American Pageant

The Eisenhower Era Korean Armistice 1 952; Eisenhower vaulted Korea shortly after winning the presidency; waited 7 months before resorting to nuclear warfare; Koreans compromised until 38th parallel Army-McCarthy Hearings 1954; McCarthy attacked the Army as Communist; Army attacked him on television for 35 days; McCarthy downfall Jim Crow Segregated blacks from whites Emmett Till 14 year old black who vacationed in Mississippi, allegedly whistled at a white woman (Carolyn Bryant was subsequently beaten, abused, and murdered then tied to a cotton glen and thrown Into a river Montgomery Bus BoycottAfter Rosa Parks is arrested, MILK rallies the black community to do this. This seriously hurt the bus companies. This lasted more than a year, and ended in 56 when the SC declared segregated buses unconstitutional. Brown v. Board of Education 1951 ; (SC) Marshall argues, wins this one. Unanimous vote under the Earl Warren court that â€Å"separate but equal† is a false doctrine.Little Rock Central High School 1957; 9 black students trying to go to school needed to be defended by federal troops Southern Christian Leadership Conference MILK and nearly 100 other black ministers form this organization in 1957 to encourage nonviolent protest to provoke segregationists and win support from moderate southern whites.Although it got more blacks to support the movement, it failed to spark controversy or get white sympathy Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee Created by sit-ins; lack of patience resulted in their downfall Interstate Highway Act of 1 956 1 956; more effective; Jobs and benefits (trucking, gasoline, automobile); deprived passenger trains, decreased air quality, robbed downtowns of business due to shopping outlets First Secretary of the Soviet Union- â€Å"premier†- was in attempts to negotiate towards conciliation with Eisenhower but 13-2 scandal made such attempts void Geneva Conference After Vietnam fell to Nationalists; split Vietnam at the 1 7th parallel; elections 2 years later to Join them 1955; Eisenhower & Khrushchev; â€Å"Open Skies†; Khrushchev thought it was an American ply for Dulles and rejected the idea Battle of Dine Been PH 1954; French corned Indochina; French asked for American support; America not involved Warsaw Pact 1955; Soviet Union reacted to Anta's addition of West Germany, protecting its Communist satellites Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries 960; control petroleum exports; controlled Western countries Sputnik 1957; Soviets; Part I small, PART II dog displaying Soviet superiority; provided Communism with credential; maybe intercontinental ballistic missiles; created missile gap, NASA, and ENDED National Defense and Education Act 1958; increase education to compete with the Soviets; million in form of scholarships U-2 Spy plane incident The incident when an American U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union. The U. S. Denied the true purpose of the plane at first, but was forced to when the U. S. S. R. Reduced the living pilot and the largely intact plane to validate their claim of being spied on aerially. The incident worsened East-West relations during the Cold War and was a great embarrassment for the United States.Fidel Castro usurped power from Batista regime by guerilla warfare, US unable to execute effective coup, became military dictator Betty Friedman Feminists who published the Feminine Mystique 1963; modern women's rights movement to break away from suburban housewife life and to deal with struggles due to sexism United States rock singer whose many hit records and flamboyant style greatly influenced American popular music (1935-1977) Chapter 39: The Stormy Sixties John F. Kennedy The thirty-fifth United States President who represented the state of Massachusetts in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1947 to 1953 as a Democrat, and in the U. S. Senate from 1953 until 1961.Events during his administration include the Bay of Pigs Invasi on, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Space Race, the American Civil Rights Movement and early events of the Vietnam War. He was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. â€Å"New Frontier† The campaign program advocated by JEFF in the 1960 election. He promised to revivalist the stagnant economy and enact reform legislation in education, health care, and civil rights. Berlin Wall In 1961, the Soviet Union built a high barrier to seal off their sector of Berlin in order to stop the flow of refugees out of the Soviet zone of Germany. The wall was torn down in 1989. Massive Retaliation† Dulles; nuclear bombs â€Å"Flexible Response† the buildup of conventional troops and weapons to allow a nation to fight a limited war without using nuclear weapons Bay of Pigs In April 1961, a group of Cuban exiles organized and supported by the U. S. Central Intelligence Agency landed on the southern coast of Cuba in an effort to overthrow Fidel Castro. When the invasion ended in disaster, President Kennedy took full responsibility for the failure. Cuban Missile Crisis the 1962 confrontation between US and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba Freedom Riders Both black and white Americans that took to riding public transportation in the deep south to demand that the Boonton v. Virginia verdict be upheld. This resulted in many busses being attacked held in 1963 to show support for the Civil Rights Bill in Congress.Martin Luther King gave his famous â€Å"l have a dream†¦ † Speech. 250,000 people attended the rally Civil Rights Act of 1964 This act made racial, religious, and sex discrimination by employers illegal and gave the government the power to enforce all laws governing civil rights, including desegregation of schools and public places. â€Å"Great Society' President Johnson called his version of the Democratic reform program the Great Society. In 1965, Congress passed many Great Society measures, including M edicare, civil rights legislation, and federal aid to education. ‘War on Poverty† Waged by Johnny's Great Society programs that presented a classic liberal platform. Civil and voting rights acts – Public school funding?when the rich moved to the suburbs all the poverty and squalor remained in the cities, destroying the tax base which of course had negative effects on public education – Medicare and Medicaid – National endowment for arts and humanities (PBS) – Clean air and water quality acts – Endangered species preservation act (1966) Affirmative Action policies of the government aimed at increasing access to Jobs, schooling, and opportunities to people previously discriminated against†¦ Bake vs.. Board of Regents Gulf of Tontine Resolution Congress gave up its war making powers to the President in this resolution which Johnson himself called â€Å"Grandma's night shirt, a tool to cover everything. Medicare -available to all elde rly Americans regardless of need -form of federal welfare assistance -assisted medical community because the fed paved all fees Medicaid extended federal medical assistance to welfare recipients and other indigent people of all ages Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discrimination in the rental or purchase of homes and a broad range of other housing related transactions Passed when LB] was president, outlawed poll taxes. Freedom Summer 1964; Blacks and whites going to polling places to ensure that the law is being enforced and blacks do have the right to vote. This resulted in much violence in the south including murders, battery, etc. Malcolm X spread ideas of black nationalism. Disagreed w/ both the tactics and goals of the early civil rights movement. Minister of the nation of SIAM. Rejected his original name because it was his family's slave name Systoles Carmichael Founder of â€Å"Black Power† â€Å"Black Power† the belief that blacks should fight back if attack ed. T urged blacks to achieve economic independence by starting and supporting their own business. Domino Theory the political theory that if one nation comes under Communist control then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control opposed the Vietnam War and believed the United States should withdraw its forces from Vietnam. Hawks supported U. S. Involvement in the Vietnam War and believed America should increase military force to win the war.Et Offensive Et: the first day of the Vietnamese New Year -communist forces launched an enormous attack on American strongholds through- UT Vietnam -one of the first televised battles, revealed brutality of war, great effect on election of 1968 -Walter Coronate -Democrats Criticizing Johnson Chicago Democratic Convention 1968 -Tons of protesting and violence -Humphrey received nomination Counterculture Drugs are generally harmless social relaxants and as for sex, if it feels good, do it. Students for a Democratic Society Student group opposed to militarism and racism; called for â€Å"participatory democracy. † George Wallace Once governor of Alabama, a segregationist that ran as the candidate of the American Independent Party in 1968 and won five states in the South.

How Was the Piece Received at Its First Performance?

Explore the circumstances surrounding the composition of the last movement of the Drum Roll Symphony. How was the piece received at its first performance? Haydn wrote Symphony 103 (nicknamed the Drum Roll Symphony due to the long roll on the kettle drums at the start of the 1st movement) in the winter of 1794/1795 during his second visit to London. The success and popularity Haydn experienced in London during his first visit made him eager to return, along with the demand from Salomon that he should compose 6 new symphonies that Salomon himself would conduct in a series of concerts.However this trip, which was planned to be in the winter of 1793, was postponed due to the reluctance of Prince Anton to let Haydn have a second leave of absence (during this time there was much unrest in Europe). Haydn contented himself to stay in Vienna for a while and finally left for London on January 19, 1794, arriving two days after the scheduled first concert Salomon had promised him. Haydn’s visit to London was highly anticipated by the public and his fame meant he spent time in the highest of company including The Prince of Wales and the Dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester with whom he performed chamber music.These social events did not get in the way of his compositions and he produced a flood of music including his last 6 symphonies (it is thought that he had decided earlier that he would compose no more symphonies after his return to Vienna). This can be seen in Symphony 103 which was his penultimate symphony. While in his first visit to London he adjusted his style to please the audience, he was now sure they were on his side and so his last six symphonies aimed to push his listeners.They were more complex and overall were on a grander scale than his previous symphonies. Symphony 103 has many unusual features in it which shows Haydn’s interest in exploring the boundaries of his composition. Symphony 103, like a lot of his other works, has influences from the traditional music he heard during his 30 years working as the Kapellmeister for Prince Esterhazy of Austria. During the summer the family, and so Haydn, would spend time in their summer palace of Esterhaza which was in Hungary on the border with Austria.There, Haydn became hugely interested in the local traditional music as well as Croatian folk songs which he heard from people living in Croatian ethnic enclaves found on the east border of Austria with Hungary. These influences can be heard throughout the symphony, with the 3rd movement using some of the unusual Hungarian rhythms and the last being based on an old Croatian folk tune, which is first played by the violins after the horn opening, called â€Å"Divjcica potok gazi† which means â€Å"the little girl treads on a brook†.The song melody lineHaydn’s adaptation for his symphony While the earlier movements were meant to challenge the audience, the last movement of most of Haydn’s symphonies was a li vely, dance-like piece which would be light and undemanding (at least for the listener! ). Haydn clearly had this in mind when composing the last movement of this symphony as it is full of energy and variety with varying polyphonic and homophonic texture. However he did still use new ideas such as giving the bases and cellos a separate line in some parts which had hardly been done before.He also took advantage in using a clarinet which was a new instrument in that time and had only been used by him once before in symphony 102. This symphony was performed in the fourth of the Opera concerts on Monday 2rd March 1795. This was not where the symphony was originally meant to premiere as Salomon had planned it to be part of his own concert series however Salomon suddenly had to pull out of doing his own series due to being in financial disarray.Be that as it may, he agreed to that Haydn could perform his new symphonies in the Opera Concerts, in which series he himself frequently appeared as soloist. The new concerts were arranged on the largest scale known at that time. The performances took place every two weeks starting on Monday 2nd February 1795 in the great new concert hall of the King's Theatre which seated 800 audiences, more than most of the other important concert venues. Viotti was the artistic director and Haydn shared the conductorship with Vincenzo Federici, who for three years had been accompanist at the Italian opera in London.The orchestra led by the violinist William Cramer and comprised of no less than sixty players which was one of the largest orchestras seen in that day. Haydn himself was thought to have played the fortepiano in this premiere although this is now usually left out of performances. The piece was played, as requested by Haydn, in the second half so it could show its superiority over the other works played in the concert. The symphony was a complete success as the Sun wrote â€Å"HAYDN's new Overture was much applauded.It is a fine mixture of grandeur and fancy. † The Morning Chronicles reviewer also wrote â€Å"Another new Overture, by the fertile and enchanting Haydn, was performed; which, as usual, had continual strokes of genius, both in air and harmony. The Introduction excited deepest attention, the Allegro charmed, the Andante was encored, the Minuets, especially the trio, were playful and sweet, and the last movement was equal, if not superior to the preceding. † It is said that the second movement was even encored.The symphony was later played again as it was so popular however before Haydn introduced to Vienna he made a cut in the final. This cut took away the modulation into C flat, which although stood alone in this movement, was hinted at in the 3rd movement. This cut made the Finale tighter and conductors have kept this cut in out of respect for Haydn. Overall though this symphony showed the genius that Haydn was in being able to turn a simple tune into a complex and demanding sympho ny and paved the way for him to be known as â€Å"the Shakespeare of music†.

