Lessons from Walden Two Essay -- Thoreau Walden Two Essays

Exercises from Walden Two Walden Two is a novel about an anecdotal network in present day America. The people group is an Utopia of the best expectations: the individuals are cheerful and content, there is at least destructive feelings and exercises, and everybody is solid and prosperous. It is a glaring difference with the world we are living in today. So for what reason don't we change our general public to coordinate that of Walden Two, illuminating the entirety of our country's numerous issues? For a certain something, we don't have a clue whether a general public designed after Walden Two will work. Walden Two is a work of fiction; such a general public has never been endeavored. Be that as it may, regardless of whether such a general public has been demonstrated to work impeccably, our general public isn't set up for such an extreme change. It is human instinct to oppose change. Attempting to quickly change over our general public to Walden Two would be grievous, even confused. What we can do, nonetheless, is dismantle Walden Two; discover the viewpoints that are generally required in our general public today and work towards applying them. By progressing in the direction of these, we become nearer to the great society, regardless of whether we never completely arrive at it. One of the most dangerous parts of our general public is that we are a customer society. Individuals are headed to go through cash; the promoting business has become a fruitful and gainful industry by successfully persuading individuals to go through cash. Numerous individuals have more cash and assets than they will ever require, while a lot more individuals will never have enough. Individuals are headed to get however much cash-flow as could reasonably be expected so they can have a place with a higher social class. None of these issues exist in Walden Two; they are illuminated for the most part by social building. There are no social classes in Walden Two. Everybody is equivalent (socially and monetarily), and the... ... youngster will draw their own decision that tuning in to publicizing is an extremely poor approach to settle on decisions. At that point, as the youngster grows up, the individual in question will see for his or herself confirmation of this thought - it shouldn't be appeared to the kid expressly. The case of promoting is only one case of how another learning framework (which is a type of conduct designing) can be utilized to kill the issue of a purchaser society. There is no motivation behind why a similar technique can be utilized to tackle a wide range of issues, for instance: appropriation of riches, ecological issues, and want for influence. This is an extreme change; be that as it may, it is significantly less radical than the general public proposed in Walden Two. Social change doesn't occur without any forethought; changing the learning framework will take a ton of work, however it is the initial phase the correct way for changing our general public.

Great Gatsby is a tragic hero Essay

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is an exemplary American disaster. The tale has all the fundamental components important to arrange a story as a catastrophe: a sad legend, his character imperfection, and a bit of destiny which results in the hero’s extreme annihilation. Jay Gatsby is the destined sad saint, blinded by his silly dream to remember the past. Destiny meddles as the startling murder of one character’s courtesan by his better half. Every one of these features of the story meet up to cause the finish of Gatsby. All together for a character to be characterized as a sad legend, he should be honorable in character. Jay Gatsby exhibits this in his dedication to Daisy Buchanan, whom he has been planning for a re-experience with for as far back as 5 years. At the point when he at long last ends up in her quality once more, â€Å"†¦there were twinkle-chimes of daylight in the room, he grinned like a meteorologist, similar to an euphoric supporter of intermittent light†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He chats with Daisy, and significantly following 5 entire long stretches of building her up in his psyche, he is still especially enamored with her. â€Å"†¦[After talking with her,] there was a change in Gatsby that was essentially jumbling. He truly gleamed; without a word or a signal of jubilee another prosperity emanated from him and filled the room.† He cherishes her, all that he does is for her, and there is no trademark more respectable than genuine affection and dedication. The very meaning of a grievous saint is a respectable individual with an unfortunate blemish which assists with achieving his destruction, and which may make the legend settle on poor choices. Mr. Gatsby’s character blemish is his suffering fantasy about discovering Daisy, the lady he met and began to look all starry eyed at before he was sent to battle in World War I, and rejoining with her. At the point when they met, he was a poor no one and she was an individual from the old-cash first class, a match that the two of them knew couldn't in any way, shape or form work. In this way, despite the fact that he realized she was hitched, when Jay returned from the war, he committed his life to rehashing himself to make himself adequate for her. â€Å"Out of the edge of his eye Gatsby saw that the squares of the walkways truly shaped a stepping stool and mounted to a mystery place over the trees †he could move to it, in the event that he climbed alone, and once there he could suck on the pap of life, swallow down the unique milk of wonder.† Basically, his unadulterated, genuine romance for Daisy was fortified with fixation and encased in assurance and enveloped by everything heâ could find to make it genuine once more. His adoration for Daisy exceeded any sort of reality to where he could no longer recognize truth from fiction. â€Å"It had gone past her, past everything. He had devoted himself completely to it with an imaginative enthusiasm, adding to it constantly, decking it out with each splendid plume that floated his direction. No measure of fire or newness can challenge what a man will put away in his spooky heart.† Destiny, with the terrible blemish, assumes the primary job in the fixing of the hero. In The Great Gatsby, the turn of destiny is when Daisy, driving Gatsby’s vehicle with him in the front seat, hits and in a flash executes Myrtle Wilson, and in a frenzy escapes the scene, too shaken to even consider stopping the vehicle. Myrtle Wilson happens to be the lady who Daisy’s spouse tom has been going behind her back with, and Myrtle’s husband George Wilson observes the mishap. He sees his better half slaughtered by somebody driving Gatsby’s vehicle. He discover that the vehicle has a place with Gatsby, who he has never met, and expect that it was he who had so viciously and carelessly executed his significant other. George, in a condition of distress stricken craziness, kills Jay Gatsby in his own terrace the extremely following day. It didn’t happen a second too early, either. The nature of Gatsby’s life had been breaking down at an exponential rate, unexpectedly, since his fantasy had materialized. Getting associated with Daisy now was upsetting his life †he had learned firsthand of the inadequacies of the lady he adored, had seen her shortcomings. It was destroying him inside that he had gone through a large portion of 10 years on something that would be generally inconvenient to him at long last. â€Å"†¦perhaps he did not mind anymore. On the off chance that that was genuine he more likely than not felt that he had lost the old warm world, followed through on a significant expense for a really long time with a solitary dream.† The storyteller guesses of Gatsby that, not long before his passing, â€Å"He more likely than not gazed toward a new sky through terrifying leaves and shuddered as he found what an abnormal thing a rose is and how crude the daylight was upon the hardly made grass.† Gatsby’s goals were unadulterated, unobtrusive, blameless, certified, yet the energy of his interest conveyed him into inconvenience when he had to quit dreaming since his fantasy had become reality, a thing to which Gatsby had gotten not used to in the wake of envisioning for such a long time. When his fantasy tumbled into aâ brick divider and things were sent turning in chaos, there was not, at this point a spot for Jay Gatsby. He had come to have a place just with his fantasy, and was devoured by it. â€Å"†¦Gatsby turned out okay toward the end; it is the thing that went after Gatsby, what foul residue glided in the wake he had always wanted that briefly finished off my enthusiasm for the fruitless distresses and short-winded delights of men.†

Anne Franks Diary Is Now A Graphic Novel Critical Linking, October 15

Anne Franks Diary Is Now A Graphic Novel Critical Linking, October 15 Sponsored by Ploughshares The graphic adaptation gorgeously captures the confessional spirit of the original diary with artistic expressions of Annes inner world. The book illustrates and expands on Annes dreams and imaginings, and one can almost believe that these are pictures Anne herself might have drawn as she was turning things over in her mind. For instance, theres a graphic depicting the inhabitants of the annex as different animals. Another imagines her hypothetical wedding day with the boy she has a crush on. Theres a caricature of Mrs. Van Daan (one of the annex inhabitants, whom Anne loathes) sitting primly on her chamber pot as a nuclear missile falls on her head. One graphic shows Anne walking through an imaginary garden, filled with nude statues as she writes, I must admit, every time I see a female nude, I go into ecstasy. If only I had a girlfriend! And another image depicts her family floating on a cloud while the entire world burns beneath them. Anne Franks Diary is now a graphic novel. A love poem written from the frontline of the Somme by the “great forgotten voice of the first world war”, the American author, heiress, suffragette and nurse Mary Borden, will form the heart of an event at the Tower of London to mark the centenary of Armistice Day. Borden’s poem, the third in a sequence entitled Sonnets to a Soldier, was written for a young British officer with whom she had an affair while running a field hospital during the first world war. It will be the basis for a choral work by the artist and composer Mira Calix, accompanying a light show that will fill the Tower of London moat from 4-11 November with thousands of individual flames, in the build-up to the 100th anniversary of peace. No longer forgotten poet Mary Borden to be honored at armistice centenary. Male rage and female pain have long been foundational literary topics. In books, as in life, narratives of male angerâ€"from the Iliad to a speech by Donald Trumpâ€"command a reverent attention. (This interest in men’s interior lives, and in their ires, may have sociological roots: in her book “Toward a New Psychology of Women,” Jean Baker Miller suggests that all members of society stand to gain from theorizing about the psyches of the powerful.) Meanwhile, tales of female suffering, though profuse, are often dismissed as trivial or self-indulgent. Victims fare best when they do not yell, when they dwell not on injustice but on their sadness and on the intimate “impact” the violence against them has had. This vision of authorship, which privileges the subjective and the tragicâ€"and which also underpins the mostly female genre of the harrowing first-person essayâ€"reflects an understanding that women cannot be trusted to be impartial or truthful. #MeToo and he said, she said, are also literary problems. Sign up to Today In Books to receive  daily news and miscellany from the world of books.

