Baroque period examples

Rich in deep colour and intense contrast of shadows, 17th century Baroque paintings tended to show the most dramatic and culminating moments of a scene, whose simplicity and clarity was supposed to appeal to the viewer’s senses rather than mind. Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ (1602) represents Judas’ treacherous kiss and the capture of Jesus Christ by soldiers. A contrast between defenseless Christ’s humility and the guards’ formidable armour and determination is intensified by the use of light and dark shadows, known as chiaroscuro and typical of Baroque painting.The scene’s emotional intensity is emphasized by the horrified expression of St Mark fleeing out of the painting (Lubbock, 2007). Both Rubens’ Deposition (Lille’s version) and Rembrandt’s The Descent from the Cross (1633) represent Jesus’ dead body, the central figure, being lowered from the cross and surrounded by His lamenting followers. A similar co ntrast between light and dark, although to a different extent, is used to intensify the dramatic moment (Jones, 2004; Lussier).Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt produced their masterpieces at a time when the Roman Catholic Church was fighting against the spreading Protestant Reformation in Europe. Trying to strengthen its position and authority, the Church encouraged painting representing religious scenes which, along with preaching, could help inspire devotion and promote its official doctrine. Although various biblical scenes proliferated in art at that time, most artists also introduced their own features to the new artistic style.Caravaggio used models when depicting Christ and other biblical figures often introducing dirty reality in his works (Lubbock, 2007). Rubens was preoccupied in his paintings with the description of life as it was realistically depicting flesh of both living and dead naked human beings. The subject of death is one of his favourite themes (Jones, 2004). R embrandt was interested in capturing the psychological aspect of human actions and expressions and showing it in his paintings. His subjects are dynamic and his works fill the viewer with sadness and compassion (Lussier).All three works of art helped promote the ideals taught by the Roman Catholic Church and enhance the authority of biblical figures. Caravaggio’s Christ does not resist His fate, and by showing humility and faith He emphasizes the importance of spiritual strength rather than physical fight and encourages His followers to do the same (Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ). Rembrandt’s figures are dressed in contemporary clothes emphasizing that the Saviour’s death has been the central event of human existence at all ages.The beaten dead body of Christ is realistic and not different from an ordinary human being arousing compassion and inspiring devotion (Lussier). A realistic depiction of Christ’s dead body by Rubens is similarly compuls ive, and the sorrowful faces and desperate gestures of the surrounding women are supposed to fill the viewers with compassion and make them bow their heads in worship (Campbell, 2004). These masterpieces are simple in terms of subject matter, produce immediate emotional impact on viewers, and make them emotionally participate in the sacred scenes.All three paintings represent scenes from Jesus Christ’s life and death. The composition in Rubens’ Deposition and Rembrandt’s The Descent from the Cross gives us the impression of a movement from the upper part of the paintings to their lower part, as if to enhance the idea of the Saviour’s death and His descent into the tomb. In Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ the figures are moving from right to left as though through Jesus who is not moving. Caravaggio’s composition seems to emphasize the spiritual difference which exists between Him and the rest of us.The way the figures are represented in al l three works is also different to some extent. Caravaggio did not depict the whole bodies of his figures, but only parts of them, the rest of the space being filled with fragments of clothes, armour, and dark shadows (Lubbock, 2007). Rembrandt and Rubens realistically and with great detail depict Christ’s dead body and those of other figures. Rubens also depicts the ideal human bodies of the men lowering Christ in the same way classical painters did (Lussier).References Campbell, P. (2004, April 1). In Lille. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www. lrb. co. uk/v26/n07/print/camp01_. html Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www. nga. gov/exhibitions/caravbr-2. htm Jones, J. (2004, April 3). Flesh of Genius. The Guardian on the Web. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www. guardian. co. uk/artanddesign/2004/apr/03/art Lubbock, T.(2007, April 6). Caravaggio: The Takin g of Christ (1602-3). The Independent on the Web. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www. independent. co. uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/caravaggio-the-taking-of-christ-16023-744398. html Lussier, L. The Descent from the Cross: Two Paintings once assumed to be painted by Rembrandt. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www. geocities. com/Hollywood/Bungalow/2201/cross/rembrandt. html

Atlantic Computer: a Bundle of Pricing Options

[Case Write-Up #5, 2011-11-14] Case 6. Atlantic Computer Group 11 2010123281 Lim, Min A 2010123380 Lee, Yoon Ji 2010101026 Na, Hyeon Jung 2010123031 Park, Jae Eon ?. Executive Summary At the present, with the growth of the Internet, the basic server market is growing rapidly and the Atlantic computer, which is aimed at producing the high performance server, is ready to sell the basic server. It launches the Tronn loaded with PESA. PESA, the software increases the speed of file sharing and web servers, two of the most used application for the consumers, so it should be sold with the Tronn, the hardware.At first year, if we assume that the firm will be able to sell all of the Tronn servers it can produce, Atlantic’s resulting share of the basic server segment will be 4%. We suggest that possibility as our goal to pursue. But the basic market is already full with the competitor, Ontario with the Zink and the company has a tendency to stick to the traditional marketing approach. T o overcome these impediments, we suggest to set the price based on the calculation of cost-based pricing and to abandon the original direct marketing methods and accept the indirect ways like online-marketing and the advertisement through diverse media. . Problem Analysis (Goal & Impediments) Goal As new-comer of the basic server market, Atlantic’s computer begins from the scratch. If Atlantic’s computer can sell all of its product, the Tronn, it can occupy 4% in basic server market. But the thing is, it is a ground stone to enlarge the market share in the long run, so it would better not to harm the revenue to reach that figure. The targeted consumers is people who have demand for basic server, especially who are interested in one application, especially either of file sharing and web servers, and who seeks the way to inimize the initial purchase costs and subsequent possession costs. Impediments We have two main impediments for our goal, strong competitor and Atlanti c computer’s traditional marketing strategy. Our strong competitor, Ontario, has already half of the market share in basic server segment. Also their product Zink has similar spec with Tronn. So we have to compete with Zink in price or innovative supply chain strategy. It is hard to appeal to consumers that we have not technological superiority but fall behind Zink in market share very much. Another main impediment is Atlantic Computer’s existing traditional marketing strategy.Atlantic Computer already won success in high performance segment, so many people in the company tend to think that it’s just right to apply existing marketing strategy to basic segment. Atlantic’s computer is interested in making intimate relationship with customers and maintaining its post-sales assistance service level in high performance segment. But situation in basic segment and high performance segment is different, we have to apply different marketing strategy each other. As mentioned above, there is specific situation where Zink and Tronn is very similar in technological aspect.Therefore, there should be some unique marketing strategy in basic segment. ?. Solution Analysis Solution To boost market share in basic segment, Atlantic Company should develop proper the pricing strategy. The company should consider four strategies: status-quo pricing, competition-based pricing, cost-based pricing and value-based pricing. ? Status-quo pricing cost of Server only and PESA for free Price of one Tronn Server = $2000 2 Tronn Servers + PESA software free = 2*2000 = $4000 Total Price of 2 Atlantic Bundles to Daytradejournal. com = $4000 Price of 1 Atlantic Bundle = $2000 ? Competition-based pricingPricing the Tronn servers based on price of competitor server (Zink by Ontario) and PESA for free. Since 2 Tronn Server with PESA software is equivalent to 4 Zink servers Price of one Zink Server = $1700 / 2 Tronn Servers + PESA software free=4*1700= $6800 Total Price of 2 Atlantic Bundles = $6800 Price of 1 Atlantic Bundle = $3400 ? Cost-based pricing (figure1, figure2) Cost incurred in PESA software development = $2000000 / Cost of Tronn Server = $1538 Price of 1 Atlantic Bundle = $ 2245 ?Value-based Pricing (figure3) Considering 4 Zink server is equivalent to 2 Tronn server and 2 PESA software. Price of 1 Atlantic Bundle = $ 4200Above diagram, we can know that fourth pricing strategy get high profit, but price is also high. If price is too high, customers are reluctant to buy Atlantic Bundle, and this harms the market share. So, the company should avoid to select Value-based pricing and Competition-based pricing. Status-quo pricing could be an effective way for increasing market share because of its cheap price, but it will not give benefit in the long-run. Cost-based pricing is the best choice for Atlantic Company, because its moderate price makes company get high market share in the beginning and moderate profit for first year.There could be an argument that status-quo pricing is more appropriate way to reach our goal of reaching the 4% of the market share in basic server field. But as mentioned above our goal is a ground stone to grow in the long run, it is better to choose the price making more profit with similar figure market share basis. Moreover to boost market share in basic segment the company should use indirect mass marketing. In high performance server market, it was efficient to use expensive direct marketing to the giant and few consumers. But it is non-matching to basic segment where the company should put its great effort to lower the price.So the company should use the indirect and comparatively cheaper way to connect with the smaller and much consumers of the basic server market. The Atlantic’s computer can use online-marketing like its competitor, Ontario, or it can use mass market advertising through mass media. It could affect to more consumers easily. Although this method the product could affe ct each consumer less, the total quantity of influence on the targeted consumers should increase assuming the number of the customers in this market, figure 1 figure 2 figure 3

Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried English Literature Essay

Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried English Literature Essay Loss of A Loved One. Amy Hempel’s short story, â€Å"In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried† is a semi autobiography heartrending story dedicated to her beloved friend, Jessica Wolfson, who died from terminally ill. This short story shows complicated emotions and feelings of grief and fear after losing a loved one. The narrator and the dying friend are unnamed due to affect the reader to get the story more personally. Hempel does not mention the names of the characters so the reader can imagine themselves related to the narrator and her dying friend by placing the emotions and feelings of their own to be the part of story. By revealing the characters’ names in the story might present the reader not to get from the feelings of empathy and grief over losing beloved friend. The style of â€Å"In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried† is minimalism by using an economy with words and a focus on surface description instead of using superfluous with words an d a depict of description. Hempel does well with this style because she can achieve amazingly throughout the critics. This short story is her first effort at writing story when she composed in Gordon Lish’s class at Columbia. Her stories are very well-known because they were taught among university student in the class of short stories worldwide. â€Å"In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried† originally appeared in TriQuarterly magazine in 1983 and then reprinted in Amy Hempel’s first published collection of stories in 1985, Reasons to Live, as the most widely anthologized stories of the last quarter century. Hempel is now well-known as postmodern writer. She writes in theme of tragic comedy as if she attempts to hide the grief and sadness behind the smile. Hempel avoids the words mean exactly death in her story by using the symbol of death instead. It seems like she is still cannot cope with the grief and the loss. Even this story is minimalism but Hempel use s her talents to make reader understand her work like she is painting on the canvas page. Her language in this story is very beautiful by creating sentences as remarkable with the use of rhetoric and rhythm. Due to Amy Hempel’s interview with the Paris Review magazine she was asked how to make stories strive for cohesion, from language to logic, to how an image develops. She told that the topic is music. Amy Hempel said: â€Å"I have started a story knowing the beat, the rhythm of the first line or first paragraph, but without knowing what the words are. I will be doing the equivalent of humming a tune over and over again and then this tune will be translated into a sentence. So I might be thinking, da-da-da-da-da-da-dadada, that will become, â€Å"Tell me things I won’t mind forgetting,† which is the first line of In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried† (Hempel Interview. The Art of Fiction No. 176) This story setting is in hospital near California co ast. The narrator reveals her grief story with her dying friend who is unnamed. Both have much great time together since they were in college. The narrator has delayed visiting her ill best friend for two months because she fears of death and loss. The friend asks the narrator to tell her something that she will not mind forgetting. Stories that the narrator tells her dying friend are quite humor and light, the stories that are nonsense and trivia. Her friend enjoys listening to her story except the sad story one about the chimp that has a heartbreaking in the end. Then the doctor enters her friend room and the narrator decides to walk out at the beach near the hospital. At the beach the narrator is walking along the coast while thinking about the relationship between her and her dying friend. The narrator returns from the beach and lies down near the friend watching a movie together while eating ice cream. Both fall asleep because of the injection. When the narrator wakes up, she t ells her friend that she really wants to go home and she will not come back for sure. Actually, the narrator fears that she does not want to see a loved one die in front of her. Even though she feels weak, small, failed and also exhilarated but she still feels guilty that she has left her terminally ill friend alone. When the narrator said that she want to go home, the dying friend is speechless. She yanks off her mask and throws it on the floor and runs out of the room following the narrator. Next morning her friend is moved to the cemetery, the only one where Al Jolson is buried. The narrator is never come back to visit her or even visit her funeral ceremony. She is still being afraid of death and loss because she is not allowing herself to grieve the truth that her best friend is now died.

Business Plan Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Business Plan - Coursework Example Contextually, this business plan provides an overview of ownership and structure of the proposed business along with the team formation that is to be followed in the operational department of the business. The plan also depicts the marketing strategy of the business to penetrate and get established in the market of Liverpool. Contextually, an analysis of the competitors and their strengths and weaknesses has also been depicted in the plan in order to get a comprehensive understanding about the competitive nature of the overall market. The business proposal also incorporates an effective and relevant estimation of investment needs along with the required budget for the first three years from the start-up of the venture. 2. The Business Idea In relation to the present unconventional scenario of the global restaurant industry, a dramatic growth of the buffet restaurant business can be observed as obtaining greater interests of the modern entrepreneurs. The emerging trend of the changing food habits along with growing performance of the world-cuisine business concept have been rapidly demonstrating a greater opportunity for the marketers to achieve a stable business position in the fiercely competitive restaurant industry. ... ost preferred and reliable restaurant company in terms of delivering customers with exceptional and quality based multi-cuisine food items, exhibiting a wide range of global cultures and thereby, taking a plunge towards generating awareness regarding the ethnic richness of the corresponding global nations. Moreover, the other core objectives of the venture would be focused on achieving a minimum growth of 10% in its profitability each month after the start up. In addition, attaining the desired sales target of ?80,000 in the first year and augmenting its annual sales around 15% in the 2nd year of the venture can also be considered as the other primary objectives of the organisation. With regard to the changing trends of the global customers along with increasing demand of world-cuisine restaurants, the primary aim of this report is to prepare an effective and relevant business plan for establishing a multi-cuisine buffet store in the growing UK buffet restaurant industry. The propose d business plan would be included relevant information and idea with respect to the management body, operational functions along with financial projections to be a successful entrepreneur in the growing buffet industry of the UK. In order to increase the efficiency of the proposed plan, the proposal would also focus on accumulating relevant information about the ownership structure and the relevant legal frameworks in order to protect the organisation from different external threats and issues that might be witnessed in its initial phase of development. 3. Background of the UK Buffet Restaurant Industry In relation to the present trend of the global restaurant industry, it is obvious to recognize dramatic changes in the food habits or preferred food items of the global customers. Moreover,

Effect of retiring baby boomers to US economy Research Paper

Effect of retiring baby boomers to US economy - Research Paper Example In this regard, it has been projected that the world will have about 1 billion elderly people by the year 2030, which accounts for about 33% of the world population3. As earlier stated, the U.S. is one among the countries facing the challenge of an aging population. This is because its population has been aging very fast though as fast as that of Japan. Research indicates that the U.S. aging population increased to 13.1% in 2010 up from 8.3% in 19504. The growth is projected to reach around 19.9% by 2030 and 21.2% by the year 2050. However, the research also found out that as the aging population continues to increase, the population consisting of children and the working class will decline in a few decades to come. Projections suggest that the U.S. aging population will increase by double digits in the next forty years. In this regard, the elderly age group above 65 years will increase to about 88.5 by the year 2050 up from 40.2 million in 2010. The United States is currently worrie d with the rate at which the aging population is increasing. This is because it implies that it will soon retire many baby boomers that have been very important to the U.S. economy5. In this regard, many U.S. citizens including economic analysts in the country claim that retiring baby boomers might adversely affect the U.S. economy being that it is currently struggling to recover from recession. However, not everyone is of opinion as some are skeptical arguing that retiring baby boomers may not affect the economy in a negative way. Baby boomers are basically those born between 1946 to about 1960s6. Mathematically, people born during this time are approaching their retirement age as per U.S. labor laws where the retirement age stands at 65 years of age. Mckinsey Global Institute reveals that the latest census report on America’s population found out that there are about 78 million baby boomers in the U.S. born somewhere between 1946 and 19647. This implies that a very huge num ber of baby boomers are likely to be retired in the near future, something that will most likely affect the economy in one way or the other. The objective of this paper is to examine the impacts that retiring baby boomers may have on the U.S. economy. To begin with, retiring baby boomers will impacts on the U.S. economy in different ways both positively and negatively. Currently baby boomers form the majority of workforce in the U.S. In fact, the baby boomers have contributed greatly to the growth of the United States something that cannot be denied8. This is evident from the kind of development that the America has experienced since 1946 to date. Research indicates that the American baby boomers numbering about 79 million according to a census report have earned huge amount of incomes, created wealth, which in turn spurred economic growth9. Therefore, retiring this population will most likely leave a big vacuum in the workforce, as there will be a reduction in the skilled workforce to help restore the economy of the U.S. to where it was before the financial crisis of 2007/2008. However, since the U.S. economy is still struggling to recover from the recent financial meltdown, retiring baby boomers may worsen the situation according to some economic pundits. This is because there will be little expertise to help in revamping the economy

Critical Thinking Questions Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Critical Thinking Questions - Coursework Example a teacher leader, the principles which one should use include leading with values, people centered, achievement oriented and managing tensions and dilemmas (Day and Harris, 2012). Changes are of different categories, and they all depend with the teacher leader who wants to implement them. In this circumstance, implementing a permanent change to the institutions will be more beneficial in making the institutions realize their visions. It will involve making necessary adjustment, which matches the need of the institutions. In order to ensure that this becomes successful, it will need evaluation of the areas which needs to be improved (Reeves, 2008). It will also need assessment at ensuring that the critical areas are taken into consideration. Implementation of change begins with assessment of the areas which needs to be changed. As an educational leader, you need to involve all parties including students and other fellows in ensuring that all goes well. This will entail working on programs which will bring change to all stakeholders (Danielson, 2007). However, implementation of change is different from managing change since implementation deals with introducing changes whereas management of change involve making necessary adjustment in the process of already existing

Transfer from Cal Poly Pomona to USC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Transfer from Cal Poly Pomona to USC - Essay Example Lack of passion in agriculture and biology as subjects and redefined personal and professional goals that identify with civil engineering are therefore the immediate motivation into the desire to change my academic program and institution. While Cal Poly Pomona also offers civil engineering program, I prefer studying the course at USC because of its better facilities and staff that has earned it a better reputation among engineering colleges, being ranked better Cal Poly Pomona. This means that I shall develop greater potentials at USC than at Cal Poly Pomona, a factor that will enhance my long-term career and academic objectives. My primary and short-term objective is to complete the civil engineering program with outstanding academic and technical potentials for a faster career establishment and career development path. I also plan to study civil engineering at graduate and postgraduate levels and therefore desire a strong foundation that USC promises than the Cal Poly Pomona does. The transfer will, therefore, help me pursue my academic and career goals with higher success potentials and I look forward to your kind consideration that will facilitate these objectives.

