Fair Stood The Wind For France Essays - Fellows Of The Royal Society

Fair Stood The Wind For France Bates is a Romance ? Fiction set at the height of World War Two. The story follows the main character, John Franklin, through his journey when he brings his aircraft down into occupied France. The novel deals with love, war, isolation and conflict; although there is no specific theme to the book. I felt that the book's purpose was very clear. Bates wanted to show that within all the horrors of war, two people were able to find love and happiness. Franklin had crashed his plane and his arm was severely damaged. Yet while looking for help he found a wonderful family, and if that had not happened then Franklin would never have been able to meet Francoise. Bates makes it clear that there is always some good in all evil, even war. The book's title is taken from the poem by Michael Drayton (1563-1631) which is at the beginning of the book. The short verse of the poem is relative to a naval experience (from the referral to sails advancing), which partially ties in with the main setting of the book. Apart from "France", the actual title never said or made reference to. The title was taken from the poem, which most likely in its complete form was more to do with war. Although from just the book, the actual title does not have a significant amount of relation and ties in with the story poorly. The story takes place in the Second World War when Franklin and his co-pilots take the plane down. Franklin's arm is hurt very badly but luckily they go down in an area of France that is occupied and they can get help promptly. After walking for a significant amount of time they find a farm where a very pleasant family takes them. The family, which consists of Francoise (the girl), her father, her brother Pierre and her Grandmother see to it that Franklin's arm is taken care of. They also helped to get and/or make citizenship papers for the men. They seek medical help from two doctors who are successful in amputating Franklin's arm. They produce citizen papers for two of the men so they are able to go home. Hoping the same for the other two, their plan is for Franklin and O'Connor to leave once their papers are found. Franklin falls very ill though and not knowing how his future will develop O'Connor leaves once the appropriate arrangements are made. When the Germans kill the two doctors that helped Franklin the daughter of one of them becomes very depressed. With Francoise's father having a very strong liking of her he too becomes depressed which results in his suicide. Papers are finally produced for Franklin so he and Francoise leave heading for England. They journey up a river so that they are able to pass the Germans. At one point Franklin has a sudden urge to escape to England but when caught by gunned arms runs, he happens upon O'Connor. O'Connor is injured and rests while Francoise and Franklin look for his papers. They find citizen paper's for him and board a train headed for England. At the train station Francoise runs into problems with the Germans and the result is O'Connor's death. The style this book is not my preference although it is written very well. It is very descriptive, so much that it is extremely pictorial. Bates describes everything feasible and draws a very detailed picture in your mind. He also describes feelings extremely well. When Franklin is enduring much pain in his arm Bates is able to make you almost experience the pain for yourself. As well when Francoise and Franklin are falling in love their feelings for each other are depicted very well. The landscapes that the story comes across are also illustrated excellently. The authority of this book I feel is very much intact. The feelings portrayed in the novel are real and vivid. The love that Francoise and Franklin have for each other is extremely believable. Bates must know the way humans associate or have acquired some additional knowledge because the manner that the two relate to each other in the story is remarkably authentic to actual human interaction. Despite the previous authority mentioned when Franklin happened to meet Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Baker and they gave him their former butler's papers, I found that very overwrought.

a comparison of art in the age essays

a comparison of art in the age essays The Middle Ages, the Early Renaissance, and the High Renaissance are only three ages individually but as a whole helped shape our modern philosophies and ideas of art and influenced generations of artists among them, Leonardo Da Vinci, Giovanni Bellini, and Giotto. Among there many works of art there stand out to me these three. Vitruvian Man 1492(Leonardo Da Vinci), Feast of the Gods (Giovanni Bellini), and Christus Rex (Giotto). The Late Gothic is the bridge between the Middle Age and the Renaissance. The Crusades and trade that followed from them brought an influx of Byzantine art and artists to western Europeans. This influence appears strongly in the emotionalism of a large wooden crucifixes and icons. Although they are still Byzantine in style, they were becoming more 'Western' in treatment. Through these connections many literary works of classical antiquity were brought to the West. The new age began in the 14th century, where lawyers and notaries imitated ancient Latin style and studied Roman archaeology. The novel unification of the characteristic style in art in Europe also took place at the end of the fourteenth century. The new hegemony was the consequence of a multifarious exchange of various artistic ideas and had lasted for several decades. It is difficult to point out the place and the time where the style came into being. That style was named the International Gothic. The most significant artists of the period are Cimabue and Giotto. Giotto was trained in the Byzantine tradition. The art characterize rediscovery of the third dimension, of real and measurable space and architectural vocabulary based on the study of Classical structures. Giotto has become the symbol of a profound renewal in the history of Western figurative arts, and of the first radical renewal since ancient Greece. "He converted the art of painting from Greek to Latin and brought in the modern era" - this is Cennino Cennini'...

