Wednesday, October 30, 2019

HRM Current Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

HRM Current Issues - Essay Example In this globalised world, an economic problem in one country will not get restricted to that country, but gets spread to other countries. This is what happening today, with the economic recession starting in United States of America, is having a very negative effect all over the world. Many companies are suffering losses and as a result, many employees are losing their jobs. Also, many organizations have quietly cut the salaries and other fringe benefits to their employees. So, the fear that their jobs and salary are at stake and to continue working, the employees are forced to work pushing their limits, leading to stress. With stressed mind, the employees will be hard-pressed to use his/hers physical and mental part, to work effectively for the organization. Stressed mind in the sense, due to the poor match between work load and the capabilities, resources, etc of the worker, the mind of the worker could be become disoriented leading to the damaging of workers biological, psychologi cal or social systems.. Stress is something which can happen to an individual both due to a positive action or change as well as negative action or change. That is, stress can be felt by the employees, if positive actions or changes like promotion, new assignments, new responsibilities, etc happen in his/hers professional life. Also in the same but different way, the employees will become stressed, if he/she faces negative actions or changes both in his/hers professional as well as personal life. The negative events or issues that could trigger stress are unemployment, suspension, failure to meet the targets, pressure, intimidation, abuse, etc from the superior as well as co-workers, divorce, deaths, etc, etc. When the above mentioned negative changes or actions occurs, they will be least expecting it and so they will be unable to handle it. That is, those

Monday, October 28, 2019

Ethics Audit Question Essay Example for Free

Ethics Audit Question Essay Board Does the board have a clear and concise plan of action to deal with problems that arise from regular assessment? This question is important when assessing an organization’s ethical performance. This question will help the organization create a plan of action to deal with any problem that may arise. Staff- Are all staff members educated equally about how to advance in the organization? This question would help the organization make sure that they are treating all employees the same, as well as giving them all the same opportunities. The question would also aid in the assessment of the organizations ethical performance. Donors and Fundraisers- Does the organization give the donors the proper instructions or information on how to write their donations as tax write offs or deductions? In an ethical performance review, the organization will show that it cares about the donors, and is following government procedures. Clients/Customers- Is there a policy in place to ensure that all clients are given the same amount of time to be helped and processed? In an ethical review this shows that all clients are treated equally without prejudice or bias regardless of age, ethnicity, race, origin, or sex. Volunteers- Are all volunteers treated the same, and given equal opportunities for employment in the organization? It is important for the organization to show their volunteers that they are valued and important to the organization. Society- Is the organization doing everything it can, to meet the expectations of the public it serves? It is important for the organizations ethical committee to know that the organization is doing all that it can to serve the public’s needs. The public will feel like they can trust the organization.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Comparing Light and Growth in A Raisin in the Sun and Death of a Salesm

Light and Growth in A Raisin in the Sun and Death of a Salesman.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, both authors use motifs of light and growth within their settings to convey messages about the intrinsic values and potentiality of their characters. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a faint little light, filtering through the kitchen window. It's not much of a light, but it is successfully kindled by Lena Younger to keep her little plant alive and to help sow the seed of human dignity in her children. In Death of a Salesman, the physical light is blocked by the encroaching concrete jungle of New York City and the spiritual light is extinguished by Willy Loman's misguided, illusionary values. Willy and his family are trapped in the tiny shadow cast by his giant illusions and nothing grows in their world.    The opening description of the setting in A Raisin in the Sun states, "The single window for these 'two' rooms is located in the kitchen area. The sole natural light the family may enjoy in the course of a day is only that which fights its way through this little window." This window provides a view to the outside world which Walter Younger seeks to tame. Walter looks out of this window as he smokes his cigarette and comments on the people "running and racing to work." Lena Younger has what is described as a "feeble little plant growing doggedly in a small pot on the windowsill." She worries that "if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting it ain't never going to see spring again." ( Hansberry, 856 ) The light from the window feeds the dogged little plant which Lena says "expresses me." Although they live in a small, cramped apartment... ...erry is saying that to find the pot of gold which lies at the end of a rainbow, man needs food for the soul.       Works Cited and Consulted:    Draper, James P. Black Literature Criticisms. Detroit: Gale Research Incorporated, 1992.    Field, B.S.   "Death of a Salesman" Twentieth Century Literature.   January, 1972. 19-24.   Rpt. in World Literary Criticism.   Ed. Frank Magill.   "Arthur Miller" Detroit: Gale Research, 1992.   2366-2368.    Gunton, Sharon R. Motifs in A Raisin in the Sun. Detroit: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.    Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman,The Heath Introduction to Drama, Fifth Edition. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath and Company, 1996, pp. 731-808.    Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun, The Heath Introduction to Drama, Fifth Edition. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath and Company, 1996, pp. 841-914. Comparing Light and Growth in A Raisin in the Sun and Death of a Salesm Light and Growth in A Raisin in the Sun and Death of a Salesman.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, both authors use motifs of light and growth within their settings to convey messages about the intrinsic values and potentiality of their characters. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a faint little light, filtering through the kitchen window. It's not much of a light, but it is successfully kindled by Lena Younger to keep her little plant alive and to help sow the seed of human dignity in her children. In Death of a Salesman, the physical light is blocked by the encroaching concrete jungle of New York City and the spiritual light is extinguished by Willy Loman's misguided, illusionary values. Willy and his family are trapped in the tiny shadow cast by his giant illusions and nothing grows in their world.    The opening description of the setting in A Raisin in the Sun states, "The single window for these 'two' rooms is located in the kitchen area. The sole natural light the family may enjoy in the course of a day is only that which fights its way through this little window." This window provides a view to the outside world which Walter Younger seeks to tame. Walter looks out of this window as he smokes his cigarette and comments on the people "running and racing to work." Lena Younger has what is described as a "feeble little plant growing doggedly in a small pot on the windowsill." She worries that "if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting it ain't never going to see spring again." ( Hansberry, 856 ) The light from the window feeds the dogged little plant which Lena says "expresses me." Although they live in a small, cramped apartment... ...erry is saying that to find the pot of gold which lies at the end of a rainbow, man needs food for the soul.       Works Cited and Consulted:    Draper, James P. Black Literature Criticisms. Detroit: Gale Research Incorporated, 1992.    Field, B.S.   "Death of a Salesman" Twentieth Century Literature.   January, 1972. 19-24.   Rpt. in World Literary Criticism.   Ed. Frank Magill.   "Arthur Miller" Detroit: Gale Research, 1992.   2366-2368.    Gunton, Sharon R. Motifs in A Raisin in the Sun. Detroit: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.    Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman,The Heath Introduction to Drama, Fifth Edition. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath and Company, 1996, pp. 731-808.    Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun, The Heath Introduction to Drama, Fifth Edition. Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath and Company, 1996, pp. 841-914.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Motivation, Intelligence Essay

