Time Management for the Adult Learner Research Paper

Time Management for the Adult Learner - Research Paper Example Before actually getting enrolled in a course, the adult learner needs to layout reasons as to why or why not there is a need to go back to the university. For regular students, this task may not seem to be of any difficulty at all. For the adult learner, giving up receiving paychecks on a regular basis to earn a degree is a challenging dilemma. Though the degree would give them a better shot for a promotion at work and in getting more digits on the paychecks, the whole course would cost a lot and would add up to the monthly bills waiting to be settled on a regular basis (KeyOrganization.Com, 2011). The dilemma goes on with regards to weighing paychecks that are currently being received with the diploma which is still a goal to be achieved. Even with the better opportunity that lies ahead once the diploma is received, would it be worth it to sacrifice the instability of not earning enough to support the cost of living at present? Though there are scholarships that are being offered, the hours spent at the university could be spent at work to earn additional amount of money (Zupek, 2009). There are companies who may consider employees who are working part-time due to the fact that as the employee is enrolled at a course. However, there are also establishments that have particular needs with regards to working hours and most of the time could not make any special arrangements to accommodate adult learners who are employed under their firm. If the latter situation applies in the firm an adult learner is employed, therefore the student would need to give up the career and look for another that can accommodate school hours (Zuperk, 2009). This factor is just the start of a number of dilemmas that the aspiring adult learner needs to arrange before the actual learning experience in a school environment. It is a totally different story once the actual education experience takes place. Once the adult learner enters the university, there is

Voltammetric Methods for Trace Analysis of Chromium Essay Example for Free

Voltammetric Methods for Trace Analysis of Chromium Essay Voltammetric methods of analysis, which have been used since the invention of polarography in 1922, witnessed a serious decline in use and was even threatened with extinction with the development of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) in the mid-1960s (Bond, 1980, pp. 2-3). The remarkable detection limits of AAS, coupled with its ability to determine almost all the metallic elements, was beyond the reach of classical polarography, which had come to be regarded as a very unattractive technique due to its clumsy instrumentation. However, there has been a resurgence of interest in the electroanalytical techniques during the past years, mainly as a result of the appearance of vastly improved, commercially available instrumentation which has taken full advantage of the electronic revolution. In parallel with the instrumental developments, there have also been accompanying advances in the theoretical aspects of electroanalytical techniques with the development of, for example, ax, pulse and stripping techniques. As a consequence, voltammetry is now established as an extremely versatile, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive analytical technique which has found applications in most areas of analytical chemistry. The fundamental principles of polarography are described by Bond (1980), though he recounts developments in polarographic techniques that have led to the renaissance and widespread adoption of voltammetry. Over the last 15-20 years, there has been a revolution in the existing data regarding the distributions and chemical behavior of trace elements in natural waters. This revolution has been brought about by the realisation that any analytical methodology has to account for the risks of contamination as well as analyte losses involved during the sampling and sample handling steps. Thus clean techniques have been developed and adopted for the collection, preservation, storage and analysis of water samples for trace analysis. This, coupled with the advent of extremely sensitive techniques, has resulted in concentrations of trace elements in seawater being shown to be factors of 10 to 1000 times lower than those previously accepted (Donat, et al. , 1995, p. 247). This in turn has led to a demand for more accurate data to be generated at lower concentrations. The focus of this paper is to discuss voltammetric methods for the analysis of one of the biogeochemically important trace metals in natural water: chromium. Voltammetric Methods AAS (especially Electrothermal AAS) techniques are generally regarded as the ultimate methods of detection for ultra-trace analysis because of the detection limits attainable by these techniques. However, in the form of Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV), voltammetry offers a technique that, in specific cases, can rival these techniques with respect to detection limits, reproducibility and ease of operation. The extreme sensitivity of ASV is due to the analyte preconcentration step inherent to the technique, whereas the spectrometric techniques rely on a prior analyte preconcentration step. Another advantage that ASV offers is that it can speciate the analyte species on the basis of their lability in the natural medium (Florence, 1986) The high sensitivity of ASV allows for the determination of metal speciation in natural waters without the necessity of external pre-concentration. ASV involves two steps: deposition step, which is an internal pre-concentration, during which a negative potential is applied at the mercury drop (i. e. the working electrode) and the metal ion is reduced to the metal which dissolves in the mercury drop forming an amalgam, followed by the stripping step, during which a positive-going potential scan causes re-oxidation of the metal in the amalgam. Thus, the amalgamated metals are stripped out of the mercury electrode and give rise to anodic peak currents, whose heights are proportional to the ASV-labile (i. e. ASV-measurable) metal species (Willard et al. , 1988, p. 719). The applicability of ASV is contingent on the metal to be determined being soluble in mercury to form an amalgam. This requirement severely limits its widespread application in environmental analysis and ASV has remained more or less confined to the determination of Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn. In this respect, the applicability of ASV is very restrictive, in contrast to the capability of AAS or ICP techniques, which are readily applicable for the determination of most of the elements in the Periodic Table (Willard et al. , 1988). In parallel with ASV, Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (CSV) techniques have also been used for trace element analysis. Until relatively recently, this technique was viewed as the mirror image of ASV (Wang, 1985). In classical CSV, the analyte species is electrolytically preconcentrated as an insoluble Hg species on the electrode by the imposition of a relatively positive, constant potential during the deposition stage. The applied potential results in the formation of Hg22+ ions on the electrode surface. Analyte species capable of forming insoluble Hg compounds react with the Hg22+ to form an insoluble film on the surface of the electrode. During the stripping stage, a negative potential scan is applied on the electrode, resulting in the reduction of this insoluble compound to Hg0 and the original analyte ion. The faradaic current resulting from this reduction forms the analytical signal. In this preconcentration mode, CSV is applicable to the analysis of mainly anionic species and has been used for the analysis of halides, cyanide, sulphide and a variety of organic compounds (Wang, 1985). The applicability of CSV has now been extended to the determination of metallic species following considerable research into a new, non-electrolytic method of preconcentration during the last decade. This preconcentration method is based on the observation that many organic compounds exhibit surface active properties that are manifested by their adsorption from solution onto the surface of a solid phase. Adsorption has been regarded as an undesirable adverse effect in polarography for a long time but enhancements in polarographic waves had been observed and attributed to adsorption since the early days of polarography (Bond, 1980). Pihlar et al. (1981) were the first to exploit adsorption of the dimethylglyoxime complex of Ni on the Hg electrode for the preconcentration of Ni before its stripping. Since then, procedures for the determination of a large number of trace elements have been developed and applied to environmental samples. Wang (1989) provides excellent review on the development, potentials and applications of CSV, which contains a detailed treatment of the fundamental principles of CSV, the mechanisms of complex adsorption and of the stripping step. The principle behind the new method is very simple: under optimized solution conditions, the analyte (generally metal ions) reacts with an added ligand to form a complex which is adsorbed on the surface electrode during the preconcentration stage. This complex is then reduced during the stripping stage, which consists of the application of a negative potential scan on the electrode. During the stripping stage, the reduction process producing the peak current may be due to the reduction of the metal ion, the reduction of the ligand or the simultaneous reduction of both the ligand and the metal ion. The selectivity of the method is determined by the judicious choice of the complex-forming ligand and, since the reaction between the ligand and the analyte is usually dependent on the oxidation state of the analyte species, speciation analysis is generally achieved (Wang, 1985). A comprehensive review of ligands used in, and metals determinable by CSV is given by (Paneli, 1993). It can be conceived that with the choice of a proper ligand, any metallic species should be amenable to CSV determination, opening up the whole Periodic Table to this extremely sensitive, selective and inexpensive analytical technique. The reduction of the ligand can be used for the determination of metals which are reduced at very negative potentials. It is no wonder therefore that so much activity has been channeled towards the search for new ligands for CSV of trace metals in environmental samples. Almost two decades after the technique was first used for the determination of nickel, there is some continuing debate as to the name of the technique. Since the adsorption phenomenon is utilized for preconcentration of the analyte species, the technique has also been referred to as Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry, (AdSV), as well as Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (AdCSV), whereas many workers simply refer to it as CSV based on the direction of the current flow during the reduction. Following a discussion on the pros and cons of the different names used for the technique, Fogg (1994) reached the conclusion that the term cathodic stripping voltammetry with adsorptive accumulation would be more informative. However, he acknowledged that the term cathodic stripping will continue to be used. In contrast to the analytical methods, electrochemical methods for trace metal analysis are very fast and require relatively simple and inexpensive instrumentation. If the complexing ligand is chosen such that the reaction occurs selectively between the ligand and the analyte in a given oxidation state, speciation is achievable without lengthy separation steps and the preconcentration inherent to the technique precludes the need for a potentially contaminating preconcentration step (Wang, 1985). The whole analytical procedure can generally be carried out within the confines of a clean bench, which is a major asset in trace analysis. The fact that the material adsorbed on the mercury electrode is readily accessible for instantaneous reduction during the stripping stage leads to the flow of a large current, which is the analytical signal. Hence high sensitivities, i. e. , extremely low detection limits, can be achieved. In CSV, detection limits in the sub-Â µg/L level are routinely achieved using preconcentration times of 1-3 min (Wang, 1985). All these assets make CSV potentially the most appropriate technique for environmental, and, specifically, natural water analysis. Voltammetric Analytical Methods for Chromium Chromium occurs principally in nature as the extremely stable mineral chromite, FeO. Cr2O3. In most soils and bedrocks, it is similarly immobilized in the trivalent state; however, the environmental concentrations of chromium are significantly in excess of the natural mobilization of the element by weathering processes. This is because chromium and its compounds have widespread industrial applications, resulting in large quantities of the element being discharged in the environment (Bowen, 1979). The chromium concentrations encountered in natural waters are very low; concentrations vary from 0. 1 to 0. 3 Â µg/L in seawater and from 0.3 to 6 Â µg/L in unpolluted surface waters (Bowen, 1979). The study of the chemical speciation of chromium in natural waters has been a topic of great interest for 40 years. The speciation studies have almost exclusively focused on the distribution of chromium between Cr(III) and Cr(VI) (Fukai, 1967, p. 901). Polarographic methods for the analysis of chromium have long been established but the detection limits do not permit their application to natural waters. However, it was during the polarographic study of Cr in supporting medium containing EDTA and nitrate ions that an important observation was made by Tanaka and Ito (1966). These authors found that the Cr polarographic waves were unusually high in this medium and attributed it to the catalytic re-oxidation of an intermediate Cr(II)-EDTA complex by nitrate ions. Golimowski et al. (1985) were the first to recognize the role of adsorption in the polarographic determination of Cr in the presence of DTPA as supporting electrolyte. They showed that the Cr-DTPA is adsorbed on Hg whereas Cr-EDTA is not, hence the notion that DTPA is more suitable than EDTA for the polarographic determination of Cr. Golimowski et al. (1985) exploited the adsorption of the Cr-DTPA complex for the preconcentration of the analyte at a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode and thus published the first CSV method for chromium. DTPA was used as the complexing ligand and the catalytic effect of nitrate ions was used for enhancement of the reduction currents. In what would be the first application of a voltammetric technique for the determination of chromium at levels prevalent in natural waters, they reported a detection limit of 20 Â µg/L for a 2-min deposition time. The superiority of this analytical method vis-a-vis the non-electrochemical methods was unquestionable. The CSV method provided not only the required detection limit, but it did so without the need for any separate sample pretreatment steps (Golimowski et al. , 1985). However, Golimowski et al. (1985) failed to consider that the sensitivity of Cr(III) was less than that of Cr(VI), although this observation had already been made by Zarebski in 1977. These authors also failed to observe that the response of Cr(III) was transient (see below). According to Golimowski et al. (1985) therefore, the method was applicable for the determination of total chromium and they claimed success in its application for the determination of chromium in river, lake, sea and rain water. Given the view of Golimowski et al. (1985) regarding the applicability of the DTPA method for the determination to Cr(III), Torrance and Gatford (1987) made a very thorough study of the CSV of the Cr-DTPA complex and confirmed that the responses of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were indeed different. They found that the Cr(VI):Cr(III) response ratio was 14:1 at 0. 1 Â µg/L and 1. 2:1 at 1 Â µg/L of Cr respectively. These authors also found that with both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) there was a kinetic effect that produced a decrease in peak current with time; this decrease was more severe for Cr(III), with a decrease of 15% in the first 5 min after the addition of DTPA. Therefore it was concluded that Cr(III) and Cr(VI) cannot be determined in a solution unless all Cr(III) is oxidized to Cr(VI). They achieved this by heating the sample solutions with bromine water and attained detection limits of 0. 023 Â µg/L Cr as Cr(VI) (Torrance and Gatford, 1987). Scholz et al. (1990) also confirmed that the DTPA method works reliably only for Cr(VI) and proposed that, for the speciation of chromium, total chromium be determined as Cr(VI) after prior conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by uv-irradiation. Cr(VI) only was determined after a prior step in which the Cr(III) was removed from solution by coprecipitation with AI(OH)3. Cr(III) could then be obtained by difference. The use of DTPA as the complexing ligand in the determination of chromium was further studied by Boussemart et al. (1992), who devised and optimized a method for the speciation of chromium in natural water. These authors observed that the sensitivity for Cr(III) was about 70% of the Cr(VI) sensitivity. They also found that the response for Cr(III) was transient, disappearing completely in about 30 min. They therefore devised a method whereby the CSV peak current was recorded under optimized conditions immediately after the addition of DTPA to the voltammetric cell. The peak current at this time would be equivalent to the response due to Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Then, after 30 min (when the Cr(III) was believed not to be responding), they carried out a determination of Cr(VI) by a Cr(VI) standards addition. The concentration of Cr(III) was estimated from the initial response of Cr(III) plus Cr(VI). Thus, they reported a detection limit of 0. 1 nM (ca. 5 ng/L) for a 2-min deposition time. Although they used this method for the speciation of Cr in natural water, it is deficient in that the Cr(III) can only be estimated (Boussemart et al. , 1992). Apparently, these authors failed to consider the findings of Torrance and Gatford (1987) regarding the differing ratios of Cr(VI):Cr(III) responses at different concentrations as well as the rapidly decreasing response of Cr(III). The rate of decrease of the Cr(III) response is such that by the time the solution is purged and the first voltammetric run completed, there already is a substantial loss in signal. If, as is normal practice, voltammetric runs are carried out in triplicate and, as proposed, a deposition time of 2 min is chosen, it would be impossible to quantify the initial response due to the Cr(III). However, this method is very useful because it enables total Cr(VI) to be determined without any sample pretreatment step. Probably having realized the deficiencies of the above method, Boussemart and van den Berg (1994) later published another method for the determination of Cr(III) in natural water. In this case, the Cr(III) was preconcentrated by adsorption on silica. The adsorbed Cr(III) was later released by converting it to Cr(VI) by uv-irradiation and this Cr(VI) was determined by CSV, with DTPA as the complexing ligand. Conclusion From the discussion above it can be seen that analytical methods with the required sensitivity for the speciation determination of chromium in natural water can be based on electrochemical techniques with better attainable detection. Additionally, the electrochemical techniques generally involve less sample pretreatment and are faster and cheaper to perform. For these reasons, electroanalytical methods are preferable for the determination of chromium. Of the stripping techniques discussed, the method based on DTP A seems best suited to the determination of Cr(VI) in natural water, because Cr(III) does not respond. However, the difficulty faced in determining Cr(III) is a major drawback. Considering the methods described above, the complete speciation of chromium would need the complete oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) or the physical separation of the Cr(III) species as done in the methods by Boussemart and van den Berg (1994), or Scholz et al. (1990). These pretreatment steps are lengthy and are potentially likely to introduce analyte losses as well as contamination in the analytical method. The incorporation of sample pretreatment steps seems to be contrary to the spirit of electroanalytical techniques where excellent sensitivity coupled with simplicity and minimal sample handling is lauded as the great asset of the technique. The complete speciation of chromium could in principle be achieved without any need for sample pretreatment by the use of two different complexing ligands, for example, DTPA for Cr(VI) only and then cupferron or 2,2-bipyridine for total chromium (Cr(III) plus Cr(VI)). The difference between total chromium and Cr(VI) would then be equivalent to Cr(III). However, adoption of such a speciation scheme has apparently not yet been investigated, probably because it would entail undesirable additional time and costs (costs and purification of additional chemicals etc. ) in the overall process. References Bond, A. M. (1980). Modern Polarographic Methods in Analytical Chemistry. New York: Marcel Dekker. Boussemart, M. , van den Berg, C. M. G. , Ghaddaf, M. (1992). The determination of the chromium speciation in sea water using catalytic cathodic stripping voltammetry. Anal. Chim. Acta, 262, 103–115. Boussemart, M., van den Berg, C. (1994). Preconcentration of chromium (III) from seawater by adsorption on silica. and voltammetric determination. Analyst, 119, 1349-1353. Bowen, H. J. M. (1979). Environmental Chemistry of the Elements. Academic Press. Donat, J. R. , Bruland, K. W. (1995). Trace Elements in the Oceans, in Salbu, B. and Steinnes, E. (Eds. ), Trace Elements in Natural Waters. CRC Press. Fogg, A. G. (1994). Adsorptive stripping voltammetry or cathodic stripping voltammetry? Methods of accumulation and determination in stripping voltammetry. Anal. Proc. , 31, 313-317.

