Patricia MacLachlans Life Reflected in Sarah, Plain, and Tall :: Biography Biographies Essays

Patricia MacLachlan's Life Reflected in Sarah, Plain, and Tall Beyond MacLachlan's basic interest in creating a good children's novel in Sarah, Plain, and Tall, she also has a very personal investment in connecting her story and its characters with the many facets of her personal experiences: family, her beliefs, and her biography. It seems odd that an only child, from an intact family, would have the insight to write so detailed about the feelings of loss and a blended family. When asked â€Å"Do you think a family means a mother, and a father, and a child? Surprisingly, MacLachlan replied, â€Å"No, I don’t think that. And I never had.† MacLachlan went through a time when her own mother had Alzheimer’s disease and was losing her memory. MacLachlan stated, â€Å"In a sense, she was leaving me, though not because she wanted to. (Author Information; teachers@ran-dom.com) Her characters Anna and Caleb feel that same sense of loss as they remember their mother and learn to accept Sarah. MacLachlan felt there were extended people who became your â€Å"kind of; parents. For a lot of children she was their mother/grandmother surrogate. We (MacLachlan’s family) are very strongly connected, my children, myself and even my nieces and nephews. What I am most concerned about is who we are as family and how we effect each other. I didn’t have brothers or sisters, and this may be where it came from†. (â€Å"Author Information† teachers@-random.com). It is now easier to see how Anna and Caleb are so willing to take Sarah into their own family. The characters in the book don’t cling to who was a part of their original family, but instead like MacLachlan, focus on how each character effects each other. MacLachlan also wrote a series of journal articles on adoption and foster mothers which had a major impact on her life. It was clear to me that much of the focus of my writing was sharpened by my involvement and concern for families and children. This was partially the basis for her decision to write for children. She spends a lot of time listening to people talk and begins stories in her head.(Author Information teachers@random.com) It is clear to see that her inspiration came from many sources. What started out as a career in a seemingly separate field, overflowed into what is unique and central to the themes of her writings today. To understand the setting of the book Sarah,

Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but potentially severe, life-threatening infection of the inner lining of the heart and the surface of valves known as the endocardium. If IE is left untreated, local tissue destruction occurs and heart valves become damaged due to pathogen invasion resulting in severe regurgitation of blood. Consequently, the heart becomes less proficient at pumping blood around the body which can lead to congestive heart failure that is the main cause of death from IE1. IE is a rare affecting around 1 in 30,000 individuals each year in England but is important as despite antimicrobial therapy, severe complications including stroke, heart failure or even death2. Delayed clinical diagnosis of IE is common as the initial symptoms such as fever and fatigue are varied and non-specific. Early diagnosis is crucial to enable faster treatment of IE critical for reducing morbidity and mortality. This review will discuss the aetiology and pathophysiology of IE alongside the standard procedures used for diagnosis. Aetiology of IE:IE is mostly caused by gram-positive cocci with Streptococci, Staphylococci and Enterococci which usually originate from oral, skin and gastrointestinal tract flora respectively, accounting for 85% of cases3,4. IE can also be caused by fungal infections such as Candida or Aspergillus colonising the endocardium5. Individuals at risk of include those that inject drugs or have a central venous catheter inserted as medical instruments can be infected by opportunistic pathogens, so manipulation of the skin disrupts the physical barrier allowing transient bacteria to enter the bloodstream6. Despite medical advancements, rates of IE are increasing due to a rise in surgery for valve replacement2.Pathophysiology: Understanding the pathophysiology of IE provides an insight into disease progression and aids in diagnosis7. The endocardium has an outer endothelium with an underlying basal lamina and an inner sub-endothelial layer made of loose connective tissue, fibroblasts and collagen fibrils8. Despite the presence of transient bacteraemia in the bloodstream, IE is rare due to the resistance provided by the intact endothelium lining the heart valves, heart chamber and great vessels9. If endothelial erosion occurs by altered haemodynamics, valvular heart disease, or mechanical lesions from artificial heart valves, blood would be exposed to the sub-endothelial layer and to stromal cells, thromboplastin and collagen present3. Exposure results in activation of the coagulation cascade resulting in fibrin deposition and platelet aggregation7. Consequently, small masses known as sterile thrombotic vegetations mainly made of platelets, fibrin, red and white blood cells4 form on the damaged endothelium on cardiac valve leaflets resulting in non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis [Figure 1]. Vegetations are frequently found in low-pressure areas on cardiac valves due to the Venturi effect where blood flows to a lower-pressure area. Greater mechanical stresses are imposed on the left cardiac valves as blood is pumped under higher pressure. Thus, vegetations are usually identified