Business Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Business Environment - Essay Example This essay stresses that the fundamental aim of the UK administration is to attain high and steady stages of enlargement and service and the case for amalgamation financial and fiscal Union. It is termed as EMU, will be criticized against this criterion .It has been acknowledged on all areas that there is a legitimate in addition to the financial measurement to the discussion on the subject of a probable UK decision to link the third phase of Economic and Monetary Union and consequently accept Euro as the code money used in the United Kingdom. And also, the sectors in which foreign investments are concentrated are finance and insurance, restaurants and hotels, and manufacturing units. As employment opportunity of the people is more, investment made by them wills also increase. This paper makes a conclusion that fashion fabrics manufacturing unit in UK one of most important aspect about global business as compared to local business is the degree of risk and responsibility that it entails. Although the UK textiles industrialized segment has contracted more than the years. Global business is always a high risk venture since ownership are not able to exercise due controls that could be possible in the domestic business. The business environment deals with the whole business processes and the surroundings of the company which forms them straightly and indirectly. Also, there is a strong interrelationship between the organization and business. Appropriate strategic plan must be made on the basis of the current trends in the market to cope up with the environmental change.

Examining Cell Phone Effects Essay Example for Free

Examining Cell Phone Effects Essay Kailla Schlimm’s article â€Å"The Effect of Cell Phones in Modern Society† addresses issues on how cell phones have altered modern day society. Schlimm’s article is mainly targeted towards children and teenagers. She begins by expressing the main point that some people rely on their cell phones for everything and gives reason of why this may be and list examples. Schlimm then extends her argument and tells how cell phones are used and what they are used for. Schlimm also confers how cell phones may be great, but they also can cause problems. After each problem is addressed, the reader may want to stop and think about the positive effects and negative effects of cell phones. Schlimm focuses on the many problems that cell phones can cause. In doing so, she reveals examples of danger and harm that they may cause. She begins by proposing explanations of how cell phones can be used improperly. For example, she say â€Å"Phones of the twenty-first century may be great at times, but at the same time the do cause a few problems. For instance, there are people who text and drive† (Schlimm). Schlimm then makes a reference to how this problem may add to the chance of getting into a car wreck even more than drinking alcohol and driving. She explains how this increases problems for the safety of the person texting, as well as all the other drivers. Not only does Schlimm address problems that occur while driving, she also approaches problems that are increasing in schools and homes. Schlimm declares, â€Å"Children are becoming distant for their parents because they are always on their phones focused on other less important thing.† After her statement she explains how some children admit to playing games during dinner, or even church. Also how students use their cell phones to text during school, and their cameras to cheat. She ventures on to acknowledge how these actions cause problems in relationships, families, and the workplace. Overall, Schlimm has her article formatted well. She addresses and lists the problems the have arose since cell phones have become a vital part of society. She provides reasoning and examples behind each statement made. She says, â€Å" Cell phones are basically miniature computers.† She adds that sooner or later there will be no need for computers at all. If this statement is true, it proves that cell phones have had an enormous effect on society and have taken over lives. Schlimm’s essay was effective in many ways. She has fully presented each statement without out-weighing the positives and negatives. . One thing Schlimm could have done differently is given herself more credibility to equal out the balance of the logical and facts and examples she expresses. She could have given an example of a positive time where she has used a call phone and a negative. This would have made the reader feel more inclined to believe that all of her statements are true. With all the facts she finishes by saying that cell phones can be very negative at times and may cause problems, but when they are used properly they may be a wonderful thing. Works Cited Schlimm, Kaila. â€Å"The Effects of Cell Phones in Modern Society.† The Talon. 11 November 2010. Web. 5 February 2012. http://www.elhstalon.net/features/2010/ 11/11/the-effects-of-cell-phones-in-modern-society/

Diabetes and Obesity: Emerging Pandemics of the 21st Century Essay

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity are both emerging pandemics in the 21st century. One consequence of obesity is an increased risk of developing T2DM. One’s relative risk of T2DM increases as his/her body mass index (BMI) increases above 23. T2DM is the most common disease among the U.S. population, accounting for approximately 90% of such cases, usually diagnosed in adulthood, and in most cases as a result of overweight or obesity. T2DM involves a combination of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency and may not require treatment with external insulin, especially at early stages (Fowler, 2007). Consequently, the goal of treatment is to achieve strict control of blood sugar (glucose) levels. The extent to which etiological factors may be relevant for adults with T2DM is not clear, but research suggest a theoretical model of potential pathways between disordered eating behaviors and T2DM. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that change in lifestyle and sede ntary habits could lead to decreased incidence of progression to T2DM (Ismail, 2008). Bio/Psycho/Social Aspects of the Illnesses T2DM is a heterogeneous disorder thus the clinical expression of the disorder requires both genetic and environmental factors. One theory concerning its etiology is that T2DM is the result of the evolution of a thrifty genotype that had survival benefits in the past but is detrimental in the current environment (Ismail, 2008). An opposing theory states that the disease represents an adult metabolic response to fetal malnutrition. Hyperglycemia in T2DM results from absolute or relative insulin deficiency. Most often insulin deficiency is attributable to an inability to adequately compensate for insulin resistance. Insulin resistan... ...),1433-1441. Spangler, J., Summerson, J., Bell, R., & Konen, J. (2001). Smoking status and psychosocial variables in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Addictive Behaviors, 26(1), 21–29. Soroudi, N., Perez, G., Gonzalez, J., Greer, J., Pollack, M., Otto, M., et al. (2008). CBT for medication adherence and depression (CBT-AD) in HIV-infected patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 15, 93–106. Willi, C., Bodenmann, P., Ghali, W., Faris, P., & Cornuz, J. (2007). Active smoking and the risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(22), 2654–2664. Ziedonis, D., Williams, J. M., & Smelson, D. (2003). Serious mental illness and tobacco addiction: A model program to address this common but neglected issue. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 326(4), 223–230.

Definition of Culture Essay example -- Papers Definition Cultural Desc

With a diverse population existing in the United States today, our country is a melting pot of different cultures, each one unique in its own respect. Culture, distinguishing one societal group from another, includes beliefs, behaviors, language, traditions, art, fashion styles, food, religion, politics, and economic systems. Through lifelong and ever changing processes of learning, creativity, and sharing, culture shapes our patterns of behavior and thinking. A culture?s significance is so profound that it touches almost every aspect of who and what we are. ?Culture becomes the lens through which we perceive and evaluate what is going on around us? (Henslin, 1993). Trying to define the complex term of culture with varying elements of distinguishable characteristics is a difficult task. Perhaps, a description of a culture would be easier to explain. For instance, an Iranian woman has just appeared in your office for services and it is immediately evident that her culture is very different than yours. First, her dark colored clothing covers her entire body from head to toe...

Motivating a clerical assistant

It has been found out that morale and high productivity or output always go together. They have a positive correlation. If the worker likes his work, his fellow worker , and the company, his high productivity will bring him increased acceptance and prestige among the workers and management, as well as increase in pay and advancement in position. He finds these things rewarding and is stimulated to work conscientiously. As a wise and effective supervisor to the clerical assistant, I should aim at both high morale and high productivity to be developed and sustained during these times and in the coming hectic season. Some specific things I can do: 1. Provide good physical conditions for work. I cannot literally give to the assistant because I do not own the company nor even position myself as the manager. But I will try to influence my big boss/es that those things that can help improve his/her work be provided like small amenities as supply of office materials needed to speed up his/her work to a ventilated workplace. 2. Reduce work frustration on the job to a minimum by means of a good environment and/or working relationship. 3. Treat him/her as one that has a personality that can be hurt. Hence, with the assistant around, I will influence others in treating the assistant as somebody who is needed and must be encouraged by thoughtful words and tact. 4. Have a good communication system. This is related with item #3. It is my job to facilitate smooth flow of interrelationships in the department. I believe I can do this by proper feedback of things that add credit to the assistant and back to others especially the director. The person with high morale has confidence in himself, thinks his work is worth doing and that he is doing a good job (Landy, 1985). Perhaps, one good exchange I can probably offer him/her is flexible working hours. I can suggest this to the management especially when the assistant has other pressing responsibilities at home. Another is schedule trips that can be given away as incentives after the hectic season (Baron, 1983). Reference: 1. Baron, R. Behavior in Organizations: Understanding and Managing the Human Side of Work, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1983. 2. Landy, F.J. Psychology of Work Behavior (3rd edition). Dorsey press, 1985. Â  

Competitive environment within the property industry in the United States of America

Competitive environment within the property industry in the United States of America Industry Description In the recent past, several mergers of large firms within the oligopolistic market setting have been witnessed. As a result, this has not only caused some changes in some of market factors such as competition but also in turn affected the demand of the products. This paper discusses the competitive environment within the property industry in the United States of America.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Competitive environment within the property industry in the United States of America specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Simon Property Group Simon property Group is the largest Real estate Company in the United States of America. The real estate industry in the US has been characterized by stiff competition among the oligopolistic market players. Competition in the industry is high thanks to the firms that desire to control a larger market share. As such, competition has ensured that firms create str ong brand names and have a commanding brand presence in the property market. In the United States of America, there is no dominant firm in the real estate industry although Simon property Group is the largest of all other players. The real estate industry is characterized by an oligopolistic market setting where there are few dominant firms which account for a majority of the stake in the industry. There are some other firms that follow after Simon Property group. Their main competition factor in the real estate industry is price strategy. Real estate companies engage in price wars so as to attract and retain more customers. This is done through offering cheaper deals to the customers relative to the competitors. These cheaper deals come in form of commission refunds to property buyers. Firms that fail to offer commission refunds usually attract fewer buyers than those that refund. Two Arguments Importance of Competition among Firms Competition is defined as the rivalry that causes businesses to strive to have a commanding control of the limited resources among the competing parties in the market. The importance of competition comes in that firms using price as the competition factor bring their prices down so as to attract the finite rational consumers (Jerry, 2003). This factor therefore increases the consumers’ marginal propensity to consume thus increasing their disposable income. The competitive environment in this industry is of benefit to the society. This is because of the price factor that offers the consumers cheaper deals. The importance of this is that the consumers are able to purchase property at lower prices. This ensures that their economic welfare is enhanced because they have residual cash that they can use for other uses. The high degree of market concentration among the competitors is beneficial to the consumers because these firms will engage in competitive activities that will either result in lower prices or higher quality among the products so as to attract the consumers (Wessels, 2000). Consumers therefore enjoy high quality products from the competing firms and also spend less on these products.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Oligopoly market structure is defined as the market structure that exists when there are a few suppliers in the economy who have a considerable share of the market. However, none of these suppliers is strong enough to be a price setter. This means that the suppliers will have to forge common standards that will be beneficial to the both the consumers and the suppliers. Industries that experience rapid technological change can benefit from an oligopolistic market structure. This is because the negative uncertainties that could be brought about by the technological changes are cushioned by the standardization practiced among the oligopolistic market structure by the various market players. References Jerry, N. L. (2003). Competing in The Information Age: Align in the Sand. London: Oxford University Press. Wessels, W. J. (2000). Economics. New York: Barrons educational Series.

