The Shark Net

What we, as individuals, perceive to be real; to actually exist, is both objective and subjective. Everyone’s perception of realism varies greatly; from friend to friend, neighbour to neighbour and even from parent to child. It is this perception of an individual’s reality that ultimately defines who they become. To define a person, it is often said that we should analyse their behaviour, as it is their behaviour that reflects their state of reality. A person’s behaviour may depend on their surroundings; the era in which they live, their social interactions or even their physical environment.The era in which they grew up, for instance, will adversely reflect on an individual by default as society forces their morals and beliefs of what is right – what is reality, onto them. There was once a time where it was the norm for women to take on and settle into their role as a housewife, and for men to go to work and be the sole provider of a family. Now, women ha ve just as many expectations placed onto them career wise as men, and as a result, in general, women come off as more confident and independent as compared to being submissive and unsure, as was the case back in the day.Their behaviour clearly shows that their sense of reality has changed as society has progressed. In Robert Drewe’s memoirs, The Shark Net, he retells of his being dragged along to the sermon of evangelical Billy Graham, by his mother. Despite the pressure placed on him by his family, to conform to a life free from religious sin, sex and adultery, he rebels. Quite often is Drewe home late after liaisons with various females. His behaviour reflects a reality quite different to that of his Christian mother, a woman who he has been brought up by since birth.In this case, it is his rebelious behaviour that defines his perception of reality as a result of his relationship with his mother. But why did Drewe desire so greatly to rebel? The move from Melbourne to Perth was a substantial one for Drewe. He went from the â€Å"frosty lawns and trimmed hedges† of an urban, cosmopolitan city to â€Å"the most isolated city in the world,† what was essentially, in comparison, a desert. As a result, just as the people of London vary from the people of New York, Drewe encountered a whole new type of people.To rebel against his mother meant to conform to the people of Perth, as he wished so desperately to fit in, whereas his mother wished to be in control. The controlling nature of his mother contrasts to that of Drewe in his wish to embrace the unknown. The unknown being what was now, in fact, the reality of living in Perth. Drewe’s mother, Dorothy, is unable to accept this new truth, as it nullifies her prior beliefs. However, for Drewe, the reality is clear, succinct and remarkably self-explanatory.This results in the way unto which the two respective individuals inevitably turn out, as it gives a clear indication of the ways in whi ch they behave. What is interesting to note is that memory and reality are interdependent of one another. A person’s reality can be based upon memories, but these memories can be selective depending on a current sense of reality. Memories also falter, and hence, the selectiveness and reliability of Drewe’s memory comes into question. Was he biased in his representation of himself in his youth in comparison to his mother, for instance? Was his mother really the control freak he made her out to be?In the same way, in the study of history, when analysing a primary or secondary source, the reliability of the author is always considered, noted and expanded upon, as it may give an inaccurate representation of depicted events – it may not portray the reality of the situation; what really went on. As Chuck Palahniuk writes in Fight Club, â€Å".. you're not how much money you've got in the bank. You're not your job. You're not your family, and you're not who you tell y ourself†¦. † but you are, who you behave to be. So one must ask what is responsible for their behaviour in order to fully understand the definition of their individual reality.

Character Analysis of Devdas in the Novel and Movie

After his wealthy family prohibits him from marrying the woman he is in love with, Devdas Mukherjee's life spirals further and further out of control as he takes up alcohol and a life of vice to numb the pain. An epic love story set in the 1900s which reveals a portrait of love destroyed by class differences, family pressures, and character weaknesses. Devdas is the wealthy son of a high-caste landlord. His best friend growing up, whom he loved dearly, was Paro, the daughter of a low-caste family. After moving to London, Devdas returns home after ten years to find that Paro is about to be married off to a rich landowner. Devdas sinks into alcoholism, and is later visited by Paro who admits to still loving him. Devdas film based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. Devdas Mukherjee, is a slacker, though sensitive and talented. His daily chore is to spend time with his childhood friend, Parvati, the Mukherjees' neighbor, who belongs to a middle-class family. Devdas is sent away abroad so that he can improve himself. Several years, upon his return, things have not changed, his dad still regards him as a slacker, though Devdas is welcomed by the rest of his family, the welcome could have been warmer had Devdas chosen not to visit Parvati (Paro), rather than his own mother. Devdas and Paro are in love, and hope to marry. But Devdas' dad has other plans, vehemently opposing marriage to a lower caste family, and as a result Paro gets married to a much older widower with grown-up children her age, and Devdas leaves home, becomes an alcoholic, a womanizer, who is unable to get Paro out of his mind, loving and hating her at the same time. Devdas meets with courtesan, Chandramukhi, and ends up falling in love with her also, thus getting her a bad reputation. Then Paro decides to talk Chandramukhi out of getting Devdas away from alcohol, to which Chandramukhi agrees, but the question remains whether they will act in time to stop Devdas before he self-destructs. The joy-ride starts with all the glitter and shine of a Hollywood classic, it sails through the emotions and ends up at the death.. so real and reality is the biggest plus of this great movie. Its loud in dialogues as the feudal society of early 20th century in India was and is not overpowered with emotions†¦ s the people from that class should have been (expressive yet graceful). Technically it remains the best ever Indian film and one of the best around the world. Well done Bhansali. In acting Aish does wonders.. Madhuri has shown why she is the queen of the bollywood and Shahrukh khan has reached where no Indian actor would have ever reached.. I have seen Dilip sahab's Devdas too and bowing to the greatness of Dilip Sahab let me say,†Shahrukh did it better than him†. Dialogues, sequences, frames, music and acting all there to give you a treat to watch.. movie in which one finds the glimpses of one's own life†¦ beautiful yet so real, harsh and sad†¦ Devdas, is telling us about love that end with tragedy, theme that has been revisited for many times in many films. In this case, is not surprise considering that this film is the fourth version of Suraj Chandrachaterjee's novel to make in to a film. We better not to talk about the plot, because it's so typical (and sometimes could bored the viewers), but I must admit that technically, this film is superb. Visualizations of the scenes are breathtaking and make you don't have a ny complains about the plot. It seems that Sanjay Leela Bhansali try to renew the old style of the Hindi films into a kind of an innovative and colorful theatrical film. I always believe with Sanjay's skill on directing a movie (go watch â€Å"Hum Dill De Chuke Sanam† for instance). The score and sound track is enchanting. The outfits is gorgeous and so with the sets. In the acting department, Aishwarya Ray is perfect. The Acting diva once again shows her best performance, and much deserve for an award. Madhuri Dixit has the smallest role, but she proves that she is the living legend. Meanwhile, the main character that plays by Shahrukh Khan, is applaud worthy but doesn't more that. Better luck next time Mr. Khan. This movie is an excellent portrayal of indian culture. It possess so much strength and beauty and the characters act well. The characters suit each character perfectly and i thouroughly enjoyed the movie from beginning to end. The movie was very sad, but its a change from a normal hindi movie. Your heart soars for each of the characters at different stages of the movie. Overall this movie ruled, and i would watch it over and over again. Devdas: A Byronic Bollywood Hero â€Å"Devdas† by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay is one of the classics of Indian literature, subject to many film adaptations in Indian cinema, including a recent psychedelic version of the story. Devdas deserves to be placed in the Norton Anthology alongside other great writers, due to its tragic eponymous hero and the insights into Bengali life. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the leading literary deities of Bengal, he published several books earlier Nishkriti, Charitraheen, Parineeta, and Srikanta, but his most famous novel is Devdas. Sarat Chandra was born on September 15th, 1876 in Devanandapur, a village in West Bengal. He spent his childhood in poverty and was constantly shifting from town to town in Bengal, and received little formal education. In his adulthood, he moved to Burma in 1903, and it was here that Sarat Chandra started sending his novels and short stories to Calcutta journals. The reigning author during this time was Rabindranath Tagore, who had a rumoured rivalry with Sarat Chandra, whose novels were much more understandable and realistic for the reading masses of Bengal. It would be fitting to include Sarat Chandra to the canon of literature due to his indelible mark on Indian literature with his unforgettable character Devdas. His crowning achievement Devdas was written in 1901, and later published after some revisions in 1917, which included the more tragic ending to the novel. The novel tells the tragic love story of Devdas and Paro, childhood sweethearts torn apart when Devdas leaves for school in Calcutta, and when he returns Paro proposes they get married. Devdas, unable to stand up to his parents, rejects her, and Paro is married off to a wealthy widower. Devdas, heartbroken after another rejection from Paro, returns to Calcutta and along with his friend Chunilal he seeks solace in alcohol and a courtesan Chandramukhi who falls for him. Devdas continues on his self-destructive path until on his deathbed, when he travels to Paro’s home only to die alone at her doorstep. This tragic tale has stayed in the minds of readers because of its seminal hero that can immediately be identified in the subsequent films and novels featuring a self-destructive hero. Devdas is not a typical romantic hero, because he is unable to proclaim his love for Paro despite loving her dearly. In one scene in the novel, Paro boldly goes to Devdas in the night to propose their marriage, but Devdas is preoccupied with protecting her honour rather than facing up to the real reason she came to him, and answers with: â€Å"You must know that my parents are dead against this? Parvati nodded – she knew. She didn’t say a word more. After what seemed like an eternity, Devdas heaved a sigh and said, â€Å"So then, why? † (Pg36) This exchange highlights Devdas’ anti-hero like status, as he is unable to accept his love and rejects Paro, because of parental opposition. Even through earlier passages in the novel, we can tell Devdas loves Paro, but he cannot upset societal norms of marrying from another caste. After this scene, Devdas is chastised by his parents and he escapes to Calcutta, where he writes a letter of rejection to Paro claiming, â€Å"Another thing: I had never felt that I loved you tremendously – even today. I cannot feel any deep well of sorrow in my heart for you †¦ Try to forget me, I pray that you succeed,† (Pg39). This rash action by Devdas reveals his indecisive nature as soon as he posts the letter he realizes he is actually in love with Paro. He then feels guilty for sending the letter, and muses, â€Å"How would this arrow he had dispatched go and hit her? †(Pg40), he later realizes his folly of upholding the narrow-minded views of the caste system, which an educated man like Devdas can see is wrong. Devdas is a tragic character worth studying in literature because he is so inactive and indecisive in his love story, which sets forth his downward spiral. The reason he is indecisive is that the love of Paro and Chandramukhi is what drives the narrative, the situations when they confront Devdas is what develops him as a character. Devdas turns to drink when Paro rejects his proposal that they elope before her wedding, in anger he strikes her brow, â€Å"For shame Paro, I have merely left a mark for you to remember our last meeting,†(Pg46), this moment solidifies their relationship as the blood resembles the sindoor in the hair parting of a married Hindu woman. With this rejection, Devdas is dejected and he willingly goes to the courtesan harem and drinks his sorrows away. Devdas begins to hate women and spurns Chandramukhi, who finds him charming; â€Å"There isn’t a woman on earth who wouldn’t deny herself this heaven,† (Pg92) she muses of his company. Later Devdas begins to care for Chandramukhi but he cannot love her as he is still in love with Paro. He acknowledges his indecisiveness when he visits Chandramukhi, who has settled down and given up her sinful life, saying, â€Å"Perhaps Bou, you will suffer like Paro because of me,†(Pg116), the use of Bou, which means wife, highlights it is Chandramukhi who Devdas provides money and pleasure as a husband would. Devdas is one of the most complex characters of Indian literature, because the choices he makes are detrimental for all involved in the love triangle, as he pines for Paro whom he rejected, and Chandramukhi whom he also grows to like is denied by him because her low status. Devdas’ self-destructive tendencies occur because he feels like a victim of the situations that he has created for himself. Sarat Chandra does not describe characters but puts them in difficult situations to which the reader has to infer into the character, as Devdas has become an identifiable figure in the many movie adaptations or of characters that pine for unfulfilled love. Devdas is a novel to be studied in a literature class because of the strong women that shape his character. Devdas is an important novel to be included in a Norton Anthology book, because of the social conventions of Indian life affect the narrative. Devdas belongs to zamindari/landlord family and Paro’s family live and work on their land. When Paro’s grandmother broaches the subject of Paro and Devdas’ marriage to his mother, she rejects this notion, â€Å"The Chakravaty’s was a trading household. And they lived next door. Oh shame! (Pg24) the class differences are ironically the aspect, which separates the two lovers as opposed to caste differences as both families are Brahmins. Sarat Chandra uses the differences to aid in separating the lovers, as Devdas is unable to face opposition from his parents and rejects Paro. Class differences also tear apart the burgeoning relationship between Chandramukhi and Devdas, as she is a fallen woman who Devdas cannot possibly break social norms to live with. Chandramukhi nurses Devdas back to health, when she spots him during a drinking binge; once Devdas is healed, she asks to be his nurse, but he will not allow his name to be disrespected as Chandramukhi realizes, â€Å"She could help Devdas regain his health, she could give him pleasure, but she could never give him respectability,† (Pg116). The novel set in colonialist India, makes no mention of British rule other than the Devdas who is dressed smartly and smokes a pipe when he returns from Calcutta after his studies. Sarat Chandra used his novels to highlight social problems of Bengali life, and in â€Å"Devdas,† he makes light of the issue of dowry. Paro, who is of age to be married at 13, and born into a poorer household, her father, rejects the social practise, â€Å"But Nilkantha-babu abhorred this practise. He had no intention of selling Parvati and making money on the transaction,† (Pg23) Sarat Chandra here reveals that daughters should not be sold as if making a business deal for marriage. Devdas is one of the only novels where Sarat Chandra does not make an explicit social point to educate his readers, as he leaves the novel as an open text where readers may form their own opinions on the predicament of the eponymous hero. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s â€Å"Devdas† would be a suitable addition to a literature book like the Norton Anthology, because he created the classic self-destructive hero for Indian cinema and, the original source would be a good companion to the films. Devdas is a thoughtful novel that allows readers to make their own judgement of the hero, and gain insights into Bengali culture during the 1900’s.