The Political Sins Of John Stewart By Robert Hariman

Cynicism as most of you know is the manipulation of the greater public to pursue one’s interests. Another definition of it is that it is the enlightenment of the majority of which in regards to the right work done, income might be acquired. The notion of personal interest varies among different people but is argued to be the core of cynicism. This paper is going to oppose accusations about cynicism on John Stewart basing its arguments on; the critical forum in defence of John Stewart by Robert Hariman and the critical conference on the political sins of John Stewart by Roderick P. Hart and E. Johanna Hartelius. Publicity can be paradoxical such that as much as it is nice to be recognizable to almost everybody, there is also the lack of†¦show more content†¦The gaps are derived from the Constitution itself, on the freedom of speech. Everybody reserves a right to make comments on matters of state provided they do not infringe on the rights of another. The defence argues that the prosecution fails to see the humorous techniques of the Daily show (Hariman, 274). The above statement is true as the failure of one man to recognize the joke in a statement should not be the reason to convict someone for committing political heresy. In the 21st century the year of accusation of John Stewart, people exercise the freedom of speech. As such there is the emergence of various channels through which people can air their opinions like social media forums, blogs upon which similar messages and jokes are passed. Does it mean that we are going to jail every individual that engages in constructive crit icism on political matters on various communication forums? Addressing the issue on the media of transfer of the said â€Å"political heresy† is of vital importance. This is because it helps draw the line between a democratic society with freedom of speech and an anarchy society where words are restricted to only those that please the powers that be. The defence agrees with the above statement when it argues whether we will find contentment in the prosecution s idea of public life (Hariman, 274). In my opinion, I feel the defendant expresses a more concrete argument in defence of John Stewart laying facts wide open and appealing to the

Analysis Of The Poem Said The Canoe - 920 Words

Isabella Crawford’s, â€Å"Said the Canoe†, identifies her as one with radical intentions to challenge the expected behaviour of women and broaden the way they were seen in society by presenting them in a socially unacceptable manner. This essay will consider how Crawford’s education, upbringing, perception of society, use of metaphor in this poem specifically, and writing style culminated in her creating this poem, which prompted women to later be seen in outside the Victorian stereotype. English literary scholar, Fred Cogswell, goes as far as calling Crawford a feminist in his essay, â€Å"Feminism in Isabella Valency Crawford’s â€Å"Said the Canoe†. Alternatively, for the purpose of this essay, I will not be labelling Crawford a feminist as the term was not yet established when the poem was written. However, I will be using Cogswell’s essay to support the argument of Crawford advocating for women’s rights. Literature in the nineteenth century was notably written for informative purposes. The establishment of three colleges in Toronto; King’s, Trinity, and St. Michael’s (167 Klinck), coupled with the rise of nationalism after Confederation (169 Klinck) sparked the belief that poetry should be used to celebrate Canada and affirm the new nation’s identity (167 Klinck). Additionally, University of Toronto professor, Daniel Wilson, felt that poets should write things â€Å"as they are† instead of as a romanticized interpretation (168 Klinck); contradicting Crawford’s work which used a,Show MoreRelatedRole Of Discipline On Destiny Fulfillment Delivered By Ayotunde Okunowo2497 Words   |  10 Pagesbecome young mothers and young boys take to drug and other dangerous habits. And as we together dissect the topic, I beseech you all to demonstrate the first discipline, by listening with open minds. 3 Before I begin to analyse all my analytical analysis, we may need to define some terms and terminologies for us to have a proper comprehension. Discipline is defined as a method of training your body and mind or of controlling your behaviour that results from training. While destiny on the other handRead MoreThe taste of melon by borden deal11847 Words   |  48 PagesFreddy Gray and J.D. and I had several discussions about the way she walked. I maintained she was putting it on, but J.D. claimed she couldn’t help it. Freddy Gray remarked that she hadn’t walked that way last year. He said she’d walked like any other human being. So then I said, put on or not, I liked the way she walked, and then there was a large silence. It wasn’t a comfortable silence, because of Mr. Wills, Willadean’s father. We were all afraid of Mr. Wills. Mr. Wills was a big man. HeRead MoreJane Austen’s Novels and the Contemporary Social and Literary Conventions.12979 Words   |  52 PagesAusten’s negotiating with the contemporary conventions. In the first chapter the way conduct manuals perceived a woman is presented. The second chapter describes the trends in the novels written at that time. The third chapter is the beginning of the analysis of Austen’ writing in contrast to her contemporaries as well as in the way the author herself perceives her writing. In the following chapters the novels Pride and Prejudice and Emma are used as the examples of Austen’s works in which the protagonists

