An Unknown Hero: an Essay on Theodore Dwight Weld

An Unknown Hero An Essay on Theodore Dwight Weld From 1830 through 1844, during the formative years of the American abolitionist movement, many arose as leaders in the fight for freedom. Author, editor, and auditor, Theodore Dwight Weld, was one of the leading framers of this movement. Many historians regard Weld as the most influential figure in the abolitionist movement. Despite his great works, Weld strove for anonymity in all his endeavors. This has long made him an unknown figure in American history.Weld, born in 1803 in Hartford, Connecticut, was the son and grandson of Congregational ministers. At the age of fourteen he began earning money to attend Phillips Academy. He continued his studies here until failing eyesight caused him to drop his courses in 1822. Following his attendance at Phillips Academy, Weld began a lecture series on mnemonics. He traveled for three years throughout the United States, including the South where he saw slavery firsthand. Weld’s family mov ed to upstate New York, where he studied at Hamilton College.Here Weld became a disciple of Charles Finney. Finney was best known as an innovative revivalist, an opponent of Old School Presbyterian theology, an advocate of Christian perfectionism, a pioneer in social reforms in favor of women and blacks, a religious writer, and president at Oberlin College. Weld was drawn to Finney's system for many reasons. It left no excuse for sin; it emphasizes present responsibility; it exalted the atonement of Christ; and it magnified the work of the Holy Spirit. Weld became a member of Finney’s â€Å"holy band† and worked under Finney for several years.When Weld decided to begin lecturing again, he became a preacher and entered the Oneida Manual Labor Institute in Oneida, New York. There, he would travel in two-week intervals about New York, lecturing on the virtues of manual labor, temperance, and moral reform. In 1831, philanthropists, Lewis and Arthur Tappan, hired Weld as th e general agent for the Society for Promoting Manual Labor in Literary Institutions. The Tappan brothers devoted their time and money to causes such as temperance, the abolition of slavery, and the establishment of theological seminaries.In Weld’s report to the Tappan's, he reveals that he â€Å"traveled 4,575 miles; 2,630 miles by boat and stagecoach; 1800 miles on horseback, 145 miles on foot. En route, he made 236 public addresses. † During his time as a manual labor agent, Weld helped establish and became a student at Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati in 1833. Pastor, Lyman Beecher moved his family to Cincinnati to become the first president of the Lane Seminary. The Seminary was founded during a time of rising social, political and religious conflict.Beecher was well known for his fiery sermons, yet attempted to contain his students’ social activism to maintain mainline support for the Seminary. His opposition of fellow revivalist Charles Finneyâ€⠄¢s views led him also to refuse demands made by a group of students led by Weld at the Seminary in 1834. Weld was an advocate of immediate emancipation, despite the fact that the Seminary had its own colonization society, which proposed to send slaves back to Africa. Weld convinced nearly every student of his beliefs over a period of months. This led to a debate that spanned across eighteen days over the appropriate solution to slavery.This debate addressed these two main questions: 1. â€Å"Ought the people of the Slaveholding States to abolish Slavery immediately? † 2. â€Å"Are the doctrines, tendencies, and measures of the American Colonization Society, and the influence of its principal supporters, such as render it worthy of the patronage of the Christian public? † Addressing the first question, the opponents of immediate emancipation argued that slaves were too incompetent to provide for themselves, leaving unlearned freed slaves without homes. This lack of edu cation would lead to a increase in violence and criminal activity.Immediate emancipation would be â€Å"unsafe to the [white] community†. Members of the American Anti-slavery Society refuted these arguments with the first hand testimony of, the newly emancipated, James Bradley. Bradley was stolen from Africa when as a baby, and sold into slavery to his master, who lived in Arkansas. When Bradley was eighteen years old, his master died, leaving Bradley to his master’s widow. For years, he managed the plantation for his mistress. All the while, Bradley was money to buy his freedom. After five years he paid his owners $655 to he received his â€Å"free papers†.He then emigrated to a free State with more than $200 in his pocket. Every bit of the $855 he earned by labor and trading. Once free, Bradley became well-respected member of the American Anti-slavery Society. Bradley ended his testimony by saying, â€Å"They [slaves] have to take care of, and support themsel ves now, and their master, and his family into the bargain; and this being so, it would be strange if they could not provide for themselves, when disencumbered from this load. † He said the two most prominent desires of the slaves were â€Å"liberty and education. â€Å"The debate resulted in a consensus to support abolitionism. The group also pledged to help the 1500 free blacks in Cincinnati. Consequently, the board of directory at Lane Theological Seminary banned further discussion of slavery. In rebellion, eighty percent of the students left the Seminary. Many of these enrolled at the new Oberlin Collegiate Institute. Some of Weld’s converts included such well-known abolitionists as James G. Birney, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry Ward Beecher. Theodore moved to New York to head the new American Anti-Slavery Society’s training session.Here he continued lecturing on the inhumanity of slavery to gain recruits into the Society. When he lost his voice in 1836, Weld became the appointed editor of all the Society’s books and pamphlets. He began working as the editor of The Emancipator in 1836. It was an abolitionist newspaper founded in 1819 by the son of a Quaker minister. Weld used pen names for the majority of his writings. This attribute has contributed to the degree of his popularity when pitted against many other notable 19th century civil rights advocates. Weld married Angelina Grimke in 1839.She and her sister, Sarah Grimke, were abolitionists and strong women’s rights advocates. In letters written to the Grimke sisters, Weld conveys his ideology on women’s rights. He wrote, â€Å"sex neither qualified nor disqualified for the discharge of any functions mental, moral or spiritual†¦ Woman in EVERY particular shares equally with man rights and responsibilities†. He furthered this by proposing that qualified women should have the right to choose their own spouse, and should be able to hold a place of a uthority in the court of law. Weld had been the first to suggest this â€Å"ultraism† of women’s rights, as he described it.Even many women had opposed the idea that a women had a right to courting a man of their choice. Such propositions had been unheard of up until these letters. Weld, with the help of his wife and her sister, wrote American Slavery As It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses in 1839. This pivotal book is regarded as the most influential work on the antislavery movement. It is composed of the testimonies of those who had witnessed the inhumane treatment of slaves. Many topics were addressed in this book, including: the housing of slaves, the treatment of the sick, the amount of labor, their food, and their clothing.On the subject of labor, a slaveholder by the name of Asa Stone testified, â€Å"Every body here knows overdriving to one of the most common occurrences. The planters do not deny it, except, perhaps, to northerners. † This and a tho usand other accounts on the treatment of slavery were compiled to create this book that would convert many to the abolitionist movement. Theodore wrote two other greatly influential works on the civil rights movement. The first was The Bible Against Slavery, written in 1837. This book compared the context of ancient Israel to the context of a 19th century America to denounce the practice of slavery.Through passages from the Bible, Weld argued the religion involved in the abolition movement. In 1838, Weld wrote the pamphlet, The Power of Congress over the District of Columbia. In this piece, Weld argued the political side of abolition, revealing Congress's power to abolish slavery in Washington, DC. Both of these works played an enormous role in recruiting followers for the abolitionist movement. Theodore Dwight Weld devoted his life to the American abolitionist movement. He remained dedicated until the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution ended slavery in 1865.From his mentors, to his lectures and writings, to the woman he chose to marry, Weld’s passion for the equality of man can be seen in every facet of his life. This undying resolve is what has earned Weld the title of the most influential figure in the abolitionist movement. Works Cited Barnes, Gilbert H. The Antislavery Impulse: 1830-1844. Gloucester, MA: Peter Smith, 1964. Print. Debate at the Lane Seminary, Cincinnati. Boston: Garrison ; Knapp, 1834. Print. The Dickinson College Archives. â€Å"Slavery & Abolition in the US. † Slavery ; Abolition in the US.Instructional and Media Services, July 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. ;http://deila. dickinson. edu/slaveryandabolition/title/0182. html;. Johnson, Rossiter, ed. â€Å"Weld, Theodore Dwight. † Appletons' Cyclopedea of American Biography. 1st ed. New York: D. Appleton and, 1889. Print. Prince, Monique. â€Å"Theodore Dwight Weld, 1803-1895. † Documenting the American South. University of North Carolina, 2004. We b. 16 Nov. 2012. . Smikin, John. â€Å"Arthur Tappan. † Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd, n. d. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. lt;http://www. spartacus. schoolnet. co. uk/USAStappanA. htm>. â€Å"Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-1895). † WWHP. Worcester Women's History Project, 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. ;http://www. wwhp. org/Resources/Biographies/theodoredwightweld. html;. Thomas, Benjamin P. Theodore Weld, Crusader for Freedom. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1950. Print. Tikkanen, Amy, ed. â€Å"Theodore Dwight Weld (Abolitionist). † Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia: Columbia UP, 1935. Print. Vaughn, Stephen L. , ed. â€Å"The Emancipator. † Encyclopedia of American Journalism. N. p. : Routledge, 2009. 4. Print. Weld, Theodore D.American Slavery as It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society, 1839. Print. Weld, Theodore D. , Angelina Grimke, and Sarah M. Grimke. Letters of Theodore Dwight Weld, Angelina Grimke We ld and Sarah Grimke, 1822-1844. New York: Da Capo, 1970. 425-32. Print. Weld, Theodore D. The Bible Against Slavery. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society, 1838. Print. Weld, Theodore D. The Power of Congress over the District of Columbia. New: John F. Trow Printer, 1838. 27. Print. Wright, G. F. Charles Grandison Finney. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and, 1891.Print. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. â€Å"Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-1895). † WWHP. Worcester Women's History Project, 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. . [ 2 ]. Wright, G. F. Charles Grandison Finney. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and, 1891. Print. [ 3 ]. Smikin, John. â€Å"Arthur Tappan. † Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd, n. d. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. . [ 4 ]. ^Thomas, page 38 [ 5 ]. Debate at the Lane Seminary, Cincinnati. Boston: Garrison & Knapp, 1834. 3-4. Pamphlet. [ 6 ]. Vaughn, Stephen L. , ed. â €Å"The Emancipator. † Encyclopedia of American Journalism.N. p. : Routledge, 2009. 4. Print. [ 7 ]. Tikkanen, Amy, ed. â€Å"Theodore Dwight Weld (Abolitionist). † Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia: Columbia UP, 1935. Print. [ 8 ]. Weld, Theodore D. , Angelina Grimke, and Sarah M. Grimke. Letters of Theodore Dwight Weld, Angelina Grimke Weld and Sarah Grimke, 1822-1844. New York: Da Capo, 1970. 425-32. Print. [ 9 ]. Prince, Monique. â€Å"Theodore Dwight Weld, 1803-1895. † Documenting the American South. University of North Carolina, 2004. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. . [ 10 ]. Weld, Theodore D. American Slavery as It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses.New York: American Anti-Slavery Society, 1839. Print. [ 11 ]. Weld, Theodore D. The Bible Against Slavery. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society, 1838. Print. [ 12 ]. The Dickinson College Archives. â€Å"Slavery & Abolition in the US. † Slavery & Abolition in the US. Instructional and Media Services, July 2010. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. . [ 13 ]. Weld, Theodore D. The Power of Congress over the District of Columbia. New: John F. Trow Printer, 1838. 27. Print. [ 14 ]. Barnes, Gilbert H. The Antislavery Impulse: 1830-1844. Gloucester, MA: Peter Smith, 1964. Print.