Derivatives and Alternative Investments Assignment

Derivatives and Alternative Investments - Assignment Example First, if management understands about the corporation’s risks better than shareholders, the corporation, not its stakeholders, can hedge. Subsequent, corporation could be capable to hedge at a lower cost. Corporate hedging can be justified if default costs are significant, since it reduces the possibility of default (Johnson, 2010). Lastly, if the corporation encounters progressive taxes, it can decrease tax accountabilities by hedging which steady corporate earnings. To calculate the appropriate number of bonds and equity futures that should be sold the following are considered and done. Bond estimation is a technique used to establish the predictable trading price of a bond. The anticipated trading value is computed by adding the total of the current values of all coupon costs to the current value of the par value (Johnson, 2010). German federal state bonds with a minimum issuing volume of EUR 1 billion. FDAX = opening price 8,218.50 Low price 8,164.00 High 8,259.00 Daily s ettlement price 8,197.50 Bond face value = â‚ ¬ 1 000 000 000 Annual coupon rate = 3.723% Maturity in years = 1 year Market interest rate = 7.2% Future Bond Price = 3.723% * 1000 000 000 * 1-(1+7.2%)-10/7.2% + 1000000000/ (1+7.2%)10 =32,230,000*6.94 +1000000000/2.004 =223676200+499001996 =â‚ ¬ 722,678,196 Future Equity Present value = â‚ ¬50,000,000 Question 2 Interest rate swap amount = â‚ ¬5,000,000 Term: 5 year fixed rate payer The risks of the interest rate swap To explain the risks of the interest rate swaps position taken by the European asset manage the following are considered. In addition, the possibilities of hedging the scenario are also explained. Management decisions relating to a bank’s interest rate risk challenge should consider the risk or reward swap of interest rate risk positions. This is why the trade-off, in form of interest rate swaps, is necessary in this scenario (Corb, 2012). Management must compare the possible risk such as impact of unp leasant rate actions of an interest rate risk situation or approach against the possible reward (impact of positive rate movements).To assess the potential impact of interest rate danger on a corporation’s operations, a well-managed company will reflect on the affect on both its incomes (the profits or accounting viewpoint) and fundamental economic worth (the capital or economic perspective). Both perspectives must be evaluated to establish the full scope of a corporation’s interest rate risk vulnerability, particularly if the company has significant long-term or multipart interest rate risk positions (Corb, 2012). The current situation warranty interest rate swaps consideration so as to avert too much risk exposure. An interest rate swap is an accord by two entities(the European asset corporation and the central Bank) to swap or exchange floating rate interest compensations for fixed rate interest compensations and vice versa. It is significant for the European asset manager to appreciate that swaps are between corporations and not between personal investors; however, the outcome of these swaps may influence his/her job activities or the cost he/she may pay for a bond. The most ordinary kind of swap is a vanilla exchange in which fixed rate interest compensations are swapped for floating rate interest payments according to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (Corb, 2012). The London Interbank Offered Rate is the interest rate that financials institutions with high credit ratings from ratings organizations charge one another for

How have anthropologists tried to understand depression in other Essay

How have anthropologists tried to understand depression in other societies - Essay Example According to the prediction of WHO, in 2020 depression will be the second major cause of disability (Bhugra &Mastrogianni 2004, p.13).According to Murry and Lopez (1997), ‘In developing countries major depression is projected to be the leading cause of disease burden’(as cited in Bhugra &Mastrogianni 2004, p.13). According to Kleinman and Good (1985, p.1) the terms ‘depression’, ‘melancholia’, ‘mania’ have long and continuous history in European thought. Greek and Roman writers also mentioned the presence of some ‘melancholic diseases’ among people which are similar to the ones identified today. Depressed patients are treated with medical regiments consisting of antidepressants and supportive therapies. This universal treatment of depression is of no surprise for biomedical researchers due to the fact that they consider depression to be a disease that is identifiable throughout the world. Past decades majorly contributed in identifying the biochemical and psychological factors that give rise to depression, but it does not show us the complete picture because of the recent research on neurotransmitters. Growing evidence identifies the issues about the universal perception of depression and conceptual complications. Kleinman and Good state, à ¢â‚¬ËœBioamines involved in the transmission and regulation of neurological messages-and a set of hormones are implicated in depressive illness.’ (1985, p.1) It implies to the presence of culture about depression. This essay analyses the contributions of anthropologists for understanding depression in non-Western societies. Initially depression was considered to be the issue of west only. It refers to the perception of a less evolved brain in other parts of the world (Vint 1932 as cited in Skultans & Cox 2000, p.76). Prince (1967), German (1972), and Marsella (1976) identified not only an inadequate body of research about depression when it comes to non-western societies but also found

Respiration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Respiration - Essay Example Therefore, aerobic respiration only occurs when oxygen is present. The main food product that is utilized in this process is glucose. When glucose is oxidized, there is a production of energy, carbon dioxide, and water. The released energy is the form of Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP). The process of aerobic respiration can be summarized using the equation C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy (ATP) (Starr & McMillan 2012, p56). There are three main stages through which aerobic respiration takes place; Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain. This process of aerobic respiration occurs in cytosol part of the cell. During this process, glucose is oxidized partially and broken down into pyruvate, which is a 3 carbon molecule. Glycolysis produces 2 ATP molecules and 2 NADH molecules. Each NADH molecule is responsible for carrying 2 energy electrons, which are later used by the cell (Starr & McMillan 2012, p56). This can be regarded as the second stage in aerobic respiration whereby the pyruvate molecule is processed to produce energy that is later stored between the bonds that hold the pyruvate molecule. The synthesized energy is released in the form of ATP (Starr & McMillan 2012, p.57). This is the last stage in aerobic respiration. This process is responsible for releasing the energy synthesized during glycolysis and krebs cycle. The electron transport chain comprises of a network of electron carrying protein located on the inner membrane of the mitochondria. It is in this stage where electrons and protons are added to oxygen to produce water. Production of ATP occurs when protons move across the cell membrane, a process referred to as chemiosis (Starr & McMillan 2012, p57). In times of strenuous exercises, there is consumption of high levels of energy, which implies that excess of ATP is needed. When there is insufficient oxygen the body respires

Compare the LandAllotment Strategy used with the Choctaws with the Essay

Compare the LandAllotment Strategy used with the Choctaws with the Treaty Strategy that was applied to the Cherokee. What are the key differences between both - Essay Example While none of tribes were happy about this removal policy, simple demographics placed different tribes on different footing. Georgia, for instance, was the only one of the original American states in which Indians controlled the majority of the land on American independence (Anderson, 1991). Land allotments, therefore, would have defeated the purpose of removal. The status quo, in terms of land ownership, would have been preserved in large part. This, in addition to the discovery of gold in 1829 and the United States Supreme Court's refusal to treat the Cherokee as an independent nation, compelled a tougher stance. This tougher stance resulted in the Treaty of New Echota of 1835. This treaty strategy was based on a simple land swap philosophy. The Cherokee would cede their lands in Georgia and receive new lands in Oklahoma. There was no provision made for land allotments and the treaty became a heated topic among the Cherokee. More particularly, the majority opposed the treaty and rejected removal while a minority supported the treaty. The treaty party left voluntarily in 1836 and resettled in Oklahoma; the majority, however, refused to leave Georgia (Wallace, 1993). As a result, military troops were called in and these Cherokee were forced at gunpoint to leave Georgia and to walk to their new lands in Oklahoma. The consequences were extraordinarily severe. This forced march, known as the Trail of Tears, took place in the winter and the Cherokee had inadequate food supplies and inadequate clothing and shelter. Many Cherokee died of hunger and disease. There was nothing flexible about the Treaty of New Echota, it was signed by an unrepresentative minority, an d the consequences were devastating to many Cherokee. Choctaw and the Land Allotment Strategy The Choctaw also signed a treaty; significantly, however, this treaty provided a type of opt-out clause. This opt-out clause has come to be known as the land allotment strategy and it provided that under certain conditions the Choctaw, individually, could opt to receive certain land allotments in lieu of removal. Thus, some Choctaw could remain in the state of Mississippi as provided in Article Fourteen of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek: Each Choctaw head of a family being desirous to remain and become a citizen of the States, shall be permitted to do so, by signifying his intention to the Agent within six months from the ratification of this Treaty, and he or she shall thereupon be entitled to a reservation of one section of six hundred and forty acres of land, to be bounded by sectional lines of survey; in like manner shall be entitled to one half that quantity for each unmarried child which is living with him over ten years of age; and a quarter section to such child as may be under 10 years of age, to adjoin the location of the parent. If they reside upon said lands intending to become citizens of the States for five years after the ratification of this Treaty, in that case a grant in fee simple shall issue; said reservation shall include the present improvement of the head of the family, or a portion of it. Persons who

