Virtual Learning Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Virtual Learning Environment - Essay Example There are various advantages associated with the use of ILT and the VLE as educational learning supporting tools. Accessibility is one such advantage associated with the use of VLE, mainly for students with special needs, and for those of part time and distance learning (Herman, 2004 p120). Since the tools associated with the VLE can be accessed from any point by the students, it allows tutors to address their students through channels such as videos, voice and sounds as well as pictures. Thus, this creates conveniences for students who cannot present themselves to class due to various reasons. Students with special needs who may have difficulties attending to such classes can sit at the convenience of their rooms and access the lesson from there. Better, is the convenience created for the distance-learning students who may not be able to travel to a certain country to access the education program but can easily access it from their mother countries through VLE. Part time students ca n also attend to the lessons at their convenient time, since they may not be able to present themselves during the class time, as they may be occupied with their jobs or other activities (Herman, 2004 p133). VLE is also beneficial to students who are slow learners, since it allows them to repeat the lessons taught later on, at their own pace, so they can understand better. The other advantage associated with VLE is the interactivity it provides the parties involved in the learning process. There is a great deal of interactivity between the students and their teachers, which involves instant feedbacks given to the questions asked by the students to their teachers. The teacher can easily access the progress of the student and thus correct them instantly on the mistakes they make in the process of undertaking their assignment, as there is no time lag between the presentation of the assignment and the marking (Herman, 2004 p125). VLE affords an opportunity for students to undertake thei r learning activities in a self-directed manner, thus allowing them to understand and synthesize all the details in a particular lesson. The other element of interactivity created by VLE is the customization of the learning process and activities, whereby the students learning process are individualized, enhancing their understanding of the content of the lessons taught (Herman, 2004 p118). Since the students are involved in the actual undertaking of the activities as prescribed in the VLE learning guide, they happen to understand the content better. Communication is a great advantage provided by VLE as a learning tool. Such facilities as the bulletin boards as provided by this tool serves to enhance the communication between the student and the tutor. This facility can be utilized as a means of evaluating the sources that the students can refer to regarding the lessons and topic they are learning (Herman, 2004 p130). This facility is an effective communication tool for distance lea rning, by offering real time communication. Communication is also enhanced through group work, which is a vital and relevant part of learning for students. More important is the alerts that this facility allows the students, notifying them when the teacher is available to address their issues (Herman, 2004 p119). Communication is enhanced through a structured program thus affording the students an opportunity to undertake revision throughout the

Comparison between Utilitarianism and Idealism Essay Example for Free

Comparison between Utilitarianism and Idealism Essay The two theories that will be compared and contrasted in this essay are Platos Idealism and Mill Benthams Utilitarianism. I chose these two theories because, to me, they are the ones that seem to be the most realistic and interesting. The way to get from the level of the is to the level of the ought of the Philosophers in these theories are the two bests. In this essay, it will be shown that the two theories are not so different in their relation between the level of the is and the level of the ought; it will be shown that Idealism would be a better theory for a society with highly intellectual people, and that a combination of these theory would be the best way for our society to evolve from the level of the is to the level of the ought. Platos way to go from the is to the ought is socratic questioning. He says that we should question ourselves on whether the moral views we have are ideal or not. He also says that the way of looking at things we have is wrong because all men are not the same, and so they do not have the same opinion of things. Part of his theory says that to get to true virtue (ideal moral views) we have to trim down all the false moral views we have and get to the basic, timeless, and unchanging patterns of the Good. With those ideal moral views we would be able to mirror the Good. Examples of false ideal moral views for Plato are seeking for selfish pleasures such as food, sex, and power. For Utilitarians, the way to get from the level of the is to the level of the ought is to reward or sanction a person for his or her actions. In Utilitarism people should choose actions that are the most utile for them but also for society. In other words they should choose the most pleasant and less painful actions and consequences for the greatest number of people. The degree of utility (degree of pleasure) is determined by what is called felicific calculus. This pleasure calculator is composed of different criterions that caracterise the pleasure provided by a certain action. They are intensity, duration, certainty, proximity, fecundity, and purity. These caracteristics of pleasure are calculated for ones self and for the population that his or her action concerns. If an action is said to have a fairly good utility to one but a very big disutility to society, it is said to be an immoral action. In that sense selfish pleasures are immoral. In these two theories, the socratic questioning and the felicific calculus almost play the same role in the way that the result (chosen action) should be the same if one is calculating the utility or one is referring to socratic questioning to take a decision. The socratic questioning of Idealism brings the person at the door of the right moral views by trimming all the layers of appearances and opinions over a concept. Even if one is not seeking those ideal moral views the felicific calculus should take one to the same ideal moral views if it is well performed. In that sense these two theories are the same because they give the same final result. But one of the theories seems harder to realize because everyone has to go through a long process that not every individual wants to perform or is able to perform. This theory is Idealism. On the other hand, in Utilitarianism a scale can be made out to lead people in the right way (and that scale is in fact present in our society). These theories are different in the sense that Utilirianism is easier for a society to perform well. To give rewards and punishments, society needs an authority outside the person who acts; this is why there are governements, theocracies and social opinions to guide people. Utilirianism is the most realistic because people do not have to think about what is right or wrong, they only have to follow the guides (rewards/sanctions). The society we live in is clearly Utilitarian. The many rewards (salary, respect, etc. ) and sanctions (prison, school failure, etc. ) reveal it. Everything works in function of rewards and sanctions. It implies that we only have to follow the rules given and no sanctions should be given to us. If our society was Idealist, it would imply that we would have to think and do the socratic questioning at each dilemma we have. This is impossible because not everybody is intelligent enough to do so, and most of the people would not be willing to go through that process. There is a danger in having a Utilirianism society. We just have to think of the United-States with the war they made to Irak. I believe that the population of that country trusted the felicific calculus scale (which was written by the governement) too much, because most of the population (of the USA, of course ) believed that war in Irak was a good thing. In that case the scale of that population was wrong because it did not care enough about what Irakians really wanted. If that dilemma had been well calculated, I am sure that they would let Irakians rebuild their country all alone and stop occupying the country. An Idealist society would take the time and think about that situation. They would have come to the conclusion that this war was not fair and they would have wanted to wait for real proofs of the presence of massive destruction arms before bombarding Irak. Another problem that Utilitarianism has raised is the sexual inequality. I believe that the situation we are in is caused by an error in the scale of the felicific calculus. The authority in place decided very long ago that women were inferior, and then nobody really thinked about it (or had the courage to change things) until the first feminists movements. With an Idealistic society that problem would never had occurred because Idealists always ask themselves if what they do is right. They would have understood long ago that this situation is completelly wrong. The best way to go from the level of the is to the level of the ought in our society would be to combine these two theories. First, Idealism should be used by a group of intellectuals to create a scale that would be used in felicific calculus. Then, felicific calculus should be used by the population. The scale from the felicific calculus should be adjusted as time goes on so that it evolves well with the new technological, economical and historical facts. But this is only an utopic idea because nobody would be able to create and maintain a fair felicific calculus scale since nobody can totally get to the basic principles of morality.

Understanding Company Law

Understanding Company Law In the present day situation it is the general objective of corporate law—much the same as some other augmentation of law—is likely to serve the interest of society by and large and guaranteeing a reasonable treatment of any circumstance that may emerge in this respect including different gatherings that shared in the working of any company. More particularly, the best possible destination of corporate law is to improve the aggregate welfare of all who are affected by an organisation’s activities, including the organizations shareholders, laborers, suppliers, and customers, and also outsiders, for instance, close-by gatherings and communities which assume an essential part in making the proper set up for the smooth running of the business under consideration. This is the thing that economists would depict as the journey for general social benefit. It is often said that the destinations of corporate law should be narrower. Particularly, it is on occasion said that the correct piece of corporate law is just to ensure that the association serves the best point of interest of its shareholders or, more especially, to open up budgetary returns to shareholders or, more especially still, to extend the current business cost of corporate share. In the given Case, Jeb is Henrys sibling, who was given 2% of the shares in Farming Solnsplc, by Henry. Jeb is a non-official chief of the organization, But Jeb sets up an organization, with, Joseph, called Wiltshire Parts. This new organization is to give extra parts to this second hand hardware. He accepts that in light of the fact that he has data in regards to where the hardware is generally sold, he has a readymade client base. The rights any shareholder has in any specific organization for the most part rely on upon the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the organizations articles of affiliation, the terms of issue of the shares (which are normally in the articles, however once in a while are in a determination) and any shareholders agreement Concocting the right share capital structure is a complex process in the realms of any business. Organization Law Solutions Limited gives a master advice to setting up diverse classes of shares, drafting articles of affiliation and shareholders understandings. The general circumstance is that in exchange for putting resources into an organization a shareholder gets a heap of rights in the organization which may differ as per the sort of shares obtained. Most organizations just have one class of shares (conventional shares) however the law in the UK is to a great degree adaptable and permits any classes of shares to be made. This is carried out by setting out the di stinctive rights connected to the different classes (typically in the organizations articles). Henry should know, what rights are appended to the diverse classes of shares is basically a matter for the organization to focus. In case of the case study at hand, Herny should be understood that the directors go about as operators of their company. They have notable duties, which are to the organization itself, however not to its shareholders, its representatives or any individual outer to the organization, for example, the general public. Although an organization is a legitimate individual in law, it is not human. Since the relationship in the middle of executives and the organization is by extremely impersonal nature, it may be pondered simply what duty implies. The directors hold a position of trust on the grounds that they make contracts in the interest of the organization furthermore controls the organizations property. Since this is comparable being a Trustee of the organization, directors have guardian obligations. This constitutes some of the fiduciary duties of the directors of any company. As it can be seen in this case, Jeb, being a non-executive director of the company is entitled to obey certain duties and has definitely failed to realize that he cannot make profits at the cost of the companys interest. This is reflected in his act of taking up another business venture with another partner and intends to use the client base of farming solnsplc for his vested interests. In such case, Henry can claim this act of Jeb as fairly illegal and unconstitutional which, in turn have serious repercussions on Jebs professional life. When it comes to the state of liquidation, it should be understood by the directors and other chiefs of the organisation that it certainly leads to an elevated danger of individual claims and director’s preclusion. The directors of an insolvent organization have an obligation to put the interests of creditors, in this case, the agent in front of all different interests. On the off chance that they keep on trading the organizations business past the moment that indebted liquidation gets to be unavoidable, they buy a genuine hazard which can have devastating results on individual as well as professional front. The given case of the farming company solnsplc, it has been cited that the creditor has already put several requests in this regard with the company but still has not received the due payment for more than a year. So, as per the existing test for insolvency, the company might end up being declared insolvent if the debt owed is more than 750Â £ and has been served a formal demand for an undisputed sum at the companys registered office and the debt has not been paid for three weeks. As of this stance, the company runs a high risk of being declared insolvent. Insolvency might likewise be a trigger an occasion where the qualifying suppliers and clients take defensive measures under contracts with the organization. This can incorporate end of agreement and other authorization measures. On the off chance that an organization is in this manner set into liquidation or organization, any exchanges the organization went into for a time of up to two years prior to the bankruptcy strategy started, can be audited on application by the delegated indebtedness expert, and switched if the organization was bankrupt at the time and the exchange occurred for either short of what the business esteem or gave certain lenders need over others. Fake transactions are additionally reviewable without time limit. References: DOUGLAS C. NORTH, INSTITUTIONS, INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE (1990); THE FRONTIERS OF THE NEW INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS (John N. Drobak John V.C. Nye eds., 1997); Oliver E. Williamson, The New Institutional Economics: Taking Stock, Looking Ahead, 38 J. ECON. LIT. 595 (2000) Bernard Black Reinier Kraakman, A Self-Enforcing Model of Corporate Law, 109 HARV. L. REV. 1911, 1913 (1996). Cf. Douglass C. North, Economic Performance Through Time, 84 AM. ECON. REV. 359, 362-63 (1994) Jonathan R. Macey and Geoffrey P. Miller, Toward an Interest-Group Theory of Delaware Corporate Law, 65 TEXAS LAW REVIEW 469 (1987); Ehud Kamar, A Regulatory Competition Theory of Indeterminacy in Corporate Law, 98 COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW 1908 (1998).

