My Best Friend is Dead Essay - 5311 Words

My Best Friend is Dead I first met Chipper Gleason when I was 5 or 6, when my mother was working with Chippers mother Sue teaching music lessons in town. The He- Man connection must have been what initially tipped our parents off that we would be good friends. I remember my mom asking me if I wanted to play with this kid who had Castle Greyskull, a large green molded castle that He- Man lived inside of with the other Masters of the Universe. The answer was, of course, Yes! and we met one afternoon while both my mom and Sue taught lessons at the Church. We played that first afternoon on the sloping hill in front of the church, on the opposite side of Main Street from the library. Chipper was a small, wirey boy with bright†¦show more content†¦I could not see Chipper every day, in part because he lived the next town over. But whenever I could convince my parents to drive me, we were off, down the long hill out of town to the west in the family car, over the river in West Groton, and along the winding, rising and falling road to his house that always seemed to drag on forever. Chippers house, on Squannacook Road in Shirley, was a place that was both fascinating and at times repulsive. The small, white, New England farmhouse was crowded up to the side of the road, with almost no space between the front door and the street. It always seemed to sneak up on me as we came around the last curve in the car, as if I had been waiting and waiting and then all of a sudden, there it was. The house made up for its tiny front yard with an expansive back yard that wrapped around the back of the house. Beyond the mowed back yard a large unkempt field stretched back to a line of trees in the distance. My favorite part of his yard was a big old willow tree that sent protective, fuzzy- green branches down to the lawn. When we pulled into his house, we usually parked at the top of a short gravel driveway that led to a large single car garage, the first garage that I had ever seen. The back of the garage was converted into a dog pen for two large, noisy wolfhounds that I seldom saw butShow MoreRelatedEssay on Billy - Original Writing740 Words   |  3 Pagesonly the beginning of the day, but my excitement was growing. Of course I was excited. We were going to have extra days off from school. What more can a girl want? So there I was in Trig doing nothing because my teacher did not make us do anything the day before a break. He was a pretty cool guy! My friend Lauren was looking at the pictures in my wallet. She looks up at me with this weird look in her eyes. She pointed at my friend Billy’s picture and said to me, â€Å"Isn’tRead MoreEssay on A Shropshire Lad1170 Words   |  5 Pages(Scott-Kilvert 26). In what Housman himself regarded to be one of his best poems, amp;quot;XXVII: Is my team ploughing,amp;quot; the focus is placed upon a conversation between a dead man and one of his friends from his previous life (Housman 18). amp;quot;XXII: The street sounds to the soldiers’ tread;amp;quot; meanwhile, expresses an emotional wonder discovered in the eyes of a passing soldier (Housman 15). Both the ambiguous quality of the dead man’s last question (18 ll. 25-26) in poem XXVII and the natureRead MorePersonal Narrative : A Short Story1598 Words   |  7 Pageswind was whistling. The moon shined brighter than the sun did that morning. I looked like no other normal teenager, But I was wearing all black. Black leggings, Black jacket, Black shoes, black shirt. My hair looked like caramel, my eyes looked like a yellowish brown that sh ined in the moonlight. My name was nothing important to people. People say â€Å"Angelys† is a nice name but i think differently. Nothing seemed to happen, I was coming home from a friend’s house. No one was near or so I thought. IRead MoreAnalysis Of Emerson s The Liberty Of Thought And Discussion ``1444 Words   |  6 Pagesassertion, â€Å"To believe in your own thought, to believe what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men-that is genius† (69). I can relate this quotation to my own personal genius, which is waiting until marriage to have sex. I am a self-reliant individual because I have practiced individualism by staying true to my inner genius, without being compromised by the influences and values of others. In Mill’s â€Å"Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion† he discusses how popular opinions mightRead MoreDeath Knock By Woody Allen951 Words   |  4 PagesChristianity, people believe in going to paradise or hell after we dead. In Chinese society, people believe in transmigration, which allows our soul go into another body without our memory. I do not believe in any religion so I have no idea where will we go after dead. However, no matter where will w e go, I bet most of the people will regret for something in their entire life. For example, we did not treasure the time with friends and family, try to finish our unachievable task or pursue our dreamRead MoreA Short Story1176 Words   |  5 Pagesguys were like the brother and sister I never had. Being friends with you has been the very best thing that has ever happened to me and I am not going to let these demons bother you. You guys have done a lot from me. You guys have stood up for me when people picked on me for being short or nerdy. Remember in first grade, on picture day, I spilled chocolate milk on my clothes. Who was there to comfort me? You guys. And we weren’t even friends at the time! You guys can do just fine without me.† SaidRead MoreLife And Death By Woody Allen883 Words   |  4 Pagestheir lives before they die. For example, we did not treasure the time with friends and family, try to finish some unachievable task or pursue our dream. In â€Å"Deat h Knocks†, Woody Allen distributes a different perspective on life and death, which makes me think deeply about life and death. The main character, Nat, is living as an old dress manufacturer in Brooklyn. One day, Death comes to find him and tell him Nat is dead. Nat does not believe that until he sees Death is almost break his neck climbingRead MoreMy Reflection On My Vision1117 Words   |  5 PagesFour A.M. My vision begins to reoccur, in a daze, I glance at my watch and it’s four- o’three A.M. â€Å"Oh no, no, no. It can’t be that late already.† Shaking my friends I yell, â€Å" It’s 4 in the morning! We have to go and get home before my mom waking up or I will be grounded for the rest of the summer!† They barely comprehend that, so I grab each one of them by their wrist and drag them to where I find Frank. 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Reverie by Roy Lichtenstein - 1262 Words

Reverie by Roy Lichtenstein Roy Lichtenstein was an American artist who was an influential part of the Pop Art movement in the 1960s. Roy Lichtenstein was born in New York in 1923 and he has created some of the most well-known Pop Art paintings and artworks. An example of his artwork is â€Å"Reverie†, it is a screen print by Roy Lichtenstein in 1965 in his iconic comic strip art style. â€Å"Reverie† by Roy Lichtenstein shows social commentary of mass production through the art movement it’s in, the technique used, the subject matter. â€Å"Reverie† is an example of an artworks that is part of the Pop Art movement. Pop Art developed in the early 1960s as a response to abstract expressionism. It was originally a British movement in the mid 1950s†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Reverie† was almost imitating the way a machine might print out an image. Lichtenstein’s art style used the style of comic strips which included bright colours, single scenes, dialogue balloons, and Ben Day dots. He depicted a world of prepackaged emotions, which is parallel to the mass produced, prepackaged consumer products that were also main subjects of Pop Art artworks. Lichtenstein has very careful technique when creating his paintings to create the message it conveys. Lichtenstein has very careful technique when creating his paintings. When Lichtenstein works from a photograph or a cartoon, he draws a picture small enough to fit his opaque projector in order to project the picture he drew on his canvas before h e paints. Even though when he’s working from other people’s works, he draws the picture to recompose it instead of to just reproduce it. Sometimes he works with more than one cartoon and combines them, either completely copying the style or making it up, depending on the projects and plays around with he drawing until he’s satisfied. He stencils the dots that’s his artworks are known for first for technical reasons, then starts colouring from lightest colours to darkest which are the thick bold outlines. He will keep erasing, redrawing, and re-dotting his artwork until he is satisfied. He tends to make a lot of changes in the process of paining so he uses in Magna colours which is soluble in turpentine soShow MoreRelated Pop art was a direct response to the commercial and consumer society756 Words   |  4 Pagesand society, his goal was to bring them closer together. Roy Lichtenstein set the highest standard and led the way of pop art. Lichtenstein was and still is considered the most sophisticated pop artist around. Roy Lichtenstein was inspired by Picasso’s paintings; he studied them and learnt from them. In 1961 Roy Lichtenstein made use of the â€Å"Ben-Day dots†. This was the first time an artist had used this device. Lichtenstein exploited this and turned it into a signature for himself on his

The Twilight Saga 4 Breaking Dawn 6. DISTRACTIONS Free Essays

string(36) " to be human a little while longer\." My entertainment became the number-one priority on isle Esme. We snorkeled (well, I snorkeled while he flaunted his ability to go without oxygen indefinitely). We explored the small jungle that ringed the rocky little peak. We will write a custom essay sample on The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 6. DISTRACTIONS or any similar topic only for you Order Now We visited the parrots that lived in the canopy on the south end of the island. We watched the sunset from the rocky western cove. We swam with the porpoises that played in the warm, shallow waters there. Or at least I did; when Edward was in the water, the porpoises disappeared as if a shark was near. I knew what was going on. He was trying to keep me busy, distracted, so I that wouldn’t continue badgering him about the sex thing. Whenever I tried to talk him into taking it easy with one of the million DVDs under the big-screen plasma TV, he would lure me out of the house with magic words like coral reefs and submerged caves and sea turtles. We were going, going, going all day, so that I found myself completely famished and exhausted when the sun eventually set. I drooped over my plate after I finished dinner every night; once I’d actually fallen asleep right at the table and he’d had to carry me to bed. Part of it was that Edward always made too much food for one, but I was so hungry after swimming and climbing all day that I ate most of it. Then, full and worn out, I could barely keep my eyes open. All part of the plan, no doubt. Exhaustion didn’t help much with my attempts at persuasion. But I didn’t give up. I tried reasoning, pleading, and grouching, all to no avail. I was usually unconscious before I could really press my case far. And then my dreams felt so real – nightmares mostly, made more vivid, I guessed, by the too-bright colors of the island – that I woke up tired no matter how long I slept. About a week or so after we’d gotten to the island, I decided to try compromise. It had worked for us in the past. I was sleeping in the blue room now. The cleaning crew wasn’t due until the next day, and so the white room still had a snowy blanket of down. The blue room was smaller, the bed more reasonably proportioned. The walls were dark, paneled in teak, and the fittings were all luxurious blue silk. I’d taken to wearing some of Alice’s lingerie collection to sleep in at night – which weren’t so revealing compared to the scanty bikinis she’d packed for me when it came right down to it. I wondered if she’d seen a vision of why I would want such things, and then shuddered, embarrassed by that thought. I’d started out slow with innocent ivory satins, worried that revealing more of my skin would be the opposite of helpful, but ready to try anything. Edward seemed to notice nothing, as if I were wearing the same ratty old sweats I wore at home. The bruises were much better now – yellowing in some places and disappearing altogether in others – so tonight I pulled out one of the scarier pieces as I got ready in the paneled bathroom. It was black, lacy, and embarrassing to look at even when it wasn’t on. I was careful not to look in the mirror before I went back to the bedroom. I didn’t want to lose my nerve. I had the satisfaction of watching his eyes pop open wide for just a second before he controlled his expression. â€Å"What do you think?