How to Say of Course in Spanish

How to Say of Course in Spanish If you want to indicate that something is obvious, just as you would do in English with the phrase of course, here are some words and phrases that you can use, some of them are adverbs of affirmation. Of course, when translating such sentences to English, you arent limited to the phrase of course or those used here; depending on the tone of the conversation, you can also use words such as obviously and certainly. Claro A literal translation of claro is clearly, although of course often works, depending on the context: Claro que irà © a Costa Rica a ver a Cristiano. (Of course, Ill go to Costa Rica to see Cristiano.)Sà ­, sà ­, claro, estoy muy contenta. (Yes, yes, of course, Im very happy.) ¡Claro que sà ­! (Of course!) ¡Claro que no! (Of course not!) ¡Claro que fue gol! (Of course, it was a goal!)La diferencia, claro, es que la droga es ilegal. (The difference, of course, is that the drug is illegal.)Claro que el paà ­s est dividido entre los que trabajamos y los que no trabajamos. (Clearly, the country is divided between those of us who work and those of us who dont work.) Desde Luego As is the case with other idioms, the phrase desde luego doesnt make much sense if you try translating it word for word (since later). But in some areas it is a popular way to say of course:  ¡Desde luego! (Of course!) ¡Desde luego que no! (Of course not!)Desde luego que habrà ­a un nuevo plan. (Of course thered be a brand-new plan.)Desde luego que vamos hacerlo lo ms rpido posible. (Of course, were going to do it as quickly as possible.)Jimmy Page es un gran guitarrista, desde luego. (Jimmy Page is a great guitarist, of course.) Por Supuesto Por supuesto is also very common:  ¡Por supuesto! (Of course!) ¡Por supuesto que no! (Of course not!)Por supuesto creo que el estado debe ayudarnos. (Of course I believe the state should help us.)Estoy muy satisfecha, por supuesto. (Im quite satisfied, of course.)Por supuesto, vamos a analizar todo lo que pasà ³. (Obviously, were going to analyze everything that has happened.) Be aware that sometimes por supuesto can be part of a longer phrase to indicate that something is supposed rather than proven, as supuesto is the past participle of suponer, which often means to suppose: Detuvieron al hijo del actor por supuesto abuso. (They arrested the actors son for alleged abuse.) Es un Hecho Que Es un hecho que can be used to indicate that something can simply be assumed: Es un hecho que los senadores tambià ©n aprobarn el programa. (It can be taken for granted that the senators will also approve the program.)Creo que es un hecho que el cambio del clima se debe al hombre. (I believe its a given that climate change is mans doing.) Other Adverbs Other possibilities include the adverbs obviamente (obviously), seguramente (surely) and ciertamente (certainly), although of course the choice of translation depends on the context: Obviamente la pregunta est formulada de esa manera para confundir a la gente. (Obviously the question is worded that way to confuse people.)Compramos muchas cosas y obviamente compramos trajes de baà ±o. (We bought a lot of things, and obviously we bought swimsuits.)Seguramente prefieren lo mismo que nosotros. (Surely they prefer the same thing as we do.)Ciertamente no quiero ser parte de ello. (Certainly, I dont want to be part of that.)Nuestro profesor, ciertamente, es à ºnico. (Our teacher definitely is unique.)Las casas estn deterioradas y seguramente requerirn de una inversià ³n grande. (The houses are deteriorated and surely will require a large investment.)

Importance of Congress essays

Importance of Congress essays In theory, Congress was developed by our founding fathers to be an efficient system of legislators working together to create laws. However, due to misrepresentation of minorities and women, a dysfunctional system of pork barrel politics, and a congressional process which is designed to be slow and carefully looked at, but sometimes Congress tries to act too quickly making costly mistakes for our nation. First off, although law making is the principle business of Congress, members of Congress do much more than just make laws. In fact, Congress are supposed to represent the American population. However, with the way present day Congress is set up, it is nearly impossible for Congress to be equally representative. With that said, Congress is unrepresentative in that it doesnt mirror the diversity of the United States. Since congress is dominated by white males, it is fair to say that congress just cannot be responsive to the needs of other races, as well as women. In fact, in 2002 the House of Representatives had in office 59 women, 38 African Americans, 22 Hispanics, and 4 Asians. The numbers are even lower in the Senate, having only 13 women, 0 African Americans, 0 Hispanics, and 2 Asians in office. Congress must have a good portion of diversity similar to our country in order to be a truly representative body. Congressional misrepresentation among women and minorities is not to cease either. Voters can be urged to practice Affirmative Action, but such appeals are ineffective. For example, bloc voting hurts the chances of African Americans getting in to Congress. In this process, a black candidate can be elected only where blacks are a majority of the electorate. So, unless African Americans are running for office in a city where much of the population is black, it is unlikely they will get the votes to win. Moreover, given that members of congress should be a body which represents the nation proportionally, in all ...

Writer's choice Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Writer's choice - Assignment Example accordance to this topic, the paper will examine the global influence of Bollywood: the Indian film industry and the role of music in Bollywood films. The research question posed in this paper is; what is the impact of music in Bollywood films in the global film landscape? Bollywood do not incorporate any western content as they provide an explicit reflection of the Indian culture. For decades, Bollywood films were of little interest to the world outside the Indian subcontinent. However, this has changed in recent years as it stands as a popular culture in the dance and music sense. The song and dances are parallel to the plot as they help progress the theme of the films. The paper will examine a variety of arguments provided by different scholars in the context of media globalization. The case can be analyzed from a number of frameworks. In understanding the reverse flow created by Bollywood films, it is imperative to consider Bollywood expansion strategy based on its domestic and international consideration. Bollywood has continued to maintain international influence regardless of the fact that most of its films are in the Indian language. . The musical aspect has proved to work as they help the viewer grasp the abstract ideas in an even way. For this reason, Bollywood has expanded overseas due to the great appeal generated by music. For decades, Bollywood films were of little interest to the world outside the Indian subcontinent. However, this has changed in recent years as it stands as a popular culture in the dance and music genre. The global reach is fuelled partly by the large audience fascinated by the unique integration of dance and music in films. Rai is an Indian scholar who has contributed immensely in the field of media globalization. He is renowned for his contribution in cultural studies of south Asia. Rai once served in the media advisory board of India. Additionally, the author has contributed immensely in a number of forums that sought to

Religion in Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Religion in Society - Essay Example Several religious organizations have been put up. These organizations are based on issues like abortion, family planning, gay marriages and education to disadvantaged children in the society. In the United States, the religious organizations are obtaining a lot of financial support from the political leaders by taking advantage of the development funds that each political leader receives (Wald, & Allison, 24). On the issue of elections, the fundamentalist Christians strongly support the association between politics and religious since they feel that when Christians are elected to participate in political leadership they will lead to a positive transformation of the government policies through application of Christianity principles. In the 2002 and 2004 election for instance, the evangelists united and voted for George W. Bush (Wald, & Allison, 210). The Muslims on the other hand have no distinction between the Muslim religious leaders and Muslim Government officials. In countries lik e Iran, the president takes orders from the Islamic Ayatollah. In the political and religious platforms, the most common feature is that the leaders want to take full control of people in all aspects. The strategy for success of these leaders is based on their ability to convince more people, in order to make them famous. In religion, the religious leaders are working towards having more converts while in the political, the political leaders are working towards having more voters in order to maintain their leadership roles. The religious leaders have authority over the converts; thus, they can influence the congregation in political matters by advising them to avoid voting for a particular political leader by using religious doctrines (Wald, & Allison, 97). Religion has an impact on legislation, because the major function of the government is to pass rules that are beneficial to the citizens.

Managing Cutbacks at the Washington State Department of Social and Essay

Managing Cutbacks at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services - Essay Example 97) affecting DSHS are as follows: (1) the program of reforms (cutting of expenses by 25%) instituted by President Reagan through the Economic Recovery Program; (2) Washington state’s tax system based on consumption and narrow economic base; (3) citizen legislatures that do not include potential leeway for increased taxes; (4) the increase in the state’s financial support for elementary and secondary education; and (5) state legislations ordering the recent cutbacks in spending for the last six months ending June 30, 1981. These are formal mandates of the DSHS since these rules, laws, legislations imposed by the federal government and other stakeholders (education sector) dictate the organization to design strategies to meet these mandates. Through the Economic Recovery Program that instituted diverse budget cuts across all federal and state funding programs, all agencies being governed are expected to adhere to these enactments, as proposed. The tax system of Washingto n State has been focused on sales and business tax that contribute to fluctuating revenues depending on the economic cycle. However, due to the conservative stance that persists, state legislators continue to support tax cuts despite the poor economic conditions that prevailed. There have been apparent favoring business establishments by giving concessions to deferred sales during economic difficulties which decrease state revenues while expenditures for social programs are expected to increase during these periods. The state opted to cut spending, instead, rather than increase taxes. On the other hand, the key informal mandates are: (1) no personal income tax; (2) shunned federal money; (3) advocated less dependence on federally funded social and health programs; (4) parallel spending patterned after federal grant funding patterns; and (5) the conservative