Ecology Lab Report: Creating an Ecosystem in a Bottle Essay -- essays

Objective: To create an ecosystem contained in a bottle with both terrestrial and aquatic environments sealed to the outside world. Hypothesis/Predictions: I predict the fish will last for 3 days. I predict the crickets will last for a week. Materials: 1. fish 2. Water 3. 2 plants 4. Soil 5. Rag 6. Graphite 7. 2 Liter Bottle (2) 8. Tape 9. 2 Snails 10. 3 crickets Procedure: Cut top off 2 liter bottle and bottom off another. Fill the one without a top with water and put a plant, 1 fish, and 2 snails in water. Put a rag through the top of other bottle and pile with graphite (rocks). Put dirt, plants, and anything else that is required or put in optionally in container. Data: Water Level 1- 10 Â ½ cm Plant height 1- 9 Â ½ cm 2- 10 Â ½ cm 2- 9 Â ½ cm 3- 10 Â ¼ cm 3- 9 Â ¾ cm 4- 10 cm 4- 10 cm 5- 10 cm 5- 10 Â ¼ cm 6- 10 cm 6- 10 cm 7- 10 cm 7- 10 cm 8- 10 cm 8- 10 cm 9- 98 mm 9- 10 cm Logs Day 1 5/22/07 The water has turned into a very light and transparent yellow. Everything in tank seems in order. Crickets and fish seem lively. Not much change. Day 2 5/25/07 The water is a medium shade of yellow. The fish and crickets s... ... yes the ecology project of course! Through the exciting endeavors of my experimentation I have discovered over time that my environment has changed dramatically! The mighty creatures of before have fallen to their graves. Only 50% of all life from the beginning of my project still lives. During the experiments I have discovered that both my early predictions came true. The crickets did live for a week and my fish lived for more then 3 days. My predictions came as true as Edward Cayce?s. During this experiment I learned that a tiny environment within a 2 liter bottle was possible and it could very easy be capable of life. It seems in the end this experiment has made me wiser and stronger in a sense and gave me strength to keep on marching toward a bright future in which the old days shall return and everyone shall be just as it once was many years ago?..