The strategy of The Body Shop Free Essays

string(232) " Kenneth Andrews and addresses, amongst others, the view that: â€Å"Strategy is concerned with identifying opportunities in the enterprise’s external environment which it is better qualified to exploit than its competitors\." â€Å"Business people have got to be the instigators of change. They have the money and the power to make a difference. A company that makes a profit from society has a responsibility to return something to that society. We will write a custom essay sample on The strategy of The Body Shop or any similar topic only for you Order Now † 1 (Roddick, 1991) This statement, by Anita Roddick OBE, founder of ‘The Body Shop’, demonstrates the strong ethical dimension of the company’s way of doing business. She opened her first shop in Brighton on March 26th 1976 selling 25 varieties of 100-percent natural skin and hair care products inspired by cultural knowledge from around the world. The company has expanded dramatically since its origins and now has over 1900 stores worldwide. Despite its rapid growth, the strong beliefs and values existent in 1976 remain deeply embedded within the organisational culture. Throughout this writing I will discuss these beliefs and values in the context of corporate strategy and decision-making, and demonstrate how it relates to theoretical frameworks within the corporate strategy field. I will analyse The Body Shop’s strategies using these theoretical models, and compare and contrast the models themselves. The strategy of The Body Shop in comparison to other businesses within the cosmetics and toiletries industry was unconventional. Their rapid growth, achieved mainly through franchising, was primarily due to the ‘green’ nature of the organisation, prioritising ethical practice over making profits. â€Å"Ever since she started The Body Shop in 1976, Roddick had made a habit of going against the tide of the industry’s established business practices.† 2 (Mintzberg, Quinn, Ghoshal, 1991: 447) This quotation reinforces the notion of The Body Shop’s alternative approach to strategy. Unlike other companies within the industry, they didn’t make miraculous claims for their products; they allowed labels with detailed lists of the ingredients and properties of products to tell customers about each good. This links in with the fact that a major component of The Body Shop’s strategy was that they never engaged in any advertising. Throughout history and in contemporary advertising, organisations within the health and beauty sector have constantly bombarded the public with claims and promises associated with their products through the use of adverts and promotions. â€Å"The cosmetics industry makes its money through packaging and advertising, which together are 85 per cent of its costs.† 3 (Mintzberg, Quinn, Ghoshal, 1991: 453) This is a cost that The Body Shop’s strategy enabled them to avoid. The business was started with just a $6000 bank loan, and so it wasn’t possible to engage in expensive advertising campaigns, moreover, it was against the values of the organisation, who preferred to rely on word-of-mouth and publicity to secure sales. It is said that the initial success of the first store was a lot to do with the curiosity and publicity acquired through a local newspaper article illustrating the fact that it was called â€Å"The Body Shop† and was located close to a funeral parlour. Their strategy exploits the fact that they are a socially responsible organisation, meaning that customers buy their products knowing that nothing has been artificially manufactured and are produced with 100 percent natural ingredients. This unique selling point, together with their prominent beliefs and values, has the affect of providing The Body Shop with a competitive advantage over other firms in the industry. This will be developed in more depth later in the writing. The Body Shop’s strong social message is reflected in every aspect of their mission statement. From dedicating the business to the pursuit of social and environmental change, to meaningfully contributing to local, national and international communities in which they trade.4 â€Å"The company is significantly involved in local communities and is prepared to get political and talk about big issues in countries where it does business. No company in the world campaigns at the level we do, or turns their shops into action stations, or challenges the role of business like we do.† 5 (Roddick, 2002) Throughout history The Body Shop has rapidly expanded geographically as well as in terms of their sales and product portfolio, however, in the late 1990s their performance began to suffer. As a result, February 2000 saw fundamental changes to the organisation and management, including substantial changes to the board of directors, and the outsourcing of manufacturing to a company named ‘Creative Outsourcing Solutions International Limited’. Anita and Gordon Roddick became non-executive directors and there were five new appointments to the board, including a new CEO. Despite these changes The Body Shop’s performance failed to be rejuvenated, which forced them into more drastic changes. â€Å"In the most recent annual report, Peter Saunders (CEO) commented that the group’s objective now was to apply a strategy to drive performance across the global business†¦The single most important priority, he added, was to improve comparable sales performance across stores through effective new product launches.† 6 (‘Mintel’, 2003: 137) These new objectives seem to have the effect of diluting the self-proclaimed visions and primary concerns of The Body Shop. It could be said that the current management have somewhat contradicted Anita Roddick’s earlier philosophies. â€Å"Too many businesses have gotten distracted with management structures and†¦making money.† 7 (Roddick, 1991) One of the main underlying reasons why they have encountered their current problems is because many companies within the health and beauty industry have noted the success of The Body Shop and are responding to the ever-increasing ‘green consumer’ themselves through the release of their own versions of ‘all-natural’ products. Examples being ‘Està ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½e Lauder Origins’, ‘Revlon New Age Naturals’, and ‘Clairol Herbal Essences’. Competition erodes profit, and, as a result of the increase in competition, The Body Shop have lost their competitive advantage of being able to supply what others cannot. The strategies of The Body Shop can be analysed using several theoretical models from within the strategy discipline. Situation analysis can be used to determine what advantages BS have, or have had, over their competitors, and can illustrate how The Body Shop was so successful for many years. This theory, termed by Mintzberg as the ‘Design School’, was based upon work by Professor Kenneth Andrews and addresses, amongst others, the view that: â€Å"Strategy is concerned with identifying opportunities in the enterprise’s external environment which it is better qualified to exploit than its competitors.† 8 (Lilley, 2003) The current situation of The Body Shop was analysed by Mintel and appears in their February 2003 publication on health and beauty retailing in the UK. STRENGTHS * Strong worldwide coverage helps to spread corporate risk. * Well known and well respected global brand. * Franchising has enabled the company to grow at lower cost and lower risk. * Still has strong ethical and environmental credentials. WEAKNESSES * Mature business, with declining like-for-like sales. * Appears to lack the inspiration to re-invent itself. * Vulnerable to imitators. * Franchising reduces level of corporate control. * Rapidly rising rental costs in the UK. * Limited growth opportunities in terms of new geographical regions. OPPORTUNITIES * Still potential to enter new markets in Europe especially Central/Eastern Europe and other parts of the world. * Implementation of strategy to control costs and working capital in order to improve profitability and cash generation. * Development of more pharmacy concessions in Ireland and possibly other markets. * Further development of e-commerce and other non-store channels. THREATS * Strong competition from other innovative and environmentally friendly health and beauty retailers. * Great competition from discounters and grocers’ health and beauty offer. * Recent new product launches have yet to produce a positive impact on sales densities. * Continued lack of like-for-like sales growth threatens profitability and the group’s scope to expand physically. ‘Figure 1’: SWOT Analysis of The Body Shop International Plc. 9 (Mintel, 2003: 144) The above analysis was compiled after The Body Shop’s decline in performance – it is clear that all the threats from the external environment are modern occurrences that wouldn’t have been an issue during their period of rapid growth in the 1980s. Throughout this time they effectively maintained a portfolio of differentiated products and, perhaps more prominently, a unique and differentiated brand image, which enabled The Body Shop to compete and be successful. â€Å"Product differentiation means that established firms have brand identification and customer loyalties, which stem from product differences, or simply being first into the industry.† 10 (Porter, 1980: 9) The environmentally friendly and ethical practices that The Body Shop claim they dedicate their business to could be described as their core competence within the industry. Even to this date Anita Roddick and the organisation actively campaign in issues such as animal testing, human rights, and protecting our planet. No other business within the health and beauty industry is as heavily associated with ethical and environmental practices as The Body Shop. The core competence of an organisation characterises its whole range, take for example, Sony’s ability to miniaturise electronics or Aston Martin’s competence in producing flawless motorcars. It is clear to see that The Body Shop’s core competence is not only reflected throughout their product range, but is evident throughout all their business activities, from their minimal use of product packaging, to the layout of stores. â€Å"Core competencies and market-led strategy are nowadays the only pathways toward success.† 11 (Sophocleous, 2003) The strategy that The Body Shop employed can be analysed with another useful framework in the field of strategy, namely â€Å"The Five Competitive Forces that Determine Industry Profitability† by Michael E. Porter. This cannot be applied directly to The Body Shop, but can be used to analyse the external environment in which they operated in the past, and how it changed in the late 90s. ‘Figure 2†²: Forces driving industry competition. 12 (Porter, 1980: 4) The main principle behind this model is that the profitability of an organisation is determined by the collective strength of the five forces; in other words, the industry structure directly affects industry profitability. The Body Shop initially operated within a niche market where there were no real competitors offering the same products nor backing the same principles that they were. The threat of substitutes was minimal because if customers wanted all-natural products they would almost certainly have had to buy them from The Body Shop. In relation to the threat of new entrants, initially there was nothing stopping rival firms from competing within the all-natural cosmetics and toiletries sector, however, no other companies actively engaged in the ethical and environmental practices to the extent that The Body Shop did. The barriers to market entry increased in relation to the amount of stores opened by The Body Shop, and during their period of rapid growth, their power within the niche market could have been regarded almost as monopolistic. However, customers who preferred to buy all-natural products but didn’t regard it as being entirely necessary could easily have turned to other companies’ products within the wider industry, that didn’t exercise such dominant views on ethical and environmental issues. The low threat of ‘all-natural’ substitution that existed in the earlier stages of The Body Shop, coupled with the fact that the arrival of new entrants was particularly low, provided them with the opportunity to control the prices they charged for their products. The argument becomes more complex when trying to categorise The Body Shop into a particular market. They could be regarded as operating completely within their own sector, but can also be viewed as just another cosmetics company with the advantage of having a differentiated product range and image. â€Å"Differentiation, if achieved, is a viable strategy for earning above-average returns in an industry because it creates a defensible position for coping with the five competitive forces.† 13 (Porter, 1980: 38) To justify this quotation in relation to The Body Shop we must consider them to be in the wider cosmetics industry, which has a high level of competitors. Their differentiation led to customers’ increased loyalty in The Body Shop brand, which resulted in a lower sensitivity in price. This had the effect of protecting the company from competition and rivalry. However, as time progressed, other companies intentionally sought to compete directly in the field of environmentally friendly products. The Body Shop was able to gain an advantage over competitors by not utilising traditional distribution channels – for many years they only sold their products through their own shops. This reduced the threat of new direct competition from other companies, as the level of investment required by a new entrant would be extortionate considering they would have to open an abundance of specialist shops. However, to overcome these problems the new competitors emerged using traditional distribution channels, such as through supermarkets and department stores. â€Å"The strength of the five forces varies from industry to industry, and can change as an industry evolves.† 14 (Porter, 1985: 4) The above statement from Porter’s work in 1985 is related to the case of the cosmetics and toiletries industry in that the emergence of greater competition in the 90s meant that the strength of the competitive rivalry aspect of the five forces within the industry increased. In addition, customers now have the ability to simply pick and choose alternative brands’ all-natural products in confidence – an increase in the threat of substitution. Through the use of Porter’s five forces model we can see that the changes in the strength of the forces within the cosmetics and toiletries market have accounted for the recent decline in performance of The Body Shop. In the early days of the company, the threat of like-for-like substitutes and the associated power of customers were relatively low in comparison to the modern day situation. Competitors have increasingly matched the core competences of The Body Shop, and, as a result, the significant competitive advantage that they once had has been reduced. â€Å"Competition in an industry goes well beyond the established players. Customers, suppliers, substitutes, and all potential entrants are all ‘competitors’ to firms in an industry.† 15 (Porter, 1980: 6) This quotation by Porter reveals that the five forces model has limitations with regard to The Body Shop case. The Body Shop do not regard their suppliers as competitors; in fact they want to actually financially support their suppliers. This is evident from their mission statement in their aim of balancing the financial and human needs of their suppliers. These more esoteric aspects of The Body Shop’s strategy, termed by Anita Roddick as them doing ‘business as unusual’, highlights another main drawback of the five forces model, in that it is geared around profit being the primary concern of an organisation and doesn’t provide any flexibility or scope for change. The Body Shop’s early successes can be partly attributed to the strong customer base they secured due to the general movement in society towards being more environmentally and ethically aware. The framework doesn’t deal effectively with this idea of customer preference or changes in trends, nor does it cope with the notion that customers were gained through the fact that they appreciated, and could relate to, the values and beliefs of The Body Shop and their efforts to pursue social and environmental change, and not just because of factors relating to price. On the other hand, the SWOT analysis model is useful for clearly displaying the advantages of an organisation in relation to the market within which it operates, together with the negative aspects of the internal organisation and external environment. As with all theories, however, there are a number of limitations associated with it. All of a business’s strengths do not necessarily directly contribute towards providing a competitive advantage, SWOT analysis also has the tendency to take a single dimension of a firm’s strategy over-emphasise it. It is difficult to prove which strengths are likely to provide the most benefit to an organisation, and also determine which opportunity should be given more attention to shape the overall strategy of the business in question. The findings of SWOT analysis are greatly shaped by the opinions and perceptions of managers or analysts, meaning that they can be regarded as subjective in nature as opposed to the, perhaps initial appearance of being objective and rationally constructed. â€Å"What we are dealing with here is not the organisation or environment ‘in itself’, rather we are attempting to extract and combine the perceptions of these entities that exist in the minds of managers.† 16 (Lilley, 2003) In conclusion, after analysing the strategy of The Body Shop using frameworks from the strategy discipline, it is apparent that SWOT analysis deals well with the unique aspects of The Body Shop’s strategy. Although the analysis of The Body Shop’s situation is greatly dependent upon personal judgement, their strengths shown in figure 1 give an accurate account of the 25-year success story, which was primarily based upon The Body Shop’s core competence in displaying continuous proactive dedication towards ethical and environmentally friendly practices, together with their prime high street and inner-city shop locations, and famous and respected global brand. The reasons for their decline in performance during the late 90s are clearly displayed in the ‘threats’ category of the analysis, prominently highlighting the emergence of increased competition from other companies operating within the health and beauty industry, who are reaching consumers through traditional distribution channels and via supermarkets. Michael Porter’s model of the five competitive forces is valuable in that it offers a simple, structured analysis of the industry, but is limited in the sense that it’s unable to satisfactorily consider the dynamics of markets, for example, the movement of consumer preferences towards environmentally friendly products. It can provide a helpful starting point for further analysis, but simplified versions alone can prove inadequate. It provides an account of how conventional, profit-maximising firms are affected by the structure and occurrences of the external environment, and how those firms can work towards shaping and exploiting the environment to their advantages, but fails to comprehensively account for the successes of unorthodox firms like The Body Shop, who do not, at least in their own claims, follow the usual route of or towards profit maximisation. How to cite The strategy of The Body Shop, Papers

