Saturday, October 5, 2019

MARKETING YOURSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

MARKETING YOURSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL - Essay Example As a student in Cal State Fullerton, I have the privilege to absorb as much knowledge as I possibly can, especially since this school is the most famed of all of the business majors in this district. Taking more business courses could greatly increase my chances when competing with other applicants for job opportunities. MKTG353 Marketing Info Technology will be my first choice to take as a marketing course. This course requires students to learn the information tools and the databases for decision making. Also, it helps students to gain the knowledge of profit analysis, sales forecasting, advertising media selection, and market segmentation. Moreover, students will improve their skills in using electronic spreadsheets, which will improve my electronic technique skills for preparing accounting statements. Specifically, I will gain I.T skills that will enable me to gather a wide range of information on all aspects of business. For accountancy and other jobs, the course will give me a deeper understanding of the processes and the relationships between buyers and sellers. KTG465 Â   Managing Services Marketing will be a particularly important course for a business major student, giving the opportunity to expand knowledge and practice, something many students may not have experienced. This course mainly concentrates on the skills of communication with customers. With approximately 76% of our labor force working in the service sector, the chances are, we will be there, too. As entry level, front line employees of an organization, we will mostly deal with the customers directly. Therefore, communication skills will benefit anyone just entering working society. Service industries may have legal and financial strictures. They are highly competitive. I hope to learn to recognize and deal with specific challenges, such as understanding schedules, budgets, quality control and competitive strategies, a good background for my future career. The course will

Friday, October 4, 2019

Common Accreditation Standards in Hotels Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Common Accreditation Standards in Hotels - Essay Example These policies are based on improving infrastructure, affordable and luxuries transport facilities and above all luxuries accommodations. Accommodation is a serious issue because not only tourists, VIP's, foreign government officials, celebrities visiting a country all need hotels for accommodation. Thus the basic criterion to impress visitors, guests or tourists is to provide them with a choice of hotels which maintain certain standard of luxury. UK is one of the territories that attracts a large number of tourists, celebrities, government officials and hence, it needs a variety of accommodations. People from different strata's of world come to visit the United Kingdom. Thus, to improve the standards of hotels and to grade hotels the government of the United Kingdom have deduced a way known as common accreditation standard aimed at grading the UK's hotels. A certification is an external evaluation of a hotel by a third- party to achieve certification by the third party that the organization is providing certain amount of luxury and comfort. This certification is verified by an authoritative body they verify the competence of those doing the certifying or auditing. The accreditation is common of services like health care services, educational services and hotel services. The accreditation process is a procedure which not only focuses that the hotels maintain minimum criteria of comfort and luxury but accreditation model includes several elements that promote quality improvement. (Christine et al, 149) In the case of hotels, the process of accreditations is divided into two sections. The first one reviews the hotels operation's satisfy the specific minimum quality criteria. While the second procedure of accreditation is to check weather training programs satisfy the specified minimum quality criteria. Hotels Operation's The accreditation process evaluates hotels operations from every section and subsection. The location of a hotel is an important aspect the hotel, it should be at a place from were transportation is easily available, located at a place from were all famous sights must be close by. The facade, architectural features and general construction of the building shall have distinctive qualities. Bedroom should be of a decent size, inclusive of bathrooms. There shall be one suite per thirty guest rooms. All rooms must have bathrooms which shall be equipped with fittings of the highest quality befitting a with 24-hour service of hot and cold running water. Then there should be other equipments like telephones, television refrigerator in working conditions. There shall be a 24-hour room service. (Carla and Petty, 38) Housekeeping shall be of the highest possible standard. There shall be plentiful supply of linens, blankets, towels, etc., which shall be of the highest quality and shall be spotlessly clean. The linens, blankets and towels shall be changed daily. Laundry and dry cleaning services shall be available in the establishment. All public and private rooms shall have superior quality carpeting which shall be well kept at all times. There shall be a coffee shop and at least one specialty dining room which are well-equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained, serving high quality cuisine and providing entertainment.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