† I asked, pirouetting so that he could see every angle. He cleared his throat. â€Å"You look beautiful. You always do.† â€Å"Thanks,† I said a bit sourly. I was too tired to resist climbing quickly into the soft bed. He put his arms around me and pulled me against his chest, but this was routine – it was too hot to sleep without his cool body close. â€Å"I’ll make you a deal,† I said sleepily. â€Å"I will not make any deals with you,† he answered. â€Å"You haven’t even heard what I’m offering.† â€Å"It doesn’t matter.† I sighed. â€Å"Dang it. And I really wanted†¦ Oh well.† He rolled his eyes. I closed mine and let the bait sit there. I yawned. It took only a minute – not long enough for me to zonk out. â€Å"All right. What is it you want?† I gritted my teeth for a second, fighting a smile. If there was one thing he couldn’t resist, it was an opportunity to give me something. â€Å"Well, I was thinking†¦ I know that the whole Dartmouth thing was just supposed to be a cover story, but honestly, one semester of college probably wouldn’t kill me,† I said, echoing his words from long ago, when he’d tried to persuade me to put off becoming a vampire. â€Å"Charlie would get a thrill out of Dartmouth stories, I bet. Sure, it might be embarrassing if I can’t keep up with all the brainiacs. Still†¦ eighteen, nineteen. It’s really not such a big difference. It’s not like I’m going to get crow’s feet in the next year.† He was silent for a long moment. Then, in a low voice, he said, â€Å"You would wait. You would stay human.† I held my tongue, letting the offer sink in. â€Å"Why are you doing this to me?† he said through his teeth, his tone suddenly angry. â€Å"Isn’t it hard enough without all of this?† He grabbed a handful of lace that was ruffled on my thigh. For a moment, I thought he was going to rip it from the seam. Then his hand relaxed. â€Å"It doesn’t matter. I won’t make any deals with you.† â€Å"I want to goto college.† â€Å"No, you don’t. And there is nothing that is worth risking your life again. That’s worth hurting you.† â€Å"But I do want to go. Well, it’s not college as much as it’s that I want – I want to be human a little while longer. You read "The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 6. DISTRACTIONS" in category "Essay examples"† He closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. â€Å"You are making me insane, Bella. Haven’t we had this argument a million times, you always begging to be a vampire without delay?† â€Å"Yes, but†¦ well, I have a reason to be human that I didn’t have before.† â€Å"What’s that?† â€Å"Guess,† I said, and I dragged myself off the pillows to kiss him. He kissed me back, but not in a way that made me think I was winning. It was more like he was being careful not to hurt my feelings; he was completely, maddeningly in control of himself. Gently, he pulled me away after a moment and cradled me against his chest. â€Å"You are so human, Bella. Ruled by your hormones.† He chuckled. â€Å"That’s the whole point, Edward. I like this part of being human. I don’t want to give it up yet. I don’t want to wait through years of being a blood-crazed newborn for some part of this to come back to me.† I yawned, and he smiled. â€Å"You’re tired. Sleep, love.† He started humming the lullaby he’d composed for me when we first met. â€Å"I wonder why I’m so tired,† I muttered sarcastically. â€Å"That couldn’t be part of your scheme or anything.† He just chuckled once and went back to humming. â€Å"For as tired as I’ve been, you’d think I’d sleep better.† The song broke off. â€Å"You’ve been sleeping like the dead, Bella. You haven’t said a word in your sleep since we got here. If it weren’t for the snoring, I’d worry you were slipping into a coma.† I ignored the snoring jibe; I didn’t snore. â€Å"I haven’t been tossing? That’s weird. Usually I’m all over the bed when I’m having nightmares. And shouting.† â€Å"You’ve been having nightmares?† â€Å"Vivid ones. They make me so tired.† I yawned. â€Å"I can’t believe I haven’t been babbling about them all night.† â€Å"What are they about?† â€Å"Different things – but the same, you know, because of the colors.† â€Å"Colors?† â€Å"It’s all so bright and real. Usually, when I’m dreaming, I know that I am. With these, I don’t know I’m asleep. It makes them scarier.† He sounded disturbed when he spoke again. â€Å"What is frightening you?† I shuddered slightly. â€Å"Mostly †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I hesitated. â€Å"Mostly?† he prompted. I wasn’t sure why, but I didn’t want to tell him about the child in my recurring nightmare; there was something private about that particular horror. So, instead of giving him the full description, I gave him just one element. Certainly enough to frighten me or anyone else. â€Å"The Volturi,† I whispered. He hugged me tighter. â€Å"They aren’t going to bother us anymore. You’ll be immortal soon, and they’ll have no reason.† I let him comfort me, feeling a little guilty that he’d misunderstood. The nightmares weren’t like that, exactly. It wasn’t that I was afraid for myself – I was afraid for the boy. He wasn’t the same boy as that first dream – the vampire child with the bloodred eyes who sat on a pile of dead people I loved. This boy I’d dreamed of four times in the last week was definitely human; his cheeks were flushed and his wide eyes were a soft green. But just like the other child, he shook with fear and desperation as the Volturi closed in on us. In this dream that was both new and old, I simply had to protect the unknown child. There was no other option. At the same time, I knew that I would fail. He saw the desolation on my face. â€Å"What can I do to help?† I shook it off. â€Å"They’re just dreams, Edward.† â€Å"Do you want me to sing to you? Ill sing all night if it will keep the bad dreams away.† â€Å"They’re not all bad. Some are nice. So†¦ colorful. Underwater, with the fish and the coral. It all seems like it’s really happening – I don’t know that I’m dreaming. Maybe this island is the problem. It’s really bright here.† â€Å"Do you want to go home?† â€Å"No. No, not yet. Can’t we stay awhile longer?† â€Å"We can stay as long as you want, Bella,† he promised me. â€Å"When does the semester start? I wasn’t paying attention before.† He sighed. He may have started humming again, too, but I was under before I could be sure. Later, when I awoke in the dark, it was with shock. The dream had been so very real†¦ so vivid, so sensory†¦. I gasped aloud, now, disoriented by the dark room. Only a second ago, it seemed, I had been under the brilliant sun. â€Å"Bella?† Edward whispered, his arms tight around me, shaking me gently. â€Å"Are you all right, sweetheart?† â€Å"Oh,† I gasped again. Just a dream. Not real. To my utter astonishment, tears overflowed from my eyes without warning, gushing down my face. â€Å"Bella!† he said – louder, alarmed now. â€Å"What’s wrong?† He wiped the tears from my hot cheeks with cold, frantic fingers, but others followed. â€Å"It was only a dream.† I couldn’t contain the low sob that broke in my voice. The senseless tears were disturbing, but I couldn’t get control of the staggering grief that gripped me. I wanted so badly for the dream to be real. â€Å"It’s okay, love, you’re fine. I’m here.† He rocked me back and forth, a little too fast to soothe. â€Å"Did you have another nightmare? It wasn’t real, it wasn’t real.† â€Å"Not a nightmare.† I shook my head, scrubbing the back of my hand against my eyes. â€Å"It was a good dream.† My voice broke again. â€Å"Then why are you crying?† he asked, bewildered. â€Å"Because I woke up,† I wailed, wrapping my arms around his neck in a chokehold and sobbing into his throat. He laughed once at my logic, but the sound was tense with concern. â€Å"Everything’s all right, Bella. Take deep breaths.† â€Å"It was so real,† I cried. â€Å"I wanted it to be real.† â€Å"Tell me about it,† he urged. â€Å"Maybe that will help.† â€Å"We were on the beach. †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I trailed off, pulling back to look with tear-filled eyes at his anxious angel’s face, dim in the darkness. I stared at him broodingly as the unreasonable grief began to ebb. â€Å"And?† he finally prompted. I blinked the tears out of my eyes, torn. â€Å"Oh, Edward †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Tell me, Bella,† he pleaded, eyes wild with worry at the pain in my voice. But I couldn’t. Instead I clutched my arms around his neck again and locked my mouth with his feverishly. It wasn’t desire at all – it was need, acute to the point of pain. His response was instant but quickly followed by his rebuff. He struggled with me as gently as he could in his surprise, holding me away, grasping my shoulders. â€Å"No, Bella,† he insisted, looking at me as if he was worried that I’d lost my mind. My arms dropped, defeated, the bizarre tears spilling in a fresh torrent down my face, a new sob rising in my throat. He was right – I must be crazy. He stared at me with confused, anguished eyes. â€Å"I’m s-s-s-orry,† I mumbled. But he pulled me to him then, hugging me tightly to his marble chest. â€Å"I can’t, Bella, I can’t!† His moan was agonized. â€Å"Please,† I said, my plea muffled against his skin. â€Å"Please, Edward?† I couldn’t tell if he was moved by the tears trembling in my voice, or if he was unprepared to deal with the suddenness of my attack, or if his need was simply as unbearable in that moment as my own. But whatever the reason, he pulled my lips back to his, surrendering with a groan. And we began where my dream had left off. I stayed very still when I woke up in the morning and tried to keep my breathing even. I was afraid to open my eyes. I was lying across Edward’s chest, but he was very still and his arms were not wrapped around me. That was a bad sign. I was afraid to admit I was awake and face his anger – no matter whom it was directed at today. Carefully, I peeked through my eyelashes. He was staring up at the dark ceiling, his arms behind his head. I pulled myself up on my elbow so that I could see his face better. It was smooth, expressionless. â€Å"How much trouble am I in?† I asked in a small voice. â€Å"Heaps,† he said, but turned his head and smirked at me. I breathed a sigh of relief. â€Å"I am sorry,† I said. â€Å"I didn’t mean†¦ Well, I don’t know exactly what that was last night.† I shook my head at the memory of the irrational tears, the crushing grief. â€Å"You never did tell me what your dream was about.† â€Å"I guess I didn’t – but I sort of showed you what it was about.† I laughed nervously. â€Å"Oh,† he said. His eyes widened, and then he blinked. â€Å"Interesting.† â€Å"It was a very good dream,† I murmured. He didn’t comment, so a few seconds later I asked, â€Å"Am I forgiven?† â€Å"I’m thinking about it.† I sat up, planning to examine myself – there didn’t seem to be any feathers, at least. But as I moved, an odd wave of vertigo hit. I swayed and fell back against the pillows. â€Å"Whoa†¦ head rush.† His arms were around me then. â€Å"You slept for a long time. Twelve hours.† â€Å"Twelve?†How strange. I gave myself a quick once-over while I spoke, trying to be inconspicuous about it. I looked fine. The bruises on my arms were still a week old, yellowing. I stretched experimentally. I felt fine, too. Well, better than fine, actually. â€Å"Is the inventory complete?† I nodded sheepishly. â€Å"The pillows all appear to have survived.† â€Å"Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for your, er, nightgown.† He nodded toward the foot of the bed, where several scraps of black lace were strewn across the silk sheets. â€Å"That’s too bad,† I said. â€Å"I liked that one.† â€Å"I did, too.† â€Å"Were there any other casualties?† I asked timidly. â€Å"I’ll have to buy Esme a new bed frame,† he confessed, glancing over his shoulder. I followed his gaze and was shocked to see that large chunks of wood had apparently been gouged from the left side of the headboard. â€Å"Hmm.† I frowned. â€Å"You’d think I would have heard that.† â€Å"You seem to be extraordinarily unobservant when your attention is otherwise involved.† â€Å"I was a bit absorbed,† I admitted, blushing a deep red. He touched my burning cheek and sighed. â€Å"I’m really going to miss that.