Middle classes in America

Table of Contents Introduction Expectation of the American middle class The reality of the American middle class Conclusion Introduction The American middle class is not comprehensibly defined in the social classes of the US. Splitting this social class into two makes it easy for one to understand it better. There is the high middle class and the lower middle class Americans. The high or professional middle class comprises of educated professionals who hold high positions in the organizations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Middle classes in America specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The lower middle class also comprise of skilled professionals but those that hold lower managerial positions in organizations. In other words the lower middle class people can be termed as semi professionals. Expectation of the American middle class The middle class persons are commonly expected and known to live in comfortable st andards of living. Considering they have what can be termed as stable ways of earning income they are significantly economically secure. The American middle class individuals rely on their expertise to sustain themselves hence they can be able to have a progressive sustainable lifestyle. They are people of substantial work autonomy which helps them to venture in sustainable businesses in their areas of expertise which gives them outlets to advance their living standards immensely. According to the majorities expectation the middle class people are supposed to live in spotlessly clean houses have at least two cars and one of the individuals should have a job in a corporation. The advanced in prosperity mighty are in possession of luxurious items like televisions etc. The lower middle live in places next to the working class people and they live relatively comfortable lives. According to the salary range, American middle class individuals are people who build up great strong pillars i n the economy therefore they should be able to build stable and strong lifestyles. The expectation is well feed and economically stable individuals offering a hand in nation building. The reality of the American middle class Though the above is what many people would look for in identifying the middle class, a lot has changed in terms of expectation. The American lifestyle has changed and many people live together yet they are not married. Divorced people end up getting married again. These have contributed to high burdens of keeping up these big families. These families have become common among the American middle class and hence they are progressively been accepted. Comparing the past and today, women today are employed and work as professionals.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In reality most American middle class calls double income or two incomes for upkeep. To maintain the living lifestyle they are accustomed to. Keeping up their families especially those with children from other marriages which is a common occurrence in the American middle class needs two income to maintain the standards of living and the lifestyles they are used to. Conclusion In conclusion the expected lifestyle for the American middle and what is happening on the ground are two different worlds. The American middle class are going through hard challenges trying to keep up with their lifestyles which are due to high standards of living and hard economic situation in the world. They should therefore learn to keep up with what they can handle and encourage two income to maintain their standards. This essay on Middle classes in America was written and submitted by user Gianni Stafford to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Medical Ethics3 essays

Medical Ethics3 essays Medical Ethics Bioethics comprise every possible aspect of health care, medical, moral, social, political, religious, legal and financial? (Weiss 3). This includes the questions raised by new research. It takes a look at the results of that research that is used on patients. It takes into consideration contemporary ideas of personal freedom and human dignity. It deals with growth in medical services available in the United States and the sky rocketing cost. Bioethics also deals with the medical advances in technology that has reshaped traditional medical ethics. Medical ethics have changed drastically over a period of years. From old commandments to new commandments, guidelines that provide structural framework, classic experiments that challenge that framework, or even how things are defined in medical ethics.Medical progress goes on, and the perils of progress must be heeded? (Leone 165). Changing times have in turn changed our codes of ethics. There are five old commandments of et hics and five new commandments of ethics. These commandments come from many years of heavily advised dictates from various people. A commandment by definition is, ... a dictate or a strongly advised piece of advice? (Halsey 201). The first traditional commandment is, Treat all human life as of equal worth? (Singer 190). This statement is very difficult to follow; almost no person believes this statement whole-heartedly. The statement makes more sense on paper or just being heard, but its application in life is almost impossible to ensure. In comparison to the first old ethic, the first new ethic states,Recognize that the worth of human life varies? (Singer 190). This statement allows for variation and livability in society. It gives way for someone to say, if a person is a vegetable, has no vital capabilities, this person's life is of no worth anymore. Without this sort of change in today's advancing civilization, it would make it ethically wrong topull ...

PrepScholar is Hiring! Share With Anyone You Know

PrepScholar is Hiring! Share With Anyone You Know SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips PrepScholar is growing, and we're hiring! If you've enjoyed our resources, you can help us create even better content and tools by helping us hire the best people possible. We're currently hiring for these roles: Full stack software engineer SAT/ACT test content creator Academic adviser SAT/ACT tutor You can find out more about these roles and about us as a company at our careers page:www.prepscholar.com/careers If you're interested in applying yourself, we'd love to hear from you! And if you know anyone who might be interested, I'd be grateful if you shared this with them. If you know someone exceptional who would love to contribute to our mission, I'm confident that person can be a good fit. Looking forward, Allen and the PrepScholar Team Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Nobel Prize Winner Harald zur Hausen Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nobel Prize Winner Harald zur Hausen - Essay Example In 1969, he became a regular teaching and researching professor at the University of Wurzburg, and worked at the Institute for Virology. In 1972, he joined the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. In 1977, he moved on to the University of Freiburg as the head of the department of virology and hygiene. (nobelprize.org) Harald zur Hausen has been honored with Nobel Prize for discovering HPV vaccine. The specific field of Harald Zur Hausen of research is the erudition of oncoviruses. In 1976, he published the hypothesis that human papilloma virus plays a significant role in the cause of cervical cancer. Mutually with his coworkers, he identified HPV16 and HPV18 in cervical cancers in 1983-4. This research directly made possible the development of a vaccine which was launched in 2006. He is also attributed with discovery of the virus causing genital warts (HPV 6) and a monkey lymphotropic polyomavirus that is a close relative to a newly discovered human Merkel cell polyomavirus, as well as methods to immortalize cells with Epstein-Barr virus and to persuade replication of the virus using phorbol esters. His work on papillomaviruses and cervical cancer received an immense deal of scientific censure on initial presentation but afterward was confirmed and extended to other high-risk papilloma viruses. ( The Gairdner Foundation) He made HPV16 and HPV18 available to the scientific society.

Foundations of Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Foundations of Terrorism - Essay Example State sponsorships falling under this category provide partial support to the independent terrorist groups. States use these groups to serve their national interests. An example of this form of state sponsored terrorism is of Pakistani governments which have been using Kashmiri Militants/Mujahidin to continue struggling for the independence of Kashmir and its joining with Pakistan. Some states remain in frequent contact with the terrorist groups based in different countries. The aim of such states is to use the power of those terrorist groups when needed. States keep the communication channels open for the terrorist groups and often engage in tactical coordination with them. An example of this form of state sponsored terrorism is of Iran which has always kept good relations with Al-Qaeda and Salafi-Jihadist groups to use them in some particular circumstances (Ahmad, n.d., p. 7). Some states tolerate the activities of terrorist groups and militants to escape from their terrorist attacks. They let them recruit members, raise funds, and operate from their territories in order to keep good relations with them. Syria is a good example of such states which had been involved in providing safe place to the Jihadists and militants to let them organize properly against the U.S. invasion of Iraq (Ahmad, n.d., p. 7). Some states show ignorance to the activities of the terrorist groups operating from their territories. They show the least concern to the presence of terrorists in their territories as long as the terrorists do not carry out any sort of criminal activity against their civilians. They also ignore the terrorists as long as their activities do not become harmful for their state’s interests. An example of such form of state sponsored terrorism is of the Canadian government which allowed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to grow in Canada because this group did not prove to be a real threat for the Canadian people

