Rumba Dance essays

Rumba Dance essays The Rumba is a word used for a group of related musical and dance styles authentic to Cuba. It is also a genre for singing and dancing, born of an Afro-Spanish tendency, with a distinctive African mark. Its origins can be found in poor urban sites with a highly concentrated population of African descent, as well as in semi-rural areas near sugar refineries. Contrary to popular belief the rumba is completely music and has no ritual meanings. Striking an object, drums or even simple wooden boxes is how rumba music is played. This beat is accompanied by small sticks and sometimes spoons. The African contribution is rhythm. From the start, the singer begins to sing, and then the other instruments join he/she. A small stick (clave) marks the rhythm, then comes the bass drum, followed by the "quinte" (higher drum), and increasingly enriches the rhythms. There are three different types of Rumba. The first type is the Yambu. It is a slower, simpler style designed especially for older people and dancers to dance in a relaxed style. The second style is Guaguanco. It is a moderate to fast variation, especially designed for couples. It mimics the play of seduction and sexual possession. The man throws his arm or leg or pelvis in the direction of his partner, symbolically attempting to touch or sexually contact the woman. She entices him and then turns away when he reaches out. The third type is the Columbia. It is the fastest of the three styles. A single dancer who performs acrobatic and daring moves, to demonstrate their courage, strength, agility, and sense of humor, performs the Columbia. Rumba also spelled RHUMBA, ballroom dance of Afro-Cuban folk-dance origin that became internationally popular in the early 20th century. Best known for the dancers' subtle side-to-side hip movements with the torso erect, the rumba is danced with a basic pattern of two quick side steps and a slow forward step. ...

Free Essays on Granny Weatherall

Critical Analysis of Granny Weatherall Thesis: The main qualities of Granny Weatherall’s character are her strength, her endurance, and her vulnerability. I. Introduction A. The Jilting of Granny Weatherall is a short story written by Katherine Anne Porter. B. The story teaches us about old age and the dying process. C. The main qualities of Granny Weatherall’s character are her strength, her endurance and her vulnerability. II. Granny name suggests that she have gone through it all during her eighty years. A. As a young widow, Granny reflected on how she had to dig postholes. B. Granny was able to work in the extremely cold weather. C. Granny had to become the doctor and veterinarian. III. Granny had to endure much heartache and pain. A. She was left at the altar by her beau. B. Her husband died at a young age. C. Her youngest child died. IV. Granny Weatherall becomes vulnerable. A. Because of her first jilting, Granny becomes bitter and controlling. B. Granny strives for a neat and orderly life. C. Granny spends her entire life avoiding surprises. V. Conclusion A. Vulnerability, endurance, and strength are the main qualities of Granny Weatherall’s character. B. Granny was able to see things a clearer on her deathbed. C. Life is so unpredictable one can never prepare enough for it.  Critical Analysis of Granny Weatherall The Jilting of Granny Weatherall is a short story written by Katherine Anne Porter. The story teaches us about death and dying. Throughout life, people deal with both death and mortality in many different ways. Some people are preoccupied with the thought of death and others seem to accept their imminent demise. Because life is unpredictable, one cannot prevent or prepare for the inevitable. Katherine Anne Porter... Free Essays on Granny Weatherall Free Essays on Granny Weatherall Critical Analysis of Granny Weatherall Thesis: The main qualities of Granny Weatherall’s character are her strength, her endurance, and her vulnerability. I. Introduction A. The Jilting of Granny Weatherall is a short story written by Katherine Anne Porter. B. The story teaches us about old age and the dying process. C. The main qualities of Granny Weatherall’s character are her strength, her endurance and her vulnerability. II. Granny name suggests that she have gone through it all during her eighty years. A. As a young widow, Granny reflected on how she had to dig postholes. B. Granny was able to work in the extremely cold weather. C. Granny had to become the doctor and veterinarian. III. Granny had to endure much heartache and pain. A. She was left at the altar by her beau. B. Her husband died at a young age. C. Her youngest child died. IV. Granny Weatherall becomes vulnerable. A. Because of her first jilting, Granny becomes bitter and controlling. B. Granny strives for a neat and orderly life. C. Granny spends her entire life avoiding surprises. V. Conclusion A. Vulnerability, endurance, and strength are the main qualities of Granny Weatherall’s character. B. Granny was able to see things a clearer on her deathbed. C. Life is so unpredictable one can never prepare enough for it.  Critical Analysis of Granny Weatherall The Jilting of Granny Weatherall is a short story written by Katherine Anne Porter. The story teaches us about death and dying. Throughout life, people deal with both death and mortality in many different ways. Some people are preoccupied with the thought of death and others seem to accept their imminent demise. Because life is unpredictable, one cannot prevent or prepare for the inevitable. Katherine Anne Porter...

