Comparative Health Policy and Outcomes of Breast Cancer Care in The United States versus Germany - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 9 Words: 2600 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/02/05 Category Medicine Essay Level High school Tags: Breast Cancer Essay Did you like this example? Cancer is a collection of related diseases where some of the body’s cells begin to divide out of control and spread throughout the body. The normally orderly process of cell division becomes unchaperoned, meaning cells can divide and avoid death with nothing to stop them. Cancer can start anywhere in the body, but for the purposes of this paper, I will be focusing on cancer of the breast. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Comparative Health Policy and Outcomes of Breast Cancer Care in The United States versus Germany" essay for you Create order This type of cancer normally begins as a lump in the breast tissue of men and women, and if not detected early, it can quickly spread to other tissues of the body (most commonly the lymph nodes). You can lower your risk for breast cancer through a myriad of lifestyle factors, but while there is no set cure for cancer, breast cancer is a very treatable disease if caught early. Imaging such as X-rays, mammograms, and tomography are all ways to catch breast cancer, followed by treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy, or the more drastic mastectomy. Specialists typically needed through the stages of screening, diagnostics, and treatment include gynecologists, imaging technicians, radiologists, oncologists, surgeons, and nurses. Treatments for women with breast cancer vary depending on the stage they are diagnosed in, with higher survival rates the earlier the cancer is found (as well as some genetic factors that I consider too in-depth for this paper). At stage I, the cancer is still contained in the breast tissue and will normally be treated with breast-conserving surgery along with a check of the nearby lymph nodes, followed by some type of radiation therapy to lessen the chance of the cancer returning. At stage II, the cancer is normally larger than stage I and has spread to a few nearby lymph nodes. This stage will normally be treated with surgery and radiation therapy similar to stage I, but with the addition of chemotherapy. At stage III, the tumor is large and has begun spreading to lymph nodes and nearby tissues. The normal treatment at this stage can either be chemotherapy followed by surgery followed by radiation therapy, or surgery first followed by chemotherapy followed by radiation. Finally, at stage IV, the cancer has spread to various parts of the body and is normally treated with various systemic drug therapies along with surgery and radiation (1). While the level of prevention, screening, and treatment varies slightly from country to country, so do the health care policies that dictate the responsibility of the patient versus the specialist versus the institution. In this paper, I will be discussing the health care organization differences between United States and Germany when it comes to preventing, screening, and treating breast cancer, as well as the associated outcomes when it comes to remission and mortality rates. United States In the United States, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over an estimated 266,000 new cases in 2018 so far (which constitutes over 15% of all new cancer cases), with a median age of diagnosis of 62 years of age. Breast cancer also accounts for almost 7% of all cancer deaths, with over 40,000 deaths reported in 2018 so far, with a median age of death of 68 years of age. It also has a 5-year survival rate of just under 90%. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, while breast cancer diagnoses are fairly consistent between non-Hispanic, white, and black women (followed by minority populations of Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian), black women are much more likely to die from the disease than all other races/ethnicities (2). In 2014, the percentages of breast cancer diagnoses at each stage were roughly 66% localized (or stage I/II) and 33% regional/distant (or stage III/IV) with the remaining 1% being unstaged (3). The largest determinant of the stage at diagnosis is preventative measures such as routine screening. According to the American Cancer Society, for women with an average risk of breast cancer, it is currently recommended in the United States to have yearly mammogram screening starting at age 45 (with an option to begin at 40), and transition to biennial mammograms starting at age 55. In the United States, cancer treatments and preventative measures have been affected most recently by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted in 2010. Under the ACA, private insurance companies cannot limit how much they cover during the course of your lifetime. In the past, private insurers could cap their coverage, meaning the patient was responsible for all cancer treatment costs afterwards. Also, preventative screenings, such as mammograms every year or two for women over 40 are now fully covered, meaning the patient does not pay anything. For the actual cancer treatments after the initial diagnosis, out-of-pocket expenses will apply to the patient, but the amount of these expenses will vary depending on the type of insurance program the patient has (if any). The main types of insurance range from private (HMO and PPO), savings accounts (FSA and HSA), and government-sponsored (Medicare and Medicaid). In terms of biases in the