Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents Essay Example Essay Example

Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents Essay Example Paper Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents Essay Introduction A first generation Mexican family living in rural North Carolina with a 16 year old daughter (whom we will identify as Marie) will be the focus of this paper. Marie and her family live in a trailer near the farm where her father works. The assessment of Marie and her family will include: making predictions, planning interventions, evaluating overall situation, and implementing a treatment plan. The family lives in a trailer, does not drive a nice car, and has limited financial resources. How will these factors affect Marie as a first generation young adolescent immigrant (YAI)? Unfortunately for girls in similar situations, this type of lifestyle is correlated with a high rate of â€Å"at risk† problems. The probability of negative future events, abnormal behavior, and irrational decision making processes influencing Marie are high. The major premise for this paper is lifestyle: Young immigrant adolescents are cornered in this situation because of poverty, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy to name a few.The YAI situation is a minority developed condition that operates in a circular pattern that continues over time. The YAI and their families leave their deprived country, come to America in search of a better life, and most, settle in conditions no better than they left. The procedure of relocating to a new country can cause cultural shock to a first generation girl like Marie. Latino family’s that end up in low SES neighborhoods usually have negative outcomes in related to their lifestyle. According to a study done by Tama Leventhal Jeanne Brooks-Dunn, neighborhood characteristics and child outcomes are related to achievement in high SES neighborhoods and residential instability and behavioral/emotional problems in low SES neighborhoods (p. 309). For the most part, the explanation for this YAI condition is substandard living conditions.Before evaluating the factors why Marie is at a higher risk of negative influences, researchers consider th e environment she lives in. Neighborhood influences and the implications for Marie are many, especially when considering the number of immigrant youth who drop out of school, become pregnant as a teenager, and become addicted to a substance in lower SES neighborhoods. There is little uncertainty that high joblessness, poverty, and even death, follow people like Marie and her friends. The hostile and sub par living conditions that Marie is subjected to are triggers that lead to the YAI circular lifestyle.Verifying the comorbidity Marie lives in is an important dynamic of her psychological situation. Cross-cultural studies in psychopathology have general conclusions that can be drawn about their mental state to Draguns, 1994: 1. All mental disorders are shaped, to some extent, by cultural factors. 2. No mental disorders can be traced entirely to cultural or social factors. 3. Psychotic disorders are less influenced by culture than are nonpsychotic disorders. 4. The symptoms of certain disorders are more likely to vary across cultures than are disorders themselves (when viewed at the level of a syndrome) (Oltmanns, Emery, and Taylor, 2002, p. 18). So, it appears that Marie is in danger of acquiring specific problems related to her cross-cultural lifestyle; however, the evidence suggests that Marie has little worry of attaining a psychopathological abnormal disorder.Mental state affects Marie in two ways with regard to her circumstances. Either the YAI determines that they must work harder to achieve a higher socioeconomic status, or the YAI is caught in their socioeconomic state and perceives they cannot get out. In the first case, studies show that YAI who come from this category are in the minority. Jacquelynne Eccles volume Adolescent and Child Developments states that, â€Å"According to US census estimates for 2000, 44% of Hispanics age twenty-five and older do not have a high school diploma† (191). Furthermore, Eccles goes on to describe high school graduates from cross-cultural families face low rates of educational achievement, high rates of poverty, and language barriers, leaving more Hispanic families to face under/unemployment. (191). Living in this type of socioeconomic cross-cultural situation essentially decreases the adolescents chance to succeed from the beginning. These YAIs have good rationale for believing they will have to work harder to achieve a high school diploma, but what about the YAIs who are not in the 44%?The previous results from Eccles’ study shows that most YAIs do not have the option to attend college. In addition, most YAI are not in a sound financial setting to pay for post-secondary education. For them, and those who graduate high school without a scholarship, returning to their poor socioeconomic status is the only option, whether they have the required grades to enter college or excel in other fields of academia. Moreover, job selection will limit the YAI to minimum wage and restrict futur e post-secondary advancement. Some YAIs will not even hold a job. The problem now begins to seem hopeless to the disadvantaged youngster. Marie, with help from a supportive family, will have to decide at a pre-teen age if she wants to be in the 44% or the 66% group of YAI’s.Some YAIs do not have the choice of which percentage they want to belong in. The volatile socioeconomic situation of the YAI may predict the outcome for the youth. For example, in Marie’s cross-cultural position she is at a high risk of becoming pregnant by the time she is 16. Furthermore, Rodney Goodyear states that: â€Å"Multiple pathways predicted the women’s choice of male partner. Psychological distress was strongly related to choosing partners with negative relationships with women† (p. 187). In other words, Marie’s choice