Second language learning is the process of learning a different language other than one’s mother tongue resulting in the ability of an individual to use one or more languages different from his first language. It can take place in a natural setting or through classroom instructions; however, the degree of proficiency differs (Gomleksiz, 2001). Learning is a conscious process that includes thorough explanation of grammar rules, practice of those rules, as well as memorizing lists of vocabulary, usually in a classroom setting (Wisniewski, 2007). Learners usually use their culture, first language, environment, background and personal experiences among others to learn a second language. Second Language learning is necessitated by the different situations of different people. For instance, it can be for social or academic purposes. Learners are affected by many factors in the second language acquisition process such as level of cognitive development, socio-economic and cultural background, age, motivation or ability and intelligence (Gomleksiz, 2001; Wisniewski, 2007). This paper will however concentrate on how intelligence or aptitude and motivation affect the learning of a second language. According to (Wisniewski, 2007), second language learning process differs from first language acquisition, with the latter taking place usually from infancy in a community using a  Ã‚  Ã‚   specific language and affected mainly by neurological developments in the brain (McCain, 2000) while the former taking place usually in schools or later in life and affected by age and associated characteristics (McCain, 2000). It is necessary to draw a distinction between foreign language and second language learning. According to (Wisniewski, 2007), a language learnt in a community that uses a different mother tongue, is said to be a foreign language, and the process, a foreign language learning. For instance, a Kenyan student learning French in Kenya is said to be learning a foreign language, since French is not the common language in Kenya. In contrast, a language learnt in a community that uses the language, is said to be a second language. For instance, a Kenyan student studying is Spain will study Spanish as a second language. According to Holt (2001), motivation in second language learning is the learner’s orientation with regard to the goal of learning a second language. It is a desire for learning (Gomleksiz, 2001). That is, it is the inner force or strength that drives an individual toward learning a second language. A below average student with the motivation to learn a second language is likes to succeed than an intelligent student not motivated. Motivation is divided into two basic types- integrative and instrumental (Holt, 2001; McCain, 2000). Integrative motivation is the learner’s positive attitude towards the target language group and the desire to integrate into that target language community. For instance, if an individual loves and would like to identify with the Maasai community, he would learn their language. It is thought that students most successful in learning a target language are those who like the people that speak the language, admire the culture and have a desire to become familiar with or even integrate into the society in which the language is used (J. Falk 1978) cited in Holt (2001). This kind of motivation is essential in helping an individual assimilated in a community to develop some proficiency in the language and also in developing a social life with the people in the community, especially if it is the only language widely spoken. It becomes a necessity. Instrumental motivation on the other hand, underlies the goal to gain some social or economic reward through the second language. It is a more functional reason for language learning. For instance, an individual who would like to be an air hostess may learn other languages to enable her easily get the job. The end of instrumental motivation is basically utilitarian such as meeting the requirements of a school, job or achievement of higher social status (Holt, 2001). In this case, the second language acquisition takes place with little or no integration in the community using the language; however, this knowledge comes in handy if one is to ever visit the community. Factors other than social integration necessitate the acquisition of the second language. Both forms of motivation are essential for success in the learning of a second language, however, integrative motivation has been found to sustain long term success (Crookes and Schmidt, 1991). Instrumental motivation has only been acknowledged as a significant factor in some research, whereas integrative motivation is continually linked to successful second language acquisition (Holt, 2001). According to Holt (2001), Generally students select instrumental reasons more frequently than integrative reasons for the study of a second language. Those who choose an integrative approach to language study are usually more highly motivated and in overall more successful. (n.p) Instrumental motivation can only be successful if the student is provided with an opportunity to actively use the language and possibly interact with the community of the target group; otherwise, the language is easily forgotten as it was only a means to an end. Interaction with the community of the target language helps the student learn more than what is learnt in class such as accent, expression and a whole new words and the context of usage; usually, the student is exposed more to language users than in a class setting. Interaction helps the learner solve his or her problems in the learning process. The language becomes part of the student and the degree of proficiency is higher, this is why integrative motivation has far higher long term success rates. The knowledge of the language becomes more than just professional. For students however, instrumental motivation is usually the major underlying factor for the study of the language (Holt, 2001). Holt (2001) in citing H. D. Brown (2000) states that, both integrative and instrumental motivations are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Learners rarely select one form of motivation when learning a second language, but rather a combination of both orientations. For instance, a Spanish student wishing to study in the U.K will learn English both as a requirement for academic purposes and also to enable her integrate well in the English community. According to Teepen (n.d), intelligence and aptitude are significant virtually in all aspects of second language learning. Regardless of all other factors like age, personality, attitude and motivation, some people happen to be better at learning a second language than others (Bot, Lowie, and Verspoor, 2005). The writers at http://www.slideshare.net/cupidlucid/3-factors-affecting-l2-learning-presentation (n.d) refer to intelligence as the mental abilities measured by an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test, usually measuring the Verbal or Linguistic and Mathematical or Logical intelligence and in some cases, Spatial, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Musical intelligence (Bot, Lowie, and Verspoor, 2005). Research findings indicate that intelligence, is a strong factor in language learning that involves language analysis and rule learning. In this case, intelligence has a strong positive relation with second language learning (Teepen, n.d.). It was however found to be of less importance in language learning that focuses on communication and interaction (http://www.slideshare.net/cupidlucid/3-factors-affecting-l2-learning-presentation, n.d.). Intelligence is complex as it has various dimensions thus giving people different abilities and strengths. Therefore, an individual with strong academic performance does not necessarily make a second language learning success story. The writers at http://www.slideshare.net/cupidlucid/3-factors-affecting-l2-learning-presentation (n.d.) also describe aptitude as the potential for achievement and that it is designed to make a prediction about an individual’s future achievements. Aptitude can be seen as a characteristic that is similar to intelligence, which cannot be altered through training (Bot et al. 2005). Aptitude for language learning is usually composed of; the ability to identify and memorize new sounds, the ability to understand the function of particular words in sentences, the ability to figure out grammatical rules from language samples and finally, the ability to memorize new words and phrases (Bot et al. 2005). A person’s inherent capability of second-language learning is called Language Learning aptitude (Bot et al. 2005). A number of language aptitude tests have been developed to assess language aptitude, the most common being the Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) by Carroll and Sapon (1959) and the Pimsleaur Language Aptitude Battery (PLAB) by Pimsleaur in 1966. Both tests have shown high correlations with proficiency scores in schools, however, the tests are completely geared towards formal second-language learning and in particular, the way in which the language is taught in classrooms (Bot et al. 2005). Past researches have also revealed significant findings. A significant positive relationship between aptitude for language learning taught with grammar translation or audio-lingual methods, but irrelevant to second language learning taught with a more communicative approach, that is, with a focus on meaning rather than on form (http://www.slideshare.net/cupidlucid/3-factors-affecting-l2-learning-presentation, n.d). Just like in intelligence, successful language learners are not necessarily strong in all the components of aptitude. In conclusion, success in second language learning depends on many factors; motivation, aptitude and intelligence are just a number of important ones. For motivation, it has been found that, motivated students are more successful than those not motivated. Motivation is the most important factor compared to intelligence and aptitude, though it has to be considered in light of other factors. This is because, as long as an individual is motivated, even if his IQ and aptitude are low, he will be able to succeed in language learning. In a nutshell, the greater the motivation, intelligence and aptitude levels of a student, the greater the chances of succeeding in learning a second language. References Bot, D. K., Lowie, W. and Verspoor, M. (2005). Second Language Acquisition: An advanced Resource Book. Madison Avenue, New York: Routledge Applied Linguistics Crookes, G., & Schmidt R.W. (1991). Motivation : Reopening the research agenda. Language Learning, Vol. 41, No. 4, p. 469-512. Gomleksiz, M. N. (2001). The effects of Age and Motivation in Second Language Acquisition. Firat University Journal of Social Science, Vol. 11, No. 17, p. 217-224 Factors affecting Second Language Learning. Accessed April 29, 2010 from http://www.slideshare.net/cupidlucid/3-factors-affecting-l2-learning-presentation, n.d) Holt, J. N. (2001). Motivation as a Contributing factor in Second Language Acquisition. The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. 7, No. 6. Accessed April 28, 2010 from http://iteslj.org/Articles/Norris-Motivation.html McCain, J. (2000). Language Acquisition and affective Variables. Accessed April 28, 2010 from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f00/web3/mccain3.html Teepen, J. (n.d.). On the Relationship between Aptitude and Intelligence in Second Language Acquisition. Columbia University Working Papers in TESOL & Applied Linguistics, Vol. 4. Accessed April 29, 2010 from http://journals.tc-library.org/index.php/tesol/article/viewFile/69/75