The Role of Government in the Twentieth Century Essay

The Role of Government in the Twentieth Century - Essay Example Their was a desire for change in the culture of society. There were a lot of reforms and changes occurred in each phase of society and in all sections. The change was not only in the lifestyle of the people but also in the business and service sector. Their working method and environment was also changing according to their business. Some of the reforms and movements were Progressivism, new deal era, first and the second world war. These reforms changed the whole scenario of the 20th century. A detailed knowledge about these reforms will define the role of government and the response of people over these reforms. Progressive movement was started in 1889 but its importance was highlighted in the starting of 20th century. The progressive movement was based on the concepts of social justice, greater efficiency in government and social control. This movement was basically consisting of the middle class people and urban professionals. The people thought that the government should become more active regarding democratic reforms and in protecting laborers. Woodrow Wilson was the governor of New Jersey and became the president of United States in 1912. He started the Federal Reserve Act in 1913. This act provided the control of government over banking. He also introduced Federal Trade Commission Act that regulated the trade by taking commission from these trade corporations. He appointed commissioner to regulate these trades affairs. The appointment of these commissioners was not liked by progressives. The progressivism was exploited mostly by the white men. Women were the victims of progressivism. This resulted in the launch of National Women Party which fought against women suffrage. Black were also the sufferers of progressivism. Rich people were exploiting poor and hampering cultural ethics by making wrong use of progressivism. But above all its drawbacks progressive reform developed the culture, lifestyle, new trade methods and much more advancements. The government became more responsible towards the economic and social welfare. Middle class people became more conscious towards their right in the society. The banking procedure was changed and got under the control of government. Progressivism preserved the capitalist system. Progressivism introduced many democratic ideas from different parts of the society. This was the end of nineteenth century and progressivism was the major reform of this century Cities were the main attraction of progressive movement. The urban population wanted to develop the cities and make a place to live safer and healthier. Different parts of the society were now becoming active towards their common problem. These changes have to be done to civilize the cities without attracting America's economy. This was the main aim of progressive

Advanced HealthCare Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Advanced HealthCare Management - Essay Example the organization and they help in establishing plans through which they effectively cooperate to fulfill the aims of such organizations in the most amicable ways. In health care, teams help in implementing the plans of the institutions they serve so that they offer services that can establish them quality deliverers for the benefit of their clients. Teams that are established in different organizations have different characteristic that produce significant impact on the performance of such at the individual or organizational level (Burns, Bradley & Weiner, 2012). This implies that at to ensure that a team is to produce exemplary results that will trigger the success of the organization; the teams that exist in must have a well focused on the goals. One factor that leads to good performance of a team and consequently improves the productivity of the organization is communication among the team members that are involved in establishing it. Communication ensures that team members are in a position to exchange relevant data among themselves and lead to improvement of the quality of services they offer to clients. In health care, teams ensure that all the people are in a position to supply the information about a specific field of study which turns out to be relevant to the care they give to the people to patients. On the contrary, failure in the communication results to low performance of the team because the members lack the updated information that can be of help in implementing care (Woodcock & Francis, 2008). Another characteristic of a team that has an impact on performance is the diversity that is represented by the team members who work together because they have different backgrounds. The diversity in a team can work for the improvement of a team if they work to bring together knowledge in different fields that will ensure they diversify the perspective of looking at the care. On the other hand, diversity in the group can cause conflicts that can weigh down

Diabetes Mellitus Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Diabetes Mellitus - Research Paper Example It is worth beginning by describing the role of insulin when the body is functioning normally. When a person eats, the levels of glucose in their blood increase, as foods, and especially carbohydrates, are digested. Glucose is the main source of energy in the body, but must undergo metabolic processes in cells to produce this energy. Among the body’s homeostatic systems – the mechanisms for keeping conditions in the body within a given, safe range – is a system for controlling insulin levels, by removing or adding it from the bloodstream. Key to this process is the hormone insulin, produced by the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. When the blood glucose level rises after eating, the pancreas secretes insulin into the blood. This stimulates the cells of the liver to absorb the glucose from the blood, thus reducing the level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes takes two main forms, generally known as Type 1, or insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2, or non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Type 1 Diabetes accounts for around 5-10% of cases; Type 2 for around 90-95% of cases. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Such diseases occur when the mechanisms of the immune system – the body’s defences for dealing with infection and disease - damage parts of the body. This is a failure by the body to recognise some cells as parts of itself. In the case of Type 1 Diabetes, the body destroys its own beta cells in the pancreas – where insulin is produced. Therefore, when the glucose level in the blood rises, cells do not have sufficient energy for metabolism, which can leave the sufferer in a very dangerous situation. Suffers of Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections every day, in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels. The first insulin injections became available in 1921. Before this, pe ople who suffered from Type 1 Diabetes

Personal Reflection reaction paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Personal Reflection reaction paper - Essay Example The entire scientific enterprise can be characterized as the development of sensitivities and ideas necessary to become more fully aware of what is happening all around us. Seen in this perspective, the discovery of the birthplace of the universe is a four-million-year learning event (Swimme, 1996, p. 1). In the present-day times, we face the challenge of identifying the meanings such discoveries have for human existence. It has become essential to integrate science’s understanding of the universe with more ancient intuitions concerning the meaning and destiny of the humans. This would be an opportunity to conciliate science, cultural tradition and religion. We are challenged here with understanding the significance of the human enterprise within an evolving universe. Upon our success in meeting this challenge rests the vitality of so much of the Earth Community, including the quality of life all future children will enjoy (Swimme, 1996, p. 3). The enterprise of cosmology –that is, the exploration of the origin, development and destiny of the universe– started at the beginning of humanity. As humans, we require a cultural orientation. â€Å"We are not given a fixed and final form to our orientation in life but must discover and deepen this orientation through the process of psychic development† (Swimme, 1996, p. 9). We have many different answers to the question â€Å"What does it mean to be human in this universe?† Brian Swimme proposes us to reflect on this issue, which has implications for our daily life, our family and our role in communities. From the primitive cave dwellers, people have marveled at the mystery of the cosmos, and created explanations for its origins and essence. However, Swimme points out that modern humanity might be the first culture to ignore the primordial tradition of celebrating the

