Meat Science and Animal Nutrition

I want to get a masters degree in animal industries in order to prepare for my future career. There were two options I’ve been considering, consisting of meat science and animal nutrition. Both options, I believe, would help me land a career in concerned government agencies. It would also open the doors to further studies, such as veterinary medicine, should I decide to pursue it.From the two options I am leaning more in favor of taking up meat science, as it is more concerned with food safety and nutrition. I am interested in understanding factors that affect the nutritional value and consumer acceptability of meat, which eventually lead to consumer health and satisfaction.I believe that meat science is not a popular choice for people, but it is equally important to ensure the health of the public. I could gain knowledge that should be shared and disseminated to people.Thus, this course could equip me with the knowledge I need to serve in government agencies such as the Unite d States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, and be a food safety specialist who answers questions of consumers regarding food preparation, storage, and handling. The importance of the role I could play towards protecting the health and safety of the public is a good reason for me to pursue this course.

To what extent are developmental states emerging within Africa and what policies could be adopted to support them?

Introduction This essay is concerned with analysing what role, if any, the model of the ‘developmental state’ can play within Africa. The concept of the â€Å"developmental state† has origins in the fruitful development in Eastern Asia. This research will look to examine the relevance of the existing model to contemporary Ghana. The paper will also look at the extent to which the favourable conditions for growth that existed in East Asia could ever be replicated in Africa (for a brief summary of the contemporary debate see: United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESC), 2013). As a form of introduction to the topic, this study will start with a brief definition of a developmental state according to the literature before moving on to look at what characteristics make up a typical developmental state. A brief analysis will determine the extent to which there is agreement within the literature. From here, the paper will look at the origins of the â€Å"developmental state model† born out of the experiences in East Asia as well as exploring some of the major academic contributions to the developmental state debate. Here, the research will touch upon the relevance of these contributions within the African context. The second section will be the main critical analysis around the extent to which developmental states are emerging within Africa or whether the ‘impossibility theorem’ (Mkanadwire, 2001) continues to hold water. Following that, the paper will examine what policies are needed to support these fledgling developmental states, according to the literature. The third and final chapter will provide case studies from Ghana, examining whether this nation possesses any of the defining features that constitute a developmental state. The aim here is to show, via a practical example, that â€Å"developmental states† are possible in Africa but are also far from similar to East Asian examples. Here, the paper will also offer a critique to show the struggles and developmental threats for Africa as a counter argument that developmental states are emerging within Africa. Starting first with a definition of a developmental state, the study immediately encounter some points of contention. Firstly, as Mbabazi and Taylor (2005) point out, â€Å"the definition of a developmental state does not correspond directly with economic performance.† That is, a country which is performing well economically is not necessary ‘developmental’. Rather, the current accepted definition of a â€Å"developmental state† is one that is ideologically directed towards development, where the state â€Å"seriously attempts to deploy its administrative and political resources to the task of economic development† (Mbabazi and Taylor, 2005: 2). Traditionally. â€Å"developmental states† are associated with locations that have economic development as a leading governmental policy which has the potential to form bodies which can facilitate these policies and targets. To be classed as a developmental state, there must be a governmental ability to â€Å"weave formal and informal networks of collaboration† between civilians and public officials whilst promoting â€Å"macro-economic stability† and maintaining an â€Å"institutional framework that provides law and order, effective administration of justice and peaceful resolution of conflicts, ensures property rights and appropriate infrastructure investments, and advances human development† (Mkandawire, 1999, 2010; UNESC, 2013; 2). Others have added to the definition of a developmental state in that it must be willing to engage itself directly with the direction and pace of economic development using ‘market conforming’ mechanisms to allocate economic resources, rather than simply falling back on a uncoordinated, laissez-faire attitudes to market forces (Johnson, 1982: 319-20; Mbabazi and Taylor, 2005: 4; Meyns and Musamba, 2010 :13, UNESC, 2013: 2). Now that a clear definition of what a developmental state is, along with a taste of what key theoretical features need to be present has been established, this paper will take a step back to look at the origins of the developmental state in terms of East Asian experiences. Here, the study will see some of the main contributions made to the literature from leading scholars, which will shed some light on what are held to be the key theoretical features of developmental states. This will then be used as an entry point into the discussion about to what extent these theoretical features are feasible, and how it might be applied within the context of this research. As touched upon above, much of the contemporary discussion about developmental states has its roots in research conducted on the experiences faced by the East Asian tigers (for the original research see: Amsden, 1989; Haggard, 1990; Johnson, 1982). There seems to be a general consensus within the academic literate as to the key features that facilitate the Asian tigers to superior levels of growth and these are the following: Embedded autonomy of state bureaucracy: Put forward by Peter Evans (1989, 1995), he argued that strong state institutions have a significant influence towards the promotion of development in the Tiger economies because they avoided being ‘captured’ by vested interests. The East Asian states have professional bureaucracies, in which the employees had real opportunities for advancement so they avoided the temptation to engage in extra rent-seeking (income providing) activities. Simultaneously, Evans noted that the state administration remained attached to or embedded in society so that it did not become isolated and self-serving, so that it could continually redefine its policy goals and aims. Market conforming intervention Charlmers Johnson (1982), who studied Japan’s highly successful post-war recovery, found similar results to Evans. He notes that â€Å"small, inexpensive, professional and efficient state bureaucracies or pilot bureaucratic agencies†, like the Japanese Ministry for International Trade and Industry (MITI), which had authority over economic policy, allowed those states to promote civic interests whilst maintaining a high level of prestige and legitimacy (Johnson, 1982: 49). Most importantly for Johnson, however, was the fact that the government of Japan provided national administrators with the tools and authority to intervene directly in the economy under the condition that all work would stick to neo-liberal market principles (Johnson 1982: 315-316). Political primacy According to Adrian Leftwich; â€Å"politics is the dominant variable which determines the concept of the developmental state as well as the developmental success or failure in all human societies† (Meynes and Musamba, 2005:16). Leftwich (2000: 4) argues that developmental states possess the following six factors during their emergence: â€Å"The presence of development-oriented political elite who possess high levels of commitment and will to attain economic growth.† â€Å"A powerful, professional, highly competent, insulated and career-based bureaucracy† â€Å"Civil society is relatively weak and disorganised† â€Å"A high capacity for the effective economic management of both domestic and private economic interests† â€Å"An uneasy mix of repression and non-adherence to human rights† â€Å"Performance-based legitimacy of the governing political elite, and which takes precedence over procedural legitimacy† (Leftwich, 2000:174). It seems that Leftwich differs in his arguments from Evans, in that Leftwich observes an imbalance. Yet it can be seen that there exists a significant state body which has a powerful bureaucracy which can effectively take care of the interest of the private economic. Then, this leads to a frail society which has no way of influencing the ruling elite. Alternatives to neo-liberal economics: Conceptually speaking, the developmental state is often located in-between a â€Å"free market capitalist economic system† and a centrally-planned economic system â€Å"conjoining private ownership with state guidance† (Woo-Cumings 1999: 2). This means it is neither purely capitalist nor totally socialist. With regards to the relationship between the developmental state and â€Å"interventionism† is concerned, â€Å"the developmental state is an embodiment of a normative or moral ambition to use the interventionist power of the state to guide investment in a way that promotes a certain solidaristic vision of national economy† (Loriaux 1999: 24). Ha-Joon Chang, demonstrates that â€Å"economic development requires a state which can create and regulate the economic and political relationships that can support sustained industrialisation – or in short, a developmental state† (Chang, 1999:183). Therefore, the creation of the developmental state concept leads to the formation of a interventionist state. Are developmental states emerging in Africa Several African states have endured a surge in development across the independence years, that started from the early 1960s onwards (Woo?Cumings 1999: 19?20). However, subsequently, governance deteriorated and efforts to spread education stalled: â€Å"National armies discredited themselves through bloody coups and internal divisions along ethnic lines† (Woo?Cumings 1999: 19?20). Since those dark times, there has been increasing evidence to suggest that developmental states are now emerging in sub-Saharan Africa. However, existing literature expresses concerns with regards to if this the correct route for the African countries. For example, Woo-Cumings warns us that the developmental state can be â€Å"good in relation to its (economic) effectiveness but it can also be a grim model in terms of human rights and lack of democracy† (Woo-Cumings 1999: 19?20). After initial developmental optimism, by the 1990s, things had changed; â€Å"the African state had become the most demonised social institution in Africa, vilified for its weaknesses, its over-extension, its interference with the smooth functioning of markets, its repressive character, its dependence on foreign powers, its ubiquity, its absence† (Mkadawire, 2001: 293). The legacy this has left behind is an academic thesis that posits that the developmental state concept is â€Å"not feasible under prevalent conditions in Africa known as the impossibility theorem† (Mkadawire, 2001: 293). Lewis and Stein (1997) for example, when investigating the possibility of translating the Asian model and replicating it in the African context argue that â€Å"while greater political insulation of economic policy makers could reasonably be achieved in African countries, the extensive coordinated economic interventions of the East Asian states are far beyond the administrative capabilities of most African governments†. Scepticism has been widespread within the literature regarding the prospects for the formation of viable developmental states, owing mostly to the poor record of state-led development efforts during the immediate post-independence era of African governance. State intervention in the economy, according to Ake, became a way for the governing elite to accumulate wealth for themselves (Ake, 1996). Others have put forward that the African continent lacks â€Å"adequate political superstructure and the leadership necessary for implementing policy of a developmental nature† (Birdsall, 2007: 580). The ‘impossibility theorem’ is a collection of arguments that posits that the developmental state concept in Africa is not possible, and, in particular, demonstrates scepticism towards the East Asian development experiences and if these could act as a model for Africa (Mkandawire 2001) . Those who advance the ‘impossibility theorem’ also argue that this model is incompatible with globalization. They argue that the current â€Å"international regulatory architecture and the dominance of the neo-liberal paradigm† – supported by the World Bank, the IMF and the Washington Consensus – have created an environment that is largely â€Å"inhospitable for the viability of the developmental state approach† (Beeson 2006: 34-39). Yet, supporters of the emergence of African developmental states argue that â€Å"the poor performance and lack of potential for African countries to achieve rapid state-led development is due to a biased and unfair comparison of the achievements of the East Asian models† (Mkandawire, 2001, Chang, 2006, UNCTAD, 2007). The fact is, developmental states are emerging in Africa and there evidence for them to promote a developmental-state approach. It is now accepted that â€Å"market-based economies† need a successful state to function and develop. African nations are beginning to satisfy the fundamental needs of their people (Manzavinos, 2004). This journey of rediscovering the â€Å"role† of the state has been simultaneous with the recognition of that of economic institutions. Douglass North published a book in 1990 called, Institutions, Institutional Change, and Economic Performance, which argues against the idea that â€Å"institutions simply come about as a by-product of economic growth, and put forward that improvements in institutions are essential preconditions and determinants of growth† (Manzavinos, 2004). The final part of this paper now turns to the Ghana case-study in order to find out what policies could support the growth of African developmental states. Ghana was the initial nation in Africa to gain independence and has since undergone a stable transition since then. The Nkrumah were soon established as the popular legitimacy of the state, Ghana has since managed to escape the violence that has occurred in other Sub-Sahara states. As within all academic debates there are two sides to the argument: those that put forward that Ghana is a model of a developmental state and those who argue the contrary. Put simply, Ghana has failed to capture successful long-term development but that does not necessary mean it is not a developmental state. Ghana’s growth could be seen as a â€Å"mirage† rather than a â€Å"miracle† as some key structural changes as highlighted in the introduction of this paper have not occurred. However, Dzorgbo (2001: 5) observes that â€Å"it has confronted the challenge of increasing dependence on foreign aid, an exponential external debt, high rates of unemployment and poverty, and de-industrialization resultant from the elimination of protective measures†. In terms of what policies Ghana can implement to support itself as a developmental state; it could start with intervening with its fiscal and monetary policy as done by the East Asian tigers during their developmental phase. The main aim of this would be to reduce government spending; â€Å"The CCP adopted an exaggerated, bloated vision of development of which the crucial feature was the number of physical structures and general infrastructure that could be constructed rather than assessing the actual social and material needs of the people† (Osei, 1999: 6). This would mean that Ghana should instead rely on state monetary policy to restore macroeconomic balance and cease to continue along the path of government spending which is dependent on bank credit. This creates an environment which is â€Å"inhospitable to foreign and private investment because excess lending and inflation results in low (even negative) interest rates that further discourage future investment† (Os ei, 1999: 6). This paper puts forward that the policy that Ghana should adopt is one of state intervention in its monetary policy instead of a laissez-faire attitude to economics. However, in the case of Ghana it is easy to see why the over extension of the state could become a problem given that the Divestiture Implementation Committee, established in 1990 under the patronage of the IMF, â€Å"gradually auctioned off state enterprises to the highest bidder† (Rothchild, 1991; 206). As such, Ghana has an uncomfortable history of state interference within the economy. Once hailed as the frontier of Africa and in many ways similar to the Asian tigers, Ghana still must endure significant obstacles as such â€Å"formulas for success† set by the IMF and the Washington Consensus have continually failed to bring about change. Taking into account the dynamic and unpredictable periods of economic policy formation we must ask ourselves if it even possible to generalize a developmental theory for Ghana or even Africa as a wholeAke strongly disagrees; â€Å"because development paradigms largely ignore the specificity and historicity of African countries, it puts them in a position in which everything is relevant to them and nothing is uniquely significant for understanding them† (Dzorgbo, 2001:13). In conclusion, it can be seen that drawing on the experience of the East Asian tiger’s economies cannot be effectively applied to Africa as the contexts too different. As we have seen, developmental theory can be utterly misleading and inappropriate for Africa even if there is evidence to suggest that some nations of Africa ‘fit’ the developmental state model. References: Ake, Claude (1996). Democracy and Development in Africa. Washington, D.C. The Brookings Institution. Amsden, A. (1989). Asia’s Next Giant. South Korea and Late Industrialization. New York: Oxford University Press. Beeson, Mark (2006). Politics and Markets in East Asia. Is the Developmental State Compatable with GlobalisationIn, R. Stubbs., and G. R. D. Underhill (eds.), political Economy and the Changing Global order, 3rd edition, Ontorio: Oxford University Press Birdsall, Nancy (2007). Do no Harm. Aid, Weak Institutions and the Missing Middle in Africa. Development Policy Review, 25(5), 575-598. Chang, Ha-Joon (2006). The East Asian Development Experience. The Miracle, the Crisis and the Future, London: Zed Books. Dzorgbo, D. (2001). Ghana in Search of Development: The Challenge of Governance, Economic Management, and Institution Building. Evans, Peter B. (1989). Predatory, Developmental and Other State?Apparatuses. A Comparative Political Economy Perspective on the Third World State. Sociological Forum, 4 (4), 561?587. Evans, P. (1995). Embedded Autonomy: States and Industrial Transformation. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Haggard, Stephan (1990). Pathways from the Periphery. The Politics of Growth in Newly Industrialising Countries. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Lewis, P. and Stein, H. (1997). Shifting fortunes: the political economy of financial liberalisation in Nigeria. World Development, vol. 25, no. 1, 5–22. Loriaux, M et al (1999). Capital Ungoverned: Liberalizing Finance in Interventionist States, (Ithaca: Cornell), pp 57-91 Mantzavinos, C., North, D. C., & Shariq, S. (2004). Learning, institutions, and economic performance. Perspectives on politics, 2(01), 75-84. Mbabazi, P., & Taylor, I. (2005). Botswana and Uganda as developmental States. The Potentiality of Developmental States’ in Africa: Botswana and Uganda Compared, pp. 1-15. Meyns, P. and Musamba, C. (2010 [eds]). The Developmental State in Africa: Problems and Prospects. Institute for Development and Peace, University of Duisburg?Essen INEF-Report, 101/2010). Mkandawire, T (2001). Thinking about developmental states in Africa. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 25 (3), 289-13. Osei, A. (1999). Ghana: Recurrence and Change in a Post-Independence African State. Peter Lang Publishing Rothchild, D. (1991). Ghana: The Political Economy of Recovery. Lynne Rienner Publishers United Nations Economic and Social Council (2013). ‘The Developmental State: What Option for AfricaAn Issues Paper’ in Economic Commission for Africa Governance and Public Administration Division Third Meeting of the Committee on Governance and Popular Participation (CGPP-III). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , 20-21 February 2013 . UNCTAD (2007). Economic Development in Africa. Reclaiming Policy Space: Domestic resource mobilization and developmental states. Geneva: UNTAD. Woo?Cumings, Meredith (ed.) (1999). The Developmental State. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

