Investegation Of Megnetic Fields :: essays research papers

The Investigation of Magnetic Fields. Introduction: We already know that the magnets have a magnetic field around them, which allows them to attract magnetic elements like iron. In this lab the magnetic field of a magnet will be investigated. By putting a thin layer of iron filings on the peace of plastic under which will be a magnet bar, we will be able to see this field. Purpose: To see the patterns of a magnetic field of a single magnet and fields of two magnets when they are put together in different positions. Materials: Page #369 in the textbook. Observations:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Discussion: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A magnetic field is a field which is created by a magnetic substance, the field can either repel or attract. The iron filings showed the magnetic field lines because they are a magnetic substance and are attracted, (or) repelled by magnets. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  a) Usually the denser the magnetic field is, the stronger the magnetic field is, because the ends of the magnet, where the lines that represent the magnetic field are closest together, the magnetic field is strongest and where the this lines are farther apart, the magnetic field is weaker. B) The strongest point of a magnetic field is on poles of a magnet, the weakest point is in the middle between the two poles. That is because at the poles of the magnet there is only one pole either north or south and in the middle there are both of them and the cancel each other out. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With different poles the filings make a circular shaped around the two poles and they connect between them, that shows that two different poles attract each other . with like poles the filings circle away from each other and form a diamond shape over the two poles. That shows that two like poles repel each other.

Harmful Effects of the Ornish Diet Essay -- Health Nutrition Diet Exer

Harmful Effects of the Ornish Diet The Ornish diet, a meal plan that emphasizes the consumption of carbohydrates over fats, is an unsafe plan despite its claims to being a safe and effective way to prevent heart disease1 – a claim only a balanced diet can make. Because the Ornish diet cuts out a large number of foods from a person’s meal, many beneficial nutrients are missing that would normally be in a balanced diet. In addition, recent studies have found that diets containing a larger than recommended amount of carbohydrates may actually increase a person’s chances of developing intestinal and breast cancers2. These findings show that despite any benefits the Ornish diet may provide to the heart, the complications of maintaining a high carbohydrate diet make it not nearly as safe as a balanced diet. Because the Ornish diet restricts participants to a strictly vegetarian meal plan, people who follow the diet often become deficient in beneficial nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids1. Vitamin B12 and iron are nutrients often found in animal products such as meat, while omega-3 fatty acids are most common fish – the foods present in a balanced diet, but absent in the Ornish diet. Deficiencies of these chemicals can often lead to conditions such as anemia, or prevent beneficial effects that are imparted by omega-3 fatty acids such as mood stabilization and improved cardiovascular health. Because the body needs iron to produce hemoglobin – a vital part in a red blood cell’s ability to transport oxygen to other cells, a lack of the substance would cause a large decrease in the effectiveness and number of red blood cells. In addition, due to vitamin B12’s regulation of blood cell production, a decreas... ...s incorrect. People on this diet often do not obtain enough of the essential vitamins and minerals that they need in order to maintain healthy bodies. Because of this, they run the risk of developing serious illnesses such as anemia. People on the Ornish diet also will not enjoy the possible benefits other nutrients such as the omega-3 fatty acids. Dieters who take in such large amounts of carbohydrates also increase their risk of developing cancers due to the elevated insulin responses their bodies put up to digest the food that they eat. In the end, a balanced diet is much safer than, and just as effective – if followed correctly – In maintaining a healthy body as the Ornish diet is. Sources 1. http://www.moscowfoodcoop.com/archive/ornish.html 2. http://www.scienceblog.com/community/article3530.html 3. http://www.bipolarchild.com/newsletters/0501.html

Discuss the character of Catherine Earnshaw and your reaction to her and her importance to the novel as a whole

Born in 1818 at Thornton in Yorkshire, Emily Brontà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ lived for most of her life at Haworth, near Keighley. The fifth of the six children of Reverend Patrick Brontà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, she became familiar with death early. When she was three years old in 1821, her mother died of cancer, and when she was seven her two older sisters, boarding at Cowan Bridge School, died of consumption. Emily and her sister Charlotte, who also attended this school, returned to Haworth where, with their sister Anne and brother Branwell, were brought up by their aunt. Emily was apparently an intelligent, lively child, becoming more reserved as she grew older. Emily remained at Haworth, looking after her father and the household. She continued writing, and in 1846, persuaded by Charlotte, the sisters published a joint collection of poems, under the pen names of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Wuthering Heights, probably begun in autumn 1845, and was published in December 1847. Reviews were mixed. The novel's power and originality were recognized, but fault was found with its violence, coarse language, and apparent lack of moral. In September 1848, Branwell, whose various attempts at making a career ended in addiction to opium and drink, died. After his funeral, Emily became ill but, refusing a doctor, carried on with her household duties. She died on 19th December 1848 of consumption, with characteristic courage and