by echocardiography on the atrial surface of the mitral valve and the ventricular surface of the aortic valve10. Knowing the common vegetation sites enables faster diagnosis of IE. Colonisation of an initially sterile vegetation may occur by adhesion of transient bacteria in the bloodstream [Figure 2]. Adhesion of gram-positive bacteria occurs as adhesins present on the surface of gram-positive bacteria recognise the exposed fibronectin, fibrinogen and platelets3. Bacterial colonisation and growth results in leukocyte infiltration into the vegetation further activating the host coagulation cascade. Vegetation enlargement occurs as bacteria grow and produce a biofilm made of polysaccharides and proteins which aids bacterial persistence11. Pathogen binding initiates neutrophil chemotaxis and infiltration occurs concentrating proteases and oxidative activities12 which can cause valvular damage and cusp perforation [Figure 2]. Thrombotic vegetations can disseminate and become septic emboli possibly resulting in the blockage of small vessels, organ failure or stroke if a cerebral artery is occluded13. Clinical presentation:Delayed diagnosis of IE is common as IE has varied presentations; therefore, blood cultures and echocardiography are predominantly used in diagnosis and clinical presentations are used to help guide diagnosis. IE is traditionally classified as either acute where a sudden development of IE occurs within days, or as subacute if a gradual development of IE occurs over weeks to a few months14. Patients usually present with persistent or recurrent fever, chills, or with non-specific and highly variable symptoms such as malaise, night sweats, myalgia, arthralgia or anorexia16. If the onset of the disease process is slow, classic examination findings such as Osler nodes (red nodular lesions found on fingers and toes), Roth spots (a white-centred haemorrhage in the retina) and Janeway lesions (non-tender, haemorrhagic plaques usually on palms and soles)15 may present [Table 1]. Auscultation of the heart is important as regurgitant murmurs are identified in nearly half of patients16. Identifying regurgitant murmurs is critical as murmurs are a result of valvular insufficiency which commonly develops as a result of IE. As clinical presentations are non-specific and highly variable, a low threshold criterion for further investigation is needed to avoid delay in identifying individuals with IE16. Diagnosis:Rapid diagnosis of IE is essential to initiate antibiotic therapy and avoid progressive, irreversible valve damage7. In comparison to the original Von Reyn criteria for the diagnosis of IE which only consisted of clinical and microbiological investigations, the modified Duke criteria is used in secondary care as the latter is more effective in diagnosis by incorporating echocardiographic findings18 to provide a greater insight into any endocardial pathogenesis [Table 1]. Two major, one major with three minor, or five minor criteria are required for a definitive diagnosis. For example, an echocardiogram showing endocardial involvement alongside a positive blood culture result is sufficient for a definitive diagnosis of IE [Table 1]. Possible diagnosis of IE requires at least one major and one minor criterion or three minor criteria. In clinical practice, the Duke criteria is used but does not replace clinical judgement otherwise misdiagnosis or delayed would result due to the varied clinical presenations19. Microbiological Tests: Identifying underlying microbial aetiology is essential for optimal individual patient treatment. Microbiological tests are performed to identify positive blood cultures. Prior to initiating antibiotic treatment, two sets of blood cultures are taken20. Incubation of a standard blood culture lasts for five days to recover nearly all cultivatable causes of IE21. However, negative tests in around 10% of patients22 may result from antibiotics being given prior to blood cultures or alternative diagnoses such as non-bacterial endocarditis. Around two-thirds of initially culture negative patients are identified as positive with further testing such as serological testing for Bartonella and Coxiella22; therefore, the incorporation of serological testing in the modified Duke criteria is critical to avoid delayed diagnosis. Echocardiography: Echocardiography is crucial in the diagnosis of IE and in predicting the embolic risk. Performing echocardiography as early as possible is essential to diagnose IE and thus initiate treatment23. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) can be involved in diagnosis [Figure 3]. In TTE the transducer is placed on the chest wall and sends out ultrasound waves which pass through the chest wall into the heart. As TTE is non-invasive, it is initially used to identify evidence of endocardial involvement that is stated in the modified Duke Criteria such as vegetations or valvular perforation24, [Table 1]. TTE has a lower sensitivity of 60-75% in comparison to TOE which is more than 90% sensitive; therefore, most patients also have the TOE test where the transducer is attached to a tube, is guided down the pharynx and larynx into the oesophagus to achieve a more detailed image of the heart23, [Figure 3]. Conclusion:Rapid diagnosis is critical as IE has high mortality with over a third of patients dying a year after diagnosis despite advancements in the sensitivity of the diagnostic criteria1. Delayed diagnosis contributes to mortality as vegetation enlargement and subsequent cusp perforation continues resulting in blood flow disruption, deterioration of cardiac function or systemic effects from emboli.