Critical Analysis of Baby Steps toward Tighter Money in China Article Essay

Critical Analysis of Baby Steps toward Tighter Money in China Article - Essay Example According to Silk, constraining lending may actually fit the authorities objective of driving the economy towards consumption-led growth instead of an investment-driven model, though it may not be an easy task as such (Web). He argues that the action by the central bank may do more harm to the already shaken economy which was upset by serious cash crunch earlier this year. The People’s Bank of China seems to have number explanations to be more aggressive including the expected rise in Consumer price inflation which was 3.1% and hiking house prices which were 8.2% in September. Also, the U.S is also pumping more capital in China as a way of keeping her (U.S) economic stimulus in place and this may really heighten inflation in China. It is therefore important for the PBOC to pull out these cash from her systems as a way of controlling her economy. However, Silk argues that the good news is that China is an emerging economy and therefore it may endure the economic challenge curre ntly than earlier in the year (Web). The People’s Bank of China sapped 58 billion Yuan from her interbank market thus making the seven days reverse repo rate go up by 4.7%. It finally led to a loosening of liquidity and the move was interpreted by some economist as a way of easing lending. Move to control the rising debt by the PBOC has had several effects including rising in interest rates and tumbling of stock markets. Debt has experienced a rapid growth which greatly interfered with social financing as well as outstanding borrowings by both businesses and households which really worries the economy. However, there is a mixed reaction from the optimists and the pessimists of the government move to curb debt (Silk Web). The fact that PBOC should instill more balanced lending is indeed very wise but the question lingering is the depth of the control. Actually, this article points out that one of the tests facing emerging China’s economy, although a few are predominantl y lethal.  Ã‚  

Perfomance Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Perfomance Management - Essay Example The mainstream of RBS, the UK banking operations employ a ‘back office’ approach for their operations. Operations when carried on at such a large scale require that the performance levels of these operations are measured with the help of efficient methods, the flow of work is optimized and processes are effectively managed. In the past, companies found it quite difficult to quantify and compare the performances of its systems and assess the effect of application of improvement techniques. The need of acknowledging a common business supporting system that provides the required flexibility, information management and measurement of performances was required. Performance management is one of the most important drives of effective and strategic  HRM  development in any company.  The concept of performance management was initiated in the late 1990’s and has been largely admired and adopted by HR departments across the globe. Performance management has assisted th e companies to understand that the employee talent, motivation, expertise and retention is the main driver of the business growth prospects and profits, (Kaplan, Robert and David Norton, 1996). 2.0 Introduction of Performance Management Systems at RBS The main aim behind introducing a performance management at the RBS was to enhance the efficiency and affectivity of the existing people and process management techniques by employing high quality performance management systems. The Royal Bank of Scotland initiated the performance management system strategy to measure the effect of human capital on its bottom line financial metrics in the year 2000. With the HR executive Greig Aitken at the helm of all the project activities related to successful implementation of performance systems at RBS. The main strategy focused upon the use of PIMMS systems utilizes online software which assists the HR department of the RBS bank to measure the performance of its employees, assess the impact of pe rformance systems on employee performance and business results, and at the same time introduce and implement specific systems as per the requirement of the business. In the same year - 2000, the Royal bank of Scotland introduced a new performance management system with the help of a basic Microsoft Access database at about five of its centers and monitored over 1500 staff employees. The PMS systems which was known as the Productivity Improvement Measurement and Management System proved to be quite a success at RBS and gave considerable advantages to the management in measuring employee performances and processes, (Boris, 2007). However due to its standalone nature, the system could not be applied on a larger scale and expansion of this PIMMS system was rather restricted to the initial 5 sites only. Looking at the vast applicability and usage of the system, the RBS developed the PIMMS systems in a span of 1.5 years and expanded its usage with the help of the company’s intranet system. The system now caters to 15,000 staff employees located on over 85 RBS locations around the globe. 2.1 Advantages of PIMMS to RBS The RBS designed the PIMMS system as a capacity planning and operations management system, which easily allows integrating a number of issues in one system. The new PIMMS system is able to