of a male partner is directly related to her SES status and psychological state of mind. The lower her income, the more likely she is in psychological distress, and will choose an uneducated, abusive, male partner and become pregnant. Another problem relates to substance abuse. As Marie’s opportunities in life go away and despair sets in, YAIs consistently turn to harmful alternatives to hide from reality. MarAa Ortiz’s study shows that environmental factors influence boys into substance abuse, while environment and demographics influence females into substance abuse (p. 27). Although the odds seem to be stacked against the YAIs, they may find consolation in contemporary technology, better government programs and loans, and a proper family setting. While Marie’s circumstances once meant despair, disadvantage, and hopelessness years ago, it now seems that academic research and government programs are at least offering more options than in previous decades.Even for YAI’s with supportive family and programs, overcoming the negative influences in their lives can be hard. YAIs are prone to inconsistent behav ior patterns. Across time and situations YAIs frequently become troubled with what their socioeconomic status leaves them without. Consequently, the recidivism is high for YAIs, and behavior is often radical over long periods of time and throughout difficult situations. The average YAI will experience more physical, mental, and substance abuse exposure by the time they are 10 years old than most people in a lifetime. Thus, inconsistent behavior becomes a pattern to fall back on in times of conflict. The circle continues.The final socioeconomic reason of failure for YAI to consider in this paper includes personal lifestyle choices and social diseases. Even when YAIs are careful in pregnancy and substance use and take precautions, communal diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and venereal disease rates are high and predominate in Male Hispanics and on the rise for female Hispanics, and a good number of these people are undoubtedly social service recipients (Mayes, Cochran, 1988, p. 949). YAIs have few options to return to their families as an alternative to receiving welfare. Most of their parents are living on welfare, or in the case of Marie’s father, working for casual labor that pays sub par wages. In either situation, social diseases leave a single, pregnant, infected YAI at the mercy of their consequential decisions and society. In her disadvantageous cross-cultural situation, Marie will have to have the perseverance of a Saint to make it.In order for treatment to take place a problem must be identified. In Marie’s case many possible problems have been recognized. In the beginning, before negative situations occur, Marie’s parents should suggest school counselors help Marie identify her at risk behaviors associated with her specific socioeconomic situation. Proactive prevention and counseling, such as school awareness programs for cross-cultural students, will give Marie a better chance at success. Social work treatment is concerned with t he commitment to action. Treatment can involve schools, courts, prisons, hospitals, as well as other social agencies.Treatment affects YAI in a number of ways in regards to â€Å"at risk† behavior. A good treatment plan should cover all potential angles. Before analyzing the treatment for the YAI problems identified in this paper, we will discuss prevention as a potential cure. â€Å"The prevention and reduction of maladaptive functioning,† is discussed in Alan Kazdin’s (1993) study on Adolescent mental health: Prevention and treatment programs. Kazdin suggests that, â€Å"Treatment could be reserved for those cases for whom preventative efforts failed† (131). Short-term motivational therapy works well on people who do not think they have a problem. In other words, social workers, psychologists, etc., should do all things possible to avoid letting a client reach the stage of treatment. In reality, we know it is impossible to prevent most cases from reachi ng the treatment stage.There are many therapies for helping the YAI if they reach the stage of self destruction. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and accepted forms of treatment in health forums today. CBT teaches people to identify and respond to the situation that impulsively draws people into such things as drug abuse. Coping skills training is one element of CBT. Social skills are identified in the person that will train them how to acquire problem solving skills, resist pressures of drinking and substance use, and formulate alternative courses of action. Maladaptive responses are transformed into adaptive thoughts that are rehearsed. Thus, negative patterns of the â€Å"self† and â€Å"environment† are attended to.Karol Kumpfer and Rose Alvarado did a study on Family-Strengthening Approaches for the Prevention of Youth Problem Behaviors and suggest three preventions in their article: Behavioural Parent Training, Family Skills Trainin g, and Family Therapy. The advantage an adolescent like Marie has in family centered preventions, interventions, and treatments is linked to cross-cultural acceptance. The YAI can become familiar with there initial cultural surroundings while communicating with their family. Less alienation from family should mean more confidence in making tough decisions.Although not all aspects of Maries cross-cultural situation can be addressed in a short paper, the implications of the areas covered do highlight the major roadblocks she will face as a 16 year old, Hispanic, female, living in a rural American neighborhood. It is the individual that is being asked to take the risks that cultural factors present. The social well being of all American citizens must be cared for in our society whether we want to or not. For Marie, and all YAIs, their future depends on it. Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents Essay Thank you for reading this Sample!