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Hamlet Essay – Themes

Any text that is rich in technique and deals with universal concerns will be effective in communicating significant ideas to the responder regardless of the context of the audience. Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy play, Hamlet, explores concerns such as morality and the difficulty of taking action, especially when certainty is impossible. His young protagonist, Hamlet, acts as an effective vehicle as he uses powerful language to explore his moral dilemmas.What distinguishes Hamlet from other revenge tragedy plays is the amount of action expected, especially from Hamlet himself as he continuously hesitates due to him trying to be absolute certain of his actions. Hamlet handles an extremely complicated dilemma which is a combination of feelings that does not allow him to be tranquil. One of the reasons is due to the mourning of his father’s death, which he already feels distraught about. The other reason for Hamlet’s problem is his mother’s sudden remarriage o f her brother-in-law, Claudius, whom here in this play he is presented as the villain.As Hamlet says, â€Å"A little month, or ere those shoes were old†¦ a beast that wants discourse of reason would have mourned longer. † Hamlet here is showing his disgust towards Gertrude, his mother, as she is remarrying only two months after her husband’s death. Furthermore Claudius is blood related to Hamlet hence deepening his anger, turning to madness. Hamlets hatred towards Gertrude is seen in Act 1 scene 2 as Hamlet expressed in a negative tone; â€Å"seems, madam! Nay it is; I know not seems. / This not alone my inky cloak, good mother,† Also Hamlet’s first soliloquy in the play shows his distress towards Claudius and Gertrude’s marriage.His internal dilemma is explicitly shown when this ghost of Hamlet’s father appears in Act 1 scene 5 as he calls upon, â€Å"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. † It is from this point forward th at Hamlet struggles with the dilemma of whether or not to kill Claudius, and if so, when to do it. Doubts and uncertainty arises as the ghost disappears, as suggested when he says, â€Å"Are you spirit of health or goblin damned? † This uncertainty is crucial as this is the beginning point of Hamlet’s internal struggle. My personal view of why Hamlet delays his action is because of the question, â€Å"Is this morally correct. Hamlet is a thinker a philosopher, shown clearly by his use of words and language that contains double meaning, â€Å"Ay, madam it is common† with the word â€Å"common† suggest literal meaning, it is common that â€Å"all lives must die†, and figuratively it is common to remarry straight after her husbands death. From this fact that Hamlet is a thinker, he questions himself and is amazed by the human structure, shown in one of his soliloquies he stated with exclamatory: â€Å"Oh what a piece of work is man! † The myst ery of the afterlife is what prevents himself from killing himself. This is shown in his most famous soliloquy: â€Å"To be, or not to be. In other words, â€Å"to die, or not do die†. The unknown factors of the afterlife as well as the morality of it, is what caused the delay for killing Claudius. Hamlet retains its value and textual integrity because it explores universal concerns that still remain in today’s society. Some of these concerns in today’s society are the morality and hesitation of taking action is explicitly shown in two scenes from Hamlet; Act 1 scene 2 and scene 5. The use of powerful language techniques such as soliloquies, metaphors and asides helps being out the message to the responder, hence having textual integrity.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

What to Do if Social Security Declares You Dead

What to Do if Social Security Declares You Dead You might arrangements for somebody to take care of your affairs after you die, but what if that â€Å"somebody† ends up being you? What should you do if the Social Security Administration (SSA) prematurely declares you dead? I’m Not Quite Dead Yet It starts with little clues, like when your ATM card no longer access your bank account or your druggist informs you that your health insurance seems to have been cancelled. You actually start to feel like you no longer exist. Then, the next day, a letter from the Social Security Administration confirms your fears by offering its sympathy for your death, informing you that your monthly benefit payments will stop  and that any payments made since your â€Å"death† would be removed from your bank account. Poor, poor dead you. Being incorrectly tagged as dead by Social Security can be devastating. Once SSA decides you are dead, it publishes your full name, Social Security number, birthday and supposed date of death in a publicly-accessible document called the Death Master File. Created to help prevent fraud, like somebody getting a credit card in a dead person’s name, or using dead peoples’ names to get tax refunds, the Death Master File too often exposes living people incorrectly listed on it to identity theft. Most cases of being incorrectly flagged as deceased are due to simple clerical errors, sometimes related to the actual death of close relatives – like spouses – who have the same last names. Sometimes states send incorrect or incomplete death information to SSA, or data entry errors might occur if SSA employees manually input death records.   How Often Does it Happen? How likely are you to be incorrectly listed as dead? According to a 2011 audit report from the Social Security Administration’s inspector general, from May 2007 to April 2010, almost 36,657 living people – 12,219 per year had been incorrectly listed as deceased on the Death Master File. The inspector general further estimated that since the file’s inception in 1980, from 700 to 2,800 people had been incorrectly declared dead every month a total of more than 500,000. Considering that the SSA receives about 2.5 million death records each year from many sources, the error rate is really very low, and when the SSA becomes aware it has posted a death record in error, the agency typically moves quickly to correct the situation.   Maintaining the Death Master File involves a complex, multi-level reporting process, so most cases of being incorrectly flagged as deceased are due to simple clerical errors; sometimes related to the actual deaths of close relatives, like spouses, who have the same last names. How Do You Fix It? It’s easy to prove you are not â€Å"a† dead person, but not so easy to prove you are not â€Å"the† dead person. How do you do it? According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), if you suspect you might have been incorrectly listed as dead on your Social Security record, you should visit – in person your local Social Security office as soon as possible. Most offices allow you to call ahead for an appointment. When you go, make sure to bring at least one of the following pieces of identification with you: Passport;Adoption record;Drivers license;Employee ID card;Military record;School ID card, record or report card;Marriage or divorce record;Health insurance card (except a Medicare card);Certified copy of medical record;Life insurance policy;Court order for name change; orChurch membership that establishes your identity. Important: The SSA stresses that the identification documents you show them must be original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued to them. They will not accept non-certified photocopies or notarized copies. In addition, all identification documents must be current. Expired documents will not be accepted. Finally, the SSA will not accept a receipt showing you applied for a document. Ask for Your ‘Proof of Life’ Letter When and if the correct your records, the SSA can send you a letter that you can give to banks, doctors or others to show that your death report was in error. This letter is called the Erroneous Death Case - Third Party Contact Notice.† Be sure to request this letter when you visit your SSA office. The Death Master File Cuts Both Ways Just as the SSA can wrongly declare people dead, it can declare then immortal, which poses an expensive problem for all living taxpayers. In May 2016, another SSA inspector general reported that more than 6.5 million Americans aged 112 and older still have active Social Security numbers. Seems strange, considering that a New York resident believed at the time to be the world’s oldest living man at age 112, died in 2013.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Custom Essay Service