UK LAW POLITICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

UK LAW POLITICS - Essay Example He was from France and at that time France was ruled by a Tyrant King. He saw people in his country in deplorable condition as a result. On the other hand, he visited many countries where people enjoyed great freedom and liberty and concluded that their happiness was a result of separation of powers in the government of those countries. He presented his doctrine of separation of powers in his famous book, The Spirit of Laws in 1748. In his book he explained his theory in the following words;- "In every government there are three sorts of power: legislative, executive and judicial. The liberty of individual requires that neither all these powers nor any two of them should be placed in the hands of one man or one body of men. When the legislative and executive are united in the same person or body of person, there can no liberty, because apprehension may arise that the king, who is also the law-make might end up making and enforcing law in a tyrannical manner. He further stated that if the judicial power is joined with the legislative power, the life and liberty of the people would be exposed to arbitrary control, for the judge would then be the legislator and would interpret laws as he pleases. If the judicial power is joined to the executive power, the judge might behave with violence and oppression and, there would be an end of everything if the same man or the same body, were to exercise those powers that of enacting law, that of enforcing them and of trying the cases of individuals. Many English writers and thinkers imitated him in their own way and we can see the perfect example of the doctrine of separation of powers in England. The English jurist, Blackstone, expressed the idea of separation of powers in the following words: "Whenever the right of making and enforcing the law is vested in the same man or one and the same body of men, there can be no public liberty. In Britain also, there are various authorities who hold some degree of power but not absolute power. These authorities are: Royal Crown, Parliament, Prime Minister and his cabinet, judicial system of Britain. All these constitute different forms of powers, which we are going to discuss in the later part of our essay. The powers that are held by the Royal Crown are contained in a body of laws known as "Royal Prerogative". These are actually formal powers that are granted to the Britain's Royal Crown in the executive and British politics. However, one must remember all the time that even these powers are not absolute powers and are checked by many limitations upon them. The following powers are given to the Royal Crown, and if we analyze them in detail, we will find out that the principle of separation of powers even apply to the Royal Prerogative. For example, The Queen reigns over Britain and chooses and dismisses the Primer Minister. However, she cannot choose just anyone for the post of Prime Minister, but only after the election are held, only then she could choose the leader of the party securing majority in the party as the Prime Minister of Britain. This law limits her powers that she cannot own on her own accord but instead she only acts on the accord and willingness of general public. In theory, the Royal Preroga

Music Contract Negotiations and Publishing Essay

Music Contract Negotiations and Publishing - Essay Example Music publishers have diverse roles such as working on a creative entity with the songwriters in composing of new songs, enforcing as well as protecting copyrights, seeking licensees for the song, entering into arrangements with regard to licensing, and collecting as well as disbursing the income among others. Just as the songwriters, copyright laws, and collecting societies have changed, advancements in technology has changed ways in which music publishers operate. It has led to enlargement of potential sources of profit, making the industry lucrative and at the same time complex (Biederman 2007). Therefore, this essay discusses in length on the role of music publishers, the history as well as the changes in the music publishing industry, and how publishers can realize their future potential. Music publishers play an essential role in ensuring that the career of songwriters is successful. Whether or not songwriters are establishing their name or developing talents, publishers are invaluable to them since they guarantee that they are protected and their songs are not exploited. To some extent, music publishers facilitate earning prospects for songwriters and artists whose professions are not lucrative. Although most of the artists do not have ownership rights, one of the key components in the relationship between publishers and songwriters is the division as far as copyright ownership is concerned. This means that the more services the publisher offers such as licensing and being creative, the more ownership they have. Over the years, music publishers have made tremendous improvement in the music industry. They ensure successful synch licensing, demo recording and exemplary creativity. For instant, the Kobalt music Group is an independent publisher that has advanced techn ological systems that has redefined the industry. Although it does not have ownership of copyrights, it incorporates innovative elements

The Great Keystone Pipeline Debate Exercise Essay

The Great Keystone Pipeline Debate Exercise - Essay Example Even though, the project may not have started, it is estimated that it will create many jobs. It is estimated it will create close to 20,000 jobs, 7,000 in manufacturing and an extra 13,000 in construction. The state Department reports that as more than 40,000 jobs will be established directly and indirect. It is stated that by building the pipeline an estimated amount of about $3.4 billion would be contributed to the American economy (Swart, Neil and Andrew 2012) Moreover, the pipeline will create geopolitically secure position in contrast to other sources of oil used. It would create sustainable fuel use from Canada, a constant trading partner. Therefore, it increases energy security that comes from the Gulf Coast. It is because most of the oil comes from Middle East and Venezuela who are not reliable partners as compared to Canada (Swart, Neil and Andrew 2012) Additionally, it is considered that the establishment of this pipeline system would provide a safer option in transportation since the enormous quantity of oil transported from Canada would cause a lot of damage to U.S. This is happening through rail and these paths could be used to replace pipeline. Transportation of oil by rail is environmentally hazardous to the environment. More deaths as a result of tanker train would be reduced tremendously by constructing expanding pipeline. However, construction of the pipeline would have some adverse effects on the U.S. First it would cause and result in global warming that has the effect of damaging the U.S. GDP by almost 2%. The ripple effect will create a massive environmental impact causing global warming. It is also believed that the expansion of the pipeline has the risk factors associated with spilling to contamination of water and other materials. There is also the likelihood of pipe failure that carries oil making clean up of water

APOCALYPTIC AND PARANOID CULTURES Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

APOCALYPTIC AND PARANOID CULTURES - Assignment Example If Hofstadter was to write today he would easily add quotes from Karl Rove, Dick C, Rummy and George W. among others. It is astonishing to see from Hofstadters essay just how deep the historical roots of American narrow-mindedness and intolerance really are. He records the campaign against the Illuminati (a subsidiary of the Enlightenment movement), the anti-Masonic rhetoric coming from pulpits all over the US in the 18th century, the Jesuit threat that was popular among paranoids from the 1800s to 1850s and the anti-Catholic sentiments that are connected to the 1893 depression. The approach used is always the same, mixing religious fervour with faux patriotism. The 31st July 1964 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle stated that the John Birch Society hated to see United Air Lines Corporation promote the UN emblem on their airplanes (Hall 2000). The John Birch Society felt that the UN was behind the Soviet Communist conspiracy. In 1835, the inventor of the telegraph who is called S.B.F. Morse stated that a conspiracy existed and the US was being attacked in a vulnerable quarter that could not be defended by armies, ships and forts. Morse was not referring to Islamic terrorists but he was talking about the projects by the Jesuits that were aimed at undermining the American way of life. In the 18th century, the Illuminati were accused of making tea that resulted in abortion. In the 1890s the American Protective Association claimed that there was an international Catholic conspiracy and went so far as to circulate bogus papal encyclicals that gave an ultimatum to all American Catholics to eliminate all heretics. This resembled the Protocols of Zion, a different bogus tract that was used to attack another minority using the same paranoid style. Since 1992, over 100,000 lives have been claimed by the civil war ravaging Algeria. Through weekly kidnappings and assassinations, terrorist bombings,

Beautiful Things Essay Example for Free

Beautiful Things Essay The poem A Thing of Beauty by John Keats conveys the message that Beauty is everywhere, and upon examination may be found. The theme of this work is largely centered on nature, as were many of Keats works. In this particular poem Keats describes the affects that beauty can have on a person. Some shape of beauty moves away the pall / from our dark spirits (12-13). According to Keats this beauty never diminishes and its affect is felt long after it is gone. Keats emphasizes that beauty is, Made for our searching, meaning that some people may find beauty in places that others may not (10). The theme of this poem is that beauty can be found anywhere, and when appreciated can be used to raise your spirits in times of gloom. One of the poetic elements Keats uses to express his theme is rhyme. One example of how rhyming can be helpful in conveying the meaning of the poem to the reader is found in the very first two lines of the poem. A thing of beauty is a joy forever: / its loveliness increases; it will never (1-2). Not only do these lines help the reader to understand the theme of the work, the fact that they rhyme makes them even more meaningful. Another example of how Keats used rhyme to express his theme can be found in the very last line of the poem. The poem was written using rhyming couplets; however the last line does not have another line after it with which to rhyme. They always must be with us, or we die (33). This line stands out due to the fact that every other line in the poem is part of a rhyming couplet. By purposely having this line is the last line and by stopping the rhythm that had flowed throughout the poem Keats emphasizes his theme of a need for beauty. Keats used many other poetic elements in this poem. One other poetic element used by Keats in this poem is imagery. Since the poem is about beauty it is important for imagery to be present in order to give the reader a mental picture of what the speaker feels is beautiful. Such the sun, the moon, / trees old, and young sprouting a shady boon / for simple sheep; and such are daffodils / with the green world they live in; and clear rills (13-16). Within these lines the speaker describes things which he finds beautiful. It is imperative that these lines be present so that the reader can imagine  this beauty and begin to relate with the speaker. Enjambment was also used by Keats in the poem. Through the use of enjambment Keats is able to keep his rhyme scheme in tact while still conveying his theme. [un]till they become a cheering light / unto our souls (30-31). The meaning of these lines are very important to the theme of the poem, however, without the use of enjambment Keats would ha ve either had to sacrifice his rhyme scheme, or change the lines which could have potentially altered their meaning. Although much of the world has changed in the time between now and when the poem was originally written, the poems theme still holds true today. With the growth of cities, and urban areas it has become much more difficult to appreciate nature and its beauty. However, even in cities today people can find places to get away and appreciate the nature around them. Such is the case in New York City where residents can travel to central park to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and open up their souls to the, cheering light. Although it is still possible for people to appreciate nature as Keats did years ago, many people today are lost in the hustle and bustle of the city. The communicative power of nature will always be present for those who wish to observe it, as Keats did, however many people have become oblivious to nature, taking it for granted, and becoming overly obsessed with technology and the man made world in which they live. It is understandable that this has happened in the almost two hundred years since Keats has lived because of the evolution of our society. Although much of nature may go overlooked by some people it will always be there for those who wish to immerse themselves in its beauty.

