Link between Transition and Vulnerable Groups in Albania

Link between Transition and Vulnerable Groups in Albania â€Å"The link between transition and vulnerable groups in Albania† Viola Sadushaj Supervisor: Edith FAVOREU Research topic: â€Å"The link between transition and vulnerable groups in Albania† Problem statement:  Ã¢â‚¬ËœVulnerable groups’ Albania shares with the rest of Europe a cultural and historical heritage with roots in the Greek, Roman, and Ottoman civilizations and the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Muslim religions. The country’s level of economic development and its physical and social infrastructure are like those of the poorest and least-developed areas in Africa and Latin America. The Albanian population has always been vulnerable to the problems of poverty and isolation from the outside world  [1]. Neither the Government nor the kinship networks have had the capacity to compensate for the social upheavals brought about by the fall of Communism. Since that time, new vulnerable groups have arisen as a direct result of the fragmentation of the social structure. The transition in Albania is characterized by volatile and dramatic disruptions. The country is searching for a way out of its economic and social difficulties without a clear sense of direction, and with little social cohesion to sustain whatever policy the Government may choose. Transition is characterized by disorienting, chaotic events, a loss of traditional social norms and organizational arrangements, a lack of credibility on the part of new political leadership, and the appearance of intermediate institutions operating as enclaves and detached from the dynamics in the society. The events of 1991, threw the country into a state of chaos that has been unpredictable in terms of both duration and outcome, making it very difficult to achieve social progress in a cost-effective, equitable, and compassionate way  [2]. Albania is experiencing the emergence of social needs that cannot be addressed simply in terms of poverty reduction. Poverty reduction strategies generally assume that when an economy begins to improve within a scenario of greater political stability and foreign investment, many of the poor and unemployed will be mainstreamed into productive occupations  [3]. The transition in Albania has identified two main conditions of vulnerability (a) social exclusion, which marginalizes people via the mechanism of rejection from mainstream society, and (b) gender abuse, which marginalizes women via the threat or use of violence. Such conditions have created at least seven highly vulnerable groups in Albania: Youth at risk of abandoning school: Dropping out of school exposes increasing numbers of youth to the risk of social exclusion, street begging in Italy and Greece, and, in the case of girls, gender abuse. It is also an important factor in the resurgence of illiteracy, lack of economic opportunity, and general cultural diminishment. Institutionalized and abandoned children: This group includes orphans, children abandoned by their families, and those with physical handicaps. Such children were strongly penalized under the Communist regime and their condition has not improved. Today their numbers are increasing and they are even more marginalized due to the disruptions and consequent breakdown of family relationships, which are their only guarantee of survival. Young men at risk of criminal behavior: Young men who have finished school are at risk of becoming socially excluded and eventually recruited by the criminal economy. The incidence of this phenomenon is correlated with the income level and employment opportunities in the various areas. Young men at risk of drug addiction: This group is recent origin, present mainly in Tirana and other urban centers, but also rapidly expanding in smaller cities. Albania is becoming one of the major drug crossroads in Europe, with cannabis widely cultivated in the south and heroin coming in from Turkey. Abandoned elderly: Traditional Albanian values require the family to care for the elderly. Nevertheless, massive migration and the breakdown of extended families is resulting in their neglect. Social institutions to care for the elderly are inadequate and unprepared to meet demands for assistance by the increasing numbers who do not have children or are not supported by children who have emigrated. Women at risk of gender abuse: The fall of Communist regime has worsened the condition of women. Young women are initiated into prostitution almost exclusively by close friends or boyfriends, many of them linked to organized crime. There is also a resurgence of the pre-Communist betrothal tradition; which exposes young women to the risk of violence both within and outside the family. As a result of this lack of security, parents are keeping girls out of school. The vulnerable groups have varying features depending on where they are located. All seven groups are found in large numbers in the cities and rural communities of the middle and coastal regions, where uncontrolled migration flows are accelerating the breakdown of the traditional family structure in the context in which no mechanism are in place to support the emergence of strong nuclear families. The lack of economic opportunities for men and women in these areas, combined with the surge