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Sunday, October 20, 2019

Shelf Life of Chlorine Bleach and How to Maximize It

Shelf Life of Chlorine Bleach and How to Maximize It Bleach is one of those household chemicals that loses its activity over time. It doesnt matter whether or not the bleach container has been opened or not. Temperature is the primary factor affecting how long bleach remains active. According to Cloroxâ„ ¢, the amount of hypochlorite that is added to their bleach depends on the season in which it is manufactured, because temperature affects the decomposition rate of sodium hypochlorite. So, more hypochlorite is added to bleach made in the summer than in cooler months. Clorox aims to maintain a 6% hypochlorite concentration for at least six months after the manufacturing date, assuming the bleach is stored around 70Â °F. It takes about 4-8 weeks from the time chlorine bleach is made to when it gets to a store so that you can buy it to take home. This leaves you 3-5 months where the bleach is at the effectiveness level stated on its label. Does this mean bleach is useless after 3-5 months? No, because you probably dont need 6% hypochlorite for laundry and home disinfection. The 6% hypochlorite level is an EPA disinfection standard. If you store your bleach where it can get warmer than 70Â °F, like 90Â °F, the bleach is still effective for around three months. How Long Is Bleach Good? So, when you buy a bottle of bleach, it has a shelf life. The bleach will be highly effective for around 6 months and fine for home use for around 9 months. Clorox recommends replacing any bottle of bleach that is over a year old. Another way to tell if your bleach is expired is to note its odor. Dont open the bottle and take a whiff! The human sense of smell is sensitive to bleach, so you should be able to smell it as soon as you pour it from its container. If you dont smell any bleach, its likely most of the product has decomposed into salt and water. Replace it with a fresh bottle. Maximizing the Bleach Shelf Life If you want bleach to remain as effective as possible for as long as possible, avoid storing it in extremely hot or freezing conditions. Generally, this means its better to store a bottle of bleach in a cabinet inside the house, which has a relatively stable room temperature, as opposed to a garage or outside storage shed. Bleach is sold in an opaque container. Dont switch it out for a clear container because exposure to light will degrade the chemical more quickly. Like other hazardous chemicals, make sure its kept away from children and pets. Its also a good idea to store bleach away from other household cleaners because it can react with many of them to release toxic fumes.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

My personal statements Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My statements - Personal Statement Example This will enable me pursue my dream career and enable me to make significant contributions in the area of study. My educational qualifications are outstanding and in line with the requirements for the Masters in Agriculture Economics. I attended Bashu High School in China between September 2006 and July 2009 and got my high school degree. Since I am a foreign student, I studied English as my second language at the Central Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), University of Arizona between January 2010 and May 2010. I hope to complete my Bachelor, Major in Agriculture Economic and Management, Minor in Japanese and Administration management between August 2010 and May 2014 (expected). This proves that I have the intellectual capabilities to pursue the Masters in Agricultural Economics. Additionally, I have pursued other courses that are related to the field of agricultural economics that will positively towards my course. These courses make up important aspects of the course I need to study. These courses include future goods, financial management in agribusiness and a biology plant course (James, 2013). This goes ahead to prove my extensive knowledge in agricultural economics. I have two years experience in weed control, proficiency in English, Japanese and Chinese. I am also highly skilled in various computer applications and this will help me in conducting research in various topics in the agricultural economics. My work experience as an accounting assistant in Accountant assistant Chongqing Bank between June 2010 and December 2010 helped me gain valuable lessons in the field of economics and also enabled me to develop teamwork and leadership skills. I was also a leader of the Agricultural Club in high school and this further developed my interest in Agriculture. I enjoy outdoor activities and sports and this has facilitated how I manage my time between learning and extra- curricular activities. I have been able to combine sports and excel in

Friday, October 18, 2019

Genetic Engineering Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Genetic Engineering Process - Essay Example An example is cry 1Ab which is a gene that codes certain insecticidal proteins in bacillius thiurengesis, which is a soil bacterium (University of Nebraska 2013). Agorabacterium tumefaciens is another example. 2. Gene insertion An essential component is plasmids, which are minute, self-replicating, circular DNA strands in the bacterial cells. Plasmids are easy to manipulate since they carry few genes and therefore provides routes for new gene introduction to cells (Wolfe 2013). Plasmids are used as the transfer channels. For agorabacterium tumefaciens, which is also a soil bacterium, genes are inserted using recombinant DNA methods. The bacterium possesses a plasmid (Ti). T DNA segment of the bacterium DNA carry genes that lead to tumour formation when it integrates in the maize DNA. However, manipulation of the genes by inserting new ones causes a disruption that makes the maize resistant to frost diseases and herbicides. Restriction endonuclease cleave the Ti plasmid exposing it to introduction of a foreign DNA from another source cleaved by the same enzyme. The genes are connected to the ends of the plasmids; thereafter ligation enzymes seal the ends and reform a structured DNA circle. The manipulated plasmid is then replaced into the bacterium. Antibiotic resistant marker genes must be included in the plasmids; the essence of the marker gene is to provide identification of cells containing the manipulated plasmids. Polymerase chain reaction takes over at this point, where genes are produced en masse. 3. Transformation Introducing plasmids into the organism of interest is through transformation. A few techniques can be employeds for transformation. However, the general concept involves attachment of A. Tumefasciencs to the organism’s cell, in this context the maize maize cell, and transferring a copy of the modified plasmid into the cell. Other methods of transformation other than use of A. Tumefasciens include particle bombardment and protoplast tran sformation. In particle bombardment, tiny tungsten beads with DNA coating of desired traits are shot into small fragments of maize cells that combine and integrate in to the maizes genome. The disadvantage of this method is that it results in unpredictable and unstable gene expression due to multiple copies of the introduced gene. Protoplasm transformation involves enzyme treatment of cell by stripping cell of their cell walls to form protoplast. Osmotic stress is induced to the protoplast in order to take up DNA in the protoplast’s surrounding (GMO education Network n.d). Inducing osmotic stress is by administering electrical shocks to the protoplast or by chemical treatment using polyethylene glycol. The protoplasts are thereafter regenerated into maizes using hormones. The problem with this method is that it is tedious and challenging. However, protoplasm transformation gives accurate and precise outcomes. 4. Selection of modified cells The selection process involves ident ification of cells that have obtained the manipulated plasmids into their genome. In genetic modified food industry, it is advisable to use the marker less insertion system to avoid the risk of marker gene expression in the maize. Typically, marker less transgenic involves screening numerous progeny