The clinical efficacy of salvia officinalis

The clinical efficacy of salvia officinalis An evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulaefolia and Melissa officinalis for the prophylaxis, management and amelioration of cognitive dysfunction: with particular reference to Alzheimers disease and non-Alzheimer-type senile dementias. 1. Introduction Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by a chronic, global deterioration of cognitive function. It can occur at any age but is most prevalent in the elderly and increases with age (Beers et al. 2006: 1811). Around 5% of people over 65, 25% over 80 and 45% over 85 have some form of dementia (Knapp et al. 2007: 10; Collins 1997: 185). The population is aging and whereas today there is an estimated 700,000 people in the UK suffering from dementia, this number is set to increase to more than a million by 2025. The huge impact dementia has on society, devastating families and costing around  £17-18 million annually cannot be overstated (Knapp et al. 11). Early identification and safe, effective, intervention is therefore important. Dementia may be classified as Alzheimers or non-Alzheimer-types (Beers et al. 2006: 1811). The most common dementia is Alzheimers disease (AD) (Grossman et al. 2006: 985), affecting around 20 million people worldwide (Akhondzadeh et al. 2003: 53) and accounting for around 62% of dementias (Knapp et al. 2007: 11). Non-Alzheimer-type dementias typically affecting those over 60 include vascular dementia (27%), Lewy body dementia and fronto-temporal dementia (Knapp et al. 29). Cognitive disorders are treated allopathically with drugs that have yet to show real benefits and have a number of side-effects and contraindications. The need for safer, more effective treatments has led to increasing interest in the use of herbs for their management (Akhondzadeh and Abbasi 2006: 117). A variety of herbs, for example Salvia officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis, Mellissa officinalis, Ginkgo biloba (Heinrich et al 2004: 234), Withania somnifera (Howes et al. 2003: 12), Centella asiatica (Chevallier 1996: 78) and Panax ginseng (Mantle et al. 2000: 207) have long-standing traditional use as memory-enhancing herbs. Consequently a number of clinical studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of some of these herbs, most notably Ginkgo biloba, Salvia spp. and Mellissa officinalis, in the treatment of cognitive disorders. Of these, only clinical trials of Gingko biloba have been extensively reviewed (Birks and Grimley Evans 2002; Ernst et al. 1999; Oken et al. 1998). This present review aims to fill this gap by providing up-to-date information on whether clinical studies of Salvia spp. and Mellissa officinalis support their traditional use as cognition enhancers. To inform herbal practice it will evaluate clinical studies to assess whether the results have determined safe, effective herbal strategies and prescription for prophylaxis, management and amelioration of cognitive decline. 2. The literature review 2.1. Background: clinical presentation and pathology Although much scientific progress has been made since 1907 when Alois Alzheimer first described a case of dementia with â€Å"peculiar patches† disseminated throughout the cerebral cortex (Collins 1997: 185), there is still much to learn about the aetiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease and other dementias (Knapp et al. 2007: 11). The onset of dementia is insidious, often beginning as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and progressing to severe dementia over time (Loveman et al. 2006: 4). In the early stages, episodes of mild forgetfulness or misplacing possessions are often attributed to normal aging. Patients commonly suffer from anomic aplasia and agnosia but retain language comprehension (Collins 1997: 186). Dementia becomes more apparent when sufferers are unable to learn new information, to register the content of a conversation, or to recall recent events or the names of family members. Unlike those with benign forgetfulness, dementia patients are unaware of their amnesia. Frequently, there are mood changes, depression and other psychologic disturbances. Language comprehension fails (aphasia) and eventually patients may simply repeat what they hear or be unable to speak at all. Visuospacial deficits usually occur at a late stage (Collins 1997: 186). Those affected have difficulty in copy drawing simple obj ects. Differential diagnosis between MCI subtypes of various and complex aetiologies is challenging (Kidd 1999: 145). As some MCI subtypes are reversible (Levey et al. 2006: 992) prophylaxis for dementia could potentially encompass a range of varied or unknown aetiologies and risk factors. Knowledge of these and an awareness of differing clinical presentations are therefore important (Levey et al: 991). Additionally, an understanding of current orthodox treatment strategies and key neurochemical impairments in dementia can inform herbal practice of the most likely therapeutic actions of herbs. 2.1.1. Alzheimers disease As clinical studies have indicated that mild to moderate Alzheimers disease (AD) responds better to allopathic drugs than severe AD (Levey et al: 2006: 993), to prevent transition of MCI to AD early diagnosis is important. Evidence suggests that MCI associated with memory loss most commonly leads to AD (Levey et al. 991) and results of a clinicopathologic study of 80 subjects with MCI through to autopsy suggest that depression is one of the first features of AD (Galvin et al. 2005: 763). Formation of diffuse neuritic senile plaques in the brain is characteristic of AD but as these can only be determined from biopsy (Collins 1997: 186) probable diagnosis is made by clinical neuropsychological testing (Grossman et al. 2006: 986) such as the Mini Mental state Examination (MMSE) (Alzheimers Society 2002: 436), while magnetic resonance imaging can corroborate diagnosis by identifying areas of temporal neuronal loss (Vandenberghe and Tournay 2004: 347). Progression of AD is unremitting for around 5-10 years until death ensues. In the final stages sufferers may develop apraxia, with difficulty in performing familiar tasks. A common cause of death is pneumonia when patients eventual difficulty with eating results in aspiration pneumonia (Collins 1997: 186). The loss of faculties has been ascribed to both structural and neurochemical abnormalities (Perry et al. 1996: 1063). Senile plaques in the brains of AD patients contain amyloid and tau protein (microtubule associated protein) (Collins 1997: 188). Since isolation of b-amyloid peptide from cerebral vessels in AD patients (Wong et al. 1984: 8729), the accepted hypothesis for the pathogenesis of AD has been the ‘amyloid hypothesis, which proposes that AD is due to excessive formation of extracellular b-amyloid (Ab?) from amyloid precursor protein (APP), a membrane protein in neurons (Grossman et al. 2006: 986). It is thought that Ab molecules initiate a toxic cascade long before plaque forms by causing an inflammatory reaction, disrupting synaptic function and causing neurons to degenerate (Grossman et al. 986) with a loss of cholinergic fibres in the basal forebrain. In vitro results suggest that Ab enters mitochondria and induces free radical damage (Reddy 2006: 9). Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are believed to be formed by abnormal phosphorylation of tau proteins (Tanzi and Bertram 200 5: 545), particularly in the hippocampus and neocortex, areas of the brain involved in memory (Mantle et al. 2000: 202). To date, thirteen genes have been implicated in AD (Bertram et al. 2007: 17). Of sporadic late onset Alzheimers up to 40% of cases may be due to a faulty gene on chromosome 21, ApoE4, an isoform of the ApoE gene that encodes for apolipoprotein, an astrocytic protein that may play a role in the reparative process in the brain. ApoE4s pathogenetic mechanism may be to enhance amyloid deposits within tissue by accelerating cleavage of b-peptide (Collins 1997: 189). Possession of a gene implicated in AD does not necessarily result in its development, the likelihood of which is further complicated by the potential role of environmental factors such as viruses and toxins in combination with genetic factors (Bird 2005: 864). 2.1.2. Vascular dementia Vascular dementia (VaD) is any type of dementia caused by cerebral blood vessel disease (Micieli 2006: S37). Onset of VaD is usually abrupt. Imaging may reveal areas of multiple infarcts (Collins 1997: 191) but their presence does not necessarily imply dementia (Grossman 2006: 987). According to Looi and Sachdev (1999) it is not possible to differentiate between AD and VaD with neuropsychological testing. Speech and language difficulties associated with vascular dementia may be mild or there may be a more pronounced aphasia as in multi-infarct VaD (Collins 1997: 191). 2.1.3. Frontal lobe dementia Frontal lobe dementia or Picks disease is uncommon and is characterised by neuronal loss and gliosis. Rarely, there are fibrillary inclusion bodies in the neurons. Presentation of frontal lobe dementia differs from AD in that the first symptoms are a change in personality rather than memory loss (Collins 1997: 193). 2.1.4. Lewy body dementias Dementia with Lewy bodies may differ to AD in its presentation in that patients suffer from marked visual hallucinations. Additionally, cognition tends to fluctuate between normality and confusion. Parkinsonian features such as shuffling gait, tremor, bradykinesia and rigidity are prevalent. Sleep behaviour disorder, such as acting out attacking themes, may appear years before other signs of the disease (Grossman et al. 2006: 989). 2.2. Risk factors Factors believed to pose a risk for developing dementia include cardiovascular disease, being female, a family history of dementia, Downs syndrome, older age, head trauma, diabetes and lower educational standards (Collins 1997: 186, 188; Lebson et al. 1997: 301). 2.2.1. Cardiovascular disease: Patients may have more than one type of dementia concurrently (Beers et al. 2006: 1811). This is compounded by results of a number of epidemiological studies suggesting that cardiovascular disease increases the risk of developing AD (Stampfer 2006: 12). Using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography Sun et al. (2007: 152) demonstrated diminished cerebral blood flow velocities in MCI patients who also carried the ApoeE4 allele. Risk factors for VaD are believed to include artherogenic factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, and cigarette smoking (Micieli 2006: S38). Conversely, there are indications from clinical trials that nicotine has a protective effect for AD (Breteler et al. 1992: 71). Results of a randomised, double-blind, multicentred trial in which subjects with hypertension were treated with antihypertensives or placebo suggest that hypertension is a risk factor for developing both AD and VaD. Antihypertensives reduced risk by 55%. The results were significant as subjects had similar characteristics, the sample size was large (3228) and equally divided into placebo and treatment groups. Median follow-up was 3.9 years (Forette et al. 2002: 2047). 