Write a letter to a friend about your favorite TV Essays - Fiction

Write a letter to a friend about your favorite TV program. Write what you like and what you don't like about it. Dear John, It has been a long time since we last spoke. I hope everything is going well for you and your family. Knowing how much you love watching TV series, I am writing this letter because I want to inform you about a serial I have been watching for some time. It is an American TV series named "Game of Thrones" which is an adaption of a fantasy novel written by author George R. R. Martin named "A Song of Fire and Ice". "Game of Thrones" is an epic drama set in a fictional medievalish world where various clans fight each other for power. What I like the most about this show is the fantasy setting combined with a complicated and rich plot. You are introduced to a plethora of interesting characters, each one with his personal backstory and motives. Furthermore, I like the atmosphere of uncertainty in every episode that keeps you on a constant tension. One of the most noticeable disadvantages of this show is that you cannot get attached to any of the protagonists because everyone is possible to die at any given time. Lastly the biggest drawback watching "Game of Thrones" is the high probability of getting spoiled about what happens next in the story. The huge popularity of the show got many viewers into reading the books it is based on so it steals the sense of surprise if you watch it afterwards and you know the story beforehand. "Game of Thrones" is one of the most fascinating TV shows I have ever watched. It's a perfectly told tale that will get you absorbed in it before noticing. I really wish you follow my suggestion and start watching it. I will be looking forward to your next letter, telling me about impressions of the show. Yours, George

Civil War Tactics and Strategies essays

Civil War Tactics and Strategies essays Question: Many Europeans criticizes northern and southern generals for the way in which they fought the Civil War. Evaluate the military leadership, strategies, and tactics of either the North or the South. The civil war took place from 1861 to 1865. It was a bloody war between the North and the South. Even though the south didn't win, they had good military leadership, strategies, and tactics. The South had good military leadership. They had good generals such as Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and Jeb Stuart. They had better skills in forming battle tactics, military knowledge, and good decision making under pressure, Lee and Jackson had graduated from West Point Academy, and had fought in the Mexican War. This fact that they had experience gave them an advantage over the North. In terms of strategies, the South's main one was "offensive-defensive."" It was one of defending all resources, stockpiling supplies and taking the offensive when the supply went down or the opportunity was provided by the enemy. The South ended up fighting a mainly defensive war. They just had to defend their capital of Richmond, Virginia from the North, while the North had to go down there to fight. They also used "interior lines" to move forces from quiet fronts through the interior to threatened fronts more quickly than the enemy could move around the military border. In tactics, infantry was mainly used. Corp commanders handled "grand tactics", the art of maneuvering large forces just outside of the battlefield and bringing them onto that field. Calvary also played a role in tactics. In the civil war, the south had good military leadership, strategies and tactics. Through generals like Lee and Jackson, and defensive strategies and tactics, they put up a good fight, although it still wasn't good enough to win the war. ...

Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Managment - Essay Example The storm of uprising had comprehensive results across North Africa. The businesses of many multinational companies had been majorly affected. The political volatility and financial breakdown have affected the global supply chain. Many European agricultural and textile companies have been defenseless to counter the uprising in the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. The political risk in these countries has led to deteriorating financial condition and unavailability of credit. This scenario has brought forward payment risks for multinational companies which are operating in Middle East and North African region. The instability in MENA has created disruption in the oil industry and boosted the prices of petrochemical products. The risk of disorder in those countries has harmfully affected the supply chain and energy production companies (Dun & Bradstreet Limited, 2011). The uprising in Tunisia has increased the business risks. During the protests many business enterprises had shut down their operations. The retailing businesses were affected by raiding and the tourism industry had faced huge losses as travelers escaped from the country. Due to the uprising, the standard capacity consumption in the manufacturing industry reduced to 52.9%. Many banks were demoted by rating agencies and the credit access became limited in the global market (Dun & Bradstreet Limited, 2011). Egypt has followed a path similar to Tunisia. In February 2011, a series of revolutions occurred in many countries of Middle East, and Libya was surrounded by aggressive spiral of protests and it led to civil war. Due to the instabilities in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia the prices of oil reacted quite rapidly. It has been observed that further uprising will increase the price of oil even more and it can affect the business and international economy (Dun & Bradstreet Limited, 2011). Impact of Popular Uprising on Multinational Companies The impact of popular uprising has affected the busine ss and investment of many multinational companies. Libya embraces the most oil funds in Africa and it is the 15th biggest crude oil exporter throughout the world. The losses in Libya had quickly absorbed other countries. Due to the problems related to uprising many Western companies had suspended business operations in these countries. For example, BP vacated its employees and stopped the oil production in Libya. The Repsol–YPF of Spain suspended the oil production in the year 2011. OMV, which is an Austrian Oil related company, minimized their production due to the unrest. Further, the Royal Dutch Shell, Marathon Oil Co., and Wintershall also have started to evacuate their workers (Shanghai Daily Publishing House, 2011). Example of BG Group BG Group is one of the leading companies in international energy and power market. It is a UK based company and its operation is spread worldwide. In Tunisia, BG Group is the biggest producer of domestic gas which is accounted for almost 60% of total gas in Tunisia (BG Group plc, 2011). The uprising and civil unrest in MENA have affected the production of BG group. In the first quarter of 2011, the protestors of Tunisia had cordoned the workers of BG Group and stopped the business operations of the company. The company faced uncertainty due to the long lasting crisis of Tunisia and

Social media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Social media - Essay Example However, fashion brands also have to be aware of the difficulties that they raise by adopting the digital approach. In recent years, social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter have developed a platform for people to connect and create a community for mutual interests. Social media not only allows consumers to interact and build relationships, it also helps to stimulate discussions on key ideas, thoughts and interests. Since social media has become widely used for communication and businesses have kept up with fast pace of the change in technology and incorporated this emerging, innovative platform into their marketing strategies. Social media marketing has become a significant element for digital marketing as it allows businesses to learn about customers and provide support in order to improve the consumer perception towards the company. (Chaffey & Ellis-Chadwick, 2012) (P.535) Even though social media is identified as a low-cost media platform that allows businesses to communicate brand activities, the adoption of social media by fashion houses was a little slower as they fear that their well-developed brand images would be damaged by the transparency and openness of the brand information. While traditional advertising channels have more control on the output and minimize the risk of their messages being misinterpreted, such an approach invariably has its costs. (Meadows, 2012)(P.163) The brand was founded in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and acquired as a subsidiary of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation in 1999. As such, it is a popular fashion and lifestyle brand among international shoppers and is distributed in more than 115 stockists ; spanning from the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Seoul, Singapore and a litany of others. By using the brand’s highly acclaimed blog, Culture Club is the highlight of its social media marketing strategy and develops alongside other social media platforms to distribute the

Incident Command System; Principles and Features Part I; Mitigation Case Study

Incident Command System; Principles and Features Part I; Mitigation and Risk Reduction - Case Study Example This information will all be acquired at the city council’s office or the city building authority The other important aspect of this floor plan is to get information about the infrastructure, drainages and gutters, general slope of the land, any nearby streams and rivers, underground pipes and cables and other features that are in the area. It also helps in determining the accessibility of the whole area, type of terrain, location of the safe houses and whether they can easily be accessed â€Å"The rapid needs assessment is a description of the extent of the damage that is sustained by the community. It is the general scope of the disaster in the area† (Flood plain management, 2011). This information can be acquired in the local authorities or any disaster management officials in the city, such as the Red Cross. The rapid needs assessment contains information on: Medical needs and availability of resources – This is information on the injuries, loss of lives and the number of victims that required assistance. It also states the number of medical teams that were at the scene of rescue and the facilities that are functional in the area. The availability of adequate medical equipment and supplies and the requirement for outside assistance are also documented in this assessment. Mass care – This is the mass equipment such as shelter, food and water and relief supplies that are available for the rescued group and the community in general once they are moved from the affected areas. Effect on infrastructure – This is the assessment of the amount of damage caused to the infrastructure. This is the impact on things such as buildings, roads, sewages and drainages, power generating facilities, schools and hospitals, communication lines, water pipes and distribution facilities. Release of dangerous materials – These are the materials that may have been released and can cause harm to the