independence of spirit. Charlotte wrote in the 1850 addition of Wuthering Heights. When analyzing Catherine Earnshaw's character, one can draw many conclusions from observing her relationships with other characters in Wuthering Heights. The three most significant people in Catherine's life are Heathcliff, Edgar Linton and Nelly Dean. Catherine was a stubborn, playful but an appealing child. Although Catherine tends to not like Heathcliff at first, she becomes his friend, where they share time together playing on the moors. She says: ‘My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning' (p75). Catherine and Heathcliff have an unusual type of love for one another; their love is more spiritual than physical. They talk about dying together rather than living together. They make love not by giving each other pleasure but by inflicting pain. Heathcliff and Catherine are meant to be. In fact, she confides to Nelly one night that Heathcliff is: â€Å"more myself than I am†¦ Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same.† (p73). The main focus in Wuthering Heights is the passionate, self-destructive love of Catherine and Heathcliff. Cathy describes her love, in chapter 9: ‘My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible light, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff!' After returning from the Grange, Catherine has become more ladylike but still has a temper, as seen in Chapter 8 where she pinches Nelly and slaps Edgar. Her clinginess to Heathcliff remains, but the wealth and social position associated with marrying Edgar also attracts her. Catherine is honest and self-aware enough to admit her instinct that marrying Edgar is wrong, but convinces herself that it won't hinder her friendship with Heathcliff. When Heathcliff returns, Catherine is forced to choose between him and Edgar. Unfortunately, Catherine becomes ill with brain fever. In her feverish state, she begins to understand her condition, whilst feeling grief with separation from Heathcliff and being ‘wrenched' from Wuthering Heights to be ‘the lady of Thrushcross Grange, and the wife of a stranger' (p116). However, she makes the decision to marry Edgar Linton because it would degrade her to marry Heathcliff. This choice proves to be fatal. On her deathbed, she realizes what she has done. When Heathcliff comes to see her during her last days, she tells him bitterly, â€Å"I with I could hold you 'till we were both dead! I shouldn't care what you suffered. I care nothing for your sufferings. Why shouldn't you suffer? I do.† (p145). Although she dies halfway through the novel, her spirit lingers and continues to haunt Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights. The location of Catherine's coffin symbolizes the conflict that tears apart her short life. She is not buried in the chapel with the Linton's. Nor is her coffin buried among the graves of the Earnshaws. Instead, as Nelly describes in Chapter 16, Catherine is buried ‘in a corner of the kirkyard, where the wall is so low that heath and bilberry plants have climbed over it from the moor'. Catherine is buried with Edgar on one side and Heathcliff on the other, suggesting her conflicted loyalties. Her actions are motivated by her social ambitions, which are awakened during her first stay at the Linton's, and which eventually force her to marry Edgar. Catherine's death is the conclusion of the conflict between herself and Heathcliff and removes any possibility that their conflict could be resolved positively. After Catherine's death, Heathcliff purely extends and deepens his drives toward revenge and cruelty. Catherine and Heathcliff's language is often poetic in its use of imagery and rhythm to convey emotions, as in Catherine's description of her love for Heathcliff in Chapter 9, with natural images of winter, trees and rocks. Heathcliff speaks in a similar way, for example in Chapter 33 when he describes seeing Catherine: ‘In every cloud, in every tree – filling the air at night, and caught by glimpses in every object' (p298), and the changes in the weather in chapter 17 after Catherine's death. Nelly asks Lockwood, in connection with Catherine's death: ‘Do you believe such people are happy in the other world, sir? I'd give a great deal to know' (p153). Different characters in the book have different ideas of heaven or hell, but it is the story of Heathcliff and Catherine that is the most centrally concerned with the idea of death. In Chapter 3, we come across the supernatural in the form of Catherine's ghost, which is given a powerful sense of reality. As I read on, the visit of the ghost is put in context. Catherine says to Nelly, ‘surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should be an existence of yours beyond you' (p75). Before Catherine's death, Nelly notices that her eyes seemed to gaze beyond the objects round her, ‘you would have said out of this world' (p144). She anticipates a world where she will be ‘incomparably beyond and above you all' (p148). After her death, Heathcliff asks her to haunt him: ‘I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always' (p155). At the end of the novel, two spirits are seen walking together on the moors. I can conclude that the two have finally found happiness together. Love is linked with dreams, through which Catherine finds the truth about her deepest feelings (Chapters 9 and 12). When describing their relationship, the language of Heathcliff and Catherine is obsessive and dramatic. I.e. in Heathcliff's description of visiting the Grange in Chapter 5, his account in Chapter 29 and his revelations to Nelly in the Final Chapters. His description of how he sensed Catherine's presence after his funeral is characteristic, with its exclamations, short sentences, dashes and powerful images:' I looked round impatiently – I felt her by me – I could almost see her, and yet I could not! I ought to have sweat blood then†¦' (p226). I see Catherine now and then in a concerned, sometimes in an unconcerned light. I witness her nastiness to Isabella in Chapter 10, her self-interest and determination to get her own way when she assumes Edgar must put up with Heathcliff, because that's what she wants, and when she determines to break both men's hearts by breaking her own (Chapter 11), we are