United States, the main three are access, cost, and education. A large part of preventative screening and treatment for breast cancer has to do with having a qualified location that people can get to. In rural, or sometimes even urban areas, these places are not easily accessible. The working hours of these qualified locations may also hinder a person from getting screening or treatment if the location is not open on evenings or weekends. The cost of care is also a large bias in this system. While screenings are now completely covered, most people do not realize that there is a timeline between screening and diagnosis. The mammogram might find an abnormality, but the next steps would include further imaging like ultrasound, as well as biopsies, to determine if the abnormality is cancer or not. These further tests are not covered under the â€Å"preventative screening† for insurance companies, and patients will have to pay out-of-pocket for whatever pe rcentage their insurance doesn’t cover. In terms of education bias, there are many people who a) do not know how often they are supposed to be screened, and b) do not realize that screenings are free and/or the steps following are not fully covered. Socioeconomic status also plays a role in United States cancer care. Wealthier people can afford the best health care plans in the country, meaning more of their costs of treatment will be covered before they have to pay out-of-pocket expenses. Those closer to the poverty line who may be on government-sponsored insurance will have to pay more out-of-pocket expenses to receive the same treatment. This may cause people to have an extremely large financial burden, or not receive treatment at all. One important aspect to note about the United States cancer system is that providers will give any type of treatment they deem necessary to each patient, regardless of cost, which aids to the United States’ healthcare costs increasing. While racism between patient and provider might not have a large role in United States cancer care, race itself does play a role. As stated earlier, new cases being diagnosed between white and black women is fairly comparable. However, the death rate among black women with breast cancer is much higher. The main reason for this is that black women are far more likely to be diagnosed at a later, deadlier stage. A few factors that are behind this go along with the structural biases of access and socioeconomic status in regards to screening and treatment, but also their higher likelihood of having dense breast tissue, making it more difficult for providers to find the cancer even if they do get their recommended screenings. Policy-making in terms of United States cancer care has become much more patient-centered in the recent years. There is much more collaboration between specialists when it comes to treatment, and patients have much more say in what treatment they receive. In 2010, the United States spent about $125 billion on cancer care, with breast cancer accounting for 13% of all direct medical spending on cancer (4). With medical treatments shifting from more volume-based to more value-based, the expense of the newest and best technologies used in cancer care also have to be taken into account. This means even more spending per person on treatment and drug costs. Many states have tried to at least pass laws to keep the cost of some life-saving cancer drugs under a certain price, to make them more accessible to all patients. Germany According to the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second most common cancer in general (5). There were over 2 million new cases in 2018. Outlined in Table 1 are the top 25 countries with the most prevalent rates for the diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018. The United States and Germany are quite similar in rates of new breast cancer cases. In contrast to the U.S., the breast cancer screening program in Germany covers mammography screening (at no cost) for all women between the ages of 50 and 69, every two years (6). Although mammography does not provide any prevention for breast cancer, the objective is to detect the cancer at the smallest, earliest stage, providing for the best possible treatment and increasing the chances of survival. The costs are covered by statutory health insurers (i.e. single payer system). If imaging results show abnormalities, additional imaging or other tests are then required to finalize a diagnosis. This additional imaging may include ultrasound scans or Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the breast, and are often enough to exclude a diagnosis of breast cancer. If such additional testing does not provide peace of mind, typically a biopsy of the breast tissue is required. Breast cancer screening in the German population, yields approximately 2 cancers per 1,000 women screened (Figure 3). This data refers to the actual outcomes of one mammogram. Female participants in Germany’s breast cancer screening program may receive a total of up to ten free mammograms throughout their lifetime. It’s possible that the woman could have abnormal results subsequent to any of their screening mammography tests. While breast cancer screening is paid for on this limited basis, treatment differs from the U.S. in that German patients do not have as much control in their tre atment decisions. Similar to the U.S., about 5 out of 6 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, have developed an invasive tumor. If left untreated, the invasive type of tumor often metastasizes to other areas/organs of the body. About 