American Government and Constitution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Government and Constitution - Essay Example They had wanted the government to disperse its operations. America comprises of people of different diversities; different religions, Catholics, Anglicans, Jews, Quakers and Calvinists, people from different origin, Sweden, Canada, England, France and many other parts of the world. They therefore, had and still have differing opinions on how the government should be run. In the past years, the number of immigrants into the United States has grown; therefore, diversity has augmented, making the nation grow stronger in unity. The constitution defends the rights of people without considering their backgrounds and by limiting the powers of both the state and national governments. In the bill of rights, amendment I states that, â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and the government for a redress of grievance † (Schultz, p 273). This amendment does not include that a certain race is not represented; it includes all the American people. Many of the features of the constitution are meant to ensure that not any department of the state achieves control over the others and anything that can oppress its citizens. However, the constitution did not resolve the crisis of majorities imposing oppressive rules on the minority groups. The problem of tyranny until today has not been determined and needs to be addressed appreciably. This is an area that the federal government has been unsuccessful Race, ethnicity and color are the key characteristics of the minority groups in the United States of America, and although the government is trying to phase out the problem, it is extremely hard because people have it all in their minds. For example, some private schools cannot admit students from some ethnic groups or some races. In the earlier days of slavery, slave trade was operational in the south because the economic and communal status of the southerners was remorseful, and was justified to depend on the trade to make a living. The white homes in the south had been depending on slavery, ending the vice would have been a significant blow for them and the north still needed them for supply of raw materials. The blacks did not have any other option other than to be slaves, without education, socialization and a majority of whites living in the south. It is no surprise that the southerners felt that they were not being properly represented in the government. Their representatives’ were not heard whenever they tabled a problem in the congress. In my judgment, the idea of phasing out the majority rule by the federal government does not seem to be happening soon. Firstly, the federal government is composed of two houses, the House of Representatives and a senate with the representatives being more than the senators (Edwards, Wattenberg and Lineberry, p 34) If the government would have been aware of the rule of majority, it could have established one ‘major house’ whereby they cold have voted out the tyrannical rule. Senators alone, being 100 cannot vote out the majority rule since the majority vote wins. Liberal governments do not value the rule of minority; this means that a small number of the elected council will make rules and verdicts that govern the country as a whole. According to the constitution, democracies must apply majority rule and safeguard minority rights; many Americans consider that it is very