When I heard the Learnd Astronomer :: essays research papers

Upon rare occasion, my freshman brother actually decided to pull his nose out of his lousy video game, and join me upon reading this poem. Actually, I should say that I forced him to do this, because he needed to analyze a poem for his own English class, and the music coming from the television was beyond annoying. Anyway, my brother’s reaction to the poem was something along the lines of â€Å"So this guy is basically saying that science, by measuring and investigating nature, somehow detracts from its beauty†. Although my initial incentive was to bop him on the head, I restrained myself and calmly told him that he is an idiot. Where does Walt necessarily disagree with science? He doesn't. It is an assumption on my idiot brother’s part that he is drawing a thick line between mechanical theory and natural beauty. The narrator only expresses his disgust for the "professor" subject, as well as the lecture-room crowd, who is, perhaps, pretentious in his own right. He only dislikes the method with which Astronomy is presented. The poem's stark contrast between the two attitudes just serves to present Walt's opinion, which is that the subject CAN be more organic, and less robotic. By having the narrator veer towards one extreme over another, Walt ingeniously shows the possibility of middle ground. I know that I just stated the Whitman and the narrative are the same; but the fact that the author and the narrator don't always have the same point of view doesn't necessarily imply that in this case, they have different points of view. Whitman was a follower of the Romantic tradition; by and large, his poems do reflect what he feels and believes. If he had wanted to, I'm sure he could have distanced himself from his narrator's point of view more explicitly; since he didn't, I assume that it wasn't his intention to do so. Returning to the poem, note the wonderful quality of the verse itself. There is a common misconception that 'free' verse implies a total disregard of form; this is, of course, far from the truth. Read aloud, I appreciate the way in which Whitman has echoed his reaction to the lecture in the long, somewhat droning lines that make no attempt to mirror the natural rhythms of speech, and the instant easing of strain when he leaves, allowing 'poetry' to reassert itself.

