Illegal Immigration Issue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Unlawful Immigration Issue - Research Paper Example To help my contention, the unfavorable impacts achieved by unlawful migration, especially as far as work uprooting of residents and bringing about of extra standardized savings consumptions of the administration, are featured. Through the media, the idea of illicit movement has been exceptionally romanticized. Displaced people, as unlawful outsiders are generally alluded to, are depicted as the persevering fringe crossers who endeavor to accommodate their families abandoned (Weissinger). Many feel compassion toward the situation of these individuals who chance their own lives looking for greener fields. This is a similar feeling inspired in me during a meeting with Mr. Diaz, an unlawful outsider from Mexico who has been working in a neighborhood retail location for a year at this point. Scarcely ready to talk professional English, he described how outrageous destitution in their country has incited him to search for a not too bad occupation over the outskirt. With his activity, he can send cash to his family with the pay he presently wins, a long ways from the amount he would have gotten in Mexico. In the impression of US-based businesses, unlawful workers are seen as a modest wellspring of incompetent work, which they could without much of a stretch tap (Hanson). Note that displaced people, given their franticness to quickly get employments, enthusiastically acknowledge moderately lower compensation when contrasted with the neighborhood work power (Costs of Immigration). Others accept that illicit migration is really a success win circumstance, wherein the poor nation from where the expatriate started acquires dollars from settlements, while the host country exploits lower work cost with the huge specialist pool made accessible (Hanson).â Given these observations, the genuine issues straightforwardly identified with illicit movement are clouded. The ensuing areas uncover what lies underneath the basic conviction and shed lights on the impacts of movement on government use, populace development and on other monetary variables (Siew-Ean).

Sylvia Plath Research Paper free essay sample

As Emily Dickinson once stated, â€Å"People need tough situations and abuse to create mystic muscles. † Sylvia Plath foreshadowed a wide range of things in her verse that mirror the troublesome encounters she suffered throughout everyday life. Her father’s passing and her husband’s deserting impacted her writing in a few diverse of her sonnets. Plath’s self-destructive propensities and the profound miseries she endured likewise prompted a portion of her darkest and progressively pessimistic sonnets. Her work is known for the savage symbolism credited to a portion of her most flawed occasions throughout everyday life. Despite the fact that Sylvia Plath encountered a hard life brimming with self-destructive contemplations, these deplorable occasions at last prompted her most renowned verse today. Plath was naturally introduced to a Massachusetts home on October 27, 1932 to an exceptionally scholastic couple. At the point when she was just eight years of age her dad passed on of diabetes. At the point when Plath was 21 years of age, she experienced a genuine misery and endeavored self destruction. We will compose a custom paper test on Sylvia Plath Research Paper or on the other hand any comparable subject explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Before long, she met Ted Hughes, an English writer, and wedded him in 1956 (â€Å"Sylvia Plath† 1). The last and last time Sylvia would experience the ill effects of gloom was in the most exceedingly terrible winter of the century in 1963. Her self destruction endeavor, in February, was fruitful because of the utilization of a gas broiler (Wagner-Martin 2). â€Å"One can't unmistakably recognize the injuries she encountered from those she developed in print† (Axelrod 1). As the educator from the University of California Riverside says, Plath’s sonnets show anguish like none other of her timeframe. She was a contemporary author whose sonnets followed the tutoring of Robert Lowell and Anne Sexton. She invested wholeheartedly in her composition in spite of the fact that her most noteworthy sonnets were the result of a frightful time for her. â€Å"For Plath, the most significant things were consistently those she made: her sonnets, her children† (Kinsey-Clinton 5). Sylvia’s troublesome life and the things she experienced added to the striking verse she is currently perceived for. â€Å"His demise radically characterized her connections and her sonnets most quite in her elegiac and scandalous sonnet, ‘Daddy’† (â€Å"Sylvia Plath† 1). To start with, Sylvia Plath had an entangled relationship with her dad and communicated her disdain towards his demise in a portion of her sonnets. â€Å"They consistently realized it was you. /Daddy, daddy, you charlatan, Im through. † This last line to Sylvia Plath’s sonnet, â€Å"Daddy†, gives her anguish and contempt towards her dad considerably after his some time in the past death. One can unmitigatedly observe all through this sonnet Plath is communicating extraordinary feelings towards her father’s life and demise yet at long last deals with him at long last. She was additionally delineating her sentiments of hatred towards her better half with her cruel and clear words. (â€Å"Analysis of Sylvia Plath’s ‘Daddy’† 1). The sonnet â€Å"Daddy† embodies the agony that was hidden away developed in Sylvia’s youth. At the point when she previously knew about her father’s demise, she broadcasted, â€Å"I will never address God again†. Sylvia trusted her dad could have forestalled his passing yet rather held on and sat idle (Wagner-Martin 67). In another sonnet, â€Å"Electra on Azalea Path† she depicts her first visit to her father’s grave and the influence it had on her own life in an idyllic way. â€Å"I carried my affection to endure, and afterward you kicked the bucket. /It was the gangrene ate you deep down/My mom stated: you passed on like any man. /How will I age into that perspective? † These four lines are from the finish of Plath’s sonnet â€Å"Electra on Azalea Path† and speak to the difficult time she is having tolerating his passing. Sylvia Plath’s father’s passing negatively affected her psychological state, yet generally speaking helped her lovely style of composing. Next, her significant other, Ted Hughes’s, deserting gave an astounding wellspring of outrage for Plath’s book of verse, Ariel. â€Å"Ted Hughes left Plath and in that winter, in a profound misery, Plath composed the vast majority of the sonnets that would include her most well known book† (â€Å"Sylvia Plath† 1). After he left her, she composed 40 sonnets of wrath and retaliation in under two months. The sonnets that made Ariel have been basically liable for Plath’s after-death distinction (Stevenson 2). Sylvia communicated through progressively furious and amazing sonnets. Sonnets, for example, â€Å"Lady Lazarus†, â€Å"Ariel†, and â€Å"Death Company† are on the whole incredible instances of her desolate and smoldering sentiments. In the sonnet, â€Å"Lady Lazarus†, Sylvia Plath closes it with these line; â€Å"Out of the debris/I ascend with my red hair/And I eat men like air†. By and by, her sentiment of disregard and let somewhere near her better half are delineated in her enlightening word decision and intriguing rhyme conspire. â€Å"Lady Lazarus† is a sonnet about her adoration abhor relationship with death and the distress she experienced during the finish of her marriage. Sylvia Plath battled with numerous parts of her own life and love life. Because of her husband’s renunciation, Plath made incredible sonnets that will be recalled all through time as a portion of her best work. Ultimately, the significant effect on Sylvia Plath’s composing was her times of discouragement and self-destructive musings. The principal clash of profound despondency she confronted was in school, in any case, she fortunately endured, and graduated summa cum laude in 1955 (â€Å"Sylvia Plath† 1). Be that as it may, her next time of sorrow was deadly. The greater part of Plath’s verse is dull and brutal. The tone in huge numbers of her sonnets mirrors her self-destructive emotions and miserable feelings of trepidation. For example, in the sonnet â€Å"Mirror†, by Sylvia Plath, the topic of the dread of maturing is available inside each line. â€Å"In me she has suffocated a little youngster, and in me an elderly person/Rises toward her for a long time, similar to a horrible fish. † Also, it's anything but a fortuitous event that Plath kicked the bucket youthful; similarly as the character she depicts would prefer to bite the dust youthful and be youthful always than watch herself age. The equals between the sonnet and Plath’s life are effectively noted. For example, Plath’s self-destructive endeavor at 21, and biting the dust youthful, both show that she feared maturing. Likewise, the individual in Plath’s sonnet â€Å"Mirror† was unsatisfied with herself and her life, similarly as Sylvia Plath seemed to be. An elegantly composed sonnet that came about because of Plath’s self-destructive despondency is â€Å"Nick and the Candlestick†. It is an exceptionally dismal sonnet kept in touch with her child about maternal love utilizing nature symbolism and adoring, streaming words (Stevenson 2). Albeit the vast majority of Plath’s sonnets are savage and furious, this sonnet shows the assortment of verse to come out of her downturn. The blend and assortment of Sylvia Plath’s sonnets contained a fundamental tone of fierceness and resistance. â€Å"Plath’s blunt language talks noisily about the annoyance of being both deceived and powerless† (Wagner-Martin, 2). The numerous troublesome things she experienced changed her sonnets and put her on the map. Her verse regularly mirrors the agonizing occasions she encountered, for example, her father’s passing at a youthful age, her significant other leaving her with two babies, and her own fights with sorrow. Likewise, the issues in Plath’s life gave her justification for composing excellent, profound, and furious sonnets that will be recollected until the end of time. The discouraging elements added to the implications of her sonnets and the basic tone in them. On account of Plath’s not really flawless family and home life, it made for very elegantly composed verse. Towards the last days of her life, Plath composed â€Å"Twelve last sonnets in a matter of seconds before her demise that characterized an agnostic metaphysic from which passing gave the main escape† (Stevenson 2). As should be obvious, Sylvia Plath composed sonnets to escape from her dangerous life and communicated the majority of her emotions through her dim sonnets. Because of her miserable encounters, she composed sonnets that mirrored her self-destructive propensities and, in the long run, got celebrated.