Disaster Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Disaster Management - Essay Example He/ she is also responsible for organizing and integrating a team that aims at rescuing and preventing further damage and deaths of people and domestic animals by the calamity. The chain of command is as follows. At the top most is the disaster commander who is in charge and responsible for the whole situation. Immediately under the disaster commander are the public information officer and liaison officers. The public information officer should understand principles of risks in communication. He/she is responsible for giving accurate public health information to the public and collaborating agencies. His/her role is to ensure that the message is consistent. The liaison officer, on the other hand, serves as a point of contact for supporting agencies and answering their questions and providing briefings whenever necessary. The officer also prevents the agencies from being bombarded with questions and requests. The next level includes the operations chief officer whose main work is to d evelop and implement strategies and tactics with the aim of carrying out incident objectives. He is responsible for organizing tactic resources and ensuring that there is good communication with the people delivering the resources. The planning chief officer also falls in this level and he/she is responsible for gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information. The personnel are responsible for compiling an incident action plan and focusing on what might come next within the incident. The personnel should possess qualities of good written and communication skills. Within the same level, the logistics chief officer is responsible for acquiring space and supplying equipment necessary for the incident. He/she should be fast, accurate, and precise. Finally, within the same level, a chief finance officer is responsible for ensuring proper contractual and financial processes are in place. He/she also ensures that the resources ordered are available and expanded if necessary. The financ ial officer should be familiar with financial systems and able to keep accurate financial data. The spilled carbon monoxide, oil, and many more hazards present within the residential houses are some of the environmental issues the public nurse has to deal with but are beyond her field of operation. Incidences of power loss and damage of houses are also beyond her area of operation, hence the need to work with different agencies in order to facilitate quick and prompt rescue mission. The health nurse relocates victims from their houses to safer shades in case of flooding. Under circumstances when clean water is not available, the public health nurse advices on drinking of boiled water and bottled water. In case of oil spillage and paints in a residential house, the health nurse contacts an environmental specialist to advice on how to clean up household hazards. The public health officer also helps victims through decision-making by being caring, understanding, and listening to their fears. He/she also helps the victims reduce anxiety and pressure. Under situations where the victim does not speak or understand English, the public health nurse uses gestures to communicate. This helps the nurse to go through the victim’