You Suck: A Love Story Chapter 23~24

Chapter Twenty-three Being the Chronicles of Abby Normal: The Hunted Apparently I am the Hunted, which, I want to note here, I am totally not qualified for. Here I sit, perched in the rafters (I think these things are rafters) of the Oakland Bay Bridge like a crippled night bird, waiting for doom to descend on me in the form of an ancient, undead thing, to wrench the very limbs from my delicate body. So that sucks. Fortunately I have some sustenance until my Dark Lord and Lady rise from their diurnal slumber to kick some fucking ass. I know I should be eating bugs and spiders and stuff to facilitate my vampyrism, but as a vegetarian, I haven't developed the hunting skills, so I've started with some Gummi Bears I got at the theater. (Supposedly they are made out of beef pectin or extract of horse hooves or something, so I think they make a good transition to the nosferatu diet. And I like biting off their tiny heads.) Here, high above the City – well, actually, we're about ten feet above some homeless people who live under the bridge – I feel like the guardian of an ancient tomb, willing to face any attacker to protect my master and mistress, who are wrapped in tarps, lying on the next beam or rafter or whatever. OMFG, there are fucking pigeons everywhere! Sorry, one just pooped on my notebook. Never mind. Move along. I'm over it. But ewwww! Jared has gone to his dad's house in the Noe Valley to get the lawn cart and minivan so we can transport my masters to safety. He left me his dagger, which I've only had to brandish once, against a woman who wanted to take the tarp from over my Dark Lord. Then I used it to scrape off my old nail polish, which was totally chipped and stuff from doing minion manual labor. So, my masters like met up with us outside the Museum of Modern Art and they were all, â€Å"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?† And they were being all secretive around Jared, like he didn't know we were vampyres. And I was all, â€Å"Just chill, he's assistant minion.† So they relaxed. Then Flood pulls this bronze hand out of his bag and he's all, â€Å"Abby, do you know what this is?† And I was all, â€Å"Why yes, Lord Flood,† because I speak obvious as a second language. â€Å"It's a bronze hand, correct?† So the Countess took the hand from him. â€Å"Abby, this is what's left of the shell of the vampyre who turned me.† So I'm all, â€Å"Begging your pardon and whatnot, Countess, but that's a statue hand.† And she's all, â€Å"That's what I'm saying.† Which is not what the fuck she was saying at all. So it turns out that the bronze statue that used to be in the loft was actually the vampyre who turned the Countess, and then the Countess turned the vampyre Flood, except he was just Flood then. So the old vampyre, whose name is Elijah, got all PMS and started fucking with the Countess by leaving dead bodies all over town with evidence pointing toward her, and threatening to kill her minion, who was Flood at the time, and it got completely out of hand, with some cops and the geeks from the Safeway blowing up Elijah's yacht and really pissing him off, and then the Countess pretending to save Elijah when in fact she was extracting his ancient vampyry secrets, and Flood bronzing them both, but letting the Countess out because she is the love of his life and whatnot. So Flood, who is not a mysterious and ancient creature of the night at all, but has been a vampyre like a week longer than I have, took the statue down to the waterfront to drop it in the Bay, so it wouldn't remind the Coun tess of her heart being torn asunder by the yearning for two lovers and stuff. But the sun came up and Flood left the statue on the Embarcadero, and when they went back it was gone, and it turns out that Elijah is loose and he was the crusty vampyre in the yellow tracksuit I saw shaking the huge cat guy and he is now stalking me to get back at the Countess for being a duplicitous ho. So Jared was all, â€Å"Fuck. That's awesome.† And I was all, â€Å"You lied to me.† And the Countess was all, â€Å"Yeah, sunshine, that's why I'm telling you this now.† Which was completely unnecessary sarcasm on her part. And Jared was like, â€Å"This is the best Christmas ever.† And I was all, â€Å"Shut up, gay-bait. I've been betrayed.† And the Countess was all, â€Å"You'll get over it. We have to go see if William is okay.† And I see now that she was right, but I brooded as we went back to the loft, just to make a point, because I hate it when people take me for granted. When we got to the Countess's block, there was an ambulance there and cops all over the place, so Flood and the Countess hung back and sent me over to get the 411. I could see that the huge cat guy was on a stretcher and they were strapping oxygen on him. And I was all, â€Å"Let me through, this man is my father.† And the EMTs were all, â€Å"No way.† And I was all, â€Å"Who called you, anyway?† And they were like, â€Å"The guy in the building. A sculptor or something.† And then the cat guy was all, â€Å"Let her through.† So they let me through. So I blew by the EMT to the huge cat guy, and I was all, â€Å"Are you okay?† And he was like, â€Å"Well, my head hurts like hell, and I think my leg is broke.† And I was all, â€Å"Is there anything I can do?† Because I was under orders of the Countess to gain information and offer assistance. And he was like, â€Å"If you could take care of Chet. He's in the stairwell. He'll be hungry.† And I was all, â€Å"You got it.† So then he like pulled the oxygen mask off and had me bend over so he could whisper, and I was all, â€Å"Yes, Dad,† for the EMTs who were watching. And he whispered like, â€Å"Before they take me away, could I see your tits.† So I kicked him in the ribs. And the EMTs went all byzerk and shit, and told me to get away, but they were totally overreacting, because I had on my red Converse All Stars, which will hardly even bruise you. So they loaded him into the ambulance, and just as they were shutting the doors, he reached out his hand, like he was a drowning man reaching for the last spark of his mortality before the inky waves of death swept him away – so I flashed my boobs for him, just a quick lift of my bra and top at the same time, because I don't think we do enough to help the homeless, and I wanted him to die a happy man. And besides, they're small and I don't get that many requests. So I got Chet out of the stairway of the old loft and was carrying him kid-style when I saw the two cops from before – the ones the Countess said helped blow up Elijah – so I went up to the Hispano-cop and I was all, â€Å"So, what's up, cop?† And he was all, â€Å"You need to get home, and you have no business out at this hour, and we should take you to the station and call your parents and blah, blah, blah, threat, threat, disapproval, and fascist dogma all up in your darkly delicious grille.† (I'm paraphrasing. Although I do have a delicious grille as I had to wear braces for three years when I was a kid, and now my teeth are like my most acceptable feature. I hope my fangs come in straight.) And the big gay cop was all, â€Å"What are you doing here?† And I was all, â€Å"I live here, bone-smoker, what are you doing here? Aren't you guys homicide cops?† And he was all, â€Å"Let's see some ID blah, blah, bluster, bluster, Oh My God I am so full of shit.† And I was like, â€Å"I guess you wouldn't have to deal with this shit if you had properly blowed up that old vampyre when you stole his art collection.† So all of a sudden the Hispano-cop and his big gay partner were all, â€Å"Whaaa – ?† And I'm like, â€Å"Just so we know where we stand. How long you bitches going to be here?† And they were like, â€Å"Just a half hour or so longer, miss. We need to interview some witnesses and go clean out our boxers where we have just completely shit ourselves. Do you need a ride somewhere?† (Again paraphrasing.) So I walked off, while they were still stunned, let Chet into the new loft down the street like it was mine, then ran around the block and reported to the Countess and Flood. Jared was just staring at them like he was hypnotized or something. I was like, â€Å"Hey, Boo,† to remind him what a tard he was being and Jared snapped out. (Lily and Jared and I watched the To Kill a Mockingbird DVD like six times together and our favorite part is when Scout sees Boo Radley behind the door and goes, â€Å"Hey, Boo.† It's like thanking the universe for sending you a benevolent retard to help you out, which is how I often feel about Jared.) So I was like, â€Å"Buy me a coffee.† And the Countess and Flood look at each other and shake their heads. No money. So I was like, â€Å"You guys are so fucking lame. You have piles of cash and you roll with no money. You are no longer the Dark Lord and Lady of me.† Which I totally didn't mean, but I was stressed and starting to get a low-on-caffeine headache. But Jared goes, â€Å"Hey, Boo† at me, and he's holding a ten-dollar bill. And I pretended to find a snag in my fishnets so everyone would quit looking at me. The Countess said she knew of a Chinese diner off Freemont Street that was open all night on Christmas and we could hang out there until the cops left. Jared and I had cups of coffee and an order of fries, which FYI, taste a little like shrimp in a Chinese diner. And Flood and the Countess are watching us, looking all sad. So I'm like, â€Å"What? What? What?† And the Countess is all, â€Å"Nothing.† Which I know is totally something, because I say it all the time. And I watch her eyes follow Jared's cup as he sips his coffee and I'm all, â€Å"Oh, fucksocks, Countess, cowboy the fuck up, would you?† Then I slipped Jared's dagger out of his boot, grabbed his hand, and poked him in the thumb. I'd like to say right here that the screaming was totally unnecessary. And whatever the Chinese guy was saying at me from behind the counter was a total overreaction and how does he expect me to understand him when he's talking that fast AND in Chinese? Anyway, after I squeezed Jared's thumb into his cup, then a little into my own and gave it to Flood, everyone calmed down, even the Chinese guy after Jared paid him for two more coffees – and the meeting of the Immortal SOMA Drama Queens officially came to order. It seemed like we waited forever, and the Countess and Flood wouldn't answer any of my questions about the way of the nosferatu. It was like they had no idea what they were doing. Like last year I took Advanced Foods class (which is like cooking for nerds) after lunch, and so I usually took a nap. Which was fine, because I'm not even thrilled about regular foods, so, you know, what do I need with like advanced digital HD wi-fi foods and whatnot – so I took the course pass-fail and slept. But then, at the end of the semester, my mom springs this trap on me, like – â€Å"Oh, Allison, I've bought ingredients and you can prepare dinner for Ronnie and me to show what you learned in your Advanced Foods class. It'll be fun.† You can pretty much bet that anytime Mom uses the phrase â€Å"it'll be fun,† she is about to drive a stake in fun's heart so that it may never rise again. Which is what happened. Artichokes? Who eats something like that? I thought it was a weapon. So anyway, after nine eternities in the diner, we went back to the loft, where the Countess said she had my Christmas present waiting. When we got to the block, the cops and EMTs were gone and it looked like the coast was clear, but when the Countess opened the security door to the loft, there, sitting on the steps, was the old vampyre, naked. Well, the Countess and Flood jumped about eighteen feet in the air and I'm pretty sure I peed a little. Yes, I definitely peed. Jared just started an asthma attack, not the whole attack, just the first gasp. He just stopped breathing after that. So Elijah is all, â€Å"I needed to do some laundry.† Let me say right here, if I haven't made it clear, that I have seen as many pale, naked old-man parts in the last twenty-four hours to bruise my delicate psyche for a lifetime, so don't be surprised if you someday find me wandering the moors at midnight, a crazed look in my eye, babbling about albino Tater Tots nesting in Brillo pads and being pursued by sagging man ass, because that shit can happen when you've been traumatized. Then Flood threw himself against the door and screamed for us to run as he bravely held the door against our ancient vampyre ancestor's assaults. I was beginning to doubt Flood's ability to fulfill his duties as my Dark Lord until he stepped up and saved us – valiant vampyre hero that he is – because I was starting to think he was just a geek with a passing knowledge of poetry. As we ran I could hear Elijah saying, â€Å"He peed on my tracksuit,† as he threw himself against the door, or I guessed he did, because I didn't turn around until we were two blocks away. The Countess was all, â€Å"I've got to go back for him.† But before she even turned around, my Dark Lord came running around the corner. And he was all, â€Å"Go, go, go!† waving at us. And we were all, â€Å"Where? Where? Where?† And then as the Countess threw her arms around Flood and started to squeeze the bejeezus out of him, and Jared was all, â€Å"Gasp, get a room, gasp,† her watch started beeping. Then Flood's watch was beeping, too. And they were all, â€Å"Uh-oh.† So we had like ten minutes to find someplace dark to hide them, and no one had any money for a hotel, even if we had the time to check in and whatnot. So they ran toward a big construction site under the Bay Bridge. And I was thinking, I do not want to bury my masters in the construction site. What if they got paved? It would totally freak them out to get paved. And the Countess was all, â€Å"How did you get away?† And the vampyre Flood was all, â€Å"The dryer buzzer went off.† And she was all, â€Å"He let you live because his laundry was done?† And Flood goes, â€Å"Lucky, huh?† Totally not out of breath, even with the running. So when we got to the construction site, everything was either open or would be when everyone came to work. And the Countess looked up into the rafters or whatever of the bridge and goes, â€Å"There.† So there is where we went. I grabbed some tarps that were covering this generator thing by the construction site and Jared and I climbed up into the rafters with our vampyre sires and helped tuck them in just in time for them to go out. But as it got lighter, and we saw all the homeless people around, Jared and I realized that our masters would not be safe here when all the homeless people who lived under the bridge noticed the tarps and our delicate youth or smelled my Gummi Bears and came after us. So Jared went to get the garden cart, some trash bags and duct tape, and hopefully his stepmom's minivan so we can move our masters to a safer realm. Oh, check it, before the Countess passed into the inky sleep of the undead, I was like, â€Å"So what did you get me for Christmas?† And she was all, â€Å"Ten thousand dollars.† And I was like, â€Å"I didn't get you guys anything.† And she was like, â€Å"That's okay. You are our most special favorite minion and it's all good.