Accounting Intern Paper

Company introduction KC ACCOUNTANCY CORP is a Southern California CPA firm, found in 2000. The company offers a full range of business and consumer CPA services including financial statements preparation, IRS. FTB. EDD representation, tax return preparation, office computerization, new business start-up, general bookkeeping and tax preparation & planning. Job description During the intern period, I did four main tasks as follow 1. Bookkeeping The company uses the accounting software called Write up and Quick Book to do the book keeping.In order to do the book keeping we need to create a ledger for all the financial accounts and use the check and invoice provided by the customer to record all payments made from these accounts. We should filled the all the column of cells, which include date, name of the payment, payee, category (for tax purposes), memorandum and a record of the check number or the invoice number. The reason for write the category is for tax purposes. After record the payment, we need to use the same software to record the cash inflow. We list all money (only revenue) received by the customer.As same as the cash outflow, we need to record the date, name of the income, payer-providers, category, memorandum and a record of the check number. If the company has the Loan or the investment, we should use the different ledgers to record it. Next step, we need to create accounts payable/accounts receivable. For the account payable we list utilities, rent, and other future payments. We list two date: one is the due day another one is the due day before penalty. For the account receivable, we list the income we will receive in the future.This ledger is most important, I need to aware that when the company actually receives the payment by the customers or the bounced check will happened. The final step is to reconcile the ledgers with the bank statements. The company will provide us their bank account records and allow us to check each payment. This is typi cally done on a quarterly schedule 2. Prepared, examined, and analyzed accounting records, financial statements, and other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.Financial statements include income statement, statement of retained earnings, balance sheet and cash flow statement. From the supervisor’s experience, I learned that there is specific logical order for preparation due to some financial statements use numbers from the other statements The order is following: * Income statement * Statement of retained earnings * Balance sheet * Cash flow statement Before financial statements are prepared, we need to adjust entries based on revenue recognition and the matching principles. Each transaction may affect one income statement accounts and one balance sheet account.Adjustments fall into one of five categories: accrued revenues, accrued expenses, unearned revenues, prepaid expenses, and depreciation. Income Sta tement The income statement reports revenues, expenses, and the resulting net income. It transfers from revenue, expenses and capital gains or losses ledger account balances into the income statement. Statement of Retained Earnings The Statement of Retained Earnings is prepared after the income statement because we use the net profit or loss account balance from income statement.The retained earnings statement shows the retained earnings at the beginning and end of the accounting period. It is prepared using the following information: * Beginning retained earnings from previous statement of retained earnings. * Net income, obtained from the income statement Balance Sheet The balance sheet reports the assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity of the company. It is constructed using the following information: * Balances of all asset accounts * Balances of all liability accounts * owner's equity Cash Flow StatementTo do this cash-basis report, we subtract cash disbursements from cash receipts directly. It also takes information from all three previous financial statements. Two time periods of comparative balance sheets are examined in order to prepare a statement of cash flows. 3. Maintained Quarterly payroll records. At first I am very curious why the company would like to outsource the payroll process . The manager tell me small business owner usually spend around eight hours per month doing payroll because laws and the IRS have let the payroll function become a time consuming task.Outsourcing the payroll can let the company focus more on running company also avoid the risks of calculating mistake . Most important, federal, state and local payroll tax laws are frequently changing and becoming more complex The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the commissioner of Internal Revenue. The IRS is responsible for collecting taxes and the interpretation and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code.I need to call each company on the list to make sure how much salary they pay for each employee. Company may pay their employee quarterly, monthly or hourly. Most of our customer is Chinese/Taiwanese owned company. I can use Chinese to call them . I need to clarify how many employees in their company and how much salary they need to pay. By using 1099-etc, we just need to type in the data in the system. The software will automatically calculate federal, state and local payroll taxes. The software supports Federal payroll forms such as the 941, 940, 943, 944 and 1040 SchH. Form 941 Form 941 is Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return. Federal law requires employers to withhold taxes from employees' paychecks. Each time wages are paid, employers must withhold — or take out of employees' paychecks — certain amounts for federal income tax, social security tax, and Medicare tax. U nder the withholding system, taxes withheld from employees are credited to employees in payment of their tax liabilities. Federal law also requires employers to pay any liability for the employer's portion of social security and Medicare taxes.This portion of social security and Medicare taxes is not withheld from employees. Employers who withhold income taxes from wages or who must pay social security or Medicare tax, use Form 941 to report those taxes. The deadline for 941form is the last day for month that follows the end of the quarter. * Quarter One (January, February, March): due on April 30. * Quarter Two (April, May, June): due on July 31. * Quarter Three (July, August, and September): due October 31. * Quarter Four (October, November, December) : due on January 31 of the following year.Every time, I update the information on the system, I need to print out two copy. One is for our company, the other one is for our customer . 4. Miscellaneous As a intern, I also spend some t ime to doing miscellaneous thing such as put files in order alphabetically, print out the package label and paste on the envelope , double check the document and send to the customer. Analysis of the company The company starts the business from 2000, the boss try hard to build a very good relationship with the customers.They are successfully to build the relationaship because the employer in the company always put them self in the customer’s shoes, the existing customer will bring the new customer. So the company does not need to post the advertisement online or ask other to design a fancy website to attract new customer. Thus they can provide perfect and complete service with reasonable price. Due to the good relationship with customer, the accounting office is also become an information exchange place. We can always see the customer to ask the boss to refer a dental, a lawyer and the business to others.It is how a good networking start. However, during the intern period, I find there are things the company could do better. First, the boss plays an extremely important role in the company. She needs to check every document before mail to the customer or mail to the government institute and she assigns new task for everyone every morning. The company would be in a mass when the boss is not in the office. I still can remember, one time the boss has emergency and she cannot come to the office for two days.All document put on her table like a small mountain, and others has nothing to do. Second, a lot of things without a logical order, there is a simple example. When I start with filing away the documents, I cannot find some individual’s name within the file. After I check with the boss, the boss tells me, someone they will put all family numbers’ file together instead individual file. The problem is that only the boss knows who the family numbers are. It is hard for the account specialist to file the document; however the boss is too busy to do this kind of things.Third, the company still use some out of date process. Every quarter, the customer needs to turn in their check record and the invoice physically to the accounting office. Most of the records are hand write. In fact I think the accounting office can ask electric version from the customer, then it can complete the process more efficiently, because sometime I see accounting assistant struggle with the numbers or the word on the check or the invoice and with electric version, it can be send to accounting firm in time.I think the company know better what their business is, so it is not a big deal for them to change the physically version to electric version. Also I know most software will automatically download the bank records and allow the account assistant to quickly mark which payments and deposits are already recorded in the ledger, and which must be separately accounted. This is typically done on a monthly schedule, but with software and online banking, it i s can be finish on a weekly or even daily schedule. What I learn during this internshipI am a student who still thinking about my future career. This is a good opportunity for me to know accounting person and know more about how the accounting firm work. I learn some information from my coworker and the supervisor. 1. Future is Bright The future of accounting is bright according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics which projects a 16% increase in job openings by the year 2016. Much of this reflects the increasing complexity of corporate transactions, the introduction of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements after the Enron scandal and growth in government.Demand is especially high in the tax and health care areas. My supervisor share her own experience with me, Emily, who is a 27 year old woman, who finish her MBA in California state – Los Angeles, she tells me all the international student stay here after graduate are doing accounting related job. It seems it is the only way internation al student can survive in U. S if they study in business field. 2. Managerial Accounting Ideas is popular Many firms are focusing on activity-based management, process-view analysis, constraint checking and business process analysis as well.The world of management accounting is evolving rapidly and there is high demand for accountants who are knowledgeable about these trends 3. High degree necessary We can find the requirement for most accountant and auditor positions are at least a bachelor degree in accounting or a related field. As an MBA student especially a master degree in accounting, or with a master degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. We have advantage to apply accounting-related job. 4. Skill Requirements Becoming BroaderThere is high demand for individuals who have technical skills and good communication skill, and foreign language skills. Accountants are broadening as business globalizes. 5. CPA has highly valued A recent survey shows tha t over half of corporations which hire accountants feel that the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) important, however, in some case we can enter an accounting firm without completely the CPA. It means we still have chance and time to prepare for the test, never too late to prepare . My supervisor is a good example, she started to prepare her CPA after she start work in the KC Company. 6. High salaryThe median expected salary for a typical  Accountant I  in the  United States  is  $44,652; for a typical Accountant II is $53,588; for a typical Cost Accountant I is $46,874;for a typical Cost Accountant II is $58,020. ; for a typical Cost Accountant III is $70,574; for a typical Cost Accounting Supervisor is $65,861; for a typical Cost Accounting Supervisor II is $75,452. ; for a typical Accounting Manager is $84,437;for a typical Accounting Director is $127,660. 7. Start from a intern The supervisor suggests me start to apply the position in the company I want to begin my car eer and ask the intern position before I graduate.Thus, I will get more hired opportunity as a full time employee. Do be hesitant, start to apply! Conclusion My Internship is one of the most beneficial things I do during my MBA. I really enjoy the time in K. C. Company. During this internship I learned a lot about the profession and about how much hard work and dedication it takes to be a accountant. I know I am a person who sensitive with numbers but not detail-oriented. In order to become a successful accountant, I need to change the way I doing things. To be a more competitive person, I need to review all the account material I have learn during those year.Even though some people say it is not a good way to learn from the textbook, however I believe reading the textbook is the best way to review all the important concept in the limited time. The lecture and the text book can provide us solid background knowledge. I will try to apply the accountant position now, after I understand the future of accounting-related job and the personality to be a good accounting worker. I will start my career in accounting files after I graduate. Reference IRS website : http://www. irs. gov/uac 941 form http://www. irs. gov/pub/irs-pdf/i941. pdf