Emulsion Technology Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Emulsion Technology - Lab Report Example   An emulsion is a setup of two immiscible liquid phases with one of them dispersed throughout the other in form of tiny and fine droplets. The phase consisting of tiny droplets is defined as the internal or dispersed phase whereas the suspension phase is classified as the external or continuous phase. Water and oil are the two major constituents of pharmaceutical emulsions. An aqueous continuous phase will render the emulsion as oil-in-water (o/w) whereas an oily continuous phase will make a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. The stability of an emulsion is dependent on the characteristics of the interfacial film. Addition of an emulsifying agent lowers the interfacial tension and increases the stability of the emulsion. A wide variety of these substances are available: e.g. egg yolk, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, 20 etc. In the past emulsions have been used to impart paraffin oil and other oily substances in a more palatable form (Aulton 1988, p. 93). Nowadays emulsions are very co mmon in foods, cosmetics, personal hygiene and especially pharmaceuticals. Creams, ointments, liniments, pastes, and films are some examples of pharmaceutical emulsions. They are classified according to the oil and water content in each of the preparation and also on their routes of administration (Troy, Remington & Beringer 2006, p. 886-887). To achieve the production of a stabilized emulsion this experimented was conducted in order to formulate a scientific method of emulsion design. MATERIALS & METHOD A condensed film consisting of an oil-soluble component (OSC) and a water-soluble component (WSC) in a ratio of 9:1 for the required o/w emulsion is needed at the interface between oil and water in order to achieve the best result. MATERIALS Liquid Paraffin, Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan mono-oleate, Span 80 (sorbitan mono-oleate) Span 80 is selected as the OSC while Tween 80 is selected as the WSC at total blend concentration of 2% w/v. Both compartments are then administer ed into screw via a burette and then labeled. The vials are agitated by inversion and then emulsified by drawing into and expelling from a syringe three times. Six different formulations were prepared with varying ratios of Span 80 and Tween 80. The HLB of each formulation was calculated from the equation given below, so as to determine the required HLB of the oil. HLB [formula] = f [OSC] . HLB [OSC] + (1-f) [WSC] .  

Hegemony and Education Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hegemony and Education - Assignment Example Male norms stress values such as autonomy, certain forms of aggression, adventure, courage, toughness of both mind and body etc. Hegemony involves persuasion of the greater part of the population the organization of social institutions and the media in ways that appear â€Å"natural†. Hegemonic masculinity in education involves the application of certain strategies for the subordination of women (Gibbs, 2008). Most universities promote an ideology that fosters the outlook of white middle class males. Through the media, sports in universities have helped uphold a masculine hegemonic order in society (Kian, 2007). In comparison to women’s sports, men’s sports and male athletes are given more coverage. This gives a clear depiction of how masculinity is cherished more than femininity. The education system has therefore institutionalized gender with the aim of constituting people as two significantly different categories, male and female so as to organize social relat ions of inequality on the basis of this difference (Gibb, 2008). The gender system in universities just like race becomes constructed as a distinct organizing principle of social relations to determine how resources are distributed. Thus, cultural beliefs about gender are nothing more than stereotypes. However, the significance of such stereotypes is more significant than we may want to think. For instance, the sex composition of a student-teacher interaction is certain to bring to mind gender beliefs that will determine how students evaluate each others performance and how to enact their individual roles. Biological factors such as high levels of testosterone in men and different genetic make up are thought to affect cognitive abilities of men and women differently. Such biological factors are held to be the cause of difference in educational performance between male and females. Cultural beliefs that male students are supposed to exhibit an interest in traditional masculine subjec ts i.e. physics and past times such as rugby, football, athletics etc. constitute strategies for the construction of hegemonic masculinity in education. Studies have revealed that women outperform men in schools that adopt learning and assessment procedures that are better suited for females than to males. This is based on the difference in behaviors, learning styles and attitudes of male and females thereby requiring implementation of different school and teaching practices in order to succeed. Feminized schools lack adequate number of male teachers to guide boys. Such schools exhibit prejudice towards feminism in curriculum materials, reject competition and luck toughness in discipline. However, hegemonic masculinity may foster highly disruptive, inattentive, and aggressive behavior among males inside and outside the classroom leading to poor educational achievement (Gibb, 2008). Ethical issues arise from hegemonic power processes which occur as subroutines that eventually regulat e daily interactions and work flows in organizations, without any open opposition. The implicit nature of hegemonic processes leads to gradual acceptance of organizational practices some of which may be against the general good of the society. The concealed nature of hegemonic processes condition employees to act according to the rules and social values of everyday life. The employees act upon

Theoretical relationships between market structure and bank Essay

Theoretical relationships between market structure and bank performance - Essay Example Besides, most banking institutions are failing to engage with customers due to the rising competition from other customers. As opposed to this, it remains the duty of the bank to re- arrange itself in order to beat the other competitive banks in the market. For instance such a bank needs to sell its services well to its potential clients outside through sales representatives ( Gutek, Barbara, & Theresa, 2000). The market structure is normally very sensitive for any institution to sell its services to the publics. The banking institutions at time sell customer products and services they do not comprehend. This makes it easier for banks to really charge these services rather than focus on customer needs which is the most important aspect in the market. High concentration in market encourages organizations to collude. A bank in a more concentrated market will earn higher profits than a bank operating in a less concentrated area ( Etro,2009). In order a bank to know the relation that exi sts between market structure and their performance it should employ or investigate the effects that are caused by changes in the structure or formation of the market. There are two theories that are used to explain how a bank can determine its profitability and understand better its relation with the market structure. They are namely; the structure-conduct- performance (SCP) and the efficient-structure (E-S) hypotheses. The bank will also use the following measures to evaluate the banks performance; return on asset (ROA), return on capital and return on capital ( Baligh, 1997). Structure-conduct-performance theory Structure-conduct -theory determines the degree of a firn’s performance....Most banks may therefore end up in lobbying in order to stop or delay the success of any competitive policy. The market power may however be lost if banking institutions establish non-competitive prices in their products and services. This theory mainly uses market share to measure efficient structure hypothesis. This hypothesis is negatively related with profitability. Market power is the ability of a company to control the prices in the market by manipulating the demand or the supply of goods and services or both. The ability of a company to control prices can have a negative effect on the bank performance due to lower interest rates that will have to be charged on the clients when acquiring loans from the commercial banks. This is due to monopoly in provision o services and goods which money supply low ( Etro,2009). â€Å"Quiet life hypothesis† indicates that the banks tend to enjoy the market power through foregone revenues and the savings on the costs, while the â€Å"efficient structure hypothesis† describes companies are able to make bigger profits into the company than their competitors due to maximum efficiency and not sales or provision of services.

Jane Cazneau Essay Example for Free

Jane Cazneau Essay Hudson posits a Native American grandmother, although there is no solid evidence of this. Her first marriage apparently dissolved, but there is no divorce record. She may or may not have had an affair with Aaron Burr, an early mentor. Hudsons most significant claim is that Jane Storm is the journalist who coined the phrase manifest destiny (pp. 60-62). Hudson argues that later historians have simply assumed that John OSullivan wrote the Democratic Reviews many unsigned editorials. But Hudsons computer analysis (Appendix B) of OSullivans and Storms signed works shows that the grammatical errors in the famous editorial that first contained the phrase exhibit a much closer correlation with those commonly made by Storm than with those made by OSullivan. What is certain is that she migrated to pre-revolutionary Texas and speculated in land grants and immigration schemes. Writing under the pen name Montgomery (later, Cora Montgomery), Storm became a regular correspondent of Moses Y. Beachs New York Sun. When war broke out, Storm accompanied Beach and his daughter on a covert peace mission to Mexico in late 1846. The Beach mission has long been clouded with uncertainty about its purposes and accomplishments, and so Storms role in it is similarly in doubt. Nonetheless, she was clearly an important element, as neither of the Beaches knew Spanish and President James K. Polk had a private interview with her after her return. After the war, Storm continued to favor U. S. xpansion into Latin America and the Caribbean, especially through annexation. Although Hudson maintains that Storm was not a strong proponent of All Mexico during the U. S. -Mexican War, some have credited her with leading the movement. She had contact with Cuban, Mexican, and Nicaraguan filibustering groups. She married diplomat Williams L. Cazneau in 1849 after a long acquaintance but still worked as a journalist for numerous publications, wrote about her travels, and remained active in Democratic P arty politics. She secured a diplomatic mission to the Dominican Republic for her husband and worked with him to gain U. S. access to Samana Bay. Jane Storm Cazneau died in a shipwreck during a storm at sea in 1878. Many questions about her activities and the extent of her influence remain unanswered. Barring the emergence of new documentary collections, Hudsons biography is the most complete picture of her life we are likely to have. As such it is a useful addition to the literature on nineteenth-century U. S. expansionism.

