Behavior Disorders Related to Cultural Diversity Essay

Behavior Disorders Related to Cultural Diversity - Essay Example However, when discussing children and adolescents, the picture changes because individuals in this age range are still in the process of building their belief systems. The individuals who experience or construct behaviors which are destructive as a result of cultural diversity do so from a number of influences and causal factors. However, one factor that should not be used to understand these behaviors and interactions is that of racism. Although the individual may well be experiencing events similar to racially motivated disagreements, because the younger population is still constructing their core belief systems, we must look for other influences in order to understand their behaviors. According to Boucher, the issue of mental health is a valid discussion to pursue when inquiring into children and adolescent behavioral disorders. The child who is able to take a step back, so to speak, and look at a situation from a more objective viewpoint is a person who has a better foundation of emotional and mental health than those who cannot. When an individual cannot withdraw, and put emotionally charged feelings on a lesser priority level and consider a problem or situation from a more rational point of view, the person cannot detach in order to think more clearly and exercise behavioral choice over their responses. This persona has a problem with "detachment: or an inability to be objective or to distance themselves from circumstances. They over personalize events; they complain that they are the brunt of insults, the butt of jokes, blamed, or targeted; or they believe that they are victims. Unable to prioritize, they react to everything in equal proportion; molehills bec ome mountains." (Boucher, 1999) This behavior is not that which rises to the point of clinical detachment disorder, but rather is simply the learned ability to think through a problem, whether emotionally or racially charged or not. Boucher continues "The detachment difficulty evident in students with emotional and behavior disorders does not involve such a pervasive quality of unreality. Their detachment difficulty, rather, is a process of selective perception. These individuals can deal only with what relates to them; they cannot think beyond themselves; and they are unable to put order into their thoughts and behaviors, or prioritize." (Boucher, 1999) Thus Boucher has identified one of the inherent difficulties with approaching the subject of adolescent and child behavioral disorders as they relate to cultural diversity. Individuals in a culturally diverse setting are often more conscious of themselves, uncomfortable with how they do or do not fit in. When this is perceived as being motivated across racial divides the problem can escalate quickly. In other words, the younger population often has not yet developed the ability to step back and see the situation through a rational viewpoint. For example, black and white people groups within the American culture have unique, and yet often opposing views of the country and culture which give them identity. Black and white, a subgroup and a group respectively, have a different experience within the American culture which has given birth to what can be diametrically opposed perspectives on the American experience. For the white group, what could be called a ruling class by those who feel

Theories of Intelligence

Theories of Intelligence People are different. Some think faster than others, some learn faster than others. Some are naturally good at art, others are naturally good at math. Some people have a hard time in social situations, and some breeze through them. What causes people to be so different? Intelligence. Intelligence determines a persons potential and how well they are able to learn. However, intelligence is not definitive and simple as there are many factors that make intelligence a complex concept. If the line is blurred between what is and what is not intelligence, how was intelligence initially defined? Intelligence has been theorized, tested, and investigated for a long time. Theories have been made in order to define intelligence. Three prominent theorists have contributed to what the modern world knows today as intelligence. A British psychologist, Charles Spearman theorized that the definition of intelligence among society has a common factor known as general intelligence, also referred to as g, which represents the potential to be rationalize and resolve issues. The other factors of intelligence are known specific factors, which are also referred to as s. Spearman claimed that ones proficiency in a given subject correlates to that of similar subjects (Rathus), yet not a single person is good at everything, and it is no ones fault; the fault lies with the way the mind works. Louis Thurstone was another psychologist who theorized that there were eight separate factors that make up intelligence: visual and spatial ability, perceptual speed, numerical anility, verbal meaning, memory, word fluency, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning. Each factor pertained to a certain factor. For example, visual and spatial ability pertains to the ability to conceptualize information, but the verbal meaning factor pertains to the ability to recall words and phrases. Similar to Spearmans theory, Thurstones theory claims a person can be naturally competent in one factor, but significantly less competent in another. (Rathus 210). The last theory originated from Howard Gardener, a recent psychologist who claimed not that there are multiple factors of intelligence, but that intelligence wide foundation with several branches of intelligence. Gardner claimed that the different kinds of intelligence are linguistic, logical-mathematics, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical-rhythmic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence. Gardener believes social intelligence is as important as academic intelligence. For example, a person could excel in social skills, but not in school. Throughout history, psychologists have formed theories in order to explain what intelligence and how it works. Intelligence plays a part in everyday life. The human ability to function in social situations and learn in academic situations encompasses the general idea what life on earth is. In order to define and categorize intelligence, intelligence tests have been made. According the Encyclopedia of Mind Disorders intelligence tests examine the psychology of a person and evaluate his mentality (Mind Disorders). There four tests that are used most commonly are Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Wechsler-Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, and Wechsler Primary Preschool Scale of Intelligence, which consist of trials of mathematics, verbal tests, and motor skills. There are advantages and disadvantages to using intelligence tests. The advantages include that testing uniformly measures the capability of a person and can identify gifts within him, opening greater opportunities, as well identities certain learning disabilities in a person, preventing damage to per sist, while the drawbacks include that the tests normally give specific quantities that describe the functionality of a person, but intelligence itself is complex and a one dimensional number does not sufficiently determine a persons intelligence. Another disadvantage of intelligence tests is that the components of one intelligence test can also differ from the components of another intelligence test, altering his measure of intelligence. A common scale used in determining the intelligence of a person within the use of intelligence tests is the intelligence quotient, which is also known as IQ. (Mind Disorders). The average IQ is 100; a person with an IQ lower than 70 to 75 is considered intellectually disabled (WebMD). The bell curve made from IQ tests are able to categorize people from intellectually disabled to genius. In order to try and measure intelligence, tests have been made to investigate and to further advance the unanswered field. Humans are not perfect; there is an incredible variety of different kinds of hindrances that affect the everyday life of all different kinds of people. One type of hindrance that can hold back a person is their ability to learn, or learning disabilities, which can be qualified by below-average intelligence and a lack of ability to perform everyday skills (WebMD). Intellectual functioning pertains to IQ, the ability to learn, rationalize, solve problems, and make decisions. Adaptive behaviors pertain to social intelligence and motor skills. Signs of learning disability include late development of motor skills, late development of communication skills, slower development of everyday skills, difficulty with recalling past event, behavior problems, and difficulty with logical thinking (WebMD). Learning disabilities are determined by degrees of severity ranging from mild to profound. For mild learning disabilities which affects minor academic learning or smaller cognitive abilities such a s short-term memory and mental flexibility. Learning disabilities do not necessarily limit the number of abilities a person can have, but prolong the amount of time it takes a person to learn them. The limitations brought on by learning disabilities include intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. The next degree of severity is called moderate; moderate learning disabilities causes a person to lag behind the rest of his peers academically as well as require assistance for everyday life. The third degree of severity is severe learning disability, which causes a person to have a minimal conceptual understanding and require a caretaker. Finally, the last degree of severity is called profound learning disability, which causes a person to solely rely on the physical world to generate conceptual skills (Association). There are a number of causes that can cause learning disabilities as well. These causes range from genetic conditions to problems during pregnancy and childbirth. Genetic conditions that cause learning disabilities include disorders such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and autism.ÂÂ   Injuries such as brain infections and severe head injuries and illnesses such as meningitis and the measles can also cause learning disabilities. Consumption of alcohol or drug use during pregnancy can cause causing fetal alcohol syndrome and malnutrition (WebMD). For situations like pregnancy, learning disabilities and disorders can be prevented. For example, pregnant woman should refrain from drinking alcohol and consider ultrasounds and amniocentesis to identify the potential problem early (WebMD). Intelligence has been theorized, tested, and investigated for a long time. These theories, tests, and investigations have created a better understand of what intelligence is, at least to an extent. Intelligence is hard to define; it is not only the good grades one receives in school, it is also how one functions in everyday life and in social situations. References American Psychological Assocation. n.d. Web. 2 12 2016. Association, American Psychiatric. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publshing, 2013. Print. Mind Disorders. n.d. Web. 03 12 2016. Rathus, Spencer A. Psychology: Principles in Practice. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003. 209. Textbook. WebMD. n.d. Web. 3 12 2016.

Dancing Queen :: essays research papers

As I stand in my starting pose, after the judges have called the name of my dance group, and we have walked out to onto the stage. I can hear the people in the audience applauding and talking. I can hear my heart beating. I can also feel it. I feel like it's about to jump right out of my chest I am so nervous. I have been here once before but never for this age group and we have never been this group. We are the junior tap lines we are one of the best in Arkansas. As the music starts I forget everything and everybody around me .I can no longer see the people watching my every move I can no longer see the judges facial expressions or try to read there lips. All I can hear is the music I am dancing to, all I can see are the bright lights shinning down on me, the blur of people, and my feet moving, dancing like they've never danced before. Before I know it the dance is over and the music has stopped, and I can see, and hear the people clapping and screaming .I am no longer scared. I could do it again and again. I love it. It gives me a rush that I can only get from a huge roller coaster. As I walk off the stage I am greeted by a hug from my dance instructor and the rest of my dance group we are all so happy .At the end the awards are giving out we get second place we are all so happy we have made it to the top ten now for the high point spots we wait for our division it comes slowly but it comes. Impatiently we wait number ten is called soon number seven we hope they will call our names number two is called it still isn't us one spot is left to go and if we don't make this one we are not going to nationals it isn't called we are al disappointed. After we get back to magnolia we hear the taps of the judges talking and telling us their opinions we work on what needs to be worked on and improve in time for up coming events we are to perform at.

