Discuss the role of testing of employees as it relates to the Essay

Discuss the role of testing of employees as it relates to the selection process. Summarize your findings - Essay Example This paper looks at the various roles played by employee testing which relates to the selection process. The testing and selection processes in an organization are tedious and demanding. Moreover, they are associated with increased levels of managerial involvement and commitment. Despite the challenges involved with the processes, organizations have nothing to lose. Instead, employee testing and selection helps organizations maximize on their output and quality of its operations. This is because organizations place the right people to do the right job. Among the essential characteristics of the right person for a job description, include the best academic qualifications, high integrity, the best skills, knowledge and creativity. According to McTague (2001), the testing process establishes the skills, expertise, knowledge creativity and capabilities of a potential employee of an organization. Testing process comes after the employees have undergone preliminary interviewing process. Af ter the preliminary interviews and actual employee selection take place, qualifying candidates undertake tests that take different forms. Testing takes place before the actual hiring of employees to ensure that the right qualities meet the requirements by the organization. The increased dynamics in the business environment caused by increased levels of globalization has increasingly changed the manner in which businesses carry out their business. Service industry is the most affected as the demand for integrity and high morals among the employees has taken centre stage. Even the manufacturing industry has taken suit in employee testing. Competition for market shares and high sales levels necessitates the need for quality products, which is only achievable with highly qualified employees placed on the right jobs. Various activities take place during the testing process. Integrity tests involve running drug tests on employees to ensure that employees hired are drug free especially for the service delivery organizations such as insurance companies and banks. People working in the manufacturing industry need to be sober, as working with machines require increased levels of concentration. Arthur (2012) advises that a mistake at any stage in the production process affect the product. Employees who are constant drug users or addicts are prone to accidents, which occur as they work with different machines. A person who is under the influence of stimulant drugs is subconscious and thus, the likelihood of injury is higher than that of sober people. While this affects the total output by employees as injured employees go through medication, low quality products are less competitive in the market. Thus, drug testing has numerous benefits to an organization. Testing process also saves organizations the problems associated with absenteeism and high employee turnover. Psychological testing of employees helps determine if the career paths chosen were in line with their intere sts or whether it was an option presented to them (Collings & Wood, 2009). People who follow their desired career paths are more enthusiastic in carrying out their duties despite the levels of challenge that they are likely to face. Insurance and marketing are job descriptions requiring high levels of commitment and

Aramex Distribution Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Aramex Distribution Strategy - Essay Example There are two major factors that make the degree of market exposure required by Aramex very high. The first of these has to do with the fact that the company operates in a modern globalised market where there is so much competition within the logistics and transportation sectors3. Again, there exist limited users of the services that the company offers. Consequently, the company has positioned itself in a manner that ensures that it exposes itself to as many clients as possible. The strategy behind the market exposure has been one that targets globally recognized exporters and their affiliates4. With such as selective distribution strategy, the company’s investments on marketing always get to the right target and thus bring about the needed returns. Aramex practices a comprehensive distribution channel with so much emphasis on reaching the right people. The main guiding principle to the channel is the fact that the company revolves the distribution channel on an online system whereby distributors, wholesalers, retailers and direct end-users are reached through an online mechanism. Commonly, the over 700 wholesalers of the company get their supplies by placing an electronic demand and they in turn give out their distributions to retailers via electronic commerce5. In the midst of all these, there are terrestrial transporters who operate distribution vans and work directly under the retailers. Invariably therefore, the whole channel becomes a well coordinated one that fits into an integrated marketing channel to form a common

Money Laundering Impact on Mauritius Economy

Money Laundering Impact on Mauritius Economy The purpose of the study concerned the impact of money laundering and its effects on the local economic and method of laundering technique in Mauritius. Money Laundering is very vast in nature; it consists of various steps, technique and approach of undertaking such unlawful activity. The research analyzes the economic effects of Money laundering in the Mauritian Economic. The research work will attempt to examine the money laundering activities and the usefulness of prevention and detection techniques by local companies. The method that is to be used is mainly studying available research papers so that we get a maximum of information. The purpose of this study is to provide the general public a broad idea on money laundering with some existed solutions. The research will be in the main interest of financial institution, Government and General Public. 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 What is Money Laundering? Money laundering is the process by which money is obtained illegally. Various types of frauds corruption, cooking the books, involve money which has been preceded by several criminal acts. Individual or groups make illegal gains by carrying out these criminal acts and often swindle high amounts. Money laundering makes it possible to legitimate ill-gotten gains through computer crimes, insider trading, and bribery where these produce large amounts of profits. Money laundering takes place within all types of profit-motivated crime, such as embezzlement, fraud, misappropriation, corruption, robbery, distribution of narcotic drugs, and trafficking in human beings (ÃÆ'ËÅ"kokrim, 2008). 2.2 Characteristics of Money Laundering Money Laundering consists of a series of various transactions used to change the source of financial assets so as these assets can be used without compromising the criminals offences. These transactions involve 3 stages (Billy Steel, Money Laundering Stages of the Process): 2.2.1 Placement The first stage refers to the physical distribution of financial assets. It is the most dangerous one for the perpetuators as the money from illicit activities are introduces into the financial system. Money laundering is a cash intensive business generating huge amount of cash from unlawful activities (for example street drug dealing, where payment are made in cash). The proceeds are then place into financial institutions, in the retail economy or deposits out of the country. The principal aim of the launder is to deliberately remove the cash from the location of acquisition and to convert it into other assets so as to prevent detection from authorities. 2.2.2 Layering Layering involves creating complex layers of financial transaction designed to cover audit tails and provide secrecy. The first attempt is to disguise the origin and ownership of the funds by creating complex layers of transaction. The idea of the transaction is to disassociate the illegal funds to the source of the offence. Layering is the second stage, in which the funds are moved so as to veil or remove any whatsoever link from the crime committed to obtain the money. During the layering process, a number of accounts, financial institutions, companies, funds as well as the use of professionals such as brokers, lawyers and consultants as intermediaries could be involved   as this is where the money will be channeled. Assets that are bought through unlawful funds can be resold locally or abroad and as a result, the assets become more difficult to map out and seize. 2.2.3 Integration The final stage consists of the integration of the money in the legitimate economic and financial institution. Integration is the stage whereby takes place the creation of a legitimate basis for the asset origin. The launder make the money appear legally earned and cleaned. At this stage it is very difficult to distinguish by authorities the difference between legal and illegal wealth. The money is viewed as being legal, and the criminal can use it for any purpose. Illicit money is often removed from its country of origin to be cycled through the international payment system so as to blur any audit trait (Joyce, 2005). There are different ways in which the third stage of money laundering is done. For example, a credit card might be handed out by offshore banks, casino à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“winningà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? can be cashed out, capital gains on option, and stock trading might follow, and real estate sale might lead to profit. The proceeds of criminal acts could be generated from organized crime such as drug trafficking, people smuggling, people trafficking, proceeds from robberies or money acquired by embezzlement, tax evasion, fraud, abuse of company structures, insider trading, or corruption. Popular Methods of the launders at this part of the game is Sending fake import à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" export invoices and overvaluing the price of the goods. Consequently in allows the launders to more the funds from one company or country to another with the invoices serving as source of the capital place with financial companies. A simpler technique is to shift the money (via EFT) to a rightful bank from a bank owned by the launderers, as off the shelf banks are easily purchased in many tax havens. The establishment of unspecified company in countries where the right to concealment is guaranteed. In such case the launderer is in a position to grant loans from banks to undertake certain future legal transaction. In addition launders can claim tax relief on loan repayments and interest on loan so as to increase their profits. Most criminal acts are motivated by profit, argues Financial Intelligence Unit (2008). When substantial profits are generated from crime, perpetrators have to devise a means to control the assets in such a way that they do not attract attention to themselves or the crime committed. Thus, the money laundering process is crucial in order to enjoy the profit without arousing suspicion. 2.3 Problem statement: 2.3.1 Banking Secrecy: A major drawback of money laundering Banking secrecy is a professional obligation, meaning that financial institutions shall not expose a customers financial information and they even have the right to resist any third partys enquiries in order to protect the customers wellbeing. Secrecy laws have served to safeguard persons from financial failure in countries plagued by unsteadiness, fragile currency and run-away inflation rate. Wealthy individuals and political agents are also protected by allowing them to hide their possessions to avoid the risk of persecution (Savona, E.U, 1997). In some countries, for example in Switzerland, the revelation of secret banking information is punishable by law, whether it is intentional or unintentional (Corrado, M.G, 1988). In the world we are presently living, nobody can deny the fact that banking secrecy is the most significant weapon for money launderers. Some countries like Hong Kong, Switzerland, Panama are even known as notorious banking secrecy heavens. These jurisdictions really make the crime of money laundering more severe and out of control. For instance in Hong Kong, a new regulation was introduced in 2000 which requires banks to report suspicious transactions. This resulted in 6,100 suspicious transactions being reported in 2000 and 95% of them were from banks (www.hongkong.org/press/ny-021400.htm, 15th Aug 2001) 2.4 Combating Money Laundering: The Lifting of Banking Secrecy Despite being an important part of individual privacy, banking secrecy has to be lifted in some cases as it is equally important to fight against money laundering in order to guarantee a protected and safe society. The lifting of bank secrecy has already been embodied in the most vital international documents. Each party should authorize the court or other authority to order that financial or business reports should be made accessible or be seized under the 1988 Vienna UN Convention, the 1990 Strasbourg Convention and the 2000 Palermo US Convention specifically (United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Art.5(3), 1990 Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime, Art.4(1), United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Art.12(6)). The FATF recommended that financial institutions should concentrate on all unusual or large transactions, which have no evident economic or lawful purpose. Such transactions should be examined, written and be made available to supervisors, auditors and law enforcement agencies. If financial institutions doubt that proceeds come from a criminal activity, they are required to account for their suspicions to the expert authorities without delay (The FATF Recommendations on Money Laundering, 1996 Art 14, 15). These measures are innovative, modern and extremely different from the conventional banking system. In early times, the relationship between financial institutions and customers were founded on trust and confidence: neither the banker asked questions nor the customers made disclosures. The situation has now changed. Along with that, the way of thinking and attitude of bank directors, staff and that of management authorities have changed (Galvao G, 1997). 3.0 Research Methodology 3.1 Aims and Objective of the research The aim of the research is to identify evidence of banking secrecy and their effectiveness in combating money laundering. Cases of money laundering in Mauritius will be studied and analysed. Key principles from the anti-money laundering act and from regulations imposed by bank regulators (e.g. Financial Services Commission and the Bank of Mauritius) will be outlined. The study will then research on the measures taken by banks to fight against potential cases of money laundering in order to guarantee a protected and safe banking service. The lifting of bank secrecy has already been embodied in the most vital international documents. The objectives of this research are to: 3.2 Research Method A survey with a self-administered questionnaire will be the data collection technique used. The questionnaires will be sent to the senior managers, executives and branch managers of the identified banks in Mauritius. Visits to the company/meeting with the relevant person will be carried out where necessary to ensure maximum response and that questionnaire is being filled up by the addressee. Also, secondary data will be taken from company websites, reports and financial statement to supplement research. 3.3 Statistical Analysis of data After the questionnaire, the response will be input as data so as to make use of specific statistical technique. Thus SPSS statistical package will be used to analyze data for the findings of the research. 3.4 Benefits of the Research The research will be beneficial to: Companies Government Future Research Dissertations 3.4.1 Companies Combating money laundering will have a positive impact on companies: Through integrated management of financial crime operational efficiencies will improve The risk of corruption, identity crime and other criminal crimes will reduced considerably Reduced financial risk, reputational risk and legal risk Bad debts and fraud losses due to customer comprehensiveness 3.4.2 Government Money laundering has a negative effect on the economy, such as loss of control on the economical policy, economic distortion and instability. Moreover, government loss revenue as tax collection becomes more complicated and confusing. Therefore, the research will help to reduce these drawbacks. 3.4.3 Further Research Research will assist other researchers to make further research in the topic. Ghantt Chart Task/activity Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Choose topic à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Literature search à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Developing framework à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Design questionnaire à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Survey à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Data Input à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Analysis à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Writing up à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ·Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Submit à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Budget Analysis Expenditures Rs Consultants and contracts 1400 Travel 400 Supplies and materials 400 Communications (Telephone, postage, etc.) 150 Equipment (Purchase) 700 Other (Equipment rental, etc.) 400 Total 3450