Reading Process - 1135 Words

The Nature of the Reading Process Reading is a complex process; it is not about identifying words but also about understanding them. Reading requires attending to the environment, encoding and interacting with the stimulus in a meaningful manner and linking the meanings of the stimulus with existing knowledge and prior experiences. Thinking Reading is a thinking process; it is not just about calling or recognizing the words on a page but understanding what was read. Therefore the reader must make inferences and think critically to understand the information presented. Thinking while reading will allow the reader to determine the author’s purpose, evaluate the information and apply the information presented in a meaningful way.†¦show more content†¦Children with a positive attitude towards reading will spend more time and effort on the reading process than those with a negative attitude towards reading. Positive attitudes towards reading are nurtured in the home †¢ children need to see parents reading, not just for work purposes but for pleasure †¢ children need to have access to different reading material †¢ parents need to read to children †¢ parents can listen to their children read Negative Attitudes †¢ parents do not read †¢ teachers do not read †¢ reading is used as punishment †¢ no books or other reading materials are provided †¢ reading is seen as a female activity in some homes Teachers also have a part to play in helping children develop a positive attitude to reading; they should enjoy reading and show it. Teachers should also: †¢ provide pleasurable reading experiences for children regularly †¢ allow time for recreational reading during school hours †¢ read aloud on a regular basis to children †¢ model good reading habits Teachers and parents must not use reading as a means of punishment. Ruddell (1992) talks about internal motivation and identification with a piece of literature which can take different forms that can help to make the reader a part of the story. These factors are: ï  ¶ seeing self as a problem solver ï  ¶ viewing self as a person of significance ï  ¶ understanding self ï  ¶ evoking an aesthetic sense ï  ¶ finding anShow MoreRelatedThe Reading Process1595 Words   |  7 Pagesread them. In teaching reading to young children, word selection is often the first place where we go wrong. We pull words from thin air and try to put them into the child. Often we make matters worse by putting these strange words into printed context outside the realm of the childs experience and expecting him to read--and he cannot. Children can learn to read any word they speak. One of the greatest hoaxes in all of educational pedagogy is that which says that reading vocabulary must be developedRead MoreReading Is A Process Of Literate Thinking1098 Words   |  5 Pages(1b) Belief statement about reading Reading is a process of literate thinking during which an individual constructs meaning from texts in a social and cultural context. I believe reading is a vital skill and important activity for people of all ages. I grew up surrounded by books. I had parents who encouraged me from an early age to read books both with and without them, and they would read to me every night before I went to bed. They wanted to ensure that I was literate and would grow up with aRead MoreThe Model Of Reading Process Things Clicked For Me1522 Words   |  7 Pagespsycholinguistic model of reading process things clicked for me. The reason I struggled to read for comprehension became evident; I developed the three parts of the cuing system at different times of my education. Elementary years concentrated on the graphophonemic section, while middle and high school were a drilling of syntactic learning. The semantic system was promoted during the last years of high school it has kept evolving up to now. My very first encounter with the reading process involved the graphophonemicRead MoreReading Is A Process Of Translating Visual Codes Into Meaningful Language1018 Words   |  5 PagesReading is one of the basic components of literacy. â€Å"Reading is a process of translating visual codes into meaningful language† (Whitehurst Lonigan, 1998, p. 849). Children with emerging literacy are at the early stages of reading which mostly involves decoding letters into their corresponding sounds and then linking those sounds to single words. A study was conducted that found that 5% of a child’s daily speech was entirely produced during joint book reading (as cited in Whitehurst LoniganRead MoreReading Comprehension Is A Cognitive And Mental Problem Solving Process1488 Words   |  6 PagesThe reading process is a cognitive and mental problem solving process of decoding symbols so children can derive or construct the meaning of reading comprehension. The reading process is a means of language, communication, and the sharing of ideas and information. Comprehension is when children have the ability to understand or get meaning from the texts they read. With reading comprehension children will benefit greatly when explicit instruction is used. By doing this children can learn how to applyRead MoreEvaluating The Reading Process Is Essential Because One Skill Set Builds Upon The Other2100 Words   |  9 Pageslearn to read, the process can appear to be straightforward. We tend to view reading as a typical learning process that all children learn and can do with ease since it appears that everyone learns to read in elementary school. However, when evaluating the reading process, it becomes complex with specific skills that must be learned in a systematic organized method. The systematic part is essential because one skill set builds upon the other. These systematic organized parts of reading are divided intoRead MoreReflection Of Reading : The Process Of My Reading Process711 Words   |  3 PagesMy reading process overall is very strong and went smoothly. As I read I annotated the pages and this helped me stay more focused and connected with the reading. Today it was hard for me after I went to the bathroom and came back to the reading because I disconnected from the reading and had to try and dive straight back in. I also put my cell phone far away from me when I read or do homework so that I will not be tempted to look at the phone instead of completing my reading. As I read I try toRead MoreThe Process Of Reading869 Words   |  4 PagesThe process of reading is made up of continuous rapid eye movements, called saccades intermingled with brief pauses, called fixations, during which the eyes remain relatively still (Rayner, 1998). During saccades, sensitivity to visual stimuli is reduced to allow the feeling of smooth reading; this phenomenon is called saccadic suppression (Matin, 1974). This means that visual information is only encoded during fixations, that usually occur once for each word (Holmqvist et al., 2011). The studyRead MoreThe Process Of Close Reading While Using Rhetorical Analysis Essay1864 Words   |  8 PagesThe Process of Close Reading While Using Rhetorical Analysis Introduction to Close Reading Rhetorical Analysis The close reading process of a rhetorical analysis includes breaking down an essay into different parts in order to create a certain affect towards the reader. In the article, â€Å"Should Writer’s Use They Own,† Young uses diverse language to address the idea of code meshing. Young’s rhetorical appeal in the article intersect with my reading experiences by creating a difficult read, that makesRead MoreReading Philosophy862 Words   |  4 PagesReading Philosophy In order for a child to excel in school they need to be well versed in reading therefore; I believe that it is vital for all children to learn to read. Not only should reading be a fun and enjoyable experience but something that influences the child to succeed in all subject areas. Reading is an integral part of life that needs to be mastered. A child can master the basics of reading in the early years and should be learned at that time due to the aggravation and frustration