1 out of every 6 women diagnosed with breast cancer have diseased breast tissue referred to as a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The DCIS describes the abnormal cells that have developed in the milk ducts. This also means that the breast cancer cells have not spread beyond that area. In some patients, DCIS remains harmless while in others, it advances into an invasive tumor. Because no one can predict how or when the DCIS will remain intact or harmless, patients are usually advised to pursue recommended treatment (7). When a diagnosis of breast cancer is finalized, treatment depends principally on the progression of the cancer. Most women are counseled to have the tumor surgically removed along with some of the surrounding tissue. Those with advanced stage or larger tumors, may be advised to proceed with removal of the whole breast (mastectomy). Following surgical excision, additional treatment options may include radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. The most appropriate treatment methodology, hinges on the exact diagnosis. According to a German study of out-of-pocket-payments (OOPS) and the financial burden on German breast cancer patients, they often face payments related to their disease or treatment which are not covered by their health insurance. This study concluded that German cancer patients face relatively high OOPPs during their cancer journey. These payments may burden cancer patients, especially certain subgroups like low-income patients (8). In Germany, OOPPs are used in the health care system mainly for three reasons. First, they provide some financial relief to the governmental health insurance system by having patients responsible to offset some of the cost. Secondly, they raise the efficiency of medical services by allocating them only to medically justifiable cases (as determined by panels of Medical Necessity experts). Finally, the third, OOPPs help to reduce the risk of â€Å"moral hazard† which occurs when individuals access health services without medical necessity, simply because they do not have to pay for the services directly. Unfortunately, other studies have shown that OOPPs may cause inequities in the use of health care services by German breast cancer patients; the system of overburdening certain subgroups stems from preventing patients from using beneficial medical services or treatment because they simply cannot afford the expense. That same risk group may ultimately change their adherence to established treatment plans by rationing medications, choosing more radical treatments (i.e. mastectomy which would allow them to possibly skip radiation or chemotherapy), or skipping follow up examinations to reduce OOPPs. Germany’s single payer system covers approximately 87% of the German population. While the balances of patients are covered under other private insurers, all are entitled to medical services under German control. Similar to U.S. health insurers, patients are responsible for health services or treatments that are not covered by insurance and deductibles. There are also other structural biases related to certain threshold caps for any coverage. Financial burdens not only affect patients on an economic basis, but may also influence the psychological well-being. The term â€Å"financial toxicity† has been used to describe this combination where patients are forced to opt towards the most economical decision rather than the best treatment decision. Discussion/Conclusions Figure 4 takes a look at how spending on healthcare in the United States compares to other countries that are similarly large and wealthy, such as Germany (based on GDP and GDP per capita). In proportion to the size of its capital, the U.S. spends an unbalanced amount on health care. As expected, wealthier countries typically spend more per person on health care and the associated costs than countries with lower incomes. However, the U.S. spends more on health care per person than other high income countries. Per person, health spending in the U.S. was over $10,000 in 2016 – 90% higher than Germany (and 31% higher than the next highest-spending country per capita, Switzerland). Typically, other high income countries spend around half as much on health per person than the U.S. does. In recent years, health spending growth has slowed in the U.S. and Germany, related mainly due to value based practices taking importance over volume based practices. However, while the U.S. has similar public spending, its private sector spending is nearly 5 times that of Germany (Figure 5). When asking to think of the â€Å"perfect balance† of policies between the United States and Germany, Markus Holzhauer, MD, a board certified diagnostic radiologist specializing in mammography working locally at Windsong Radiology Group and a dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany says â€Å"The easy answer in theory is the Solidarity Principle, which is the foundation of 90% of healthcare coverage for which the citizens in Germany receive. It only works with a mandate for health insurance coverage because it aims to fundamentally share both the advantages, i.e. prosperity, and the burdens equally and justly among members. When we talk about social solidarity in healthcare, we are talking about providing equity and social solidarity through pooling of risks and funds.† The U.S. may not yet be ready to create one public health fund with adequate resources to plan for, and effectively meet, health needs of the entire population, not just for a selected few who can afford it†¦but the debate will continue.