Autonomy and Responsibility The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bombs on Ja

Autonomy and Responsibility The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bombs on Japan Along with being a world superpower comes a long list of resposiblilities. One such responsibility is the decision of how to deal with other nations when they get out of line. People will always point fingers at who they think is at fault when a nation has to go to war with another. One such example of this is when the United States was brought into the Second World War because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. By becoming involved in World War Two, the U.S. had to fight Japan, which led to the most important decision of the century. This decision was whether or not to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This decision was mainly placed on the shoulders of President Harry Truman. Truman did not jump to the idea of using the atomic bombs on Japan right away. In fact, he and other military officials came up with a few strategies for invading the Philippines initially (1, 17). Some military officials first proposed creating a blockade in the Pacific with carriers (1,18). Another plan was a two-phase amphibious assault on the island of Kyushu (1,18). In this plan the first landing would be followed by a larger second invasion (1,19). With this plan, though, it was estimated that Japan would not surrender until late 1946 (1,21). Also, it meant the use of British troops, and Great Britain could not afford to spare any because of the campaign in Europe (1,21). This meant that far too many lives would be lost on both sides, with a startling amount of half a million on the American side. By now the idea of using the first atomic bomb on Japan was being born. Due to the difficulty of fighting the Japanese in the Philippines, partially because of... ...deal world no bombs would be needed at all because there would be no wars,†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.but lets face the fact that that will never happen. There will always be conflicts between nations that can only be resolved through war. Works Cited 1)Fogelman, Edwin. Hiroshima: The Decision to Use the A-bomb. New York: Scribner. 1964. 2)Lifton, Robert Jay. Hiroshima in America. New York: Putnam's Sons. 1995. 3)Sherwin, Martin J. A World Destroyed. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1975. 4)Skates, John Ray. The Invasion of Japan: Alternative to the Bomb. Columbia: University of South Carolina. 1994 5)Hiraoka, Takashi. "Hiroshima" August, 1998. Online posting. 5 Feb. 1999 < http://www.igc.apc.org/napf/hiroshima98.html>. 6)Bernard, Tony. "Atomic Bombs" 1995 Online Posting. 3 Sep. 1997 < http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/City/ABombDamage/01.html>

Count of Monte Cristo Character Analysis

The Count of Monte Cristo Character Analysis In the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, I read many events unfold. Edmond Dantes was a very happy and honest man. He has the perfect life, or so it seemed. On the day he was to be betrothed to Mercedes, three men tried to ruin his life. Dantes ended up in prison for fourteen years. Once he escaped prison, he sought revenge on those who lied to get him falsely accused of being a bonapartist agent. I think Edmond Dantes is the protagonist. He sees everyone for who they really are, he tries to get revenge while helping others, and he does not punish those who do not deserve it.People have many personalities, depending on who you are in the world; you might get treated better or worse. It’s all about rank, if someone have something someone else wants, chances are, he/she will not get treated fairly. When everyone else was keeping secrets, Edmund knew exactly what was going on. Edmund saw that the three men were trying to ruin him; there fore, he did to them what was done to him. â€Å"I†¦ have been taken by Satan into the highest mountain in the earth, and when there he†¦ said he to me, ‘Child of earth, what wouldst thou have to make the adore me? †¦ I replied, ‘Listen†¦ I wish to be Providence myself for I feel the most beautiful, noblest, most sublime thing in the world, is to recompense and punish. ’† (Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo) Edmund finally saw what he had they wanted, he would have had a beautiful wife and was about to get a great job. Revenge is not always the answer, but sometimes as people, we are left with no choice. Monte Cristo seeks revenge but he does not let the revenge blind him. While Monte Cristo was avenging his false accusation, he did not just hurt people, he also helped them.When Madame d’Villefort and her son Edward were in a carriage, it was being pulled by two â€Å"wild† horses. The carriage was out of control so Monte Cris to had his servant stop the carriage. Albert de Morcerf got captured by Luigi Vampa, a Roman bandit, and Monte Cristo saves Albert de Morcerf from getting killed. Monte Cristo did admit to going a little too far though. â€Å"He felt he has passed beyond the bounds of vengeance and that he could no longer say, ‘God is for and with me. ’† (Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo) Monte Cristo did not punish those who did not deserve to be punished.Monte Cristo is somewhat a fair person, he spares quite a few lives. When he was supposed to fight Albert to the death, he spared his life because Mercedes asked him to spare her son’s life. He almost caused the death of Valentine but then saved her from having to marry someone she did not love. One Monte Cristo reunites Valentine and Maximillian, they are happy because they van finally be together at last. â€Å"There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, n othing more.He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. † (Dumas The Count of Monte Cristo) Monte Cristo sought revenge because he was imprisoned for no reason, at all. Revenge is not always okay, but if someone hurts someone else that bad, it is very much needed. Everything happens for a reason and people cannot just hurt eachother and expect everything to be all rainbows and butterflies. There were three antagonists in this novel, and Edmund Dantes is not one of them. How would other people act if they got arrested and put in prison for no reason?

Grades Encourage People to Learn Essay

Grades encourage people to learn TOPIC 5 : Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Grades encourage students to learn. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. As we all know, in the school, people use grades to evaluate the result of studying process. And it is clear to see that grades encourage students to learn so much. Because it helps students have a specific target, know what their strength and weakness are and try to learn to get benefits that high grades bring to them. First of all, the most important thing when you start to do something is that you have to make your own goal. Knowing clearly/obviously What you want to achive will help you get/make a clear plan about what you have to do. In the school, the grades play a role as that goal. Once you had a specific purpose you will try your best to reach it. (example ? ) Secondly, the second, because grades are used to evaluate your academic result, you will have a/an overview about what subjects you are good at or bad at. This will be useful for you to pay more attention to which parts you are not so good to improve them. Finally, when you get/obtain high grades in the school you will have a chance to get a good job. When you apply for a job, recruiters usually look at your CV including your academic result first to make a decision if they will give you an interview. The grade is a standar to determine your ability in gaining and understanding new knowledge. So high grades help you have a good quality in others’eyes. In conclusion, grades help students make an effective approach of studying. Besides, good grades bring students many benefits. That is why grades encourge students to learn so much.

Should SSD Recipients with Mental Illness Lose Their Guns

Should SSD Recipients with Mental Illness Lose Their Guns Should SSD Recipients with Mental Illness Lose Their Guns? In light of increasing reports of gun violence, the right to own a gun and the requirements for carrying a lethal weapon have been fiercely debated throughout the nation. Proponents for stricter gun licensing often advocate taking steps to prevent those with a history of mental illness from obtaining a weapon as one of the key elements in reducing gun-related deaths.As part of these efforts, the Social Security Administration is currently moving forward with plans to report people receiving  Social Security Disability benefits  for mental disorders to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in order to prevent them from legally purchasing guns. While the right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment, should people with mental illness and SSD benefits lose this right, or are SSD and guns two matters that should remain separate?SSD and Gun RegulationA May 2016 news report on SSD and gun regulation in  The Hill  states that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has prop osed a rule to begin notifying people receiving SSD benefits for severe mental disorders of the SSA’s intent to report them to the FBI in order to prevent them from being licensed to own or carry a gun. As one of the latest steps to reduce gun violence, the proposal acts as an additional way to address the general public’s concerns to keep gun out of the hands of the mentally ill.The proposal stems from a 2013 memorandum from President Obama that urged aggressively blocking gun ownership from people with mental disorders in the interests of public safety. The president’s memorandum came on the heels of the December 2012 Newtown, Connecticut mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which killed 20 children and six adults. According to the  National Institutes of Health (NIH),  reports that the shooter suffered from undiagnosed schizophrenia added fuel to the commonly held belief that mental illness causes gun violence, an assumption the NIH claims is di storted by misguided stereotypes and public perception.Mental Illness, Gun Violence, and the Second AmendmentNIH research indicates that for decades, there have been fierce debates on the connection between mental illness and gun violence. While there are undoubtedly incidents where shootings have involved those with mental illness, the NIH states there is no clear indication that a person diagnosed with a mental condition is more likely to use a gun in a violent act than any other person.As for using mental illness and SSD benefits as a way to screen and block people from owning a gun, the  Washington Times  reports that disability and pro-gun advocates claim that the proposal would potentially ban millions of otherwise responsible people from gun ownership and strip them of their Second Amendment rights.Let Us Assist You with Your SSD Claim TodayIf you suffer from a physical or mental disability that prevents you from earning a living, the Disability Attorneys of Michigan are here to assist you in obtaining the SSD benefits you deserve. We understand the hurdles that often arise in applying for and receiving the benefits you are entitled to, as well as the obstacles and controversies that can arise out of filing a claim, such as the recent proposal concerning the SSD and guns.Serving Detroit and the rest of Michigan, our office can help you get the benefits you deserve.  Contact our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys  today to get the professional legal representation you need to ensure your rights and interests are protected.

Free Essays on The Causes And Results Of The Peloponnesian War

â€Å"The causes and results of the Peloponnesian War† The cause of the Peloponnesian war began with disputes between both Sparta and Athens on how each state should treat the allies of the other. Relations between the two powers became strained, the peace collapsed, and a twenty seven year long war began; one which Athens would ultimately loose. As a result of the war, Athens had lost all of its power as an empire. Extreme hardship due to the heavy losses in both men and financial costs of war struck Athens; the added impact of the plague caused even more losses. Women, who otherwise had no income, were beginning to produce much of the clothing for the general population. In the aftermath of the war, Sparta placed strict rules on Athens. Athens was now forced to support Sparta in any future Spartan war, Sparta had control over any foreign relations Athens may have, and Sparta now controlled all Athenian possessions including all but eight warships, from what was left of Athens’ navy. Athens was also forced to accept â€Å"pro-Spartan† government.... Free Essays on The Causes And Results Of The Peloponnesian War Free Essays on The Causes And Results Of The Peloponnesian War â€Å"The causes and results of the Peloponnesian War† The cause of the Peloponnesian war began with disputes between both Sparta and Athens on how each state should treat the allies of the other. Relations between the two powers became strained, the peace collapsed, and a twenty seven year long war began; one which Athens would ultimately loose. As a result of the war, Athens had lost all of its power as an empire. Extreme hardship due to the heavy losses in both men and financial costs of war struck Athens; the added impact of the plague caused even more losses. Women, who otherwise had no income, were beginning to produce much of the clothing for the general population. In the aftermath of the war, Sparta placed strict rules on Athens. Athens was now forced to support Sparta in any future Spartan war, Sparta had control over any foreign relations Athens may have, and Sparta now controlled all Athenian possessions including all but eight warships, from what was left of Athens’ navy. Athens was also forced to accept â€Å"pro-Spartan† government....