Gun Violence It Is Well Known Gun - 1543 Words

Gun Violence in America Thomas Leonard February 9, 2017 As it is well known gun violence is a major problem in today’s society, places like Chicago and New York City have a serious epidemic on their hands. It is not uncommon to hear about an incident where a gun was involved in these big cities on a day to day basis, but it’s not just the big cities, these type of things are happening nationwide. There has been an argument for many decades whether the cause of such violence is due to the lack of gun control laws or the restrictions put on firearms. Both sides of the isle will argue, the more liberal individual will tell you there is not enough while the conservative individual will tell you the laws put in place are too strict. We should†¦show more content†¦Another article looks at the Tucson shooting where six individuals were killed as an example (Kaveny, 2016). While the author agrees that the constitution protects the rights of gun owners, she makes the argument that semiautomatic weapons were not what the founding fathers had in mind though and that these type of weapons should not be allowed to be owned by the public (Kaveny, 2016). The author also believes that it would be beneficial to have to obtain a license to own firearms and to purchase insurance for possible damages along with further funding for mental health patients to help keep these mass shootings from happening again (Kaveny, 2016). There are many other proposed solutions that are similar to the ones previously mentioned. Philip J. Cook believes that if guns are less available it may not reduce all gun violence but that it would likely reduce the number of deaths caused by guns (Cook, 1981). He makes the argument that criminals are going to be more apt to choose firearms because with these types of weapons they are more likely to be successful in there crime (Cook, 1981). This is a common argument made in favor of stricter gun control laws in the United States. Even with the laws we have put in place there are those whoShow MoreRelatedThe Fear Of Crime And Gun Control1328 Words   |  6 Pagesthe person. A very common fear related to crime is the fear of gun violence and the gun controls that come along with it. The different gun laws that are provided bring a great fear to people in different ways because of the inconsistency that it comes with. Gun related fear can come in two different forms. One fear being scared of not owning a gun for protection or a fear of more people owning guns in general. Introduction It is known that firearms are responsible for approximately 30,000 deathsRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Violence1688 Words   |  7 Pagesnews we see news about senseless acts of violence and acts of terrorism. Countless families mourning the death of their loved ones because of violence that spreads like wildfire. All of the tragic incidents that have occurred recently have been due to the senseless act of gun violence. The events such as the Sandy Hook Massacre and the Orlando shooting have been centered on one object; a gun. Not only are these acts of terrorism a problem but the presence of guns in our everyday lives. The things weRead MoreThe Stop Of Gun Violence1394 Words   |  6 Pagesthe stop of gun violence is the Law Center To Prevent Gun Violence. This groups motto is â€Å"Because smart gun laws save lives†, and they dedicate the work they are trying to achieve to the victims and their families from the 101 California Street shooting in San Francisco. This organizatio n helps to provide extensive and in-depth summaries of the United States federal, state, and local laws and policies involving firearms. They try to be the most comprehensive resource of information on gun regulations;Read MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1637 Words   |  7 Pagesbecomingly increasingly unsure of where the line is drawn on being able to have a gun and what prevents people from using them for harm. Some people have argued that even though the Second Amendment does protect our individual rights to have the option to own arms, that it should give the government authority to ban high-crime communities from using handguns. Gun violence embraces every town in the United States. Gun violence in the past few decades continually keeps becoming a bigger and bigger issueRead MoreEssay On Gun Violence944 Words   |  4 Pages Gun violence in the United States is a current issue and does not go unnoticed. According to the Gun Violence Archive currently in 2017, the â€Å"total number of incidents is 42,964 (2017)â€Å" involving gun related injuries. Within the THiNK textbook there were two articles within the reading to compare peoples view on guns and how they should be controlled. One of the articles was called â€Å"Stop Worrying About Guns in the Classroom. They’re Already Here,† by Erik Gilbert. Who makes a claim that whetherRead MoreIs Guns Off The Streets?1159 Words   |  5 Pagesquestions roam the streets. Guns, guns, and more guns have found their way into the homes and hands of the youth and the underprivileged. Sociologist James D. Wright suggests that to convince inner-city youths not to carry guns requires convincing them that they can survive in their neighborhood without being armed, that they can come and go in peace, that being unarmed will not cause them to be vic timized, intimidated, or slain. (Wright) Programs such as Youth Firearms Violence Initiative, Project SafeRead MoreSocial Issues Of Gun Control1424 Words   |  6 PagesThe issue of guns is one of the most prominent social problems in the United States, and every time after the shooting incident, the voice of gun control became to rise and the debate of banning guns emerge again. What People can do is only to offer their condolences, griefs and protests for gun violence, and stand for moments of silence. People still don’t have any law of gun control in return even if in the face of these bloody statistics. Because this issue is not just a simple social problemRead MoreThe Effects Of Gun Violence On The Society916 Words   |  4 Pages We don’t need to be that vigilant in order to know that gun-related violence and massacres have infiltrated our society. There have been many cases of public mass shootings that have occurred, with some of them happening in schools. 