Puplic Opinion and Political Communication - International Political Essay

Puplic Opinion and Political Communication - International Political Communication - Essay Example The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center prove the universality of the statement that nothing in this world is fireproof. Nothing, and absolutely nothing – is completely free from unprecedented terror. Today, the United States will vouch for that, as Washington has taken all possible damage-control measures to ensure that its people breathe easy. However, unforgettable times can never be erased completely – they can just remain hidden. While the attack on the WTC on September 11 woke America from its complacency, what followed the attack is nothing short of incredulous. The attack affected not just Americans, but also those â€Å"millions of people† all around the world who had depended on America for a better life. Consequently, Washington had to answer its citizens – all of them. The visible damage control measures involved a steady deal of deliberation, a great deal of communication, and a massive amount of persuasion. America’s communication arsenal was put to the finest test – as the country had to answer to visibly all related parties – from citizens to trade partners. The damage was done – when two architectural marvels were torn down – but the damage control required America to sharpen its most potent weapon, and unarguably, the most required weapon – communication. Indeed, intelligent and thoughtful political communication techniques were the only tools that could bail America out of distress. If communication techniques were not up to the mark, America would have lost millions in terms of investment, damage to property, and loss of life. If today, America is again on its feet, it is all thanks to the marvelous communication techniques employed in those times of distress. So, in this research paper, we will attempt to look at the communication angle with respect to 9/11 attack closely. The impact of 9/11 was felt all around the world, and America has so far done a fine job in

Swallowing and Prediction of Dysphagia Severity Essay Example for Free

Swallowing and Prediction of Dysphagia Severity Essay Introduction: Daniels, McAdam, Brailey, and Foundas (1997) reviewed literature from Linden, Kuhlemeier, and Patterson (1993) and examined signs of aspiration, but specifically six risk factors, including dysphonia, dysarthria, abnormal gag reflex, abnormal volitional cough, voice change after swallow, and cough after swallow. They then designed their study in an attempt to link the six signs of aspiration to the diagnosis and severity of dysphagia. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the six risk factors approximated the VSS in identification of dysphagia severity (Daniels et al. , 1997). It was hypothesized that the presence of any one factor could predict at least mild dysphagia or normal swallowing on a video fluoroscopic swallow study (VSS) and that two factors could predict moderate dysphagia. Methods (Procedures): Fifty-nine male veterans, ages 41-88, with recent neurological deficits were recruited for the study and had one of the following issues: unilateral left hemispheric damage (22 men), bilateral hemispheric damage (18 men), and bilateral hemispheric damage (13 men), or brainstem lesions (6 men). The men were assessed by a neurologist using CT or MRI scans upon admission to view and localize lesions. They were then rescanned 2 weeks later if the initial scans yielded negative results. Excluded from the study were agitated patients and patients with a history of disorders and diseases other than stroke that would cause dysphagia. Within 5 days of admission, the men were given an oropharyngeal exam of gag reflex, volitional cough, speech, and voice. A video fluoroscopic assessment was also given that consisted of 3,5,10, and 20 ml, and  ½ tsp of barium paste along with half of a cookie to be swallowed. A swallow study was also performed by administering 5 ml of liquid, and then giving 10 and 20 ml volumes, which were administered twice each, unless the patients immediately had a negative reaction such as a cough. After each swallow, the men phonated â€Å"ah† to see if there was a change in vocal quality. Results: The VSS served as the outcome variable in determining dysphagia severity, which ranged from mild dysphagia to normal swallowing (scores 0-1; 1 if two or more of the six risk factors were present and 0 if one or less were present) to moderate to severe dysphagia (scores 2-4). The reliability for the scores was 92%. 74% of the 59 patients had varying dysphagia severity, while 5.1% had severe dysphagia. 13.6% had moderate to severe dysphagia along with aspiration, while 25.4% had moderate dysphagia, and 25.4% had normal swallowing. 47% had dysphonia, 63% had dysarthria, 27% had abnormal volitional cough, 42% had abnormal gag reflex, 41% had a cough after swallow, and 19% had voice change after swallow (Daniels et al., 1997). Discussion/Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that this clinical assessment has utility in the evaluation of acute stroke patients with probable dysphagia who may be at risk for the development of aspiration (Daniels et al., 1997). Also discussed was the fact that this assessment does not account for silent aspiration. In conclusion, early detection of aspiration by using this short assessment can reduce aspiration and pneumonia in patients if addressed early in their hospital stay. Commentary: This article provides helpful information for clinicians practicing in a medical setting. The article includes a flow chart to help determine which patients require further evaluation. Ill and physically challenged patients can avoid the physical distress of unnecessary testing with a proper bedside evaluation, and moderate to severe respiration can be caught early to prevent pneumonia. This study was performed in 1997, and clinicians are still using this method today, proving its reliability in early detection of aspiration.