of criminal organizations are illegal residences, are producing increasing numbers of abandoned elderly, women, and children and are putting an entire young generation at risk of drug use and criminal activities that victimize others. Problems caused by transition: Loss of state employment, Insecurity due to crime and gang activity, Family disaggregation. Priority needs of people: Improve employment opportunities, Credit for small business, Improve infrastructure: water supply, power, transportation lines, telephone and communication systems etc. Improve social services, Greater security, Education and health services, Reduce the corruption. In this phase of transition, Albania’s representative institutions are formally in place but operationally inadequate, while social intermediary organizations such as citizens associations are few and limited in scope. Large areas of the country, particularly in the north and east, are still organized according to extended family and clan relationships that control local administrations and have little interface with central government institutions. The emergence of the new vulnerable groups in society is at odds with the prevailing kinship ties, and their interests are scarcely represented in Albanias weak body politic. The countrys political institutions are further weakened by the continuing polarization between the Geghs (speakers of the northern dialect) and the Tosks (speakers of the southern dialect) in national politics and the central administration. In addition, the countrys labor unions, a driving force for social protection in Albania (as in all European countries), have collapsed as a result of closure of state industries, leaving industry and agriculture largely to microenterprises and family units. National cohesion also suffers from a fragmented press and the limited coverage of national issues. Religion does not have a significant official political impact in the country, although Moslem and Christian leaders express views on social issues such as abortion and education. As a result of all these factors, decisions relevant to large numbers of people are usually made through consultations and negotiations within informal networks. At the central level the institution that presently endeavors to address the needs of vulnerable groups is the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Women (MOLSAW). The Ministry operates through its Policy Department and two autonomous subdivisions: the National Employment Services (NES) and the General Administration of Social Services (GASS). Most of MOLSAWs budget comes from the Finance Ministry, although efforts are being made to attract foreign donors and to set up special funds supplied by external aid. MOLSAW is now practicality the only source of financing for social programs, although the law enables rural communes and urban municipalities to levy taxes. In 1996, the NE share of GDP decreased slightly from 1995, with an almost certain decrease in household allocations, and a negative but unquantifiable effect on particularly vulnerable household members. In 1996, households receiving cash benefits were estimated to be approximately 20 percent of all households 35 percent according to World Bank estimates. Large numbers of poor are not eligible for the NE program, including those who moved to urban areas after December 1995- an exclusionary measure designed to slow migration to urban areas. Moreover, many who are eligible cannot get benefits due to the lack of records. The Government provides limited social services through welfare institutions such as orphanages and homes for elderly, with very few social workers monitoring situations of poverty and social exclusion of individuals or groups. At present, there are only 22 Government welfare facilities in the entire country, operated by GASS and located in several communes. They include 5 residences for homeless and abandoned elderly, housing a total of 300 persons (30 applicants are on a waiting list and there are 7,500 pending request for admission); and 7 centers for the handicapped (1 each in Tirana, Berat, Korca, Lezha, and Durres, and 2 in Shkodra). Facilities and attendant services are grossly inadequate. The Government estimates that there are 27,000 handicapped individuals in the country, 6,000 of whom need specific, long-term treatment, which is unavailable. None of the 12 regional GASS offices has a physician on staff. The role of NGOs The traditional extended family and clan-based structure of Albania, together with the half century of Communism, have produced a society in which civic associations, including those active in the care of vulnerable groups and dedicated to social development, are still scarce  [4]. Nevertheless, the number of indigenous NGOs has been increasing over the past years, and many foreign NGOs are also active. These organizations provide a range of social services but act quite independently from one another, and often with little interface with government. Legislation concerning NGOs has been under consideration for some time, including a bill that would license NGOs working with vulnerable groups, as well as establish a mechanism to transfer resources from MOSLAW to those NGOs. The system would presumably consist of a grant fund useable for NGO projects or NGO-run activities; the NGOs would be