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are the new buzzword today, almost everywhere people are talking about bitcoins, especially with the examples that someone has made millions in just one or two years by smartly investing in bitcoins. It definitely creates curiosity to others if it is right or legal to invest in bitcoins or is it just a bubble? With the market cap of more than $270 billion, the bitcoin gained momentum when its price touched whopping $16,500 last year. It’s not a new concept in fact, Bitcoin has existed since 2009 and was traded at a very low value initially, its growth was also linear for few years but then it picked up an exponential growth. It has been trading around $500 in year 2015 and touched $1000 by 2016 and then it broke all the records in year 2017 when a single bitcoin is valued at $6500. its quite fluctuating in beginning of this year and its current price could be around $14000. Interestingly, if you had invested just $100 in Bitcoin in 2009, you would now be richer to the tune of  £3,67 million. Bitcoin is not the only digital currency, there are other alternatives like Ethereum, Ripple, Dash, Litecoin, and NEO. So let’s understand the basic of Bitcoin. It’s a digital currency build on top of the block chain technology, It’s also known as virtual currency or cryptocurrency. Its virtual so yu can’t print, touch, feel, or store it. Technically, Its just a sequence of (0s and 1s) stored in some remote computers around the world. Bitcoin works over blockchain technology, Blockchain is considered one of the most safe technology to store data in a distributed manner. It createa, store, and manage digital transactions that are public, secure, and distributed. Bitcoin was first introduced in 2009 by an unknown individual or a group named Satoshi Nakamoto. It was an interesting way to pay for transactions without a third-party like a bank. It handles peer to peer transactions without any middlemen. There are no transaction fees and both parties are anonymous. Just like an email address, you create a bitcoin wallet account and then that address becomes your identity to be used for every transaction. Some experts predict that Bitcoin or Cryptocurrency is the future of money and it will eventually replace all other currencies in future. Today, many tech-savvy online retailers accept bitcoins. You can order services like Web hosting, buy merchandise, and even a coffee. Many online ecommerce portals accept bitcoins along with other cryptocurrency options like LiteCoin, and Dogecoin. Some known businesses which accept bitcoins include Virgin Galactic, Overstock.com, TigerDirect, Dish Network, Expedia, Newegg, Directnic, Microsoft, Zynga, Starbucks, and Subway. You might be thinking; why do I need bitcoins If I can buy everything using my credit card? Bitcoin is a new form of currency and enjoying an exponential growth, Some people believe that the value of bitcoins will keep on growing over time because more and more people and businesses will start using it. People buy bitcoins as an investment vehicle. As a matter of fact, the value of 1 bitcoin has increased from $500 to $16,000 in one year. Its always anonymous transaction when you do it through Bitcoins, Nobody would ever get to know about such transactions and the owner of the money. which lures lots of criminals to use bitcoins for their payments and transactions. There are several cryptocurrency marketplaces (online websites or apps) called cryptocurrency exchanges that allow people to buy or sell bitcoins using different currencies. You can buy bitcoins using your local currency and start buying and selling bitcoins like any stock trade. When you open an account, you get a digital address and that address is your identity to buy, sell, or pay in bitcoins. You can find some popular cryptocurrency exchanges like ,Coinone, Bitthumb, Bitfinex, Quoine, Bittrex, HitBTC, Poloniex, Kraken etc. Bitcoins are managed through your online accounts quite similar to your online bank account,. It is called a digital wallet. You can buy or sell bitcoins through your digital wallets. Bitcoin is a virtual currency and has no tangible value. You can’nt hide it like the real cash with the hope to use it in difficult times. Not everybody accept the bitcoins.. Bitcoin value fluctuates a lot. Even though the value of bitcoin is going higher, it doesn’t mean it will not go down. There may be a day, when bitcoin can go down 50% in just matter of hours. Some experts have even predicted that Bitcoin is a bubble. Because bitcoins are stored in digital wallets , more and more hackers will target bitcoins as the value grows. there have been many hacks into these wallets and bitcoins have been stolen. Bitcoin is not owned by a country, group, or person. Bitcoin is owned by users of bitcoin. Initially, new bitcoins have to be mined and the miners get some bitcoins, those later can be sold to other people. Bitcoin mining is also a interesting concept. There is a limit on total number of bitcoins, which can be produced. there are only 21 million Bitcoins that can be mined in total. Out of which 16 million bitcoins are already mined. The successful miner finding the new block is rewarded with newly created bitcoins and transaction fees. By last year, the reward amounted to 12.5 newly created bitcoins per block added to the blockchain. To miner can claim the reward through a special transaction called a coinbase. All bitcoins in existence have been created in such coinbase transactions. Bitcoin mining is the process of adding transaction records to Bitcoins public ledger of past transactions or blockchain. This ledger of past transactions is called the block chain as it is a chain of blocks. The block chain serves to confirm transactions to the rest of the network as having taken place. Bitcoin nodes use the block chain to distinguish legitimate Bitcoin transactions from attempts to re-spend coins that have already been spent elsewhere. Today, many large institutions and crypto leaders have invested heavily in Bitcoin. As a matter of fact, 4% of people own 96% of bitcoins. Bitcoin is not regulated or backed by any country or government. It is private peer-to-peer transaction. All parties in bitcoin transactions are anonymous. Bitcoin is not illegal but it has been regulated in some countries. Now, then Most people buying bitcoins for investment purposes are assuming the value of bitcoin will continue to grow. Some people use bitcoins to buy and sell products and services to hide their identity.

Has the American Dream changed Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Has the American Dream changed - Essay Example under the American Dream dogma is that the aforementioned benefits of being an American are available to anyone, regardless of where they hail from, and are distributed according to a person’s motivations and unique talents and abilities (Library of Congress 1). The conception of the American Dream has changed significantly from the 1960s to today, as what constitutes success and happiness, as well as freedom, is now underpinned by new social, professional and economic ambitions which were not dominant needs or ambitions in 1960s society. In the 1960s, the American Dream, as iterated by the venerated Martin Luther King, Jr., were the achievement of social equality and freedom from various types of oppression that were guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution that all men are created equal (Armitage 16). During the 1960s, it was not just African-Americans being oppressed, but many diverse ethnic groups and population subsets (for example homosexuals) that continued to be socially ostracized by other members of majority society. The American Dream, therefore, for those living in the 1960s, was ensuring achievement of true liberty and putting an end to social subjugation for failing to comply with the norms of society which asserted that being different from the majority was an opportunity to dominate and oppress. In today’s America, my personal American Dream is the achievement of wealth through self-governance of lifestyle and profession which underlines the ability to maintain a better quality of life. More wealth, from my perspective, brings opportunities for travelling, living in a top quality home, and procuring products and services that enhance one’s image, both physically and socially. In the 1960s, King saw the American Dream as ending the plight of â€Å"disinherited children of God† who were rising up to bolster the American Dream as related to â€Å"the most sacred values in our Judeo-Christian heritage† (Kloppenberg 147). Further reasserting the 1960s

Shift from Service-Oriented to Outcome Oriented Healthcare Coursework

Shift from Service-Oriented to Outcome Oriented Healthcare - Coursework Example This coursework discusses the literature review for the future study as well as describes it's problem statement. This research, that the researcher aims to study will respond to two questions that related to the efficiency of health care service provision in the US. First, the research will answer the question on what are the impacts on shifting from service oriented to outcome-oriented approach, and secondly, on what are the best strategies that will facilitate this shift in healthcare service management. The managements that are used today within health facilities are entangled in a battle as they evaluate the best possible approach to improve the quality and quantity of healthcare within the organizations. However, it is clear for the researcher that a wide range of organizations have focused primary on increasing their service delivery while ignoring the outcomes that such strategies achieve. In view of this problem, the researcher presents opinions written by a number of schola rs who have pointed out that measuring services is an inefficient way of assessing healthcare achievements. Essentially, there is need to move towards outcome-oriented healthcare systems to ensure that organizations can be credit their performance on their achievements rather than the services they offer. In addition, the researcher also states that there is evidence that the health outcomes within majority of the US health facilities are dissatisfying. Quality service has yet to be achieved and access to health is still an issue of concern.