Does Punishment deter Crime Essays

Does Punishment deter Crime Essays Does Punishment deter Crime Paper Does Punishment deter Crime Paper Essay Topic: In Cold Blood Punishment has been set in place by society as a safety net. This is does not mean it prevents crime, in fact in some instances it may lead to the fabricating of more crime. By trying to punish iniquities done by others, one commits other severities. Punishment does not deter crime and can even turn others to breaking the law. One of the reasons society relies so heavily on punishments is because there is a common fallacy in place involving the benefits of having punishments set. Punishment doesnt stop crime before it happens, it doesnt discourage all from reeking laws. For example, a Missouri man named Jeff Mezzanines was sentenced to die in prison for purchasing seven pounds of marijuana. With two nonviolent marijuana convictions already on his record, Jeff received life without parole under Missouri three strikes law. Punishment did not prevent this man from committing the same crime three times in a row; therefore, the belief that punishment deters crime is invalid. Source 6 agrees with the claim that even though there is a set consequence for crime, people still violate the law. There has been crime In the past even when there was severe punishment in place. Thus this exemplifies the fact that punishment does not deter crime. Perhaps punishing crime Is not the solution. For Instance, say someone Is so ridiculed because of their punishment, their reputation is damaged. This is embodied by source 5 In which there Is an Image of a boy wearing a sign In public stating I am a thief. Say this teen was to try and apply for a Job, but because of a mistake he made and a punishment he went through In because of It, he was denied a Job. Then what? What else would this boy be able to turn to but a life of crime? Again punishment Is shown as non-deterring towards criminal actions. Sometimes we are so determined to save others we get caught up, almost entangled In a web of hypocrisy. While trying to stop crime from occurring, society can sometimes stoop to low levels to set examples for those pondering a life of. Some punishments will violate a criminals right, as a human, and a citizen of a country. In societys effort to prevent crime through punishment there are so many Injustices going on. Punishments can be so cruel, they may end up violating ones constitutional sights, and this Is a crime In Itself. For Instance the long debated theme of capital punishment ties Into this theory because here, we have society killing someone In cold blood. The Irony In this Is that now society has lowered Itself to a level In which they contribute to criminality. By punishing those who have had the misfortune of breaking the law, one can commit what they are so keen on preventing: a crime. Source 7 backs up this view by clung examples of when this has actually occurred. Therefore, punishment Is actually not deterring crime, and In this case Is even reading new crime. Although punishment does not deter crime, It may still be necessary as a consequence for those who have broken the law. Other methods may be Instituted In preventing crime over punishment, since punishment Is not effective In stopping crimes. Does Punishment deter Crime By sashays consequence for crime, people still violate the law. There has been crime in the past Perhaps punishing crime is not the solution. For instance, say someone is so embodied by source 5 in which there is an image of a boy wearing a sign in public stating l am a thief. Say this teen was to try and apply for a Job, but because of a mistake he made and a punishment he went through in because of it, he was denied Again punishment is shown as non-deterring towards criminal actions. Entangled in a web of hypocrisy. While trying to stop crime from occurring, society societys effort to prevent crime through punishment there are so many injustices rights, and this is a crime in itself. For instance the long debated theme of capital punishment ties into this theory because here, we have society killing someone in cold blood. The irony in this is that now society has lowered itself to a level in which they contribute to criminality. By punishing those who have had the misfortune of Source 7 backs up this view by citing examples of when this has actually occurred. Therefore, punishment is actually not deterring crime, and in this case is even Although punishment does not deter crime, it may still be necessary as a consequence for those who have broken the law. Other methods may be instituted in preventing crime over punishment, since punishment is not effective in stopping