Responsibility to Protect Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Responsibility to Protect - Case Study Example Therefore, the power of the international community has proved impotent while thousands suffer. In September of 2005, the world leaders assembled at the U.N. The largest such gathering of heads of state in history produced the 'responsibility to protect' document in which 150 signatures were attached. The nations of the world agreed "to take collective action, in a timely and decisive manner, through the Security Council, in accordance with the UN Charter ' on a case by case basis and in cooperation with relevant organizations as appropriate, should peaceful means be inadequate" (Rasul, 2005). Since the end of World War II and the Nazi's implementation of the 'final solution,' the phrase, 'never again' has echoed throughout the world, but genocide has occurred over and over again. The responsibility to protect is an agreement late in coming. It has not curbed the violence in Darfur and its complex implications have not existed without continued debate and controversy. The U.S., in co ncert with all nations of the U.N., is compelled by reasons of human compassion to protect any group from genocide. We are our brother's keeper. We all have the responsibility to protect and support the people of Darfur. The 'Responsibility to Protect' provides that a country cannot refuse assistance or support from other countries when it cannot or will not safeguard its citizens from genocide or other actions deemed as a crime against humanity. All nations' sovereignty is respected as is their ability to conduct their own affairs but this is a qualified condition, not one that is considered absolute. "When peaceful means are exhausted and leaders of a UN member state are 'manifestly failing to protect their populations,' then other states have the responsibility to take collective action through the Security Council" (O'Neill, 2006). In some respects, the concept of "Responsibility to Protect" was founded in the common concern for human rights worldwide, the concept that initiated the formation of the U.N. The Genocide Treaty (1948) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) are manifestations of the U.N.'s founding principles. In the 1960's, the international human rights covenants furth ered this philosophical stance of the U.N. However, these treaties, covenants and resolutions were not effectively enforced. Affected countries argued that their right to national sovereignty superseded the intentions of uninvited intrusion. For many years, the U.N. and others have debated the subject of humanitarian intervention issue regarding the question of when the nations of the world should unite to take military action against a country so as to protect that country's population. Supporters of 'the responsibility to protect' and 'humanitarian intervention' concepts include liberal-minded persons worldwide who encourage the use of military forces to come to the aid of desperate people (International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, 2001). However, the questions surrounding the use of force has been of great concern to many especially following the recent 'humanitarian' efforts

CBRN Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear weapons Essay - 2

CBRN Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear weapons - Essay Example ssion of how terrorists can use weapons of mass destruction against the United States and how the government of the United States can mitigate the threat in the event that terrorists were able to acquire the material and actually make an attack. Terrorists can use biological weapons to cause mass destruction in the United States. Biological weapons include those viruses and diseases that can reach the targeted places to cause large-scale deaths (Kortepeter & Parker, 1999). Some of the common viruses and diseases that can be used as biological weapons include smallpox, anthrax, Nipah virus, rise blast, and Chimera virus. All of these viruses can be transmitted to the United States easily because they require just air, food, or water to reach the destination. These days, a deadly disease causing threats for the people all over the world, is Ebola hemorrhagic fever. The main point regarding this virus is that it causes fever that leads to instant death of the affected person within days Peters, 1999). This virus can be transmitted to the people living near the affected person through air and physical contact because of which it is listed in the category ‘A’ of the most hazardous biological weapons. Although this virus is currently affecting the region of Africa, terrorists can spread this virus to the United States by making some affected people to enter the borders of the United States though Caribbean and Mexican routes. Illegal border crossing has been an issue for the government of the United States for a long time. Drug smugglers and human traffickers use the Caribbean and Mexican routes to smuggle drugs and humans into the United States. To reduce the threat of Ebola, the government of the United States needs to ensure that no Ebola affected person can enter the country through air and sea routes. The government needs to put into practice some effective viral detection mechanism at the airports and seaports to ensure that no affected person enters the

Health Organization Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Health Organization Case Study - Essay Example In the year 2011, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated showed total net earnings of $5.142 billion. UnitedHealth Group is the holding company of the UnitedHealthcare, and is the largest and chief health carrier all over the United States of America. The company was formed in the year 1977 and was initially called the United HealthCare Corporation. The name was changed again in the year 1998, but even the new name has its origin based in a firm that the UnitedHealth Group acquired back in the year 1977 which was called the Charter Med Incorporated and was formed in the year 1974. It was in 1979, that the UnitedHealth introduced their first network-based health plan targeting the seniors citizens in America the company became a publicly traded one in 1984. UnitedHealthcare was very recently given the highest rating in the area of employer satisfaction for all self-insured health plan companies by J.D. Power and Associates. The company also received top ratings in 2011 from the American Medi cal Association (AMA) in the National Health Insurance Report Card published by the AMA. This fourth annual report card published by the American Medical Association assessed seven different national health insurance companies on the criterion of both timeliness as well as the accuracy of their claims basing their evaluation on different metrics like the assortment of payment made to the companies, and some process metrics. UnitedHealthcare also moved to the top spot amongst all of its industry peers on the two metrics: concerning Contracted Fee Schedule Match Rate and Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) Accuracy. Contracted Fee Schedule Match Rate basically is an indicator of how often the insurer's claim payment tallies the fee schedule put down in the initial contract. Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) Accuracy is the measure of the rate at which the amount allowed by the insurer actually equals to the expected allowed payment of the physician’s services. In a more recent publication of the health insurance industry called the ‘Business Insurance’, UnitedHealthcare was called the "readers choice" winner for the year 2010 in the category of "Best health plan provider". In contrast to all these ratings, UnitedHealthcare was given a 65% unfavorable rating by a group of hospital executives who had on several occasions dealt with UnitedHealthcare on previous occasions. Though this number is quite good and up by about 33% from the rating in 2010, UnitedHealthcare still is at the bottom of all the companied included in the list. As already mentioned, UnitedHealthcare is a recognized leader in the health insurance claim business and it strives to constantly improve on the quality of the services they are offering to their customers and the overall effectiveness of the notion of healthcare for every American citizen. They want to enhance every individuals reach to health perks and benefits offered by the health insurance companies like theirs. Th ey are striving to constantly create new and innovative health products and services that will make the entire concept of healthcare more affordable to American citizens. They also tend to use technology to make the entire health care system easier to manage and navigate around. The different subsidiaries of the company are constantly coming up with a line up for innovative services and products for an approximate 70 million of its