BUYER BEHAVIOUR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

BUYER BEHAVIOUR - Essay Example to as consumer behaviour is an essential component of marketing because it helps in the determination of pricing incentives, mode of advertising and brand differentiation among others. This paper therefore seeks to identify and illustrate the concepts that facilitate understanding of buyer behaviour as well as evaluate the various models or theories of buyer behaviour with close association with the concept of neuroscience. Another area that will be looked at is the area of decision making process in consumption that gives rise to the various types of consumer purchases. To begin, buyer behaviour generally refers the process in which consumers take in order to make decisions on acquiring certain goods or services for their own use. Consumer buying behaviour is therefore a multi-staged process that involves the identification of a specific need and even goes beyond the consumption stage to an evaluation one. It is for this reason that consumers are likely or unlikely to consume one product as opposed to the other in cases where there is indifference between two products. The consumer buying process is a complex one because of the influences it relies on and the characteristics of human diversity that makes us act differently. Some research studies have also indicated that the buying behaviour can also be linked to neuroscience. It is therefore important to understand the process of consumer buying behaviour as shall be discussed in the following section. The consumer buying decision-making process model adopts a five stage interconnected process that illustrates how individuals or consumer groups will always conduct themselves before and after purchase of a product or a service (Riley 1). The first stage is the need identification and problem awareness stage. At this stage, an individual identifies a need within him or her that needs to be satisfied. The utilitarian theory has been associated with this stage of decision making. Since an individual identifies that

Applying Microeconomics to Business Research Paper

Applying Microeconomics to Business - Research Paper Example on, Tisdell and Hartley (2001) states that businesses managers could take advantage of knowledge of government microeconomic policy as well as its economic impacts in a number of ways. For instance Tisdell and Hartley (2001) explains that they apply it to project how the economic situation of their businesses or the industry may change as a consequence of a change in the microeconomic policy, for example with removal or cuts in tariffs or subsidies previous enacted to protect the industry. Secondly, a lot of countries have regulation prohibiting certain trade practices. In particular situations, governments may prohibit mergers of firms or acquisitions of companies supposing they could reduce competition within an industry to considerable levels, or lead to monopoly. Thus, it is essential for business managers to be aware of these laws and regulations and this requires that they understand microeconomic concepts (Tisdell and Hartley, 2001). It is also beneficial for business managers to understand economic arguments and concepts that might be used as a counter argument for a business merger or acquisition if the government opposes it. Certainly, there are several other areas of government economic policy that require business managers to have a good understanding of microeconomics. These areas include economic concept of science and technology, specifically the economics of intellectual property laws. As Kahneman and Tversky (2000) explains intellectual property rights entail patents, copyrights and plant variety rights and trade marks. Mumbo adds that public policies to control and exploitation of environment and natural resources have recently become more widespread ad these normally have an economic justification. Microeconomic effects of industrial relations policies, international business, investment polices and public finance aspects usually have a critical consequence for the economic performance of a business. Managers can as well use

Keynesian macroeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Keynesian macroeconomics - Essay Example However, large changes in available technology, especially regression is very difficult to support (Summers, 1986). Second, RBC theory assumes that fluctuations in employment reflect changes in the amount people want to work. Because employment fluctuates substantially while the determinants of labour supply - real wage and the real interest rate - vary only slightly, these models require that leisure be highly substitutable over time. This assumption conflicts with many studies (for example, Altonji, 1986); it also conflicts with the belief that high unemployment in recessions is largely involuntary. Third, real business cycle theory assumes that monetary policy is irrelevant for economic fluctuations, this challenges the Keynesian argument that any correlation of money with output arises because the money supply is endogenous (King and Plosser, 1984). Very little evidence supports this theory. A different approach to the business cycle is the sectoral shift theory, which emphasizes the costly adjustment of labour among sectors (Lilien 1982, Black 1987). According to this theory movement of labour from one sector to another occurs in response to market fluctuations and recessions are periods during which there are more sectoral shocks and thus a greater need for sectoral adjustment. If this were to be true we would observe high unemployment accompanied by high job vacancies during a recession - this is not correct (Abraham & Katz, 1986). In fact the measured movement of workers is opposite i.e. very low during recession (Murphy & Topel, 1987). Advocates of the sectoral shift theory argue that it is possible that since the process of sectoral adjustment requires a period of high unemployment and low income, it lowers the demand for the products of all sectors. Thus, we might observe low vacancies and low movement during recessions, even if recessions are initially caused by the need to reallocate labour among sectors. In this form, it is not clear how to distinguish empirically the sectoral shift theory from real business cycle theories that emphasize economy-wide fluctuations in technology or Keynesian theories that emphasize fluctuations in aggregate demand. The debate over the RBC theory boils down to four issues: 1. Do changes in employment reflect voluntary changes in labour supply 2. Does the economy experience large exogenous productivity shocks in the short run 3. Is money really neutral in the short run 4. Are wages and prices flexible in the short run Do they adjust quickly to keep supply and demand in balance in all markets Satisfactory answers have not been found to these questions within the framework of the RBC theory. New Keynesian Macroeconomics The single theme that identifies Keynesian economics is the belief that economic fluctuations do not reflect the optimal response of the economy to changes in tastes and technology, but some sort of market failure on a large scale. The market imperfection that recurs most frequently in Keynesian theories is the failure of wages and prices to adjust instantly to equilibrate supply and demand. The short-run

An Absolutory Confession Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

An Absolutory Confession - Essay Example Shoba being a great planner, had planned her life in her head but the death of the baby came as a shock and makes Shoba realize that nothing in this world can be vouched for. Because of their disconnection, they try to find a way to seek forgiveness and decide to reveal a secret each, every night when the light went off at eight. The definition of confession is an acknowledgment or disclosure of sin or sinfulness and though in the process of confession, both Shukumar and Shoba felt relieved superficially, they end up hurting and disappointing each other unintentionally. It made them realize the fact that they did not know each other too well. Eventually, instead of strengthening the relationship, Shukumar and Shoba’s confessions cause them to walk away from each other, but in the end it is Shukumar’s confession about their dead baby that brings the two closer to each other. Shukumar’s confession begins with romantic memories. In his first confession he tells Shoba about their first date because it was the first thing that came to his mind when he was refreshing his memory. Shukumar remembered, â€Å"The first time we went out to dinner, to the Portuguese place, I forgot to tip the waiter. I went back the next morning, found out his name, left money with the manager† (222). Shukumar’s first confession is simple because he has no idea how Shoba would later use this game to manipulate and hurt him. Shukumar hoped that through the game, they would get closer to each other, Shoba would return to her normal self and their love would rekindle but he was unaware that Shoba’s hope for anything at all had died along with their baby. Next day, Shukumar admits his fault in his second confession which means that his second confession goes deeper than his first. Shukumar said â€Å"I cheated on my oriental exam in college† (226). Shukumar carried the burden of his shameful deed for

Week 5 - Journal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 5 - Journal - Assignment Example is a portrayal of the failure of the national government since it shows failure in formulating appropriate laws and creation of appropriate agencies to curtailing the problem that threatens the social order in the country. Among the laws that govern immigration in the country are Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 (United States, 1978). The two have provided an effective system for legal immigrants but have failed in protecting the country against the problem of illegal immigrant. So far, the government has adopted the open but closed border policy in the management of the Mexico-US border. I believe the policy has the ability to enable cross border trade while containing the rising illegal immigrants menace. Prior to this week’s reading, I believed that the government was losing the fight against illegal immigrants. However, after studying some of the policies including the open but closed border policy, I now believe that while the problem is serious, the American government in collaboration with the neighboring governments is striving to seal off the borders thereby curtailing the problem (Krikorian, 2010). United States. (1978).  Illegal immigration and U.S.-Mexican border control: Analysis and recommendations : Critique of administration adjustment of status proposals. Washington: U.S. Govt. Print.

The Birthday Party Essay Example for Free

The Birthday Party Essay Theatrical features of the birthday party The birthday party considered as one of the greatest Pinter’s work which reflect his own rules and features of his own drama. Perhaps Pinter is very different from other absurdist writers as the Irish Samuel Becket and Inesco.but in anyhow I can assume that the theatre of the absurd as called by Martin Essllin has witnessed some other themes and set of ideas that makes it relevant .This is partly as a results of Pinter’s style of writing ; he does not preach lecture or categorical statement , but instead present his audience with incident ,characters ,language that suggest that something of great significance is taking place ,without ever being specific about what is it . So that the birthday party is an exploratory work that stimulate the audience into a wide range of topic , and perhaps the most vital thing to remember it is at one and the same time a play about the status of the artist in society , and how people fail to communicate, and about people need for security . Language is a tool to articulate and express opinions, but in the birthday party people used language in other aims. we have the undesirability of communication characters do not want to talk with each other they use language as an escape from truth we do not know whether the word they said are true or false and that is related to lack of verification and unverifiability which is between truth and falsehood cannot be detected. In the opening of the play we have a talkative woman that speaks a lot with her husband in an absurd manner communicating things with no real value. Pinter suggesting that people are too frightened of real communication to use language for this purpose, because real communication may reveal other weakness and deficiencies thus much language in the play is an attempt to cover up and evade the truth. Goldberg’s memories of youth as an example used in order to remove from Goldberg the obligation or need to talk about what is happening now. So the whole theme in the birthday could be summed up by saying that in the birthday party people are shown as being either unable or unwilling to convey accurately their feeling and thoughts to other people. Also in this play we have a struggle or a paradoxical situation between individuality presented by Stanly that presented as an artist in society. in this interpretation in which Stanly represent the man with creative talent who defies the conventions of society by his mode of living as someone who  refuses the traditional way of thinking and the values of society , and by refusing to accept it , and insist remains outside .therefore the character of Stanly considered as a menace to the system of society he may encourage other people to revolt against it. If this could happen people doesn’t do what society demand from them it mean the collapse and a total distraction of society as a whole . therefore Stanly has to be drawn back in order to obey to the rules and being conformist by force if necessary .and the second part the two conformist man Goldberg and McCann whom considered as symbol that shattered the illusion of security of Stanly .that least one is an artist means freedom of artistic expression furthermore Stanly appears at end of the play in dark suit and white collar , shaven and unable to articulate or express himself this notions means Stanly start to fit in society . he has been made respectable, from this it is easy to argue that this is what society demands of its members an unthinking obedience and lack of any individuality . All Pinter’s play has the same scenario that have in the middle of it an unknown menace that come from the outside world. The first play was the room wirriten in 1957 that contains that idea of outsiders force. In the Birthday party the room have also a great significance that made by Harold Pinter, it means the security for Stanly also as a womb of a mother , somewhere warm secure for its inhabitants . This significance of the room is related to the isolation of Stanly as an individual member. But this security is shattered by outsiders’ forces which considered as metaphysical that comes from outside the room and show that this security is unrealistic, a vain of hope. We can say that outsider menace is the result of being strange and not like the majority of society. Stanly as an example he isolate himself from others and that what considered as a threat to the government. Finally we can assume that the play of the birthday party is an illustration of the state of modern man in the historical context after the second world war. I suggest that it main purpose is to describe the modern man who was influenced by the wars and violence he is lost and this feeling of lost is clearly shown in the play when Pinter used darkness in his play and this action made the reader and audience lost too. Obviously that theme of obscurity is also applied at level of communication and use of  language when people fail to express their real emotion and opinion. There is an undesirability of communication people are frightened to tell other what they feel rather they keep silence and this use of pause by the writer is deliberately in a manner to show the audience that not everything we communicate is in purpose, but the truth is what isn’t as Pinter said : I think we communicate only too well in our silence, in what is unsaid. Also in this play we have the use of la nguage as a weapon to distract and make other obey to other’s willing and that is a part of the menace which comes from the outside of the secure room .