An Explanation of the Use of Imagery and Figurative Language to Convey the Central Theme in Mending Wall, a Poem by Robert Frost

An Explanation of the Use of Imagery and Figurative Language to Convey the Central Theme in Mending Wall, a Poem by Robert Frost In the poem â€Å"Mending Wall†, Robert Frost uses language and paragraph structure in order to develop controversial ideas about the necessity of change and stirring rebellion, and about maintaining individuality. One of the prevalent themes present in this poem is that of change, and when it is necessary. When describing the uselessness of the wall, the speaker says, â€Å"My apple trees will never get across/ And eat the cones under his pines†. Here, the speaker emphasizes that the wall is not needed, and implies that there is no use in mending the wall, therefore advocating for change. The speaker’s believes that the wall is not necessary, shown when he says, â€Å"There where it is we do not need the wall† (line 17). He clearly sees no use for the wall anymore and is thinking practically. Logically, maintaining the wall is simply a waste of time and resources, as it is no longer needed. Frost relays the theme of change and rebellion through the speaker’s questioning of old customs as time goes on. After the speaker suggests that they perhaps break down the wall the reaction he receives is, â€Å"He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors’ †Å"(line 27). The neighbor’s repetition and insistence of this proverb shows his devotion to tradition and his unwillingness to change. This proverb has most likely been passed down over generations, once again reinforcing the idea that the neighbor is obsessed with custom and tradition. The fact that the poem ends with this line suggests that no change was established, and that the wall remained. The young, refreshing voice of change is clearly overshadowed by the elder opinion that change is unnecessary if the current system is working. This is an extremely powerful and controversial message, which is especially interesting during a time of such political uproar in America. Another message clear in Frost’s poem is that of the importance of individuality. For example, in lines 8 and 9, the speaker says, â€Å"And on a day we meet to walk the line/ And set the wall between us once again†. The order of these lines is meant to express the irony of the situation. The only time the two neighbors converse or meet is when they are trying to ensure that they won’t be bothered by each other for the rest of the year. This exposes the American culture as an individualistic one, and subtly criticizes the American belief in autonomy. In addition, when describing the mending of the wall, the speaker says, â€Å"One on a side† (line 16). This emphasizes the fact that even when working together towards a common goal, the two are separated. Once again, this stresses the importance of individuality in the American culture; the fact that even when we all want the same thing, we refuse to work together to achieve it, and we look out for our own s elf-interests first. Lastly, in line 18, the speaker describes himself and his neighbor by saying, â€Å"He is all pine and I am apple orchard†. The juxtaposition between these two items is once again meant to describe the separation between the two. Despite the fact that they live in the same neighborhood (and are therefore likely from a similar social class), they are still completely separate beings. Again, through this, Frost hopes to express the idea that individuality is one of America’s core values. Through his usage of language and his paragraph structure, Frost conveys controversial views on American society and its perception of change and individuality.

Advanced management accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Advanced management accounting - Assignment Example The net present value method is usually used to calculate the economic viability of a project and it is used to determine if the project is economically viable or it is not. The advantage of using the NPV criteria in the valuation of a project is the fact that the method has a clear decision making process. In evaluating a project or product, if the net present value is positive, then the project should be accepted by the management because the product or project would benefit the company (Cadenhead, 1970, 80).If the net present value is a negative, then the project or product should be rejected. If the net present value is equal t zero, then the management would be at a break even and any decision taken would not be harmful to the profitability of the company (Barton, 1999, 234). In case the management of Smart electronics decides to talk up the proposed investment, it would be costly for the company because the company would be running at a loss as a result of the many costs that a re associated with the product. The only thing that would warrant the acceptance of the product would be the reduction of costs to the company. The many costs that are associated with the product are making it hard for the company to gain any profits (Bastable, 1995, 133). C) Return on investment is a rate of return that accrues to shareholders of a company as a result of investing in the company. The rate of investment would be the main determinant for an investor before making any decision. The rate of return is however determined by the risk factor that is associated with a project or company. A company that has a high rate of risk is usually associated with high returns while companies that have low risk levels are associated with low returns. In the case of Smart electronics, the return on investment will be viewed on the rate of return that will accrue to the company as a result of investing in the new product. The investment in a new product should be feasible in the sense th at the returns should be positive and that the returns would be in such a manner as to work in the favor of the company in terms of profitability. Profitability of a company will increase if the company gets high returns from the products that it sells. For smart electronic to maximize on its rate of return, it should try to cut on costs that are associated with a product and the level of efficiency should be improved so as to ensure that running costs are as low as possible. The level of efficiency is usually determined by the machinery that is in the company. That should be done in a manner that the process of a company are efficient and the people working in the various departments are also efficient enough. Efficiency of processes is done by the company improving on the machinery that is been used in a company and the company improving the level of technology that is required to make the production process easier and simpler (Anthony, 1997, 225). The efficiency can

