Health Promotion Model Essay

The Health Promotion Model (HPM), designed by Nola J. Pender, describes the multidimensional nature of persons as they interact within their environment to pursue health while increasing their level of well-being. Pender offers a theory that places importance on behaviors that improve health through a lifetime. The HPM offers insight into how influencing factors experienced by an individual and their interactions with the environment affect the pursuit of health. HPM remains applicable as health promotion and illness prevention continue to be as important as the treatment of disease. Health is an active state in which constant efforts are made by the individual, in their environment, to achieve and maintain health. The patient has a distinct set of factors influencing their actions to attain health. The success of the HPM is based on the assumption that an individual is willing and able to play an active role through health promoting behavior (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). Internal evaluation and analysis of the theory Identify assumptions, both explicit and implicit. Assumptions are statements that are understood to be true without proof or demonstration. They are beliefs about phenomena one accepts as true. Pender’s assumptions of the Health Promotion Model are explicit and testable. Explicit assumptions are statements that are clearly defined and eliminate (remove any) ambiguity. Due to the explicit nature, this model has been used as the basis of many research studies, both nursing and non-nursing. The explicit assumptions of Pender’s theory include: 1) Persons seek to create conditions of living through which they can express their unique human health potential. 2) Persons have the capacity for reflective self-awareness, including assessment of their own competencies. ) Persons value growth in directions viewed as positive and attempt to achieve a personally acceptable balance between change and stability. 4) Individuals seek to actively regulate their own behavior. 5) Individuals in all their biopsychosocial complexity interact with the environment, progressively transforming the environment and being transformed over time. 6) Health professionals constitute a part of the interpersonal environment, which exerts influence on persons throughout their life spans. 7) Self-initiated reconfiguration of person-environment interactive patterns is essential to behavior change (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). How does the theorist define the four concepts of the paradigm of nursing? These concepts are: Nursing, Environment, Person and Health. Most theorists have defined these concepts differently. While the HPM focuses on health promotion and offers many holistic approaches to understanding health, the four major concepts of the nursing paradigm are not defined by Pender. The model helps nurses plan and implement health-promoting changes. It takes into consideration the multidimensional nature of persons as they interact within their environment to pursue health while increasing their level of well-being. How does the theorist define and inter-relate major concepts of their own theory? While health promoting behaviors are the desired outcome of the model, Pender identifies relationships between concepts. The model links the major concepts under three headings: individual characteristics and experiences, behavior-specific cognitions and affect, and behavioral outcome. Individual characteristics, which include prior related behaviors and personal factors, are the best predictors of future behavior. Individual characteristics affect behavior specific cognitions and affect. The behavior specific cognitions and affect are listed by Pender as the following: Perceived benefits barriers, self-efficacy, activity related affect, interpersonal influences, situational influences, commitment to plan of action, and immediate competing demands and preferences. Behavior specific cognitions and affect are most amenable to be changed by intervention, which makes them the core for nursing intervention in the HBM. Both individual characteristics, experiences, behavior specific cognitions, and affect have direct effects on the behavioral outcome (George, 2010). Identify propositional statements Pender developed fourteen theoretical assertions or propositional statements for The Health Promotion Model. These statements demonstrate how the biopsychosocial processes motivate individuals to engage in behaviors directed towards the enhancement of health (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). The theoretical assertions or statements are the following: 1) Prior behavior, as well as inherited and acquired characteristics, influence beliefs, affect, and enactment of health-promoting behavior. 2) Persons commit to engaging in behaviors from which they anticipate deriving personally valued benefits. ) Perceived barriers can constrain the commitment to action, the mediator of behavior, and the actual behavior. 4) Perceived competence or self-efficacy to execute a given behavior increases the likelihood of commitment to action and actual performance of behavior. 5) Greater perceived self-efficacy results in fewer perceived barriers to specific health behavior. 6) Positive affect toward a behavior results in greater perceived self-efficacy, which, in turn, can result in increased positive affect. 7) When positive emotions or affect are associated with a behavior, the probability of commitment and action is increased. ) Persons are more likely to commit to and engage in health-promoting behaviors when significant others model the behavior, expect the behavior to occur, and provide assistance and support to enable the behavior. 9) Families, peers, and healthcare providers are important sources of interpersonal influences that can increase or decrease commitment to and engagement in health-promoting behavior. 10) Situational influences in the external environment can increase or decrease commitment to or participation in health-promoting behavior. 1) The greater the commitment to a specific plan of action, the more likely health-promoting behaviors will be maintained over time. 12) Commitment to a plan of action is less likely to result in the desired behavior when competing demands over which persons have little control require immediate attention. 13) Commitment to a plan of action is less likely to result in the desired behavior when other actions are more attractive and thus preferred over the target behavior. 14) Persons can modify cognitions, affect, and the interpersonal and physical environments to create incentives for health actions (Alligood & Tomey, 2010). Analyze consistency of the theory Consistency (logical form) refers to systematic development and structural clarity. Definitions of concepts should be consistent across the theory and relationships across concepts clearly identified. Is the theory logical? The model’s conceptual diagram and its variables are easy to understand. The theory is logical because there are many relationships between each concept, many of them both directly and indirectly affecting the ultimate endpoint of health promoting behavior. Comment on the adequacy, simplicity and generality of the theory. Adequacy is a term that refers to how the theory is accepted by the nursing community. Is it applicable to practice? Does this theory explain nursing? The Health Promotion Model is applicable to nursing and accepted by the nursing community due to the use of the nursing process. The nursing process is a goal-oriented method of caring that provides a framework to nursing care. It involves five major interconnected cyclic steps: assessment, diagnosis, evaluation, planning, and implementation. The most important steps of the nursing process as it relates to this model involve the implementation and evaluation phases. Although assessment, diagnosis and planning phases are important to the development of the HPM, they are not directly reflected in the model. Implementation can be found throughout the entire model through the use of the characteristics, experiences, cognitions, and affect information to identify how to support the commitment to a plan of action and how to encourage the client to seek to avoid competing demands and not become entangled by competing preferences. Evaluation is based upon the performance of the target health-promoting behavior (George, 2010). Simplicity refers to having few concepts and simple relationships. Complex theory would have many concepts and multiple relationships. Pender’s concepts are simple and easily understood. The concepts can be logically applied to any situation in which a client aspires to change health related behaviors and those environmental influences to support this change. Flexibility of the model allows for identification of the most important variables in relation to a selected health behavior. Generality refers to the scope of concepts and goals. The more limited the concepts and goals, the less general the theory. The more general the theory, the greater the applications. Generalizability of a model centers on assessing its applicability to other situations or phenomena. This model focuses on evaluating the individual but is not easily generalizable to groups or community populations. It can be applied to different settings and is not limited to specific cultures as it allows for the diversity of the individual. Type of theory refers to: Grand theory, Middle range or Micro theory, Philosophy. The Health Promotion Model is considered a middle range theory. It has been formulated through induction by the use of existing research to form a pattern of knowledge about health behavior. Middle range theories commonly are generated through this approach. These theories are more precise, with a focus on answering specific nursing practice questions. External evaluation and analysis Relationship of theory to practice The intent of the model is to provide guidance to nurses when identifying how to be most supportive to a patient when planning and implementing health related change. It takes into consideration that individuals are unique, and their life experiences and personal characteristics influence health behavior changes. With the ability to consider all of these variables, this model acts as an appropriate tool for promoting positive health related behaviors. It has strength of use in practice because looking at all variables provides a more complete picture of the client. This completeness in turn should enhance the possibility of positive outcomes (George, 2010). One study read for this assignment proposed the need for health promotion and disease prevention for family caregivers of post-stroke patients in Taiwan. Formal health care and social service resources for post-stroke care in Taiwan are limited. Patients are cared for at home with family members as the primary sources of care. The Health Promotion Model provides a framework for a modified model in this study, which in turn facilitates examining the relationship between and among caregiver’s personal factors, the care recipient’s functional status, the caregiver’s perceived self-efficacy, social support, reactions to caregiving, and health promotion behaviors in family caregivers of community dwelling stroke patients in Taiwan. Nurses often neglect incorporating social support into teaching of family members. Social support is an important aspect for caregivers because the caregivers need as much support as possible from others. Nurses can refer these caregivers to, and even establish, community training programs and support groups for family caregivers. The findings of this study indicated the need to follow up with caregivers and referring them to the appropriate health care services where necessary (Tang and Chen, 2002). ? Relationship of theory to education This model and its variables provide a tool for successfully incorporating health education into practice. The variables can be modified through nursing actions, which facilitates ease of adopting health-related behavioral change and is more realistic because it takes into account a client’s behaviors and preferences. This allows the nurse to develop a unique care plan that takes these behaviors into account. Nurses are in a position to influence healthy behaviors and incorporate them into patient teaching. A recent study using Pender’s Health Promotion Theory as the framework focused on the relationship between nurses’ beliefs regarding the benefits of exercise, their exercise behavior and their recommendation of exercise for health promotion or as part of a treatment plan. Beliefs of the benefits of exercise were measured using the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS). The beliefs of benefits were determined using the EBBS benefits subscale score, with a higher score reflecting the individual’s feelings of stronger positive benefits of exercise. Results showed positive correlations between exercise benefits, physical activity and recommendation of exercise to patients. Nurses who believe in health promotion and embrace healthy behaviors are more likely to be positive role models and teach healthy behaviors to their patients (Esposito and Fitzpatrick, 2011). We believe that nurses have a professional responsibility to provide the best care for their patients, and are in the position to be role models. Nurses spend the most time with patients and, as a result, impact patient health by teaching healthy behaviors and health promotion. Relationship of theory to research Pender revised and based the Health Promotion Model on her previous research studies identifying factors involving studies of how individuals make decisions about their own health care in a nursing context. This model has served as a framework for research intending to demonstrate desirability for clients to seek behavior change and possibly changing the environment to support healthy behavior (George, 2010). Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used, with descriptive studies being most common. One example of using the theory in research is as follows. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model was the framework for a non-experimental, quality assurance study using descriptive retrospective chart review in rural family practice clinic in the southern United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate smoking cessation intervention by primary care providers for patients who smoke with a known history of CAD.