Different Cultures And Traditions Essay Example for Free

Different Cultures And Traditions Essay Using texts from different cultures and traditions discuss how free will or determinism in form of development or outcome of the stories. (1500 2500 words) I believe that we are not so free in this world even though most people would like to think we are. Our lives are controlled by many factors which we do not seem to notice. Some people accept what their future is and live with it, with out even attempting to change it. Fortunately thought there are also the same amounts of people who can see their own future but strive to do what ever they can to change it for the better. Now through out this essay I will compare two stories which are Veronica and Country Lovers. There are many instances in these stories of how if the main character in the story made a different decision than the outcome of the story would have been completely different. So we will see what might have happened if the character made a different choice later on in this piece but first I will talk about the different points of view brought out in these stories. We shall start of with the story of Veronica. This story is of a girl and a boy who are best friend and they live in quite a poor village in Africa and the boy Okeke gets a chance to go to the city and study at university due to a scholarship which he had won and Okeke asks Veronica to come but she decides to stay. When Okeke, after finishing his course at university as a doctor comes back to the village he sees Veronica in her dying moments. When Okeke asks to save her she refuses because her husband had died and her son had died also so she had nothing else to live for. Now Okeke thinks Veronica should have left with him and become his secretary and should have attended night classes where as Veronica thinks she should stay because she hates to leave her family behind even though her father was a brute and beat her. If we were to compare the points of view established in the story Veronica with the raised in the story of Country Lovers. (This is the story of Thebedi and Paulus.) This story introduces Paulus Eysendyck, a white farmers son, and Thebedi, the black daughter of one of the farm workers. As children, Paulus and Thebedi played together, but when they are teenagers they begin a sexual relationship. They have tender feelings for each other, even though their relationship is ultimately doomed in the end. Thebedi marries Njabulo, a kind young black man who has loved her for years. Two months later, Thebedi gives birth to a light-skinned child.à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ That Thebedi is pregnant when she marries is not considered scandalous because men in this culture often insist on finding out before marriage if their women are barren. The childs light skin, however, reveals who the father really is. Still, Njabulo treats the baby as if the child were his own. Paulus learns that Thebedi has married and has a light-skinned child. He panics about the child and visits Thebedi in her hut. He asks her to give the baby to someone else to raise, but she does not. Two days later, he asks to see the child alone. Waiting outside the hut, Thebedi hears soft groaning sounds, and the baby soon dies. Officials discover that the baby was poisoned, and Paulus is arrested. Initially, Thebedi says that she knows he poisoned the baby, but when the trial comes, she claims that she does not know what he did in the hut. Paulus is set free. There are clearly two separate points of view which you can clearly see. The point of view of Paulus and Njabulo. Now Paulus is very judgemental and slightly racist. I say this because he wanted to and did kill the baby just because it was light skinned. I can also say this because of the following quote you must give it to someone this proves he is quite racist because he is calling the baby an it who is quite disrespectful. Also there is also a quote which suggests that he could have been the one to kill the baby I feel like killing it myself this also adds some extra evidence against him for killing the baby. And then there is the point of view of Njabulo which is he loves the baby so much he uses the small wages which he gets from his farm work to buy the baby what ever it needs and could ever want. He is such a devoted father. But then again though I suspect that Njabulo might not believe that the baby is not his, I say this because of what he says for Thebedis birthday notice he says Thebedis baby and not their or his birthday which makes me say that he does believe within himself that the baby is his own. I suspect he may think that because the baby has got light coloured skin and because they are both black he would have thought that the baby would have had the same coloured skin as the parent and because the babys skin is light coloured he might suspect that Thebedi might have had an affair with a white man and got pregnant and had a baby. Now we can move on to analyse the language which is used in these texts. Now the language which is used in these two stories are very expressive, they allow us to feel what the character are feelings. I will start to analyse the language used in the story of Veronica. And then I will move to analyse the story of Country Lovers. This in my opinion is a very heart felt and emotional story and I feel it is quite sad that the baby died in the end and that no body was convicted for the death of the baby if there was a murderer. But before we get to that lets start with the language used in Veronica. There are many persuasive words use in this particular text. The language which I have encountered in this text I have never seen or heard of before. Many people have commented on the language which is used in these texts and it is considered to be quite complex but I shall persevere and try to unravel the language in this text for you so that you may understand it as well as I have tried to. There are persuasive words a plenty in this story to help us to understand what the characters in the text are feeling. Now if we move on to analyse the language which is used in Country Lovers. The language which is used in this text is quite complex also so I will try to impart with you the knowledge which I have learnt about the language of this text. Many may say that the words are quite simple but the thing which is hard about the language in this text I the inner meanings within these words which means there is a meaning within a meaning. Now I have scrutinised the language, I will now go on to analyse the structure. There are two main things in the structure which need to be discussed and they are story and characters. I shall start by discussing the story in both of the stories. I have explained at the beginning of this piece the main story lines of these stories but in this paragraph I will go more in to depth about how the author of this story has kept the reader interested and leaving them wanting more. In Veronica for example this story is quite short, even though the story is short does not mean that the story is not interesting or boring. Short stories are just as interesting as novels or long novels. In this story the author has not used many difficult or hard to understand words and all the long / hard words are necessary to give the effect which is given. The author also made it easier for the readers understand what the characters in the story are feeling. For example we said goodbye and she hurtled away. I thought I saw a tear in her eyes as she turned to go. From this quote I can tell that Veronica was really sad about Okeke leaving her and she wanted to avoid a long goodbye because she probably knew the longer she stayed with him the more upset she would get about the thought of him leaving. Now I will move on to analyse the story in Country Lovers. This story is slightly longer than Veronica but is still very interesting. The author of this text does not use many long/ hard words but she does not need to the story is powerful enough and gets the point across without the need to use long and difficult words. This story is quite descriptive, for example: Hidden by the mesh of old, ant eaten trees the more descriptive a story is the better picture of what is happening in the story. If the author is too descriptive it is boring and if there are only few words of description then it isnt very good to get a picture of what is happening in your head. But the author of this story has found the right limit. Now I move on to talk about the characters in these stories. In Veronica there are only two main characters and they are Okeke and Veronica. Now these characters are very well made up and they were designed to play off each other. Where as Veronica is quite resistant to move Okeke is quite happy to try to persuade Veronica to move with him to the big city. Where as in Country Lovers there is Thebedi, Njabulo and also Paulus. Njabulo is quite a shy and retiring type where as Paulus is the alpha male and is more demanding and quite mean and strict. And Thebedi last of all is quite laidback but when she was required of it she was not afraid to stand up for herself. Finally I will analyse if the main characters had main a different choice then what would have happened and how the ending would have been changed. I will start with the story of Veronica. If Veronica had decided to go with Okeke and work as a secretary to him and goes to night classes then she probably would have led a happier and fuller life and also would not have died as early as she did and she would have had a happy and rich family life. In the story of Country Lovers what would have happened if different decisions were made. If Thebedi did not have a sexual relationship with Paulus in her teenage years then he probably would not have come back in her life and Thebedis baby would not have died. Also Njabulo and Thebedis relationship would have been stronger and better. To bring a conclusion to this piece both pieces are brilliant in the way that they are written and put together. They are fantastic short reads which I would recommend to any one to read and also if you wanted to read about different cultures and traditions.

Raising the Minimum Drinking Age to 21

Raising the Minimum Drinking Age to 21 Alcohol is drinks such as beer and wine. It contains a substance that causes to loss of consciousness, which affect the thinking person. Drinking alcohol is one of the biggest problems facing the Australian community. The proportion of people at risk as a result of excessive drinking of alcohol 3200 people die and almost 81000 people admitted to hospital every year. The government is trying to reduce the risks that affect their health and their social situation because of it is impact on the public and especially minors. As a result, the government cares about its population and especially minors and believe that drinking alcohol has many threats to minors could lead to several problems and risks to lead of loss their lives and also because of its negative impact on health, mind and behaviour of minors. So, the government is trying to raise the drinking age to 21. This essay will discuss the positives and negatives for raising drinking age to 21. There are several positives for raising drinking age to 21. Firstly, alcohol adversely affect their health. For example, alcohol is containing ethyl alcohol is the substance adversely affect the mind that affect thinking, mood, and emotion of the person. In addition, The mind of the person grows and develops from the age of 15 to 24. So, alcohol has a toxic effect on the brain of a minor. Secondly, reduce the fatality rate. For instance, Increase dose of drinking alcohol may cause death because their bodies and small brains do not bear it. Statistics show that half of the males and females aged 14 to 24 die each year from drinking alcohol. Moreover, many fatal accidents; such as traffic accidents while crossing the road as well as car accidents due to loss of concentration and awareness that caused by drinking alcohol. Also, may negatively affect a person life which may lead increased incidence of suicidal in minors. Thirdly, lift the legal drinking age to 21 has positive affects to their behaviour. An example of the affect a person life to increase in violence. The Government believes that raising the age of drinking to 21 is the best ways to address the problem of violence caused by drinking alcohol. Furthermore,   for drinking alcohol affects the behaviour of the minors, such as aggression, anger and depression that caused by family problems and social. In fact, drinking alcohol negatively affects the lives of those people who under the legal age. Raising drinking age to 21 has several negatives. First of all, raising the drinking age to the age of 21 deprives them of their rights as adults.   some people believe the person who at 20 becoming an adult is entitled to vote, and live in private home away from their parents, and enter the military. For example, in the war withVietnamhas been reduced drinking to the age of 18 due to the death of many young people in the war to protect their country. So, they are considered adults and they can rely on themselves. In addition,   raising the drinking age to 21 to prevent them from enjoying life and doing as adults. Many countries have the legal drinking age of 18 as well. Secondly, raising the legal age of drinking does not prevent a minor from drinking. For instance, a minor can find someone for brings the alcohol for him, many under the age of 17 drinking alcohol; even though, they are prevented from drinking. Also, raising the legal age of drinking that prevents them from drink ing alcohol and can lead to minor went to the steals alcohol. In addition, raising the legal drinking age does not solve the problems resulting from underage drinking. For example, theUnited Statesthe legal age for drinking alcohol have the age of 21 but they have the same problems of countries with legal drinking age of 18. Indeed, raising the legal drinking age will creates many social problems instead solve the problems. Raise the legal drinking age to 21 would not solve the problem of violence, suicide, car accidents and other problems. For example, can reduce loss of life and the risks resulting from drinking alcohol.   placing limit for amount of drinking alcohol instead of changing the law at the age of drinking alcohol. Additionally, minors can   learn how to drink alcohol responsibly and in an attempt to prevent addiction to alcohol instead of raising the legal drinking age to 21.