The pathology, physiology and biochemistry of hypertension Essay Example for Free

The pathology, physiology and biochemistry of hypertension Essay Hypertension is a condition in which the individual’s blood pressure rises to an abnormal level.   In this condition, the systolic blood pressure is persistently above 140 mm of Hg and/or the diastolic blood is persistently above 90 mm of Hg.   The quantity of blood pumped by the heart, and the size of the blood determine the blood pressure (blood pressure = cardiac output * peripheral vascular resistance).   Besides this, the quantity of water present in the body, the salt levels, kidneys, nervous system, hormone levels, etc, also play a very important role in determining the blood pressure (Najafian, N., 2006). The blood pressure tends to increase with age, and is about 160/95 at the age of 50 years.   There may several causes related to hypertension.   However, in 95 % of the cases a single underlying cause is not found, which may be due to interplay of several factors.   This type of hypertension is known as ‘essential hypertension’.   In more than 70 % of such individual, a pattern of inheritance is observed.  Ã‚   Several ethnic groups such as Jews, African-American and Japanese, develop hypertension more often (Mayo Clinic. 2006). Studies have demonstrated that the important cause for essential hypertension is an increase in the peripheral resistance of the blood vessels.   This disorder can develop due to sympathetic nervous activity or from narrowing of the blood vessels.   The remaining 5% of the cases are caused due to certain disorders such as cardiac disorder (corarctation of the aorta), renal disorders (glomerulonephritis and chronic pyelonrphritis), endocrinal disorders (such as pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, Cushing’ syndrome), drug usage (such as corticosteroids, certain birth control pills) and sometimes during pregnancy. Excessive hormones are released in pheochromocytoma, which cause an increase in the cardiac output and rise in the peripheral vascular resistance.   In the renal disorder, the kidneys do not function efficiently, resulting in sodium retention in the body.   In some conditions, excessive rennin is produced by the kidney resulting in activation of the angiotensin II (that has great vasoconstrictor action).   Angiotensin II encourages release of aldosterone which causes sodium retention.   In primary aldosteronism, the mineral sodium is retained in the body, along with changes in the vascular smooth muscles of the blood vessels (Boon, N.A. and Fox, K.A.A. 1996). In individuals with essential hypertension, the large arteries experience changes in the vessel wall.   The inner elastic lamina gets thickened; the smooth muscles increase in size and fibrous tissues gets deposited.   In an effort to normalise the blood flow, the arteries dilate and become tortuous.   In such circumstances, due to the damage of the inner-lining tissues of the blood vessels (endothelium), the deposition and retention of lipoproteins in the sub-epithelial wall develops.   Along with this, other substances such as connective tissue matrix, smooth muscles, the mineral calcium, inflammatory cells and newly-developed blood vessels are formed.   (Shah, P.K., 2001).   Smaller blood vessels get narrowed, and aneurysms are formed. Due to these anatomical changes in the blood vessels, the blood flow and the peripheral vascular resistance is increased.   The process of atheroma is also hastened.   If the blood supply to the kidney is affected with the narrowing of the blood vessels, rennin and angiotensin are activated, and sodium and water are retained.   Sometimes the associated narrowing of the blood vessels to the organs are so severe that the organs began to function abnormally.  Ã‚   The kidneys produce proteinuria and microscopic haematuria.   Besides, the blood supply to the brain is also affected as the arteries begin to narrow (Boon, N.A. and Fox, K.A.A. 1996). In the body, multiple mechanisms may be involved in elevating the blood pressure.   In arterial hypertension, the relationship between cardiac output and the total vascular peripheral resistance is distorted.   Blood pressure is affected by several variables including genetic, environmental and demographic, which affect both the cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance (includes age, sex, gender, body mass index, etc).   Cardiac output has an effect on the blood volume which is influenced by sodium levels in the body.   The peripheral vascular resistance is affected by hormonal and neuronal factors.   Vasoconstrictors that reduce the lumen for blood flow include Angiotensin II, catecholamines and the endothelium. The vasodilatation factors include kinin and prostoglandins.   Several auto-regulatory mechanisms also take part in regulating the peripheral vascular resistance.   They automatically increase the blood flow when vasoconstriction occurs.   The local factors that adjust the blood pressure include pH, hypoxia, alpha and beta-adrenergic mechanisms that affect cardiac contraction, vascular tone, heart beat, etc.   The kidneys adjust the blood pressure in several ways.   The rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) affects the metabolism of sodium and peripheral vascular resistance.    Renin is released by the juxtaglomerular cells that transform angiotensinogen present in the blood to angiotensin 1.   This is later transformed to angiotensin II by the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).   Angiotensin increases the blood pressure by inducing vasoconstriction (action on the smooth muscles present in the blood vessels) and increasing the blood volume (by encouraging aldosterone release).   The kidneys also increase the blood pressure by reabsorbing sodium from the proximal tubules.   In this way the sodium levels increases in the body and thereby there is an increase in the blood volume (Schoen, F. J. 2002). The kidneys manage about 170 litres of blood filtration every day.   This amount of blood contains about 23 moles of salt.   More than 99.5% of this is reabsorbed back into the blood through ionic channels, exchange and transporter, etc.   Certain changes in the proteins that involve sodium reabsorption may be expressed through genetic defects.   This condition is known as ‘Liddle’s syndrome’.   Likewise, several other components of the RAS system are affected by genetic defects.   The kidneys may release reduced amounts of sodium leading to increased blood volume and increased cardiac output, leading to a rise in the blood pressure (Schoen, F. J. 2002). The blood vessel wall may be directly stimulated by chronic vasoconstriction.   This can lead to thickening of the blood vessel wall, which further narrows the lumen and raises the peripheral vascular resistance.   