After Twenty Years Essay

â€Å"After Twenty Years† by O. Henry, is a great story. It is about two men who are great friends; they schedule a meeting so they can meet after twenty years, hence the title of the story. This story illustrates that people change but that does not necessarily mean in a good way! I had many friends when i changed schools and none of the friends i had changed in a good way, they now smoke and dress inappropriately. â€Å"After Twenty Years† really grabs the reader’s attention and O. Henry made a surprise ending that caused the story to end with a BANG! it truly was an amazing story. Bob and Jimmy were great friends and scheduled an appointment to meet after twenty years in front of an old restaurant. BY the time the day comes, the restaurant is now a shop. Bob was waiting in front of the locked doors that night when a cop approaches him and right away, Bob explains why he is there to assure the cop its okay for him to be there. To me, it seems a little suspicious to explain right away. The cop listens and planned to stay. Then he lights a cigar and the cop got glimpse of his face. After hearing the story he walks away. Twenty minutes later, JImmy shows up. They go walking and talk about how Bob is wealthy and that he lives out West. Jimmy listens for a bout ten minutes then Bob notices his nose. â€Å"Twenty years is a long time but not long enough to change a Roman into a Pug.† He explains concerned. Then the under cover cop explains and hands him a note. The note said, Bob, I was at the appointed place on time. when you lit the cigar i saw the face of a man wanted in Chicago, i knew i couldn’t arrest you myself so i sent and under cover officer, Jimmy. The ending really surprised me and it was a good story. My friends may have never robbed anything from the West but they were bad. Do you have anyone who changed? Perhaps yourself?

