Financial Analysis Of Two Stocks - 1518 Words

Joshua Keister is a senior at SIUE pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a dual concentration in Finance and CMIS. He is wanting to become a Financial Advisor/Planner. The two stocks Joshua picked were Activision Blizzard Inc. and Braskem S.A.. The purpose of these stocks is to obtain high growth with a large-cap company and international growth, helping the portfolio retain its high growth potential and stay diversified. Colton Hamel is in his final semester at SIUE. He is planning to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Management with a Finance specialization in December. He is looking to pursue a career in banking or financial planning. His analysis was focused on McDonalds and Boeing. These two stocks purpose is to be safe†¦show more content†¦We believe it is important to capitalize on the bullish market we are currently in, but are worried this may not continue in the long run. Due to this, we chose 8 stocks that were a mix of diversified value and growth stocks. Investment Strategy The investment style of an investor who wants to capitalize on favorable current market conditions, but also not be overly bullish and lack protection if the market corrects into a downturn. The stocks we chosen to accomplish this are Activision, Braskem SA, Boeing, McDonald’s, IBM, Hershey, TechTarget, and Willdan Group. Section 2. The Securities Activision, IBM, and TechTarget Section 2.1 Sector Outlook: Technology We are slightly bullish in the technology sector, because of this we have chosen three stocks in this sector. We feel comfortable with this because of the overall size and growth of the technology sector. Our companies in the technology industry specialize in the research and development and the distribution of technologically based goods and/or services. This industry is also producing new and innovating items which makes it a prime choice for investors. In 2016, the tech industry generated market sales of about $2.9 trillion and it expected to grow by 4.7% in 2017 (Bartels, 2016). ActivisionShow MoreRelatedStock Market Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks And Regression Analysis871 Words   |  4 Pages Stock Market Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks and Regression Analysis Tyler T. Procko Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University TO: Professor Michael Perez, M.A., M.F.A. FROM: Tyler T. Procko DATE: 10/03/2016 SUBJECT: Analytical Report Proposal I. Purpose / Background / Audience: Relatively accurate prediction of multi-tiered, non-linear events has long been a difficult and time-consuming task to perform; forecasting the movement ofRead MoreIntroduction to the Finance Company Project979 Words   |  4 Pagesof a major, publicly traded corporation using financial concepts and techniques as well as the concepts and techniques from other business areas. 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Also discussed in text and throughout discussion questions was the use of cash flows and types. We also covered both vertical and horizontal analysis. Cash Flow and Shares In any industry, have a clear picture of an organizations cash, and the flow of where it goes is an important part of a successful organization. Many organizations use different methods of accounting to view financial information. But some of the

The Incarceration System Of The United States - 1025 Words

Indeed, once upon a time the incarceration system was set in place with two firm duties: retribution and rehabilitation. When did these institutions, once considered virtuous and just, become the hallmark of inequality? On September 27th, 2015, Pope Francis remarked on a visit to a Philadelphia jail â€Å"It is painful when we see prison systems, which are not concerned to care for wounds, to soothe pain, to offer new possibilities,† a moving sentiment that would soon resonate with the American population. Unbeknownst to many listening to his gripping words, â…“ of the world s female prison population is incarcerated in the United States. And if the magnitude of that figure does not astound you, maybe the fact that every 1 in 15 American prisoners are black, while only 1 in 106 prisoners are white, will. These statistics reported by Harper’s Index embody the blatant corruption of the American incarceration system and the innate institutionalized racism the U.S has sustained throughout history. Since the inception of the United States, the government has had one definitive purpose: to protect the people’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These prerogatives established a framework for the optimal democratic society, one that would be impartial and benevolent. However, the entire non-white population is barred from sharing in these rights. One of the major ways these rights are denied is through incarceration. A look at our high rates of imprisonment might,Show MoreRelatedThe United States Incarceration System1710 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States incarceration system is a structural foundation of punishment in which is formed by robust authoritarian power. 