The Principle Role of Financial Intermediaries Essay Example for Free

The Principle Role of Financial Intermediaries Essay There are evidences that â€Å"financial intermediaries play a key role in improving the performance of the economy†. (Morawski 4) Not to mention that they â€Å"could even act as a good predictor of long run rates of economic growth, capital accumulation and productivity improvement† (King and Levine cited in Chakraborty 1). However, what –exactly- is the principle role of financial intermediaries? This is what this essay tries to answer. This essay aims at discussing the principle role of financial intermediaries (banks, investment companies, financial advisors or brokers, credit unions, mutual funds, and insurance companies). The best approach to achieve this goal is to search the literature to study what is written concerning financial intermediaries’ different roles and assess these roles to come up with the principle role of these institutions. However, first of all, it was necessary to study different definitions for financial intermediaries in case these definitions could give an idea about the principle role of them. For example, -according to Claus et al. financial intermediaries â€Å"‘channel funds’ from those who have savings to those who have more ‘productive’ uses for them† (2). Also, Jalan defined financial intermediaries as â€Å"institutions which ‘transfer funds’ from economic agent with surplus funds (surplus units) to economic agents (deficit units) that would like to utilize those funds. Then, Morawski provided a better definition to ‘Financial intermediaries’ term as institutions which provide â€Å"‘channeling’ or efficiently ‘transfer funds’ between lenders (surplus units) and (deficit units) borrowers that are brought together in order to achieve higher production and efficiency for the economy as a whole. † or in another word, as she mentioned institutions which â€Å"pool ‘resources’ from various small investors so that they can be able to later lend those ‘funds’† (2, 3) Then, it was clear that these definitions actually give the financial intermediaries’ principle role. However, to be sure that the principle role is what mentioned in definitions of the term, it was logical to move to other research findings that discussed basic or vital roles of financial intermediaries. Corrigan mentioned that the vital and indispensible role of financial intermediaries is in â€Å"helping societies ‘economies’ achieve a broad range of public policy goals, including, but not limited to- ‘mobilizing’ and ‘allocating savings’ in an effective and efficient manner† (10) According to Chakraborty, financial intermediaries â€Å"perform the roles of (a) resource mobilization and allocation, (b) risk diversification and (c) liquidity management to foster development of the real sector† (1) and that’s exactly what Morawski assure â€Å"The low transaction costs allow those institutions to offer liquidity services as it is simpler to sell financial instruments to raise cash and in the same time reduce the exposure to potential risks by sharing risks among various investors† (3) Diamond and Dybvig summarized these roles when they showed that financial intermediaries â€Å"can enhance risk sharing, which can be a precondition of liquidity, and can thus improve welfare† (cited in Claus et al. 2). And through these two financial services –provision of liquidity and risk sharing- they â€Å"reduce the costs of ‘moving funds’ and help in overcoming information asymmetry between borrowers and lenders, leading to more ‘efficient allocation of resources’ and faster economic growth† (Claus et al. , 2) Claus et al. mentioned two channels through which financial intermediaries â€Å"can have an effect on economic growth, capital accumulation and technological innovation†. (7-8) While â€Å"this ‘supply of funds’ provided by financial intermediaries –according to Goldsmith- through loans or through the purchase of securities is an essential if not the primary economic function of financial interm ediaries† (180) Finally, based on these definitions and research findings, the principle role of financial intermediaries is in achieving the efficiency and effectiveness in supplying funds to the market by mobilizing and allocating resources or funds -with (a) low transactions costs and (b) overcoming information asymmetry- between borrowers (surplus units) and lenders (deficit units) -through two main services, the (1) provision of liquidity and (2) risk sharing-; and as a result to this better utilization of these funds (more investments and higher production- leads to economic growth or welfare (through (1) capital accumulation, (2) improved or enhanced productivity, and (3) technological innovation).