selected to run certain projects on the basis of tenders. MOSLAW would have the responsibility to inspect and monitor NGO activities funded through that mechanism. The Albanian NGO Forum, the main umbrella organization, includes more than 200 indigenous NGOs, of which roughly 90 appear to carry out some activity, while the others seem to exist in name only; the numbers are inexact due to the lack of registration standards. Most of the organizations are minuscule (one to three persons) and have little in the way of a track record or a well-defined mission. According to the Forum, no more than ten are able to carry out social service programs, and most of these are linked with foreign NGOs or NGO networks, or are supported by international organizations. There are no mass-based, grassroots NGOs. The Forum is oriented toward national development and civil progress issues. Of its 90 operative members, 18 are dedicated to womens issues, and 4 of these are said to be influential in promoting networking among women to place gender issues on the national agenda. Others are involved in providing microcredit and skills training, thereby acting as informa tion bridges to open up new economic and social perspective to their beneficiaries. Many of these are rural women, who are encouraged by such programs to start their own businesses. A number of international NGOs are also active in Albania, the largest network of which is run by the Catholic Church. This network consists of worship, education, health, and social service centers staffed by a total of about 100 religious and lay personnel. The activities are carried out mainly in Tirana and major centers in the traditionally Catholic northern regions. Several Islamic NGOs also run childcare, education, and health programs. Some lay NGOs are active in issues concerning women, children, and babies; and one, the Soros Foundation, is becoming involved in the Albanian Development Funds urban microcredit program. While the international NGOs are making valuable contributions to human welfare, however their presence in the country remains suboptimal, which prevents them from undertaking programs that could have a system-wide impact. Research Questions: Is the transition process inclusive or exclusive regarding vulnerable groups? Does the transition process contribute to specific changes for the vulnerable groups? What should do the state of Albania to address a better response to these vulnerable groups in this process of transition? Bibliography: Books: -Alexandra Barahona De Brito, Carmen Gonzalez Enriquez, Paloma Aguilar, â€Å"The Politics of Memory and Democratization: Transitional Justice in Democratizing Societies: Transitional Justice in Democratizing Societies†, OUP Oxford, 2001. -Attila Agh, â€Å"Emerging Democracies in East Central Europe and the Balkans†, Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc., 1998. -Clarissa De Waal, â€Å"Albania today: a portrait of post-communist turbulence†, I.B.Tauris, 2007. -Elez Biberaj, â€Å"Albania: a socialist moverick†, Westview Press, 1990. -Fatos Tarifa, â€Å"To Albania with love†, The Rowman Littlefield Publishing Group Incorporated, 2007. -Fatos Tarifa, Max Spoor, â€Å"The first decade and after: Albanian’s democratic transition and consolidation in the context of Southeast Europe†, CESTRAD, Institute of Social Studies, 2000. -Hans-Peter Jost, Christina Kleineidam, Fatos Lubonja, â€Å"Albania in transition 1991†, Benteli, 2011. -James Pettifer Miranda Vickers, â€Å"The Albanian Question, Reshaping the Balkans†, I.B.Tauris, 2007. -Krassimira Daskalova, Caroline Hornstein TomiĆ¡, Karl Kaser, Filip Radunovic, â€Å"Gendering Post-socialist Transition: Studies of Changing Gender Perspectives†, LIT Verlag Mà ¼nster, 2012. -Lavinia Stan, â€Å"Transitional Justice in Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union : Reckoning with the communist past†, The Routledge, 2009. -Lavinia Stan, â€Å"Transitional Justice in Post-Communist, Romania, The Politics of Memory†, Cambridge University Press, 2012. -Matteo Fochessati, Rubens Shima, Sandra Solimano, â€Å"Arte in Albania prima e dopo il 1990 : cosi vicina, cosi lontana†, Silvana, 2009. -Misha Glenny, â€Å"The Balkans, Nationalism, War and the Great Powers, 1804-2011†, Penguin books, 2012. -Neil J.Kritz, â€Å"Transitional Justice: How emerging democracies reckon with Former Regimes†, US Institute of Peace Press, 1995. -Olivera Simic, Zala Volcic, â€Å"Transitional Justice and Civil Society in the Balkans†, Springer, 2012. -Owen Pearson, â€Å"Albania in the twentieth century: a history, volume III: Albania as dictatorship and democracy: From isolation to the Kosovo War†, The Center for Albanian Studies in association with I.B.Touris, 2006. -Peter Lucas, foreword by Fatos Tarifa, â€Å"The OSS in World War II Albania: Covert operations and Collaborations with Communist Partisans†, McFarland Company, Incorporated Publishers, 2007. [1] Clarissa De Waal, â€Å"Albania today: a portrait of post-communist turbulence†, I.B.Tauris, 2007, pg.5. [2] Clarissa De Waal, â€Å"Albania today: a portrait of post-communist turbulence†, I.B.Tauris, 2007, pg.6. [3] Clarissa De Waal, â€Å"Albania today: a portrait of post-communist turbulence†, I.B.Tauris, 2007, pg.8. [4] Albanian NGOs are most active in sectors such as health, education, culture, youth, women, and the environment.