Intellectual Property Rights And Traditional Knowledge

Intellectual Property Rights And Traditional Knowledge Traditional knowledge encompasses the beliefs, knowledge, practices, innovations, arts, spirituality, and other forms of cultural practices that belong to indigenous communities worldwide. The intergovernmental board on rational property and inherent resources, customary awareness and tradition has met ten times since 2001 and the Tenth Session took place in Geneva, 30 November-8 December 2006. The committee has been discussing intellectual property issues as they arise in relation to the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions and access to hereditary resources and profit sharing. 1) What is Indigenous/traditional Knowledge? Traditional Knowledge is the knowledge usually related to the environment. This knowledge is owned by the whole community. Holders of traditional knowledge want to be protected against publication of culturally sensitive information. A holder of traditional knowledge wants a system which can contribute to the preservation and safeguarding of traditional knowledge and the customary means for their development, preservation and transmission, and promote the conservation, maintenance, application and wider use of traditional knowledge, for the direct benefit of traditional knowledge holders in particular, and for the benefit of humanity in general. WIPO (1999) For example in Australia the case of Dr. Mountford, who undertook an expedition to the Northern Territory outback in 1940. Local Aboriginal people revealed to him tribal sites and objects possessing deep religious and cultural significance for them. The publication was held by the court as it could disclose information of deep religious and cultural significance to the Aborigines. The system should recognize the intrinsic value of traditional knowledge, including its social, spiritual, economic, intellectual, scientific, ecological, technological, commercial and educational value. Intellectual Property law: Intellectual property law covers a wide range of rights and privileges and in the UK is defined by s. 72(5) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (amended by Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) to include; There are some serious concerns about the suitability of the existing IPR system to the indigenous peoples traditional knowledge. The indigenous communities generate and posses their traditional knowledge collectively. The difficulty experienced by indigenous peoples in trying to protect their traditional knowledge under intellectual property (IP) rights law stems mainly from its failure to satisfy the requirements for protection under existing IP law. Reference Chapter 2 WIPO (1999) â€Å"Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of traditional knowledge Holders†, WIPO Report on Fact-Finding Missions 1998-1999, WIPO, Geneva (Publication Number 768E). Source: http://www.wipo.int/globalissues/tk/report/final/index.html 9/05/2008 Paragraph 19 of Doha WTO Ministerial Declaration (WTO Document No. WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1) adopted on 14 November 2001, calls for the TRIPS Council to examine the issue of protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. Source: http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/min01_e/mindecl_e.doc Chapter Three Safety Of Sui-Generis Protection Of Traditional Knowledge And Genetic Resources 3.1. Introduction Traditional knowledge holders are concerned about loss of traditional lifestyles and knowledge because the young ones of the community cannot carry forward traditional practices. They also want their traditional knowledge to be respected together with the holders. They are against misappropriation of traditional knowledge including use of traditional knowledge without any benefit sharing, or use in a derogatory manner. Lack of recognition of the need to preserve and promote the further use of traditional knowledge is also their concern. They also advocate for equity considerations in the sense that the custodians of traditional knowledge to be fairly compensated if traditional knowledge leads to commercial gain. A single solution can hardly be expected to meet such a wide range of concerns and objectives.To address these concerns two options can be put in place namely: Intellectual property rights (IP)system Sui Generis Protection Intellectual property rights (IP) system Intellectual property system can be utilised to commercialize traditional knowledge or prevent its misuse. For example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in Australia have obtained a national certification trademark. The intellectual property system is useful to universities and RD organizations first as a source of information from where further knowledge can be created and can be used to plan for further studies in the area of concern and as literature. It can be used as a source for products and services when their industrial or commercial exploitation is used for social, cultural or economic gains. Correa, C. (2001) However hindrances for effective management of intellectual property rights are those associated with the lack of abundance in reference materials, necessary to create confidence. Often, the institutional policy will not cover all the areas associated with the different areas of intellectual property. Lack of a dynamic and rewarding policy, which is fully communicated to members, will also be of some hindrance. It is important that stakeholders are involved in its evolution and review process. Finally, the difficulty of enforcement due to infrastructural shortcomings should be expected. This would be viewed as a result of funding, cultural issues and weak economics and industries Sui generic system Sui generis is a Latin phrase which means â€Å"of its own kind.† It is a system which has been designed specifically to address the needs and concerns of a particular issue. Prior Informed Consent Countries have already decided that the existing intellectual property system is not, on its own, adequate to protect traditional knowledge. A number of them have enacted or are in the process of enacting sui generis systems of protection. Access by other parties will be based on the prior informed consent (PIC) of the community obtained accordIng to customary laws. Any benefits arising from genetic resources or associated knowledge will be equitably shared. The Philippines has enacted legislation, and is considering further provisions, giving indigenous communities rights over their traditional knowledge. Access by other parties will be based on the prior informed consent (PIC) of the community obtained accordIng to customary laws. Any benefits arising from genetic resources or associated knowledge will be equitably shared. Costa Rica has not yet fulfilled the participatory process to determine the nature and extent of the sui generis communitary intellectual rights. With this system apart from sharing the benefits, if tangible returns are generated it can attract greater involvement of younger members of the community. However with such a wide range of material to protect and such diverse reasons for â€Å"protecting it†, it may be that a single all-encompassing sui generis system of protection for traditional knowled.The system would allow all plant genetic resources to be monopolised. Plant breeding would thus come to a standstill. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) The Convention, which was agreed in 1992, seeks to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. It asserts the sovereign rights of nations over their national resources, the right to determine access according to national legislation with the aim of facilitating the sustainable use of these resources, promoting access and their common use.   To date about more than fifty countries have developed national access and benefit sharing legislation. Some of the examples are mention below. a) â€Å"Pakistan ( Draft Legislation on Entry to Biological and Community privileges, 2004 whose one of its major aims is to protect and encourage cultural diversity, valuing creativity, practices and knowledge of local communities. b) Bangladesh (Draft Biodiversity and Community Protection Act of Bangladesh, 1998).whose number one general objectives is to safeguard the sovereign rights of the Communities that have understanding of biodiversity, and have managed, maintained , preserved, reproduced and improved biodiversity c) India (Biological Diversity Act, 2002; Biodiversity Rules, 2004). Authority is given to the implementation sanction grants-in-aid and grants to the State Bio-diversity Board and Biodiversity Management Committees for specific purposes and also undertakes physical inspection of any area in connection with the implementation of the Act. d) Malaysia (Sarawak Biodiversity Center Ordinance, 1997; Sarawak Biodiversity (Access, Collection and Research) Regulations, 1998; Sabah Biodiversity Enactment, 2000). One of its penalty states that any person who, without a permit from the Council, collects or takes away any protected resources from their habitat or place where they are found or grown or take such resources out of the State, shall be guilty of an offence: Penalty, a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both. e) Philippines (Executive Order No. 247, 1995; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Orders 96-20, 1996; Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act; Republic Act No. 9147, 2001)† [26]. Article 3 of CBD recognizes the sovereign right of nations. In spite of all these efforts, while entering into ABS contracts the current access and benefit mechanism has failed to effectively resolve the major problems faced by the local communities and countries. Reference Correa, C. (2001) â€Å"Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property†, QUNO, Geneva. Source: http://hostings.diplomacy.edu/quaker/new/doc/tkcol3.pdf 09/05/2008 Sui generis system of protection is a distinct system tailored or modified to accommodate the special characteristics of traditional knowledge or folklore.Sui generis systems of protection are already provided in areas such as the protection of plant varieties (UPOV system) and protection of databases (EC Directive 96/9/EC, 11 March 1996. Source: http://www.eurogeographics.org/WorkGroups/WG1/eu_directive.pdf).09/05/2008 Chapter 4 Overview Of The Ipr And Traditional Knowledge Debate In International Negotiations The importance of protecting and preserving indigenous traditional knowledge has been recognized in several international instruments, including the WIPO, CBD and the TRIPS Council of the WTO. 4.2. Convention on Biological Diversity The convention was drafted at the 1992 â€Å"Earth Summit† in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [30] and it came into force in 1993 [31]. The convention emphasized what is depicted in article 8(j) the most important provision of CBD on indigenous knowledge, it reads: â€Å"Each Agreeing Party shall, as far as likelihood and correctness: focus to its national law, protect, value, and maintain understanding , innovations and of local and practices of local and native group. It implies that local communities embodying traditional life styles possess an equal status to indigenous peoples. 4.2. The Conference of the Parties (COP) COP is a decision making body of the convention whose function is to regularly review implementation of the convention [41]. In 6th convention of Parties, the Working group of Entry and profit sharing adopted Bonn Guidelines [20] under decision VI/24. The ABS Decision of the seventh conference mandated the operational group on ABS and Article 8(j) to expound and bargain an intercontinental regime on access to genetic resources and profit sharing with the objective to efficiently implement the provision in Article 15 aimed Article 8(j) [49]. Comments The COP had failed to take any considerable action at the international level. 4.3. The Bonn Guidelines They were officially adopted to provide for a set of rules that will facilitate the drafting and further development of national biodiversity legislation. The Guidelines encourage parties to â€Å"adopt measures to reveal the source country of the genetic resources and traditional understanding, innovations, , benefit sharing, and norms of local and native group in application for intellectual property privileges. †¢ Criticism The guidelines were criticized by several environmental NGO, arguing that voluntary non binding Guidelines can never replace legally binding instruments. The voluntary position of the Guidelines will provide member states with an excuse for non- action. Analysis Despite of criticisms, they are a vital step towards the harmonization of the regime of access and benefit sharing. The CBD help foster bilateral agreements between the providers and users of resources. 4.4. TRIPS, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources The relevant provisions in this regard could be Article 39 (protection of undisclosed information), if the TK is kept as secret knowledge, and Article 22 (protection of geographical indications). The developing countries also argued that the exclusions in Article 27(3) (b) should be clarified. In November 2001, the widely published â€Å"Doha Declaration† was issued at the fourth WTO Ministerial Conference held in Doha, Qatar. The protection of traditional knowledge and folklore was given particular attention. As a contribution to this examination, several developing countries in together with other groups of developing countries, submitted a paper to the Council for TRIPS in June 2002. The paper proposed that WTO Member States to meet the following requirement: (i) Original disclosure of the country and source of the biological resource traditional understanding used in the invention; (ii) Proof of well knowledgeable consent through approval of authorities under Evidence of prior informed consent through approval of authorities under significant national regimes. (iii) Proof of just and equitable profit sharing under the national regime of the original country.† [63]. The United States and Japan have raised the primary objections to the above. These countries have argued that: (i) Such corrections would not be constant with TRIPs Agreement and would be in violation of the rule of non-discrimination amongst field of technology; (ii) Expanding the norms of disclosure would amount to a legal and administrative â€Å"nightmare† and an unnecessary burden on the patent applicant and the Patent office [64]. Analysis Countries avoid the misappropriation of traditional knowledge and with the implementation of the sharing of benefits principle, than with the development of an intellectual property rights regime for traditional knowledge (most notably U.S. and Japan). 4.5. WIPOs Inter-Governmental board on rational possessions and inherent Resource, customary Knowledge and Tradition. The IGC is very much concerned about enhancing the protection of Traditional Knowledge and has therefore focused on understanding the needs and expectations of traditional communities. Also at the IGC third session, World Intellectual Property Organization produced a paper called â€Å"Elements of Sui Generic System for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge†. [45] In Autumn 2005, the WIPOs General Assembly extended the mandate of IGC to continue its work on achieving feasible solutions to the protection of Traditional Knowledge In July 2007 meeting of the WIPOs Intergovernmental Committee (IGC), the developing countries were demanding an international legally binding instrument to protect their resources, while developed countries such as United States, Japan, want a non-binding recommendation. Indigenous peoples organizations expressed frustration, that both genetic resources and traditional knowledge are open to misappropriation. Organization (WIPO) as to whether there should be a binding International treaty to protect genetic resources, [73]. 