Law of Accounting Coursework question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Law of Accounting Coursework question - Essay Example It is a well established principle that a contract can come into existence even if it is oral or has been concluded in an informal manner, however, it is important to note that there are certain conditions which must be satisfied for a legally binding contract to be existent. The starting point for the formation of a contract is that there must be an offer made and it should clearly not be an invitation to treat and subsequently there should be acceptance. The next aspect is that of the criterion of consideration, the intent to enter into legal relation the presence of certainty. For an effective evaluation of how a contract is to be concluded can be found in the case of Smith v Hughes1, whereby the subjective as well as the objective test was laid down so as to evaluate the existence of a valid and legally enforceable contract. The subjective test focuses on the intention of the parties who entered into the contract, while on the contrary the objective test looks into what had been said, done, not done by the parties and what the intention of saying or doing was. An important evaluation on the principles of offer and acceptance can be seen from the evaluation of Professor Atiyah, whereby it was reasoned that offer and acceptance is determined by of one of the methods which is ‘reason forwards’ and ‘reason backwards’. Reason forwards takes into account of offer and acceptance and their existence at first and then goes on to reason out and conclude on the dispute at hand and as for reason backwards the most reasonable solution is made out and it then turns around to ascertain from that offer and acceptance. The definition offer is unequivocal willingness by the offeror that is the person making offer to be bound by certain terms and conditions subject to acceptance of the offeree that is the peron to whom the offer is made. There has been a clear distinction which has been drawn by the courts on the area of invitation to treat and offer , however, there have been times when the differentiating was a mere thin line. Invitation to treat has been defined as an expression of willingness to induce another party to enter into negotiations and to make an offer, however, the boundary is, the fact that it is conditional and is therefore not an offer. The case of (Fisher v Bell)2 clearly defined the fact that invitation to treat is merely an expression of willingness of one party to enter into negotiations with another party thereby hoping that eventually offer and acceptance would take place and a valid and legally enforceable contract would come into existence. The thin line and the distinguishing features between an invitation to treat and offer can be seen from the cases of of Gibson v Manchester City Council3 and Storer v Manchester City Council4. The facts in Gibson were that the treasurer in his letter to Mr. Gibson stated that the council was willing to sell Mr. Gibson the house and needed him to make a formal applic ation. The courts looked into the circumstances of the case and in particular the price factor and held to be an invitation to treat. Contrary to Gibson, in Storer the courts held that a valid contract had been created because of the fact that the transaction had moved one step further and was prior to exchange of contracts. Even though it was a very thin line the courts distinguished between the

Malaysian Banks Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Malaysian Banks - Term Paper Example One of the most premiere cases where it is not shariah compliant that it most incur loss and gains in the house or business regardless of circumstances. A notable case was noted when an individual went to the Bank and said he cannot pay, but the bank refused to sell his house. This is completely against shariah in which the bank must split the loss. Hence, the concept of shariah finance is extremely hard because each country wants some revenue when it comes to financial securities. For the sake of assurance, most banks sugarcoat this with hidden fees and even charge a higher interest rate that are usually hidden in original clause terms. The concept of ‘service fee’ is highly demised because it is a vague term that all Malaysian banks utilized. Before understanding this issue, it is cognizant to understand the elements that surround Islamic Banking. Without a doubt, the Islamic law dictates that the asset must not be a ribawi material or in the medium exchange of gold, not silver. Additionally, a contract between two or more parties to accumulate in partnership. HSBC Malaysian bank also is one of these banks that is not shariah approved because of this issue. Another bank that is not confirm with the shariah standards is the fact Citibank Malaysia. Citibank Malaysia also offers these instruments along with the JP Morgan Malaysia Ltd. These banks financial statements dictate that these credit statements must be approved the counsel that is Shariah Compliant. Schroders Malaysia  is also under the same scrutiny as they sell bonds and other financial instruments that charge an interest rate and are not compatible with equal loss or gain since all payments for purchases are made in money. It is clear that not all banks have the understanding to conduct shariah and even do have an approval, tend to look for their own understanding of financial security. Additionally, the banks make it very clear in clause and terms that

Law of Accounting Coursework question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Law of Accounting Coursework question - Essay Example It is a well established principle that a contract can come into existence even if it is oral or has been concluded in an informal manner, however, it is important to note that there are certain conditions which must be satisfied for a legally binding contract to be existent. The starting point for the formation of a contract is that there must be an offer made and it should clearly not be an invitation to treat and subsequently there should be acceptance. The next aspect is that of the criterion of consideration, the intent to enter into legal relation the presence of certainty. For an effective evaluation of how a contract is to be concluded can be found in the case of Smith v Hughes1, whereby the subjective as well as the objective test was laid down so as to evaluate the existence of a valid and legally enforceable contract. The subjective test focuses on the intention of the parties who entered into the contract, while on the contrary the objective test looks into what had been said, done, not done by the parties and what the intention of saying or doing was. An important evaluation on the principles of offer and acceptance can be seen from the evaluation of Professor Atiyah, whereby it was reasoned that offer and acceptance is determined by of one of the methods which is ‘reason forwards’ and ‘reason backwards’. Reason forwards takes into account of offer and acceptance and their existence at first and then goes on to reason out and conclude on the dispute at hand and as for reason backwards the most reasonable solution is made out and it then turns around to ascertain from that offer and acceptance. The definition offer is unequivocal willingness by the offeror that is the person making offer to be bound by certain terms and conditions subject to acceptance of the offeree that is the peron to whom the offer is made. There has been a clear distinction which has been drawn by the courts on the area of invitation to treat and offer , however, there have been times when the differentiating was a mere thin line. Invitation to treat has been defined as an expression of willingness to induce another party to enter into negotiations and to make an offer, however, the boundary is, the fact that it is conditional and is therefore not an offer. The case of (Fisher v Bell)2 clearly defined the fact that invitation to treat is merely an expression of willingness of one party to enter into negotiations with another party thereby hoping that eventually offer and acceptance would take place and a valid and legally enforceable contract would come into existence. The thin line and the distinguishing features between an invitation to treat and offer can be seen from the cases of of Gibson v Manchester City Council3 and Storer v Manchester City Council4. The facts in Gibson were that the treasurer in his letter to Mr. Gibson stated that the council was willing to sell Mr. Gibson the house and needed him to make a formal applic ation. The courts looked into the circumstances of the case and in particular the price factor and held to be an invitation to treat. Contrary to Gibson, in Storer the courts held that a valid contract had been created because of the fact that the transaction had moved one step further and was prior to exchange of contracts. Even though it was a very thin line the courts distinguished between the

History of Advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

History of Advertising - Essay Example The very first form of advertising that dates back to 3000 B.C was outdoor display of Signs. Then advertising was done in the form of Word-of-mouth or were done vocally. The graphical forms of advertising then came including the paper ads, print ads, and newspaper ads. The very first form of advertising was through signs. The signs that were painted and displayed on the walls of the buildings in the ancient Rome and Pompeii were the very first forms of advertising [5]. These signs were ads about any property for rent or the ads were to attract the travelers of one town to the taverns in the same or some other town. These signs also consisted of the any matches, for example circus matches [2] that needed to be advertised. Next, the advertising took the vocal form of word-of-mouth or street or town cries [5]. These street criers used to read public notices aloud or praised the products aloud for their advertising. These kinds of advertisements also included the announcements for the sales of any cattle and slaves [2]. These town criers were the predecessors of the announcers of the later radio and TV ads. Then the newspapers came in the seventeenth century. The newspaper ads initially included short ads of product descriptions and prices [1]. The color and headlines and all the complementary stuff came later. The first newspaper was printed in England by the name of "Weekly News" in 1622 [2]. The magazine ads then followed. When the company's' name emerged in the advertisements, the emergence of brand name in the history of advertising took place. In the 1700s pasted-up notices, brochures and posters came into existence [2] and a lot of advertising through posters began. These then lead to the billboards. In the 1800s, printed media ads arrived [3]. This was the time when advertising through billboards started and started to be used abundantly. A movable type printing press was invented by a German printer Johannes Gutenberg which made the distribution of posters possible [5]. After the emergence of radio, long time later, advertising through radio started. Then advertising through video and TV advertisements also started after the invention of TV, later in the 19th century TV advertisements started to come on TV and gained a lot of popularity among all other forms of advertising. Producing a Successful TV Advertisement Producing a successful TV advertisement requires some important steps and factors that need to be checked and need to be kept in mind. These are as stated as under: 1. The target audience [6] and the budget should be planned and kept in mind. Before making an ad you should know it very well that for whom are you making the ad and what are the needs and requirements of the customers. It is also important to know what financial standing or budget you need in order to deliver the target audience that is intended. 2. A well-conceived plan needs to be made that should cover the budget and all the necessary steps that are needed. The plan for advertising is really important as it is the basis on which you continue with your ad and also the success or failure of the ad depends on how appropriate is the advertising plan. 3. It is important to include in your TV advertisement the company's brand and the company's overall business objectives