Fragile X Syndrome Case Study Health And Social Care Essay

Fragile X Syndrome Case Study Health And Social Care Essay From seven years old, Michaels speech was still rather incoherent, he spoke very quickly and under his breath and didnt make much eye contact. Only up until the last couple of years his speech has improved and is much clearer, although he still tends to perseverate and get stuck on a subject and repeat the same thing over and over. Michael has a sister 2 years older and in 1992 they were both referred to the genetics clinic in the Royal Childrens Hospital by our pediatrician as they both presented with significant developmental delays and the doctor suspected some genetic condition may be at the root of the problem. Tests were performed, even an X-ray on Michaels head as they noted he had rather dysmorphic features, but nothing proved positive and there was no known reason for their problems. ______________________________________________________________________________The patient presented in the above case study is a classic case of Fragile X-Syndrome, the most frequent cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients presenting with this syndrome are affected in various facets of functioning, including intellect, emotion, behavior, and physical characteristics. The cause of the syndrome involves the expansion of a single trinucleotide gene sequence on the X chromosome. Other disorders that are placed in this category include Huntingtons Disease, Kennedy Disease, Dentatorubralpallidoluysian atrophy, and Friedrichs ataxia. This consequently results in the failure to express a protein that is required for normal neural development, and coded by the FMR1 gene. Because it is an X-linked disorder, cases are seen in all carrier males and in 35% of carrier females. Because of the subtle nature of signs of the syndrome and difficulty in diagnosis, all children with mental retard ation should be tested for Fragile X syndrome and family members are advised to undergo genetic counseling in order to decrease the recurrence of Fragile X in the family. Etiology The abnormality of the chromosome presented in Fragile X syndrome is found on the Xq27.3 site and commonly used as a diagnostic marker for the syndrome [1]. In most cases, the expansion of the single trinucleotide gene sequence includes 50 to 200 CGG repeats at the site and these repeats are passed down from generation to generation [1]. In comparison, the number Mathew 2 of repeats in a normal individual is between 6 and 50. Due to the increasing expansion of the trinucleotide gene sequence, there is methylation of the DNA which in turn silences the FMR1 protein [3]. FMRP plays important roles in learning and memory, and also appears to be involved in development of axons, formation of synapses, and the wiring and development of neural circuits. Diagnosis Because there is no clinical diagnostic criteria, scoring systems have been developed to select individuals for Fragile X Syndrome [4]. It can also be diagnosed using molecular genetics testing of the FMR1 gene. One method of diagnosis is based on chromosomal study to present the chromosome under special folic acid deficient culture conditions [3]. There are two different types of molecular DNA tests. The screening tests are polymerase chain reaction based. Additionally, they need to be confirmed using Southern blot hybridization [5]. It is important to diagnose affected patients as early as possible to provide early intervention and supportive care (i.e., specific developmental therapy and an individualized education plan) and to inform parents for further family planning [4]. One half of families in a 2002 survey reported having an additional child with fragile X syndrome before the older affected child was diagnosed [4]. Family history collection should include questions about other family members, with particular attention to developmental delay, mental retardation, and psychiatric disorders [4]. In addition, a family history of women with premature ovarian failure and men with FXTAS should be ascertained. A positive family history in a proband with developmental delay should prompt consideration of genetic testing of the FMR1 gene [4]. The American College of Medical Genetics recommends testing, regardless of family history, for all males and females with mental retardation of unknown etiology [4]. Therapy/Treatment Treatment is supportive, requiring a multidisciplinary team and including anxiety-reducing measures, behavior modification, and medications to manage associated psychiatric disorders. Individual education plans are necessary for school-age children [2]. Although several Mathew 3 medications have been proposed to treat fragile X syndrome, none of them are supported by ]good evidence [2]. While there is no current cure for the syndrome, there is hope that further understanding of its underlying causes would lead to new therapies. Currently, the syndrome can be treated through behavioral therapy, special education, and when necessary, treatment of physical abnormalities [2]. Persons with the fragile X syndrome in their family histories are advised to seek genetic counseling, to assess the likelihood of having children who are affected, and how severe any impairments may be in affected descendants [2]. The Fragile X syndrome been the subject of numerous studies, and recent investigations have addressed the question of whether this disorder is amenable to either prenatal diagnosis or to treatment with folic acid [3]. In a previous study, the effect of oral folic acid therapy (10 mg/day) in a blind study of 14-year-old monozygous twins with the fragile X syndrome was examined [3]. They reported on eight patients with psychotic-like symptoms. Seven were improved by therapy with I M 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (folinic acid) at doses of 0.5 mg/kg body weight for a period of a few weeks [3]. Three patients had an almost total recovery from psychotic-like symptoms [3]. One 14-year-old boy who was severely hypotonic and disinterested in his environment became responsive and able to sit and crawl after 2 months of therapy with folic acid in doses of 1 mg/kg day [3]. Harpey also reported some success with therapy with intramuscular folinic acid and hydroxocobalamin by mouth [3]. In a recent re port, a male fetus was diagnosed as having fragile X and the mother was started on a regime of folic acid 2 mg/day [3]. After delivery, the baby was treated with 1 mg/day of folic acid. On evaluation at 6 weeks of age, the baby was described as having a dolicocephalic head, long ears, a flattened malar area, enlarged testes, and a high frequency of fragile X chromosomes (20/60 cells). Two studies attempted controlled trials of folate in the fragile X syndrome, and one of these has been reported in some detail [3]. Brown conducted a double-blind crossover study in which two brothers with the fragile X syndrome were treated with either intravenous folic acid (1.6 mg/kg daily as a single dose) or saline placebo for 8 days [3]. Following the controlled trial, the brothers were maintained on 10 mg/day of oral folic acid for 3 weeks. Over 6 weeks, the dose was increased to 500 mg/day for the younger brother and 1,000 mg/day for the older brother, and then both Mathew 4 brothers were maintained on 1,000 mg/day from 1 month to 5 months after the onset of the study [3]. Because this disorder is a very common cause of familial mental retardation, and because of the in vitro effect of folate in decreasing expression of the fragile site, one may be tempted to attempt folate therapy in these patients. However, two studies to date have failed to demonstrate any abnormality of folate metabolism in cultured cells from patients with the fragile X syndrome [5]. Therefore, we urge continued caution in the expectation of beneficial results and advise against routine use of folate therapy in patients with established mental retardation and the fragile X syndrome [5]. Because there is no cure for Fragile X syndrome, the hope is that future investigations into the underlying causes that will further lead to new therapies.