LAW OF BUSINESS LEASES Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

LAW OF BUSINESS LEASES - Term Paper Example This holistic way covers the nurses’ responsibility and attitude when providing emotional support; when providing support in the form of information and their capacity to provide practical support (Liu, Mok & Wong, 2006). Jean Watson, an expert in the field of nursing, emphasizes that the concept of caring is more of a science than an art or a professional skill (Watson, 2003). Watson defines caring as the science that entails a human science oriented humanitarian process of taking care of others, in a manner which demonstrates the evidence of arts, science and humanities in the delivery of care services (Watson, 2003). The Macmillan dictionary (online) defines care as, being interested in someone and wanting them to be well and happy (Care [Def. 1], 2014). The word caring is a derivative of the word ‘care’, which came from the old English world caru, cearu – meaning anxiety, sorrow, and grief. The word is also believed to have emanated from the Proto-Germanic word ‘karo’, which means severe mental attention or the reality of mental burdens. The word is believed to have evolved from the different origins in a variety of ways, including that in English it implies the lamentation, cry or the grief of a person. From the world of poetry – the concept of caring has been communicated and emphasized by different writers, including the writing of the physician-poet William Carlos; the writer emphasizes the importance of caring and the way it is communicated through poetry. The lines drawn from the poem present a paradox which is very useful to the experience of clinicians, especially those who care for the dying and the terminally ill. From the first statement, â€Å"it is difficult – to get the news from poems† is self-explanatory; the statement appears to emphasize the fact that poetry offers people little or no hard data (Coulehan & Clary, 2005). The emphasis is that poetry does not provide useful information about recent

Thursday, October 17, 2019

American Government and Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American Government and Politics - Essay Example Many writers both supporters and criticizers of the efficacy of Reagan have come up to indicate their knowledge about the president’s life, activities and thoughts. This has brought about several arguments concerning the president’s thoughts and feeling on the government organization and performance. One of the key members in this relation is Michael Deaver through his several books that he wrote (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Michael Keith Deaver was a historian, born in California in a place known as Bakersfield, in mid April 1938. He graduated at San Jose State University in the year 1960 after which he moved into public relations and worked with a lot of great determination and expectation. Ten years later, Ronald Reagan was employed as a governor in California. Michael Keith Deaver co -initiated a public relations company in the year 1975 popularly known as Deaver and Hannaford. The co-corporation booked Reagan’s public appearances, research and traded in his radio program, and ghostwrote his syndicated column. Alleges from Peter Dale Scott were heard claiming that,’’ all these with ambitions that Hannaford and Michael Deaver assisted systematize from outset (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Deaver and Hannaford in 1977 were registered with the Justice Department as alien agents getting 5000 dollars in every month from the management of Taiwan. Amigos Del Pais group in Guatemala who were friends to their country also gave them 11000 dollars every month. The principal of Amigos del Pais was known as Roberto Alejos Arzu. He was the head organizer of Guatemala’s ``Reagan for president association.... He graduated at San Jose State University in the year 1960 after which he moved into public relations and worked with a lot of great determination and expectation. Ten years later, Ronald Reagan was employed as a governor in California. Michael Keith Deaver co -initiated a public relations company in the year 1975 popularly known as Deaver and Hannaford. The co-corporation booked Reagan’s public appearances, research and traded in his radio program, and ghostwrote his syndicated column. Alleges from Peter Dale Scott were heard claiming that,’’ all these with ambitions that Hannaford and Michael Deaver assisted systematize from outset (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Deaver and Hannaford in 1977 were registered with the Justice Department as alien agents getting 5000 dollars in every month from the management of Taiwan. Amigos Del Pais group in Guatemala who were friends to their country also gave them 11000 dollars every month. The principal of Amigos del Pais was known as Roberto Alejos Arzu. He was the head organizer of Guatemala’s ``Reagan for president association. Azru as a CIA he permitted his farm in 1960 to be utilized for coaching Cubarn exile in favor of Bay of Pigs. Peter Dale Scott disputed that Deaver started contributing money for Ronald Reagan from groups such as Amigos del Pais from Guatemalan clients for the presidential campaign. On BBC news, it was approximated that about ten million dollars were contributed from the program. Francisco villgaran Kramer alleged that a number of members from this association were frankly connected with planned terror (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Hannaford and Deaver also started to get jobs from military authoritarian who desired to better its representation in

Coursework on Family Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Coursework on Family Law - Essay Example Family law is a diverse field of study. In order to cover the full range of subjects associated with its research, my primary focus is on discussing the impact of such a study on a variety of disciplines affected by its impact: with this aim in mind I have attempted to test a central hypothesis (or research question) which would aid in deciding the course of action for better evaluation of the family law concept. Using established sources for feasibility study (Hasday, 2004; Stark, 2006; Rocher, 2003; Elardo, 2002; Abu-Odeh, 2004), the following research question has been tested in this essay: Family law is dynamic, in a constant state of flux and its mechanisms are governed by the legal traditions in which they are formulated1. In my study, I shall focus on English Common Law as the basis for this methodological evaluation. Doing it would require a detailed grasp of the following evaluation parameters which have been tested for their relevance to our study (see below). 1 Refer the following sources for a comparative analysis of main research parameters covered under study: Hasday, 2004; Stark, 2006; Rocher, 2003; Elardo, 2002; Abu-Odeh, 2004 Literature Review/research parameters: As has been discussed in our evaluation scenario, English Common Law is the basis for understanding the legal traditions within which this area of study operates. Since family law is a diverse concept, the following elements are within the scope of study (Carbonne, 2000; Esposito, 1982; Frier & Ginn, 2004; Sutherland & McCall-Smith, 1990): 1. Entering marriage: Marriage as a contract or a status and their statutory requirements. In this section, we'll mainly look at the main legal requirements of a common law marriage. 2. Legal consequences of marriage (abortion): Pregnancy and abortion are issues that hold a lot of importance to . 3. Changing marriage norms: Here we shall take a look into civil unions covering themes such as same sex marriage, rights/responsibilities and their implications. 4. Conception of children: Controversial concepts such as sterilization and surrogate parenthood are covered under this theme. Also, paternity testing is discussed. 5. Domestic violence and other family disputes: This is an important area of family law in which different ethical constraints are evaluated for common research scope studies. 6. Child supervision: This covers areas such as parental supervision, child abuse and foster care. 7. Adoption: The legal consequences of adoption have been discussed for understanding the dynamic changes brought into the system through an