Bilingual Education Essay Example for Free

Bilingual Education Essay Bilingual Education isn’t an issue that’s been short lived. The programs have existed as far back as the late eighteenth century; Immigrant students were then instructed in their first language. Ohio became the first state to adopt an actual bilingual education state legislation in 1839. Other states soon followed, although the variation in language was somewhat broader (Lipka n.p). Controversy has been constant over what methods are actually effective, and what methods need to be retired. Since we are a nation that doesn’t have a national language and requires every child to obtain an education, the responsibility to provide one, becomes ours. With more and more immigrants coming from Mexico, the need for a successful bilingual education method is exploding. Educating any student in a language foreign to their own seems ridiculously absurd. One that doesn’t understand the language well can’t obtain anything taught in the foreign language. Although many approaches of bilingual education are used throughout the United States, they all vary in theory and in teaching style. The students have to be thoroughly taught English before joining an English speaking classroom making Immersion the most successful method. During the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s, bilingual education became an issue, making legislation necessary to help resolve the problem that had been affecting students and families so harshly (Lipka n.p). â€Å"In January 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Bilingual Education Act, which incorporated native-language instruction into the curriculum (Lipka).† Although the Bilingual Education Act was signed, the discrimination didn’t stop. A few years it was found in the court case Lau vs. San Francisco School District that the Bilingual Education Act wasn’t being carried out in their school. The law suit represented 1,800 other students; eight-year-old Kenny Lau sued the San Francisco School District over English-only instruction in a school where most students spoke only Chinese. These students couldn’t learn in the English, because none of the students understood English. â€Å"The Supreme Court ruled that schools without special provisions to education language-minority students are not providing equal education and violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Federal government publishes new materials in nearly seventy languages and allocates sixty-eight million dollars for bilingual education† (PBS n.p). After the Supreme Court hearing things still weren’t better for minority speaking students. Help was needed then, and remains the same today. There are many different methods that educators choose to use in their classrooms, although some are controversial. â€Å"The bilingual programs of today are mostly a product of the Bilingual Education Act (Title VII) passed in 1968† (ECS n.p). Some states have mandated laws that enforce a strict bilingual program that is taught in all public schools in their state, while others aren’t as strict. Some states need the programs more than others. According to ProEnglish, â€Å"15 states account for 94% of students who speak languages other than English in their home.† Therefore, we know that in these fifteen states we must teach English efficiently. These students all speak a native language in their homes, so on the contrary to some beliefs, these students are not easily going to pick up on a native language. Today we know more about educating students of a minority language then we did in the past, but we are still struggling with it today. Some people even believe we should completely throw bilingual education out. If that happens, there wouldn’t be opportunity for those native speaking students. We would have much larger number of non-English speaking Americans, and a lot more citizens that couldn’t find jobs. Lastly, it would be breaking the Civil Rights Laws. There are countless misconceptions about bilingual education. Some even believe that it’s simply a lost cause, but statistics show other wise. â€Å"In 1990, only three percent of U.S. residents reported speaking English less than well or very well. Only eight-tenths of one percent spoke no English at all (Crawford n.p)†. There are many effective methods to teaching these students. Some argue that if taught the native language, it can’t be transferred to the one learned, while this may be difficult for some, it is possible (Crawford n.p). Students would have an easier time transferring their knowledge from their native language opposed to being taught in a language that isn’t understandable at all. Critics complain about the tax dollars we spend to teach these non-English speaking students, but they also complain about all the minorities that have to live on welfare. Maybe if they were better educated it wouldn’t be quite the case. Critics also believe that bilingual education programs aren’t promoting English, but merely teaching students only in their native language. Most every program in the United States promotes the teaching of English in one form or another. Although, they are not trying to remove ones culture and linguistic heritages, they are just preparing them for success in the public school systems and in the English speaking nation we live in. â€Å"According to one study, school districts reported that 28% of limited English proficiency (LEP) elementary school students receive no native-language instruction. Among those who do, about a third receive more than 75% of their instruction in English; a third receive from 40 to 75% in English; and one third of these receive less than 40% in English (Crawford n.p). Hispanic dropouts continue to remain high. There is multiple factors associated with these statistics, such as; family poverty, English proficiency, some simply never even enrolls in school (NCES n.p). â€Å"In 2005, more than one-fifth (22.4 percent) of Hispanics 16 through 24 years of age were dropouts, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES n.p)†. The Hispanic dropout rate can be lowered with good bilingual education plans for teaching those who can’t speak English. The rate is especially high in Mexican immigrants. â€Å"In fact, the status dropout rate of 44.2 percent for Hispanic 16- through 24-year-olds born outside the 50 states and/or the District of Columbia was more than double the rate of 16.1 percent for Hispanic youths born in the United States (NCES n.p)†. These individuals don’t have the education that is necessary to succeed in the United States, which is not fair according to Civil Rights laws. There are multiple causes for the high dropout rate, but their understanding of the language is a leading cause. So, to be equal to all students, we must provide the same opportunity to native-speaking students. Methods are plentiful to educating students whom don’t speak the dominant language, but most generally only a few methods are currently used in public schools in the United States. First, the submersion method, in a submersion program the native speaking student is placed in the classroom right along with the English speaking students (Queen n.p). Students are expected to learn what the other students are being taught even though they may not fully understand the language. You could basically consider this method a â€Å"sink or swim† type of education. It sounds absurd for one to expect another to learn something in a language they cannot even decipher. This method may not be considered Bilingual Education to some because only one language is being used. Even if this is the case, students are still being educated in a language unfamiliar to them. Students cannot understand something they aren’t familiar with. If they seem they are picking up on the language conversationally, they still may not register thoughts in English to actually learn material that is being taught in the classrooms. This method will not work for most students; native speaking students will continue to fall behind. Eventually students won’t be able to catch up with other students their age. Submersion is therefore, no one way for a student to learn anything. Students that fall behind could potentially add to the high statistics in the high dropout rates. Many schools today have English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, such as the Scott County School district uses today. This is when a non-English speaking student is placed in English speaking classrooms for part of their classes, while for others they go to an ESL classroom. When in the ESL classroom they concentrate on learning English to succeed in their English speaking classes. This method can be very effective if the student’s participate, but if they fall behind there is going to be many hardships catching up. Some students will never catch up to their age group in school and won’t finish their education (Queen n.p). Students in ESL programs aren’t given enough time to learn the language well enough to succeed; therefore the time they spend in English speaking classrooms could be considered useless to some. If they’re not understanding of the language, this seems like a waste of the student’s time. It can also be an imposition to the English speaking students in the classroom. Special time and attention would have to be given to these native-speaking students. That time would then take away from the English-speaking student’s education. Students aren’t actually taking in anything they’re learning, other than picking up on a few English words, then this is a waste of time to not only the teachers that aren’t qualified to teach them, but to the English speaking students in the classroom as well. Minority students must receive intensive instruction, since the drop out rate of non-English speaking students in the public system is so high, measures must be drastic. â€Å"The General Accounting Office reported in February 2001 that out of 70 studies reviewed; only three focused specifically on how long it took students to attain English proficiency. General estimates ranged from four to eight years (ECS n.p).† Therefore we know that learning a foreign language enough to learn isn’t easily done and it isn’t necessarily a speedy process. We have to give intensive instruction, and we must not give up on these students. This method isn’t effective enough though, it takes years to learn English in ESL programs as researchers have found. Being as this method takes so long, there is not time for students to keep up with their classes. Many students will not succeed, and will never accomplish what is required to graduate high school. One of the biggest controversies schools and state legislators are facing is the argument with immersion versus Bilingual Education. The ESL method is used a frequently in the U.S, but many ESL supporters are starting to follow the new immersion trend, because it doesn’t take students as much time to learn English. Immersion method of teaching students are intensively taught English for a period of time, for example one school year. After they have learned English well enough to understand, and to actually have the chance to learn English. They are placed back again in English speaking classes and that’s where they will continue their education. Immersion can stop students from dropping-out and falling behind. Critics argue this is just a loss of time, but with ESL they are in the long run loosing even more time. â€Å"At a leadership meeting a participant decided to speak up, she was an ESL teacher. She said, Research shows that it takes five to seven years for a student to master English well enough to succeed in a mainstream classroom, she said, adding that this finding was only for children who were already proficient in their first language. For kids without good language skills of any kind, it takes 10 years, said the teacher† (Triangle Business Journal N.P). Students that don’t speak well enough English get thrown into English speaking classrooms that they are not ready to be. Upon this happening students continue to fall behind and could be accounted for such high dropout rates in native speaking students, especially in the Hispanic students. Native-speaking students will have a hard time understanding material in English when you present it before they truly understand enough but, if you make sure they understand the English first, teaching them in English is going to be much more effective and that should be a given. Bilingual Education will be effective in different ways for all different students. Any language students learn differently, some like more visual aide, while others like lots of verbal explanation. That being said, there is no difference in teaching students of another language. Every student has similar basic needs, therefore there should be a basic method used everywhere. We can’t expect these students to sink or swim; a good method must be used. Since most of these students don’t have any sort of an English background at home, then educators can’t expect them to receive any help from the home. So, all the English has to come from the school. Since every student is going to learn at their own pace, we must teach them extensively, without doing so understanding English will not come quick enough. Teaching them English isn’t taking them away from any of their native culture; it’s preparing them for success in the United States. Preparing students for success in English educators will be abiding the civil rights law, and offering each student the same education. If parents don’t want their child speaking two languages or learning English, they should take their child to a private school that will only teach their child in their native language. Although, most native-speaking parents want their children to be fluent in English as well as the language they speak at home. There are also so many advantages to being bilingual today. When traveling foreign countries one could commute with others. It also leads to exposure to both cultures, and one will become more culturally diverse. If one wanted to move to another for another country for any different reason they would have an easier time adjusting. The United States today there are many different language being spoke all over, all the time. Employers look for multi-lingual speaking employees so that they can meet everyone’s needs. Places such as the hospital, multi-language speaking employees are essential, because not only do English speaking patients come in, as well a lot of other native-speaking patients. Scott City and surrounding areas there are a lot of Spanish speaking people, whom need the same things English speaking people do. Therefore, offering one who is bilingual on the job is going to help tremendously. Since the United States has no official language, I suppose we can’t expect everyone to speak English. According to ProEnglish, over 30 states have adopted English as their official language. Some federal legislation implicitly standardizes English (Wikipedia n.p). Knowing English could almost be considered essential to survive and succeed in this English speaking country. â€Å"According to the 2000 census, the United states has 215 million that are speaking English. While only 28 million speak Spanish, and next a Chinese language who has about two million speaking in the United States (Wikipedia n.p). This should be enough proof to any educator or legislator that knowing English is essential. If one is bilingual in English and Spanish, then even better. English is most essential to be successful in the United States. There are endless reasons that knowing English in the United States that would be essential to anyone. The United States is the â€Å"land of the free†, so there is not law stating one must speak the most commonly spoken language: English. To be exact about ninety-six percent of Americans speak English (Wikipedia n.p). To be successful, one will want to understand the language. Most colleges in the United States are all taught in English, although you could go to a school speaking your language, the majority will be teaching in English. Students that want to succeed and go to state colleges they’re going to need to understand English. The opportunity is available for all students, but some might have it harder with the different method that’s used in schools across the United States. All methods can work in teaching students; some are just more successful than others. We must educate these native-speaking students so that they have the equal opportunity that English-speaking students do. The need for bilingual education is astronomical; it’s simply what’s right. Students need to learn English to have the same opportunity for success as others. Some might even have more opportunity once they are fluent in more than one language. The point is we need a good program that works efficiently to educate every native-speaking student in the United States. All the methods have their perks, but we need the most effective and efficient program to teach these minority students. The submersion method doesn’t help any student that is struggling with English, they simply sink or swim. The method might be cheaper, but it will not help any student with the need for Bilingual Education. The only advantage some consider is budgeting. The English as a Second Language program defiantly is a step-up from the Submersion program, but it shows many weaknesses as well. The program wastes time with students in English-speaking classrooms, that don’t even understand the language. Although they are being taught English, and have an instructor also teaching in their native language, the teaching of English, simply isn’t intense enough. That’s why Immersion is the best way to educate these minority students that cannot speak English, although they may loose a year of education, they are not going to fall behind anymore than that. When they finish the program, they will be able to understand and speak English. When they are put into English-speaking classrooms they will understand everything being taught. This is what we need for these native students to keep up with the English speaking students. This will minimize minorities’ falling behind; dropout rates, and maximizes English understanding. Immersion is the best way to teach these students, and will in turn help these students succeed to fullest of their potential. Immersion makes Bilingual Education is faster and more successful. When structured English immersion plans were used in California, â€Å"after two years of instruction, students made significant gains in reading and writing in English as well as math, relative to students’ nationwide taking the Stanford 9, most of whom are native English speakers (NCPA n.p)†. This seems proof enough, that immersion is the way to teach our minority students English successfully. Citations: 1. National Center for Educational Statistics. Student Effort and Educational Process.n.d. 2006. 10 April 2009 . 2. Education Commision of the States. n.d. 11 April 2009 . 3. Queen, Robin. Bilingual Education. 2005. 12 April 2009 . 4. Jones, Madison and Renee Bou-Waked. School Choice and Hispanic Dropouts. 12 November 2007. 8 April 2009 . 5. Crawford, James. Ten Common Fallacies about Bilingual Education. November 1998. 7 April 2009 . 6. Hood, John. Immersion vs. bilingual education.†Triangle Business Journal (1997): n.p. 7. Lipka, Sara. The Battle Over Bilingual Education. The Atlantic Online (2002): n.p. 8. PBS. Master Time Line. n.d. 10 April 2009 . 9. ProEnglish. The status of bilingual education in America. n.d. 8 April 2009 . 10. Wikipedia. Languages of the United States. n.d. 9 April 2009. .