A Historical Look at U.S. GAAP Essay

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the historical development of generally accepted accounting principles through its contributing sources from 1930 to the present. U.S. Businesses had been using double entry accounting since the 1800s yet no uniform accounting practices had been introduced until the American Institute of Accountants (AIA) recommended to the New York Stock Exchange in 1932, †¦Ã¢â‚¬ five broad principles of accounting which have won fairly general acceptance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , (Zeff, 2005, para. 4). In which, the terms â€Å"fairly present† and â€Å"in accordance with† were first used followed up with â€Å"generally accepted accounting principles†. Later, a sixth principle was approved. These recommendations were based on the three assumptions that all business transactions were apart from the business owner, all transaction currencies measured in the US dollar, the assumption of time and the matching principle. Thus establishing a foundation of which all future accounting principles are based. The AIA formed the Committee on Accounting Procedures (CAP) to publish Accounting Research Bulletins (ARB) on GAAP under the authority of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) created by the Securities Act of 1934. The CAP was later reorganized into the Accounting Principles Board (APB) that issued Opinions between 1959 and 1973. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been the source for private sector generally accepted accounting principles since 1973. Input by the private sector has been crucial to the development of GAAP since 1930. Historically, GAAP is influenced by the business condition and public interest. The Great Depression left the public with little faith in the private sector. Although the knowledge and experience of businesses would be consulted for standards; businesses were not trusted to set and regulate accounting standards. A common practice in the 1920s was to adjust asset values upward to the highest market value arguably misleading investors prior to the 1929 crash (Zeff, 2005, para. 10). In response, CAP and the SEC strongly mandated historical cost accounting as the acceptable basis of reporting. Shortly after, the U.S. was brought into WWII directing the CAP’s focus to issues pertaining to war time accounting. In addition, the CAP addressed the issues of the exclusion of unrealized profit from income, the use of capital surplus to offset losses, and notes and accounts receivable from officers, employees, and affiliated companies. The most notable item during the CAP’s tenure summed up was its ARBs issued in response to congress’s decision permitting companies to use the LIFO inventory method. This was a rare instance that tax policy influenced GAAP and was initially directed to companies purchasing natural metals because the FIFO method was equated to higher income taxes due to the time lapse between the asset’s acquisition and sale (Zeff, 2005). The method was available to all industries in 1939. While CAP was praised for addressing questionable reporting practices prior to the crash; it was mostly labeled as weak by critics for failing to set a uniform accounting framework to mitigate comparability issues. At the advice of the AIA, now known as the AICPA, the Accounting Principles Board replaced the CAP. ARB 43 was quickly published to restate all Accounting Research Bulletins and eliminate any superseded ARBs. The research driven APB published 31 opinions. The first few answered reporting questions regarding the investment credit per the Revenue Act of 1962 allotting businesses a credit for a â€Å"†¦specified percentage of the cost of certain depreciable assets placed into service after 1961† (FASB, 1962, para.1). The board concluded that the credit may be recorded as an offset to net income over the asset’s life or as a reduction in acquisition cost during the period it occurred. This is important because it is a conceptual precursor to today’s section 179 and bonus depreciation credits of which most small and medium sized businesses depend on and consider when determining capital investments. All opinions regarding credits and other tax reporting issues were later superseded by the FASB’s statement number 109, Accounting for Income Tax. Many of the APB’s remaining opinions dealt with emerging issues brought about by the postindustrial economy. For instance, the board developed guidelines for intangible assets such as goodwill, the equity method of accounting for common stock, accounting for employee stock options, the reporting of extraordinary items in the income statement, and set the criteria to use pooling of interest or the purchase method in business combinations. The most controversial accomplishment of the APB was its 1970 publication Basic Concepts and Accounting Principles Underlying Financial Statements of Business Enterprises. The board’s issuance of this as a non-authoritative â€Å"standard† rather than opinion was met with negative criticism as it failed to commit to any conceptual framework solutions and reaffirmed the fundamental disagreement among members on this topic. The board was soon after dissolved and replaced by the FASB with new, independent members in 1973. Nearly all APB Opinions were superseded by FASB statements (FAS) at different points in time. The FASB remains the authoritative source for private sector accounting practices today. The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 restated the FASB’s position in setting accounting standards. The FASB does not have the authority to enforce standards. The responsibility has always been with managers to prepare and file financial statements in accordance to GAAP with the SEC. Auditors, overseen by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), issue opinions on the conformity and accuracy of the financial statements. The role of auditors has become increasingly crucial in the post Enron era. The FASB remains committed to addressing any deficiencies in the reporting process and meeting regularly with the PCAOB and SEC to prevent future financial disasters. Probably the most serious issues to date addressed by the FASB resulted from the subprime mortgage crisis and the subsequent financial crisis of 2008. According to Leslie Seidman (2011), chairman of the FASB, high profile controversy relating to the determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities in an illiquid market prompted the issuance of FAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. Effective November 2007, the standard expanded disclosure for fair value measurements and included changes in fair value practice â€Å"†¦ for certain entities† (FASB, 2006, para. 1). The FAS 133 released in January 2008 provided new and additional guidance on derivatives and designated a team within the FASB to assist with statement implementation. The FASB works to â€Å"harmonize† the previously mentioned standards and all others with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Discussion of international accounting principles has occurred for decades and an International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) has existed since 1973. It was not until the 1990s when globalization motivated the FASB to deliberate a strategic plan for international activities. In 2002, the FASB and IASB started collaborating to â€Å"converge† US GAAP and International Accounting Standards. A memorandum of understanding was released by the two boards in 2006 and amended in 2008. In 2011, the FASB sent a letter to the IFRS Foundation Trustees describing its views on many key issues. The FASB continues to balance long term IASB projects with its work on issues relating to US GAAP. REFERENCES Financial Accounting Standards Board. (1962). APB 2: Accounting for the â€Å"Investment Credit†. Retrieved from http://www.fasb.org/cs/BlobServer?blobkey=id&blobwhere=1175820900137&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs Financial Accounting Standards Board. (2006). Summary of Statement No. 157. Fair Value Measurements. Retrieved from http://www.fasb.org/summary/stsum157.shtml Financial Accounting Standards Board. (2012). International Convergence of Accounting Standards –Overview. IASB-FASB Update Report. Retrieved from http://www.fasb.org/jsp/FASB/Page/SectionPage&cid=1176156245663 Seidman, L.F. â€Å"The Role of the Accounting Profession in Preventing Another Financial Crisis.† U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment [Testimony]. FASB. April 6, 2011. Zeff, S. A. (2005). The Evolution of U.S. GAAP: The Political Forces behind Professional Standards. The CPA Joural, Retrieve d from http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2005/105/infocus/p18.htm