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

American Government and Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American Government and Politics - Essay Example Many writers both supporters and criticizers of the efficacy of Reagan have come up to indicate their knowledge about the president’s life, activities and thoughts. This has brought about several arguments concerning the president’s thoughts and feeling on the government organization and performance. One of the key members in this relation is Michael Deaver through his several books that he wrote (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Michael Keith Deaver was a historian, born in California in a place known as Bakersfield, in mid April 1938. He graduated at San Jose State University in the year 1960 after which he moved into public relations and worked with a lot of great determination and expectation. Ten years later, Ronald Reagan was employed as a governor in California. Michael Keith Deaver co -initiated a public relations company in the year 1975 popularly known as Deaver and Hannaford. The co-corporation booked Reagan’s public appearances, research and traded in his radio program, and ghostwrote his syndicated column. Alleges from Peter Dale Scott were heard claiming that,’’ all these with ambitions that Hannaford and Michael Deaver assisted systematize from outset (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Deaver and Hannaford in 1977 were registered with the Justice Department as alien agents getting 5000 dollars in every month from the management of Taiwan. Amigos Del Pais group in Guatemala who were friends to their country also gave them 11000 dollars every month. The principal of Amigos del Pais was known as Roberto Alejos Arzu. He was the head organizer of Guatemala’s ``Reagan for president association.... He graduated at San Jose State University in the year 1960 after which he moved into public relations and worked with a lot of great determination and expectation. Ten years later, Ronald Reagan was employed as a governor in California. Michael Keith Deaver co -initiated a public relations company in the year 1975 popularly known as Deaver and Hannaford. The co-corporation booked Reagan’s public appearances, research and traded in his radio program, and ghostwrote his syndicated column. Alleges from Peter Dale Scott were heard claiming that,’’ all these with ambitions that Hannaford and Michael Deaver assisted systematize from outset (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Deaver and Hannaford in 1977 were registered with the Justice Department as alien agents getting 5000 dollars in every month from the management of Taiwan. Amigos Del Pais group in Guatemala who were friends to their country also gave them 11000 dollars every month. The principal of Amigos del Pais was known as Roberto Alejos Arzu. He was the head organizer of Guatemala’s ``Reagan for president association. Azru as a CIA he permitted his farm in 1960 to be utilized for coaching Cubarn exile in favor of Bay of Pigs. Peter Dale Scott disputed that Deaver started contributing money for Ronald Reagan from groups such as Amigos del Pais from Guatemalan clients for the presidential campaign. On BBC news, it was approximated that about ten million dollars were contributed from the program. Francisco villgaran Kramer alleged that a number of members from this association were frankly connected with planned terror (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Hannaford and Deaver also started to get jobs from military authoritarian who desired to better its representation in

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Should professional sports stadiums be funded with public money Essay

Should professional sports stadiums be funded with public money - Essay Example The reasons presented in support of such doings is that building of stadiums leads to increased employment opportunities, increased tax, and revenues hence boosting the local and the regional economies. Additionally, supporters of public funding argue that projects aimed at building stadiums encourage revitalization of cities that could be facing economic challenges. Proponents of public funding for stadiums argue that stadiums bring a sense of pride and add to the city’s prestige, which they claim to be important. As opposed to this believe, professional stadiums construction end up using more resources than the returns obtained. The projects results in unprecedented taxes in addition to usage of both municipal and county resource with little economic benefit in return. This paper argues that professional sports stadiums, which major sports leagues can easily afford to construct, should not be funded with public money as it affects taxpayers, brings them little real benefit, and takes away public money from more important projects. Irrespective of the owners of major leagues in the United States being extremely rich, they keep turning back to the government for funding whenever they want to build a stadium. The four major leagues that have in the past demanded for public funding to build stadium include National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Major League Baseball (MLB).1 The above named leagues are currently using stadiums that either have been constructed or refurbished with public funds. The argument that the public should fund such projects became popular particularly in the 1990’s from when approximately $30 billion of taxpayers’ money has been used in construction and renovation of professional sports stadiums. It is so demeaning when some of the richest persons in the American society require to be funded by the public, which requires that the costs be born e by taxpayers. 2 This is irrespective of the fact that the owners of the leagues end up being the chief beneficiaries after the completion of the projects. Most members of the public end up paying increased taxes. However, they are aware that they will never reap any benefits from the projects.3 A number of arguments are given by proponents of public funding professional stadiums, the main one being that stadiums help increase the value of franchises. On the contrary, the benefits associated with increased value of franchises are too minimal compared to the expenses incurred in both construction and maintenance of the stadiums. Asking the public to fund professional stadiums, which are privately owned, is equivalent to using public money for personal or private gain. This is because the league or team owners pocket the income gained directly from the use of the stadiums. The players might reap benefits form increased league income, but the taxpayer who funds the stadium does not ge t even a dime from the incomes realized.4 Additionally, the argument that sports stadiums boost the economy of states and cities is unsubstantiated. On the contrary, stadiums do not create any new wealth but they just facilitate redistribution of the revenues gained from entertainment. If there are any economic benefits, they are negligible and profit just a few people while taxes affect almost all people. The costs of putting up a stadium outweigh the benefits. As opposed to what proponents of pub

Monday, October 14, 2019

Understand Your Fats and Fiber Essay Example for Free

Understand Your Fats and Fiber Essay Trans fatty acids are seen on ingredient labels as â€Å"partially hydrogenated oils†. Hydrogenated fats are considered as trans fats because these fats have been created in an industrial process. Trans-fatty acids are harmful because they raise the bad or LDL cholesterol levels and lower the HDL or good cholesterol levels in our bodies. They also increase the risk of heart disease and strokes and have also been associated with developing type 2 diabetes. Unsaturated fats are found in fish, nuts, seeds, and oils from plants, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are two unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are good for the body because they help lower blood cholesterol levels. Fiber helps normalize bowel movements, maintain bowel integrity and health, lowers blood cholesterol levels, helps control blood sugar levels, aid in weight loss, and may even reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Lipids are also known as cholesterol that is a component found in blood fats. Dietary fiber can be found fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Dietary fibers are commonly classified into two categories, insoluble fiber (don’t dissolve in water), and soluble fiber (those that do dissolve in water). A diet high in fiber decreases the chance of constipation by producing a stool that bulky and easy to pass. High fiber in the diet may lower the risk of developing hemorrhoids, and diverticular disease (small pouches in colon). Soluble fiber that can be found in beans, oats, and flaxseed may help lower bad cholesterol levels and can slow the absorption of sugar and this can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Adding more fiber to your diet can also help with weight loss. References Fats 101. (2012).

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Development Of Metro Rail Tourism Essay