Business proposal for Papadeaux

Pudenda is a successful upscale casual restaurant concept with a loyal following. But no restaurant is immune to the highly competitive climate of the industry. Recent studies have shown the upscale casual segment losing market share to both fast and traditional casual restaurants. They also show that consumers find value in upscale casual dining by weighing the food quality and the overall experience against the relatively higher price (Techno, Inc. 2013). We analyzed customer reviews to discern what Pederasty's guests are responding to In terms of value. Based on this analysis, customers respond overwhelmingly positively to food quality, and food quality Is the most critical factor In their value calculation. Price Is still an issue, even those delighted by food quality comment on high prices. Customer comments also suggest that portion sizes may be overly large, and that the investment in large portions is out of step with its importance to the guests.Pudenda may benefit from feat uring new menu items with reduced portion and price. Such offerings at other restaurants have led to increased traffic, revenue, and per person average (APP) (Jennings 2008). . Industry background Casual dining has grown over the last thirty years along with tremendous growth in American's restaurant spending. Half of every food dollar In this country is spent in restaurants, which Is double the spending level In the ass's (Pocket Fastback, 2013). The recession has made a competitive Industry even more competitive.A recent Techno survey on casual dining revealed a three tiered system divided Into fast casual, traditional casual, and upscale casual, with consumers trading up and down between these levels based on their needs and perceptions of value. 5% of those surveyed reported visiting a fast casual restaurant in the past month, 80% had visited a traditional casual restaurant, and 40% reported eating at an upscale casual restaurant. 41% of those surveyed reported finding value in upscale casual when weighing food quality and overall experience against the relatively higher price (Techno, Inc. 2013). The issue for operators in upscale casual is getting consumers to trade up, and to trade up more frequently. 3. Pudenda Seafood Kitchen Pappas Restaurants began In 1 966, when brothers Chris and Harris Pappas opened Dot's Coffee Shop In Houston. Today they operate over eighty restaurants across an array of concepts Including BBC, Tex-Meg, and fine dining. All Pappas restaurants are guided by the Standards of Excellence: Providing superior quality food, providing Kitchen, founded in 1986, is an upscale casual dining restaurant featuring gulf coast seafood and Cajun dishes.It has become the company's largest concept, and is set to absorb Pappas Seafood House, the company's first upscale casual seafood concept, growing its size in the Houston area by five stores. 4. Review Analysis 4. 1 . Methodology One of the most influential ways information is transmitted is wor d-of-mouth (Manikin & Goods, 2002). Word-of-month has an effect on not only potential customers, but also the satisfaction level of current guests. One of the most powerful methods to generate word-of-mouth is online customer review (Dollars, 2003). A total of 441 postings from Yelp. Mom made between September 2012 and September 2013 for all Pudenda locations, were reviewed for this analysis. Chin et al. (2004) found that recommendations have a positive relationship with sales, while consumer ratings were shown to be unrelated. Therefore our analysis focused on content rather than ratings. Content was divided into four main categories: food, service, value and environment/atmosphere. Each of these was further divided into subcategories, which were then coded positive or negative based on comment content. 4. 2. Food Food was the most commented on of the major categories.As displayed in Figure 2, the response to food quality was overwhelmingly positive. Comments such as, â€Å"the co cktail shrimp is well seasoned and super fresh,† â€Å"Just about everything on the menu is delicious,† and â€Å"the crayfish fondue is amazing as well as everything on the menu,† indicate that the customers are not only satisfied but also highly delighted. There were more positive comments on food than comments in any of the other categories. 4. 3. Service Restaurants always receive both positive and negative comments and Pudenda is not an exception.A calculation of the number of positive and negative comments on service, however, shows customers are mostly satisfied by the service. Over 75 percent of comments are positive (see Figure 3). Based on the graph and actual comments, we concluded that the gap between expectation and service delivery is mall in Pudenda case. 4. 4. Environment When commenting on environment and atmosphere, guests tended to be less specific when they were positive. Negative comments focused on noise level, crowding complaints, and wait time.The number of these complaints is relatively high compared with the number of positive comments (see Figure 4). This suggests that the atmosphere of Pudenda is more crowded and noisy than guests expect. 4. 5. Value determined by factors such as price and food quality. As seen in Figure 5, roughly half of all comments in this category stated that Pudenda is expensive. Only 37% recent of comments relate that the price is worth the overall experience, however, the percentage of comments stating that the experience is â€Å"not worth it† is much lower.While the latter two categories are mutually exclusive, significant overlap exists between both and the former category. This suggests that while guests' subjective view of value is affected by the service delivery, their objective view of price is left unaltered. 5. SOOT Analysis 5. 1 . Strengths Pederasty's greatest strength is consistently providing high quality food and service. Doing so is a stated goal of the company, and guest reviews confirm that Pudenda succeeds in following through on that goal. This achievement has garnered the concept a strong reputation.Many reviewers mentioned being repeat customers, or called the experience, â€Å"excellent as always. † This again speaks for the consistency many strive for in this industry, but few are able to attain. 5. 2. Weaknesses Pederasty's main competitive weakness is it's comparatively high prices. Providing high quality food requires an investment in quality products and labor. Seafood is often associated with high costs, because freshness is key to its quality. Additionally, he review analysis found complaints about the atmosphere.Its prices are more similar to lower end fine dining restaurants than its casual dining peers. Pudenda' more family friendly atmosphere may be at odds with what some expect from the environment when they look at the menu prices. 5. 3. Opportunities Despite high prices, Pudenda receives higher average ratings than its competitors. Its greatest opportunity lies in leveraging its high quality against competitors. Strategies that focus on attracting new customers to trade up from lower priced competitors so that they can experience the difference in quality may rove successful.Based on the high rating and positive comments from the Albuquerque and Phoenix locations, further expansion in the Southwest may be worthwhile. 5. 4. Threats Pederasty's faces threats from lower priced competitors. High price is a major component leading consumers to dine at upscale casual restaurants less frequently. Large competitors in this group, like Red Lobster, use nationwide promotions offering greater value to increase traffic at their stores. More similarly priced restaurants tend to have a different market focus, and provide a more elegant and less family oriented atmosphere. Guest Perception of Value Figure 6 GAP Analysis A GAP analysis revealed that there was little mismatch between guest expectations and per ceptions. The only area for concern was the atmosphere. As stated, complaints in this category were relatively high in proportion to positive comments, suggested the atmosphere is louder and more crowded than many guests expect. Relation to value based comments than any type of complaint about atmosphere. Further, price is important factor driving consumers to trade down in the casual dining spectrum. As recommendations are related to sales, comments about price would be taken seriously.While reviews indicate that guests are satisfied, these may not be enough. Oh (2000) found that customers' perceived value has a greater effect on their intention to return, and, more importantly has a greater effect on their long term patronage. In order to further analyze guests' perception of value, we returned to online customer reviews. This time, we focused our research on the Houston area locations. Houston was selected because it has more locations than any other area, and, as the place of it s founding, the area has the greatest familiarity with both Pudenda and the Pappas brand.We analyzed reviews from both Yelp. Com and Trip Advisor from the same time period, September 2012 through September 2013, a total of 490. Two methods were employed. First, the same coding method as before was used to compare against the early data in order to check for differences. Second, quotes relating to value were pulled from the reviews in order to better understand the range of guest attitudes and determine possible trends. The data from the content analysis was similar to what we saw previously. Roughly half of all value related comments referenced high prices.No new issues turned up in any of the other disagrees, so we proceeded to review quotes pulled from the article. 6. 1 . General Perceptions Guests tended to have a favorable impression of value while also acknowledging the high price, for example, â€Å"Pudenda is a little pricey but very good,† â€Å"The price is not low but it is worth the price for good food and service,† and â€Å"The prices are high but the food is excellent. † These responses are in line with the results from the Techno survey (2013) discussed earlier.It is important to note that over 70% of these quotes specifically mentioned food quality and linked it with a positive impression of value. 6. 2. Price and Negative Behavioral Intention Guests with a negative impression of value tended to express their view in terms of price. Quotes such as, â€Å"Overpriced but okay I guess†¦ â€Å", â€Å"†¦ Over priced mediocre food†, and â€Å"†¦ A little overpriced for what you get,† were typical of this group. In addition, negative comments about price were frequently linked with a negative behavioral intention to return.Most interesting was a subgroup of almost 30%, who specifically expressed that while satisfied, they would return less frequently due to price. Typical quotes in this range includ ed, â€Å"I'll be back but Rajah Cajun is definitely more affordable and so will be a more frequent stop for me! † and â€Å"The prices have increased steadily and I don't go as often†¦ â€Å". These quotes are representative of consumers who find value in the quality of the experience, and do trade up to upscale casual, but do so less frequently based solely on price. . 3. Food Quality as the Most Critical Factor Whether guests express a positive or negative perception of value they most frequently link value with their perception of food quality. 70% of positive value impression quotes mentioned food quality, as did 44% of the negative value laity (â€Å"WITH happened to good quality food†¦ â€Å") to those underwhelming with the quality based on price (â€Å"Decent seafood but overpriced†, â€Å"Food was fine, but the prices are nuts†), the latter being the most common.Guest comments also suggest that food quality may trump other aspects of the experience in terms of value: â€Å"Great service! Food was okay†¦ Wasn't worth the $30†, and â€Å"The waiter was nice though†¦ But that still doesn't make up for the lack in quality. † Combined with the results from the content analysis, it appears that food quality is the most critical factor for these viewers, and by extension Pederasty's guests. 6. 4. Identifying an Aspect for Improvement As mentioned previously, recommendations matter more than ratings, and recommendations are based on perceptions of value.Positive recommendations tend to be based on positive perception of food quality, however, these recommendations also tend to mention high prices. High prices are why many consumers report visiting upscale casual restaurants less frequently (Techno, Inc. , 2013), and our observations from online reviews confirm price can impact guests' stated behavioral intention. Based on this, it seems reasonable to assume that lowering prices while maintaining food quality, should lead to improved behavioral intentions and more positive recommendations.But before we explore the validity of that idea, we need to determine if there is any factor that can be changed to allow such a strategy to be entertained. Once again, we turned to the customer reviews, this time examining portion size. 6. 5. Portion Size Pappas Restaurants are known for large portions. Like food quality, it is factor into which money is invested in order to â€Å"wow† the guest. As we saw in the customer views, being â€Å"wowed† is often the line between finding value in the experience and feeling that it is overpriced.Portion size logically contributes to price; therefore we pulled quotes and analyzed them as we did with value-based quotes above. We aimed to determine if the investment in portion size was having the desired effect on guests. Not surprisingly, the reviewers found the portion size to be large: â€Å"the portions were generous†¦ â€Å", â €Å"Huge portions†, and â€Å"†¦ The baked potato is HUGE†¦ â€Å". 30% of the quotes expressed delight. These referred to portions as â€Å"ample† and â€Å"filling†, or mentioned aging a to-go box home (â€Å"l was very happy to have leftovers from this meal! ). 22% were factual statements such as, â€Å"The portion sizes are big like most restaurants in the states†¦ â€Å", or â€Å"l forgot how big the portions are†¦ â€Å". 48%, while not explicitly negative, did express that portion sizes may be overly large. Quotes like, â€Å"†¦ It was Just too big for me to finish! † suggest that portions are too large for guests to finish. One guest felt that they had â€Å"made the mistake of ordering a side salad†, because he was too full to finish his entree.In addition, guests may be lining like they are wasting food they wished to enjoy, a feeling that may be exacerbated by price (â€Å"l felt bad leaving half my lobs ter on my plate because I was full and it was a bit pricey'). Most of the quotes that fell in this category, and 39% of the overall portion size quotes, dealt with guest behaviors based on large portion have developed ordering behaviors to limit portion size, for example, â€Å"The portions are large, so I always split†, â€Å"l usually have to order a lunch size†, and â€Å"My son and I split a salad and catfish/shrimp plate. Perhaps the most important quote in this roof comes from a review posted on Yelp. Com on January fifteenth, 2013. The guest begins the review by giving background on their relationship with Pudenda: â€Å"As a Native Historian, I've enjoyed one of my family's great traditions of dining at Pudenda to celebrate most any occasion – birthdays, graduations, or Just- because-it's-the-weekends. Over the years, we've gathered at various locations throughout the greater Houston area, but as of lately, this is my frequent location of this chain. T hey go on to give a glowing paragraph long endorsement of food quality, which concludes with this quote: FYI Just about every dish here has monstrous portions so you wouldn't be the first to share a plate with someone. † The person writing this article is a champion for the Pudenda brand. She feels a connection to the concept and actively recommends visiting the restaurant. This is meaningful, because in online reviews, recommendations relate to sales, and her recommendation is to share.Guests did not link portion size to value as strongly as they did with food quality. Additionally, explicit complaints portion size was rare, including comments about portion size being too small. This suggests guests view portion size as an enhancement rather than a critical factor when calculating value. While it may be possible that large portion size contributes more greatly to guest delight and it is obscured by reviewers' choice of language, the fact that almost half of the quotes point t o portions being oversized, suggests that they are, in actuality, oversized. . Conclusion 7. 1 . Recommendation Based on our analysis of customer reviews, the investment placed into providing large portions exceeds its relative importance to guests. Guests also report that while they have a largely favorable perception of value, they still find prices to be gig. Food quality was identified by guests as the most critical factor effecting impressions of value. Figure 7 shows their relative positions in terms of investment from the company versus relative importance to guests.By decreasing portion size and lowering prices proportionally, both can be set at new, more appropriate levels without changing food quality. Figure 7 Performance vs.. Importance to Customers Similar strategies have been shown to increase traffic, revenue, and APP. In 2007, they termed â€Å"right portion, right price. † Within a year, these new items were contributing up to 15% of sales per month. They als o saw an increase in APP, as more customers were ordering appetizer and deserts.Their success led to the adoption of similar strategies by others, such as Cheesecake Factory and Minim's Cafe © Innings, 2008). Research from outside the industry suggests that Pudenda may benefit more greatly than others by the implementation of such a strategy. Studies have shown that it grocery stores, high quality food brands gain the most running a promotion with lower prices (Sparkman, 1997). Pudenda has a reputation for high food quality, and it is possible that consumers would view lower prices as a reason to read up, similarly to how they have been shown to behave in grocery stores. . 2. Implementation As large portions are a part of the Pappas brand, and some guests continue to express delight, we suggest maintaining the current menu. New menu items featuring reduced portion and price should be developed and offered separately as has been done by other companies. Tests should be conducted at select locations, and sales can determine their success. In addition, tickets with the new items should be analyzed to determine if they are contributing to an increase APP. Customer dieback should also be utilized, and can be used to refine the new menu.

