Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Epilogue

Once I stopped drinking human blood, I became even better at hearing a heartbeat, knowing in an instant, from the speed of a pulse, whether a human was sad or annoyed or in love. Not that I was around humans very much. After I left New Orleans, I truly was a creature of the night, sleeping during the day and venturing into the outside world only when humans were safe in their beds, fast asleep. But occasionally I'd hear a quickening heartbeat and know that someone was climbing from a window or sneaking out a door to meet a lover, stealing a few moments of intimacy. That was the hardest sound to hear. Whenever I did hear it, I was reminded of Callie, of her fluttering heart and quick smile. Of how alive she was, and how she was not afraid to be in love with me despite my true nature. Now, when I think of our plan to escape, I can't help but laugh bitterly at myself for ever thinking it could have been a possibility. It had been the same foolish mistake I'd made when I'd fallen in love with Katherine, believing that humans and vampires could love each other, that our differences were just a minor detail that could be easily solved. But I wouldn't fall into that trap a third time. Whenever vampires and humans dared to love each other, death and destruction were sure to follow. And I had enough blood on my hands to last an eternity. I would never know the extent of the harm Damon was causing in the world. Sometimes I'd see a newspaper article or hear snatches of conversation about a mysterious death, and my mind would instantly jump to my brother. I'd listen for him, too, always waiting to hear him call â€Å"Brother† in his exaggerated drawl. But mostly I listened to myself. The longer I subsisted on animal blood, killing the odd squirrel or fox in a forest, the more my Power ebbed, until it was simply a faded thrum in the background of my being. Without Power, I lost the electric sense of feeling alive, but the guilt I would carry for the rest of my existence had dulled around the edges. It was a trade-off, one of many I'd learned to make, and one of many more I'd have to make in the eternity that stretched in front of me. So I made the vow to always keep moving, to never stay in one place too long or grow too close to anyone. That is the only way I'll do no harm. Because God help us all if I ever fall in love with another human

The Program on Smoking Cessation for Employees

The Program on Smoking Cessation for Employees Introduction There are a number of programs on smoking cessation design for employees that are premised on various data analysis techniques. Despite the diversity of data collection methods, all the programs are aimed at improving employees’ lifestyles and creating new incentives for increasing employees’ productivity and performance.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Program on Smoking Cessation for Employees specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Moreover, there is a growing trend in evaluating the practices and improving the strategies on creating a program. The systematic evaluation can allow managers to solve problems and help community-based organizations to improve the quality of services and working conditions. Despite the veritable understanding of evaluation of program evaluation, there is a need for creating a comprehensive framework. Therefore, analysis of other frameworks for programs on smokin g cessation will help to integrate successful data collection and analysis methods that can contribute to the quality of program outcomes. The evaluation process implies investigating worth, significance, and merits of efforts made during the program implementation. Invention of new methods and approaches has been developed to embrace the multiple aspects of the program, define its strengths and weaknesses, and outline significance and main elements of the data collection process. All these procedures will provide a better understanding of how the program can be improved and modified to reach greater objectives and goals. Finally, the evaluation process has great importance for governmental organizations that assess the usefulness and validity of the programs for future implementation in other settings. The program under analysis focuses on a smoking cessation opportunity for employees. It involved 70 participants who plan to quit smoking; 11 participants managed to quit smoking, wh ich pointed to the success of the program and its future potential.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Certainly, though the ratio of the participants who had quit smoking was not significant, there were still methods and alternative researches that could help understand how to improve this program and increase the number of employees who were ready to give up smoking. Main Discussion Integrating Data Collection Methods into the Program Evaluation Plan With regard to the above-presented background, the program involved only 70 participants and it was based on a local hospital in Ohio. The success of the program is evident because it was primarily based on observation process, as well as on the results of employees’ interviewing in a natural setting. Nevertheless, the framework within which the program was implemented did not allow the researchers to create great e ffect on the participants. In this respect, it is purposeful to assess related programs on smoking cessation to define which methods could be integrated into data collection methods. The studies by Shershneva et al. (2011) have introduced a spectrum of approaches and methods that allowed