Alcohol Is the Worst Drug in the United States

Alcohol is the Most Dangerous Drug in the United States Alcohol is more harmful than any other drug. Despite this fact, alcohol is still legal in the United States. There are many types of illegal drugs that are well known for their harmful consequences to humans but it is, in fact, alcohol that causes more harm than all of the illegal substances. A 2010 study by the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs ranked alcohol as â€Å"most harmful† drug on a list of 20 drugs. Alcohol ranked higher than crack and heroin when the potential harm to individuals and others was examined. Alcohol causes physical, psychological and social problems.Alcohol is a depressant that affects every part of the human body. Alcohol affects the part of the brain that controls coordination, memory, judgment and decision-making. Each year, more than 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from underage drinking. Another 1,900 die from car accidents. And still more people die from alcohol-related homicide s, suicides and other alcohol-induced accidents. Alcohol costs the U. S. over 184. 6 billion dollars in 1998, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This cost was more than the estimated cost of all other illegal substances put together-$143. billion-during 1998. Although alcohol has been dubbed the most harmful drug, it is not the drug that does the most harm to an individual. In fact, alcohol earned this dubious honor because of the effect that alcohol has on the people around the alcoholic. Herion, crack cocain and metamfetamine are much more harmful to a person’s body than alcohol is. In a later study in the British Medical Journal, alcohol was found to be the fourth most dangerous drug after heroin, crack and crystal meth. This same study deemed alcohol to be the second most dangerous drug to society.Some people say that alcohol should be banned. Despite the overwhelming evidence that alchol is very bad for indivduals and their loved ones, a lcohol remains legal in the U. S. During the 1920’s the US banned alcohol during a time called Prohibition. This policy is considered to have been a failure because it lead to more organized crime, increased alcoholics and negatively impacted the economy. Alcohol continues to be advertised on television and radio, apparently enticing people to continue to buy and drink alchol. Alcohol will always be legal. Alcohol is a big part of our American culture.It is embraced and celebrated by people of all ages every day. Our country is not prepared to make the consumption of alcohol illegal. Doing so would clog the court systems, lead to corruption of officials and cripple the U. S. econmy due to the lost tax money generated by the sale of alcohol. People do need to be educated on the dangers of alcohol so each person can make the best decision for themselves and their family, which would be to avoid alcohol alcohol all together. References Alaraki, M. (2010). Alcohol is society†™s most dangerous drug. Retrieved from http://www. dailyfinance. om/2010/11/01/alcohol-is-societys-most-dangerous-drug/ Nutt, D. J. , (2010). Drugs harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis. The Lancet 376(9752), 1558-1565. Doi: 10. 1016/50140-6736(10)61462-6 Grohol, J. M. (2010). Alcohol the Most Dangerous Drug? Probably not. Retrieved from http://psychcentral. com/blog/archives/2010/11/01/alcohol-the-most-dangerous-drug-probably-not/ Neurobonnkers. (2012). The largest ever study in to drug harms places alcohol in the top four. Retrieved from http://neurobonkers. com/2012/08/06/the-largest-ever-study-in-to-drug-harms-places-alcohol-in-the-top-four/