Development Of Metro Rail Tourism Essay The functioning of Mumbai depends mainly on the transportation system for the movement of people and goods in, out and around Mumbai. It is evident from the past that introduction of railways in Mumbai has resulted in the economic growth of the city. The current public transportation depends largely on the trains and buses. As per the data by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport, 2003 and Indian Railways, 2002, Mumbai is the only exceptional city in India which has most extensive rail network carrying more than 5 million passengers a day- 58% of total public transport passengers as compared to 42% by buses (cited in Pucher Korattyswroopam, 2004). Even after a decade, the population of Mumbai is heavily dependent on the railways as their primary mode of transportation. The citys suburban railway was built to accommodate 1700 people, but today carries more than 3 times its actual capacity. Moreover, it is said that a fleet of around 200 railways make more than 2000 trips across the city which is still proving to be insufficient day by day. The suburban trains handle a commuter population of 6 million every day, which is equivalent to the size of Sydney city. The trains also run at a very good frequency providing the right kind of option for travel (Nallathiga, 2008 p. 38). Buses too are being exploited and the roads are not capable enough to hold the burden of ever growing population. The roads, railways and the buses are getting more and more congested due to urbanisation. Moreover, there is no scope to extend this city as it is geographically surrounded by water. So the only options which remain are either to shift the traffic under the ground, over the ground or on the water. Owing to this situation, it becomes essential to investigate the transport system and come up with solutions capable enough to handle the burden in the future. It would not only strengthen the backbone of this financial capital of a rapidly growing country but will also release a l ot of pressure on the current transport facilities. Over the years, there have been many suggestions and recommendations which have been given for the development of Mumbai. Many of these projects are successfully completed or are either under construction. This research will primarily focus on the upcoming Metro Rail project which is being considered as a subordinate to the overcrowded suburban railways. The study will revolve around the difficulties faced by the project managers in implementing their decisions on such a huge scale and the strategies they need to overcome these problems. At this current stage the construction of the Metros first line which is 11.7 km stretch is under construction and is considered to be almost ready for the testing. The original deadline for the project was August 2012, but due to delays in getting right of work (ROW) permits from the government and other clearances for the project, the project will eventually see operations by the end of this year (Kumar, 2012 [online]). This can be treated as the f irst failure of the project and its management as it will be not be able to deliver the Metro Rail facility as per the committed schedule. At this point of time, a comparison of the project reports of Delhi and Kolkata Metro projects can prove handy in avoiding mistakes committed in past. Critical analysis of these reports can help in foreseeing the approaching management issues and take necessary steps. Metro rail is a huge project (as seen in figure 1.1) with many expectations to fulfil. Efficient and scheduled performance will not only benefit the economy but will also provide relief to the people of Mumbai, Government and the over stressed suburban railway. The findings from the project reports of the Metro Rail in Delhi and Kolkata can help in recognizing the threats that might affect the development of the Metro Rail in Mumbai. It will also find out the main weaknesses due to which certain plans in those projects had difficulties in successful implementation. Similarly, it wil l also benefit to understand the strengths of this project as well as the opportunities it has or will have in the future to capitalise and develop the project in a way that will pass on maximum benefits to its consumers and stakeholders. Developing a sustainable and robust transport system will contribute a big deal by laying a strong foundation to the progress of this city. The success of this research is necessary as this may further instigate a movement for a better and an efficient model of transportation system in urban cities and bring out the importance of project management in government projects across the country. mumbai-map.gif Fig 1.1 Existing Suburban Rail Map with upcoming Metro Rail routes [Source: www.urbanrail.net] Theoretical Underpinnings: The pursuit for conducting this research began after watching a couple of documentaries on the city of Mumbai. The first one was a National Geographic production known as Megacities which looked into various aspects of working models of huge cities around the world. Mumbai was the city in one of its episodes. The transportation system portrayed in it fascinated me. This was followed by a bit of research and then I came across a documentary on Bombay Railways presented by the BBC. Being born and brought up in this city, I have experienced the crowd in the trains and other public transportation. But after watching the documentaries, it inspired me to conduct a research in this area to understand the way in which projects are planned and managed at such a high level where the pressure of performance and urgency to deliver is enormous. My next point of reference was a report published by McKinsey and Company in the year 2003 which laid a plan for rehabilitation of the city of Mumbai. The se few intelligence sources form a background to my research. The focus then shifted to one of the recommendations given out in the McKinsey report being constructed in Mumbai which is the Metro Rail. This forms the main topic and the research will be conducted to overview the project management difficulties and complexities faced while carrying out such a big project in the huge city of Mumbai. Mentioned below are the theoretical academic sources that form a part of obtaining knowledge for the chosen topic. Project Management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling (2009): To commence every research, one needs a solid foundation of understanding the subject area. For project management the above mentioned book stands to be a guide. After the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), the official project management guide by Project Management Institute, this is referred as a textbook for the certificate examination. The book is in its 10th edition written by Harold Kerzner, with more than 2500 citations. This book explains projects in various stages and gives a systematic approach towards its management. This book suits a beginner level of understanding of Project Management giving an easy understanding of basic principles. It accepts and inculcates changes taking place in the current business scenario and moreover explains them by giving case studies. The main purpose of using this book is its thorough explanation on organisational structure which would prove beneficial to understand the complex organisational structure of the public sector organis ation in India. It also includes chapters on Time and stress management, risk management and quality management which can prove beneficial for the comparison of the ongoing metro projects and its various dimensions. Successful Project Management (2005): This research deals more with the success and failure of projects. For Government projects, many like the metro rail that is being analysed in this research, it is important to maintain the balance between demands of the public, project that has been undertaken and the final product that is being offered. Successful Project Management is a book written by Trevor L Young. It starts by defining success and what it means to various people measuring it. It even takes the reader through the technical terminologies of project management and leads its way through to the steps of managing projects successfully. This book has no more than 30 citations but will be very useful for this research because the Metro Rail project needs to be measured for its success. Success means a very big deal for the projects like Metro as it is being constructed to improve the present infrastructure of a city. Moreover it even uses public funds for its construction; therefore the expectations of return from the stakeholders will be higher than any other private projects. Mass Urban Transportation in India (2008): This journal article helps in shifting focus from the project management literature to understanding the issues in mass urban transportation system, especially in Mumbai. The article is written by Ramakrishna Nallathiga who explains the growth and urbanization of Indian cities and its relation with the development of three modes of transportation i.e. rail, road and water. It tests three different cities for its development in mass transportation systems and gives out recommendations for its growth. The author takes Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad as samples, defines the background of each of these citys transportation systems and tries to prove the importance of developing a robust transport system. Though the paper is not very well written, it can prove beneficial for this research as a source for a lot of valuable data compiled by the author, which would save a lot of valuable time and resources. Evaluation of Public Transport Systems: Case Study of Delhi Metro (2005): As the research gains more depth and focus, the next step will be going through the case studies. Since Mumbai Metro project is yet to be functional it might be difficult to gather all the required data. Also comparing similar Metro Rail projects already constructed in other cities of India can help in getting an idea of the issues faced by the management and examine the factors which can affect Metro Rails success when it starts in Mumbai. This journal article helps creating a literature base of the case studies. There are similarities in the objectives of this journal article and to what this research is trying to find out. The authors Mukti Advani and Geetam Tiwari try to test the success of introducing Metro Rails in three different cities in India. This will assist me in developing a critical vision to inspect the intelligence data and the documents collected from the respective organisations. This document has covered Metro Rail projects in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, two of wh ich shall form to be a part of this research too. Hence, linking this journal article with the Mass Urban Transportation in India article will help in gathering a lot of data and can create a platform to develop arguments once all the documents and intelligence that will be gathered. The academic sources mentioned above can set off this research with a strong base of knowledge and provide direction to further research and analysis of the secondary data and intelligence sources. These four sources are connected to each other in order of which they have provided guidance and focus for the topic of this research. The topic chosen will no doubt have many complexities, which will be systematically dealt with the proper use of research methodology. Research Methodology: This research proposes to look into the complex issues of the transportation system of one of the worlds biggest cities. It focuses mainly upon the upcoming project of Metro Rail in Mumbai and the factors affecting its construction and the problems that might affect its functioning in the future. Gathering secondary data and intelligence would prove insufficient because of the nature of this research. Collecting firsthand information and primary data particularly focussing on this research can actually help in understanding the difficulties faced by the local authorities in implementation of the plans. Hence, most of this research will be conducted in Mumbai where I will as a researcher involve myself as a part of it. Having interest in photography as well, I plan to even take some pictures for the research by myself. The research is related to social science shaping into the path of interpretive paradigm. This approach proves to be beneficial to the research because of various reasons. Interpretivists attempt to minimize the distance between the researcher and what is researched (Collis Hussey, 2009). This helps in accessing and analysing the information and is a part of the researcher himself. However as the participants are human beings, the reality is subjective and multiple depending on their view points. On the other hand it also provides a benefit to the researcher to keep an open mind and think in different directions as per the data collected. It also links to the methodological approach being used to conduct a research. Interpretivism uses an array of methodologies to help the researcher build up on a strong research. This research will be primarily based upon the intelligence such as documents provided by the local transport authorities, newspaper articles, etc. supported by the evidence in academic journals, research papers and books. Document research will be the methodology applied in analyzing Public documents. Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions have setup an initiative known as Right to Information Act, 2005 giving power to the citizens to avail the information published by the State and Central Government Legislation. This would prove beneficial to gain access to the documents related to the project. Mumbai Metro Rail project is the joint venture of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) which is a public body, funded by the Reliance Infrastructure, a public limited company. Familiarizing oneself with these kinds of research materials can be an extremely time consuming activity, mainly because of the vastness and det ail of documents associated with official events and enquiries (Bryman Bell, 2011 p.550). It stands to be the main drawback as it might prove costly in conducting research with limited time. This will need a lot of time management which no doubt is challenging but if followed properly, will turn out to be the main feature of this entire research. The other drawback of document research is the validity and credibility of the data being used. The question of credibility raises the issue of whether or not the documentary source is biased (Bryman Bell, 2011 p.550). At this point of time, intelligence sources like newspapers, websites and magazines will help in confirming the validity and the credibility which might help in getting a clear view of actual scenario. Critical analysis of the public documents will be a priority in conducting this research. The public documents provide a lot of information both qualitative and statistical which would help a great deal in understanding the si tuations in which strategic decisions are made. Kolkata was the first city in India to adopt the Metro rail system. Delhi is also equipped with this system in the recent past. Therefore a case study analysis will also form a part of this research in which the project management of the Metro Rail systems in Kolkata and Delhi will be tested to provide data that will help in suggesting recommendations to the Mumbai metro rail project and build up a strong base of literature for the research. Studying cases of Kolkata and Delhi will also help in understanding the change in the strategic decisions taken over the period of time while undertaking the construction of these projects. This data will be collected from the secondary sources like journal articles or periodicals written by the government authorities to review their decisions taken on a particular project or by the management researchers conducting independent research. This approach will slightly direct the research towards quantitative research methodology. But this method wil l help in acquiring a lot of useful quantitative as well as qualitative data within a very short period of time and within the available resources. Secondary analysis is the analysis of data by researchers who will probably not have been involved in the collection of those data, for purposes that in all likelihood were not envisaged by those responsible for data collection (Bryman Bell, 2011). There are various advantages for using this method of data collection. The most important one is that the data collected will be reliable and of high quality as it will go through rigorous examination and scrutiny being conducted by the organisation itself to analyse their performance. At the same time there will be some drawbacks of using this methodology too. Complexity and lack of familiarity with the data will need some attention while using this research technique (Bryman Bell, 2011). Analysing and filtering the data as per the need of this research will be important to ensure the quali ty of work. This particular research is being carried out for a taught masters dissertation which puts a restriction on the time limit. Taking this research to a further level it would have been interesting to interview people who have worked for this project and also to interview commuters to ask their experience by travelling in Metro. That would have helped in understanding the effort and planning applied by the project managers and also the true success of this project. Time Plan: The main research is planned to be undertaken after the proposal is marked and accepted. As it is planned to be in Mumbai, I will fly back there on the 30th of May 2012. I shall be returning home after almost 10 months, so I wish to take a break and go on vacation with my family for 15 days. From 15th of June 2012, I shall start with the data collection process of my research. I have divided the whole data collection process in two different stages. The first stage will be going to the offices of MMRDA and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and collecting as much data in the form of public documents relevant to the research. The process is quite lengthy and time consuming and shall require a lot of formalities too. Therefore, I have allotted around a months time for the same. I also wish to take some photographs of the site where this project is being constructed. In the meanwhile I will start with the stage two of the data collection process i.e. collecting literature on the Project Management and Managing Transport related projects. After having sufficient literature for the topic and gathering data, I plan to start with analysing the data. From 20th of July, I shall start with the analysis of the data with the help of intelligence sources like websites and newspapers. Simultaneously, I shall even start preparing the drafts of the dissertation. Co-ordinating with my tutor, I shall send my first draft by the first week of August. Once I start writing the dissertation I plan to send drafts to my tutor every 10 days for 3 or 4 times. I have set a deadline of completing the dissertation by the first week of September i.e. before the 9th so that it allows me ample time to get it proof read from my friends who work in organisations as managers themselves and also from professionals/ managers in the Mumbai Metro project if at all they are willing to help me with it. After it is finalized and approved the final copy will be printed and bound before submitting it on t he 25th of September 2012. I even plan to take up a job after going back home, which I look as a potential threat in my research process. But completing my graduation stands as a priority and as much as possible I shall stick to the plan that I have chalked for the entire process. Ethical Consideration: By conducting this research, I accept the responsibility of doing it professionally. I assure that the research shall be within the framing of Basic Research Principles. I also assure to do this research with honesty without abusing or exploiting the trust and knowledge of the respondents. I shall not make any false or misleading statements regarding my own information or my institution of research. There would be no harm, physically or mentally to any of the participant or to those of whom the information is being used. Its findings are unlikely to cause any damage to others who are not involved in it and the participation of the respondents shall thoroughly be voluntary. I ensure that the research shall be designed, carried out, reported and documented accurately, transparently and objectively. I take the responsibility of producing this research in limits and framework designed for research practice. The research will not use any kind of controversial interviews or questionnaires which could breach the personal space or integrity of the participant. The case studies and articles used to gather secondary data and samples will not be misrepresented in anyways and will be purely used to give out positive effects towards the research and society. This research will not violate any community standards by any means. (Source: www.esomar.org [online]).