† Which is why I love her and will guard her to the death. Then she like kissed the vampyre Flood and passed out. I'm sure their love will span the ages, if Jared and I don't fuck up and fry them during transport. OMG! I just remembered, we forgot to feed Chet! Chapter Twenty-four The Half-Life of American Cheese The Cheddar Princess of Fond du Lac was toasted. It wasn't just the bursting into flames that had crispied her up more than somewhat physically, it was that Drew's blood tasted like bong water, and she was still a little mentally baked from feeding on him. She'd made the mistake of trying to get the taste out of her mouth with some orange juice and had been rewarded with five minutes of the dry heaves. She brushed at her arms and great black flakes of burned skin came away, revealing fresh, unscarred skin below. Drew's blood was healing her, but it appeared that the process was going to take time and, like life in general, was going to be messy. Maybe a bath. She padded naked into the bathroom, which was done all in slabs of granite and green glass, and ran her bath. While the tub filled, she picked the last few burned tatters of her dress away from her skin and dropped them into the toilet. There was a swath of gray dust across the black tile, the remains of the original owner, and she was tracking him all over the bathroom and bedroom suite, so she stopped to sweep him into the corner with a towel. That had sort of been a surprise (in what was turning out to be a long line of surprises) when her first victim had disintegrated in her arms two nights ago, just as she was getting the hang of blood drinking. â€Å"Oops.† He had been so nice, too. Had picked her up in his Mercedes not two minutes after she'd stumbled out of Lash's apartment building wearing nothing but a leather bustier and thigh-high platform boots. It wasn't the first time she'd been on the street with her ass hanging out – that wasn't what had thrown her. It was waking up feeling like her tits were on fire to see her body rejecting the giant silicone globes she had spent so much money having implanted. Even as she tried to push them back in with her hands, the implants pushed through her skin, opening her up like they were aliens hatching out of her. She screamed as they broke through and rolled to the floor, then lay there, quivering on the carpet. As she watched, her skin mended, her breasts tightened and lifted, the pain had turned to a tingling, but now she felt a squirming in her face – her lips specifically, and she wiped her mouth and came away with two sluglike lines of silicone that had been injected years ag o. It was only then, in looking at the grotesque globs of lip filler on her hand, that Blue realized she wasn't blue at all. Her palms were baby white. Her arms, her legs – she ran to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. An old familiar stranger looked back at her – the Cheddar Princess of Fond du Lac. She hadn't seen this person since high school; the milky-white skin, hair almost white blond, still in the severe cut of the blue call girl, but looking somewhat like a pageboy cut now. Even the tattoos she'd had done in her early days in Vegas were gone. I'm alive, she thought. Then: And I'm going to be alive forever. Then: And I'm going to need some fucking money. She ran to Lash's bedroom to where she'd left her makeup case. It was gone. Her money was gone! She ran out of the apartment and down the steps like she might see a green trail of bills blowing in the wind in the direction her money had escaped, but once on the street, she headed for the only place she knew, toward the Marina Safeway. She got half a block before the Mercedes pulled up and the electric window rolled down. â€Å"Hey, you need a ride? It's a little chilly out here for that outfit.† His name had been David, and he did something that had to do with moving money around. Whatever it was, it must have paid well. He was wearing a two-thousand-dollar suit and his penthouse apartment on Russian Hill looked out on Golden Gate Bridge and the massive dome at the Palace of Fine Arts. He'd given her his coat to wear up in the elevator. It was in the elevator that the hunger had come upon her. Poor David. They hadn't even talked price before she'd had him bent over the green glass vanity in the bathroom, drinking his life away. â€Å"Oops.† The difference, she realized, between what had happened to her and what had happened to David had been the bloody kiss she'd taken from Tommy. But for a kiss, she, too, would be a pile of dust. There should be a song like that, she thought. At least she'd learned before she took her victims. Now she swept the last of David into the corner, then scraped him up with a piece of cardboard from his shirt drawer and dumped him into the wastebasket. Then she slipped into the tub full of bubbles and began to scrub off her charred skin. She wouldn't be able to stay long. David had been married or had a girlfriend. Blue had found a whole closet full of women's clothes – expensive clothes, and the woman would probably be back. Of course, this would make a great base of operations, maybe she could just wait for the wife to return and sweep her into the wastebasket with David. Blue leaned back and closed her eyes, listened to the bubbles popping, the wires humming through the building, the traffic out on the streets, to fishing boats leaving the wharf – then a sudden intake of breath from the living room, then another, deeper gasp as the second one found life, then a long man-scream. The dead Animals she'd collected were coming back to life. â€Å"Sit tight, boys,† Blue said. â€Å"Mama's just going to get cleaned up and put on a new dress, then we'll go get you something to eat and pick up my money.† She ran a sponge over her arm and smiled. She really could be Snow White now. One dwarf at a time, she thought. Elijah Ben Sapir had roamed the planet for eight hundred and seventeen years. In that time he had seen empires rise and fall, miracles and massacres, ages of ignorance and ages of enlightenment: the full spectrum of mankind's cruelty and kindness. He had seen all manner of freakishness, from the perversions of nature to the perversions of mind, twisted, beautiful, terrifying: he thought he had seen it all. But for all of his years, and all the acuity of perception enabled by his vampire senses, he had never seen a huge shaved cat in a red sweater, and sitting there in his newly washed yellow tracksuit, still warm from the dryer and smelling of soap and fabric softener, he smiled. â€Å"Hey, kitty,† the old vampire said. The huge cat eyed him suspiciously from across the loft. The cat could sense that he was a predator, just as Elijah could sense that the cat had been prey to a vampire. Kitty treat. â€Å"I'm not going to eat you, kitty. I've fed quite enough.† It was true. Elijah was feeling a little bloated from trying to keep the body count up. Perhaps he should just kill the next few, not feed. But no, the police wouldn't know it was a vampire then, and there'd be no joy in terrorizing the fledgling. He just wasn't ready to feed yet. There was someone in the stairwell right now, he could hear her breathing and smell patchouli and clove cigarette odor wafting under the door. Soon enough, he thought. â€Å"Perhaps we'll find something for you to eat, hey, kitty?† Elijah vaulted off the bar stool and began opening cupboards. In the third one he found pouches of Tender Vittles. He took a bowl from the cupboard that looked as if it had never been used, dumped in the meatish nuggets, and shook them around. â€Å"Come, kitty.† Chet padded a few steps toward the kitchenette, then stopped. Elijah put the bowl down and stepped away. â€Å"I understand, kitty. I don't like to eat in front of witnesses either. But sometimes – â€Å" The vampire heard a car pull up outside, a car that hadn't been tuned in a while. He cocked his head and listened as the doors opened and slammed. Four got out. He heard their steps on the concrete, a female voice, hissing at the other three. In an instant he was at the window looking down, and in spite of himself, he smiled again. There was no vivid life aura around the four down on the sidewalk. No healthy pink glow, no black shadow of death. The visitors below were not human. Vampires. On one hand, an indication of an enormous problem – one that just might attract attention that he could ill afford – but on the other, exciting in a way that he hadn't felt in a hundred years. â€Å"Four against one. Oh my, kitty, how ever will I prevail?† The old vampire ran his tongue over his fangs. For all the rage, frustration, and discomfort he'd endured since choosing the redhead as his fledgling, he was, for the first time in decades, not bored. He was having the time of his very long life. â€Å"Killing time, kitty,† he said, slipping into a pair of Tommy's Nikes. Jody awoke to the smell of clove cigarettes and the crunching of Cheese Newts. There was music screeching, too – a whiny guy singing about some girl named Ligeia, who apparently he missed a great deal because he was talking about dragging her worm-worn corpse from the earth and caressing her cheek on a cliff above the sea before throwing himself off, with her in his arms. The singer sounded a little down, and like he could have used a throat lozenge. She opened her eyes and was initially blinded until she adjusted to the black light, then she yelped. Jared White Wolf was sitting on the bed about two feet away from her, shoving handfuls of crunchy Cheese Newts into his mouth. There was a brown rat on his shoulder. â€Å"Hi.† Newt crumbs sprayed and fluoresced on the black sheets and clothing. â€Å"Hi,† Jody said, turning her head to avoid the crumbs. â€Å"This is my room. Do you like it?† Jody looked around, for once not really that thrilled with her vampire night-vision abilities. There were disturbing stains glowing on the sheets, and almost everything else in the room was black with a patina of vibrant blacklight-enhanced dust or lint – there was even lint on the rat. â€Å"It's swell,† she said. Interesting, she thought. She was no longer afraid of gang members and street criminals, and would even throw down with an eight-hundred-year-old vampire if need be, but rodents still sort of gave her the willies. The rat's eyes were glowing silver in the black light. â€Å"This is Lucifer Two.† Jared scooped the animal off his shoulder and held him out. Despite an attempt at self-control, Jody climbed backwards halfway up the wall, shredding a Marilyn Manson poster with her nails in the process. â€Å"Lucifer One went on to his dark reward when I tried to dye him black.† â€Å"Sad,† Jody said. â€Å"Yeah.† Jared turned the rat and rubbed noses with him. â€Å"I was hoping we could turn him to nosferatu when you bring Abby and me into the fold.† â€Å"Yeah, sure, that'll happen. Why am I in your room, Jared?† â€Å"It was the only place we could think to bring you. It wasn't safe under the bridge. Abby had to go, so I'm in charge.† â€Å"Good for you. Where's Tommy?† â€Å"Under the bed.† She would have known that – would have heard him breathing if the music wasn't cranked up to coffin-splitting volume. â€Å"Could you turn the music down a little, please?† † ‘Kay,† Jared said. He tucked Lucifer Two in his pocket and spidered across the bed, getting a little tangled in his black duster, then rolled to the floor and across the room in a commando-under-fire move until he got to the stereo, where he twisted the dial, putting the keening Emo singer out of his misery, or at least shutting him the fuck up. â€Å"Where are we?† Tommy's voice from under the bed. â€Å"It smells like gym socks stuffed with ground-up hippies.† â€Å"We're in Jared's room,† Jody said. She let a hand drop off the edge of the bed. Tommy took it and she pulled him out. He was still partially wrapped in duct tape and garbage bags. â€Å"Was I a hostage again?† â€Å"We had to cover you up to keep you from burning in the sun.† â€Å"Well, thanks.† Tommy looked at Jody, who shrugged. â€Å"I was unwrapped when I woke up,† she said. â€Å"That's because Abby says you're the Alpha vamp. Do you guys want to play Xbox or watch a DVD? I have The Crow Special Collector's Edition.† â€Å"Gee,† Jody said, â€Å"that would be great, Jared, but we'd better be going.† Tommy had already picked up the Xbox controller, but set it down with marked disapproval, as if he'd notice a little botulism there on the trigger button. â€Å"Oh, you can't go until the ‘rents go to bed.† Jared giggled, high and girlish. â€Å"The door is right by where they watch TV.† â€Å"We'll go out a window,† Jody said. Jared giggled again, then snorted a little, then started to honk, then took a hit from the inhaler that hung around his neck before he went on. â€Å"There's no window. This basement is totally windowless. Like we've been walled up in here with our own grotesque despair. Isn't it sweet?† â€Å"We could go to mist,† Tommy said. â€Å"Go out under the door.† â€Å"That would be so cool,† Jared said, â€Å"but my dad put rubber gaskets around the door to contain my disgusting Goth stench. That's what he calls it: my ‘disgusting Goth stench. Although I don't think I'm really Goth, more like death punk. He just doesn't like cloves. Or pot. Or patchouli. Or gay people.† â€Å"Philistine,† Tommy said. â€Å"Oh, would you guys like some Cheese Newts?† Jared picked the box up off the floor and held it out. â€Å"I can open a vein on them if you need me to.† He waved the thumb Abby had stabbed to prepare their coffee the night before, now wrapped in a ragged ball of gauze and medical tape the size of a racquetball. â€Å"I'm good,† Tommy said. Jody nodded in agreement; although she would love a cup of coffee, she didn't think she should ask the kid to stab himself quite so soon. She checked her watch. â€Å"What time do your parents go to bed?† â€Å"Oh, around ten. You'll have plenty of time to stalk the night and whatnot. Would you like to wash up or something? There's a bathroom down here. And a washing machine. My room was the wine cellar, then my dad crashed his car and started twelve-stepping, so I got this sweet room for my own. Abby says it's dank and disgusting – and she says it like it's a bad thing! I think it's just her perky side manifesting. I love her, but she really can be perky sometimes – don't tell her I said so.† Jody shook her head, then nudged Tommy, who shook his head in agreement. â€Å"We won't tell.† The kid was sort of giving her the creeps. She thought she might have lost that ability with blood drinking and the sleep of the undead and all, but nope, she was getting completely creeped out. â€Å"Jared, when is Abby coming back?† â€Å"Oh, she should be here any minute. She went to your loft to feed the cat.† â€Å"She went to our loft? The loft where Elijah was?† â€Å"No, it's okay. She went during daylight so he couldn't hurt her.† â€Å"It's not daylight anymore,† Jody said. â€Å"How do you know?† Jared said â€Å"No windows, duh.† Tommy Stooge-smacked his forehead with enough force to render a mortal man unconscious. â€Å"Because we're awake, you fucking moron!† â€Å"Oh yeah, ha,† Jared said. The trilling giggle again. â€Å"That's bad, huh?†