Where is My Award Letter COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Where is My Award Letter COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog I want to provide an update regarding financial aid award letters.   There are two things that have posed some challenges in generating award information this year. First, Columbia University is in the process implementing a new university wide financial aid software system.   This changeover has taken a bit longer than expected and we have been working hard to get everything programed to run correctly. Second, as you might have seen in the news, the Federal government has instituted some new policies that change the way Federal student loans are administered.   This change only took effect recently and we have to integrate this into our software processing.   The loan programs have not changed in substance, it is just that the government will be handling 100% of the processing rather than sharing duties with private banks. Let me give a short overview of the types of aid that are available and what your package is likely to include.   I will start with U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents. First, any U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident is eligible for $20,500 per academic year (two semesters) in Stafford Loan funding (assuming the applicant has not defaulted on a previous Federal loan).   There are two types of Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized.   The government will pay the interest on subsidized loans while students are enrolled and does not pay the interest on unsubsidized loans while you are enrolled.   There is no credit check required to qualify for a Stafford loan and the exact split between subsidized and unsubsidized funding will be based on the expected family contribution (EFC) generated by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   The only lender for these loans is the U.S. Federal Government. Second, U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents can apply for a federal PLUS loan.   This loan is administered through the Government as well and does require a credit check.   The loan amount can be up to the cost of attendance, minus all other aid received. So let us say for example that you qualify for $20,500 in Stafford loans and the total cost of attendance   (education and living expenses for one academic year) is $60,000.   You could apply for a PLUS loan up to $39,500 in this scenario ($60,000 minus $20,500). Third, if you do not wish to apply for PLUS loan or apply for one and are denied, you can pursue a private education loan through a bank.   Many banks offer private loans for educational purposes and you can find a list of such banks here. Fourth, depending on the EFC generated by your FAFSA, you might be eligible to receive a Perkins loan.   A Perkins loan is also a government based program, but it is administered by Columbia University.   The benefit of a Perkins loan is that it has a lower interest rate however the maximum a student can receive at SIPA is $6,000.   Also, the University only has a limited amount   Perkins funding to award.   Perkins loans are given to applicants with the lowest EFCs first until the money in the Perkins loan fund for the year has been depleted. Fifth, work study awards allow students to apply for jobs on campus.   Like the Perkins loan, work study is awarded based on EFC and we do have a limited amount to award.   First year students that receive work study can apply for jobs at SIPA and across the university. Finally, any funding that have received from SIPA or an outside organization is included in your financial aid calculation.   So, if you were awarded a SIPA fellowship of $20,000, this will be included on your financial aid package and will help to determine the amount of other awards you might qualify for.   In addition, if you have received funding from an outside organization you will have to provide this information to our office so that we can make sure that it gets applied to your student account and included in your financial aid package. If you are not a U.S. Citizen there are loan options, but at present we are only aware of programs through U.S. banks   that require a cosigner that is typically a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.   In the past we have worked with banks to provide loans that do not require a U.S. cosigner, however we do not have such an option at this point in time, mainly due to turbulence in the financial markets in recent history. International students can also apply for jobs on campus, but this process is competitive.   To start researching U.S. banks that might be able to offer loans to international students, please click here. Some applicants have asked about the possibility of working at SIPA to help defer educational costs.   We do provide such positions at SIPA, however they are reserved for second year students. Our new financial aid software will provide information to you in much the same way that our admission application system does.   When an evaluation of your data has been completed, you will receive an email and you will be asked to log in to an online system to view the awards you are eligible to receive.   We hope to start sending out notices any day now. Thank you for your patience and if you want to do some more reading on the topic, feel free to visit the financial aid portion of our Web site.

Nonviolent Protests An argumentative essay - 1411 Words

From the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the Civil Rights Movement and the Pro-Life Movement of the 1960s, to the Tea Party Movement and Occupy Wall Street Movement of current times, â€Å"those struggling against unjust laws have engaged in acts of deliberate, open disobedience to government power to uphold higher principles regarding human rights and social justice† (DeForrest, 1998, p. 653) through nonviolent protests. Perhaps the most well-known of the non-violent protests are those associated with the Civil Rights movement. The movement was felt across the south, yet Birmingham, Alabama was known for its unequal treatment of blacks and became the focus of the Civil Rights Movement. Under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., president of†¦show more content†¦It was during these demonstrations that the Birmingham Police Department, under the leadership of Eugene â€Å"Bull† Connor, used forceful measures such as using high-pressured water jets and police d ogs in hopes of stopping the demonstrations. These clergymen believed that Birmingham’s extreme measures were justified and they too urged the African American community to withdraw their demonstrations. King responded to the eight clergymen with his letter from the Birmingham jail. King (1963) immediately strives to justify the need for nonviolent direct action through his statement, â€Å"Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct action program if such were deemed necessary.† What is direct action? Direct action is a form of political activism which may include sit-ins, strikes, and demonstrations (Haines, 1984). Kings explanation to the clergymen for protesting segregation began with an explanation of their actions, â€Å"Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue†. In this case King was invoking the right of freedom of expression, not only freedom of speech but the freedom to assemble. The clergy and many of the citizens of Birmingham believed the demonstrations, sit-ins, and strikes, considered peaceful by KingShow MoreRelatedEssay Questions On Dis obedience And Rebellion3173 Words   |  13 PagesDraft for Argumentative Essay Thoughts of disobedience and rebellion have existed for almost as long as the first law or rule that could be broken. These thoughts come naturally to us, being humans we are curious and we wonder, what would happen if we were to do something different, something off the beaten path. This curiosity has fueled, our evolution, our development to the beings that we are now. It has spawned the thoughts of morality and justice that caused the subject of this essay, civil disobedienceRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesjobs tend to shift from developed nations to countries where lower labor costs give firms a comparative advantage. In this photo, an employee wearing a sign on his head reading â€Å"Capital Interests† joins co-workers at a Nokia factory in Germany to protest the company’s decision of terminating mobile phone production at the plant, resulting in the loss of 2,300 jobs. Nokia announced plans to shift production from Germany to Romania, where labor costs are lower. 18 CHAPTER 1 What Is Organizational

Trends in Japanese Baby Names

Baby names are like a mirror that reflects the times. Lets have a look at the transitions in popular baby names and recent trends. Royal Influence Since the royal family is popular and well respected in Japan, it has certain influences. The Western calendar is widely known and used in Japan, but the name of the era (gengou) is still used to date official documents. The year in which an Emperor ascended to the throne would be the first year of a new era, and it continues until his death. The current gengou is Heisei (the year 2006 is Heisei 18), and it was changed from Showa when Emperor Akihito succeeds to the throne in 1989. That year, the kanji character Ã¥ ¹ ³hei) or æˆ Ã‚  (sei) was very popular to use in a name. After Empress Michiko married to Emperor Akihito in 1959, many newborn baby girls were named Michiko. The year princess Kiko married prince Fumihito (1990), and Crown princess Masako married Crown prince Naruhito (1993), many parents named their baby after the princess or used one of the kanji characters. In 2001, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako had a baby girl and she was named Princess Aiko. Aiko is written with the kanji characters for loveæ„› and childÃ¥ ­ , and refers to a person who loves others. Although the popularity of the name Aiko has always been steady, its popularity grew after the princesss birth.   Popular Kanji Characters The recent popular kanji character for a boys names is ç ¿â€ (to soar). The names including this character are  Ã§ ¿â€,  Ã¥ ¤ §Ã§ ¿â€,  Ã§ ¿â€Ã¥ ¤ ª,  Ã¦ µ ·Ã§ ¿â€,  Ã§ ¿â€Ã§Å"Ÿ,  Ã§ ¿â€Ã¥ ¤ §Ã‚  and so on.  Other popular kanji for boys are Ã¥ ¤ ªÃ‚  (great) and Ã¥ ¤ §Ã‚  (big). The kanji character for ç ¾Å½Ã‚  (beauty)  is always popular for girls names. In 2005 it is especially popular, even more so than other popular kanji such as 愛  (love), å„ ªÃ‚  (gentle) or èŠ ±Ã‚  (flower).  Ã§ ¾Å½Ã¥â€™ ²,  Ã§ ¾Å½Ã§ ¾ ½,  Ã§ ¾Å½Ã¥â€ž ªÃ‚  andç ¾Å½Ã¦Å"ˆÂ  are listed in  the top 10 names for girls. Hiragana Names Most names are written in  kanji. However, some names dont have kanji characters and are simply written in  hiragana  or  katakana. Katakana names are rarely used in Japan today. Hiragana is mainly used for female names because of its soft impression. A hiragana name is one of the most recent trends.  Ã£ â€¢Ã£  Ã£â€šâ€°Ã‚  (Sakura),  Ã£ â€œÃ£ â€œÃ£â€š Ã‚  (Kokoro),  Ã£  ²Ã£  ªÃ£ Å¸(Hinata),  Ã£  ²Ã£ â€¹Ã£â€šÅ Ã‚  (Hikari) and  Ã£  »Ã£  ®Ã£ â€¹Ã‚  (Honoka) are popular girls names written in hiragana. Modern Trends Popular boys names have endings such as ~to, ~ki, and ~ta. Haruto, Yuuto, Yuuki, Souta, Kouki, Haruki, Yuuta,  and Kaito are included in the top 10 boys names (by reading). In 2005, names that have the image of summer and ocean are popular for boys. Among of them are  Ã¦â€¹â€œÃ¦ µ ·,  Ã¦ µ ·Ã¦â€"â€", or  Ã¥ ¤ ªÃ©â„¢ ½.  Western or exotic sounding names are trendy for girls. Girls names with two syllables are also a recent trend.  The top 3 girls names by reading  are Hina, Yui, and Miyu. In the past, it was very common and traditional to use the kanji character ko  (a child) at the end of female names. Empress Michiko, Crown Princess Masako, Princess Kiko, and Yoko Ono, all end with ko (Ã¥ ­ ). If you have a few female Japanese friends, you will probably notice this pattern. In fact, more than 80% of my female relatives and girlfriends have ko at the end of their names. However, this might not be true for the next generation. There are only three names including ko in the recent 100 popular names for girls. They are Nanako (è Å"々å ­ )and Riko (莉å ­ ,  Ã§ â€ Ã¥ ­ ). Instead of ko at the end, using ka or na is the recent trend. Haruka, Hina, Honoka, Momoka, Ayaka, Yuuna, and Haruna for example. Increasing Diversity There used to be certain patterns for names. From the 10s to the mid-70s, there was little change in naming patterns. Today there is no set pattern and baby names have greater diversity. Boys Names Rank 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1 Kiyoshi Kiyoshi Hiroshi Masaru Takashi 2 Saburou Shigeru Kiyoshi Isamu Makoto 3 Shigeru Isamu Isamu Susumu Shigeru 4 Masao Saburou Minoru Kiyoshi Osamu 5 Tadashi Hiroshi Susumu Katsutoshi Yutaka Rank 1965 1975 1985 1995 2000 1 Makoto Makoto Daisuke Takuya Shou 2 Hiroshi Daisuke Takuya Kenta Shouta 3 Osamu Manabu Naoki Shouta Daiki 4 Naoki Tsuyoshi Kenta Tsubasa Yuuto 5 Tetsuya Naoki Kazuya Daiki Takumi Girls Names Rank 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1 Chiyo Sachiko Kazuko Kazuko Youko 2 Chiyoko Fumiko Sachiko Sachiko Keiko 3 Fumiko Miyoko Setsuko Youko Kyouko 4 Shizuko Hisako Hiroko Setsuko Sachiko 5 Kiyo Yoshiko Hisako Hiroko Kazuko Rank 1965 1975 1985 1995 2000 1 Akemi Kumiko Ai Misaki Sakura 2 Mayumi Yuuko Mai Ai Yuuka 3 Yumiko Mayumi Mami Haruka Misaki 4 Keiko Tomoko Megumi Kana Natsuki 5 Kumiko Youko Kaori Mai Nanami Individuality in Spelling There are thousands of kanji to choose from for a name, even the same name can usually be written in many different kanji combinations (some have more than 50 combinations). Japanese baby names might have more variety than baby names in any other languages.