Environmental Impacts of Food Production, Strawberries

Environmental Impacts of Food Production, Strawberries Introduction The high rate of environmental degradation and the depletion of our ozone layer are some of the reasons supporters of Green Revolution are demanding that food production processes should be energy efficient (Gardner et al., 2008; Perman et al., 2003). This report investigates and compares the possible environmental impacts of strawberry production in these two countries: Spain and UK. The approaches used in this study centre on goal definition and scoping and inventory analysis, which are important components of full life cycle assessments (LCAs) that is significant in analysing the production impacts on the environment. This investigation takes place during the U.Ks in-season production of strawberry: because out-of-season production would be time-consuming and is beyond the scope of this report. All the information presented below about the product system is strictly in accordance with the standardization ISO 14041, which states that: The systems should be adequately described in detail and clarity to allow another (LCA) practitioner to duplicate the inventory analysis, (Marinova et al., 2006). Strawberry Production in the UK Considering the goal and scope of growing strawberries in the UK, the following facts emerge in the course of this process: Goal and Scope: The goal of undertaking life cycle assessment on strawberry production in UK to ascertain the level of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the possibility of understanding the benefits of the process and investigating if it is doable to engage in green marketing, eco-labeling and energy conservation. The scope is to define strawberry (product), its functional unit, product system and system boundaries. Product definition: Strawberries are traditionally grown in the UK to supply for local consumption. This is because they are mostly grown on small-scale fruit farming, producing only a small proportion of the entire quantity of strawberries consumed in the UK (Janick Paull, 2008). It is helpful to define the kinds of processes required in producing strawberries in the UK. Product function: The main function of strawberry in the UK is to be used as fruit and food supplement that provide the needed nutrients for the body. Some of the nutrients that strawberry produces include but not limited to water, energy (30,000kcal), protein (0.610g), total fat (0.370), Calcium (14,000mg), Potassium (166,000mg), vitamin C (ascorbic) (56,700mg), Cholesterol (0000 mg) and so on. These nutrients are required by human bodies to function properly. And for the fact that strawberries have zero calorie and little fatty contents, they are helpful to maintain ones weight, no matter the quantity of the fruit that was consumed (Berdanier, 2002). Product functional unit: The product functional unit is 100g of UK strawberries, which approximately provide the needed nutrients and supplements outlined above. Product system: the product system for the growing of strawberries in the UK including the following processes: and they are expected to be in conformity with ISO 14041. Growth: Preparation of the soil: choosing higher, frost-free soil which has the temperature above -2oC, and preparation of planting beds for optimum growth. Setting up Cloche or tunnel-protection to protect the strawberries from being damaged by frost during winter; and choosing sunny but least-winded areas for the planting of the strawberries. Final soil preparation is done a month before planting by mixing organic matter and some bonemeal with the soil. And a fertilizer like Growmore is applied to the soil a week before planting of the strawberry. The strawberries are planted in early September or April. The strawberries are protected from pests and diseases by using pesticides against aphids, red spider mite, slugs and powdery mildew. The strawberries are harvested in mid-April. Processing: The harvested raw strawberries are processed using simple methods: They are cleaned, graded and stored in a safer situation so as to prevent them from drying up. Packaging: The strawberries are packaged inside containers of different sizes and kinds. Though, the packaging materials are not expensive ones: they are those that would not make the strawberries price shoot. Quite inexpensive packaging materials. Transportation: The finished strawberry products are transported from the packaging unit to shops and stores where they would be delivered to the buyers. Also, transportation is needed to transport the waste materials back to the fruit farms. System boundaries: The system boundary for the growing of strawberries in UK consists of the following components: (1) Inputs composed of strawberry plantlets, fertilizer, organic matter, water, soil nutrients, pesticides, bonemeal etc; (2) output composed of strawberries, waste plant materials, and so on; (3) Sub-systems include the growth of the strawberries, its processing using some equipment, the packaging of the strawberries in different containers and the transportation of the finished products to the places of consumption. System Environment: The system environment is made up of those things outside the system boundary: in the case of growing strawberries in UK, they include the soil, the strawberry growers, the environmental conditions like weather and pests. Summary of Growing Strawberries in UK This approach above is chosen because it describes in detail the processes for growing strawberries in UK, taking into consideration all the inputs, subsystems, outputs and the environment. These procedures are graphical enough for any future LCA practitioners to digest and follow in repeating the same processes. Most importantly, the explanations of the processes are easily understandable and the materials used in the growing of UK strawberries are commonplace, not expensive and could be easily applied. There are no applications of very expensive technology that could discourage potential LCA practitioners from trying out these processes. Strawberry Production in Spain Looking at the goal and scope of growing strawberries in the Spain, the following facts are important to be considered: Goal and Scope: The goal of carrying out life cycle assessment on strawberry production in Spain is to discover the level of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the possibility of understanding the benefits of the process and investigating if it is doable to engage in green marketing, eco-labeling and energy conservation. The scope is to define strawberry (product), its functional unit, product system and system boundaries (Handscombe Handscombe, 2007). Product definition: Strawberries are locally produced in the Spain to supply for local consumers and for the export markets. This is because they are mostly grown on both large- and small-scale fruit farming, producing a large proportion of the quantity of strawberries consumed in Spain and many other countries in the world, including USA and UK. (Janick Paull, 2008). It is helpful to define the kinds of processes required in producing strawberries in Spain. Product function: The main function of strawberry in Spain is to be consumed as fruit and food supplement that will provide the required nutrients for the body. Some of the nutrients that strawberry offers include but not limited to water, energy (30,000kcal), protein (0.610g), total fat (0.370), Calcium (14,000mg), Potassium (166,000mg), vitamin C (ascorbic) (56,700mg), Cholesterol (0000 mg) and so on. These nutrients are required by human bodies to function properly. And for the fact that strawberries have zero calorie and low fatty contents, they are helpful to maintain ones weight, no matter the quantity of the fruit consumed (Berdanier, 2002). They are also used as jams and preserves. Product functional unit: It requires about 150 g of Spanish strawberries to absorb the required quantity of nutrients and supplements that human bodies needed to function properly. Although this minimum quantity may change for different kinds of Spanish strawberries. But the commonly used average amount for Spanish strawberrys functional unit is 100g (Handscombe Handscombe, 2007). Product system: the product system for the growing of strawberries in Spain involves the following processes: and they are executed in accordance with ISO 14041. Growth: Majority of Spanish strawberries are grown in the South Western part of the country, in the Huelva Region. The fruit farms are made up of small-scale gardens owned by individual farmers, and a large-scale farms formed by consortium among many Spanish fruit growers (Medina, 2005). Spanish strawberries are of high grade, and they are planted with fertilizers, organic matter and other growth-enhancing substances. Because of their high quality, Spanish strawberries known as Aguedilla are always in high demand in Europe, including in the United Kingdom. The area where Spanish strawberries are grown has a hot summer and longer sunshine. These weather conditions help strawberries to be grown in large quantity. Processing: The raw Aguedilla are made to pass through the processes of cleaning, grading and storing. The Spanish strawberries are of high quality, and this is why it is marketable all the year round. Packaging: The next process in the production of Spanish strawberries is the packaging: the processed strawberries are packaged in different containers of different sizes. Transportation: since Spanish strawberries are consumed both locally and at overseas. This requires a great deal of transportation. Hence, much energy is used in delivering the finished products to the consumers and buyers. Spanish strawberries are not only marketable in Europe, but also in the United States (Baughen, 2007). This helped the strawberry business in Spain to expand, employing over 30,000 workers for a season (Handscombe Handscombe, 2007). System boundaries: The system boundary for the growing of strawberries in Spain consists of the following components: (1) Inputs composed of strawberry plantlets, fertilizer, organic matter, water, soil nutrients, pesticides, bonemeal etc; (2) output composed of strawberries, waste plant materials, and so on; (3) Sub-systems include the growth of the strawberries, its processing using some equipment, the packaging of the strawberries in different containers and the transportation of the finished products to the places of consumption. System Environment: The system environment is made up of those things outside the system boundary: in the case of growing strawberries in Spain, they include the soil, the strawberry growers, the environmental conditions like weather and pests, and the competitors. Fruit farming in Spain is competitive because many growers are involved in the process. The economy of the South West region of Spain totally depends on these farming activities (Medina, 2005). Summary of the Strawberry Production in Spain The processes of producing strawberry in Spain are similar to any other countries, but what is different is that the magnitude of production in Spain is bigger than any other countries. Hence, more energy is consumed and more wastes are disposed of. The culture of growing strawberries in Spain has become improved of recent, and there are more local growers competing for the markets: some are even forming alliances with one another to mass-produce strawberries. And for the fact that there are markets in Europe and the North America for Spanish strawberries, there is every possibility that the business would continue to grow in Spain, most importantly the area of the country that depends on it for economic miracle. Nowadays, Spanish growers experiment with using special equipment to improve their production activities. Differences between Strawberry Production in UK and Spain Though the methods of producing strawberries in both UK and Spain appear similar, but there are some great differences between them. Some of these differences are highlighted below: Strawberries in the UK are mostly grown under heated greenhouses or polytunnels; but they are only grown in polytunnels in Spain. Strawberries are available all-year round in Spain, while it is seasonal in the UK (summer only). The amount of labour used by strawberry growers in Spain in far greater than those used in the UK. Strawberry growing in Spain uses a lot of water and land (polytunnels), while in UK more heating energy is required to protect the strawberries. More energy is used in the transportation of strawberries in Spain than in the UK. Spain generates more wastes than the UK in the entire strawberry production processes. Growing strawberry in the UK is environmentally friendlier than doing the same in Spain. There is more competition in Spain than in the UK; hence, this could lead to adulteration of strawberries through sharp practices to reduce costs. References Baughen, S. (2007). International trade and the protection of the environment. London: Routledge-Cavendish. Berdanier, C.D. (2002). Handbook of nutrition and food. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. Gardner, G., Prugh, T., Starke, L. Worldwatch Institute (2008). State of the world 2008: innovation for a sustainable economy. London: Earthscan. Handscombe, C. Handscombe, D. (2007). Growing healthy fruit in Spain: From strawberries to oranges and watermelons. Malaga, Spain: Santana Books. Janick, J. Paull, R.E. (2008). The encyclopedia of fruit and nuts. Oxfordshire, United Kingdom: CABI. Marinova, D., Annandale, D. Phillimore, J. (2006). The international handbook on environmental technology. London: Edward Elgar Publishing. Medina, F.X. (2005). Food culture in Spain. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood Publishing Group. Perman, R., Ma, Y., Common, M. McGilvray, J. (2003). Natural resources and environmental economics. 3rd Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education.