Leadership in Mentoring Nursing Students

Leadership in Mentoring Nursing Students Management has been existed in our society since human beings began in the form of social organisation to achieve their goals, have become a significant part to our society and human activity. Management and leadership are clearly different, management is do things right and leadership is do the right thing, but both are equally important (Bennis, 1997). Therefore, the effective leaders and effective managers are required by the organisations, teams or groups to achieve the expected goals. Bennis (1994) defined management as a process of getting things done through others. This definition emphasizes that a manager to manage and organize a planning, assessment and assist the activities of others or subordinates. Bateman and Snell (2007) stated that four management functions: planning, organising, leading, and controlling are very valuable for professional practice. McKenna et al (2004) assert that effective leadership in practice is crucial for professional development and patients care enhancement. According to Marquis and Huston (2003), leadership is a process without threats and violence of empowering belief, persuading, moving and influencing another toward an objective. Dessler (2004) also defined leadership as a person influences others to willingly work toward a predetermined goal. However, Mintzberg (2004) assert that there are many views and definitions of leadership and makes leadership is complicated and confusing. Stanley (2009) defines and explores the health practice leadership as unifying people around values and then constructing the social world for others around those values and helping people to get through change. Leadership impact our daily and futures lives and very important in my clinical area to create an environment thats positive for relationship building and conducive to effective professional practice. Health professional such as nurses and AMO requires a strong, knowledgeable and consistent leader in quality professional practice environments to provide quality health services. Therefore, to achieve the requirements of professional practice and consumers requirements and expectations, its important for health professional to integrate leadership in health professional practice (Sofarelli and Brown, 1998). I will discuss and explore the theory of leadership in this paper when mentoring and encouraging staff and Assistant Medical Officer (AMO) to their career development, including further learning and leadership methods at Plaster Unit, and will implement this idea in my placement and appropriate use for my new task as a leader. My hospital is among the most famous teaching hospital in Malaysia which conduct education programs for medical, nursing and allied health science students. With over 11 years working experience and was promoted to Senior Assistant Medical Officer at Plaster Unit, Orthopaedic Department since January 2011. I have been appointed by head of Orthopaedic Department as manager, clinical instructor and mentor of Plaster Unit for new staff, medical and nursing students, particularly related to Plaster of Paris application. At the same time, I need to train and facilitate the department staff and newly AMO to update skills, knowledge and develop their further learning including mentoring programs. As a manager and instructor at Plaster Unit, I may be writing policies, assess, implement and promote policies, I might challenge the policy appears to be sensible and evaluate the policies. Good leaders were made rather than born. Good leaders must have the desire, willpower, and develops through lifelong learning process of educational, training and experiences (Jago, 1982). Taylor (2009) state that today health care operates in a rapidly growing environment where changes in leadership to be the main criteria for career development. Many different leadership theories have emerged and made based on previous theorists, but there are 8 major leadership theories; Great Man theory, Trait theory, Contingency theory, Situation theory, Behavioural theory, Participative theory, Transactional theory and Transformational theory. Burns (1978) have identified two types of leadership theories; transactional and transformational. Burns (1978) describes the transactional theory: leaders are just sitting towards the result, followers are directed to perform tasks and be appreciated by money or reward if the task is accomplished. In transformational theory, leaders see the relationship is very important, especially between leaders and followers. Mentoring relationships can develop the highest level of relationship between managers and subordinates (Graen Scandura, 1987). According to WhettonÂÂ   Cameron (2002), studies have shown that mentoring relationships have been increased career satisfaction, resiliency to stress, professional practice success and developing motivation. The initial concept of transformational leadership was introduced by Burns (1978); leaders and followers make each other to advance to a higher level of moral and motivation. Bass (1985) explains that the difference between transactional and transformational leadership is the ability of transformational leadership to motivate others to achieve goals more than what they wants. Transformational leadership has influenced me and mentoring program in plaster unit, it has motivated me and students to believe the vision and implement it to achieve goals. To be a trusted mentor and as a motivation , I am constantly learning and using advanced knowledge, my experience and skills to develop them as a successful professional through mentoring program. Transformational leadership occurs when leaders changes followers in three ways: the followers trusting the leader, performing behaviours that contribute to successfully of organisation objectives and get motivated to work at the highest level (Bass,1985). Schunk (2005) assert that motivation is a critical component of learning and professional development. I always have been motivated by the head of department and AMO supervisor to constantly improve the knowledge and skills, a nd this similarly methods are applied in mentoring program to the students and staff under my supervision. Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans, and motivating people. Further research has identified the type of leadership that is more specific, but a preliminary research by a team of researchers led by Kurt Lewin in 1939 is influenced and established the three main leadership styles; Autocratic, Democratic and Laissez-Faire. Autocratic leaders make decisions independently and are usually seen as controlling, bossy and dictatorial. Autocratic leadership best used in situations where lack of time to make decisions or leader is the most knowledgeable. Lewin et al (1939) found that the Democratic leadership is most effective leadership style. Democratic leaders offer guidance, participate in groups and encourage participation in the group, but retain the final decision-making process. Subordinates feel more involved in the group planning, more creative and motivated. While, researchers found that Laissez-Fair leadership is the least productiv e, where the Laissez-Fair leaders offer little or no guidance to subordinates and let them make their own decisions. Laissez-Faire leadership effectively used in situations that have members who are highly skilled, knowledgeable, motivated and able to work on their own. According to Lewin et al (1939), different leader lead differently, they can choose which style where appropriate and depending on the situation. Democratic leadership have been adopted in our department and mentoring program, all are encouraged and freely to give opinions and recommendations through department meetings, regular meetings and during weekly clinical area visits. I and AMO supervisor always offer guidance, participate in groups and encourage all AMO to involve in weekly discussions; it makes them feel involved in decision-making in Plaster Unit. Many researchers have shown that effective communication is closely related to the organisational successful and most important process of the management to run smoothly, to share information, decisions making and enhance the productive relationships with patients. According to Barret (2006), effective communication skills makes an effective leader; effective communication skills will build, enable and create understanding and trust that will encourage their subordinates to follow their leader. I believe that effective communication will help member to build trust, respect, facilitate learning, to understand the issues and make decisions for effective change and achieve goals. Shamir et al (1993) asserts that transformational leadership using communication to create a positive atmosphere and beneficial changes to their follower. When mentoring, I always encourage maximum interaction between mentor and learners to create more communication. Communication will be more effective if lead ers/mentor can be credible by his followers/mentee to create a positive ethos, because credibility is very important to inspire confidence and encourage followers to listen. Kouzes and Posner (1993) states that the most important things others follow someone is persons credibility. In summary, lifelong learning is very important for professional practice development, and better services to patients. Mentoring is a successful strategy to increase students academic success and professional careers (MacCallum Beltman, 2003). As a mentor and manager of Plaster Unit, I need to supervise, teach, provide skills and knowledge to newly AMO and students, and ensure the mentoring program is successful as expected objectives. Therefore, the skills of persuade and influence others is essential to gain trust and be accepted by students. Kram (1985) has outlined three key aspects of mentoring; mentoring-relationships, guidance for learning and mechanisms to achieve significant leadership development. Leadership development has become increasingly important and strategic imperative for private or public organisation (Leskiw and Singh, 2007). At my placement, mentoring program through transformational leadership has been recognized by the head of department and hospital management to produce a dedicated staff and good leaders, to provide quality services to our patients which are priority of our tasks. We believe that transformational leaders have competencies and expertise to constantly keep our department competitive. According to Raggins et al (2000), studies have shown that mentoring provides many benefits to facilitate the career development of employees. Advice, support and encouragement can be delivered by experienced professionals for the less experienced professionals through a mentoring program. Transformational leadership will be activated, and a positive work culture and subordinates career development can be promoted if leaders or manager served as a mentor (Scandura Williams, 2004). Bass and Avolio (1993) believes that vision communication and an emphasis on achieving organisational goals by building self-c onfidence of followers are among the major behaviour of transformational leader. Bass (1990) assert that the concept of transformational leadership and mentoring approach are same, both influences the career development, commitment, performance and satisfaction. However, according to Sosik and Godshalk (2000), when compared to transactional leadership, transformational leadership mentoring supervision is better and more effective. Bass (1990) explains that there are four main characteristics that distinguish transformational leaders from transactional leadership: Transformational leaders are characterized by idealised influence or charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. Mentoring will be more effective if those four characters of transformational leadership are present on mentor (Scandura Wlliams, 2004). Banerji and Krishnan (2000) asserts that charisma characteristics are the most important of transformational leadership. House (1977) explain that charismatic leaders have the characteristics of ability to communicate, inspire and motivate the employees, communication skills, self-confidence, ability to interpret and implement the organizational vision and ability to be enthusiastic to daily works. Therefore, I believe that transformational characteristics are important to achieve the department vision and self-improvement. Jung et al (2009) states that the characteristics of transformational leadership are often associated with many positive organizational outcomes and related to overall effectiveness of leadership. There is substantial evidence that transformational leadership will enhance the quality of health-care services to patients and reduce the negative impact on health professional, increase staff creativity and department innovation. As manager of plaster unit, I expect this leadership transformational benefits will make us more creative and able to adapt their skills and knowledge to the services and the best clinical outcomes for patients. In conclusion, this paper has highlighted the important issues of leadership that is needed for future practice development and how has affected the mentoring success. As health professionals who are concerned with career development and provide the best service to patients, it is important to explore and learn deeper about various leadership styles. Transformational leadership theory is advocated by many leadership thinkers as the best leadership approach to in the organization that allows employees to achieve their full potential (Taylor, 2009). Integrating mentoring and transformational leadership are crucial for health professional to get more effective leadership training (Scandura Williams, 2004). Therefore, organisations need to more improve mentoring and leadership training that will facilitate the development of transformational leaders and capable mentors.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Negative Relationships in Hawthornes Rappaccinis Daughter :: Rappaccinis Daughter Essays