Marketing communications strategy Free Essays

In the case, Benetton is using an offbeat and customer-centric marketing perspective in a highly saturated industry. In terms of retail clothing, there are high barriers in this market when it comes to getting a marketing message across to the inundated consumer. Therefore, what Benetton is trying to do, as shown in the case, is present itself as an outsider within this saturated market, in order to both appeal to the customer directly, and to confront them with issues of empowerment. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing communications strategy or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is related to the chapter’s mention of â€Å"Customer Empowerment– Customization: when a company produces individually differentiated products, services, prices, and delivery channels in accordance to the consumer wants/needs† (Chapter 12). The case also involves issues discussed such as heightened competition (retail fashion being a very competitive industry), industry convergence, and disintermediation, or removing the middleman and going straight to the consumers in terms of getting across a fresh and unconventional marketing message. Success behind strategy The success behind Benetton’s marketing strategy is the ability of the company’s marketers to place the company in an outsider role, and also a role of post-modern commentary on culutre. Essentially, this says to the customer that by identifying with the unique or different postmodern advertising of Benetton, and its messages of political and social concern used in advertising, they are identifying with a lifestyle, not just a brand. This was one of the early strategies that was then taken to such extremes by other 80s competitors of Benetton like Swatch and even Nike: by positioning the mainstream retail fashion company in a counter-cultural socio-political position through advertising, the individuation of the consumer is assured, as they relate their own individuality or difference with the uniqueness of the advertising. This led to a lot of success for Benetton’s marketing. In short, the success behind Benettons marketing strategy is the company’s ability to place its unique and controversial advertising brand as a lifestyle as well as a fashion choice. Applying Benetton’s strategy to another retailer Depending on the fashion retailer and the brand awareness of the public, a similar marketing communication strategy to that of Benetton could be either a good move or a bad move. For a company that already has some degree of guerilla, socio-political or counter-cultural marketing in effect, such as a youth-brand company like Ecko or even a monolith with a lot of money to spend on assimilating youth culture, like Nike, it may be possible to make the marketing communications of Benetton a success. On the other hand, if the brand is something like Abercrombie Fitch, J. Crew, or Tommy Hilfinger, this is a company that relates its brand not to socio-political turmoil and controversy, but to conservatism and the idea of unchanging classic ideals of fashion. Therefore, for this type of retail fashion brand with a lot of conservatism in its image, it would be more difficult to successfully integrate a marketing communications strategy similar to that of Benetton. The consumer would not be able to make a logical connection between a brand like Abercrombie Fitch, and an image of high shock value controversy, which could relate to cognitive dissonance on the part of the consumer, which is something marketers tend to avoid. REFERENCE Benetton—case study. Chapters 12-14 How to cite Marketing communications strategy, Essays

Marketing communications strategy Free Essays

In the case, Benetton is using an offbeat and customer-centric marketing perspective in a highly saturated industry. In terms of retail clothing, there are high barriers in this market when it comes to getting a marketing message across to the inundated consumer. Therefore, what Benetton is trying to do, as shown in the case, is present itself as an outsider within this saturated market, in order to both appeal to the customer directly, and to confront them with issues of empowerment. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing communications strategy or any similar topic only for you Order Now This is related to the chapter’s mention of â€Å"Customer Empowerment– Customization: when a company produces individually differentiated products, services, prices, and delivery channels in accordance to the consumer wants/needs† (Chapter 12). The case also involves issues discussed such as heightened competition (retail fashion being a very competitive industry), industry convergence, and disintermediation, or removing the middleman and going straight to the consumers in terms of getting across a fresh and unconventional marketing message. Success behind strategy The success behind Benetton’s marketing strategy is the ability of the company’s marketers to place the company in an outsider role, and also a role of post-modern commentary on culutre. Essentially, this says to the customer that by identifying with the unique or different postmodern advertising of Benetton, and its messages of political and social concern used in advertising, they are identifying with a lifestyle, not just a brand. This was one of the early strategies that was then taken to such extremes by other 80s competitors of Benetton like Swatch and even Nike: by positioning the mainstream retail fashion company in a counter-cultural socio-political position through advertising, the individuation of the consumer is assured, as they relate their own individuality or difference with the uniqueness of the advertising. This led to a lot of success for Benetton’s marketing. In short, the success behind Benettons marketing strategy is the company’s ability to place its unique and controversial advertising brand as a lifestyle as well as a fashion choice. Applying Benetton’s strategy to another retailer Depending on the fashion retailer and the brand awareness of the public, a similar marketing communication strategy to that of Benetton could be either a good move or a bad move. For a company that already has some degree of guerilla, socio-political or counter-cultural marketing in effect, such as a youth-brand company like Ecko or even a monolith with a lot of money to spend on assimilating youth culture, like Nike, it may be possible to make the marketing communications of Benetton a success. On the other hand, if the brand is something like Abercrombie Fitch, J. Crew, or Tommy Hilfinger, this is a company that relates its brand not to socio-political turmoil and controversy, but to conservatism and the idea of unchanging classic ideals of fashion. Therefore, for this type of retail fashion brand with a lot of conservatism in its image, it would be more difficult to successfully integrate a marketing communications strategy similar to that of Benetton. The consumer would not be able to make a logical connection between a brand like Abercrombie Fitch, and an image of high shock value controversy, which could relate to cognitive dissonance on the part of the consumer, which is something marketers tend to avoid. REFERENCE Benetton—case study. Chapters 12-14 How to cite Marketing communications strategy, Essays

Similarities between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution free essay sample

The characters in Animal Farm all share a link between certain people involved during the Russian Revolution. Here is a list of characters from the book, which had things in common with some important people who played a role in the Russian Revolution. Old Major (pig) – He represents Karl Marx, who is one of the most famous philosophers and political theorists in history. Karl Marx is the inventor of Communism, just like Old Major, who is the ‘Father of Animalism’. They also both die before the Revolution. Napoleon (pig) – Napoleon is Joseph Stalin, the second leader of the Soviet Union. Animal farm skips the rule of Lenin (and combines Lenin with the character of Old Major), and has Napoleon leading the farm from the beginning of the revolution. Snowball (pig) – Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, who was the other leader of the revolution. He was a pure communist who followed Marx, and wanted to improve life in Russia. We will write a custom essay sample on Similarities between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When Joseph Stalin (Napoleon) rose to power, Trotsky becomes one of Stalin’s biggest enemies and was eventually expelled. In Animal Farm, Snowball was exiled from the farm by Napoleon’s dogs, just like Trotsky had been. Mr. Jones Mr Jones is a farmer, and the owner of Manor Farm. He represents the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov (Nicholas II). He was a poor leader compared to other western kings and was very cruel, sometimes brutal with opponents. Mrs. Jones represents the Tsar’s wife, Alexandra. Squealer (pig) This pig represents the Russian media, which spread Stalins version of the truth to the masses. Boxer (horse) Boxer represents the working class. Boxer is portrayed as being a dedicated worker, but as owning a less-than-average intelligence. His personal motto was, I will work harder!† Boxer was very dedicated to his work, but he was actually being tricked by Napoleon. The Dogs – The dogs are the military/police. Shortly after the revolution, several puppies are stolen from their mother. Later on in the book, the puppies are fully grown and trained to protect Napoleon. Moses the Raven – The raven Moses represents the Russian Orthodox Church. In the beginning of the novel, Moses was like a pet to Mr. Jones. He fled the farm shortly after the revolution, but eventually came back. Moses didn’t do any work, but he told the animals stories about a paradise called Sugarcandy Mountain, which is an allegory of Heaven. Benjamin (donkey) – Benjamin represented the skeptical people in and outside of Russia. They weren’t sure whether revolution would change anything. Mollie (horse) – Mollie represents the vain and selfish people in Russia and throughout the world who ignored the revolution and sought residence in more inviting countries. In the book, Mollie eventually flees the Animal Farm to live elsewhere. Mr. Frederick (farmer) Owner of Pinchfield (Leader of Germany). He is represented as Adolf Hitler throughout the book. Mr. Pilkington (farmer) Owner of Foxwood (Leader of England). He doesnt represent one person in particular, but is like a mix of all of the leaders of England. Other types of relations Many of the events or other things in Animal Farm are represented as things in the actual Russian Revolution. Animalism – Animalism is represented as Communism in Animal Farm. Communism is a type of government that relies on collectivization of labor and good to equal out the classes. In Animal Farm, Animalism is taught by Old Major who teaches that all animals are equal, just as Communism was invented by Karl Marx who says that all people are equal. Hoof Horn – A reference to the national Soviet symbol, Hammer and Sickle. Animal Committees A representation of the Soviet Committees. Beasts of England Allegorical to the original socialist anthem, The Internationale. Later in the book, this song was replaced by Comrade Napoleon. Windmill The Windmill is a symbol for Stalins Five-Year Plans for the National Economy of the Soviet Union. Just as the Windmill was promised to make the animals life easier, the Five-Year Plans were supposed to improve Soviet industry. The Animal Revolt – The Russian Revolution. The Battle of Cowshed – An allegory to the Russian Civil War. Selling of wood to Frederick – A reference to the Nazi-Soviet Pact. The Battle of the Windmill – An allegory to the Battle of Stalingrad, an invasion of Russia by Nazi forces.