Outline marketing plan for the next year for Atlantic Quench 02133 Essay

Outline marketing plan for the next year for Atlantic Quench 02133 - Essay Example With the changing demography, the level of health consciousness has paved the way for new flavoured beverages. The beverage industry has kept on increasing in respect to the number of players and the target market. The demographic change has led the beverage industry to introduce new products. The aging population in US and other economies have forced companies to continuously innovate their marketing activities vis-a-vis product, price, place, promotion and communication. Atlantic Quench Cranberries Inc is US based company that produces juice and non juice products for more than 80 years. It is an agricultural supportive, which is owned by 46 grapefruit and 630 cranberry farmers. It has the largest market share in the fruit juice industry in US. It not only sells juice and non juice products in the US market, but it has also extended its operations in UK. Under juice product, it mainly sells under the brand name juice max, grab n go, cranberry original juice, etc and under non juice products it sells as new conserve, cranberry sauces, etc. The political situation of Europe is a very stable one. It follows a democratically elected system of government (Market Line., 2013). The political system of UK is embedded in its deep system of political stability that is given by the democratically elected government. After the world wars the UK has grown considerably over the years followed by a stable political system. For Atlantic quench this is a good sign as it provides a favourable investment climate for the company. Per capita GDP of the UK is high and the investment climate of UK is favourable. However in the recent years the country is suffering from high debt and fiscal deficit. There was negative GDP growth in the year 2009 that would result in the not-purchasing of any this that the consumers did not consider essential (West, Ford and Ibrahim, 2015). UK has also witnessed high rates

Memorable Experience Essay Example for Free

Memorable Experience Essay There has been many good and many bad things in my life. Although it was only at the age of five, I will always remember when my godfather David passed away. My mom dad and I lived together with David in Mathews, Virginia. I was always with him and would never leave his side; I was more attached to him than I was to my father. We did everything together we went to the playground, he took me to work with him, and we would take our dog on walks. He was the most special person to me, and I will always have a burning hole in my heart without him by my side. It was my birthday, May 18th, 2002 and my family would always take me out to dinner on my birthday. The whole day I couldn’t wait for David to get home so we could get ready together for dinner, I hadn’t seen him all day because he had work, and I had school. When he arrived at our house as usual he came to my room and gave me the biggest bear hug, David said, â€Å"Are you ready for our dinner sweetheart.† I said, â€Å"Yes, I’ve been waiting all day I’m so excited to go.† So we both got ready for dinner, I chose to eat a Ruby Tuesdays because when I was that age it was my favorite restaurant. Before we went to dinner mom, dad, and David gave me the presents that they had gotten me, of course I was thankful for everything I had gotten. Mom, dad, and I drove separately from David; he rode his motorcycle. We had the best time at dinner, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I loved eating out away from home, and it was always a big treat to me. Since it was my birthday I ordered a steak, the staff surprised me by singing Happy Birthday and bringing me a free piece of delicious chocolate lava cake. Chocolate lava cake happened to be my favorite dessert so you could not imagine the happiness it brought me for them to surprise me with it. Afterward, we all went to Walmart and David told me I could pick out one toy from the toy isle, and he would buy it for me. This treatment was nothing out of the ordinary David always treated me like a princess and bought me little gifts just because. Once we checked out at Walmart, we all decided we would meet back at the house. David wouldn’t be home until a little after us because he was some plans to take care of, but he told me he loved me and would see me in the morning before he went to work. Later that night my mom woke me up and said David had lost control of his motorcycle going around a turn and had gotten split in half by a road sign. I couldn’t believe what happened I was astonished, I was in doubt. It just couldn’t be true that someone that I loved so much was tooken from me  on what is supposed to be the best day each year for me. I cried and cried. At his funeral, the preacher spoke of me, how special of a person I was to him and that I was the light of his eyes. Anywhere David was I was strolling right behind him with the biggest smile on my face. The preacher said, â€Å"If any of you lose hope that he is not on this earth anymore, look at that little girl because he will always be watching over her.† Each birthday I start my day off with going to see my Guardian Angel at his resting place. He has always been and forever will be a part of my heart. In life, this has taught me anything can change in a matter of seconds people come and go, even people who mean the world to you. Sadly you can’t change what has happened but you have to move forward and grow from the experience because I know that he continually watches over me and will never leave my side.

Free Epic of Gilgamesh Essays: Underlying Meaning :: free essay writer

The Epic of Gilgamesh:   Underlying Meaning  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Last time, we introduced the ancient mythical tale, The Epic of Gilgamesh. You read a brief account of the tale and learned a little of its origins and discovery. Now we are going to get into the tale itself and have a deeper look in an effort to decode some of its hidden or underlying meaning. We will explore the notion of "The Double" and the quest for immortality in our search for the meaning of life. We remember from the epic tale that Enkidu, the wildman, was Gilgamesh's beloved friend. So what can Enkidu's injection into the story reveal to us then? Let's look more closely at this figure. Enkidu is an innocent savage, a wildman, content to live among the beasts. After an encounter with a trapper he undergoes a kind of culture shock and is tamed by a harlot or sacred prostitute. Here, sex is sacred; it is a civilizing force that separates humans from Nature for the animals now reject Enkidu. Paired with Gilgamesh, the two figures represent the Double. Enkidu embodies the instincts while Gilgamesh represents the intellect. Both of these aspects make up humankind. Through his friendship with Enkidu, Gilgamesh learns much about what it is to be human. He learns love and compassion, as well as death and loss as Enkidu dies. But Enkidu rages against his death! It is human instinct to fight death, to fight to live! Enkidu is soon appeased though by the sun god Shamash who gives death meaning in remembrance of those who have passed on, of Enkidu who will pass on. So we find in this story a meaning for death - meaning in being remembered. Gilgamesh, however, is not so easily appeased in Enkidu's death. He grieves heavily over the loss of his dear friend and vows to find the key to everlasting life. So he sets out on his journey, his journey through the underworld, through the otherworld. Is Gilgamesh now just intellectual man without instinct, without Enkidu? Death, loss, mortality are too much for Gilgamesh to bear. Why toil on earth to end up in a terrible afterlife? Gilgamesh will have none of it. He seeks to become immortal like the gods, after all, he himself is 2/3 god. He does find answers to the questions of life and death on his journey.