Colleges that Require the ACT Writing Test

Colleges that Require the ACT Writing Test If youre trying to decide whether you should take the ACT with Writing or just the regular ACT, the list below can help. It includes all of the colleges and universities in the 50 United States that require the ACT writing section. Realize, however, that there are hundreds of colleges that recommend the ACT Plus Writing even if they dont require it. Unless you know that the schools to which you are applying dont care about the writing section, it may be wise to spend the extra half an hour and $16.00 to take the ACT Plus Writing. The schools that require the ACT Writing Test range from elite Ivy League schools to small unaccredited colleges that you probably havent heard of. Ive listed the schools by state. The schools on the list were identified using ACTs search tool. Colleges change their requirements frequently, so be sure to double-check with the schools for the most accurate and up-to-date information. You can click on a schools name to get more information including acceptance rates and typical ACT and SAT scores for admitted students. Note that the number of colleges requiring the ACT with Writing has gone done by a couple dozen schools after the SAT dropped the required writing section from its exam in March of 2016. Some schools had required the ACT Writing Test to put the SAT and ACT on equal footingstudents taking either exam would need to take the writing test. Now that writing is optional for the SAT, many schools have decided to make it optional for both exams. Alabama Auburn UniversityUniversity of Alabama at Tuscaloosa (Bama, UA, Alabama) Alaska None Arizona None Arkansas None California California Institute of TechnologyChapman UniversityClaremont McKenna CollegeGolden State Baptist CollegeHarvey Mudd CollegeOccidental CollegePatten UniversityScripps CollegeSoka University of AmericaStanford UniversityUniversity of California at Berkeley (Berkeley)University of California at Davis (UC Davis)University of California at Irvine (UC Irvine)University of California at Los Angelos (UCLA)University of California at Merced (UCM)University of California at Riverside (UCR)University of California at San Diego (UCSD)University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB)University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC)University of La VerneUniversity of San DiegoWestmont CollegeWhittier College Colorado None Connecticut Coast Guard Academy (USCGA)University of Connecticut at Storrs (UConn)Yale University Delaware Delaware State UniversityUniversity of Delaware (UD) District of Columbia Gallaudet University Florida Florida AM (FAMU)Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)Florida International University (FIU)Florida State UniversityTrinity Baptist CollegeUniversity of Central Florida (UCF)University of MiamiUniversity of North FloridaUniversity of South Florida at TampaUniversity of West Florida Georgia Berry CollegeEmory UniversityGeorgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)Georgia Southern UniversityGeorgia State UniversityLife UniversityMorris Brown College Hawaii University of Hawaii at Manoa Idaho None Illinois Morthland CollegeNorthwestern UniversityPrincipia CollegeSt. Joseph College SeminaryVanderCook College of Music Indiana Fairhaven CollegeIndiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW)Indiana University EastUniversity of Evansville Iowa None Kansas None Kentucky Louisville Bible College Louisiana None Maine None Maryland Towson UniversityWashington Adventist University Massachusetts Atlantic Union CollegeBabson CollegeBoston CollegeBrandeis UniversityEmerson CollegeGordon CollegeHarvard UniversityNortheastern UniversityOlin College of EngineeringSpringfield CollegeSuffolk UniversityWellesley College (photo tour) Michigan College for Creative StudiesMichigan State UniversityUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor Minnesota Martin Luther CollegeUniversity of Minnesota, MorrisUniversity of Minnesota, Rochester Mississippi None Missouri College of the OzarksEvangel UniversityUrshan College Montana University of Montana-Western Nebraska None Nevada None New Hampshire Dartmouth CollegeUNH, University of New Hampshire (Durham) New Jersey Caldwell CollegePrinceton UniversitySeton Hall University New Mexico None New York Concordia CollegeFive Towns CollegeFordham UniversityJohn Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY)LIM CollegeList College (Jewish Theological Seminary of America)Maritime College (SUNY)Molloy CollegeOld Westbury (SUNY)Pratt InstituteSiena CollegeStony Brook University (SUNY)Syracuse UniversityUniversity at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo)Vassar CollegeWest Point (United States Military Academy) North Carolina Duke UniversityElizabeth City State UniversityElon UniversityFayetteville State UniversityMars Hill UniversityNorth Carolina Central University (NCCU)Queens University of CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina School of the ArtsUniversity of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA)University of North Carolina, GreensboroUniversity of North Carolina, Wilmington (UNCW)Western Carolina UniversityWinston-Salem State University North Dakota None Ohio Case Western Reserve UniversityGod’s Bible School and CollegeLake Erie CollegeUniversity of Toledo Oklahoma None Oregon Oregon State UniversityPortland State UniversityWestern Oregon University (WOU) Pennsylvania Arcadia UniversityDelaware Valley CollegeLafayette CollegeLehigh UniversityMuhlenberg CollegeUniversity of Pittsburgh (Pitt)University of Pittsburgh at GreensburgUniversity of the Sciences in PhiladelphiaVillanova UniversityYork College of Pennsylvania Rhode Island Brown UniversityRhode Island CollegeRhode Island School of Design (RISD) South Carolina Clemson UniversityUniversity of South Carolina at Columbia (USC)Wofford College South Dakota None Tennessee Vanderbilt University Texas Hardin-Simmons UniversityMidwestern State UniversityPaul Quinn CollegeSouthwest School of ArtSt. Edwards UniversityStephen F. 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Will Bruder, At least two works Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Will Bruder, At least two works - Essay Example Aesthetics, pragmatism and innovation in a very modern setting are the predominant aspects of Will Bruder’s works. All of these aspects can be seen in two of his works, namely the Phoenix Central Library and the Byrne Residence. The aesthetics of the Phoenix Central Library solely focused on earthly beauty of steel architecture which took advantage of the sunlight through optical designs of the entire structure. The optical illusion created by the light which is ever predominant throughout the structure illuminates the modern design of the library. Even in the simplest shade sails of the northern windows are patterned after the seafarers of Maine. Even the Crystal Canyon, the library’s five-storey atrium, possesses nine skylights to track the sunlight’s movement. These skylights, covered by clear lenses, are suspended upon the ceiling which is 32 feet in the air. Such was designed by Bruder to create an illusion of flames at noon during the summer solstice (Seal, 1996). By the small details and the unique characteristics of the building’s interior and exterior portions, it can be clearly seen that the entirety of the Phoenix Central Library is inspired by a distinct theme which utilized a dark tone of steel to recreate the concept of earth. With the help of the architect’s play of mirrors and window panes, the concept of a fresh sunlight is recreated within the structure. The earthly theme in the aesthetic factor of Will Bruder’s works is also present in his work in the Byrne Residence. It is obvious in the external characteristics of the residence was comparably the same as that of the Phoenix Central Library. Simple shades of brown and gray fill the atmosphere of the walls. Also, the use of extensive glass panes was present in order to accommodate the sunlight. The Byrne Residence is located in the North Scottsdale desert area which makes the external

The Ultimate Reality of the Good God Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Ultimate Reality of the Good God - Essay Example The Ultimate Reality of Good and Bad Taoism proposes that Yin Yang is the cosmic symbol of primordial unity and harmony and manifest phenomenal quality; the two great regulating forces of cosmic order in the unparalleled world. If Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, is correct in his notion as regards the coexistence of good and bad in one body to attain balance, God then is not wholly good, or rather God does not manifest balance. God is good can be understood as a twofold claim: â€Å"God is wholly good—there is no defect or blemish in God or in his actions for He never does anything which is ultimately wrong or evil, and God is necessarily good because He is utterly invulnerable to evil† (Morris 48). As each of us perceives good and evil differently, there can be no definite meaning to both. What one sees as good can be evil in the eyes of another, or what appears to be a bad inception can yield a good result. Nonetheless, man has the tendency to accept a thing as good only if it satisfies his desires. God at times relates to man in ways that cannot be deduced by an ordinary mind, yet His purpose is incontestably good however it affects man. God gives us opportunities to rejoice and grieve, to triumph and suffer defeat, to love and hate for reasons that do not often come out on the surface. As in the story of Job when he was sardonically urged by his wife to curse God for all the mishaps that b efell him, he retorted â€Å"Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?† (Job 2:10 NIV). ... As in the story of Job when he was sardonically urged by his wife to curse God for all the mishaps that befell him, he retorted â€Å"Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?† (Job 2:10 NIV). Good and bad are â€Å"at one and the same time a division and reunion, and if they are spoken of as contending forces, they are also co-operating powers and the tension in which they are held is that of harmony, of the mutual play of creation, not of conflict† (Cooper, Fitzgerald and Stoddart 20). Apart from the nature of God, this is also evident in the way children are reared. The intention of a mother is constantly disposed at what begets good for her offspring, thus will put into practice again the approaches that proved favourable on her first. Despite growing up under the same roof and direction though, children do not grow to be identical in character, nor in fate. Good and bad demonstrates balance in the art of healing. Patients suffering from the same illness may be prescribed different doses of medicine, or different types of medication, for that matter. While a certain remedy benefits one, does not create a firm basis that it will not harm the other. It is true that good and bad are in two distant poles; yet the poles are not separate but bent towards each other to form a connection; that without the combined perception of good and bad, there lies no success in an endeavour. Balancing Reality in Pursuit of Holism Author Brian Luke Seaward (146) states that balance does not necessarily mean a 50/50 ration with whatever sits on either side of the scale. Rather, it might be proportional to a 60/40, 30/70 split, or any combination that equals to a whole (146). The opposites which Taoists suppose as contents of a whole are but merely stages in

Ubiquitous Computing Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Ubiquitous Computing Technology - Essay Example Many researchers from whole world are at the present working in the ubiquitous computing structure. Their effort impacts all regions of computer science, including hardware components (like chips), interaction substrates, applications, privacy, network protocols and computational techniques (Banavar et al, 2002). Ubiquitous computing or normally called â€Å"ubicomp† is an away desktop or post desktop model of human computer interaction in which data and information processing has been comprehensively incorporated interested in daily life matters and actions. As different to the desktop working and processing, in which a sole user deliberately engages a single device for a meticulous task, someone "employing† ubiquitous computing employs several computational devices and systems at the same time, in the track of normal actions, and possibly will not essentially even be conscious that they are doing so (Stajano, 2002). Ubiquitous computing is the visualization of a world in which computing power and digital infrastructure are tremendously economical property, so low-priced they are entrenched in all the daily things that enclose us. We can say that ubiquitous computing is not virtual reality, it is not a Personal Digital Assistant or PDA like Apples Newton, and it is not an individual or friendly computer with agents responsible for your bidding. Different from virtual reality, ubiquitous computing actions to put together information exhibit into the daily physical world. It believed that nuances of the authentic world to be magnificent, and plans plainly to augment them. Unlike PDAs, ubiquitous computing visualizes a world of completely associated devices, with inexpensive wireless networks all over the place (Kenneth, 1998); unlike PDAs, it is assumed that you are required nothing with you, because information will be available all over the place. Unlike the intimate agent computer that reacts t o ones tone or voice and is an individual