Improve Your English †Learning Outside the Classroom Essay

Today we’re going to look at ways of improving your English outside of classes. First of all, whatever you learn in class needs to be revised. Many English students learn things in class, and then forget it the next day. A good rule to follow is if you spend an hour learning something, you should spend another revising, and another practising. People often forget what they learnt yesterday! Also, it’s important to keep a record of everything you learn. I would keep a book for the classroom, and a vocabulary book as a minimum. It’s also a good idea to have a little book for the mistakes you make, or maybe different books for different types of English. You could have a book especially for slang for example. Of course it’s good to read outside of the class. Newspapers, books, e. t. c. are good. Again keep a record of what you learn so that you don’t forget. Should you learn every word? It depends on your level of English and your ambition. If you’re a lower level learner then you could perhaps try one of the special level books we keep in the school. But always be aware of the type of thing you are reading and adapt your learning to that. If it’s a technical book, don’t learn all the English, but choose words which you think you will need. Then we have listening. When you are studying listening you have to worry about two things- the vocabulary and your ear. You need to learn words of course, and by doing this you’ll improve your passive vocabulary. Generally, words which you hear are more important than words which you read. This is because we use a greater variety of words when we read than when we write. When you watch a dvd or do any kind of listening, keep an internet dictionary on your computer so that you can easily look words up. Internet dictionaries are great for this purpose. I recommend using BBC iplayer. Socialise. It can’t always be easy making native English speaker friends, but it is possible. Try to share interests and do things like sports with English speakers. However, it’s also very easy to make friends with other students, and some (but not all) will want to speak English a lot like you. For this you can use the ICE social programme. Avoid staying in groups of one nationality because they usually don’t want to speak English. Of course one of the best things you can do for your English is find a native English speaker as a lover! Buy a grammar book. I recommend the Blue Murphy book. It’s called intermediate but it’s quite advanced. The green book is really for proficient learners. Remember- a bit of English every day is better than a lot on one day.