History of Art Forgery

University of Central Missouri The Art of Forgery History of Art Forgery 4/15/2012| Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of Art Forgery and the history of one of the greatest art forgers of our time, Tom Keating. The paper will go into the basic history of art forgery from the first recorded art forgery all the way up to the ways forgeries are made today. It will also go into the changes of how forgeries were detected and how forgers are prosecuted. The history of art forgery is not as sinister as some people may believe.In the past, and in some art schools today, students were/are made to copy the works of the master artists, such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Monet, and countless others, to hone their skills and practice. In years long past the masters would create their originals and then many copies would be made to make it visible to many people all over the world and to enhance the likelihood that the art would survive the ages. (Dutton, 1983) Thi s went on for years without any thought but as time went on more and more of the masters art started to surface the need for experts were needed to make sure the art in question was the real thing.In the past a person would have to spend years if not a lifetime researching and studying the way an artist would paint by looking at brush strokes, type of paint and canvas used, and other distinctive characteristics of the artist. As time progressed those same experts became some of the most accomplished art forgers. One such forger was French artist Jean-Pierre Schecroun. Before he was arrested and found guilty of forgery in 1962, Schecroun is said to had produced somewhere around eighty forgeries of artists’ works like Picasso and other modern masters. The pictures were said to have brought in ? 5,000 in two years (Dolice, 2003). Forgeries have become such a common practice that any work that surfaces that is allegedly a work done by a modern master such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Da li, Miro, and Chagall is put under great scrutiny. Along with art experts, art restores make good forgers. In 1970 at an auction house in Europe auctioneers noticed that of all the paintings they were getting ready to auction off that there were thirteen paintings of the famous British painter Samuel Palmer but all of them had the same theme, the town of Shoreham, England.After an article was released revealing their suspicions an art restorer named Thomas Patrick Keating claimed that all thirteen were of his making. Keating was born in 1918 Lewisham, a borough of London to poor un-noteworthy parents. From a young age Keating was a gifted painter and have of love art. After World War II he became an art restorer. (Keating, Norman, & Norman, 1977) After not being able to support himself and his family he became a house painter to make extra money to make ends meet. He did all he could to break into the art market by exhibiting his paintings at numerous galleries but he never got much recognition.In his own eyes Keating believed that the whole gallery system was â€Å"rotten. † He stated that the system was â€Å"dominated by American â€Å"avant-garde fashion, with critics and dealers often conniving to line their own pockets at the expense both of naive collectors and impoverished artists. † (Keating, Norman, & Norman, 1977) Keating had have enough and decided to get revenge on the broken system. He formed a plan to destabilize the gallery and auction system by flooding the market with forgeries. By the time he was caught he allegedly produced over 2,000 forgeries and copied over 100 different artists.In an article to the Guardian, a British news network a friend of Keating’s, John Brandler said that â€Å"He thought, ‘I'm as good as Rembrandt, Palmer, Renoir and all the rest of the classic painters, and I'm going to prove it',† and many think that he did. Known as a forger with a cause he would leave tell-tale markin gs that would one day reveal that the work was a fake. Known to sometimes write on the canvas with lead before he painted, Keating knew that an x-ray would reveal the message underneath. It was also not unknown of him to purposefully add miniscule flaws or to use materials not available in the time of the original painter.One of the more devious things that were done to ensure the fallacy of his works was done to a few of his oil painting forgeries. Keating knowing that one day all oil paintings will need to be cleaned put a layer of glycerol under his painting. When the restorer would go to clean the painting the chemical reaction would cause the glycerol to dissolve and then the layer of paint would disintegrate leaving the whole work a ruin and revealing that it was a forgery (Keating, Norman, & Norman, 1977). He also had specific techniques he would use on forgeries of certain artists.When it came to Rembrandt’s works he would boil nuts for hours to make the paint fad e in the future where true paints from the era of Rembrandt would not. In 1977 after an extensive investigation Tom Keating was finally arrested, not for forgery per-say but for conspiracy to defraud. That same year his autobiography, The Fake’s Progress: The Tom Keating Story was published. The years had not been kind to Keating. Years of smoking and inhaling the chemicals that are used in art restoration; turpentine, ammonia and methyl alcohol had taken a toll on his life. The case was dropped due to his poor health.The case was just what was needed to launch him to the fame that has eluded him when he first started to break into the art market. In 1982 through 1983 he had a television program where he talked about the old masters of painting and the techniques that they and he had used to become famous. The following year in 1984, Thomas Keating passed away from a heart attack. After his passing his works have become even more collectable and many find that his forgeries a re worth just as much, if no more, than his originals (Keating, Norman, & Norman, 1977). Tom Keating was in no fashion one of the first art forgers.As stated above forgery has been around as long as art has. People will always want to replicate something that they find pleasing or today that they can make some money. The concept of forgery has not really changed that much over the years. If you want to forge a famous painting or sculpture you study the original artist, try to copy the style that they use, and use materials as close to those used by the artist as possible. Unlike the process, the methods of detection have made great strides. In the beginning the only way to spot a fake was through examination.Some of the few things beside style that are looked at when determining the authenticity of a piece are frames, signatures on the art, stretch bars, and nail holes. (Fleming, 1975) All of these have possibilities of being originals because all of the following, minus the sig natures can be changed when an art restorer works on a painting but a true expert can tell. As technology advanced so did the ways of detecting forgeries. The development of the use of x-rays has brought about the use of x-ray diffraction and fluorescence. Both are used to determine the omposition of the materials used. In x-ray diffraction, used in the authentication of paintings, not only analyzes the components but also to detect pentimento, the alteration of a painting. Carbon and â€Å"White lead† dating are used to measure the age of a painting, Dendrochronology used to date wooden objects and Thermoluminescence is used to date pottery. (Fleming, 1975) One of the newest forms of authentication is digital authentication. Wavelet decomposition is when the picture is broken down into smaller pictures and then the texture is analyzed by the stroke of the paint.The United States has many laws against counterfeiting and fraud but when it comes to prosecuting forgers they have a hard time proving the burden of proof. Just like the forgers changing with the times, prosecutors have adapted. It has become standard practice for prosecutors to go after forgers under Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). This has worked because it is very seldom that a forger works alone. They usually have someone they trust that helps them find a buyer or get the forgeries into an auction.In going after all of the people prosecutors have been successful against art forgers such as the case United States v. Amiel. (Dolice, 2003) Forgers and the sellers of counterfeit art can also be held accountable through civil actions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) protects against unfair trade practices in the art market. In 1993 the FTC brought a case against Magui Publishers, Inc. In FTC v. Magui Publishers, Inc. , the court found Magui guilty of and made them pay $1. 96 million in restitution. (Federal Trade Commision , 1993) Art Forgery has been around since a rt was first made.Though it started as nothing but a simple exercise to better ones skill, it has become a crime that is hard to fight. With the discovery that one can make money just by copying an artist’s style art forgers started selling their own paintings as the work of the masters and they haven’t stopped. This brought about such forgers as Thomas Keating, the forger with a cause. As the forgers themselves changed, the ways they were caught have changed to. The introduction of using x-rays was a great advance in the detection of pentimento, the alteration of the original painting.When going after the forgers prosecutors must rely on other means than just federal statutes against forgery. RICO has made it easier for federal prosecutions to go farther. As art continues to flourish, so will the ways that people try to copy that art. In the years to come, forgers will become more and more skilled at the art of copying. That being the case, all who work against forger s must be vigil and work as hard as the forgers themselves to stay one step ahead of them. If not, one day forgers may be making forgeries of the master forgers of today. Works Cited Dolice, J. 2003). Fabulous Fakes and a History of Art forgery. Dutton, D. (1983). The Forger's Art. Berkeley: University of California Press. Federal Trade Commision . (1993). 9 F. 3d 1551: Federal Trade Commission, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Magui Publishers, Inc. ; Pierre Marcand, Defendants-appellants. Retrieved April 2012, from FTC. gov. Fleming, S. J. (1975). Authenticity in Art: The scientific Detection of Forgery. New York: Crane, Russak ;amp; Co Inc. Keating, T. , Norman, G. , ;amp; Norman, F. (1977). The Fake's Progress: The Tom Keating Story. London: Hutchinson and Company.