2.2.2. Head trauma: A meta-analysis by Fleminger et al. (2003: 858) replicated earlier findings by Mortimer et al. (1991) that head injuries pose a risk for AD but only in males, thought to be due to an early protective effect of oestrogens in females (Fleminger et al. 860). Bias may have been introduced into both studies as informants recalled the injuries. 2.2.3. Diabetes mellitus: Given that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for vascular disease it is not surprising that most studies on the development of vascular dementia in DM patients have shown a positive association (Biessels 2004: 10). Studies on DM as a risk factor for AD, however, have yielded conflicting results, possibly due to study limitations such as small sample sizes and selection bias (Leibson et al. 1997: 301). Large longitudinal studies may be more reliable. A population-based historical cohort study of 1,455 cases followed over 9,981 person years found a statistically significant positive association (Leibson et al. 304). According to results from the Framlingham Study, diabetes may not be an independent risk factor for developing AD but risk is strongly associated with possession of the ApoE4 genotype (Akomlafe et al. 2006: 1551). 2.2.4. Hormones: Women are twice more likely than men to suffer from AD. Although this may be partly due to women having a longer life expectancy (Beers et al. 2006: 1814) there is evidence to suggest that a decline in endogenous oestrogen in later life plays a role in its pathogenesis. Oestrogen is believed to stimulate cholinergic activity, reduce oxidative stress related cell damage, reduce vascular risks, reduce Ab formation and promote synaptic activity (Zandi et al. 2002: 2123; Hoskin et al. 2004: 141). Evidence from studies to determine whether oestrogen-containing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women has a protective effect on the brain, however, is conflicting (Colucci et al. 2006: 1376) but this may be due to differences in methodology and confounding factors (Resnick and Henderson 2002: 2171). For example, in one large prospective study that found a positive correlation between HRT use and a significant reduction in AD development, patients with dementia were asked q uestions regarding previous use of HRT (Zandi et al. 2124) yet accurate recall in a dementia sufferer cannot be guaranteed. Results of a retrospective case-control study suggesting the likelihood of women developing AD increases with number of pregnancies (Colucci et al. 2006: 1375) could be of little value. Cases with previous head injuries, low educational standards, both considered risk factors for AD (Collins 1997: 186; Fleminger et al. 2003: 858), and those who had used HRT, were not excluded from the study. There is evidence to suggest testosterone may delay AD onset in men. Men over 32 years of age who were free from AD at baseline (n = 574) were followed for a mean of nineteen years (Moffat et al. 2004: 188). Long-term free testosterone levels were significantly lower in men who developed AD. Due to conflicting results and confounding factors in the research the clinical evidence for risk factors for dementia is inconclusive. However, although more research is needed the results can assist in informing herbal practice. 2.3. Orthodox treatment strategies As cholinergic neurotransmitters are believed to have a role in memory function (Grossman et al. 2006: 985) symptomatic treatment for subtypes of dementia is similar and focuses on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition with drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine (Loveman et al. 2006: 8). According to Delagarza (2003: 1366) loss of cholinergic neurons causes a decrease in acetylcholine and subsequent drop in AChE with a compensatory rise in butylcholinesterase (BChE). Nicotinic receptors also decrease. Rivastigmine also inhibits BChE; galantamine also acts on nicotinic receptors. Depression in dementia is treated with non-anticholinergic antidepressants as anticholinergic drugs exacerbate symptoms (Beers et al. 2006: 1814). Another drug, memantine, a N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist (Grossman et al. 987), licensed to treat moderate to severe AD, acts by modulating the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is believed to be associated with c holinergic damage and neurodegeneration when secreted in excess (Loveman et al. 2006: 8). Dizziness, diarrhoea, headaches, nausea and vomiting were found by a meta-analysis of dementia drugs to be common adverse events with anti-cholinesterases and memantine (Loveman et al. 2006: 49). Furthermore, their long-term benefits are inconclusive (Loveman et al. 145). Similarly, their use for vascular or Lewy body dementia is controversial as a review of clinical trials data deems there is insufficient evidence for their efficacy. Trials were of generally poor quality and with inconsistent findings (Maggini et al. 2006: 457). Other potential drugs for AD include 70 new compounds formulated to interfere with the toxic amyloid cascade or to target inflammation, oxidation or apoptosis (Grossman et al 2006: 987). As g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists can impair memory GABA antagonists are also being developed (Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry). 2.4. Potential herbal treatment strategies In view of the hypothesised pathological sequelae, risk factors and current orthodox treatment of dementias, efficacious herbs for these conditions could potentially have one or more of AChE-inhibiting or cholinergic, antidepressant, hypotensive, hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, GABA modulator, nicotinic agonist, testosterogenic and oestrogenic actions. According to Kennedy and Scholey (2006: 4614) orthodox AChE inhibitors are not well tolerated by patients as they are toxic alkaloids and European plants traditionally used for cognitive enhancement may therefore provide non-alkaloid safer alternatives. To this end Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulaefolia and Melissa officinalis, members of the Labiatae family (Lamiaceae), have been extensively investigated in vitro. 2.4.1. Salvia spp. Salvia is the largest genus in the Labiatae family with over 700 species. The most common European species are Salvia officinalis L (garden or common sage) (Figure 1) and Salvia lavandulaefolia Vahl (Spanish sage), both of which originate on the shores of the Mediterranean (Kennedy and Scholey 2006: 4614). S. officinalis is an aromatic, evergreen shrub up to 75 cm in height with greyish-green oblong to lanceolate opposite leaves covered in a fine down. It has bluish-violet, two-lipped flowers arranged in whorls (Wildwood 1998: 202). S. lavandulaefolia has narrower leaves and a lower spreading habit (Sergei Savelevs Database). Sage was used in medieval Europe as a tisane for prolonging life and is a traditional spring tonic for strengthening weak constitutions (Lipp 1996: 63). According to Culpepper (1826: 147) ‘Sage is of excellent use to help the memory, warming and quickening the senses and an old country remedy, which indicates its efficacy for inflammation: ‘A sunburnt face is eased by washing with sage tea (Page 1978: 41). Other traditional uses are for headaches and migraine (Page: 34). The major active constituents of the leaves of both species are believed to be the volatile oils (1.0-2.8%), containing monoterpenes such as a-pinene, b-pinene, 1-8-cineole, camphor, geraniol and thujone (Kennedy and Scholey 2006: 4615). S. officinalis contains around 50% a- and b- thujone whereas only traces have been found in S. lavandulaefolia. As thujone, a terpenoid ketone, is potentially neurotoxic, S. lavandulaefolia may provide a safer alternative than S. officinalis to orthodox dementia drugs (Perry et al. 1999: 530). However, S. officinalis is toxic only at doses of over 15 g (Grainger-Bissett and Wichtl 2001: 441) but the oil should not be ingested. Both species contain polyphenolic compounds including rosmarinic acid, methyl carnosate, luteolin, luteolin-7-0-glucoside and caffeic acid (Kennedy and Scholey 4615), triterpenes eg oleanic acid and the flavonoids 5-Methoxysalvagenin (Barnes et al. 2002: 408) and hispidulin (Johnston and Beart 2004: 809). 2.4.2. Melissa officinalis M. officinalis L (balm, lemon balm) (Figure 2) originates from the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia and is now widely cultivated in the west (Grainger Bissett and Wichtl 2001: 329). It is a bushy perennial, about 60 cm high with bright green, lemon-scented leaves in opposite pairs. Small labiate flowers grow in whorls and change colour from pale yellow to white or pale blue. Fresh leaves should be collected when young (Wildwood 1998: 175). It has been in medicinal use as a nervous system restorative for over 2000 years (Kennedy and Scholey 2006: 4617). The London Dispensary (1696 cited in Grieve 1931) states: ‘An essence of Balm, given in Canary wine every morning will renew youth, strengthen the brain John Evelyn wrote: ‘Balm is sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away melancholy (cited in Grieve 1931). There are no known contraindications or adverse effects (Barnes et al. 2002: 339). M. officinalis contains 0.2-0.3% essential oil (EO) consisting of over 70 components including around 60% monoterpenoid aldehydes and over 35% sesquiterpenes. The principle monoterpenes include citronellol, neral, geranial, methyl citronellate, ocimene; major sesquiterpenes include b-caryophylene and germacrene D. The herb also contains flavonoids, caffeic and chlorogenic glycosides, polyphenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid, and triterpenes (Granger Bissett and Wichtl 2001: 330). 