Family health Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Family health Assessment - Essay Example The family is financially sound and qualifies to be a middle-income family. The children are students in high school and college. The health patterns are based on Gordon’s list of functional health patterns (2008). The following is the summary of their responses to the assessment questions. The family is conscious about health. The family engages in several activities aimed at boosting their health. The parents and children understand the importance of healthy living and regard each other dearly. There is a very strong bond holding the family together. In addition, the family belongs to the catholic faith that advocates better family values and morals. However, they do not follow the religious tenets fully. The family considers diet as the most influential aspect of their health. The mother is a major decision maker on the type of food the household eats. She expressed her confidence that her meals are well balanced and were the basis of the good health of family members. The family members also participate in sports and other activities with the neighbors to boost their health and maintain relations in the neighborhood. On average, the family sleeps around 7 hours a night. Mostly, the father, who is a professor at a local college, wakes up around 5am to prepare for his lectures. The family admitted that the hours they dedicate to sleep are enough to rejuvenate their body and mind. However, the father is compelled by work to sleep fewer hours, thus is unsatisfied and has to take a nap sometime within the day. The children often slept around 11 pm and wake up for school at 6 am. Due to the busy nature of the parents, exercising is a rare phenomenon. The only notable exercise is when participating in the community games. The daughters are also busy with their education and thus find little or no time for exercises. However, the daughter’s activity level is a bit higher due to schools games and activities that call for their

Changes in technology anticipated to change the pattern of pollutant Research Paper - 1

Changes in technology anticipated to change the pattern of pollutant emissions - Research Paper Example Man cannot altogether stop using fossil fuels but moves to decrease energy consumption by developing new technologies designed for energy efficiency is the best way to alleviate the state of the environment. New Technologies refer to both innovations in production or generation of energy and its actual use. Generation of energy from solar, wind, geothermal, tides and hydroelectric are, currently, being implemented and studied. The graph below shows that new technologies in the generation of energy from renewable resources delivers needed energy but emits less CO2 emissions. US-NASA predicts further decrease in CO2 emissions in the future. New technologies developed for actual use or consumption of energy seeks to maximize these renewable sources of energy in the three major areas of transportation; industrial energy usage; and, in commercial and residential buildings. This is clearly exemplified in the Modern Refrigerators and the introduction of Electronic Vehicles. The diagram below shows that the energy use per refrigerator decreased by two-thirds since the introduction of new energy efficient refrigerators. The continued study and development of refrigerator efficiency improvements has proven to be a success. The introduction of Electronic Vehicles according to the research by Micheal Wang, Mark DeLuchi and Daniel Sperling has the effects of lowering the emissions of HC, CO, NO, SO, and particulates. With continued use, they predict a significant reduction in California that will help major air basins in California meet national ambient air quality standards. It cannot be denied that new technologies decrease pollutant emissions. To be fully effective, according to study conducted by Amit Garg, P.R. Shukla, Debyani Ghosh, Manmohan Kapshe and Nair Rajesh, laws and governments must give full support to the endeavor. Garg A., Shukla P., Ghosh D., Kapshe M., & Rajesh N. Future Greenhouse Gas and Local Pollutant Emissions for India: Policy

Critically study of Negotiation Skills 03071 Essay

Critically study of Negotiation Skills 03071 - Essay Example The study is going to provide critical evaluation of the negotiation process. Different theories of negotiation stated to cite that negotiation process is adopted among the almost each and every individual. Further, this study outlines the process of negotiation among the individuals, local authority, SME and society. Negotiation is mainly a collateral process of getting the concern of two or more parties. In general term, negotiation is the process of collective bargaining that promotes a process of transaction of anything between two or more parties. This process is promoting aim of welfare of both the parties, along with the requirements and expectation of parties associated with the negotiation process. On the other hand, it utilises common ground that empowers stake of both the parties. Moreover, it promotes the harmony among the parties regarding any settlement. In addition, negotiation is also made on the basis of the mutual concern that makes the resolution of any sort of conflict. Negotiation processes are proved to be one of the most important processes in the daily life of people and operations of any business (Barkemeyer and Figge, 2011). On the contrary, negotiation term is used in banking and financial sectors also. Negotiation in this type of industry refers to the acceptance of any sort of transaction or future buy and sells financial instruments. In addition, it is observed that financial instruments are mainly facing negotiation process in the trading terms. However, contracting segments are looking for making proper compensation of the client and involved parties. Contracts are adopting negotiation actions in terms of making proper bidding of transactions. However, negotiation will be increasing outcomes of contract policies. Negotiation is involved in the trading processes also. Mainly in the globalised era, organisations are making proper negotiation in terms of trading the different instruments and commodities

Changes in technology anticipated to change the pattern of pollutant Research Paper - 1

Changes in technology anticipated to change the pattern of pollutant emissions - Research Paper Example Man cannot altogether stop using fossil fuels but moves to decrease energy consumption by developing new technologies designed for energy efficiency is the best way to alleviate the state of the environment. New Technologies refer to both innovations in production or generation of energy and its actual use. Generation of energy from solar, wind, geothermal, tides and hydroelectric are, currently, being implemented and studied. The graph below shows that new technologies in the generation of energy from renewable resources delivers needed energy but emits less CO2 emissions. US-NASA predicts further decrease in CO2 emissions in the future. New technologies developed for actual use or consumption of energy seeks to maximize these renewable sources of energy in the three major areas of transportation; industrial energy usage; and, in commercial and residential buildings. This is clearly exemplified in the Modern Refrigerators and the introduction of Electronic Vehicles. The diagram below shows that the energy use per refrigerator decreased by two-thirds since the introduction of new energy efficient refrigerators. The continued study and development of refrigerator efficiency improvements has proven to be a success. The introduction of Electronic Vehicles according to the research by Micheal Wang, Mark DeLuchi and Daniel Sperling has the effects of lowering the emissions of HC, CO, NO, SO, and particulates. With continued use, they predict a significant reduction in California that will help major air basins in California meet national ambient air quality standards. It cannot be denied that new technologies decrease pollutant emissions. To be fully effective, according to study conducted by Amit Garg, P.R. Shukla, Debyani Ghosh, Manmohan Kapshe and Nair Rajesh, laws and governments must give full support to the endeavor. Garg A., Shukla P., Ghosh D., Kapshe M., & Rajesh N. Future Greenhouse Gas and Local Pollutant Emissions for India: Policy