† I stared at his face, searching for any signs of the anger or remorse I feared. He gazed back at me evenly, his expression calm but otherwise unreadable. â€Å"How are you feeling?’7 He laughed. â€Å"What?† I demanded. â€Å"You look so guilty – like you’ve committed a crime.† â€Å"I feel guilty,† I muttered. â€Å"So you seduced your all-too-willing husband. That’s not a capital offense.† He seemed to be teasing. My cheeks got hotter. â€Å"The word seduced implies a certain amount of premeditation.† â€Å"Maybe that was the wrong word,† he allowed. â€Å"You’re not angry?† He smiled ruefully. Tm not angry.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Well. . .† He paused. â€Å"I didn’t hurt you, for one thing. It was easier this time, to control myself, to channel the excesses.† His eyes flickered to the damaged frame again. â€Å"Maybe because I had a better idea of what to expect.† A hopeful smile started to spread across my face. â€Å"I told you that it was all about practice.† He rolled his eyes. My stomach growled, and he laughed. â€Å"Breakfast time for the human?† he asked. â€Å"Please,† I said, hopping out of bed. I moved too quickly, though, and had to stagger drunkenly to regain my balance. He caught me before I could stumble into the dresser. â€Å"Are you all right?† â€Å"If I don’t have a better sense of equilibrium in my next life, I’m demanding a refund.† I cooked this morning, frying up some eggs – too hungry to do anything more elaborate. Impatient, I flipped them onto a plate after just a few minutes. â€Å"Since when do you eat eggs sunny-side up?† he asked. â€Å"Since now.† â€Å"Do you know how many eggs you’ve gone through in the last week?† He pulled the trash bin out from under the sink – it was full of empty blue cartons. â€Å"Weird,† I said after swallowing a scorching bite. â€Å"This place is messing with my appetite.† And my dreams, and my already dubious balance. â€Å"But I like it here. Well probably have to leave soon, though, won’t we, to make it to Dartmouth in time? Wow, I guess we need to find a place to live and stuff, too.† He sat down next to me. â€Å"You can give up the college pretense now – you’ve gotten what you wanted. And we didn’t agree to a deal, so there are no strings attached.† I snorted. â€Å"It wasn’t a pretense, Edward. I don’t spend my free time plotting like some people do. What can we do to wear Bella out today?† I said in a poor impression of his voice. He laughed, unashamed. â€Å"I really do want a little more time being human.† I leaned over to run my hand across his bare chest. â€Å"I have not had enough.† He gave me a dubious look. â€Å"For this?† he asked, catching my hand as it moved down his stomach. â€Å"Sex was the key all along?† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"Why didn’t i think of that?† he muttered sarcastically. â€Å"I could have saved myself a lot of arguments.† I laughed. â€Å"Yeah, probably.† â€Å"You are so human,† he said again. â€Å"I know.† A hint of a smile pulled at his lips. â€Å"We’re going to Dartmouth? Really?† â€Å"I’ll probably fail out in one semester.† â€Å"I’ll tutor you.† The smile was wide now. â€Å"You’re going to love college.† â€Å"Do you think we can find an apartment this late?† He grimaced, looking guilty. â€Å"Well, we sort of already have a house there. You know, just in case.† â€Å"You bought a house?† â€Å"Real estate is a good investment.† I raised one eyebrow and then let it go. â€Å"So we’re ready, then.† â€Å"I’ll have to see if we can keep your ‘before’ car for a little longer___† â€Å"Yes, heaven forbid I not be protected from tanks.† He grinned. â€Å"How much longer can we stay?† I asked. â€Å"We’re fine on time. A few more weeks, if you want. And then we can visit Charlie before we go to New Hampshire. We could spend Christmas with Renee___† His words painted a very happy immediate future, one free of pain for everyone involved. The Jacob-drawer, all but forgotten, rattled, and i amended the thought – for almost everyone. This wasn’t getting any easier. Now that I’d discovered exactly how good being human could be, it was tempting to let my plans drift. Eighteen or nineteen, nineteen or twenty†¦ Did it really matter? I wouldn’t change so much in a year. And being human with Edward†¦ The choice got trickier every day. â€Å"A few weeks,† I agreed. And then, because there never seemed to be enough time, I added, â€Å"So I was thinking – you know what I was saying about practice before?† He laughed. â€Å"Can you hold on to that thought? I hear a boat. The cleaning crew must be here.† He wanted me to hold on to that thought. So did that mean he was not going to give me any more trouble about practicing? I smiled. â€Å"Let me explain the mess in the white room to Gustavo, and then we can go out. There’s a place in the jungle on the south – â€Å" â€Å"I don’t want to go out. i am not hiking all over the island today. I want to stay here and watch a movie.† He pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at my disgruntled tone. â€Å"All right, whatever you’d like. Why don’t you pick one out while I get the door?† â€Å"I didn’t hear a knock.† He cocked his head to the side, listening. A half second later, a faint, timid rap on the door sounded. He grinned and turned for the hallway. I wandered over to the shelves under the big TV and started scanning through the titles. It was hard to decide where to begin. They had more DVDs than a rental store. I could hear Edward’s low, velvet voice as he came back down the hall, conversing fluidly in what I assumed was perfect Portuguese. Another, harsher, human voice answered in the same tongue. Edward led them into the room, pointing toward the kitchen on his way. The two Brazilians looked incredibly short and dark next to him. One was a round man, the other a slight female, both their faces creased with lines. Edward gestured to me with a proud smile, and I heard my name mixed in with a flurry of unfamiliar words. I flushed a little as I thought of the downy mess in the white room, which they would soon encounter. The little man smiled at me politely. But the tiny coffee-skinned woman didn’t smile. She stared at me with a mixture of shock, worry, and most of all, wide-eyed fear. Before I could react, Edward motioned for them to follow him toward the chicken coop, and they were gone. When he reappeared, he was alone. He walked swiftly to my side and wrapped his arms around me. â€Å"What’s with her?† I whispered urgently, remembering her panicked expression. He shrugged, unperturbed. â€Å"Kaure’s part Ticuna Indian. She was raised to be more superstitious – or you could call it more aware – than those who live in the modern world. She suspects what I am, or close enough.† He still didn’t sound worried. â€Å"They have their own legends here. The Libishomen – a blood-drinking demon who preys exclusively on beautiful women.† He leered at me. Beautiful women only? Well, that was kind of flattering. â€Å"She looked terrified,† I said. â€Å"She is – but mostly she’s worried about you.† â€Å"Me?† â€Å"She’s afraid of why I have you here, all alone.† He chuckled darkly and then looked toward the wall of movies. â€Å"Oh well, why don’t you choose something for us to watch? That’s an acceptably human thing to do.† â€Å"Yes, I’m sure a movie will convince her that you’re human.† I laughed and clasped my arms securely around his neck, stretching up on my tiptoes. He leaned down so that I could kiss him, and then his arms tightened around me, lifting me off the floor so he didn’t have to bend. â€Å"Movie, schmovie,† I muttered as his lips moved down my throat, twisting my fingers in his bronze hair. Then I heard a gasp, and he put me down abruptly. Kaure stood frozen in the hallway, feathers in her black hair, a large sack of more feathers in her arms, an expression of horror on her face. She stared at me, her eyes bugging out, as I blushed and looked down. Then she recovered herself and murmured something that, even in an unfamiliar language, was clearly an apology. Edward smiled and answered in a friendly tone. She turned her dark eyes away and continued down the hall. â€Å"She was thinking what I think she was thinking, wasn’t she?† I muttered. He laughed at my convoluted sentence. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Here,† I said, reaching out at random and grabbing a movie. â€Å"Put this on and we can pretend to watch it.† It was an old musical with smiling faces and fluffy dresses on the front. â€Å"Very honeymoonish,† Edward approved. While actors on the screen danced their way through a perky introduction song, I lolled on the sofa, snuggled into Edward’s arms. â€Å"Will we move back into the white room now?† I wondered idly. â€Å"I don’t know†¦. I’ve already mangled the headboard in the other room beyond repair – maybe if we limit the destruction to one area of the house, Esme might invite us back someday.† I smiled widely. â€Å"So there will be more destruction?† He laughed at my expression. â€Å"I think it might be safer if it’s premeditated, rather than if I wait for you to assault me again.† â€Å"It would only be a matter of time,† I agreed casually, but my pulse was racing in my veins. â€Å"Is there something the matter with your heart?† â€Å"Nope. Healthy as a horse.† I paused. â€Å"Did you want to go survey the demolition zone now?† â€Å"Maybe it would be more polite to wait until we’re alone. You may not notice me tearing the furniture apart, but it would probably scare them.† In truth, I’d already forgotten the people in the other room. â€Å"Right. Drat.† Gustavo and Kaure moved quietly through the house while I waited impatiently for them to finish and tried to pay attention to the happily-ever-after on the screen. I was starting to get sleepy – though, according to Edward, I’d slept half the day – when a rough voice startled me. Edward sat up, keeping me cradled against him, and answered Gustavo in flowing Portuguese. Gustavo nodded and walked quietly toward the front door. â€Å"They’re finished,† Edward told me. â€Å"So that would mean that we’re alone now?† â€Å"How about lunch first?† he suggested. I bit my lip, torn by the dilemma. I was pretty hungry. With a smile, he took my hand and led me to the kitchen. He knew my face so well, it didn’t matter that he couldn’t read my mind. â€Å"This is getting out of hand,† I complained when I finally felt full. â€Å"Do you want to swim with the dolphins this afternoon – burn off the calories?† he asked. â€Å"Maybe later. I had another idea for burning calories.† â€Å"And what was that?† â€Å"Well, there’s an awful lot of headboard left – â€Å" But I didn’t finish. He’d already swept me up into his arms, and his lips silenced mine as he carried me with inhuman speed to the blue room. How to cite The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 6. DISTRACTIONS, Essay examples