Environmental Change and Infectious Diseases Relationship

Environmental Change and Infectious Diseases Relationship Changes in the natural environment through human activities will have broad impacts on global health and human habitation. The links between rapid environmental change and novel pathogens suggest we are entering a new transition in the history of emerging infectious disease. Scientists, however, have not reached consensus regarding an increase of emerging infectious diseases under the broad conditions of environmental change and climate change. This is an area of intense scientific scrutiny. An emerging infectious disease [EID] is one that that has newly appeared in a population or that has been known for some time but is rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range. Familiar examples include Influenza, E. coli, HIV, SARS, Tuberculosis, Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, but there are many others. Influenza is the most common. This bibliographic essay focuses on the emergence of novel pathogens, highlighting areas of scientific agreement as well as controversy. These selections can serve as a guide for the informed general reader as well as for health professionals. They draw from international books, articles and websites that provide the most engaging histories, authoritative sources, and current information. The themes in this essay begin with broad topics and become increasing more specific. These EID themes include: Microbes through History; Past Pandemics; Zoonoses focus on Avian Influenza; Ecological Factors; Links to Climate Change; Public Health Preparedness Strategies; Impacts on National Security; and Strategies for the Future. Emerging Infectious Disease Microbes through History The first known texts related to infectious disease were part of the Hippocratic corpus written in the fourth and third centuries B.C.E. Airs, Waters, Places was on environmental health and On Epidemics contains descriptions of contagious and other diseases of public health importance during the ancient period. These texts appear in Hippocratic Writings, edited by G.E.R. Lloyd. The epidemiological transition model describes the changing relationship between humans and their diseases. Based on this model, the first transition occurred with the shift to agriculture about 10,000 YBP, resulting in a pattern of infectious diseases still evident today. In The Changing Disease-Scape in the Third Epidemiological Transition, Kristin Harper and George Armelagos, medical anthropologists, propose that during the last two centuries, some populations have undergone a second transition with a decline in infectious disease and rise in degenerative disease. The authors maintain that we are now in a third epidemiological transition, in which a resurgence of familiar infections is accompanied by an array of novel diseases, all of which have the potential to spread rapidly. Several books and articles are appropriate for historians and medical researchers. Lois Magner, a distinguished medical historian, produced a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the development of medical microbiology. In A History of Infectious Diseases and the Microbial World, the author places modern infectious diseases within their historical context, and highlights the links between disease and social, cultural, political, and economic factors. In Deadly Companions: How Microbes Shaped our History, Dorothy Crawford combines tales of epidemics with science and history. Crawford is Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Edinburgh. She reveals how microbes have evolved with humans over the millennia, shaping civilizations through infection, disease, and pandemic. In Conquest of Epidemic Disease: a Chapter in the History of Ideas, Charles-Edward Amory Winslow traces the human understanding of the causes and control of epidemic communicable diseases. Winslow had a rich knowledge of public health, history, and philosophy. According to Joshua Lederberg, molecular biologist and Nobel Prize winner, the success of the wonder drugs of the 1950s led many to believe that the war on microbes had been fought and won, but the emergence of new infectious agents shattered that illusion. Infectious History is a very engaging global history of the cohabitation of humanity and microbes. Ultimate survival, Lederberg suggests, may require humans to embrace a more microbial point of view, in which microbes and their human hosts constitute a superorganism. In a related argument, the Mirage of Health: Utopias, Progress, and Biological Change by Renà © J. Dubos emphasizes that the process of living cannot be separated from the disease process. The book is primarily concerned with the limitations of medicine in the search for the solution of health problems. Dubos, a microbiologist and environmentalist, argues that humankind should not ignore the dynamic process of adaptation to a constantly changing environment that ever y living organism must face. A. J. McMichael, a notable expert on the environment and emerging infectious disease, reports similar conclusions in Environmental and Social Influences on Emerging Infectious Diseases: Past, Present and Future. McMichael urges that humankind come to terms with the fact that microbial species help to make up the interdependent system of life on Earth. He claims that humans and microbes are engaged in amoral, self-interested, co-evolutionary struggle. Pandemics from the Past There are several books on pandemic disease that would appeal to historians and medical professionals. Historians Tamara Giles-Vernick and Susan Craddock edited Influenza and Public Health, an investigation of past influenza pandemics with insights into possible transmission patterns, experiences, mistakes, and interventions. It explores several pandemics over the past century including the infamous 1918 Spanish Influenza, the avian flu epidemic of 2003, and the novel H1N1 pandemic of 2009. In Dread: How Fear and Fantasy have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to Avian Flu by Philip Alcabes a writer and professor of Urban Public Health, writes in an engaging style with comprehensive literary, historical and medical references. For readers interested in the history of great plagues and pandemics, there are a number of recommended books. John H. Powells Bring out Your Dead: The Great Plague of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia in 1793 is a historical account of the impact of a yellow fever epidemic that claimed the lives of over 10 percent of the population of Philadelphia and caused its virtual evacuation. Plagues and Peoples by historian William H. McNeill provides an account of the impact of epidemic diseases on the rise and fall of civilizations. Laurie Garretts The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World out of Balance is an engaging survey of new and emerging infections the chapter on future history is especially good. There is a bit of good news among the gloom. Scientists from the National Institute of Health (David Morens, Jeffery Taubenberger, and Anthony Fauci) suggest that successive pandemics generally appear to be decreasing in severity over time. This reflects viral evolution that favors optimal transmissibility with minimal pathogenicity. However, the scientists suggest it is important to understand in greater depth the determinants and dynamics of the pandemic era in which we live. In related research, NIH researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (Miller et al.) that the signature features of past pandemics can help health authorities prioritize national strategies and provide aid to international collaborators. Zoonoses Case Study in Avian Influenza The incidence and frequency of epidemic transmission of zoonotic diseases, both known and newly recognized, has increased dramatically in the past 30 years. It is thought that this dramatic disease emergence is primarily the result of the social, demographic, and environmental transformation that has occurred globally. Most human pathogens also circulate in animals or originate in nonhuman hosts. Influenza is a classic example of a zoonotic infection that transmits from animals to humans. Smith et al., scientists from the Georgia Institute of Ecology, report that infectious agents specific to humans are broadly and uniformly distributed, whereas zoonotic infectious agents are far more localized in their geographical distribution. These results have critical implications for public-health policy and future research pathways of infectious disease ecology. As reported in Epidemic Dynamics at the Human-Animal Interface. Lloyd-Smith et al., maintain that understanding zoonoses requires a new generation of models that addresses a broader set of pathogen life histories and integrates across scientific disciplines. Outbreaks of pathogenic avian influenza have been relatively uncommon around the world in the last 50 years with limited spread within a country or region. There is one major exception, Asian lineage H5N1 that was first identified in 1996. According to David Suarez, a researcher with the U.S.D.A., this lineage of virus has spread to over 60 countries and has become endemic in poultry in at least four countries. As reported in Avian influenza: our current Understanding, this virus represents a public health threat, with some infected humans having severe disease and a high case fatality rate. Suarez maintains that it is a difficult disease to control because of its highly infectious nature and the interface of domestic and wild animals. Influenza surveillance in wild birds has established that the aquatic birds of the world are the source of influenza A viruses, which occasionally spread to domestic avian species and to mammals, including humans. In Avian Influenza Virus Surveillance and Wild Birds: Past and Present, Scott Krauss and Robert Webster report that much more attention has been given to understanding the ecology of influenza in wild aquatic birds. Robert Webster has been cited in over 400 articles on the influenza virus, particularly its link to wild birds. At Qinghai Lake in China, migrating birds are being tracked by satellite, part of a series of investigations that began after highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 subtype) first swept the region in 2005. The studies are attempting to pinpoint the viral reservoir and the role that wild birds play in transmission. L. Jiao reports results in In Chinas Backcountry, Tracking Lethal Bird Flu that no reservoir for the virus has yet been found, but transmission routes have come into clearer focus. However, in another scientific report, New Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) in Wild Birds, Qinghai, China, scientist Yanbing Li reports that in 2010 the virus mutated into yet another viral subtype. This occurred in a wetland region very close to Qinghai Lake. This increases concerns about a potential pandemic and the likelihood that avian influenza virus will again spread and continue to increase its genetic diversity. Scientists stress that determining movements of wild birds from Qinghai Lake is essential to track H5N1. Wallenstein et al. investigated the transmission of H5N1 among people who had unprotected contact with infected wild mute swans in Dorset, England. Results in No evidence of transmission of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza to humans after unprotected contact with infected wild swans reveal that no evidence of transmission of H5N1 to humans was found. The incident provided a rare opportunity to study the direct transmissibility of the virus from wild birds to humans. Emerging Infectious Disease Ecological Phenomena Ecological approaches to the understanding of health and disease have a long history. The links between the environment and health are complex and can occur over long time scales that obscure those connections. Emerging zoonotic diseases have assumed increasing importance in both public and animal health, as the last few years have seen a steady increase of new cases, each emerging from an unsuspected geographic area and causing serious problems, often leading to mortalities among animals and humans. Investigating these pathogens as ecological phenomena can provide insights into why these pathogens have jumped species. In a highly recommended article by Samuel Myers and Jonathan Patz, Emerging Threats to Humans from Global Environmental Change, the scientists assert that changes to the natural environment are all accelerating with increased exposure to infectious disease. The authors maintain that these threats represent the greatest public health challenge humanity has faced. In Environmental Determinants of Infectious Disease, Joseph Eisenburg concludes that emerging and re-emerging pathogens have their origin in environmental change. However, in Causal Inference in Disease Ecology: Investigating Ecological Drivers of Disease Emergence, Raina Plowright maintains that few studies have rigorously analyzed the underlying environmental drivers of disease emergence. As an expert on ecological drivers of disease, Plowright reports that ecological change and disease emerge from complex, large-scale processes that are not amenable to traditional approaches to causal inference. Emerging Infectious Disease Links to Climate Change Paul Epstein of Harvard School of Public Health and been sounding the warning bell on climate change and infectious disease for over 10 years. In Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Disease he presented a theory that deforestation and climatic volatility are a potent combination creating conditions conducive to disease emergence and spread. In Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Effects of Eco-Climate Change: The Medical Response, Colin Butler and David Harley propose that the primary effects of climate change to global health include the acute and chronic stress of heat waves, and trauma from increased fires and flooding. Secondary signs are indirect, such as an altered distribution of vectors, intermediate hosts and pathogens. More severe future health consequences of climate change are classified here as tertiary effects: famine, war and significant population displacement. There is near unanimous scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity will change Earths climate. Yet, there is little hard evidence that recent global warming has already affected some health outcomes. Researchers, A.J. McMichael, Rosalie Woodruff, and Simon Hales, suggest in Climate Change and human health: present and future risks, that anticipation of adverse health effects will strengthen the case for pre-emptive policies and guide priorities for planned adaptive strategies. In a related argument in Climate Change and Infectious Disease in North America: the Road Ahead, researchers Amy Greer, Victoria Ng and David Fisman recommend that the best defense against increases in infectious disease related to climate change lies in strengthening existing public health infrastructure. In Biodiversity Loss Affects Global Disease Ecology, Montira J. Pongsiri et al. propose that climate change is a phenomenon that will require a biogeographic perspective to predict its affect on global disease. Currently, biogeography and disease ecology are disciplinary communities with little overlap. Not all scientists agree on climate change and emerging infectious disease. In The Ecology of Climate Change and Infectious Disease, Kevin Lafferty claims that although the globe is significantly warmer than it was a century ago, there is little evidence that climate change has favored infectious diseases. Lafferty reports that recent models predict range shifts in disease distributions, with little net increase in area. Researchers Bruce Wilcox and Duane Gubler link demographic and societal factors to land use, land cover change, and ecological factors to disease emergence in Disease Ecology and the Global Emergence of Zoonotic Pathogens. They report that the scale and magnitude of these changes are more significant than those associated with climate change, the effects of which are largely not yet understood. Joshua Rosenthal of the National Institutes of Health reports that the ability to predict the effects of climate change on the spread of infectious diseases is in its infancy. In Climate Change and the geographic distribution of Infectious Disease, the authors report that there are conflicting predictions. Emerging Infectious Disease and Public Health Preparedness In a 2010 report, Infectious Disease Movement in a Borderless World, David Relman and the Institute of Medicine report that infectious diseases (pre-pandemic stage) now emerge more frequently, spread greater distances, pass more easily between humans and animals, and evolve into new and more virulent strains. Literature from the U.S. Institute of Medicine intended for clinicians, researchers, and public policy makers includes The Impact of globalization on infectious disease emergence and control exploring the consequences and opportunities by Stacey Knobler. Keith Fukuda and The World Health Organization released Ethical considerations developing a public health response to pandemic influenza. A product of expert international opinion, this publication is intended for public health and pandemic influenza preparedness activities at the national level. In Communicating about Emerging Infectious Disease: the Importance of Research, Bev Holmes reviews risk communication strategies for e merging infectious diseases. In The Generic Biothreat, Or, How we became Unprepared, sociologist Andrew Lakoff argues that over the course of the past three decades, a new way of thinking about the threat of infectious disease has coalesced. The problem of infectious disease is no longer only one of prevention, but one of preparedness. Jonathan D. Moreno, professor of Medical Ethics, wrote In the Wake of Terror: Medicine and the Morality in a Time of Crisis, a book intended for public health policymakers. He maintains that responses to bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases of the twenty-first century are destined to overwhelm the public health system. Emerging Infectious Disease and National Security In Contagion and Chaos, Andrew Price-Smith offers an examination of disease through the lens of national security. This book will be of interest to political scientists and those in public health and medicine as it highlights the interdependence between political science and public health. The author stresses that the association between the health of a population and perception of national security is ancient but largely forgotten. He argues that epidemic disease represents a direct threat to the power of a state, eroding prosperity and destabilizing both its internal politics and its relationships with other states. The danger of an infectious pathogen to national security depends on lethality, transmissability, fear, and economic damage. The author maintains that warfare and ecological change contribute to the spread of disease and act as disease amplifiers. Strategies for the Future There are several valuable data collection tools and collaboration networks in existence. To be useful, data must assist in the effort to identify population-based strategies for pandemics. Advance knowledge of which subpopulations are most likely at increased risk can lead to quicker public health response and disease control. Lessons from the past would suggest that public health preparedness include human health surveillance that is integrated with monitoring of climate and other environmental conditions that favor emerging infectious disease. In an important work by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Jeremy Hess, Josephine Mililay and Alan Parkinson), scientists considered the ways in which the concept of place the sense of human relationship with particular environments will play a key role in motivating, developing, and deploying an effective public health response. In Climate Change: the Importance of Place, they highlight the concepts of community resilience and risk management, key aspects of a robust response to climate change in public health and other sectors. Mark Woolhouse, faculty at University of Edinburgh in infectious disease epidemiology, reports in Emerging Diseases go Global that novel human infections continue to appear all over the world, but the risk is higher in some regions than others. Identification of emerging-disease hotspots will help target surveillance work. In Global trends in emerging infectious diseases, Kate E. Jones et al. provide a basis for identifying regions where new EIDs are most likely to originate (emerging disease hotspots). Currently, they claim that global resources to counter disease emergence are poorly allocated the majority of the surveillance effort is focused on countries from where the next important EID is least likely to originate. John Brownstein, a medical informatics researcher, reports that the existing network of disease surveillance efforts managed by public health institutes has wide gaps in geographic coverage and often suffers from poor and sometimes suppressed information flow across national borders. In Surveillance Sans Frontieres: Internet Based Emerging Infectious Disease Intelligence and HealthMap project, Brownstein reports that valuable information about infectious diseases is found in internet-accessible information sources such as discussion sites and disease reporting networks. These data must be studied in depth, including false reports and reporting bias. Yet, this information holds potential to provide complementary epidemic intelligence context. This potential is already being realized, as a majority of outbreak verifications currently conducted by the World Health Organizations Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network are triggered by reports from these nontraditional sources. Conclusions It is clear that there is a relationship between environmental change and infectious disease, but these links are disease and location specific. Thus, the direct impact on human health is still unclear. Climate change may increase the prevalence of particular infectious diseases in some regions, while decreasing the prevalence in others. Many factors can affect emerging infectious disease, and some of these factors may overshadow the effects of climate. The potential health impacts underscore the need to reinforce response systems for infectious disease outbreaks, including public health preparedness and the capacity necessary to mount effective responses. There is no natural analog to the rapid increases of human-induced environmental changes that are emerging in the 21st century. The links between rapid environmental change and novel pathogens suggest we are entering a new transition in the history of emerging infectious disease.