Analysis of Anne Moodys Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay -- Anne Mo

Analysis of Anne Moody's Coming of Age in Mississippi Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi is a narrated autobiography depicting what it was like to grow up in the South as a poor African American female. Her autobiography takes us through her life journey beginning with her at the age of four all the way through to her adult years and her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. The book is divided into four periods: Childhood, High School, College and The Movement. Each of these periods represents the process by which she â€Å"came of age† with each stage and its experiences having an effect on her enlightenment. She illustrates how important the Civil Rights Movement was by detailing the economic, social, and racial injustices against African Americans she experienced. Moody’s childhood lacked any positive influences; she was the child of poor sharecroppers who worked for a white farmer and her father deserted the family for another woman. She attended segregated schools and was forced to start working from the fourth grade on in order to help support her poor family. After her father left them, her mother moved them off the plantation and closer to Centreville, Mississippi in order to try and support the family. Her mother eventually married a man whose family did not get along with her and as a teenager Moody felt sexually harassed by her stepfather thus causing Moody to move out while she was still in high school. There were many acts of violence that took place during Moody’s childhood that helped prove to her that interracial relationships were unacceptable. For example, white people burned down the Taplin family home, killing everyone inside. Moody recalls being in shock and everyone in the car sitting still in dead silence, â€Å"We sat in the car for about an hour, silently looking at this debris and the ashes that covered the nine charcoal-burned bodies . . . I shall never forget the expressions on the faces of the Negroes. There was almost unanimous hopelessness in them.† It wasn’t until highschool when she came to her first realization about the racial problems and violence that have been plaguing her when a fourteen-year-old African American boy is murdered for having whistled at a white woman. Before this, Moody was under the impression that â€Å"Evil Spirits† were to blame for the mysterious deaths of African Americans, â€Å"Up ... ...nspired to make a change that she knew that nothing could stop her, not even her family. In a way, she seemed to want to prove that she could rise above the rest. She refused to let fear eat at her and inflict in her the weakness that poisoned her family. As a child she was a witness to too much violence and pain and much too often she could feel the hopelessness that many African Americans felt. She was set in her beliefs to make choices freely and help others like herself do so as well. Toward the end of Moody’s autobiography, it is obvious that all her experiences and challenges in life had deeply affected her. In a way, she seemed tired and frustrated of fighting and struggling, â€Å"I sat there listening to ‘We Shall Overcome,’ looking out of the window and the passing Mississippi landscape. Images of all that had happened kept crossing my mind: The Taplin burning, the Birmingham church bombing, Medgar Evers’ murder, the blood gushing out of McKinley’s head, and all the other murders.† In the background people were singing We Shall Overcome and she wondered to herself how true those three words could be. All she thought to herself was, â€Å"I wonder. I really WONDER.† Analysis of Anne Moody's Coming of Age in Mississippi Essay -- Anne Mo Analysis of Anne Moody's Coming of Age in Mississippi Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi is a narrated autobiography depicting what it was like to grow up in the South as a poor African American female. Her autobiography takes us through her life journey beginning with her at the age of four all the way through to her adult years and her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. The book is divided into four periods: Childhood, High School, College and The Movement. Each of these periods represents the process by which she â€Å"came of age† with each stage and its experiences having an effect on her enlightenment. She illustrates how important the Civil Rights Movement was by detailing the economic, social, and racial injustices against African Americans she experienced. Moody’s childhood lacked any positive influences; she was the child of poor sharecroppers who worked for a white farmer and her father deserted the family for another woman. She attended segregated schools and was forced to start working from the fourth grade on in order to help support her poor family. After her father left them, her mother moved them off the plantation and closer to Centreville, Mississippi in order to try and support the family. Her mother eventually married a man whose family did not get along with her and as a teenager Moody felt sexually harassed by her stepfather thus causing Moody to move out while she was still in high school. There were many acts of violence that took place during Moody’s childhood that helped prove to her that interracial relationships were unacceptable. For example, white people burned down the Taplin family home, killing everyone inside. Moody recalls being in shock and everyone in the car sitting still in dead silence, â€Å"We sat in the car for about an hour, silently looking at this debris and the ashes that covered the nine charcoal-burned bodies . . . I shall never forget the expressions on the faces of the Negroes. There was almost unanimous hopelessness in them.† It wasn’t until highschool when she came to her first realization about the racial problems and violence that have been plaguing her when a fourteen-year-old African American boy is murdered for having whistled at a white woman. Before this, Moody was under the impression that â€Å"Evil Spirits† were to blame for the mysterious deaths of African Americans, â€Å"Up ... ...nspired to make a change that she knew that nothing could stop her, not even her family. In a way, she seemed to want to prove that she could rise above the rest. She refused to let fear eat at her and inflict in her the weakness that poisoned her family. As a child she was a witness to too much violence and pain and much too often she could feel the hopelessness that many African Americans felt. She was set in her beliefs to make choices freely and help others like herself do so as well. Toward the end of Moody’s autobiography, it is obvious that all her experiences and challenges in life had deeply affected her. In a way, she seemed tired and frustrated of fighting and struggling, â€Å"I sat there listening to ‘We Shall Overcome,’ looking out of the window and the passing Mississippi landscape. Images of all that had happened kept crossing my mind: The Taplin burning, the Birmingham church bombing, Medgar Evers’ murder, the blood gushing out of McKinley’s head, and all the other murders.† In the background people were singing We Shall Overcome and she wondered to herself how true those three words could be. All she thought to herself was, â€Å"I wonder. I really WONDER.†

Pros and Cons of Same Sex Marriage

Pros and Cons of Same Sex Marriage Jasmaine Joseph April 19, 2013 Final Grade Same sex marriage is when two people with the same gender get married. Most people label it as homosexual, gay or lesbian marriage. Allowing same gender couples to legally marry is considered to be one of the most important of all  LGBT rights. Same sex marriage isn’t hurting anyone, personal I don’t have a problem with it. People should love and be able to marry anyone they please. America is supposed to be a free place.Argentina,  Belgium,  Canada,  Denmark,  Iceland the  Netherlands,  New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden are the 12 countries that allow same sex marriage. Alaska and Hawaii were the first states to legally ban gay marriage in 1998. As of Nov. 7, 2012, gay marriage has been legalized in nine US states (ME, MD, MA, CT, IA, VT, NH, NY, and WA) and the District of Columbia. Though gay marriage wasn't legal until the 2000s, gay couples were getting married on TV shows in the 1990s.Sitcom Roseanne featured a gay marriage in 1995 while Friends featured a lesbian wedding in 1996. In 2004, the House passed what it called the Marriage Protection Act. This legislation would have prevented the federal courts from addressing the issue of marriage. The legislation was not brought up for a vote in the Senate. On May 9, 2012, President Obama made US History when he told ABC News, â€Å"I think same sex couples should be able to get married. † Obama was reelected for a second term in November, 2012.In recent polls, about 70 percent of voters under the age of 30 support same-sex marriage. It would be a major step forward for our country in ensuring all citizens have equal rights and no one is discriminated against based on things such as race, gender, religion, sexual preference, disability, and other factors that don’t determine a person’s self-worth and contribution to society. One issue that people have with same sex marriage is parenting. Scientific research shows that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents.I don’t think it’s fair that when a same gender couple adopt one parent has to be labeled as the step parent. Since gay couples cannot have kids naturally, this will likely increase the desire to adopt. Since there are so many kids around the country in need of adoption, this is a good thing. Marriage benefits should be available to all couples even if they are same sex. It is completely unfair to deny these privileges to people because their relationship doesn't fit the state's  definition  of one. Denying these marriages is a form of minority discrimination.Denying marriage to a homosexual couple is no different than denying marriage to  Hispanic  or black couples. An overwhelming amount of  research  has been done showing that homosexuality has a biological causation; not a genetic one, but a biological one. The easiest w ay to think of it is as a hormonal switch that gets thrown one way or the other. And if you think about it, it makes logical sense. Consider many gays and lesbians you've seen. The only thing that should matter in marriage is love. Marriage is commitments that say â€Å"I love you so much and I’m not leaving you for nothing in this world. There are lower STD rates among married homosexuals than among non-married or cohabiting homosexual couples. Married gay couples have higher average incomes than non-married or cohabiting gay couples. The same financial benefits that apply to opposite sex marriages would apply to same-sex marriages. These are some cons people have to say about same sex marriage. Most religions consider homosexuality a sin. Virtually every religion in the world, including the major ones in this country, considers homosexuality unacceptable.It is offensive and a swipe to the religious freedom of the majority to have to recognize a relationship they consider s inful. It confuses children about gender roles and expectations of society, and only a man & woman can pro-create. Children learn about expectations and gender roles from society. It's difficult to teach the importance and traditions of the family when such confusion is thrust upon them. The gay lifestyle is not something to be encouraged, as a lot of research shows it leads to a much lower life expectancy, psychological disorders, and other problems.Studies show that homosexuals, for a variety of reasons, have life expectancies of approximately 20 years less than the general population. Just like a lifestyle of smoking and drinking unhealthy lifestyles should be discouraged. It would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage. Marriage should not be extended to same-sex couples because homosexual relationships have nothing to do with procreation. Allowing gay marriage would only further shift the purpose of marriage from producing and raising children to adul t gratification.Transmission rates of STDs through homosexual intercourse are higher than heterosexual intercourse. Both cannot be biological parents of their own children. Timeline †¢ September 21, 1996: President Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act, banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage and defining marriage as â€Å"a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. † †¢ December 20, 1999: The Vermont Supreme Court rules that gay and lesbian couples should be given the same rights as heterosexual couples. November 18, 2003: The Massachusetts Supreme Court rules that a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. †¢ February 20, 2004: Sandoval County, New Mexico, issues 26 same-sex marriage licenses, but they are nullified by the state attorney general that day. †¢ February 12 to March 11, 2004: Nearly 4,000 same-sex couples get marriage licenses in San Francisco. †¢ February 24, 2004: President Bush announces support for a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. †¢ February 27, 2004: New Paltz, New York, Mayor Jason West performs same-sex marriages for about a dozen couples. March 3, 2004: In Portland, Oregon, the Multnomah County Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Benton County follows on March 24. †¢ June 7, 2004: West is issued a permanent injunction by the Ulster County Supreme Court against marrying same-sex couples. †¢ March 11, 2004: The California Supreme Court orders San Francisco to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. †¢ May 17, 2004: The first legal same-sex marriages in U. S. history are performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts. †¢ July 14, 2004: The U.S. Senate blocks a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage (48 votes out of 60 needed). †¢ August 12, 2004: The California Supreme Court orders San Francisco officials, including Mayor Gavin Newsom, not to license additional sa me-sex marriages, pending resolution of the constitutional challenges to state marriage statutes †¢ April 25, 2011: King & Spalding, the private law firm hired by House Speaker John Boehner, backs out of defending the Defense of Marriage Act. †¢ May 12, 2011: Delaware Gov.Jack Markell signs legislation allowing civil unions between same-sex couples. The bill will take effect January 1, 2012. †¢ June 14, 2011: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York proposes the Marriage Equality Act, a bill to legalizes marriage for same-sex couples. †¢ June 14, 2011: U. S. District Court for the Northern District of California upholds a lower court ruling invalidating California's Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. The ruling had been challenged when the lower court's judge was found to be gay. June 24, 2011: The New York Senate votes to legalize same-sex marriage. Cuomo signs the bill just before midnight, and the bill goes into effect July 24, 2011. †¢ Ju ly 2, 2011: Gov. Lincoln Chafee signs legislation making Rhode Island the fifth state to allow civil unions between same-sex couples. †¢ September 30, 2011: The U. S. Department of Defense issues guidelines allowing military chaplains to perform same-sex ceremonies. †¢ January 30, 2012: Legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the state of Washington passes a House committee vote and heads to the Senate.Gov. Chris Gregoire is in favor of the bill. †¢ February 1, 2012: The Washington state Senate passes a bill to legalize same-sex marriage by a vote of 28-21. On February 8, the House approves the measure by a vote of 55-43. †¢ February 7, 2012: A three-judge panel with the 9th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco rules that Proposition 8, the voter-approved same-sex marriage ban, violates the Constitution. †¢ February 13, 2012: Gregoire signs a law making same-sex marriage is signed into law in Washington state.The law will go into effect in Ju ne unless opponents halt its implementation by putting it on the November 2012 ballot. †¢ February 13, 2012: The New Jersey state Senate passes a bill to legalize same-sex marriage by a vote of 24-16. †¢ February 17, 2012: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoes a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. New Jersey lawmakers have until the legislative session ends in January 2014 to override Christie's veto and would need a two-thirds majority in both houses to succeed. †¢ February 23, 2012: The Maryland Senate passes a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.The bill passed the Maryland House vote earlier in the month, and Gov. Martin O'Malley has promised to sign it into law. The law will go into effect in the summer if it survives a likely court challenge. †¢ May 8, 2012: North Carolina voters pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, putting a ban that already existed in state law into the state's charter. †¢ May 9, 2012: Excerpts from an interview w ith ABC air in which Obama endorses same-sex marriage, the first such statement by a sitting president. He feels that the legal decision should be up to the states to determine. May 30, 2012: A lawsuit is filed in Illinois by nine same-sex couples challenging the constitutionality of a state law that denies same-sex couples the right to marry. References  © 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved ( http://www. cnn. com/2012/05/31/us/ff-same-sex-marriage ) Written by: Joe Messerli ( http://www. balancedpolitics. org/same_sex_marriages. htm ) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage http://topics. nytimes. com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/same_sex_marriage/index. html