Contemporary Issues in Nursing Essay

In today’s world of nursing, there are efforts to improve patient care at hospitals. Severalstates across America are considering implementing nursing ratio laws. This ratio law wouldrequire hospitals to have strict nurse-to-patient ratios enforced at all times. Only California hasimplemented nursing ratios so far and it has been the subject of mixed reviews. Steps the legislation went throughThroughout the 1990’s, health care labor unions in California tried to implement nursestaffing laws through legislation and ballot initiatives. The California Nurses Association (CNA)campaigned for several years to constitute a mandated nurse-to-patient ratio system in California. The first endeavor was in 1993 when Assembly Bill (AB) 1445 was introduced into theAssembly. Unfortunately, the bill did not succeed. The nurse-to-patient ratios were also a part ofProposition 216, the health care reform initiative introduced by CNA in 1996. Governor PeteWilson vetoed another version of the ratio bill, AB 695, which was passed by the legislature in1997 (Institute for Health, 2001). The CNA organized a rally of nurses and patients throughoutCalifornia to win enactment of AB 394. More than 10,000 letters, post cards and phone callswere made to the governor in support of the bill. Registered nurses (RN) and senior citizens bythe thousands assembled on the Capitol Steps in support of the bill in September, 1999 (Dumpel,H. 2003). Description of issue and recently enacted legislationAB 394 was passed and signed by Governor Gray Davis in 1999. This bill â€Å"directs theCalifornia Department of Health Services to establish minimum, specific, and numerical licensednurse-to-patient ratios by licensed nurse classification and by hospital unit† in acute carehospitals. Although it passed in 1999, it was not implemented until January 1, 2004 due to thefact that the California Department of Health Services could not base deductive evidence onwhich to base the actual ratios (Coffman, J., et al, 2002). The implementation was frozen as anemergency by California Governor Schwarzenegger due to the severe nursing shortage and highcosts. California courts upheld the Governor  and enforced tougher standards (Anonymous,2007). Under the legislation enacted, acute care hospitals in California need to have a minimumof one licensed nurse for every two patients in intensive care units, one nurse for every operatingroom patient and one nurse for every five patients on a medical surgical floor. The legislationcalls for half of the licensed personnel working in intensive and coronary care units to belicensed as an RN. The consequence of the nurse ratio law on quality and access to patientcare is still a subject of debate in California (Coffman, J., et al, 2002). Impact of nursing practiceThe CNA claims that â€Å"ratios have been successful in creating safer workingenvironments in hospitals†. The CNA believes that having the ratio laws in effect will attractRNs that have left the field. Data obtained from the CNA shows that since the ratio law wassigned, the number of actively licensed RN’s in California have grown by more than 60,000,with an additional 60% increase in RN new applications. Turnover vacancy rates in California’sbiggest hospital systems have fallen below 5% as a result of this ratio law (CNA, 2005). Supporters of the ratio law believe that staffing ratios help improve working conditions andattract more young people to the nursing profession. Working conditions within acute carehospitals have an impact on the number of RNs that choose to practice there (Coffman, J, et al,2002). Impact on quality of health care delivery to the patientThere is a strong correlation between nurse-to-patient staffing ratios compared to lowrates of medication errors and patient deaths. Nurse staffing is key to influencing patientoutcomes. In a study of orthopedic and vascular surgery patients discharged from 168Pennsylvania hospitals, the risk of adverse outcomes were 31% higher in the hospitals thatstaffed 1 nurse to 8 patients, compared to 14% higher with hospitals that staffed 1 nurse to 4patients. Hospitals that staff 1 nurse to less than 5 patients also have a lower incidence of patientfalls, medication errors and nosocomial infections (MacPhee, M., et al, 2006). Improved RN topatient ratios also have a reduced rate of  pneumonia, urinary tract infections, shock, cardiacarrest, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other adverse outcomes in acute care settings. Recentresearch indicates that the cost of the RN to patient ratio law is considerably lower than the costof basic safety interventions commonly used in hospitals such as PAP tests for cervical cancerand clot-busting medications to treat stroke and heart attacks. Shorter lengths of stay have alsobeen reported since the ratio laws took place (Needleman, J., et al, 2002)HistoryCalifornia became the first state to mandate minimum nurse staffing ratios. Suggestionsfor nurse-to-patient ratios have been specified in union contracts at hospitals in several otherstates. Since California passed AB 394, related bills were introduced in many other states suchas Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The cause for staffing ratios was aresult of average patient acuity in the state of California rising and projected increases for acuitylevels to keep increasing through the next 20 years (Institute for Health, 2001). AB 394 mayhave a major impact on demand for nursing personnel, the adequacy of nursing supply and thequality of nursing care provided to consumers. Nursing unions in California representing nursessaw this bill as an aid for improving patient and employee safety. Hospitals throughoutCalifornia were concerned that AB 394 would incr ease the difficulties they face in recruiting andretaining nurses (Coffman, J., et al, 2002). Position of various health organizations on the issueThe topic of nursing ratios seem to be a convincing tool in protecting patient safety andimproving working conditions for nurses. However, realistic thought must be taken inestablishing attainable and pragmatical ratio standards. It is expensive and difficult to attract andretain enough qualified nurses to meet these ratios. Many proponents feel there are not enoughnurses available to meet these requirements. Difficulties in recruiting and retaining hard-to-findnurses costs an estimated $422 million and is a factor in the closure of several hospitals and aleading cause for shutdowns of 11 ERs and psychiatric units throughout California (Leighty, J.,2005). California ranks 49th across all states in the number of nurses per capita. The stateEconomic Development Department states, â€Å"California will be short  more than 97,000 RNs bythe year 2010†. When the ratio law began in California in 2004, 85 per cent of hospitals were notable to be compliant with the regulations. The main contributing factor was not having enoughnurses to cover meal breaks (Anonymous, 2004). Medical surgical nurses see understaffing as a problem that contributes to nurse burnout. Three out of five nurses state that low staffing levels have a negative impact on patient care. Three out of five nurses also state they have thought about leaving the hospital floor nursingsetting in the past two years. Nurses across the country feel that ratio regulations would improveworking conditions (AFT Healthcare, 2003). Impact of this legislationThe CNA believes that nursing ratios protect patient’s safety and eliminatesdangers associated with patient overload. CNA President Deborah Burger strongly feels that theratio laws have alleviated the nursing shortage by attracting 30,000 RNs to the state. She feelsthat burned -out or retired nurses are coming back into the profession because of betterconditions in the workplace (Leighty 2005). From a nurse’s point of view, the ratio regulations are what has been needed to improvepatient care and nurse satisfaction. For each extra patient above 4 added to a nurses assignment,there is a 23% increase in burnout and 15 % increase in job dissatisfaction. Research has shownthat better staffing for nurses in hospitals is reflected lower levels of absenteeism and higher jobsatisfaction (MacPhee, M., et al 2006). Legal responsibilities and Ethical dilemmasThe recent ratio regulations have caused problems throughout California. Hospitals areat times unable to receive patients, ambulances are diverted to more far away hospitals andpatients are now waiting longer in the emergency rooms. Before the regulation was made inplace in California, many nurses felt they made  decisions about patient care and were able toplan his or her workday to meet their patient’s needs. Many feel now, that the regulation is a†numbers game†. (Leighty, J., 2005). Some hospitals may look to cut costs to keep up with thecost of the ratio laws. They may look to decrease other personnel such as unlicensed caregivers,ward clerks, transporters and housekeepers. This could make nursing jobs in the hospital lessappealing to RNs. Higher personnel costs can also sway hospitals from ordering new medicalequipment with state of the art safety features (Coffman, J., et al 2002). Although the ratios are a subject of mixed reviews, many nurses in California are happywith the regulation. As a newer nurse who recently entered the profession, I am overwhelmed attimes with my patient load of five patients. I am thankful to work in a state where nurse ratiolaws are in place. Adding more patients to my daily assignment would more than likely makeme leave the hospital setting due to burn-out due to high levels of job dissatisfaction. References AFT Healthcare (2003, April) Patient- to- Nurse Staffing Ratios: Perspectives from HospitalNurses. Retrieved February, 10, 2004 from http://www.aft.org/pubs-reports/healthcare/HartStaffingReport2003.pdfAnonymous (2004). California Hospitals Express Disappointment Over Court Ruling on NurseStaffing Regulation: Ruling Jeopardizes Hospital’s Ability to Guarantee Access to Care. Retrieved February 13, 2007 from http://www.calhealth.org/public/press/Article%5C103%5CCHA%20News%20Release%20on%20Nurse%20Ratio%20Lawsuit%205-26-04.pdfAnonymous (2007). Does Nurse-To-Patient Ratio Legislation Help Patients or Harm Hospitalsin the United States? Retrieved February 10, 2007 from http://www. Globalinsight.com/Perspective/PerspectiveDetail6099.htmCalifornia Nurses Association (2005) RN to patient Ratios. Retrieved February 10, 2007 fromhttp://www.calnurses.org/nursing-practice/ratios/ratios_index.htmlCoffman, J., Seago, J., Spetz, J., (2002) Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in Acute CareHospitals. Health Affairs, 21(5), 53-64. Retrieved February 13, 2007, from Research LibraryDatabase.