Antigone Essays (546 words) - Death Customs, Operas, Antigone

Antigone And Oedipus Antigone and Oedipus, written by Sophocles, are dramatic plays with a tragic ending. The main theme for Antigone is that people sometimes have to learn the hard way from their mistakes. This theme is expressed in the final four lines of the play. They read, There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but in submission to the gods. Big words are always punished, And proud men in old age learn to be wise. These lines are an important part of the play. They symbolize Creon's bad decisions he made, his defiance to the gods, the punishment he went through because of his edict, and the wisdom he gained because of all his mistakes. "There is no happiness where there is no wisdom" demonstrates how Creon not using wisdom in his decision affected him. By declaring that Polyneices could not have a proper burial, he went against the gods and the other citizens of Thebes's beliefs. This was not a wise decision on his part, and because of it he lost his wife, his son, and his happiness. Creon also defied the laws of the gods. This is what is expressed in the line, "No wisdom but in submission to the gods." In Antigone, the edict and decisions that Creon made demonstrated that his law was more important then the gods laws. His defiance of the laws eventually made him believe, by talking to Teirisias, that something bad would happen to him, so he gave in to his decision. When he gave into the gods he gained wisdom and learned that his actions would be punished. Creons edict is considered his big words. In the third line it says, "Big words are always punished." Creons edict was punished by his loss of happiness. He proclaimed to his city that Polyneices may not be buried, when he did this he was very proud and demanding about his decision. He was determined not to change his mind for anything. These big words that he proclaimed would bring his downfall. Because Creon locked Antigone up, for burying Polyneices, she killed herself. Creon's son Haimon, who was engaged to Antigone, also committed suicide upon seeing his beloved Antigone dead. Also Creon's wife took her own life. If Creon hadn't gone against what was right, by making his laws more important then the god's laws, and issuing his edict, he would not have suffered the way he did. By getting involved in stopping Polyneices burial by his edict he brought upon his own terrible punishment. The last line, "Proud men in old age learn to be wise" explains the main theme of Antigone. The proud man is Creon, the King of Thebes. By all the mistakes he makes he learns to be wiser. As a ruler he was a very proud man. He didn't seem to care about anything as long as his commands were carried out. By losing his son and wife and probably the respect of many citizens of Thebes he grew wiser. Creon's bad decisions he made, his defiance to the gods, the punishment he went through because of his edict, and the wisdom he gained because of all his mistakes, all contribute to the main theme of Antigone, that people sometimes have to learn the hard from their mistakes. The explication of the final four lines of the play really give a better understanding of the theme that Sophocles was trying to get across to his audience.