Benefits of DuPont Analysis

Benefits of DuPont Analysis The dynamic environment of the world today suggests that one should be apt enough to apply his skills immanent to a system and also external with respect to credit management function. These functions include financial planning, plausibility of a defined business strategy or whether a particular merger or acquisition is feasible or not. This has to be done in a rapid yet meaningful way so as to be of immediate need to a particular firm or investor. There are basically four major reasons for an effective financial statement analysis. These have been mentioned as follows: It is useful for long-run business viability so as to determine whether a firm would be able to provide adequate business return when compared to the amount of risks taken. This is essential for outside investors. It is also used by creditors so as to find out whether a potential buyer has the capability to service the loans that are being made or not. Also, the analysts concerned about the internal development of a firm, require financial statement analysis so as to monitor the outcome as a result of applying the policy decisions, to make future predictions with regard to the performance targets, and also make an assessment of the capital needs of a company. The function of DuPont analysis in this is that it is used as a tool to provide an overview of financial statement analysis for the purposes as stated and also provide a focus for such analysis. In order to assess the financial health of a firm from the perspective of an insider or an outsider, there are four major areas that are covered. These have been stated as follows: Liquidity Leverage Operational Efficiency Profitability In this process, the DuPont analysis can be used as a compass so as to help the analysts find out the areas that are of significant strength and weakness (as applicable) from the financial statements. DuPont analysis stands as an appropriate place to commence the financial statement analysis as it measures the Return on Equity (ROE). As this indicates the rate of growth of the ownersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ wealth, it becomes one of the most important ratios. So, DuPont analysis might not be able to provide a detailed description just like a proper financial statement analysis, but it certainly stands places in providing an excellent snapshot an impeccable starting point of financial analysis. It covers the major areas of profitability, operating efficiency and also leverage. It can be seen in the form of equations as follows: ROE = (Net Income/Sales) X (Sales/Average Assets) X (Average Assets/Average Equity) Net Income/ Sales: Profitability Sales/Average Assets: Total Asset Turnover Average Assets/Average Equity: Leverage Multiplier Further, as the requirement of the company stands, one can also calculate the Return on Assets (ROA) by making a DuPont Chart. This can be done in the following manner: ROA = (Profit before Income and Tax/ Total Assets) = (PBIT/Sales) X (Sales/ Total Assets) DuPont Calculations and Analysis (Note: In this case we are making a comparison of two years) Profitability: Net Income/Sales 2008 6,536,358,000/ 17,868,672,000 = 36.5% 2009 3,080,531,000/ 16,015,133,000 = 19% This ratio indicates the rate at which a company uses the sales to generate profits for the company. One can see that it has decreased tremendously over a year. This suggests that the company has been trying to lure the customers with better benefits so as to decrease its profits. As the total sales have increased only marginally, it indicates that the market is in a risky position with companies cutting on profits to maintain previous customers and generate new ones. Total Assets Turnover: Sales/Average Assets: Total Asset Turnover 2008 17,868,672,000/ 54,790,875,000 = 0.32 2009 16,015,133,000/ 60,690,798,000 = 0.27 Return on Total Assets indicates how well a company has been using its assets to generate sales. It is significant as a company might be generating a huge amount of profit out of sales involved, but then it doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t check the efficiency with which it is using the assets for generating the amount of sales involved. In this, case the operating efficiency has decreased which means that the company has either made long-term installations which have not been used to implement sales in the best possible manner or there is a deficiency in the company functioning. Leverage Multiplier: Average Assets/Average Equity 2008 54,790,875,000/ 36,536,040,000 = 1.5 2009 60,690,798,000/ 36,000,753,000 = 1.68 The leverage multiplier is used for determining the debt financing as compared to the equity financing of a company. Generally, if a company increases the debts over equity for financing its requirements, it does it as the cost of debt is less because of tax-deductible interests but then there is a larger risks involved here. A company would have to pay a certain amount for sure before they can make use of the net income. Here, the ratio has increased indicating the fact that Emaar has taken more debt than a year before which means that it requires immediate funding to carry out its operations. Return on Equity The above results can be combined to calculate the DuPont ratio which in this case is ROE. ROE for 2008: 18% ROE for 2009: 8.5% Now, we know that ROE determines the profit as compared to the shareholdersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ equity. This has decreased over a span of one year which signifies the fact that the company would find it difficult to arrange for internal cash as it seems less attractive for shareholders. This is also evident from the fact that leverage multiplier had increased significantly. Gross Profit Margin: EBIT/ Sales 2008 7,053,765,000/ 17,868,672,000 = 0.394 2009 6,811,358,000/ 16,015,133,000 = 0.425 The gross profit margin of the company has increased which is again indicative of the fact that the company is paying too much of interests which decreases the net income. Return on Assets 2008 12.0% 2009 5% The net return on assets of the company has also decreased indicating the fact that the company has so far not made the type of income it has been looking to make with the assets that it has. This shows that the company looks to make long-term benefits out of the assets that it has generated.