Starbucks strategic plan

Starbucks strategic plan Introduction Star Bucks Corporation began its operations in 1971. It has invested in restaurants and has grown to become a leading global company. In order to understand its success, it’s important to analyse its market environment while taking into consideration its industry processes.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Starbuck’s strategic plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Implementation Plan Due to its profitability and a positive forecast in revenues, the company has implemented some expansion plans of the company as the coffee market continues to grow both in its current market and other new untapped markets. Due to this, the company has been working on the principal that the key of tapping new customers is the â€Å"convenience of the company’s geographical outlet. Therefore, it began an ambitious plan of clustering its outlets so as to have a superior presence in a certain location. Due to its success, the company has continued implementing this plan by also focusing on different types of customers thus, there are outlets targeting pedestrians while others target motorists and so on which is a symbol that Starbucks still has a wide untapped customer base which would increase the company’s profitability and market. Objectives The objectives of Starbucks are to create Starbucks as the leading outlet of the premium coffee around the globe while upholding uncompromising ideals as it grows. Starbucks recognizes that its objectives cannot be accomplished without defined strategies, which the firm aims to attain and set forth ideals, which guide the decision makers in their work (Harper, Mullins Orville 2006). Action Items The actions items of Starbucks are: Provide a better workplace atmosphere and treat each other with esteem and self-respect. Appreciate diversity as an important constituent in its approach to business. Apply the best principles of quality to t he procuring, preparing and fresh delivering of its products. Create passionately happy clients all times. Impact positively to its environs and the locals. Understand that profitability is important to its future accomplishment. Milestones and a Deadline Tasks and Task Ownership Starbucks is an international company and has a wide market base operating in various market environments. Due to its global presence, it has an extensive brand recognition allowing it to have a bigger customer base. One of the strategies that the company has used to maintain its lead in the very competitive market is by use of its innovation and research which has being a milestone for it.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company has always managed to come up with innovative products, prices and marketing schemes that have kept it in successful overtime. Also it has been able to attra ct and retain competent employees over the years, who have been a major contributor to its success. Resource Allocation Starbucks allocates optimal its available resources to achieve its recognition and brand image. It has developed principles that act as a guideline in resource allocation. Starbucks applies the best principles of excellence to the procuring, preparing and freshly delivering its coffee, and thus it needs to utilize its resource optimally. One of its invaluable resources is its human resource. Starbuck has been able to attain and retain a highly competent and motivated, labor force, because of its attitude towards its employees. It remunerates its employees considerably and gives them incentives to motivate them and make them more comfortable at the work place. Management Strategies That Would Enhance Successful Implementation Starbucks should enhance a stronger corporate expansion strategy. Starbucks should stick to its objectives and principles that have enabled it achieve its milestones. Those principles are: a friendly workplace for its staff that creates cheerful, industrious staff with low labor turnover, which has a direct influence on the client’s experience and fulfillment. Also the management should be committed to providing a consistent environment and quality services not to be sacrificed at the expense of more stores, and hence its brand image and reputation. Forecasted Financials The company over the last 10 years has been profitable. In 2004, the company made over $ 5000 million in revenues which was a steady increase of 30 percent from 2003 and $ 600 million in operating profits which was also an increase of over 40 percent as compared to 2003. In addition, the company’s compounded annual growth also increased by 24 percent from the year 2000 to 2008. Therefore, from the above fiscal records, its evident that the company has a sound financial base thus enabling it acquires new investments and innovations. In additi on, analysed have forecasted that the growth in revenues and profitability is expected to continue in the same trend (Jargon 2009).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Starbuck’s strategic plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Risk Management Plan As firms expand they are mostly tempted to focus more on the increasing productivity and establishments, at the expense of its products quality and brand reputation. Starbucks should not compromise the quality of its products by aiming a larger customer base, which it cannot satisfy with its current resources. It should expand systematically, considering its available resources and long-term goals. Contingency plan To take care of any in eventualities in its long term plan, Starbucks has come up with a contingency plan. This contingency plan would address any anticipated events in the future that would affect its business and the remedies that can be put in place earlie r or at the time of the crisis. So in case of any crisis arising or seasonal variations in the business, its operations would go on smoothly and it would be able to absorb any shocks without drawing back its operations. References Harper, B., Mullins, J. Orville C. W. (2006). Marketing Management: A Strategic Decision-Making Approac,. Sixth Edition. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Jargon, J. (2009). Starbucks Takes New Road With Instant Coffee Company Launches Marketing Campaign and Taste Challenge to Tout Its Portable, Less Expensive Product Via. Wall Street Journal. Web.

Mao Tse-tung

How far did Mao Tse-tung solve the political, economic and social problems that faced him? Mao was faced with a variety of problems. Firstly her had to deal with the aftermath of the Kuomintang. He tried to maintain peace and unity, and he also realised this could only be achieved by a strong central government. The communist party provided this for the first time in China in the twentieth century. They laid emphasis on persuasion rather than force. The communists under Mao aimed for what they called " democracy for the people and dictatorship for the reactionaries" and Mao understood that in order to stay in power he must oppose all opposition. He did so by the elimination of offices in the party leadership, e.g. the minister of defence and The minister of Finance were removed from office on charges of corruption whereby they were expelled from the party and sent to re- education camps, were given prison sentences which were followed by death. He encouraged the redistri bution of land; but he also understood that the upheaval caused by this could encourage reactionary forces to attempt a counter-revolution. To combat this the Communist government began a reign of terror. This resulted in no major opposition till 1957. Mao understood that the reason for the defeat of the Kuomintang was their failure to support the intellectuals. Therefore in 1957 he decided to allow candid and free expression of opinion. This episode is known as the " Hundred Flowers". Maos slogan had been " Let a hundred flowers bloom, let diverse schools of thought contend". However this plan backfired as it gathered momentum. This plan did have on a good point, it offered people the chance to be critical, BUT this was exploited by Mao since it enabled him to find out those people, and parties that were against him and thus eliminate them, and so get rid of opposition. In the mid 1960s China was convulsed by a movement ...