Parkinsons term paper Essay

Parkinson’s disease is characterized as a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system which is understood to persist and continually worsen over time. It is the second most common neurological disorder. Parkinson’s disease affects approximately one million people within the United States. This disorder progresses slowly and is unique in the sense that Parkinson’s disease can be caused by genetics among other things. Parkinson’s disease is well known for its characteristic tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with speech in the patients it affects. Parkinson’s disease is caused by diminishment of the substantia nigra in the tegmentum which controls motor functions within the body. This disease is classified as a basil ganglionic disorder which causes a breakdown of dopamineric neurons in the substancia nigra, located in the midbrain. The substancia nigra is composed of neuromelanin which pigments the substancia nigra and gives it its darker cha racteristic. The neuromelanin also connects to the motor cortex which is responsible for one’s motor control and balance. The chemical dopamine is created in the substantia nigra. The basil ganglia receives inputs from the motor cortex, the association cortex, and the substancia nigra. The basil ganglia then sends messages to the motor cortex by way of the thalamus. With Parkinson’s disease, the nigral neurons are damaged, which causes the neuromelanin to be free to move into the adjacent tissue where it is phagocytosed and moved away by macrophages. This degenerative process not only destroys the process of creating dopamine, but it also causes the pigmentation of the substancia nigra to change and become lighter in appearance. The lack of dopamine-related input from the substantia nigra negatively changes the equilibrium of the output from the basil ganglia to the motor cortex. This alteration in the equilibrium then causes the symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease. The d irect cause of Parkinson’s disease remains a medical mystery, but many factors can participate in determining whether one is susceptible to developing Parkinson’s disease in  the future. The exposure to specific toxins in the environment and various environmental factors has the possibility of playing a role in those who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Another possible cause of Parkinson’s disease is the role of one’s genetics. It is found that certain mutations can give rise to Parkinson’s disease, although this is uncommon. The brains of patients with Parkinson’s disease change as the disease progresses. Lewy bodies are microscopic markers that characterize the presence of Parkinson’s disease within a patient. They are abnormal microscopic protein deposits that form in the brain and play a role in disrupting the brain’s normal functions. This disruption causes deterioration. Lewy bodies contain A-synuclein which is a protein that cells cannot break down. Early indicators of Parkinson’s disease include tremors or shaking which can reside in one’s finger, thumb, hand, lip, or chin, though shaking is normal after extensive physical activity, injury, or may be due to medications. If one’s handwriting begins to appear smaller over a short period of time, it could be a warning sign of Parkinson’s although one should not base their self-diagnosis upon handwriting, for handwriting can change as one advances in age, but this happens over time and not suddenly. A loss of smell in specific foods can be an indicator, but a loss of smell can also be related to the possession of the common cold or the flu. Another early sign may be sudden movements while sleeping such as falling out of the bed or kicking and punching. It is important to understand that people on occasion may experience difficulty sleeping. Chronic stiffness can be a sign, but this symptom can also be caused by an injury or arthritis. If one is experiencing constipation on a daily basis, this can be considered a sign of Parkinson’s disease, although a lack of fiber in one’s diet or medications can determine the moving of one’s bowels. Having recently possessed a soft o r low voice is an indicator unless one has a chest cold or other virus. If one has the appearance of a masked face, a blank stare that persists, or undergoes a long duration of time without the action of blinking, these may be precursors to having Parkinson’s disease. Feeling dizzy or fainting can be signs of low blood pressure and may be connected to Parkinson’s disease along with the inability to stand up straight. There are many Parkinson’s-related symptoms that are known today. The most obvious of symptoms is a resting tremor. A shaking, or tremor, normally starts in one’s  limb, and it is often located on a hand or fingers. This resting tremor usually stops when the patient is voluntarily moving the limb affected by the tremor. A â€Å"pill-rolling† tremor is common and is characterized by one rolling one’s thumb and forefinger. These tremors can be noticed when the limb is even at a relaxed state. Due to the tremors and inability to control certain motor functions, writing can become difficult for patient s with Parkinson’s disease. It is noted that when writing, those effected with Parkinson’s disease posses handwriting that is characteristically small. Bradykinesia, or a slowing of movement, can be present. Parkinson’s disease has the ability to cause one to move slower which can make simple every-day tasks a challenge. With bradykinesia, one’s steps may become smaller in distance when being mobile, and one’s feet may begin to drag when walking. Excessive muscle tone or hypertonia may be prevalent in patients with Parkinson’s disease and will manifest itself as stiffness or rigidness which causes pain and a loss in one’s range of motion. Parkinson’s disease patients may experience posture impairment and balance, for a patient’s posture can become stooped, and balance can be lost. Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may experience a loss in their autonomic functions which include and are not limited to smiling, swinging one’s arms while walking, and blinking. This loss in autonomic function caused a select number of patients to stop using their hands while speaki ng in normal conversations. Speech changes can affect those living with Parkinson’s disease. One may speak out of rhythm in such a way that it may sound soft, quick, hesitant, monotone or slurred. Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease is not a simple process, for a test for Parkinson’s disease does not yet exist. In order to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurologist must first obtain a detailed medical history of the patient being diagnosed, a review of the patient’s signs and symptoms, a physical examination, and a neurological examination. Tests to exclude other conditions may be ordered to ensure proper diagnosis of the disorder. Once a patient has undergone sufficient testing and examining, the doctor may prescribe the patient the medication carbidopa-levodopa, which is a Parkinson’s disease medicine. If the patient improves considerably while on the medication, this often confirms a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.  There exists a wide-range of treatments for patients that suffer from Parkinson’s disease from drug treatments to surgical treatments. The pharmacologic approach for those with Parkinson’s disease aims to increase the lack of dopamine in the patient’s basil ganglia. L-dopa or Levodopa is a drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier. The brain can convert this drug to dopamine. Carbidopa can also be prescribed to patients afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. Carbidopa is a decarboxylase inhibitor and, when taken with levodopa, can aid levodopa from converting to dopamine outside of the brain. The combination of medications allows for more levodopa to reach the brain which ultimately increases the brain’s supply of dopamine. These two medications decrease the side effects which are caused by an increased amount of dopamine outside of the brain. They reduce the supply of â€Å"free† dopamine from residing outside of the brain. An excess of dopamine outside of the brain could result in low blood pressure, vomiting, and nausea. Other medications include dopamine agonists which directly stimulate nerve receptors inside of the brain which are usually stimulated by dopamine. In contrast to the medication levodopa, dopamine agonists do not convert into dopamine but rather behave like dopamine. Dopamine agonists are utilized in patients that are in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease and may be added to a treatment plan along with levodopa in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease. It may also be added when levodopa alone cannot sufficiently manage the patient’s symptoms or when the patient has severe motor fluctuations. Side effects associated with levodopa-carbidopa include dizziness upon rising, confusion, nausea, movement disorders, and hallucinations. Side effects commonly associated with dopamine agonists are vomiting, nausea, and orthostatic hypotension. Surgical treatment options are available for those who suffer from Parkinson’s. These surgical treatments are intended to control symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease patients who do not positively respond to medications. One of the surgical treatments crea tes a lesion in specific portions of the thalamus within the midbrain which become overactive in Parkinson’s disease. A reversible procedure that can be used on patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is deep brain stimulation, or DBS. With this procedure, electrodes are implanted into exact locations. These locations are treated then with pulses of electrical currents. Why deep brain stimulation works is unknown. Medical  experts believe that the current could be activating, affecting, or inhibiting synaptic transmission onto neurons in the vicinity of the electrodes. The future prospects for a cure for Parkinson’s disease are promising, for the medical community has begun to identify the genetic causes linked to Parkinson’s disease. This allows the medical community to expand animal models of Parkinson’s disease. These will be highly useful in the process of understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and will be useful in further testing the neuroprotective therapies which can potentially aid in the fight against the progression of Parkinson’s disease. A different potential approach in the future would be to engage in the replacement of lost neurons via transplantation, which would be highly difficult and tedious. Overall, Parkinson’s disease is well on the way to being better understood and through this und erstanding scientists will be able to directly identify the source of this disease and eventually find a method that directly cures this disease. References Etiology. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved March 13,2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etiology Welcome to the Purdue OWL. (n.d.). Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01 Parkinson’s: Symptoms & Types. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-symptons-types Parkinson’s disease. (n.d.). Complications. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/complications/con-20028488 Parkinson’s Disease. (n.d.). Parkinson’s Disease. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http:// courses.washington.edu/conj/bess/parkinsons.html Nisipeanu, P. (n.d.). Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis and Clinical Management. Adverse Effects of Dopamine Agonists. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/books/NBK27800/ Levodopa Medicines for Parkinsonâ€⠄¢s Disease. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from http:// www.wbmd.com/parkinsons-disease/levodopa-medications-for-parkinsons-disease Dopamine Agonists for Parkinson’s Disease. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved March 13, 2014, from