Television Violence and Domestic Violence Essay - 2548 Words

Abstract We examined the various forms of television violence and domestic violence in America. We provided statistics showing the amounts of violence facts about adolescent exposure. We compared and contrasted the differing effects of both and implemented a study to analyze the similarities. We observed children and gathered data regarding their response to specific kinds of violence and the psychological effects of each. We expected that the effects of television violence and domestic would be strikingly similar to one another and the results of our study prove the similarities and provoke awareness to the differences. Television Violence and Domestic Violence have Similar Effects on Children A staggering amount of research has†¦show more content†¦585). Statistics such as this one display the facts about what is shown on television. The National Television Violence Study evaluated nearly 1000 hours of programming over a two year period and found that 61% of that programming contained interpersonal violence (Sclozman, 2002-2003, p 87). Something very provocative about the study was that most of the violence was displayed on children’s shows. An article in Pediatrics Magazine states, â€Å".Of all animated feature films produced in the United States between 1937 and 1999, 100% portrayed violence†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (â€Å"Pediatrics,† 2001). The evidence if irrefutable, Television does display high levels of violence. Not only has it been proven that a large amount of violence is displayed on television, but there has been research that suggests that some children have displayed higher levels of aggression as a result of their exposure to violent programming. A recent Current Events article states, â€Å"More than 1000 studies validate the connection between media violence and aggression in some children† (â€Å"Current Events,† 2001). Although opinions tend to vary about how much a child is affected, studies show that some children are affected so much that they reenact what they saw on television on their peers, and sometimes even their pets. Professional Wrestling is viewed by 35 million in the United States each week. These wrestling shows include fighting, sexuallyShow MoreRelatedReducing Domestic Violence Essay857 Words   |  4 Pagescomplex problems America deals with each year is that of domestic violence. This crime is one in which leaves the victim (statistically more co mmon a female) filled with fear, anxiety, and shame; feelings that one should not have to feel. Yet as America progresses through time, no one solution has been proven to significantly reduce the ongoing domestic violence occurrence. However, the potential for lowering the number of domestic violence occurrences is present, but first solutions for reducingRead MoreEssay on How to Reduce the Level of Domestic Violence884 Words   |  4 Pagesmost large-scale and complex problems America deals with each year is that of domestic violence. This crime is one which leaves the victim filled with fear, anxiety, and shame; feelings that one should not have to feel. Yet as America progresses through time, no one solution has been proven to significantly reduce the ongoing domestic violence occurrence. However, the potential for lowering the number of domestic violence occurrences is present, but first solutions for reducing this problem have toRead MoreCauses Of Domestic Violence1285 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic violence is a serious problem, which occurs in many countries. In recent years, domestic violence has been recognized as a serious problem globally. The only common thing between these problems are that the vast majority of the victims are women. Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another through emotional, physical, and mental attacks. Domestic violence and child maltreatment are considered not only a worldwide public health problem but alsoRead MoreCauses and Effects of Violence in Children Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pagesrate between children and violence is increasing. In fact, the article Children and Violence states that as many as 10 million children per year may witness or be victims of violence in their home, schools, or communities across the United States. Childhood exposure to violence has a huge overwhelming impact on children’s development, affect emotional growth, cognitive development, physical health, and school performances. 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We will be examining three types of violence in our culture, Domestic violence, Youth violence, and of course Gun violence. We feel that all three of these types of violence have increased in today s society as a consequence of pop culture. 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Many people are gaining attention to the situation through television shows, books and movies, etc. â€Å"In the 1840s the temperance movement brings attention to the issue of domestic violence, which the reformers see as a consequence of alcohol use .In 1992 The U.S. Surgeon General ranks domestic violence as the leading causeRead MoreMedia Violence Essay1320 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Violence Media violence is one of the most debated public issues society faces today. Television screens are loaded with the glamorization of weapon carrying. Violence constitute as amusing and trivialized. Needless portrayals of interpersonal violence spread across the television screens like wild fire. Televisions spew the disturbing events such as children being assaulted, husbands inflicting domestic abuse on their wives and children succumbing to abuse by their parents. Scenes of betrayal

Lord of the Flies - 1264 Words