Filipino Psychology: on Spirituality, Homosexuality, Psychopathology Essay

Psychopathology is said to be the deviation of an individual’s behavior as compared to the norms of the society. It is classified into two—neurosis and psychosis. In a third world country like ours, it is a fact that poor people outnumber the rich ones, that’s why most Filipinos are prone to having problems, especially economic/financial ones. For some, these problems lead to emotional and psychological disturbances. But the question lies on which extent does these disturbances lead to, whether the individual is still intact with reality or not anymore. This is where the study of psychopathology comes in, focusing on the different dynamics of mental disorders in the Philippines, like on what reasons why the Filipinos lose their sanity or on what standards do the society perceive these insane people. More often that not, when a Filipino encounters a neurotic, one who manifests emotional conflict but still is able to be in touch with reality, he would usually do all things to help that person out. This is due to the notion of the Filipino’s intrinsic pakikipagkapwa. He is naturally concerned with the problematic person’s emotional and psychological well-being. Whether he may be the person’s relative, friend, or even just a co-worker, he would provide aid so as to ease the person’s burden. He wouldn’t want him to become a baliw. But what happens if the person becomes a baliw? There are different trends on how the Pinoys treat the baliw. If the person has a coherent family system and his family has money, then he probably would be treated with some kind of psychotherapy, psychopharmacology or be sent in a special school (as for the case of special people). If in case he indeed has supportive relatives but don’t have the money for therapy, then he would just be kept inside the house, treated by the other family members as normally as possible and without any intervention. But if his family is very poor or very unsupportive of him because of his mental illness, then that person would be seen wandering in the streets, and people would be scared of him probably because he is shouting and untidy or lost and walking naked. Through this we could infer that the Filipino society in general has attributed a negative implication on the baliws. Since the Filipinos as a whole have close family systems, it is important to note that the concept of family is a significant aspect on the individual’s mental illness. The Filipino psychopathology indeed adheres somehow to the family systemic model, believing that a person’s pathology is attributed to his family systems. In a society that expects everyone to have not only smooth interpersonal relationships but also smooth family relationships, a person might find it hard to cope up with his problems when his family has defective communication or is shattered in structure. Sure, he could seek aid/comfort from his friends, but certainly on the back of his mind and in the depths of his heart, he is utterly concerned that his family is not like the other happy Filipino families he has known. It is also vital to note that culture is a big part on the study of Filipino psychopathology. We have to be aware that there are some beliefs that for us may be normal but for other cultures may be aberrant. One profound example of this is the people’s belief on the faith healers. Some of these individuals would claim that they are able to talk to some famous hero or saint, or they had encountered apparitions, and this was the cause why they were endowed with such gift of healing. Faith healers are indeed part of our culture, but are we to believe such convictions, or would we think that those are just the distorted thinking of the faith healer? Surely with such behaviors, the DSM IV would categorize these faith healers as individuals manifesting the symptoms of the schizophrenics. But among all, what is most essential to take notice on is the present situation on the interventions that is available to the mentally ill individuals. A person does not need to go into the public mental institution to see the repugnant condition of the patients there. Just a whole day’s stay in the streets of Cubao or Quiapo would enable him to see a number of psychopathologic individuals either naked or begging for alms. It is just disappointing to know that these individuals are least prioritized, and the fact that the society has lost hope in them. I think that this should not be the case, because these mentally ill individuals in fact still has the chance of getting well. I believe that curative status of the psychologically imbalanced individuals should be improved and actually be well funded by the government. These people would just remain discriminated and a burden to the society unless the society understands, takes notice, and prioritizes their well-being. But I wonder, when would this actually happen? I fervently hope that it would be sooner than later, or else, the people whom we know as baliws (crazy people) would just live miserably for the rest of their lives. ******************************************************************************************** On Filipino Religiosity and Spirituality Our country is composed of a hodgepodge of different religions, although it is a fact that this is a predominantly Christian country. But whatever religion that a Filipino may adhere to, it is part of his culture to go to church or to do whatever deed that his dogma tells him to do. Indeed, most Filipinos are perceived to be religious, especially if they belong to the Catholic community. It is evident though, by the way churches always fill up on Sundays, how streets and plazas are filled up by devout crowds during fiestas of some saint, or by the number of saints that are displayed on their altars. So we say that we Filipinos are in fact religious, but can we say that we are spiritual? There is a big difference between religiosity and spirituality. In the discussion we had in class, there have been different insights that the class has imparted. It has been said that religion is more of an external concept whereas spirituality is an internal one. It was also pointed out that religion is one’s system of beliefs or creed and that spirituality is the personal relationship with whoever god one believes in. I think the whole class agreed that religion is indeed a system of beliefs in which he bases his principle as well as his lifestyle in. It is an institution in which an individual belongs to (in the case that he is not an agnostic), and the teachings embedded therein would direct him to his purpose in life. As the discussion went on, the class was able to probe deeper upon the subject of spirituality. There were notions that what if one does not believe in spirits, then there is a probability that he would not possess spirituality of any kind. There was even an idea that spirituality is just a concept which was produced out of the people’s attachment to groups and their will to put order in the inevitable chaos that they will encounter. I guess spirituality is harder to define, because this concept not only encompasses the issues related with religion but on science, ethics, and morality as well. There was a social psychologist (Diarmuid O’Murchu) that said, â€Å"Spirituality concerns an ancient and primal search for meaning that is as old as humanity itself, and belongs–as an inherent energy–to the evolutionary unfolding of creation itself. There is set in motion in all aspect of creation a spirit that holds everything in place and directs everything to its end, gives each a place of rest in this vast universe, a home, a meaning, and a relevance. All life responds to life, and all life is drawn to what is life-giving. We follow the spirit that is in our nature, the spirit that is our nature. † I have pondered on this quote and had thought that every individual should search for his own spirituality so as to get meaning and relevance in his life. Moreover, spirituality is inherent within us, and to ignore this spirituality would mean one would also disregard the inherent energy that he possesses. ******************************************************************* On Filipino Homosexuality Pagkababae and Pagkalalaki The differences between men and women are attributed by what society dictates them to be. Here in the Philippines, society, especially the family, plays a vital role in the lives of the people. As what was discussed in class about pagkababae and pagkalalaki, there are specific roles and actions that a man and a woman should do. It is expected that for one to be a Filipina, she should be refined, modest, loyal, and be a perfect mother and wife. The Filipino, on the other hand, is expected to be brave, decisive, and be the family’s provider and disciplinarian. With this set-up, I think that indeed, there exists gender inequality in this society. For the longest time, the Filipinas are regarded as weak, quiet, and feeble individuals. During the Spanish time, they were only made to stay inside the house and do the household chores and are only allowed to go out when it is time to go to church. They were even not allowed to go to school, for they are also regarded as unintelligent individuals. There were very little opportunities for women. In these contemporary times, they say that there has been a change in the society’s view of the Filipinas. But changed as it is, stereotypes still remain. There are a lot who do not trust and look down on the skills and abilities of women. Because for them, the men are still the better, stronger, and more powerful sex. There are only a few women who stand as the head of their family, and at most times, it is the husband who decides for the whole family. This is because of the ascription that men should be decisive and women should be submissive. Or else, the Filipino would be regarded as under de saya. That designation would be a batter for the Filipino’s ego. One of the Filipinas’ disadvantageous qualities is that they are always sensitive and emotional. They are easy to fall in love and tend to cry easily—maybe this is the disadvantage of it. But what is advantageous of it tough, is that since they are emotional, they are likely able to let out their sentiments and hurt feelings. On the other hand, if the Filipinos would cry his heart out over a problem or heartache, there is a possibility that he would be thought of as corny or even bakla. Thus, he has to keep things by himself and cry alone. This is also probably the reason why women complain that men are very insensitive. With the women’s characteristics that tend to be more family-oriented than the men, would we say that women are better spouses and parents? When it comes to the strength and decisiveness of men, is it safe to say that men are indeed stronger, thus they are better workers than women? In my opinion, a Filipino and a Filipina have characteristics of their own. People should not waste time on determining if such sex is better than the other. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we should learn how to respect the weaknesses of each other. I think that in assessing people, we must look at a person’s characteristics first, not on the gender that he or she has. Although sexuality has a great bearing on person’s identity as a whole, their sex and gender performance is generally a deeper core identity and is not necessarily influenced by their sexuality. Bakla Sward, Bading, Jokla, Transvestite, Closet queen, Bi- these are among the usual labeling of Filipino gay men. On the other hand, terms like tibo, lesbo, butch, t-bird, tomboy are entitled to Filipina lesbians. For years, gays and lesbians have been a marginalized group in our society, and it was only about three decades ago that they had started to come out into the open. But even though they are already increasing in number and revealing their true identities to the public, one question still remains. Has the society fully accepted the gays and lesbians? All over the world sex and gender diverse people are being legally and socially disadvantaged, discriminated against, excommunicated from their religions, attacked, beaten up, raped, sexually assaulted, murdered both in public and covertly. Nothing perhaps can be more frustrating than to be denied a fair chance at self-improvement and be deprived of basic services because of sexual orientation. For many years gays and lesbians have had to contend with this reality, and whether much has changed for them through the years is still an unanswered question. Here in our country, gays and lesbians are also given a hard time because of their sexual orientation. A gay child would receive tremendous mockery upon his friends’ realization that he is gay. A lesbian adolescent would more or less gain a few friends because she is sexually deviant. A gay worker could even be accused of stealing money from the company, in order to finance his lover (or papa). These are some of the hardships that gay and lesbians undergo in our society. Due to these adversities, gays and lesbians strived to succeed in the workplace (especially gays). Many gays and lesbians are now holding reputable positions in companies. Slowly, they are able to go up the ladder of the people’s approval that they are actually an integral part of the society.

Paper on Cystic Fibrosis. Explains causes, cures and much more!