Proposal to Cease Testing Blood Donations for CMV

Proposal to Cease Testing Blood Donations for CMV Status Public Executive summary (200 words) In response to SaBTO recommendations for replacing CMV seronegative cellular blood components with leucodepleted blood components, an implementation project has been established pending approval from the Board. The proposed implementation date of January 2018 is considered a realist timeframe for this approach. Communication with clinicians indicates the acceptance of leucodepleted components as CMV safe, replacing the selection of CMV seronegative components. Information has been obtained regarding international practices and use of leucodepletion with respect to CMV. This paper sets out key information on the proposed replacement of CMV seronegative blood products with leucodepleted blood products, provides recommendations of the optimal strategy to achieve this, and takes into consideration patient groups that may be affected. Action requested (bulleted list) The Board is asked to: Note the implementation plans for the introduction of CMV safe blood products Approve the proposal to cease production of all CMV seronegative blood products that undergo leucodepletion and consider these products as CMV safe Approve the proposal to continue the production of CMV seronegative red cell and platelet components for intra-uterine transfusions and neonates Approve the proposal to continue the production of CMV seronegative granulocyte components for CMV seronegative patients Approve the proposal to continue the production of CMV seronegative blood components for seronegative and seropositive pregnant women that require transfusions throughout pregnancy Agree the recommendation to continue to implement CMV PCR as a screening method for early detection for all haemopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients Purpose of paper (1 paragraph) For over 30 years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the use of CMV seronegative blood components versus the use of leucodepleted blood components. To date, the use of CMV seronegative blood products has been implemented to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus in patients considered at risk. Leucodepletion has been performed on all blood products in the UK since 1999. This paper provides an overview on the use of CMV seronegative blood products in comparison to the use of leucodepleted blood components. This paper provides an assessment of patient groups that are considered at risk of CMV and considers advantages to ceasing of CMV testing in the UK. Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a pervasive, cell-associated prototypic virus that is a member of the betaherpesvirus subfamily (Ziemann and Hennig, 2014; Ljungman, 2004). CMV mostly causes asymptomatic infection or mononucleosis-like-infection in an immunocompetent host; however, in an immunocompromised host it can result in chronic and persistent infection with devastating outcomes (Seed et al., 2015). Patient groups that are considered at risk of life-threatening transfusion-transmitted CMV infection includes CMV seronegative patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and solid organ transplantation, low birth weight and premature neonates, foetuses that require intrauterine transfusion, CMV seronegative pregnant women, and highly immunocompromised patients, such as those with malignant disease (Ziemann and Hennig, 2014; SaBTO, 2012). CMV infection is frequently encountered throughout childhood and an estimated 50 60% of the adult population in the United Kingdom (UK) are CMV positive (SaBTO, 2012). CMV infection can be transmitted both horizontally and vertically (Crough and Kannah, 2009). Horizontal transmission occurs through contact with body fluids, such as urine and saliva, sexually through genital secretions, blood transfusion, and hematopoietic stem cell and organ transplant (SaBTO, 2012; Sia and Patel, 2000). Vertical transmission occurs from mother to child, via delivery and breast milk (Crough and Kannah, 2009). Additionally, congenital CMV infection is highly prevalent and may arise through a primary maternal infection during pregnancy (Crough and Kannah, 2009). Following exposure to CMV and the initial infection, the virus remains in a dormant state (Ljungman, 2004). Seroconversion of the host occurs between 6 8 weeks and mounts an immune response, producing CMV specific immunoglobulin (IgG) (Seed et al., 2014). In the UK, there is an estimated seroconversion rate of 1% per annum (SaBTO, 2012). CMV therefore has a window period, in which there may be underlying viremia and high viral load (Liberman et al., 2011). Subsequently, a CMV seropositive individual is considered to have been infected, whilst at the same time considered potentially infectious due to the life-long persistence of the virus (SaBTO, 2012). Transfusion-transmitted CMV infection is regarded as a potential threat to the safety and sufficiency of the blood supply for a multitude of reasons (Roback, 2002). Firstly, transfusion-transmission of CMV that is present in blood and blood components can result in the infection of naà ¯ve recipients (Ziemann and Hennig, 2014; Ljungman, 2004). Secondly, transfusion-transmitted CMV is acknowledged as a primary source of infection, in which donor infectivity is an underlying reason, that may result in CMV disease (Ljungman, 2004). Thirdly, CMV seropositive recipients that are exposed to blood products containing CMV may cause reactivation of the latent virus or reinfection from a new strain (Ziemann and Hennig, 2014; Ljungman, 2004). However, the risk of transfusion-transmitted CMV infection has been significantly reduced through the implementation of leucodepletion and production of specific CMV negative blood and blood products (Ziemann and Hennig, 2014). Since November 1999, all blood products (unless state otherwise) produced by the UK blood service are leucodepleted (Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the United Kingdom, 2013). Initially, this was a response taken to reduce the risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD) disease in blood transfusions; however, this risk reduction strategy has proven beneficial in additional areas of transfusion science and blood safety (Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the United Kingdom, 2013). The UK specification for leucodepletion is: more than 90% of leucocyte-depleted components should contain less than 1 x 106 leucocytes and more than 99% of components should contain less than 5 x 106 leucocytes (SaBTO, 2012). The specification for 99% of components is regarded as the level in which blood components are deemed CMV safe (SaBTO, 2012). Leucodepletion has considerably reduced the risk of transfusion-transmitted CMV, to a level that mirrors the selection of CMV negative blood products (Ljungman, 2004; Bowden et al., 1995). However, it has yet to be shown to what extent the techniques are comparable and how this may affect patient groups considered at risk of CMV infection (Ljungman, 2004). It is important to note that whilst leucodepletion removes most white cells from blood products, it is not 100% effective (Kumar, 2006). Therefore, there is a residual risk of CMV transmission in blood products of recently infected donors (Kumar, 2006). This occurs in the window period of the virus from 6 8 weeks to 1 year following seroconversion, in which the virus may be present in the remaining plasma or white cells (SaBTO, 2012; Ziemann et al., 2010; Drew and Roback, 2007). CMV transmission can occur in both donors that have an active infection, including primary or reactivated, or latent infection (Azevedo, 2015). The leading mechanism of transfusion-transmitted CMV infection is through mononuclear cells that are believed to harbour a latent infection (Ljungman, 2004). CMV is thought to persist in circulating monocytes, in which an estimated 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 100,000 peripheral blood monocular cells carry CMV (SaBTO, 2012). Pennington et al (2001) conducted a study that provided evidence to suggest that leucodepletion filters are highly effective in removing mononuclear cells and may reduce CMV levels to 0.1 viral copies per mL in leucodepleted blood. Furthermore, blood products that have been leucodepleted are monitored continuously, using flow cytometry, to assess efficiency (SaBTO, 2012). Moreover, the prospect of having a component issued that contains a leucocyte count above the UK specification can be calculated (SaBTO, 2012). In regards to testing for transfusion-transmitted CMV, there are two main methods that are used. This includes serological testing and Nucleic Acid Technology (NAT) testing (SaBTO, 2012). Serological testing involves the use of antibody screening which is accomplished through the use of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests that detect total CMV antibody (Ross, 2011). Screening for CMV infection using serology is the most prevalent method used and is based on the agglutination principle (Ross, 2011; Ljungman, 2004). The method offers several advantages as it is fast, highly sensitive, and highly specific, constituting an ideal screening test (Ross, 2011). This method, however, is associated with two key limitations. Firstly, the window period presents a challenge in regards to activation of the primary infection and seroconversion (Ljungman, 2004). Secondly, there is a risk of obtaining false negative screening results (Ljungman, 2004). Therefore, there is a risk that CMV may be transmitted via a CMV seronegative component (SaBTO, 2012). In addition to serology, NAT testing is used to detect CMV DNA and subsequent infection (Ross, 2011). Several qualitative and quantitative assays are available for this method (SaBTO, 2012). This screening method is associated with variation in the sensitivity and specificity of available assays (Roback et al., 2003;2001). Studies have highlighted inter-laboratory variation for samples containing low viral load (Pang et al, 2009; Wolff et al., 2009). As a result, a CMV DNA reference has been developed for comparison of results when sensitivity