The Declaration of Independenc essays

The Declaration of Independenc essays America went through a major transition between the 1760s and 1770s. In the 60s, being an Englishmen was respectable and was wanted by all Americans, but by the 70s, independence from England was deemed necessary. Americans changed from following the crown and all its demands to standing up for their natural rights as free men. What used to be British rights and liberties soon became the natural liberties of mankind. Declaring independence from Great Britain was the only option for America in order to claim these natural rights. The Stamp Act was Great Britains first attempt to take away American liberties. It was met with an outcry for England to repeal the Act. The Act was considered dishonest because it brought about taxation without representation. Because there was no American representation in Parliament, acts that were oppressive towards America were passed easily. At this time, the colonists still referred to themselves as British-Americans. Because Americans were safe under British control, trade was steady, and Great Britain had never tried to impede on their liberties before this Act, most colonists wanted to reconcile their differences with England. All they wanted was a repeal and a repeal did happen, but not without consequences. With the repeal of the Stamp Act came the Declaratory Act. The colonists were pleased that the taxation had bee removed, however, they did not realize the magnitude of the Declaratory Act. The Act states the Kings majesty has full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, in all cases whatsoever. This was a turning point in American history. Up until this point, Americans had been upset with Great Britain and the Parliament, but had always wished for reconciliation. When the Intolerable Acts were pa ...