Animal Farm: Strong Vs Weak :: Animal Farm Essays

The pigs had objectives other than the benefits and the good of the other animals. On the contrary, their objectives were to use, conquer, and capitalize on them. One of the conflicts in Animal Farm is the strong against the weak. The strong are the pigs and the weak are all the other animals. There are two main offenders of the weak: Napoleon and the pigs in general.Napoleon was a tyrant. It is very likely Napoleon and the other pigs were conspiring to take over Animal Farm so that they could take advantage of the situation of having many animals at their disposal. Although, Napoleon played a very important role in the assault on the weak. Napoleon most likely was the originator of all the decisions that go against the morals of the animal society. He is the one that initiated the violation of established resolutions, and concealed it by altering the resolutions. What satisfied his pleasure is what took precedence over everything-the animals, honesty, commandments, etc. He gave himself the credit for every good thing, without any recognition to the other animals, such as the building of the windmill, and the victory of the Battle of the Windmill. In addition, he is the one that completely transformed the farm into the same or worse way it was in the hands of Man. He made the pigs mimic Man: adopted all its bad habits which were against the animals, with the exception of the pigs. The other pigs were also involved in taking advantage of the weak.The other aspect that was against the weak is that the pigs in general clearly took advantage of their leadership to exploit the other animals. This could be proven multiple times, starting from nearly the beginning of the story. Even when Snowball, a good guy, was still in the picture, this (exploitation) was happening by the pigs deceiving the other animals to hog all the apple crop. The pigs gave the other animals little food, while they lived a lavish lifestyle. They lied to the animals by telling them lies about their memories, and giving them false information for their own benefits such as, for example, equality in rations would be contrary to the principles of Animalism. They overworked the animals while they did not work laboriously, and used them for money.

Complex Visual Hallucinations and Macular Degeneration :: Optometry Psychiatry Neurology Essays

Complex Visual Hallucinations and Macular Degeneration Located in the center of the retina, the sensitive macula provides us with sight in the center of our field of vision. When we look directly at something, the macula allows us to see the fine details. This sharp, straight-ahead vision is necessary for driving, reading, recognizing faces, and doing close work, such as sewing. Macular degeneration is the impairment of this central macular area. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in the Western world in the over 50 age group. It most commonly affects those of northern European descent and is uncommon in African-Americans and Hispanics. The prevalence increases with age. It affects about 15% of the population by age 55, and over 30% are affected by age 75 (Miller, 1992). In macular degeneration a layer beneath the retina, called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), gradually wears out from its lifelong duties of disposing of retinal waste products. Eventually the capacity of the RPE layer to handle these metabolic products is overwhelmed and the RPE begins to degenerate (Miller, 1992). Other deep layers involved in development of macular degeneration are Bruch's membrane and the choroid layer. Additional factors that may hasten loss of the RPE layer, and the resulting degeneration of the central retina (macula) include hereditary factors, ultraviolet rays from sunlight, and blue iris color (more UV rays reach the retina in blue-eyed patients, probably because of the lower pigment density in the eye). There are basically two forms of macular degeneration. So-called dry (or atrophic) macular degeneration, which accounts for 90% of cases, is caused by the aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula (Miller, 1992). This type is characterized by tiny yellowish deposits under the macular part of the retina. These deposits are known as drusen and may increase in size and number over time. Areas of loss of retinal and RPE layers in the macula may gradually appear. Small clumps of brown pigment from the degenerating RPE layer also are commonly seen. The other major form of this disease is wet (or exudative macular degeneration) which is a much greater threat to vision loss even though it accounts for only 10% of cases. This type can be associated with a more sudden loss of vision due to leakage or bleeding under the macula from abnormal vessels, called the choriocapillaris, arising from one of the deeper layers.

Irony in Sophocles Oedipus the King Essays -- Oedipus Rex Essays

Irony in Sophocles' Oedipus In the play "Oedipus," irony is used frequently as and as eloquently by Sophocles to the reveal theme of seeking knowledge. Not knowing the King of Thebes, Oedipus, gives speeches on finding the murderer of the King of Laias and how wretched the poor soil will be when the truth is revealed. " Then once more I must bring what is dark to light†¦, whoever killed King Laios might- who knows?-might decide at any moment to kill me as well. By avenging the murder of the King, I protect myself, (Sophocles 1109). The speech shows how dedicated Oedipus in the pursuit of the murderer and not only the avenge of the King but to save himself. He will not be saving but adding down to his life. Oedipus doesn't realize he is in pursuit of himself. He continues his speech "Moreover: If anyone knows the murderer to be foreign, Let him not keep silent: he shall have his reward from him," ( 1112). With his own words he asks for the truth. But he can't handle the truth, for he has no idea what he is asking for or for whom he is searching for. He also states that he wants t...

Education in the Classroom, or in the Real World

Oscar Wilde and Lord Brougham have different ideas about the education system. Wilde states â€Å"Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. † This means that education does not teach a person every thing they need to know, a person learns from doing things outside of school. Lord Brougham says â€Å"Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave. † This means Brougham sees education as the tool, which creates free thinkers. Wilde has a better idea about education because he seems to believe that there are many ways to learn things. People are not taught in school how to deal with accidents, how to be trusted, and how to be a good friend to someone. Accidents are unexpected happenings that can be caused by chance. Accidents happen in many different ways and different places. Dealing with an accident isn't something that teachers explain it is something that a person learns first hand. When a person is in an accident there is a lot to deal with. Depending on the type of accident. For example I was in an accident, my truck rolled. The first thing I had to deal with is talking to the police officer. Dealing with the police is scary no matter what the situation is, not to mention a near death situation. The cop went over what happened, who was driving and of course who was drinking. After that was established the next thing to deal with was dad. A parental unit is hard to explain something like this to. There isn†t a teacher who can teach a student how to explain to their father that they just rolled their pick up. Some parents are very strict and not very understanding, and some parents are easy going and don't care. It would be hard for teachers to know what kind of an accident the student was in, and what the student is feeling after the accident therefore it would be hard to teach the student how to deal with an accident they just have to learn it for themselves. There is no teacher that can tech a person thing that are learn by being taught. People have to earn some ones trust they just don†t automatically trust some one. Teachers can't say their looks like a good person, they have on nice clothes, and they can be trusted. It don't work that way, trust has to be built. It can be built by returning something someone dropped or by listening when a friend is having a bad day, and not turning around blabbing what she just said. Sharing secrets helps build trust. A person has to learn who they can and can't trust, sometimes they may get burned and hurt, when they tell a secret and go to school the next day to find out the whole school body knows what the little secret was. They learned that they couldn†t trust that person, even if that person was dressed in nice clothes, and looked like a good person. Sharing secrets and knowing who that person is build trust. No teacher can tech a person to trust anyone they don't know. To be a good friend a person has to be there to listen to problems. Not only listening but willing to give advice. The old saying â€Å"If all your friends jumped off a cliff would you? † A true friend would say no, because they would be at the bottom, to catch their friends. A true friend would get up in the middle of the night to listen a dream that just couldn't wait until tomorrow. Teachers can't teach a person how to be a good friend or for that matter, teachers can't teach you how to be a good friend. If a person cares about another person they can be friends because they will be will to go out of their way to help the other person. If people didn't care about people they wouldn't help each other out, and they wouldn't be friends. People can be nice to people but that don't make them friends. Teachers can teach people how to be nice to people, also called manners. Friends are something that just comes natural. To know and to learn are two different things. Know how to wreak a truck or to wreak a friendship can only be taught by them. No teacher can tech a person how to roll a truck or how to gain the trust of a good friend. Only a person can tech them selves and still learn by the mistakes that where given, during the time that a person was taught.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is so overrated And over-hyped! A lot of people run around frothing, proclaiming their love and pledging their eternal allegiance to one another. Although it means different things to different people, many use this day for all the wrong reasons. I. e. : to show off, get free stuff, free meals etc-Etc. Ha. People even go as far as finding dates just for that one day. Crazy right? I know! When its about to be that time of the month everywhere is lit up with red stuff! I personally think it’s another way for businesses to get a lot of extra money out our pockets. If someone truly cared about you, I think you'd hear it more often than once. I mean the extra-large teddy bears, flowers, and all the excess chocolate; (which makes u gain weight anyway), and all the other stuff which is associated with v/day is cool, but why wait for that one day to show your partner how much really you care about them? Some People definitely put much emphasis on it! Why not do it all the time! I personally think that’s all part of being in a relationship. Making your significant other feel loved and appreciated all the time. This should be a PRIORITY of yours! Not just on that one day called â€Å"VALENTINES DAY†! I think it all depends on the individual’s choice. If you are in favor of doing something special on Valentine’s Day, go ahead and do it. If you feel that it’s not your cup of coffee, so be it. Spending all the excess $money$ isn’t the meaning of love  ¦; it’s the little things along with the thoughtfulness! Valentine’s Day Each year in America, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and Australia billions of people celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day. 85% of Valentine’s day purchases are made by women, 1 billion valentine’s day cards are sent out each year and Valentine’s day is the second largest card sending holiday of the year, the first being Christmas. Today I will share with you the history of Valentine’s Day and the legend of Saint Valentine. There are three different stories as to how Valentine’s Day became a holiday, but they all have the same thing in common, which is Saint Valentine. February has always been a month of romance and history. The roots of this holiday are based on the Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The roman-catholic church recognizes at least three different saints, saint valentine and saint valentines are the two most familiar. The first legend says that Saint Valentine was priest who served in the third century in Rome. The emperor at that time was Emperor Claudius, and he believed that the single men made better soldiers in his army, so he banned all marriages for young men at that time. Saint Valentine seeing this as an injustice was still willing to perform marriages in secret for young lovers. When Valentines secret was discovered, the legend says he was sentenced to death. The second legend suggests that Valentine may have been killed for helping Christians escape Roman prisons. Many Christians that were kept in these prisons were kept by a higher being and were tortured to death. The third story tells us that Valentine sent the very first valentine from prison. The legend says that he fell madly in love with the jailer’s daughter where he was in prison and right before he was put to death he wrote her a letter and signed it love your valentine. Now I am going to tell you how and why Valentine’s Day became a tradition and a holiday. By the Middle Ages saint valentine was viewed as a sympathetic, romantic and heroic figure. As a result of this he was considered one of the most popular of all figures in England and France at that time. Valentines death was said to be around two seventy eight A.  D. In effort to Christianise the Pagan holiday celebration of Pieria at the Lempira festival, it is said that the celebration of saint valentine’s burial was moved to the month of February. In ancient Rome February was the official beginning of spring and was considered at that time a time of purification. In France in England during the middle ages February fourteenth was the day that the birds began choosing their mates, also around five hundred A. D Pope Gelasius declared February fourteenth, Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day Valentine’s day is so overrated And over-hyped! A lot of people run around frothing, proclaiming their love and pledging their eternal allegiance to one another. Although it means different things to different people, many use this day for all the wrong reasons. I. e. : to show off, get free stuff, free meals etc-Etc. Ha. People even go as far as finding dates just for that one day. Crazy right? I know! When its about to be that time of the month everywhere is lit up with red stuff! I personally think it’s another way for businesses to get a lot of extra money out our pockets. If someone truly cared about you, I think you'd hear it more often than once. I mean the extra-large teddy bears, flowers, and all the excess chocolate; (which makes u gain weight anyway), and all the other stuff which is associated with v/day is cool, but why wait for that one day to show your partner how much really you care about them? Some People definitely put much emphasis on it! Why not do it all the time! I personally think that’s all part of being in a relationship. Making your significant other feel loved and appreciated all the time. This should be a PRIORITY of yours! Not just on that one day called â€Å"VALENTINES DAY†! I think it all depends on the individual’s choice. If you are in favor of doing something special on Valentine’s Day, go ahead and do it. If you feel that it’s not your cup of coffee, so be it. Spending all the excess $money$ isn’t the meaning of love  ¦; it’s the little things along with the thoughtfulness!