An Analysis Of The Genesis 22 Religion Essay

An Analysis Of The Genesis 22 Religion Essay The chapter begins with a pattern of introduction that usually suggests a new wave in the trend of events. And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abrahamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. In verse 20, the same introduction is used in stating that Abrahams brother Nahor had been born children by Milcah. It is known from the onset that God is testing Abraham. The primary aim of the test is to teach Abraham that obedience and commitment are vital to keeping covenants. Obedience to covenant obligations brings guarantee of the fulfilment of Gods promises and fresh bestowal of the blessings that go with covenant keeping. God calls Abraham to take his son Isaac, whom he loves very much to a land which he will show him and offer him for a burnt offering (verse 2). The practice of human sacrifice in ancient near-eastern society is here revealed. In verse 3, Abraham obeys Gods command without any grudges, rising up early in the morning and taking along with him the persons and materials needed to perform the sacrifice. His response to Gods call Behold, here I am shows Abraham has entrusted his future and life into Gods hands. He makes himself totally available for Gods purpose. The prophet Isaiah showed a similar attitude in his vision. Abraham surrenders totally to God knowing he was going to be the founding father of Israel. An important truth is learnt about what happens when Gods word is followed-up with obedience in verse 4. He lifted up his eyes and sees the place of the sacrifice from a distance. He did not need God to speak again for him to ascertain the place. Revelation and divine knowledge and insight follow obedience to the word. Verse 5 shows Abraham leaving his servants behind in the Journey and moving on with Isaac. It seems true worship is a personal thing that often involves the individual going beyond the point where most people can or are willing to go. His faith is unshaken in his confession that he and the lad will go, worship and come back. He understands this is a test and so far, he seems to be doing well. Isaac, the object of the worship is not oblivious of the happenings around him. He is aware a burnt offering is to be performed but does not see any lamb for it. This makes him curious, and even though he was later bound up by his father for the sacrifice, he did not resist ( 7-10 ). Abraham demonstrates his faith once again in God by assuring Isaac of Gods providence ( verse 8). In some way, the whole story is allegorical. Isaac is portrayed as a type of the Christ to come, for as Jesus carried his cross to the place of his crucifixion so Isaac carries the wood for the sacrifice demanded by God(22: 6). Abraham is seen often assuming the status of a god-figure. Twice he is called upon, both by God and Isaac and he responds, here I am'(1). His response with this phrase is reminiscent of the revelation of God(Yahweh) when He speaks to Moses( Ex. 3:14). In Jesus confrontation with the Pharisees, the same title he uses pitches him against them because they taught of him as a blasphemer equating himself with God. This same statement by Abraham is not only indicative of his total availability to God. It in some way makes the parallel of Abraham as a God-figure tenable in the same way that Isaac, the object of the sacrifice is representative of the true lamb in the new testament, Jesus Christ. Isaac carries the wood for the burnt offering ( 6 ), as Christ carries his cross. The place of the sacrifice in the land of Moriah( verse 2) is later seen in the mountain of Jerusalem where Solomon eventually built the temple of the Lord (2 Chron. 3: 1). It plays on the Hebrew word to see (raa) used by Abraham in verses 8 and 14 as to provide. The fact that Abraham was the first to offer a sacrifice there when he eventually offered the ram caught in the ticket shows that he first instituted true worship to God. He was the first to worship God there. It took Abraham three days to find the place of worship. This is probably a half-way point of the entire journey to and fro that would take about seven days. In verse 9, Isaac is bound by Abraham, ready to be slain, yet he does not resist even though his father had already told him that God will provide a lamb for the sacrifice. He is a type of the Christ described in Isaiah 53: 7 who as a lamb brought to the slaughter, opened not his mouth. Abrahams reply to Isaacs question that God will provide himself a lamb for the sacrifice (verse 8) is an act of his faith in God. He had earlier obeyed Gods command to go somewhere to sacrifice his son. Now, he has to assure his son that the object of the sacrifice will be provided. In verse 10, Abraham demonstrates his faith totally by stretching forth his hand with the knife to slay the lad. God sees Abrahams heart that he truly fears him and speaks through his angel from heaven. God is pleased with Abrahams willingness to entrust all his future into his hands. Verse 13 shows Abrahams faith yielding fruits. He had told his son that God will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. Now, the Lord has indeed provided. He sees a ram caught in a bush by its horns and uses it for the sacrifice. Abraham later calls the name of the place Jehovah-jireh, acknowledging that God had indeed seen to or provided. Verses 15- 18 is a re-affirmation of covenant promise by the same angel of the Lord that spoke earlier on. God gives his word through his angel in promise to Abraham that he will bless him and multiply his seed as the stars of the heaven because he has obeyed his voice, trusted him and was willing to sacrifice for covenant. His seed shall posses the gate of their enemies and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through them. Covenant promise earlier made demands obedience and faithfulness. Now faithfulness in that covenant walk has brought more assurance of more blessings. In verse 19, Abraham returns to his servants and they go and dwell in Beersheba. The underlying theme in the story is the fact that human sacrifice which was a core part of societal life is here seen to be abolished and replaced with animal sacrifice. Infant sacrifice was customary to the nations that dwelt about Abraham and would later become an important practice in Israel (2 Kings 16: 3). Israels realization that the first born belongs to the Lord resulted in their seeking alternative sacrifice that would redeem the first born. Abraham pioneers Israels change from the practice of the other nations through Gods direction to redeem his son by the ram. In verses 21 to 24, the writer notes that Abraham receives news of the children that have been born to his brother Nahor through Milcah. Perhaps the news of multiple bodily fruitfulness is a sign of the promise by the angel of the Lord. The children born to Nahor are Huz, Buz, Kemuel, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. Rebekah, the wife Abrahams servant would later choose for Isaac is the daughter of Bethuel mentioned here. Kemuel is the father of Aram. Nahors concubine Reumah also bore him four children by name Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah. This part of the chapter completes the geneology to the second generation of the children of Terah, besides the children born to Abraham by Keturah (25: 1-6). Abraham had fathered Isaac. Now, the younger brother Nahor has twelve children; eight by his wife Milcah, and four by his concubine Reumah. Jacob, Abrahams grandson would later have the same number of children by his wives and concubines. Out of the twelve children born to Nahor, three would become names of places or nations. In Genesis 10: 23, Uz is mentioned as a son of Aram. It is the homeland of Job (Job 1: 1). This is probably northern Edom. The country of Buz is the homeland of one of the friends of Job (32: 2). In Genesis 24:15, Bethuel is seen as a personage. Buz is home to one of Jobs friends ( Job32: 2). Hazu (and Bazu) are mentioned by the 7th century Assyrian king Esarhaddon. In short, Abrahams entire family is blessed even though his youngest sibling Ur, who had fathered Lot had died in Haran. Conclusion Faithfulness is key to keeping covenants. Afterwards, blessings follow. God is faithful. The question is; are we ready to walk in faith with him as Abraham did?