Energy resource challenge Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Energy resource challenge - Research Paper Example It has always been a challenge to people the control of pollution non-renewable resources bring. Also, scientists are trying their best to find out the probable ways to reduce the global warming caused by the non-renewable resources usage. Renewable energy is the naturally replenished energy that comes from the environment. It includes energy coming from the sun as well as from the wind. One of the most recognized models of the renewable energy source is called Wind Turbines. This machine gets energy from the wind because of its rotating part. It can be segregated into two – machine that makes use of the energy directly and machine that converts energy to electricity. The former is called Windmill while the later is a Wind Generator. Aside from wind source, solar cells are also an efficient supply that became accessible to homeowners as Scientists consider that the technology will be competitive (Berg, n.d.). It is known that solar energy can be obtained through radiation. Photovoltaics and heat engines are just some techniques used to extract energy from the sun. In a photovoltaics method, electricity is produced by converting the sun’s radiation with the use of semiconductors. Thus, letting the electri city flow and be obtained. Aside from the mentioned renewable energy sources, an alcohol can also be a form of energy source. Ethanol can be naturally produced from sunlight. The production is possible through the process called Photosynthesis that brings about feedstock. Last but not the least, there is Hydropower. Water energy can also be obtained and be gathered through hydroelectric dams. There are now available alternative resources of energy. However, the question that still remains is on the reliability of these sources. Indeed, oil fuels until now have not met its rival. It still has the greatest impact to people and their welfare. Unlike coal and gas, storage is a challenge in managing

1.Examine the organisational context of your organisation, Essay

1.Examine the organisational context of your organisation, particularly its stakeholders and organisational culture. What are the key issues which enable and c - Essay Example Pepsi Inc’s overÐ °ll mission is to increÐ °se its shÐ °reholders investment. It does so by offering quÐ °lity products thÐ °t Ð °re sÐ °fe, wholesome, economicÐ °lly efficient Ð °nd environmentÐ °lly sound. It requires Ð °n orgÐ °nizÐ °tion Ð °nd working environment thÐ °t Ð °ttrÐ °cts the best people, fully develops Ð °nd chÐ °llenges their tÐ °lents, encourÐ °ges free Ð °nd spirited collÐ °borÐ °tion Ð °nd mÐ °intÐ °ins the highest stÐ °ndÐ °rds of integrity. Stakeholders are generally defined as any individuals or organizations who have the ability to directly or indirectly affect or are affected by the operations of a program. (WÐ °nous, Reichers, MÐ °lik, 2004) In Pepsi Inc there are two main distinctions concerning the type of stakeholder: internal and external. Internal stakeholders are typically all employees, and might include specific groups such as agency managers; program managers; front-line supervisors; direct-service employees; subject matter experts or occupational specialists; and evaluation, planning, and budgeting staff. External stakeholders are individuals or groups outside the organization that regularly exercise actions that can promote, inhibit, or change the operations of the organization. Types of external stakeholders who might participate include: elected officials, interest groups, union representatives, the media, customers, and citizens. Powerful externÐ °l stÐ °keholders Ð °re cÐ °pÐ °ble of dominÐ ° ting Ð °n orgÐ °nisÐ °tion’s strÐ °tegy. It is importÐ °nt to Ð °scertÐ °in eÐ °ch stÐ °keholder’s level of interest concerning the orgÐ °nisÐ °tionÐ °l purposes Ð °nd strÐ °tegic choices, Ð °nd the level of power they yield. Implementing Ð ° stÐ °keholder mÐ °pping mÐ °trix provides Ð °n insight into this, which in turn fÐ °cilitÐ °tes the understÐ °nding of Pepsi Inc’s politicÐ °l priorities. Pepsi Inc brÐ °nd nÐ °mes Ð °re Ð °mong the best-known Ð °nd most respected in the world. Some of the Pepsi Inc brÐ °nd nÐ °mes Ð °re 100 yeÐ °rs old, but the corporÐ °tion is relÐ °tively

Organization and Management of a Health Care Facility Research Paper

Organization and Management of a Health Care Facility - Research Paper Example Under the chief of operating officer and the chief of financial officer is their various administrative staff that is considered the subordinates in the health care facility and the lowest in the organizational structure. Under the chief of medical staff is various departmental heads in charge of the different health related departments. They include the head of surgery, head of trauma, head of palliative care and head of pediatrics. Under each of these departmental heads are the staffs which include the nurses and physicians (Daniels and Ramey, 2005). The Chief Executive Officer is the hospital head in charge of all the staff in the hospital. He is also the administrative head who liaises with various chief heads to find the way forward for the health care facility. He receives advice from the rest of the chiefs and heads of departments and then makes the final decisions. He also gives authorization of budgets, people to hire and fire as well as other types of authorizations. He is the chair of the disciplinary committee which is composed of all chiefs and heads of departments (Garber, Gross and Slonim, 2010). The chief information management officer is in charge of the staffing issues in the hospital. His role is similar to that of a human resource manager and legal officer all combined in one concerned with all staffing affairs from hiring to firing and other staffing issues that may arise in the health care facility. He is also in charge of tracking of the professional certificates, tracking and handling any legal issue in the facility as well as provides monthly reports to the chief executive officer on the general functioning of the hospital (Dewan, Luo and Lorenzi, 2010). The chief financial officer is in charge of all the financial details and records in the health care facility starting from budgets, preparing and disbursing salaries and wages, handling payments from patients and purchase of

Enron Scandal Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Enron Scandal - Research Paper Example This created financial discrepancies in the form of loans. Profits were artificially generated in order to mention the cash flows that came in the form of such loans. Another technique used by the organization was to speculate on the energy sector. It calculated the market prices for the energy sector. The importance of ethics has also been demonstrated in the aftermath of the scandal. Corporate organizations need to have sound policies that demonstrate commitment, responsibility, and good governance. Such a culture helps employees to work for the prosperity of the organization. The collapse of Enron triggered shockwaves that took time to heal. The legislation in that time period allowed audit firms to provide diverse services which helped in the creation of fraudulent or misleading financial reports and statements. A major problem which occurred was the fact that Enron could recruit auditors that were inclined to make favorable statements in the organizational interest. Corporate scandals have a negative impact on economic systems because they lead to drastic changes. The Enron scandal that erupted in 2001 shook the foundations of the American financial system. It had a catastrophic impact on the confidence of the market because the organization had been involved in fraudulent and malicious financial activities. The organization would become insolvent while its auditing partner, Arthur Anderson was also on the verge of bankruptcy. Enron was an organization that had been created in the mid-1980s. Jeffrey Skilling, Kenneth Lay, and Andrew Fastow were responsible for the scandal which involved the lack of proper financial reports and statements (Brewer & Hansen, 2002). Stock values were overstated in order to attract more cash flows. The Enron scandal had widespread repercussions on the entire financial system. The main executives received sentences while certain firms like Citigroup and Anderson Auditing had to pay heavy.

Fibre Reinforced Plastics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Fibre Reinforced Plastics - Essay Example These set of additions impart a new identity to the composite in terms of heat resistance, strength and stiffness. Individually the mechanical properties of these additives might not be of an appreciable value but on combining to form a composite matrix these properties are magnified. The ultimate mechanical property of the composite of course depends upon the manner in which these fibres are arranged in the matrix and the manufacturing method followed in producing the composite. Both these applications; Aerospace and Formula-1 deal with mechanisms to reduce the weight of the body and increase the aerodynamic profile of the surface. These functions would ultimately define the fuel efficiency and the speed of the aircraft or the Formula-1 car. (Cripps David, 2000) Research currently being undertaken seeks to refine the existing manufacturing processes to reduce the weight of the composite further but at the same time maintaining structural integrity. Advantages of using FRP 1. This of fers a wide range of corrosion resistance over acids, chlorides and other oxidizers. 2. Since its offer no galvanic potential it negates the requirement of sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection. (The composite advantage, 2004) 3. The strength to weight ratio is quite large. 4. It can operate over a wide range of temperatures; from low temperature cryogenic temperature applications to high temperatures in the range of 350 to 400? F. (The composite advantage, 2004) 5. It provides safe working environment as it is fire resistant. 6. The inherent nature of the material and the adaptability of the manufacturing process make it suitable for creating large complex shapes in situ. 7. Both the installation costs and maintenance costs are lower. (The composite advantage, 2004) The Manufacturing Process There are number of manufacturing processes that are used in producing Fibre Reinforced Plastics. These include the 1. Hand Lay-Up process 2. Spray Lay-Up process 3. Vacuum Bagging 4. Fila ment Winding 5. Pultrusion However the manufacturing process that is usually used in the manufacturing of components and structural parts of aircrafts and F1 racing cars include the following (Cripps David, 2000) 1. Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) 2. Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) 3. Prepegs 4. Resin Film Infusion. (RFI) 1. Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) - This is a closed moulding process done under low pressure. The volume of composite produced is somewhere between that generated in a contact moulding process and that of a compression moulding process. The strands of reinforcement that is completely dried out are neatly arranged in the lower part of the mould. Glass reinforcements of various shapes can also be used along with the fiber matrix to ensure that complex mould shapes can be generated. Source: Cripps David, 2000, Reinforced Transfer Moulding The mating part or the upper portion of the mould is then closed onto the bottom half of the bold leaving a cavity whi ch eventually takes the shape of the structure this process is trying to manufacture. The thermosetting resin is then injected into this cavity space. It is necessary to ensure that sufficient amount of this resin is used to avoid the formation of voids, cavities or edge imperfections caused due to low quantity of resin. (Rice Brian and Lee William, n.d ) To assist in this filling process and guarantee that all areas of this cavity are filled, vacuum can be used which draws the resin to all parts of the cavity and ensures a perfect fill. This process is also known as the Vacuum Assisted R

Vision Statement Comparison Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Vision Statement Comparison - Assignment Example A vision statement goes hand in hand with the mission statement and the values that a given company seeks to entrench and move forward. The Vision statement outlines what goals the company seeks to achieve whereas the mission statement says clearly, what pathways to follow to achieve the goals. The values stand for the principles that the organization seeks to impart and entrench in its workers. The Ford Corporation is the largest carmaker in the USA for many centuries. Its mission statement is â€Å"To become the worlds leading consumer company for automotive products and services†. The statement is to the point and has the main objective and goal that Ford seeks to achieve. By reading the statement, one can truly tell what it is that the Ford Corporation has entrenched in its mission as well as daily activities, which is to become the company of choice in the automotive industry. The Starbucks Coffee House is one of the leading coffee companies in the world with branches worldwide. Its Vision statement states that â€Å"Share great coffee with our friends and help make the world a little better†.   In the statement, we can learn that the focus for the company is to use its product offering that is coffee to see to it that the world becomes better by taking and using their product. In addition, the Vision statement can be interpreted to depict that their product is a good way to unwind as well as foster relations with others. Harvard University is one of the world’s best universities churning out professionals and leaders at a high rate. The Vision statement for Harvard University is that â€Å"Harvard strives to create knowledge, to open the minds of students to that knowledge, and to enable students to take best advantage of their educational opportunities† The Stanford University vision has overtime changed. Initially the Vision statement was â€Å"Become the Harvard of the West† which later evolved overtime to read â€Å"provide quality services