the researchers to reach over 43,000 clinicians (p. 29). What is more important is that the program involved collation of comparison data among different program components to define the degree of its effectiveness. Such an approach could be applied to define how employees of Ohio hospital can enhance their incentives to take part in programs and increase number of those who are ready to quit smoking. In addition, the assessment of employees performance through implementation of 4 levels of evaluation, including participation, satisfaction, learning, and performance also contributes to better outcomes through engagement of the 5 A’s algorithm. Specifically, the algorithm involves, â€Å"Ask about tobacco use, advise to quit, Assess readiness to quit, Assist with cognitive/behavioral strategies, assist with medication, Assist with relapse prevention, and Arrange for follow up† (Shershneva et al., 2011, p. 29).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Program on Smoking Cessation for Employees specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Such an extensive overview of aspects and factors influencing employees’ behavior and perception would allow Ohio hospital program to expand its techniques and improve the quality of goals achievement. In order to accomplish the program purpose and establish a multi-strategic approach to change, implementing knowledge management and skills enhancement is crucial. Skills and experiences are vital to reach the objectives in the most effective way, as well as increase the usefulness of the training program. In this respect, Labib et al. (2012) have conducted an evaluation of th e training program to define how background knowledge and skills influence the outcomes (p. 52). Similar to Shershneva et al. (2011), the scholars have employed the 5 A’s algorithm for implementing the program objectives (p. 30). These studies have significant implications for integrating medical education in smoking cessation programs. Training healthcare personnel, therefore, is an essential condition for increasing employees’ awareness of the negative effects of smoking. The data collection methods implemented by Volpp et al. (2009) are premised on randomized sampling of employees working for a multinational company to gain data about programs on smoking cessation, as well as on the effectiveness of these programs in terms of financial incentives (p. 699). Analyzing and selecting the participants gathered across the United States was carried out through surveys that encouraged the employees to give information about their smoking habits and their willingness to part icipate in the program. In contrast to these approaches, the Ohio program on smoking cessation did not involve financial incentives for employees; rather it aimed to check for employees’ awareness of the necessity to quit smoking that is not linked to financial rewards. Nevertheless, implementing surveys could also be beneficial for the program accomplishment.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strengths and Weaknesses of Data Collection Sources Assessment the strengths and weaknesses of the data collection sources creates a new insight into possible methods and approaches to conducting programs and developing efficient plans for health promotion. Due to the fact that the main purpose of the program on smoking cessation consisted in improving healthy lifestyles of their employees, the focus on cost reduction and insurance seems to be irrelevant. In order to define the potential strengths and weakness of the program, specific emphasis should be placed on the target participants involved into data analysis, the framework for interpreting data, which method is the safest for collecting data and information processing, and understanding the appropriate value of those who provide information. In addition, the methods for data collection should also be discussed in terms of their influence on the target populations. Finally, the availability of resources for collecting informati on should also be considered, including financial perspective, personnel, and level of skills and experiences. The research studies presented by Volpp et al. (2009) also reveal beneficial approaches to data collection methods that could be employed into the program at issue (p. 700). In particular, the scholars apply to the stratification process of employees in accordance with place of work, level of smoking dependence, and income. Such an approach has not been implemented into the program at Ohio hospital, although it could have provided a better picture of results and findings and that of the level of employees’ readiness to quit smoking. However, the program has the stratification of employees in accordance with age, which provides the strong side of the programs in terms of its applicability to the employees regardless of age. The main strength of the program lies in the availability of the cost-benefit analysis of its outcomes. In particular, the Ohio program on smoking cessation ensures that the more employees are invited into the program, the more moneys will be saved through the insurance cost reduction. What is more important is that the program seeks to increase employees’ productivity through considering financial incentives. Contrary to the benefits of the studies conducted by Volpp et al. (2009), there is strong necessity to introduce alternative programs that do not imply money as the main incentive for successful outcomes (p. 701). Hence, presence of financial incentive is the tangible weakness of the program because there should be other effective ways for raising