Sports and Steroids Societys Acceptance or Rejection of Steroids in Sports

Sports and Steroids Societys Acceptance or Rejection of Steroids in Sports Introduction The essence of all athletic competitions can be boiled down to the concept of performance and how much better one particular athlete is over another. Professional athletes do not enter into a competition with a nonchalant attitude of competing for fun rather they are in it to win it and as such train endlessly in order to reach the peak of their physical prowess.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sports and Steroids: Society’s Acceptance or Rejection of Steroids in Sports specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Their reward for winning such competitions can range from money, fame to everlasting glory in their chosen sport. Unfortunately, there are no rewards for the losers with society relegating them to the background as they celebrate the accomplishments of the winners. It is due to this that athletes try to accomplish any means possible to win with some of them choosing shortcuts in their attem pt to achieve money, fame and glory. One of the shortcuts comes in the form of using anabolic steroids in order to boost muscle performance in order to give them a certain edge over the competition. It has been proven through both clinical tests and actual usage in sporting competitions that the use of steroids significantly increases muscle density, strength, reduces recovery time and drastically increases an athlete’s stamina (Hassan, Salem Sayed, 2009). While their effectiveness has been proven time and again their usage in sporting competitions has been categorized as a form of cheating. Normal athletes cannot rival the performance of other athletes on steroids and as such it comes to a point that they either have to take steroids themselves or not compete at all. This creates a situation where it is not the best athlete that wins in a competition but rather which athlete has used steroids the most in order to win (Mannie, 2004). Such activities can be considered a clear violation of the concept of fair play and is affront to spirit of competition. The general public has thus responded negatively to the use of steroids in sporting competitions since people do not patronize sports such as baseball, football or soccer in order to watch people cheat their way into victory rather they watch sporting events in order to see the clash of individuals striving to achieve victory through the power of effort, willpower and the spirit to succeed. What must be understood is that the concept of a person being an athlete has a special meaning in society in that they represent what a person can achieve should they work hard, strive for success and never give up. Athletes have in effect become role models for many within society and as such news of prolific cheating by numerous athletes within sporting events is generally considered a form of betrayal over the image of integrity, willpower and perseverance that society has attached to them. As such it comes as no s urprise that the various steroid scandals that have rocked numerous sports over the past several years have detrimentally affected their fan bases and made fans that much more suspicious and hesitant over patronizing a particular team or athlete on the basis that they may be using steroids to cheat their way to victory.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is based on this that the scope of this paper will entail an investigation into society’s reaction to the use of steroids and examines the negativity surrounding this particular form of controversial enhancement. Furthermore the goal of this paper will be an attempt to convince audiences that steroids should not be used for advancement in sports and that they are a bad influence on adolescents. Comparing and Contrasting an Athlete’s Decision to Take Steroids and the Perception of Fans. Decision for Taking Steroids When trying to understand why an athlete would take steroids it must first be acknowledged that not all people are born equal. Some people have genetic predispositions towards athleticism which does give them a certain advantage over other athletes. Another factor that should be taken into consideration is the fact that similar to any profession being an athlete requires a certain degree of performance above set standards in order to be acknowledged by the general public. It can be seen that athletes that rise above the norm often attain lucrative sponsorship agreements, team contracts and a plethora of other benefits befitting an athlete of their caliber. On the other hand athletes that are sub-par or fail to distinguish themselves often fade into obscurity or are relegated to contracts and sponsorships that are barely within the range of the average median salary within the U.S. Not only that unlike other careers athletes only have a set period of time in order to stand out and distinguish themselves due to decreasing performance levels as they age. Steroids give athletes the performance boost they need in order to win games, events or sporting competitions (Mannie, 2004). It enhances their stamina, gives them greater strength, speed and durability and even allows them to recover faster from injuries thus resulting in a performance level that is above the norm (Silvester, 2006). What must be understood is that modern day sporting competitions whether in baseball, football or basketball are all about a players stats and playing ability. The value of athletes has been relegated to a set of numbers wherein the greater the number the higher their value is to a team or sponsors. This creates a behavioral predilection towards constant improvement towards perfection not for the sake of being more competitive but rather a desire to stay relevant in sporting events where superstars abound and talented rookies enter into the fray on an almost yearl y basis. Steroid Use among Athletes In a way being an athlete is a race against time as they fight to stay relevant whiles their bodies age and their abilities whither. What must be understood is that steroid use helps to preserve and enhance existing skills beyond what people would normally be capable of doing.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sports and Steroids: Society’s Acceptance or Rejection of Steroids in Sports specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It acts as a method of increasing muscular density and stamina resulting in increased performance in even the oldest athletes (Silvester, 2006). One example of this can be seen in increased performance of Barry Bonds during the latter part of his career. What must be understood is that while Barry Bonds was an excellent baseball player in his youth however his performance started to decline during his early 30s. Surprisingly though Bonds very noticeably began to bulk up and his performance greatly improved during his mid 30s to the point that he was noticeably better than he was during the earlier half of his career. As it turns out his improved physique and athletic prowess were not due to a strenuous workout regimen and diet as Bonds had stated but rather was entirely due to steroid use. Other baseball athletes that exhibited greater athleticism during the latter part of their careers such as Sammy Sousa have also tested positive for steroid use and as such its use has become synonymous with cheating the clock so to speak wherein physical prowess and athletic performance is preserved or even drastically improved during the latter part of an athletes career. It is due to this that athletes begin to turn towards steroid use in order to not be relegated into the background, to achieve their moment of fame, to preserve their athleticism when theyre well past their prime and to attain in their eyes their much deserved reward for stri ving so hard. Perception of Steroid use by Fans and Athletes On average fan perception regarding steroid use by athletes has been largely negative with most athletes that have proven records of steroid usage often losing a majority of their fans (Denham, 2000). As it was indicated earlier athletes are often used by society as role models for behavior and achievement. When such athletes cheat in order to win it is thought of as being the equivalent of spitting in the face of the people that believed in them for so long. People want to believe that incredible feats of athleticism are possible through hard work and perseverance since for them it is a reflection of what they themselves might be capable of in their own lives albeit in a different way. It must be noted though that before they are found out athletes that use steroids often have a much larger fan base as compared to athletes that dont use steroids. This is due to the fact that their improved performance often makes them mor e prominent as compared to other athletes and as such become fan favorites. It is only when they are found out that their fan base rapidly erodes and such athletes are thought of in a negative light due to their use of unethical methods in order to boost their performance.Advertising Looking for research paper on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In general it can be seen that both in society and in the media athletes that use steroids are generally portrayed unfavorably due to them representing the darker half of sports (Denham, 2000). They are vilified, thought of as cheaters and sometimes even shunned for their actions and as such can be considered a warning to all athletes that even consider turning to steroids as a means of boosting their performance. Adolescents and Steroids What is the percentage of adolescent users? An examination by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that within the U.S. alone nearly 500,000 teenagers are currently using steroids (Kuehn, 2009). In fact it was noted by Kuehn (2009) that in 2005 there was a .7% increase in the amount of steroids utilized by boys in 10th grade as compared to the previous year which was at only 2% (Kuehn, 2009). What must be understood is that while 2.7% may seem like small number the fact remains that no teenager should be using steroids at all so ev en a .7% increase can be considered a large increase. It as estimated that nearly 6.6% of all male high school seniors particularly those within athletic programs utilized steroids in order to gain a competitive edge (Kuehn, 2009). Further studies also revealed that there was also a certain degree of steroid use among the female athletes within various high schools but little data has been collected regarding this particular population base due to the fact that most studies focuses on male archetypes of steroid usage. It is interesting to note though that there are no racial differences in steroid use with no specific racial group specifically utilizing steroids. What was seen though is that steroid use was often concentrated in various athletic departments and as such in order to examine the prevalence of steroid use in a particular school it is best to focus most of the examinations mainly on student athletes since they have a greater predilection towards its use. What must be und erstood is that steroid usage has a specific risk factor for adolescents as compared to adults due to the fact that rising testosterone and sex hormone levels within the body are actually used as an inherent mechanism for triggering growth spurts during adolescence. When these hormone levels reach a certain point they actually send a signal to a persons bones to stop growing and unfortunately by utilizing anabolic steroids this causes the bones to stop growing prematurely for adolescents (Bahrke,Yesalis, Kopstein Stephens, 2000). This particular situation is also facilitated by other side effects of steroids such as increased aggression, the development of liver tumors, cholestatic jaundice and in some cases the development of blood filled cysts within the liver that have a tendency to rupture causing internal bleeding (Lumia McGinnis, 2010) Adolescents, Peer Pressure and their Emulation of Sports Icons What must be understood when examining the current behavior of numerous young adolescents and their use of steroids is the fact that they believe steroids are an effective shortcut of enhancing their performance to the same degree as their sports heroes. While it may be true that they acknowledge the fact that taking steroids is a form of cheating they still look at athletic greats such as Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, Triple H and Batista who have all been confirmed as taking steroids and believe that despite the inherent risks involved the glory, money and fame that comes along with being an athletic superstar is well worth the risks involved in utilizing steroids (Feinberg, 2009). Furthermore the persistent myth that side effects only come through prolonged usage convinces many student athletes that by taking steroids in limited amounts they can avoid the supposed side effects that come with steroid use. Another factor that should be taken into consideration is peer pressure and how it at times forces people to take steroids even though they initially have no d esire to. A student athletes’ worth is determine by their performance in their given sport and at times such students are pressured into taking steroids by their teammates in order to improve their performance and win championships. Even though they dont want to take steroids the pressure to perform and be part of the team often causes young athletes to take steroids which places them on the path for future health complications in the future. Conclusion Based on what has been presented in this paper so far it can be seen that steroid usage among athletes not only is a highly unethical method of competing within a sport but it also sends the wrong message to adolescents that all they need to do in order to become a sports superstar is to take steroids. While it may be true that steroids do indeed boost athletic performance to considerable levels the fact remains that in the end if such athletes are found out they tarnish the reputations of the sport and ruin the sense of fair play and competition that is the basis for most sporting events. Not only that the rising rates of adolescent steroid usage can be assumed as being directly connected to steroid usage within major sports as well and as such players that use steroids can be considered ethically liable for health conditions adolescents that take steroids will suffer since they act as their role models. It is based on the findings of this paper that it can be stated that steroids should not be used for advancement in sports due to both the negative reputation it gives to certain sports and the fact that adolescents look up to their sports heroes as the basis for their own attitude in competitive events. Reference List Bahrke, M. S., Yesalis, C. E., Kopstein, A. N., Stephens, J. A. (2000). Risk Factors Associated With Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Among Adolescents. Sports  Medicine, 29(6), 397-405. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Denham, B. E. (2000). Performance-Enhancing Drug Use in Amateur and Profes sional Sports: Separating the Realities from the Ramblings. Culture, Sport, Society, 3(2), 56. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Feinberg, J. M. (2009). College Students Perceptions of Athletes Who Cheat: The Role of Performance and History. Journal of Sport Behavior, 32(4), 460. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Hassan, N. A., Salem, M. F., Sayed, M. L. (2009). Doping and effects of anabolic androgenic steroids on the heart: histological, ultrastructural, and echocardiographic assessment in strength athletes. Human Experimental  Toxicology, 28(5), 273-283. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Kuehn, B. M. (2009). Teen Steroid, Supplement Use Targeted. JAMA: Journal of the  American Medical Association, 302(21), 2301. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Lumia, A. R., McGinnis, M. Y. (2010). Impact of anabolic androgenic steroids on adolescent males. Physiology Behavior, 100(3), 199-204. Mannie, K. (2004). DESIGNER STEROIDS: UGLY, DANGEROUS THinGs. Coach   Athletic Director, 73(9), 14. Retrieved from EBSCOhost . Silvester, J. L. (2006). ANABOLIC STEROIDS AT THE 1972 OLYMPICS!. Coach   Athletic Director, 76(3), 11. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Social responsibility in finance decision making Essay - 2

Social responsibility in finance decision making - Essay Example cture, McDonalds focuses its attention to putting its customers, processes, and practices into place to better the society through better food, people that are more contented, a stronger community, and an improved planet. This report explores McDonalds’ Corporate Social Responsibility approach in finance decision making. McDonalds, the worlds foremost global food service trader, takes its environmental and social obligation to the society considerably seriously, considering the CSR strategies it partakes. The company consults with customers, suppliers, sustainability experts and socially responsible organizations to ensure that its CSR strategies are in lieu with the current century and societal goals. It collaborates with other organizations to develop global principles that support purchase of raw materials from verified sustainable sources. This paper explores McDonald’s practices, their harm to the society, and CSR initiatives it has taken to promote its corporate image. In as much as a company seeks to make profit in a sustainable approach, there are always times when they inflict harm on one or more of its stakeholders for profit making. McDonalds faces criticism for the level of nutrition in its food, which is largely high fat, high cholesterol, low fiber diet. It also receives criticism for the effects of advertisements on the minds of children, and the environmental effects of its restaurants on the environment. Considering McDonalds is among the world’s leading companies it has the financial and legal muscle to silence its critics and limits free speech against its operations (Blasio, 2008). Apart from that, workers claim exploitation in several instances, especially in branches comprised of underprivileged people. Workers receive low wages, and understaffing also occurs, as the company seeks to maximize on profits. Worst of all, its aggressive practices push several small food outlets out of business (Brazelton, Ellis, Macedo, Shader, and Suslow,

Understanding public relations theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Understanding public relations theory - Essay Example Change Management Communication In addition, the role of mass media as an agent of communicating organizational intentions and promotion of interest can also not be ignored by organizations. Overall, the understanding and appreciation of the various approaches, theories and other related concepts of public relations is important in tackling of issues or concerns that may arise from daily operations. In response to this, this paper will examine the role of public relations practice in organizations. For applicability, the paper has identified the issue of change management communication in organizations. This will be examined through a selected article about an organization that is likely to be affected by the subject matter of discussions in this paper. The paper will discuss the components of the article that make it a media issue as well as a public relations issue. The article under examination pertains to Boral Company that operates in the building and construction industry. The company’s new chief execu tive having taken the reign in the top leadership has been tasked with a challenge of ensuring that the company’s financial results improve as a result in an economy downfall that has affected the construction industry in which the company operates in. One of the measures that the chief executive has been compelled to take after a 100 day review is through initiating a 700 job cut program targeting management and back office staff. Even though the move is likely to cost the company a massive 60 million dollars, if successfully implemented it has been projected to result to an annual saving of about 90 million dollars. However, the major issue that arises from this situation is that of how to effectively manage this drastic change especially by communicating the intended purposes and criteria for such changes to the stakeholders of the company that will be largely affected by this decision (Hayes, 2006). Consequently, the main purpose of the following discussions will be to an alyze the contributions that public relations, which can be stated to be constituted of communication with external and internal publics, and communication management, can make in managing organizational change during an employee retrenchment exercise. The framework that will be used to analyze the situation at Boral will be in terms of a dual examination of the issue in terms of being a media as well as a public relations issue. To begin, as a media issue, the organization needs to be prepared to tackle several issues so that the image of the firm remains intact in the eyes of the public. The media plays a major role in shaping opinions and the issue of job cuts proposed by the new chief executive can result into an image backlash if not well handled. It is the job of the public relations professionals and the department in charge of the area affected, in this case the board of governors through the chief executive officer and to some extent the human resources, to learn the facts and information needed, and communicate it to the targeted audiences in a timely and effective manner. The organization's reputation and credibility with external and internal audience is at stake. This is because tackling the issue of job cuts at a time when the economy is hard an issue for the whole nation is a sensitive and important issue. Whatever is communicated internally and externally will remain forever on