Lord of the Flies Essay Arthur Golden wrote â€Å"Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.† Adversities are unavoidable, and when they arise; people may not know how to handle the difficulties they are faced with. While in the middle of misfortunate situations, certain individuals reveal their true character and qualities they have that would not be present in normal circumstances. In the novel â€Å"Lord of the Flies† by William Golding, Golding suggests that people’s true characteristics and qualities are revealed when faced with adversity. In the beginning of the novel Jack Merridew is seen as just another young and†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Listen all of you. Me and my hunters, we’re living along the beach by a flat rock. We hunt and feast and have fun. If you want to join my tribe come and see us. Perhaps I’ll let you join. Perhaps not.† Pg. 154 Jacks transition puts him on a collision course with Ralphs elected authority, and when he decides to leave the tribe, he bribes the boy’s with the promises of meat, play, and freedom. This in return, awards him with the majority of the boy’s following him. They soon embrace Jack’s savage ways, which only motivates Jack to take his power even further. He tortured and threatened the boy’s that did not join his tribe, and brainwashes the ones that were already in his tribe to be the torturers. These actions of Jack’s just prove that he is evil and savage by nature, and when he is given power it only amplifies his characteristics, making him even more vicious. By the end of the novel we can see that jack has turned into the evil person that he had always naturally been, it just took a misfortunate situation to bring it out of him. He loses the innocent young boy and becomes this immoral savage character with no empathy or remorse towards anybody. Jack had evolved to being chief of the boy’s, and used their fear of the beast and the unknown to control them, and make them complete tasks that involved the use of violence. He uses his power over the boy’s to get back at the RalphShow MoreRelatedThe Lord Of The Flies1262 Words   |  6 Pages2015 Lord of the Flies Research Paper Evils are what drive all of the negative things in society. Characteristics of evil are all around us in our everyday lives. political leaders, celebrities, People we idolize show characteristics of evil. Even small insignificant roles in society hold certain evils in their motives. Throughout this story these evils were for once boldly stated for all to understand. The games the boys play,the fire they set, and their rescue, in the Lord of the flies showsRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies1468 Words   |  6 PagesThe Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of English schoolboys marooned on a tropical island after their plane is shot down during a war. Though the novel is fictional, its exploration of the idea of human evil is at least partly based on Golding’s experience with the real-life violence and brutality of World War II. Free from the rules and structures of civilization and society, the boys on the island in Lord of the Flies descend into savagery. Golding’ s experience in World War II had aRead More Lord of the Flies1827 Words   |  8 Pageswhich desire to follow through with. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and John Polson’s Hide and Seek are two prime examples that demonstrate the conflict between civilised behaviour and savagery through their characters’ cultured manners, savage impulses and struggles as they decide who they really are as people. The instinct to follow rules and act in a civilised manner is highlighted throughout the first four chapters of Lord of the Flies, but is especially perceptible in the boys’ behaviourRead MoreLord of the Flies1669 Words   |  7 PagesLord Of The Flies Summary [pic] |Lord Of The Flies Summary - The Island | |Lord of the Flies is set during World War 2 on a tropical island in the Coral Sea. A group of boys survive a plane crash and are| |left stranded on a deserted island with no adults. At first the boys cling to the principles and laws they were taught during | |their upbringing. They call a meeting where they establish rules,Read MoreLord of the Flies642 Words   |  3 PagesThe book Lord of the Flies shows us how humans act when there is a weakly constructed system of power. We see how a group of civilized young men change into a bunch of crazy animalistic beasts over a very short period of time when there is no one who is â€Å"above† them to order them around and set rules. In The Hunger Games we see a society of people grouped into districts who follow the strict rules of the capital. If you question the capital or disobey one rule or show any sign of treasonRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies1262 Words   |  6 Pages2015 Lord of the Flies Research Paper Evils are what drive all of the negative things in society. Characteristics of evil are all around us in our everyday lives. political leaders, celebrities, People we idolize show characteristics of evil. Even small insignificant roles in society hold certain evils in their motives. Throughout this story these evils were for once boldly stated for all to understand. The games the boys play,the fire they set, and their rescue, in the Lord of the flies showsRead MoreLord of the Flies2048 Words   |  9 PagesIn William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, symbols are illustrated through people, objects, and colors. In this novel, a group of children are faced with the difficulty of living isolated from society after their plane crashes on a deserted island. With no formal civilization, parents, or rules, the kids have the freedom to do as they choose. Throughout the novel, the boys find and use objects on the island that symbolize something of different importance. In Lord of the Flie s, William Golding usesRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies1385 Words   |  6 PagesLord of the Flies In a life or death situation, desperate people resort to drastic measures. Some people were taught how to survive in brutal situations while others were never taught how to hunt if they were lost in the forest. In this life it’s either we know how to survive in a life or death situation or we learn as we go and do everything possible to stay alive. It is normal for people to experience immoral behavior due to the environment they are in and there is not much that can be done. IRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies1111 Words   |  5 PagesThe Lord of the Flies Research Project While the World War II was in act, Adolf Hitler once incited â€Å"You only have to kick in the door, and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down†(Adolf Hitler). The structure coming down symbolizes the fact that the boys’ structure of order, and civilization came crashing down as well. This is found throughout the book. Adolf Hitler is known for his dictatorship, his exquisite leadership skills, and violent warfares.. He uncovered that leadership skillsRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies2105 Words   |  9 PagesBefore starting The Lord of the Flies, a lone question that summed up the entire book was proposed: Are humans good or evil? Though it may not seem like a puzzling question at first, everything inside, and outside of the book makes it more complicated. If we are evil, then everyone would be turned against everyone else from the start, and if we are good, we would always be for everyone else at the beginning. Neither is present in the real world, bring up the question, what is humanity’s true goal

Account and Financial Management for Traded- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theAccount and Financial Managementfor Traded Company. Answer: Summary of Findings This study deals with examining the financial performance of a publicly traded company known as Woolworths Limited for the year 2015 and 2016 (Woolworths.com, 2017). For this study, information is generated from the annual reports of Woolworths Limited for the year 2015 and 2016. The main motive of business is to generate profit with the resources available to the company. The financial manger is responsible for assessing the profitability of a business in order to evaluate whether or not adequate returns can be generated on its assets as well as investments (Deegan, 2013). To that, there are different ratios that can be used for evaluating the profitability. In this study, the profitability ratio used is gross profit ratio, return on assets and return on equity. In the year 2015, gross profit of Woolworths Limited arrives at 40.96% and 40.59% in the year 2016. Return on assets is one of the profitability ratios that allows for assessing the way on how efficiently assets of Woolworths Limited are being managed and looks at the ability of the management team for controlling the expenses. In the year 2015, return on assets of Woolworths Limited arrives 0.075 and 0.087 in the year 2016. The figures show that Woolworths Limited has achieved better results as comp ared to its peer groups or industry. Therefore, Woolworths Limited earned more operating profit per dollar of investment in assets as compared to its peer groups. After analyzing the financial ratio for the year 2015 and 2016, it is understood that Woolworths Limited records poor profit results that in turn act as an indicator that there is problem with overall performance of the firm (Chan et al., 2016). Liquidity ratio is calculated as it predicts the ability of any business whether they can pay their short-term obligations, bills and pay down debt on time. Here, it is important to assess the liquidity position of Woolworths Limited and compare it with the industry standards. In this study, current ratio and quick ratio are calculated for the year 2015 and 2016. To explain in detail, current ratio is calculated by taking current assets and dividing it by current liabilities. In the year 2015, current ratio of Woolworths Limited arrives at 0.91 and 0.94 in the year 2016. The industry average is 2:1. Hence, Woolworths Limited is trailing slightly behind in terms of overall liquidity. It is important to note that neither Woolworths Limited nor the industry average shows enough liquidity for covering all liabilities without the need for raising additional funds. By looking at ratios, it is quite evident that Woolworths Limited has managed a current ratio closer to 1. The reason behind t he figure is poor sales results as well as high venture caused by the Masters venture. It is because of cost incurred in business and cost of operating an underperforming business (Bushman, 2014). Capital structure ratio is also known as solvency ratio that indicates in which firms selection are made to finance their assets, either through debt or equity. In this study, debt to equity and equity ratio are calculated for Woolworths Limited that explains the solvency position of the business organization (Beatty Liao, 2014). Reference List Beatty, A., Liao, S. (2014). Financial accounting in the banking industry: A review of the empirical literature.Journal of Accounting and Economics,58(2), 339-383. Bushman, R. M. (2014). Thoughts on financial accounting and the banking industry.Journal of Accounting and Economics,58(2), 384-395. Chan, S. H., Song, Q., Rivera, L. H., Trongmateerut, P. (2016). Using an educational computer program to enhance student performance in financial accounting.Journal of Accounting Education,36, 43-64. Deegan, C. (2013).Financial accounting theory. McGraw-Hill Education Australia. Woolworths.com. (2017).Very | Womens, Mens and Kids Fashion, Furniture, Electricals More!. [online] Available at: https://www.woolworths.com [Accessed 27 Aug. 2017].

