Significance of imperfect competition models for explaining the Essay

Significance of imperfect competition models for explaining the pattern of international trade - Essay Example The researcher states that international trade is growing day by day as a result of globalization and liberalization policies implemented by different countries at different parts of the world. The major obstacles for the smooth flow of goods and commodities between different countries have been diminished a lot as a result of globalization. At the same time one of the major problems associated with international trade is the fact that the problems happened in one part of the world can have detrimental effect in other parts of the world as well. Competition is growing immensely in the market as a result of the rapid growth of international trade. Ideally, all organizations would like to have some kind of monopoly or some kind of control over the price mechanisms in the market. However, growing competition prevent organizations from controlling the market effectively. Competition in the market can be labelled as perfect competition and imperfect competition. Perfectly competitive mark ets refer to the markets in which the firms do not possess any market power whereas in imperfectly competitive markets, some organizations definitely have control in the market as far as price mechanisms are concerned. â€Å"Competitive markets provide strong incentives for good performance - encouraging firms to improve productivity, to reduce prices and to innovate; whilst rewarding consumers with lower prices, higher quality, and wider choice† whereas imperfect competition denies all these things. ... tition†(Pomphret, 1992, p.1).This paper analyses the significance of imperfect competition in the market as far as international trade is concerned. International trade and imperfect competition â€Å"Imperfect Competition exists when more than one seller competes for sales with other sellers of similar products, each of which has some control over price† (Models of Imperfect Competition, n. d, p.1). In other words, in an imperfectly competitive market, firms may have some power in the market as far the fixing of the prices of its commodities is concerned. Monopoly or oligopoly exists in such markets. For example, Microsoft enjoys monopoly in operating system market. They are capable of fixing the prices of their operating systems like Windows 7 in global market because of lack of competition. Even though Linux and Apple’s Macintosh operating system are raising some kind of competition, still Microsoft is able to maintain their monopoly in the imperfectly competit ive operating system market. Same way, OPEC countries are enjoying oligopoly in the oil market. It should be noted that monopolies or imperfect competition helped Microsoft and OPEC to dictate the market with the help of least efficient products. Consumers forced to pay more than the actual prices of a product in an imperfectly competitive market. In short, â€Å"Firms in a competitive market have very little control over what price they receive for their output†(Perfect Competition, n.d.) whereas â€Å"Monopolies have the most market power, which yields the least efficient outcome† (Monopoly and Perfect Competition Compared, n.d., p.4) According to Krugman et al (2011) â€Å"In a competitive economy, supply decisions are determined by attempts of individuals to maximize their earnings† (Krugman et al, 2011,

Biomarkers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biomarkers - Essay Example In aquatic environment, biomarkers depend upon the physical environmental conditions such as temperature, pH or salinity, as well as toxic concentrations of chemical pollutants or any combination of these. Biomarkers can be categorized as non-specific and specific according to their responses to a particular element or a group of environmental factors (Mayer et al., 1992). non-specific biomarkers, for example ribonucleic acid/deoxyribonucleic acid, radiolabelled amino acid or nucleotide incorporation, and adenylate energy charge, give direct information on the growth rate or potential of an organism but they can not be used to determine the particular toxicant. Specific biomarkers can be again categorized n to two sub-categories, organ, and toxicant specific according to method of their recognition. Organ specific biomarkers are analyzed by examining changes in concentration specific enzymes in organisms whether as Toxicant-specific biomarkers are analyzed according to the exposure and effects on an organism due to a chemical or group of chemicals. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), transaminases, creatine phosphokina... criteria with which to assess results should be available Biomarkers can be categorized as non-specific and specific according to their responses to a particular element or a group of environmental factors (Mayer et al., 1992). non-specific biomarkers, for example ribonucleic acid/deoxyribonucleic acid, radiolabelled amino acid or nucleotide incorporation, and adenylate energy charge, give direct information on the growth rate or potential of an organism but they can not be used to determine the particular toxicant. Specific biomarkers can be again categorized n to two sub-categories, organ, and toxicant specific according to method of their recognition. Organ specific biomarkers are analyzed by examining changes in concentration specific enzymes in organisms whether as Toxicant-specific biomarkers are analyzed according to the exposure and effects on an organism due to a chemical or group of chemicals. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), transaminases, creatine phosphokinase, lysosomal enzymes, alkaline phosphatases and mixed function oxidase are the examples of organ specific biomarkers while as inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by organophosphates and inhibition of cytochrome P monooxygenase, methallothionein and metal binding proteins by metals are some of the toxicant specific biomarkers (Mayer et al., 1992; Gagn and Blaise, 1993). There are basically two parameters for biomarker assessment: global reference values and comparative values. global reference values can be developed for DNA adducts, ALA-D, AChE, scope for growth, CEA, PAH-metabolites, GST, lysosomal stability, micronucleus formation, vitellogenin, MT biomarkers and comparative values can be used for ethoxyresoroufin-o-deethylase (EROD), antioxidant enzymes, peroxisomal