Social Issue: Sex Work

Social Issue: Sex Work Sex work is a complex social issue that has historical and current underpinnings. It is perceived and performed differently with regards to different periods that construct it. Various perspectives that pertain to violence used, social perceptions, different ways sex is understood while different factors that shape it are examined. Current and future literature and research consider the way sex work is socially constructed and used as commodity. It is such perceptions that shape the way prostitution is performed and the way it influences society. Through methods employed involving research on literature pertaining to sex work further research has been conducted that unveils pertinent factors that shape sex work and its industry. Perceptions on sex as work in literature Literature on sex work pertains mostly to the nature and consequences that is stimulated by political agenda. It has been influenced to a high degree by feminist perceptions that view sex work as a form of male domination. It is not only exhibition of violence but violence itself. There is no forced or voluntary prostitution that is always coerced in certain way even if there is lack of awareness. The motivation behind prostitution has been explained as the expression of hatred towards female body although empirical studies fail to confirm this. Various publications view prostitution as oppression, violence, impinging human rights (Weitzer p. 212, 2005). Even though violence towards women is found to be less likely committed by customers feminist writing rejects terms that describe sex work as prostitution as politically motivated to enforce lack of choice that is exerted. Rather than prostitutes workers should be called survivors. Some women claim certain economic control they can exert through sex work. The oppressive values of society are part of cultural and legal production as part of marginalization and degradation that leads to its oppressive characteristics (Weitzer, p. 213, 2005). According Weitzer, it is the way prostitution is viewed in legal terms as not entirely legitimate that allows for marginalization and social discrimination. With reduced police protection, oppressive values can be maintained and culturally approved (Weitzer, p. 214, 2005). Research is needed in terms of dynamics of recruitment, socialization, surveillance, exploitation, coercion, and trafficking. Such research would shed light on power relations, types of workers who experience more domination than those who experience less domination (Weitzer, 2005). Perspectives on coercion Violent behaviour is exhibited physically, sexually, through intimidation, psychologically, intensly, infrequently, impulsively, sustainability, planning, rituals, verbally, cognitively, emotionally, linguistically, visually and through representation. Its purpose is to control the victim cognitively, verbally, and their interaction. The consequences can be life long. Its effects are apparent in anger, world-views, future endeavours, self-worth, the ability to deal with success and failure, to grow and develop growth. Violence may have effects that last throughout the entire life while they can also be reproduced when dealing with others. Most frequent perpetrators of violent behaviour are men but women may also exhibit violence under pressure. Males develop attitudes toward violence to exhibit their masculinity in sport, society, and military. Also Western organizations remain predominantly managed by men. Violence can also involve the denial of promise, cancellation of a project, theft, or destruction of something of value (Brewis Linstead p. 22, 2000). Organizational pressure that enforces certain behaviour organized around certain organizing principle so that sentiment, passion, and unpredictability are banished (Brewis Linstead p. 23, 2000). According to Marx and Weber organizations are constructed in such a way as to impose domination, where violence is adopted through authority and command. Sex work definition Prostitution unveils human desire while it can also be part of exploitation of victims. Some views propose feminist views opposing prostitution while others emphasize the importance to improve conditions that influence prostitution including patriarchal masculinity. Moral ethical positions incorporate views that stem from sex education and AIDS prevention programs. Some views reflect complexity of sex work, where those engaged in it may be ethical and moral while breaking social norms. Prostitutes as a diverse group are perceived differently in modernity and differently in post-modernity, where uncertainty, changing culture, lack of predictability leads to the fragmentation of desire as part of counter force to capitalist coercion towards uniformity and control (Brewis Linstead p. 190, 2000). To understand sex work relates to the way sexuality is understood along with masculinity and femininity. According to Foucalt, the Ancient Greeks regarded healthy existence as dependent on the way humans engaged in sex. Through self-mastery, such as that of senses mastery of others could be achieved (Brewis Linstead p. 190, 2000). Sexuality only became important around the eighteenth century. For the Ancients it was the diet that was the main focus of maintaining healthy human existence. The Western culture transformed the way we viewed our bodies, individuality and history. Sexuality changed through different conceptualization and forms in different periods and cultures (Brewis Linstead p. 191, 2000). The male sexual drive has been considered to have been formed through the perception of the male sexual drive as need and drive as part of biology, patriarchal expression of family, where male fidelity is not that important, and where sex is viewed in a permissive way that can incorporate two men and two women (Brewis Linstead p. 191, 2000). Since the late eighteenth century visiting prostitutes was permitted as part of male behaviour. Finding desire and love in different than married relationships was pathological according to Freud who thought that married men engaged in sex with prostitutes as it allowed them to respect their wives better as perverse tendencies were expressed in other contacts (Brewis Linstead p. 192, 2000). Women engaging in prostitution were seen as fallen while also being demonized. Post-modern view of sexuality encompasses the meaning of transaction rather than romance in sexuality while permissive space is established. It is also more than the exercise of p ower, where both parties play equal role. Prostitution reflects transactional nature as part of social consumption, where emotional and moral constraints are rejected. In this way prostitution is part of commodification of relations (Brewis Linstead p. 195, 2000). Current research There are various considerations involving sex work, such as criminal, moral, and legal aspects, including health risks. Other aspects also involve diversity, social determinants, stigma, and social exclusion on life chances. Critical issues that also concern government interest moves from social inclusion and harm reduction aspects. There is need to reduce harm, such as violence against those working in sex industry. The research deals with them more as one dimensional rather than people with lives of various dimensions. There are different regions, different sectors, and different sellers and buyers and various aspects of sex as work or exploitation (Benoit Shaver, 2006). Prostitutes that work on streets have been found to suffer greater exposure than those that work in massage parlours due to drug use. They suffer greater health problems, vein thrombosis, chest infections, hepatitis B and C, anxiety, and depression. Sex workers in sex parlours suffered only half as much as those that worked on streets and had different health needs (Anonymous, 2007). Media has been found to contribute to the construction, reproduction, and social stigmas associated with sex industry. Historical and spatial variability along with examination of roots is important in understanding the way stigmas are socially constructed. Stigmas reproduced in media narratives, where it concentrates on the way individuality is lost (Benoit Shaver, 2006). The complexity of issues involving sex work pertains to the diversity of people that are part of the industry, where different ways of participation and diverse relationships are formed. Various perspectives incorporate prostitution and its exploitative aspect in terms of work, slavery, and freedom. Previous research may have included certain flaws in the way it was conducted through standardization. Social-legal environments may encourage sex work access to resources (Benoit Shaver, 2006). A research in Netherlands showed the level of burnout reached three dimensions involving emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal competence. The reasons given included lack of choice, negative social interactions including violence, and lack of control in interaction with clients. Depersonalization was used to handle interactions with clients and was part of handling negative experiences. High level of emotional stress led to depression, anxiety, and hostility. Depersonalisation is common among sex workers who have to act in a way that is false, transforming feelings, and using personality as an instrument. Indifference and distancing help with handling difficult situations. Depersonalisation is used as part of emotion work (Vanwesenbeeck, 2004). Literature on sex work indicates that victimization and negative social interactions are part of stigma that involves burnout factors. Role-conflict, lack of social support, excess workload, lack of control, insufficient rewards as part of the burnout literature are most important. Literature also claims that there are higher levels of burnout in addition to age factors, duration of sex work, use of drugs, as well as the site of work, nature of interaction and the type of clientele influence also the levels of burnout. Sex workers that engage in window work deal with less affluent clientele but face more risks. Other symptoms involved lack of appetite, sleeplessness, tiredness, palpitations, dizziness, and headaches (Vanwesenbeeck, 2004). In the last year frequent bullying and pestering were experienced. Motives were negative for half of the studied group, and positive only for a quarter. Female indoor sex workers showed similar level of work-related emotional exhaustion to female health care workers, such as nurses. There were higher scores on depersonalization or cynicism than that of nurses and similar to those of patients. They showed a clinical level of cynicism, and the younger women suffered higher depersonalization and less personal competence. The main factors were lack of job autonomy, social support, role conflict, and negative social reactions (Vanwesenbeeck, 2004). Men who purchased sexual services displayed certain sex-buying behaviour. A significantly low proportion of buyers were responsible for violence towards sex workers. They rarely robbed, raped, and murdered sex workers although the research may have also been empirically inadequate (Benoit Shaver, 2006). Strip clubs induced income generating activities through a certain type of atmosphere created. The most attractive part of the job was claimed to be economic benefits. The evidence also showed that it was careful decision rather than coercion that led them to pursue their career choices. Attempts to organize were mostly unsuccessful while competition led to the deterioration of working conditions. Hence through sex wars in Canada, confusion led to distorted judgments although certain concerns were identified (Benoit Shaver, 2006). Coercion in sex industry Prostitution as part of psychological repression is difficult to ascertain as it can stem from ideology or individual features. Desire and need for certain type of experience can stimulate the demand for such an experience (Brewis Linstead p. 196, 2000). Even though prostitution reflects certain imbalance, it is unlikely to disappear along with the disappearance of such imbalance. Freud implicated desire as the desire for the desire of another person rather than the desire of such person only. Such perspective incorporates a symbolic aspect rather than the expression of domination. According to Lyotard, there are two forms of desire, where its central aspect is wish and when it is based on lack and represents coercion. In a similar way to Freud, Lyotard also perceived desire as the outcome of energy that is part of psychic means leading to the expression of energy flow. Along with Deleuze he conceives of postmodern desire as part of sensation rather than signification (Brewis Linstead p. 199, 2000). For Lyotard, through the fragmentation of desire the experience can be intensified along with authorization of existence (Brewis Linstead, p. 203). As emotions become part of pleasure leading to imaginative hedonism expressed through modern consumption. For Baudrillard, modern consumerist society adopted hedonistic morality based on pleasure in place of previous puritan morality (Brewis Linstead p. 208, 2000). Drug use is a way of coping with sex work. Under the influence of drugs, workers can alter their conception of their own self, adopting also a different identity. Hard drugs can also numb the awareness of the act. Through the use of drugs the work itself can be handled better along with better management of safer sex negotiation (Brewis Linstead p. 212, 2000). Another manner of coping involves psychological barrier. For a prostitute, work involves selling herself rather than just the product. Selling skills involves also certain right to the person of the worker during employment in a similar way to gaining control of the body when having sex. Prostitution incorporates the person and the body as opposed to profits that result from certain activities executed by employees although prostitutes receive money for the use of their body in a more real way (Brewis Linstead p. 227, 2000). Some prostitutes experience victimization through the lack of control over their bodies and what is being done to them. They feel anger due to their powerlessness that often can be result of coercion through those who are close to them, such as their boyfriends who are pimps. Threats that drive women on the streets encourage fear, forcing them to follow what they are told (Brewis Linstead p. 228, 2000). According to Vanwesenbeeck (2001), the reasons behind engaging in sex work stemmed from early victimization as part of the literature in the 20th century, where a high number of prostitutes were victims of abuse. Childhood abuse and prostitution were part of coping behaviour as part of stress work while others indicated that stagmatization along with various factors that involve institutionalization, association with pimps, drug abuse, and low employment possibilities led to engaging in prostitution. Childhood sexual abuse and prostitution were also linked through the above factors. Sexual victimization has been connected with prostitution in the Western world. Physical and sexual abuse, difficult family upbringing, and sexual precocity encouraged engaging in sex work. Lack of family attachment in females led to the association with older and a larger number of partners. Also running away would lead to prostitution. Such backgrounds would facilitate engaging in sex work. Sexual victimization during childhood was a higher determinant behind getting into prostitution than running away that was higher even than drug use. In non-Western countries it is economic situation that forces engaging in sex work rather than abuse. In some Taiwanese families the sense of obligation forced certain women to engage in prostitution or debt repayments, lifestyle satisfaction, while fraud or force constituted only a small proportion. There has also been migration as part of prostitution although due to lack of documented research it is difficult to estimate the actual number of those that engage in prostitution in this way (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Economic necessity along with sex work illegality enables traffickers to exploit the situation although there is insufficient data that can provide insights on patterns and exact numbers. Research concerning victimization data on the part of prostitutes indicates that sex work is traumatizing (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Motivating factors Literature pertaining to motives behind seeking sexual activities differ at different time periods. Before 1990, sexual activity was desired because of its variety and freedom to experiment while certain features, such as lack of emotional involvement seemed attractive. There have been less shame, pregnancy fear, more mystery, excitement while also being part of ego-boosting made it attractive. There have also been certain activities involved in such pursuit, such as business trips, army service, wifes pregnancy, or even seeking companionship. The participation of men in prostitution as clients has been viewed more favourably than that of women who have been perceived in a more degrading way than men retaining some of their identity. Although a relatively low proportion of men visiting prostitutes has been noted in Netherlands, the UK, and New Zealand, they tended to represent a diverse group. Literature indicates that in Thailand it is the influence of other men that leads them to buying behaviour, along with the desire for certain sexual acts, and the limited nature of contact. Among German men one distinguishing feature was a higher aggressive behaviour tendency, lower reactive behaviour while being dissatisfied with their lives (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Zimbabwean men tended to exhibit lower achievement, be more impulsive, seeking pleasure, exhibitionism and defensiveness. In Australia clients were less socially effective and sensation seeking while for Dutch men sexual sensation was most desirable among those seeking transsexual and transvestite sex. In New Zealand, relaxation, reluctance to engage in game playing and obligations were behind engaging in commercial sex (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). Sex work perceptions Only a small number of American population perceived prostitution as legal. They included mostly Catholics, men, and Whites. Western feminists attach stigma to sex workers while receiving a paradoxical view due to its different attitude as work. Prostitution is considered to represent certain power exerted by men over women. Prostitution in this way can be part of double standards. Male prostitution received less interests as based on power relations to a lesser extent. In Thailand, sex workers are viewed with acceptance (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). When prostitution is voluntary it is treated with particular criticism as forced prostitution encourages certain exonerating. When occurring without force its ill effects can be justified. It is more common that policies that are part of prostitution are more restrictive to the point of infringing on the rights of sex workers (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). In Netherlands prostitution has been legalized and licensed although leading to the exclusion of migrant workers as legal advantages failed to be realized. Its only advantages seem only to be part of institutional arrangements, such as tax office, immigration, and police. In other countries, such as Germany, where prostitution is legal, it results in low insurance protection in terms of social security or health insurance. Legal status thus fails to guarantee that sex workers rights are protected (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). One of the main factors that inhibits assuring adequate conditions in sex work is their ignorance on the part of the state. As part of structural economic inequalities, improvements in the way sex work is treated are limited. Such improvements as part of social stigma attached are impeded. Through the illegal status and social stigma sex workers are forced to endure the treatment they receive. It is through gender discrimination hence that adequate policies cannot be e ffected (Vanwesenbeeck, 2001). While Lyotard views sex work as an inner expression of certain unfulfilled desires that are manipulated by society itself, Vanwesenbeeck perceives is legal status and socially constructed behaviours responsible for the way prostitution is effected. The lack of acceptance of sex and race that are viewed negatively leads to the lack of acceptance also in the public life. According to Morgan, cited by Sojourner, it is the lack of acceptance of desires and their perception as troublesome that allows for the ability to be controlled. In this way society can impose certain wants and desires, where society accepts certain desires as its own even though they are exerted externally (Sojourner, 1988). Future research According to Weitzer, inadequate findings so far result from the concentration of research on street sex workers where different factors are involved as part of such work. Less research has been conducted in relation to indoor prostitution, male and female clients, transgender workers, and managers. Addressing such perspective can lead to a better view on work experience, power relations involved, gender inequality as part of different types of prostitution. It would also provide a more balanced view than the radical feminist view that is one-dimensional (Weitzer, p. 230). Management of prostitution exercised those who control workers while deriving profit from them. Although pimps most frequently promote prostitution and have almost complete control of their workers their protection is often viewed as inadequate while they themselves engage in rape and assaults. A small minority of sex workers admitted that their pimps offered them protection while engaging most frequently with fighting other pimps and competition. Different practices employed different pimps, in the same way that different establishments treat differently their sex workers (Weitzer, p. 228). Sex at work poses problems pertaining to sexual harassment or gender discrimination. There can be various manners and means employed that can deal with these issues, such as admitting any affairs taking place at work, where consensual agreements are reached and pertinent rules can be specified (Brewis Linstead, 2000). Conclusion There are various factors responsible for the way sex work influences society. Apart from motivating factors that drive participation, different means of coercion transform the way sex work is conducted. Viewed previously as the expression of prohibited desire, prostitution evolved into commodification of such desires. Socially constructed perceptions of sex work at the same time stimulate its participation. Although the radical feminist view perceives sex work as the expression of male domination, there are also other pertinent issues that are part of complex issues as well as relationship, including power relations involved. Sex coercion as part of human trafficking is another outcome of the social dilemma that involves sex work, constituting a serious although insufficiently documented issue. REFERENCES: ANONYMOUS, 2007. Street sex work takes its toll. New Scientist, vol. 194, iss. 2608 BENOIT, C. SHAVER, F., M., 2006. Critical issues and new directions in sex work research. The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology. Vol. 43, iss. 3. BREWIS, J. LINSTEAD, S., 2000. Sex, work and sex work: eroticizing organization. London: Routledge. SOJOURNER, S., 1988. Sex work: prostitution. Off Our Backs, vol., 18, iss. 5. VANWESENBEECK, I., 2001. Another decade of social scientific work on sex work: a review of research 1990-2000. Annual Review of Sex Research, vol., 12 p. 242. VANVESENBEECK, I., 2004. Burnout among female indoor sex workers. Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 34, no 6. WEITZER, R., 2005. New directions in research on prostitution. Crime, Law Social Change, vol. 43, p. 211-235 Available through Springer database.