employees’ awareness and reducing their dependence on smoking. In particular, Labib et al. (2012) argue that focus on training of health care professionals has a positive impact on improved smoking cessation outcomes because it encourages employees’ readiness to participate in the programs and improve the overall quality of services (p. 53). Knowledge dist ribution, therefore, is considered to be vital for triggering cessation interventions. According to Labib et al. (2012), â€Å"one of the major barriers in starting a smoking cession campaign or practice is that many health professionals do not have the skills and knowledge of how to intervene† (p. 56). In this respect, the program could have been premised on other incentives than monetary support. Another weakness of the program lies in insufficient number of employees taking part in the program. The sample does not provide perspectives for utilizing this program in future development of health care environment. Limited number of participants contributes to the selection biases. Similar problems are provided in the studies by Labib et al. (2012) that have confirmed the restriction imposed on the program implementation (p. 57). The value of appropriate sample, however, is presented in the program evaluations provided by Shershneva et al. (2012, p. 31) and Volpp et al. (2009, p. 700) who offered a much greater sample. Threats to the Data Collection Process While implementing a qualitative approach to the data collection process, there might be data biases related to the nature of observation of participants in natural environments, as well as to the depth and objectivity of conducted interviews. For example, such aspects as gender, language patterns, age, and ethnicity can affect the data analysis due to the focus of the study. Data collector bias is connected with the unconscious information distortion while collecting data. For instance, the interviewers can resort to different styles in posing questions to the respondents and such a bias is a decisive factor in case interviewing is the primary source for analysis. With regard to the program, the researchers have introduced age characteristics only and failed to consider other aspects of data collection process. Despite the fact that it does not influence greatly the program outcomes, it can negatively contribute to the accuracy and internal validity of the research. Apart from threats to internal validity, there are also hazards to the external validity as well. This is of particular concern to the selection effects that can either be delineated or replicated. Setting effects are also taken into consideration while estimating the employees’ influence on the surrounding setting and vice versa. Due to the cultural and social diversity, the outcomes of the program can also be different. Finally, the employees might perceive the scope of the program differently due to a multi-strategic approach chosen to conduct a program. As a result, some terms and definitions can be understood in a different way. Similar concerns are connected to the employees’ perception of the explanation provided by the researchers. For instance, some of participants might think that the main incentive of smoking cessation is insurance reduction rather than improvement of the health care environm ent. In fact, the reduced costs constitute only the cause of the program purposes. Data Analysis Procedures Due to the fact that the program is primarily based on the statistical evaluation of the results, the data analysis procedures should involve review of related programs on smoking cessation – a qualitative approach to estimating the practical significance of the data. This type of inductive qualitative analysis will provide a wider explanation for the program value in terms of employees’ behavior and other qualitative characteristics. In particular, the literature surveys will guide the researchers through different data analysis approaches that have been used in related programs on smoking cessation. Depending on methodology and research design, the literature review can also assist researchers in developing an efficient framework for data processing. Quantitative analysis is also essential for estimating the cost-benefit analysis of the program, as it is presen ted in the case. In this respect, the program focuses on the statistic evaluation of the age of participants who plan to quit smoking. With regard to the presented case, the chosen data analysis procedures should involve a mixed method of evaluation to insurance that both observations and statistical data, including age, gender, and other attributes, have been carefully considered. Such a decision is enhanced by the evidence received from related studies on smoking cessation programs. In particular, although not all research studies resort to the analysis of literature reviews, all of them apply to statistical analysis of the received data (Volpp et al., 2009, p. 700; Labib et al., 2012, p. 56; Shershneva et al., 2011, p. 32). Specific attention requires the studies by Chan and Heaney (1997), in which the focus is on quantitative research (p. 352). In fact, statistics allows the scholars to define which of the mentioned characteristics are the most important for the program outcome (Boulmetis Dutwin, 2005, p. 123). Qualitative aspects are revealed through presenting the conceptual framework under which various notions and definitions are presented. The conceptual framework is of high important for the program under evaluation as well, because it will allow the research to provide a detailed objective explanation of the research