Fundamentals of Geography Essay Example for Free

Fundamentals of Geography Essay In geology, a rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids. For example, the common rock, granite, is a combination of the quartz, feldspar and biotite minerals. The Earths outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. Rocks have been used by mankind throughout history. From the Stone Age rocks have been used for tools. The minerals and metals we find in rocks have been essential to human civilization. [1] Three major groups of rocks are defined: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The scientific study of rocks is called petrology, which is an essential component of geology. At a granular level, rocks are composed of grains of minerals, which, in turn, are homogeneous solids formed from a chemical compound that is arranged in an orderly manner. The aggregate minerals forming the rock are held together by chemical bonds. The types and abundance of minerals in a rock are determined by the manner in which the rock was formed. Many rocks contain silica (SiO2); a compound of silicon and oxygen that forms 74. 3% of the Earths crust. This material forms crystals with other compounds in the rock. The proportion of silica in rocks and minerals is a major factor in determining their name and properties. [2] Rocks are geologically classified according to characteristics such as mineral and chemical composition, permeability, the texture of the constituent particles, and particle size. These physical properties are the end result of the processes that formed the rocks. [3] Over the course of time, rocks can transform from one type into another, as described by the geological model called the rock cycle. These events produce three general classes of rock:igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The three classes of rocks are subdivided into many groups. However, there are no hard and fast boundaries between allied rocks. By increase or decrease in the proportions of their constituent minerals they pass by every gradation into one another, the distinctive structures also of one kind of rock may often be traced gradually merging into those of another. Hence the definitions adopted in establishing rock nomenclature merely correspond to more or less arbitrary selected points in a continuously graduated series. 4] Igneous Igneous rock (derived from the Latin word igneus meaning of fire, from ignis meaning fire) forms through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. This magma can be derived from partial melts of pre-existing rocks in either a planets mantle or crust. Typically, the melting of rocks is caused by one or more of three processes: an increase in temperature, a decrease in pressure, or a change in composition. Igneous rocks are divided into two main categories: plutonic rock and volcanic. Plutonic or intrusive rocks result when magma cools and crystallizesslowly within the Earths crust. A common example of this type is granite. Volcanic or extrusive rocks result from magma reaching the surface either aslava or fragmental ejecta, forming minerals such as pumice or basalt. [3] The chemical abundance and the rate of cooling of magma typically forms a sequence known as Bowens reaction series, after the Canadian petrologist Norman L. Bowen. Most major igneous rocks are found along this scale. [2] About 64. 7% of the Earths crust by volume consists of igneous rocks; making it the most plentiful category. Of these, 66% are basalts and gabbros, 16% are granite, and 17% granodiorites and diorites. Only 0. 6% are syenites and 0. 3% peridotites and dunites. The oceanic crust is 99% basalt, which is an igneous rock of mafic composition. Granites and similar rocks, known as meta-granitoids, form much of the continental crust. [5] Over 700 types of igneous rocks have been described, most of them having formed beneath the surface of Earths crust. These have diverse properties, depending on their composition and how they were formed. Sedimentary Sedimentary rocks are formed by sedimentation of particles at or near the Earths surface and within bodies of water. This process causes clasticsediments or organic particles (detritus) to settle and accumulate, or for minerals to chemically precipitate (evaporite) from a solution. The particulate matter then undergoes compaction and cementation during diagenesis. Before being deposited, sediment was formed by weathering and erosion in a source area, and then transported to the place of deposition by water,wind, ice, mass movement or glaciers which are called agents of denudation. Mud rocks comprise 65% (mudstone, shale and siltstone); sandstones 20 to 25% and carbonate rocks 10 o 15% (limestone and dolostone). [3] About 7. 9% of the crust by volume is composed of sedimentary rocks, with 82% of those being shales, while the remainder consist of limestone (6%), sandstone and arkoses (12%). [5] Metamorphic Metamorphic rocks are formed by subjecting any rock type—sedimentary rock, igneous rock or another older metamorphic rock—to differenttemperature and pressure conditions than those in which the original rock was formed. This process is called metamorphism; meaning to change in form. The result is a profound change in physical properties and chemistry of the stone. The original rock, known as the protolith, transforms into other mineral types or else into other forms of the same minerals, such as by recrystallization. [3] The temperatures and pressures required for this process are always higher than those found at the Earths surface: temperatures greater than 150 to 200  °C and pressures of 1500 bars. [6] Metamorphic rocks compose 27. 4% of the crust by volume. [5] The three major classes of metamorphic rock are based upon the formation mechanism. An intrusion of magma that heats the surrounding rock causes contact metamorphism—a temperature-dominated transformation. Pressure metamorphism occurs when sediments are buried deep under the ground; pressure is dominant and temperature plays a smaller role. This is termed burial metamorphism, and it can result in rocks such as jade. Where both heat and pressure play a role, the mechanism is termed regional metamorphism. This is typically found in mountain-building regions. [2] Depending on the structure, metamorphic rocks are divided into two general categories. Those that possess a texture are referred to as foliated; the remainder are termed non-foliated. The name of the rock is then determined based on the types of minerals present. Schists are foliated rocks that are primarily composed of lamellar minerals such as micas. A gneiss has visible bands of differing lightness, with a common example being the granite gneiss. Other varieties of foliated rock include slates, phyllites, and mylonite. Familiar examples of non-foliated metamorphic rocks include marble,soapstone, and serpentine. This branch contains quartzite—a metamorphosed form of sandstone—and hornfels. [2] In geography maps are one of the most important tools researchers, cartographers, students and others can use to examine the entire Earth or a specific part of it. Simply defined maps are pictures of the Earths surface. They can be general reference and show landforms, political boundaries, water, the locations of cities, or in the case of thematic maps, show different but very specific topics such as the average rainfall distribution for an area or the distribution of a certain disease throughout a county. Today with the increased use of GIS, also known as Geographic Information Systems, thematic maps are growing in importance. There are however applications for different types of general reference maps when the different types are understood correctly. These maps do not just show a citys location for example; instead the different map types can show a plethora of information about places around the world. The following is a list of each major map type used by geographers and a description of what they are and an example of each kind. †¢ Political Map: A political map does not show any topographic features. It instead focuses solely on the state and national boundaries of a place. They also include the locations of cities both large and small, depending on the detail of the map. A common type of political map would be one showing the 50 U.  S. states and their borders along with the United States north and south international borders (map of the United States). †¢ Physical Map: A physical map is one that shows the physical landscape features of a place. They generally show things like mountains, rivers and lakes and water is always shown with blue. Mountains and elevation changes are usually shown with different colors and shades to show relief. Normally on physical maps green shows lower elevations while browns show high elevations. An example of a physical map is one showing the state of Hawaii (map of Hawaii). Low elevation coastal regions are shown in dark green, while the higher elevations transition from orange to dark brown. Rivers are shown in blue. †¢ Topographic Map: A topographic map is similar to a physical map in that it shows different physical landscape features. They are different however because they use contour lines instead of colors to show changes in the landscape. Contour lines on topographic maps are normally spaced at regular intervals to show elevation changes (e. g. each line represents a 100 foot (30 m) elevation change) and when lines are close together the terrain is steep. For example a topographic map showing the Big Island of Hawaii would have contour lines that are close together near the steep, high elevation mountains of Mauna Loa and Kilauea (map of the Big Island). By contrast, the low elevation, flat coastal areas show contour lines that are spread apart. †¢ Climate Map: A climate map shows information about the climate of an area. They can show things like the specific climatic zones of an area based on the temperature, the amount of snow an area receives or average number of cloudy days. These maps normally use colors to show different climatic areas. A climate map for Australia for example uses colors to show differences between the temperate area of Victoria and desert region in the center of the continent. †¢ Economic or Resource Map: An economic or resource map shows the specific type of economic activity or natural resources present in an area through the use of different symbols or colors depending on what is being shown on the map. For example an economic activity map for Brazil can use colors to show different agricultural products of given areas, letters for natural resources and symbols for different industries (image showing a map of Brazil). Road Map: A road map is one of the most widely used map types. These maps show major and minor highways and roads (depending on detail) as well as things like airports, city locations and points of interest like parks, campgrounds and monuments. Major highways on a road map are generally red and larger than other roads, while minor roads are a lighter color and a narrower line. A road map of San Francisco, California for example would show the major highways as a wide red line and other large roads as a lighter red with minor streets as gray (map of San Francisco). Thematic Map: A thematic map is a map that focuses on a particular theme or special topic and they are different from the six aforementioned general reference maps because they do not just show natural features like rivers, cities, political subdivisions, elevation and highways. If these items are on a thematic map, they are background information and are used as reference points to enhance the maps theme. An example of a thematic map would be one showing the population change of Cana da in specific locations from 1996 to 2001. The map shows the theme it is attempting to get across to its audience and uses a political map (e. g. one showing the provincial and territorial borders of Canada) to give it more of a reference. What Is the Difference Between Weather and Climate? It’s a sweltering midsummer day. â€Å"It must be global warming,† mutters someone. But is it the Earth’s changing climate that has made the day so warm? Or, is it just the weather that is so unbearable? Weather is the mix of events that happen each day in our atmosphere including temperature, rainfall and humidity. Weather is not the same everywhere. Perhaps it is hot, dry and sunny today where you live, but in other parts of the world it is cloudy, raining or even snowing. Everyday, weather events are recorded and predicted by meteorologists worldwide. Climate in your place on the globe controls the weather where you live. Climate is the average weather pattern in a place over many years. So, the climate of Antarctica is quite different than the climate of a tropical island. Hot summer days are quite typical of climates in many regions of the world, even without the effects of global warming. Climates are changing because our Earth is warming, according to the research of scientists. Does this contribute to a warm summer day? It may, however global climate change is actually much more complicated than that because a change in the temperature can cause changes in other weather elements such as clouds or precipitation. Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means (together with the smaller ocean circulation) by whichthermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth. The large-scale structure of the atmospheric circulation varies from year to year, but the basic climatological structure remains fairly constant. Individual weather systems – mid-latitude depressions, or tropical convective cells – occur randomly, and it is accepted that weather cannot be predicted beyond a fairly short limit: perhaps a month in theory, or (currently) about ten days in practice (see Chaos theory and Butterfly effect). Nonetheless, as the climate is the average of these systems and patterns – where and when they tend to occur again and again – it is stable over longer periods of time. As a rule, the cells of Earths atmosphere shift polewards in warmer climates (e. g. nterglacials compared to glacials), but remain largely constant even due to continental drift; they are, fundamentally, a property of the Earths size, rotation rate, heating and atmospheric depth, all of which change little. Tectonic uplift can significantly alter major elements of it, however – for example the jet stream -, and plate tectonics shift ocean currents. In the extremely hot climates of the Mesozoic, i ndications of a third desert belt at the Equator has been found; it was perhaps caused by convection. But even then, the overall latitudinal pattern of Earths climate was not much different from the one today. The wind belts girdling the planet are organised into three cells: the Hadley cell, the Ferrel cell, and the Polar cell. Contrary to the impression given in the simplified diagram, the vast bulk of the vertical motion occurs in the Hadley cell; the explanations of the other two cells are complex. Note that there is one discrete Hadley cell that may split, shift and merge in a complicated process over time[citation needed]. Low and high pressures on earths surface are balanced by opposite relative pressures in the upper troposphere.

Analysis of Economies Based on Data Into Stage 1, 2 and 3

Analysis of Economies Based on Data Into Stage 1, 2 and 3 Indranil Dhar Analysis of economies based on data into Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Based on World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2014/2015[1]. And the data provided in the spread sheet, the countries can be divided into: Factor Driven Economies (Stage 1)[2] Efficiency Driven Economies (Stage 2)[3] Innovation Driven Economies (Stage 3)[4] This distinction is primarily based upon GDP per Capita as well as share of exports of mineral goods in total exports.[5] Stage 1 Factor Driven Economies: Vietnam Myanmar Nicaragua Transition from Stage 1 to Stage 2 Botswana Stage 2 Efficiency Driven Economies Thailand Tunisia Transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 Croatia Mauritius Stage 3 Innovation Driven Economies Greece Hence Competitive index of a stage 1 economy can be calculated as follows: = 0.6(Factory Driven Economies) + 0.35(Efficiency Driven Economies) +0.05 K- which is a constant for Innovation Driven Economies) Hence Competitive index of a stage 2 economy can be calculated as follows: = 0.5(Factory Driven Economies) + 0.45(Efficiency Driven Economies) +0.05 K- which is a constant for Innovation Driven Economies) Hence Competitive index of a stage 3 economy can be calculated as follows: = 0.2(Factory Driven Economies) + 0.5(Efficiency Driven Economies) +0.3 K- which is a constant for Innovation Driven Economies) Here 1st Pillar: Institutions (25%) Intellectual property protection Burden of Government regulation Here 2nd Pillar: Infrastructure (25%) Quality of Overall Infrastructure Here 3rd pillar: Macroeconomic environment (25%) Gross National Savings as a % of GDP( Here since all the parameters are in range of 1-7 with 1 being worst and 7 being best, I have modified the data within excel to showcase this( please refer Appendix A) Here 4th pillar: Health and primary education (25%) Quality of primary education Hence Factor Driven Economies = (Intellectual property protection+ Burden of Government regulation)/2(25%) + Quality of Overall Infrastructure (25%) + Gross National Savings as a % of GDP (25%) + Quality of primary education (25%) Here 5th pillar: Higher education and training (17%) Quality of maths and science education Here 6th pillar: Goods Market efficiency (17%) Trade Tariffs(Here since all the parameters are in range of 1-7 with 1 being worst and 7 being best, I have modified the data within excel to showcase this( please refer Appendix A) Here 9th pillar: Technological Readiness (17%) FDI and technology transfer (17%) Here Efficiency Driven Economies = (Quality of maths and science education (17%) + Goods Market efficiency (17%) + Technological Readiness (17%)) (Since information about other pillars are not present) We will analyse the countries at each stage with regards to its short term growth (up to 10-15 years) and long term growth (15-20yrs +) on the basis of the competitive index at their respective stages and the competitive index of their next higher stage. If the competitive index of a country at its own stage is high it means that the country is away from its steady state and hence it will have short term growth prospects. Similarly if the competitive index of a country is higher at its next stage it means it is ready for the next level and hence it has long term growth prospects. This is off course subject to the condition that the current growth parameters at its current stage are at a satisfactory level. Analysis of Stage 1 economies Since these are stage 1 economy the assumption here is more or less they have a similar production function though convergence law may not apply as these countries are having different economic, cultural, geographical, historical backgrounds. As Stage 1 economies, the growth rate is heavily dependent upon capital accumulation which in turn is dependent on high investment (savings rate). It will also depend upon primary education, quality of infrastructure, labour, and health and primary institutions more than secondary education or trade barriers or technological innovation. It will also depend if the country has reached its steady state at that production function level and at what level of capital accumulation. Only if it shows sustained growth i.e. it is far away from its steady state and its primary factors( competitive index at stage 1) is high, it can be evaluated to check if can increase its production function to the next higher level for which more importance will then be gi ven onto secondary education, trade barriers and technological advances( Competitive index 2). Also GDP growth of previous years gives a trend. Considering the above factors we can conclude that Vietnam will grow the fastest within the next 10-15 years (short term). As it shows favourable stats it can progress to the next higher stage in the next 20 years. Myanmar on the other hand seems to have achieved steady state at a very less capital. Since the rate of investment is less and its primary factors such as education and infrastructure is less, its growth prospects are less. With a high trade barrier and less secondary education and lesser technological advances it cannot graduate itself to a stage 2 economy in the next 20 years. Nicaragua has similar statistics to that of Myanmar. However its primary education, quality of infrastructure is higher which suggests a higher growth prospect. Since its trade barriers are less and technological parameters are high, it has more chances of long term growth than Myanmar. Overall, the ranking on the basis of long term growth is as follows: Vietnam Nicaragua Myanmar Analysis of Stage 2 economies Since these are stage 2 economies, these will be more dependent on the next higher production function curve which is higher education, trade barriers, and technological advances. Off course investment in infrastructure, institutions, primary education and capital accumulation will still remain important though not as high as they were for stage 1 economies. Botswana seems to be leading the pack but because it is highly dependent upon minerals mainly diamond mining which have finite years and are subject to market speculations[10], it will be ranked lower to that of Thailand due to the fact that it is lesser in secondary education and technology transfer. Thailand in fact can graduate to the next higher level in the next 20 years. Tunisia on the other hand due to its high trade barrier will have consistent slow growth rate at its current productivity levels and will not progress to the next higher level. Overall, the ranking on the basis of long term growth is as follows: Thailand Botswana Tunisia Analysis of Stage 3 economies Since these are already stage 3 economies, the determinant factor will be their distance from steady state. And this will be dependant on high total factor productivity factors such as technological innovation, efficiency, human capital, trade barriers more than capital accumulation or primary education or quality of infrastructure unless there is a big issue with those parameters. The competitive index of stage 3 sums up the critical factors and based on that we can say Mauritius is having this highest growth prospect followed by Croatia and Greece. Greece is having a recession which can suggest in a way that it has reached its steady state. Since it’s technological and efficiency factors are not very high, it will struggle to grow in both short as well as long term. Overall, the ranking on the basis of long term growth is as follows: Mauritius Croatia Greece Conclusion: Based on the above analysis, we can conclude that Vietnam is the most growing country whereas Greece is the least. The rankings are as follows: Vietnam Thailand Botswana Nicaragua Mauritius Tunisia Myanmar Croatia Greece Iron Law of convergence Convergence can only happen when the countries are similar in terms of geography, culture, history and other related parameters. Countries that can be clubbed together Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar Croatia and Greece Mauritius and Botswana In the case of Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar, Vietnam can catch up with Thailand in the next 20-30 years. Similarly, Croatia will catch up with Greece within the next 10 years. And finally Botswana will catch up with Mauritius within next 10 years. [1] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Competitiveness_Report [3] http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Competitiveness_Report [4] http://www.scribd.com/doc/154276062/National-Competitiveness-Report [5] http://openaccesslibrary.org/images/ULV227_Mark_Loo.pdf [6] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf [7] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf [8] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf [9] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf [10] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf [11] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2014-15.pdf [12] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf

Innocence lost in John Boyne’s Boy in the Striped Pajamas :: John Boyne, Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a fictional tale of the unlikeliest of friends: the son of a Nazi commandant and a Jewish concentration camp inmate. Written by John Boyne and published in 2006 by David Fickling Books, the story was made into a major motion picture in 2008. The novel, set in Nazi Germany, begins when nine-year-old Bruno and his family must move from their lovely home in Berlin to a new house in an unfamiliar place called "Out With." Tempted to explore his new environment, Bruno is told that there are certain places that are "Out Of Bounds At All Times And No Exceptions." Unable to fight his adventuresome spirit, however, Bruno ventures forth into the unknown one afternoon. Bruno comes upon a fence that he follows until he sees a young boy sitting on the other side of the fence. The shoeless boy is wearing striped pajamas and a cloth cap. Bruno also notices that the boy is wearing an armband with a star on it. Bruno makes fast friends with the boy, Shmuel, and they quickly discover that they share the same birthday. The boys discuss their families and where they are from. At the end of their first meeting, Bruno asks Shmuel why there are so many people on his side of the fence and what they are doing there. A few days later, Bruno's father has dinner guests; the man's name is "the Fury" and his date is called Eva. Bruno instantly dislikes the couple. Bruno's sister Gretel, whom he refers to as "the Hopeless Case," is smitten by the man and tries hard to impress him and his lady friend. Bruno, however, is disgusted by his sister's behavior and her budding romance with a young soldier. Much like Bruno hears "Auschwitz" as "Out With," he also incorrectly hears "the FÃ ¼hrer" as "the Fury." Boyner masterfully tells the story from Bruno's perspective; it is clear that the innocence of Bruno's childhood remains intact despite the fact that he is living on the periphery of a death camp and has met Adolf Hitler. Bruno continues to explore the woods near his house and often finds himself at the fence spending time with Shmuel. Bruno brings him food, and the friends lament the fact that they cannot explore together or play a game of football. Shmuel confides in Bruno that he is unable to find his father and he is worried.

Remaking Beowulf as a Christian Hero Essay -- Epic of Beowulf Essay

Remaking Beowulf as a Christian Hero The story of Beowulf is full of religious references and symbolism, but is it truly a Christian story? According to the narrative, Beowulf is an instrument of God, an instrument of righteousness called by God to perform His will for the Danes. In stark contrast to his good, is the enemy, Grendel, the incarnation of pure evil. These two characters appear to represent the forces of good versus the forces of evil. It would be easy enough to leave the story that way, but it appears that Beowulf is written intentionally to make the main characters appear more important by adding Biblical references to the narrative. By creating characters of a Biblical stature, the story as a whole has an added importance. The story was to be important enough that those who told it and those that heard it would never forget the tale. This gruesome creature was called Grendel, notorious prowler of the borderland, ranger of the moors, the fen and the fastness; this cursed creature lived in a monster's lair for a time after the Creator had condemned him as one of the seed of Cain - the Everlasting Lord avenged Abel's murder. Cain had no satisfaction from that feud, but the Creator sent him into exile, far from mankind because of his crime. He could no longer approach the throne of grace, that precious place in God's presence, nor did he feel God's love. (102-113) Grendel is likened to Cain in this passage, but he seems to show characteristics of the devil as well. He is called a prowl... ...ciety. The pagan religions were passing away and being replaced by new traditions and a new religion. Maybe this version of Beowulf is like a remake of an old movie done forty years ago. It had been revamped to fit in with the times. If it had, it was a good idea, because this "modernized" version of Beowulf has certainly stood the test of time. Works Cited Blackburn, F.A.. "The Christian Coloring in the Beowulf." In An Anthology of Beowulf Criticism, edited by Lewis E. Nicholson. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1963. Bloom, Harold. "Introduction." In Modern Critical Interpretations: Beowulf, edited by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. Frank, Roberta. "The Beowulf Poet's Sense of History." In Beowulf - Modern Critical Interpretations, edited by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.