The Plight of the Black Seminoles Essay examples -- American America H

The Plight of the Black Seminoles Scattered throughout the Southwest and into Northern Mexico, descendants of the Black Seminoles and Maroons are living in this modern world today. Over one hundred years ago, the U.S. government seemed determined to systematically eliminate the Native Americans and manipulate the descendants of the Black slaves. That imperialistic attitude allowed the policies of the U.S. government to treat groups of people with less respect and concern than they treated their livestock. To understand the plight of the Black Seminoles one has to look back in history to slavery days of the Southern states, and at tribal changes of the Florida Natives. At the beginning of the eighteenth century Native Americans from various groups went into Spanish Florida, establishing a new identity as Seminoles (Littlefield 7). The Seminoles broke off from the Creek tribe. The word Seminole means, "one who has camped out from the regular towns," or "runaway" (Markowitz 213)." Black slaves also fled to the open territory of Florida. The Seminoles who owned slaves did not do so in the traditional plantation style of bondage. The Blacks (who were also known as Maroons) were not subordinate to their chiefs (Laurence 30). The distinction between runaway or, slave, blurred and eventually vanished. Blacks who lived among the Seminoles were useful as interpreters because they spoke English, or some other European language, and they soon learned the Seminole Muskogean dialect. The slaves who fled to Florida as adults knew the ways of whites and could often predict behavior of a particular situation. Thus the association between Blacks and Seminoles was one of affection and mutual respect (Laurence 14). Intermarriage inevit... ...ribes, and the unfavorable conditions of the Indian Territory of Oklahoma, but they managed to survive. The fact that they were not completely eradicated and still have descendants living today is a testimony to their tenacity, bravery, and enduring strength of spirit. Works Cited Champagne,Duane.Chronology of Native North American History.Detroit,1994. Laurence,Foster.Negro-Indian Relationships in the Southeast. University of Pennsylvania,1931. Littlefield,Daniel.Africans and Seminoles from Removal to Emancipation.Westport,CT:Greenwood,1977. Markowitz,Harvey."Trail of Tears".American Indians.Pasadena, CA.Salem Press,1995. Mulroy,Kevin.Freedom on the Border.Lubbock,Tx.Texas Tech,1993. Porter,Wiggens,Kenneth.The Black Seminoles.University Press, Florida,1996. Waldman,Carl.Who Was Who in Native American History.New York, NY.Facts On File,1990.

