Australian Macro-Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Australian Macro-Economy - Essay Example The macro-economic environment supporting the Australian micro-economic reforms have been satisfactory is some respects, but notably deficient in other areas. It is imperative to examine these developments briefly, since, if the major problem areas are not resolved, they have the potential to disrupt the genuinely significant achievements and frustrate the path towards an internationally oriented and efficient economy. The purpose of this section is to examine briefly the salient features of the macro-environment. This article also alludes to some of the effects of the reforms. It does not attempt to provide a comprehensive assessment, which would be beyond the scope of this chapter, and arguably premature. Fiscal Policy Throughout most of the reform period, fiscal policy was reasonably conservative. The Australian Labor administration inherited a large fiscal deficit in 1982/3, in consequence partly of a severe recession. The government proceeded to reduce this deficit progressively through the decade. By 1987/8 a modest surplus had been achieved, and was maintained for the next three years, before another serious recession forced a change in policy. For a short period, also, the administration reversed the post-war trend towards an ever-larger government presence in the economy. Economic growth remained quite buoyant during this period, although inflation continued to exceed that of major trading partners, while remaining below 10 per cent after 1983. The recession of the early 1990s was the major mistake in macro-economic management over this period.

What were Woodrow Wilson's goals for Europe after WWI Assignment

What were Woodrow Wilson's goals for Europe after WWI - Assignment Example After WWI, he proposed the creation of League of Nation and laid out fourteen points to guide international order (Clements, 2003) to foster peace amongst nations at war and encourage constructive trade for development. The league of Nation was a confederate of independent nations that could work together to promote peace and mutual cooperation for development and growth. His fourteen points were important imperatives that laid the foundation of contemporary international relation that promoted trade and commerce across geographical location within defined international principles. Hoff (2008) says that Wilson was visionary whose ‘fourteen points’ had evolved important concepts of free trade zones, freedom of seas, common platform to resolve international disputes across borders or trade, evacuation of conquerors from invaded territory, open negotiations etc. Indeed, Woodrow Wilson’s goals for Europe post WWI were far reaching with huge ramifications on world peace and promotion of international relation. They were radical ideas that introduced new system of governance on the world