Ernest Hemingways Life and Image :: History

Ernest Hemingway's Life and Image Ernest Hemingway was born on a July morning in 1899. Born at home in Oak Park, he was raised a conservative with strong values. While his father taught him to hunt and fish, his mother taught him music, her former profession. Though his mother’s music lessons helped him throughout his life, he didn’t particularly enjoy the lessons and spent as much time in the woods as he could manage. Nature became Hemingway’s world, the place where he could go and pull from it the essence of his writing. No matter what happened in his life he could always find refuge in a quiet meadow or a lulling forest. Inspired by nature, Hemingway used it to form a force that became both a backing and almost a character in his books, that would speak to a reader and tell them that a story wasn’t over, simply because it never truly ends. People look back at Hemingway’s life as if it was one of his novels. He is not seen as a writer but as a personage of writing. At a young age of 18, in 1917, Hemingway enlisted as an ambulance driver in World War I, after quitting his job at the Kansas City Star. Hemingway didn’t make it three weeks into his service. While in Schio, Italy, he was injured by an exploding mortar, perforating his legs with shrapnel. In spite of this, it is said that he carried a wounded Italian to a first aid station; this earned him an Italian Silver Medal. For the next year, Hemingway used his insurance from the war to avoid work. He would spend his time at the library or speaking about the war. Eventually he met Harriett Connable while speaking, who saw Hemingway’s confidence and control. Connable asked him to tutor her son. He accepted, as her husband introduced Hemingway to the editor of the Toronto Star Weekly, who he wrote for even when he moved to Paris. While in Paris he covered the Geneva Conference, and the Greco-Turkish War. Hemingway and his first wife Hadley moved back to Toronto though, when she became pregnant. In 1925, two years after his son John was born, Hemingway wrote In Our Time, and a year later The Sun Also Rises. These two novels were great successes, and led to his Farewell to Arms, which is considered by many a paramount to all World War I novels.