U.s. Foreign Policies :: essays research papers

Speaker: An Iraqi student in the U.S. Crowd: Senators and University professors Situation: Madeline Albright just gave a speech about U.S. foreign policy/ relations Imagine the fear of not knowing how your parents and little sister are doing back home. Imagine the shock of finding out your little sister is dying because there were no medicines available for her treatment. Imagine the sorrow you feel when you go back home and find your hometown in ruins and not anymore as beautiful, modern and safe as it once used to be. Well, I experienced all of that, and still wish that it's only a bad nightmare. Mrs. Albright who was speaking about U.S. foreign policy failed to mention Iraq in her speech. About 5 months ago I saw her on TV in an interview with CNN. The reporter who had just returned from Iraq was describing that a million children were dying (died) due to sanctions imposed on the people of Iraq. He told her: "†¦..that is more children that have died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Do you think its worth it?" Mrs. Albright looked into the camera and replied: " Yes, it is worth it." Let me tell you more about Iraq, because it only gets worse from this point onwards. I believe there is a genocide happening in Iraq. It is a second holocaust. I have read of such bad things in history happening, like the Word Wars and people dropping atomic bombs without even thinking of the ramifications. 2.5 million people have died in Iraq so far, but still sanctions continue. For the last 10 years you wouldn't imagine the kinds of things that aren't being let into the country: heart machines, lung machines, needles, infrastructural parts to build the economy. Even for cancer patients sometimes only some of the medicine will be let in, but not all. It's very strategic what is let in and at what time, because what it does, is, it prolongs life, but doesn't save it. Iraq which before the sanctions had the best medical services in the Arab World, now has to use gasoline to clean they're hospital floors, because detergents aren't allowed into the county due to sanctions. This is how U.S. policy has brought Iraq into such a bad shape. The problem is that even though USA has imposed sanctions and recently even found out that Iraq has no nuclear capabilities they continue to bomb them. U.s. Foreign Policies :: essays research papers Speaker: An Iraqi student in the U.S. Crowd: Senators and University professors Situation: Madeline Albright just gave a speech about U.S. foreign policy/ relations Imagine the fear of not knowing how your parents and little sister are doing back home. Imagine the shock of finding out your little sister is dying because there were no medicines available for her treatment. Imagine the sorrow you feel when you go back home and find your hometown in ruins and not anymore as beautiful, modern and safe as it once used to be. Well, I experienced all of that, and still wish that it's only a bad nightmare. Mrs. Albright who was speaking about U.S. foreign policy failed to mention Iraq in her speech. About 5 months ago I saw her on TV in an interview with CNN. The reporter who had just returned from Iraq was describing that a million children were dying (died) due to sanctions imposed on the people of Iraq. He told her: "†¦..that is more children that have died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Do you think its worth it?" Mrs. Albright looked into the camera and replied: " Yes, it is worth it." Let me tell you more about Iraq, because it only gets worse from this point onwards. I believe there is a genocide happening in Iraq. It is a second holocaust. I have read of such bad things in history happening, like the Word Wars and people dropping atomic bombs without even thinking of the ramifications. 2.5 million people have died in Iraq so far, but still sanctions continue. For the last 10 years you wouldn't imagine the kinds of things that aren't being let into the country: heart machines, lung machines, needles, infrastructural parts to build the economy. Even for cancer patients sometimes only some of the medicine will be let in, but not all. It's very strategic what is let in and at what time, because what it does, is, it prolongs life, but doesn't save it. Iraq which before the sanctions had the best medical services in the Arab World, now has to use gasoline to clean they're hospital floors, because detergents aren't allowed into the county due to sanctions. This is how U.S. policy has brought Iraq into such a bad shape. The problem is that even though USA has imposed sanctions and recently even found out that Iraq has no nuclear capabilities they continue to bomb them.