Negative Relationships in Hawthorne's Rappaccini's Daughter How far reaching is the bond between father and daughter? To most, that bond serves to protect the child until she is able to protect herself, and then for her to be independent. For Dr. Giacomo Rappaccini and his daughter Beatrice, that bond was to be twisted and ultimately fatal for Beatrice. Beatrice, by her father's plan was never to be free and independent but rather isolated from the life of the world and dependent on the poison from her father. Dr. Rappaccini is obsessed with science and what the manipulation of nature can do for people. He is overprotective of Beatrice and thinks that he can provide the solution to all of her problems. Knowing the evils of the world as a young man, Rappaccini decides to take control over Beatrice's life and make sure no one can ever hurt his beloved daughter. By filling Beatrice up with poison, Rappaccini succeeds in keeping Beatrice from any evil; but at what price? Beatrice is free from any evil touching her, but she is also isolated from any good that may come to her. What could Rappaccini's rationalization for controlling his daughter's life so completely be? It is probably due to a hard life lived by Rappaccini and the assumption that the world is evil and that there is no hope for goodness. But, what Rappaccini does not understand is that purity is chosen individually, not forced upon someone. "His insane zeal for science"(2251) has made Rappaccini obsessed with controlling his surroundings. From isolating his daughter through poison, to spying on her activities, to engineering his garden, to changing another human being with poison to be with Beatrice. But, that is not to imply that Dr. Rappaccini does not love his daughter with all his heart. In his own way he does love Beatrice beyond any measure. This is his justification for why it is all right that he be so controlling. He believes that with his love and knowledge he can provide all that his daughter needs. But, this is where Dr. Rappaccini is wrong. His love is not all that Beatrice needs, and therefore she is not happy in her evil-free existence.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Life of Thomas Jefferson :: essays research papers fc