Quantitative investigation of immunoglobulins

Quantitative investigation of immunoglobulins Introduction- Quantitative investigation of Immunoglobulins is the basis of the standard laboratory technique within the field of clinical immunology. Immunoglobulins can be measured quantitatively through the use of nephelometry, such measurements are vital in the instance of a suspected immunodeficiency within a patient. For this reason the test is accurate and rapidly measures the amounts of IgM, IgG and IgA proteins within the blood of the patient and from such determine if a number of conditions or disorders are present. The role of such antibodies is within fighting infections and allergies as part of the normal immune response. A disease (or disorder) can be identified through the measurement of such protein levels. IgM for example can appear during an initial infection and then reappear to a lesser extent upon secondary exposure. (Weir, 1978) Nephelometry is usually performed by drawing blood from a vein on the back of the hand or if not possible the inside of an elbow. The needle draws the blood into an airtight vial or tube attached to it. Removal of the needle is followed by sterilisation and covering of the incision site. (Stanley, 2002) Practical Schedule- Nephelometry is an automated system that measures antigen or antibody solution in very limited concentrations by the amount of light scatter. The principle is that when the light comes into contact with the solution it will not be absorbed but scatter away from the main beam and measured at angles between 0-90 from a predefined curve. The subsequent amounts are proportionate to that of the concentration of molecules. As well as dilute solutions there also needs to be a linear correlation between molecules formed and optical density. For this reason several dilutions measurements are recorded and also during the formation of molecules. This process is known as rate nephelometry. When considering this technique it is vital that the relative amount of antigen and antibody must be small enough so that precipitation does not occur but also large enough to allow the formulation of small immune complexes. Immunoprecipitation results are achieved through the use of monoclonal antibodies (MCAs) allowing epitopes to react with the antiserum and MCAs forming immune precipitates with their antigens. Results- Normal results IgG: 560 to 1800 mg/dL IgM: 45 to 250 mg/dL IgA: 100 to 400 mg/dL Evaluation- the automated nature of this technique means that it is both fast accurate with results available within 1-2 hours. Its wide spread use is mainly down to this factor but its simplicity and low sample size and volumes also make it a valued technique with the clinical laboratory setting. (Diamandis et al1996). It is however, as with most techniques not without its draw backs. The usual precautions should be taken as when taking any blood sample. Although rare excessive bleeding, fainting and infection should all be considered as risk factors when taking samples. (Drexel, 14/06/08) The presence of dust particles and other debris can be cause for distorted readings and lead to higher values than expected. This can be addressed through centrifugation of the specimen (Diamandis et al1996). In addition to this air bubbles can cause similar effects on results. To ensure readings are as accurate as possible, the specificity should be at optimum level, as set on the nephelometer and controls should be carried out wherever it is used. (Palmer, 1992) Although this method does determine the amount of each immunoglobulin it does not possess the ability to identify antibodies. Another method that can be used to quantitatively investigate Immunoglobulins in serum, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), amniotic fluid, and gastrointestinal juice is Radial Immunodiffusion (Chapel et al1999). This technique allows for the adding of a sample to a well in a gel made up of the antibody specific for the substance being tested for. This then moves through the gel leading to the formation of a visible precipitate around the optimum concentration sample well. The interpretation of such results however is subjective and results are delayed as the process takes several days and as such nephelometry is recommended for greater precision, automation, objectivity and speed and is suitable for large throughput tests (Keogan et al 2006). It is also hard to quantitatively analyse the results using very small samples and a calibration curve. (Chapel et al., 2006). 2. Quantitative Other Serum Proteins-Radial Immunodiffusion Introduction Radial Immunodiffusion acts upon the antigen- antibody complex precipitation reaction. It is used within the field of neurology and oncology. This involves passive diffusion of immunoreactants through an agar matrix. An electrical current is not required for such process to occur as is reliant upon the physiochemical relationships. Practical Schedule Radial Immunodiffusion works via the mixing of antiserum with agar and pouring it on a glass plate to allow it to solidify. The antiserum must be specific for the class of immunoglobulin that is being measured for the technique. The agar mixture is then punctured and the subsequent holes filled using the sera from the test samples. Diffusion of the Immunoglobulins radially causes the formation of precipitate at the point which the number of antibody and antigen are identical. As with previous techniques a calibration curve us used that has been made up from known set of solution to determine the amount of Immunoglobulins present within the sample. Evaluation Accuracy and specificity is the most potent threat to validly of this technique. The fundamental problem is the lack of sensitivity and is not a rapid technique with results taking over 48 hours owing to reaction times. (Chapel, 2002) Whilst it does provide use in the determination of serum proteins quantitatively there are an array of factors that can lead to unreliable results. Temperature of the gel and external environment, molecular size, gel viscosity, reactant concentration and buffer pH highlights a few of the factors that will affect the rate of diffusion but is not exhaustive. (Nakamura et al, 1979) 3. Quantitative other Serum proteins Collection of serum Collect blood in a glass container and allow it to clot at room temperature for an hour. Once the clot has formed loosen the walls of the container to aid retraction. Transfer to 4 degrees and leave overnight if necessary Collect the expressed serum and centrifuge at 150g for 5 minutes to sediment the erythrocytes, and then at 350g for 15 minutes. Transfer the straw coloured serum to suitable containers and heat at 56 degrees for 30 minutes to destroy the heat labile components of complement. (Hay et al., 2002) Qualitative Immunoglobulins Introduction- The stages of diagnosis, determination of immunity and the susceptibility of an individual to many microbial infections, are based upon immunological tests in serum. When blood clots the fluid that remains is known as serum and as such it is rich in Immunoglobulins. Serum however is not easily accessible so other sample sources can be used. The presence of specific Immunoglobulins in urine, saliva and cerebrospinal fluid mean that such bodily fluids, inclusive of others such as semen, can be used instead. Anatomically the most readily available and less intrusive however, as with other bodily fluids, contain low concentrations of IgM and IgG. Semen is abundant with these Immunoglobulins and as such may be perceived as being the most accurate and reliable in any such investigations (PCT, 1987) In Serum- Immunoelectrophresis Introduction- Serum Protein Electrophoresis is a qualitative investigation carried out to test for the presence of monoclonal bands (paraproteins). (Chapel et al., 2002) During electrophoresis, discrete monoclonal bands may appear (M bands). Further investigation is needed in order to determine the immunoglobulin heavy and/ or light chains through immunofixation. This is important when trying to distinguish what sort of Immunoglobulins are present. Determination is achieved through Immunoprecipitation in a gel with anti- sera that is specific for heavy and light chains of the immunoglobulin. Immunoelectrophresis works by separating sera in agarose gel by electrophoresis. Troughs that are parallel to the unfixed electrophoretic strips have specific anti- sera added to them leading to the formulation of precipitin arcs that are clearly visible owing to the process of diffusion. Immunofixation however tends to be more commonly used and as such will be more focused upon within the portfolio. This technique is commonly used in the diagnosis of conditions such as osteoporosis. In the abnormal absence of a heavy chain and an abnormal reaction occurring with the ant- sera that are specific for light chains discrete (M) bands are present. It is also a highlight to the possibility of an IgD or IgE paraproteins although is far less common. If an abnormal reaction occurs with only the heavy chain anti sera it is indicative of a rare heavy chain disorder. It is possibly to quantify individual M bands with the use of a densitometer. This acts by measuring the intensity of the stain taken up by each individual band and as such is the only method at present to be of use in the measurement of paraproteins concentration (Chapel et al1999). Practical Schedule taken from Clinical Immunology. (Chapel et al., 2002) Immunoelectrophoresis- Apply serum samples to an electrophoresis gel at the cathode end alongside a normal serum sample as a control. Apply an electric current for 45 minutes and remove the gel. Use a stain to visualize the bands. Immunofixation-specific antisera to IgG, IgA, IgM and kappa and lambda light chains are then applied to the electrophoresed samples by soaking strips of cellulose acetate in the individual antisera and laying them on the electrophoresis gel. This is then incubated for 2 hours and all the un-fixed proteins are washed off leaving the precipate. Individual monoclonal bands can be quantitatively measured by a densitometer. Results The dark areas indicate monoclonal bands. The picture above shows a positive result for the lambda chain. The presence of monoclonal bands can indicate multiple myelomas or osteoporosis. In this example, the M band is identified as IgG of kappa type. Concentration of the M band is determined using a densitometric trace, as demonstrated in the second image. Evaluation- The presence of air bubbles will distort the formation of protein bands and as such the gel must be degassed. The method detailed above is much quicker and far more sensitive than the singular use of immunoelectrophresis. Its cheapness and low hazard level mean it is a desirable technique in the detection of Immunoglobulins within serum. (Zola et al. 1999) Qualitative Immunoglobulins in Urine- Electrophoresis and Immunofixation Normal physiology of the kidney dictates that protein is usually excreted within the urine in minimal amounts. Higher levels can lead to the suspicion of multiple myeloma that can lead to irrapairable damage to the kidneys as nephritic cells are non replaceable with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and hypogammaglobulninaemia being suspects. Kidney disorders such as IgA nephropathy may also be a causation of such symptoms. All humans produced excessive amounts of free polyclonal light chains in accompaniment to normal immunoglobulin synthesis with these being secreted into the urine and are detectable in low amounts in all samples (Thompson, 1981). If the normal range of this is exceeded however it is indicative of renal damage. This method is often used in order to detect these small free monoclonal light chains that are also called Bence- Jones Proteins owing to the fact that normal parameters of testing fail to pick them up. (Chapel, 2005). Bence- Jones Proteins are distinguishable by the fact they possess unusual thermal properties, for example they precipitate out of the urine solution at 56 degrees and redissolve upon further heating. (Thompson, 1978) Practical Schedule Determine concentration by ultrafiltration, absorption of water, or by freeze-drying. There are several commercially available kits for determining the concentration of urine. This involves concentrating the urine, then using electrophoresis to determine the presence of monoclonal bands. Then using immunofixation to establish what the monoclonal band is made of. (Chapel et al., 2006) Results Serum protein samples from patients with light chain multiple myeloma and one normal result on the far left.The M protein is seen as a dark dense band localised on the strip, this picture shows the different bands that can be detected. Albumin Decreased with malnutrition and malabsorption, pregnancy, kidney disease (especially nephrotic syndrome), liver disease, inflammatory conditions, and protein-losing syndromes Increased with dehydration Alpha1 globulin Decreased in congenital emphysaema (a1-antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic disease) or severe liver disease Increased in acute or chronic inflammatory diseases Alpha2 globulin Decreased with hyperthyroidism or severe liver disease, haemolysis (red blood cell breakage) Increased with kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome), acute or chronic inflammatory disease Beta globulin Decreased with malnutrition, cirrhosis Increased with hypercholesterolaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, some cases of multiple myeloma or MGUS Gamma globulin Decreased variety of genetic immune disorders, and in secondary immune deficiency Increased Polyclonal: chronic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, acute and chronic infection, recent immunization. Monoclonal: Waldenstroms macroglobulinaemia, multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance. (MGUS) Table from lab tests UK online. Evaluation-this method allows the determination of the different proteins in the urine and can be vital in allowing the doctor to work out a diagnosis of the condition. It is relatively simple and reliable however the results can only be read by a skilled worker and owing to its various steps is not as rapid as desired. Results show that different diagnoses are reached depending on which Immunoglobulins are increased in the urine, as indicated in the table above. Qualitative Immunoglobulins in Cerebrospinal Fluid- immunoperoxidase and isoelectric focusing This test allows for the differentiation between IgG and albumin concentrations. This relationship is important to differentiated as IgG is synthesised by lymphocytes within the brain where as albumin is not and is known as the CSF IgG Index that is indicative of this fact as demonstrates how much IgG within the CSF has been synthesised. (Chapel et al2006). Unlike the before mentioned serum where single discrete (M) bands where formed the locally synthesised IgG is often oligoclonal and subsequently cannot be detected by means of electrophoresis of CSF as isnt concentrated. (Roitt et al.. 2002) The only available method for the detection of oligoclonal bands are isoelectric focusing and immunofixation with enzyme labelled antiserum. Investigation and diagnosis of demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis is carried out using such tests. (Richard et al 2002) Practical Schedule- Isoelectric focusing and immunofixation with enzyme labelled antiserums. This involves separating the proteins within a pH gradient and transferring them to nitrocellulose membranes that have previously been immunofixed with IgG antiserum to show the specific bands. This can be compared with controls to determine the new bands. (Richard et al., 2002) Results A positive result is where the oligoclonal IgG bands are not found in serums, but, in Cerebrospinal Fluid. These are shown as dense dark bands on the results below. 