Master of Business Administration Essay

Pricing policy refers to the policy of setting the price of the product or products and services by the management after taking into account of various internal and external factors, forces and its own business objectives. Pricing Policy basically depends on price theory that is the corner stone of economic theory. Pricing is considered as one of the basic and central problems of economic theory in a modern economy. Fixing prices are the most important aspect of managerial decision making because market price charged by the company affects the present and future production plans, pattern of distribution, nature of marketing etc. Generally speaking, in economic theory, we take into account of only two parties, i. e. , buyers and sellers while fixing the prices. However, in practice many parties are associated with pricing of a product. They are rival competitors, potential rivals, middlemen, wholesalers, retailers, commission agents and above all the Govt. Hence, we should give due consideration to the influence exerted by these parties in the process of price determination. Broadly speaking, the various factors and forces that affect the price are divided into two categories. They are as follows: I External Factors (Outside factors) 1. Demand, supply and their determinants. 2. Elasticity of demand and supply. 3. Degree of competition in the market. 4. Size of the market. 5. Good will, name, fame and reputation of a firm in the market. 6. Trends in the market. 7. Purchasing power of the buyers. 8. Bargaining power of customers 9. Buyers behavior in respect of particular product II. Internal Factors (Inside Factors) 1. Objectives of the firm. 2. Production Costs. 3. Quality of the product and its characteristics. 4. Scale of production. 5. Efficient management of resources. 6. Policy towards percentage of profits and dividend distribution. 7. Advertising and sales promotion policies. 8. Wage policy and sales turn over policy etc. 9. The stages of the product on the product life cycle. 10. Use pattern of the product. Objectives of the Price Policy: A firm has multiple objectives today. In spite of several objectives, the ultimate aim of every business concern is to maximize its profits. This is possible when the returns exceed costs. In this context, setting an ideal price for a product assumes greater importance. Pricing objectives has to be established by top management to ensure not only that the company’s profitability is adequate but also that pricing is complementary to the total strategy of the organization. While formulating the pricing policy, a firm has to consider various economic, social, political and other factors. The Following objectives are to be considered while fixing the prices of the product. 1. Profit maximization in the short term The primary objective of the firm is to maximize its profits. Pricing policy as an instrument to achieve this objective should be formulated in such a way as to maximize the sales revenue and profit. Maximum profit refers to the highest possible of profit. In the short run, a firm not only should be able to recover its total costs, but also should get excess revenue over costs. This will build the morale of the firm and instill the spirit of confidence in its operations. 2. Profit optimization in the long run The traditional profit maximization hypothesis may not prove beneficial in the long run. With the sole motive of profit making a firm may resort to several kinds of unethical practices like charging exorbitant prices, follow Monopoly Trade Practices (MTP), Restrictive Trade Practices (RTP) and Unfair Trade Practices (UTP) etc. This may lead to opposition from the people. In order to over- come these evils, a firm instead of profit maximization, and aims at profit optimization. Optimum profit refers to the most ideal or desirable level of profit. Hence, earning the most reasonable or optimum profit has become a part and parcel of a sound pricing policy of a firm in recent years. 3. Price Stabilization Price stabilization over a period of time is another objective. The prices as far as possible should not fluctuate too often. Price instability creates uncertain atmosphere in business circles. Sales plan becomes difficult under such circumstances. Hence, price stability is one of the pre requisite conditions for steady and persistent growth of a firm. A stable price policy only can win the confidence of customers and may add to the good will of the concern. It builds up the reputation and image of the firm. 4. Facing competitive situation One of the objectives of the pricing policy is to face the competitive situations in the market. In many cases, this policy has been merely influenced by the market share psychology. Wherever companies are aware of specific competitive products, they try to match the prices of their products with those of their rivals to expand the volume of their business. Most of the firms are not merely interested in meeting competition but are keen to prevent it. Hence, a firm is always busy with its counter business strategy. 5. Maintenance of market share Market share refers to the share of a firm’s sales of a particular product in the total sales of all firms in the market. The economic strength and success of a firm is measured in terms of its market share. In a competitive world, each firm makes a successful attempt to expand its market share. If it is impossible, it has to maintain its existing market share. Any decline in market share is a symptom of the poor performance of a firm. Hence, the pricing policy has to assist a firm to maintain its market share at any cost. Ques2. Explain the important features of long run AC curve. Ans: Long run AC curves Long run is defined as a period of time where adjustments to changed conditions are complete. It is actually a period during which the quantities of all factors, variable as well as fixed factors can be adjusted. Hence, there are no fixed costs in the long run. In the short run, a firm has to carry on its production within the existing plant capacity, but in the long run it is not tied up to a particular plant capacity. If demand for the product increases, it can expand output by enlarging its plant capacity. It can construct new buildings or hire them, install new machines, employ administrative and other permanent staff. It can make use of the existing as well as new staff in the most efficient way and there is lot of scope for making indivisible factors to become divisible factors. On the other hand, if demand for the product declines, a firm can cut down its production permanently. The size of the plant can also be reduced and other expenditure can be minimized. Hence, production cost comes down to a greater extent in the long run. As all costs are variable in the long run, the total of these costs is total cost of production. Hence, the distinction between fixed and variables costs in the total cost of production will disappear in the long run. In the long run only the average total cost is important and considered in taking long term output decisions. Important features of long run AC curve 1. Tangent curve Different SAC curves represent different operational capacities of different plants in the short run. LAC curve is locus of all these points of tangency. The SAC curve can never cut a LAC curve though they are tangential to each other. This implies that for any given level of output, no SAC curve can ever be below the LAC curve. Hence, SAC cannot be lower than the LAC in the ling run. Thus, LAC curve is tangential to various SAC curves. 2. Envelope curve It is known as Envelope curve because it envelopes a group of SAC curves appropriate to different levels of output. 3. Flatter Unshaped or dish-shaped curve. The LAC curve is also U shaped or dish shaped cost curve. But It is less pronounced and much flatter in nature. LAC gradually falls and rises due to economies and diseconomies of scale. 4. Planning curve. The LAC cure is described as the Planning Curve of the firm because it represents the least cost of producing each possible level of output. This helps in producing optimum level of output at the minimum LAC. This is possible when the entrepreneur is selecting the optimum scale plant. Optimum scale plant is that size where the minimum point of SAC is tangent to the minimum point of LAC. . Minimum point of LAC curve should be always lower than the minimum point of SAC curve. This is because LAC can never be higher than SAC or SAC can never be lower than LAC. The LAC curve will touch the optimum plant SAC curve at its minimum point. A rational entrepreneur would select the optimum scale plant. Optimum scale plant is that size at which SAC is tangent to LAC, such that both the curves h ave the minimum point of tangency. In the diagram, OM2 is regarded as the optimum scale of output, as it has the least per unit cost. At OM2 output LAC = SAC.