Audible Clicking Sound in Psychogenic Palatal Tremor

Audible Clicking Sound in Psychogenic Palatal Tremor Abstract Palatal tremor, commonly called palatal myoclonus, is a rare movement disorder characterized by rhythmic contractions of the soft palate and associated with variable objective tinnitus. It may be categorized as symptomatic, essential or psychogenic. Mostly it is symptomatic because of secondary damage in brainstem or cerebellum; rarely it can be essential in the absence of brain lesions. We describe a case of young boy, who presented with palatal tremor with objective tinnitus. Most of the movement disorders may raise suspicion of psychogenic nature and vice-versa, however, this case highlights the need of careful history and keen observation of movements. Key Words: Palatal tremor; Palatal myoclonus; Psychogenic disorder; Objective tinnitus Introduction Palatal tremor is also known as palatal myoclonus. The term palatal tremor is appropriate because it correlates better with the neurophysiological study. It is a rare movement disorder characterized by rhythmic contractions of soft palate and associated with variable audible clicking sound. It may be classified into essential, symptomatic or psychogenic type. Mostly palatal tremor is symptomatic because of secondary damage in brainstem or cerebellum. Rarely, it is categorized as essential in which no brain abnormality is identified. There have also been reports of psychogenic palatal tremor in association with other neuropsychiatric illnesses [1]. Case Presentation An 18-year-old boy born out of non-consanguineous marriage with normal birth and developmental milestone, presented with loud audible clicking sound and abnormal palatal movement for six months. These movements used to worsen during stress and improve with sleep. He had no abnormal behaviour, mood disorders, seizures or abnormal limb movement. There was no history of similar illness or psychiatric disorder in family members. The oropharyngeal examination showed abnormal high frequency (approximately 100 Hz) palatal movement on both sides [Video]. There was associated rhythmic contraction of soft palate, tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini muscles. These movements were associated with loud audible clicking sound (tinnitus). During examination, suggestion (inducing by thinking of it) and distraction (mind diversion by concentrating on motor and cognitive functions like performing complex movements, reading, thinking or calculations) methods were used to demonstrate voluntary control of these movements. The patient was asked to voluntarily suppress and induce these movements. Surprisingly, he was able to suppress and induce these movements. Cumulative examination findings (suggestibility, distractibility, worsening during stress, suppression during sleep) demonstrated voluntary control of palatal movement. Rest of the findings including general physical, otolaryngological and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry including transaminases, lactate and pyruvate, ammonia, ceruloplasmin and copper levels, plasma amino acids, thyroid function tests and antinuclear antibody (ANA) were normal. Slit lamp examination did not show K-F (Kayser–Fleischer) ring. Audiometry and electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain with thin cuts focusing on brainstem [Figure 1] and MR angiography were normal. The patient was uncooperative for electromyography (EMG) study. Psychiatric opinion including detailed psychological analysis was obtained. Finally, a diagnosis of psychogenic palatal myoclonus was made. He was counselled along with placebo therapy. He was asymptomatic at discharge. After six months followup, he is symptoms free. Discussion Palatal tremor, also known as palatal myoclonus, is an abnormal movement of the soft palate. The term â€Å"palatal tremor† is more appropriate because it corresponds better with the electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of the rhythmic movements. It may be classified into essential, symptomatic (secondary) or psychogenic. Deuschl et al described that the movement of the soft palate is due to contraction of tensor veli palatini muscle in essential palatal tremor and contraction of levator veli palatini muscle in secondary palatal tremor [2, 3]. The contraction of these muscles result in closure of eustachian tubes and produce audible clicking sound. Essential type of palatal tremor mostly occur in children. The patients with essential palatal tremor usually have an audible ear clicking sound (objective tinnitus). Although essential palatal tremor has a benign course and usually disappears spontaneously, it is very annoying for the patient as well as to the bystander due to continuous audible clicking sound. The brain is normal in essential palatal tremor. It is usually bilateral and disappears during sleep. The etiopathology of essential palatal tremor is not known. Fernandez-Alvarez classified essential palatal tremor under transient primary movement disorders of childhood [4]. The symptomatic or secondary palatal tremor is mostly seen in adult males. It is usually associated with hypertrophy of the inferior olives; however, its precise role in causing palatal tremor has not been established [5]. It can be a