Free Essays on The Souths War

The South’s War The American Civil War was an event that changed the future of the United States of America. The outcome of the war determined whether there would be two countries instead of one united nation. Throughout the war the North and the South had completely different aspects of what happened. Many written accounts are based solely on the North’s view of the Civil War. Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind discusses the Civil War from the South’s perspective, while intertwining a wonderful, page turning story. The adventurous life of Scarlett O’Hara is full of trial and tribulations before, after and during the war. Scarlett’s experiences tell how an average southern plantation family was affected by the war. Throughout Margaret Mitchell's compelling story of Scarlet O'Hara’s life, is a historical account of the Civil War from the South's perspective shown in the life of plantation owners before the war, city dwellers during the war, and b oth plantation owners and city residents trying to get life back together after the war ended. Before the war plantation life in the South was complicated, but enjoyable. Families owned and ran large plantations and had relatively easy lives, but still worked hard for their own plantation. The O'Hara family owned and ran a plantation named Tara. It was a large cotton plantation with many slaves working the fields, in the house and as personal servants, which was typical plantation life of the era. Margaret Mitchell brought the reality of war into the lives of her fictional characters. Among men and boys war was a popular subject, but among the women it was not. When Scarlett was chatting with the Tarleton twins they brought up war excitedly and she exclaimed, "Why there isn't going to be any war!" as though it was certain(7). At a large picnic on a neighboring plantation, Twelve Oaks, the main topic of conversation was the coming war. As the barbecue was ge... Free Essays on The Souths War Free Essays on The Souths War The South’s War The American Civil War was an event that changed the future of the United States of America. The outcome of the war determined whether there would be two countries instead of one united nation. Throughout the war the North and the South had completely different aspects of what happened. Many written accounts are based solely on the North’s view of the Civil War. Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind discusses the Civil War from the South’s perspective, while intertwining a wonderful, page turning story. The adventurous life of Scarlett O’Hara is full of trial and tribulations before, after and during the war. Scarlett’s experiences tell how an average southern plantation family was affected by the war. Throughout Margaret Mitchell's compelling story of Scarlet O'Hara’s life, is a historical account of the Civil War from the South's perspective shown in the life of plantation owners before the war, city dwellers during the war, and b oth plantation owners and city residents trying to get life back together after the war ended. Before the war plantation life in the South was complicated, but enjoyable. Families owned and ran large plantations and had relatively easy lives, but still worked hard for their own plantation. The O'Hara family owned and ran a plantation named Tara. It was a large cotton plantation with many slaves working the fields, in the house and as personal servants, which was typical plantation life of the era. Margaret Mitchell brought the reality of war into the lives of her fictional characters. Among men and boys war was a popular subject, but among the women it was not. When Scarlett was chatting with the Tarleton twins they brought up war excitedly and she exclaimed, "Why there isn't going to be any war!" as though it was certain(7). At a large picnic on a neighboring plantation, Twelve Oaks, the main topic of conversation was the coming war. As the barbecue was ge...

The Golden Thread Essay Example

The Golden Thread Essay Example The Golden Thread Essay The Golden Thread Essay Essay Topic: Tale Of Two Cities A Tale of Two Cities is separated into three different books, Book one: Recalled to Life and Book two: The Golden Thread and Book three: The Track of a Storm, Which is one of the things that i like about the book. The first part of the book is explaining the era in which the novel takes place, England and France in 1775. The age is marked by competing and contradictory attitudes- â€Å"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I like that the Dickens wants the reader to understand what is going on in the time period in which the story is told so we can understand the story better. Anoter reason why I like A Tale of Two Cities is how the story was told in 3rd person point of view. He switching his focus between cities and among several characters. The narrator is also omniscient, not only revealing the thoughts, emotions, and motives of the characters, but also supplying historical context to the events that occur, commenting confidently upon them. The narrator doesnt make the story so boring. The final reason why i liked A Tale of Two Cities is its not your typical heroic rebellion of a wronged people who bring peace to their society, but a bloodthirsty revolution of a desperate, starved peasantry. It wasnt just some made up story either. It was based upon a time period in which things where bad in France and England and Charles Dickens shows you that through this novel. Even though i did like some things in this book there where things about the book in which i did not like. For example how detailed the novel was. It was just too wordy for me. I like a novel that explains whats going on but not to the extent that Dickens does. He gives you just a little to much to grasp all at one time and at points in the book it is really hard to understand the what he is trying to tell. Another reason why I dislike the novel is some of the characters, for example I think Lucie Manette is a pathetic character. She adds a stereotype into the novel, being that women are weak and are unable to handle hard situations. She is too perfect and almost reaches the point of annoyance. One of the other reasons why I dislike the novel is the old style writting. I am a reader that has to be able to relate to the characters and the story line and if I cant. I dont stay interested for long and it makes the story boring for me. It has to have something I can understand what the characters are going through to make me want to read more. Even though i did like some things in this book the things I disliked out number the things I did. I wouldnt recomend this story to anybody enless you wanted to learn about France and England during the 1775 time period. The novel is just way too long and wouldnt keep intrest to many people. As i already told you i just couldnt relate to the story and the characters. I think Dickens spends way to much time describing unimportant details and events. I also didnt like that there were two page long sentences it was just to hard to grasp.

Personal finance Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Personal finance - Term Paper Example Most money market securities provide interest income. Even if one’s liquidity needs are covered, one may invest in these securities to maintain a low level of risk. Yet, he can also consider some alternative securities that typically provide a higher rate of return but are more risky. Stocks Stocks are certificates representing partial ownership of a firm. Stock investors become shareholders of the firm. Firms issue stocks to obtain funds to expand their business operations. Investors invest in stock when they believe that they may earn a higher return than alternative investments offer. Primary and Secondary Stock Markets Stocks can be traded in a primary or a secondary market: The primary market is a market in which newly issued securities are traded. Firms can raise funds by issuing new stock in the primary market. The first offering of a firm’s stock to the public is referred to as an ‘initial public offering’ (IPO). A secondary market facilitates the t rading of existing securities by enabling investors to sell their shares at any time. These shares are purchased by other investors who wish to invest in that stock. Thus, even if a firm is not issuing new shares of stock, investors can easily obtain shares of that firm’s stock by purchasing them in the secondary market. On a typical day, more than a million shares are traded in the secondary market. The price of the stock changes each day in response to changes in supply and demand. Types of Stock Investors Stock investors can be classified as institutional investors or individual investors: Institutional investors These are professionals employed by a financial institution who are responsible for managing money on behalf of the clients they serve. They attempt to select stocks or other securities that will provide a reasonable return on investment. The employees of financial institutions who make investment decisions are referred to as ‘portfolio managers’ beca use they manage a portfolio of securities (including stocks). More than half of all trading in financial markets is attributable to institutional investors. Individual investors commonly invest a portion of the money earned from their jobs. Like institutional investors, they invest in stocks to earn a reasonable return on their investment. In this way their money can grow by the time they wish to use it to make purchases. The number of individual investors has increased substantially in the last 20 years. Many individual investors hold their stocks for periods beyond one year. In contrast, some individual investors called ‘day traders’ buy stocks and then sell them on the same day. They hope to capitalize on very short-term movements in security prices. In many cases, their investments last for only a few minutes. Many day traders conduct their investing as a career, relying on their returns from investing as their main source of income. This type of investing is very r isky because the stock prices of even the best-managed firms periodically decline. Day trading is not recommended for most investors. Return from Investing in Stock Stocks can offer a return on investment through dividends and stock price appreciation. Some firms distribute quarterly income to their shareholders in the form of dividends rather than reinvest the earnings in the firm’

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Is Employer of Choice brand is self-applied - Essay Example Organizations should consider the hiring process as the first hurdle. The greatest challenge that awaits every employer is to retain employees. This way an organization will be able to hire smart, and retain the best (Leary-Joyce, 2004). There are several steps which can be put in place by an employer in order to become an employer of choice. Every employee wants to be in an environment that is conducive where rules are well defined. Hence, an employer has to create and maintain a policy structure which is comprehensive by investing time and resources. Clear policies that helps in defining employees conduct, entitlement and obligations is desirable as compared to a situation where decisions affecting employees are made in an unplanned way. Employers of choice need to follow their own rules, most employees prefer an employer, who observes rules in a consistent manner, and makes decisions in an unbiased and principled way. Valuable employees can leave an organization due to decisions t hat are considered to be inconsistent and when they perceive their employer to be unfair. Secondly, an employer of choice has to have trust on the employees. For one to be an employer of choice, one has to portray trust and faith among the employees.

Corporate Responsibility in Fashion Retailing in Europe Essay

Corporate Responsibility in Fashion Retailing in Europe - Essay Example The European fashion retailers are faced with the responsibility of reducing environmental pollution (Grace, & Cohen, 2013). This is because these organizations conduct numerous activities that harm the environment, and thus need to be reduced. For example, the industry deals with clothes that are made with inputs such as nylon, synthetic, and acrylic that are made from non-renewable mineral oil (Balsiger, 2014). This means that the use of these resources leads to the disappearance of mineral oil from the environment. Synthetic fibers also do not degrade when disposed of in landfills, thus they cause pollution in the environment when they release harmful gases and particles to the air (Dupuis, & Dawson, 1999). The fashion industry handles the problem of the non-degradable materials by recycling them. The fashion retail sector also practices social responsibility to the environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, too much energy, and water. The industry uses these resources es pecially in the end processes of processing that include dyeing, bleaching, and cleaning (Martinuzzi, Kudlak, Faber, & Winam, 2014). Fashion retailers are also minimizing environmental destruction by minimizing the sale of clothes made from fabrics such as cotton that contribute to high amounts of pollution. The industry does this by selling apparel made from friendly inputs such as organic cotton and bamboo; Eco-Fiber is a retail organization that specializes in selling these types of clothes.