Open Source vs Traditional Development Essays -- Essays Papers

Open Source vs Traditional Development In the world of technology today there is room for everyone at every level of expertise. From our identified Gurus, to the just bought their first computer newbie. Home computers are sometimes almost to easy to use. The old saying "just enough rope to hang yourself" comes to mind. Settings that modify the very way the system looks, and runs can be changed with the simple click of the mouse. This power, which has been given to every level of user, is not from training, but from improvements and advancements in the system, and application software on the computer. This software is in a constant state of development, improving on current features and adding new ones. Out of this regular and consistent update in technology have grown many theories and Ideas on how software should be developed and controlled. From corporate America, to college campuses everyone has an idea from one extreme to the other. On one side the belief all software should be free and open to all, and the other protecting software secrets like a rabid guard dog. Of course, both sides believe the other is a fanatic with a complete lack of sense. The real dividing line is not actually the control and distribution of the software itself, but the blueprint or source code that creates it. That source code is the human readable text that defines what the software does, and looks like. From that a compiler converts it to a form used by the computer know as machine code. In this compiled format it appears to be complete garbage to the average person, even to most people considered to be computer professionals or gurus. Most software--at least on the traditional side--is distributed in its compiled form. The original intent of compiling was not to protect the source code, but this has been one benefit to the software developers. Since a computer can not read the source code, a program is complied to allow it to run on similar type of hardware without the requirement of special software to interpret it into machine code. The traditional and most common form of source code control today uses copyrights and the judicial system to protect it. Companies like Microsoft vigilantly protect their vital copyrighted assets by utilizing the court systems any time it feels a threat from an outside source. An alternate form of source code co... ...continue to embrace the OSS movement it will in itself create an industry with more competition, a higher level of standards, and more consumer choice. Closed software has proven to close the market and allow it to be controlled by a single monopoly. The monopolistic technology environment of today has created bloated applications and a complete void of choice for consumers. Bibliography: Stallman, Richard (1998), Linux and the GNU Project. In Free Software Foundation: [On-Line]. Avaialble: http://www.fsf.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html Cooper, Charles (Friday, November 5, 1999), Microsoft judged a monopoly. In ZDNET: [On-Line]. Avaialble: http://macweek.zdnet.com/1999/10/31/monopoly.html Open Resources (1999-06-17), Apache. In Open Resources/The Free Source: [On-Line]. Available: http://www.openresources.com/documents/halloween-1/node10.html OSI –Open Source Intiative- (2000), Introduction to Open Source. In opensource.org: [On-Line]. Available: http://www.opensource.org/intro.html Steven, Eric (08/24/2000), Cathedral and the Bazaar/Section 1. In Cathedral and the Bazaar: [On-Line]. Available: http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/ Open Source vs Traditional Development Essays -- Essays Papers Open Source vs Traditional Development In the world of technology today there is room for everyone at every level of expertise. From our identified Gurus, to the just bought their first computer newbie. Home computers are sometimes almost to easy to use. The old saying "just enough rope to hang yourself" comes to mind. Settings that modify the very way the system looks, and runs can be changed with the simple click of the mouse. This power, which has been given to every level of user, is not from training, but from improvements and advancements in the system, and application software on the computer. This software is in a constant state of development, improving on current features and adding new ones. Out of this regular and consistent update in technology have grown many theories and Ideas on how software should be developed and controlled. From corporate America, to college campuses everyone has an idea from one extreme to the other. On one side the belief all software should be free and open to all, and the other protecting software secrets like a rabid guard