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What was once an average of 100 people getting imprisoned for every 100,000 adults, prior to the 1970s, has now grown to become more than 600 individuals per every 100,000 adults imprisoned. With only five present of the total world population, The United States holds an astonishing 25 percent of theRead MoreAmeric Land Of The Incarcerated1296 Words   |  6 Pagesthe poem The Star Spangled Banner after witnessing the attack on Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy in the War of 1812. The poem was sang to the tune of a well-known British song and eventually, Key’s once amateur patriotic poem became the United States national anthem in which the lyrics strongly symbolize our country’s perseverance and freedom. The Star Spangled Banner can be heard at a variety gatherings such as official military functions and sporting events where celebrity singers oftenRead MorePositive A nd Negative Impacts Of The Correctional System1514 Words   |  7 PagesFord Valdosta State University â€Æ' Introduction The correctional system as a whole has a significant impact on the United States. From policy, incarceration, sexual victimization, and those who oversee correctional facilities it all takes a toll on the country. Simply stated, it is the butterfly effect seen in action. When one decision, action, or lack thereof is implemented there will either be positive or negative consequences. Statistics encompassing sexual victimization, incarceration rates in theRead MoreAmerican Incarceration : Where We Are, And What Can Be Done?1518 Words   |  7 PagesYasir Choudhury Dr. Joà £o Vargas UGS 303 Mass Incarceration 5 October 2015 American Incarceration: Where We Are, and What Can be Done From its early inception as a necessary aspect of modern society to its broken state that can be seen today, the American penal system has changed radically in recent history from an institution that performed the duty of safeguarding the public from those too dangerous to be left unsupervised to a business model concerned more with generating a profit for shareholders

The SEQUEY HORN CASE free essay sample

Eugene Decker hung up his office phone and frowned. As part owner of the Squeaky Horn, a musical-instrument repair shop, Decker was responsible for setting the charges for various types of repairs. A potential customer had just called to inquire about the cost to repair the bridge on her cello. After Decker quoted an estimated price for the job, the woman had remarked, â€Å"Thank you for the quote, but I’ll be going to Best Instrument Repair. I’ve heard they give good service, and their prices are lower than yours.† Unfortunately, Decker had heard similar statements many times during the past few months. Ever since Best Instrument Repair had opened across town, Decker and his partners had found themselves having to compete for business more than ever before. To attract repair jobs and avoid layoffs, Decker and his partners had lowered prices for minor repairs for the first time in 10 years. We will write a custom essay sample on The SEQUEY HORN CASE or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Decker looked at the budgeted versus actual operating-profit statement on his desk (Exhibit 1). How could he tell what portion of the company’s lost profits was due to the price decreases and how much was related to other factors? Background The Squeaky Horn was a musical-instrument repair shop that specialized in the repair and restoration of band and orchestral instruments. The shop was owned and managed by Decker and two partners, who were all well regarded for their exacting repair work and attention to detail. Professional musicians from all over the country sent their instruments to the Squeaky Horn for minor adjustments or major overhauls. Demanding concert and travel schedules placed great stress on the delicate parts of musical instruments, and professional musicians were careful to keep their instruments in peak condition. Service Lines Currently, the Squeaky Horn offered four main services: major and minor repairs and restorations of band instruments such as saxophones and French horns, and major and minor This case was prepared by Kristy Lilly (MBA ’03) and Liz Smith (MBA ’04), under the supervision of Professor Mark Haskins. It was written as a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Copyright ï £ © 2003 by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation, Charlottesville, VA. All rights reserved. To order copies, send an e-mail to [emailprotected] No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the Darden School Foundation. ââ€"Å  Authorized for use only in the course BU607 at Wilfrid Laurier University taught by Chima Mbagwu from Sep 01, 2013 to Dec 30, 2013. Use outside these parameters is a copyright violation. THE SQUEAKY HORN UVA-C-2183 repairs and restorations of orchestral instruments such as violins and cellos. Historically, minor repairs were billed at a rate of $35.00 an hour for band instruments and $32.50 an hour for orchestral instruments. Major repairs and restorations were performed under individual flat-fee arrangements that were quoted to customers based on the type of work needed for each instrument. The Squeaky Horn’s three owners performed all major repairs and restorations in the shop. Minor repairs of band instruments were performed by hourly employees, and minor repairs of orchestral instruments were performed by three full-time salaried employees. In