Paper on Cystic Fibrosis. Explains causes, cures and much more! The earlier a diagnosis is made the better so that early treatment can slow the progression of lung damage caused by infection. Prenatal tests are available to determine if a baby will be born with cystic fibrosis. In newborns, blood tests indicating high levels of digestive enzymes suggest cystic fibrosis, but a certaindiagnosis requires a sweat test to determine the amount of salt in the sweat. Sweat tests provide a valid diagnosis in babies over 24 hours old, and this test is also used to confirm diagnosis in older children and adults.Cystic fibrosis remains incurable; existing treatments aim to relieve discomfort and delay the devastating and inevitable effects of the disease. Meconium ileus, the intestinal obstruction occurring in newborns, may require surgery. Patients with pancreatic blockage must take pancreatic enzymes with meals. Even with such enzymes, people with cystic fibrosis must consume adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, and higher-than-normal amounts of fat to e nsure growth.English: "Clubbing" of the fingers is a classic fe...Those with respiratory infections are treated with antibiotics, often in aerosol form. When inhaled, these medicated vapors fight infection and relieve constriction of the airways. Using a procedure called chest physical therapy or postural drainage, caregivers of people with cystic fibrosis repeatedly and vigorously pound on the patient's back and chest to dislodge mucus obstructing the airways. Increasingly, cystic fibrosis patients with severe, irreparable lung damage turn to lung transplantation surgery (see Medical Transplantation). Although complications with transplantation surgery may pose problems for some patients, lung or combination heart and lung transplants provide nearly 80 percent of cystic fibrosis patients with severe lung damage an entirely new lease on life.Although no cure has yet been found, cystic fibrosis presents one of the most promising areas of research in modern medicine. Scientists are in vestigating the use of gene therapy to...

Quote The Raven The ABCs of Job Searching

Quote The Raven The ABCs of Job Searching TheJobNetwork’s expert advice series Quote the Raven, hosted by Raven Chiara and her special guests gives you the best advice on finding and keeping a job. In this episode, the team covers the ABC’s of Job Searching. A is for Apply when Appropriate:Don’t apply at work, dummy!Don’t send an email at 2am drunk, dummy! Use Boomerang for Gmail!B is for Bringing Your Best:Dress to impress for the interview, you shlub.C is for Customize Your Communication:Hot Tip!Take words from job description and snap, crackle, pop and sprinkle into your resume and cover letter.Don’t lie. You are not a good liar.Use some tools to pimp your resume ride, like etsy.com, fiverr.com, loftresume.comShare your thoughts with us†¦or your embarrassing job searching stories using #quotetheraven.Follow the hosts on   Twitter and Instagram @ravenchiara and @whybegee.

The Weather Underground

The Weather Underground The official name of the group is Weatherman, but it was called â€Å"the Weathermen† and when members withdrew from public view, became the â€Å"Weather Underground.† The group, founded in 1968, was a splinter organization from the group Students for a Democratic Society. The name comes from a song by American rock/folk singer Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues, which contains the line: You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. Objectives According to the groups 1970 Declaration of War against the United States, its goal was to lead white kids into armed revolution. In the view of the group, revolutionary violence was necessary to combat what they perceived as a war against African-Americans, and military actions overseas such as the Vietnam war and the invasion of Cambodia. Notable Attacks and Events May 19, 1972: The group set off a bomb in the Pentagon.March 1, 1971: The bombing of the U.S. Capitol was designed to protest the US invasion of Laos, according to a communiquà © issued at the time. There were several hundred thousand dollars of property damage, but no one was injured.March 6, 1970: Three members were killed while making bombs in a Greenwich Village house. This incident drove the group fully underground.October 8, 1969: The violent Days of Rage riot was staged by the Weathermen in Chicago, to protest the Vietnam war. History and Context Weather Underground was created in 1968, during a tumultuous moment in American and world history. To many, it appeared that national liberation movements and left-leaning revolutionary or guerrilla movements were harbingers of a different world than that which prevailed into the 1950s. This new world, in the eyes of its proponents, would upend political and social hierarchies between developed and less developed countries, between races, and between men and women. In the United States, a student movement loosely organized around these new left ideas grew over the course of the 1960s, becoming increasingly vocal and radical in its ideas and activities, especially in response to the Vietnam War and the belief that the United States was an imperialist power. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was the most prominent symbol of this movement. The university student group, founded in 1960 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, had a broad platform of goals related to their critiques of American military interventions overseas and their charges of racism and inequality in the United States. The Weather Underground came out of this ethos but added a militant spin, believing that violent action was required to effect change. Other student groups in other parts of the world were also of this mind in the late 1960s.

Technology management db4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Technology management db4 - Essay Example The requirements planning phase merges elements of the system analysis and planning phases of SDLC – Systems Development Life Cycle. Under the user design phase, users develop prototypes and models, which signify all system processes, outputs and inputs (Elliott, 2004). The construction phase centers on application and program development task akin to SDLC. Finally, the cutover phase is similar to the last tasks in the SDLC execution phase (Elliott, 2004). In object-oriented analysis and design, the processes include (1) planning, (2) testing implementation and documenting and (3) deployment and maintenance. This is best carried out in an incremental and iterative way (Elliott, 2004). Iteration through iteration, the outputs of OOAD proceedings, design models for OOD and analysis models for OOA evolve continuously and are refined and driven by key factors such as risks and business values (Elliott, 2004). Business process engineering begins with a high-level measurement of a firm’s mission, goals and client needs (Ponzi & Koenig, 2002). Basic queries are asked, like "Does the mission require redefinition? Are the strategic goals focused on the mission? Who are the clients?" This is because a firm might find itself working on questionable assumptions. The summarized process of business process engineering is identifying processes, reviewing updates, designing and testing (Ponzi & Koenig,

Pulmonary embolism CT scan case Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Pulmonary embolism CT scan case - Dissertation Example Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism is the second most common cause of sudden death. Death occurs within few hours of onset of the condition and in many situations, death occurs much before the diagnosis is made. In those who survive, recurrent embolism and mortality can be prevented by prompt diagnosis and management. However, diagnosis is often missed because of signs and symptoms that are nonspecific. Untreated individuals, who have survived the initial episode, are likely to die due to repeat embolism. Pulmonary embolism can be acute or chronic. Acute embolism occurs when the embolus is situated in the central portion of the vascular lumen or if the embolus occludes the lumen. Chronic embolism occurs when the embolus is eccentric, being contiguous with the wall of the vessel, decreases the diameter of the involved artery by atleast 50 percent and there is evidence of recanalisation or arterial web. Acute embolism distends the the vessel (Ouellette, 2011). Figure 1: Mechanism of pulmonary embolism (medicalook.com) Pulmonary embolism can be peripheral or central based on the branch of the artery located. Main pulmonary artery and its branches, the right and left pulmonary arteries and their subsequent main branches,the anterior trunk, the right and left interlobar arteries, right and left lower lobe arteries, right middle lobe artery and left upper lobe trunk are considered to be central zones. Other branches are peripheral zones (Ouellette, 2011). Pulmonary embolism can be massive or non-massive. Massive embolism occurs when hemodynamic compromise occurs (Ouellette, 2011). The clinical presentation of the condition is highly variable and hence provides scope for missed diagnosis. Classic presentation includes sudden onset of shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain and hypoxia (Ouellette, 2011). Pulmonary embolism is considered to be a complication of venous thromboembolism like deep vein thrombosis, rather than just a disease. Thus, every individual who is at risk of venous thromboembolism is at risk of developing pulmonary embolism (Ouellette, 2011). In normal individuals, microthrombi, which are nothing but aggregates of platelets, lysed red blood cells and fibrin, are formed and subsequently lysed continuously in the venous system. Through such a mechanism, local hemostasis is possible in response to injury, thus preventing uncontrolled propagation of clot (Ouellette, 2011). In view of nonspecific clinical presentation, every individual with unexplained chest pain, tachypnea or dyspnea must undergo specific diagnostic tests to rule out the disease. Non-specific routine tests ar not helpful in establishing or giving clue for diagnosis. The criterion standard for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is pulmonary angiography. However, this is rarely performed now and is replaced by computed tomography angiography or CT angiography which is more sensitive and specific (Ouellette, 2011). Famous personality who died of pulmonary embolism O ne of the famous personalities who died of pulmonary embolism is David Bloom, a noted TV journalist (DPSinfo, 2004). Anatomy The key for accurate interpretation of CT angiography is based on the understanding of bronchovascular anatomy (Refer to Figures 2 and 3). It is very important to adopt systematic approach of identifying vessels (Ouellette, 2011). Figure-2: Branches of pulmonary artery (imaios.com) Figure-3: Bronchopulmonary segments (imaios.com). Pathology Both hemodynamic and respiratory consequences arise due to pulmonary

Why it is starting to Seem like the Bad Guys are the Only Good Guys Essay

Why it is starting to Seem like the Bad Guys are the Only Good Guys - Essay Example In an episode that has recently been going round, â€Å"The office† the role of a bad guy who attracts the favour of the audience arises. A clueless boss referred to as Michael Scott dispatches his workplace rival by planting marijuana inside the desk of his nemesis so that police can find it. Although the action seems to be awfully mean, Michael admits that â€Å"the action is unpleasant but sometimes the end is justified by the means† (Newsweek Staff 1). Unfortunate for him, Michael does not realise that the marijuana he bought was a baggie that had been filled with basil caprese salad which leads to failure in his mission. The story seems funny to many audience and even a larger number would sympathise with Michael on his failed mission. This reveals that the role of characters in a program has been changing with time. A time when programs were only characterised with good guys or heroes who could not harm anyone in a movie have changed. The modern set of audience is diverse and people have developed a huge interest in areas where the bad guys thrives by believing in what they are doing as right even when it’s a malicious plan against an opponent. Michael would be celebrated by many guys if he succeeded in his malicious plan against his rival (Newsweek Staff 1). It could be argued that the political climate in the last ten years has influenced the audience to turn to antihero interest in various matters especially in viewing the bad guys in the movies as heroes. This could be as a result of rise in intelligence investigations, terrorism and other horrific events in lives of people.