Jackson Pollock Exhibition New York Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Jackson Pollock Exhibition New York - Essay Example The paper "Jackson Pollock Exhibition New York" focuses on the artworks of Jackson Pollock. The art was first exhibited, in Sidney Janis Gallery, during Pollock’s solo exhibition, in November of 1952. The date of the painting has been mistaken frequently being given as 1953. The creation of the blue poles attracted much attention. creation of the blue poles attracted much attention. The artist has made painting over other existing paintings, and the other paints were just covered up. It seems Pollock began painting canvases that were spread on the floor. The un-stretched canvas was then stretched on the wall, after the first layer of paint was dry, by tacking it along the top edge to a beam, which stretched across the wall where more paint was added. The canvas was then left unattended to, for a period. The blue paint that run through the thick ridges of the existing paint layers was visible after the second painting is done. This is an indication that they were quite dry by t hat time. Pollock was the first painter to pour paint rather that use brushes and palette. â€Å"Action† is the only image Pollock painted. This image, however, seemed inadequate for his creative process. This is in relation to his earlier works. Lavender Mist is three meters long (nearly 10 ft). It is also a massive expanse on a heroic scale. It is decorated with colored scribble, spattered lines that cross its entire surface but now thickening, and trailing off to a slender skein. Its eye is constantly eager.

Ethical Decision Making and Ethical Leadership Coursework

Ethical Decision Making and Ethical Leadership - Coursework Example I understand your current dilemma, and I am glad that you are seeking further insight into the issue. The Kohlberg Model is of critical importance in this situation as it can help you analyze the level of ethics you should exhibit. Although the issue at hand deals with accepting a small gift from a customer, my advice to you will be applicable in other situations in the future. As an employee who has worked for the company for a long time, it is important to begin appreciating the universal ethical principle that Kohlberg described in stage 6 of his model. There is a need for an individual to examine any action in a categorical manner before proceeding with it (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2013). When acting in conformity to this stage, an individual will be displaying moral maturity because he or she will do what is right not because they are afraid of punishment, but because they realize that it is the right thing to do. In your current situation, accepting a gift from a customer even if it is of a small value is a contravention of the company’s code of ethics. In additio n, universal business ethics do not promote such behavior. Therefore, I hope you will reconsider the company’s code of ethics as well as the universal ethical principles in your effort to exhibit ethical behavior in the current situation. Notably, if you act in accordance in accordance with the sixth stage of Kohlberg Model, you will realize that it will be much easier to make ethical decisions in the future (Klikauer,

The ultimate nightmare Essay Example for Free

The ultimate nightmare Essay I lay down and waited for the soothing blanket of sleep shroud me. A few seconds later the anticipated blackness of slumber settled in†¦ Suddenly, the deafening noise of the alarm clock woke me up with a startling jolt. It seemed as though I had fallen asleep mere seconds ago and as I groggily looked around something did not seem right. The room looked the same as it did before I went to sleep. In the bright orange light that seemed to come from hells keep itself, shown through the flimsy curtains from the eerily noiseless street behind our house I could see that nothing was amiss. Nothing that I could notice straight away that is. As I got up from my bed, I saw that my sister was not in hers. I looked around once more, as the feeling of peculiar alarm and angst worked from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I was at once perturbed and shaken as I saw that the room was clean, severely clean. There was naught on the tables, or in the wardrobe, not dust nor a shadow of the things that had been there and as I turned to look at the alarm clock, I was only more agitated to find the side table to be glimmeringly spotless. As the twisted black feeling of fear grew, I knew I had to go through the entire house. Having no idea of what time it was; except that it was dark; sinister as any night in a horror movie outside, I went through each and every room in our house only to find all of them stripped bare, like a newborn baby, from the ceiling to the floor. It was as though it had taken hours for me to do that, for me to find all my families things, my family, itself to have, disappeared like they had never existed in the first place. The fear that had been lit now consumed me like a wild fire. That this dream like situation that seemed to go on for hours only fed it. The fact that I now knew this was not reality but a horrifying nightmare did not seem any less daunting than if a dragon breathing fire had been placed in front of me. For this was my ultimate nightmare, to be left alone with not a thing in the world but worse than that that there was no one for me to go to. I could not do anything but wait in the spine-tingling prison like dream, wait for someone to wake me up, when, the shrill voice of the alarm sought me out,  again†¦