POLITICAL LEANINGS AND CHOICE OF VEHICLES Essays - Bumper Sticker

Running head: POLITICAL LEANINGS AND CHOICE OF VEHICLES1 Political Leanings and Choice of Vehicles Are Cars, Trucks and SUVs Democrats or Republicans Jonathon McNeil Middle Tennessee State University Running Head:Political Leanings and Choice of Vehicles2 Abstract It might be argued that liberals drive small vehicles in an effort to save the planet, from their belief in global warming. Many conservatives do not believe that scientific evidence supports global warming as a whole and hence are not as likely to buy and drive small vehicles. You are to test this hypothesis, that liberals (democrats) drive small cars and conservatives (republicans) drive larger cars. Go to parking lots and look for cars with political stickers that suggest whether they are liberal/democrat or conservative/republican. Note also whether the vehicle is small or large. You will have to operationally define small and large. Collect data for 24 liberals/democrats and 24 conservatives/republicans. Running Head: Political Leanings and Choice of Vehicles3 Introduction: I went into the Walmart parking lot off of South Rutherford Boulevard in Murfreesboro and observed 48 vehicles in total. I observed 24 vehicles that were determined to be liberal bumper stickers the other 24 vehicles were determined to be trucks and SUVs as having conservative bumper stickers. Throughout my research I have observed bumper stickers that were ambiguous stated I love dogs and other stickers stated Peace, love and happiness and Show support for the NRA which I could not determine whether the individuals bumper stickers to be Democrat or Republican. I spent a total of three hours walking in each parking lot collecting data such as vehicle information and whether the vehicle has a bumper sticker. One of the weaknesses with my research is observing bumper stickers and coming to a final determination whether the vehicle is a Democrat or a Republican. The factual data based solely on observation is limited to my interpretation of the bumper stickers. Hypothesis: Based on the data I have collected using the significance of .033 and one degree of freedom. Df= n-1 using two different population studies in this sample cars and politics. The cutoff from the Chi Square table is 4.547 for one degree of freedom .05 by using the Chi Square table and my value on the Pearson Chi Square model based on the data .033 there was a high degree of significance the data produced that SUVS and trucks that are conservatives and cars and small cars are democrats. Running Head: Political Leanings and Choice of Vehicles4 Method: Population 1: Cars was available and used to determine if the population is associated with being or not being liberal or conservative. Population 2: Politics category used to determine whether trucks, cars, and SUVs are branded on their bumper sticker Conservative or Democrat. For example: The value n are the number of cars, SUVs and trucks. Participants: The research is based solely on observation and recording of factual data. Apparatus: Pen and a paper was provided along with a clipboard to count the number of vehicles in a parking lot of Walmart and count the number of bumper stickers on a vehicle to tally up. Procedure: Observing 24 cars that were deemed liberal and 24 Trucks and SUVS were republican. Results: The Chi Square was performed and the result has a high degree of significance .033. Discussion: To make a conclusion about the hypothesis with 95% confidence, the value labeled Asymp. Sig. (which is the p-value of the Chi-Square statistic) should be less than .05 (which is the alpha level associated with a 95% confidence level). By researching the data allows me to assess whether the association seen between cars, trucks and SUVs in a particular sample is likely to represent an actual relationship between political leanings between democrats and conservatives choice in a population.

Lepenski Vir - Mesolithic Village in the Republic of Serbia

Lepenski Vir - Mesolithic Village in the Republic of Serbia Lepenski Vir is a series of Mesolithic villages located on a high sandy terrace of the Danube River, on the Serbian bank of the Iron Gates Gorge  of the Danube river. This site was the location of at least six village occupations, beginning about 6400 BC, and ending about 4900 BC. Three phases are seen at Lepenski Vir; the first two are whats left of a complex foraging society; and Phase III represents a farming community. Life in Lepenski Vir Houses in Lepenski Vir, throughout the 800-year-long Phase I and II occupations, are laid out in a strict parallelepiped plan, and each village, each collection of houses is arranged in a fan shape across the face of the sandy terrace. The wooden houses were floored with sandstone, often covered with a hardened limestone plaster and sometimes burnished with red and white pigments. A hearth, often found with evidence of a fish-roasting spit, was placed centrally within each structure. Several of the houses held altars and sculptures, sculpted out of the sandstone rock. Evidence seems to indicate that the last function of the houses at Lepenski Vir was as a burial site for a single individual. Its clear that the Danube flooded the site regularly, perhaps as much as twice a year, making permanent residence impossible; but that residence resumed after the floods is certain. Many of the stone sculptures are monumental in size; some, found in front of houses at Lepenski Vir, are quite distinctive, combining human and fish characteristics. Other artifacts found in and around the site include a vast array of decorated and undecorated artifacts, such as miniature stone axes and figurines, with lesser amounts of bone and shell. Lepenski Vir and Farming Communities At the same time as foragers and fishers lived at Lepenski