A Salty High Essay Example for Free

A Salty High Essay I gazed there, looking among the horizon, a dawn sky brightened with the rising sun; waiting for the most unique peeler to form my way. Sitting on my 62 fiberglass surfboard, i was in awe at the beautiful lively nature that surrounded me. The ocean breeze sprayed against my face and the salty moisture in the air plastered to my dry lips. I noticed the seagulls in the distance, were soaring around a gigantic school of flounder, among the shallow waters of the sandbar. The tide was  demanding and it pulled me along south as I watched my towel on the beach, diminish. Surfing- its more than a weekend activity with the kids, or a successful football game; its a way of life, a lifestyle. Being encompassed by the most natural environment, can be so unwinding. Successfully maneuvering a wave takes concentration, superior balance, and no fear to a new rank. The natural high of surfing is as good a feeling as making an A on an exam [if not better]. The white water was breaking behind me and I was forced to move beyond it. I paddled as hard as I could, but progressed nowhere. Why, I pondered to myself, Why am I so weak? I slowly pushed to the furthest sandbar, where the waves were less trifling. Surfers: the tan, salt induced bodies of them all were in harmony with natures sea of sodium. The hard-core wave riders were off in the distance waiting for the sets, as I rode over the falls at the shallow cold sandbar. Becoming one with nature is the most rewarding feeling someone can experience. People have become so caught up in their daily routines, they dont allow themselves the good points in life. In the cool waters of the ocean are the people enjoying the high, the Salty High.