goals, procedures, and definitions to the participants. Practical and Statistical Significance of Data The importance of incentives included into the program implementation process is important both for the researchers and for the focus group (Posavac, 2010, p. 15). In this respect, the studies by Volpp et al. (2009) proves that the presence of financial incentives can significantly foster the employees’ engagement into the program accomplishment as compared to those participants who are triggered only by the awareness of the potential benefits of smoking cessation (p. 705). Within the context of this research, it can be stated that the program under analysis could have integrated this aspect to promote greater results. Statistical significance of the data involved into the process demonstrates how numerical data allows the program managers to conclude how the project influences employees’ awareness of smoking cessation initiative. Essential Elements of Program Evaluation Report A Program Evaluation Report should be based on the analysis of five important components that include philosophy and goals, needs assessment (analysis of the participants), program planning procedures, implementation, and the evaluation itself (Boulmetis Dutwin, 2005, p. 156). To begin with, the program has clearly stated its goals and objectives that are confined to creating incentives for employees to quit smoking, promoting healthy lifestyles, and developing a multi-strategic approach to change. Reduction of insurance costs is another important outcome of the program on smoking cessation. Needs assessment focuses on the target audience involved into the program. In this respect, the case shows that the participants are not limited to age, gender, and ethnicity, which imposes certain biases on the results. As per program planning procedures, the case study does not provide sufficient explanation for the stages of employees’ participation. Instead, it refers to the outcomes and benefits of the program accomplishment. The program implementation focus has sufficient presentation. In addition, the program outcomes have proved that its goals and objectives directly relate to the expected results. Finally, the evaluation process itself has managed to address such important issues, as data collection methods and all possible biases related to them. Such an assessment allows the program managers to predict possible threats and risks in future. Research Utilization Processes The results of the program demonstrate that employees’ engagement into the evaluation process creates cost benefits for t he hospital, irrespective of the number of employees who quit smoking. Irrespective of age of individuals who quit, the program is worth utilizing for future practices. Despite the win-win situation, the program could be advanced to provide potential benefits for employees’ welfare and future promotion of healthy lifestyles. Hence, the program both benefits the hospital and the employees. Despite the fact that the hospital employing the participants was the focus of the program, it still has a positive effect on the employees’ physical and mental health. In this respect, the utilization processes could be used for two major purposes – to develop alternative incentives for employees to quit smoking and introduce cost benefits for the hospital. Such perspectives of the utilization processes can convince stakeholders to employ the program in their settings. Conclusion The analysis of the program on smoking cessation held at Ohio hospital has outlined to major advan tages – development of incentives for employees to promote healthy lifestyles and improve their performance, as well as reduction of insurance costs that the hospital should cover for sustaining employees’ health. The program has also been evaluated concerning the data collection methods, strengths and weakness of data analysis, potential threats to implementing data collection resources, and possible utilization processes that can be used to guide practices in health care. All these aspects have revealed advantages and disadvantages of the program. In particular, the analysis of literature related to the program has provided the necessity to select a mixed method for estimating the participants and the outcomes. Involvement of qualitative and quantitative data is indispensible for enhancing practical and statistical significance of the data. The main weakness of the program lies in irrelevant approach chosen for selecting the population sample. References Boulmetis, J ., Dutwin, P. (2005). The ABCs of Evaluation: Timeless Techniques for Program and Project Managers. US: John Wiley and Sons. Chan, W., Heaney, C. A. (1997). Employee Stress Levels and the Intention to Participate in a Worksite Smoking Cessation Program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20(4), 351-364. Labib, N., Radwan, G., Salama, R., Horeesh, N. (2012). Evaluation of Knowledge Change of Internal Medicine Residents Following a Training Program in Smoking Cessation. Pakistan Journal of Medical Research, 51(2), 52-58. Posavac, E. J. (2010). Program Evaluation: Methods and Case Studies. US: Pearson. Shershneva, M., Larrison, C., Robertson, S., and Speight, M. (2011). Evaluation of a collaborative program on smoking cessation: Translating outcomes framework into practice. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 31, 28-36. Volpp, K. G., Troxel, A. B., Pauly, M. V., Glick, H. A., Puig, A., Asch, D. A., Audrain-McGovern, J. (2009). A Randomized, Controlled Trial of F inancial Incentives for Smoking Cessation. New England Journal of Medicine, 360(7), 699-709.