Large and medium-sized blood vessels have associated changes in the blood vessel wall.   Aortic dissection and haemorrhage can occur due to increased vascular resistance.   In small blood vessels, hyaline arteriosclerosis and hyperplasic arteriosclerosis can result (Schoen, F. J. 2002). Genetic defects can cause rare forms of hypertension.   Deficiency in enzymes of aldosterone metabolism leads to increased release of aldosterone, and increased salt and water reabsorbtion (Schoen, F. J. 2002). Aldosterone is present in the cells of adrenal zona gloemerulosa.   Angiotensin II helps to activate it through the RAS system.   When the sodium levels decrease, and the blood pressure drops, the alodsterone gets activated.   Angiotensongen is combined with renin.   Angiotensin I is formed which is converted to Angiotensin II by the ACE enzyme present on the surface of endothelial cells located in the kidneys and the lungs.   Aminopeptidase converts Angiotensin II to Angiotensin III by the enzyme aminopeptidase (Schmidt, T.J. Et al. 2006). Several enzymes such as caboxypeptidases and aminopeptidases produce a number of subtacnes related to angiotensin such as angiotensin I, II, III, IV, etc.   Each has their own physiological function.   Several alternative pathways may be present mainly associated with angiotensin II production.   Angiotensin I can be converted to another form known as ‘Angiotensin-(1-9) by the enzyme carboxypeptidase (associated with ACE).   This later gets converted to Angiotensin II.   Further studies need to be conducted on the exact mechanism by this conversion takes place.   Clinically, ACE and angiotensin I receptor are significant, although a lot has to be studied about these alternate pathways (Kramkowski, K. Et al. 2006). The diagnosis of hypertension is made based on the history, symptoms, signs, and the results of several diagnostic tests such as urine tests, blood tests, Electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-rays, etc.   Urine tests are required to determine the level of proteins, glucose, and the presence of blood in the urine.   Blood tests are required to determine the level of urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and hormones in the blood.   Chest X-rays, angiograms and MRI scans of the heart are required to determine the activity of the heart and the lungs. ECG is required to determine the electrical activity of the heart and abnormalities such as ischemia and left ventricular hypertrophy.   The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (2003) have classified hypertension based on the severity of the blood pressure.   These include normal blood pressure (120/80 mm), pre-hypertension (120-139/80-89 mm), stage 1 (140-159/90-99 mm), and stage 2 (150/100 mm).   In pheochomocytoma a specialised test to determine the 24 hour urinary cathecholamine output may be performed.   In Conn’s syndrome the blood rennin and aldosterone activity is determined (Boon, N.A. and Fox, K.A.A. 1996). The main aim of treatment is to relieve the symptoms, reduce the effects of the disease process and prevent further complications.   Once hypertension is detected, the individual has to take care and follow certain measures in diet, lifestyle, physical activity and consume certain medications.   Studies have demonstrated that timely and appropriate treatment can help reduce the occurrence of several complications such as stroke, renal failure and others.   Besides, the fatalities due to cardiovascular events are significantly reduced (Boon, N.A. and Fox, K.A.A. 1996). The individual has to consume a low-sodium diet, and reduce consumption of alcohol.   Individuals, who smoke, may gain significantly if they stop the habit.   Exercises can also be very beneficial to hypertensive individuals, and can drastically help reduce the blood pressure.   Regular consumption of medications has ensured that the individual’s blood pressure is within normal limits.   Drugs are administered as a single or a combination therapy.   The problem in hypertensive individuals is that they tend to stop the medications once the symptoms reduce.   However, the disease can remain silent, and the individual may experience the complications, later.    Hence, it would be advisable to continue the medications as prescribed, with appropriate control of the side-effects.   Several agents such as beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators are available which are administered appropriately.   The first-line drugs use varies from one individual to another depending on the severity of the condition. Combination therapy is also available to treat refractory cases (or when hypertension cannot be controlled by drug doses at which side-effects do not develop).   During emergency treatment of hypertension, the blood pressure should not be brought rapidly down as it can lead to brain damage, cardiac insufficiency and renal problems.   The blood pressure has to be brought down to 150/90 level over a period of one hour to ninety minutes.   In an emergency situation, sodium nitroprusside is mode ideal bring down the blood pressure.   Labetalol, oral nifedipine and hydralazine are also ideal to bring to bring down the blood pressure reduced (Boon, N.A. and Fox, K.A.A. 1996).    References: Boon, N.A. and Fox, K.A.A. 1996, â€Å"Diseases of the Cardiovascular System.† In: Edwards, C.R.W., Bouchier, I.A.D. and Haslett, C., Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 17th ed, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. 191-311. Kramkowski, K., Mogielnicki, A. and Buczko, W. 2006. â€Å"The physiological significance of the alternative pathways of angiotensin II production.† J Physiol Pharmacol, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 529-539. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmedcmd=Retrievedopt=AbstractPluslist_uids=17229979query_hl=3itool=pubmed_docsum Mayo Clinic Staff. 2006, High blood pressure (hypertension). [Online], Available:   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=1, [Accessed: 2007, January, 30]. Schmidt, T.J. and Litwack, G. 2006, Biochemistry of Hormones, in: Devlin, T.M., Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations, Wiley-Less, New jersey. 895-946. Schoen, F.J. 2002, Blood Vessels, in:   Kumar, V., Abbas, A.K., Fausto, N. (eds), Robins and Cotran: Pathologic Basis of Disease, 6th ed, Saunders, Philadelphia. 2002. 423-444. Shah, P.K. 2001, Pathogenesis of arthrosclerosis, in: Rosendorff, C., Essential Cardiology: Principles and Practice, W.B. Saunders Company., Philadelphia. Tweedie, D. (2006). The Pathology of Hypertension (Heart/Circulation). [Online], Available:   http://72.14.235.104/search?q=cache:izxWLiHy3tUJ:www.uwo.ca/pathol/MedsII/Notes/CVS-Hypertension.rtf+hypertension+pathologyhl=enct=clnkcd=4, [Accessed: 2007, January, 30].