4.6. Discussion Winding up the discussion, determination of positive synergies between various international regimes in the context of IPR, vis a vis, protection of GRs and related TK is a politically and technically intricate and challenging endeavor. However it has been shown that addressing some of the cases under conversation and the most significant international forums where this discussion takes place, in regard to TK protection and profit sharing, still remains far from achieved [53]. Law and policy needs to check the following: a) Nations of origin assert their rights over their genetics resources, b) Assured benefits of the use these resources are shared equally. c) Native peoples intellectual efforts well protected [53]. 4.7. Summary Compared to the situation that existed a decade ago, currently WIPO, CBD, Council of TRIPs and several other national and regional process are involved in finding decision to establish constructive synergies among IPR and biodiversity related issues, which in itself is an important development [53]. The author is of the view that one of the effective strategies for developing countries, in the wake of heightened debates over TK protection and monopolization attempts of industrialized nations. Nations exercise sovereignty in the safeguarding of hereditary resources and similar traditional understanding with the kind of measures they put in place. The wealth of genetic resources and related traditional knowledge plays an important part in the general well being, food security and health care of the indigenous communities. Reference Pires de Carvalho, N. (2000) â€Å"Requiring Disclosure of the Origin of Genetic Resources and Prior Informed Consent in Patent Applications without Infringing the Trips Agreement: The Problem and the Solution†, Washington University Journal of Law and Policy, vol. 2, pp.371-401 McDonald, S. (2001) â€Å"Exploring the hidden costs of Patents notes of a talk given at Quakers House Geneva 16 May 2001†, QUNO Occasional Paper 4, QUNO, Geneva. The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, Republican Act No. 8371. Source: http://www.grain.org/docs/philippines-ipra-2008-en.pdf, and The Community Intellectual Rights Protection Act 1994 Senate Bill No. 1841 (still pending). Source: http://www.grain.org/docs/philippines-cirpa-2008-en.pdf Chapter 5 The Philippines Experience Philippines have vast variety of traditional knowledge concentrated in health care, agriculture and forestry just to mention a few. The Philippines was the first country to introduced legislation on access to genetic resources, with the signing of Executive Order 247 (EO 247), â€Å"Prescribing Guidelines and Establishing a Regulatory Framework for the Prospecting of Biological and Genetic Resources, their By-Products and Derivatives, for Scientific and Commercial Purposes, and for Other Purposes†, on May 18, 1995 [6]. Because of the wide scope and the procedure required for the prior informed consent, certain problems were experienced in implementing EO 247.The law stipulates that indigenous societies are owners of their knowledge of traditional medicine and when outsiders use the information they must acknowledge the source and demand a share of any financial return coming from commercial use. The legislation however seeks to maintain the free exchange of biodiversity among local communities. This prevents exploitation of the communitys resources by foreigners with no benefits to the actual owners of the resources. In the context of compliance with the International regimes, TRIPS Agreement, the Philippines has an Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, i.e. Republic Act No. 829300. This code covers economic rights of the country [32].which shows the government commitment towards protecting the rights of indigenous communities to ownership of their resources Analysis Law regulating access to genetic and biological resources (IPRA and EO 247) have both tried to pave the way for mutual research efforts. The use Genetic Resources in safeguarding Traditional Knowledge Vietnam: In spite of the importance hereditary resources and traditional understanding in the lives of Vietnamese people, the results of the survey conducted by WIPO in accordance to test out the legislative steps taken by the Vietnamese government, unfortunately shows that hardly any efforts have been taken by the law makers for the protection of traditional knowledge. However, the Government Decree No. 7-CP of February 1996 elaborates the following measures taken. a) â€Å"Article 4: The overall policy of the Government is to invest for building national capacity in conserving, selecting, producing and carrying on the business of developing seed varieties†. This means greater biodiversity in the country b) Article 8: Genetic resources are to be considered as national property and managed by the State. All organizations and individuals are encouraged to prospect for, collect, preserve, utilize and enrich genetic resources for the benefit of the national economy and social welfare. In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is the main government body responsible for the management of development of seed varieties by the State. This prevents exploitation of national resources for selfish gains. Vietnam and International Regimes Vietnam needs to elaborate a national structure for the safety of heritable resources and customary knowledge. In this regard, MARD is drafting legislation guard of generic resources and similar traditional norms. Protection of Traditional Knowledge in Indonesia The existing Indonesian intellectual property provides little legal protection for traditional knowledge. Some sort of protection is given under the existing â€Å"copyright, distinctive signs and trade secret law† [40]. Some of these laws were further amended In addition, the intention to provide protection to traditional knowledge is also clear from the media report on copyright, Law No 19/2002. And also an informal version of the said law, indicate that â€Å"Article 10 vests in the State the copyright to, inter alia, prehistoric remains, historical and other national cultural objects, stories, legends, folk tales, epics, songs, handicrafts, choreography and dances†[40]. Moreover, the publication by the Indonesian National News Agency shows the government willingness in preventing the outsiders from illegally accessing and patenting other peoples knowledge. [40]. The importance of Intellectual property Rights is visible from submission of the draft of new IPR regulations to the peoples Consultative Assembly. The Indian Experience India formally established under the National Biodiversity Act, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). It was considered as a great step forward for preventing misappropriation of traditional knowledge and help in identifying the real traditional knowledge rights holders. The Biodiversity Act 2002 is the first attempt of the Indian legislators attains the aim of CBD. In practice the protection mechanisms are not very effective and are regarded as greatly biased against the safety of the native communities. Guarding of Genetic Resources and Customary Understanding in Pakistan is blessed with enormous amount of natural resources and also is rich in bio wealth. Due to a range of climate zones and various environmental conditions, the country has got a great capability for producing all sorts of food products. A Biodiversity Action Plan for Pakistan (BAP) The increasing environmental problems led to the Biodiversity Action Plan in 1999, which is the most important step taken by the government of Pakistan to prevent biodiversity loss. In collaboration with World Conservation Union, Pakistan (IUCN) and World Wide Fund for Nature, the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development, put forward the Biodiversity Action Plan [47]. Draft law on entry to Biological Resources and Community privileges 2004 In order to established fundamental grounds for an ABS mechanism, the Pakistani Ministry of food, Agriculture and livestock is working on draft legislation [49]. This draft is in accordance to the international Convention on Biological Diversity, which will help in providing protection to the rights of indigenous communities of the country. The Way Forward Pakistan has accomplished little so far, due to lack of implementation of the new policies due to lack of funds, skilled personnel and infrastructure. The government should use the sovereign rights stipulated in the CBD to put in place measures to protect biodiversity. In addition, there is a need to address the institutional flaws, which includes the deficiency of monitory and enforcement mechanisms. Claims regarding unfulfilled requirements of patentability. Here we will discuss the well-known cases of Turmeric and Basmati rice, which send a signal to biotech companies or organizations, not to treat the developing countries resources as a free good. 1. The Turmeric Case This has been a milestone success for a developing country like India to protect the traditional knowledge of its indigenous communities and discourages the illegal obtaining of patent over their knowledge. 2. The Basmati Case It was concerned with protection of traditional knowledge and geographical indications. It involved new strains of rice which were to be sold under the name Basmati by a Texas based company, but protests emerged from India and Pakistan over the repercussions the name could have on their communities. The case showed that it is expensive to challenge biopiracy cases. CONCLUSION Effectively protecting the genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore is very important for the developing countries and the most undeveloped countries against the background of the international trade, and concerned with the interests of the developing countries and the most undeveloped countries. If we can find some useful solutions to effectively protect genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore, the position of the developing and most undeveloped countries in the international trade will be strengthened. The issue of protecting of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge is a global issue and still receives attention it deserves. Generally speaking, WTO agreements, including TRIPS Agreement, are a deal between the developed countries and the developing countries, and the whole agreements of WTO are balanced in the interests of the developed countries and the developing countries. On the one hand, the developing countries accepted the standards or criteria for the protection of intellectual property set up by the developed countries. This is good for developed countries, and helped them to strengthen their position in the international trade. On the other hand, the developing countries participated in the new world trade system, and benefited from this trade system. Some of them even since then have enjoyed MFN from some of the developed countries. There have been championing for the formation of new intercontinental lawful protections for these resources, but questions remained unanswered. Who would benefit from the safety measures created for heritable resources, traditional knowledge, or myths? No country, person or worldwide organization has been able to identify the particular beneficiaries of these sought after security measures. None also has determined to what extent of such safeguarding might be what would involve â€Å"fair use† or additional exceptions of restrictions, or even what enforcement mechanisms could be functional. A few countries want to stop others from using their customs while others want to make or commercialize from such use. How could any one structure include these benefits? And to complicate the matter, there is no contract as to what exact damage would be solved by new means of protection. One step taken to react to customary know how holders, said Linda Lourie, makes sure that patents are not approved on recognized process or products, including those that are measured in customary information. A patent is a funding by a national government to an author for the right to exclude others from producing, using, or selling his or her innovation. To qualify for patent safeguarding in many nations, a discovery must needs to be new, useful and not to be minor addition of what is already known. A few customary understanding the rest will seek Patent regarding greater understanding and reap the profit from it. Though considerable work has been done for the protection of such knowledge and resources, a challenging agenda of research and policy still lingers in the minds of many How extensive are genetic resources and indigenous knowledge of countries, and to what uses can they be utilized. The activities in this regard can be observed, not only in the framework of international organizations, but as several developing countries have also made tremendous efforts for introducing effective legislations for promoting and conserving genetic resources and traditional knowledge. The significance of publishing customary knowledge and making that information accessible to patent examiners worldwide cannot be overemphasized, said Lourie. If customary understanding is documented, that understanding may not be topic of patent, even if it is not broadly known in a developed country. The United States is encouraging other nations to create digital databases to record their customary understanding and guard it from patent attempts. Digital databases would permit patent examiners globally to search and scrutinize customary knowledge. In the US, few Native-American tribes are cataloguing their tribal values in a way that that fulfils the need for recording and the need to deny strangers entry to information. Eric Wilson, the Tulalip ethnic in the dialects in the state of Washington in the US, for instant, have determines who is to have way in to what customary information about their familiarity, culture, history, or practices. Some users have unrestricted entry, while the rest, like US. Patent examiners, may have restricted access. Some holders of customary understanding want to be exact that new technologies original from their customary knowledge include a fair distribution of benefits. These communities may want to bargain contractual benefit-sharing agreements about new processes or products produced through study using their customary understanding. Lourie warned, that it could be a blunder to anticipate from such contracts; to present; few economic repayments have accrued from commercialization of customary knowledge. Factors contributing to this include recognizing that TKs significance in the lives of the popular world and in the preservation of biodiversity, concerns about the massive loss of TK, little or no sharing of resulting payback with the original holders of TK, interest in capturing the potential of TK for local sustainable growth, and increasing concern to native rights. Most importantly, how do providing countries tackle the misappropriation of such knowledge and resources? In all these areas, the developing countries can build a credible international negotiating position. Developing Countries in Asia: The Concerns As far as the smooth and successful adoption of international provisions and regimes into domestic laws