Comparing Fordism and Scientific Management

Fordism and Scientific Management are terms used to describe management that had application to practical situations with extremely dramatic effects. Fordism takes its name from the mass production units of Henry Ford, and is identified by an involved technical division of labour within companies and their production units. Other characteristics of Fordism include strong hierarchical control, with workers in a production line often restricted to the one single task, usually specialised and unskilled. Scientific management, on the other hand, â€Å"originated† through Fredrick Winslow Taylor in 1911, and in very basic terms described the one best way work could be done and that the best way to improve output was to improve the techniques or methods used by the workers. (Robbins p. 38) Many comparisons can be made between the two theories, such as the mechanisation, fragmentation and specialisation of work and that a lack of intellectual or skilled content will speed up the work at hand. Fordism's mechanisation of mass production further emphasised many of Taylor†s popular beliefs about management being divorced from human affairs and emotions, using ‘humans as instruments or machines to be manipulated by their leaders† (Hersey p. 84). Fordism fused and emphasised the scientific methods to get things done by Ford†s successful mass-production processes. Contrasts also exist between the two theories. Fordism dehumanisied the worker whereas scientific management convinced the workers that their goals could be readily achieved along with their employers goals, therefore they should all work together in this direction. Fordism suited industrial companies participating in mass production, whereas Scientific Management could be used in many types of organisation. Large companies such as Ford Motors, The Reichskuratorium fur Wirtschaftkichkeit (RKW) in Germany examples these theories in practice. These theories of the past are lessons for the way modern organisations are run today. Managers now realise that they should treat their workers more democratically and since the mid-70†³s, sweeping changes in markets and technology have encouraged managers and manufacturers to use greater product diversity and more flexible methods of production. Movements towards a more flexible organisation have become apparent. Examples of orgainisations such as Nissan, NASA and Toyota serve as modern day examples of post-Fordism and depict movement towards a modified Scientific Management. Comparisons that can be made include Fordism's mechanisation of mass production and Taylor†s attempts at using employees as machines. Taylor designed this using his principles of management that included developing a science for each element of work and finding the quickest way the job could be done. Henry Ford†s ideal types of Fordist production system included using fixed and dedicated machines in individuals work, rather than turning the employee into a machine. (Hollinshead 1995) With Taylor attempting to prove to the world that there was a science to management and that the quickest way was the best way, he attacked the incompetence of managers for their inefficiencies in running the railroads and factories. Using time and motion studies, Taylor achieved productivity increases of up to 200 per cent. (Dunphy, 1998, p. 4). His thoughts were echoed by others: during a 1910 Interstate Commerce Commission hearing, Louis D. Brandeis argued that US railroads could save a million dollars a day if they introduced scientific management into their operations (Oakes, 1996). Taylor showed the world that the methodical and scientific study of work could lead to improved efficiency. He believed that by defining clear guidelines for workers many improvements could be made to the production of goods. Fordism like Scientific Management in the newly mechanised industries of the early 20th century emphasised that efficiency came from precision in job design, clear division of responsibilities and tight policing of implementation (Taylor, 1911). Taylorism and Fordism were consistent with notions of the organisation as † a ‘military machine† first developed by Frederick the Great of Prussia, and later refined by Henri Fayol†. (Taplin, 1995, p. 430) Scientific Management encouraged firms to improve efficiency by analysing individual processes of industrial production and then recreating them to produce maximum output from any given size labor force. (Hudson, 1997) Ford's production-line innovations compounded scientific management†s efficiencies into the economy. Taylor believed it would be best to scientifically select, train, teach and develop the workers. However, in contrast, Fordism was based on mass production using semi skilled workers who could be easily replaced. Fordism did not care for the workers to work as a team and to ‘Heartily co-operate †¦ to ensure that all work is done in accordance with the principles of science† like Taylor†s ideas of scientific management did (Robbins,1997, p. 40). Although Fordism borrowed many scientific management ideas, it then advanced upon them to produce a new form of management that included management having hierarchical authority and technical control. Fordism enabled managers to regulate production and safeguard their own position within firms as well as meeting the efficiency criteria set by owners. The obvious efficiencies of Fordism and features that were responsible for the economic successes of this system, also caused problems. Fordism proved particularly suitable to manufacturing in a mass consumption economy, required only occasional innovation of new products and used machines that only made specific goods. Often, these were of low-quality, low-value, high-volume nature, and competition was price based. Low quality could easily become poor quality; workers were poorly motivated with resulting high labor turnover and absenteeism; and coordinating the flow of materials through production processes was difficult (Wood, 1993). Fordism led to massive increases in productivity in certain industries, but the human cost was significant. At one point Henry Ford's assembly lines had an annual employee turnover of 380 per cent (Encarta, 1998). Fordism alienated workers and allowed no creativity. Where scientific management looked to divide work and responsibility almost equally between management and workers, Fordism was after minimum discretion between management and workers with fragmented work and minimal tasks for employees. Examining what happened at the Ford Motor Company supports these facts. In 1913 Ford began using monotonous assembly-line techniques in his plant. Although assembly-line techniques greatly increased productivity, many people soon left their line jobs, because of the unpleasant monotony of the work and the repeated increases in production quotas. This is something that contemporary management techniques have realised; it is beneficial for employees to become involved within their jobs and not expected to be machines. Ford partly overcame this problem by doubling the daily wage then standard in the industry with his famous offer of ‘$5 a day to workers who would put up with the alienated, regimented work conditions at Ford Motors† (Clark, 1997). One worker said, â€Å"You†ve got to work like hell at Ford†s†¦ You can†t let up. You†ve got to get out the production†¦ nd if you can†t get it out, you get out† (Rupert, 1997, p. 11) His results were increased stability in Fords labor force and a substantial reduction in operating costs. Then the Model T automobile was introduced in 1908. With the help of this model, Ford became America†s largest automobile producer and vendor. Nevertheless throughout the 1930s Ford began losing business to his competitors, mainly because they were slow introducing new models of automobiles every year. (Encarta, 1998) Scientific Management and Fordism created a new type of ‘revolution†. The promise of massive increases in productivity led to the following of Fords and Taylor†s models of management all over the world. Britain never had a scientific management movement like that in America, and the leading British engineering journals in the early 20th century revealed Taylorism receiving attention, much of it positive. Engineering became an unqualified supporter of scientific management, only The Engineer, a journal of engineering at the time, maintained sustained hostility to Taylorism declaring it was unfair and inhuman and not â€Å"sportsmanlike. The Engineer criticised the separation of workers thinking in their jobs from doing their jobs and described Taylorism as â€Å"scientific management gone mad. † (Whitson, 1997) Another organisation that followed both the American models of Taylor and Ford, was The Reichskuratorium fur Wirtschaftkichkeit (RKW) founded in 1921. This huge Berlin-based electro-technical and machine-constructing conglomerate strove to implement measures of industrial and organisational efficiency in Germany in the inter-war era. RKW†s aim was to â€Å"implement technical and organisational measures of industrial, and economic efficiency, an organization devoted to industry; efficiency, and production standardization. † (Shearer, 1997, p. 569) In modern times, firms have attempted to reconfigure work places and production systems using flat hierarchies and lean production systems in contrast to Scientific and Fordist management. Managers presume that these sorts of changes will enable firms to achieve flexibility, seen by many managers as essential to maintaining competitive advantage into and beyond the 21st Century. Flexible production systems opposing strict Fordist lines, made possible by these organisational changes and new technologies, permit shortened product development time. There is a new way of organising production and a departure from Fordism and all it contains. However, scientific management was used by Japanese automobile constructors in the 1970s when they began to compete using â€Å"fundamentally improved manufacturing processes that consistently produced vehicles of higher quality far faster than Detroit† (Oakes p. 569). Japan car manufacturers successfully decreased labour and production costs giving American Manufacturers a run for their money, Japans Toyota is an example that used Fordism as a base of new managerial processes. Another modern day example, which drew on these two management methods, was in space science. NASA developed a set of measures to assess if they were implementing their own strategies. NASA's strategy, defined by the motto ‘cheaper, faster, better,† was to reduce the size and cost of space probes without eliminating any important missions. Figures show that the two missions to Mars launched in late 1996 were each one-fifth the real cost of previous Mars missions (under $200 million in 1996 dollars, as opposed to an average of $1 billion each for the previous eleven U. S. spacecraft launched for Mars)†. (Oakes, 1996, p. 589) Post-Fordism has been described as a â€Å"shift to the new information technologies;[a] more flexible, decentralized form of labour process and of targeting consumers by lifestyle taste and culture rather than by categories of social class†¦ as well as] a rise of the service and white-collar classes and the feminization of the workforce:† These are lessons managers have learnt and result in less rigidity and mechanisation and a reduction in the blue-collar masculine workforce. The firms that face the most difficulties in the new globalised marketplace are often those with labor intensive, standardised manufacturing processes. Companies emphasise that these new forms of work provide better jobs. For instance, Nissan projects an image of work as taking place in an empowering environment built around the themes of flexibility, quality and teamwork. In conclusion, both Fordism and Scientific Management share common themes yet also display some significant differences. They both encourage looking at the fastest way work can be completed and impose strict guidelines upon employees and their job descriptions. This has led to a great deal of dissatisfaction among employees in production lines with alienation and monotony of workers that encouraged a high turnover of employees at organisations that imposed these techniques. Henry Ford developed much of his conceptions upon Taylor†s ideas of scientific management. These theories imply that contemporary organisations and their managers should take into consideration the ideas of employees to avoid division. Managers today often see workers as multi-skilled and more involved in the process of production via teamwork, the reintegration of manual and mental labour, and the empowerment of production workers. Today†s mass production has seen technology wiping out many of the jobs once held by these employees. There is a movement towards a more flexible workplace in the wave of this new technology away from strict guidelines imposed upon workers and their job descriptions, they are now encouraged to learn about other areas of the workplace. Fordism and scientific management have greatly influenced our workplace today and their theories will continue to be built upon for years to come.

Investigation of the Probiotic Properties of Bacterial Strains from Two Probiotic Drinks and Their Survivability in Artificial Gastric Juice