addition, rush jobs for minor repairs were occasionally performed for local customers only. These jobs were subcontracted to a retired employee of the Squeaky Horn, who performed the repairs for $25 an hour. Rush jobs were billed under flat-fee arrangements that averaged $150 per job. The average rush job took three hours to complete. The Annua l Operating Plan At the beginning of the current year, Decker’s CPA had prepared the annual operating plan for the Squeaky Horn (Exhibit 1). The Squeaky Horn’s business was small and relatively straightforward, which enabled the CPA to develop the company’s operating budget using specific volume and revenue data for each product line. The following information was used in preparing the annual plan: 1. Based on prior years’ work orders, the shop was expected to perform the following number of jobs in the coming year: 390 major band repairs, 1,830 minor band repairs, 540 major orchestral repairs, 1,560 minor orchestral repairs, and 50 rush jobs. Average major repairs were quoted at $400 and $300 for band and orchestral jobs, respectively. The average minor band repair took two hours to complete, whereas the average minor orchestral repair took four hours to complete. 2. All three partners drew annual base salaries of $60,000 plus bonuses of 5 percent of sales revenue. 3. The hourly employees were paid $20 an hour for work performed. 4. The salaried employees were paid annual base salaries of $38,000. To the extent that the number of minor orchestral repairs exceeded 1,560, the orchestral repairers were paid a flat rate of $80 per job to complete those repairs. 5. Replacement parts and other supplies were budgeted at $50 for each major job and $10 for each minor job (including rush jobs), based on experience. 6. Approximately 35 percent of the instruments that the Squeaky Horn worked on were shipped to the shop from out of town. The company expected to incur average shipping charges of $30 per package to ship the instruments back to their owners. 7. Advertising, depreciation, office rent, and miscellaneous expenses were budgeted as fixed expenses. Authorized for use only in the course BU607 at Wilfrid Laurier University taught by Chima Mbagwu from Sep 01, 2013 to Dec 30, 2013. Use outside these parameters is a copyright violation.

Monkey`s Essays - The Monkeys Paw, Wish, Monkeys In Chinese Culture

Monkey`s Paw And Masque Of Red Death Imagine you could wish for your heart's desire. It could be anything you wanted. However, someone would have to die for your wish to come true. Remember, be careful of what you wish for; The consequences may be horrific. The idea of fate and symbolism, when mixed together, can make a lethal pair. Poe and Jacobs use fate and symbolism to paint an effective picture of death. The idea of fate is used in both "The Monkey's Paw" and "The Masque of the Red Death" very well. In "Monkey", the paw manipulates faith. "It moved.....As I wished it twisted in my hand like a snake." The twisting and movement represents someone or something manipulating fate for their wants. In "Masque", the aristocracy also tried to manipulate fate. However, they weren't wishing any material possessions; they were trying to control fate to survive the Red Death. "The abbey was amply provisioned. With such precautions the courtiers might bid defiance to contagion." By provisioning the abbey and taking other precautions, the partygoers were trying to cheat death. Changing your destiny can have consequences. Op and Jacob's both demonstrate this. In "Monkey", the father wishes for two hundred pounds. While it does come true, there was a consequence. This was Herbert's death. The same thing goes for "Masque." Even though the people took precautions (a.k.a. manipulating fate) against the Red Death, they still died. Edgar Allen Poe and W.W. Jacobs do an excellent job of using symbolism in their stories. Jacobs uses the monkey's paw to symbolize someone trying to change or manipulate fate. The fact that is a monkey's paw is important for one reason: A monkey is the only other animal besides humans that has opposable thumbs. In "Masque", one of the seven deadly sins, pride, is used to symbolize fate manipulation. The people had so much pride that they thought they could do anything. They even thought they could change their destiny. Another symbol in "Monkey" is the chessboard and game at the beginning. The chessboard symbolizes life. The pieces are people like us. They can move certain ways, but if they make a mistake or try to do something audacious, there can be consequences. Checkmate, or death, is one of those consequences. The mummer in "Masque" also symbolizes death. "The figure was tall and gaunt, and shrouded from head to foot in the habiliments of the grave. The mask which concealed the visage was made so nearly to resemble the countenance of a stiffened corpse that the closes scrutiny must have had difficulty in detecting the cheat." This description alone represents the Plague, the death of the people. Poe and Jacobs both used the idea of changing our fate very well in their stories. They did the same with symbolism, too. These two literary concepts can create a vivid image for the reader. I feel there is one major theme you can get from these stories, especially "The Monkey's Paw." That is: Be careful what you wish for.