5-10% of CSF protein tends to be IgG. If a patient has disseminated sclerosis or sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis then the proportion of IgG in CSF is over 12%. Evaluation This is a relatively modernised method and is approved for use within a clinical setting. The older isoelectric focusing is no longer recommended as it possesses a higher degree of specific (95%) and sensitivity. In addition it is favourable as only requires low concentrations of serum samples and results are available within 2 hours and mostly work on an automated level. (Richard et al.. 2002) Qualitative Immunoglobulins in Saliva- Complement- components Introduction Complement components are large molecular weight proteins. Activation of these usually results in proteolytic cleavage of the molecule into fragments. (Thompson, 1978) Western blotting is used in combination with gel electrophoresis and ELISA and RIAs are used when a whole saliva sample is collected or when there are saliva fractions [Fabian et al., 2007]. Practical Schedule- Gel filtration is carried out on Sephadex G-200. Serum samples of 1.5ml were applied to and 2.5cm diameter, 40 cm length column containing the Sephadex. This is equilibriated with a buffer containing 0.14M NaCl, 0.006M NaH2PO4 and 0.035M Na2HPO at a pH value of 7.3. Fractions of 2.5ml each are collected at a flow rate of 30ml per hour and the protein content of this effluent is measured as UV transmission at 280m µ in an absorbiometer. Results the results are determined by using these filtrated samples and single radial diffusion, a calibration curve is needed to determine amounts. This is created by using standard solutions. (Rose et al., 1997) Evaluation Occur in large amounts in serum can be measured accurately precipitin reaction in gel. Detecting them as antigens however means it cannot be identified as to whether they are active or not. Collecting specimens for complement assays can be difficult as you are to avoid inducing the complement pathway. Care should be taken to avoid false results caused by this when trying to determine the activation that was caused in vivo. Single radial diffusion can be used to determine quantitatively. This test is rapid reliable and easy to carry out and determine results of. (Rose et al., 1997) Complement-breakdown products Complement-C3- Crossed immunoelectrophoresis Introduction The complement system comprises of proteins (which may be membrane bound or present in plasma) that play an important role is host defences [Stanley, 2002]. The system is involved in destroying certain bacteria and viruses, and is also involved in initiating inflammatory response. Complement is also important for opsonisation of foreign materials, facilitation of phagocytosis by leukocytes, and direct cytotoxic reactions [Gaspari Tyring, 2008]. A determinant of the amount of C3 is crossed immunoelectrophresis and has the advantage of differentiating between inactive and active forms of C3. Deficiencies in C3 can lead to systemic infections including sepsis meningitis, pneumococcal and influenza infections. Method First dimension Prepare a 2% agarose solution in the barbitone buffer containing EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid) Pour 3 ml of agarose solution onto the microscope slide and let set. Cut a 1mm well in the slide removing the agarose and filling with the serum sample for the C3 quantification. Apply a potential difference of approx. 150v for 2 hours. Cut a 5 mm wide longitudinal strip containing the sample. Second dimension Prepare 12ml of an anti-C3 solution in 2% agarose solution at 56 degrees. Place the agarose strip at one end of the square glass plate and cover the whole slide with the agarose containing the anti-C3. Place the plate in the electrophoresis tank making sure it is the right way and electrophorese overnight. Wash and stain the precipitin arcs. This method works by using the electric field to separate the complement components. Results Evaluation- as with many of the before mentioned techniques it requires a skilled technician in order to carry out such a test and can edge on the side of time consuming owing to its numerous steps and incubation periods set out in the methodology. (Hay et al.. 2002) Complement- nephritic factor Complement-nephritic factor Introduction nephritic factor is an autoantibody to activated C3, it breaks down C3 in the alternate pathway by cleaving it into two fragments that are inactive forms (C3d and C3c) of the normal version of C3b. It binds and stabilises the alternative pathway C3 convertase (that is present in all sera) in the presence and absence of serum proteins. The alternative pathway C3 convertase blocks inhibitors from acting on and destroying C3 convertase.. The autoantibody (the C3 nephritic factor) reacts in the complement system not by blocking the enzyme active site but instead, block the site where inhibitors limit the action of and destroy the enzyme. Tests to determine the C3 nephritic factor are performed in patients that possess a C3 concentration that is below normal and is unexplained, with normal C4 levels [SAS Centre, 2009]. This is because the presence of the C3 nephritic factor in a patient means that C3 is continuously broken down and depleted. Low levels C3 can be associated wi th kidney disorders or recurrent infections. (Chapel et al., 2006) Practical Schedule-The practical schedule is similar to the before mentioned. It used samples with the suspected nephritic factor and other normal serum samples. They are incubated together and if the nephritic factor is present, it breaks down the C3 in the normal sample. (Chapel et al., 2006) Results-As expected from the similarity in methodology the results are similar to the detection of C3 in the picture above using crossed immunoelectrophoesis. If only inactive forms are present owing to inactivation from nephritic factor than the result is deemed positive. A negative result is when there is no nephritic meaning that none of the C3 has been inactivated. Evaluation-This method is useful in the detection of nephritic factor only and it is not a very direct test as it is carried out to determine the amount of C3. Complement-functional assay CH50 Introduction complement functional assay are the basis for the diagnosis of complement deficiency disorders. They are divided into subcategories dependent upon their relation to another disease. Primary complement deficiencies are genetic based and secondary refer to those that are acquired. Functional assays play a pivotal role within the assessment of the classical, alternative and terminal pathway of complement activation. The most common haemolytic assay used within the laboratory setting is the CH50 assay as it is both the simplest and easiest to carry out. The functional integrity of the classical complement pathway, C1, C2, C3, C4 is measured using CH50 along with total haemolytic complement. This is achieved by measuring the required quantity of serum in order to cause haemolysis of half the quantity that had been stabilised and sensitised red blood cells (Chapel et al..2006). Classical components become activated to lyses sheep erythrocytes that are coated in rabbit anti- sheep E antibodies (Rose.. 1997) Practical Schedule Add to microtiter wells the sera to be tested along with a buffer in different concentrations. Then add the sheep erythrocytes. Cover and incubate at 37dgrees for 1 hour. Then centrifuge and carry out ELISA to detect results. (Rose et al., 2002) Results Evaluation- The method is generally sensitive and reliable providing the specimen is tested quickly and all reagents are kept on ice. (Chapel et al., 2006) The problem arises in availability as they are not widely available and as such functional assays for complement are limited to laboratories that have the equipment (Gaspan and Tyring 2008). As with many immunological techniques the fundamental threat to validity is improper sample collection, this can occur easily in the onsite environment where it can be left to stand for considerable periods of time at room temperature. (Rose, 1997) 5. Microbial Antigens ELISA Introduction By coupling the antigen to an insoluble adsorbent it is possible to detect human antibodies to specific antigens using this technique. Elevated levels of antibody titre remains a reliable indication to the presence and measurement of an active infection within the diagnostic process. ELISAs provide highly sensitive and precise methods for the estimation of biological parameters, with the added advantage that they can handle large numbers of samples that may then be analysed rapidly and are useful in detection of a range of viruses and bacterial infections inclusive of TB and pneumonia and viral antigens. (Chapel et al..2006) Many types of immunoassays can be used to detect and quantitative both antigens and antibodies, but there are differences in the avidity requirements for the antibodies, the signal strengths of the labels, and the amount of background for each of these types of assays. Antibody capture assays are the most appropriate for measuring the titre of the antisera you have generated. ELISAs by definition exploit the use of an enzyme attached to one of the reagent utilized in the test. Subsequent addition of the relevant enzyme substrates/ chromogens cause a colour change: the results can be read both by eye and quantified using specially designed spectrophotometers. The fact that proteins (including antibodies) and carbohydrates can be passively attached to plastics has been exploited in most applications of ELISA. Since one of the components is attached to a solid phase by passive absorption, subsequent reagents can be added, and after a period of incubation, unreacted material can be simply washed away. Such assays are termed Heterogeneous ELISAs. The plastic surface is known as the solid phase and plastic in the form of 96-well microtiter plates has proved highly practical for the following reasons. A large number (96) of sample wells are available in a highly practical from; Multichannel pipets (4,8,12 channels) designed for use with such plates are available, making reagent handling rapid and simple; Test volumes are small (e.g. 50uL, 100uL); Comparative readings of coloured products can be made by eye or by specially designed multichannel spectrophotometers (96 wells are read in 2-5s) The above facts afford the potential to rapidly handle numerous plates, and hence numerous samples may be examined, e.g., 20 plates/person= 1920 sample points/ person. Attachment of reagents also allows great versatility for ELISA since the various components of assays may be used in different combinations and in different phases to investigate their potential. It is difficult to generalise about the potential performance of the various ELISA systems. There is a wide range of configurations available and probably no two scientific groups attempting to perform the same task by ELISA will use identical configurations. Practical Schedule Dissolve antigen in carbonate-bicarbonate buffer. Add 200  µl to each well of a micro-ELISA plate cover and incubate overnight at 4 degrees. Wash so that unbound antigen is removed and fill with casein to block remaining binding sites. Incubate at room temperature for 1 hour. Add 200  µl of test serum and incubate for 2 hours at room temperature in a humid chamber. Wash the plate three times Prepare the peroxidase-antibody conjugate, mix 100microlitres of casein with 1 ml of serum, 100 µl Tween 20 with 50  µl peroxidase-antibody and stir gently. Add 200 µl to each well and incubate at room temperature for an hour. Wash three times. Prepare the substrate solution and add200  µl substrate to each well. Leave in the dark and allow colour to develop. Stop the reaction by adding 50  µl of sodium fluoride to each of the wells. An ELISA reader can then be used to quantify the colour reaction. General Method from Hay et al., 2002. Results A positive result would be characterised by the reaction that causes colour showing the presence of antibodies to the specific type of bacteria highlighted by a dark band. Evaluation On the whole this method remains largely specific and rapid. The major cause of problem is the scientist(s) involved. The main problem is the lack of close- contact training in the fundamentals of ELISA, so that the scientist has the experience to identify and then solve the problems in the use of reagents. The results yielded cannot have the biological implications assessed without general knowledge of several field of science, e.g., epidemiology, immunochemistry, biochemistry and immunology. This however should not be considered too problematic as the ELISA should be a tool for the investigation of specific problems rather than an end in itself. Whilst it in comparison to immunoflourence in the detection of TB and flow cytomentry it may lack sensitivity, it does remain the cheapest and easiest to carry out. (Rose et al..1997) 6. Autoantibodies It is becoming increasingly evident that the presence of tissue auto antibodies is not in itself pathognomic of disease. Improvements in the technique in the last few years have led to increased sensitivity and detection of weak antibodies in sera which would hitherto have been reported negative. As a large series of patients are tested in an increasing number of laboratories previously held views on the specific clinical association of particular antibodies are being revised and reference to early literature may therefore be misleading. Since antigens and antibodies are defined by their mutual interactions, they can be used to quantify each other. At a practical level in a diagnostic laboratory, the functional tests are labour intensive and therefore expensive, and a compromise is usually sought by using immunochemical assays which measure composite of medium to high affinity antibodies and their abundance. The antibody has become the scientists flexible friend! For example, antibodies raised against hormones, serum proteins, cell constituents, cytokines, or even immunoglobulins themselves, allow these parameters to be measured in immunoassays. Immunoassays form the backbone of tests used in the study