International Business Promotion Research Paper

International Business Promotion - Research Paper Example Reliance on websites for health information has grown steadily given the increase in international trade. Different hospitals have employed different strategies when developing their websites to meet the needs of their clients. Texas hospital website has two distinct sections, patients and families section and a section for the health professional (Texas Children’s Hospital, 2012). The website carries popup messages where the purpose of the hospital is described as ‘to heal the child’. Moreover, the pop up messages advertise the services offered by the hospital and describe its commitment to superior services ‘now delivering miracles’. The websites give a guarantee to the clients that its specialists are always advancing their pediatric care daily to ensure their services are up-to-date to emerging medical concerns. On Texas Children Hospital website, patients can find a specific doctor, view their professional qualifications and book an appointment ( Texas Children’s Hospital, 2012). Moreover, customers can view all the departments or services offered and the time one can assess such services. Additionally, the specific location of such services well described and the professionals working in that department. This gives assurance to the customers that they receive quality services from accredited care givers. Given that previous health record is important for future visits to Texas Children Hospital or another hospital. Texas Children’s Hospital has an account for parents to access the health record of the children. Stanford Hospitals and Clinics have developed a website to serve its international customers. Under the international medical services section, Stanford Hospital describes that it offers superior services to its customers pointing out that patients from different parts of the world travel to the hospital annually (Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, 2012). This is a strategy to give confidence to a patient in a dilemma either to go treatment at Stanford or seek treatment in their local country where the hospital assures them that it is worthwhile to make a trip to Stanford Hospital. The hospital promises its international visitors individualized care that is able to meet the needs of the patients and their families before and after treatment. The hospital has a personal patient coordinator who in addition to arranging for a patient’s visit to the hospital organizes for their stay at in San Francisco Bay Area (Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, 2012). This demonstrates a commitment to customer service. The hospital website outlines the services offered by hospital including identifying a specific doctor to meet the medical needs of the patients and interpretation of languages which is a strategy to ensure that some patients do not feel left out. To ensure that patients prepare themselves for the visit, they are given an estimate of their medical bills. Patients can book for appoint ments online thereby reducing time wastage when travelling for treatment. At Phuket International Hospital, offering services to patients from diverse backgrounds has led the hospital employ international staff. At this hospital, the management recognized importance of effective diagnosis and, therefore, language barrier is dealt with by ensuring that the employees speaking a variety of languages. The hospital helps its patients make insurance claims and liaises with the embassy,

Developments of DNA profiles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Developments of DNA profiles - Essay Example g of the PCR primers are efficient and reliable forensic DNA analysis techniques as there is a inverse correlation between the number of polymorphic loci examined and the probability of identical alleles in two individuals. Developing DNA profiles for the identification of individuals who are unknown or identifiable or victims of accidents, calamities, crimes, and disasters using automated STR multiplex kits that rely on spectral resolution using different colored fluorescent dyes to label the overlapping loci due the presence of alleles that fall in the same size range has proven to be one of the most innovative methods. In fact, the polyacrylamide gels that are used in STR can resolve DNA fragments that differ by as little as 1 nucleotide in length and this precise allele designation eliminates the need for match guidelines and continuous allele distribution models that are usually needed in conventional DNA profiling methods The genes are the smaller portions of the DNA that produce a particular product, such as protein. They are particularly useful in the process for profiling. Other portions of the DNA whose functions are not determined yet are called â€Å"spacer or packer DNA between the genes† (DNA Profiling n.d., p. 2). These areas are called minisatellites while the smaller repetitive sequences are called as microsatellites (e.g. 4 base pairs). Short Tandem Repeats or STRs determine the number of times the sequence is repeated. Though identification is prohibitive in developing countries where the technology is quite expensive due to extensive processing, these countries usually send DNA samples to developed countries for analysis and profiling. (Lehman & Criscuolo 2009, p. 1). The Short Tandem Repeat or STR process of identification is said to be the new methodology is DNA profiling (DNA Profiling n.d., p. 3). The STR loci are said to be the â€Å"informative genetic markers† for DNA profiling currently in use, even for the degraded samples (Budowlea,

Early Modern Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Early Modern Architecture - Essay Example While he was working under Behren, Mies developed a design approach that was basically based on advanced structural techniques and Prussian classicism. While still conducting his discovery on architecture he developed sympathy for the aesthetic credos of both Dutch De Stijl group and Russian Constructivism. He also borrowed from the post and lintel construction of Karl Friedrich Schinkel for his designs in steel and glass. In 1923 Mies worked with a new magazine called G which started that every year in the month of July. His architectural philosophies are greatly recognized and were a major contribution in the late 1920s and 1930s as artistic director of the Werkbund-sponsored Weissenhof project and as a director of the Bauhaus (Cohen, 2006). Mies is famously known for his dictum ‘Less is More’ and he attempted to create neutral, contemplative spaces through an architecture that was based on structural integrity and material honesty. After ages spanning twenty years of his life, Mies was able to eventually achieve his vision of a monumental ‘skin and bone’ architecture. Through his dedication, commitment, passion and hard work his later works provide a fitting denouement to a life dedicated to the idea of a universal, simplified architecture. After World War 1, he developed the interest in the skyscraper which eventually led to him studying it and he designed two innovative and ingenious steel framed towers encased in glass. One of the critically acclaimed skyscrapers was the Friedrichstrasse which was designed in 1921 for a competition albeit it was never built but it drew a lot of critical praise and it even foreshadowed his skyscraper designs of the late 40s and 50s. The very same year he desi gned the Friedrichstrasse so did his marriage end and he changed his name.

Comparative Literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Comparative Literacy - Essay Example Basically, when a play is tackling a particular issue, the audience can empathize thus achieving the level of influence that advocates of certain ideas and philosophies target. This can be considered as the power of the multi media. In the study of comparative literacy, the main target is the presentation of two plays that can be considered to have received literary recognition on the basis of being able to tackle the important and controversial issues that influence the members of the population. These issues can be considered as included in the problems that are being faced by the public to some degree. The controversy lies in the fact that these issues are also political in some aspects thus these plays were able to also catch the attention of the political sector. The play revolves around three characters that have different roles in the story. Paulina and Gerardo is a couple who had experienced first hand different political and social cruelties due to the fact that they had been living in a country that had experienced a long period of dictatorship. Paulina Salas had specifically experienced being violated during the time of the dictatorship due to her connection with her husband. She had been undergone torture which had been performed by the third character who is a doctor whom she wrongly given her trust. Basically the events that transpired during the course of the play were able to present political issues through the interplay of strong emotions specifically when the character of Dr. Roberto Miranda surfaced. This has brought about a faà §ade of strong emotions specifically displayed by Paulina. Due to the fact that she had been victimized by the people with power and capabilities to do such acts, her character had evolved from a normal woman who had overcome her past to a violent person. The character of

Human Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Human Resources - Essay Example The satisfaction of consumers depend on the quality of the service that a hotel resort lodging provides. This quality depends on the performance of front-line employees, especially employees who interact with consumers. Because of this service nature, in order to ensure that the company delivers the level of quality that it promises to consumers, first it has to ensure that it has the policies which supports this strategy. In order for this kind of business to take care of consumers, they have to take care of its employees first whose job is to take care of consumers. And this is best done by making the Human Resource function of the company a strategic partner. In many business nowadays where product offers include both the goods and the service at the same time, the quality of the service depends on the performance of front-line employees. Therefore, in order to make sure that the level of quality that the company promises through its integrated marketing communications activities are provided, a strong support from the companys human resource function is needed. Strategic human resource management is key. By strategic human resource management, the human resource function of the company takes part in crafting functional-level strategy in order to support the companys overall goals and strategy. In the case of the hotel resorts lodging business, the role of human resources range from a macro perspective—proposing an organizational structure to support the companys strategy, helping build a strong corporate culture based on the companys corporate brand essence, to a micro perspective—setting up a compensation package in order to attract the people who will best fit the companys corporate culture and market positioning, ensuring that a high caliber people will enter the company, setting up a performance measurement and

Cooperation Between the Automobile Company Honda and the Government of Essay

Cooperation Between the Automobile Company Honda and the Government of Japan - Essay Example It is also considered the second largest automobile manufacturing country in the world; it also has the largest electronic goods industry as well as one of the most innovative countries in terms of patent filings (World Intellectual Property Organization, 2011). With much competition from other countries, Japan has shifted its focus on high technology and highly specific goods, including optical goods and hybrid cars. Japan is also known for its credit issuances with its trade surplus and investment surpluses (Chandler, 2011). It also has 13.7% of global private financial assets, registering at about $14.6 trillion (Hindman, 2010). About 68 companies in the Fortune 500 are found in Japan, and the Tokyo economy alone represents the largest metropolitan economy worldwide. Since 1960, Japan has enjoyed massive economic growth and development. Even in the aftermath of significant destruction during the Second World War, Japan was able to register significant gains in its economy and deve lopment. Like other countries in the world, it too has experienced periods of downturns in its economy. In 2010, it was deposed by China as the second largest economy in the world (Lah, 2011). In the early to late 1980s, the increase of their stock and real estate prices, their economy experienced the Japanese asset price bubble, and this period ended when the Tokyo Stock Exchange during the early 1990s crashed (Lah, 2011). Its economic growth rate suffered significantly during the 1990s. From 2001 to 2010 however, it was showing signs of significant recovery as it managed to perform better that Europe and the US (The Economist, 2011). Japan is considered a... This essay presents a retrospective comprehensive analysis of the economic development of automobile company Honda against the background of socio-economic development of Japan. Just as Japan developed into one of the world’s largest economies, its MNCs, including Honda became one of the world’s top automobile corporations. Honda is a Japan-based public corporation which is primarily involved in the manufacturing of automobiles and motorcycles. Since the end of the 1950s, it has been considered the largest motorcycle manufacturer as well as the largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines in the world. In 2008, it even surpassed Chrysler as the fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the US. Japan is considered to be the third largest economy in the world following the US, and the People’s Republic of China. In 2011, the International Monetary Fund declared that the per capita GDP of the country was at $34,362, the 24 highest GDP in the world. It is also considered the second largest automobile manufacturing country in the world; it also has the largest electronic goods industry as well as one of the most innovative countries in terms of patent filings The development of Honda as an MNC is significantly related to Japan’s socio-economic development. The corporate culture of any MNC is often affected by the political and the socio-economic culture of the country as a whole. Japan has established itself as a technological innovator, capitalizing in electronic developments as well as industrial innovations