Vir, early farming communities sprang up around it, known as the Starcevo-Cris culture, who exchanged pottery and food with the inhabitants of Lepenski Vir. Researchers believe that over time Lepenski Vir evolved from a small foraging settlement to the ritual center for the farming communities in the areainto a place where the past was revered and the old ways followed. The geography of Lepenski Vir may have played an enormous part in the ritual significance of the village. Across the Danube from the site is the trapezoidal mountain Treskavek, whose shape is repeated in the floor plans of the houses; and in the Danube in front of the site is a large whirlpool, the image of which is repeatedly carved into many of the stone sculptures. Like Catal Hoyuk in Turkey, which is dated to roughly the same period, the site of Lepenski Vir provides us with a glimpse into Mesolithic culture and society, into ritual patterns and gender relationships, into the transformation of foraging societies into agricultural societies, and into resistance to that change. Sources This glossary entry is a part of the About.com Guide to the European Mesolithic, and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Bonsall C, Cook GT, Hedges REM, Higham TFG, Pickard C, and Radovanovic I. 2004. Radiocarbon and stable isotope evidence of dietary change from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages in the Iron Gates: New results from Lepenski Vir. Radiocarbon 46(1):293-300. Boric D. 2005. Body Metamorphosis and Animality: Volatile Bodies and Boulder Artworks from Lepenski Vir. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 15(1):35-69. Boric D, and Miracle P. 2005. Mesolithic and Neolithic (dis)continuities in the Danube Gorges: New AMS dates from Padina and Hajducka vodenica (Serbia). Oxford Journal of Archaeology 23(4):341-371. Chapman J. 2000. Lepenski Vir, in Fragmentation in Archaeology, pp. 194-203. Routledge, London. Handsman RG. 1991. Whose art was found at Lepenski Vir? Gender relations and power in archaeology. In: Gero JM, and Conkey MW, editors. Engendering Archaeology: Women and Prehistory. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p 329-365. Marciniak A. 2008. Europe, Central and Eastern. In: Pearsall DM, editor. Encyclopedia of Archaeology. New York: Academic Press. p 1199-1210.

Aristotle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Aristotle - Essay Example For this reason, happiness seems to be unreachable. Yet if one would look at happiness not on the basis of fulfilled desires, perhaps, happiness is indeed attainable – but undiscovered by many. Hence, this draws to the question on how happiness can be used to measure life’s worth. In such case, it seems appropriate to rely on moral principles dictated by ethics. Aristotle (12) defines happiness to be a measure of good life and good action. While it is understandable how happiness is equated to good life, the concept of ‘good’ often remains subjective. For a peasant who has been enduring months of labor, an abundant harvest defines a good life. Yet this may not mean anything to a powerful landowner who has already been living in abundance all his life. In the same sense, it is common to think that the children of the peasants, who inherited slavery from their parents, are bound not to live a good life. However, Aristotle (13) pointed that life is already goo d in itself. This is to say that regardless of the condition, whether it be of the landowner or the peasant, life is always good for goodness is a state of soul (Aristotle 13). It is essential, therefore, to discover the goodness in one’s life even though at times, goodness is not blatantly laid before us. It has to be realized for it to be discovered. To illustrate, it is said that there are people born with inborn talents. However, without practice, the talent will remain undiscovered. If a dancer is too shy to perform, no one would appreciate the talent no matter how good the person is and as such, the person would not be recognized as talented even if the truth is, the talent is inborn to that person. Through time, the talent will remain hidden, unpracticed and never discovered. Moreover, with regards to the landowner in the previous example, despite the abundance of harvests, life for him may remain to be not good, perhaps due to lack of satisfaction. Therefore, this is to say that what seems to be good to some may not necessarily be considered as so by others even if in reality, it is indeed good in itself. Nevertheless, the above example shows how something which the majority is likely to consider ‘good’ may still be perceived otherwise by the one who failed to discover its goodness. However, there are also things which the majority would agree to be ‘not good’ such as ugliness and poverty. But then again, in line with principles of Aristotle, this agreement is not true for everything is innately good (13). Take for instance, slavery. While it is uncommon to realize its goodness, doing so is still possible. In Alice Walker’s novel, The Color Purple, poor Celie has been praying to God whom she has always thought of as a male white man. Yet despite her prayers, she continues to experience exploitation and was even forced by her father to leave the house and marry an abusive husband. But then, if she were not born to this situation, she would not have met the people who would teach her the meaning of life in deeper perspective. There was Shug, her husband’s lover, who made her realize that her image of God is simply what the society dictates her and Sophia who showed her that women are not born oppressed and it is possible to be superior over men. These people define goodness in the life of Celie. One cannot assign qualities to things despite of what the society agrees on for even poverty and slavery carry innate goodness. But then again, one may