is a challenge (Ross, 2011). To produce a supply of CMV negative blood and blood components, several donations are screened each year. Overall, an estimated 25 40% of donors are CMV antibody positive, dependent on age. The production and use of CMV negative blood components forms a significant undertaking for the blood service. According to the report released by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues, and Organs (SaBTO) in March 2012, in the last 5 years, the number of CMV negative platelets and red cells has increased. The report notes that NHSBT charge  £7.76 for CMV negative red cells and platelets, covering the inventory and screening costs. This amounts to a total of  £2.5 million per annum, in which  £230,000 is dedicated to apheresis platelets and  £2,270,000 to red cells. The number of donations that are screened is greater than the number of donations that are issued as CMV negative. In addition, not all donations screened will deliver a negative result. Subsequently, it has been proposed that the use and production of CMV negative components is reviewed. SaBTO recommends the use of a single inventory and accepting leucodepleted blood products as CMV safe. This is outlined in section 6. Proposal 6.1 This proposal has been written to ask the blood centre to consider ceasing CMV testing for an agreed list of blood products and in its replacement, support the use of leucodepleted blood components that are considered CMV safe. 6.2 The proposal of ceasing CMV testing for the replacement of leucodepleted components that are considered CMV safe is associated with several advantages. Inventory management Management of a single inventory would offer an advantage to blood banks and hospitals. This would be a preferred method to the current used for ease of access. NHSBT must ensure CMV negative components are available across the country on multiple NHS sites. To achieve this, NHSBT spend approximately  £95,000 n the delivery of CMV negative components. Wastage The Belgian Blood Service have produced a report that states implementation of pathogen reduction in platelets to inactivate CMV may result in an overall decrease in the wastage of platelets. A 1.5% reduction is estimated, which would result in a saving of  £0.22 million. Improved compliance with safety initiatives Reduction in the wastage of blood products and implementation of a single inventory would enable the target of 80% platelets by apheresis to be met sooner. Furthermore, this would support transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) prevention, as the number of male platelet donors would increase due to enhanced recruitment strategies. This would further enable costs of HLA antibody screening of potential female platelet donors to be avoided. Reduction in hospital blood bank workload Because of the removal of CMV seronegative components, the workload in hospitals and blood banks would decrease. Staff would no longer have to spend time ordering or checking platelets as CMV negative components. This would have a direct positive impact on the stock management. Staff that may potentially be free from the responsibility associated with CMV negative products will be able to invest their time elsewhere, to improve the efficiency of the blood service. Reduction in clinical errors The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) have reported from 2000 to 2010, 1040 reports were filed stating special requirements were not met. Of these, 83 were attributed to the inappropriate selection of blood components that were not CMV negative. 65 were attributed to selection of blood components that were both CMV negative and irradiated components. However, none of these cases reported CMV transmission. 6.3 The proposed implementation date of this project is January 2018. Further clinical guidance is to be requested from SaBTO who will instruct in the implementation plan of this proposal. 6.4 Consideration must be given to specific patient groups that are considered at risk of CMV infection. This includes: Haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients Leucodepleted blood products can be used for all patient groups post haemopoietic stem cell transplantation Patients receiving transfusions and may need a transplant also may receive leucodepleted products CMV PCR should be used to assess CMV infection for patient groups to enable early detection and treatment Intra-uterine transfusions and neonates CMV negative components should be provided for intra-uterine transfusions and neonates (up to 28 days post expected due date) All blood products produced at a reduce size for neonates should be CMV seronegative Pregnant patients CMV seronegative blood products should be provided to pregnancy women, regardless of CMV status. Components should also be provided for transfusions throughout pregnancy, for example in the case of haemoglobinopathies. HIV and immunodeficient patients These patients should receive leucodepleted blood as there is no evidence to suggest a benefit with the use of CMV seronegative components Organ transplant patients Organ transplant patients should receive leucodepleted blood only CMV PCR should be used to assess CMV infection for patient groups to enable early detection and treatment Granulocytes Granulocyte components provided should be CMV seronegative for all patients as these components cannot be leucodepleted 6.5 Potential impact on blood centre employees includes the reduction in workload. Considerations needs to be given towards how this workload can be replaced. Consideration also needs to be given towards the possibility of redundancy, as a successive effect of this proposal. 6.6 The board must be aware of the clinical and financial benefits of this proposal; however, the board should also be aware of potential limitations regarding the operation of the proposal. The board should also be aware of potential legal repercussions should someone become infected with CMV through a blood component. 6.7 Stakeholders that will need to be involved include both internal and external. Internal stakeholders will include the manager of the NHSBT site and the head of testing. External stake holders will need to raise public awareness regarding the change in production of seronegative CMV components. Doctors will also need to be aware of the changes implemented to CMV negative components and be aware of who this applies for. E.g. certain patient groups will still receive CMV seronegative components. References A. Ross, S., Novak, Z., Pati, S. and B. Boppana, S. (2011). Overview of the Diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus Infection. Infectious Disorders Drug Targets, 11(5), pp.466-474. Azevedo, L., Pierrotti, L., Abdala, E., Costa, S., Strabelli, T., Campos, S., Ramos, J., Latif, A., Litvinov, N., Maluf, N., Caiaffa Filho, H., Pannuti, C., Lopes, M., Santos, V., Linardi, C., Yasuda, M. and Marques, H. (2015). Cytomegalovirus infection in transplant recipients. Clinics, 70(7), pp.515-523. Crough, T. and Khanna, R. (2009). Immunobiology of Human Cytomegalovirus: from Bench to Bedside. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 22(1), pp.76-98. DOH UK, (2012). SaBTO Report of Cytomegalovirus Tested Blood Components, Position Statement. [online] pp.1 15. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/215125/dh_133086.pdf [Accessed 13 Mar. 2017]. Drew, W. and Roback, J. (2007). Prevention of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus: reactivation of the debate? Transfusion, 47(11), pp.1955-1958. Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the United Kingdom. 8th Edition, TSO Norwich, http://www.transfusionguidelines.org/transfusion-handbook/3-providing-safe-blood. [Accessed 25/10/2016] Kumar, H., Gupta, P., Mishra, D., Sarkar, R. and Jaiprakash, M. (2006). Leucodepletion and Blood Products. Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 62(2), pp.174-177. Ljungman, P. (2004). Risk of cytomegalovirus transmission by blood products to immunocompromised patients and means for reduction. British Journal of Haematology, 125(2), pp.107-116. Pang, X., Fox, J., Fenton, J., Miller, G., Caliendo, A. and Preiksaitis, J. (2009). Interlaboratory Comparison of Cytomegalovirus Viral Load Assays. American Journal of Transplantation, 9(2), pp.258-268. Pennington, J., Garner, S., Sutherland, J. and Williamson, L. (2001). Residual subset population analysis in WBC-reduced blood components using real-time PCR quantitation of specific mRNA. Transfusion, 41(12), pp.1591-1600. Roback, J. (2002). CMV and blood transfusions. Reviews in Medical Virology, 12(4), pp.211-219. Roback, J., Drew, W., Laycock, M., Todd, D., Hillyer, C. and Busch, M. (2003). CMV DNA is rarely detected in healthy blood donors using validated PCR assays. Transfusion, 43(3), pp.314-321. Roback, J., Hillyer, C., Drew, W., Laycock, M., Luka, J., Mocarski, E., Slobedman, B., Smith, J., Soderberg-Naucler, C., Todd, D., Woxenius, S. and Busch, M. (2001). Multicenter evaluation of PCR methods fordetecting CMV DNA in blood donors. Transfusion, 41(10), pp.1249-1257. Seed, C., Wong, J., Polizzotto, M., Faddy, H., Keller, A. and Pink, J. (2015). The residual risk of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus infection associated with leucodepleted blood components. Vox Sanguinis, 109(1), pp.11-17. Sia, I. and Patel, R. (2000). New Strategies for Prevention and Therapy of Cytomegalovirus Infection and Disease in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 13(1), pp.83-121. Wolff, D., Heaney, D., Neuwald, P., Stellrecht, K. and Press, R. (2009). Multi-Site PCR-Based CMV Viral Load Assessment-Assays Demonstrate Linearity and Precision, but Lack Numeric Standardization. The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 11(2), pp.87-92. Ziemann, M. and Hennig, H. (2014). Prevention of Transfusion-Transmitted Cytomegalovirus Infections: Which is the Optimal Strategy?. Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 41(1), pp.7-7. Ziemann, M., Unmack, A., Steppat, D., Juhl, D., Gà ¶rg, S. and Hennig, H. (2010). The natural course of primary cytomegalovirus infection in blood donors. Vox Sanguinis, 99(1), pp.24-33.

