. In The Second Coming, we meet Will Barrett again, but this time he is searching to find the truth about his past, prove the existence of God, and find a new occupation worthy of his time.