2.5. Possible mode of action of phytochemical constituents in dementia 2.5.1. Antioxidant properties Numerous studies have been conducted on Salvia officinalis in a search for natural antioxidants to use in the food industry. Consequently, results of chemical tests on purified extracts of the herb have suggested that phenolic compounds rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, carnosol, carnosoic acid, rosmadiol, rosmanol, epirosmanol, isorosmanol, galdosol methyl carnosate, 9-erythrosmanol and luteolin-7-0-glucopyranoside have significant antioxidant activity (Bertelsen et al 1995: 1272; Cuvelier et al. 1994: 665; Pizzale et al. 2002: 1651; Miura et al. 2002: 1848; Wang et al. 1998: 4869). S. lavandulaefolia dried leaf extracts in ethanol, chloroform and water, and various EO monoterpenes were assayed for antioxidant properties in phospholipid microsomes. The extracts and monoterpenes a-pinene, b-pinene, 1-8-cineole, camphor and geraniol and thujone all showed significant antioxidant activity (Perry et al. 2001: 1351). The extracts showed greater antioxidant activity than any individual monoterpenes, which suggested a synergistic effect (Perry et al. 1352). Ferreira et al. (2006: 35) measured the antioxidant properties of EOs, decoctions and ethanolic extracts of M. officinalis and S. officinalis relative to b-carotene. The EO and decoctions of both herbs showed significant antioxidant activity. Lima et al (2007) found methanolic and aqueous extracts of S. officinalis prevented lipid peroxidation in hepatoma cells. As there were more phenolics in the methanol extract it was thought there were other antioxidant compounds in the aqueous extract. Ethanolic EO extract from dried M. officinalis investigated for its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation in vitro showed a dose-dependent (10-20 mg) 80-90% protection of linoleic acid from peroxyl radical attack. As no rosmarinic acid was detected in the EO the antioxidant action was attributed to squalene (Marongiu et al. 2004: 790). Considering there are potentially 70 constituents in the EO it is unlikely that this would have been the only active phytochemical but composition of the oil varies according to harvesting, origin and climate (Grainger-Bissett and Wichtl 2001: 329). Interestingly, M. officinalis prepared as a tea demonstrated significant antioxidant capacity, which corresponded to high phenolic content, when assayed with the ABTS (2,2/-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical decolourisation assay (Ivanova et al. 2005: 147). 2.5.2. Anti-inflammatory activity Chloroform, aqueous and ethanol extracts and monoterpenes of S. lavandulaefolia, were tested for their ability to inhibit formation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in leucocytes (Perry et al. 2001: 1348). The chloroform and ethanol extracts showed significant inhibition of LTB4. Alpha-pinene and geraniol showed weak selectivity for LTB4 and TXB2 respectively (Perry et al. 1351). The results support the traditional use of S. lavandulaefolia as an anti-inflammatory herb but indicate that it is the sum of the whole plant phytochemicals acting in synergy that are likely to contribute to this action. A standardised ethanolic extract containing 9.9% rosmarinic acid (RA) from the leaves of S. officinalis reduced Ab-induced neuronal cell death, Ab-induced lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species formation, DNA fragmentation and tau protein hyperphosphorylation in vitro (Iuvone et al. 2006: 1143). Kimura et al (1987) found rosmarinic acid (RA) had the ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) in vitro. As both species contain RA these results suggest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of M. officinalis and the Salvia spp. against Ab-induced neurotoxicity. 2.5.3. Oestrogenic activity A range of concentrations of EO, ethanolic, chloroform and aqueous extracts and isolated monoterpenes of S. lavandulaefolia were assayed in yeast culture for oestrogen-binding properties. The EO showed weak oestrogenic activity at low concentrations. The aqueous and ethanolic fractions and geraniol showed significant oestrogenic activity (Perry et al. 2001: 1352). The results of this experiment support S. lavandulaefolias use as an oestrogenic herb. The effects of S. officinalis in combination with Medicago sativa were assessed on menopausal symptoms related to oestrogen deprivation. Hot flushes and night sweats were completely eliminated in 20 out of 30 women (De Leo et al. 1998: 207). These effects were attributed to dopaminergic actions but it is not clear for which herb. S. officinalis does, however, contain geraniol found to be oestrogenic in vitro (Perry et al. 2001: 1352). 2.5.4. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity M. officinalis EO demonstrated strong AChE inhibition in homogenised human brain tissue but ethanolic extract of the dried leaf had no effect. Ethanolic fresh leaf extract showed a weak effect (Perry et al. 1996: 1064). Conversely, when EOs and ethanolic extracts of M. officinalis were assayed in solution with AChE negligible results were obtained for its inhibition by EO and significant results for its ethanolic extract (Ferreira et al. 2006: 34). Dried, reconstituted ethanolic, ethyl acetate or aqueous extracts of M. officinalis, yielding 10mg/ml, demonstrated weak AChE inhibitory activity when assayed in a chemical system using thin layer chromatography (Salah and Jà ¤ger 2005: 146). The herbs were purchased from local suppliers in the Lebanon so their quality is unknown. S. officinalis EO and ethanolic extract assayed in solution with AChE showed moderate AChE inhibitory activity (Ferreira et al. 2006: 34). Moderate (dose-dependent) AChE and weak BChE inhibition was demonstrated by ethanolic extracts of fresh and dried S. officinalis and S. lavandulaefolia in human brain homogenates. The EOs had significant effects but not the individual constituents (camphor, thujone, cineole, caffeic acid and borneol) (Perry et al. 1996: 1066). The findings suggest a major synergistic effect of the constituents (Perry et al. 2000: 895), which was later confirmed by Savelev et al. (2003: 667). The results for camphor conflict with another experiment in which S. lavandulaefolia EO and isolated monoterpenes a-pinene, 1-8-cineole and camphor demonstrated AChE inhibitory activity in human erythrocytes. Ethanolic extracts of dried S. officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia and M. officinalis were assayed for acetylcholine (ACh) receptor activity in human brain homogenate. All plants demonstrated ACh receptor activity and M. officinalis had the highest nicotinic displacement value (Wake et al. 2000: 108). 2.5.5. GABA modulation Methanol extract from S officinalis leaves revealed the flavonoids apigenin, hispidulin and cirsimaritin functioning as benzodiazepine receptor-active components (Kavvadias et al. 2003: 113), suggesting a potential calming effect for the herb, which may be relevant to AD. 2.6. Evaluation of in vitro studies According to the results all three herbs may have AChE inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and S. lavandulaefolia and S. officinalis may have and oestrogenic properties (Appendix I, Table 1, page 36) and a sedative effect for S. officinalis. Although these results are interesting in vitro systems cannot be extrapolated to humans and clinical evidence is necessary to support findings. For example, they cannot determine effective human dosage or mode of administration. They largely do not account for potential synergistic effects of the herbs nor do they provide an indication of in vivo physiological, pathological and genetic, or environmental, influences. Furthermore, the extent to which phytochemicals in herbs are effective in dementia may depend upon their bioavailability in the brain (Anekonda and Reddy 2005: 371). It is worth noting, however, that as terpenoids tend to be lipophilic they are able to cross the blood brain barrier (Houghton and Howes 2005: 12). Some results are conflicting but they may depend on methodological quality and design. The experiments cited above vary widely in their approach with regard to extraction methods and assay methods. Savelev (2003: 667) has demonstrated how two different methods used for exploring interactions between the same agents may give different results when applied to the same set of data. Consistency of results may also be affected by differences in harvesting times and quality of herbs. Results for M. officinalis are particularly inconsistent but, according to Perry et al. (1996: 1068) most commercial sources of the EO are adulterated. Additionally, variation in media composition is known to affect the outcome of in vitro tests (Maurer and Kuschinsky 2006: 73). Consequently, in vitro experiments can only provide an indication of the clinical efficacy of therapeutic interventions. However, despite the inherent difficulties of in vitro research with herbs, there is considerable consistency with their potential value in dementia prophylaxis and management (Appendix I, Table I, page 36). Promising results in vitro of constituents of plants traditionally used to enhance memory, and subsequent interest in their potential actions in the brains of human patients, has generated clinical trials of M. officinalis and Salvia spp. for dementia. These will be reviewed. 3. Method A computerised literature search was conducted on the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) including CINAHL Database, EMBASE, Pascal Biomed, Biological Abstracts, RCN Journals Database and IPA (International Pharmaceutical Abstracts); PubMed, the Cochrane Collaboration, Bandolier, the NHS Centre for Reviews, The National Research Register, ADEAR (Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral Centre database), PLoS (Public Library of Science), Herbalgram and Alt HealthWatch as well as hand-searching in books and journals. Literature searches dated back to 1985 and the final search was in April 2007. Key words in medical subject headings (MeSH) for an initial search in various Boolean combinations were: memory, cognitive dysfunction, dementia, Alzheimers, herbal, botanicals, phytotherapy, complementary and alternative. Also, in a second search these MeSh terms were entered with key herbs: Salvia, sage, Melissa and lemon balm. Inclusion criteria Controlled clinical trials, observational studies and case reports. Herbs for which there are at least two clinical studies in relation to cognitive enhancement. Exclusion criteria Due to the limitations and ethical considerations of animal experiments the review is restricted to human trials. Trials with combined preparations are excluded. Due to time constraints and a restriction to papers in the English language a complete systematic review is not viable at this time. To eliminate