Effects Of Global Recession On Marriott Hotels

Effects Of Global Recession On Marriott Hotels The hospitality industry is in the waist of venturesome ,verdicts .there are two challenges , which are effecting hospitality industry, the first challenge is globalization and second one is economical recession. Hospitality industry is hit by the global financial crisis, mostly tourism is involved with money, during economic recession, people dont like to spend much money for entertainment, they are started to think for saving money for basic needs like food shelter and family necessities. Any way because of recession hotel industry is in risky position, according to economical data the hospitality industry need, find away to bring normal position. Organization Background: Marriott is most popular and leading hotels in the world, first Marriott was opened by J Willard and Alice S Marriott, in Washington D.C (U.S), in 1927.also Marriott has more than 2800 properties, almost in 70 countries. Marriott planning to open more hotels and resorts different places in different countries. they plan to target the business strategies; Marriott developed the courtyard by Marriott concept approach to new product development. Marriott gives customer card (for regular customers) it gives 30%discount on the bill. The major in come for the hotels is from rooms Marriott is very good at there. 1. Events: Weddings and meetings: Marriott gives different types of packages for the weddings, Marriott is one of the best places to celebrate the weddings, and Marriott provides special accommodation for the couple, Marriott gives more facilities for sports, its provided the golf court in Resorts, They provide number of banquet facilities with, qualities service. They main theme is give good service to the customers and build-up the business strategy. 2. Inquiries: Marriott hotel handles the business inquiries from all over the world, Marriotts human resources is exhausting survey of local market requested by U.K hotels in U.K. local knowledge of local staff is most comprehended for the local inquiry. Rationale for the chosen topic: In this research on proposed topic due to my previous working experience in hotel Marriott, Hyderabad, India, there my position was a supervisor, during that time, my hotel was affecting by the economy crunch, not only that hotel but almost all hotels were facing same problem, the business has been getting down. The human resources were having more problems, instead of taking new staff, they were using same staff for extra work, they cutting the jobs, and decreasing the salaries. And there were more competitions between other hotels, Therefore this topic persuade to research on the specified objective below. Research objectives: The research objective is to critically investigate the affects of global recession on the tourism and hotel industry, in this process how hotel industry seek away from recession. The research objectives are listed below: 1 .The first objective is to recognize the several challenges, lying in hotel industry. 2. The second objective is resolving the different, solutions to economic recession and constructs the intensity. 3. The third objective is to produce several strategies, which is allocated in the economic recession challenges, with another shove. Research questions: This proposed research aims to answer the following questions: How can the credit crunch and recession change the hotel industry as a whole? Answering the above question will lead to the subsequent questions like: How would the Hotel Marriot take it up as a challenge? And what steps would it follow to overcome the recession? Why and how are they planning to reduce the accommodation tariffs? What are the reasons for the credit crunch and recession? And finally what procedures would they put in place in order to overcome the present recession? Literature Re-view: In this recession period competition started between the hotels, the competition is depend on, quality of restaurants and type of acommbidation and tariff ,hotel Starwood, Hilton, Inter Continental, the Accor groups are the main competitors for Marriott hotel. In recent years the global tourism and hospitality industry has experienced many serious crises and disaster, including terrorist attacks political instability, economical recession. Ref: (Boniface and Cooper, geography of travel and tourism 476). This proposal agree the above article ,according to author ,the hotel and tourism industries has been reaching problems with political and economical recession. The economy is depending up on the state, when the economy is decreased the recession will happened. People taken the more loans and houses on mortgage, they couldnt know whether they can return or not, during the economy slumps they were unable to return the money to banks, at the same time the banks are started to get loses, hence the recession started. After 9/11 attack the hotel industry has suddenly changed, they have lost major part of income. Hotel industry is depended with luxury and expensive, during recession people have started to change their thinkings, as enjoyment is just part of life, instead of spending money for enjoyment they started saving money to important necessities. And people have no money, most of the employees are losing their jobs, they just scaring about their future. During the recession the hotels has been facing more problems, because they cant afford the own money to run their business, and banks are not lending the money to any, business organizations. Unfortunately, the growth in the U.K sector has not been matched by the provision or detailed analysis of information sources. Typically supply side statistics are usually limited to room stock, where as demand side statistics are usually confined to occupancy percentage. Ref: (Paul, A. Phillips hospitality management 147-154). According to author the hotel business is depended with occupancy percentage, when the room Occupancy rooms high automatically the profit would be high. According to research above statement shows, credit crunch and economical recession. Credit crunch: where the low money to lending for business and interest rates are very high is called credit crunch. During the 2007 their for successful business, most of the business consumers facing more problems by credit crunch. Banks are scared to give loans for business, at the same time, customers also not depositing their money in banks, because the customers also fearing about credit crunch and they are keeping money with them. And high rates of interests also struggling business companies, no chance to start big business organization hotels. So credit crunch is affecting the major hotels. Although hotel insolvencies have increased by over 150% from the end of 2006 to October 2008 there will be further failure in 2009 when the full impacts of reduced demand will be felt. Ref: (Stephen Broom, Financial Times, nov23, 2008). According to author, Hotels are loosing their profit by offering low rates of acommbidation; Marriott has been getting down the over all profit. People taken the more loans and houses on mortgage, they couldnt know whether they can return or not, during the economy slumps they were unable to return the money to banks, at the same time the banks are started to get loses, hence the recession started. During the recession the hotels has been facing more problems, because they cant afford the own money to run their business, and banks are not lending the money to any, business organizations. Hotels are loosing their profit by offering low rates of acommbidation. Assesses changes occurring in the UK hotel market during 1997 and relates these to current and predicted future developments. Identifies the key issues affecting supply and demand, competitive success and likely impacts and influences on the UK market during 1998. Ref: (Trevor Ward, Contemporary Hospitality Management 270-273). According to Ward the key issues are raising on product and demand , most of the hotels following same way, just they decrease the room cost, they aim to attract the customers in the recession by the same way they has been gaining loses. The general economic factors also affect the hotel industry, bad whether, the credit crunch and a decline in job, work against the industry as holiday travel is curtailed or eliminate. Ref: (Roo Sadegi Financial Times, n.d.). According to Roo, the hotel industry is affecting by whether and economical recession, most of employees are losing their jobs during the recession. It is hardly affecting the industry, employers also, not interesting to recruit the new staff, why means they are unable to pay wages to staff, so they are cutting jobs frequently. Not only in U.K most of countries affecting by economical recession. Data collection method: 1. Primary data collection method 2. Secondary data collection method Primary Data Collection Method: This primary data contain in-dept interview with the assistant general manager of hotel Marriott and customers, the interview for manager will be conducted by telephone, and whole conversation will be tape recorded. This interview estimated to between half an hour to an hour, questions will be prepared advance in a particular schedule. The questions will be having clear idea about area, what we have to cover. This is research of process is devolved by (Gill and Johnson 1991). Secondary Data Collection Method: Information will be gathered through online, books and news papers. This research proposal contains more information from online because no much literature about this research (Saunders, Lewis and Thorn hill). The data collection methods give brief idea about above research proposal. Methodology: Research methodology performs the important function in explaining the type of research strategy that the researcher may assume pass leading a research and it clarifies how the research is departing. The research is very important so it has main intention as information of the examiners, examine and normal (Jankkowicz, 2005). It explains how data would be collected, and gives idea about which methods to be used. As the principal indented of the researcher is to investigate the affects of global recession on hotel and tourism industry with hotel Marriott, allocate access would be principally inductive in character. The data collecting method in-depth interview (Saunders, Lewis and Thorn hill, 2007), this interview will not be the prepared questions, it will be according participant, and would be very clear ideas (Alyan Bryman, Emma Bell, 2007). Data Analysis: The research process contain both qualitative and quantitative data analysis approach, this is developed by (Saunders, Lewis and Thorn hill, 2007), data gathered through, in-depth interviews in telephone. This research will developed, based on grounded theory, use of this proposal is data analysis could carry out in a minor formalized. This research could also create of the data management, statistical analysis software such as statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). This software is admittance from the center; it will be used great full presentation of graphs, tables. Resources Requirement: For this research proposal, required largely from on-line. And need library facilities for declared copies, books and literature Re-view. Even tough, its not obtain much literature review. The beginning of the ground work will presume the comprehensive utilize of telephone amenities. It is primary proper to the lengthy way to approach into Hotel Marriott and models supply by the organization. Following interviews of customers also carried by telephone or internet rely on the interviewees` priority. Time Scale: Table: Gantt- Chart (Feb 20th to Apr 29)