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Business and Society - Leadership and Motivation - Coursework Example The steps taken in managing failure include managing cash flow, avoiding debt and developing an effective business plan. Leadership and motivation are important determinants of success in a business entity. Effective leadership guides employees towards the achievement of the entity’s goals and objectives (Caroll and Buchholtz 35). Additionally, employee motivation helps improve employees’ productivity resulting in an overall improvement of the firm. Leaders are different from managers in various ways. Leaders focus on people while managers focus on structure. Leaders innovate while managers administer (Caroll and Buchholtz 42). Leaders inspire trust while managers control. Retired General Colin Powell defines leadership as followership. His definition of leadership is accurate since leaders act in a way that inspires those that follow them. I agree with his definition of leadership is all about inspiring one’s followers. There are various leadership styles including bureaucratic, charismatic, servant and transactional (Caroll and Buchholtz 45). The style I prefer most is servant leadership since the leader leads since it considers employees’ participation. The style I prefer least is bureaucratic leadership since it inhibits innovation, creativity and flexibility. Dr Phil’s and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs can be used to motivate and manage employees. Employee motivation increases their productivity (Caroll and Buchholtz 47). It is clear that money is not the sole motivating factor, other aspects including the working conditions impact employee management and motivation. An organization is a social unit of individuals that is designed and managed to pursue collective objectives (Caroll and Buchholtz 7). The specific characteristics of an organization include an organizational culture and the ability to work towards collective goals and objectives. Corporate culture refers to behaviours, beliefs and values that establish how a company’s management interacts with its employees and how it handles any external transactions.  Ã‚  

Disagree with China will Become a Democracy within 10-15 Years Speech or Presentation

Disagree with China will Become a Democracy within 10-15 Years - Speech or Presentation Example To have a literal meaning of the phenomenon, we might say that the word democracy entails two connotations. Firstly, it means implementation of a political idea that the government should be by the people and for the people (Mosley, pp.5, 2003). Second definition is rather difficult to implement. It means that despite all the distinctive ideas and interest of the subjects, implementation of things contends all kinds of ‘people’. In reality, this is undoubtedly not possible (Mosley, pp.5-6, 2003) Giving a thorough analysis to the phenomenon of democracy and the theories of democratization, we come to realize that democracy is something when the individual comes to realize his basic rights to think and feel free to express the same (Zhao, pp.9, 1998). Precisely, it means to have an opinion without any form of influence and suppression. Moreover, in a broader perspective, it means to follow an election procedure though which a consensus is created upon the election of a par ticular leader. However, in an otherwise case, the people with feudal mindsets have a selection process and the position and title are shared and passed on to the same family members. Following are some of the major points endorsing the fact that China cannot achieve democracy in the next ten years or so: As it is, democracy starts with speaking about the truth publicly and having your voice heard by others. This job is foremost performed the media practitioners or journalists who act as a watchdog to expose the injustice or wrongdoings of the state and the lawmakers. However, seeing China’s situation we can evidently make a thorough analysis of the fact that Chinese journalism never received freedom to any extent. In the mid-1980s, for the first time Chinese journalists thought to register their collective voice to the government to give them rights to speak the truth so that the countrywide corruption that has taken an official form could be suppressed (Zhao, pp.1-2, 1998). On the contrary, not only was their movement not heard but also they faced violent circumstances and torture and the streets of Beijing that turned into bloodshed in 1989 is a clear-cut example of this. Speaking about the same restrictions over press, it is notable to mention that when America’s Newsweek magazine used to come to China, articles and stories that reported China’s internal situation, either political or social, were torn out so that none of the citizen could have access to what is going on within the bureaucracy (Zhao, pp.2-4, 1998). The major hold of the Communist Party over China, nevertheless, keeps on boosting about their governance and wants to endorse that media is working as their mouthpiece while secretly suppressing them. In short, Chinese media willingly or unwillingly works to cater to the increasing demands of its authoritarian rulers to propagate their ideas and instill the doctrines that they want their subjects to follow. Secondly, the cen tralization of power in China is the result of once decentralized China a few decades ago, that becomes one more reason for the country not able to make itself democratic in the next few years. In 1978, China’s economic reforms began to take place that started from the rural areas and expanded to urban areas. It all started with private trading of farming and agricultural products in the countryside and then taking alongside the urban businesses with more production with the help

Families Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Families - Essay Example While men are often looked at as the fundamental breadwinners for the family, it becomes quite difficult for some to provide their children with the time and association they require. Children require contact and interaction. Most men complain that they lack association with their father simply because their fathers did not provide for them when they needed them. Men tend to reserve more time for their children than what they had been given by their fathers. Most fathers tend to feel protective about their children besides letting them out and explore their world on their own. This is so because they are aware of all the threats their children might encounter because they did face them themselves. Many fathers in the present age have lived a much free and leveraged childhood in terms of freedom as compared to what their children are allowed. Childhood in the past was enriched with an outdoor taste while today, outdoor games have been replaced with technical indoor activities, both related to school and otherwise. Today’s fathers are more protective towards their children. Many fathers tend to provide their children with sufficient leverage so that they can decide their future as per their interests and aptitude. Many children might even consider this a neglect on the part of the parents, but it is a fact that in most cases, parents hardly have time to help their child with his/her studies. However, parents do all to ensure that the child gets the finest education available. I think the authors have been quite rational in their realization of the four traits of fatherhood. Good fatherhood is an integration of provision, protection, endowment and emotional closeness. These are four factors many men miss about their relationship with their fathers. Emotional closeness is the most fundamental trait of fatherhood that decides the level of intimacy a father would develop with his children. Fathers need to provide their children with time,

Business and Society - Leadership and Motivation Coursework

Business and Society - Leadership and Motivation - Coursework Example The steps taken in managing failure include managing cash flow, avoiding debt and developing an effective business plan. Leadership and motivation are important determinants of success in a business entity. Effective leadership guides employees towards the achievement of the entity’s goals and objectives (Caroll and Buchholtz 35). Additionally, employee motivation helps improve employees’ productivity resulting in an overall improvement of the firm. Leaders are different from managers in various ways. Leaders focus on people while managers focus on structure. Leaders innovate while managers administer (Caroll and Buchholtz 42). Leaders inspire trust while managers control. Retired General Colin Powell defines leadership as followership. His definition of leadership is accurate since leaders act in a way that inspires those that follow them. I agree with his definition of leadership is all about inspiring one’s followers. There are various leadership styles including bureaucratic, charismatic, servant and transactional (Caroll and Buchholtz 45). The style I prefer most is servant leadership since the leader leads since it considers employees’ participation. The style I prefer least is bureaucratic leadership since it inhibits innovation, creativity and flexibility. Dr Phil’s and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs can be used to motivate and manage employees. Employee motivation increases their productivity (Caroll and Buchholtz 47). It is clear that money is not the sole motivating factor, other aspects including the working conditions impact employee management and motivation. An organization is a social unit of individuals that is designed and managed to pursue collective objectives (Caroll and Buchholtz 7). The specific characteristics of an organization include an organizational culture and the ability to work towards collective goals and objectives. Corporate culture refers to behaviours, beliefs and values that establish how a company’s management interacts with its employees and how it handles any external transactions.  Ã‚  

Families Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Families - Essay Example While men are often looked at as the fundamental breadwinners for the family, it becomes quite difficult for some to provide their children with the time and association they require. Children require contact and interaction. Most men complain that they lack association with their father simply because their fathers did not provide for them when they needed them. Men tend to reserve more time for their children than what they had been given by their fathers. Most fathers tend to feel protective about their children besides letting them out and explore their world on their own. This is so because they are aware of all the threats their children might encounter because they did face them themselves. Many fathers in the present age have lived a much free and leveraged childhood in terms of freedom as compared to what their children are allowed. Childhood in the past was enriched with an outdoor taste while today, outdoor games have been replaced with technical indoor activities, both related to school and otherwise. Today’s fathers are more protective towards their children. Many fathers tend to provide their children with sufficient leverage so that they can decide their future as per their interests and aptitude. Many children might even consider this a neglect on the part of the parents, but it is a fact that in most cases, parents hardly have time to help their child with his/her studies. However, parents do all to ensure that the child gets the finest education available. I think the authors have been quite rational in their realization of the four traits of fatherhood. Good fatherhood is an integration of provision, protection, endowment and emotional closeness. These are four factors many men miss about their relationship with their fathers. Emotional closeness is the most fundamental trait of fatherhood that decides the level of intimacy a father would develop with his children. Fathers need to provide their children with time,

Early Childhood Education and Children Essay Example for Free

Early Childhood Education and Children Essay Are there any benefits for children stay one of parent with them at home? Mothers who stay at home are helpful for their family. Many mothers prefer to give their children to their mothers, but if there is not grandmother to care child, that will be problem especially if the child is still baby or infant. Mothers are compelled to find a place to put their child there. Many kinds of places that may mothers join their child to stay there and to have education, such as to educational settings which consist of early child education, pre-school, nursery school, and pre-kindergarten. Also, there are many places to get care and education for children nanny, governess, babysitting, au pair, and extended family, for example. In fact, mother’s decision; that choosing stay with her children at home or going to work and joining her children in convenient place, is important critical for her. A mother who stays at house are more probable to have time to be involved with their children. Those mothers who stay home is able to become more completely involved their children activities. For example, mother will give carful and interest for her children. Moreover, many people mention to needs childhood such as feeding, sustenance, and nurturing. Most women have been housewife to be breadwinners, and to be caretakers. â€Å"Child care can cost up to $15,000 for one year in the United States. Approximately six out of every ten children, or almost 12 million children, age five and younger, are being jointly cared for by parents and early childhood educators, relatives, or other child-care providers† (Lynn, 2002). Indeed, many societies have been assumed that women will stay home and take care of their children while their spouses go out and work. In addition, woman pregnancy suffers to go out and doing hard work many hours without rest times, but when she stay home will get time to have rest and lying. Many mothers work to be ready for unexpected situations like a husbands unemployment, husband’s death, a divorce, or sickness. In fact, nobody wants to be working more than eight hours a day and missing his or her family life. In encouragement of mothers who want to work, Dr. Phil says that many mothers optimism to be a parent and pursue an occupation and they often become miserable when they are stuck just in a parenting capacity. If the child is mothered by a parent who is feeling frustrated and depressed and empty, that is not a good thing, he says. Even though some parents are now separated, father continues in the role of primary caregiver to his children, while mother continue to support her family. A man is not hard to give up the traditional role as breadwinner. However, A woman can be more responsibility to earn money and take care for her family. A lot of women have been socialized to be service workers for their societies, not solely to be housewife. Some time a man feels difficult to abdicate some things like giving up self-worth, feelings of masculinity and personal power. It can be tough on men, especially in the beginning. In conclusion, its these deeper issues. Making the decision to stay home with your children or join the workforce can be a difficult process. It appears approximating employed moms just cant success. Every woman has dream to be effective in her society and earn money, but she will face challenges with her care children. Sources 1. Dr. Phil: http://drphil. com/articles/article/284 2. Olson, Lynn (2002). [According to the 2002 Quality Counts survey conducted by Education Week, approximately six out of every ten children, or almost 12 million children, age five and younger, are being jointly cared for by parents and early childhood educators, relatives, or other child-care providers. Starting Early]. Education Week 21 (17): 10–11. Retrieved 24 November 2012.