Bicycle Theif essays

Bicycle Theif essays Another fine example of neorealism is The Bicycle Thief (1948), written by Cesare Zavattini and directed by Vittorio De Sica. The narrative of this film unfolds in post-W.W.II times. The film is a portrait of the post-war Italian disadvantaged class (the majority) in their search for self-respect. It is a time of struggle for the Italian people, amplified by a shortage of employment and lack of social services. In the first scenes of the film, these conditions are evident as Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorami) meets his spouse Maria (Lianalla Carell) on his way back home. We see the men arguing at the employment office as the women argue about the shortage of water. Although the directors pessimism drives the plot, it is ultimately the clash with human optimism which gives this film affective power. Antonios new job can bring his family new hopes and happiness, which are drastically destroyed when his bicycle is stolen. The banal circumstances are brought to life when it is realized that a modest bicycle is such an important element in determining the future survival of the Ricci family. Human optimism is there, beginning with Antonios excitement when he gets his bike from the pawn shop, and the next morning when the family joyfully interacts before setting out for work. These scenes contain the promises that a modest job can bring and the dignity and pride of being able to once more function within Italian society. The embodiment of this self-respect is shown when Antonio and his son Bruno (Enzo Staicca) both smile at Maria as they leave home. Self-respect and all the related values such as pride, dignity, modesty and honor are very important in Italian society. Witness Bruno, whom at a young age, works full time at a gas station. Brunos contributions to the Ricci family make him a man and strip him of his innocence. Being able to work is a ...

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Book Review

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Book Review The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Book Review Example The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Book Review Example All people perceive the external reality from their subjective perspective, as the impact of culture, worldview, and traditions are always implicitly present. It is especially applicable to the representatives of the dominant Western culture. People tend to assume that their worldview is necessarily correct if they enjoy high standards of living and are â€Å"civilized† according to some widespread criteria. This position becomes clear when the interaction and cooperation of Western people with the members of the minority ethnic groups is examined. This paper is a book review of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures (1997) by Anne Fadiman. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures (1997) by Anne Fadiman This book is unique as it integrates a large number of social and cultural issues while examining the story of a girl with epilepsy. It demonstrates how the same events and processes are evaluated differently by the representatives of different cultures. The author does not impose her views on the readers and allows them to make their conclusions and interpretations. The review will concentrate on several levels of analysis: The first one refers to the story of Lia Lee presented in the book. The second one is the underlying assumptions present in American and Hmong cultures. The third one is a possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation of two different cultures and the principles that should be followed to enable it. The book seems to provide a coherent philosophical system that can be extended and applied to a large number of social issues. Author’s Credentials The author of the discussed book is Anne Fadiman, a freelance journalist and the editor of The American Scholar (Konner, 1997). Fadiman is a well-recognized expert in her field. She specializes on the multi-cultural studies and the most urgent problems of the society. Therefore, the author provides reliable analysis of the situation and related issues as well as clarifies the scope of complementary problems that should be addressed in the near future, both by individuals and nations in general. Summary of the Book It is reasonable to present briefly the major episodes and characteristics of the book under analysis. It centers on the life of Lia Lee (Fadiman, 2012). The problem comes from the fact that she is diagnosed with the strong form of epilepsy. However, the traditional Hmong culture perceives this issue differently in comparison with American one. As a result, the conflicts of cultures occur, and Lia Lee’s health tends to deteriorate. Lia’s family members consider that her illness makes her special, and she could even become a â€Å"shaman†. When they realize that her state of health is very problematic, they begin using the methods that are widespread among Hmong culture. They try to call back her soul and optimize her internal mental state in this way. However, these methods are inefficient as they do not address the essence of epilepsy symptoms. Lia’s doctors who advocate the Western lifestyle and worldview adopt a pure rationalist position (Fadiman, 2012). They neglect the traditional views of Hmong culture as they consider them as being irrational and irrelevant. Although the doctors are motivated to provide the high-quality care, their neglect to cultural issues leads to new problems. In particular, the diagnosis is not formulated precisely and correctly from the very