Gender Differences in Advertisements Essay Example for Free

Gender Differences in Advertisements Essay It has been evident for the past decades that advertisers still use stereotyped images of men and women in their advertisements. This can say that the pursuit for equality is still not grasped by the society. The images we see in magazines, in televisions, in billboards portray a very old perception of gender, especially the inferiority and submissive nature of women, with their bodies used as mere sexual objects, if not, still used as household caretakers. Women are also deemed to be beautiful if they have slim bodies, fair complexion and long shiny hair. Men, on the other hand, are portrayed to be strong, dominant and successful in their careers. For this essay, I will be showing two examples of images, which reveals the still existing gender inequality. I will be referring to some themes and issues to support my arguments. Also, for my basic analysis of advertisements, I will be using Katherine Frith’s [1998] approach in â€Å"Undressing the Ad: Reading Culture in Advertising† [Lukas, 2002]. It includes a surface meaning, the advertiser’s intended meaning, and the cultural or ideological meaning. For the semiotic level, which connotes the social themes in advertisements, I will be applying Erving Goffman’s [1979] approach in â€Å"Gender Advertisements. † For the first example, I will use the Gucci Magazine advertisement as shown in Figure 1 in the appendix. Just by looking at the picture, you can already see that there is gender inequality. Before dwelling into that, I will first apply a basic analysis of the ad. 1. The Surface Meaning It can be seen that there are two subjects in the picture. It is very evident that one is female, while the other one can be assumed to be male. It is because of its masculine features, as seen in the upper body though the face was not explicitly shown. The female is down on the floor, touching the shoes of the male. She is wearing a sexy gold dress. The male is standing, wearing only khaki pants. Both clothing are assumed to be under the brand, Gucci. The setting is in the desert and the overall appeal of the image is very earthy. There are no words or taglines in the ad, just â€Å"Gucci†. 2. Advertiser’s Intended Meaning The advertiser might be showcasing the earthy tones and summer styles of Gucci, as seen in the very comfortable and breezy clothes the subjects are wearing. There is still a certain class in the style, whether you put them in the dessert or just wherever. 3. Cultural or Ideological Meaning The picture obviously depicts the dominance of males over females. To be more detailed, we use Goffman’s approach by taking into consideration the social themes being depicted here. The positioning of the subject explicitly exposes gender bias. The man is standing while woman is down on floor. It just shows that men are in control and have power over women. The woman is way below under his legs, at his feet to be exact. She is even touching his shoes. It reminds me of a servant, wiping the dirt of his master in the desert. The woman here really looked inferior and if we extend the picture upward, exposing the face of the man, it can be that he is looking down on her, seeing the contraction of his abdomen in the picture. Moreover, such display of abs connotes a very masculine and strong appeal. We know that men who have well developed abs are the ones who are the most physically fit. The woman on one hand is thin and sexy, with her body parts, especially the legs and the cleavage, generally exposed. Reexamining the â€Å"Nature/Culture† Paradigm, we are reminded of the â€Å"vertical† perspective, which organizes the relationships of male and female [Tilleuil, 2002]. The woman is labeled as the dominated and the man is labeled as the dominant. According to the sociologist, Claude Herne, â€Å"In the advertising image, in order to make the woman feel inferior, signs multiply and underline the weakness, the lack of self-confidence, fragility, hesitation, dissimulation, submission, childishness and infantilization, too. [Tilleuil, 2002]. This signs are very well depicted in this ad. The woman looks fragile, and she displays a look of submission in her eyes, like a slave. This leads us to another example of an advertisement, which now depicts heavy violence to women. The ad to be examined here is figure 2 of the appendix. It is an ad from Dolce and Gabbana. 1. The Surface Meaning In the ad, there are six subjects. There are five males and one female. It looks like they are in a rooftop of some resort/hotel. Some men are wearing fitted Polos, while others are half naked. Their skins are very shiny. It looks like there’s oil or sweat in them. One man is on top of the woman, while others are watching intently to the scene in the middle. The woman is lying down on the floor, wearing a sexy black dress and high heels. 2. Advertiser’s Intended Meaning The advertiser here is showcasing the sexy formal styles of Dolce and Gabbana, with their breezy polos, classy dresses. It looks like the clothing is part of their summer collection. 3. Cultural or Ideological Meaning/Goffman’s approach It is very evident in the picture that the scene is depicting a â€Å"gang rape†. This is extreme sexual violence right at your eyes. Such violence is even portrayed in classy way, with the clothing of Dolce and Gabbana at display. We look back to the inferiority and submissiveness of the woman here. The woman is again down on the floor, but this time, she is lying down, about to be raped by the first guy on top of her. But we also see here that they are being watched by other men. One of them is already topless, while, one is semi-buttoned, with his chest exposed. There is also one who is only wearing a sleeveless undershirt, while the last guy is still fully dressed up. They all have this sultry look to the woman. The woman here is about to give herself to the man, with her hips going upward. Yet, you can see that the man is locking her arms in the floor, and it looks like she cannot get away with his grasp. The woman has been the subject of sexual pleasure. Violence here is part of the pleasure package. As we have been exposed in the media, we can recall about the whipping, the slapping of women, their being tied up to different places, exposing a lot of skin, with their bodies being molded to different erotic positions. In most cases women are victims of such violence, since men being tied up would not be a delightful sight for them. Overall, as seen in most advertisements, women are always the weaker player, being taken advantaged of men, who are more superior. Women are still being depicted as mere objects of sexual desire [Sharabi, n. d. ]. Women are seen only as domestic providers, who do not have their own decision making powers. According to the blog of â€Å"Daughter of Liberty† [2007], she said that the following are some important points to take note in advertisements: 1. Canting It can be seen through the body language that women are submissive and they have low self-confidence. For our examples, it is explicitly shown with the woman on the floor, with no control. 2. Clowning It can be seen that women are usually posed like an innocent child in the ads, which connotes ignorance (stupidity perhaps) and practically it tells us that women are easily dominated. 3. Dependence Women are seen to be very dependent to men, which can be particularly found in the first advertisement, where the woman is touching the shoes of the man. 4. Dismemberment Dismemberment is described as focusing on a particular body part. However, for our first example, it was the man who was dismembered. 5. Dominance/violence This is evidently seen in both of our examples, especially in the Dolce and Gabbana ad, which depicts a gang rape. I think ads these days have become more violent and more associated to sex than ever before, due to change of perception of our society. Sex and violence is not a taboo anymore, and we can just openly discuss those issues in a coffee table. However, being a more open society must teach us to be less discriminating and degrading. Women and men were created equally. More ads should focus on empowering women, like what is happening in Dove. We must not let ourselves, especially our children to be exposed to such violence because images convey very powerful images and it can impact one’s behavior.

Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sildenafil

Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sildenafil CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE ASSOCIATED WITH SILDENAFIL Â  Erectile dysfunction is an important problem among men aged 40 years and older. More than half of all men in this broad age group experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. Thus, the provision of an orally administrated efficacious treatment in the form of sildenafil represents a major therapeutic advantage.(1) Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) is ultimately the result of a break in a structural layer beneath the retina known as Bruch’s membrane, which separates the nourishing vascular layer called the choroid from the retina. A break in Bruch’s membrane may allow the ingrowth of vessels from the choroid to a position just beneath the retina.(2) Ocular side effects are not uncommon when sildenafil is used. Minor side effects include pupillary dilation, conjunctival injection (redness), sensitivity to light (photophobia), and dryness. Visual function studies in healthy subjects and in patients with eye disease suggest that sildenafil does not affect visual acuity, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity. Transient, mild impairment of color discrimination can occur around the time of peak plasma levels.(3-7) The purpose of the present case report is to describe a patient who developed CNV after ingestion of Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. CASE REPORT The patient was a 53-year old male who presented with a blurred and loss of vision in the right eye. His physical examination did not reveal any significant signs. The patient was fit and healthy otherwise and had no history of glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, or other systemic vascular disease. Visual acuity was 4/10 in the right eye and 10/10 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination was normal. Fundus examination of the right eye revealed that the macula upper temporal quadrant was characterized by hemorrhagia and an elevated area (Figure 1A), the left eye revealed an atrophic area outside the macula. The FA of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase (Figure 1B). A diagnosis of CNV was made. Argon laser photocoagulation was applied on the right eye. The patient did not suffer until 6 months after the laser application and the visual acuity in the right eye had increased up to 9/10. However, 6 months after the las er application, the patient noted loss of vision in the right eye. Argon laser photocoagulation was applied again. The control FA of the patient did not reveal a leakage of the scar on the right eye (Figure 2). The visual acuity of the patient was 10/10 bilaterally and he didn’t reveal any complaints. After 3 years, the patient was referred to our clinic with blurred and loss of vision in the left eye and when the patient underwent rigorous historical questioning, he noted that all his complaints were revealed with the use of 50 mg sildenafil. He said that he had taken 50 mg sildenafil before his complaints were revealed. His visual acuity was 10/10 in the right eye and 4/10 in the left eye. The FA revealed CNV and photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection were applied to his left eye (Figure 3). DISCUSSION In this study we present a patient with CNV associated with sildenafil use. CNV is ultimately the result of a break in a structural layer beneath the retina known as Bruch’s membrane, which separates the nourishing vascular layer called the choroid from the retina. A break in Bruch’s membrane may allow the ingrowth of vessels from the choroid to a position just beneath the retina .2 These vessels may then leak fluid or blood, initially distorting or blurring vision, and may eventually lead to scarring in the macula and severe loss of central vision. CNV is associated with many diseases. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presumed inflammatory and infectious conditions, myopic macular degeneration, trauma, angioid streaks and laser therapy, however many cases are idiopathic.(2) Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme expressed throughout the smooth muscle of the vasculature.3 Through this mechanism, sildenafil potentiates the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway that mediates corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation and thereby significantly improves penile blood flow. Basic science and clinical research have effectively documented the effects of sildenafil on the retinal and choroidal vasculature. Sildenafil also has a weaker inhibitory action on PDE6, located in the rod and cone photoreceptors. Modest, transient visual symptoms, typically blue tinge to vision, increased brightness of lights, and blurry vision, have been reported with sildenafil use and occur more frequently at higher doses. Visual function studies in healthy subjects and in patients with eye disease suggest that sildenafil does not affect visual acuity, visual fields, and contrast sensitivity.(5,6) Transient, mild impairment of color discrimination can occur around the time of peak plasma levels. However, we were not able to find any case of CNV associated with sildenafil use in the literature. Sildenafil induces angiogenic response in human coronary arteriolar endothelial growth factor (VEGF).(7) The same mechanism may be available on the retina and sildenafil may increase the levels of VEGF. This issue requires further studies and patients with CNV should be questioned about the use of sildenafil. Patients should consult with an ophthalmologist if there is any question about the health of their eyes prior to using sildenafil. REFERENCES Irwin Goldstei, Tom F. Lue, Harin Padma-Nathan et al. Oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction N Engl J Med 1998; 338:1397-1404 Bressler NM, Bressler SB, Fine SL. Age related macular degeneration. Surv Ophthalmol 1988;32:375-413. Michael F. Marmor, Robert Kesler. Sildenafil and Ophthalmology. Survey of Ophthalmology 1999;44:153-162. Alan M. Laties, Eberhart Zrenner. Viagra and Ophthalmology. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2002;21:485-506 DÃ ¼ndar SO. Visual loss associated with erectile dysfunction drugs. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007;42(1):10-12 Zrenner E, Koppiker NP, Smith MD, Constable I, Littlewood R, Stuckey B. The effects of long-term sildenafil treatment on ocular safety in patients with erectile dysfunction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S592. Vidavalur R, Penumathsa SV, Zhal L. Sildenafil induces angiogenic response in human coronary arteriolar endothelial cells through the expression of thioredoxin, hemeoxygenase and vascular endothelial growth factor. Vascul Pharmacol. 2006;45:91-95. FIGURE FOR LEGENDS FIGURE 1A: Fundus examination of the right eye revealed that the macula upper temporal quadrant was characterized by hemorrhagia and an elevated area FIGURE 1B: The FA on the right eye of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase FIGURE 2: The control FA of the patient did not reveal a leakage of the scar on the right eye after laser photocoagulation was applied. FIGURE 3: The FA on the left eye of the patient revealed an area of bright hyperfluorescence in the early phase and leaks in the late phase