dog. Of course, both sides believe the other is a fanatic with a complete lack of sense. The real dividing line is not actually the control and distribution of the software itself, but the blueprint or source code that creates it. That source code is the human readable text that defines what the software does, and looks like. From that a compiler converts it to a form used by the computer know as machine code. In this compiled format it appears to be complete garbage to the average person, even to most people considered to be computer professionals or gurus. Most software--at least on the traditional side--is distributed in its compiled form. The original intent of compiling was not to protect the source code, but this has been one benefit to the software developers. Since a computer can not read the source code, a program is complied to allow it to run on similar type of hardware without the requirement of special software to interpret it into machine code. The traditional and most common form of source code control today uses copyrights and the judicial system to protect it. Companies like Microsoft vigilantly protect their vital copyrighted assets by utilizing the court systems any time it feels a threat from an outside source. An alternate form of source code co... ...continue to embrace the OSS movement it will in itself create an industry with more competition, a higher level of standards, and more consumer choice. Closed software has proven to close the market and allow it to be controlled by a single monopoly. The monopolistic technology environment of today has created bloated applications and a complete void of choice for consumers. Bibliography: Stallman, Richard (1998), Linux and the GNU Project. In Free Software Foundation: [On-Line]. Avaialble: http://www.fsf.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html Cooper, Charles (Friday, November 5, 1999), Microsoft judged a monopoly. In ZDNET: [On-Line]. Avaialble: http://macweek.zdnet.com/1999/10/31/monopoly.html Open Resources (1999-06-17), Apache. In Open Resources/The Free Source: [On-Line]. Available: http://www.openresources.com/documents/halloween-1/node10.html OSI –Open Source Intiative- (2000), Introduction to Open Source. In opensource.org: [On-Line]. Available: http://www.opensource.org/intro.html Steven, Eric (08/24/2000), Cathedral and the Bazaar/Section 1. In Cathedral and the Bazaar: [On-Line]. Available: http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/

Human Resource Development Essay

In both definitions we see that learning was in some form mentioned as being part of human resource development, and from further understanding of HRD we see that learning is important in all aspects of HRD efforts. According to the text Human Resource Management by Jon M. Werner and Randy L. DeSimone they defined learning a relatively permanent change in behavior, cognition, or affect that occurs as a result of one’s interaction with the environment. There are three basic principles of learning contiguity, the law of effect and practice. Practice is stated to be repeating the event with the hope that it will increase the strength of what is being taught. For example in any sporting area practice is needed to strengthen the players and so to in the business environment. In understanding how practice works in order to maximize learning we look at the primary area of the training design under the categories of conditions of practice and retention of what is learned. There are at least six issues that relate to practice and learning they are; active practice, massed versus spaced practice sessions, whole versus part learning, overlearning ,knowledge of result and task sequences. From the six issues the three that I would considers using are; Active practice proposes that the individual who is being taught should be given the opportunity to repeatedly perform the task or use the knowledge being learned. For example surgeons, rescue squad, pilots, just to name a few should be given avenues to practice hat they learned. Same goes for training the mechanics to install the automobile air-conditioners using the new installation procedures, if the mechanics are allowed to practice the theory that was taught it would leave room for better understanding of what is required of them and result in better outcomes on the jobs confirming , that the new procedures was learnt. Massed versus spaced practice involve whether the training should be conducted in one session or divided into segments separated by a period of time. Studies have shown that spaced practice sessions lead to better performance and longer retention but are more effect for difficult and complex tasks, however the task at hand isn’t difficult and can be taught in one