Management Skills and Entrepreneurship Opportunity †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Management Skills and Entrepreneurship Opportunity. Answer: Introduction Entrepreneurs need to consider some of the specific concern while establishing a new business venture. The study would specifically highlight the issues with the startups that may lead towards failure of the businesses. The necessity of the managing the feasible commercial opportunities would be discussed in this study. Furthermore, the study would identify the common pitfalls associated with the new business model design. Every business experiences some of the risks, which are needed to be managed strategically (Sakas, Vlachos and Nasiopoulos 2014). The study would thus develop the knowledgeable insights for achieving a successful business startup. In addition to this, the study would also evaluate the necessity of maintaining integrity, trust, and governance to gain the competitive position. A defined business idea stands for a concept that is generally used for making profits in a business. It generally centers on the products or the service offered to the customers in exchange of money. The business success depends on the fruitful and structured idea at the initial stage. However, Davidson (2015) argued that in spite of the potentiality of making profits, business ideas have no commercial values at the initial moment. Most of the startup businesses exist in an abstract form. Developing the efficient business ideas result in making profits at the end. It is important for the entrepreneurs to undergo a plausibility check to decide whether the business idea is feasible and innovative enough to meet the market needs (Brinckmann and Kim 2015). A promising business idea is developed by concentrating on several specific characteristics, such as innovation, clear focus, relevancy, uniqueness, and profitability for the long run (Sakas, Vlachos and Nasiopoulos 2014). The entrepr eneurs require having the clear and concise knowledge about the necessary components that makes the business feasible. There are several factors that contribute to the feasible business opportunities. These specific conditions are discussed further: A business opportunity becomes viable when the market demand is real. The startup business requires concentrating on the real market demands that would create more opportunities for the long run (Karimi et al. 2016). This opportunity serves for satisfying the needs of the business market. Moreover, the opportunity helps in resolving any problems that would be feasible enough for establishing a startup business. Adequate return on Investment A business opportunity can be feasible if the return on investment is profitable. The major focus of the business is to earn more profits. Therefore, the business opportunity generally intends to pursue the strong possibility of yielding a proper return on investment (Wood and McKelvie 2015). Similar to the real demand factor, the ROI is also concentrating on satisfying the need and solving a real time problem. The next factor that makes a business opportunity feasible is the effective competitiveness. The advancements in the current business scenario are quite challenging for the business marketers (Sakas, Vlachos and Nasiopoulos 2014). Unless the business idea is unique, every business ought to face the direct competitions with the other competitors (Bullough, Renko and Myatt 2014). The competitive business ideas have the complete chance to acquire a strengthened position in a business market. The business opportunity would thus be feasible if it is competitive enough to beat the other business marketers and gain the customer base. Every business has to set a vision and objective before conducting the business throughout the year. In fact, prior to establish a business, it is essential to establish an aim that would intend to achieve at the end. These aims and objectives are used in the business as leverage (Karimi et al. 2016). In order to make a business feasible enough in the competitive scenario, it is important to meet the objectives of the business. Another most necessary factor for making a business feasible is the competence skills of the business entrepreneur and the entire team. A business opportunity becomes worth pursuing by the commendable competence of the entrepreneur and effective management team (Sakas, Vlachos and Nasiopoulos 2014). A strong business team has the ability to develop the suitable and feasible business opportunity. The sharing ideas and experiences are helpful enough to manage the market needs and requirements for making the stronger business approach. The above factors are quite important for ensuring the feasible business approaches in a competitive position. One of the major concerns of the business entrepreneurs is to manage the sequential planning for developing a startup business. Use of the effective skills would help in managing the entire set up. However, it is necessary to gather the sufficient tangible and intangible resources to accomplish the business goals and become successful. The Common Pitfalls in New Business Model Design A Business Model consists of the necessary elements that make a business more feasible to operate in a competitive scenario. It is an important agenda to prepare an effective business model canvas that would create values for the business. According to Nabi et al. (2017), a business model consists of two major elements, such as an operating model and the value propositions. Both of these elements include three sub-elements. The model of value proposition model generally concentrates on several specific questions. It is necessary to clarify the product and the target market to offer this product or service. It usually reflects explicit choices based on three specific dimensions. First is the target segment, which determines the target market and the needs of the customers. Second is product and service offering, which describes the product and service specifications that can satisfy the needs and requirements of the customers. Third is revenue model, which ensures the method of compensating the offerings. On the other hand, operating model concentrates on the values of the products and services that would ensure more profits for the business (Niehm et al. 2015). It generally captures the unique business ideas to create more values for the customers. There are three critical areas for the operating model that create impacts on the startup business. First is value chain, which indicates the demands of the customers and the in-house operations to meet the demands. It also specifies the product outsourcing process. Second is cost model that configures the assets of the organization and the costs for delivering the value added products and services to the custome rs. Third is organization, which deploys and develops the workforce strength for enhancing the competitive advantage. In spite of these effective elements, the business models implementations can go wrong in many ways. These major pitfalls in the business model are as follows: The bottom-up innovations and the coordinated work structure are necessary for a startup business. The portfolio bloat occurs when a company has become bogged down in numerous numbers of bottom-up innovations and uncoordinated functionalities (Rahman and Day 2015). Undertaking too many innovations at one time can be riskier for the business. In most of the cases, it leads towards unbalanced, bloated, and overlapping portfolio of the experiments. It is noticed that none of these initiatives receives the adequate amount of the resources due to which the entire functions can go wrong. Moreover, the process would fail to win the favor of the senior management. Resolving the Irrelevant Customer Job The business model may fail if it develops a value proposition for an irrelevant customer job, which is not beneficial for the company. Even when the customers are not much caring about any particular product value, it may lead towards failure of the business model. In a startup business, this mistake is widely known as the failure to achieve product-market fit. Rezaei-Zadeh et al. (2014) explained that the business model survives on the long-term product market-fit. The mistakes become prominent by an overly focused on services or products along with the features and the technologies. The business entrepreneurs require concentrating on one aspect at a time. For example, if an entrepreneur wants to focus on feature, it is necessary to understand the basic needs and demands of the customers. It is also necessary to understand the features that may harm the perspective value of the customers. If once the entrepreneur understands the specific demands of the customers, it is necessary to determine that the services or products are sufficiently alleviate pains (Robinson and Stubberud 2014). It would also ensure that the product and service value would create the substantial gains. Apart from the issues with the inadequate product-market fit, the entrepreneur may face the challenges in establishing a flawless business model. An efficient entrepreneur needs to adopt greater technologies and a supportive business model for developing values for the offered products and services. If the business model is flawed, the technologies, value propositions, and customer demands would be affected in a significant manner. It is recognized that in some of the cases, the value propositions generate more costs than generating the expected amount of revenues (Sousa 2017). In such time, it can be stated that the business model is flawed and is not structured properly. As a result, it can be assumed that the business would inevitably disappear instead of developing the most successful value propositions. However, it has been observed that in spite of undertaking many of the safer approaches, the entrepreneurs sometimes fail to pick the appropriate revenue model or a proper pricin g strategy (Welsh, Kaciak and Minialai 2017). The entrepreneur should not underestimate the costs incurred from the resources, activities, and the necessary partnerships for creating and delivering the value propositions to the target customers. Furthermore, the business model would be considered as flawed if the entrepreneur fails to establish the appropriate channel to reach or deliver the values to the target audiences. Moreover, it can be suggested that establishing the effective relationships with the customers would create more values for the business (Hatten 2015). The business entrepreneurs require concentrating on one aspect at a time. For example, if an entrepreneur wants to focus on feature, it is necessary to understand the basic needs and demands of the customers. It is also necessary to understand the features that may harm the perspective value of the customers. If once the entrepreneur understands the specific demands of the customers, it is necessary to determine th at the services or products are sufficiently alleviate pains. It allows retaining the customers successfully and ensuring growth of the customer base. Finally, the business model would be considered as flawed if the entrepreneurs would focus more on wrong activities or they lack access to the adequate resource and key partners. The lack of proper partners and resources would create hindrance to reliability deliver, create or capture values for the longer time. It is essential to concentrate not just on the business, but on the customers demands as well. Negligence towards external threats in the Business Model Environment Sometimes, it has been observed that the business model innovations may fail in spite of resolving the relevant customer jobs and remarkable business model designs. The next failure source is from the external environment. The most obvious threats are faced from the external competitors who are much potential and providing the best offers to their target customers. It becomes difficult to the entrepreneurs to understand the next value added services initiated by the competitors that would make the customers anytime switch the brands or company (Johnson et al. 2013). In addition to this, it is noticed that the desired gains, pains, and customers jobs evolve over time. Especially, when the competitors offer the new and innovative products, and the substitutes become most demanding, the customers make a move towards purchasing products from other companies. The changes brought to the macro environment along with the shifts to the technological, cultural, societal, regulatory, and socioe conomic trends are creating the significant impacts on the business model viability (Jones and George 2015). It becomes important to keep the focus on such viability that is created for near and distant future. Most successful entrepreneurs thus scan the business model of the competitors continuously to stay more competent of impending threats to their existing business models. It has been noticed, in spite of structuring a flawless business model, it can still be a failure if it is not executed properly. The resources of the company, such as human resources, physical resources, and capital resources are sometimes not aligned adequately or appropriately. Many companies focus on measuring and monitoring a lot of things, but usually do not use these factors at the initial stage of developing the business model (Kasemsap 2016). It is necessary to monitor the critical success factors to follow that would lead towards developing the effective business model. In such cases, the business entrepreneurs require ensuring the appropriate alignment of the resources around the model. The effective execution of the business model would improve and refine the business models by reinventing them in a sequential way. Apart from these basic aspects, the business model would also fail due to some of the basic factors. Considerable market problems is one of the most effective and considerable factors. The small businesses usually face the failure if the market is not feasible for the target customers and the company. The lack of the product closure and specifications is quite insignificant for the business. In many of the cases, it has been observed that the entrepreneurs fail to gather the sufficient information about the business due to the inadequate market research. Therefore, it becomes essential to conduct the feasible market research and develop the value