How did Ford Motor Company Successfully Turn Around its Business Research Paper

How did Ford Motor Company Successfully Turn Around its Business During the Recent Recession - Research Paper Example In these circumstances companies have also resorted to price wars that have further eroded the profit margins of various organizations. The present study would analyze the case of Ford Motors and the business strategies that were adopted and implemented by the organization during the period of economic recession. According to a report, the recession in the year 2009 led to a decline in new registrations by about 24.8 percent in a month as compared to the same in the previous year. In addition to cars vehicles across all categories like trucks and vans also reported a dip by about 31.4 percent and 49.2 percent respectively. This has led to severe implications for car manufacturers as they started reported lower income. This led to job cuts and other cost control measures besides putting all expansion plans on a hold (IMI Research Department, â€Å"Summary†). Issues Ford Motors is US based automobile manufacturing organization, established in 1903 by Henry Ford the company is en gaged in the manufacture of cars, trucks, SUV’s and other vehicles. The company is preset across all the major markets of the world and headquartered in the USA. It stocks are listed and actively traded on the bourses of the New York Stock Exchange (Ford Motors Corporation, â€Å"Our Company†). The economic recession had a severe impact on the business prospects and profitability of the company. The effect of recession on the fortunes of the company can be analyzed from the fact that the company applied for a 9 billion bailout from the US government in the form of short term and working capital loans so as to ensure that the company was sustainable. However the company was better placed than any of its competitors as it was able to maintain grounds even without the bailout package (The New York Times, â€Å"Background†). Management Strategies The period of economic recession was among the worst periods seen by the company as it was the period that saw the lowest sales since ten years. The absence of credit facilities and price margin pressures led to considerable issues for the organization. However in spite of the issues Ford Motor Corporation was able to maintain sustainability even without a bailout package as was given out to the top competitors of the company namely General Motors, Chrysler that were on the verge of closure and bankruptcy. The company fared better than most of its competitors and also overtook Toyota Motors as the rank one automobile company in the US market in the year 2010. Behind this successful management of a stressful period lies a mix of effective strategies sided by a visionary leader and a good management that has successfully used the best financial, HR and marketing strategies to help make the company stronger even in the most turbulent periods in history (The New York Times, â€Å"Background†). One of the reasons for the successful turnaround of Ford Motors Corporation was the successful marketing s trategies being implemented by the organization. The company unveiled a product strategy that involved launching smaller cars and economic versions rather than focusing on premium products. In this regard the company chose to keep focus on the sub compact cars like Fiesta that was economical. This strategy played off during the times

Road and Drivers Essay Example for Free

Road and Drivers Essay Traffic accidents are big problem for megacities. Traffic accidents are caused by people, lack of traffic signs, problems of infrastructure Especially people should be aware of distractions that cause most common traffic accident. Because most common traffic accidents are caused by distractions. In megacities like Istanbul people don’t care traffic rules. They just use the car for their needs and when people are using car they don’t give enough attention. Because of this situation traffic accidents are increasing day by day. How can people reduce traffic accidents? They can reduce it first stay alert and pay attention the second don’t speed. Firstly the drivers in megacities should be stay alert and pay attention. When people are driving cars they mustn’t use their phones and they don’t distract themselves. Because most common traffic accidents are caused by distraction. For instance while driving car, answering a phone can be difficult and it can make distraction. People who is talking with the phone they lose their attention and they give all of their attention to the caller. While drivers are speaking with the phone, they can have an accident because they lose their attention to the other drivers and also roads. Drivers have be focus on the road which could also cause an accident if drivers are not careful. Using phone is really problem for drivers. They can also lose their attention with changing the music. For example while drivers using car sometimes they want to change the music and they look at the radio while they are searching music they don’t look at the road for a second and they lose their attention to the road and this can cause an accident. While people using car they have to focus on their road, they mustn’t use their phone and don’t struggle with the music Ä ±f they don’t want to have an accident. Secondly traffic volume is really important for megacities. If the roads are empty some drivers wants to make a speed and compete the other drivers. It can also make an accident. For example when the roads are empty, generally drivers want to make a speed. They don’t care the rules and they find one driver who makes speed at that moment and start to compete. It is really dangerous for them and also the other drivers because while they are competing they can make sudden changes on the road and lose the other  drivers attention and they can cause an accident. Also when they are competing if the drivers make a small mistake, they have an accident and because of speed they can die. Speed is a big issue in megacities. There has some rules for speed and every driver has to obey them like that people can reduce the traffic accidents. To sum up traffic accident is a big issue for megacities if there is an accident on the roads, roads can lock suddenly and occur some problem. If people want to reduce traffic accident they have to give their attention to the road not the other this that makes them disturb. They mustn’t talk with the phone while they are driving cars. Speed is the important for reduce traffic accidents. Every city has a certain rules and people have to obey rules for reducing traffic accidents. If people want to continue their lives, they give more attention to the rules.

An Eminent Threat to the Planet Essay Example for Free

An Eminent Threat to the Planet Essay Global warming is certainly a danger that threatens our society. While it may not drastically affect this generation, if things keep going as they are, future generations will have to deal with the problems that people are presently causing. Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases Global warming refers to an overall increase in the temperature of the earth. This is due emissions of greenhouse gases, which are essentially pollutants which damage the earth’s ability to maintain itself when they are released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a particularly common greenhouse gas that is emitted by the activities people all of the time. An overload of these gases prevents the ability of the atmosphere to absorb some of the rays from the sun, as the ozone layer is damaged. Fossil fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene release fumes into the atmosphere that damage the atmosphere’s ability to regulate the earth’s temperature by allowing and preventing solar rays from reaching the surface. Climate Change and seal Level Rise Although current climate change is best represented by more extreme temperatures (higher high temperatures in the summer, and lower lows in the winter), ultimately the earth is expected to warm up. Many scientists have hypothesized that within the next century, the earth may warm by up to two degrees Fahrenheit. Although this does not seem like a lot, it could cause the melting of the outer layers of Antarctic ice, which would cause a rise in sea level by up to a few feet over the course of the next century. But the rate of global warming is expected to increase, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If this occurs, and due to the expansion of Antarctic ice and the melting of some ice caps, sea level could rise by several feet, which would have devastating consequences. Life as we know it would be completely altered by any significant rise in sea level. Because water allows for trade and transportation, most major communities are built close to the coast of continents, rather than the interiors. That being said, if sea level was to rise so much as ten feet, many cities would be completely destroyed. Miami, Florida would have to be evacuated, as would most of the towns within fifty miles of the United States Gulf Coast. Much of the land in the Caribbean would be submerged, as would many islands in the South Pacific, and even some areas in Europe, such as the Netherlands. How Our Current Activities are Causing Global Warming Although exact measurements of the rate of the rise in temperature and thus, sea level are presently immeasurable, the way human beings are living today will certainly ensure that they will be significant. People are causing more emissions of environmentally and atmospherically dangerous gases than ever before, and we do not seem like we are going to stop any time soon. More cars are on the road, more airplanes are in the air, and more boats, including large freighters and barges are in the water than ever before, and as the planet’s population increases, so will the amount and volume of our emissions of dangerous gases. If we intend to hinder global warming in any way, we have to realize that our present course is not environmentally friendly, and it will lead to a rise in temperature (and a greater abundance of pollutants). We need to invest in clean fuels, and even though researching alternatives to our current fuels will be costly, it is well worth it in the long run, because global warming is a fast way to destroy our planet. References U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 2009. http://www. epa. gov/climatechange/emissions/index. html U. S. Department of State. Climate Change and Overview. 2009. http://www. state. gov/g/oes/rls/rpts/car/90312. htm