session. Overlearning is practice beyond the point at which the material or task is mastered. This is another condition in which the trainers can implement when training the mechanics to install the air conditioners using the new procedures, giving the mechanics enough opportunities to keep practicing the task will soon become simple The goal goes beyond the trainee learning the task or material but also retaining it. There are three additional issues that influence retention; these are the meaningfulness of the material, the degree of original learning and interference. The more meaningful and factual the information is the easier it is learned and remembered and since the new procedure is important for the installation of the air conditioners the mechanics would seek more interest and retain the information effectively , as they would see it fit to keep their jobs and acquire more customers. Secondly for the mechanics to continually retain the information being learned there should be little or no interference or it should be taken into consideration when training. This meaning that sometimes the knowledge of the old procedure might affect the way the mechanics learn the new procedure also if new steps are added while installing the air conditioner in a different vehicle it can cause confusion in the learning process. The case of the new Employee Assistant Programme Act, since it is an act where information may be presented in a document and the managers can always refer to it when needed, I would suggest using the conditions of active practice. This being the Employees Assistance Programme Act would be something that they would have to implement everyday so it would certainly give the managers the opportunity to perform the task and use the knowledge being used. Also because there is no real step by step process of implementing the act then the conditions of a massed practice session can be put in place, for example a meeting can be held where all managers are taught and given an explanation of the act and why it is necessary, as well as the document of the act where they can refer to when needed. By giving an explanation and ensure the managers what is the purpose and the reason for the Employee Assistant Programme Act , it leaves room for better retention since they are aware of the meaningfulness of they are being taught. Also distinguishing the difference from similar acts can reduce the interference of confusion and misunderstands. In conclusion if the these conditions and retentions are used in the training design both the employees and the managers can experience maximum learning and show that in order to learn practice is required. Read more: http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/human-resource-development-HRD. html#ixzz2MgJJc071

Chartist Women essays

Chartist Women essays In the beginning of Anna Clarks essay, "Manhood, Womanhood, and the Politics of Class in Britain, 1790-1845," she describes to the reader how the British political system was set up before the Chartists were formed. The upper and middle-classes were the groups with the political authority and the working-class and peasants had nothing politically. The politicians of this time were all men and were looked down upon by the working-class men due to their namby-pamby homogeneous appearance. The working-class men styled themselves as "real men," hard working, strong men that knew their sexual identity, unlike, it seemed, those in political offices. With all of this manliness being flaunted everywhere, the women of this time were trying to find a niche in the political system along with these working-class men. Eventually both men and women of the working-class came together and were both in the Chartist movement together. Of course, at this time in history, it was looked down on for a woman to want to be in politics. The woman was supposed to stay in the home and nurture the children, not to meddle in the affairs of politics. Ms. Clark then tells of how the women get into politics because they believe that if politics was the reason why they could not get good food and decent shelter to take care of their families, then it was every womans right to be involved in politics. For a while, both Chartist men and women believed in these issues along with the normal political issues of the time, such as suffrage for all people. For one of the first times in history, some men actually supported the right for women suffrage. This was another goal of the Chartists and all women. (Not just the working class, but that wasnt discussed in this essay ,soIm not going to say anything about the Suffragettes in this paper.) After about ten years, the Chartists started to veer away from their grass-roots campa ...