shown her inappropriate tearing of the pillow with her teeth (Chapter 12). I also have sympathy for Catherine by first meeting her through her childhood and her devotion to Heathcliff and love for him (p75). Finally, the fact that Nelly misunderstands Catherine and underestimates her illness, dismissing her of her love for Heathcliff in Chapter 9 and her painfully won insights in Chapter 12 as ‘nonsense', it increases my eagerness to sympathise with her and see her at her tragic moments. Linked with love is the subject of being separated and being reunited. Heathcliff and Catherine experience this when Catherine stays at the Grange, then when Heathcliff leaves, and again at Catherine's death. There is also the love between Catherine and Edgar, which Nelly sees as ‘deep and growing happiness' (p84), but which Catherine sees changing ‘as winter changes the trees' (p75). Edgar Linton brings out the more sensitive, civilized side of Catherine. Since she considers Heathcliff below her in social standing, she marries Edgar thinking it is the right thing to do. She tries to convince herself that she loves him. â€Å"†¦because he is young and cheerful†¦because he loves me†¦and he will be rich, and I shall be the greatest woman in the neighborhood, and I shall be proud of having such a husband.† (p71). Forced to work as a labourer by Hindley, Heathciff deteriorates mentally and in appearance, whilst Catherine becomes ‘the queen of the countryside' (p59). When Heathcliff overhears her say marrying him would ‘degrade' her, he also hears her say she ‘had not brought Heathcliff so low' (p.73). So it is Hindley along with Edgar, whose wealth and property I find Catherine finds so attractive, which separate Heathcliff from his love and inspire his ruthless revenge. Catherine is attracted to Thrushcross Grange, but knows in her heart and soul it is the wrong path to take. Edgar is just the opposite of Heathcliff. He is cheerful, pleasant, and tender hearted. For example, when his sister dies, he takes in her child, Linton, as his own – that is until Heathcliff steps in. Although he loves her very much and he has his child, she does not love him back. Unlike Heathcliff and Edgar, Nelly Dean does not like Catherine. She is the narrator throughout the novel. Through Nelly's comments I am able to understand that she doesn't like any one of these three characters. She labels Catherine as being a spoiled little brat who always gets her way. She also blames the entire tragedy of the two houses on Catherine and her passions. In one particular instance, Catherine cries out to Nelly that she is ‘very unhappy' Nelly replies, ‘A pity. You're hard to please: so many friends and so few cares, and can't make yourself content!' (p70). Another comment she makes later in the novel is ‘she behaved infinitely better than I dared to expect.' (p83). Although Nelly Dean was not fond of Catherine, she was loyal and respectful to her and her family. Being the idol of the novel, Catherine Earnshaw is a very complex character. Emily Brontà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ I feel does an excellent job characterizing her not only on the surface, but also through the other characters. Through each character, I am able to see from a different perspective a better ability to analyze Catherine's character. Catherine Earnshaw's iron will, immaturity, and search for high-profile acceptance cause her character to star in the tragedy of a lost generation. She is loving and violent, gentle and passionate, affectionate and stubborn. Her chaotic and aggressive personality rivals only that of Heathcliff. Like Heathcliff, certain traumas experienced feed the fire of their passion, self-interest, and youthfulness. For example, she is the offspring of a man who says that because he can't understand her, he can't love her. Meanwhile, Catherine finds the inner core and a deep connection with the stranger who enters her own father's affection and her life so long. While her brother feels evicted and threatened by Heathcliff, Catherine sees the ‘dirty, gypsy boy' a reflection of her own wild nature. Perhaps Catherine and Heathcliff never leave their selfishness and wildness of childhood because they are satisfied in their obsession just before they start to grow up. Possibly, they prefer to look upon each other as a childlike mirror image, rather than to progress to the stage of adults. Catherine and Heathcliff never appear to feel sexual desire for others, and are prevented in discovering it in each other as well. Possibly, they are both emotionally trapped in their natural habitat taking in the beauty of the moors while escaping adult mind games and romantic rules and actions. The great tragedy in the novel is when Catherine, in all her elegant enhancement, attempts to grow up and marry an established man. With the exception of wealth and position, all is lost in this hasty decision. Catherine and Heathcliff's relations are further let down, and upon their long-awaited reunion, fireworks go off: ‘With straining eagerness Catherine gazed toward the entrance of her chamber,' (p140) Nelly recalled. Heathcliff's reaction is not surprisingly similar, ‘In a stride or two was at her side, and he had her grasped in his arms. He bestowed more kisses than ever he gave in his life before' (p140). It is at this point that Cathy and Heathcliff differ the most. Remarkably, Cathy further displays he lack of maturity by attempting to make her beloved feel guilty that she is suffering, although it is caused by her own lack of consideration. The dramatic and suffering scene is described as, ‘The two, to a cool spectator, made a strange and fearful picture' (p141). Catherine's gift of pain to Heathcliff and Heathcliff's ability to change her justification in a brief conversation suggest he is the most loyal lover. She submitted to the pressures of marrying a man for his position as Heathcliff changed his own life to be that man. However wicked Heathcliff becomes, he never betrays his dream and his own private vision of eternal bliss alongside Cathy, while she seeks a worldly success in the marriage of Edgar Linton for its own sake. Although they each admit that they are necessarily part of one another, exclusively Heathcliff is willing to face the consequences.