Elements of a Good Nursing Report

Elements of a Good Nursing Report Introduction The mechanism of the nursing report is a comparatively ancient one. Certainly it was routinely used in the pre-Nightingale era of nursing and there are reports of such formal handover mechanisms in Chaucer and other medieval writings (Carrick P 2000). As the nursing profession has evolved over time, the requirements, expectations, demands and indeed the procedures employed in the giving of the nursing report, have also evolved and become more formalised. (Mason T et al 2003). The giving of the report can be a very useful procedure on many different levels. Obviously there is the imparting of information between members of the nursing team, but the report also has the potential of serving more subtle purposes such as increasing team bonding, team motivation, engendering of good working practices and increasing patient empathy amongst the whole nursing team. It also can serve the purpose of a forum for the interchange of ideas between professional members of staff. (Yura H et al. 1998) . Other sources suggest that the peer pressure experienced by the new or student nurse, can shape their own practice by observing the attention to detail (or otherwise) as the report is presented. (Fawcett J 2005) We note that the procedure has â€Å"the potential† for these purposes, as with all processes that involve human input, there is inevitably an inbuilt variability of process. It is seldom perfect and a number of studies have shown that its standard and content can vary across a spectrum from excellent to abysmal (RCN.2003) If we consider the evidence base for this statement, we can find support in two landmark studies that have been completed. The two authors (both Danes) coincidentally produced studies which were published in 1992 (Ljukkonen A 1992) (Kihlgren et al 1992). The latter study was structured in a way that analysed the functional components of the nursing reports in several large hospitals over a three month period, it then offered a period of training on improving the content and delivery of the reports, and then remeasured the staff performance using the same set of measurement parameters. The paper itself is both long and detailed as well as being particularly analytical. To condense (and paraphrase) the findings of the initial section of the paper we can cite the findings that the initial reports were found to be: Highly task oriented and (it was noted that) the staff often discussed the patients reaction in vague and general terms without imparting any specific or useful information. The authors went on to comment that structure was frequently absent or minimal and the nursing process was seldom in evidence. After the professional feedback sessions, the second analysis period showed a marked change to the fundamental nature of the reports to the extent that they now included the observation that there were: More messages per report after the intervention compared to the control ward and the messages with psychosocial content had doubled. This was reflected in a greater appreciation and satisfaction on the part of the receiving nurses and a demonstrable improvement in team empathy We note that the authors stated that in organising the mid-section training sessions they utilised the research work of Orlando (et al. 1989), who crystallised the essential elements of the nursing report into the basic concepts of â€Å"prioritisation, communication and presentation skills, together with instruction of the important ingredients of the actual nursing report.† The Ljukkonen (A 1992) paper has similar findings but was set in two nursing homes for the elderly where the authors found that the low turnover in patients was the prime reason for the decline in nursing report standards observed. The lack of trophic peer pressure was also considered to be a major relevant factor. The comments cited by Yura (regarding team building) earlier in this essay have their origins in this paper. Charboyer (2001) expands them further with the suggestion that a â€Å"vital part of the nursing process† is the ability to interact with all of the other members of the nursing team, both in terms of hearing (learning) and expressing opinions. These two papers effectively pose the unformulated question â€Å"just what elements are ideally required in the definitive nursing report?†. We can take the lead from the Kihlgren paper which considered the work of both Orlando and Dugan (1989) who analysed the essential elements of the nursing report and categorised them as: Prioritising care and patient needs. Communication Skills. Non-Judgemental Approach. The precursors of these elements were initially formulated in a paper published by Orlando in 1987 (Orlando I. J. 1987) who suggested that it was a fundamental function of the nursing process to prioritise the patient’s needs after elucidating them and use these perceived needs to instigate and plan an appropriate course of action which could be presented at the formal nursing report. He conceded that such an analysis was a function of the individual and unique interaction between patient and healthcare professional (by implication, the nurse) and that the nurse should ideally use their communication and analytical skills to present their assessment to the professional colleagues. These concepts eventually evolved into Orlando’s preposition that the â€Å"backbone of the nursing report† would be this analysis and prioritisation of the patient’s perceived needs and their presentation in a â€Å"logical sequence†. Orlando concludes his original paper with the comment that this plan should be enunciated and modified in accordance with the patient’s illness trajectory at each successive nursing report so that the stated goals can be achieved as expediently as possible. We have made earlier reference to the importance of good communication skills in the nursing report. It follows from our previous discussions that the communications skills must also ideally be in evidence between the healthcare professional and the patient in order for the nursing report to have maximal relevance (Arnold et al 2004). The importance of this comment can be judged from the fact that interpersonal communication is considered to be one of the six core attributes in consideration of optimum personal effectiveness in the â€Å"modern nurse managerâ€Å" (ICN 1998). The traits and deficiencies in the area of communication in general, identified by both Ljukkonen and Kihlgren, were studied in greater detail by Heinmann-Knoch (2005), who analysed the topic in direct relation to the nursing report in admirable detail and went on to suggest the mechanisms by which such deficiencies could be addressed. If we accept, as Davies (et al. 2002) enunciates, that communication is a skill that is seldom innate or totally intuitive â€Å"it has to be learned, acquired and actively practised.