Complete List of Mary Higgins Clark Books

Complete List of Mary Higgins Clark Books Mary Higgins Clark began writing short stories as a way to supplement her familys income. After her husband died in 1964, she wrote radio scripts until her agent persuaded her to try to write a novel. When her first novel- a fictional biography of George Washington- didnt sell well, she turned to writing mystery and suspense novels. More than 100 million books later, it is safe to say she made the right choice. All of her suspense novels- some written with her daughter Carol Higgins Clark- have become bestsellers. Mary Higgins Clark is the acknowledged queen of psychological suspense. Here is a list of the books and stories she has written over the years. 1968-1989: The Early Years After the lackluster sales of the fictional biography Aspire to the Heavens, Higgins Clark faced several family and financial crises before finally delivering her second book Where Are the Children? to her publisher. The novel became a bestseller and Higgins Clark had no financial worries for the first time in many years. Two years later, Higgins Clark sold A Stranger Is Watching for $1.5 million. The litany of work that would result in her title The Queen of Suspense was firmly underway. In time, many of her novels would become big-screen movies. 1968 - Aspire to the Heavens (later retitled Mt. Vernon Love Story)1975 - Where Are the Children?1977 - A Stranger is Watching1980 - The Cradle Will Fall1982 - A Cry in the Night1984 - Stillwatch1987 - Weep No More, My Lady1989 - While My Pretty One Sleeps1989 - The Anastasia Syndrome and Other Stories 1990-1999: Recognition Higgins Clark has won many awards for her work including the National Arts Clubs Gold Medal in Education in 1994 and the Horatio Alger Award in 1997. She has been awarded 18 honorary doctorates, and was chosen as Grand Master for the 2000 Edgar Awards. 1990 - Voices in the Coal Bin and Thats the Ticket (Short stories available as an audiobook)1991 - Loves Music, Loves to Dance1992 - All Around the Town1992 - Lucky Day (Audiobook)1993 - Ill Be Seeing You1993 - Death on the Cape and Other Stories1993 - Mother (With Amy Tan and Maya Angelou)1993 - Milk Run and Stowaway (Short stories)1994 - Remember Me1994 - The Lottery Winner and Other Stories1995 - Let Me Call You Sweetheart1995 - Silent Night1995 - Pretend You Dont See Her1996 - Moonlight Becomes You1996 - My Gal Sunday1997 - The Plot Thickens1998 - You Belong to Me1998 - All Through The Night1999 - Well Meet Again 2000-2009: Higgins Clark Co-Writes With Daughter Higgins Clark added several books a year during this decade and began to write occasionally with her daughter Carol Higgins Clark. Their partnership began with Christmas-themed books and has expanded to other topics. 2000 - Before I Say Good-Bye2000 - Deck the Halls (with Carol Higgins Clark)2000 - Mount Vernon Love Story2000 - The Night Awakens2001 - On The Street Where You Live2001 - He Sees You When Youre Sleeping (with Carol Higgins Clark)2001 - Kitchen Privileges, A Memoir2002 - Daddys Little Girl2003 - The Second Time Around2004 - Nighttime Is My Time2004 - The Christmas Thief (with Carol Higgins Clark)2005 - Where Are the Children?2005 - The Classic Clark Collection2005 - No Place Like Home2006 - The Night Collection2006 - Two Little Girls in Blue2006 - Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea (with Carol Higgins Clark)2007 - I Heard That Song Before2007 - Ghost Ship2008 - Where are You Now?2008 -2009 -Â   2010 to Present: Higgins Clark Books Reign as Bestsellers Astonishingly, all Higgins Clark suspense books have been bestsellers and most are still in print. She continued to write several books a year to add to her impressive portfolio of work. 2010 - The Shadow of Your Smile2011 - Ill Walk Alone2011 - The Magical Christmas Horse2012 - The Lost Years2013 - Daddys Gone A Hunting2013 - Inherit the Dead2014 - Ive Got You Under My Skin2014 - The Cinderella Murder2015 - Silent Night2015 - The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook2015 - Death Wears a Beauty Mask and Other Stories2015 - The Five-Dollar Dress (short fiction)2015 - The Melody Lingers On2015 - All Dressed in White2016 - As Time Goes By2016 - The Sleeping Beauty Killer2017 - All By Myself, Alone