Consumers Buying Behaviour Of Fashion Magazines

Consumers Buying Behaviour Of Fashion Magazines Vogue and GQ are the two fashion and lifestyle magazines which are published monthly. Vogue is published in 18 national and one regional edition by Conde Nast Publications. Vogue is most famous as a presenter of images of high fashion and high society. Vogue is giving the millions of women each month of the inspiration and challenge to see things in a different way both for themselves and the world. GQ which is mainly focusing on the mens sector is focusing on fashion, style, and culture for men, through articles on movies, health, food, sports, music, travel and books. It is published internationally in 17 countries and 12 different languages. It is the one which covers almost all the aspects of the males life. In our research the comparison of two fashion magazines, we covered the some characteristics of Consumer Buying Behaviours i.e societal changes overtime, demographics, personality, social group influence and consumer relationship. We also carried out the Primary research in order to attain our research findings. History (Societal Changes) Vogue which is the worlds most influential fashion magazine was founded in the year 1892, by Arthur Baldwin Turnure. After his death the magazine was picked by Conde Nast who changed the magazine from a weekly to a biweekly. Vogues target audience appears to be mainly women and those who prefer to embrace fashion and culture as a lifestyle. Gentlemens Quarterly (GQ) has been a leading voice in mens magazines, covering mens style and culture from fashion and politics to travel, entertainment, sports, technology and relationships. It all began in 1931, when Apparel Arts was founded as a mens fashion magazine. In 1958, Apparel Arts was reborn as fashion supplement issued quarterly for Esquire subscribers and renamed Gentlemens Quarterly. Through the 1970s, Gentlemens Quarterly retained its concentration on mens fashion and style. In 1983 Conde Nast purchased Gentlemens Quarterly and simplified the name to GQ. The up and downs in the growth of both magazines from the time of their first published till date, Vogue has several up and downs in every year but from 1990 it start growing rapidly. In the beginning GQ was also facing difficulties in capturing the market but when it introduced for general public it start growing rapidly. Magazine Covers, Cover Lines Content Over time, magazines covers have changed radically, and that change can be observed by following how magazines used cover lines. This article traces the history of magazine cover lines from early, bookish designs, through the emergence of the poster cover and its dominance, through the integration of type with art, to the proliferation of cover lines at the beginning of the 21st century. In the beginning both magazines shows a characteristic poster cover. The stunning design dwarfs the rest of the cover, even the magazines name. The amazing illustration, the designer has utilized many of the methods that will be re-invented throughout the 20th century for integrating cover lines with cover art: A large title with the models face overlapping it A model in a (nearly) full body pose A model in an unusual and expressive posture (rotated somewhat, spiralling down to the bottom cover line) Cover lines on all sides of her, carefully positioned in relation to the model and the background (The Amazing Fraud is written across the beam of the sailboat, other lines appear against the sail) THEN NOW The images are no longer in the foreground. Cover lines appear in front of the cover models, covering significant parts of their images. We see these beautiful people through the cover lines that surround them, as if they were in the bushes and the bushes were made of words. Vogue combines a modern mix of glamour, style and wit with a passionate flow of intelligent writing and cutting-edge photography. Whereas GQ is the pinnacle of the premium mens lifestyle and covers style, culture, entertainment, health, sports, luxury and life. As far as magazines are concern they also changes time to time the major changes come in their quality of the paper, printing, content etc. Research methodology The research methodology was divided into two stages which involve two sources for collecting the data in order to achieve the objective of our project. 1. Collecting data regarding the potential customers from the existing Magazines. 2. Collecting the primary data directly with the customer with the help of the interviews and questionnaires (Refer Annexure-1). Research design In this project multi stage sampling is used because the total population was too large and due to time constraint it was not practically possible to make a list of entire population. At first stage we have divided it into income wise and then further divided it into three factors which we target i.e. Fashion, Style and Cosmetics so that we can get correct and related information. Sample design Sampling Unit: Fashion Magazine Customers Sampling Size: 15 potential customers Sampling technique: multistage sampling Sampling area: London Contact Method: Personal Contacts. Demographics Segmentation: It is a check to characteristic of Human population and also used in identification of gender, race, age, income, disability, mobility, educational attainment, home ownership, employment statue and location. CLASSES IN DEMOGRAPHICS SHOPPING ORIENTATION VALUE, LIFESTYLE CONCEPTUAL BACKGROUND SHOPPING ATTITUDE LIFE STYLE: This has been described as gaining the understanding of your customers. STRENGTH: Here are the strategies which the gq magazines uses to get the audience of their customers. The magazines consider age in publication of their magazines because their target audience are male with age 25-39 and gq magazine have desire for style. The success with style has always been the ethos around which gq was created, a provocative mix of the very best writing, strong visuals and an unrivalled sense of achievement, intelligence and irreverence, the ultimate urban mens tips sheet. Its the pinnacle of the premium mens life style magazine market and covers style, culture, entertainment, tech, health, sport, luxury and life. In vogue magazine it is a famous as a presenter of images of high fashion and high society. This publisher of the magazine also includes art, culture, politics and ideas to enhance the readers more on information. At the front pages of the both magazines theirs are some icons of information displayed on it with the details of the stories in side, which means that the magazines are educating to the customers. VOGUE MAGAZINE AGE:-The age of the target audience is 25-54 and the 82% of the readers are female. Again the 65% of the reader are full time or part time workers and the 26% of the readers are in AB socioeconomic quintile. Final the average household income is AUB 84, 850.( Roy Morgan Research March 2009.) READERSHIP:-348,000. CIRCULATION:-50,752. (ABC statement June 2009) GQ MAGAZINE AGE:-The age of the target audience is 25-30 and the 73% of the readers are men, 63% are single. INCOME:-The 65% of the readers had annual income of $50000 or greater and 25% had an annual income greater than $75000. SEGMENTATION: The vogue magazine implemented strategies which helps them to gain the customers by dividing their formats which are:- Information seekers Sensation seekers Utilitarian consumers Conspicuous consumer It was also revealed that fashion lifestyle segment have a very stronger effect in the vogue magazine readers because in the world today an average person want to be informed and perceives products or services he is purchasing. Personality The specific qualities, attributes, traits, factors, and mannerism that distinguishes one individual from other individuals. Vogue Femininity Sincerity Sophistication Need for cognition Super ego High dogmatism Compliant individuals Colour (Pink) Vogue is targeting the female sector and in its most of its issues femininity is very clear. On the cover page of magazine they are using the female models with sublime makeover to attract its target market. The magazine is making every effort in order to create the sincerity among its customers. They make them feel as a part of the magazine group by introducing the brands and celebrities of the liking of its customers. As they are targeting the female sector so the sophistication is an important element in it. They are introducing more and more glamorous, charming and appealing objects in the magazine. Cognition is the development of information to knowledge. The act of cognition consists of representing and transforming information. This can be done by sensing something directly, or indirectly by reasoning. The magazine is realizing this need and they are including the advertisements that are more perceived by the target market. Still there is much more to do in it to further reach to the wants of the people they are targeting. The magazine readers are super ego people who do have their self beliefs and attitudes. They have the personality composed of their internalized ideals that they have acquired from their parents and from society they belong to. People they are targeting are high in dogmatism and prefer established products rather than new innovative ones. They feel they are comfortable with what they are used to. The people magazine is targeting are high compliant individuals who have lofty goals in their lives and wants to be prominent from all others they are part of. The magazine is using light colours like pink and sky blue etc. which give the feelings to be cool and are highly attractive for women and more demanding in their lifestyles. GQ Masculinity Sincerity Ruggedness Product Personality Ego Low dogmatism Aggressive individuals Colour (Black white) GQ is focusing on the lifestyles of men so they are using more masculine attracted styles and products. There target market men are also very sincere towards the brand selection and products that are advertised in the magazine. They feel comfortable with what they get in the magazine. The target market is more rugged towards their approach for the products. They like aggressive styles and get more involved in these kinds of advertisements. The product personality mainly matches with the demands and likings of the men. The target market of GQ is egoistic and they feel themselves a part of the community if they are getting that what they want. They are in usual having low dogmatism so the people the magazine is targeting are closed minded persons generally prefer innovative products to traditional alternatives. They are normally the trend setters in their society. They want to try different and new things in order to get more attraction in a group they belong to. They are usually aggre ssive in nature and like to be prominent among others. They love to be more experimental in their ideas and approach towards the lifestyles. The GQ normally uses the colour combinations of black and white in order to show the aggressiveness in their styles and products. Social groups There is a difference when consumers make decisions of their perception as an individual and perception of themselves as a member of a group. Their purchase is affected by taking these factors into consideration. (Gary Charness Luca Rigotti Aldo Rustichini, 2005) The motivation to be a part of the particular group depends upon how attractive the Reference group is. These Reference groups sometimes influence that what product is purchased regardless of its brand but on some occasions brand matters but not the decision that what product to buy. (John OShaughnessy, 1995) Social groups are the communication network within the society. Sometimes the general communication within a society is so influential that it effects more than the proper and highly budgeted advertisements. (John OShaughnessy, 1995) There are three reference group influences: informational, utilitarian and value expressive. Informational influence is when individual seeks information about various brands from association of professionals. Utilitarian is when he or she satisfies the expectations of fellow work associates and Value expressive influence is when individual feels that the purchase or use of a particular brand will enhance the image others have of him or her. GQ users are those who mostly have utilitarian influence and try to purchase those products which are preferred by the people they have the social interaction with. On the other hand Vogue target market has mostly Value expressive influence as they want to purchase the brand which they feel that will enhance the image the others have about them. So they feel that by using particular brand they will look as nice as the person advertising the brand is. According to some psychologists there is the existence of trio of needs. These needs can be summed within Maslows theory but considered as individually. These needs have the unique relevance to consumer motivation in a group. These are power, affiliation and achievement. These are ego, social and self actualization needs respectively. As both Vogue and GQ are targeting the upper middle class so these needs plays an important role in the behaviour of the individual to get influenced by the group they belong to. The target market of GQ is more of the field of professionals and they want to be different in their groups. So they carry expensive products and whenever they see some new innovative product they try to be the first to introduce in their group. Vogue users are mostly females and females are usually more sensitive in their approach towards fashion and style in the group they belong to. They are very much conscious about trying new things so they go for the products that are mor e attracting to them in a group they belong to. Consumer relationship Consumer Relations is all about satisfying, safeguarding, enhancing, monitoring, and being responsive towards consumers needs remain profitable. Vogue and GQ are the living example of consumer relationship, since the day of their First Edition till date they never compromised on the factors of consumer relationship and due to which they retain their old consumers as well as attracting new customers, this has become possible because they are continuously taking feedback from their consumers and enhancing the quality in term of their contents and keeping it up to date according to their consumers needs. This responsiveness towards consumers made these magazines successful in their own categories. The strong relationship of Vogue and GQ magazines with their consumers increases their growth in the market. Data Analysis The above chart shows that the income of 20% of the Vogue users is less than  £50,000 while 45% of the magazine users fall under the income range of  £100,000 and we found no user of vogue in our sample size whose income level is above  £100,000. In case of GQ users most of the users have the income level around  £100,000 or more. The above graph inferences that mostly womens (around 60 %) goes for Vogue magazines is because of the Fashion Trends, around 40 % prefer style and the rest 10 % purchase it to get latest update about the cosmetics and accessories. This graph inference that mostly mens (around 60 %) goes for GQ magazines is because of the Style, around 40 % prefer Fashion Trends and as this magazine is mostly targeting the male gender of the society, so people do not prefer it for cosmetics. When we asked about the contents of the magazine such as brands, advertisements, articles etc. the majority of respondents replied in favour of it these magazines as shown in the above charts. CONCLUSIONS AND FINDINGS Since Fashion is continuously changing and market is increasing, people are purchasing Fashion magazines to get up to date with the current and upcoming Fashion and Style. Questionnaire Name: _________________________________________ Gender: Male Female Occupation: Business Service Student Unemployed What is your annual income?  £ Less than 50,000 50,001 75,000 75,001 100,000 More than 100,001 Which Fashion Magazine do you prefer? Vogue GQ Gentlemen Quarterly Which factor you prefer most while buying a magazine? Fashion Style Cosmetics What do you think about the content of this magazine? Good Average Poor If the particular magazine was not available in the market will you go for any other magazine? Definitely No, I will wait for it If you see your favourite celebrity endorsing in some other magazine would you switch from your existing magazine? Yes, for sure No, Do you discuss about the brands advertised in the magazine with your friends? Yes, I always do No (www.newsspace.com.an/gq) (http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1628136show=pdf) (www.wisegeek.com/what-is-magazine-advertising.htm) http://quazen.com/reference/about-vogue/#ixzz17XHMV3BM http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=history+of+vogue+magazinehl=enrlz=1R2SKPB_enGB399prmd=ivtbs=tl:1tbo=uei=76v_TJaMKcGIhQf358CvCwsa=Xoi=timeline_resultct=titleresnum=11ved=0CFoQ5wIwCg http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=history+of+gq+magazinehl=enprmd=ivsa=Xei=eqv_TO-AK5KwhAes5u3VCwved=0CHoQpQItbs=tl:1,tlul:1930,tluh:2010. http://aejmcmagazine.bsu.edu/testfolder/ http://www.bookrags.com/history/vogue-sjpc-05/ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MvilOZhaRkACpg=PA10lpg=PA10dq=role+of+personality+in+vogue+magazinesource=blots=QxDa7RWl7Ssig=SB7BzSjhBTmJ_C_0la7K8f-A0Jghl=enei=sMH_TLS4GsjAhAf9j8miCwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=10ved=0CEIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepageqf=false