beginning due to the absence of interpreters. However, even when the diagnosis is specified, the doctors are unable to enforce the needed treatment as Lia’s family members do not share doctors’ principles and are unable to follow all the requirements. They are mostly concerned with the negative side effects and do not believe that doctors’ interventions could be efficient and lead to the desired results. All these factors have contributed to the situation when her mental state starts to deteriorate. Jeanine Hilt, a social worker, proposes the way to organize the medication process which will allow her family to be reunited. However, the situation has not changed radically, and her brain dies. The doctors suggest that she will probably die in the near future. Her family take her home, and she is able to survive for the next twenty-six years. Although her mental state is very difficult and problematic, the care and attention of her family contribute to the positive results. Moreover, the Western doctors consider such impressive results to be impossible. The Hmong follow their rituals, and they help to improve the mental state of Lia even though it is difficult to explain from the perspective of the traditional medicine. Author’s Thesis Fadiman states that all cultures have their strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, every country can generate better outcomes for some categories of people. Therefore, it is important to respect all cultures and select the treatment strategy in accordance with the patient’s cultural beliefs and worldview (Fadiman, 2012). If the high level of cultural competence is achieved, the positive results may follow. It is also incorrect to evaluate the essence and implications of other cultures from the perspective of one’s culture. Criticisms In general, the author presents the story persuasively and provides a number of explicit and implicit arguments in favor of her thesis. Fadiman realizes that the conflicts of cultures and corresponding implications are very widespread nowadays. For this reason, she presents her story not as a unique case from the life of Hmong girl but as an illustration of one of the most serious social problems and concerns of the 20th and 21st centuries. Fadiman presents her story quite objectively as it shows how the same events are interpreted differently by different parties. It seems that both Hmong people and doctors realize that Lia has serious problems. At the same time, their interpretation of her mental state is different. Doctors realize that epilepsy is a very dangerous disorder that should be treated immediately. However, Hmong people do not consider epilepsy to be an exclusively negative event. Many such special people were chosen to be â€Å"shamans,† as their qualities were d ifferent in comparison with others. Fadiman states, â€Å"although the Hmong believe that illness can be caused by a variety of sources †¦ the most common cause of human illness is soul loss† (Fadiman, 2012, p. 10). For this reason, the Hmong orient to the person’s internal world and beliefs rather than any physical symptoms. The author presents these different interpretations without imposing her views on readers and allowing them to make their suggestions about the future course of events. The differences between both cultures become even more severe when they try to deal with the symptoms of epilepsy. It seems that the following two characteristics are evident in this context: First, every culture believes that its approach is effective and can improve the situation. Second, every culture neglects the prescriptions and suggestions of other cultures completely. People even do not try to comprehend the justification and arguments delivered by the representatives of other cultures. Neither doctors nor Hmong people make any steps in the direction of understanding the underlying causes and motivations by the representatives of other cultures. This issue may demonstrate the existing problems in the U.S. healthcare industry. As American doctors are â€Å"civilized† and follow the most developed and reliable practices, they are supposed to act according to cultural competence considerations. However, the positions of other cultures are considered as being irrational, and doctors do not pay any attention to Hmong’s attitude towards their prescriptions. It seems that the author deliberately demonstrates the attitudes of American doctors in all details to stress that the fact of being â€Å"civilized† does not mean that the desired results will be achieved automatically. As any treatment process necessarily presupposes the active collaboration of different individuals including patients, positive results may be achieved only if the proper coordination between all parties is established. If all parties try to impose their understanding on others, the treatment process is negatively affected. Although Fadiman presents the story objectively, it is evident that she evaluates the traditional Hmong culture positively. She has comprehended that it is also meaningful, and it should not be rejected from the very beginning. The author demonstrates that even Chinese people perceived the Hmong highly negatively. She states that â€Å"the Chinese called the Hmong the Miao or Meo which means †¦ â€Å"barabarians†, â€Å"bumpkins†, etc.