Week-2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week-2 - Essay Example The limitation of this channel is that feedback of the passed information is poor. Video conferencing is another channel in which physical media uses to relay out information. Rao et al (27) denotes that video conferencing involves the use of a video to provide information to a large group of people. This method is effective the same information is stored, and disseminated in its original form (Rao et al, 31). It is also possible to pass the same kind of information over a long period of time. It is disadvantageous because it does not provide an opportunity for dialogue. Because of this, the people targeted cannot give their feedback concerning the particular message. Mechanical media refers to written or an electronic methodology of passing out information. This involves emails, personal letters and the social media. This channel is used in providing a more detailed piece of information, and is targeted to a particular audience (Rai et al, 21). In this channel of communication, an individual interprets the message relayed on him or herself, and makes meaning out of them basing on his or her mental condition. By use of email, a communicator targets a specific group of individuals, and it is fast. A communicator can also provide a detailed description of a task through the attachments options provided in an email. This channel is disadvantageous because it requires expertise in internet use. Some people lack skills in computer applications, and internet use, and this limits their knowledge and use of emails in communication (Rai et al, 41). Use of personal letters is also an important methodology of communication. This is because a communicator can send specific information about certain issues. The recipient has an ability to send feedback to the communicator, making the process of communication complete. The social media is another important methodology of communication under the mechanical

A systematic review of the effect of midwifery care for the bladder in Dissertation

A systematic review of the effect of midwifery care for the bladder in labour - Dissertation Example 3 p. 25 Fig. 4 p. 34 Fig. 5 p. 34 Table 1 p. 31 Table 2 p. 48 Chapter 1 Introduction Urinary incontinence (UI) is now being considered as one of the most prevalent conditions worldwide (Lapitan, 2009). Studies have shown that UI affects both men and women. However, it has also been observed that there is a significant difference in the distribution of UI between men and women. Agazzoti, Pesci, Gresce et al (2000) have found out that the prevalence of UI is significantly higher to women than men and that the difference in prevalence becomes more apparent if age is factored. In addition, it is also been learned that women have twice increased chances of being incontinent compared with men (Lapitan, 2009). This finding supports other studies claiming that women have risk increased in becoming incontinent (Ueda, Tamaki, Kageyama et al., 2000; Nelson, Fumer, Jesudason et al., 2001). Pregnancy and postpartum women are a special group with high prevalence of UI. Pregnancy –associated UI is considered as a transient condition in lieu of changes in the body of the pregnant woman, which â€Å"includes fluctuating hormonal levels, increased urine production and changes in the position and relations of pelvic structures in relation to the enlarging uterus occurring during gestation† (Lapitan, 2009, p. 4 -5). On the other hand, postpartum UI is attributed to the changes in the pelvic floor anatomy after childbirth. This condition is believed to be persistent among women (O’Connell, Hannah, Bailey et al., 2002). In effect, there are sufficient studies supporting the claim that there is prevalence of UI among pregnant women and women, in general (O’Connell, et al., 2002; Peake & Menderson, 2003; Samuelsson, Victor & Tibblin, 1997). In the face of this reality, the significant role of midwives in determining the extent of UI of pregnant women is essential in preparing and providing the necessary care that pregnant women needs as they undergo physiol ogical and social changes inherent in pregnancy. Although UI is not life threatening, studies have shown it contributes to a diminish quality of life (Lapitan, 2009; Wagg et al., 2007). In this regard, gaining an understanding of how midwives view incontinence in relation with pregnancy and labour provides a foundation with which responsive to the problem of UI can be framed. As such, this research will be dealing with midwives’ perception pertinent to bladder care. Background of the Study Pregnancy is a complex physiological and social event. However, the increasing intervention of medical technology and medical intervention in pregnancy have contributed to the medicalisation of pregnancy. Although the medicalisation of pregnancy has reduced significantly maternal mortality rate, there is now an increasing question regarding its necessity in terms of normal labour (Johanson, Newburn & Mcfarlane, 2002). The need for approach to pregnancy and birth not only from the perspectiv e physiology, but also from the view of the person – the pregnant woman- is increasingly gaining ground. In other words, the call for being