Pressure Ulcer on Sacrum

Pressure Ulcer on Sacrum The purpose of this assignment is to identify a patient, under the care of the district nursing team, with a Grade 1 pressure ulcer, to their sacral area. To begin with, it will give a brief overview of the patient and their clinical history. Throughout the assignment the patient will be referred to as Mrs A, in order to protect the patients identity and maintain confidentiality, in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2008). A brief description of a Grade 1 pressure ulcer will be given, along with a description of the steps taken in assessing the wound, using The Waterlow Scale (1985). This assignment will discuss the literature review that was carried out, along with other methods of research used, to gather vital information on wound care , such as the different classifications of wounds and the different risk assessment tools available. This assignment, will include brief overviews, of some the other commonly used pressure ulcer risk as sessment tools, that are put to use by practitioners and how they compare to the Waterlow Scale. This assignment will also seek to highlight the importance of using a combination of clinical judgement, by carefully monitoring the patients physical and psychological conditions, alongside the at risk score calculated from the Waterlow Scale, in order to deliver holistic care to the patient. Mrs A is a 84 year old lady who has been referred to the district nurses by her General Practitioner, as he has concerns regarding her pressure areas . Following a recent fall she lost her confidence and is now house bound. She now spends more time in her chair as she has become nervous when mobilising around the house and in her garden. She has a history of high blood pressure and occasional angina for which she currently takes Nicorandil 30mg b.d. as prescribed by her General Practitioner , Nicorandil has been recognised as an aetiological aspect of non healing ulcers and wounds (Watson, 2002), this has to be taken into consideration during the assessment and throughout the management of her wound. Mrs A has no history of previous falls or problems with her balance. She has always been a confident and independent lady, with no current issues surrounding continence or diet. She has always enjoyed a large network of friends who visit her regularly. It is recommended by National Inst itute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) that patients should receive an Initial assessment (within the first 6 hours of inpatient care) and ongoing risk assessments and so referrals of this nature are seen on the day, if it is received if not within 24 hrs. In order to establish Mrs As current risk of developing a pressure area, an assessment must take place. An initial holistic assessment, looking at all contributing factors such as mobility, continence and nutrition will provide a baseline that will identify her level of risk as well as identifying any existing pressure damage. A pressure ulcer is defined as, a localised injury to the skin and / or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear. A number of contributing, or confounding factors, are also associated with pressure ulcers. According to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP 2009), the significance of these factors, is yet to be elucidated. Mrs A is more vulnerable to pressure damage, as her skin has become more fragile and thinner with age (NICE 2005). There are risk factors associated to the integrity of the patients skin and also to the patients general health. Skin that is already damaged, has a higher incidence of developing a pressure ulcer, than that of healthy skin. Skin that becomes too dry, or is more moist due to possible incontinence, is also at higher risk of developing a pressure ulcer than healthy skin. An elderly persons skin is at increased risk, because it is more fragile and thinner than the skin of a younger person. Boore et al (1987) identified the following principles in caring for the skin to prevent pressure damage, skin should be kept clean and dry and not left to remain wet. The skin should also not be left to dry out to prevent any accidental damage . Due to Mrs A spending more time sitting in her chair, she has become at a higher risk of developing a pressure sore, as she is less mobile. The reason being It becomes difficult for the blood to circulate causing a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue cells. Furthermore, the lymphatic system also begins to suffer and becomes unable, to properly remove waste products. If the pressure continues to increase and is not relieved by equipment or movement. The cells can begin to die, leaving an area of dead tissue resulting in pressure damage. Nelson et al (2009) states, pressure ulcers can cause patients functional limitations, emotional distress, and pain for persons affected. The development of pressure ulcers, in various healthcare settings, is often seen as a reflection of the quality of care which is being provided (Nakrem 2009). Pressure ulcer prevention is very important in everyday clinical practise, as pressure ulcer treatment is expensive and factors such as legal issues have become more important. EPAUP (2009) have recommended strategies, which include frequent repositioning the use of special support surfaces, o r providing nutritional support to be included in the prevention. In order to gather evidence based research, to support my assignment. I undertook a literature review of the Waterlow Scale and Classifications of Grade 1 pressure sores. The databases used were the Culmulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and OpenAthens. I used a variety of search terms including pressure sores, Grade 1 classification, Waterlow Scale, and How pressure sore risk assessment tools compare. Throughout the literature review the information was gathered from sources using a date range between the years of 2000 2011, although some references were found from sources of information that are from a much later date. This method of research ensured a plethora of articles and guidelines were collated and analysed. The trust guidelines in wound care were used, to show how we implement theory into practise in the community, using the wound care formulary. There was a vast amount of information available, as pressure area care is such a broad subject. The search criteria had to be narrowed down, in some cases to ensure the information gathered was relevant and not beyond the scope of the assignment. The evidence used throughout this assignment, is based on guidelines and recommendations given by NICE (2001), EPUAP (2001) and articles sourced from The Journal of Community Nursing (JCN). This was the most accurate information and guidance on pressure ulcer classifications and assessment although, some articles may not have been the most recent. The assessment tool used throughout my area of work, is the Waterlow Scale. The Waterlow Scale was developed by Judy Waterlow in 1985, while working as a clinical nurse teacher. It was originally designed for use by her student and is used to measure a patients risk of developing a pressure sore. It can also be used as a guide, for the ordering of effective pressure relieving equipment. All National Health Service (NHS) trusts have their own pressure ulcer prevention policy, or guidelines and practitioners are expected to use the risk assessment tool, specified in their trusts policy. NICE (2003), guidance states, that all trusts should have a pressure ulcer policy, which should include a pressure ulcer risk assessment tool. However, it reminds practitioners that the use of risk assessment tools, should be thought of as an aid to the clinical judgement of the practitioner. The use of the Waterlow tool enables, the nurse to assess each patient according to their individual risk of dev eloping pressure sores (Pancorbo-Hidalgo et al 2006). The scale illustrates a risk assessment scoring system and on the reverse side, provides information and guidance on wound assessment, dressings and preventative aids. There is information regarding pressure relieving equipment surrounding, the three levels of risk highlighted on the scale, and also provides guidance, concerning the nursing care given to patients. Although the Waterlow score is used in the community setting, when calculating the risk assessment score, it is vital that the nurse is aware of the difference in environment the tool was originally developed for. The tool uses a combination of core and external risk factors that contribute to the development of pressure ulcers. These are used to determine the risk level for an individual patient. The fundamental factors include disease, medication, malnourishment, age, dehydration / fluid status, lack of mobility, incontinence, skin condition and weight. The external factors, which refer to external influences which can cause skin distortion, include pressure, shearing forces, friction, and moisture. There is also a special risk section of the tool, which can be used if the patient is on certain medication or recently had surgery. This contributes to a holistic assessment of a patient and enables the practitioner to provide the most effective care and appropriate pressure relieving equipment. The score is calculated, by counting the scores given in each category, which apply to your patients current condition. Once these have been added up, you will have your at risk score. This will then ind icate the steps that need to be taken, in order to provide the appropriate level of care to the patient. Identification of a patients risk of developing a pressure sore is often considered the most important stage in pressure sore prevention (Davis 1994). During the assessment a skin inspection takes place of the most vulnerable areas of risk, typically these are heels, sacrum and parts of the body, where sheer or friction could take place. Elbows, shoulders, back of head and toes are also considered to be more vulnerable areas (NICE 2001). When using the Waterlow tool to assess Mrs As pressure risk, I found she had a score of 9. According to the Waterlow scoring system she is not considered as being at risk as her score is less than 10. As I had identified in my assessment, she had a score of 2, for her skin condition due to Grade 1 pressure ulcer to her sacrum. I felt it necessary, to highlight her as being at risk. A grade 1 pressure ulcer on her sacral area, maybe due to her recent loss of confidence and reduced mobility which has left Mrs A spending more time in her chair. Pressure ulcers are assessed and graded, according to the degree of damage to the tissue. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), classifies pressure ulcers based on the depth of the wound. There are four classifications (Category/Stage I through IV) of pressure damage. In addition to these, two other categories have been defined, unstageable pressure ulcers and deep tissue injury (EPUAP, 2009) Grade 1 pressure damage is defined, as a non-blanchable erythema of intact skin. Indicators can be, discolouration of the skin, warmth, oedema, induration or hardness, particularly in people with darker pigmentation (EPUAP, 2003). It is believed by some practitioners, that blanching erythema indicates Grade 1 pressure damage (Hitch 1995) although others suggest that, Grade 1 pressure damage is present, when there is non-blanching erythema (Maklebust and Margolis, 1995; Yarkony et al, 1990). The majority of practitioners, agree that temperature and colour play an important role, in identifying grade 1 pressure ulcers (EPUAP, 1999) and erythema, is a factor in alm ost all classifications (Lyder, 1991). The pressure damage usually occurs, over boney prominences (Barton and Barton 1981). The skin in a Grade 1 pressure ulcer, is not broken, but it requires protection and monitoring. At this stage, it will not be known how deep the pressure damage is, regular monitoring and assessment is essential. The pressure ulcer may fade, but if the damage is deeper than the superficial layers of the skin, this wound could eventually develop into a much deeper pressure ulcer over, the following days or weeks. A Grade 1 pressure ulcer, is classed as a wound and so I have commenced a wound care plan and also a pressure area care plan. I will also ensure, Mrs A has regular pressure area checks in order to prevent the area breaking down. The pressure area checks will take place weekly until the pressure relieving equipment arrives, this will then be reduced to 3 monthly checks. Dressings can be applied to a Grade 1 pressure ulcer. They should be simple and offer some level of protection. Also, to prevent any further skin damage a film dressing is often used, or a hydrocolloid to protect the wound area (EPAUP, 2009) . These dressings will assist in reducing further friction, or shearing, if these factors are involved. It is considered the best way to treat a wound, is to prevent it from ever occurring. Removing the existing external pressure, reducing any moisture, which can occur if the patient is incontinent and employing pressure relief devices, may contribute to wound healing. Along with adequate nutrition, hydration and addressing any underlying medical conditions. The advice given to practitioners, on the reverse of the Waterlow tool is to provide a 100mm foam cushion, if a patients risk score is above 10. As Mrs A has an at risk score of 9, with a Grade 1 pressure sore evident, I feel it appropriate to provide the pressure relieving mattress and cushion to prevent any further pressure damage developing. All individuals, assessed as being vulnerable to pressure ulcers should, as a minimum provision, be placed on a high specification foam mattress with pressure relieving properties (NICE, 2001). As I am providing a cushion and a mattress, it is not felt necessary to apply a dressing at this point. However, the area will need regular monitoring, as at this stage it is unknown how deep the pressure damage is. If proactive care is given in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, with the use of risk assessments and providing pressure relieving resources, the pressure area may resolve. Pressure ulcers can be costly for the NHS, debilitating and painful for the patient. With basic and effective nursing care offered to the patients, this can often be the key to success. Bliss (2000) suggests that the majority of Grade I ulcers heal, or resolve without breaking down if pressure relief is put into place immediately. However, experiences in a clinical settings supports observations, that non-blanching erythema can often result in irreversible damage (James, 1998; Dailey, 1992). McGough (1999) during a literature search, highlighted 40 pressure ulcer risk assessment tools, but not all have be considered suitable, or reliable for all clinical environments. As there are many different patient groups this often results in a wide spectrum of different patient needs. The three most commonly used tools in the United Kingdom (U.K.) are, The Norton scale, The Braden Scale and The Waterlow Scale. The first pressure ulcer risk assessment tool was the Norton scale. It was devised by Doreen Norton in 1962. The tool was used for estimating a patients risk for developing pressure ulcers by giving the patient a rating from 1 to 4 on five different factors. A patients with a score of 14 or more, was identified as being at high risk. Initially, this tool was aimed at elderly patients and there is little evidence from research gathered over the years, to support its use outside of an elderly care setting. Due to increased research over the years, concerning the identification and risk of developing pressure ulcers, a modified version of the Norton scale was created in 1987. The Braden Scale was created in the mid 1980s, in America and based on a conceptual schema of aetiological factors. Tissue tolerance and pressure where identified, as being significant factors in pressure ulcer development. However, the validity of the Braden Scale is not considered to be high in all clinical areas (Capobianco and McDonald, 1996). However, EPAUP (2003) state The Braden Risk Assessment Scale is considered by many, to be the most valid and reliable scoring system for a wide age range of patients. The Waterlow Scale, first devised in 1987, identifies more risk factors than the Braden and the Norton Scale. However, even though it is used widely across the U.K., it has still be criticised for its ability to over predict risk and ultimately result in the misuse of resources (Edwards 1995; McGough, 1999). Although there are various tools, which have been developed to identify a patients individual risk, of developing pressure sores. The majority of scales have been developed, based on ad hoc opinions, of the importance of possible risk factors, according to the Effective Healthcare Bulletins (EHCB, 1995). The predictive validity of these tools, has also been challenged (Franks et al, 2003; Nixon and Mc Gough, 2001) suggesting they may over predict the risk, incurring expensive cost implications, as preventative equipment is put in place, when it may not always be necessary. Or they may under predict risk, so that someone assessed as not being at high risk develops a pressure ulcer. Although The Waterlow scoring system, now includes more objective measurements such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight loss after a recent update. It is still unknown, due to no published information, whether the inter-rater reliability of the tool, has been improved by these changes. It has been acknowled ged, that this is a fundamental flaw of these tools and due to this clinical judgement, must always support the decisions made by the results, of the risk assessment. This is clearly recognised by NICE, as they advise their use as an aide-mà ©moire (2001). The aim of Pressure ulcer risk assessment tools, is to measure and quantify pressure ulcer risk. To determine the quality of these measurements the evaluation of validity and reliability would usually take place. The validity and reliability limitations, of pressure ulcer risk tools are widely acknowledged. To overcome these problems, the solution that is recommended is to combine the scores of pressure ulcer risk tools, with clinical judgment (EPAUP 2009). This recommendation, which is often seen in the literature, unfortunately is inconsistent as Papanikolaou et al (2007) states: If pressure ulcer risk assessment tools have such limitations, what contribution can they make to our confidence in clinical judgment, other than prom pting us about the items, which should be considered when making such judgments?. Investigations of the validity and reliability, of pressure ulcer risk tools are important, in evaluating the quality, but they are not sufficient to judge their clinical value. In the research of pressure ulcer tools, there have been few attempts made to compare, the different pressure ulcer risk assessment strategies. Referring to literature until 2003, Pancorbo Hidalgo et al (2006) identified three studies, investigating the Norton scale compared to clinical judgment and the impact on pressure ulcer incidence. From these studies, it was concluded that there was no evidence, that the risk of pressure ulcer incidence was reduced by the use of the risk assessment tools. The Cochrane review (2008), set out to determine, whether the use of pressure ulcer risk assessment , in all health care settings , reduced the incidence of pressure ulcers. As no studies met the criteria, the authors have been unable to answer the review question. At present there is only weak evidence to support the validity, of pressure ulcer risk assessment scale tools and obtained scores contain varying amounts of measurement error. To improve our clinical practise, it is suggested that although tools such as the Waterlow Scale are used to distinguish a patients pressure ulcer risk, other investigations and tests, may need to be carried out to ensure a effective assessment is taking place. Practitioners may consider, various blood tests and more in depth history taking, including previous pressure damage and medications. Patients lifestyle and diet should also be taken into consideration and where appropriate, a nutritional assessment should be done if recent weight loss, or reduced appetite is evident. Nutritional assessment and screening tools are being used more readily and appear to be becoming more relevant in managing patients who are at risk of or have a pressure ulcer. The assessment tools should be reliable and valid, and as discussed previously with other risk assessment tools they should not replace clinical judgement. However, the use of nutritional assessment tools can help to bring the nutritional status of the patient to the attention of the practitioner, they should then consider nutrition when assessing the patients vulnerability to pressure ulcer development. The nutritional status of the patient should be updated and re-assessed at regular intervals following a assessment plan which is individual to the patient and includes an evaluation date. The condition of the individual will then allow the practitioner to decide how frequent the assessments will occur. The EPUAP (2003) recommends that as a minimum, assessment of nutritional status should include regu lar weighing of patients, skin assessment, documentation of food and fluid intake. As Mrs A currently has a balanced diet, it is not felt necessary to undertake, a nutritional assessment at this point. Her weight can be updated on each review visit, to assess any weight loss during each visit. If there is any deterioration in her condition, an assessment can be done when required. Continence should also be taken into consideration and where necessary a continence assessment should take place. Incontinence and pressure ulcers are common and often occur together. Patients who are incontinent are generally more likely to have difficulties with their mobility and elderly, both of which have a strong association with the development of pressure ulcers (Lyder, 2003).   The education of staff, surrounding pressure ulcer management and prevention, is also very important. NICE (2001) suggest, that all health care professionals, should receive relevant training and education, in pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention. The information, skills and knowledge, gained from these training sessions, should then be cascaded down, to other members of the team. The training and education sessions, which are provided by the trust, are expected to cover a number of topics. These should include, risk factors for pressure ulcer development, skin assessment, and the selection of pressure equipment. Staff are also updated on policies, guidelines and the latest patient educational information (NICE 2001). Education of the patient, carers and family, is essential in order to achieve optimum pressure area care. Mrs A is encouraged to mobilise regularly, in order to relieve the pressure as a Grade 1 pressure sore has been identified, she is at a significant risk of developing a more severe ulcer. Interventions to prevent deterioration, are crucial at this point. It is thought, that this could prevent the pressure sore from developing into a Grade 2 or worse. NICE (2001) have suggested, that individuals vulnerable to or at elevated risk of developing pressure ulcers, who are able and willing, should be informed and educated about the risk assessment and resulting prevention strategies. NICE have devised a booklet for patients and relatives, called Pressure Ulcers Prevention and Treatment (NICE Clinical Guidance 29), which gives information and guidance on the treatment of pressure ulcers. It encourages patients to check their skin and change their position regularly. As a part of good practise, this booklet is given to Mrs A at the time of assessment, in order for her to develop some understanding of her pressure sore. This booklet is also given to the care givers or relatives so they can also gain understanding, regarding the care and prevention, of her pressure ulcer. An essential part of nursing documentation, is care planning. It demonstrates the care, that the individual patient requires and can be used to include patients and carers or relatives in the patients care. Involvement of the patient and their relative, or carer is advisable, as this could be invaluable, to the nurse planning the patients care. The National Health Service Modernisation Agency (NHSMA 2005) states clearly that person centred care is vital and that care planning involves negotiation, discussion and shared decision making, between the nurse and the patient. There were a number of improvements that I feel could have been made to the holistic care of Mrs A. I feel that one of the fundamental factors that needed to be considered, were the social needs of the patient. As I feel they are a large contributing factor, towards why the patient may have developed her pressure sore. The patient was previously known to be a very sociable lady, who gradually lost her confidence, resulting in her not leaving the house. There are various schemes and services available, which are provided by the local council or volunteer services, to enable the elderly or people unable to get around. For example, an option which could of been suggested to Mrs A are services such as Ring and Ride, or Werneth Communicare. Using these services or being involved in these types of schemes, may have empowered Mrs A to leave the house on a more regular basis. This would enable her to build up the confidence, she lost following her fall. This would have also led to positive i mpact on the patients psychological care, as Mrs A would have been able to overcome her fears of leaving the house, enabling her to see friends and gain communications lost. As previously mentioned in this assignment, although Mrs A had a score of 9, which is not considered an at risk score. I still felt it necessary to act on this score, even though the wound was a not considered to be critical. If it is felt the patient is at a higher risk than that shown on the assessment tool, the practitioner should use their clinical judgement, to make crucial care decisions. It should also be considered, by the practitioner that risk assessment tools such as The Waterlow scale, may not have been developed, for their area of practise. Throughout the duration of Mrs As wound healing process, a holistic assessment of her pressure areas and general health assessment were carried and all relevant factors, were taken into consideration. The assessment tool used to assess her pressure areas, is the most common tool used currently in practise and the tool recommended by the Trust. To conclude, there is evidence prove that pressure ulcer risk assessment tools are useful, when used as a guide for the procurement of equipment. However, they cannot be relied upon solely to provide holistic care to a patient. It has been highlighted, that to ensure a holistic assessment of patients, it is necessary to complete a variety of assessments, to create a complete picture. Although The Waterlow scale covers a number of factors that need to be considered, throughout the assessment, it has become evident that the at risk score, can often be over or under scored depending on the practitioner. Clinical judgement has proved to be, a very important aspect of pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. The education of the patient, carer and relatives has also been highlighted, as an important aspect of care. Empowering the patient with information regarding their illness, may decrease the healing time and help prevent has further issues.