propositions for the products and the services. However, it is important to gather the insightful ideas about the needs and preferences of the customers. The ineffective timing or the lack of time management plan is also one of the considerable factors for the business failure at the starting point. In spite of the potentiality of making pro fits, business ideas have no commercial values at the initial moment. Most of the startup businesses exist in an abstract form. Developing the efficient business ideas result in making profits at the end. It is important for the entrepreneurs to undergo a plausibility check to decide whether the business idea is feasible and innovative enough to meet the market needs. It is thus essential to develop a strong management team with the greater knowledge about the business functions. Accordingly, the business would ensure the considerable success in future. How Business Risks should be managed? The business risks generally occur from different areas, both from the external and from the internal sources. The entrepreneurs often fail to understand the exact way to manage the risks and understand the risk factors that may influence the business. It is thus essential to manage or evaluate the risk factors by developing a contingency plan (Martn-Rojas, Garca-Morales and Bolvar-Ramos 2013). This contingency plan deals with the risks when it starts affecting the business. It is notable that planning the risks is the most effective way of managing the business risks. There are some of the specific ways of managing the risks in the business and these ways are discussed further: At the initial stage of new business development, it is necessary to plan up the business schedules in a sequential way. A structured business plan consists of the proper assessment, evaluation, and plan for the risks underlying within a business. These risks can be originated from anywhere or any standpoints of the business. These standpoints include financial parts, operations, and marketing field (Mason and Brown 2014). While structuring a schedule or sequential plan for the business, it would present the ideas about the probable risks originated from any of the business aspects. Hence, the entrepreneurs need to prepare a structured business plan to manage the probable risks. Majority of the business carry the liability insurance for insuring the contents in a location where the business has developed the operational functions. The entrepreneurs should always keep the track of the business activities. According to these activities, the business would determine the other types of the insurance. It would also obtain the correct coverage for the business. In case of real estate business or legal business may obtain several errors or omissions in the structured insurance policy (Morris et al. 2013). The risks may come from the clients who may sue the company for some of the professional wrong doings. Hence, it is necessary to ensure the insurance policy for some of the uncertain risks. The business planning should include a proper risk management plan. This risk management plan is generally separated from the business plan. This particular planned schedule includes the different probable risks that have the clear impact on the business operations or profits. Moreover, the plan also develops the ideas about the step-by-step process that intends to deal with the emerging risks (Edelman et al. 2016). It is necessary to imply that every business should concentrate on the threats coming from the potential competitors. It is essential to monitor the risks before it affects the business to the core. Providing effective training to the associated workers The entrepreneurs always need to concentrate on the abilities of the associated employees. In order to avoid the further risks, it is essential to expose the risks at the first place. For example, if the business deals with the heavy machineries and equipment, it is important to maintain the security and the safer usage (Eesley, Hsu and Roberts 2014). Therefore, the business entrepreneurs need to train the employees about the proper usage of these technologies or equipment to avoid the emerging risks. It would even ensure the workplace safety by minimizing hazards and injuries. Employee training is thus one of the most necessary elements of avoiding risks. In some of the cases, it is noticed that even the best planning of the business may fail. The entire efforts may fall short. In such cases, when the business is exposed to a risk, it is necessary to update the business plan accordingly. The business entrepreneur requires having the right reaction towards the risk (Garca-Morales, Bolvar-Ramos and Martn-Rojas 2014). Accordingly, putting a formal plan and procedure would help in preventing the risks from occurring once again. These specific factors are effective enough in managing the probable risks in a business. However, the business entrepreneurs should be competent enough to understand the probable risks that may affect the business. The key Management Skills require for achieving a successful business startup Regardless of the efficient venture planning, it is necessary for the entrepreneurs to acquire certain skills for surviving in a competitive business scenario. These skills would be effective enough in ensuring the business success for a long term. These factors or skills are presented below: Managing the financial aspects of the business is the most critical part. It is always required to manage the capital resources in a proper way. The finances are allocated as per the business needs. The entrepreneurs need to forecast the sales and the cash flows as well as monitoring the entire loss and profit (Garca-Snchez et al. 2017). Declaration of the income statement would also be beneficial in managing the financial aspects. It is notable that having a sound financial management skill helps an entrepreneur to run business successfully and profitably. The business entrepreneurs plan for the effective business promotions for developing the business brands and earning more profits. It is thus important to provide the effective and sound customer services by having a sound marketing strategy (Griffin 2013). The unique sales ideas would be beneficial for the business to earn more profits by attracting more customers. Hence, it is one of the most critical factors to business success. The business entrepreneurs need to negotiate and communicate with the potential investors, suppliers, employees, and the customers. It is essential for a business entrepreneur to have an effective verbal and written communication skill for establishing a good working relationship. The communicational transparency helps in developing the project towards the positive ways. The appropriate leadership skill is the major requirement for a successful business. An efficient leader leads the business towards right direction. The leaders have the experiences and fruitful ideas about driving the business towards success (Gundry, Ofstein and Kickul 2014). The leaders require motivating the staffs for inspiring them to bring out the best efforts and improve the business productivity. The time management is thus essential for mentoring and coaching the employees in an effective way. Encountering the problems is one of the most efficient skills ensured by a successful entrepreneur. The products and services to be offered to the customers should serve as the purpose of resolving the emerging problem (Asah, Fatoki and Rungani 2015). Initiating the ideas of resolving the problems would be beneficial for an entrepreneur to ensure a long term business success. The time management is another most necessary aspect of ensuring the long term business success. Along with allocating the resources, it is essential to allocate the time properly for managing the business activities (Bullough, et al. 2015). The business entrepreneur needs to have the clear ideas about the utilization of the time in an efficient way. Hence, it is quite beneficial aspect of managing the business success. Importance of Trust, Integrity, and Governance The different business approaches are the key driver towards the business success. However, an efficient entrepreneur needs to manage the business functions towards the right direction. Every business should build up on the proper integrity, trust, and the governance process. The board of directors and the people associated with the governance procedures explain the rules and regulations of a business (Garca-Snchez et al. 2017). Every startup business needs to follow the proper codes of conduct of the business. It is essential to generate trust and reliability among the business partners to ensure growth for the longer future prospects. The maintenance of the effective rules and regulations would minimize the risks come from the government of any specific country. Most of the startup businesses exist in an abstract form. Developing the efficient business ideas result in making profits at the end. It is important for the entrepreneurs to undergo a plausibility check to decide whether the business idea is feasible and innovative enough to meet the market needs. Managing the effective relationships with the customers build up the trust and integrity that helps the company to sustain the competitive position for a longer time. Many companies focus on measuring and monitoring a lot of things, but usually do not use these factors at the initial stage of developing the business model (Eesley, Hsu and Roberts 2014). It is necessary to monitor the critical success factors to follow that would lead towards developing the effective business model. In such cases, the business entrepreneurs require ensuring the appropriate alignment of the resources around the model. This business model should focus on proper rules and norms for managing the business functions in a sequential way. Conclusion The study provides the insightful ideas about the appropriate actions for managing a startup business. The entrepreneurs require having the clear and concise knowledge about the necessary components that makes the business feasible. Every business has to set a vision and objective before conducting the business throughout the year. In fact, prior to establish a business, it is essential to establish an aim that would intend to achieve at the end. Entrepreneurs are of the opinion that after spending money on website, product and service, they can easily beat a path to their door. The case is true only in case of first-time clientele but after that, it rapidly becomes an exclusive affair to attract and win customers. References Asah, F., Fatoki, O.O. and Rungani, E., 2015. The impact of motivations, personal values and management skills on the performance of SMEs in South Africa.African Journal of Economic and Management Studies,6(3), pp.308-322. Bcg.com, 2017. [online] Available at: https://www.bcg.com/documents/file36456.pdf [Accessed 27 Oct. 2017]. Brinckmann, J. and Kim, S.M., 2015. Why we plan: the impact of nascent entrepreneurs' cognitive characteristics and human capital on business planning.Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal,9(2), pp.153-166 Bullough, A., De Luque, M.S., Abdelzaher, D. and Heim, W., 2015. Developing women leaders through entrepreneurship education and training. The Academy of Management Perspectives, 29(2), pp.250-270. Bullough, A., Renko, M. and Myatt, T., 2014. Danger zone entrepreneurs: The importance of resilience and self?efficacy for entrepreneurial intentions.Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,38(3), pp.473-499. Davidson, P., 2015. Entrepreneurial opportunities and the entrepreneurship nexus: A re-conceptualization.Journal of Business Venturing,30(5), pp.674-695. Edelman, L.F., Manolova, T.S., Shirokova, G. and Tsukanova, T., 2016, January. Student entrepreneurship in emerging markets: Can family help overcome the institutional voids?. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2016, No. 1, p. 11966). Academy of Management. Eesley, C.E., Hsu, D.H. and Roberts, E.B., 2014. The contingent effects of top management teams on venture performance: Aligning founding team composition with innovation strategy and commercialization environment. Strategic Management Journal, 35(12), pp.1798-1817. Garca-Morales, V.J., Bolvar-Ramos, M.T. and Martn-Rojas, R., 2014. 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The Tempest - Barbarism Versus Civilization Essays - Caliban