The Social Problem Of Racism Sociology Essay

The Social Problem Of Racism Sociology Essay Day by day, the occurrence of social problems seems to increase rapidly. Social problems are issues or problems that may affect the people in a society, no matter it is directly or indirectly, and social problems are mainly related to moral values. Some of the major social problems that often occur in todays world are drug abuse, crime, bullying, rape, kidnap, poverty, illegal migration, unemployment, truancy, obesity, gay marriage, racism, discrimination, abortion, family issues, marginalization, HIV, pollution, pre-marital sex, sex slavery prostitution, child pornography and many more. The main social problem that will be discussed in this social psychology assignment will be focused on racism and also about the Africans being the target of racism, which had actually happened in Australia lately in the month of March to April, year 2010. Racism, according to the Cambridge dictionary, is defined as the belief that peoples qualities are influenced by their race and that the members of other races are not as good as the members of your own, which results in other races being treated unfairly (Cambridge International Dictionary of English. [1889]-1894). Racism happens every day around the world regardless of any countries, even in Malaysia. Racism is a very sensitive issue as it discriminates and offends people of a certain race. Racism brings bad consequences as for it may result in causing racial destruction and disharmony among the people living in a particular country. Plus, racism also causes conflict and war, take the tragedy that happened on the 13th of May during the year 1969 in Malaysia for example. The problem caused is mainly due to racial politics, which is also related to racism. During an election on 1969, the Alliance tell off confidently that it would win more than two thirds of the 144 seats in the Dewa n Rakyat or about two thirds of the 104 Peninsular Malaysia seats, take over Kelantan, and take control of all the other states. When the results were out, the Alliance had won only 66 seats, down from the 89 it won in 1964. Alliance also lost Penang, failed to take over Kelantan, and almost lose Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Terengganu. Even the Opposition was very surprised with the outcome, too. The Opposition supporters, especially the Chinese and Indians who had voted for the DAP and Gerakan were proud and joyful. They celebrated their victories by marching through Kuala Lumpur and shouted insulting and offending epithets at Malays, such as, Melayu balik kampung, kita sudah berkuasa skarang (Malays, return to your villages, we are now in power) and Hei Sakai bolih balik ke hutan (Hey Sakai, you can return to the jungle).and also showed vulgar gestures at the Malay women. Street clashes then broke out between the Malays with Chinese and Indian youths. Even parang which is a type o f big straight knife used in Malaysia and indonesia, sticks and iron pipes were used. Many lives were sacrificed on that day itself just because of a group of racist doing unnecessary acts. (www.malaysianbar.org.my) Speaking of racism, the Africans living in Australia had, unfortunately, became the target of racism in the form of harassment by the Australian policemen. The police picked me up, they put me in the back of the car. Then they took me to (locality withheld) and beat me up, and they left me there a young African background said in a new study into the treatment of youths of African background by Australian police in Melbourne. It is shocking to know and realize the fact that young African-Australians in the country are overruled by Australian policemen. Whats worst and unfortunate is that the police harassment that were happening all the while is either not reported or insufficient investigates by the relevant oversight bodies, and those irresponsible and racist policemen often resort to hostility and aggression when young people assert their rights. Most of them had been experiencing terrible and often violent experiences with the Victoria state police officers which include harassme nt, racist comments and serious assaults. Other than that, one of the interviewee has reported being racially abused, bullied, spat on and slapped by the policemen before being taken to a police station where he was beaten up for about ten minutes. Right after the youth is being released at the back door of the police station, the youth re-entered the building once again at the front entrance, telling the officer who was on duty that time that he wanted to lodge a report and also make a complaint. According to the youth, the officer then called one of the policemen who had beaten the youth up. Instead another policeman went in and warned him that if the youth doesnt get out of the police station at that very instance, he would pull him back in and beat him up again. Helplessly and disappointedly, the youth left the police station without a word (http://www.globalissues.org/news/2010/04/12/5175). Racism mainly happens due to the stubbornness and ignorance of a certain group of people from all races, be it Australians, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Africans and others. Those people who are racist most probably are feeling self-superior. They wanted to glorify their own races so badly that they discriminate and disrespect people of other races, in other words they are trying to bring down other races pride and image to feel satisfied and proud of their own races, which is related to the theory of aggression an intentional behavior aimed at doing harm or causing pain to another person (Social Psychology Sixth Edition,2005). Hence, that is how racism occurs. In fact, most people also believe that racism is developed through one or two outcomes. It is either that some of the people were raised that way, or on the other case is that there may be someone from a different race did something really unpleasant hateful to a particular person of another race and the latter in turn take it o ut on all people of that particular race where the former belongs. In order to overcome racism, one should judge other people by their actions, not by the color of their skin. Within all races, there are sure to have those people who would have bad intentions, steal from others or try to dominate others. Instead of seeing these people as part of a group based upon race, one should see and judge them as individuals with problems on their own. Besides that, one also has to be brave to speak up when others make insulting jokes and statements regarding racism towards others. By letting people around a particular person know that he or she do not agree to racist thoughts, he or she is actually giving the people permission to think for themselves, if it is possible, one can also explain why its wrong to judge people by their race without getting boiled up. Along the way, he or she should also help those people who are victimized by prejudice. If one came across an incident where someone is targeted by the color of his or her skin, he or she should take th e initiative to confront those who are practicing racism and point out the error and consequences of their thoughts. Lastly, which is also most importantly, one must live his or her life as if he or she were born to be colorblind. One can do that by looking past ones skin and into ones heart. By all people doing so, everyone would not have racist thoughts and hence avoiding the occurrence of racism. That will also produce a healthier and peaceful environment for the younger generations as because they learn through what they see from the actions and thoughts of the elder generations. (www.ehow.com ) As a conclusion, racism is a negative issue that brings bad consequences to all people around the world. The theory that can be related to racism will be prejudice, which is a hostile or negative attitude toward a distinguishable group of people, based solely on their membership in that group (Social Psychology Sixth Edition,2005). Racism is exactly about being prejudice. Being racist is equivalent to being unfair, rude, unpleasant, impolite, irresponsible, disrespectful and ignorant. Because of racism, many people had sacrificed their lives during the past. Some countries even had civil wars. Therefore, to avoid those unpleasant things from happening again and to avoid repeating the same old mistakes the older generations had done, racist thoughts in peoples minds should be avoided and stopped immediately, especially the people living in Malaysia, which consists of different races Malays, Chinese, Indians and others. The world will certainly be a better place to live in if there ar e no more issues of racism. APPENDIX Rights-Australia: Africans Target of Racism, Harassment by Police by Stephen de Tarczynski (Melbourne, Australia) Monday, April 12, 2010 Inter Press Service The police picked me up, they put me in the back of the car. Then they took me to (locality withheld) and beat (expletive) me, and they left me there, a young person of African background said in a new study into the treatment of youths of African background by Australian police in Melbourne. The Interventions into Policing of Racialised Communities in Melbourne report, released in mid-March, is part of a project into racism here managed by three community legal services in Australia. It found that young African-Australians in the countrys second-largest city are over-policed, that police harassment and violence is either under-reported or inadequately investigated by the relevant oversight bodies, and that police often resort to hostility and aggression when young people assert their rights. Thirty youths, 27 males and 3 females aged 15 to 27, were interviewed for the study. Many had Sudanese or Somali backgrounds. Most of them had been subjected to negative and often violent experiences with Victoria state police officers, including harassment, racist comments and serious assaults. None were identified in the study for fear of potential police retribution. One interviewee reports being racially abused, spat on and slapped around the head by police before being taken to a police station where he was beaten up for about ten minutes. After being released though the stations rear exit, the youth re-entered the building at the front entrance, telling the officer on duty that he wished to make a complaint. According to the youth, the officer then called one of the coppers that were beating me up. Another copper came in and goes to me, If you dont get out of here now, Ill pull you back in. And I left. Tredwell Lukondeh, president of the Sydney-based Federation of African Communities Council (FACC), says that he is not surprised by the reports findings. What is surprising is the degree to which the report highlights the problems. We do have concerns from various community leaders about the issue in question, Lukondeh told IPS. The FACC, which groups African groups from around Australia, is now collating data regarding police treatment of African-Australians to present to both the police force and the state government. But Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland argues that police have done much to strengthen relations with different ethnic communities, including the African community. These efforts include community forums, the appointment of more multicultural officers, police-youth camps and joint sports activities. Overland says that tension between police and young immigrants is not a new problem. With every wave of migration weve had problems with youths. If you go back far enough it was the Italian wave, the Greek wave, the Vietnamese wave and what were seeing now is a wave of migration coming out of Africa. And predictably were seeing tensions with youth, Overland told the Australian Broadcasting Commissions local radio in March. While no African nation was among the top 10 source countries of the more than 158,000 people migrating permanently to Australia in the 12 months prior to Jun. 30, 2009 the latest period for which figures are available Australias African community has swelled in recent years. Africans have figured prominently among recent visa recipients under Australias humanitarian programme, which is reserved for refugees and others requiring protection. Nationals of Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Liberia and Sierra Leone were among the top 10 countries of origin for humanitarian visas granted in the 2008-2009 year. Although Lukondeh admits that police have taken positive steps to address issues with African-Australians, he believes that much more can be done. We should establish that corridor of learning about the cultural background of new immigrants. It is very important because, in essence, its that ignorance that enflames these problems, said the FACC president. Any progress made by police efforts to create better relations appears to be undermined by the reports findings as well the revelation of a racist email circulating among Victoria police officers. While Overland has vowed to take action against officers in the wake of the report if there is evidence to support those allegations, up to 100 officers are purported to be under investigation in relation to the email, which local media have reported depicts a man being tortured. The report into police treatment of youth of African backgrounds comes as the furore over allegedly racially motivated attacks on Indians in Australia and Melbourne in particular appears to be fading. It follows Novembers findings by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) a statutory body responsible for media regulation that three popular Melbourne television broadcasters breached the Commercial Television Codes of Practice in 2007 in reports regarding Sudanese refugees in Melbournes south-east. ACMA found that the news reports of channels Ten, Nine and Seven, which focused on racial tensions, gangs and the decision by the government of former Prime Minister John Howard to reduce the intake of African refugees, were inaccurate. Ten and Nine breached the regulatory bodys fair and impartial requirement for news presentations. ACMA considered that both of their segments contained an unfair selection of material, were unfairly juxtaposed and created an unfair presentation, overall, of Sudanese people as being particularly prone to commit violence and crime, said ACMAs statement. Â © Inter Press Service (2010) All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

The Cell Phone Industry :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Cell Phone Industry Cell phone manufacturers and service providers are at the core of the cell phone industry.   These corporations are integral from their research and development endeavors to interactions with the consumer and the marketing of new products.   The companies that control such factors of cellular phones are very numerous, so it is difficult to address all the cell phone manufacturers and service providers.   However, we have focused largely on only the most significant cellular companies namely in the U.S. marketplace, although many have global ties.   Collectively, companies around the world have the same goals in mind – to create desirable cutting-edge technology and to increase consumer satisfaction with hopes of generating sales, and thus profits.      Manufacturers and service providers of cell phones are located throughout the world, although, as inCode, a wireless business and technology consulting firm, suggests, â€Å"Not many wireless carriers today have a truly global presence.†Ã‚   However, the company predicts that â€Å"the top 10 wireless carriers are going to make a push for globalization in the coming years† (â€Å"InCode releases†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ).   Most especially, inCode foresees service providers reaching to â€Å"unconquered markets like China, which is the fastest growing wireless market in the world† (â€Å"InCode releases†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ).   Some companies have already tapped into the global marketplace, spreading areas of coverage across continents.   The cell phone manufacturer Nokia, for example, is rooted in Finland, but sells cellular phone products virtually everywhere on the globe.   Service providers, although most often more less expansive in scope, are also trying to provide more global coverage.    Global service coverage is in large demand, especially from businessmen who frequently travel.   Linda Stern suggests in Newsweek to global travelers that they should â€Å"buy your phone and service from T-Mobile, AT&T or Cingular, the only three U.S. companies to use the internationally dominant GSM (Global System for Mobile communication).†Ã‚   Depending on the service provider, one may or may not get coverage in other countries.   For example, Verizon customers enjoy phones that work in Latin America, while Cingular customers have coverage in Europe.   Even better is AT&T Wireless, which offers â€Å"vast international coverage† or TMobile, another international carrier (Stern).   Service coverage varies greatly by carrier, with some reaching many countries and others only small portions of a single country.    Part of the reason for the absence of a truly global cellular company is because it is difficult for companies to keep up with the changing trends across the world, as consumers in different parts of the world demand different technologies and products.