Coastal Erosion :: science

Coastal Erosion With Reference to examples discuss the view that coastal erosion is caused by human intervention as a posed to natural processes. For many decades the approach to rapid coastal erosion was to build up sea defenses, to try and slow down or even stop the erosion. Initially the attempts were thought a success, however after some years it was realized that the power of the sea and waves could overcome human attempts. Only could protection be a success if huge costs were going to be involved. Many methods around the British Isles have taken place in he last 50 years with many failures occurring. It is very rare to find a coastline that shows a decrease in the rate of erosion over many years after defenses are in place. In fact in places the defenses seem to have speeded up the erosion process. Coastal erosion is a natural process of erosion, transportation and deposition, interfering with this balance could be to blame for the rise in erosion on the coasts of some areas. Groynes have been built out to sea in many areas of the British coastline. Their aim is to trap material and thus slow down the rate of long shore drift. However, these groynes in some areas are been blamed for the rise in erosion rates further down the coast. On the Holderness coastline in Humberside, erosion is taking place at a rate of about 2 meters per year. Along this coast there is a strong action of long shore drift taking place, which over centuries has produced a spit to form on the southern tip of Holderness, called Spurn Head spit. The spit is over 4km long and 100 meters wide. The majority of this coastline is glacial till, a soft fragile material, which is easily eroded. This however is not thought of as the only reason for the rapid rates of erosion. Human interference is thought to be another cause, as a result of the sea defenses put in place. A rock groyne was built at Mappleton, to create a wider beach. This in turn would help protect the coastline, by absorbing the wave energy. Then at Withernsea a concrete sea wall with a splash back and boulder rip-rap in front of it was created. These defenses were to cause great problems. The groyne meant that material moving down the coast by long shore drift would get stuck behind the groyne.

The American West

I believe this cartoon was published in the early 1840's to persuade people to not become Mormons. The Mormons were unpopular during the 1840's as they had different beliefs to the rest of the settlers. They believed they had found the second part to the bible in America, no one really considered the Mormons a serious religion until Joseph Smith set up a church. People were often jealous of the Mormons as the Mormons believed in working hard to obtain success and money. Mormons also followed polygamy like the Native Americans, people disrespected them because of this and as the picture shows the man hiding from his many wives, who are fighting and the children, which are crying on the floor. I believe this cartoon was published in the early 1840's to persuade people to not become Mormons. The cartoon shows an un-ideal life as everyone is making chaos, this would deter people from becoming Mormons as it shows people what is supposed to go on inside the Mormon life. Because people hated the Mormons for whatever reason, the man is put across as a coward as he is hiding away from what is happening. This cartoon was probably used to create a general impression of the Mormons. I think the Mormons were able to complete their journey across the Great Plains and into the Rockies from what I am shown in the source as the Mormon's seem to be well supplied and travelling in large groups. You can tell that the Mormon's were well supplied and organised because they built log houses to keep warm and safe during the winter, we can also assume that the journey was taking them a long time as the log houses are permanent building which would not have been easy to build or move. I don't think the Mormon population suffered that badly during the crossing despite losing 700 people to illness or starvation as due to polygamy there was a lot of children who would grow up to continue the Mormon faith. I think so many people died because of starvation because in the photo there is no evidence of food or any sources of food. The source shows us a scene in which the Mormons seem to be doing quite well as the have shelter, protection and transport as well as this because the Mormons were friendly with the Native Americans they didn't have the fear of raids. Source C tells us that some Mormons didn't find Salt Lake as impressive as they first assumed. They said that the land was beautiful, but there were no resources for building and they were relying on the land to be fertile, otherwise they would have no food. Some of the Mormons would think of ideas that could work, they would then work hard to achieve them as this is what they believed in. Some of the Mormons will have seen prospect in the land and others will have tried to make the most out of what they could see, ‘There is little prospect for log houses, but we can make Spanish bricks', from the journal of William Clayton from the Mormon Pioneer Band which reached Salt Lake first. I believe that the Mormons were disappointed in the appearance of Salt Lake. However they also believed that there was prospect in the land and surrounding area, so they made the most of what they had and since the rest of the settlers hated them they could start a purely Mormon society.