How to Identify Trees With Leaves

How to Identify Trees With Leaves Would you like to learn how to identify trees in your local community? The best place to get started is by looking at the trees foliage.   Trees With Leaves This is a big category, so lets break it down into two main groups: Trees with needles or scale-like leaves.  Cedar and juniper trees have scale-like leaves that look more like flattened out fans than either leaves or needles.  Cedar  trees have green scales and small cones.  Junipers, on the other hand, have bluish, berry-like cones. Trees with leaves.  To make things simpler, we are once again going to break this category into two groups. Trees With Simple Leaves These trees have one leaf attached to each stem. Leaves with a consistent leaf edge are called unlobed leaves while trees with leaves that form shapes along their margins are called lobed leaves.  If your tree has unlobed leaves, you must next determine whether or not it has teeth - or serrations around its margin. Unlobed and smooth (no teeth).  Magnolia  have large, glossy green leaves with rust-colored hairs on the under-surface.  Live oaks  have long slender deciduous leaves and small acorns.  Dogwoods  have wavy edges and 6-7 veins that pattern either side of the leafs midrib. If your tree has leaves that are oblong or elliptical and appear crowded on short branches, it might be a  Blackgum.  And if its leaves are thick and pointed, it might be a  Persimmon.Unlobed and serrated.  Willow  trees have long skinny leaves.  Basswood  trees have wide leaves with coarse teeth and a notched area around the stem.  Elm  trees are asymmetrical at the stem and double serrations around the edge. If your trees leaves are soft and shiny with teeth that curve in from the surface, it is probably a  Beech.  If its leaves are heart-shaped with double serrations, it is likely a  Birch. And if it has elliptical leaves with jagged edges, it is probably a  Cherry.  Ã‚  Lob ed. If your tree had leaves with different lobe patterns on the same tree, it is probably a  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Sassafrass  or a  Mulberry.  If the lobes seem to radiate from a central point like fingers on a hand, it is called palmate and it is a maple, sweetgum, sycamore, or poplar.  Maple  trees have three to four lobes and are arranged opposite of one another on the branch.  Sycamore  trees have big leaves that are larger than four inches with shallow lobes and alternating (not directly across from one another,) on the branch. Trees with star-shaped leaves with pointed lobes are likely  Sweetgums.  And leaves that look like they have been cut off or flattened at the top with two lobes on other side of the mid-rib are probably  Poplars. If the lobes appear to radiate from several points along the midrib, the leaves are considered pinnate and it is either an oak or a holly tree.  White Oak  trees have lobes that are rounded along the edges and no spines.  Red Oakà ‚  leaves are rounded at the base but jagged or spiny along the edges. And  Holly  trees have small red berries and leaves with sharp, pointed lobes. Trees With Compound Leaves Palmately compound leaves. Trees in this category have multiple leaves that appear to grow from the same point on the stalk.  Buckeye  trees have long leaves with jagged saw-toothed edges while Horsechestnut  trees have shiny nuts and seven leaflets that turn yellow in the fall.Pinnately compound leaves. Trees with that have pinnate compound leaves have leaflets that grow from multiple points along the stem. Leaves that appear doubly compound (leaflets within leaflets,) are likely  Locust  trees.  Hickory  trees have nine blades that are uneven in size and alternate along the stem.  Ash  trees have leaflets that are opposite from one another along the stem and are the same shape and size. Walnut  trees have 9-21 pointed leaflets that alternate along the stem.  And  Pecan trees have 11-17 curved, sickle-shaped leaflets that alternate along the stem.

The influence of ink and color paintings in China art history Research Paper

The influence of ink and color paintings in China art history - Research Paper Example At the international scene, Chinese art has been doing extremely well especially in the western markets. This can be attributed to immigration of artists to western countries during Tiananmen Square uprising in 1989. Prior to this uprising, Chinese paintings and art were not properly established in the west, due o the fact that the country was locked from foreigners. Currently, Chinese art is among the most revered in the world. Artists concentrate on themes that are centered on their rich exotic culture, which has increased their popularity in the western world. It is worth noting also that most artist have adopted literati form of art to distinguish their art from the rest. ‘Admonitions of the instructress to the court ladies’ by Gu Kaizhi, is one such painting that has had a tremendous impact in the world of art. Dated back to the 8th century, this painting adopts the linear style of figure painting popular in the fourth century. Though two scenes are currently missin g, the painting had nine scenes initially. It is a political parody that criticizes the immoral behavior of an empress while at the same time instructing ladies on correct behavior. Due to its popularity, many a powerful men in history were in possession of this portrait. This is evident by the number of seals and inscriptions on it. Another example of a Chinese painting that has been the center of marvel among art lovers is ‘Along the River during the Qingming Festival’ by Zhang Zeduan. The painting depicts the street.

Salary administration Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Salary administration - Case Study Example The teams associated with the different goals should be encouraged to achieve and surpass the goals set by T-Man Industries. For example, the R&D team would be given a bonus if they attain leading edge and bring at least three new products to the market. This would allow the organisation to attract leading scientists to the R&D division who are motivated towards continuous innovation. With increased incentives offered to the sales team to achieve and surpass targets, the company will attract strong sales persons for the new industry. The production team would also be motivated to gain optimal efficiency, thus reducing costs. â€Å"Fayol (a leading theorist) believed that effective reward systems should be equitable for employees, and the organization, encourage productivity by rewarding well-directed effort, not be subject to abuse, and be uniformly applied to employees.† Jones, G. R. et al, (1998). With this system in place both the employees and the owner will benefit and therefore gain

Finale Paper Rough Draft Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Finale Paper Rough Draft - Assignment Example . and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty† (Chief Joseph, 1879). In search of new lands and natural resources, such as gold, â€Å"new† Americans invaded the territories settled by Indians which caused endless wars and isolation of the latter. Nevertheless, if in 19th century the Indian-American interaction was largely armed and conflict in nature, 20th century has brought new perspectives and possibilities to make it smoother and more legal, moving from the battles on the fields to activities in the official organizations. In this paper we aim to discuss six main events in the history of Native Americans, how they evolved since 1867 till now, and their role and impact in the US society in general. We believe that the most significant events were the Great Sioux War (1876 – 1877) as it marked the end of long-lasting military struggle between Indians and â€Å"white† Americans; 2) Dawes Severalty Act (1887) according to which it was planned to destroy the tribal system of Native Americans with its community ownership by giving every Indian a piece of private land (160 acres) and â€Å"further encourage Indians to dissociate themselves from the reservation system and to assimilate into white society (Fritz, 2005); 3) â€Å"Ghost Dance† of Wowoka (1890) who called Indian people for return to their native culture and way of life; 4) Indian Reorganization Act (1934) as it reversed Dawes Act and returned self-administration on the tribal basis to the Native Americans; 5) foundation of N ational Congress of American Indians (1944) that stood against the termination and assimilation policies pursued by the US government in reference to Indian authorities disregarding their treaty rights and sovereign status; 6) American Indian Movement (1968) which emerged to protect Native Americans indigenous rights and interests and â€Å"to free Indian people throughout the Americas from white man’s oppression and

Compare the Impact that the American Revolution had on Women and Research Paper

Compare the Impact that the American Revolution had on Women and African Americans - Research Paper Example However, the number of slaves was relatively small, and they worked and lived in every colony. States in the North had begun implementing laws that abolished slavery outright or promoted gradual emancipation even before the ratification of the Constitution. Among the legislations was the 1787 Northwest ordinance barring slavery form new territories during that period, therefore slavery existed effectively in the southern states and became the peculiar institutions of that region. Between the eve of the civil war and the federal census of 1790, the slave population rose to four million from approximately seven hundred thousand2. The revolution brought radical changes in sentiments, opinions, and principles to the American people. Ideas and issues that had an impact on the political, social customs, racial and gender roles in the thirteen states colonies had to be addressed as they united to form the United States. Despite the fact that the concept of an autonomous was not new, calls t o design and implement a democratic republic was of major concern to a relatively large number of colonists. At the end of the eighteenth century, majority of towns (especially Massachusetts) began experiencing firsthand republicanism through town elections and meetings. This promoted termination of British monarchy authority and limitation of the governing powers of elected public leaders, which subsequently appealed to individuals of all social status in all the colonies. Nonetheless, some key individuals in the society did not embrace the idea of a complete overhaul of the political system3. Majority of the high-class colonists ideally wanted an end to the hereditary aristocracy without essentially dismantling the existing social hierarchy. They were against the idea of a government that would consider everyone equal, from rich business people and property owners, to poor farmers and tenants, a well as slaves and women. Their conservative argument was that equality of all social classes would lead to illegal outbursts similar t those of the Boston Tea Party and Stamp Act crisis. The fight for independence from the Great Britain by the leaders of the colonies led to a broad concern for wider focus on social reforms, including slavery, religion, women’s rights, and voting rights4. The Declaration of Independence upheld the equality of all men, though the state leaders did not fully support these sentiments. The right to vote was strictly the business of white males who owned property with a certain value. The legislatures had the general assumption that individuals in society who lacked property did not a significant stake in the government, the moral prerequisite, and the proper work ethic to vote intelligently. Nonetheless, American leaders often highlighted the morel wrong of slavery, complaining on the attempts of the parliament to make them slaves, though majorities of the founding fathers were slaveholders. Of particular note was in 1775 when the royal governor of Virginia announced freedom to slaves who were willing to rebel against their masters, a move that received enormous outrage from the southern states. Similar attacks on the slavery institutions came under attack during the revolutionary era5. Early nineteenth century saw slavery ban in northern states and the prohibition of further importation of slaves by the federal government. In the northern states, slavery had a negligible

Market imperfections and failures Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Market imperfections and failures - Assignment Example Imperfect competition in the market generates asymmetric information and dampens the level of welfare in the society. Discriminations made by the monopolists in the market not only hamper the social utility, but also engages in misallocation of resources. Efficient allocation of productive resources helps to the economy to reach a Pareto optimal stage. However, in the real world, corruption and strategic business initiatives of certain firms in the industry have reduced the level of competition in the economies of most of the nations (BIS, 2013). Public authorities of the countries are now taking active initiatives to augment the level of market competition in the economies (CIA, 2013). The Competition Law or Policy adopted by a country helps to promote the level of market competition by imposing special rules and regulations on the anti-competitive practices conducted by the contemporary corporate firms. This paper would focus on the Competition Policy of U.K and would show how the objectives of the policies are related to the microeconomic theories of market. The learnt from this paper would help to analyze the negative impacts on an economy due to the lack of proper market competition (Hubbard, 2008). ... to protect the interests of the consumers in the country (Mankiw and Mark, 2006). The two main factors that were checked by this law were: Abuse of Market Power Collusive Behaviour The first competitive policy instruments in U.K were introduced about fifty years ago. The Department of Trade and Industry, The Director General of Fair Trade and the Competition Commission of the country had introduced their first competitive policy instruments (Woodford, 2001). Over time, subject to the external changes in the market, the terms and conditions of the policy have largely changed in U.K. Finally, in 1988, the Competition Act was again modified and adopted as the approach of ‘prohibition’ to prevent dominance in the marketplaces of U.K (Manne, 2012). Objectives The primary objectives of the Competition Policy in U.K were: 1. The Policy was the basis for the concepts of the Fair Trade Act 1973. Thus, one of its objectives was to serve the interests of the public (Assael, 2005). 2. The Policy aimed at providing guidance and constraints to the discretionary power of the ‘decision makers’ in the market. 3. It aimed to promote and maintain the market competition. 4. To assure that consumers received quality products at a good price. 5. To augment innovation and productive efficiency in the market. 6. Assure balanced distribution of employment and industry in U.K. 7. To enhance the competitive powers of the domestic companies of U.K. in order to easily compete with the foreign companies (OECD, 2002). Objectives Relating to Microeconomic Theories This context of the paper would highlight that the goals or the objects of the Competition Policy introduced by U.K. are based on the theories of microeconomics, which