Critical Analysis: Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay

In this love story written by Zora Neale Hurston, we find out that the main character, Janie saw her life as a great tree filled with many trials and tribulations. â€Å"Their eyes were watching God† was written from a woman’s point of view to tell the story of a woman desperately searching for true love and fulfilment. Janie Crawford grew up with her grandmother who forced her to marry at the age of seventeen to ensure a better life for herself. Logan Killicks was an established potato farmer and he was more than twice Janie’s age. He used her for slavery but Janie refused to accept this lifestyle. See more: how to write a critical analysis essay step by step One day she met a tall handsome man name Joe Starks and ran off with him to Florida. There he established and became the mayor of a small town called Eatonville. This relationship was one of possession and power and Janie was denied any interaction with others in the town. Janie was his trophy wife; she was only allowed to work in their store until Joe became sick and died. Janie then met and fell in love with a young man called Tea Cake. He loved her and took her on picnics, hunting, fishing and dancing. Both, Tea Cake and Janie worked together on the â€Å"muck†, on a field picking crops. On a tragic trip to the Everglades, a hurricane came and Tea Cake was bitten by a wild dog while trying to save Janie and contracted rabies. In his last few months, Tea Cake began to lose his mind and tried to kill Janie so she was forced to take his life. No one could replace Tea Cake, so after his death Janie returned to Eatonville to work in her store. When she returned, people assumed that Tea Cake had run off with her money, but Janie did not care because finally she had experienced true love. The purpose of this book is to tell the story of a woman’s search for true love. In her pursuit of love, she experienced relationships based on confinement and possession, persons who only saw her as a slave and a trophy wife. All Janie ever wanted was someone to love and appreciate her as an individual and as an equal. Eventually, this was achieved when she met Tea Cake. The writer uses many techniques to engage and capture her audience’s interest on this journey of true love, independence and fulfilment. Throughout the novel, the writer uses an ironic tone. After Janie’s first relationship as a slave she found herself in another controlling relationship with Joe Starks unintentionally. Although Tea Cake allowed Janie her freedom at first once competition presented itself he took on a possessive and controlling role also, â€Å"Tea Cake had a brainstorm. Before the week was over he had whipped Janie. Not because her behaviour justified his jealousy, but it relieved that awful fear inside him. Being able to whip her reassured him in possession. † It was also ironic that at Joe’s funeral she was not sad or hopeless as the wife would normally be, but instead she felt strong and free, â€Å"Before she slept that night she burnt up every one of her head rags and went about the house next morning with her hair in one thick braid swinging well below her waist†. Hurston also used dialect to make the story and characters more real to the reader. Words such as ‘wuz’, ‘dat’, ‘mah’, ‘dey’ and wid showed the culture and spirit of the characters and made the story believable. Once I was comfortable reading the dialect, it was easy relating to the characters as their emotions were evident based on their unique expressions. Hurston’s use of figurative language was remarkable where she brilliantly used a metaphor to describe Janie’s life. â€Å"Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered. Things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches. These words describe the ups and downs in Janie’s life, the things she did and those she wished she could have done. Dawn represents the new things she experienced and the brighter days that she had to look toward and doom were the trials and sad times in life that she faced. This created a summary of everything Janie faced in life for the reader and was effective in relating to the character and her feelings. Hurston used imagery to characterize and distinguish between men and women in. She compares the dreams of men to ships. She says â€Å"Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. † She then goes on to say â€Å"Now, women forget all those things they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly. She believes men and women dream differently. Men set their sights on things they will most likely never accomplish. If they fail, they pack their bags and forget about it, they don’t keep striving to achieve it. Women on the other hand have their sights set on dreams that are realistic and they don’t just wait for their ship to dock, they â€Å"act and do things accordingly†. This idea is represented with all three relationships Janie has in the novel. First she marries Logan, with the hope that her dreams of love and prosperity can be fulfilled. Unfortunately this did not work. Then Janine marries Joe Starks, but feels no real love for him. Then Janne meets Tea Cake. He fulfills her dream of love, and is the only person that makes that dream come true for her. The most prevalent theme presented in the novel is love and friendship. Tea Cake loves Janie and wants her to be happy. He’s the only one who gives Janie the freedom to be who she is, not who someone wanted her to be. All of Janie’s life she was hidden behind a mask that only was taken off with Tea Cake’s love. â€Å"He drifted into sleep and Janie looked down on him and felt a self-crushing love. So her soul crawled out from its hiding place. † After Tea Cake’s death, Janie did not feel alone. Tea Cake had given so much love to Janie that would last her whole life. â€Å"He could never be dead until she herself had finished feeling and thinking. The kiss of his memory made pictures of love and light against the wall. Tea Cake’s death freed Janie for her searching was finally complete. The writer also uses the flashback method, she begins the story with the end of Janie’s journey, when she is back at home and then tells her friend Phoebe her life’s story leading up to her returning home. This was an effective technique because it showed the process and struggle some endure during the pursuit of happiness. Overall the writer was effective in achieving her purpose. Hurston gives her readers the tools to understanding Janie’s motivation with meaningful patterns of metaphors and symbols that deliberately guide readers through Janie’s experiences. The novel invoked many feelings, such as sympathy and concern for the way she was treated, and sadness and struggle this intelligent beautiful woman had to endure. In short, Janie struggles, Janie submits, Janie silences herself, but Janie grows. By the end of the story, I, as a reader, am her best friend Pheoby, sitting on that porch with her and listening her to tale. I understand her insecurities, I feel her pain, and I am able to share in her joy as she was able to experience true happiness and find fulfilment. This novel is so relevant to society because it sends a strong message to women who are still victims of battered relationships, women who feel weak and are struggling to make a failing situation work. This novel serves as empowerment, showing us that we should not be afraid to pursue other relationships if the current one doesn’t bring the happiness that is desired. It teaches that life is a journey filled with ups and downs, but it is up to us to determine our happiness as Janie did. Also it cautions us to be careful with whom we choose to love.

Literature review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Literature review - Essay Example A study of empirical literature has been carried out with the example of retail industry and considering Wal-Mart as the multinational organization with its operation in several countries being examined under the review. Issues for Multi-national Organisations The various issues for the multinational organization with the example of Wal-Mart as a major player in the retail industry have been discussed below. Strategies of the organization The multinational companies operate in various countries either by establishing its own facilities or with the help of joint ventures. These multinational organizations are thus exposed to country risk of various countries (Butler, 1993, p.58). Wal-Mart, for example Wal-Mart operates around 8500 stores in around 15 countries all over the world and function under 55 different names in several countries. ... Thus the organizational strategies and decision making with respect to these issues are important as the multinational entity would need to take decision of selling the ventures that are not deemed to be profitable in future times. The multinational organization also needs to strategically invest in ventures that would prove to be profitable in future (Jolly, 2003, p.62). These strategic decisions need to consider the issues related to country risk which entails an examination of the political, economic, social, technological and legal environment in the region of investment. Marketing issues The marketing issues, the developments of the various local markets are important areas of consideration for the multinational corporations. The age of globalization has witnessed several new entrants in the local markets and the threat posed by the competitors raise concerns for the multinational companies for retaining their market share. Thus the multinational companies should continuously up date their marketing strategies in order to counter the steps of the competitors for holding their market share in various countries (Solberg, 2002, p.50). Wal-Mart for example being the largest grocery retailer and having presence in around 15 countries are required to anticipate the changing market conditions and demands of the consumers in order to retain their leadership position in the retail industry. Although, the market share of Wal-Mart is three times that of its nearest competitor, Carrefour, the multinational company needs to continuously adopt innovating strategies and respond to the changing lifestyle of the consumers which are market specific for different countries. The multinational companies also

Effective Project Financial Management Tools Case Study

Effective Project Financial Management Tools - Case Study Example However the above mentioned studies will not be discussed in details. This paper will only evaluate the effectiveness of using cost estimations and budget in financial management project of the two companies. Project financial management is a process which brings together planning, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, internal control, auditing, procurement, disbursement and the physical performance of the project with the aim of managing project resources properly and achieving the project's development objectives (world bank group). Financial management is the main character for the success of a project process. An accurate and relevant financial information provides a basis for better decisions, thus speeding up the progress of the project and the availability of the funds. An effective financial management provides the following: An effective financial management system is vital for projects because of the need to deliver services to target groups quickly over a large geographic area to a wide variety of stakeholders. One of the tools in financial management that is widely used is the Cost estimation and budget. Budgets are the financial work plan for projects, programs and organizations. Budgets that work are based on realistic assumptions, use good cost estimates and come from organizational processes that include board and staff members (J. Rouse, P.Rouse). Project financial management processes are organized into five groups of one or more processes each: Initiating processes-authorizing the project or phase. Planning processes-defining and refining objectives and selecting the best of the alternative courses of action to attain the objectives that the project was undertaken to address. Executing processes-coordinating people and other resources to carry out the plan. Controlling processes-ensuring that project objectives are met by monitoring and measuring progress regularly to identify variances from plan so that corrective action can be taken when necessary. Closing processes-formalizing acceptance of the project or phase and bringing it to an orderly end. Cost Estimations and Budgets In the financial management done by the ISS (International Space Station) for NASA has shown that the cost growth is contributed to many factors that are beyond the control of the project manager. The Project Manager was not able to clearly communicate the justification for his budget requests and the rationale for the cost growth because NASA has lacked a single standardized accounting system and the program has not developed and maintained a baseline lifecycle cost estimate. Past efforts to control costs through budgetary constraints have failed to achieve their stated purpose and have probably exacerbated the cost growth. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) was not able to determine the reasons for the cost increases because the data is not readily available from the Federal Highway Administration.