Comparing the Concepts of Authority and Individualism in Literature :: Shawshank Redemption Fahrenheit 451 Essays

Comparing the Concepts of Authority and Individualism in Literature Authority is defined as a person or group of people who control the society and make major decisions affecting the society. Individual is a person who has no particular influence on the society and neither do his decisions. The term Authority may be applied to any type of people who hold some sort of influence or power on the society such as The Police; Courts from local courts to supreme courts and of course the ruling party of the government. The individual may be a single civilian. This essay will compare and contrast the way the following text types present the concept of Authority and the individual: Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury; Billy Budd, by Hermann Melville; Shawshank Redemption, by Hollywood Studios; And the poem Naming of parts by Henry Reed. It will discuss how symbolism, language of features, themes, and text form contributes to the way they present the idea of Authority and Individual. It will also discuss the state of Authority in that particular text type (for example is the Authority right or wrong in it’s believes and practices), Fahrenheit 451 is a book written by Ray Bradbury, set in a futuristic society, about a fireman named Guy Montag whose job is to go and burn the books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. The two main themes in this novel are Social change and the banning of books to stop inequality and Individualism. One of the changes the Authority is responsible in this novel is Social change. Their main purpose is to not let the individual think alone. The Authority does this by giving individuals no time to think, as captain Beatty puts it: ‘Give them zippers instead of buttons’ (pg 63) Clarisee also says in School, children are given fun activities, are blasted with useless facts and information, and given no time to ask questions. In the world of Fahrenheit 451 the books are banned. Figures of Authority believe that books create inequality by creating an educated class: ‘We must all be alike. Not everyone born free and equal, as the constitution says, but everyone made equal. Each man the image of every other†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢(pg 65) Books present readers with conflicting views, thus causing confusion: ‘We stand against the small tide of those who want to make everyone unhappy with conflicting theory and thought’ (pg 69)