Warriors Dont Cry :: essays research papers

Warriors Don’t Cry Melba Pattillo Beals- A junior when she entered Central High School, Melba did a lot of growing up that year. With the Supreme Court overturning their decision, the same day of that decision, on her way home from school she was attacked and almost raped. She endured a lot of harassment that year. She got her heels stepped on between every class and was singed by the water when she tried to shower after gym class. She had all her clothes sprayed on by ink and she got her eyes sprayed with acid which caused her to have to wear glasses. That same year she lived through what was supposed to be the happiest time of a girls live. She got her first boyfriend and had her first date, but all she could ever think about was how she was going to make it through her next day. Although eventually she did happen to make a friend (Link) that helped her by telling her places to avoid, he could not be seen in public with her. That year Melba turned 16 and though that year she had nobody attend her par ty due to the fact that they were scared to come over to her house due to all the bomb threats everybody especially the Little Rock Nine were receiving. Everyday became a struggle for Melba, she woke-up, got dressed and went to school were she tried to make herself not seen to avoid the harassment, then she had to give interviews to reporters (which she had determined that that was her future job), and then went home to an endless ringing phone from threats or plain old hang ups. That year she had to due without a lot of the teenage things, once her friend Minnijean was expelled, she had no one to talk to, at home or at school. After that terrible year Melba spent at Central, she did not return there for her senior year. Instead, she went to stay at the home of Dr. George McCabe and his wife Carol in the Santa Rosa, California. Dr. Lois Peyton Pattillo (Mother Lois)-Giving birth to a sick baby the same day that Pearl Harbor was bombed started the life of Melba Pattillo Beals. Mother Lois was one of the first African American to integrate the University of Arkansas where she received her master’s in education. She worked as a seventh grade English teacher and was the main source of income for her family.

Essay on Picture of Dorian Gray: A Jungian Analysis :: Picture Dorian Gray Essays

   The Picture of Dorian Gray begins with Basil describing his fascination with Dorian, and ends with his masterpiece reverting to its original splendour. He describes his reaction to Dorian in these words: "When our eyes met, I felt I was growing pale. A curious sensation of terror came over me. I knew that I had come face to face with some one whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself." (6) Such a reaction is not a reaction to another human being. It signals an intimation of something super-human. The word "fascinating" comes from fascinum, which means "spell." A fascination is caused by unconscious factors. It grips us; it holds us in its power; it acts upon us. The expression "face to face" suggests an image of a "god" -- cf. Jacob's experience at Peniel (Gen. 32.30) or Moses in the Tabernacle (Ex. 33.11). Dorian as both Dionysos and Apollo corresponds to both Jung's definitions of the Self: "a god-image in the psyche," and a "complexio oppositorum" (Vol. 9.ii; par. 73; also CW 11.283). For Jung held that a god-image must be a mixture of opposites "if it is to represent any kind of totality" (CW 13.289). According to Jung, the Self is an autonomous archetypal image, which symbolizes something towards which the individual is striving. An experience of the Self thus represents an intimation of a meaning which the individual has not yet assimilated. The individual's task is to integrate the meaning implicit in his or her particular experience, but not to identify with it, for this would signal psychological inflation. Basil lives only for his art (56). He is afraid of life, because it is capable of exerting an influence over him which he feels as threatening. He is afraid of Dorian, because Dorian personifies the Dionysian side of his own personality which he has repressed. Thus he needs Dorian, because only through Dorian can he feel that he is alive. The contrast between them is suggestive. Basil is fascinated by what he himself is not. The attributes which he finds so fascinating stand in "compensatory" relation to him. But, instead of seeing his fascination as symbolic of a need to develop the Dionysian side of his own personality, he seeks to perpetuate his experience through art.

The Discovery Essay

‘The Discovery’, by J. C Squire describes a historical event: Christopher Columbus’s ‘discovery’ of the New World on his 1942 expedition across the Atlantic Ocean which initiated the process of Spanish colonisation. The poem has gone by several names including ‘The Caravels, ‘Sonnet’ and ‘There was an Indian’. John Collings Squire (J. C Squire) (1884-1958) was a British poet, writer, historian, influential literary critic and editor of the post WW1 period. He was also a leading poet of the Georgian period. The poem is a simple sonnet; made up of two quatrains and a sestet. The rhyme scheme is abab, cdcd, efegfg. The rhyme creates a steady, forward-moving motion similar to the movement of the waves and the inevitability of the oncoming Spanish vessels reaching the shore. The poet uses simple language and imagery which mirror the uncomplicated life of the Indian from whose perspective this historical event is retold. The discovery of the New World is often related from the perspective of the Spanish colonisers of the 15th and 16th centuries. Squire also reminds us that this was a two-fold discovery as the indigenous Americans discovered a new world of their own. The phrase, ‘an Indian’, in the first stanza lends a sense of anonymity to the identity of the Indian who witnesses the arrival of Columbus. The indefinite article (an) allows us to believe that this Indian represents all Native Americans. The opening line is reminiscent of a folktale. This style suggests a mythologizing of this historical event, infusing it with an element of magic. One might also believe it to be an example of the oral tradition of legends told among Native Americans. Like other Indians, the Indian in the poem ‘had known no change’. His life consisted of gathering shells; a simple way of life that belonged to an old civilisation for which this discovery was sure to be a shock. The alliteration of ‘s/sh’ in the line ‘†¦ along a sunlit beach. Gathering shells’ depicts the calm, serene and uninterrupted life of the natives. He ‘strayed content’ almost aimlessly, along a ‘sunlit beach’, in no rush to go about his simple life. The presence of dawn symbolises the dawn of a new era in the life of the Indian. We are reminded that historical records show that the event occurred at dawn. Light also symbolises knowledge and discovery for both the Spanish and the Indians. The caesura in the third line ‘He heard a sudden, strange commingled noise’ effectively draws our attention to the abrupt change in this tranquil picture. The caesura evokes a sense of confusion in the atmosphere which was once silent but is now filled with an unfamiliar noise. This is created through the use of alliteration and hard consonants. The Indian’s reaction in the last line of the first stanza ‘looked up: and gasped for speech’ indicates how amazed and speechless he was. The caesura in line four ‘Commingled noise: looked up; and gasped for speech’, also denotes the abrupt actions and reactions of the Indian man. The second stanza is linked to the first stanza by means of a further explanation for the sudden change in the first quatrain. The poet evokes the Indian’s tone of amazement and wonder at the appearance of the ‘huge canoes’ that appear ‘by magic’. The idea of magic evokes a contrast between the two civilisations; the superstitious, tribal beliefs of the natives versus the more advanced scientific beliefs of the Spanish. The poet also evokes the serene, tranquil and undefiled setting and one of confusion which is emphasised by the impressive image of these unnatural and unfamiliar sea vessels on the water. The Indian is unfamiliar with these large ships. In fact, he can only describe them in terms of what he already knows, for eg. ‘huge canoes’ and ‘not one oar’. The Indian’s tone of awe is audible even though the poet does not give him a voice. Perhaps, this is to further emphasise the domination and oppression of the Spanish colonisation of the Native Americans stamping out their voice, culture and traditions. The images used in the stanza are simple yet vivid as can be seen through the image of the ‘Bellying cloths’ and ‘Fluttering coloured signs. The second quatrain is stylistically interesting because the poet is conscious of the different perspectives: that of the Indian man who tries to describe these unfamiliar objects by adapting them to those he is familiar with, and that of the reader who has a knowledge of history and immediately recognises the Indian’s attempt to describe the billowing sails, fluttering flags and ‘clambering crews’. The alliteration of the letter ‘k’ sound in the last line of the second stanza ‘And fluttering coloured signs and clambering crews’, reminds us of the confusion and cacophony created by the sailors as they prepare to land. The third stanza, the ‘sestet’, begins with the conjunction ‘And’, linking it to the previous stanzas. There is now a Volta as the focus shifts to the Indian’s reaction to the caravels. There is an even greater use of caesura which creates an abrupt and staccato rhythm which might reflect the fear that has overcome the Indian, maybe his accelerated heartbeat too. The Volta between the second and third stanzas is also evident in the rhyme scheme which suggests the inevitable, impending conclusion to this sighting as the caravels ‘Slant to the shore, and all their seamen land’. The final stanza draws a clear contrast between the native, who is ‘naked’ and ‘alone’ and the numerous sailors disembarking ‘Columbus’ doom-burdened caravels’. The Indian’s nakedness suggests his primitive lifestyle and his defencelessness. The Indian reacts ‘in fear’ and drops his shells. This symbolises the fall of the native civilisation; his face turns white and he also kneels behind a stone. He stares at this monstrous sight and ‘did not understand’ the full impact of what was unfolding before his eyes. The poet’s intention is to make the contrast between the Spanish and the Indian evidently clear and simple to the reader, in order to draw our attention to the other side of the story which is rarely told in history books. This is emphasised by the choice of perspective for the poem. The image of ‘Columbus’ doom-burdened caravels’ is a powerful one, suggesting a grimly mocking or cynical tone because these caravels symbolise the beginning of the corruption of old civilisations. The final image of the sailors landing on shore is ominous, adding to the heaviness that weighs upon the reader’s knowledge of what will inevitably follow. The poem ends abruptly as the poet does not need to tell us anything else due to the readers’ knowledge of what happens next which has been documented in the history books.