Investigation of the probiotic properties of bacterial strains from two probiotic drinks and their survivability in artificial gastric juice ABSTRACT: Two probiotic drinks were investigated in vitro to test their ability to survive acidic conditions and their probiotic factors. Both the products: Actimel and Yakult contain gram-positive bacteria, but Actimel also has a gram-negative bacteria. The ability to survive was investigated by adding artificial gastric juice to the products and incubating at different times.Actimel and Yakult were both able to survive the gastric juice. Actimel produced more colonies than Yakult but they both lost the same percentage of viability. The longer the time incubated the more the loss of viability. Introduction: In recent years health promoting functional foods has entered the global market as a result of increased prevalence of lifestyle related diseases (A. A. Aramide et al, 2009). People use functional foods and diet to maintain optimal health. C onsumption of probiotics is one of the ways someone could reach and maintain their optimal health.A probiotic is â€Å"living microorganisms, which upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition† (Todd R. Klaenhammer, 2000). According to the WHO/FAO report 2001 these probiotics can help prevent disorders associated with the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhoea caused by certain pathogenic bacteria and viruses, inflammatory diseases, allergies and a lot more. Actimel and Yakult is a couple of the said probiotic drinks. They claim to increase your body’s natural defences by fighting off the â€Å"bad† bacteria. Actimel is a yogurt-type drink produced by a company called Danoneâ„ ¢.It has three strains of bacteria, two traditional yoghurt cultures: Lactobacillus bulgaricus  and  Streptococcus thermophiles and a third one called L. casei Imunitass ® (http://www. actimel. co. uk/About/-WhatIsActimel. aspx, Accessed Feb, 28, 2010). Lactobacillus is a genus of bacteria that aid in the conversion of lactose to lactic acid hence increasing acidity in the stomach making it hard for harmful bacteria to survive (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Lactobacillus, Accessed Feb 28, 2010). Actimel contains 10 billion L. casei Imunitass ® bacteria per 100ml bottle.This bacterial strain works under a wide range of pH and temperature hence able to survive the acidic conditions in the stomach. This ensures that the bacteria reach the gut alive and active. It helps by topping up the good bacteria in the stomach and making it hard for the germs to survive. The bacteria also aids in strengthening the gut wall so that only certain nutrients can pass. In 2004 a trial carried out to find the effect of Actimel on the immune response of subjects under academic examination stress showed that Actimel was able to control the number of lymphocytes and CD56 cells in subjects under academic examination stress.Other studies also show that the Actimel bacterial strains can be used in treating allergic rhinitis, prevention of diarrhoea and induce immune responses. On the other hand Yakult is milk based probiotic and contains only one strain of bacteria: Lactobacillus  casei  Shirota. It is produced and distributed by Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd. It contains 6. 5 billion L. casei Shirota per 65ml bottle. A variety of scientific studies have shown that Yakult has an effect on the human NK-cell activity, intestinal micro flora and immune parameters in humans.As a guideline a probiotic microorganisms should be resistant to gastric juices and be able to grow in the presence of bile under conditions in the intestines. The aim of this experiment is to measure the survivability of the strains in artificial gastric juice and to identify the bacterial strains said to be in the product. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gram Stain: Firstly the bacteria were heat fixed according to the instruction in the lab manual. After heat fixing , crystal violet stain was added to the bacteria for 2 minutes, then washed in water and Lugol’s iodine for 30 seconds.The bacteria were decolorised by adding 95% alcohol for 15 seconds followed by a water wash and counter stain with safranin for 1 minute. This was then washed with water and examined under high power (x100) using oil immersion. A picture of these strains each from Actimel and Yakult directly and pure culture was taken. DNA Extraction: To extract the DNA, 1 ml of culture was centrifuged for 5 minutes. The pellet was re suspended in 480 ? l of 50mM EDTA with 60 ? l of 10mg/ml lysozyme then incubated at 370C for 45 minutes, centrifuged for 2 minutes and re suspended in 600 ? of nuclei lysis solution and incubated at 800C for 5 minutes. After cooling down 3 ? l of RNAase was added and left to incubate at 370C for 30 minutes. The mixture was left to cool and 200 ? l of protein precipitation solution was added, left on ice for 5minutes followed by high speed (13000 rpm) centrifuging for 5 minutes. The supernatant was then added to 600 ? l of isopropanol and mixed until DNA â€Å"threads† were formed and centrifuged for 15 minutes. The DNA pellet was washed with 200 ? l of 70% ethanol and centrifuged for 2 minutes. The ethanol was then removed and the DNA left to air dry and then re suspended in 50 ? of sterile water. PCR of chromosomal DNA: A 2 ? l of the DNA was added to 1 ? l of AmpF primer(GAGAGTTTGATYCTGGCTCAG), 1 ? l of AmpR (AAGGAGGTGATCCARCCGCA) primer, 2 ? l of dNTP’s, 10 ? l of x10 PCR buffer, 83 ? l of water and 1 ? l of Taq polymerase was added. This mixture was placed in the Promega Wizard Chromosomal DNA preparation kitâ„ ¢ and run according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. PCR Purification: The PCR reaction contents were added to a 1. 5 ml Eppendorf tube with 500 ? l of buffer PB1. This was centrifuged at high speed in the spin column for 30 seconds.A 750 ? l of buffer PE was added to the spin column and centrifuged for 1 minute. The spin column was then placed in an Eppendorf tube and 50 ? l of water was added and centrifuged for a further 1 minute. A 15 ? l of this PCR product was added to 5 ? l of Gel loading buffer and was run at 50 V for 2 hours. 20 ? l of the PCR product was then sent to the John Innes sequencing service for sequencing. Media Preparation: To media was prepared by adding 37g of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) to 1 litre of distilled water and mixed using a magnetic stirrer.This was then added to a conical flask with 3g of agar and autoclaved at 1210C, 15 psi for 10 minutes. The media was then microwaved and poured onto petri dishes with Bunsen burner going, to sterilise the air around. Survival Studies: For carrying out the survival studies, 5 ml of the product was added to 25 ml of artificial gastric juice and left to incubate at 370C for 30, 60 and 90 minutes. The product was taken from different bottles to ensure replicates. After incubation the mixture was then diluted to 10-5 for Yakult and 10-7 for Actimel. This was spread onto a petri dish and was left to incubate.The plates were then counted and the number of CFU/ ml was calculated. RESULTS: Culturing bacteria: Firstly the number of colony forming unit (cfu) per ml was worked out by culturing the bacteria from the probiotic products and counting the number of colonies formed. This was then used to work out cfu/dose by using the volume they are produced in, which are 100 ml and 65 ml of Actimel and Yakult respectively. Table 1: Class data of cfu/ml and cfu/dose of bacteria in the product Yakult(cfu/ml)| Yakult(cfu/dose)| Actimel(cfu/ml)| Actimel(cfu/dose)| 4. 21. x 109| 2. x 1011| 4. 36 x 109| 4. 36 x 1011| 4. 14 x 109| 2. 86 x 1011| 2. 6 x 108| 2. 6 x 1010| 9. 7 x 10 9| 7. 8x 1010| 2. 1 x 109| 2. 1 x 1011| 1 x 109| 6. 3 x 109| 7. 5 x 108| 7. 5 x 1010| 1. 6 x 109| 6. 5 x 1010| 5. 5. 2x 108| 5. 5 x 1010| 9 x 107| 5. 8 x 109| 1 x 1010| 1 x 1012| 7 x 107| 4. 5 x 109| 2. 5 x 109| 2. 5 x 101 1| 4. 6 x 109| 2. 99 x 1011| 1. 21x 109| 1. 21x 1011| 1. 68 x 108| 1. 09 x 1010| 4. 3 x 1010| 4. 3 x 1012| 4. 02 x 108| 2. 61 x 1010| 1. 18 x 109| 1. 18 x 1011| 9. 1 x 107| 5. 9 x 109| 2. 89 x 108| 2. 89 x 1010| 1 x 108| 6. 5 x 109| 2. 7 x 109| 2. 7 x 1011| x 108| 3. 2 x 1010| 3. 6 x 109| 3. 6 x 1011| 3. 4 x 107| 2. 2. x109| 2. 7 x 109| 2. 7 x 1011| 2. 39 x108| 1. 5 x 1010| 3. 78 x 109| 3. 78 x 1011| 9. 7 x 107| 6. 3 x 109| 5. 0 x 1010| 5. 0 x 1012| 1 x 108| 6. 5 x 109| 1. 4 x 109| 1. 4 x 1011| 1 x 108| 6. 5 x 109| 2. 6 x 109| 2. 6 x 1011| To compare the mean differences between these two products an independent t test was carried out assuming equal variance. Table 2: Independent t-test of the class data for cfu/dose on Actimel and Yakult Independent t-test| | | Mean| Standard Deviation| SE Mean| P Value| cfu/dose| Actimel| 7. 9 x 1011| 1. 45 x 1012| 3. 41 x 1011| 0. 056| | Yakult| 6. 29 x 1010| 1. 04 x 1011| 2. 46 x 1010| | The mean shows that Actimel contains 10 times more bacteri a than Yakult on average. But only the mean is not significant to come to a conclusion as this could be because of sample variation. The P value from the t-test is 0. 056 which is greater than 0. 05 (P>0. 05) hence the difference between the mean of the two products are not significantly different from zero at the 5% confidence level. Gram Stain: Figure 1 shows the gram stain images from Actimel (i) and Yakult (ii).Figure 1 shows the gram stain images from Actimel (i) and Yakult (ii). Gram stained slides of both Actimel and Yakult were captured onto a computer at x1000 magnification. From the images you can see that Yakult is stained all in one colour but the Actimel contains two different coloured stains. Survival studies: To test the survivability of the bacteria they were incubated with artificial gastric juice for 30 60 and 90 minutes. The colonies were then counted Table 3: Viable counts of survival studies at different time and different replicates | Actimel|Time/min| 1| 2| 3| Mean| CFU/ml| CFU/dose| 0| 329| 69| 1088| 371. 5| 3. 72 x 1010| 3. 72 x 1012| 30| 321| 39| 880| 322. 5| 3. 23 x 1010| 3. 23 x 1012| 60| 309| 28| 740| 286. 8| 2. 87 x 1010| 2. 87 x 1012| 90| 204| 24| 642| 238. 8| 2. 39 x 1010| 2. 39 x 1012| | Yakult| | 1| 2| 3| Mean| CFU/ml| CFU/dose| 0| 312| 135| 53| 125. 0| 1. 25 x 108| 8. 13 x 109| 30| 190| 134| 11| 96. 3| 9. 63 x 107| 6. 26 x 109| 60| 159| 130| 11| 92. 5| 9. 25 x 107| 6. 01 x 109| 90| 149| 84| 8| 81. 5| 8. 15 x 107| 5. 3 x 109| The table shows that colonies on both Actimel and Yakult decrease over time in all the replicates.Both the products decreased to about 65% of its original count. A graph (Figure 2) was plotted with the CFU/dose against time on a log scale and it showed a linear decline over time in both the products. DNA Extraction: Figure 3 shows the Chromosomal DNA gel image. Figure 3 shows the Chromosomal DNA gel image. The DNA from the bacteria was extracted and gel electrophoresis was carried out to ensure that a DNA was obtained from the extraction procedure. Lanes 3 and 4 have migrated towards the positive side showing that chromosomal DNA was obtained.PCR Purification: After the DNA underwent the PCR process, the PCR product was purified and run on a gel electrophoresis to check if PCR product has been obtained. Figure 4 shows the image of PCR product run under electrophoresis. Figure 4 shows the image of PCR product run under electrophoresis. As the image shows there is a PCR product obtained as there is a distinct band in lanes 2 and 3. DNA Sequencing: The PCR product was then sent to the John Innes centre for sequencing and the following sequence was obtained.Actimel: GGGTCGGGGCGGGTGCTATACATGCAGTCGAACGAGTTCTCGTTGATGATCGGTGCTTGCACCGAGATTCAACATGGAACGAGTGGCGGACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGTAACCTGCCCTTAAGTGGGGGATAACATTTGGAAACAGATGCTAATACCGCATAGATCCAAGAACCGCATGGTTCTTGGCTGAAAGATGGCGTAAGCTATCGCTTTTGGATGGACCCGCGGCGTATTAGCTAGTTGGTGAGGTAATGGCTCACCAAGGCGATGATACGTAGCCGAACTGAGAGGTTGATCGGCCACATTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCC AAACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAGGGAATCTTCCACAATGGACGCAAGTCTGATGGAGCAACGCCGCGTGAGTGAAGAAGGCTTTCGGGTCGTAAAACTCTGTTGTTGGAGAAGAATGGTCGGCAGAGTAACTGTTGTCGGCGTGACGGTATCCAACCAGAAAGCCACGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGTGGCAAGCGTTATCCGGATTTATTGGGCGTAAAGCGAGCGCAGGCGGTTTTTTAAGTCTGATGTGAAAGCCCTCGGCTTAACCGAGGAAGCGCATCGGAAACTGGGAAACTTGAGTGCAGAAGAGGACAGTGGAACTCCATGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGTAGATATATGGAAGAACACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGGCTGTCTGGTCTGTAACTGACGCTGAGGCTCGAAAGCATGGGTAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCATGCCGTAAACGATGAATGCTAGGTGTTGGAGGGTTTCCGCCCTTCAGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGCATTCCGCCTGGGGAGTACGACCGCAAGGTTGAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCGGTGGAGCATGTGGTTTAA Yakult: TAGGAGTGGGCGCGTGCCTATACATGCAAGTCGAACGAGTTCTCGTTGATGATCGGTGCTTGCACCGAGATTCAACATGGAACGAGTGGCGGACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGTAACCTGCCCTTAAGTGGGGGATAACATTTGGAAACAGATGCTAATACCGCATAGATCCAAGAACCGCATGGTTCTTGGCTGAAAGATGGCGTAAGCTATCGCTTTTGGATGGACCCGCGGCGTATTAGCTAGTTGGTGAGGTAATGGCTCACCAAGGCGATGATACGTAGCCGAACTGAGAGGTTGATCGGCCACATTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAAACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAGGGAATCTTC CACAATGGACGCAAGTCTGATGGAGCAACGCCGCGTGAGTGAAGAAGGCTTTCGGGTCGTAAAACTCTGTTGTTGGAGAAGAATGGTCGGCAGAGTAACTGTTGTCGGCGTGACGGTATCCAACCAGAAAGCCACGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGTGGCAAGCGTTATCCGGATTTATTGGGCGTAAAGCGAGCGCAGGCGGTTTTTTAAGTCTGATGTGAAAGCCCTCGGCTTAACCGAGGAAGCGCATCGGAAACTGGGAAACTTGAGTGCAGAAGAGGACAGTGGAACTCCATGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGTAGATATATGGAAGAACACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGGCTGTCTGGTCTGTAACTGACGCTGAGGCTCGAAAGCATGGGTAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCATGCCGTAAACGATGAATGCTAGGTGTTGGAGGGTTTCCGCCCTTCAGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGCATTCCGCCTGGGGAGTACGACCGCAAGGTTGAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGCCCGCACAAGCGGTGGGA Figure 5 shows the graphical summary of â€Å"strong† hits in the database of Yakult (i) and Actimel (i). Figure 5 shows the graphical summary of â€Å"strong† hits in the database of Yakult (i) and Actimel (i).This sequence was then run through the BLAST analysis to identify the probiotic isolate. Discussion: A Probiotic must be able to survive the conditions of the stomach and pass through to the gu t without significant loss. The bacteria found in the probiotics are cultured on petri dishes to test the amount of colonies present in the product. As mentioned above Actimel contains 10 billion per 100 ml and Yakult contains 6. 5 billion per 65 ml. From the t-test there was no significant difference in the content of the two products (Table 1). This was due to the fact that they both contain 100 million bacteria per ml of product. From the gram stain images both Actimel and Yakult was stained with the same conditions.But Yakult had only one stain whereas Actimel had two different stains. This is due to the fact that there is more than one species of bacteria in Actimel. The colour of the staining represents two different types of bacteria: gram-negative and gram-positive. All species of the lactobacillus genus are gram-positive. Gram-positive organisms retain the stain when they are stained with crystal violet but gram negative organisms lose their purple/violet stain when washed with alcohol but when retain safranin stain. Therefore the Yakult contains only gram positive bacteria (L. casei Shirota ®) while Actimel contains both gram positive and gram negative bacterium (Figure 1). From the survival studies we can