The History and Objectives of Sex pre-Selection Essay -- Exploratory E

The History and Objectives of Sex pre-Selection Scientists have been aware for many years that dominant X-chromosomes produced females and sperm dominate Y-chromosomes produced males. However, it wasn’t until 1975 when scientist Ronald J. Ericsson, PhD. Began studies to determine whether or not enriched sperm samples would aid in the offspring of a desired gender. Sex pre-selection literally means the selection or induction of the gender of a child prior to conception. Sex pre-selection was first established in the 1970s which scientists stained X and Y sperms to successfully identify them. Rigorous work has been complied on this treatment in the last three decades due to increasing demand from society for the â€Å"balanced family† and â€Å"planned pregnancy† with regards to the â€Å"chosen baby.† The concepts pf sex selection can easily be traced back to the ancient times of China, Greece, Egypt and India. People of these communities had their own methods of convincing a baby of a desired gender. Many methods and approaches used during the ancient times are still u...

The Theme of Time in Slaughterhouse-Five Essay -- Slaughterhouse-Five

The Theme of Time in Slaughterhouse-Five Many writers in history have written science fiction novels and had great success with them, but only a few have been as enduring over time as Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. Slaughterhouse-Five is a personal novel which draws upon Vonnegut's experience's as a scout in World War Two, his capture and becoming a prisoner of war, and his witnessing of the fire bombing of Dresden in February of 1945 (the greatest man-caused massacre in history). The novel is about the life and times of a World War Two veteran named Billy Pilgrim. In Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut uses structure and point of view to portray the theme that time is relative. The way Kurt Vonnegut structures Slaughterhouse-Five aids in the portrayal of the theme that time is relative. The novel is broke down into two parts: Vonnegut's story about the novel and the life story of Billy Pilgrim. The life story of Billy Pilgrim which is "presented as a series of episodes with no chronological order" . This mirrors the structure of the novel which has a beginning, middle, and end but not in there respective places. (Dawley 1) Billy states numerous times in the novel that he has become "unstuck in time" and that the time travel periods "aren't necessarily fun". (Vonnegut 23) While the reader never leaves the main plot line of the fire-bombing of Dresden for very long, Billy still travels alot. Billy "has seen his birth and death many times" and "all the events in between". (Vonnegut 23) The reader learns that "the things Billy Pilgrim" cannot change are "the past, the present, and the future". (Vonnegut 60) Many of the time warps are to his later-life as an opt ometrist. During his life as an optometrist he marries one o... ...y the good moments and bad as well that life brings to us. (Dunstan 1) Slaughterhouse-Five gives the reader insight on the meaning of life, time, and war. The thought of humans being able to view their lives moments concurrently and not linearly is erroneous to the reader, yet Kurt Vonnegut brings into the reader's head the idea of time being relative and only existing in human's imaginations. Works Cited ClassicNote. Insanity of war in Slaughterhouse-Five. 29 Jan 2001. http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/slaughterhousefive/essays/insanitywar.html Dawley, Jason. The use of Fragmentation in Slaughterhouse-Five. 29 Jan 2001. http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/4953/kv_fragmentation.html>. Dunston, Brittany. Destruction of Dresden, destruction of Vonnegut's dream. 29 Jan 2001. Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. New York:Dell, 1991. The Theme of Time in Slaughterhouse-Five Essay -- Slaughterhouse-Five The Theme of Time in Slaughterhouse-Five Many writers in history have written science fiction novels and had great success with them, but only a few have been as enduring over time as Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. Slaughterhouse-Five is a personal novel which draws upon Vonnegut's experience's as a scout in World War Two, his capture and becoming a prisoner of war, and his witnessing of the fire bombing of Dresden in February of 1945 (the greatest man-caused massacre in history). The novel is about the life and times of a World War Two veteran named Billy Pilgrim. In Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut uses structure and point of view to portray the theme that time is relative. The way Kurt Vonnegut structures Slaughterhouse-Five aids in the portrayal of the theme that time is relative. The novel is broke down into two parts: Vonnegut's story about the novel and the life story of Billy Pilgrim. The life story of Billy Pilgrim which is "presented as a series of episodes with no chronological order" . This mirrors the structure of the novel which has a beginning, middle, and end but not in there respective places. (Dawley 1) Billy states numerous times in the novel that he has become "unstuck in time" and that the time travel periods "aren't necessarily fun". (Vonnegut 23) While the reader never leaves the main plot line of the fire-bombing of Dresden for very long, Billy still travels alot. Billy "has seen his birth and death many times" and "all the events in between". (Vonnegut 23) The reader learns that "the things Billy Pilgrim" cannot change are "the past, the present, and the future". (Vonnegut 60) Many of the time warps are to his later-life as an opt ometrist. During his life as an optometrist he marries one o... ...y the good moments and bad as well that life brings to us. (Dunstan 1) Slaughterhouse-Five gives the reader insight on the meaning of life, time, and war. The thought of humans being able to view their lives moments concurrently and not linearly is erroneous to the reader, yet Kurt Vonnegut brings into the reader's head the idea of time being relative and only existing in human's imaginations. Works Cited ClassicNote. Insanity of war in Slaughterhouse-Five. 29 Jan 2001. http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/slaughterhousefive/essays/insanitywar.html Dawley, Jason. The use of Fragmentation in Slaughterhouse-Five. 29 Jan 2001. http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/4953/kv_fragmentation.html>. Dunston, Brittany. Destruction of Dresden, destruction of Vonnegut's dream. 29 Jan 2001. Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. New York:Dell, 1991.

Daisy Miller :: Henry James, Daisy Miller

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Daisy Miller is a story related by a young, American man named Winterborne, who lives mostly in Europe. Winterborne meets a lovely young lady named Daisy Miller at a Swiss resort in Vevey. He notices her naivetà ©, having no reservations about talking to strangers. He befriends this young girl very quickly. He would love to introduce her to his aunt, but she thinks that Daisy is common, vulgar, and refuses to meet her. Daisy and her family decide to leave the resort and visit Italy. Several months passe until Daisy speaks to him again. She invited him to Italy. He finds Daisy with an Italian man named Giovanelli. Winterborne notices that Giovanelli is not what he considers a gentleman. After finding Giovanelli and Daisy at the Coliseum late one night, Winterborne thinks of Daisy as â€Å"a young lady whom a gentleman need no be at pains to respect';. Daisy, unfortunately dies of Roman fever a week later. In some messages Daisy sent to Winterborne from her deathb ed, he realizes that she was still a very innocent girl and desired his respect. Winterborne realizes that he has indeed lived â€Å"too long in foreign parts.'; He has been so influenced by conservative European social conventions that he was unable to appreciate Daisy’s free and natural spirit.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The theme of the novel focuses on the harm that is done when an individual is rejected by society for unconventional behavior. Non-conformists are type cast in a negative way and their individuality is devalued. James presents Daisy as the â€Å"free, spontaneous, independent, natural'; (Fogel p.3) American girl who is stereotyped as â€Å"disreputable'; (Fogel p.9) by the highly conventional Europeanized Americans she meets in Vevey and Rome. At the same time, James shows how Daisy’s â€Å"utter disregard for convention prevents her from successfully relating to others'; (Fogel p.9) and leads to her death when she disregards warnings not to go the Coliseum at night.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  James conveys the poetic dimension of Daisy Miller by using symbolism in the names of the characters in the novel. Daisy’s name suggests her innocence and freedom. â€Å"Etymologically, daisy means ‘the day’s eye’ suggesting Daisy’s radiance, her fresh ‘morning’ quality, and beautifully fitting into the further symbolism that flowerlike Daisy closes up and then dies after Winterborne cuts her.'; (Fogel p.38) Thrice, Winterborne met Daisy in a garden, a place where flowers grow, once in Vevey and the second time in the Pincian Garden in Rome, and the third, and final time he saw her was at her grave, which was â€Å"beneath the cypresses and the thick spring flowers.