2015 will now be known as the year of mass shootings in the United States, and this is also the reason why the discussion for new gun control laws has heighten in the media. Sadly, we have all heard about the high number of mass shootings that suddenly occurred duringRead MoreGun Violence And Its Effects On America1743 Words   |  7 PagesFor many decades, gun violence has taken the lives of many; friends, family, artist, presidents, and even law enforcement. These tragic losses are a result of rapid, furious reactions from people who don t stop and think, is this truly worth their life?†. Fortunately, some of these killers were put behind bars and loved ones were able to find justice but justice could never replace the life of someone. Gun violence is dividing America and the majority of those at risk are innocent. How many moreRead MoreThe Ad On Gun Violence1444 Words   |  6 PagesThe ad on gun violence send a message about hand guns. In the ad it had an American theme gun and it said, â€Å"Stop handguns before they stop you† (Boyko). This ad brings up one of the biggest problem in today’s society. Over the year’s gu n violence has increased significantly in various parts of the world. There is a big debate on whether the gun laws are strict enough. It is sad to hear about some sort of gun violence or death of a person each day on the news or social media. Each day more and more

The Evolution of Art and Style during the Renaissance

Art, like everything in society, evolves at a certain space. During the Renaissance, art was always pushing the limits from what was previously seen or created. The Renaissance was a revival of Classical Antiquity and the artists went above the standard and created pieces that were intricate and visually pleasing. While the Baroque period was also a time of revival, it mostly revolved around the Catholic religion. Artists wanted to portray classic religious scenes in a more expressive way because during this time, protestantism was on the rise and in order to try and squash this new religion, the Catholics reinvented some great religious pieces but in a more emotional way. Through these following pieces, the evolution of art and style is evident. The first piece comes from the year 1320 ,which is considered the Proto-Renaissance, and it is from Giotto di Bondone. It is call The Adoration of the Magi and it depicts the scene of Jesus birth and how the three wise men came and pa id their respects for the new king, Jesus. This piece helps you understand the switch in style of art because it allows the viewer to understand what the basic standard of excellent art was before the Renaissance. This work is tempera on wood and you can see that it is Proto-Renaissance/ Byzantine because of its one dimensional look and how each subject in the painting is visible and how they have basic expressions. In the next painting, standards for paintings slowly started to change fromShow MoreRelatedEssay Time Capsule1406 Words   |  6 Pagesevolved and proof of this evolution is seen in each of the different concepts that humanities cover. There are several time capsules that are rumored to contain pieces of some of the most influential art, music, architecture, philosophy, and literature in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. To find these capsules would be to travel back in time and hold in ones hands the true measure of what the humanities has accomplished during it s evolution. Art The Renaissance was perceived as a rebirthRead MoreEssay on Surrealism and Harlem Renaissance Two Historical Art Periods973 Words   |  4 PagesSURREALISM AND HARLEM RENAISSANCE Surrealism and Harlem Renaissance Two Historical Art Periods Elisa Montoya Western Governor’s University RIWT Task 1 May 13, 2013 SURREALISM AND HARLEM RENNAISANCE Comparing and Contrasting the Two Art Periods â€Å"Surrealism and Harlem Renaissance† 2 While there are many different historical art periods I will bring together two that I found to be extremely interesting. There are so many wonderful facts about all the different art periods that I’ve chosenRead MoreAmerican Identity And American Identity1350 Words   |  6 Pageseach other through slavery, the civil war, and even against the Harlem Renaissance. Although our country has gone through this turmoil and faced ethnic issues, our true identity shines through with our fight for freedom, the ability to create our own-and americas- path through american ingenuity even in times of great distress. Through the workings of Jackson Pollock, showing how not to conform, and through the Jazz evolution; the american identity has always shown its fight for freedom and independenceRead MoreArt in the Middle Ages and The Renaissance and Its Effect in Society1017 Words   |  5 Pagesthe period of time between the demise of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance era; this was the period from the 5th century to the 17th century in Europe. During this time, society conformed to the feudal system which was based on the hierarchy approach which upper class had control over the lower class. Included in this class structure were kings, lords, neighboring kings, peasants and church leaders. In the Middle Ages, art evolves as humans continue addressing the traditional and the new,Read MoreThe Birth And Evolution Of Ballet1691 Words   |  7 PagesProfessor Cavazzi Dance 64 - History of Dance 22 Aug 2014 The Evolution of Ballet The birth and evolution of ballet is indeed a fascinating study. Since its early origins in fifteenth century Italian court, ballet has undergone a succession of changes and been influenced by gifted artists and choreographers alike, whose unique styles and innovative techniques left their indelible mark on the classic art form. Beginning with the Renaissance and continuing through the Romantic Era, ballet evolved as eachRead MoreHumanities Essay959 Words   |  4 PagesThe Renaissance and Baroque periods in European history played an important role in the development of humanities in their respectable age. During these periods it established a time of rebirth in humanisms and improvement of cultural accomplishments. The Renaissance period provided artistic freedom and individualism. It began around the 14th century in Italy and spread throughout Europe until the 16th century. Renaissance means â€Å"rebirth† and humanism of the renaissance artist was to express themselves Read MoreThe Art Of The Folk1699 Words   |  7 Pages The Art of the Folk: Jazz, Blues, Folktales, Dance: The Harlem Renaissance During the nineteenth- mid-twentieth century, folk became very popular and widely known within the nation. Folk is considered the ordinary citizens of a public or district considered as the agents of a conventional lifestyle and particularly as the originators or bearers of the traditions, convictions, and expressions that make up an unmistakable culture. When people started to realize, their potential and become open toRead MoreAnalysis Of Jan Van Eyck s The Dutch And Flemish1721 Words   |  7 PagesThe Renaissance was a time of rebirth, and evolution in artwork all around Europe. Up in the North, right behind the Italians, the Dutch and Flemish were gearing up for their own shift in artwork to surpass their neighbors. Following inspiration from their Italian neighbors, and the