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Mina Loy's feminism in her poetry 1882-1946 Mina Gertrude Lowy, [Mina Loy] was born in 1882 in London. Her foremost interest was art, and she studied painting in Munich for two years after leaving school at 17. On her return to London, she continued art classes, Loy moved from Victorian England to impressionist Paris, to futurist Florence, to bohemian Greenwich Village and back to expatriate Paris during her long career. Painter, poet, actress, playwright, feminist, mother, designer, conceptual artist - her array of talent and experience make it difficult to place her exactly in any one artistic group. Literary Modernism was one of the few eras in the history of American literature in which writers and artists openly sought, through their own inventive projects, to produce social and economic commotion. Mina Loy, whose work is now being rediscovered with the recent republication of The Last Lunar Baedeker and recent publication of a biography was one of the more radical intellectua l and writers of her time. Mina's first published work appeared in 1914 as the result of her New York acquaintances, in Alfred Steiglitz's magazine Camera Work and in Carl Van Vechten's Trend. "Aphorisms on Futurism" and her poems roused great responsiveness in New York bohemian elite, and when a group of poets, disaffected with the editorial policy of Harriet Monroe's Poetry magazine--decided to set up a new academic journal, Mina Loy was their rallying point. The new magazine, Others, appeared in 1915, with Mina Loy's "Love Songs" significantly exhibited. The poems were much talked about in New York avant-garde circles. The text used intimate material from her personal life and was blunt to the point of being scandalous. Three Moments in Paris ... ...depicting them spiritual, ethereal or dominant. What is amazing about Loy and her writings is her persistence on openly enjoining the political with the creative and the creative with the political. Loy understands art as an influence spot in which social change and commotion could be performed. It is Loy’s aim to familiarize her readers with her revolutionary poetics, particularly her theories on the coercive nature of language and to study a historical instant in which artists and literary theorists like Loy still believed peaceful revolution could be achieved through artistic expression. References http://www.poetrypreviews.com/poets/poet-loy2.html http://www.cwru.edu/artsci/engl/VSALM/mod/wolkowski/paper.html http://jacketmagazine.com/05/mina-iv.html http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/loy/bio.htm http://www.ags.uci.edu/~clcwegsa/revolutions/Buchanan.htm