Education: United States vs. Ukraine Essay

There are 1.8 million people coming to the United States every year. According to U.S. census estimates, in 2006 there were 961,113 Americans of Ukrainian descent representing 0.33% of the American population. The Ukrainian population in the United States is thus the second largest outside the former Soviet Union. One of the reasons is that the education is more progressive and flexible, which makes it easier for people to attain their educational goals. In different countries and in different cultural environments, education has different forms, methods and meanings for people. Given the opportunity to attend schools in Ukraine and in the United States, I could not help but notice the differences between the two educational systems. The U.S. educational system is more liberal, comprehensive, and specialty focused when compared to the Ukrainian system. The educational system of Ukraine is continuously changing due to the transitional period of the country from the former Soviet Union . During the Soviet period, educational organizations in Ukraine were state-supported institutions, none of which had religious affiliations. As cultural environment changes, this is no longer true for the modern Ukraine. Nowadays, all schools, from pre-school to the institutions of higher education, have Christian classes in their curricular activities. Contrary to the state-sponsored education of the Soviet era, there are both public and private educational establishments, all of which must be accredited by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. Primary and secondary education comprise pre-school through grade 11. The components of primary level of education are pre-school programs which are attended by two-third of all Ukrainian children. Children ages 6 months to 3 years are enrolled in nursery schools. Children ages 3 to 6 years are enrolled in kindergartens. Then starts secondary education: elementary in grades 1 – 4; lower secondary in grades 5 – 9; and upper secondary in grades 10 – 11. Grades 1 through 9 are collectively called Incomplete (General) Secondary Education, and grades  10 and 11 are called Complete Secondary education. Three types of institutions also offer the upper secondary school curriculum: the general academic schools, the secondary vocational-technical schools and the specialized secondary school. Regardless of the type of upper secondary training completed, Ukrainian students have the right to continue their education at a postsecondary institution. Applications are accepted from citizens who meet the following criteria: * students have completed secondary education; * for full-time study students must be under 35 years of age and there are no age limits for part-time or evening study; * students have passed a competitive entrance examination set by each institution of higher education. There are three types of grading systems in Ukraine. Ordinarily universities used a traditional 5-point scale: â€Å"5† = â€Å"excellent†, â€Å"4† = â€Å"good†, â€Å"3† = â€Å"acceptable†, â€Å"2† = â€Å"unacceptable†. Since 2006, university students are graded on a rating scale of 0 to 100. These grades can be transformed to the 5-point scale approximately as follows: from 91 to 100 means â€Å"5†, from 71 to 90 means â€Å"4†, from 51 to 70 means â€Å"3†, from 0 to 50 means â€Å"2†. Both the rating scale and the 5-point scale are used in university registers at the present. As for secondary schools, they also used the 5-point scale until 2000. Since 2000 secondary schools use a 12-point scale, which could be transformed into the traditional 5-point scale as follows: â€Å"12† = â€Å"5+†, â€Å"11† = â€Å"5†, â€Å"10† = â€Å"5-† and so on. Education in the United States follows a pattern similar to that in the Ukrainian system. Early childhood education is followed by elementary school, middle school, high school, and then postsecondary education. Postsecondary education includes non-degree programs that lead to certificates and diplomas plus six degree levels: associate, bachelor, first professional, master, advanced intermediate, and research doctorate. The U.S. system does not offer a second or higher doctorate, but does offer postdoctorate research programs. Contrary to the Ukrainian system, in the United States people can go to college at any age and also have homeschooling programs. The most common grade scale in the United States is the letter grade: â€Å"A† through â€Å"F†, which is derived from a scale of 0–100 points. The following table shows the transformation: A| B| C| D| F| | | –| | | –| | | –| | | –| | 100-97| 96-93| 92-90| 89-87| 86-83| 82-80| 79-77| 76-73| 72-70| 69-67| 66-63| 62-60| Below 60 Percent| One of the big differences between two systems is course schedule. In Ukraine students have to follow a particular schedule made to satisfy the educational institution program, while in the United States students have flexibility in scheduling their classes. For example, if I start any level of secondary or postsecondary education in Ukraine, I will be assigned to a group of 20-30 people (called a â€Å"class†), who have the same schedule and we don’t have to register for any classes, because everything is already prepared for us. Nowadays, in US I make my own schedule that satisfies my choice of degree requirements and my work hours. Another big difference is the availability and accessibility of technology to students. In Ukraine, schools and colleges are very underfunded which results in poor or no equipment. Students in Ukraine do not have as many resources as students in the United States have, unless they come from wealth. Some people say that lack of technology lowers the quality of education. I believe the use of technology is helpful, has a significant positive effect on students and is just more fun; however it does not affect the quality of education. Taking into consideration all the similarities and differences of both educational systems, the Ukrainian system dictates to students each step of the educational process, while the US system is more flexible, provides more freedom and advanced technology. Overall, learning in the United States is a great opportunity that not everyone has. Thus, those who have it should make the most of the chance to learn.