The Tempest - Barbarism versus Civilization In Shakespeare's play, "The Tempest," an underlying theme of barbarism versus civilization appears. Shakespeare creates characters that exemplify symbols of nature or nurture. The symbolism of the characters is derived from their actions. These actions show Shakespeare's view of the uncivilized and the civilized, as well as help the reader develop his own opinion of each side. In this whimsical play, Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, after being supplanted of his dukedom by his brother, arrives on an island. He frees a spirit named Ariel from a spell and in turn makes the spirit his slave. He also enslaves a native monster named Caliban. These two slaves, Caliban and Ariel, symbolize the theme of nature versus nurture. Caliban is regarded as the representation of the wild; the side that is usually looked down upon. Although from his repulsive behavior, Caliban can be viewed as a detestable beast of nature, it can be reasonably inferred that Shakespeare's intent was to make Caliban a sympathetic character. During the first encounter, Caliban comes across very bestial and immoral. While approaching Caliban's cave, Prospero derogatorily says, "?[he] never/Yields us kind answer," meaning Caliban never answers respectfully. When Prospero reaches the cave, he calls to Caliban. Caliban abruptly responds, "There's wood enough within." His short, snappy reply and his odious tone, reveal the bitterness he feels from leading a servile life. Caliban's rudeness makes him seem like an unworthy and despicable slave. Also, Caliban displays an extreme anger toward Prospero. When Caliban is asked to come forth he speaks corruptly, "As wicked dew as e'er my mother brushed/With raven's feather from unwholesome fen/Drop on you both!?And blister you all o'er!" Caliban's attitude and disrespect is unfitting for a servant. However, his actions are justified. Until Prospero arrived on the island, Caliban was his own king. The island was left to him by his mother, Sycorax. Nevertheless, Prospero took charge of the isle and eventually enslaved Caliban. "?Thou strok'st me?I loved thee?" is part of a quote that illustrates Caliban's relationship with Prospero before he was his slave. Prospero comforted Caliban and gave him water and berries; he taught him how to speak, as well. During this time Caliban loved Prospero and showed him the features of the island, "The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile?" Caliban regrets helping Prospero as he says towards the end of his speech, "Cursed be I that did so!" Caliban feels this way due to his imprisonment. However, Caliban was enslaved because he raped Prospero's daughter, Miranda. Rape appeals to the reader as a good cause for enslavement, but Shakespeare shows that Caliban deserves sympathy, instead of disgust. Caliban committed an illicit act that deserved punishment. However, he had not been nurtured by society and, therefore, did not know any better. It is his basic nature to do as he feels. He does not know the difference between right and wrong. The reader tends to feel sympathetic towards Caliban because he is punished and oppressed for conduct he could not control. Prospero says, "A devil, a born devil, on whose nature/Nurture can never stick?" which explains why even though Prospero taught Caliban the ways of civilized life, he still acted upon his natural instincts. Caliban still displays his natural behavior by being blunt and so-called detestable as a slave. Though, once the reader understands Shakespeare's intent, it can be inferred that Caliban is merely a sympathetic character who has lost his soul. He is helpless among the lives of the civilized, because civilized life is one he will never undertake. Caliban is a man of nature, but he should not be considered less honorab le than someone from civilization. Shakespeare portrays Caliban as a very ugly and crude looking beast, which is how people of nature are pictured by citizens of society. Caliban's appearance exemplifies the degenerate animal nature within him. However, Caliban has, what no man of society has, purity and innocence. Caliban acts not to please others but to make himself happy. He has an intuitive understanding of the natural world that brings out a sensitivity higher than that of the civilized. Shakespeare gives Caliban some of the finest poetry in the play,

Internet Intervention essays

Internet Intervention essays The Internet is a method of communication and a source of information that is becoming more popular among those who are interested in, and have the time to surf the information superhighway. The problem with much information being accessible to this many people is that some of it is deemed inappropriate for minors. The government wants censorship, but a segment of the population does not. Within this examination of the topic of, Government Intervention of the Internet, I will attempt to express both side s of this issue. During the past decade, our society has become based solely on the ability to move large amounts of information across large distances quickly. Computerization has influenced everyone's life. The natural evolution of computers and this need for ultra-fas t communications has caused a global network of interconnected computers to develop. This global net allows a person to send E-mail across the world in mere fractions of a second, and enables even the common person to access information worldwide. With th e advances with software that allows users with a sound card to use the Internet as a carrier for long distance voice calls and video conferencing, this network is the key to the future of the knowledge society. At present this net is the epitome of the F irst Amendment: freedom of speech. It is a place where people can speak their mind without being reprimanded for what they say, or how they choose to Recently, Congress has been considering passing laws that will make it a crime punishable by jail to send "vulgar" language over the net. The government wants to maintain control over this new form of communication, and they are trying to use the protect ion of children as a smoke screen to pass laws that will allow them to regulate and censor the Internet, while banning techniques that could eliminate the need for regulation. Censorship of the Internet threatens to ...

Separation of powers in Malaysia and United Kingdom Essay

Separation of powers in Malaysia and United Kingdom - Essay Example House of Lords mainly consists of minorities of the hereditary peers which mainly are life members appointed by Crown and Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England. Under the constitutional reforms of 2005, Lords of Appeal in ordinary who have been members of the House of Lords will no longer be entitled to further sit in the Lords. The judiciary includes the judges in the courts of law and those holding judicial offices in tribunals and the magistrates who work in the magistrate’s courts. Senior appointments to the judiciary are appointed by the Crown (Trone 312). The function of the judiciary is to interpret the legislation in line with the intention of the parliament and develop the common law. Under the constitution, the judges are subordinate to parliament and have no right to challenge the legislation of parliament like the validity of Acts of parliament. Judges are barred from vying for elective positions under the House of Commons disqualification act of 1975. T he Constitutional reforms act of 2005 criticized the work of the House of Lords chancellor sine he could appoint the judges and played a central political role in the government. Chancellor presided the House of Lords as the speaker therefore playing a legislative role. The roles were criticized since they contravened the doctrine of separation of powers by concentrating the executive, judiciary and parliamentary functions in one person. In the case of McGonnell V. United Kingdom (2000) the European court of human rights ruled that the right of fair trial was violated by participation of the Deputy Bailiff who was both a member of Court and member of the legislature at the same time. This saw the reformation of the office of the Lord Chancellor (Shar 45). Malaysia The government structure of... The paper tells that under the British constitution, there is no strict separation of powers but there is a system of check and balances which ensure the powers are not abused. The fundamental purpose of the doctrine of separation of powers is to ensure powers are not abused and the civil rights and liberties of the citizens are protected. Under a written constitution, the powers are distributed to the various institutions will be strictly defined. In United Kingdom, Judges in the high courts exercise their independence in according to Act of settlement 1700 which protects their tenure in office and guards their independence from executive and legislative influence. The judges enjoy immunity from legal proceedings in their functions even if they make defamatory statements during the court proceedings. In Malaysia, the judges do not exercise their judicial independence since they are appointed by the executive. The right to exercise their judicial powers in delivering the judgments ha s been limited by the constitution. Both countries have two levels of government. The separation of powers is clear in United Kingdom though it may be entrenched in the constitution. The separation of powers ensures each organ of government does not abuse its powers. In Malaysia, there is no separation of powers since executive is more powerful than the other arms of the government. The judicial independence and powers are limited by the constitution in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the parliament has been used to rubber stamp the decisions of the executive since the Prime Minister comes from the party with majority members in parliament.

Poem Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Poem - Research Paper Example And luckily comes to an end. Just like the rest of the poem, woman in this stanza also gains some relieve for her weeping (Bogan). This stanza is powerful because it salutes and congratulates the less fortunate ones. E.g., the older wife â€Å"who has been cured of feeling unwanted† and soon is at home and becomes jubilant for this (Bogan). In general, this stanza shows that human beings live in quiet desperation where there are wrenching emotions, mental patients, and bizarre behavior have come a happy ending. This is seen in the last line of this stanza where this woman is given possible chances to meet new person and home to live in. The woman discussed in this stanza can be summarized as a being and metaphorically petrified (Bogan). In conclusion, this whole poem is made of mutual bonds that are found in modernism. This bond is found in various different types of work that was produced alongside other modernism examples. I, therefore, conclude that this poem is an ironically moving

Ford Explorer Defective Tires Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ford Explorer Defective Tires - Essay Example It is imperative to note that it is both a legal and social obligations for companies to engage in such Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Consequently, most organizations focus on similar responsibility actions for example supporting activities that seem to protect the environment. In addition, there are many strategies, which companies employ in order to execute the above CSR phenomenon in a successful manner. For example, a business organization could opt to outsource a company, which in turn assists in the company’s societal responsibility. Alternatively, the company could include a permanent department in its structure. Such a permanent structure could perform all activities, which involve improving the public relations of the company. Evidently, the aim of most activities is to increase the individual company’s profits by improving its diverse public image. Finally, individuals who benefit from activities of corporate responsibility always aspire to engage in business deals with the respective companies hence the importance of CSR. According to Charles, & Hill, Carroll’s model is a detailed development of an early model of CSR by Sethi. Evidently, Carroll’s model gives a highlight of such facets of responsibility as economic, legal ethical and philanthropic orientations. Consequently, the above facets follow a universal pyramid of significance. Most reports indicate that in the past companies displayed bias in choosing the corporate responsibility activities hence the relevance of Carroll’s Model.