Industry Analysis of Telecom Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Industry Analysis of Telecom Industry - Essay Example According to the US Wireless Communication Association, 3.6 million jobs are directly or indirectly dependent on the US wireless telecommunications industry. Verizon Wireless owns and operates majority of US wireless network. It is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone headquartered in NJ, Verizon. Verizon wireless deals in wireless voice and data services. Verizon has built the nation's first wide-area wireless broadband network and it also delivered the nation's first wireless consumer 3G-multimedia service. It has a broad consumer base. The company generated about US$ 75.11 billion in 2005 in net revenue, with revenue net per share of 27.155. The company quarterly growth is healthy and increased by 5.8 percent in 2005 as it increased its gross profit by 49.64 percent. The total cash flow was $22 billion; further detail can be seen in the table below. Verizon business model focuses on creating value and driving earning and growth. It has proved itself by generating stable margin, solid returns and stable financial performance. The company has extensive connections in the business and government sector and relies on them to generate revenue. The company has targeted costs of $890 million in 2006 to install a fiber optic network, which will be capable of providing Verizon's advanced FiOS data and video services. An AT &T Wirless service was the third largest wireless telephone carrier US. In October 2004, AT&T wireless completed its merger with Cingular to become the largest wireless carrier in the United States. Under the agreement, only the Cingular brand would survive. On November 16, 2004, every single AT&T Wireless store was re-christened under the Cingular banner. It is now renamed as AT&T Inc. The company is based in San Antonio, Texas and formed recently in 2005 by SBC Communications. The company net revenue for year 2005 reached $43.86 billion, with revenue per share 13.023, while the quarterly growth in 2005 remained 26 percent. The company total gross profit reached $24.67 billion. The total operating cash remained at $12.66 billion; further detail can be seen in the table below. Source: Yahoo Finance Business Model In 1907, AT&T president Theodore Vail did not keep it a secret, but made it goal to attain the status of monopolist, which he named as "One Policy, One System, and Universal Service." At the time AT&T started to purchase competitors and retained its monopoly till 1970, but the rise of cheap microwave communications opened opportunity for other competitors. However its monopoly was broken and it was bought over by rivals Verizon, currently it is surviving through mergers. III) T-Mobile T-Mobile is group of mobile phone corporate subsidiaries (under the ownership of Deutsche Telekom), which operates major GMS networks in Europe and US. T-Mobile has about 109 million subscribers, which makes it the world's 3rd largest mobile phone service provider. T-mobile is present in eight European countries (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Great Britain, Netherlands, Slovakia) and USA. T-Mobile USA is the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S. market with 21.7 million customers. In 2004, T-Mobile was able to generate revenue of $9366 million and able to grow at the rate of 12 percent a year. Further detail can

Reduce and Address the Issue on Gang Violence in Chicago Research Paper

Reduce and Address the Issue on Gang Violence in Chicago - Research Paper Example From the report it is clear that  gang violence has reduced both in low and high crime areas, there remain regions where violent crime rate is stile unacceptably high. Some of the gangs specialize in expressive violence while others specialize in instrumental violence.  This discussion stresses that Chicago registered the most murders than any other city in America. The rising homicide rate is attributed to the influx of illegal guns and gang violence. Gang violence is connected to disputes and turf wars and it seems that the problem largely affects the geographically and socially isolated neighborhoods. The incidences of gang violence mainly affect those living in the West and the South sides of the city. Although incidences of gang violence have declined considerably, the city is faring badly compared to other gang-infested cities such as Los Angeles and New York. This paper examines the history, prevalence and the solutions to the problem of gang violence in the Chicago city. The paper also examines how gang violence can be reduced through follow-up re-entry programs and community prosecution strategies.  The origin of gangs can be traced to the East Coast in 1820s and thereafter, in the Midwestern regions including Chicago and Los Angeles. The problem of gang violence in the United States is as old as humanity itself. The New York City is considered as a haven of the gangs in the country, and the emergence of gang-like groups began in late 1700s.

Organization Chart Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Organization Chart - Assignment Example This level also include the general manager. The design of Chicago Bulls organizational structure is a typical functional structure. According to Pedersen et al (2011), a functional structure is organized on the basis of roles and responsibilities. As elucidated by Pedersen et-al (2011), a functional structure analogous to Chicago Bulls structure has high levels of specialization. In other words, each unit or department has its own distinct role. From the Chicago Bulls organizational structure, it is evident that the organizational has adopted a centralized system whereby control managers and staff are allowed to make specific decisions on their own. Operations are also standardized, and the number of processes varies within departments. Specialization and centralization of control is imperative as ability to concentrate on specific functions and ability to make key decisions promotes innovativeness. In a nutshell, a functional organizational structure categorizes processes based on functions, roles, and

Reduce and Address the Issue on Gang Violence in Chicago Research Paper

Reduce and Address the Issue on Gang Violence in Chicago - Research Paper Example From the report it is clear that  gang violence has reduced both in low and high crime areas, there remain regions where violent crime rate is stile unacceptably high. Some of the gangs specialize in expressive violence while others specialize in instrumental violence.  This discussion stresses that Chicago registered the most murders than any other city in America. The rising homicide rate is attributed to the influx of illegal guns and gang violence. Gang violence is connected to disputes and turf wars and it seems that the problem largely affects the geographically and socially isolated neighborhoods. The incidences of gang violence mainly affect those living in the West and the South sides of the city. Although incidences of gang violence have declined considerably, the city is faring badly compared to other gang-infested cities such as Los Angeles and New York. This paper examines the history, prevalence and the solutions to the problem of gang violence in the Chicago city. The paper also examines how gang violence can be reduced through follow-up re-entry programs and community prosecution strategies.  The origin of gangs can be traced to the East Coast in 1820s and thereafter, in the Midwestern regions including Chicago and Los Angeles. The problem of gang violence in the United States is as old as humanity itself. The New York City is considered as a haven of the gangs in the country, and the emergence of gang-like groups began in late 1700s.

Self-Reflective Journal on Corporate Social Responsibility Essay - 1

Self-Reflective Journal on Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example This paper illustrates that a valuable relationship between CSR and social media was understood through the case of Goldman Sachs where the company gained both in terms of revenue and brand value through philanthropic contributions. Other companies such as Facebook and Google, which are predominantly online, are using the social media channel in order to achieve competitive advantage. The literature review from various other news reports and news articles also revealed that corporate social responsibility has become one of the crucial elements in the strategic decision-making process of organizations. Media is quickly becoming one of the emergent channels for information. As a result, companies are frequently utilizing social media platforms in order to engage with its customers as well as disseminate critical information about their national and international CSR activities. Rising consciousness among individuals as well as growing number of environmental communities have also impac ted the rise of CSR among big firms. However, the reports and articles also revealed that high disparity exists in terms of CSR activities between large and established firms and small and medium-sized companies. The seminar started with the discussion of the burgeoning issues which are hampering the authenticity of social media. Then the topic of CSR and its current practices were discussed. The key topics of discussion were internal and external CSR aspects, issues and challenges while implementing CSR strategies through social media channel, the importance of CSR activities in the global marketplace. Another important issue which was discussed in detail was changing climate conditions and its impact on the global environment.