Conflict Resolution Project | Case Study

Conflict Resolution Project | Case Study Lynette Renberg Conflict is a part of all our relationships and friendship we endure. It is important to understand the context and nature of conflict in order to preserve our relationships. The situation is Pat and Chris have been saving for their annual trip. For this vacation, Pat wants to go to the shore and relax by the water, Chris wants to go hiking and camping in the mountains. They have usually been able to work out their differences, but Chris feels strongly this year since last year they went with Pat’s choice. Pat brings in a higher income and contributes more than Chris to the trip each year. I will be taking on the role of Pat in resolving this conflict with Chris. The climate that seems to be forming is a negative one. Chris isn’t regarding the facts that Pat does contribute more to the trip and isn’t considering her choice of where to go. Also Pat isn’t regarding where Chris wants to go for the trip and she still avoids the fact that Chris isn’t putting as equal amount of money into the trip as she does. The climate could continue to be negative if their communication stays disconfirming. Disconfirming communication is when those show lack of regard to the conflict and the other person involved. In the Knapp’s Model of Stages in a Relationship, this relationship is at the differentiating stage. Both Pat and Chris are exhibiting differences that are causing conflict. This situation appears to be a symmetrical conflict style in which both partners use the same behavior. Both partners save up money to go on a trip together every year and they both decide together where to go with knowing each other has differences in where to go. My character Pat has more power than Chris. Pat makes more money and puts more money into the trip than Chris does. Chris can confront Pat about how he feels about where to go for their trip, but Pat has more right and power to decide where they go until Chris pays just as equal amount for the trip to be fair. Pat wants to go somewhere with a shore to relax by the water and shouldn’t have to pay more for the trip because it should be equally split between the two. Using the Satir Model, one looks or analyzes their feelings, their partner’s feelings, context or place, and topic is the issue of conflict. There are five stages of this model. Placating can lead to avoidance for one ignores or doesn’t acknowledge their feelings. Pouncing or Blaming is when one ignores or doesn’t acknowledge their partner’s feelings by putting the blame on their partner and the outcome being a win-lose. Computing is when me, you, and context are cancelled out. The topic of conflict becomes the main focus. Distracting is a lose-lose style because no one’s feelings are being acknowledged, there is no place to confront the situation, and the situation is being completely avoided. Interpersonal Style is when all elements are considered in which can lead to a win-win outcome. Everyone’s feelings are being voiced at an appropriate time and place and the situation is being addressed in order to be resolved. For this particular situation, it would be ideal to use the Interpersonal Style stage. That way Chris can express his feelings on how he strongly feels that he should decide where to go this year. Then Pat can express her feelings on how she contributes more money to the trip and how she would like to go somewhere with a beach and relax. As long as a good time and place is chosen the situation can be addressed less defensively and hostile. Both Chris and Pat can talk things through by addressing each other’s feelings, why there is a situation, and figure out together how resolve the issue so everyone is happy. Another method to increase perception of the topic is by using the Pillow Method. There are also five positions in the pillow method to rationally approach a win-win outcome. By using the position five and acknowledging there is truth in all perspectives can leave compromise and consensus to achieve a win-win outcome to this conflict. Here is a win-win situation that can occur if followed right. Identify the problem and unmet needs is Chris feels he should get to choose where to go and what to do this annual trip since Pat chose last year and it is acknowledged successfully. Then Pat can address her feelings on why she wants to go to the shore and the money situation of her contributing more. Chris confronts Pat and asks when a good time to talk about the trip would be. So they both set a date to talk. During the time and place decided to talk about the trip, Chris can describe to Pat how strongly he feels about going camping and hiking this year. Pat can then explain to Chris that she understands where he is coming from and she can explain how she is still contributing a lot to their annual trip and that she really wants to be near a shore to relax. Chris and Pat can then negotiate trip locations where it has camping, hiking, and a shore. Also maybe Chris can contribute a little more to this trip. Once they settl e on a location then they can follow through on their solution and both enjoy a wonderful vacation together being happy with getting what they both want. During this process, if one party didn’t agree or successfully pass a stage, then they would have to start over to the appropriate stage until both agree and successfully continue through the stages. One part that will be difficult in my plan of action is both parties trying not to be defensive and stay sensitive to each other’s feeling and unmet needs. The reason this can be difficult is because since one party (Pat) contributes more money for the trip they may become defensive and say since they make more money it doesn’t seem fair that they would go with Chris’ plans for camping and hiking. That could make Chris feel bad and put him on guard as well. Chris may feel that his feelings and unmet needs are not being acknowledged. Or another scenario is Pat could acknowledge Chris’ feelings and compromise to letting him choose where to go on their trip in which would outcome to a lose-win situation. With there being difficulty in the plan for a win-win outcome, here are some consequences of using a win-lose, lose-win, lose-lose, and compromise method. A win-lose outcome is competing where this approach to conflict involves high concern for self and low concern for others. If Pat pursued this outcome, then she would use her power of how she makes more money and pays more for the trip to get her way to going to a beach or where ever she wanted to go disregarding Chris’ feelings and wants. A lose-win outcome is accommodating where one allows the other to have their way rather than asserting you own point of view. Pat could disregard her own feelings and wants by settling to go where ever Chris would like to go this year. Lose-lose outcome is avoiding where people non-assertively ignore or stay away from conflict. Pat and Chris could avoid the matter all together and just pick a place to go without resolving their problems they both are feeling. This down the road could lead into a bigger conflict. Compromising which is a partial lose-lose outcome is when both parties at least give some of what they want, although both sacrifice part of their goals. Pat and Chris could compromise on where to go and how much each will pay, but this delays and setbacks the conflict in which both parties don’t get what they really want to be resolved. A personal experience where I could have used a win-win conflict style approach is with my ex-boyfriend. The situation was my ex-boyfriend started a new job working out of town at least three weeks every month and we hardly were spending time with each other. I was feeling neglected and didn’t feel important to him. The outcome turned into a lose-win. I should have gathered my feelings and unmet needs better and set a date to talk to him about how I was feeling. Instead I had emotional outbursts because I bottled my emotions up and it all came out at really bad times. If we made a date to talk, then we both could have described the problem and our needs so we could be more understanding of each other. By acknowledging each other’s feelings and points of view then we could have negotiated what we wanted to do or how to better our relationship. Once we figured out what would make each other happy and strengthen our relationship then we could follow through in our solution . However, with having so much conflict that was unsuccessfully resolved we ended up parting ways so we wouldn’t hurt each other or continue being unhappy. My ex-boyfriend broke up with me while I still wanted to figure out a way to make our relationship work. It became a lose-win situation because the outcome went in the way my ex-boyfriend wanted and it wasn’t an outcome I wanted. Conflict resolution has many stages and outcomes in all different kinds of situations. I have learned through this course on how to better my communication and resolve conflict for a win-win outcome in my relationships. Pat and Chris will resolve their conflict while keeping their relationship intact and have a wonderful vacation doing the things they anticipated doing. By following the conflict resolution model, can strength relationships and help resolve conflict by addressing the problem, being sensitive and open minded to each other’s point of views, and negotiating to reach a solution that makes both parties happy. Situation Comedy: Analysis of Peep Show Situation Comedy: Analysis of Peep Show Carroll discusses the type of characters which the audience find most attractive in sitcoms: Much humour is undeniably at the expense of characters who are particularly stupid, vain, greedy, cruel, ruthless, dirty, lubricious, and deficient in other respects (2005, p.345). I intend to examine the ways in which Carrolls statement can be supported through the depiction of characters in contemporary sitcom, focusing on the British sitcom Peep Show and American sitcom Community. Peep Show (Clarke, 2003) follows the lives of two friends Mark Corrigan and Jeremy (Jez) Usbourne who live together in a flat based in Croydon, London. Mark has a pessimistic outlook while Jeremy is lazy and childish, with unrealistic goals about his future. American sitcom Community (Harmon, 2009) focuses on the lives of an ensemble cast of characters, Jeff Winger, Britta Perry, Abed Nadir, Shirley Bennett, Annie Edison, Troy Barnes and Pierce Hawthorne, who live in the fictitious town of Greendale, Colorado and attend Greendale Community College. The purpose of humour is to challenge social norms and morals within society. Humour is a part of daily life, and thus it should be relatable to the audience; humour can be culturally specific, or worldwide, focusing on issues such as gender, family or work life, religion, politics, wealth, class, or race and ethnicity: A standard definition of sitcom [is] concentrating on the recurring set-up and characters, the happy ending and the fact that individual episodes rarely refer to events in previous ones (Sander, 2012). The three theories of humour, are superiority, incongruity and release/relief theory. Plato and Aristotle held a negative view towards humour, as Plato perceived humour to be a malicious act while Quintilian, Aristotle and Cicero established that it is a form of behaviour from which civilized man should shrink (Chapman and Foot, 1995 cited in Perks, 2012). Superiority theory is the idea that humour is found in laughing at those deemed inferior. Theorist Thomas Hobbes talks about the sudden glory felt by viewers when they can identify their superiority over others: The idea of laughter is self-applause can nevertheless be defended by pointing out that, even though somebody elses joke occasions my laughter, what I am laughing at, what produces my joy, might be that I can see the point and thus appreciate my superiority (Ewin, 2001). It can be argued that Robert Webbs Peep Show character Jeremy triggers this type of response. Jeremys immaturity is highlighted throughout the show and is often the reason behind his involvement in regrettable situations. Jeremy lives in a fantasy world, he thinks highly of himself with illusory ideas about his future career in music. The audience are aware of Jeremys delusions, and this encourages a humorous element as we laugh at Jeremys expense. The viewer takes comfort in the knowledge that Jeremy is an example of who we aim not to be like; furthering the idea of supremacy and therefore, his character is highly entertaining and comical. This contrasts with Mark (David Mitchell) who is a rational and sensible character. It is evident that Mark is trying to succeed, especially in his work life. The audience may feel sympathetic towards Mark and the superiority notion may not be as dominant in his case, as he has more relatable and reachable goals. Superiority theory applies to Community. In the Introduction to Film episode, Britta (Gillian Jacobs) persuades Abed (Danny Pudi) to begin studying film. Abed enjoys the class, as he is seen later using a camera to create a documentary. Abeds fathers appears at Greendale college furious that Abed is studying film. Abeds friends defend his choice to take the class, explaining he can make his own decisions. His father states that Abed is no longer his concern and now his friends responsibility. Although this incident is comical due to the anger of Abeds father and the awkwardness of the groups response, there is an underlying sense of sorrow regarding Abeds relationship with his father. He is shown as controlling and forceful, and this may explain the reason for Abeds introverted personality. Abed is often the laughing stock of the group, which is also funny to the viewer. We laugh at Abed due to the ridiculousness of his experiences and how he deals with situations, as his actions are not conventional. However, the audience may or may not realise that Abed has had a difficult upbringing (especially evident with his domineering father) and although this can be interpreted as humorous on one level, it may be deeply distressing to Abed on another. We are laughing at Abeds problems and the areas in which he is lacking. Due to his fathers selfishness, Britta and Jeff (Joel McHale) are now cast in the roles of Abeds parents. This is amusing as their struggle of trying to provide for Abed is highlighted, however we are again laughing at the characters hardships, feeling thankful that we are not part of the situation presented. The viewer may also feel they could perform better in parenting Abed, and thus a feeling of superiority may arise in this way. Plato describes laughter: Plato believed that the laughter that attends humour is directed at the vice of self-unawareness. That is, we laugh at people who fail to realize the Socrates adage- Know thyself and who instead deceive themselves, imagining that they are wiser than they are (Carroll, 2005 cited in Levinson, 2003). Incongruity theory relates to the idea of comedy being absurd and irrational/illogical. Shifting away from what is accepted to be normal behaviour and societys values, often using exaggeration and rebelling against societys rules of protocol. Philosopher Immanuel Kant talks about incongruity theory: It is remarkable that in all such cases the jest must contain something that is capable of deceiving for a moment. Hence, when the illusion is dissipated, the mind turns back to try it once again, and thus through a rapidly alternating tension and relaxation it is jerked back and put into a state of oscillationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to this sudden transposition of the mind, now to one now to another standpoint in order to contemplate its object, may correspond an alternating tension and relaxation of the elastic portions of our intestines which communicates itself to the diaphragm (like that which ticklish people feel) (Kant, 1790 cited in Bardon, 2005). Incongruity theory is evident in Community. Throughout the series, a dreamlike setting is apparent, especially in Abeds Uncontrollable Christmas. Abed Nadir is eccentric and quirky. It is often hinted at that Abed is suffering from a mental illness or personality disorder. During this episode, Abed believes the upcoming Christmas is particularly special as he views his friends as clay stop-motion animations. The group are concerned for Abeds mental health, and encourage him to find the cause for this delusion. The characters who come in and out of Abeds fantasy animated world do so through a curtain, and as the curtain opens, a glimpse of the normal study room is seen. This helps to connect the audience with Abeds friends, and offers a sense of reality. The animation effect is unusual and may surprise or disturb the viewer. This world is an impossibility and is irrational to the audience and to everyone else within the episode, aside from Abed. We are led on the same journey with Abe d and his friends, to try and help him return to rational thought. Community consists of non-linear narratives and surrealist themes throughout, which adds to its overall success as a sitcom. The audience are encouraged to find humour in the bizarre happenings. It should be mentioned that the characters make it known that Abeds stop-motion world is peculiar, and the viewer can laugh at Abed regardless that the cause for his hallucination is related to a more personal issue, which relates back to superiority theory. Peep Show portrays elements of incongruity theory. Mark and Jeremy often rebel against what is classed as normal behaviour. As a cringe-style comedy, Peep Show breaks the fourth wall and this allows for intimacy and immediacy with the audience. Incongruity theory is shown in the episode Shrooming, where Jeremy, to impress the girl he loves (Sus), hosts a drug party at the flat. Mark arrives home from work ill with gastric flu. Jeremy is furious that Mark has returned and this may hinder his chances with Sus and ruin the party. Jez puts sleep medication in Marks tea before locking his bedroom door. The episode is comical as the viewer can sympathise with Mark being very ill and not having access to a bathroom. Jeremy will do whatever it takes to fulfil his own selfish desires. In addition, Marks boss has suspicions over his condition and is unsure if Mark is well enough to attend the upcoming business trip, however Mark insists he is fine. It is evident that Mark is desperate to impr ess his boss and will risk his own health in doing so. This type of behaviour is somewhat strange and the viewer may question why Mark does not refuse due to his ill health; its as though he feels he has something to prove. Once Mark escapes the bedroom, he rushes to the toilet, however the bathroom door has been removed from the hinges. Unfortunately, his boss has come to the flat, but finds him in the bathroom alongside Jez. The two men are appalled and disgusted at Mark, who is extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable. The social awkwardness of the situation is outstanding and the audience experience the humiliation alongside Mark. This behaviour is shocking, as it defies what is deemed socially acceptable, and is an infringement on human privacy. Jeremy and his boss continue to observe Mark instead of realising the bizarreness of the situation and leaving. Feelings of sympathy towards Mark return, and Jeremy is viewed in a negative light as he has the option to allow Mark his privacy but refuses, showing little respect. Herbert Spencer talks about relief/release theory, and its psychological effects: That laughter is a form of muscular excitement, and so illustrates the general law that feeling passing a certain pitch habitually vents itself into [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] action, scarcely needs pointing out. It perhaps needs pointing out, however, that strong feeling of almost any kind produces this result. It is not a sense of the ludicrous, only, which does it; nor are the various forms of joyous emotion the sole additional causes (Herbert, 1987 cited in Olson, 2007). Through the observation of an event or situation an initial build-up of tension is caused, and pleasure is found in the release of this energy.   Austrian philosopher/psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud expands on Spencers theory. Freud talks about the relief that comes with laughing or finding humour in the critique of society and its expectations of us. Freud goes on to explain that our sexual impulses are like our malicious ones, stating that these elements of humour are highly appealing and offer relief, as we are forced to repress these thoughts/feelings by society: The prevention of invective or of insulting rejoinders by external circumstances is such a common case that tendentious jokes are especially favoured to make aggressiveness or criticism possible against persons in exalted positions who claim to exercise authority. The joke then represents a rebel ­lion against that authority, a liberation from its pressure. The charm of caricatures lies in this same factor: we laugh at them even if they are unsuccessful simply because we count rebellion against authority as a merit (Freud, 1960). This illustrates that we will indulge in such thoughts, only if safe to do so; if there is no threat such as our reputation being judged. Relief theory can refer to humour and laughter at cruelty, obscenity, inappropriateness and nonsense. It can be argued that relief and release theory apply more so to a stand-up comedy routine where jokes are continuously told allowing for the sense of anticipation, rather than a sitcom television programme. Relief theory may apply to an episode in Community: Curriculum Unavailable. During this episode, the group have been expelled from Greendale, and notice Abeds behaviour becoming particularly erratic. Due to this, the group attend therapy alongside Abed. During the sessions, the group are informed that Greendale is in fact a mental health institution where the group were attending as patients due to nervous breakdowns, and they created the delusion that they were part of a community college. This revelation builds up tension and anticipation as the viewer begins questioning the entire series and setup of Community. Once Jeff insists this is not be true and the group discover the psychiatrist is a fraud, faith is restored in the narrative. Relief is experienced through this discovery, and we laugh at the ridiculousness of the joke. Nervous excitement is released through laughter at the realisation the counsellor is lying to the group. Also in this episode, it appears Pierce is addicted to pain medication. He experiences hallucinations of a small man, referred to as Tiny Man. Pierce is shown to enjoy his high from the drugs and no one has yet mentioned his addiction, even though it was witnessed earlier in the study room. This may glamorise the idea of taking drugs and we laugh at Pierces pleasurable experience. Drug addictions are viewed as extremely negative within society, and hinting at the idea that taking drugs is an enjoyable or fun experience is a prejudicial notion, thus allowing suppressed feelings to arise in the viewer and laughter to occur. A Peep Show episode Seasonal Beatings, where Mark is hosting a Christmas family dinner shows relief theory. Mark describes his father as having a critical personality and he fears this. It becomes evident that Mark does not have a healthy relationship with his parents and feels nervous about their arrival. Marks girlfriend, Dobby, also attends the dinner however Mark insists she does not inform his parents about their relationship. This sets up anticipation, the audience begin to feel the tension of the situation. There is a build-up of anxiety concerning the arrival of Marks parents as well as ensuring his relationship with Dobby is kept secret. Once his parents arrive, Dobby begins speaking negatively about her boyfriend- this continues the accumulation of anticipation (we want his parents to discover this horrible boyfriend is Mark). Finally, Mark becomes frustrated and it is revealed to his parents that he is Dobbys boyfriend. The relief is found in the reveal that Mark is the di sappointing boyfriend and his fathers reaction we laugh at this, and understand that Mark is the butt of the joke. To conclude, Carrolls account continues to be manifested through characters and storylines within the contemporary situation comedy. Both Peep Show and Community are examples of these types of sitcoms, with characters such as Mark, who we often feel sympathy towards or Jeremy, who comes across as rather selfish and egotistical. Community portrays a variety of characters who differ from one another, such as Abed who is unsure of himself and eccentric or Pierce, often depicted as being sexist through making crude or sexual jokes regarding women. Humour is found in these types of personalities and the way the characters interact with one another. The audience enjoy characters who are willing to push the boundaries and test or challenge social norms. References Bardon, D. (2005) The Philosophy of Humor. [Online] Available: http://faculty.swosu.edu/frederic.murray/philosophy%20of%20humor_1.pdf [Accessed: 10 March 2017]. Community. (2009) Series 1, Episode 3. US. [TV Programme] NBC. 1 October 2009, 9:30pm Community. (2009) Series 2, Episode 11. US. [TV Programme] NBC. 9 December 2010, 8pm Community. (2009) Series 3, Episode 19. US. [TV Programme] NBC. 10 may 2012, 8pm Davies, C. and Berger, P. (1998) Redeeming Laughter, The Comic Dimension of Human Experience. The British Journal of Sociology. [Online] Vol.49(4), p.670. Available: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1466184 [Accessed: 12 March 2017]. Ewin, R. (2001) Hobbes on Laughter. The Philosophical Quarterly. [Online] Vol.51(202), pp.29-40. Available: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2660519 [Accessed: 12 March 2017]. Levinson, J. (2003) The Oxford Handbook of Aesthetics. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Olson, E. (2007) The Horror of Humor. [Online] Available: https://gustavus.edu/philosophy/files/theses/horrorofhumor.doc [Accessed: 10 March 2017]. Peep Show. (2003) Series 3, Episode 3. UK. [TV Programme] Channel 4. 25 November 2005 Peep Show. (2003) Series 7, Episode 5. UK. [TV Programme] Channel 4. 24 December 2010 Perks, L. (2012) The Ancient Roots of Humor Theory. [Online] Available: http://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007context=com_facpub [Accessed: 10 March 2017]. Sander, J. (2012) The Television Series Community and Sitcom. [Online] Available: http://www.divaportal.org/smash/get/diva2:558088/FULLTEXT01.pdf [Accessed: 5 March 2017].