Essay on Transsexualism

Essay on Transsexualism Essay on Transsexualism This is a free sample essay on Transsexualism: In 1952, few Americans were familiar with the concept of transsexualism. It was difficult to understand or acknowledge that gender was not synonymous with sex; that is, most people believed that the anatomy with which a child was born would indisputably influence his or her behavior, disposition, career choices, tastes and sexual preferences in one of two ways: male, or female. It was in that year that Christine Jorgensen was born. Christine Jorgensen was in fact a pseudonym for a 26 year old ex-GI from the Bronx named George. Since childhood Jorgensen had been haunted by his place in the sexual binary system, pulled like a magnet to a female identity despite his male genitals. He had finally decided to seek sex-reassignment surgery, an operation that was not available in America but was crudely performed by some doctors in Denmark (Brown et. al). Eventually details of Jorgensens surgery were leaked to reporters and the Daily News screamed EX-GI BECOMES BLONDE BOMBSHELL one quiet morning in December, propelling America into a frenzy of shock, outrage, and curiosity. Some people even saw the fact and publicity of such an event as an important landmark in the destruction of all moral and societal good. What most Americans and other Western citizens didnt know was that a rich history of transsexualism, transgenderism and/or gender variation had been alive and celebrated in many Non-Western societies for innumerabl e years. The Two-Spirited people of the various American Indian tribes and pre-contact south- and central-Americans are arguably the most interesting example of unique transgenderal customs, beliefs, and societal significance. Two-Spirited people, first written about in Western literature in the late sixteenth-century, were called bardaja or berdaches by European missionaries (Trexler). These words indicated a receptive role in sodomy and derived from the Persian bardah prisoner or kept boy. Despite evidence that some berdaches did provide homo-sexual services for warriors in central American tribes and the apparent frequency with which they took same-sex lovers, these individuals played a primarily gender-based, rather than sexual, role. In some cases this gender role was functional, such as in the incidences of female-born children being raised as boys to facilitate a fathers hunting in the Inuit subsistence based economies. Similarly, in families whose children had all been born male, a child in present-day Colombia may have been given a female gender to fill the role of fathers servant or caretaker of a sick mother. Generally these individuals would retain their given-gender for the rest of their live s (Trexler). It is important to realize, however, that in most indigenous cultures, the child raised Two-Spirit was not simply raised in the opposite gender role, but as a combination of the two, as notes Roscoe in The Zuni Man-Woman: [A] male lhamana would take on roles that not only included male occupational status such as farmer, weaver, shaman and story-teller, but potter and housekeeper as well, which were female roles (126). On the other hand, the majority of research on Two-Spirited people has revealed a gender role that is more spiritual than functional. In stark contrast to Europeans, indigenous Americans did not generally view the existence of a third gender as an abnormal phenomenon, but instead as a unique blend of male and female that comes with a heightened spirituality. In quite a number of tribes, such as the Navajo, parents would recognize a child that was to become a man-woman or woman-man by the way he or she acted while very young (Goulet). In the cultures of the Plains and the Prairies, as well as in parts of California and the Northeast, the choice to become a Two-Spirit was preceded by a vision or a dream, which both explained and legitimized their choice to become a gender other than woman or man (Lang, 95). In still other cultures, for example the Canadian Dene-Tha, children are gendered according to a complex system of cross-sex reincarnation beliefs (Lang, 95). Often these reasons fo r gender variance are not exclusive, i.e., a male may express a predisposition for traditionally female chores while young and later experience a spiritual instruction to become a woman, or vice-versa. Regardless of the reason for gender variance among Two-Spirited people, their dual-genders are a natural part of the Native American cultural world view that emphasize[s] and appreciate[s] transformation and change (Lang, 93). Native Americans are expected to go through many changes in a lifetime. The Navajo Ndleehà ©Ãƒ ©, in fact, means someone who is in a constant process of change (Lang, 97). ______________ is a professional essay writing service which can provide high school, college and university students with 100% original custom written essays, research papers, term papers, dissertations, courseworks, homeworks, book reviews, book reports, lab reports, projects, presentations and other assignments of top quality. More than 700 professional Ph.D. and Master’s academic writers. Feel free to order a custom written essay on Transsexualism from our professional essay writing service.