Compare the Impact that the American Revolution had on Women and Research Paper

Compare the Impact that the American Revolution had on Women and African Americans - Research Paper Example However, the number of slaves was relatively small, and they worked and lived in every colony. States in the North had begun implementing laws that abolished slavery outright or promoted gradual emancipation even before the ratification of the Constitution. Among the legislations was the 1787 Northwest ordinance barring slavery form new territories during that period, therefore slavery existed effectively in the southern states and became the peculiar institutions of that region. Between the eve of the civil war and the federal census of 1790, the slave population rose to four million from approximately seven hundred thousand2. The revolution brought radical changes in sentiments, opinions, and principles to the American people. Ideas and issues that had an impact on the political, social customs, racial and gender roles in the thirteen states colonies had to be addressed as they united to form the United States. Despite the fact that the concept of an autonomous was not new, calls t o design and implement a democratic republic was of major concern to a relatively large number of colonists. At the end of the eighteenth century, majority of towns (especially Massachusetts) began experiencing firsthand republicanism through town elections and meetings. This promoted termination of British monarchy authority and limitation of the governing powers of elected public leaders, which subsequently appealed to individuals of all social status in all the colonies. Nonetheless, some key individuals in the society did not embrace the idea of a complete overhaul of the political system3. Majority of the high-class colonists ideally wanted an end to the hereditary aristocracy without essentially dismantling the existing social hierarchy. They were against the idea of a government that would consider everyone equal, from rich business people and property owners, to poor farmers and tenants, a well as slaves and women. Their conservative argument was that equality of all social classes would lead to illegal outbursts similar t those of the Boston Tea Party and Stamp Act crisis. The fight for independence from the Great Britain by the leaders of the colonies led to a broad concern for wider focus on social reforms, including slavery, religion, women’s rights, and voting rights4. The Declaration of Independence upheld the equality of all men, though the state leaders did not fully support these sentiments. The right to vote was strictly the business of white males who owned property with a certain value. The legislatures had the general assumption that individuals in society who lacked property did not a significant stake in the government, the moral prerequisite, and the proper work ethic to vote intelligently. Nonetheless, American leaders often highlighted the morel wrong of slavery, complaining on the attempts of the parliament to make them slaves, though majorities of the founding fathers were slaveholders. Of particular note was in 1775 when the royal governor of Virginia announced freedom to slaves who were willing to rebel against their masters, a move that received enormous outrage from the southern states. Similar attacks on the slavery institutions came under attack during the revolutionary era5. Early nineteenth century saw slavery ban in northern states and the prohibition of further importation of slaves by the federal government. In the northern states, slavery had a negligible

The Human Microbiota Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Human Microbiota - Essay Example The gut microbiome takes part in broad range host related processes and has remarkable effect on human health (Greenblum, Peter and Elhanan 1). The gut microbiome has been straightforwardly caught up in the etiopathogenesis of a number of pathological conditions. These include: inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD’s), Autism, Circulatory disease and Obesity. In addition to that, gut microbiome also influence: immune system response as well as conditioning, dietary calorific availability, post-surgical recovery and drug toxicity plus metabolism. Gut Microbiome as well conducts significant physiological roles that define the host, such as: intestinal response, immune system maturation, xenobiotic as well as energy metabolism and epithelial cell injury repair (Kinross, Ara and Jeremy 1). The gut microbiome, in most mammals, mainly consists of 4 bacterial phyla that execute most of the various physiological processes in the host, these include: Actino-bacteria, Fermicutes, Proteobacteria as well as Bacteriodetes. Every host has a characteristic biological association with its gut microbiome plus by definition this controls individual threat of disease. Recent advances in systems biology founded on the next generation ‘omics’ techniques have been able to explain the gut microbiome comprehensively at a functional (proteomic, metabolic as well as transcriptomic) and genetic level. Consequently, these studies have generated new knowledge about the gut microbiome’s genetic variability among individuals, species as well as populations. Furthermore, the studies have highlighted the significance of gut microbiome to human health (Kinross, Ara and Jeremy 1). Being aware of the genetic variation of gut microbiomes, within as well as among hosts, would assist in gaining insight into the evolutionary forces that shape these communities. Furthermore, studying the genetic variation of human gut microbiome may well provide insight into budding relations

Time Management Essay Assistance Essay Example for Free

Time Management Essay Assistance Essay he majority of people recognize that time is one of the most valuable things of our life. However why do we usually lack the time to do or to complete something? Why do we generally complain we have little time for a rest, for close friends, for reading and etc? Well, the answer is pretty simple – we do not know how to deal with the time we have got. College students that are assigned to compose an essay on time management receive the ability to discover more about this vital activity. Here are a number of items that should be included in your essay on time-management. Firstly, you have to make clear to your potential readers what time-management is. Be brief – itll be good enough just to state that this is planning for the effective use of the time you have got, to be able to do all the things you have to do. The second part of your time management essay will be a detailed description of the principles of time management. For instance: Change your approach –dont get worried about all the assignments you have got and your stressful way of life. Organize your activities by their priority. Organise yourself and carry out a routine during the day. Write down your responsibilities and do all of them one after the other. Do not forget to be selective – if you see that you is unable to do all of them by the due date, select the most significant ones and do them first Try to give yourself some additional time – if it requires thirsty minutes to have lunch, leave fifteen more minutes extra for a little break after it. Begin your day-book, online diary, or website where you can observe the improvement you make with time management. These are just some popular rules of time management. Nevertheless, there are far more recommendations that have to be followed to control your time effectively. Its highly recommended you seek online and get as much info as you need to write your essay on time management. Needless to say, keep in mind that your time management essay should include your own point of view: do you manage your time properly? Do you personally use the tips of time management and so on? At last, complete your ess ay with a short summary and conclusion. If you still think you cant write a good time management essay yourself, you  can always count on high quality help of the best custom writing company. It will certainly give you a high quality essay at a reasonable price. All the orders will be unique and guaranteed to be plagiarism free. Skilled writers will create a paper with outstanding content and properly formatted with whatever style you require; MLA, APA, Chicago and Harvard are the most frequently used. Youll have the chance to stay in contact with your assigned writer through the â€Å"chat† system. Simply let ptofessionals know you want help – and be sure youll be not disappointed! Youll be pleased with your order! Do not miss this chance! Put your order now and start to control your time successfully!