Eggshell Membrane Reduces Joint Pain Essay

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Design Carmelo Galati, SeeSaw Creative Communications, cgalati@seesawcreative. ca Published Precision nutrition inc. , precisionnutrition. com aBSTRaCT Can Eggshell Membrane Reduce Joint Pain? BaCkGRound While many conventional treatments have been used to remedy chronic joint pain, interest continues to grow in the area of alternative, natural treatments. Eggshell membrane (EM) supplementation is a novel treatment for joint health, and has recently been shown to rapidly and continually improve joint pain in patients with osteoarthritis and joint and connective tissue disorders. The current study aimed to observe the effects of one particular eggshell membrane product (fast joint care+; FJC+) supplementation on chronic joint pain in physically active adults. METhodS Sixty adults (40. 2  ± 10. 2 y; 78. 6  ± 10. 2 kg) experiencing chronic joint pain supplemented daily with either 500mg FJC+ or placebo, over the course of 4 weeks. Participants also completed a weekly exercise protocol designed to challenge their irritated joint. Participants then rated their joint pain immediately, and one day after, this exercise challenge. RESulTS Participants in the FJC+ group reported significantly less joint pain post-exercise following FJC+ supplementation (-16. 13  ± 3. 60) when compared to those in the placebo group (–4. 30  ± 2. 84; p=0. 00171). In addition, during the 4 week study, both groups experienced decreases in next day joint pain (p=0. 0015), although there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0. 05). ConCluSionS In the current study, daily FJC+ supplementation appeared to decrease post-exercise joint pain vs. placebo, although this effect did not persist 24 hours post-exercise. Because eggshell membrane research is in its infancy, further research may be needed to clarify its utility in managing joint pain. 1 Precision Nutrition | www. precisionnutrition. com BaCkGRound Why Study Eggshell Membrane? n the united States, over 20% of adults have reported doctor-diagnosed joint and connective tissue (JCT) disorders; this number has been projected to increase by 40% over the next 25 years [1, 2]. numerous forms of intervention have been used as treatments to improve joint pain. Conventionally, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (nSaids) and analgesics have been used to address joint pain associa ted with JCT disorders; however, their long term use has been associated with diverse and severe side effects including cardiac and gastrointestinal complications [3, 4]. Alternative therapies used to treat joint pain include dietary supplements; the most popular of these supplements being glucosamine, chondroitin and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). While many turn to these complementary treatments to avoid the side effects associated with NSAIDs and analgesics, there is little evidence to support their effectiveness, and the evidence that does exist is equivocal [5]. Several large-scale human clinical trials [6], including the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial, as well as a few additional meta-analyses and reviews [5, 7] have reported limited effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation in reducing joint pain. However, other groups have noted long-term improvements in joint pain from glucosamine supplementation alone [8], and further enhanced effectiveness of combined glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate, rather than the separate use of either supplement [5, 9]. The question of their effectiveness in JCT populations is subject to ongoing debate. There has been growing interest in eggshell membrane (EM) supplementation as a treatment for joint pain, as it does not present the side effects of conventional treatments (NSAIDs). Eggshells and their membranes have been extensively analyzed 2 Eggshell Membrane Reduces Joint Pain for their components: the separate layers of the eggshell have been analyzed and found to contain several types of collagen (types X, I, V) [10-12]. Additionally, EM has been found to have notably high concentrations of a number of amino acids [13], collagenlike proteins [14-16], enzymes [17-19] and glycosminoglycans (GAGs). Glycosaminoglycans are of high interest, as they play key roles in connective tissue [20]. Glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and chondritin sulfate are important GAGs in EM (21, 22). With the high protein and enzyme content, and naturally occurring GAGs in EM, scientists and nutritional supplement companies have speculated that it could present a viable alternative to traditional joint disorder and osteoarthritis treatments. Additionally, while the aforementioned elements of EM have been detected, it should be noted that membrane components have not yet been wholly characterized; there are likely a number of compounds that have yet to be identified in the membrane. Some of these yet undetected elements may contribute to benefits or improvements seen in joint health. To date, very few studies have investigated the effects of EM supplementation on joint pain and range of motion. In rats, 4 weeks of EM treatment led to significant reductions in many proinflammatory cytokines (measured in plasma), notably including TNF-? nd IL-1 [23]. Two recent clinical reports [24, 25] investigated the timing and effectiveness of EM supplementation in JCT and osteoarthritis patients experiencing severe pain and limited range of motion. These patients received daily 500mg doses of oral EM for four to eight weeks. Rapid (seven to ten days) and continuous effects were seen in terms of reduced pain and stiffness, as well as im proved flexibility. In both investigations, there were no reports of adverse effects with supplementation. In the present study, we set out to observe the effects of EM (fast joint care+; FJC+) supplementation on joint pain within a physically active adult population experiencing chronic joint pain in one of four joints (ankle, knee, shoulder or elbow). As many adults use exercise to manage joint and connective tissue disorders, this population would likely see great benefit from adjunct therapies designed to reduce pain and increase range of motion. 3 Precision Nutrition | www. precisionnutrition. com METhodS What We Did. And How We Did It. Prior to commencing the study, all participants gave their informed consent. A total of 60 adults between the ages of 18 and 70 (45 men and 15 women; 40. 2  ± 10. 2 y; 78. 6  ± 10. 2 kg; see Table 1) agreed to participate. Each reported chronic pain in one of the following joints: elbow, shoulder, ankle or knee. Participants were recruited online through a popular health and fitness community and data were collected through self reports in a distance-based capacity. Participants were also prescreened to exclude those who had used any additional medications (methotrexate or immunosuppressants), NSAIDs, analgesics, or joint supplements (MSM, glucosamine or chondroitin) two weeks prior to the start of the study. Those with egg allergies, or who were pregnant or breastfeeding, were also excluded. Participants were asked to refrain from use of pain medications throughout the study period. TaBlE 1. dEMoGRaPhiCS of BoTh SuPPlEMEnT and PlaCEBo GRouPS GRouP MalES fEMalES aGE (yRS) WEiGhT (kG) knEE loCaTion of Join Pain ShouldER ElBoW anklE Supplement Placebo 23 22 7 8 41. 0 +/- 10. 0 39. 4 +/- 10. 5 78. 6 +/- 10. 4 78. 6 +/- 10. 1 12 13 10 10 6 5 2 2 Sex, age, weight, and reported joint pain area are shown for each group. In order to participate, individuals had to be exercising regularly, at least three times per week. They were screened for their regular physical activity (reported 4. 8  ± 1. 1 exercise sessions/wk), and asked to ensure that both their exercise and nutritional regimens remained unchanged over the course of the study. After matching for age, sex, and affected joint, participants (n=60) were randomly assigned to receive either the EM supplement (fast joint care+; FJC+), or a placebo supplement for 4 weeks. These groups did not differ significantly in terms of age or weight, contained similar numbers of men and women, and contained similar numbers of individuals with shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle pain (see Table 1). All supplements were provided to subjects in identically marked containers, and all capsules (placebo and FJC+) were identical in appearance (color, flavor, size). All participants were instructed to take their â€Å"supplement† once per day, at the same time of day (i. e. first thing in the morning, with breakfast). 4 Eggshell Membrane Reduces Joint Pain Each capsule of the FJC+ supplement contained 500mg of Gallus gallus (chicken) eggshell membrane extract (a commercial preparation sold as fast joint care+ by Genuine Health, Toronto, Ontario); additional non-medical ingredients included rice flour, magnesium stearate, gelatin, and water. The color and flavor matched placebo capsules contained only rice flour, magnesium stearate, gelatin, and water. The individual components of FJC+ were not quantified in the supplement as the product is intended to be used as a complete eggshell membrane extract, without additional ingredients (ie. additional glucosamine, chondroitin, etc. . In addition to their normal exercise program, participants were asked to complete an additional exercise challenge once per week. This exercise challenge was to be completed on the same day of each week (Monday) and at the same time of day (in the morning, after supplementation and breakfast). The exercise challenge for those with chronic shoulder or elbow pain consisted of pushups. For those with chronic knee or ankle pain, the exercise challenge consisted of jump squats. Each of these sessions involved performing 10 sets of 5 repetitions of the given movement, with 2 minutes of rest between sets. Immediately after each exercise challenge session, participants rated their specific joint pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at two time points: within 10 minutes of completing the challenge and 24 hours following the challenge. Compliance to the exercise programming and supplementation schedule was self-reported and logged by participants; those logs were provided to researchers weekly via email. Subjects were also asked to report any side effects during the trial. Joint pain was assessed using a 100mm visual analog scale (VAS), and participants submitted this information via electronic form. A self-assessment was performed at the two time points (post-exercise, and next day after exercise) for each of the 4 weeks. Each subject was asked to â€Å"click on the line below to indicate how severe the pain is on the affected joint with 0 being no pain and 100 being pain as bad as it can be†. Responses were submitted electronically on a weekly basis, after each pair of assessments. VAS scores were then measured in millimeters from the left hand end of the scale to the point marked by the subject. Data were collected across the 4 weeks of supplementation, and analyzed using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (i. . MANOVA). In cases of significant interactions (p? 0. 05) post-hoc analysis was performed using Student’s t-test for comparison between groups, and paired t-test for comparison within groups (JMP, SAS Institute Inc. , Cary, NC). The VAS ratings were reported on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 indicating no pain, and 100 representing greatest pain. Where ap propriate, change scores were examined after adjusting absolute scores and then comparing between groups with a one-way analysis. All values are reported as mean  ± SEM, and statistical significance was set at p? 0. 5. To summarize the protocol in brief: During week 1 of the investigation, subjects took their first 500mg dose of FJC+ with breakfast on Monday. After breakfast they immediately performed their first exercise challenge and then rated their joint pain using the VAS described above. In addition, they rated their joint pain on Tuesday, 24h later. During each subsequent week, subjects repeated the same protocol, providing 4 weeks’ worth of joint pain data, with week 1 serving as a baseline. 5 Precision Nutrition | www. precisionnutrition. com RESulTS So What Happened? Following 4 weeks of supplementation, participants in the FJC+ group had a significantly greater decrease in post-exercise joint pain compared to participants in the placebo group (-16. 13  ± 3. 60 in the FJC+ group and –4. 30  ± 2. 84 in the placebo group; p=0. 0171; see Figure 1). Figure 2 illustrates changes in joint pain between groups across the 4 weeks of supplementation: main effects were found for both time (p=0. 0003) and the interaction between group and time (p=0. 0354). 0 Change in Joint Pain Index (VAS) -5 Placebo FJC+ -10 -15 -20 * -25 Figure 1. Mean change in joint pain (measured with VAS) following 4 weeks of supplementation. Participants in the FJC+ group experienced significantly larger decreases in post-exercise joint pain compared to participants in placebo group (p=0. 0171). Note: absolute scores were adjusted into change scores, which were then compared between groups using a one-way analysis. 6 Eggshell Membrane Reduces Joint Pain 50 Joint Pain Index (VAS) 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 Weeks 3 4 FJC+ Placebo * Figure 2. Post-exercise joint pain (measured with VAS) across 4 weeks of supplementation. There was a main effect for time (p=0. 0003), and an interaction between time and group (p=0. 354), indicating greater joint pain decreases in the FJC+ group (-43. 4%) than the placebo group (-30. 6%). Post-hoc analysis showed between group differences from week 1 to week 4 (p=0. 0171). Note: higher VAS values indicate more pain. In accordance with Figure 1, post-exercise joint pain in the FJC+ group decreased by 43. 4% while the placebo group experienced a 30. 6% decrease in pain over the 4 week period. Post-hoc analysis shows a mean difference between groups when comparing overall change in pain from week 1 to week 4 (p=0. 0171). Next day reports of joint pain also decreased over time (p=0. 015; see Figure 3) with next day joint pain decreasing by 46. 7% in the FJC+ group (from 35. 34  ± 4. 33 during week 1 to 18. 82  ± 4. 38 during week 4) and by 40. 9% in the placebo group (from 26. 38  ± 4. 58 during week 1 to 15. 59  ± 4. 01 during week 4). There were no significant differences between the groups’ joint pain scores across the 4 weeks of supplementation (p=0. 1971 for group and time interaction). 7 Precision Nutrition | www. precisionnutrition. com 50 Joint Pain Index (VAS) 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 Weeks 3 4 FJC+ Placebo Figure 3. Next day joint pain (m easured with VAS) across 4 weeks of supplementation. A main effect was seen for time (p=0. 0015). However, there were no significant differences between groups across the 4 weeks (p>0. 05), indicating similar joint pain decreases in both the FJC+ group (-46. 7%) and the placebo group (-40. 9%). Note: higher VAS values indicate more pain. Participants in both placebo and FJC+ supplementation groups did not report any side effects during the study. 8 Eggshell Membrane Reduces Joint Pain diSCuSSion Some Clarifications About Our Work The results of this investigation suggest that four weeks of supplementation with 500mg fJC+ daily improves post-exercise joint pain vs. upplementation with placebo, specifically in physically active adults experiencing pain in the ankles, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Other investigations using EM supplementation have observed similar reductions in joint pain, specifically in populations with osteoarthritis and JCT disorders. In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, daily oral administrat ion of either 500mg placebo or 500mg EM was given to patients with knee osteoarthritis [24]. After 10 days, rapid improvements in both joint pain and stiffness were seen in the EM group. Improvements in pain and stiffness were sustained (and enhanced) following 60 days of administration. A similar study with JCT patients [25] also observed both rapid (7 days) and sustained (30 days) improvements in pain and flexibility following daily administration of 500mg EM. There were no adverse events reported in either study, and the treatments appeared to be well tolerated by the patients. These statistically and clinically significant outcomes suggest that EM supplementation may be a natural and effective alternative therapy for both clinical populations with limited activity levels as well as physically active populations. Many of the various components present in EM have been thoroughly analyzed. Eggshells consist of a number of layers: an inner and outer membrane, a mammillary layer (connecting the eggshell and outer membrane), an outer palisade layer, and an outer cuticle covering the eggshell [10]. The inner and outer shell membranes are the first layers of extracellular matrix covering the egg itself [11]; the outer membrane is predominantly made of type I collagen, whereas the inner membrane consists mainly of type V collagen [12]. In addition, type X collagen has been reported to occur in both of these membrane structures [10]. EM amino acid profiles have also shown high concentrations of arginine, glutamic acid, histidine, cystine and proline [13]. Additionally, a number of collagen-like proteins (including hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine, desmosine, and isodesmosine) are primary structural components of the membranes. 9 Precision Nutrition | www. precisionnutrition. com Other components have been quantified in EM including: lysyl oxidase (reported to play a role in the development and repair of connective tissue), ovotransferrin, and lysozyme [17-19]. However, the presence of glycosaminoglycans in EM is of particular interest. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as glucosamine, are composed of repeating hexosamine disasccharides and act as major components of connective tissue [20]. Clearly, there are a number of individual components present in the EM that have known physiological roles in joint and connective tissue; however, EM is novel in that it is a natural extract that provides a combined source of these compounds. The absolute quantity of each component in the EM is not known, and those quantities may likely vary with each extraction in the supplement production process. Additionally, it is plausible that a number of yet unisolated elements, proteins, and enzymes exist in EM, which may also contribute to improved joint and connective tissue health. Therefore, the observed benefits associated with EM supplementation may not be directly attributable to any one specific component of the supplement (ie. lucosamine, chondroitin, etc. ); it may be more appropriate to assume that the combined effects of the known—and unknown—components of EM contribute to the observed improvements in joint health. A number of individual components in EM are known to have important roles in maintaining connective tissue in vivo, though the physiological mechanisms by which those components improve overall joint health through supplementation (flexibility, connective tissue repair and maintenance) have no t been measured in humans. One experiment, however, investigated the effects of EM supplementation on systemic pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in rats [23]. In this study, rats were given oral doses of EM for 7 days. Significant decreases were observed in plasma levels of numerous inflammatory antigens following supplementation; thus, it is possible that the anti-inflammatory effects of oral EM supplements may contribute to the improvements in joint pain ratings seen in human trials. More research is warranted to investigate these effects. Interestingly, the most pronounced effects of FJC+ supplementation in this study were present in post-exercise ratings of joint pain. This may be due to the proposed anti-inflammatory benefits associated with EM. If the exercise challenge used in this investigation led to acute joint inflammation, it stands to reason that the most pronounced impact of EM would be to reduce the pain associated with this postexercise increase in inflammation.