Influence of Cannabis Abuse Variables on Psychotic Symptoms

Influence of Cannabis Abuse Variables on Psychotic Symptoms Influence of variables of cannabis abuse on psychotic symptoms and their severity: an Indian experience Abstract: Context: Cannabis is probably the most commonly used illicit drug. While not all cannabis users present mental health problems, heavy cannabis use may increase the risk of cognitive abnormalities, psychotic illness, and mood disorders. Cannabis-induced psychosis is not easily distinguishable from schizophrenic symptomatology, although it is characterized by more bizarre behaviour, violence, panic, more agitation, and less blunting of affect, and incoherent speech. Aims: To evaluate severity of various psychotic symptoms in relation to variables of cannabis abuse. Settings and Design: A cross sectional study of 30 male patients admitted at tertiary psychiatric centre, with diagnosis of cannabis induced psychosis was carried out. Methods and Material: Cannabis abuse variables along with psychotic symptoms severity on BPRS scale was obtained. Statistical analysis used: SPSS-17 was used for analysis, and significance level was at p-value Results: The symptoms that were associated with increased severity in majority of patients were hostility (83%), excitement (77%), and elevated mood, grandiosity, suspiciousness and motor hyperactivity were preset in more than 60% of individuals in range of severe to very severe form. Conclusions: Patients with long duration and early onset of cannabis abuse were presented with more severe form of psychosis. Frequency of cannabis use was not significantly correlated with total BPRS score, although amount spent over cannabis was significantly associated with total BPRS score. Family history of cannabis abuse predicted early onset of cannabis abuse. Introduction Cannabis is probably most commonly used illicit drug. [1,2] It is widely used in India and is an integral part of Indian culture and religious customs.[3,4] The correlation between cannabis and negative mental health outcomes has been unequivocally established [1,5,6,7,12]. While not all cannabis users present mental health problems, [5] epidemiological studies suggest that heavy cannabis use during adolescence may increase the risk of cognitive abnormalities and psychotic disorders.[1,8-10] Use of cannabis at early age and high frequency are associated with a greater risk of problems [5,7,11]. Arendt et al. consider that this cannabis-induced psychosis is an early expression of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals rather than part of the differential diagnosis [12]. Moore’s review reported a 40% higher risk of psychosis in subjects who occasionally used cannabis and a probability of 50% to 200% higher in regular cannabis users [13]. Swedish Conscripts Study (Andreasson et al.) of inductees into the military reported a risk for schizophrenia 2.4 times higher among those who had used cannabis by 18 years than among non-users [14,24]. This cannabis-induced psychosis is not easily distinguishable from Schizophrenic symptomatology, [15,19] although it has been characterized by more bizarre behavior, violence, panic, more hypomanic symptoms and agitation, and fewer hallucinations and less blunting of affect and incoherent speech.[20,21] Need of the current study Studies have found cannabis associated psychosis a constellation of affective symptoms (euphoria, increased psychomotor activity), [16,17,18] whereas others have found similarity with schizophrenic symptomology of social withdrawal, thought disorder and disorganized behavior [19,22] so there is immense need to define the presenting features of this disorder in Indian population. Additionally phenomenology of the cannabis use disorder need to be explored to clearly define, identify and manage this population. Despite widespread use of cannabis there is lack of research data from most part of the world including India. Aims and objectives: Based on the existing literature we formulated following hypothesis that â€Å"Patients with cannabis associated psychosis have different symptom profile than other common psychiatric disorders, relating to variables of cannabis abuse e.g. dose, frequency, duration†. To test the hypothesis following objectives were formulated To assess variables of cannabis abuse in patients with cannabis associated psychosis. To explore the relationship between variables of cannabis abuse, and individual symptom profile and total BPRS score. Subjects and Methods: Patients in whom there was temporal association of cannabis use with onset of psychotic illness were included in the study. The study included 30 consequentially admitted, Hindi speaking patients of 18-50 years of age at tertiary psychiatric centre in north India from March 2011 to July 2011. Patients with mental retardation, a significant medical condition compromising ability to participate, history of head injury with any documented cognitive sequele, and inability to provide informed consent were excluded from study. Patients having history of psychiatric illness prior to onset of cannabis abuse, predominant abuse/dependence of other psychoactive substance and having any other significant medical illness were also excluded from study. Study design: A cross sectional study of subjects who satisfied the inclusion criteria was carried out. After recording socio demographic data, each participant in the study was subjected to questionnaire regarding his cannabis abuse and brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS). To measure the quantity of cannabis intake by individual indirect measure in form of average amount (INR) spent daily was inquired. The age of onset, duration of abuse, and cause of onset- accidental, casual, peer group and offer by elder family members were recorded. The history of cannabis abuse as well as psychiatric illness in other family members was inquired. Results: Majority of the participants were young male adults of the rural background. About 47 % (n-14) of them were unmarried and 60 % (n-18) were belonged to joint family. All the study participants were formally educated and at least one family member of about 43% (n-13) of participants had history of cannabis abuse. As it has been shown in table 2 majority of the study participants were abusing cannabis for more than 10 years with mean duration of cannabis abuse 14.2 years. 50 % of the individuals experienced first cannabis intake before age of 13 years with average onset of cannabis use 14.5 years. Majority of the participants (66%) were daily cannabis abusers. More than 2/3 rd of the subjects was spending Rs. 15 per day on average over the cannabis. Onset of cannabis was occurred mostly due to influence of peer group (n-21). The symptoms that were associated with increased severity in majority of patients were hostility 25 (83%), excitement 23 (77%), and elevated mood, grandiosity, suspiciousness, distractibility and motor hyperactivity in more than 60% of individuals. Other symptoms that were present in severe to very severe form in more than half individuals were hallucinations, unusual thought content, uncooperativeness, and self neglect. Suicidability and tension was absent in 28(93%) of p atients, depression and motor retardation was absent in 25(83%) of participants, guilt was absent in 70% of patients and blunted affect, conceptual disorganization and emotional withdrawal were completely absent in >60% of individual patients. Correlation with duration of cannabis abuse Long duration of abuse was negatively correlated with depression and hostility but other symptoms like suspiciousness, hallucinations, unusual thought content were positively correlated. Duration of cannabis abuse was significantly associated with total BPRS score (p-0.002). Patients with long duration of cannabis were presented with more severe form of psychosis than patients with short duration of cannabis abuse. Correlation with Age of onset of cannabis abuse Older age of onset of cannabis use was significantly associated with depression (p Correlation with frequency of cannabis abuse Frequency of cannabis abuse was significantly associated with self neglect (p-0.007) and tension (p Correlation with amount spent over cannabis The amount spent over cannabis was significantly correlated with anxiety (p-0.030), hallucinations (p-0.001), bizarre behavior (p Discussion: This study was aimed at determining clinical symptoms in relation to variables of cannabis abuse. All subjects were male. This could be attributable to low levels of substance use among females in general and cannabis in particular. Age range was wide and may be due to variation in genetic vulnerability to psychosis, dose of cannabis and duration of illness leading to variable age at presentation. Positive symptoms (motor hyperactivity, excitement, hostility, elevated mood, suspiciousness, grandiosity) were found at higher frequency than negative symptoms (blunted effect, emotional withdrawal and motor retardation). Hallucinations were present in only half of the participants. Other symptoms of the psychosis like conceptual disorganization and catatonic symptoms were absent. Our result was in support of Vani Kulhali and colleagues [23] finding that patients with cannabis associated psychosis had high positive scores (>5) on respective BPRS items were hostility 25 (83%), excitement 23 (77%), and motor hyperactivity, elevated mood, grandiosity, suspiciousness, distractibility in more than 60% of individuals. The least common symptoms were suicidability and tension 2 (6), depression and motor retardation 5 (15%), guilt was present in 30% of patients and blunted affect, conceptual disorganization and emotional withdrawal were completely absent in >60% of individuals. Most studies have reported that cannabis produces psychosis with prominent positive symptoms [16,1718]. Our findings are in keeping with these studies. Scores on BPRS reflected both the total intensity and the profile of psychopathology. Thus our findings largely confirm that reports of other authors that cannabis produces a psychosis with predominantly affective features and more of positive symptoms. Family history of drug disorders is regarded as risk factor for substance use including cannabis, whether it also results in increased vulnerability to cannabis psychosis is not clear. Conclusions The implication of this study is that cannabis contributes in causing and modifying psychosis. Several noteworthy findings emerged from this heterogeneous sample of cannabis associated psychosis. First the severity of psychotic episode was significantly associated with younger age of onset of cannabis abuse and increased spending was associated with more severe psychotic episode. Second family history of psychosis was not associated with increased severity of cannabis abuse, although family history of psychosis predicted more severe excitement, elevated mood and grandiosity and early onset of cannabis abuse. Limitations of the study As this was a cross sectional study and cannabis variables were obtained from interview possibility of â€Å"recall bias† can`t be ruled out. It was not possible to measure the amount of cannabis in unit time. Proxy used to represent this variable may not be representative of active ingredient of delta- 9THC. We have to rely on the subjects `self- report` of not using any other substances and were unable to objectively verify this report. Thus, the possibility that some symptoms were related to abstinence from other drugs cannot be completely excluded. Wide age range could be a drawback of study since homogeneity in duration of illness and amount of cannabis abuse could not be ensured.

Web Pages :: Internet Technology Computers Essays

Web Pages The phrase "point and click" is all too familiar to the basic computer user these days. With their computers, people now have the power to do see and do a plethora of things with this phrase. Thanks to the invasion of cyberspace, even more possibilities exist to the everyday computer user. The Internet is an almost infinite resource for providing great reference information, entertainment, and other everyday needs. Obviously, people have their preferences of which pages they find the best or most useful. It is also quite clear that different pages have different purposes and therefore are displayed quite differently. For the expert computer user, time seems to play a factor in a good web page in terms of a simple yet informative page. Others prefer stunning visual or even audio effects to receive information. Web pages come in all styles and forms and exist for different purposes. Their appeal is completely personal to the viewer. First off, I would like to talk about informational pages. These pages exist for the sole purpose of enabling people to find out about a certain subject. For example, I had to write a research paper on atheism. As I put the word "atheism" through the Lycos search engine, many great pages came up. A very popular thing that web sites have are FAQ's. FAQ's stands for frequently asked questions. Of course, these questions come with answers that are either very blunt and simple, or complex and detailed. I find that most FAQ's give me more than enough information to satisfy my needs. Informational pages tend to not have fancy backgrounds and options such as Quicktime movies, JPEGs, or sound applications. These are a waste of memory and for the most part are not helpful to people who need fast and quotable information. However, people who have the time and interest to utilize these options can benefit from them. For certain subjects like music, sounds are obviously a good thing to have on a page. Links to other related pages are great if you need more than one source to research a certain subject. However, I do not like pages that have thousands and thousands of links. It is overwhelming to find that many links. The web maker should provide around ten good links. After all, the pages that are linked also have many links to them as well.

Computer Ergonomics In The Workplace :: Workplace Health and Safety

Business strive for high production at low cost. This would result in the highest profit for a company. To many businesses, this is only a mirage. This is because the 'low cost' of the business usually results in a 'high cost' for the employees. This high cost is lower quality workplace items, lower salaries, less benefits, etc. These costs create an upset workplace environment. Companies understand that the more efficient their workers are, the more productive their business will become. Although this will take lots of money at first, the result will be extreme success. There exist many different things in the workplace that add to stress and injuries. They range from lifting heavy boxes to typing too much on the keyboard. This paper will be focusing on the principals of ergonomics in the computer workstation. According to the Board of Certification for Professional Ergonomists (BCPE), the definition of ergonomics "is a body of knowledge about human abilities, human limitations and human characteristics that are relevant to design. Ergonomic design is the application of this body of knowledge to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe, comfortable and effective human use."(BCPE, 1993) In the average computer workstation, employees are prone to over a dozen hazards. There exist two factors that can prevent this: forming good work habits and ergonomically designed computer workstations. We will discuss these preventions throughout the paper. First, a few terms may need defining. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) takes place from the repeated physical movements of certain body parts which results in damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. If these injuries are not taken care of immediately, permanent damage could be done. A few common results of RSI's that were not taken care of right away are injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendentious, Tenosynovitis, DeQuervain's Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome etc. All of these are able to be prevented by the use of good working habits and ergonomic engineering.i Usually, ergonomically designing a computer workstation would cost about $1000. This expense could be eliminated by the formation of good work habits. This is essential for the safety of computer terminal employees. There exist a number of precautions that can be taken into consideration when dealing with a computer workstation. We shall discuss six of them. First, the whole body must be relaxed. The correct posture is shown in Figure 1. Notice that the arms and thighs are parallel to the floor and the feet are flat on the floor. Also notice that the wrists are not bent in any way. This is one of the most damaged parts of the body when