Private Tuition Essay

It is now fashionable for many Malaysian students to go for private tuition. In fact, most students feel insecure if they do not have extra tuition after school. Isn’t that correct? Extra tuition may be necessary for some of you. For example, some of you are weak in mathematics. Without help, you may be left behind. Many of you are in classes which are large. Your teacher cannot give special attention to weak students but your private tutors can. Some teachers may seem unapproachable. Timid students feel afraid to ask questions. They do not want to look stupid. In a small tuition group such students may feel confident. Tutors can also afford to be more patient and allow students to take their time. They do not have to worry about completing the syllabus. Not all teachers are experts in their subjects. Unfortunately, you cannot choose your teachers. On the other hand, you can shop around for good tutors recommended by friends. You can also change tutors whom you find unsatisfactory. However, not all tutors either. Nowadays new graduates join tuition centres while waiting for other jobs. They are not trained teachers. They leave when they find something better to do. They are not bothered about completing the syllabus before the resign, so be careful. In addition, tuition centre exist to make a profit. Classes are often large; there may be as many as 20 to a class. This means you pay for individual attention but do not get it. They have also been cases of tuition centres closing after having collected fees in advance. Finally, extra tuition takes up too much of a student’s time. A lot of time is wasted on travelling to and from the tuition centre. Some of you treat tuition classes as social gatherings. You can actually use your time more profitably on hobbies or personal revision. After attending tuition classes, you may be too tired to do your homework or your school work. If you pay attention in class and do your revision regularly there is no need for extra tuition. The money you would save could be used to buy revision books or put a side for furthering your education in the future. Personally I feel private tuition is a waste of hard-earned money.