Aqa Exam

Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination January 2012 Geography Unit 3 Contemporary Geographical Issues 1. 30 pm to 4. 00 pm Monday 30 January 2012 For this paper you must have: ? an AQA 12-page answer book. You may use a calculator. GEOG3 Time allowed ? 2 hours 30 minutes Instructions Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for drawing. ? Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Examining Body for this paper is AQA. The Paper Reference is GEOG3. ? Answer three options: one from each Section. In Section C, you must not answer the same option as those chosen in Sections A and B. ? Use sketch maps, diagrams and specific examples, where appropriate. ? Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work that you do not want to be marked. ? Information The marks for questions are shown in brackets. ? The maximum mark for this paper is 90. ? You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. ? ? Advice You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on each of Sections A and B and about 60 minutes on Section C. H/Jan12/GEOG3 GEOG3 Section A Answer one option from this section. You must not answer the option that you will answer in Section C. Option 1 Plate Tectonics and Associated Hazards Total for this option: 25 marks 0 1 Study Figure 1 which shows the relationship between shaking intensity (measured by the Mercalli Scale) and different types of building structure. Describe and comment on the information provided. Figure 1 MERCALLI SCALE (7 marks) Type of building structure Adobe (baked mud and clay) Unreinforced masonry Reinforced masonry (non-seismic design) Steel framed buildings Reinforced masonry (seismic design) VI (Strong) VII (Very Strong) VIII (Destructive) IX (Ruinous) X (Disastrous) 8 22 50 100 100 3. 5 14 40 80 100 1. 5 5. 5 16 38 66 0. 4 2 7 20 40 0. 3 1. 5 5 13 25 Source: US Geological Survey The numbers are the percentages of buildings damaged or collapsed. 0 2 Outline the features of seismic waves. (8 marks) 0 3 Evaluate the management strategies adopted following one earthquake that you have (10 marks) studied. H/Jan12/GEOG3 3 Option 2 0 4 Weather and Climate and Associated Hazards Total for this option: 25 marks Study Figure 2 which shows changes, compared with 1961 – 1990 averages, in temperature, sea level and northern hemisphere snow cover. This information came from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007. Describe and comment on the changes shown. Figure 2 (7 marks) 0. 5 Difference from 1961 – 1990 average temperature ( °C) (a) Global average surface temperature 0. 0 – 0. 5 (b) Global average sea level 50 Difference 0 from 1961 – 1990 – 50 average level – 100 (mm) – 150 (c) Northern hemisphere snow cover Difference from 1961 – 1990 average area (million km2) 4 0 –4 1850 1875 1900 1925 Year 1950 1975 2000 Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – Assessment Report 4 (2007) 5 Describe the possible effects of global warming on a tropical region that you have (8 marks) studied. Discuss the responses to global warming on an international scale. (10 marks) Turn over ? 0 6 H/Jan12/GEOG3 4 Option 3 Ecosystems: Change and Challenge Total for this option: 25 marks 0 7 Study Figure 3 which shows variations in plant and fly species in different grazing areas on Salisbury Plain, a grassland area in southern England. Much of this area is used by livestock farmers. Describe and comment on the variations shown. (7 marks) Figure 3 0 60 50 Number of species 40 30 20 10 0 Ungrazed Grazed by cattle over a long time Grazed by sheep over a long time Recently grazed by cattle Recently grazed by sheep Key Plant species Fly species Types of grazing Source: Topic Eye: Ecosystems and Biodiversity; publisher – Cross Academe Limited 0 8 Outline the characteristics of the temperate deciduous woodland biome. (8 marks) 0 9 Assess the extent to which one local scale ecological conservation area that you have (10 marks) studied has been successful. End of Section A H/Jan12/GEOG3 5 Section B Answer one option from this section. You must not answer the option that you will answer in Section C. Option 4 World Cities Total for this option: 25 marks 1 0 Study Figure 4, a photograph of a central urban area that has recently undergone redevelopment. Comment on the features of the area shown. (7 marks) Figure 4 Source:  © Cameron Dunn 1 1 Outline the process of counter-urbanisation and describe its effects. (8 marks) 1 2 Discuss the planning and management issues that have arisen in areas that have (10 marks) undergone urbanisation in recent years. Turn over H/Jan12/GEOG3 ? 