Bmw Startegic Planning Essay

Strategic planning can be defined as the process of developing and maintaining consistency between the organisational objectives and resources and its changing opportunities. Hence strategic planning aims to define and document an approach to doing business that leads to satisfactory profits and growth. This approach or strategy sets the general direction for the use and management of all resources including information, throughout the organisation. Generally this direction will remain valid for an extended period of time. There are several major components that make up the strategic plan. They may appear in various documentations formally or informally defined and they may collectively represent the values and priorities of the organization. These components are mission, vision, goals, objective, strategy and policy. Relationship between Mission, Vision, and Objective Both of mission and vision are relate to an organization’s purpose and are typically communicated in some written form. In mission and vision statement, BMW Malaysia can known about the value, and what they wants to run the business. BMW have a clearly communicated, widely understood, and collectively shared mission and vision have been shown to perform better than those companies without them (mission and vision), with at that they related to effectiveness when strategy and goals and objectives were aligned with them as well. BMW have the mission, vision, and objective in the process of planning strategies to attract the customer. In the relationship between mission, vision, and objective is aim the goals of BMW Malaysia Sdn. Stakeholder Stakeholders are individuals, group, or organization that has direct or indirect in an organization because it can affect or be affected by the organization’s actions, objectives, and policies. Key stakeholders in a business organization include creditors, customers, directors, employees, government, shareholders, suppliers, unions, and community from which the business draws its resources. Stakeholder Analysis Stakeholders’ analysis is a process of systematically gathering and analyzing qualitative information to determine whose interests should be taken into account when developing and/or implementing a policy or program. Stake holder analysis is important to BMW Company because they need to do an analysis for their own plans so that they can find out what mistake they has done it and make a correction on it. This analysis also will determine that they can make a comparison with other competitors. Although, the stakeholder analysis originated from the business sciences, it has evolved into a field that now incorporate economics, political science, and game and decision theory and environmental sciences. The current models of stakeholder analysis are applying a variety of tools on both qualitative and quantitative data to understand stakeholders with their position, influence with other groups and their interest in a particular reform. It also provide an idea of the impact of reforms and the potential power struggles among the groups and individuals and helps identify potential strategies for negotiating with opposing. Furthermore, another importance of stakeholder analysis is risk prevention. Analytic stakeholders sometimes would bring complicated and complex analysis and sometimes unexpected problem. Therefore, stakeholder management should carefully managed the business environment occur in the company. Unexpected negative development in the BMW Company can increase the risk. Last but not least is the rationality. The management should perceive the ability of the stakeholder group as to measure the financial performance. The stakeholder commitment can show a moral duty by claim the benefits from the stakeholder management to the ethical principle. Conclusion As a result, the stakeholder analysis is an effective methodology as to evaluate the management process in the BMW Company. This analysis can help the management construct the identifiable and effective control and management. This analysis can convey sufficient and active project for BMW Company. Introduction Most of the companies are practicing the organizational audit and environmental audit which may help them to solve any problem in the company and also give them opportunity to improving their business. Organizational audit can be defined as internal audit which is provide the independent professional service, to serve not only foe management, but also the whole organization. Besides that, it also may assurance that an organization’s risk management, authority and internal control processes will be operate effectively. This means that the organizational audits will arrange or care the important basic issues such as survival and prosperity of the company. Environmental audit can be clarified as the broad. This will include all the outsider people to involve in the company. Or in other meaning, it is a systematic of dealings between any business operation and it is surrounding. This may contain the air, land, water legal constraint. For example, it may cause the community around the business, places that they doing the business, and the public’s perception of the operating company in the local area. Besides that, environmental audit can be simplified as an independent third party of assessment of the current status which may occupy the organization’s agreement with local environmental law. It also will be the assessment of the financial advantages and disadvantages for the company. Factors that affect the internal audit Internal factors are identifying through SWOT analysis. SWOT analysis consists of strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The strength and weakness probably come for the management of the manager and employee. While the opportunity and threat is coming from the customers. Factors that affect the external audit External factors are identifying through PEST analysis. PEST analysis consists of political, economical, social and technological. Technological and economical variables are affecting by the media. While the political and social are affecting by suppliers and distributors. Conclusion BMW has analysed their organisational audit and environmental audits with the SWOT and PEST analysis. The analysis tools is where you recommend and improve their through this analysis tools can helps the company measure the performance of the internal and external factors in BMW Company. Introduction Strategic positioning is important part in a company. It is because, it will advertising the strategies to consider. For example the product or brand to be effectively positioned within the customer’s mind, general research into target audience, competition’s advertising activity needs to take place. If the strategic positioning is successful, it may be situate the product in the mind of the customer when it comes to purchase time. Besides that, the criteria that a management should become aware of is the price, quality of product, convenience, time, and relevance which will attributes consumers associate to brands within a category. Strategic positioning is important to a company because they are a tiny little business which can plan heated down to one sentence. Besides that, it also will briefly define the target, the categories which the company struggles, the differentiated benefits, and what the company must do to prove the differentiated to the customer. Moreover, strategic positioning also will develop the brand positioning to forces the company to consider what they want to be successful. Without a clear and good strategic positioning, the company may lose lots of time and money in hopeless. If the strategic positioning is not be clear, it doesn’t have real, meaningful, differentiated value to the marketplace and your organization, it will be not only wandering but somehow it will aimlessly, the chances of real success are greatly lessen. Strategic Positioning Techniques Strategic positioning is a key to business success. It has the advantage to help the company to focus what they do and market place to know what you stand for. This strategic position of a business includes the devising the desired position of the basis present and foreseeable development. Their strategic positioning techniques are show as below: I. Market Segmentation Segmentation system is well designed to measure the interests, attitudes and behaviours of their marketing mix. Segmentation, targeting and positioning are tools that a company used to gain competitive advantage in the market. Market segmentation is the process of dividing the market into similar groups according to the characteristics planned for the product acquire. BMW is a huge and well known automotive industry in all around the world. Therefore, their market segmentation is bigger than others. They need to fulfil many requirement by differentiate their marketing plans. Other segmentation is target marketing. Target market can recognise the diversity of customers and what the company offering. Different customers have different needs so it is possible to satisfy their customers by treating them alike. This segment enables a company like BMW trade individual marketing plans of each customer group. Market segmentation is torn into some section which is geographic and demographic segment. Geographic segmentation variables require the region, size of population areas, population density and climate. Big population can increase the faith and build trust among their customers. BMW Company also can be their strategic position in gain the customer’s trust and believe. While, demographic segmentation includes the age, gender, family size and life cycle and others. When the family have big members, even when one of the members is purchase with BMW, the others can build their trust towards the BMW’s products. They will analyse through the product that the members bought from BMW. II. Benchmarking Benchmarking is the process of identifying the best practice on how the product is created and delivered to the suppliers and customers. The objective of benchmarking is to understand and evaluate the current position of a business or organisation. Benchmarking examine on how the company achieve their performance levels. This technique helps the company explain the process behind the excellent performance that the company acquire. Strength of benchmarking is lies on the way the organisation measure the impact of the effectiveness of their processes. For example, BMW has famous and huge benchmarking form the automotive that they produce. They own benchmarking make their financial become higher and higher. This includes the activity such attracting the customers by meeting their needs. All the department will work together to gain the customers concerned. One type of benchmarking is a strategic benchmarking. This strategic benchmarking is concerned on the strategic action and change. BMW has many strategic actions in market their product to all their customers in the international market. Their most target market are individual which has family and many member. BMW offers security for each of the automotive that they produced. The person that used the facilities that BMW offer will feel secure and they always trust to deal with BMW in future. The best benchmarking process need to carry out properly as to gain the experiences repeatedly. The best practice is used by the successful organisation as a tool of continually improving the production. The reason of product development can offer the necessary to undertake the best practice that BMW acquire. Conclusion As a conclusion, BMW has their strategic objective to be achieved. The technique that I can propose to BMW to achieve their objective is benchmarking and market segmentation. These techniques will bring effectiveness to the BMW performance and helps BMW develop their strategic positioning.