Organisations Need Strong Culture Essay

I will outline why a strong culture is required for organisations in a post-bureaucratic era. Culture â€Å"represents the totality of everyday knowledge that people use habitually to make sense of the world around them through patterns of shared meanings and understandings passed down through language, symbols, and artefacts† (Clegg 3rd Edition, 2011). It is the ‘glue’ that binds the workforce of an organisation in a post-bureaucratic organisation, which is heterarchical, meaning information flows across divisions and is more equally given to people and different managements. I will also draw upon numerous tutorial and additional readings to explore the differing opinions into the essence of culture and its importance to modern-day organisations. It is an important ingredient to success that organisations meet their objectives under a strong culture in the post-bureaucratic era, as the necessary outcomes will be achieved through a quality focused cultural organisation. Furthermore I will provide an overview of culture in the post-bureaucratic era with the assistance of Josserand (2012), and then analyse the working environment by comparing and contrasting its effectiveness with a strong culture using Rosen (1988) and Karreman, D. & Alvesson, M (2004). Lastly I will assess an organisations working situation without culture using Bolden (2006), to ultimately show that in my opinion it is clear that â€Å"organisations need strong culture† to be successful. Josserand (2012) analyses corporate alumni networks as a post-bureaucratic management practice that perpetuates an individuals’ subjectivation despite them no longer being a part of the organisation. Courpasson (2000, cited in Josserand 2012) states that â€Å"post-bureaucratic management practices are powerful soft-domination devices†. On the surface it appears as though there is equality among workers in the organization which helps produce obedience, however it’s actually a pervasive system of controls which subtly reinforces the hierarchical structure (Josserand, 2012). It’s been debated that an enterprising culture is promoted by post-bureaucratic practices. DuGay (2000, cited in Josserand 2012) further points out that it â€Å"carries humanistic values of autonomy, responsibility, flexibility, confidence, and trust, that encourages people to be empowered and to take on responsibilities†. Culture gives organisations unique identities but most importantly, I believe a positive culture benefits both employees and employers, as it creates a productive working environment and thus leads to more efficient and effective work practices. It increases the successfulness of the organisation if implemented successfully. Employing a strong culture in an organisation can be a tedious, time consuming and a difficult task, however it is a long term project to increase the organisations profitability by increasing the enjoyment and satisfaction of its’ workers. In addition workers will flourish according to Salaman & Storey (2008, cited in Josserand 2012) â€Å"by constantly achieving harder, better and faster†, which is beneficial for the employers and employers as better results are achieved. It also engrains the concept that they are â€Å"players on the same team† (Hardy, 1998, cited in Josserand 2012). The ultimate outcome is for the workers to believe they are â€Å"members of the big corporate family who they can trust as their relatives† (Casey 1999, cited in Josserand 2012). From this, they all enjoy the success of achieving the ‘family’s’ key objectives. Negative culture lacks the engagement and empowerment aspects needed by a successful organisation and achieving the key objectives in a weaker or negative cultured organisation become much more difficult and stresses the bureaucratic processes. Rosen’s (1988) article utilises the setting of an organisations Christmas party to draw out the cultural and symbolic meanings, under the guise of a supposedly innocent social event. There is a â€Å"blurring of boundary between self and organisation† (Rosen 1988), giving workers a chance to develop more personal relationships with fellow workers, which I believe is an important consideration in driving culture. However subtly it is a form of normative control which reinforces the organisations hierarchy. Nevertheless, bosses, co-workers, and inferiors in the organisation socialise in the social setting, not as â€Å"subordinates† (Rosen 1988) but as equals. This further â€Å"blurs the boundaries between that which is work and play, instrumental and moral, inside and outside† (Rosen 1988), where familial bonds are forged and comradeship created. Here, workers’ life and work become indistinguishable. Creating and maintaining a strong culture is thus beneficial for both employees and employers as they feel â€Å"belonging as family and profession† (Rosen 1988). Greater bonding among workers helps develop a sense of connection and a feeling of belonging, which therefore increases the productivity of the employees and therefore make the organisation more profitable. The Christmas party is ultimately â€Å"a collection of members forming an organic unity† (Rosen 1988), creating a culture which â€Å"encourages an informal, flexible, and dedicated membership, one not constrained by extensive rules, and one capable of accomplishing ill-defined and complex tasks† (Rosen 1988). It is the ongoing drive to succeed which continues to grow the strength of the positive culture that is continually being by a valued workforce. Karreman, D. & Alvesson, M (2004), uses the case of ‘Big Consulting’ to discuss how â€Å"organizations were stereotypically understood as bureaucracies, with very slightly refined and tightened structural cages†. Bureaucratic modes of organizing include â€Å"division of labor, hierarchy, and standardization† (Karreman, D. & Alvesson, M 2004), and these usually alienate workers as managers take no appreciation of their contribution. This negative culture that is created from alienating and disengaging workers is very difficult to transform into positive culture, and therefore weakens organisations and bureaucracies as a result. However it has changed over the past thirty years, and this stereotype has been replaced with a cliche â€Å"that organizations are becoming increasingly network based, organic, and flexible, and knit together: values, ideas, mutual adjustment, community feelings or identity† (Karreman, D. & Alvesson, M 2004). Here it is evident that a culture of positivity, teamwork and individuality has been developed. Adopting these practices has benefited ‘Big Consulting’ as it has instilled a â€Å"delivery culture and