6 Option 5 Development and Globalisation Total for this option: 25 marks 3 Study Figure 5 which shows the estimated percentage of population by country that used the internet in 2009. Comment on the extent to which it supports the concept of the North/South divide. (7 marks) Figure 5 Key Estimated percentage of the population that used the internet 40 or more 30 – 39 20 – 29 10 – 19 Less than 10 Source: www. internetworld stats. com 1 4 Outline reasons for the growth of social and/or economic groupings of nations. (8 marks) 1 5 Discuss the consequences of groupings of nations. (10 marks) H/Jan12/GEOG3 7 Option 6 Contemporary Conflicts and Challenges Total for this option: 25 marks 1 6 Study Figure 6 which shows the percentage of employed people living on less than US $1. 25 a day in each of 1997 and 2007 for selected regions. Comment on the information shown. (7 marks) Figure 6 Sub-Saharan Africa Southern Asia Oceania South-Eastern Asia Eastern Asia Western Asia Latin America and the Caribbean Northern Africa Developed regions Developing regions 0 10 20 30 % Source:  © United Nations 2009 – United Nations: Millennium Development Report 2009 Key 1997 2007 40 50 60 70 1 7 Suggest reasons for the existence of global poverty. (8 marks) 1 8 Discuss how poverty can be addressed on a global scale. (10 marks) End of Section B Turn over H/Jan12/GEOG3 ? 8 Section C Answer one option from this section. You must not answer the option answered in either Section A or Section B. Note to Candidate You should bear in mind that the essay questions below are synoptic in nature. In your response to these questions you are required to show your knowledge and understanding of different aspects of geography, the connections between these different aspects and, where relevant, of human perspectives upon geographical themes and issues. Option 1 1 9 Plate Tectonics and Associated Hazards To what extent can preparedness and planning mitigate the effects of volcanic hazards? 40 marks) Weather and Climate and Associated Hazards To what extent can preparedness and planning mitigate the effects of tropical revolving (40 marks) storms? Ecosystems: Change and Challenge ‘The characteristics of the vegetation of tropical biomes are more the outcome of continued human activity than a response to the climatic conditions. â€⠄¢ With reference to one tropical biome, discuss the extent to which you agree with this (40 marks) view. Option 4 2 2 World Cities To what extent can urban areas be sustainable? (40 marks) Option 2 2 0 Option 3 2 1 Option 5 2 3 Development and Globalisation To what extent can development be sustainable? 40 marks) Option 6 2 4 Contemporary Conflicts and Challenges With reference to a conflict over the use of a local resource that you have studied, discuss the extent to which all interest groups involved can be satisfied with its outcome. (40 marks) END OF QUESTIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT-HOLDERS AND PUBLISHERS Permission to reproduce all copyright material has been applied for. In some cases, efforts to contact copyright-holders have been unsuccessful and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements in future papers if notified. Copyright  © 2012 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. H/Jan12/GEOG3

History of music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of music - Essay Example Assuredly, music has evolved with time and we can now enjoy live concerts, audio music, videos, and instrumentals. It is arguably true that most people think and identify with the idea that only the elite and educated audience enjoys classical music. This follows an observation that only the snobs, intellectuals, racists, and educated people attend classical music concerts. Indeed, this has been a consistent tread and the mindset to believe in this argument has been there for decades. However, this is not necessarily true. In fact, there has been a common belief that the young generation, the less educated, and the less wealthy do not want to attend classical concerts because either they cannot afford entrance fee or they suffer inferiority complex because of the apparent intellectual superiority that entails a classical music concert. However, I can establish that this is not necessarily true as the same class of people easily afford pop and football tickets which are reasonably expensive that classical concert tickets. Hence, I derive that the only reason why the less educated or the public fails to attend classical music concerts is that they lack exposure to this genre of music. Otherwise, with significant exposure, everybody enjoys classical music. Therefore, I suggest that we introduce and encourage children to enjoy and recognize the beauty in classical music while still at school. With this, we will be able to eliminate the apparent inability to attend classical music concerts.