A.V Lundstedt- Scandinavian Realist

Brief Historical Background of A V Lundstedt Lundstedt (1882-1955) was a Swedish jurist and a proponent of Scandinavian Legal Realism. He was also a professor of Law at the University of Uppsala in Sweden, from 1914 to 1952. Similarly to Haegerstrom, Ross and Olivercrona, he resisted the exposition of rights as metaphysical entities- contending that realistic legal analysis should dispense with such ideology. Beyond being a prominent tort law scholar, Lundstedt was also a social democratic member of the Swedish Parliament from 1929 to 1948.The body of his work can be viewed as an attempt to revolutionise the field of jurisprudence by transforming the law into a catalyst for political and social reform. Legal Knowledge and Legal Science Lundstedt is regarded by some as the most extreme and buoyant of the Scandinavian realists. Lundstedt advocated that legal science should be conceived of as a real science, and to that end he rejected traditional legal science. His main objection to tr aditional legal science was that it employed metaphysical concepts; inter alia, â€Å"right†, â€Å"duty†, â€Å"wrong –doing† and â€Å"guilt†.The focal point of his theoretical work was his sustained attacks towards what he termed the method of justice. The method of justice is the turn of phrase used by Lundstedt to denote traditional legal science, (derived from the traditional method of natural law), which holds that human beings are persons endowed with legal rights and duties. He was of the view that the term â€Å"right† and other metaphysical concepts employed by traditional legal science, were all illusory concepts ; that they were naught else but an intellectual play with expressions of feeling – as if something real were designated thereby.Such concepts could not be used because they did not refer to any natural facts – therefore the terms were devoid of any conceptual meaning. To cement the sphere of legal knowledg e as a bonafide, real science – legal science must be an empirical science, which deals with social facts: â€Å"As a science jurisprudence [legal science] must be founded on experience, observation of facts and actual connections, and consequently be a natural science. † He perceived that terms such as â€Å"legal order† and legal rules† are not concepts but merely empty words that ought to be replaced with the term â€Å"legal machinery†.Legal machinery in this vain, is used to denote the psychological factors that determine human behaviour in relation to the use of legal vocabulary. He postulated that legal concepts such as â€Å"right† and â€Å"duty† are also bereft of any conceptual meaning and should be abandoned. Therefore, the legal vocabulary of traditional legal science is to be understood as a matter of using words and noises to cause the appropriate behaviour; these words and noises are not concepts which could be said to be the reasons for human conduct.However Lundstedt conceded in his writings that, there are some realities that correspond to the concept of â€Å"rights†- namely, a position of advantage and safety, which is a result of the regular enforcement of certain legal rules and the psychological effects this had on the minds of people. In short, because the courts come to one’s aid when a person alleges an infringement of a â€Å"right†, a layman is left with the psychological impression that his/her right is real because the courts have sought to address the â€Å"wrong† they were done.As discussed earlier, the term â€Å"right† does not designate anything observable, tangible nor anything capable of sensory perception. One cannot show you their right- and thus Lundstedt argued that a â€Å"right† is a fictitious entity. It must be borne in mind that Lundstedt’s line of reasoning is not what is understood by the term â€Å"rights† wh en referenced in legal science nor in the public mind, and therefore he argued that it would be better still, to do away with the concept altogether.This stringent scientific attitude of Lundstedt’s , was committed to replacing the magical/metaphysical terms associated with traditional legal science scholarship, with scientific concepts having a basis in reality. In Lundstedt’s view, the scientific concepts were essentially empirical laws, stating the causal relations between the legal words and their effects upon human behaviour. The Method of Social Welfare Lundstedt was of the view that there was no objective means to define the requirements of justice, and that invocations of justice cloaked purely subjective preferences – i. e. he divergences of opinion concerning whether the death penalty is just. Alternatively he argued that such invocations of justice were representations of unacceptable metaphysical claims – i. e. in ancient Rome it was believed that the Emperor was the chosen emissary of God. For this reason, Lundstedt endeavoured to replace the method of justice with the method of social welfare, in solving legal problems. The method of social welfare is premised on social aims- that the aim of all legal activities such as judicial decision making, and the promulgation of legislation should be geared toward benefiting mankind.He emphasised that his notion of social welfare was not a moral or philosophical principle, but that the term should be understood in a descriptive sense; representing the actual valuations of people in society. He ardently denied that his method of social welfare was in anyway way related to the ethical theories of Jeremy Bentham or John Stuart Mill, as his theory was criticised as just another version of utilitarianism. For example, Lundstedt stated the purpose of punishment is not for revenge, but to maintain a system that is for the benefit of all i. . a system in which a thief is held liable for his damages. Were the purpose of the law to be â€Å"justice†, he opined that it could be argued that theft should be condoned if the thief is considerably worse off than the person(s) from whom he stole. (An illustration of why he rejected the concept of justice) Lundstedt argued that the method of social welfare is a scientific approach, as it is premised upon the reality of human needs and wants; and that the aforenamed are facts to be known by science.Lundstedt believed that his method should inform and shape legislation; as it was centred on the objective study of social conditions, and on the practical effects and capabilities of the law in improving society for all its members. In furthering his views that the law should be used as a vehicle for social reform, Lundstedt used this method as a line of argument against a proposed prohibition law in the 1920s. He was of the view that such a ban would harm the public respect for the law.In the 1930s he once again used his method to advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality, which was quite a radical stance to take, taking into account the times in which he lived. Lundstedt’s arguments have been criticised as being not altogether convincing, as he failed to prove that people generally and truly supported the values he advocated. Moreover, he did not provide a measure for those situations in which the valuations of people differed greatly. ——————————————– [ 1 ].J Bjarup, The Philosophy of Scandinavian Legal Realism (2005) [ 2 ]. J-O Sundell, Vilhelm Lundstedt- A Biographical Sketch , (2010) [ 3 ]. Supra [ 4 ]. J Strang, Two Generations of Scandinavian Legal Realists,(2009) [ 5 ]. T Spaak, Naturalism in Scandinavian and American Realism: Similarities and Differences, [ 6 ]. Supra [ 7 ]. J Bjarup, The Philosophy of Scandinavian Legal Realism (2005) [ 8 ]. M Freeman & P Mindus, The Leg acy of John Austin’s Jurisprudence [ 9 ]. A. V. Lundstedt, Legal Thinking Revised, (1956) 10 ]. M Freeman & P Mindus, The Legacy of John Austin’s Jurisprudence, [ 11 ]. Supra [ 12 ]. M Freeman & P Mindus, The Legacy of John Austin’s Jurisprudence [ 13 ]. J Strang, Two Generations of Scandinavian Realists,(2009) [ 14 ]. Supra [ 15 ]. J Bjarup, The Philosophy of Scandinavian Legal Realism, (2005) [ 16 ]. Supra [ 17 ]. Some believe that it is the retribution of society that justifies the death penalty, whilst others aver that it is not for mortals to deprive the ‘killer’ of life.Whichever side of the coin you fall, your perception as to what is just and moreover whether the death penalty is or is not an injustice depends heavily upon your feelings and values concerning human life. [ 18 ]. J Bjarup, The Philosophy of Scandinavian Legal Realism, (2005) [ 19 ]. Supra [ 20 ]. J Strang, Two Generations of Scandinavian Realists,(2009) [ 21 ]. Supra [ 22 ]. J -O Sundell, Vilhelm Lundstedt- A Biographical Sketch , (2010) [ 23 ]. J Bjarup, The Philosophy of Scandinavian Legal Realism, (2005)

The Sad Theme of the Hunchback of Notre Dame - 806 Words

Is always a happy ending? The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a book by Victor Hugo written in 1831. Victor Hugo was born in Besancon, France on February 26, 1802. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a French Romantic/Gothic genre book. Hunchback of Notre Dame involves around Quasimodo a hunchback. The Hunchback of Notre Dame has many different themes. I believe one of the biggest theme is you shouldnt judge based on appearances. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a very sad book, but with it being sad there are many great themes such as judgment, and topics like characters, setting, and plot. Judgment based on appearance is a big theme in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Quasimodo is very kind hearted, but others otherwise because his appearance. Quasimodo is described by having â€Å"a huge head, bristling with red hair; between his shoulders an enormous hump, a counterpart perceptible in front; a system of the thighs and legs so strangely astray that they could touch each other only at the knees , and, viewed from the front, resembled the crescents of two scythes joined by the handles; large feet, monstrous hands† (33). Because of his appearance people treat him like a monster a terrible, ugly human being, But this isnt true at all Quasimodo is shown to have a sweet personality. Then we have Claude Frollo the antagonist. Claude is a priest, so you’d think hes a good person, but you are very wrong. Claude is the reason Quasimodo commits violent acts as Quasimodo does what his fatherShow MoreRelatedEdward Scissorhands Essay2682 Words   |  11 Pagesfinance Thompsons screenplay while giving Burton complete creative control. At the time, the budget was projected to be around $8–9 million. When writing the storyline, Burton and Thompson were influenced by Universal Horror films, such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon, as well as King Kong and various fairy tales. Burton originally wanted to make Scissorhands as a musical, feeling it seemed big and operatic to me but later droppedRead MoreRise of the English Novel5132 Words   |  21 Pageseasier for people to learn to read and helped to facilitate the rise of the English novel. As the novel became a more established form of literature, a large number of them began to be published every year. These novels often followed different themes and writing styles, and as the amount of novels published increased one genre was no longer sufficient. The original novel genre was based on the use of realism but as the novel evolved several sub genres developed. These were more specifically, the