The Importance of Education :: Importance of Education Essay

Education plays a vital role in shaping tomorrows’ leaders. Not only can we become a better nation by acquiring the skills necessary to be productive members of a civilized society. Increase knowledge to actively achieve and meet challenges that can produce changes in which are productive for attaining business innovations, political and economic objectives. Our world is constantly changing and it requires a society that is well versed in understanding the problems deriving from culture differences and tolerance of one another’s beliefs and perceptions. We are dealing with systemic problems in education, economic, government, religion and culture differences. To quote a phrase from Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz, "Make me the master of education, and I will undertake to change the world." If we are to change the world simply because we have and continue to acquire the education necessary to increase knowledge; we must never forget education along without the practice of inducing what is learned is not enough to produce attainable results favorable to sustain a society in the 21st century. We must become the voice of the people by getting involved to make a difference in the world by putting into motion what we have learned. When I was growing up, I remember attending elementary school, learning a new language seems to be difficult at first, but I was able to learn the English language because of the dedication of one of my teachers. Now, as I reflect on this experience, it is obvious that she was dedicated and enjoyed teaching her students to be successful. I know today that she made a difference in my life as I navigated through my education experience and high school years to present. I also experience the lack of concern of other teachers, not taking the time and dedication to teach their students to excel. In part, I strongly believe it had to with the culture differences that existed within the schools that I attended and the neighborhood I grew up. At times, I felt being part of a minority group created an environment, which I perceived teachers not to care about my education needs or whether I could succeed in life. Today, we have made strides in improving our education system in our schools. Yet, we are facing similar problems and perhaps even worse when teachers are rushing their students through their curriculum without taking the time to encourage and support them to excel in their classes.