Thomas Jefferson was drafted to write the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Soon after, in 1779, Thomas was elected governor, which he served for two years. He suffered an inquiry into his conduct during his last year in office that although finally fully repudiated, left him with a life long pricklishness in the face of criticism. In 1784, he re-entered public services. First as a trades commissioner and then as Benjamin Franklin’s successor as a minister. In 1790, he accepted the post of secretary of the state. Then, in 1796, as a presidential candidate of the Republicans, he became vice president after losing to John Adams by three votes. Four years later, in the election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson and another Republican, Aaron Burr won the majority of the votes. They each had 73 votes. The House of Representatives were to vote because of this extraordinary tie. They voted thirty five times, each time, it was the same thing, a tie between Jefferson and Burr. Finally, after a long day of stressful decisions and arguing, one man named James Bayard broke the tie and voted for Thomas Jefferson. He became the third president of our proud United States. Also he became the first peaceful transfer of power. Jefferson, with the help of the congress, reshaped the government into Republican goals. Republicans believed that strength of a nation depended on liberty and land ownership. So Jefferson, with a great deal of trading, offerings, arguing, and purchasing, finally made what is called The Louisiana Purchase. In 1806, Jefferson began building another house in a popular forest. Through 1807 to 1824, remodeling Monticello was in the process Life of Thomas Jefferson :: essays research papers fc Thomas Jefferson was drafted to write the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Soon after, in 1779, Thomas was elected governor, which he served for two years. He suffered an inquiry into his conduct during his last year in office that although finally fully repudiated, left him with a life long pricklishness in the face of criticism. In 1784, he re-entered public services. First as a trades commissioner and then as Benjamin Franklin’s successor as a minister. In 1790, he accepted the post of secretary of the state. Then, in 1796, as a presidential candidate of the Republicans, he became vice president after losing to John Adams by three votes. Four years later, in the election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson and another Republican, Aaron Burr won the majority of the votes. They each had 73 votes. The House of Representatives were to vote because of this extraordinary tie. They voted thirty five times, each time, it was the same thing, a tie between Jefferson and Burr. Finally, after a long day of stressful decisions and arguing, one man named James Bayard broke the tie and voted for Thomas Jefferson. He became the third president of our proud United States. Also he became the first peaceful transfer of power. Jefferson, with the help of the congress, reshaped the government into Republican goals. Republicans believed that strength of a nation depended on liberty and land ownership. So Jefferson, with a great deal of trading, offerings, arguing, and purchasing, finally made what is called The Louisiana Purchase. In 1806, Jefferson began building another house in a popular forest. Through 1807 to 1824, remodeling Monticello was in the process

U.S. Civil Rights Milestones of the Early Twentieth Century

It would be almost impossible to discuss the issue of civil rights in the U.S. without mentioning Martin Luther King. He was the undeniable leader and hero of the American Civil Rights Movement of the twentieth century. He is widely recognized for his valiant efforts to advance civil rights for African Americans in the U.S. in the late 1950's and 60's. Countless streets and buildings carry his name and the country celebrates a national holiday on his birthday in January. He was the founder and first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The SCLC organized non-violent protests throughout the South. However, many people in the U.S. are not aware of any of the events in the Civil Rights Movement that took place before Dr. King's leadership. The three major milestones that set the stage for Martin Luther King and the SCLC to advance the cause of U.S. civil rights were the integration of the military, the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education decision, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The first noteworthy event of the twentieth century that advanced the cause of civil rights was executive order 9981. President Truman became enlightened about the plight of African Americans when he met with civil rights activists in the White House in 1946. After establishing a committee to recommend preventive measures to fight discrimination, Truman signed executive order 9981 that called for the integration of the military (Executive Order 9981). However, it was not fully enforced until the U.S. became involved in the Korean War. A legal decision that had a lasting impact on civil rights was the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education handed down in 1955. It established that public schools should not be segregated. Though it was challenged by several southern states for many years, all the states eventually followed it (Brown v. Board of Education).The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a protest orchestrated by Dr. King. Most people remember Rosa Parks as the brave woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Her arrest led to a boycott of the buses in Montgomery, Alabama for over a year. The protest was successful and led to Martin Luther King's presidency of the SCLC. As the president of the SCLC, he led many protests and marches and gave countless memorable speeches to champion civil rights (Montgomery Bus Boycott). Before MLK assumed a leadership role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement through his presidency of the SCLC, other key events took place to pave the way for the fight for equality. Truman's Executive Order 9981 in 1948 eventually led to complete racial integration in the military. Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education legally ended public school segregation, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott resulted in the end of illegal desegregation on public transportation. These historic events preceded Dr. King's numerous achievements and helped energize the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Works Citedâ€Å"Brown v. Board of Education.†Ã‚  History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/.â€Å"Executive Order 9981.†Ã‚  Encyclopedia.com, Encyclopedia.com, 2016, www.encyclopedia.com/.â€Å"Montgomery Bus Boycott.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Inc., 2018, www.britannica.com/.