Anabolic Steroids Essay -- Drugs, Sports

When you are presented an easier way to achieve a goal its first nature to automatically be interested correct? When you feel overwhelmed with a task and the saying â€Å"you did your best† doesn’t apply to you its safe to say that most people would do anything they can to succeed. Maybe as a child you were instructed by your p.e. teacher to run two timed laps but you found a way to cheat and you only ran one. Imagine having to live up to the expectations of signing a multimillion dollar contract most people would do anything legal or not to make sure that they are not considered failures. It’s considered human instinct to cheat or to take an easy way out when you there is one presented and that is one of the main reasons why steroids are such a problem in sports today. Anabolic steroids, also know as steroids or â€Å"roids† are synthetic versions of testosterone. The word anabolic comes from the Greek word â€Å"anabole† which â€Å"means to build up.† Steroids are drugs that are used to stimulate the growth of the human body. The use of steroids without medical approval is strictly prohibited as congress classified the drug as a controlled substance in the late 1900s. The discovery of steroids came in the early 1930’s. Leopold RuÃ… ¾iÄ ka born in Vukovar, Croatia, was the chemist who created the drug. He received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1939 and is considered one of the brightest biochemists during the 1900’s. At first scientists pronounced the drug as medicine. It was used to help find ways to cure aids, cancer, and other terminal diseases. It was also given to men who have not yet gone through puberty because it was discovered that steroids help produce testosterone. Men who lacked the ability to produce enough naturally were given as a ... ...heir success through hard work and determination have to now worry that they will be perceived as cheaters due to the fact that there are so many athletes on steroids. Sports are all about testing your physical abilities and pushing your body to it’s furthest limits but when you are under the influence of steroids. Your performance is rigged and that eventually will be the reason as to why Barry Bonds achievements are no longer considered. Steroid abuse also hurts professional leagues, after the steroid era in baseball, many beloved fans, retired players, owners, analysts felt ashamed when it came to how baseball had turned into a laughingstock. As a fan I was embarrassed that I believed in and encouraged the athletes who were criminals. I followed their careers and cheered when they broke the records of some of the greatest players in the history of baseball.