International Gothic style, they looked forward and redefined painting as a style, while also changing arts meaning. Making the characters true to life in artwork was a new feat never before seen until the High RenaissanceRead MoreRenaissance Architecture Vs Gothic Architecture1390 Words   |  6 PagesRenaissance architecture is the European architecture of the period between the early 14th and early 17th centuries in different regions, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance architecture followed Gothic architecture and was succeeded by Baroque architecture. Developed first in Florence, with Filippo Brunelleschi as one of its innovators, the Renaissance style quickly spread to otherRead MoreDifferences Between Eastern And Western European Architectural Styles1223 Words   |  5 Pagesstructure and form of the style. The term is sometimes used to define a time period, but some critics believe there is no true definition of the term gothic. The style has evolved from many different things throughout history, and its influence is still evident throughout buildings in E urope. Gothic architecture and different styles of architecture can commonly be recognized by the time period, which had a strong influence on specific details and shifts in the styles. Gothic architecture is not

Ben Franklin autobiography free essay sample

Franklins goal was to seek moral perfection, this helped him come In contact with success, although he did have many failures. In Franklins journey to reach perfection he ended up fixing many problems. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another. Every time he fixed a problem a new one would occur. This made him relies human perfection is not possible.On the positive side, along his Journey Franklins moral character improved and his determination and self- discipline helped him become the famous man he has been all these years. C) Franklins persuasive purpose In this autobiography excerpt was to make the reader a more moral person and encourage them to be a better person. Franklins wise words were meant to change the readers perspective on life. Such words as Use no hurtful deceit; think Innocently and Justly, and. If you speak, speak accordingly. Org). In Franklins autobiography he first talks about success though failure that he experience because of his strong work ethic that Is precisely American. For him to push though life when the going got tough or he wanted to quit Is simply the American way.He rose from a lower socioeconomic class to a respectable man who was admired worldwide. This was a huge accomplishment for Benjamin Franklin and is another illustration what it means to be an American. Making a name for ones self and having those types of opportunities that he had are what makes America so great. Franklins autobiography is a typical American rags-to- riches story; perhaps one of the first we read about. There are several qualities of being a true American throughout the text of Part two of Benjamin Franklins Autobiography.When reading you sense that he Is very patriotic and has respect for hose who protect his country. This piece of literature shows how Americans should be: it is a great self-help book. The 13 virtues that Franklin gives us as models to follow are: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, Justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility (Franklin 535). Benjamin Franklin did lots of soul searching, about his values and religious beliefs in his early years, but never dedicated everything to one particular faith, but to what he saw as common to all religions of character (Dillon 41).In his autobiography he writes It was n everyones interest to be virtuous who wished to be happy even in this world (Franklin 2001, 103). ***** THIS WAS A QUOTE FROM DILLON 41, BUT ALSO IN HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY, DONT KNOW HOW TO SITE IT. Franklin wrote these virtues as a self-help guide to others with some of the things he struggled with. One should practice them whenever possible for they will help throughout ones life, even though It might be difficult to realize until a much later time. The true man of virtue contrives to appear a man of virtue (Osborne 24). The Cardinal virtues of human character and definitions are: Temperance. Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation (Dillon 42). This would be to know your limits and to learn when enough is enough. If you are going to eat, do not be a glutton. If you are going to drink, do not do it to get drunk. Franklin Is talking about self-control and that is a very important lesson that one should learn, while others never do. In todays society, many people or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation (Dillon 42). If what you say is not productive or useful to your surroundings then keep your thoughts to yourself. Do not argue or use negative words with anyone.In American today it seems as though no one takes a breath for silence, and everyone is always talking, usually about himself or herself. Order. Let all your Things have their Places. Let each part of your Business have its Time (Dillon 42). Put your priorities in order and be sure that each thing that you have to do gets the appropriate time needed to get the Job done. Multitasking was not really used in Franklins time, but has become quite popular in the 21st century. However, it is not very beneficial because not each task gets a fair amount of time spent on it therefore only being done incomplete.Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve (Dillon 42). Do Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself. I. E. Waste nothing (Dillon 42). Do not be frivolous with your spending. Dont be in excess, but use what you have and give what you do not need. Americans are so bent on getting everything they think they need in reality most of them have more than enough. Most of them live in excess and American is one of the most wasteful countries in the world. Many Americans rely on others to achieve greatness, while they sit back and reap the infinite.Sadly, frugality has declined since Franklins time as well. Despite Franklins wife purchasing china and silver, Franklin believed in being frugal and desired to [keep] no idle Servants; our Table was plain and simple, our Furniture of the cheapest (Franklin 533). On the contrary, modern Americans are so absorbed in owning things of monetary value, such as the newest car or electronic device that they do not care what the costs. Frugality is not something they think or care about. Industry. Lose no Time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions (Dillon 42).Never be unproductive with the task at hand, and do not be sluggish and lazy with your time, for time is precious. Since Franklins time, welfare has come into place and people have become lazier than ever. Sadly, many Americans today want hand outs and think the government should help them. However, Franklin wrote to hard working Americans that were driven by work Just to survive and provide for their families. Sincerity. Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and Justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly (Dillon 42). Do not talk with false pretense, or lead others on with what you say.Speak with only the truest meaning and be genuine to others. Franklin wanted others to talk honestly to everyone and do not be deceitful to one another. Today people say what they need to get what they want. They are unaware if they hurt someone or deceive them. Americans are very egotistical and want only what is best for them. Justice. Wrong none, by dont injuries or omitting the benefits that are your Duty (Dillon 42). Do not betray others and treat everyone fairly. Franklin was trying to tell Americans that one should always stick up for his brothers and do not hurt one another with words or anything else. Moderation. Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve (Dillon 42). Franklin was explaining that one does not need to be gluttonous, selfish or greedy, but do everything in an equal balance. You can put your whole heart into something without going to the extreme. This character quality is one Americans have strayed away since Franklins time. From how much we put on we used. Today we purchase anything we want, based on our future ability to earn and repay the debt, which is not how it should be. Credit cards, the stock market, even modern pay scale is based off of our future.In Franklins time, it was based on he day. And there was zero expendable income back in the day. Savings was almost unheard of in those days unless you had lots of money. It would be akin to someone being debt free in todays world. Cleanliness. Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Clothes, and Habitation (Dillon 42). This one is pretty self-explanatory, be clean. Keep your bodies clean, clothes clean well as your home and workplace. One should not tolerate those who do not feel the same. In todays society, this virtue has stuck around quite well, and has probably surpassed Franklins expectations with the invention of the washing machine.Most people are very clean, and keep their clothes clean. However, the part about their habitation or residence might be another story. Obviously each family is different, but many Americans keep clean houses, while others have become lazy in one way or another. Some get a maid and let them clean it while others do not clean it at all and life in filth. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable (Dillon 42). Do not be hostile but peaceful at all times. Try to keep harmony with those who surround you. It seems as though throughout time Americans have become much more unfriendly and aggressive.Their priorities are skewed and being tranquil is not a top priority. Chastity. Rarely used Veneer but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or anothers Peace or Reputation (Dillon 42). The word chastity stem from the Latin adjective cactus meaning pure. In Franklins day this topic was not discussed much and people saved themselves for their spouses. Here he basically is trying to say that sex is to be used to make children, and for heath reasons. Since Franklins time sex has become less of a scared thing and more of a casual thing that people do.Pregnancies before marriage are not uncommon anymore and sadly, chastity is considered old schooled and a thing of the past. The last of the 13 is Humility, which some might find very interesting and think these were written in order, however it is not said. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates (Dillon 42). Franklin is trying to let others know that to be humble is to be like Jesus, to always put others first and realize that themselves are not to be priority. For Franklin, principles were more important than organized religion in terms of living ones life morally and righteously.He thought that religion could skew one from being honest because of the interpretation of the Bible. In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, the toughest virtue to portray was humility. If you do accomplish it, then is that not something to be pleased with? One quality of being an American that stands out in Franklins autobiography is the pride and loyalty for America that all people possessed. Besides the holiday of July 4th, we rarely take time to stop and truly appreciate our country and how fortunate we are to live here.Americans are finding it harder and harder to show the pride our refresher once had for our great nation because we did not experience the self- sacrifice and devotion for our country that was needed during those early difficult Americans still honor our nation and its history today. In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin gives the perfect reasons to be an American and what qualities one must posses. Education, ambition, patriotism, hard work, and perseverance are some of the American traits Franklin writes about. Benjamin Franklin was a model American that all people should mimic.

ZARA IT for Fast Fashion Essay Example

ZARA IT for Fast Fashion Paper ZARA IT for Fast Fashion ( Case Analysis) 1) Please describe three most important competitive advantages of ZARA (Inditex) over its main competitor. How sustainable is this advantage? 2) Assume that ZARA is considering to enter the US market. Please recommend actions for ZARA. Please make clear assumptions when necessary. After reading and analyzing the Zara case we came several conclusions when it comes to Zaras competitive advantage over its competitors. We understood that Zara is using totally distinctive business model compared to other more traditional fashion etailers. In our opinion there are three most important advantages that Zara has over its competitors. These are : IT Software/internal information flow, Factory locations/Geographic placement, Just in Time approach. We believe that these three factor are the main determinants when it comes to Zaras strong current position on the market. Below I will go more in detail and explain every single factor individually. Software/internal information flow First factor which gives Zara competitive advantage according to me is their software. The fact that all the software (PDA) used currently by Zara is developed by them gives them huge competitive advantage. We will write a custom essay sample on ZARA IT for Fast Fashion specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on ZARA IT for Fast Fashion specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on ZARA IT for Fast Fashion specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Having the software developed internally makes it much more efficient and user friendly because it is compatible with the companies daily operations. Everything starting from the operational procedures, performance measures, and even office and store layouts are designed to make information flow simple. Making the internal information flow faster and more efficient is one of the key success factors for Inditex. The fact that all the stores are directly connected to the main system which in ollects all the data is a great way for analyzing things that are going on in different stores. But all in all we would say that this factor is not a sustainable advantage. Everyone can copy the system or even create their own. The issue might be cost of RD connected to development of such a system. But if