Katherine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory Essay

Katherine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory fits best with my philosophy of nursing and my current work environment. As a hospice nurse comfort is the top priority. The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and dignity at the end of life. The technical term for comfort for health care is the immediate state of being strengthened by having the needs for relief, ease, and transcendence addressed in the four context of holistic human experience: physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environment. The change goal would be to implement Kolcaba’s taxonomic structure of comfort as a way for the hospice unit staff to measure comfort. Katherine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory Kolcaba was born as Katherine Arnold on December 8th, in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her diploma in nursing from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1965. She graduated from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in 1987. She graduated with a PhD in nursing and received a certificate of authority clinical nursing specialist in 1997. She specialized in Gerontology, End of Life and Long Term Care Interventions, Comfort Studies, Instrument Development, Nursing Theory, and Nursing Research. She is currently and associate professor of nursing at the University of Akron College of Nursing. She published Comfort Theory and Practice: a Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research (Nursing Theories, 2011). Description  Comfort Theory is a middle range theory for health practice, education, and research. Comfort is viewed as an outcome of care that can promote or facilitate health-seeking behaviors. Increasing comfort can result in having negative tensions reduced and positive tensions engaged. Kolcaba (as cited in McEwin & Wills, 2011) defined comfort within nursing practice as â€Å"the satisfaction of the basic human needs for relief, ease, or transcendence arising from health care situations that are stressful† (p. 34). Purpose According to Kolcaba, (2010) â€Å"the overall purpose of Comfort Theory, was to highlight the importance of comforting patients in this high tech world. It is what they want and need from us. † Origin. To describe the origin or development of Comfort Theory, Kolcaba conducted a concept analysis of comfort that examined literature from several disciplines including nursing, medicine, psychology, psychiatry, ergonomics, and English. First, three types of comfort (relief, ease, transcendence) and four contexts of holistic human experience in differing aspects of therapeutic contexts were introduced. A taxonomic structure was developed to guide for assessment, measurement, and evaluation of patient comfort (Nursing Theories, 2011). Major concepts. Major concepts described in the Theory of Comfort include comfort, comfort care, comfort measures, comfort needs, health-seeking behaviors, institutional integrity, and intervening variables (Kolcaba, 2010). Propositions. Kolcaba (as cited in McEwin & Wills, 2011) defines eight propositions that link the defined concepts: * Nurses and members of the health care team identify comfort needs of patients and family members * Nurses design and coordinate interventions to address comfort needs * Intervening variables are considered when designing interventions * When interventions are delivered in a caring manner and are effective, the outcome of enhanced comfort is attained * Patients, nurses and other health care team members agree on desirable and realistic health-seeking behaviors * If enhanced comfort is achieved, patients, family members and/or nurses are more likely to engage in health-seeking behaviors; these further enhance comfort * When patients and family members are given comfort care and engage in health-seeking behaviors, they are more satisfied with health care and have better health-related outcomes * When patients, families, and nurses are satisfied with health care in an institution, public acknowledgement about that institution’s contributions to health care will help the institution remain viable and flourish. Evidence-based practice or policy improvements may be guided by these propositions and the theoretical framework (P. 234). Population According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, (NHPCO, 2012) in 2011, an estimated 1. 65 million patients received services from hospice and an estimated 44. 6% of all deaths in the United States were patients under hospice care. In 2001, an estimated 36. 6% of cancer patients accessed three of more days of hospice care. The median length of service in 2011 was 19. 1 days. 56. 4% of hospice patients were female and 43. 6% were male. 83. % of hospice patients were 65 years of age or older, and more than one-third of all hospice patients were 85 years of age or older. 82. 8% of hospice patients were white/Caucasian. Patients of minority (non-Caucasian) race accounted for more than one fifth of hospice patients. Today cancer diagnoses account for less than half of all hospice admissions (37. 7%). Currently less than 25% of U. S. deaths are now caused by cancer, with the majority of death due to other terminal diseases. The top four non-cancer primary diagnoses for patients admitted to hospice in 2011 were debility, dementia, heart disease, and lung disease (NHPCO, 2012). Level of care  There are four general levels of hospice care: routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care, and inpatient respite care. The facility where I currently work is a unit for general inpatient care. General inpatient care is care received in an inpatient facility for pain control or acute or complex symptom management which cannot be managed in other settings. In 2011, 2. 2% of hospice patients received general inpatient care. The percentage of hospice patients receiving care in a hospice inpatient facility increased from 21. 9% in 2010 to 26. 1% in 2011 (NHPCO, 2012). The main reason for a general inpatient admission is for comfort care that cannot be achieved at home or in another setting. Nursing Role  My current role at the hospice unit is one of a staff nurse. I work three, twelve hour shifts on the dayshift. My responsibilities include the day to day care of the patients that I am assigned. I provide the patients with comfort care and symptom management based on the physicians orders. I do have certain standing orders that can be put in place without making a call to the physician and using my nursing judgment alone. I report directly to the unit manager on my unit. Power I feel that I have informal power at my facility. I have been there the longest of all the nurses, including the manager. I am the person that all the nurses turn to when there is a question regarding policy and procedure. I am the person that others seek out for advice and unfortunately the person that most nurses vent to. I am always willing to pick up extra shifts without complaining. I continually hear from the other nurses, â€Å"you never complain. † I love what I do! I love providing comfort care for patients in need. Are there days when things get crazy? Are there things I wish I could change? Absolutely, but complaining doesn’t change anything and I feel that being around someone that complains all the time bring others down as well. I always try to stay positive and encourage others. The management team comes to me as well to ask me my opinion about certain changes. I feel that I could be a positive influence for change, but ultimately the decision would not be mine to make. Any decision has to go through my unit manager and then up the chain of command to the clinical director, and executive director. Comfort Theory â€Å"Best Fit† for Hospice According to Kolcaba, (2010) health is considered to be optimal functioning, as defined by the patient, group, family, or community. There are several major assumptions in Comfort Theory. Human beings have holistic responses to complex stimuli. Comfort is a desirable holistic outcome that is germaine to the discipline of nursing, human beings strive to meet, or to have met, their basic comfort needs. It is an active endeavor. When comfort needs are met, patients are strengthened (Kolcaba, 2010). The mission statement of the company that I work for includes: * Recognize that individuals and families are the true expert in their own care; * Support each other so we can put our patients and families first; * Find creative solutions which add quality to life; * Strive for excellence beyond accepted standards, and; * Increase the community’s awareness of hospice as a part of the continuum of care. I feel that the mission of my company falls in line with the assumptions of Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory. The main goal of hospice care is comfort care. Currently we assess pain using a number scale or a face/FLACC cale depending on if the patient is able to verbally respond. The majority of our patients are unable to communicate. Pain using a face or FLACC scale can vary from nurse to nurse. The FLACC scale measures pain using face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability. Kolcaba’s taxonomic structure would be an excellent way to measure comfort on a hospice unit such as the one where I work. Development. Katherine Kolcaba developed an interest in the concept of comfort during her practice as the head nurse of a dementia care unit. Her understanding that comfort lead to optimal functioning of the dementia patients, was the beginnings of her comfort theory. Kolcaba realized the relationship between behaviors such as aggression, fighting with others, refusal to cooperate, or tearing up the environment and a patient’s comfort level. Interventions to reduce these behaviors were called comfort measures (Kolcaba, 2003). Since that time, the theory has been utilized in the fields of hospice (Kolcaba, Dowd, Steiner, & Mitzel, 2004; Vendlinski & Kolcaba, 1997), orthopaedic care of adult patients (Panno, Kolcaba, & Holder, 2000), pediatrics (Kolcaba & DiMarco, 2005), and perianasthesia nursing (Kolcaba & Wilson, 2002). Kolcaba (1994) stated, â€Å"the first dimension of the theory of comfort consists of three states of comfort called relief, ease, and transcendence† (p. 1179). Relief is having a specific comfort need meet. An example would be relief from pain. Ease is the state of calm or comfort (Kolcaba, 1994). Individuals who feel ease are in a relaxed state. Ease can add to an individual’s health seeking behavior. Transcendence is each individual’s ability to rise above one’s pain or trouble (Kolcaba & Kolcaba, 1991). The second dimension of the theory consists of the contexts in which comfort occurs. This is a holistic concept. It can be examined in the physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental perspectives. Physical comfort pertains to the body. Musculoskeletal pain, urinary discomfort, gastrointestinal upset would fall into this category. Psychospiritual comfort pertains to self-esteem, the meaning of one’s life, and one’s connection with a higher power. Sociocultural comfort pertains to family, personal relationships, and one’s cultural background. Environmental comfort pertains to the external surrounding (Kolcaba, 1994). The theory consists of three parts. Part one describes how comfort needs are assessed, appropriate nursing interventions are implemented, and the patient experiences increased comfort. The second part of the theory describes the relationship between comfort and health seeking behaviors. Kolcaba reports that patients whose comfort needs are meet are better able to participate in positive behaviors, which promote health and well-being. The third part of the theory describes the relationship between client’s health seeking behaviors and the integrity of the institution (Kolcaba, Tilton, & Drouin, 2006). Outcome measures for institutions can be improved when staff utilizes comfort measures. It is desirable that nurses caring for hospice patients are skilled in the art of comfort. Providing physical comfort such as managing pain, positioning an individual with advanced musculoskeletal problems, keeping bowel patterns regular, assisting residents in a toileting program to avoid incontinence, and protection fragile skin are skills used on a daily basis. Nurses in hospice care must address psychospiritual concerns such as depression, the loss of physical functioning, as well as the loss of loved ones and friends. Most patients in hospice care have been forced by illness and debility to give up their homes and independence. Sociocultural comfort is provided when nurses understand a person’s cultural background. Encouraging family support and understanding a resident’s background and accomplishments assist nurses in developing interventions to support comfort. The environment also plays a part in an individual’s comfort and well-being in the long-term care environment. Providing a home-like, active, and joyful environment filled with children, animals, and treasured items from home are very important. Comfort theory has been utilized as a framework for hospice nursing (Vendlinski & Kolcaba, 1997).