commitment to keeping deadlines at all costs† (Karreman, D. & Alvesson, M 2004). Now strength is the focus of the organisation when completing a task, as the workers have been cultured into committing themselves whole-heartedly to working together as a team to complete work projects. The culture which has been bread in this organisation can enhance an organisations reputation as evident by ‘Big Consulting’ case study where it is now known as â€Å"a reliable and trustworthy business that delivers what is promised† (Karreman, D. Alvesson, M 2004). Though Bolden, R. Gosling (2006) does not focus on culture, I will be using it to show the disadvantages and issues associated with organisations and leaders without a strong culture. The competency approach â€Å"appears to be fast becoming one of the most dominant models for management and leader ship assessment and development in the UK† (Miller et al. , 2001; Rankin, 2002, cited in Bolden, R. Gosling 2006). This approach was founded on an â€Å"objectivist view of the world that considers the worker and the work as distinct entities† (Bolden, R. Gosling 2006). Of importance – in my belief – is the fact that â€Å"the strong emphasis on individual behaviour means that outcomes are invariably attributed to the individual rather than the collective and/or contextual† (Bolden, R. Gosling 2006). This can have negative effects on the organisation as workers lack the determination and motivation because they receive near no credit for the work they’ve undertaken nor the goals they have achieved. Therefore the organisations profitability often decreases, as workers become increasingly unsatisfied and unproductive as they feel as though they are taken for granted and only known as ‘numbers’ rather than people. I have outlines why â€Å"organisations need strong culture† by providing an overview of culture in the post-bureaucratic era, and an analysis of the working environment by comparing and contrasting its’ effectiveness with and without strong culture. Josserand (2012), Rosen (1988), and Karreman, D. & Alvesson, M (2004), assisted me in showing how post-bureaucratic organisations with a strong culture focused on working together as a team benefits organisations. While I used Bolden, R.  Gosling (2006) to illustrate the negative aspects to an organisation that is hierarchical and does not take notice of employees, and the value they can often add to achieving the organisations goals. I have come to the overall conclusion that organisations do in fact need strong culture, as it increases worker moral and productivity because they are recognised and are engaged as valuable members of the organisation. This in turn benefits the organisation as its profitability increases as a positive workforce leads to positive outcomes with the goals of the organisations being achieved.

Health of Indigenous Peoples Essay

This essay seeks to demonstrate that whilst Indigenous health policy may have been on the Australian public policy agenda since the1960s, the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health has remained. A brief description of the lives of Indigenous Australians prior to the colonisation of Australia is given, followed by a description of various policies that have been introduced by the Australian government to combat these inequalities. This essay demonstrates why these policies have been inadequate, in turn highlighting why the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge in creating Indigenous health policies is important. This essay closes with a brief examination of the Closing the Gap policy, which is utilising the knowledge of Indigenous Australians in creating culturally sensitive Indigenous health policies. In conclusion, this essay demonstrates that by including Indigenous Australians in the policymaking process, we might be starting to close the gap. The health inequality of Indigenous Australians has long been a concern for Australia and the world. Whilst the overall health of Australia has continued to improve, the health of Indigenous Australians remains at levels below those of non-indigenous Australians. Whilst it may seem that there is a lot being done to address these issues, the statistics demonstrate that policies implemented to address these issues have not been effective (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2010; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 29). The thesis of this essay is that whilst the government has been seen as attempting to address the issues of health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, it is only in recent times that the government has implemented programs that are anywhere near close to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. To demonstrate this thesis, this essay will firstly discuss the history of Indigenous health prior to colonisation. This will be done to highlight how Indigenous health has declined dramatically since colonisation. This essay will then discuss what the government has been doing since the 1967 referendum, in which Indigenous Australians were formally recognised in the Constitution, to address issues of health inequalities (Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet 2010). In the next section, a discussion on the reasons why there is a large gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous health will occur. This will be followed by a discussion on the utilisation of Indigenous knowledge to provide adequate health services. This essay will finally discuss the current Closing The Gap policy (Australian Human Rights Commission 2011), which has been introduced to address issues that previous policies have failed to. This will be done to highlight the fact that whilst it may seem that as the Indigenous population require the knowledge and assistance of its non-indigenous counter parts, what is evident is that health of Indigenous populations has in fact declined since the colonisation of Australia. Failing to recognise the correlation between colonisation and declining health of Indigenous people, will only see a continuation of the problem rather than seeing a positive change. Whilst the information pertaining to the health of Indigenous Australians prior to colonisation in 1788 appears to be scarce, what is known is that Indigenous health has been on the decline since the arrival of European settlers. Indigenous Australians were considered to be healthier than those of their colonisers (Flood 2006, p. 120). Prior to colonisation, there was no contact with the outside world and therefore infectious diseases were minimal. Due to the introduction of new illnesses from colonisation, the population