† (Fadiman, 2012, p. 14). However, it seems that the author does not agree with such an attitude as she writes that â€Å"it was an insult† (Fadiman, 2012, p. 14). In the U.S., this attitude has become even more widespread. All Hmong rituals are considered as being irrational, and both the doctors and the public in general do not desire to comprehend the hidden meaning of Hmong actions. It seems that the author implicitly stresses the differences between the underlying assumptions regarding American and Hmong cultures. The American culture is mostly individually-oriented. Each social member is responsible for his/her life and choices. It has a number of implications for the treatment process: First, it is assumed that everyone is motivated to improve one’s health. Therefore, American doctors appear to be absolutely unprepared to Lia’s hesitations and the absence of any support from her family. Second, the American doctors believe that medicine will have a specific and predetermined influence on individuals. As they deal with the patients who share Western principles, they understand the patterns of this influence and consider it to be equally applicable to all social members without any exception. The author shows that the Hmong culture adopts a very different perspective on examining the external world. This culture is more collectively-oriented, but it is still very different from other collectivist cultures such as the Chinese one. The Hmong suggest that they should help each other especially when the soul of one of their members is in danger. They have developed a set of rituals that can lead to the desired results, i.e. may improve the mental state of a given person. It seems that the positive effect is achieved due to the combination of several factors: First, all Hmong people share this belief and they are absolutely certain that it will help a person in need. Second, all their rituals are implemented in the atmosphere of love and support. This psychological climate is highly important for all individuals especially those who experience serious mental problems. The author explains that without additional efforts, both cultures will evaluate the situation from their perspectives without taking into consideration the positions of each other. It leads to even further misunderstanding and a higher possibility of social conflicts. Moreover, all parties are mostly oriented to addressing the opposite views of each other rather than assisting the person in need. The author shows that under the conditions of such a mutual misunderstanding the methods adopted by the culture that is closer to a given patient prove to be more effective. It is important to make a patient an active participant of the treatment process. Only in this way the results can be positive. If the interests of the medical personnel and a patient are antagonistic, even the most reliable medicine cannot generate the improvement of the patient’s physical and mental state. The neglect of American doctors to Lia’s beliefs and Hmong traditions has contributed to the situat ion when her mental and physical state has become critical. Despite the existing problems, it seems that the author admits the possibility of a mutually beneficial cooperation between the representatives of different cultures in the future. Although the underlying assumptions of cultures and their orientation to individualist or collectivist principles cannot be changed by any external force, it is possible to promote tolerance among people and respect to the culture and traditions of others. Fadiman reports the thoughts of the anthropologist Eric Crystal who states, â€Å"How extraordinary it was to hear the Hmong language spoken †¦ on J Street,† although previously it was impossible (Fadiman, 2012, p. 228). Thus, the author appreciates the diversity of languages and cultures and considers it to be highly important for the development of the modern civilization in general. It seems that the attentive readers can come to similar conclusions. The reason is that when people face different alternatives, it is more likely that they will make the correct choice. Moreover, even if the majority of cultures are not highly open to transformations, they still experience the influence of other positions and worldviews. All cultures affect one another, and people also represent the mixture of cultures rather than the only one. It seems that the author encourages the readers to become more responsible and orient not only to their narrow interests but to those of other social members and the society in general. The overall principles of justice seem to be simple: First, people should respect the views of others as other people can also be correct in some issues. Second, in case of disagreement, only persuasion can be used, while any forms of aggression (both physical and mental) are inadmissible. The author presents her views very effectively as she concentrates on the objective facts related to Lia’s life. Fadiman demonstrates how various measures taken by American doctors do not lead to the expected results. At the same time, the non-scientific approach adopted by Hmong people appears to be more successful and effective in the long run. Although the readers can make their own conclusions, the objective facts show that positive results can be achieved only if the interests of a given patient are considered. Even the dominant culture should not adopt its world perception of specific individuals as it is both unethical and incorrect. One of the necessary prerequisites of the tolerant attitude to the representatives of other cultures is adopting an honest and objective perception of reality. For example, the author states, â€Å"the most frequent accusation I heard was that the Hmong were terrible drivers† (Fadiman, 2012, p. 241). It is evident that Americans had a negative perception of Hmong people due to the existing cultural differences. However, they do not explain their reasoning fairly and tend