The Failure of Communism In Eastern Europe essays

The Failure of Communism In Eastern Europe essays The Failure of Communism in Eastern Europe Communism in the Eastern Europe was a tragedy. It did do well in the Eastern Europe for quite a while; however, it doomed to failure. Communism was condemned due to lack of support from other nations, condemned due to the lack of efficient solution to the economical failure, and condemned due to the reformation of Gorbachev. Communism in Eastern Europe was only a theory that did not work in reality. Originally, Karl Marx invented the theory of Communism. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Communism is applied to the movement that aims to overthrow the capitalist order by revolutionary means and to establish a classless society in which all goods will be socially owned. Marxs idea of communism was to create a state that was ruled by workers. Marx thought that under the Tsar, the government would eventually spoil the workers, and revolution would take place soon or later. This would lead to the birth of Communism. Ideally, the society provided equal sharing of work, according to ability, and all benefits, according to need. Coercive government would be unnecessary and therefore the society was ruled without ruler. The private property was abolished. However, Lenin and Stalin modified the theory of Communism, which altered the actually meaning of the theory. This modification led to the collapse of Communism. The reformation of Gorbachev was an excellent example to prove thi s. Under the rule of Lenin, he claimed that there could be only one party, which was the Communist party, ran the government. Opposition parties were abolished. This was different from Marxs originally intention to have a state rule without ruler. Dictatorship might be established. The Communist parties had the total power. People were not allowed to criticize the government publicly, and freedom of speech was being striped. Censorship and propaganda was flourished among the society. There was no allo...

Duties of directors Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Duties of directors - Essay Example Notably, it is the company constitution that offers the board of directors with the adequate power to administer the business of the company (Katz, Lipton & Katz, 2011). In simplest terms, delegation of power means effectual allocation of resources to people with adequate skills and knowledge. It is to be mentioned that delegation is quite significant for the senior management to attain all the required tasks in a timely manner. It is applicable in all industry sectors along with government. Hereby, a delegate is considered to be the person who is responsible to carry out the role, authority as well as duties of, or to act on behalf of, or symbolize others (Tomasic, Bottomley & McQueen, 2002). It is worth mentioning that there are numerous duties that the director is accountable for. The main objective of this paper has been to comprehend the nature and the extent of statutory duties imposed on directors by Corporation Act. The discussion will further try to incorporate a critical an alysis of the nature, application along with effectiveness of the two statutory duties of the directors under the Corporation Act. The two statutory duties are ‘duty of good faith’ along with ‘duty of care and diligence’. The study will also attempt to briefly discuss the duties of directors as well as relevant common laws which tend to control the role of these directors. Background The decisions rendered by the director needs to be examined very carefully in order to comprehend the fact what could have been done so that the company could have obtained greater benefits from that director (Turnbull, 2012). If the director is found to violate his duty, the company possesses the right to sue the director for causing damages. There are numerous general responsibilities of the directors which comprises of various specific duties. For instance, it is quite significant for the directors to exercise carefulness (Turnbull, 2012). This implies that the directors are supposed to utilise their informed judgements in order to administer the company in a proper way being capable of entrusting their judgments on certain measures. Furthermore, the delegation can be considered to be valid if it is done in a proper manner in the best interest of the company (Turnbull, 2012). Under the common law, it is the duty and right of the directors to deliberate. This implies that they are supposed to make good efforts in order to get involved, discuss, consider and thus make use of their judgment while acting on the matters of the company. It has been observed that it is the duty of the director to make use of their power for adequate purposes. If the power is being used for a wrongful reason, it is considered to be invalid. For instance, a director of the company may not be acting with an ethically sound purpose while the new shares tend to be issued. In such circumstances the company intends to restructure itself or to issue gifts in terms of compensation fro m the company’s resources so that the power of the director can be enhanced. Any act of the director which does not have a proper purpose might be considered as invalid, for instance, issuance of the shares to the public in order to defeat a takeover or to retain control of the company (Turnbull, 2012). It is the duty of the directors not to get involved in any kind of conflict of interests. Directors tend to have fiduciary duties which are generally outstanding to their company. This can be regarded as a

Infant Observation Research Paper (The Infant Care Environment,

Infant Observation (The Infant Care Environment, Developmental Milestones) - Research Paper Example Under the song/rhyme activity (words to rhymes or songs), children are exposed to the cat and the own, Little Bunny Fu, Fu; Look at the Doggie at the window; Three birds and one fish, two fish, three and four fish. Under the language development activity, children learn pat the cat, the bunny hops, the doggy barking, this is the way the bird flies, and the fish swim. The activity on exercise/stimulation features tummy time boost, push the feet, roll over, jingle feet, and the gentle stretch. For the activity today’s music, children are taken through lullabies, soft rock music, easy listening music, classical music, and country music. During the massage time, children are massaged on the forehead, on the forehead and cheek, the eyebrows, the shoulders and the chin and ears. During playtime, children are taken through the cat is up and down, bunny hoping, doggie to the right and left, bird say tweet, tweet and the gold fish. For fun activities, children are taken through copy me , I love to dance, shake the rattle, and flashlight fun (Forman & Hall, 2005). Children of ages: 9 to 15 months: program range This program offers the infants with a fun-filled learning experience. The program offers heuristic play items, blended in preschool themes and inspired by a touch of Montessori. The lessons are grouped into weekly packages, all including group time exercises, sign language lessons (five taught in a month), language development exercises, words to rhymes and songs; and fun-filled learning exercises. 3. The room’s painting is based on a simple color scheme. Furniture are arranged in a manner that large, open spaces are available for activity sessions and smaller, containing spaces are available, which are best for social interactions and group work. On the floor were 4 by 4 feet rugs, which are used as leaning areas for the infants. Spaces are left for large block plays, book areas, and stacking and nesting play toys. Child-safe mirrors are useful to children and they also improve the supervision of the two caregivers (Moreno & Klute, 2011). Different rugs and large pillows, which offer protection when children fall, were also available. The larger pillows are placed at the spaces for older infants, as they can interfere with the sitting and crawling of younger infants. The shelves are low, as they are used as the display area for different toys. The toys are changed after every two days, to ensure that children remain interested and learning. The children’s baby-beds are personalized by the teacher, adding mobiles above different cribs. Others had homey touches, and a family photo, to bring familiarity to the spaces. The furniture at the infant center are low