How To Prevent Tooth Decay

How To Prevent Tooth Decay 1. Introduction Fotek (2012) noted that tooth decay, which is also called dental caries or dental cavities, is a source of infection, causing the loss of mineral salts and devastation of the hard tissues such as enamel, dentin and cementum. It is a result of the bacterial fermentation of the food. If it is untreated, itll lead to pain. Nowadays, tooth decay is remain one of the most popular health problems all over the world. In fact, everyone can easily have problems with tooth decay but children are at the highest risk. Tooth decay has its own long history. University of Illinois (n.d) recommends that over a million years ago, hominid like Australopithecus suffered from cavities. Some evidences found by Archaeologies show that tooth decay is an ancient disease in prehistorically period (University of Illinois n.d). Evidence such as skulls which are excavated through the neolithic period gives signs of caries (University of Illinois). Richards (2002, p.1275) suggests that in South Asia, the growth in caries is related to the rice cultivation. From 5000 BC, Sumerian considered tooth worm as the cause of tooth decay. The proof of this belief has been found in some Asian countries such as India, Egypt, Japan and China (Richards Norman 1990). A report in the NBC News (4 May 2006) revealed that in Pakistan, a 7000-year-old teeth show nearly perfect the holes from primitive dental drills. Thus, this paper, with the purpose to help people know more about tooth decay and learn how to prevent it. 2. Discussion of findings 2.1. The signs and symptoms of tooth decay A recent study by Health Promotion Board shows that : A person experiencing caries may not be aware of the disease. The visual aspect of a chalky white place in the surface of tooth is the earliest mark of a new carious lesion, showing an area of demineralization of enamel (King 2011). As the wound continues to demineralization, it can turn brown but finally will turn into cavity (Clake n.d). In Dental Cavities (2012) continues when the tooth enamel and dentine are destroyed, the tooth decay becomes noticeable, the affected area of tooth also becomes vulnerable. Moreover, once the decay passes through enamel and reach to the nerve of the tooth will result in a toothache. Bad breath and foul tastes are also the consequences of dental caries (Clake n.d). 2.2. Causes of tooth decay There are four main reasons for tooth decay organization: teeth, bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates and time. Smith, B. Pickard, H. M. (1990) states that the caries process does not have an unavoidable result and different people will have different degrees basing on the form of their teeth, oral hygiene habits, and the content of their saliva. The first reason that Neville (2002, p.89) stated is that teeth are affected by many diseases that can leave an individual at a great risk for caries. He also said that Amelogenesis imperfect, which occurs between 1 in 718 and 1 in 1,400 individuals, is a disease that the enamel does not form in full or forms in deficient amounts that can fall off a tooth. Therefore, teeth may be more vulnerable because the enamel is not able to protect the tooth in both cases (Neville, p.94). The cause of tooth decay by disease affecting the teeth is not the main reason in almost people. Cate (1998, p.1) indicated that: Ninety-six percent of tooth enamel is composed of minerals and when let out to the acidic environment, these minerals will become soluble. Once root surface of teeth are exposed, cavities can develop easily even in a healthy oral environment. Moving on to the next point, bacteria are present in mouth to change over the sugars and amylum into acids (Priya Johnson 2012). A substance called plaque in the mouth is the combination of bacteria, acid and saliva (Johnson 2012). This compound is sticky and cling itself to the teeth, especially on the surface of grinders and at the edges of teeth fillings (Johnson 2012). Plaque compile within 20 minutes after eating, the time when most bacteria action starts (Johnson 2012). In addition, the more food is consumed, the more plaque is formed (Johnson 2012). The third reason referred to the fermentable carbohydrates. Bacteria in a persons mouth convert glucose, fructose into acids like lactic acid via a process called fermentation, when contacting with the tooth, these may cause demineralization (Neville 2002). Fluoride toothpaste can help demineralization (Silverstone 1983). An amount of mineral content may be lost if demineralization keeps continuing so that forming a hole (Madigan Martinko p.705). The impact like sugars has on the process of tooth decay named carcinogenicity (Madigan Martinko p.705). According to British Nutrition Foundation (2004), the oftenness that teeth are exposed to acidic environments affected the likeliness of caries evolution. UCLASD (2006) suggested that after meals, the bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugar that decreases pHs As time goes by, the pH returns normal due to the capacity of saliva and the faded mineral content of tooth surface (UCLASD 2006). During every exposure to the acidic environment, part of inorganic mineral content at the teeth surface can remain dissolved for 2 hours (UCLASD 2006). If the diet is rich in carbohydrates, the carious process can start within days of the tooth erupting into the mouth (UCLASD 2006). Summit (2001, p.75) suggests that the introduction of fluoride treatments can slow down the process. Proximal caries take four years to pass through enamel in permanent teeth because the cementum enclosing the root surface is not as long-lasting as the enamel, root caries attended to progress more rapidly than on other sur faces (Summit 2001). 2.3. How to prevent tooth decay? Everyone wishes they had beautiful teeth but they do not know how to protect their teeth. Keeping cleaning outside and inside teeth is essential for long-lasting look as well as tooth strength. Oral hygiene is one of the most important methods to prevent dental caries. Personal oral hygiene care compounds of brushing and flossing everyday (Nguyen 2011). He also suggests that in order to prevent dental caries, people need to brush teeth after every meal. Besides, brush teeth regularly in the morning and evening, or at least once a day after dinner. Brush teeth with a soft bristle brush, brush inside, outside and chewing surfaces (Nguyen 2011). Using toothpaste contained fluoride, drinking water or salt to supplement fluoride can reduce 30% of dental caries (Nguyen 2011). Beside oral hygiene, a report in the Helium (2011) revealed that everyone should have the dentist checked every 6 months. If the plaque is found building up between your teeth, note what the dentist says. Listening to what the dentists said can also help to lessen the appearance of plaque. Finally, dietary alteration also helps people to prevent tooth decay. For dental health, the amount of sugar that is taken in is more important than the amount of sugar used up (British Nutrition Foundation, 2004). Hence, the recommendation of minimizing snacking is brought out because snacking produces a supply of nutrition for acid-producing in the mouth. For children, the American Dental Association and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry suggest to reduce the oftenness of drinks with sugar. And not giving baby bottles to babies when they sleep. The guideline of Clinical Affairs Committee (2012) is also recommended mothers not to share utensils and cups with their babies to prevent transmitting bacteria from mothers mouth. 2.4. Tooth decay in Vietnam As stated in Dan tri (2012), with the parents, the smile of children are always the precious things. However, they do not care much about their childrens teeth or many false views lead to some unpredicted consequences. Parents often think that it is too soon to teach their children how to protect the teeth, and baby teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth; its time for children to brush teeth two times a day to avoid tooth decay. In fact, it is extremely wrong if children have tooth decay in the period of baby teeth, they will at risk of tooth decay in adulthood. Currently, according to the Vietnamese Smile Protection Program (2012), about 85% of children aged 6 to 8 suffered from tooth decay; 60 90% of children have gingivitis. Not as romantic as the fairy tales that the tooth fairy would make the tooth disappears, they also emphasized that if not treated; tooth decay will lead to pancreatitis and cause pain. There are many reasons for the alarming number of childrens oral health, including the lack of parental attention to this issue. Parents accidentally support the childrens bad habits such as improper brushing, eating too much sweet. Oral health status was at risk. According to Hanoi Medical University, up to 90.4% of children were examined with plaque. According to this statistics, tooth decay in ages of 6-8 is 84.9%, permanent caries at ages of 9-11 is 54.6%. This has become the common concern not only of the society but also the dental experts who know most about dental problems as well as the importance of teeth for the development of children. As the result, children need dental care as soon as the appearance of the first tooth, also maintain proper brushing habits will help children learn how to take care of their tooth.

Although it is clearly a product of its time, The Speckled Band holds :: Free Essay Writer

Although it is clearly a product of its time, The Speckled Band holds the interest of a modern audience and s a fine example. â€Å"Although it is clearly a product of its time, The Speckled Band holds the interest of a modern audience and s a fine example of the detective story genre.† Do you agree with this comment on Conan Doyle’s story? The Speckled Band has a Victorian context and in the Victorian times stories had different aspects, which they found appealing, but as a modern audience we are attracted to other aspects of stories. Because of these different appeals we know that The Speckled Band is a product of its time. The Speckled Band keeps the modern reader guessing the solution to the crime. This is very entertaining for the reader as they must try to find the answer before Sherlock Holmes does. Sherlock Holmes is characterised as an almost super human person with amazing powers of deduction this makes us admire him. Watson (Holmes’s accomplice) is a key character as he is someone who we relate to as he goes on the same journey as us. The speech in the speckled band is in a formal tone, â€Å"my name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate Dr Watson† this is different to our modern stories as we like to show less restrained emotions, so some readers may find the tone boring. The sentences spoken are long and complicated in structure they have an exaggerated style, â€Å"I observe that you are shivering†. We see again that The Speckled Band is a product of its time as there is a lot of old fashioned language, like â€Å"sorry to knock you up† and â€Å"haggard†. One of the popular appeals in Victorian times was melodrama and there is lots of this in the story. The helplessness of Helen Stoner and the fact that she needs Holmes to â€Å"advise [her] how to walk amid the dangers which encompass [her]†would appeal to the Victorians a lot as in those times women were considered the more vulnerable sex, but a modern audience may find this over the top because it is over exaggerated to us. The modern audience may find it even more overdramatic that Helen Stoner needs Sherlock to â€Å"throw a little light through the dense darkness which surrounds [her]† the modern audience sees this melodrama as too forced and false. But Victorians loved it as in their times men were considered as strong, brave and the ones who would stand up for women. This also shows that The Speckled Band was a product of its time.

Savagery, Power and Fear :: miscellaneous

Savagery, Power and Fear MLA Research Paper Savagery, Power And Fear And how it’s ties in with Lord Of The Flies Young children who are left unattended will slowly loose their civilization, which will turn into, Savagery, Power, and Fear. Civilization is when man meets his basic needs in a healthy manner. Savagery is when people revert back to their lost human instincts. Power, in the case of Lord Of the Flies it’s a position of ascendancy over others: AUTHORITY. Fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger. Lord of the Flies shows a great amount of uncivilization through out the whole novel. Through all the characters for example when the boys create the Lord of The flies, which is â€Å"the bloody, severed sow’s head that Jack impales on a stake in the forest glade as an offering to the beast. This complicated symbol is most important image in the novel when Simon confronts the sow’s head in the glade and it seems to speak to him, telling him that evil lies within every human heart and promising to have some â€Å"fun† with him (This â€Å"fun† foreshadows Simon’s death in the following chapter.) In this way, the Lord of the Flies becomes a physical manifestation of the beast, a symbol of the power of evil, and a kind of Satan figure who evokes the beast within each human being. Looking at the novel in the context of biblical parallels, the Lord of the Flies recalls the devil, just as Simon recalls Jesus. In fact, the name â€Å" Lord of the Flies† is a literal translation of the bible name Beelzebub, a powerful demon in hell s ometimes thought to be the devil himself.† (Spark notes) This is very uncivilized. Savagery is most often found when young children or any human if put in the same position lose the instincts of human ways. This is portrayed through the book Lord Of The Flies. The beast is one way this is shown. â€Å" The imaginary beast that frightens all the boys stands for the primal instinct of savagery that exists within all human beings. The boys are afraid of the beast, but only Simon reaches the realization that they fear the beast because it exists within each of them. As the boys grow more savage, their belief in the beast grows stronger. By the end of the novel, the boys’ behavior is what brings the beast into existences, so the more savagely they act, the more real the beast seems to become.