The Ethics of Nanotechnology Essay -- Nanotechnology Science Research

The Ethics of Nanotechnology Introduction Imagine a world in which cars can be assembled molecule-by-molecule, garbage can be disassembled and turned into beef steaks, and people can be operated on and healed by cell-sized robots. Sound like science fiction? Well, with current semiconductor chip manufacturing encroaching upon the nanometer scale and the ability to move individual atoms at the IBM Almaden laboratory, we are fast approaching the technological ability to fabricate productive machines and devices that can manipulate things at the atomic level. From this ability we will be able to develop molecular-sized computers and robots, which would give us unprecedented control over matter and the ability to shape the physical world as we see fit. Some may see it as pure fantasy, but others speculate that it is an inevitability that will be the beginning of the next technological revolution. Laboratories, such as the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility (SNF), have already been researching nanofabrication techniques with applications in fiber optics, biotechnology, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and wide variety of other research fields relevant to today's technology. MEMS, "tiny mechanical devices such as sensors, valves, gears, mirrors, and actuators embedded in semiconductor chips", are particularly interesting because they are but a mere step away from the molecular machines envisioned by nanotechnology. MEMS are already being used in automobile airbag systems as accelerometers to detect collisions and will become an increasing part of our everyday technology. In 1986, a researcher from MIT named K. Eric Drexler already foresaw the advent of molecular machines and published a book, Engines of Creation, in ... ...searchers in this field put together an ethical set of guidelines (e.g. Molecular Nanotechnology Guidelines) and follow them, then we should be able to develop nanotechnology safely while still reaping its promised benefits. References Drexler, K. Eric Engines of Creation. New York: Anchor Books, 1986. Drexler, K. Eric Unbounding the Future. New York: Quill, 1991. Feynman, Richard P. There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom. 03 March 2002. http://www.zyvex.com/nanotech/feynman.html The Foresight Institute. 03 March 2002. http://www.foresight.org/ Institute for Molecular Manufacturing. 03 March 2002. IMM.org National Nanotechnology Initiative. 03 March 2002. http://www.nano.gov/ Thibodeau, Patrick. "Nanotech, IT research given boost in Bush budget". 03 March 2002. (April 11, 2001) CNN.com [Definitions]. 03 March 2002. Whatis.com

The Americanization of Puerto Rico :: American History

The Americanization of Puerto Rico When island inhabitants first heard that Americans were planning on invading Puerto Rico and driving out Spain's rulers, Puerto Ricans welcomed the North Americans to their home. (To view an in-progress work dealing with the Spanish-American War from a pro-colonial expansion point of view, visit this site/ For an objective historical account view this site). The Puerto Ricans were tired of not having a voice in politics and government and with the knowledge that America was a democracy, there was hope that this status quo would change. Although Puerto Ricans felt sentiments of fear at the arrival of the Americans, this did not curb their welcoming and enabling the American invasion. Unfortunately, the outcome of the invasion was not as positive as was thought it would be. During early U.S. rule, Puerto Ricans still were not included in the majority of governmental relations, and as with Spaniards, Americans who were sent to rule in Puerto Rico had never been there before and were i gnorant about the history, culture, Spanish language, etc. Basically, Puerto Rico continued being ruled by foreigners who sought to complete their own interests, as opposed to looking to what are the interests of the nation they are invading and ruling. A cogent metaphor in Ferrà ©'s novel for the unrequited hopes that Puerto Rico had when United States invaded is Tony Torres, who is supposedly going to dance in Kerenski's adaptation of Swan Lake and Firebird . The people who lived in Machuelo Abajo reacted to the news of Tony with respect and excitement. In my view, the initial reactions of Machuelo Abajo's young people, were on a smaller scale, comparable to the reaction of Puerto Ricans, especially the elite, to the proposed American invasion. Here is a sample of the reaction to Tony's being selected as Prince in the ballet school's production: "The young people in Machuelo Abajo saw him as a hero; it was the first time anyone from the slums had ever danced at La Perla or taken part in any way in any of its elegant cultural events. When posters advertising the performance, with Tony's picture, appeared all over town-affixed to the telephone poles and to the walls of buildings and to fences-the people of Manchuelo Abajo took them down, framed them, and hung them in their living rooms. (Ferrà ©, p. 170)" The Puerto Ricans, especially upper class, regarded the United States as the most powerful democracy in the world.

Comparing poems Essay

In this essay I am going to compare the way the theme of racism is dealt with in the poems ‘Half caste’ and ‘nothings changed’. I will analyse the poems and then compare them. The things I will be comparing are the similarities and differences, the layout and also the use of language. I will be looking at both of the authors Tatamkhula Africa (Nothings Changed) and John Agard (Half caste) intentions and then decide which one of the poems I think is most effective. I am going to begin with a comparison of the purposes of the two poems. Nothings changed is about a black man looking back at his childhood and realising that ‘nothings changed’, he is upset about this as although segregation is said to have gone, he feels as if it is the same as before. Half-caste is about a mixed race man who is asking for an explanation for why they are treated like half a person. He refuses to be called half-caste as he finds it offensive. In both of these poems, the writer is dealing with the issues of racism. The two writers are expressing their anger and want the readers to take notice of how they feel. The two writers both use repetition throughout the poem. Tatamkhula used the phrase ‘nothings changed’ as both the title and the ending of the poem, this emphasises the fact that his whole poem is based on the fact that he feels that nothing has changed in his life, mainly on the aspect of the way black people are treated. John repeats ‘explain yuslef’ a number of times throughout the poem, he says this because his main aim of the poem is for people to explain themselves. These both are examples of repetition used by the writers to emphasise on their point that they want to get out by writing their poem. The two writers have a completely different style of writing. In nothings changed the writer uses standard use of English as he is happy to write this way. On the other hand the writer of half caste writes the words in slang. Clearly he wants to show the reader that he is what he is and is not going to change for anyone.  Tatamkhula compares a black person like himself to an ‘amiable weed’, he is doing this as he feels that both black people and amiable weeds are not cared for. Also he believes they are not wanted. He then later compares a white person to the opposite, a ‘red rose’, this maybe because he thinks that a lot of care is taken into caring for a red rose and also the white people. Here Tatamkhula expresses himself through metaphors and he does so continuously throughout the poem. John’s use of language happens to be really strong. He shows straight away that he is extremely angry. An example of this is that he said could have said you can come back tomorrow and listen my other half of my story if you want, however instead he demands the reader ‘yu must come back tomorrow’. The ‘must’ emphasises that the writer is serious.  Both of these writers use different type of writing to express the way they feel. Tatamkhula effectively uses metaphors to compare what he feels like and what other people are being treated as. John’s strong use of language makes his poem more effective as he is showing exactly how he feels in the first instant. Both writers’ intentions are similar. They both want the reader to think about and understand what they are going through. They want these problems of racism to stop. Tatamkhula writes about what he sees and feels. An example of this is when writes ‘I press my nose to the dear panes’. Here he is on the other side of the glass from were the white people are sitting. This shows that he is separated from the people. He expresses that although segregation has said to be gone, it is still there. He can see the white people through the glass, however the glass is like a border where he can not pass only because of his colour. John Agard throughout the poem is writing as if he is speaking to the reader. It seems as if he is having a conversation with the reader, ‘excuse me’, I believe that this makes it more interesting, and also encourages the reader to take it more seriously.  He often uses the term ‘half-caste’ to outsmart people who use this term. Although he uses slang he shows that he is aware of the things going an around the world. He says ‘yu mean when Picasso mix red an green is a half-caste canvas’. This is an example of him having good knowledge and yet outsmarting the term ‘half-caste’. Here he is arguing that if Picasso’s paintings can be a mixture of red and green, why can’t he be a mixture of races without being treated as half of a person. Tatamkhula explains how they are treated differently with the example of their food. At the ‘whites only inn’ there is ‘crushed ice’, ‘linen falls’ these both show expense and luxury items. He then compares this with what he is used to which is ‘bunny chows’ and ‘plastic table tops’ This clearly shows that this is not an expensive place, yet more shows it is a cheap place. He then adds further ‘Wipe your fingers on your jeans’ this shows that he is used to doing this, and yet is proud of doing it. He is not ashamed to express the way he is living and feeling. Both writers express their anger continuously through out the poem. They obviously want things to change, and want to be treated equally as everyone else. They express there feelings in form of a poem which they want people to take notice of, and maybe if they are the ones who are causing or doing something to make them feel like this, they would want them to stop instantly.  In my opinion I strongly believe that ‘Nothings changed’ is far more effective. I think this because it expresses more how he feels and what he is going through. Although ‘Half-Caste’ also expresses the writers feelings it is not as effective. This may be because Tatumkhula uses many examples of what he feels like and how he is treated differently.

5 great leadership qualities Essay

Leaders are often portrayed as heroes and role models, but there is also a darker side to being a leader. Adolph Hitler was one of the greatest leaders in the last 100 years, if not the greatest leader of all time. One man had the ability to lead a country, with a population of 20 million people, against the whole world in a vision he saw fit. One man leading Germany out of economic depression after previously being through World War I was an incredible feat. This is indeed what all leaders strive to be. Hitler is one of the best models for inspiring leaders. He exhibited some of the greatest qualities of being a leader, which included the following: vision, eloquence, charisma, strong will, and tyranny. Vision is a manner in which someone conceives something. All leaders must be goal oriented, and Hitler had one of the greatest objectives of all time. He wanted to purge this world of all the Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, and anyone else that didn’t fit in his definition of the perfect race. His perfect race – the Arian race – consisted of blonde-haired, blue-eyed Caucasians. Although he was not able to complete his vision, he still fought for it until the end of his life. One of the most outstanding leadership qualities of Hitler was his eloquence. Being eloquent is to be fluent and persuasive in speech. Hitler would stir up the masses with his fervent speeches. This was one of Hitler’s greatest assets. He was able to get his audience so passionate and zealous over his goals, that they would follow him regardless of what he said. Imagine in what manner someone must talk with 20 million people in order to persuade them to eradicate a race without moral regret. When he would speak, he would sweat and get so fanatical about his speech that women would cry when he spoke. Another important quality of Adolph Hitler was his charisma. Charisma is a quality attributed to those with an exceptional ability to secure the devotion of a large number of people. Without charisma, a leader can not function successfully. Hitler attained devotion from almost anyone that he spoke to. The German people were ready to fight the rest of the world to achieve the world that Adolph Hitler saw fit. Men were willing to give their  lives to satisfy a single man. Hitler had one of the strongest wills of any man that this world had seen. He refused to allow anyone get in his way. This is what led to World War II. He would even betray the Russians, his one time allies, for not also agreeing with his ideas. His will also helped Germany out of depression. It is said that Germany had the greatest economy it has ever had in the rule of Adolph Hitler. He did this by political maneuvering and strategic planning. His will helped make Germany one of the most powerful countries in the world in its time. In fact, some historians devote the end of the depression due to Adolph Hitler. This is because many governments got out of their economic depression by actually fighting in World War II. This stimulated many countries and helped the world all over. The last of his important qualities was tyranny. A tyrannical government is one in which there is a ruler with absolute power. Tyranny enhanced all of his other traits. This is because if someone did not follow him willingly, they were forced to follow him under his government. A leader demanding absolute power is not a bad thing at all times. It does not allow for confusion within a group and may also lead to more efficiency and cooperation. Hitler’s tyranny united Germany under one person and allowed it to challenge anyone that stood in their path. Adolph Hitler may not have been a great person, but he was a great leader. Under his rule, Germany pulled out of an economic depression that was plaguing the rest of the world. Also, Germany stood up once again after a First World War and challenged the world once more. Many people might disagree about him being a great leader because he led Germany to another loss, but this was inevitable because one man cannot stand against the world and hope to win. Nevertheless, Hitler was one of the greatest leaders of all time and should be a template for future leaders.