Deconstructing a Device Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Deconstructing a Device - Research Paper Example Consequently, as technical knowledge increased and specialists in the communication field explored more option, the technology of advanced mobile communication devices also grew accordingly. This also saw the shift of the functions and uses of the mobile phones from just mere communication devices, to other extensive purposes. Similarly, the technological evolution also realized a shift of the partnering technologies and fields, to incorporate additional components facilitated by the other fields such as the software developers among others. Today, my mobile phone is not just a device that I carry around for communication purposes. Practically, the mobile is a companion to many users (Dhanendran 1). For instance, the number of people with mobile phones is enough evidence of the particulate use of the device. The mobile phones have evolved in its applications, from a simple communications device to an essential operating device that facilitates most of the daily lives of its users. In everyday life, we see people along the streets and in restaurants among other places holding their phones. What activities they engage using the phone, you may ask? Well, the phone is essentially and practically one of the most convenient devices of all time, with critical applications. Some uses include taking pictures and videos (Dhanendran 1). My phone, for instance, the HTC Android model has an inbuilt feature of sensitivity that gives it the best camera resolution, making remarkably clear images and videos (Hansen 1). Another notable application of the mobile device is the ability to send and receive text messages. Similarly, this incorporates the texting services provided by the host service provider as well as, applications that use the internet to facilitate texting. Another elemental use of the mobile phone is the ability to access the internet

Thoreaus Masculinity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Thoreaus Masculinity - Essay Example He also served as an abolitionist against slavery for his entire life by lecturing across the country against the Fugitive Slave Law. Every man's search for wisdom can be connected to Thoreau's simple search for truth, in which he praises these three main characteristics as the most admirable qualities of the American man. Thoreau's theoretical energy was inspired by the wild. He found it necessary to live free in the wilderness provided by Walden Pond for two years and two months , in order to find the clarity he needed to search for truth. He followed the notion set by Plato, that wisdom is attained through the continuous pursuit of truth. This was a concept originated by Plato's mentor Socrates through his ideals of continuous self analysis. All, of which, is presumed will lead one to the most meaningful life. In his piece, Natural History of Massachusetts he says, You cannot go into any field or wood, but it will seem as if every stone had been turned, and the bark on every tree ripped up. But, after all, it is much easier to discover than to see when the cover is off. It has been well said that "the attitude of inspection is prone." Wisdom does not inspect, but behold Thoreau, pp. 130-131). Here as Thoreau teaches patience through the appreciation of nature. He also argues in favor of self preser vation in that he promotes the preservation of nature and believes man to be as equally a part of nature as any other animal in the wild. Virtue is also a core ideal that Thoreau aspires for in his writing and in turn convinces the reader to aspire for as well. He would often contrast virtue with popular ideals at the time which he felt were unbefitting to the ideal American male, but he also often spoke directly on the concept of morality and virtuous behavior. In his 1849 piece, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers he says, Absolutely speaking, Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you is by no means a golden rule, but the best of current silver. An honest man would have but little occasion for it. It is golden not to have any rule at all in such a case (Thoreau, p.74). In his chapter on economy, Thoreau contrasts the popular view of inherited wealth. Where most people would consider inheriting great wealth as a blessing, Thoreau's take is the opposite. He believes it impedes a man's freedom to live his own life, by inheriting a subservience to, what he calls, necessity. In his piece On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, which he wrote in 1849, he communicates this concept to the reader in his text when he says, The rich man ... is always sold to the institution which makes him rich. Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue. Here Thoreau contrasts the concept of wealth with that of virtue. He makes the direct statement that one born into wealth is not free but sold into never being able to be virtuous. It's very ironic that he is able to flip one of the most desired and admired origins in American Capitalist society on its head. The American Dream in essence is the pursuit of wealth/ha ppiness; by Thoreau denouncing the pursuit of money he is indirectly redefining, or disregarding, the American Dream. One might assume that this disdain for the American Dream and its detrimental affect on manhood was a reoccurring theme that developed over time in Thoreau's writing, because in his 1854 work