Since X Ray Was Discovered Health And Social Care Essay

Since X Ray Was Discovered Health And Social Care Essay Since x-ray was discovered by Roentgen in 1895, its medical application has grown to be a fast and dynamic imaging modality. Todays imaging department consists of an impressive array of diagnostic and therapeutic devices from x-ray machines, CT Scan, PET Scan, linear accelerator, which mainly use ionizing radiation for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses; and with the addition of ultrasound and MRI that use sound waves and magnets for diagnosis instead of x-rays. Thus, radiology is considered as the window of the healthcare institution and the radiologic technologists are the persons behind these state-of-the art machines. In the x-ray department, one of the divisions of radiology department, the x-ray machines are used for diagnoses of illnesses. For 100 years the film-screen system has been the imaging system of choice. This system uses radiographic film, screen and wet chemistry to generate an image just like conventional photography. Every RTs goal is to provide high quality images for accurate diagnosis; therefore each step is very critical. The RT must be equipped with knowledge and skills from anatomy, positioning and exposure techniques. One slight mistake can imperil the image and yields an unacceptable radiograph which entails repeat examination that primarily means additional radiation dose to the patient. This is one of the disadvantages of a film-screen system wherein once the film has been processed; there is no way to alter it. What you see is what you get. Fortunately, with the growing technology of imaging modalities came the introduction of digital imaging which follow the same concep t as digital cameras wherein brightness and contrast of the image can be changed and images can now be cropped. Its advantage compared to film-screen is very obvious, since images can be altered, repeat examinations, oftentimes is no longer necessary. The technology is superb and its debut has grown the curiosity of every RT whether it is efficient compared to the traditional system. And of course, it is. However, as with every other technology has its drawback. Since the new technology primarily uses computer and computer-aided equipments oftentimes do the entire job. The question lies wherein will the competence of the RT in terms of exposure technique factors be same as using the conventional way? Several international studies stated that because of the convenience of the system, the RTs using the machine oftentimes fail to consider the standard protocols in every technique selection because images can be manipulated later. Alteration of images from time to time should not be a daily scenario because manipulation sometimes interfere accurate diagnosis. As of the researchers knowledge, there are no known local related studies in the decline of RTs competence in using CR. One of the reasons may be this modality is still in the stage of introduction in the Philippines and that its implication is not yet intensively studied. But this does not stop the researchers to seek of finding out if there is indeed a decline in RTs competence with the new system. This study is a comparative-correlational research in determining the level of radiographic competence between film-screen system and CR on exposure technique factor selection. The main objectives of the researchers are to compare if there is a significant difference in terms of radiographic competence in the RT who uses film-screen from CR and to determine if the respondents profile and agency has a significant relationship in terms of radiographic competence. Base on the result of the study, the researchers will be able to assess the essential skills needed for the profession. Technolo gy indeed has helped us in many ways. However, without the competence of the professional manipulating the equipment is futile. This means that the technologist who has the sole responsibility of manning the state-of-the art equipment should not rely from technology, instead technology should rely on them. REVIEW OF LITERATURE This study primarily aims to compare the level of radiographic competence on exposure technique factor selection between film-screen system and computed radiography (CR). Exposure technique factor selection is an important foundation for these two types of image receptor (IR) or imaging system. Image receptor is a device that converts x-rays into visible light. Competence should not vary whether the radiologic technologist (RT) is using the conventional or digital system, otherwise, it will defeat the intensive study of the exposure techniques during the undergraduate years. Furthermore, providing appropriate exposure techniques is paramount in the profession since these techniques also mean radiation dosage on the part of the patient. According to Fauber Johnston (2012), the radiographers actions at the control panel directly determine the nature and the make-up of the x-ray beam. This means that the selected exposure technique factor is directly proportional to patient dose. In ad dition, it is the responsibility of the radiographer to learn the philosophy, factors and methods that minimizes ionizing radiation exposure to the patient (Callaway, 1996). This also means that an RT is providing quality patient care when he/she gives an adequate and necessary amount of radiation to the patient. Competence in Radiologic Technologist Klemp (1980) defined competence as an underlying characteristic of a person which results in effective and/or superior performance on the job. A competent person is imbued with the right knowledge, skills and attitude on a particular task. Other authors define competence as a cluster or related knowledge, skills, and attitudes that reflects a major portion of ones job, which has a relationship in the performance on the job that can be measured with well-accepted standards, and that can be improved with training and development (Parry, 1996). In radiologic technology, for example, an newly licensed RT already possess cognitive and motor skills at an entry level, however, it can only be enhanced through proper and consistent training in a chosen specialized field during the course of his/her work as an RT. Knowledge, Skills, Attitude As mentioned, competence is a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes. These components are essential as a whole because the absence of one component greatly affects ones performance. According to Dowd (1996), knowledge as part of competence includes theories and concepts which were gained as a result of the experience of performing certain tasks. Furthermore, in the field of radiologic technology he added that knowledge includes job-specific terminology, methods of organizing information and an understanding of principles and generalizations. On the other hand, Hans Reynold in 1928 defined skill as combined mental and physical qualities which make it useful to industry. Knowledge if combined with skills is important in the workplace. Furthermore, one cannot develop a skill without knowledge and at higher levels, knowledge are converted to skills (Klieme, 2004.) The last component that determines competence is the attitude. The attitude such as beliefs, values, traits, and motives is a part of competence because it indicates the persons response to a particular event or situation. Attitude refers to the predisposition or mental state of individuals/users towards a product, ideas, or attributes. It also implies on mental readiness on a particular object or his attributes toward an object or his preferences. (Hulse Dowd, 1996). In the field of radiologic technology, competence does not only mean that the RT is equipped with the knowledge and skills but RT is also imbued with the right attitude and judgment to provide each patient with quality care On Radiographic Competence In the field of radiologic technology, one aspect of the profession requires competent skills in radiographic exposure factor technique. The said competence is essential especially in the diagnostic x-ray imaging, wherein exposure factors are the key to accurate diagnosis and providing radiation dosage to minimum level. For 100 years, film-screen technique has been the method of choice in radiographic imaging (Bushong 2009). Film-screen system uses radiographic films, radiographic intensifying screens and wet chemistry to make the image visible. Furthermore, this conventional system should adhere to the standards of the darkroom requirements. Film-screen system has the same concept as a typical conventional camera. In a film-screen technique, radiologic technologist should be certain on the exposure factors to be applied in a particular exposure because improper selection of exposure factors can lead to overexposure or underexposure of the film. Overexposure or underexposure degrades image quality and therefore, it can lead to rejection of film, thus necessitates the need for repeat examination. Repeat examination provides unnecessary dose to the patient and additional costs to the department. On the other hand, as with the other innovations in technology, diagnostic imaging has shifted its course from conventional to digital. Computer applications are employed nowadays in diagnostic imaging modalities. An appropriate analogy that is easy for most people to understand is the replacement of typical film cameras with digital cameras: images can be taken, immediately examined, deleted, corrected, and cropped, and subsequently sent to a network of computers. Computed radiography system (CR) is an affordable solution to digital imaging. Instead of the film, CR employs an imaging plate to capture x-rays and makes it visible when the plate is scanned into a computer and digitized it. Once the image is converted to data, it can be recorded on a laser printed film or can be transmitted and stored digitally. It has special features like manipulation or enhancement of the image. Its specialized software is used to image viewing with enhanced functions similar to film-screen system, s uch as contrast, brightness, and zoom. (dicomsolutions.com, 2011). Computed radiography has practical technical advantages compared with conventional techniques, such as wide contrast dynamic range, post-processing functionality, multiple image viewing options, and electronic transfer and archiving possibilities. In this system, image quality can be achieved because of the post-processing techniques that are not possible with film-screen system. This system is convenient for the technologists because the RT can compensate for exposure technique inaccuracies by adjusting the technique during post-processing phase of the image rather than that time of exposure. In radiologic technology field, competence means that the RT is equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitude and judgment to provide each patient with quality care. According to Olavidez (2005), competence is essential in the field of Radiologic Technology because RT is a fast growing profession; RT deals with human lives and most of all, the RT curriculum is not enough to prepare the students to be equipped with the skills necessary for the profession especially in the special fields of radiologic technology. For an RT to become competent, he/she should have undergone formal educational background followed by specialized training in their chosen field that takes months. As an RT, he/she should have comprehensive knowledge and skills in patient care, radiologic procedures and radiation dosage. Exposure Technique Factors Exposure technique factors influence and determine the quantity and quality of x-radiation to which the patient is exposed (Bushong, 2009). Kilovolt peak (kVp), milliamperage (mA), exposure time and source-to-image distance (SID) are the principal exposure technique factors. Furthermore, the said factors also affect image quality. Milliamperage and exposure time are the exposure factors that affects the quantity of radiation. Milliampere is the measure of x-ray tube current, whereas milliampere-second (mAs) is the produce of exposure time and exposure tube current. They directly affect the optical density (OD) of the film. Optical density is the overall blackening of the film. The darker the film, the higher number of x-rays is given to the patient. The higher the number of x-rays that are the given to the patients, the greater the radiation dosage they receive. Source-to-image receptor distance also affects the quantity of the radiation. The closer the patient is to the x-ray source, the higher dosage the patient gets. For chest x-ray, the standard SID is 72 inches, while for the other x-ray examinations, the standard SID is 40 inches. Kilovoltage peak (kVp), directly affects the quality of radiation. kVp is the maximum electric potential that travels across the x-ray tube. Since kVp affects the quality of th e x-ray beam, it also affects the quality of the radiographic image. Kilovoltage directly affects contrast. Contrast is the variation of densities on the film. The advantage of using higher kVp is that the patient will receive lower dosage of radiation because it will not be absorbed. However, higher kilovoltage produces more scatter radiation, thus increases the transmission of x-rays to the image receptor and degrades image quality. The best techniques to prevent scatter radiation are using beam restrictors such as collimator to filter low energy x-rays and to cut-off low energy rays using radiographic grids. By employing beam restrictors and grid will enhance image contrast because scatter radiation will be prevented. Furthermore, scatter radiation will also provide unnecessary dose to the patient. Therefore, exposure technique factor selection is essential. To provide quality radiographs and to limit patients to radiation should be a goal for every RT. According to Bushong (2009), RTs are required to use their skills to produce the best possible image with single exposure (Bushong, 2009). Otherwise, repeat examination will provide unnecessary radiation dose to the patient. Therefore, it is necessary for the RT to be equipped with knowledge and skills to manipulate these exposure technique factors to produce desired optical density, contrast, and image detail on the finished radiograph. RT in Film-Screen System In conventional film-screen system, before each examination, the radiologic technologist must select the optimum radiographic technique factors- kVp, mA, and exposure time (Bushong 2009). There are many considerations to determine the value of each factor and they are complexly interrelated. Contrast and Density are the photographic factors of the radiograph and it functions to make the image visible. Visibility of image is important so that anatomical image will appear for proper diagnosis. After each exposure, there is no way to manipulate its contrast and density and thats what makes film-screen system difficult as inadequate contrast or density entails repeat examination. Since manipulation of the image is not possible in this system, the RT should be certain with the technique factors prior to the exposure; otherwise, miscalculations can result to underexposure or overexposure. In a film-screen system, overexposure and underexposure of the image is considered unacceptable becaus e the important structures are not visible and thus it is not a tool for proper diagnosis. In other words, image quality is dependent on exposure factors. RT in Computed Radiography In CR system, image quality is not dependent on exposure