The Advantages Of Studying Abroad Education Essay

The Advantages Of Studying Abroad Education Essay The development of the society is going towards a globalised world where the social, cultural and traditional differences between people are becoming less distinguishable. One of the key factors which has largely influenced in the development of peoples way of understanding and analysing social and cultural values is education which has taken an important place in the new century. Education is an essential foundation for personal, social and economic success in a globalised economy (OECD 2008). International studies are becoming the new trend of young people as a way to expend their education beyond their traditional education style and their everyday world (Spiering and Ericson 2006). Johnson and Mulholland (2006) consider international education as an opportunity to increase the awareness of the people about the culture of the world which can contribute in creating individuals with a broader understanding of issues concerning todays society rather than limiting them in the scope of home educational system. In this point of view, studying abroad students gain the opportunity to learn more about world affairs and increase their acceptance of other countries regardless of the differences in culture or language. Moreover studying in a foreign directly benefits in learning a new language. Pellegrino (1997) argues that study abroad is one of the most effective ways of becoming proficient in a new language. Students who chose to spend a certain amount of time in a country the language they are willing to learn is spoken, have the opportunity to interact with native speakers a fact which would directly influence in the improvement of their linguistic and sociolinguistic skills to achieve real communicative goals, and to experience the tangible and visible manifestations of the culture of the country (Pellegrino 1997). Individuals who have studied abroad in foreign language often demonstrate cognitive development, creative thinking which surpass the abilities of individuals who have educational experiences of their home country only (Kinginger 2007). One of the reasons why studying abroad is becoming more important nowadays considering the effects of globalization, is the international job market. Qiang (2003) observes that there is a significant increase in the number of recruitments regarding the international workforce due to globalization process which has caused the education system, especially higher education, not to be strictly viewed in the national context. Mpinganjira (2009) analyses that the need of being competitive in the international job market has influenced many students to look to opportunities to enhance their career prospects through acquiring high quality education with qualifications that are recognised worldwide. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to analyse the advantages of studying abroad from the students point of view and to propose some new ways of thinking for students when evaluating the possibility of studying in a foreign country. The hypothesis to be studied is: students in the Southern and Eastern Europe think that high quality of studies can only be achieved through studying in a Western country. In addition the primary and secondary research will attempt to identify some of the factors that influence in the choice of students regarding their studies. Some of the major objectives of this study are: The guiding factors for young people toward choosing a university abroad rather than going in a local university How important is the financial situation in deciding to study in a foreign university What role plays the learning a new language in deciding in which university to go Identify the opinion of students about the influence that a period of studies would have in their personal life and future career MATERIALS AND METHODS The research process was divided into two major parts which contributed in the collection and analyze of the data. The first part included secondary data collection from different sources related to the subject of research. Some of this sources are used in the paper in order to explain different facts regarding to the topic. The second part consisted of primary data collection through a survey which was designed in accordance to the characteristics of the population it was intended for (see Appendices Survey). The survey was distributed to young people (high school and college students) in Korca, Albania by e-mail. It resulted in 25 respondents out of 50 actually delivered or 50% response rate. In order to increase the number of respondents the survey was redistributed to students in Perrotis College completing the intended number of respondents, 50. After the data were collected Microsoft Excel was used in order to organize the data in tables. Afterwards the data were imported to JMP 8 statistical software where the data were analyzed using tables, charts and other statistical analyses figures. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Characteristics of the population From the analyse of the data using JMP 8 the characteristics of the population were identified. Table 1 contains the full characteristics of the population and the responses retrieved from the survey. No. of partecipants Gender Factors in deciding where to study Would you go to study abroad Why foreign university Advantages of foreign universities Western Universities offer quality 16 male Quality Quality More opportunities personal experience yes 17 male Quality Quality More opportunities quality of studies yes 18 male Quality Quality Excellent experience quality of studies most likely 19 male Quality Quality Couldnt study in my country Language proficiency yes 20 male Quality Quality Couldnt study in my country Language proficiency yes 21 male Quality Quality Couldnt study in my country personal experience yes 22 male Quality Quality Excellent experience quality of studies yes 23 male Quality Quality Excellent experience quality of studies yes 24 male Quality Quality Excellent experience quality of studies yes 25 male Quality Quality Excellent experience multicultural experience most likely 26 male Quality Quality More opportunities multicultural experience yes 27 male Quality Quality More opportunities personal experience most likely 28 male Quality Quality More opportunities multicultural experience most likely 29 male Quality Quality More opportunities quality of studies yes 30 male Cost Cost Excellent experience Language proficiency yes 31 male Cost Cost Excellent experience multicultural experience yes 32 female Location Location Excellent experience personal experience yes 33 female Location Location More opportunities quality of studies most likely 34 female Quality Quality More opportunities quality of studies yes 35 female Quality Quality Excellent experience quality of studies yes 36 female Quality Quality More opportunities multicultural experience yes 37 female Location Location Couldnt study in my country personal experience yes 38 female Quality Quality Excellent experience Language proficiency yes 39 female Quality Quality More opportunities multicultural experience most likely 40 female Cost Cost More opportunities multicultural experience most likely Distributions Age Age of Respondents Figure 1 Frequencies Level Count Prob 17 18 9 0.18000 18 20 11 0.22000 20 22 22 0.44000 22 24 5 0.10000 above 24 3 0.06000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 5 Levels Figure 1 illustrates the age characteristics of the sample involved in the survey. As it is shown the majority of the respondents belonged in the age group of 20 22 years old which corresponds to the first year of college for many countries. Gender Distribution of the sample by Gender Figure 2 Frequencies Level Count Prob female 19 0.38000 male 31 0.62000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 2 Levels From figure 2 gender characteristics can be understood. The research has been directed to 50 individuals where 62 % or 31 of the respondents were males while 38% or 19 respondents belonged to female gender. Factors in deciding where to study Important factors which influence the students when choosing where to study. Figure 3 Frequencies Level Count Prob Cost 11 0.22000 Location 3 0.06000 Quality 36 0.72000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 3 Levels The above figure summarises some of the most important factors which influence the young people by the most when making a decision about the university they are going to be attending. As shown the most important factor in students opinion, is the quality of studies that a university offers or the fame of the university. Would you go to study abroad The students willingness to study abroad Figure 4 Frequencies Level Count Prob I dont know 22 0.44000 No 2 0.04000 Yes 26 0.52000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 3 Levels When asked about their willingness to continue their studies in a foreign university 52% of the students answered that they would chose a university outside their home country for their studies while, 44% of them answered that their choice would depend on the characteristic of the universities they would go in their country. This part of the questioned sample would go for studies abroad only if the universities in their country would not offer the preferred characteristics for the students. Only 4% of the students answered that they are not considering at all the possibility of studying in a foreign country. Why foreign university Reasons for choosing a foreign university Figure 5 Frequencies Level Count Prob Couldns study in my country 11 0.22000 Exellent experience 18 0.36000 More opportunities 21 0.42000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 3 Levels The majority of the students think that foreign universities offer more opportunities for their future career, therefore, they would go to study abroad. The other part of the students consider studying abroad as an excellent experience in their lives. On the other hand, the minority of the questioned students would go in a foreign university only if they wouldnt be able to study in their preferred university in their countries. Advantages of foreign universities Advantages of studying abroad Figure 6 Frequencies Level Count Prob Linguage proficiency 5 0.10000 multicultural experience 18 0.36000 personal experience 11 0.22000 quality of studies 16 0.32000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 4 Levels Regarding to the advantages that the foreign universities offer compared with studying experiences in the home countries, students are approximately equally divided regarding to what they think are the advantages of studying abroad. 36% of the students consider the multicultural aspect of the studies as the most important factor on studying in a foreign university while 32% emphasise the quality of studies in other countries as the main aspect. Also the possibility of personal experiences and opportunity to know yourself better are very important in students evaluation for a university. While the opportunity of learning a new language proficiently is less important. Financial implications of studies Students opinion about the impact of costs associated with studying abroad Figure 7 Frequencies Level Count Prob Agree 14 0.28000 Dissagree 1 0.02000 Dont know 8 0.16000 Strongly agree 27 0.54000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 4 Levels The biggest part of the students strongly agreed that the cost of studying in a foreign university plays an important role in deciding to go for studies abroad or not. Western Universities offer quality Do western universities offer better quality? Figure 8 Frequencies Level Count Prob most likely 12 0.24000 yes 38 0.76000 Total 50 1.00000 N Missing 0 2 Levels When asked if they think that universities in the Western Europe offer a better quality compared with universities in their own countries, the majority of students, 76% agreed that the universities in the west offer more opportunities for a high quality of studies, while, 24% of them answered that they were not sure on this statement. There were no students to disagree. Contingency Analysis of Western Universities offer quality By Home Country Mosaic Plot Contingency Table Home Country By Western Universities offer quality Count Total % Col % Row % most likely yes Albania 6 12.00 50.00 19.35 25 50.00 65.79 80.65 31 62.00 Bulgaria 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 2 4.00 5.26 100.00 2 4.00 FYROM 3 6.00 25.00 50.00 3 6.00 7.89 50.00 6 12.00 Greece 1 2.00 8.33 12.50 7 14.00 18.42 87.50 8 16.00 Moldova 1 2.00 8.33 50.00 1 2.00 2.63 50.00 2 4.00 Turkey 1 2.00 8.33 100.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 1 2.00 12 24.00 38 76.00 50 Tests N DF -LogLike RSquare (U) 50 5 3.7635068 0.1366 Test ChiSquare Prob>ChiSq Likelihood Ratio 7.527 0.1843 Pearson 7.710 0.1730 Discussion In the table above can be observed that the model constraint by the hypothesis has a log-likelyhood of 3.763 while the ChiSquare has a non significant p-value of 0.1843. The hypothesis risen in the beginning that Student from Eastern and Southern Europe think that high quality of studies can only be achieved through studying in a Western country is supported by the values given form the contingency analysis. Therefore the hypothesis is accepted. CONCLUSION

The Murder Of Oneself :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Those who believe in the finality of death (i.e., that there is no after-life) – they are the ones who advocate suicide and regard it as a matter of personal choice. On the other hand, those who firmly believe in some form of existence after corporeal death – they condemn suicide and judge it to be a major sin. Yet, rationally, the situation should have been reversed : it should have been easier for someone who believed in continuity after death to terminate this phase of existence on the way to the next. Those who faced void, finality, non-existence, vanishing – should have been greatly deterred by it and should have refrained even from entertaining the idea. Either the latter do not really believe what they profess to believe – or something is wrong with rationality. One would tend to suspect the former. Suicide is very different from self sacrifice, avoidable martyrdom, engaging in life risking activities, refusal to prolong one’s life through medical treatment, euthanasia, overdosing and self inflicted death that is the result of coercion. What is common to all these is the operational mode: a death caused by one’s own actions. In all these behaviours, a foreknowledge of the risk of death is present coupled with its acceptance. But all else is so different that they cannot be regarded as belonging to the same class. Suicide is chiefly intended to terminate a life – the other acts are aimed at perpetuating, strengthening and defending values. Those who commit suicide do so because they firmly believe in the finiteness of life and in the finality of death. They prefer termination to continuation. Yet, all the others, the observers of this phenomenon, are horrified by this preference. They abhor it. This has to do with out understanding of the meaning of life. Ultimately, life has only meanings that we attribute and ascribe to it. Such a meaning can be external (God’s plan) or internal (meaning generated through arbitrary selection of a frame of reference). But, in any case, it must be actively selected, adopted and espoused. The difference is that, in the case of external meanings, we have no way to judge their validity and quality (is God’s plan for us a good one or not?). We just â€Å"take them on† because they are big, all encompassing and of a good â€Å"source†.