of Indigenous Australians declined (Carson 2007, p. 43). It was also common for Indigenous women to contract sexual diseases from the often non-consensual contact with the colonisers (Carson 2007, p. 44). Health was also impacted upon by change in diet. Prior to colonisation, Indigenous Australians maintained a diet of protein and vegetables due to the animals and plants available to them (Flood 2006, p.120), as well as the exercise they maintained from hunting and gathering (Flood 2006, p. 122). After colonisation, the Indigenous diet included many foods which saw an increase in obesity, diabetes and heart disease (O’Dea 1991, p. 233). It was not just the introduction of disease and change in die that impacted upon Indigenous Australians’ health. Anthropological studies surrounding Indigenous culture have shown that Indigenous populations have close ties to the land, as the land is incorporated into their sense of being. Pieces of land belonged to particular groups of individuals, and the objects from the natural landscape were considered to be part of their history (Carson 2007, p. 180). It was the failure of colonisers to understand this worldview that has contributed to the deterioration of mental health amongst Indigenous Australians, as they were forced off their lands and into settlements and reserves (Carson 2007, p. 49). This contributed to the feeling of being disconnected from land and family, exacerbating feelings of not be longing, lack of identity and low self-esteem (Ypinazar et al.2007,p. 474). As one can see, the issue of health amongst Indigenous Australians is a complex one, complicated by the differing world views of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It is due to this lack of understanding that has resulted in a myriad of health policies that have attempted to address the issue of health inequality of Indigenous Australians. The first health policy to address the health issues of Indigenous Australians was implemented in 1968, with thirty five adjustments made between then and 2006. Without going into the details of every amendment or new policy, what was common throughout this timeline, was that there were various bodies and institutions created to address the issues that had not been adequately addressed previously, responsibilities were allocated by the government to the states and territories, and programs were implemented to address health issues. Change in governments also meant that policies were constantly changing, which meant that the ways in which health issues were seen and therefore addressed also changed (Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet 2010). When attempting to implement a policy that will adequately address the issue, what has been found is that comparative analysis has been used to determine how health issues have been addressed in other countries. Whilst this kind of analysis may be sufficient in some circumstances, it does not suit such a situation where our Indigenous population’s culture and worldview is unlike that of any other. For example, whilst health issues may be similar to those of Indigenous populations elsewhere, worldviews which impact upon health and wellbeing will vary and may not be able to be applied from one culture to another (Tsey et al.2003, p. 36). One event that highlights the differing views on how issues should be addressed, was the closing down of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) by the John Howard Government in 2004 (Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet2010). What was significant about this was that Indigenous health policy had been the responsibility of ATSIC. This action effectively removed the responsibility of Indigenous health from the Indigenous people and placed the responsibility with mainstream departments that were also responsible for non-indigenous health. By doing this, the government had  wound back many years of work to address the health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, perceiving Indigenous Australians as a culture that could not look after themselves and needed instead the knowledge and expertise of the superior colonialists (Kay & Perrin 2007, p. 19). By removing the responsibility of Indigenous health from ATSIC and placing it in the hands of a body that was also responsible for non-indigenous health, the government failed to understand the intricacies of Indigenous Australian culture and the implications that this kind of action can have on Indigenous health. Whilst the overall health of Australians is amongst the top third of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 8). There is a clear disparity between Indigenous and non-indigenous health, when one considers that even in this day and age of modern medicine, Indigenous Australians are expected to live twelve years less than their non-indigenous counterparts for males, and ten years less for females (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 29). So what are considered to be the reasons for this inequality? What has already been highlighted, is that Indigenous health has suffered from the introduction to changes in diet, introduction of diseases both airborne and venereal, and the impact upon mental health due to dispossession of land and loss of kinship. Mental health issues can also be connected to the economic and social disadvantage of many Indigenous individuals, which can lead to substance abuse and other issues (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 33). The failure to adequately address mental health issues has resulted in deaths by suicide being the second biggest reason for deaths by injury (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2010, p. 30). These figures demonstrate that policies have clearly not been working. A salient point to note is that Indigenous Australians are the least likely group of the whole population, to access important health services. So what are the reasons behind this lack of access to services? It can be as simple as the kind of service that an individual receives. From personal experience of serving Indigenous customers, tone of voice can be misinterpreted. What may be considered polite in most circumstances, can be misconstrued as being conceited by others. Use of language can also be a barrier. For example, (again from personal experience), language has to be altered to manoeuvre these barriers, such as replacing the term ‘bank account’ with the word ‘kitty’. Other barriers may include the fact that in remote communities, health professionals may also be the town judge, which may deter Indigenous people from accessing the services from a person who might have