† Other authors point to the fact that other common failings of the nursing report include elements such as stereotyping or judgementalism. (Brechin A et al. 2000). When such elements are found to be present they clearly cross not only professional boundaries but also moral and ethical boundaries as well. (Stowers K et al. 1999) Eye contact is an often overlooked element of professional interaction either between nurses themselves or between nurses and their patients. Eye contact implies attention and respect and can signal perceived degrees of dominance and submission in the pecking order (Hurley R 2006). Similarly lack of eye contact can imply ignorance, confusion, indifference, and ineptitude (Fielder A 2000). As a communication tool it can be used to advantage by the skilled professional nurse both to elicit information from patients and also to ensure attentive listening in the nursing report situation. (Platt, F W et al. 1999) Body language is another often overlooked element in the art of communication. It has not received a great deal of overt scrutiny in the peer reviewed medical press but the majority of experienced healthcare professionals would attest to its value in both eliciting and conveying information (Edmondstone W M 1995). There is a considerable body of evidence to suggest that body language and nonverbal communication has a greater ability to impart information relating to the sincerity of the speaker than the words they are using (Trimboil A et al. 1997), equally it can be used to advantage when trying either to elicit or to suppress a response from the recipient (Tomlinson J 1998). Reflection is a vital part of the learning process. It has been described and modified by many authors. Taylor (2000) suggests that it should be an active process embarked on after the event so that memories and perceptions of a situation can be rationalised and appropriate strategies considered for more optimal outcomes. Palmer (2005) observes that reflection is both a professional requirement and also a dynamic process whereby the practitioner will be prepared for any similar occurrences and can build a knowledge base to enhance his or her practice, and therefore grow as a professional. On a personal note I find that the Gibbs reflective cycle (Gibbs, G 1988 ) is both convenient, practical and useful It is beyond doubt that the nursing report, in its ideal form, should be carefully constructed, structured and prepared. It should address all of the needs of the patient – not only the medical and nursing ones, but as Hendrick, (J. 2000) points out – it should also address the more subtle needs of the patient such as their psychological, socio-economic or social needs as well, if they are appropriate. Its proper delivery is not just a matter of chance or the last item on the shift for the departing staff nurse, it is one of the fundamental tools of the nursing profession and needs to be prepared, considered and focussed before it is actually invoked. The messages that the nursing report conveys are not simply those messages that relate to the continued nursing care of the patients, but also those that speak to the professional expectations of the nurses. Those who listen to their peers delivering the nursing report in a professional and intelligent way are more likely to be indoctrinated with professional attitudes and ideals than those who view the report as little more than a nuisance at the beginning of their shift. (Clarke J E et al. 1997). The nurse who uses all of the tools of communication, including presentation, positive body language and meaningful eye contact together with clear unequivocal language is far more likely to make a positive and dynamic impression with her report than the nurse who simply puts together a few sentences relating to each patient. (Hewison, A. 2004) References Arnold Bloggs 2004  Interpersonal Relationships: Professional Communication Skills for Nurses  London : London Meridian 2004 Brechin A. Brown, H and Eby, M 2000  Critical Practice in Health and Social Care  Open University, Milton Keynes. 2000 Carrick P 2000  Medical Ethics in the Ancient World  Georgetown University press 2000 ISBN : 0878408495 Chaboyer, Najman , Dunn 2001  Cohesion among nurses: a comparison of bedside vs. charge nurses perceptions in hospitals.  Journal of Advanced Nursing 35 : 4, 526-532 Clarke J E Copcutt L 1997  Management for nurses and Healthcare Professionals.  Edinburgh : Churchill Livingstone 1997 Davies Fox-Young 2002  Validating a scope of nursing practice decision making framework  International Journal of Nursing studies 39 , 1 , 85-93 Edmondstone W M 1995 Cardiac chest pain: does body language help the diagnosis? BMJ , Dec 1995 ; 311 : 1660 1661 Fawcett J 2005  Contemporary Nursing Knowledge: Analysis and Evaluation of Nursing Models and Theories, 2nd Edition  Boston : Davis Co 2005 ISBN : 0-8036-1194-3 Fielder A Book : Sight Unseen BMJ , Jan 2000 ; 320 : 66 ;   Gibbs, G 1988  Learning by doing: A guide to Teaching and Learning methods EMU Oxford Brookes University, Oxford. 1988 Heinmann-Knoch, Korte, heusinger, Klunder Knoch 2005  Training of communication skills in stationary long care homesthe evaluation of a model project to develop communication skills and transfer it into practice Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2005 Feb ; 38 (1) : 40-6. Hendrick, J. 2000  Law and Ethics in Nursing and Health Care,  London. Stanley Thornes : 2000 Hewison, A. 2004  Management for Nurses and Health Professionals: Theory into practice. Blackwell Science : Oxford. Hurley R 2006 Ways of seeing BMJ , May 2006 ; 332 : 1219 ;  ICN 1998 International Convention on Nursing   Scope of nursing practice Geneva : ICN 1998 Kihlgren, Lindsten, Norberg Karlsson 1992  The content of the oral daily reports at a long-term ward before and after staff training in integrity promoting care. Scand J Caring Sci . 1992 ; 6 (2) : 105-12.   Ljukkonen A 1992  Contents of daily reports and nursing practice in 2 homes for the aged] Hoitotiede. 1992 ; 4 (5) : 194-200. Mason T and Whitehead E (2003)  Thinking Nursing.  Open University. Maidenhead. 2003 Orlando, I. J. 1987.  Nursing in the 21st century: Alternate paths.Journal of Advanced Nursing, 12 , 405-412 : 1987 Orlando, I. J., Dugan, A. B. 1989.  Independent and dependent path: The fundamental issue for the nursing profession. Nursing and Health Care, 10 (2) , 77-80 : 1989 Palmer 2005  Palmer in Learning about reflection from the student Bulpitt and Martin Active Learning in Higher Education. 2005 ; 6 : 207-217. Platt, F W Gordon G H 1999  Field Guide to the Difficult Patient Interview 1999 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, pp 250 ISBN 0 7817 2044 3 London : Macmillian Press 1999 RCN 2003 RCN Leadership Project 2003 Defining Nursing RCN Publication 001 983 : Apr 2003 Stowers K, Hughes R A, Carr A J. 1999 Information exchange between patients and health professionals: consultation styles of rheumatologists and nurse practitioners. Arthritis Rheum 1999 ; 42 (suppl) : 388 S. Taylor, E. 2000. Building upon the theoretical debate: A critical review of the empirical studies of Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Adult Education Quarterly, 48 (1) , 34-59. Tomlinson J 1998 ABC of sexual health: Taking a sexual history BMJ , Dec 1998 ; 317 : 1573 1576 Trimboli A, Walker M B 1997 Journal of Nonverbal Behaviour Publisher: Springer Netherlands ISSN : 0191-5886 Paper 1573-3653 DOI : 10.1007 / BF00990236 Issue : Volume 11 , Number 3 September 1997 Pages : 180 190 Yura H, Walsh M. 1998  The nursing process. Assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating. 5th edition. Norwalk, CT : Appleton Lange, 1998.