English Phonetics and Phonology

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HKU SPACE Community College Associate Degree Programmes 2012-13 Course Document Course Title: English Phonetics and Phonology Course Code: C C 8 8 3 5 6 0 0 Aims and Objective This course will focus on articulatory phonetics and the classification of sounds in English. It will explain how English is pronounced in the context of a general theory about speech sounds and how they are organized in languages. Topics will include the speech production mechanism; the description of sound qualities and their representations; prosodic features.There will be many exercises in ear training, sound production and their written representations. Intended Learning Outcomes of the Course On completion of the course, students should be able to: ILO1. describe how speech sounds are produced; ILO2. describe sound production with reference to the articulatory track; ILO3. link perceptual descriptions with production and explain in general how perceptually different sounds diff er in their production; ILO4. distinguish the classification of speech sounds and discuss their phonological groupings and distributions in English; ILO5. ecognize English Phonetic symbols and be able to transcribe connected speech in English; ILO6. discuss the syllabic structure of English; ILO7. select relevant details and systematically organize ideas in answering questions. Syllabus 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Voice production and the organs of speech The production of vocalic elements in speech — cardinal vowels and their representation English vowels – their production, perceptual qualities and representation.Long short vowels, diphthongs and tripthongs The larynx, its structure and the role it plays in speech production The phoneme – its theoretical justification, symbol representation and realization under different phonetic contexts Consonantal elements in speech. English consonants – their production, perceptual qualities, place and manner of articulat ion. Discussion of the phonemic status of some consonants The syllabic structure of EnglishAssessment Type of Assessment (Weighting) Description Test 1: Transcription of English vowels (5%) Test 2: Short questions on the first half of the course (8%) Test 3: Transcription of English (entire text) (10%) Continuous Assessment (50%) Test 4: Long questions on phonemic theory and related issues (10%) Tutorial performance, ear training exercises and homework written exercises (12%) Attendance and performance in class (5%) Examination (50%) Pre-requisite(s) Nil Required and Recommended Reading Text Book: 1. English Phonetics and Phonology – A practical course by Peter Roach, Cambridge University Press, 2000.Written Exam Other References: 1. A Course in Phonetics by Peter Ladefoged, Heinle & Heinle: Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, 2001. 2. Practical Phonetics and Phonology by Beverley Collins and Inger M. Mees, Routleddge: London and New Yo rk, 2003. 3. Fundamental Problems in Phonetics by J. C. Catford, Indiana University Press: Bloomington, 1982. 4. Introduction to Phonetics by L. F. Brosnahan & Bertil Malmberg, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, London, New York, Melbourne, 1976. 29. 06. 11

Basic Kitchen Organization

Basic Kitchen Organization Food Processing Kitchen (Commissary Kitchen) -In large operations, it is a kitchen for the processing of all vegetables, salads and fruits -Purpose: to wash peel and sanitize and cut all raw products, increase hygienic and sanitary standards of a kitchen, reduce waste Cold/Pantry Kitchen (Garde Manger) -Produces all cold food items – salads, dressings, cold platters, terrines, pates, sushi/sashimi, cheese, fruits,etc. -If there is no in-house butchery, also responsible for processing and portioning all meat, fish and seafood items Butchery In charge of processing and portioning all meat, fish, and seafood -In large operations, it will also produce processed meats and seafood items such as sausages, smoked ham, cooked ham, smoked fish and seafood, etc. Main Kitchen -In charge of producing hot dishes for the various outlets, hot basic sauces for all operations -If there is no banquet kitchen, it will also produce the hot food for banquet and catering f unctions -May also provide the staff food in certain operations Banquet Kitchen -Generally, is a finishing kitchen – a satellite kitchen for garnishing, final sauces and service -Large operations may have this as a full kitchenRestaurant Kitchen -Generally, finishing kitchens, except specialty kitchens such as Western Fine Dining, Japanese, Chinese, etc. -Coffee Shop Classified here. Room Service Kitchen -Room service food is generally provided by individual restaurant kitchens -Larger operations have a separate room service kitchen -Offer a la carte items from all their restaurants Staff Canteen -Large operations generally have a small staff canteen -Partly supported by the main kitchen, cold kitchen, and butchery. Pastry and bakery provide desserts and breads.Pastry Kitchen -In charge of producing all types of cold, warm and frozen desserts (pralines, cookies, sugar work, marzipan work, etc. ) Bakery -In charge of all baking requirements such as breads, crusts and doughs. K itchen Organization Chart Kitchen Brigade Corporate Chef -Highest position for a chef in a hotel chain or chain of restaurants. -Responsible for overseeing standards in all hotels/restaurants in that chain -Creates new food concept ideas for all hotels or certain regions -Oversees new hotels and renovations Executive Chef (Chef de Cuisine) Administrative and operational responsibility for all daily kitchen operations on one hotel -Ensures that all supply requirements for all operations are in place -Develops and implements new menus, promotions and festivals -Evaluates based on recommendations, promotes or dismisses staff -Directly interacts with banquet and sales and marketing to produce special menus for functions or groups staying in the hotel -Updates the food and beverage director -Responsible for the monthly food cost of his/her department Executive Sous Chef (Working Chef) -Immediate assistant of the EC -Directly supervises all operational activities In charge of certain admi nistrative work such as duty rosters, evaluation of his/her immediate subordinates, coordination for function set ups, or special promotional setups. Sous Chef -Commonly in charge of an outlet kitchen or section -Run directly the day-to-day of outlet operations -Directly coordinate with the Executive Sous-Chef -Responsible for supplies, proper staffing, and food quality -Appraise and interview new staff and recommend promotions and dismissal of staff. Section Chef – Chef de Partie -Sauce Cook – Saucier oPrepares all meat, game, poultry, fish and warm appetizers w/ hot/warm sauces -Broiler Cook – Rotisseur All grilled dishes, roasts, and dishes that are oven roasted or deep-fat fried -A la Carte Cook – Restaurteur oPrepares al a carte dishes -Fish Cook – Poissonier oRelieves the sauce cook from the preparation of fish and seafood dishes -Vegetable Cook – Entremetier oPreparation of soups, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, warm cheese and egg dishe s -Pantry Cook – Garde Manger oSupervises all cold food preparations: Salads, cold appetizer, dressings cold sauces, buffet platters and decorations. oIf there is no butchery, bones and portions all meat, game, poultry, and fish oResponsible for monitoring all chillers and freezers Butcher – Boucher de Cuisine oHandles meat, fish and seafood, if they are professionally trained butchers, also prepare processed meats -Swing Chef – Chef Tournant oReliever for the Chefs de Partie and generally an experienced chef -Duty Cook – Chef de Garde oFor restaurants with a split shift – stays on duty during the lean afternoon hours or late evening hours -Dietitian – Dietetcien oAdvisory position – prepares special diet menus and calculates nutritional values for guests with special needs -Demi-Chef oPosition between rank and file and supervisor Stronger cook than a commis, but not experienced enough to be a chef de partie oTakes on supervisory func tions of chef de partie in their absence -Staff Cook – Cuisinier pour le personnel oPrepares the meals for the staff if there is a staff kitchen Pastry, Confisserie and Bakery -Pastry Chef – Patissier oPrepares cold, warm and frozen sweet dishes as well as baked items if there is no bakeshop in the operation oSupervises all necessary ingredient requisitions, evaluation, hiring and dismissal of the staff oReports directly to the executive chef, coordinates with the executive-sous chef -Confisseur Prepares all specialties with chocolate and special cookies (petit-fours) oSpecialist in sugar and marzipan work -Chief Baker – Boulanger oResponsible for all bread and dough preparation required by the pastry and kitchen Cooking Methods and Techniques 14 Cooking Methods MethodWhere it’s doneTemperature BlanchingStove Deep-Fat FryerWater: 100Â °C Oil: 130Â °C-150Â °C PoachingStove/OvenStove: 65Â °C-80Â °C Oven: 165Â °C Boiling or SimmeringStoveBoiling: 100Â °C Simmering: 95Â °C – 98Â °C SteamingStove/Steamer100Â °C – 120Â °C Deep Fat FryingDeep Fat Fryer170Â °C – 180Â °CSauteing or Pan-FryingStove165Â °C – 200Â °C GrillingGrill240Â °C – 190Â °C Gratinate or Au GratinOven/Salamander240Â °C – 280Â °C BakingOven130Â °C – 260Â °C RoastingOven200Â °C – 220Â °C Finishing: 180Â °C Butter RoastingOvenStart: 140Â °C Finish: 160Â °C Braising/GlazingOven Meat Oven Vegetables Start: 200Â °C Cook: 160Â °C – 180Â °C Start: 140Â °C Finish: 160Â °C Glazing VegetablesStoveCook: 95Â °C – 98Â °C StewingStove95Â °C – 98Â °C Blanching -Cooking method used to pre-cook, cook or sanitize an ingredient for another cooking method or for preservation oAlternative method for blanching in hot water is steaming Method – can either be starting with cold or hot water or in oil -Why do we blanch: oTo clean and sanitize oTo destroy enzymes oTo prevent ingred ients from sticking oTo improve the color of ingredients oTo pre-cook ingredients for another method oTo pre-cook an ingredient for preserving Poaching -For cooking tender ingredients which are high in protein at a low temperature (65Â °C – 80Â °C) -Where do we poach: oOn the stove, in liquid oOn the stove, in a water bath oIn the oven, in a water bath oIn a low/high pressure steamer in -How do we poach: oPoach, Floating in liquid oPoach in shallow Liquid Poach in a water bath with stirring oPoach in a water bath without stirring -To prevent tender meat parts, fish, egg and recipes containing egg from being over cooked and broken apart Boiling or Simmering -Boiling or simmering starting with cold water with a lid oFor Dried Vegetables, Potatoes and legumes oFor vegetable side dishes and soups (food items which are not delicate and do not change shape) oSo food can further absorb water and tenderize faster -Boiling and simmering without a lid oFor vegetables and starch based recipes, 98Â °C – 100Â °C oVegetable side dishes, rice dishes, pasta dishes and eggs To achieve rapid boiling point so that ingredients cook faster without excessive loss of nutrients and flavors -Simmering oFor stocks and soups, 95Â °C – 98Â °C oSimmer with out a lid to monitor liquids oStocks and clear soups become cloudy when boiled -Simmering starting with hot water with a lid oFor Meat, poultry, variety meats, fowl oStews, tongue, boiled beef, oThese ingredients don’t need to be monitored as they are stewed and contain sauce oSimmer with a lid to prevent excessive evaporation Steaming -For items that you usually poach, you can also steam Reduced cooking time with heat above 100Â °C retains flavor, color and nutrients better -Food stays drier and can immediately be used for further processing -Preserves ingredient shape very well as there is no agitation -Different kinds of ingredients can be cooked at the same time without absorbing each others flavor -Disadvantage: there is no liquid to prepare the sauce from Deep-Fat Frying -Meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, potato, fruits, mushrooms, pastries -Done in plant fat (shortening) at 170Â °C – 180Â °C -Basic rules in deep fat frying: oUse only heat-resistant and non-foamy oils Ensure proper temperature at 170Â °C – 180Â °C and never heat oil above 200Â °C oIf not in use, turn fryer temperature down to 90Â °C oNever season with salt or any other seasoning above the deep fat fryer oNever fry fish and pastry items in the same oil than other products oNever cover the deep fat fryer when in use oNever cover deep fat-fried foods as they become soggy oEveryday, filter fryer oil and clean deep fat fryer to remove frying particles which have settled on the bottom of the fryer oNever use oil that foams and causes eye and lung irritation smoke at 180Â °C Sauteing (Pan Frying) in a Stainless steel pan Use a stainless steel pan to produce pan drippings oSo you can deglaze the pan drippings oAdd flavor and color to the sauce Sauteing (Pan Frying) in a Non-Stick pan -Sauteing meat, vegetables, potatoes, mushrooms, eggs, etc. -Use a non-stick pan when sauteing ingredient that do not need a sauce to be made after. -Can also be done on a flat-top griddle, but like the non-stick pan, you cannot produce any sauce after Grilling and Broiling -For portioned and generally marinated meat, fish, seafood, poultry, vegetables, potato and mushrooms. Ingredients may be wrapped in aluminum oil -Healthy cooking method – fat-free – but it is important not to burn ingredients because this can produce carcinogens Gratinating or Au Gratin -Method used for finishing, food is already generally cooked. -Food is always covered with ingredients that brown well (ex. egg & cream, cheese, batters, sauces, etc. ) -After applying the coating or crust, ingredients are browned under the salamander or in the oven under high upper heat -Eggs, soups, sauces, cheese, fish, sea food, poultry, meat, pasta, vegetables, potatoes and desserts are commonly gratinated -Browning is done for flavor and presentationBaking -Mainly used in the hot kitchen to bake meat in a dough, crust or w/ savory souffles and savory starts -Mainly used in the pastry and bakery in the production Roasting in the oven -Done with tender and large pieces of meat which are only cut after cooking -Potatoes may also be roasted -Tender meat parts are roasted as the proteins are soft and do not require liquid to tenderize hem -Important that there is enough fat, to prevent drying out Braising in the oven -Food is cooked in a small amount of liquid in the oven or in a pressure cooker -Used for meat and fowl with high connective tissue Generally ingredients are braised whole and cut before serving -Slow cooking method where food is gently cooked in the oven over a long period of time where the product is tenderized Glazing of vegetables -Commonly for root, knob and fruit vegetables, also chest nuts and water chestnuts Glazing of White Meat -For white meat and poultry with low connective tissue -When glazing white meats, the product will have a shiny brown crust and moist, tender meats due to the slow cooking processStewing meat on the stove -Used for pre-cut meat or poultry with high connective tissue -Generally stewed with a large amount of liquid -Usually national recipes of countries, with many variations -Onions usually an ingredient, it is important to properly glaze them so they release the juices which become syrupy and eventually turn brownish Stewing of fruits and vegetables -Usually vegetables from the fruit vegetable family -Generally used to make compotes, fruit puree or fruit sauce