also been responsible for sentencing an individual or a member of their family (Paul 1998, p.67). Barriers such as the remote locations of individuals in comparison to the services, and the cost of services also have to be taken into account. For example, if a service is some distance away from an individual, the cost of travelling may be too high. The cost of services close by may also be too expensive for individuals, or individuals may receive poor treatment due to either being turned away from services, or mistreatment due to racialist beliefs. This may result in individuals travelling long distances due to this very mistreatment in their own communities (Paul 1998, pp.67-68). The misconception that all Indigenous Australians are one group of people can also result in culturally inadequate services, deterring individuals from accessing important health services (Paul 1998, p. 68). This lack of understanding about Indigenous cultures when providing health services has resulted in a rise in the provision of health services that are either run by Indigenous individuals, or have been created in consultation with Indigenous individuals, to ensure that the services being provided are culturally adequate. An example that highlights this can be seen in the creation of a program in 1998in the Northern Territory that was attempting to address the health inequalities of Indigenous children (Campbell et al 2005, p. 153). There were many problems with this programme because the people that were overseeing the programme did not have cultural knowledge that was a factor in the health and wellbeing of the children. What resulted was a program which was implemented in an Indigenous remote community, which utilised the knowledge of Indigenous people from the community itself. This allowed for the programme to be altered when issues were addressed and individuals within the community were able to provide solutions to issues, rather than being told what was going to happen by an outside authority (Campbell etal. 2005, p. 155). Whilst this programme realised that a bottom-up approach was more beneficial than a top-down one which usually occurs in policy implementation, there were issues because the programme also involved people from the outside that were there to manage the programme, who were unwilling to give total control to the community, generating feelings of disempowerment, resentment and marginalisation (Campbell et al. 2005, p. 156). Whilst there are many examples of programs that have been implemented to address the health inequalities of Indigenous Australians, one that deserves mentioning because of success that it has had are the men’s groups in Yaba Bimbie and Ma’Ddaimba Balas (McCalman et al. 2010, p. 160). What was found was that these programs were successful because they were run by Indigenous men who had direct knowledge of the cultural issues and needs of the community as they also lived there. They were also successful because the men felt included in their communities by having control, rather than being controlled by an outside source. Due to these men’s groups, individuals were able to come together and share their concerns about their community, and as the others also were from the same community, they were able to contribute to solutions to the problems by feeling able to speak freely about their concerns. One such concern was anger management issues, which were exacerbated by the social issues that the individuals faced (McCalman et al. 2010, p. 163). Whilst, issues like this may seem to be separate, they in fact contribute to other areas, as has been mentioned earlier in regards to mental health and suicide, which flow on to other members of the community, when there may be no one in the family who is able to earn an income, which contributes to poverty. This may in turn, render an individual unable to access services as previously mentioned. As one can see, when individuals who are directly impacted by issues, are included in finding solutions to address these issues, there is more success than when they are not included. It is the understanding of this that has seen the implementation of the Close The Gap policy (Australian Human Rights Commission 2011). This policy is based on the understanding that the concept of health is different in the eyes of Indigenous Australians than that of non-Indigenous Australians (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare2009). This policy has sought to reduce the gap of inequality between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians by reducing the gap in life expectancy by 2031, halving mortality rates of children by2018, ensuring equal access to early childhood education by 2013, halving the gap in the area of inability to read and write by 2018, halving the gap of individuals who attain their Year 12 education by 2020 and halving the gap of unemployment rates by 2018 (Gillard2011, p. 2). Various programmes have been implemented to address these issues, with a common theme of inclusion. That is, the programs all involve Indigenous Australians who have a better cultural understanding than non-indigenous Australians. This has allowed for individuals to work with their own communities, various levels of government, non-government organisations and businesses (Gillard 2011, p. 6). By doing so, it has provided individuals with a sense of control and purpose over their own lives, which has seen a decrease in the mortality rates of Indigenous Australians (Gillard2011, p. 12), as well as a reduction in the rates of reading and writing problems (Gillard 2011, p. 14). There has also been a significant increase in the numbers of Indigenous Australians aiming towards their Year 12 qualifications (Gillard 2011, p. 16), as well as a decrease in the number of unemployed in the Indigenous population (Gillard 2011, p. 17). Whilst these figures are promising, one has to look at some of the programs that have been implemented as a result of this policy, to see if lessons have been learned from past mistakes, or if similar mistakes are being made. One such program that is deemed to be addressing issues of inequality is the Welfare Payment Reform act, which allowed the government to withhold portions of welfare payments (Gruenstein 2008, p. 468). This was to ensure that portions of the payment were going to required living expenses before going to things such as alcohol. Whilst this may seem as though it is an important step in addressing issues within communities, what is important to note is that policies such as these are in direct violation of the Racial Discrimination Convention because they directly target Indigenous individuals