The Signal-Man and The Monkeys Paw :: Free Essay Writer

How do the writers create a sense of suspense? Fictional text need to be interesting so that the reader likes it. Many writers use many different things to capture their reader’s interest. Both Charles Dickens and WW Jacobs, in the Signalman and the monkeys paw both use different ways to try and keep the interest of their reader. The Signalman and the Monkey paw, are very similar both are horror stories set in 0ne location with very few characters. Even though they seem similar, they are actually told in different styles. Throughout the story the Signalman, Charles Dickens uses a Varity of methods to create atmosphere, tension and mystery. The author of this short story Charles Dickens was motivated to write this story because of a terrible train wreck at Staple Hurst, Kent, which he was involved in on 9 June 1865, in which several passengers died but he survived by luck. The story â€Å"The signalman† starts with the quote "Halloa! Below there" as the story unfolds this quote becomes very important. At the start of the story â€Å"The signalman†, suspense is created when the narrator calls out to â€Å"the signalman†; the signalman seems to stare at him in shock. It seems to be weird because the signalman seems to fear the narrator, or is somehow astonished by his presence. The signalman’s actions create ambiguity, which is successful to create the overall suspense. Both the writers use conflict to create suspense, for example in the signalman, the narrator and the signalman seem to show a sense of conflict. For example the narrator presence, seems to astonish the signalman. The signalman says† before he stirred I was near enough to him to have touched him, not even then removing his eyes from mine, he stepped back one step and lifted his hand† the signalman is implying that he is uncomfortable with the narrator. Even the narrator notices the weird behaviour that is displayed by the signalman he says, â€Å"You look at me, I said forcing a smile, as if you dread me†. They do not understand each other at this moment; the both think that each other are ghosts. The signalman says, â€Å"I was doubtful, he returned, whether I had seen you before, where? He pointed at the red light he looked at there? I said†. The signalman was implying that he had seen the narrator, under the red light that was the same place which he also said he had seen the ghost. The narrator also believes the signalman is a ghost he says, â€Å"A monstrous thought came into my mind as I perused the fixed eyes saturnine face, that this was a spirit not a

Health Care Delivery Systems Essay

Healthcare delivery systems refer to the organization of resources, institutions, and people intended to provide healthcare services to particular populations. Health systems vary substantially across the world. In fact, the organizational structures and history is unique in each country. Some states have distributed health system planning amongst market stakeholders. On the contrary, other countries have concentrated energy among religious organizations, governments, trade unions and other united institutions to provide organized health care services customized to target populations. The objective of this essay is comparing similarities and differences between various international health care systems across the globe. One of the major health care delivery programs in the United States includes group health insurance plans. The health system emerged during World War II. The employers began offering employee benefits in the form of affordable healthcare services to attract the limite d labor supply. Since then, many healthcare reforms implemented in the United States from the 1970s has enhanced this philosophy (Yih, 2010). Currently, US has over 1200 insurance companies that give group health insurance programs. The objective of group insurance plans is providing employees with affordable, high quality and efficient healthcare services (Cooper & Taylor, 1994). The Medicare program is another healthcare delivery system intended for retirees above sixty-five years. The service differs from group health insurance plan in that the beneficiaries are unemployed, and the government pays for the individuals’ treatment cost. For younger and poorer American citizens below sixty-five years, the government has established Medicaid healthcare delivery system to offer free medical services. Eligible candidates for the Medicaid program include poor individuals that cannot afford the service and  non-beneficiaries of subsidized healthcare systems such as the group insurance (Cooper & Taylor, 1994). In addition to these methods, the US has a variety of other healthcare systems intended for the uninsured. The p rograms include the Veterans Administration, military and Native Americans among others. These programs are extremely complex since they have varied the reimbursement, underwriting, benefit and eligibility (McCarthy & Schafermeyer, 2007). Canada uses a healthcare delivery program called â€Å"Single payer system.† The intention of establishing the system is ensuring healthcare equality among all the citizens. The coverage of the plan is universal and comprehensive. The provincial governments provide funds for the compulsory medical care using tax money (McCarthy & Schafermeyer, 2007). However, the federal government contributes and controls some of the money the provincial administrations contribute to the citizens’ healthcare plans. Patients are independent to choose their preferred healthcare provider. Majority of the physicians in Canada have private practices that they charge a fee based on services they provide. Many hospitals are not-for-profit institutions that are managed by trustee boards. The modern healthcare delivery system in Canada began in Sa skatchewan in the 1950s and then spread to the entire nation by 1966 (Baribault & Cloyd, 1999). Japan provides medical services to every citizen using employer-financed insurance plan. The aim of using employer-based program is controlling the cost of healthcare expenses. The result of the plan is a substantially healthy nation at one of the most affordable healthcare cost in the world (Yih, 2010). The country has a variety of insurance programs that are funded using various obligatory deductions, patient co-payments, and taxes. Patients have the liberty of choosing their preferred healthcare providers (McCarthy & Schafermeyer, 2007). On the other hand, healthcare delivery providers are compensated using a national rate and formula negotiated by a panel composed of citizens, insurers, and providers. The government has set a price limit to control price increase of policies at a given time. The main benefit of the restricted policy price is equitable access and affordable healthcare program (Baribault & Cloyd, 1999). Japan established its present healthcare program in 1922 as the government believed that a healthy nation was necessary to maintain the nation productive and affluent. Initially, Japan intended the program to serve manual laborers, but the country amended its  constitution after World War II to make the program compulsory to everyone (Cooper & Taylor, 1994). American healthcare delivery system differs from that in Canada and Japan in that the government has not set healthcare systems’ price limit. As a result, the healthcare cost varies from one provider to the other. The economic law of demand and supply also determines the cost of healthcare services, which makes American medical care programs among the most expensive in the world. In the United States, several doctors are directly employed in public hospitals while many healthcare professionals in Canada have private practices (Baribault & Cloyd, 1999). On the contrary, health care delivery systems in Japan, Canada, and the USA have similarities such as liberty to choose from several healthcare providers. In addition, insurance programs play an essential role in providing affordable healthcare plans to every citizen. Each country also offers fully sponsored or subsidized healthcare services to the extremely poor, army veterans and other specialized group that may not afford to make regular contributions towards the healthcare services (Baribault & Cloyd, 1999). Employers are supposed to deduct some cash from their employees’ salary, and provide either a hundred or two hundred percent match to the deduction, to pay for healthcare insurance (Cooper & Taylor, 1994). In my view, I would recommend sickness fund healthcare system as it has proven functional in countries such as Germany. Germany’s trade guilds established the initial health system in 1883 that the government applied as a model to create the country’s â€Å"sickness funds†. The objective of the system is financing, paying and providing healthcare services. It integrates decision-making and decentralized power with efficient bargaining power that occurs at local, federal and state levels. Germans have solidarity and believe that everyone is entitled to access quality medical services irrespective of their capability to pay, income or employment. Similarly, if other countries in the world can adopt such a healthcare system, everybody would have access to q uality healthcare services. Patients covered by the program can access affordable health care services universally (Cooper & Taylor, 1994). Some of the services that sickness fund covers include drugs and dental care services. It also provides young mothers’ grants, money for purchasing eyeglasses and compensation wages when individuals are sick. Since sickness funds do not offer healthcare coverage for some issues,  individuals can purchase health insurance plans for the uncovered services. Everybody in Germany is supposed to be a member of a sickness fund, except the wealthy persons that can afford private health insurance. I believe the world’s population would have access to quality health care services required for maintaining healthy nations (Baribault & Cloyd, 1999). References Cooper E. & Taylor L. (1994). Comparing Health Care Systems: What makes sense for the US? Context Institute. Web, retrieved on January 18, 2015 from http://www.context.org/iclib/ic39/cooptalr/ Baribault, M. & Cloyd, C. (1999). Health Care Systems: Three International Comparisons. Ethics of Development in Global Environment. McCarthy, R. L., & Schafermeyer, K. W. (2007). Introduction to health care delivery: A primer for pharmacists. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett. Yih, Y. (2010). Handbook of Healthcare Delivery Systems. CRC Press.