Architecture Set In Motion Essay examples -- essays research papers

1. Bouffrand: Salon de la Princess, hotel de Soubise, Paris, France, begun 1730’s   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Salon de la Princess, is a many sided cylindrical interior room and is part of the Rococo style that incorporates minimal architectural features and light airy decor, that develops into a profession of interior design. Rococo is the revolt against complicated Baroque that decorated the interior of Versailles, in revolt against the palace and after the death of Louis XIV, French women who had city houses in Paris inspired a new lightened airy style of decor and architecture. As seen in the Salon de la Princess, the structure of the room has virtually been covered up by white walls of wood and mirrors, and it only contains hints of the classical orders and conventions, while conveying the modern concept of space free of major structural forms. The predominate feature in the room is the gold plaster decorations that adorn the entire space and within this is seen the main curving arabesque line that flows throughout the style and characterizes it as a free flowing for m of design, and makes classical references to the fantasy decorations used by the mannerist and found in the Roman villas, complete with cupids, garlands, and birds. Salon de la Princesse is the last major style before neoclassicism, but the free form of the style is a predominate feature in modern organic architecture, and redevelops in the late nineteenth century through the style of Art Nouveau, which is used by Victor Horta, in the Tassel House. 2.Hoare et al.: Stourhead, Wiltshire, England, redesign begun 1750s   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The â€Å"English† garden is one of the greatest gifts that English designers have contributed to the world of architecture, and the gardens that surround the Stourhead estate in Wiltshire England are massed with many forms of natural origin, and as containers of natural descent they incorporate curving elements, as in the cylinder, cone and sphere, however among the natural creations are manmade structures that contradict natures’ verdant burgeoning display of the curve, with structures that include the cube, or squared forms that makes for a cornucopia of forms both natural and manmade. The inspiration behind the English garden lay in the Neoclassical movement against the structural formality of the Renaissance garden landscape, and in England wh... ...oses of space. One main idea developed by Wright through his career is architecture set in motion and true to a living organism, like the three planes in Falling Water that seem to hover over top the water fall, as do the walls that wrap around the Guggenheim forming a structural cyclone, which is mirrored on the interior by a ramp that wraps around a central atrium and provides for displaying art work along the walls of the ramp, but proves to be quite unsuccessful because Wright as an egomaniac made certain that the structure is the main focus and the most dynamic art piece exibited, putting architecture on the same plane as the visual arts. As many of his homes influence modern day suburban America in the Historicism movement, the Guggenheim influences the Post Modern Movement, a theory in practice that believes Modernism failed and incorporates references to the past with sculptural freedom and clarity of form, as does the latest and most dynamic display of architecture to come out of the 1990’s, and direct descendent from Wright’s, New York museum, is Frank O. Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum(1997) in Bilbao, Spain, that Philip Johnson called, â€Å"the greatest building of our century†.

Discuss the nature and quality of make-belief play Essay

Discuss the nature and quality of make-belief play, and the particular ways in which it relates to drama.  Drama in education requires an atmosphere of ‘playfulness’. We must be prepared to play with ideas, our bodies, voice, self and others. Young children do this naturally, learning by thrilling experience of living. Children ‘make’ their world in ways not dissimilar from theatrical form. Children’s play and theatre can be seen as constituting two ends of a continuum. These are theatre games and theatre. Drama in education inhabits the area in between. It can move towards the play end, where very young children are engaging in drama that is close to their own form of free play. The difference, however, is that it takes place as a result of teacher intervention, in that the teacher locates the drama activity in a particular aspect of living. Older students may work very close to the ‘theatre’ end of the continuum, where performance skills and communicative intention are paramount. At any one time, the teacher of drama needs to know at what point on the continuum she/he is working. For young children, dramatic play provides a journey into the world of â€Å"let’s pretend,† where they can readily transform themselves into the role of any character they choose. A story can be created as a script, often with a theme, where expressive actions convey a sequence of events that construct the plot. Whether the style of drama appears connected to occupations such as being a fire-fighter, a community happening such as a big snowstorm, or a fictional representation of The Three Bears, children are actors, producers, directors and set designers. By engaging in meaningful dialogue, their language and non-verbal gestures gradually reveal what they know and what they want to express. Dramatic play benefits children in all developmental areas. As children engage in fantasy play, they re-live experiences by symbolically imitating what they observe around them. Through children’s interpersonal relationships within socio-dramatic play, opportunities arise for in-depth thinking such as imagining, recalling, reasoning and negotiating (Vygotsky). By exploring life’s situations from the community and home, a child can re-create an identity that fulfils personal emotional needs and desires. The compelling urge to become physically powerful and socially dominant is fulfilled when a child adopts the role of a superheroine such as Princess Xena .While a traumatic family event can be played out as therapeutic drama when a child transfers inner feelings of rejection or hostility towards dolls or soft toys. The need for reassurance can be provided in dramatic play when a child knows it is acceptable to take on the role of being a baby, so that any sense of displacement, caused by the arrival of a new sibling within the family, is eased. Children have the freedom to be active and spontaneous in dramatic play, because, as Eden says, â€Å"it can be undertaken without regard for external goals and sanctions.†