solely because they are Indigenous and are not necessarily in need of intervention (Gruenstein, 2008, p. 469). Whilst the Closing the Gap policy has good intentions, it can result in actions that treat Indigenous Australians as a homogenous group, rather than recognising the variation of issues. In conclusion, this essay has demonstrated that Australia has come a long way in addressing the issues of inequality amongst Indigenous Australians. It has been demonstrated that Indigenous Australians were in good health prior to colonisation, and only since colonisation has the health of Indigenous Australians has declined. This essay has also shown that the different governments have varied between allowing Indigenous Australians self-determination, or be included in the process of policy making, to the government seizing control of the issues, excluding the Indigenous community from decision making. Whilst it has been shown that the government has been addressing issues for well over 40 years, it has only been in recent times that issues of inequality have begun to be adequately addressed. By understanding that it is Indigenous Australians who are better able to understand their issues, which stem from the actions of non-indigenous peoples and allowing Indigenous Australians to take control of their own lives, will we start to close the gap of health inequality between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Marketing Communication Strategies of UK Supermarkets Case Study

Marketing Communication Strategies of UK Supermarkets - Case Study Example Essentially, the value of the customer must be prudently considered. Convenience substitutes place and cost (which includes time and energy) replaces price. Thus, communication replaces promotion (Ashcroft 2002, p.178). Knowing its external audience is a huge necessity for any organisation and to achieve this task, a firm must embark on an effective market research. So as to attain excellent communication, it is imperative to be conscious on which communications media the audience will respond to -- whether they read newspapers, magazines, leaflets, listen to the radio or watch television (what type or what programmes they specifically watch). In the case of supermarkets, for instance, they obtain information about their customers via loyalty card ideas, magazines and their websites. From the information gained, they target particular groups of shoppers. The process employed in the current study includes Primary Research and Secondary research. Primary research entailed the use of questionnaire survey and personal interviews. Meanwhile, with Secondary research, it included the Mintel database as well as newspapers, books, company information and internet search. Many of the information gathered are backed up by visuals like illustrations, charts and graphical representations. Likewise, in order to complete the brief report, the study also included watching television and taking notes from these commercials, getting inside the supermarkets themselves, watch how people react to the advertisements fed to them, talking with marketing agents and supermarket sales staff. Similarly, product reviews have also been read, consumer comments and blogs have been randomly considered so as to get insights and an overview of the whole chain and the entire supermarket-retailing system. Market Overview Today, supermarkets control food sales in developed countries and are swiftly escalating their international presence. At the same time, global mergers and acquisitions and cutthroat pricing schemes have focused market power in the hands of a few major retailers (see Appendix 1 for company growth) (Raworth 2004, p. 6). The late 1990s witnessed a spell of merger and acquisition activities as the supermarket segment speedily merged and strengthened to counter the 'Wal-Mart' intimidation. Currently, the UK food retailing industry is governed and strongly dictated by four key supermarkets (Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons) who together account for over two-thirds of retail food sales (Fearney, Duffy and Hornibrook 2004, p. 2) and such consolidation of retailers has reinforced their control over suppliers. Today, the UK supermarket segment is still ruled by Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons; these are the only chains that operate full-scale superstores of 40,000 square feet (3,700m) and sometimes go beyond. These so-called "Big 4" had a combined share of 75.3% of UK's grocery market realm (TNS Report, 2008). As it is, sector analysts foresee that it is not improbable

IT & Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

IT & Entrepreneurship - Essay Example s difficulties but with the help of the marketing strategies and research and development team, the website will be able to provide profit and useful information to the people. The business idea is to design a website that would be offering details regarding dentists based in the United Kingdom. The information provided through the website will be useful for the people in order to get transparent idea about the location, price and the features provided by the private and cosmetic dentist. The website will be made with no complexity for the people to operate. The design will be simple and the information will be gathered with single mouse click without much complexity. The website will also ensure that unique experiences are shared by the customers while dealing with it. Apart from this, website will also provide customers with easy and simple navigation. The website will act as a local search engine for the information regarding the dentist both private and cosmetic for the people. The creative idea of the search engine will be that it will provide information about the dentist only and no other information and advertisement will be allowed in the website page. The business model implemented is that the website will act as a search engine. The website will act as an innovative medium of advertisement with transparency for the people. The home page will not only display the web design of the dentists but also show the names of the dentist and their phone number according to the market ranking. The market ranking will be gathered from the past history of dentists, their performance, features provided and the advanced technology used by them. This will assist the interested people to take corrective measures regarding the choice of the dentists. Moreover, the names of the dentist will be categorised as the private and the cosmetic dentist so that the search for the people becomes easier as per their need. By clicking on the names of the dentist the next page will