Filipino Slang Words Essay

Throughout the generation, one can already make a separate dictionary for the great number of Filipino slang terms created. However one term can definitely catch one’s attention, which is exactly what the term’s meaning is. Have you ever been in a situation where a person has been called epal? What exactly is being epal? Urban Dictionary defines it as ‘a person who goes into a situation wherein his presence is not needed or in a place he does not belong’. The term epal has been derived from the word ‘pumapapel’ or ‘mapapel’ which means someone who intervenes with affairs of others or impedes with the concerns of a group with no relation to him with the intention of trying to become the center of attention. It can be inferred that it is an example of salitang kalye or balbal in Filipino language and has an unclear etymology. Although unclear is its roots, epal is similar to other Filipino slang terms and it is certain that there is a catalyst for these words to be created. Hence, it is not only about using epal as either an insult or a label because it is also an element of language variation. Relevantly, slang terms are codes or â€Å"mechanisms† that reflect social awareness or circumstances happening around an individual (Newsome, n.d.) The term can be traced to the culture of the Philippines. Knowing that it is part of our language and culture, it is ought to be elaborated for it allows the discovery of the pattern of formation of words like it and what it has to do with our identity. This one word could even identify the image of Filipino society in the micro-level. The term epal is a proof of the diversity of the Filipino language because of its connotation in the past and present, impact to society and contrasting themes with other similar terms in the Philippines. On account of being a mainstream negative label for someone, the attribute of epal has extended to the usage in the social and political dimension. There are hundreds of situations one can recognize someone as epal. In the social scene, media might use epal as an interesting element in a show. One can imagine a girl with her quickly beating heart, and blushing cheeks that seem like roses blossoming and sparkling eyes hidden and focused on the ground to avert the eyes directed toward her. In an inconspicuous location after school hours, she called this boy full of determination but now it was as though her courage was being drained from her. Presently, she is standing before the man of her dreams and is ready to confess her overflowing emotion. Both are anxious of their presence and what is about to happen. Beginning to explain, she spoke to the boy in a soft-spoken yet determined voice. As soon as she was about to confess her pure and deep love, the whole atmosphere is ruined and the mood is after a teacher appeared. The romance between the princess and the prince is destroyed by the dragon and to what they thought was going to be their happy ending, it ended painfully before it even began. An epal is a person who intervenes with people or thwarts plans. In a political scene, again one can imagine a person walking down the street, and he sees posters everywhere of incompetent politicians declaring their vow to the progress of this country. It was the same vow they made during the previous campaign period where they won, and currently their promises are insubstantial. Completely infuriated by this, he goes home and tries to ease his mind so he turned the television on to watch his favourite show. Giggles and tears were expressed; the person was concentrated veritably on the show for the storyline was reaching its climax. Then, the epal struck once more; a campaign advertisement showed the same shameless politician, who pretended to help the adults and children by giving them goods and smiles at a populated squatter area. At such a premature period, he was already campaigning and promoting his kupal side. An epal is one who schemes and gets as much opportunity as possible to get attention. To distinguish further, an epal is characterized as: first, he is treated like an outcast when he is forcing his way in to a group he does not belong or he is not welcome in. Second, a person who assigns himself with more work so he seems the good guy in the group but actually he receives pity and the work he assigned for himself is given to others so he is left with none. He is a cunning extra character in a movie trying to create his own script in the film, so he can get the credit for the success of the movie and get more attention. Boosting the ego through vexatious ways, it is what an epal does. As is any other term, there must have been a cause as to why slang words are formed. Though epal has a vague etymology, it has motivators for it to be integrated in the Filipino vocabulary. First, according to Zorc (1993), Filipinos establish the idea of a slang terminology â€Å"by borrowing from other languages, by giving new meanings to pre-existing words by coining or creating original forms, or by using numbers as a kind of â€Å"in-group codes† (as cited in Derivation of Slang Words, para. 1) The explanation for the existence of epal can be identified as coinage, or invented words completely or almost varying from the words they had been based on. It has reshaped the term through the process of metathesis and reduction. Metathesis or agglutination is simply the rearrangement of sounds and syllables in a word to produce new terms that may or may not have the same meaning as the original word (Derivation of Slang Words, n.d.). During the 1970s, the process of agglutination become popular and it might be the reason why we have epal (Tan, 2009). Reduction is the truncation or removal of a letter or a group of letters in a word. Example of these are Erap from the word pare (brother or friend), as well as yosi and siga (a brute) from sigarilyo (cigarette). Second, the likely cause of the creation of epal, similar to other salitang kalye at balbal, is being relative to the situation the term epal was formed. The result is a product that suits its social environment. Epal’s locus and period of time of creation has influenced and contextualized the term. Areas of the masa, or the middle and lower class Filipinos and further popularized by the media is the likely origin of epal. It is proven that slang terms are more likely to flourish in the scene of the masa but it is not absolute in all cases for even in college or in other various settings, people create their own slang, jargon and register. As a result, epal is evidence that our language is diversified and made more unique, through its regular usage rather than using foreign language. Epal has observantly contributed to our media and politics. In social context, media has made it famous because celebrities, hosts, and showbiz gossip people use it; it has become a staple label for people regardless whether they deserve it or not. Another effect would be that media has used epal characters frequently in comedy programs and use them for humor in romantic shows or rom-coms in short. They are portrayed as people who are annoying and uncontrollably butts in conversations, break up friendship among people, or someone who likes to brag and present himself to other uninterested people. He is a typical fool or clown. In political context, DSWD has used the term and launched its program after this. The â€Å"Anti-epal† campaign is against the â€Å"epals† in our community. These are politicians and political groups that ‘use the Conditional Cash Transfer Program, also known as PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program, to threaten beneficiaries and take advantage of their roles in the forthcoming elections (Fernandez, 2013). The epals here have the same essence as the social context but has integrated it into their own conditions. Looking at these instances, epal is a slang term created by and for vendors, pedicab drivers or loiterers in the street. It can symbolize a cry for patriotism and change. These effects show that even a term like epal affects not only our language but also the people themselves. From the unique term epal, other terms have branched out from it such as kupal and kapalmuks. The variety of such creative words in Filipino slang vocabulary is too many to identify; its usage changing through periods of time and its trend fluctuating through succeeding generations. Epal, kupal and kapalmuks have been used interchangeably but in actuality they differ in: representation and degree. The word kupal originated from the language of Cebu. Similar as epal, kupal is also a master in the field of being an irksome pest but it specifically means an obnoxious person. Furthermore, it may be described as a person doing irresponsible actions and being ignorant of its consequences. The degree of the term kupal is greater than epal because it expresses a stronger feeling of frustration when one is called kupal. Hence, it can only be used as an insult. A person being kupal may not actually always be impudent, yet the person will always be considered repugnant. An instance could be whenever a person makes decisions without good discretion and this wrong judgement has caused grave results to him and others as well. First aspect of a kupal is that the person lies frequently and blatantly to get what he wants. The second aspect of a kupal is that the person recklessly does things and insensitively involves people with him. Ultimately, the primary difference between epal from kupal is the depth of both terms’ to denominate an individual’s acrimony to a person. Conversely, kapalmuks is pure shamelessness. It is the contraction of the Filipino phrase â€Å"kapal ng mukha† which exactly means being thick-faced or to be put simply have no sense of modesty in oneself. Both kapalmuk and epal are almost synonymous with each other. Both are vainglorious and egotistic, but epal tends to meddle with people’s businesses while a kapalmuk fixes himself in showing off for the praise. Kapalmuks is the state of shamelessness to the extreme degree, greater than an epal. An epal might self-promote through people, or social channels like giving himself most of the credit for a project that he had negligible collaboration with (Esguerra, 2011). Brazenly stepping into an affair and wanting to help very pretentiously, an epal gains popularity with his non-existent contributions and solutions. Randy David of Inquirer claimed this to be the â€Å"new narcissism† (De Veas Insigne, 2011) Contrariwise, a kapalmuk associate himself with people to seek attention rather he would spotlight himself. In a clearer manner, a kapalmuk is personified and can be seen here in the Philippines where walls of cities are turned into photo albums or scrapbooks by politicians. Everywhere, they put tarpaulins, posters, ads, infograph and other propaganda of politicians about themselves. The affected are just not facades, buildings or electric posts; license plate, permits, etc. are also marked by politicians’ faces. Although an epal can be intolerable, a kapalmuk can be disgraceful to himself and other people. Despite arguments claiming slang words in the language of Filipinos for instance epal, astig, damulag, bulalo, and jologs as detrimental to our culture for it makes our language a lowly, menial and ineffective medium in communication, slang terms are actually one characteristic of language which represents diversity at the same time solidarity. Coinages of Filipino terms prove that the language is ever evolving. It does not matter if it is barbaric or jargon but the important thing is that these words convey some aspect of truth in the world. The term epal then, represents the truth of having an exasperating character whether in real life or in a TV show. A person being epal is characterized as an outcast of in a group or a prideful extra in a movie. Similar as any slang word, it has its origin and during the trend of deriving slang in the 70s, epal took its form from the word ‘pumapapel’. Its effects to the Philippine community are that it is a recurring theme in the entertainment side and has been used to label people from the political arena. Epal may simply describe an attention seeking person but this is just a manifested purpose of the term. Its latent purpose might be to depict people in the country that are damaging this society. The significance of words in our language such as epal is not just to know a description for an enemy you have, it is much more complex than that. According to Gibbs (1994), Slang can be defined as â€Å"dynamic variety of language that is used to show solidarity and claimin-group membership† (as cited in Newsome, para. 2). It is in this light that we can deduce that when one culture creates slang it means that people are comfortable with the people they are mingling with and this strengthens the affiliation between a group either through race, language, belief, etc. Hence, it is right to say that bekimons, gay people in the Philippines, do not just cluster around their sexual orientation but also the language that they speak of. Lodge in his work â€Å"The Pragmatics of Slang† concisely explained it in his first of three features of language variation, that â€Å"a broad and increasing lexicon is essential in order to express the ‘nuances’ of human emotions and personal identity and experiences† We create these slang words because these words embody our troubles and our personality; the whole essence of us. Words mean nothing if these do not help define ideas and thoughts of the people. The word epal entails the idea of the generation when it was made and is being used. Thus, epal may, in the future, disappear in the following generations but the language of Filipinos will still be evolving. References: Arriola, B. So what’s epal (2012, September 03) Retrieved from Beltran, C. Beyond epal†¦it’s kapal (2012, September 12) Retrieved from http://www. De Guzman, L. In the know: ‘Epal’ (2011, November 04) Retrieved from De Veas Insigne, Y. (2011, November 17) Anti-epal bill is ok but how about the kapalmuks? Retrieved from http://www.yodisphere.com/2011/11/anti-epal-bill-is-ok-but-how-about.html DSWD to launch anti-epal campaign (2013, February 03) Retrieved from Epal : Pinoy Slang. (n.d.) Retrieved from Epal : Urban Dictionary (n.d) Retrieved from Esguerra, C. V. (2011, November 04) Sen. Santiago to shame vain politicians thru ‘anti-epal’ bill† Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from