Huck Finn :: essays research papers

Satire in Huck Finn   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first few chapters of Huckleberry Finn, we can see traces of satirical elements begin to emerge from within the story. The very first satirical scene occurs after Tom plays a trick on Jim, Miss Watson’s slave. Huck goes on to describe how Jim reacts to finding his hat hung on a limb above his head. â€Å"Afterwards Jim said the witches bewitched him and put him in a trance, and rode him all over the State, and then set him under the trees again and hung his hat on a limb to show who done it.† This note that Huck makes may have served a humorous purpose during older times, when Blacks were stereotypically superstitious. This also shows Jim’s gullibility and is referred to later on in the story.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first eleven chapters of the story, the only evident character and element in the story being satirized is Jim and the simple stereotypes of an African American living in Finn’s and Clemens’ time. Jim is once again satirized in chapter ten, where he is bitten after Huck places a dead snake near his blanket. Jim, being superstitious, chides Huck after he touches a snakeskin earlier in the story. Huck ignores this and places a dead snake at the foot of Jim’s blanket one night and Jim gets bitten in the foot by the dead snake’s mate. This portion of the book once again satirizes Jim’s superstition and adds to the element of humor in the story by describing the treatment that Jim applies to his foot after he is bitten. â€Å"He was barefooted, and the snake bit him right on the heel. That all comes of my being such a fool as to not remember that whenever you leave a dead snake its mate always comes there and curls around it. Jim told me to chop off the snake’s head and throw it away, and then skin the body and roast a piece of it.