Volunteering Changed My Life :: Contribution to My Community Service

Community Service is a great opportunity to make a difference in the area you live in. There are so many ways to volunteer. Some people are given chances to do community service when they need to pay off fines for tickets. Most people simply do because they love getting involved. It’s their way of making the community a cleaner, healthier place. Tutoring kids is one type of community service. I can say from experience teaching kids to learn is a great feeling. I know because I’ve been tutoring kids for almost seven months. You’ll be surprised how it makes you feel. To have one of your students’ parents thank you because there child has never been able to make an â€Å"A† in there reading or math class. Just hearing those words lets me know that I am already making a difference. The place that I volunteer at is Casa De Amigos and the children that go there really look up to you. Yes you’re helping them to be able to reach their goals but you’re also teaching them that helping the community can change so many lives. There are many activities that will help the community. Another way that I have experience is picking up trash. This one is very important because you are helping the environment and town that you live in. So why not help your environment to be able to apply for a scholarship. It’s also a fun way to meet people that enjoy making a difference. Picking up trash is one of the most common types of community service. There are so many volunteers a day picking up trash in their neighborhood and all around town. To be able to get involved all you do is call the Midland City Department and they will be glad to guide you where to go so you can help our community. Another service that I have done has been to volunteer at the West Campus Hospital gift shop. It was a great experience for me; if I had the time I would make the effort to volunteer again. For people that is good at socializing with others and love organizing I would recommend volunteering at the gift shop. Volunteering Changed My Life :: Contribution to My Community Service Community Service is a great opportunity to make a difference in the area you live in. There are so many ways to volunteer. Some people are given chances to do community service when they need to pay off fines for tickets. Most people simply do because they love getting involved. It’s their way of making the community a cleaner, healthier place. Tutoring kids is one type of community service. I can say from experience teaching kids to learn is a great feeling. I know because I’ve been tutoring kids for almost seven months. You’ll be surprised how it makes you feel. To have one of your students’ parents thank you because there child has never been able to make an â€Å"A† in there reading or math class. Just hearing those words lets me know that I am already making a difference. The place that I volunteer at is Casa De Amigos and the children that go there really look up to you. Yes you’re helping them to be able to reach their goals but you’re also teaching them that helping the community can change so many lives. There are many activities that will help the community. Another way that I have experience is picking up trash. This one is very important because you are helping the environment and town that you live in. So why not help your environment to be able to apply for a scholarship. It’s also a fun way to meet people that enjoy making a difference. Picking up trash is one of the most common types of community service. There are so many volunteers a day picking up trash in their neighborhood and all around town. To be able to get involved all you do is call the Midland City Department and they will be glad to guide you where to go so you can help our community. Another service that I have done has been to volunteer at the West Campus Hospital gift shop. It was a great experience for me; if I had the time I would make the effort to volunteer again. For people that is good at socializing with others and love organizing I would recommend volunteering at the gift shop.

Does Improved Technology Mean Progress? :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Does Improved Technology Mean Progress? I feel that there is progress happening everywhere in the world today. Not all progress is from new advancements in science and technology but a lot of it is. There is so much knowledge held amongst people to allow such advancements to occur. Having knowledge is a great tool because without it, there would be no progress of any sort. People need to learn that they should study as much as possible so maybe one day they can contribute to making more progress happen. Achieving progress is a helpful way of improving our standard way of living. Even though progress is a good thing, I also feel that it can cause problems too. People just need to realize that in order to produce new and better things we might have to go through some rough times on the way. New advancements will continually be arising in the future and hopefully somebody one day will find away to make it so these new advancements will not contain new problems. Machinery today keeps on getting better and better. New discoveries in technology allow us to improve the quality of our machinery so their performance level is better than some might have expected. These new technologies also make it a lot easier on people in the workforce. New technologies have a huge affect on society. Farmers, for example, have it a lot easier now than they did in the early 1900's. More advanced farm equipment is the reason for this. Aside from all the good things that arise from new machinery, there is also a few down falls. Many people loose their jobs because of all the new high-tech machinery. For this reason, I am sure some believe that progress is not always for the better. What if in the future, machinery started dominating everyone's job, what would we do then? Also at certain times, new advancements are used in the wrong way. For example, it was stated in Leo Marx's article that because of these new technology advancements, "Hiroshima and the nuclear threat; pollution and other kinds of damage inflicted upon the environment by advanced industrial societies; spectacular accidents like B-mile Island, Bhepal, the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.

Leaf Water Repellency

Cloud forests are characterized by photosynthetic capacity which may be increased by reduced water retention of the leaf. The reason is that carbon dioxide diffuse air faster than water. The article â€Å"Leaf Water Repellency as an Adaptation to Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Environment† by Curtis D. Holder examines lead water repellency in three ecosystems of Guatemala: a tropical dry forest, tropical montane cloud forest and temperate foothills-grassland zone. The author’s hypothesis that cloud forest zones are characterized by higher leaf water repellency failed to be proved as leaf water repellency appeared to be higher in tropical dry forests and temperate foothills- grassland zone. Water repellency is defined as adaptation on the surface of the leaf in habitants which are constantly subjected to daily precipitations during the period of active growth. Holder assumes that leaf water repellency is lower in open-meadow habitants than in dry forest habitants simply because dew formations are occurring faster. Moreover, water repellency of any leaf is driven, primarily, by physiological factors. In wet zones the plants are claimed to be selected due to their water shedding abilities as they have to able to defend their stomatal pores and to enhance photosynthesis abilities after fog interception. Decrease in water repellency may result in increased disease rates, although it doesn’t affect selective traits. Holder argues that it is natural selection that predetermined water repellency on leaf surface in cloud forest zones. Fog droplets negatively affect water repellency as they prevent gas exchange in plants. In such a way, photosynthetic carbon exchange is prevented by fog droplets as carbon dioxide diffuse air faster than water. Leaves with high water repellency minimize the leaf surface and promote the beading of water assisting gas exchange processes. In cloud forest zones, high leaf water repellency increase photosynthesis efficiency. Holder stresses that leaf water repellency â€Å"is measured by calculating the contact angle between a droplet of water and leaf surface†. (p.767) As it is mentioned above, the paper examines three distinct areas and central thesis is that high water repellency is inherent for plants in cloud forest zones as plants are more able to maximize photosynthesis and gas exchange process. Three areas were chosen to test leaf water repellency: Sierra de la Minas, Chiquimula and Colorado. Firstly, leaf water repellency was testified near Sierra de la Minas in lower cloud forest zone. This region is characterized by humid slopes on the windward side and, consequently, slopes on the leeward side. Strong northern winds are prevailing in that region. Night temperatures are about 5-15 degrees all year round. Also, Sierra de la Minas is characterized by variable precipitation – rainy season is observed from May till October. Fogs are more common in dry season, rather than in wet one. Secondly, leaf water repellency was examined in Chiquimula which is situated in 75 km from Sierra de la Minas. Leaves were tested on the leeward side of the region and were selected from dry forests. The precipitation rate is 1050 mm occurring from May till October. The temperature range is 22-26 degrees. Thirdly, water repellency was tested in leaves in Colorado, in particular, near the campus of the University of Colorado. Mainly, Colorado is temperate foothills-grassland zone. Selected species are dormant plants tested in the coldest months. Summing up, all species were chosen from the three distinct regions as they had managed to survive to maturity in their climatic conditions. Researches gathered only leaves which received equal amount of sun light and shade as it would allow more accurate examination. Leaves were dried with filter paper and than were fastened to a wood platform to view the horizontal profile of the leaf. The test aimed at identifying the differences between adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf in terms of water repellency. Holder specifies that â€Å"in the experimental design using nested analysis of variance, species were nested within study sites, leaves were nested within species, and leaf surfaces were nested within leaves†. (p769) The results contradict the initial hypothesis and showed that as leaf water repellency appeared to be higher in tropical dry forests, not in cloud forest ecosystem. Species chosen from Sierra de la Minas region appeared to have the lowest water repellency, whereas species retrieved near the University of Colorado proved to have the highest water repellency. The leaf water repellency appeared to be significantly different in the three distinct regions. Sierra de la Minas’ species differed from those in Colorado and Chiquimula, and water repellency in Chiquimula differed from that in Sierra de la Minas and Colorado. It proves that leaves in different climatic zones can’t have similar water repellency as they have different levels of adaptations. Holder stresses that cloud forests are characterized by reduced capabilities to photosynthesis because of abaxial leaf wetness and constant cloud cover not letting the sun in. Therefore, leaves in this region should develop adaptation capabilities as it would allow maximizing photosynthesis processes in the most humid regions. In cloud forests the productivity of ecosystems is limited. The author concludes that, despite his expectancies, cloud forests aren’t characterized by high leaf water repellency and, therefore, leaves are less able to minimize the water content on their surfaces. As a result, photosynthesis is decreased.   Higher leaf water repellency in Chiquimula and Colorado is related to increased soil moisture and water balance in plants. High water repellency may increase fog precipitation and flow of steam leading to greater hydrological inputs. Summing up, leaf water repellency is plays crucial role in hydrological processes. References Holder, Curtis D. (2007). Leaf Water Repellency as an Adaptation to Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Environment. Biotropica, 39, 6, 767-770.