we are talking about Zaras main competitors it is fully possible. Manufacturing and Distribution (Factory locations/Geographic placement) The firm has built its highly developed strategy around consumer trends and embracing the fast-changing tastes of its customers. The fashion industry is a fast changing industry with new trends appearing on daily basis. Zara produces their clothing to have a short wear span (10 wears) forcing consumers to need to purchase more designs sooner. This ensures a high competitive edge for Zara in product respond to this fast changing trends Zara has developed a highly responsive supply chain based mainly on internal communication. They have a fast production and distribution strategy that allows them to offer the latest fashions in less than two weeks. It is very important to mention that Zara manufactures its products on all the ontinents. The manufacturing is divided between Spain where around 50% of Zaras products are manufactured, rest of Europe where 26% are manufactured and the remaining 24% is outsourced to the Asian and African countries. So what is so special about this division of manufacturing ? Well firstly we have to look at the costs of production. The cost of production in Northwest Spain (wages are relatively low/ unemployment high 17%) or northern Portugal are significantly lower than in other countries around Europe. The products which have longer shelf life like sweatpants, inglets or t-shirts are outsourced to Asia, while the fashionable product with constantly changing trends are produces in Portuguese and Spanish factories. Because of the strategic location of the factories in Europe Zara is able to produce and transport much bigger amounts of products to their stores in much shorter amount of time. Zaras new designs can get into stores in as little as two weeks. Compared to Zaras competitors who need to wait for their new inventory for around two months. Also when it comes to designs Zara outclass its competitors by roducing up to 11,000 distinct items annually while key competitors produce between 2,000 and 4,000. We also have to keep in mind that Zara is Just a fashion imitator. This makes it less time consuming when it comes to creating new trends and designs. Zara Just copies whatever is out there on the market and sells it for much lower cost. We believe that Manufacturing and Distribution is Zaras main competitive advantage which can remain sustainable. Why ? I believe that because of the economics of scale and companys current passion on the market. Even if any of Inditexs big competitors would try to copy this system, they would lose significant part of the market share because it would be very expensive and time consuming transitional process. On the other hand the barriers to entry for the newcomers are just way to high to even compete on any level with companies like Zara. Just in Time Approach There is little inventory anywhere in the Zaras supply chain because Zara uses the JIT approach. Zara has pioneered its operations, which enables the constant introduction of new items in short lead times. A little bit about Just in Time01T) roduction used by Zara. JIT is a production method that strives to increase return on investment, reducing inventory and associated carrying costs. The JIT process relies on signals, also called Kanban. It tells production when to make the next part for the production process. Usually Kanban is placed as tickets but it can also be a simple visual signals. E. g. presence or absence of a part on a shelf. Kanban is a system to control the logistical chain from a production point of view, and is not an inventory control system. When JIT is Implemented correctly like in the case of Zara it focuses n continuous improvement and it can improve a businesses return on investment, quality, and eliminating non-value added activities. In order to achieve continuous and employee involvement. Inventory is seen as incurring costs, or waste, which do not create any value added. Just-in-time encourages businesses to eliminate non- value added activities that does not compensate for manufacturing process issues, and it helps to constantly work towards improving those processes to achieve less inventory. In short, the Just-in-Time inventory system focus is having the right aterial, at the right time, at the right place, and in the exact amount, without the safety net of inventory. Strategic decisions for a company (Zara) that are supported based on JIT: Increase profit margin by skipping retailers (online sales) Create price premium product based on JIT Eliminate non-value added activities (cut costs) Zara entering the US market If Zara was planning to enter the US Market they would have to do a lot of strategic preparation. The system which they have In Europe would not work in US because of the geographic location of the United States. The supply system would not be efficient enough since the products would have to be shipped all the way from Europe or Asia. As the result of that Zara would not be able to switch their inventory each two weeks. The lead times would change. We believe that the best solution would be to copy the European business model. What do we mean by that? Part of Zaras success is the geographic position of its factories. The Spanish and Portuguese manufacturing plants are able to produce and ship an item in a very short time. The position of the factories is strategic, the fact that the factories are in Europe. Resolution for that could be establishment of the manufacturing plant in Mexico. The country is relatively cheaper than the US but it is Just by the border. By establishing production plants in Mexico Zara would have the opportunity to create similar situation as they have in Europe at the time. One more thing which definitely should get more attention in the US is advertising. Zara spends only 0. 3% of its revenue on advertising while their competitors spend between 3% and 4%. We believe that this strategy may work on the European market but in the US the advertising budget hould be raised. In the US the advertising is much more aggressive so in order to become noticed Zara needs to leave their old ways behind and compete as equal with the big companies on the American market. Zara should also somehow test the US market before entering. We believe that by offering the online store first they would get much greater understanding of the market as a whole. The company would be able to see the different trends within a market and how it is divided. All the information from the online sales could be then used as a part of the strategy hen it comes to placement of the retail stores and overall general info about customer needs in given parts of the country. Benchmarking of their biggest competitors on the American market would be highly recommended. Before entering a new market you need to know what are the best practices of your competitors. Ohno, Taiichi Oune 1988). Toyota Production System beyond large-scale production. Productivity Press http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Zara_(retailer)#cite_note-10 http://www. forbes. com/sites/gregpetro/2012/10/25/the-future-of-fashion-retailing- the-zara-approach-part-2-of-3/