factors. Digital image is unrelated to dose, kVp becomes less important. Since, image quality is not dependent on exposure factors, image can be manipulated. In a conventional system, the film serves as both image acquisition and display medium. With CR, the image plate serves as the acquisition medium but does not display the image. Since these functions are separate in CR, the digital signal can be altered to compensate for underexposure or overexposure and an acceptable image can be displayed on the monitor (Shephard, 2003). With CR system, post-processing is possible that helps enhance image thus allowing the RT to alter image contrast and density. Since image can be manipulated or modified, underexposure or overexposure is no longer a problem with this system, because it can usually salvage variations from the optical technique, whereas technical error with a screen-film system often requires a repeat exposure (Pizzutiello , 1993; Cesar, 1997). Therefore, with CR, technical errors are eliminated because of exposure variances that are possible with salvageable results, assuming adequate kilovoltage is used (Ballinger, 1999). On Assessment of RT Competence In order to know the competence of a professional, assessment plays a vital role. Assessment is important so as to evaluate if the RT is still competent to do the job. Since we are in the era of rapid technology, it may come to a point that we will just put our confidence on computers rather than our competence. According to Olavidez (2005), competence is an observable ability and it can be measured against set of standards. Assessment of competence is a combined knowledge, skills, and attitudes that reflect the current work practice. Furthermore, it can bridge the gap between workplace requirements and standard. Selection of exposure technique factor is of extreme importance because RT deals with exposing patients to radiation. Exposure technique factor is equivalent to the quality and the quantity of radiation that exits the patient, therefore, the RT should be precise in giving exposure technique factors. Providing appropriate radiation dose is necessary to prevent the patients from the hazards of the ionizing radiation, therefore prior to the exposure of the patient, accurate exposure techniques should be practiced. The issue of providing accurate techniques lies in a digital system, wherein images can be manipulated during post-processing. According to Fredrick Walker (medicalimagingmag, 2008), a radiologic technologist at Sharp Rees-Stealy in San Diego, CA, he pointed out if the image is too dark, we can manipulate the image using post-processing techniques like windowing or shadowing or to adjust contrast without having to repeat the examination. Furthermore, since image can be manipul ated during post-processing, it can encourage complacency rather than accuracy with exposure techniques which can result in overexposed or underexposed images (Medicalxray, 2010). In addition, according to Enfinger (2012), that it is true that the image can be adjusted, however, it is not recommended because the raw data from the initial exposure will contain information from scatter radiation that degrades image quality even if it is manipulated later. According to Shephard (2003), it is likely that digital imaging will replace conventional screen-film radiography in many modern medical imaging centers in the near future. It has already been stated that even if the image can be manipulated during post-processing, this should not be a practice because somehow it can deteriorate image quality which results in inaccurate diagnosis. One retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone lumbar spine radiographs for the diagnosis of osteoporosis compare diagnostic accuracy with screen-film versus digital radiography. The authors suspected that bone mineral loss could be more easily visible with screen-film imaging due to the fact that image contrast cannot be adjusted with this modality, whereas CR (and DR) images undergo digital post-processing techniques to maximize contrast. This could result in misleading results that confound diagnostic strength in osteoporosis. Therefore, this is a challenge now for the RT to maintain their competence amidst the aid of technology. Competence of RT is the foundation of providing quality patient care by providing appropriate radiation dose for accurate diagnosis. Synthesis The focus of the literature and studies cited was the radiographic competence of RT between film-screen system and computed radiography and it is through this study that the researchers can identify and compare whether their competence will differ based on the image receptor that is being used. In addition, competence in exposure technique factors is essential because this will also mean radiation dose to the patient. It has already been affirmed that the concept has been there for the past few years and therefore the present study is certainly not a new concept. Nevertheless, the researchers deemed it necessary to conduct a study assessing the competence of the RT for the benefit of the institution where they belong because the researcher wants to propose a professional program that could strengthen the foundation of the RTs. It is also important for the school to offer the programs since almost the RT from the different hospitals in Davao City are products of this institution. This study is similar to the other studies cited in this section because it stated on the effects of digital imaging on the radiographic competence of the RTs. Furthermore, previous studies dealt with the effects of image manipulation on image quality and it indirectly link to the competence of the RTs. Conceptual Framework In this view, the researchers attempted to assess the level of radiographic competence of the RTs in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude. Through assessing the competence of the RTs, the researchers are able to determine the level of radiographic competence; their strengths and weakness of radiographic techniques. On the other hand, the researchers identified the factors that can affect their competence, such as the respondents demographic profile in terms of age, sex, number of years in service and educational attainment and the profile of institution such as agency and its classification are also considered. To have a vivid picture of the study, Figure 1 served as the research paradigm SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM Independent Variables Dependent Variables Factors Respondents Profile Age Number of years in service Agency Private Public Image Processing Film-Screen System Computed Radiography Level of Radiographic Competence Knowledge Skills Attitude Figure 1 Schematic Diagram showing the relationship between the independent and dependent variables STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The study aims to compare the level of radiographic competence in using a film-screen system and computed radiography on exposure technique factor selection; specifically it aims to answer the following questions: What is the respondents profile in terms of: Age Number of years in service What is the agency of the healthcare institutions in terms of: Private Public What is the level of the respondents radiographic competence in using film-screen system on exposure technique factor selection in terms of: Knowledge Skills Attitude What is the level of the respondents radiographic competence in using computed radiography on exposure technique factor selection in terms of: Knowledge Skills Attitude Is there a significant relationship between the respondents profile and the level of radiographic competence in terms of: Knowledge Skills Attitude Is there a significant relationship between the agency of healthcare institution and the level of radiographic competence in terms of: Knowledge Skills Attitude Is there a significant difference in the level of radiographic competence between film-screen system and computed radiography in terms of: Knowledge Skills Attitude HYPOTHESES There is no significant relationship between the respondents profile and the level of radiographic competence in terms of: Age Number of years in service There is no significant relationship between the agency of the healthcare institution and the level of radiographic competence in terms of: Public Private There is no significant difference in the level of radiographic competence between film-screen system and computed radiography in terms of: Knowledge Skills Attitude DEFINITION OF TERMS Accuracy- refers to the degree of conformity of a measured or calculated value to its actual or specific value. Computed Radiography- is an affordable solution of digital imaging system that uses a photostimulable phosphor as the image receptor. Digital Radiography- an all-digital technique in which x-ray absorption is quantified by assignment of a number to the amount of x-rays reaching the detector; this is also called as cassetteless system. Exposure- measure of ionization produced in air by x-rays or gamma rays. Exposure Factor Selection. It is the factor set by the radiographer (kVp, and mAs) to produce visibility of structures in the radiograph. Film Screen System- is the conventional image receptor that uses radiographic film, radiographic intensifying screen and wet chemistry to visualize the image in the radiograph. Image receptor- is a device that converts x-ray beam into visible image. Level of Radiographic Competence- refers to the measure of the level of competence of the radiologic technologist in achieving goals and objectives in providing quality radiographs with minimum radiation dose to patients. Private hospital- is a hospital owned by a profit company or a non-profit organization and privately funded through payment for medical services by patients themselves. Public hospital- is a hospital which is owned by the government and receives government funding. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This study seeks to determine if there is a significant difference on the level of the respondents radiographic competence in exposure technique factor selection between film-screen system and computed radiography; and to determine if there is a significant relationship on the level of radiographic competence between respondents profile and agency. Based on the results of this study, the researchers can identify the strengths and weaknesses of the RTs and if it shows significant decline in the competence of the RT in the CR system, the researchers will propose an enhancement program for the professionals. The said program will also be a part of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE), and it will be added to the CPE units needed to renew RT licenses. This study will be most helpful to the radiology department of the hospital to enhance Health Care Delivery by limiting radiation dose to the patients. Furthermore, determining the attitude toward the imaging system will help the department to reevaluate the mental and the emotional state of the RTs. Mental and Emotional state of the RT are important since they are dealing with patients. It is the responsibility of the RT to render quality patient care by providing appropriate radiation dose. Furthermore, this study will also be of most helpful to the schools offering radiologic technology as to intensify the foundation of the students in terms of exposure technique factors. Based on the result of the study, there may be a need to revise the curriculum to further intensify the skills of the RT students. Computed Radiography is not a part of the standard RT curriculum, and it may be one factor that affects the decline of competence on the part of the professional as well as the students. Chapter 2 METHODOLOGY This portion discusses the research design used, the research locale where the study will be conducted, the description of samples and the sampling technique, the instrument used, the details of procedure and the statistical analysis to answer the research problem. Research Design The study will employ a comparative-correlational research. To determine the difference between the level of competence in film-screen system and computed radiography, comparative study will be used. Furthermore, to determine the relationship between the respondents profile and agency between the levels of the radiographic competence, correlational design will be employed. Setting The study will be conducted from the selected hospitals in Davao, Digos and Tagum City employing either film-screen system and computed radiography. The hospitals using film-screen system are the following: Alexian Brothers Health and Wellness Center, Km. 4, McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City; Davao Regional Hospital, located at Apokon, Tagum City 8112 and Davao Del Sur Provincial Hospital which is located at Lapu-lapu St. Digos, City Davao Del Sur. On the other hand, the hospitals using the computed radiography system are the following: Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH), E. Quirino Ave., Davao City; Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), J.P Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City and Davao Medical School Foundation and Hospital (DMSF), Medical Drive, Bajada, Davao City. Participants The respondents of the study are the Registered Radiologic Technologists and Associate X-ray Technologists coming from the selected hospitals in Davao City employing a film-screen and computed radiography system. Moreover, the qualified respondents should be at least six months in service at the time of the evaluation. Measures The research assessment is composed of four parts. The first part of the assessment consists of questions pertaining to the profile of the respondents and hospital. The second part consists of questions on the respondents level of knowledge on exposure technique factor selection. The questions are specifically structured in such a way that assesses the respondents acquired knowledge on technique selection. Based on the results, the attitude in terms of respondents response in both film-screen and CR system will be categorized as follows depending on their mean score: Points Obtained Qualitative Description 30-25 Very High 20-24 High 15-19 Moderately High 10- 14 Low 13- 0 Very Low INTERPRETATION The aforementioned assessment form that will be used as instrument of the study is constructed and designed by the researchers as to measure the basic knowledge in exposure technique factor selection regardless of the imaging system used. Its validity and reliability was attested by experts of the field. Moreover, the third part of the assessment is an actual evaluation wherein the respondents are observed during x-ray examination. They will be assessed in the actual selection of the exposure technique factor and the outcome of the image. The said assessment is a point system; the appropriate the RT performs in technique factor selection and the acceptable the image, the higher the points. Based on the results, the level of radiographic competence in terms of respondents skills will be categorized as follows depending on their mean score: Points Obtained Qualitative Description 10 Very high level of radiographic skills 7-9 High level of radiographic skills 4-6 Moderately low level of radiographic skills 1-3 Low level of radiographic skills Low level of radiographic skills means that the respondents were not able to perform the appropriate exposure techniques and came up with an unacceptable radiograph. Moderately low level of radiographic skills me