Are People Born Generally Good Essay

I believe all people are born generally good, but are corrupted by society later on in life. When we are born we have no idea of what our lives will become. As we grow, we encounter people that affect us in good and bad ways. We then have to take it upon ourselves to decide what is right and how we handle situations based on our previous experiences. Hence these experiences make our lives and tendencies good or bad. For example, many studies have found that those who grow up in a â€Å"broken home† or dysfunctional family are more likely to develop habits of lying, being irresponsible, and hyper-sensitive of peoples opinions about them. This is a direct effect of experiences they encountered growing up, whether it be trying to avoid harsh consequences by lying, trying to please someone who never shows support (causing hyper-sensitivity), or not having an influential adult who teaches them how to complete tasks properly (becoming irresponsible). I believe everyone I have come in contact with has been good in the end, meaning everyone has some sense of good deep inside of them. Whether that is apparent to the everyday person is decided by the unique path they’ve had through life. When thinking about the success or failures of our representative democracy, I think of it in two sections, a social issues section and a financial policy section. Socially, I believe our country is extremely successful in protecting our personal liberties and freedoms. The representatives we elect have always had split opinions on controversial issues like drug legalization, abortion, and gay marriage, but have always made sure to protect our rights to assemble, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion, to name a few. Our government has always sworn and made sure to do the right thing and keep our constitutional rights intact, for the well-being of our public. We are given the right to have opposing opinions, and most people respect the right for people to do so. This is because of the general good people are born with. In these personal liberty issues our government takes the morally good stance of upholding the Constitution, even if a verdict against it may personally benefit them more. Albeit there are always the few bad apples who make the exception. Financially is where the negativity of society begins to show in our government. We are bombarded with images of the rich, powerful and famous, and told that this is the â€Å"new American Dream†. This is what we work to attain in life, but it is almost impossible to reach. So, once the few who do make it to the top (including the representatives we elect to government) they will do what it takes to keep that power and money, because that is what makes them successful in societies eyes. This can include a lot of what you hear about in the news including adding â€Å"pork† to bills, working with lobbyists, and shady campaign funding to ensure re-election. Unfortunately, this has become normal in politics. All of this is powered by negative social ideals that we are surrounded by. Thus the generally good representative, who may have started out truly wanting to help his nation, becomes corrupt.

Benefits of Hosting Major Sporting Events Essay

1. When bidding to host an international sporting event, there is always the possibility that revenue will not exceed expenses. How would you respond to a local group that would rather have the city’s money spent on social programs? When a city is preparing a bid to host an international sporting event, some parts of the community will argue that the taxpayer’s money should be invested into social programs that will benefit the community, rather than into sporting events. It is a valid argument that hosting an international sporting event can have a substantial financial impact on a city. An example of this is the great debt incurred by Montreal when they hosted the 1976 Olympic Games (p.89 Thoma and Chalip). It could be argued that the huge amounts of money that were spent on building new stadiums or arenas, and modernising existing infrastructure, may have been better spent on education, health care or subsidised housing. While there is some merit to the above argument, bidding and hopefully hosting an international sporting event can bring significant benefits to a city. The following are a range of benefits that can be presented to the local community: i. A significant international sporting event should not be viewed as a single event in isolation. The event should be considered as part of a broader calendar of events offered by the city and the direct positive impact to the economy that this derives. An example of this is the calendar of events that Melbourne and the state of Victoria hold. Events held include the Formula One Grand Prix, UCI Track Cycling World Championships and FINA World Swimming Championships. These and other major sporting events contributed  to over AU$1 billion to the Victorian economy (dpcd.vic.gov.au/sport/major-events). The success of hosting an international sporting event can further support the host city’s claim as being an attractive destination to hold other major sporting events. ii. Second, the successful bid can lead to a number of approaches to urban regeneration, which can ultimately benefit the host ci ty’s population. Tallon (p.5 urban regeneration in the UK) defined four approaches of urban regeneration: a. Economic – an international sporting event can enhance the employment opportunities in the short- and long-term, increase labour supply and increase economic activity. b. Social/Cultural: the international sporting event can instil a sense of national pride, strengthen values and tradition of the host city and increase the level of interest and participation in the activity associated with the event. c. Physical/Environmental: in the event of a successful bid, the host city can invest in constructing new facilities, improving existing facilities and promoting environmental or ‘greener’ sporting initiatives that can benefit the community in the future. d. Governance: the event will allow the engagement of the local community and the involvement of other groups, and for the host city’s government to review their administration and public policy (p.67 Sports Marketing M elissa Jane). Having the opportunity to host an international sporting event, can allow the host city to revitalise itself through urban regeneration. As a consequence of this regeneration, the host city has the potential to become more efficient and effective, and be able to provide further support and resources where needed. iii. Third, a strong vision in promoting the host city and the region for the international sporting event can attract visitors from other regions of the country and from overseas. This gives the host city the opportunity to showcase itself to the across the globe. This can have a positive economic impact during the event as a result of the influx of visitors and afterwards through the generation of new tourism markets (Cooper, Contemporary Tourism, p.169). The promotion of the host city can also achieve a greater awareness of the community in the wider sporting and tourism spheres. iv. Lastly, the improved infrastructure can enable the city to host further sporting events a nd serve the community for many years. The creation of an improved image, the attraction of economic development and the increase in civic pride  (Urban Tourism, Law p.149) has the potential to create a lasting legacy for the host city. An international sporting event has the potential to create an image that can potentially provide the host city with new levels of global recognition and opportunities for economic, political and social development (Pellergrino and Hancock p.2 2010 Deloitte). Although there is a valid argument for a city to invest into social programs that may benefit the local community, the points presented to the local group can hopefully allay those fears that the city is wasting the taxpayer’s money bidding to host an international sporting event. The event itself can be viewed as a part of a broader calendar of events, the community can benefit from the urban regeneration of the city, promotion of the international sporting event and the city can attract visitors from all over, and the event can leave the host city with a positive lasting legacy. 3. Explain how the Americans deal with China with respect to the defection of tennis player Hu Na from the Peoples Republic of China. Over many years, we have witnessed the entanglement of politics and sport. From the boycotting of international sporting events, such as the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games where the United States and many other Western countries refused to participate due to Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan; protests from individuals like Arash Miresmaili of Iran who sympathised with the oppression of Palestinians (p398 comparative politics Hauss) and refused to compete against Ehud Vaks of Israel; and the expulsion of South Africa from many international events due to apartheid that was prevalent in the country. Another occurrence of politics interfering with sport is evident in the ‘Hu Na Incident’, which as Pendleton (p.13) pointed out was a two-way interaction between sport and diplomacy, resulting in decisions being made at the highest political levels. The ‘Hu Na Incident’ started in July 1982, where Hu Na disappeared from her hotel room whilst touring with a Chinese government sponsored tennis team. Days later, papers were filed with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service requesting political asylum on the grounds that Hu Na had been pressured and persecuted by the Communist Party of China. Hu Na was a rising tennis star in China. She won several tournaments, including the National Sparetime Schools Tournament in 1975, the National Junior Singles crown in 1978 and the National Singles title in 1981. Her success was not just limited to China, she also won the doubles (in 1981) and singles (in  1982) titles at the Casablanca Cup held in Mexico. Initially, the United States had announced that any decision in regards to Hu Na would be based upon the advisory opinion of the State Department. Members of the United States Congress also urged the State Department to grant Hu Na’s request for political asylum. This announcement provoked an immediate diplomatic crisis (p.190 women, sport and society). Upon hearing this, a Chinese spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China would hold the United States responsible for Hu Na’s safe return and that such an incident would harm the cultural exchanges between the two countries (Pendleton 14). The Pro-China newspaper Wen Wei Po also argued that Hu Na’s visit to the United States was in accordance with the Sino-America agreement. Thus, the United States government had a duty of care for her safety, regardless of whether the invitation came form a governmental or non-governmental organisation (Pendleton 14). In April 1983, after almost ten months, the decision to grant Hu Na political asylum was finally made by the State Department. At the time, Arthur P. Brill of the United States Justice Depa rtment, released the following statement (Pendleton 15): Hu Na has been granted asylum under the Refugee Act of 1980, which provides asylum in cases where the applicant establishes a well-founded fear of persecution, due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a special social group. The decision drew support from several quarters in the United States, most notably that of then United States President, Ronald Reagan. After the United States had granted political asylum to Hu Na, Beijing reacted sharply claiming that the decision to grant asylum to Hu Na had been immoral and a grave incident harming relations between the two countries (Nafziger and Wei p.135 Pandektis). The decision was also described as ‘a grave political incident long premeditated and deliberately created by the United States’ (Pendleton p.16). As a result of this decision, Ding Gu, the Director of the Bureau for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries of the Ministry of Culture, cancelled nine bilateral exchanges that inclu ded art exhibitions, performing arts group tours and a film festival. After citing that the United States could not guarantee the safety of its participants, the All-China Sports Federation announced it would also withdraw from ten international events that were to be held  within the United States. China further threatened to retaliate against future incidents, and that it would ‘never for the sake of relations with the United States, abandon its principled stand of safeguarding its state sovereignty and national dignity’ (p27 Chinese Security Robert Ross). During all this posturing by China, the United States demonstrated its resolve by refusing to send Hu Na back to China and granting her political asylum. Ronald Reagan’s administration publicly affirmed that the United States policy would remain constant whether Beijing decided to retaliate or not, or threatened to downgrade relations by withdrawing its ambassador from Washington, or some other action (p86 US-Chinese Relations Sutter). Beijing had clearly miscalculated when it thought it could threaten the United States on this issue, considering this was the period that the Sino-America relations had become normalised. It was a clear win for United States foreign policy, as they were prepared to reject any unreasonable Chinese demands, whilst seeking to improve relations with them.