consequence of trauma, infections, encephalitis [6], degenerative lesions, vascular, Krabbe’s disease [7] or tumors of the cerebellum [8] or brainstem. Usually, there is no associated audible tinnitus and movements persist during sleep. It is usually unilateral and associated with neurological deficits. Many movement disorders raise suspicion of psychogenic nature and vice-versa; palatal tremor can also be a part of psychogenic spectrum. Few cases of psychogenic palatal tremor have been described in the literature [9, 10]. The closest differential diagnosis is essential palatal tremor, which may have audible clicking sound, disappear during sleep and have normal neuroimaging studies. Voluntary inhibition of palatal tremor is also possible in some cases of essential palatal tremor [11]. Psychogenic palatal tremor often have various psychiatric symptoms (anxiety disorders). These movements are characterized by variable frequency, increased during stress and attention, suppression when distracted; disappear during sleep, marked improvement with placebo and psychotherapy. During examination, suggestion (inducing by thinking of it) and distraction (mind diversion by concentrating on cognitive and motor functions like thinking, reading, calculations or performing complex movements) method s can be used on patients to demonstrate voluntary control of these movements. Our patient had acquired special motor skills to both induce and suppress voluntarily rather than inhibition of involuntary movements. These showed complete voluntary control of movements and suggested a psychogenic etiology. The underlying psychiatric illness is a conversion disorder in most of the cases described in literature. The possibility of essential palatal tremor is ruled out by detailed clinical, psychological and laboratory examination. Our patient improved abruptly on suggestion, placebo and psychotherapy. Psychogenic palatal tremor is a treatable disorder. A detailed psychoanalysis should be an essential part of management [12]. The patient should be managed with a combination of psychotherapy, anxiolytics and antipsychotic drugs. The psychogenic palatal tremor usually responds well to placebo and psychotherapy. Conclusion Palatal tremor is attributed to organic lesion of the brain; however, occasionally it may be due to psychogenic etiology. In our patient, movements were intermittent; used to worsen during attention, suppress during distraction and voluntary control on suggestion. All these features suggest psychogenic palatal tremor. Here we emphasize the detailed clinical and psychogenic evaluation of the patient and need for psychiatric treatment in these cases. Figure and Video Legends Figure 1. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain with contrast showed normal study. T1-weighted (a), T2-weighted (b), Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) (c) and T1-contrast (d). Video Clip. The oropharyngeal examination showed high frequency (approximately 100 Hz) palatal movement on both sides. There is associated rhythmic contraction of soft palate, tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini muscles. These movements are associated with loud audible clicking sound (tinnitus). During examination, suggestion by thinking of it and distractions in form of mind diversion by concentrating on motor and cognitive functions like performing complex movements, reading, thinking or calculations were used to demonstrate voluntary control of these movements. He was able to suppress and induce these movements voluntarily. References 1. Richardson SP, Mari S, Matsuhashi M, Hallett M. Psychogenic palatal tremor. Mov Disord.2006;21(2):274–276. 2. Deuschl G, Toro C, Valls-Solà © J, Zeffiro T, Zee DS, Hallett M. Symptomatic and essential palatal tremor. Clinical, physiological and MRI analysis. Brain. 1994;117(Pt 4):775–788. 3. Deuschl G, Mischke G, Schenck E, Schulte-Mà ¶nting J, Là ¼cking CH. Symptomatic and essential rhythmic palatal myoclonus. Brain. 1990;113(Pt 6):1645–1672. 4. Fernà ¡ndez-Alvarez E. Movement disorders in children: Recent advances in management. Indian J Pediatr. 2009;76(5):531–536. 5. Lapresle J. Rhythmic palatal myoclonus and the dentato-olivary pathway. J Neurol.1979;220(4):223–230. 6. Baram TZ, Parke JT, Mahoney DH. Palatal myoclonus in a child: Herald of acute encephalitis.Neurology. 1986;36(2):302–303. 7. Yamanouchi H, Kasai H, Sakuragawa N, Kurokawa T. Palatal myoclonus in Krabbe disease. Brain Dev. 1991;13(5):355–358. 8. Deuschl G, Jost S, Schumacher M. Symptomatic palatal tremor is associated with signs of cerebellar dysfunction. J Neurol. 1996;243(7):553–556. 9. Schwingenschuh P, Pont-Sunyer C, Surtees R, Edwards MJ, Bhatia KP. Psychogenic movement disorders in children: A report of 15 cases and a review of the literature. Mov Disord.2008;23(13):1882–1888. 10. Richardson SP, Mari S, Matsuhashi M, Hallett M. Psychogenic palatal tremor. Mov Disord.2006;21(2):274–276. 11. Samuel M, Kleiner-Fisman G, Lang AE. Voluntary control and a wider clinical spectrum of essential palatal tremor. Mov Disord. 2004;19(6):717–719. 12. Campistol-Plana J, Majundar A, Fernandez-Alvarez E. Palatal tremor in childhood: Clinical and therapeutic considerations. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2006;48(12):982–984. 1