Confederate :: essays research papers

The issue of the Confederate flag has created one of our countries age long debates. It stems from its presence during the Civil War; where it represented the Confederate states, all of which supported slavery. According to many the Civil war was fought in order to end slavery in the United States, so accordingly, to those the flag represents a past of slavery that they would much rather forget. In opposition to those who feel this way about the Confederate flag, others see it as just a symbol of their Southern heritage whether they are ancestors of slaves, slave owners or sharecroppers; their heritage is the Confederate South. The Confederate Flag should be outlawed and not used as a symbol to represent a state because it has a modern association with white supremacist, presents no positive contribution to those of this country, and those who flaunt the flag have an attitude which is â€Å"backward-looking, rejecting the diversity and dynamism of this country.†(ABC News.com)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The confederate flag should be outlawed because it has a modern association with white supremacist. White supremacist, are not an unorganized throng of individuals rather they are a political group known for being hateful to all those who are different from them, be it by race, religion, or even thought pattern. This group of individuals also feels that they are better than others just because of their skin color. White supremacist have a very narrow minded view on life in general and any symbol that represents them often offends others. The country, which we live in, is based on equality and a symbol of a group that does not believe in equality should not be used as a sign to identify a state. The Confederate flag in essence represents a political party whose overall priority is â€Å"to totally subjugate and dehumanize those different from their selves.†(Newsweek)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Furthermore, the confederate flag presents no positive contribution to those living in this country. Those who fly the confederate flag are often regarded as showing support for racist principles and a hurtful past. Surely all those who fly the flag are not racist or intentionally have a desire to hurt those who they fortuitously offend, but in many cases they are perceived this way. The representation that those who fly the flag take on often does more to cause a problem than it does to unite those of this country.

James Moloney Gracy

Gracey is the second in James Moloney’s contemporary trilogy that deals with a range of issues facing Aboriginal society. In this text, Gracey finds herself confused about her identity, caught between the worlds of her Aboriginal background and the Anglo-Saxon environment of her exclusive boarding school. Gracey’s family has recently relocated to the outback town of Cunningham, however she feels estranged from the community.Gracey’s school friend, Angela, has come to visit and seems intrigued by Cunningham, however Gracey is impatient and embarrassed by her home. Intolerant of younger brother Dougy and the prospect of becoming yet another single Aboriginal mother in Cunningham, she is eager to return to Brisbane. Gracey lives and acts ‘white’. Dougy meanwhile uncovers a mass grave of aboriginal bones in the small town, prompting an outrage by the local black community.They wish to reclaim the land and demand answers surrounding the death of these men . Gracey too becomes enthralled by the mystery, researching mass killings of Aborigines. She is shocked by her discoveries but becomes impassioned for the first time about her people and her heritage. When Gracey’s mother dies, she returns home to Cunningham and assumes the matriarchal role, taking care of her two brothers. Raymond, her older alcoholic brother, drinks all of his social security money, leaving the family penniless.He is aggressive and lost. Dougy has also become more apathetic, spending much of his time roaming the town foraging through rubbish. As a result of the discovery of the mass grave, the Aborigines in Cunningham participate in a protest march which results in Raymond and Dougy being thrown into the watch house overnight. This is Dougy’s first brush with the law, however Raymond has spent many nights in the town jail. Despondent and depressed about his future, Raymond hangs himself in his cell.