Post-Compulsory Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Post-Compulsory Education - Essay Example It was the emphasis upon further education providing a preparation for jobs which underpinned the new vocationalism of the 1980s. However, in more recent years, the provision of a 'vocational education' has come to be recognised as a more complex matter than that of simply training students in job-specific skills. While it is true to say that General, Liberal and Social Studies appendages to post -war vocational courses were an attempt to provide students with a wider educational base to their studies, it was the BTEC curriculum introduced from the early 1980s which took the first significant steps towards a preparation for work within a broader concept of vocational education. The development of TVEI as an enhancement curriculum, of generic and core skills, and of modular course structures such as GNVQ can be seen as further evidence of some general shift towards a broader, re-focused vocationalism. The reasons behind these shifts are themselves interesting and result from analyses of the changing needs of the economy, the labour market and, in particular, the nature of work. Post -Fordist and other analyses of current and prospective transformations in Western societies have stressed a requirement for some form of 'flexible' knowledge worker within collaborative, hightrust, high-skill, work relations (Brown and Lauder, 1991) and it is with some, albeit hasty and superficial, appreciation of these requirements that curriculum development has been stimulated. I say hasty and superficial because, a high degree of uncertainty still surrounds the extent of, the directions of, and the full implications of the developments anticipated in the post -Fordist analysis. Indeed, evidence of the anticipated flatter, leaner, hierarchies is not in great abundance, at least in Britain. Moreover, the surface features of post -Fordism are largely indistinguishable from those of the 'enterprise c ulture' and, where curriculum developments do not address fundamental differences between the two, their unresolved contradictions are carried forward into course planning. 'Student-centred learning', 'autonomy', 'entitlement', 'empowerment', 'democracy' and 'citizenship', which figure prominently in recent curriculum developments, are examples of concepts in popular use in post-compulsory education whose rhetorical value is their power to legitimise and compel common assent to curriculum innovations but whose more sinister function is to obscure the need for critical examination of those innovations (Avis, 1993:13-14). Nonetheless, many of the reforms to have taken place in post-compulsory education since the early 1990s, despite the problematic nature of their underlying evidence and logic, reflect a clear and visible attempt to shift from a narrowly focused 'preparation for work' towards some notion of preparation 'for life', 'for citizenship', 'for multi-skilled work' and 'for collaborative work relationships'. While the effects of such shifts are most evident in full-time vocational courses, and to some extent in A-level programmes, they have received little or no recognition in NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3. Consequently, the once clear purpose of vocational education has become bifurcated into 'vocational education' based in some broader concepts of vocation and preparation and 'occupational training' whose primary concern is to equip learners with skills for jobs. We can say that

Managing cultural diversity and perceived organizational support Essay

Managing cultural diversity and perceived organizational support - Essay Example The findings did not support this association. However the regression analysis indicated that there is an indirect association between cultural diversity management and affective commitment via perceived organizational support. A real-world example of cultural diversity management can be found in Wal-Mart (Wal-Mart 2009 Sustainability Report). It is a large international discount retail chain which implements a variety of diversity programs in order to create an internationally diverse workforce. Programs such as diversity training and supplier diversity have enabled the multinational company to provide organizational support to minority-owned businesses. This has been a source of competitive advantage globally. The diversity management programs have enabled the company to build an organizational culture that supports employment resourcing effectively internationally.

The Endocrine System of the Human Body. To include major organs, Essay

The Endocrine System of the Human Body. To include major organs, physiology and function. The effects of a homeostatic imbalanc - Essay Example The pituitary gland is referred to as the â€Å"master gland† because it highly influences other body organs, and is responsible for producing (1) prolactin in lactating women, (2) growth hormone, (3) adrenocorticotropin, (4) thyroid-stimulating hormone, (5) luteinizing hormone, (6) follicle-stimulating hormone, (7) oxytocin, and (8) antidiuretic hormone (â€Å"The Endocrine†). These hormones produced by the pituitary gland are in turn in-charge with many bodily functions. The hypothalamus acts to start and stop the production of pituitary hormones, according to the body’s need. The thymus is needed for normal immune functions; while the pineal gland is said to influence sleep patterns by producing melatonin. Both testes and ovaries are responsible for sexual traits of men and women, respectively, as the testes produce testosterone and ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. The thyroid gland, important in metabolism, produces tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyrox ine (T4). Adrenal glands are made up of the adrenal cortex and medulla, where the former produces hormones essential for life, like glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The parathyroid glands, on the other hand, are tasked with calcium and phosphorus levels regulation; and the pancreas is vital for insulin and glucagon production to control serum glucose levels.