The Future of Life by: Edward O. Wilson Essay -- Book Review

This chapter to me was all about organisms that can survive in extreme conditions. How every square inch of earth is inhabited with creatures of one kind or another. I learnt the fundamental principle of biological geography, that wherever there is liquid water (h2o), organic molecules, and an energy source, there is life. I found out about the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, who soils are the coldest, driest, and most nutritionally deficient in the world. How some specialized species of bacteria and archaeans live in the walls of volcanic hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, where they can multiply in water close to or above the boiling point. He also describes an organism called, hyperthermophiles, that love extreme heat, and Deinococcus radiodurans, a microorganism which can withstand levels of radiation capable of killing humans and other organisms. The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica seems from its description sterile and desolate. When I read the quote from Robert F. Scott in 1903, the first to explore the region, â€Å" We have seen no living thing, not even a moss or lichen; all that we did find, far inland among the moraine heaps, was the skeleton of a Weddell seal, and how that came there is beyond guessing.† The skeleton of the Weddell seal made me thing that maybe it was once a ocean and dried up over the years. But then again it is Antarctica, maybe it was trapped in a glacier, when it melt and retreated, it left the skeleton behind. It was shocking to find out that only twenty species of photosynthetic bacteria, which is making a long story short, mostly single-celled algae and weird, nasty sounding microscopic invertebrate animals that feed on these primary producers. These organisms of this region are what scie... ...e Future of Life by Edward O. Wilson Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2002. Brown, L. et al. (1999). State of the World 1998. New York: Norton. Chivian, E. et al. (1993). Critical Condition: Human Health and the Environment. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. Footprint of Nations Report. Available at http://www.iclei.org/iclei/ecofoot.htm. McMichael, A. (1993). Planetary Overload. New York: Cambridge University Press. Soskolne, C. L., and Bertollini, R. (1999). Global Ecological Integrity and "Sustainable Development": Cornerstones of Public Health. World Health Organization, European Centre for Environment and Health, Rome Division. Wackernagel, M., and William, R. (1996). Our Ecological Footprint. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers. World Health Organization (1998). World Health Report. Geneva: Author.