Florence Nightingale Essay -- Biography Biographies Bio Papers

Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale, a well-educated nurse, was recruited along with 38 other nurses for service in a hospital called Scutari during the Crimean War in 1854 . It was Nightingale's approaches to nursing that produced amazing results. Florence Nightingale was responsible for crucial changes in hospital protocol, a new view on the capabilities and potential of women, and the creation of a model of standards that all future nurses could aspire towards. Florence Nightingale was born on May 12th 1820. Her father, who was a wealthy and intelligent man, believed that women deserved an education. Thus, Florence Nightingale and her sister were educated in Italian, Latin, Greek, History, and Mathematics. This is quite possibly why Ms. Nitghengale was able to achieve what she did in her life. Nightingale excelled at mathematics particularly, and later took on an interest in medicine. At 38 years of age, Nightingale was working as an unpaid superintendent of a London "establishment for gentlewomen during illness", and came to the attention of Sidney Herbert, the Secretary of War. Herbert recruited Nightingale work at Scutari in 1854. Nightingale was responsible for changing the structure of British medicine and medicinal practice. Before Nightingale applied her methods of sterilization and organization to Scutari, the hospital was appalling, as were most hospitals in that period of time. What Nightingale found when she arrived at her post was a filthy hospital that was lacking supplies of almost every kind, had dying soldiers forced to sleep on the dirty floor due to lack of beds, and no latrines at all. Under Nightingale's leadership, her team of nurses reduced the mortality rate at the hospital from 60% to a ... ... By M. E. Baly. Encyclopedia Of Medicine. 1989 Edition s.v. "History of Nursing." By Charles B. Clyman, MD. Lipsey, Sally. Mathematical Education in the Life of Florence Nightingale. 18 February 1998. (12 December 2000). McDonald, Lynn. Florence Nightingale and the Foundations of Public Health Care, as seen through her Collected Works. 17 February 2000. (12 December 2000). Medical Creeds. (12 December 2000). Nilaya, Bruce. The Lady With The Lamp. (12 December 2000). Nilaya, Bruce. The Crimean War. (12 December 2000). Orem, Dorothea E. Nursing: Concepts of Practice. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1985. Seacole, Mary. Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988. Terrot, Sarah Anne. Nurse Sarah Anne: with Florence Nightingale at Scutari. London: J. Murray, 1977.

What Can I Do to Make This Country a Better Place to Live in?

As A National Discipline Awardee, What Can I Do To Make This Country A Better Place To Live In? Is our country still a better place to live in? If we will to analyze the situations now, there were many incidents that took place in our country. Our country suffers from addictions, poverty, corruption, injustices, murders, prostitutions, terrorism, environmental abuses and others. Amidst the perceived problems, we are still optimistic for our country. We still hope for the best.I am very fortunate to be one of the nominees for the National Discipline Award. I am accepting the challenges to be a model for everyone, to be courageous and faithful to the teachings of God. I still believed that there is always sunshine after the rain. I want to be the bearers of truth and light to my fellow Louiseans. To make our country a better place to live in is hard for a teenager like me. But I can in my simple ways like encouraging my fellow youth to be cooperative, to be generous in sharing their ta lents, time and possessions.I will also be responsible with my duties, being a good steward of God's creation and I will inspire others to value education and encourage them to help their neighbors. I think and I truly believe that: â€Å"A journey of a thousand mile must begin with a single step. † Let's join hands to make our country a better place to live in. If everyone joins in a simple act, big wonders can happen! And more so, Philippines would be a better place to live in. Now, therefore, before we can change the world, it will begin first with our innermost being. Rachelle Marian B. Barrios

Mba 2nd Sem Ass

Summer / May 2012 MBA Semester-2 MB0044: Production and Operations Management Assignment Set – 1 (60 Marks) Q1. What is meant by productivity? Write a brief note on capital productivity. Productivity is a measure of the efficiency of the system and looks at the economies achieved during the processes. Every process will have a number of contributors which help in achieving maximum productivity. The processes are: People, Machines, Facilitating goods, Ancillary equipments, and Technology.Each of these elements attempts to enhance the contribution of other elements. Opportunities exist at all stages of the workflow in the entire system to introduce measures for increasing productivity. However in actual manufacturing situations, the inefficiencies will have cascading effect in hampering productivity. Communication, effective review processes and innovative methods will ensure optimisation of resources. Building up reliability into the equipments, managing the supply chain to eco nomise on the cost factors improves productivity.Quality circles are very efficient in incorporating low cost and non-intrusive methods of improving productivity and quality throughout the organisation. Quality circles: †¢ Involve all persons who are actually involved in the production system and the information they elicit and bring about improvements that are highly cost effective †¢ Unveil creativity and encourage team work and bring about improvements almost on a day to day basis †¢ Bring continuous incremental changes in a harmonious way instead of dramatic changes †¢Encourage identification of possible failures and seek methods of preventing things going wrong Capital Productivity Capital deployed in plant, machinery, buildings and the distribution systems as well as working capital are the components of the cost of manufacturing. Demand fluctuations, uncertainties of SMU Roll No. XXXXXX production owing to breakdowns, and inventories being created drag the productivity down. Therefore, strategies are needed to maximise the utilisation of the funds allotted towards capital. The strategies included are: †¢ Outsourcing strategies †¢ Methods improvement †¢Balancing of workstations †¢ Quality circles †¢ Rationalisation of packaging methods SMU Roll No. XXXXXX Q2. (a) What is automation? (b) What are the kinds of automation? (a) Automation: Automation is the use of scientific and technological principles in the manufacture of machines that take over work normally done by humans. Figure shows a sample automation production process. Figure: Automation For services, automation usually means increase in quality and productivity using labour saving devices. Automation is ideal when the service provided or the product manufactured is highly standardised.Some extent of automation can be designed even with customisation, that is, product or services meant to produce or deliver low volumes specific to a requirement. The cos t per unit determines the extent of automation required. Automation systems cost huge sums of money and therefore, a deep analysis of the various factors has to be done. (b) Kinds of Automation: There are three kinds of automation: fixed, programmable, and flexible. 1. Fixed: By its very nature, fixed automation is rigid. They are designed for high volume production and their rigidity ensures less variability.They are not amenable to change in product or process. They need minimal human intervention. Examples: Oil refineries and chemical processing units. SMU Roll No. XXXXXX 2. Programmable: Programming devices enable machines to operate automatically. The machines have sensing and control devices that enable this. The simplest of them called machine attachments replace human effort. They guide, locate, move, and achieve relative positions by means of cams, optical sensing, and load sensing mechanisms and activate the controls to remove human intervention.Numerically controlled mach ines read instructions and convert them to machine operations. Computers are used for controlling one machine or a number of them and they have programmes written into them for operations. They are Computer Numerically Controlled or, for short, CNC machines. 3. Flexible: Robots are higher in the order of automation as they perform a variety of tasks. They are designed to move materials by holding them in their arms and making precise movements according to programmes written into the computers that reside in them.They simulate human actions. They can grip and hold tools with the help of sensors. These sensors are sensitive to touch and force to ‘know’ that the material is to be held with the requisite pressure for the conduct of operations. Vision sensors are used for inspection, identification and guidance. They use optics based instruments to gather data and feed them to the computers for activating the other parts of the robot. With the help of automation, 100% inspe ction of components can be done which ensures highest quality.Identification and movement of materials are helped by bar codes which are read and fed into the system for monitoring quantity, location, and movement. They help the automated systems to sort information and provide information for effecting any changes necessary. To make effective use of automated machines, we need to have the movement of materials from and to different stations as also stores, automated. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), receive orders for materials from anywhere in the production area, collect materials and deliver materials to the workstations.Computers and information systems are used for placing orders for materials, giving commands and adjusting inventory records which show the location and quantity of materials available/needed. Continuous updating gives a clear picture for all concerned to enable them initiate action to keep the throughput smooth. Automated Guided Vehicle Systems ( AGVS) like pallet trucks and unit load carriers follow embedded guide wires or paint strips to reach destinations as programmed. SMU Roll No. XXXXXX Q3. What are the factors that influence the plant location? General factorsThe general factors that influence the plant location are listed below 1. Availability of land: Availability of land plays an important role in determining the plant location. Many-a-time, our plans, calculations and forecasts suggest a particular area as the best to start an organisation. However, availability of land may be in question. In such cases, we will have to choose the second best location. 2. Availability of inputs: While choosing a plant location, it is very important for the organisation to get the labour at the right time and raw materials at good qualities.The plant should be located: †¢ Near to the raw material source when there is no loss of weight †¢ At the market place when there is a loss of weight in the material †¢ Close to t he market when universally available, so as to minimise the transportation cost 3. Closeness to market places: Organisations can choose to locate the plant near to the customers’ market or far from them, depending upon the product they produce. It is advisable to locate the plant near to the market place, when: †¢ The projection life of the product is low †¢The transportation cost is high †¢ The products are delicate and susceptible to spoilage †¢ After sales services are promptly required very often The advantages of locating the plant near to the market place are: †¢ Consistent supply of goods to the customers †¢ Reduction of the cost of transportation 4. Communication facilities: Communication facility is also an important factor which influences the location of a plant. Regions with good communication facilities viz. Postal and Tele communication links should be given priority for the selection of sites. 5.Infrastructure: Infrastructure plays a prominent role in deciding the location. The basic infrastructure needed in any organisation are: †¢ Power: For example, industries which run day and night require continuous power supply. So they should be located near to the power stations and should ensure continuous power supply throughout the year. SMU Roll No. XXXXXX †¢ Water: For example, process industries such as, paper, chemical, and cement, requires continuous water supply in large amount. So, such process industries need to be located near to the water. †¢Waste disposal: For example, for process industries such as, paper and sugarcane industries facility for disposal of waste is the key factor. 6. Transport: Transport facility is a must for facility location and layout of location of the plant. Timely supply of raw materials to the company and supply of finished goods to the customers is an important factor. The basic modes of transportation are by Air, Road, Rail, Water, and Pipeline. The choice of loc ation should be made depending on these basic modes. Cost of transportation is also an important criterion for plant location. 7.Government support: The factors that demand additional attention for plant location are the policies of the state governments and local bodies concerning labour laws, building codes, and safety. 8. Housing and recreation: Housing and recreation factors also influence the plant location. Locating a plant with the facilities of good schools, housing and recreation for employees will have a greater impact on the organisation. These factor seems to be unimportant, but have a difference as they motivate the employees and hence the location decisions. Special factors The special factors that influence the plant location are: . Economic stability – outside investments 2. Cultural factors 3. Wages 4. Joint ventures – support of big time players SMU Roll No. XXXXXX Q4. Explain about the seven basic quality control tools. Remaining answers are availabl e in the full assignments. For full assignments contact us: Global Education Rajdeep: 098662 48187 / 077958 40110 Email: [email  protected] com / global. [email  protected] in Website: www. smuassignments. com The diagonally marked watermark (Sample Assignment of smuassignments. com) will not appear in the paid assignments. SMU Roll No. XXXXXX