to create some irrelevant claims to support their already formulated position towards Hmong people. In such cases, it is evident that the problem is not in other social members but in the people who are unwilling to accept the diversity of cultures and the contrasting opinions. In the modern democratic world, people tend to believe that that their position is correct if they belong to the majority group. However, the fact of belonging to the majority does not mean that one’s position is correct. Fadiman concentrates on people’s individual responsibility and implicitly advises to evaluate all cases objectively and be ready to accept the highest level of responsibility regarding the future development of the society. It may be concluded that Fadiman’s book provides a unique foundation for considering the major inter-cultural problems and challenges of the 20th and 21st century. On the one hand, the ideas of mutual tolerance are cultivated actively, and a large number of people claim to support them. On the other hand, at the stage of the actual implementation of these ideas, numerous problems emerge. People do not tend to accept other cultures or consider them to be a priori inferior in comparison with theirs. It creates numerous hidden problems and may lead to the social isolation of several individuals. The case of Lia Lee shows that health-related issues are also highly sensitive to cultural perceptions. Thus, the narrow implication of the book is a need for becoming more culturally competent by modern doctors and practitioners. However, the broader implication refers to all social members without any exception. All people should realize that they are the members of the global society. Thus, the needs and concerns of other people are also their personal responsibility. However, the mere positive intentions are insufficient in this context as it is important to be aware of the major cultural characteristics of other people and make the decisions that correspond to their cultural perceptions. Only in this way the desired changes and the social progress can be achieved. The reviewer recommends the book by Anne Fadiman as the major work for understanding the existing cultural challenges and the ways for overcoming them. This book may be reread several times in order to comprehend all h idden messages and meanings. In any case, it is highly relevant nowadays for the members of all social groups and citizens of the global community.

Sexual Dysfunctions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sexual Dysfunctions - Research Paper Example Some of the very common sexual dysfunctions or disorders are: sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders, sexual pain disorders, paraphilias (in which the person experiences intense sexual urges toward non-human things, children, etc.), gender identity disorder (in which the person wishes to be of the opposite sex due to dissatisfaction of the gender roles assigned to his/her sex), and many more. Also, sexual dysfunctions may be classified as primary or secondary in nature. A primary sexual dysfunction is one which a person has always been experiencing. A secondary sexual dysfunction is one which a person has started experiencing after being normal all his life. A woman who has always experienced pain during intercourse has a primary sexual dysfunction; while, a woman who has started feeling pain with a current partner and did not experience it with any of the previous partners has a secondary sexual dysfunction. This paper intends to elaborate upon one spe cific kind of sexual arousal dysfunction in men: erectile dysfunction. Erectile Dysfunction Videbeck (2010) defines erectile dysfunction (ED) as â€Å"a persistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain, until completion of the sexual activity, an adequate erection, which causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty† (p.156). ... The blood flow sustains in the penis for such a brief time period that is not enough for the man to achieve and maintain a firm erection. This also results in an inability to ejaculate. For a perfect erection, the nervous system must be healthy enough to conduct sexual impulses from the brain through the spinal cord to the penis. Also, the arteries located in the neighborhood of corpora cavernosa must also be functioning properly. A malfunctioning nervous system or imperfect arteries near corpora cavernosa may cause ED. Moreover, ED can also occur if the muscles and tissues that are located inside the corpora cavernosa are not smooth, or if there is an insufficient supply of nitric oxide inside the penis. Some of the most important risk factors that are likely to cause ED are: advanced age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, recreational drug use, depression, psychiatric disorders, and stress (MedicineNet Inc., 2011). Symptoms The symptom of ED is not being able to achieve and maintain an erection. Since, it has been described above, let’s jump onto the diagnosis section. Diagnosis Diagnosis requires that the patient and the physician share a good communicative relationship so that the cause of ED is identified and its severity is taken into account. During diagnosis, the physician brings into consideration questions like: is it really ED or the patient is confusing it with loss of libido or premature ejaculation? Are there any psychological factors involved? Is the patient being able to maintain involuntary erections in the morning or during sleep (which are usually maintained by men having psychogenic ED)? Are there any physical factors causing atherosclerosis resulting in ED? Is ED a result of any