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Essay --

As we ended the year, the State Board of Education had approved a plan to replace the OGT with eight to ten end-of-course exams and had proposed that students earn points toward graduation. The State Board’s plan met challenges as the Ohio House committee passed HB 193 on December 18, 2013. HB 193 differed from the board’s plan by reducing the number and types of state tests that students will need to graduate. It also delays the timeline one year for implementation of the new assessments citing technology readiness issues from school districts. The State Board of Education was not included in the drafting of HB 193 but did provide written testimony on a number of issues it had with the bill early on in the process. HB 193 is expected to receive a House floor vote in early 2014, and then head to the Senate for consideration. I will continue to monitor HB 193 as this makes its way through the legislative process. In the meantime, a technology study conducted by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) shows difficulties in schools’ capacity to administer the new assessments online. T...

Friday, October 11, 2019

Quality revolution Essay

Managers involved in helping their organizations improve quality are frequently puzzled over which approach to use. Some organizations adopt an eclectic approach using components of the three philosophies and combining what they consider to be the best from the best. Other organizations select the Crosby, Deming, or Juran approach and remain loyal to it; all their education, training, and implementation efforts reflect support for that one approach. There are organizations that switch in midstream (e.g., begin with Crosby, move to Juran, and then move to Deming). These organizations expect dramatic improvements in a short period of time and their obsession with immediate results forces them to try different approaches on a trial-and-error basis, without thought to a long-term strategy. The key to successful implementation of quality principles and methods is tied to leadership. In fact, lack of management and leadership commitment is considered by Crosby to be the number one cause of quality improvement failure. According to Juran, every successful quality revolution has included the active participation of upper management. There are no exceptions. Deming agrees. He says the transformation is top management’s job and it cannot be delegated. Quality is not a quick fix to address management problems. It is not a program, but a transformation. As part of this effort, top managers must recognize the need for assessment, strategic planning, and the development of a long-term, integrated organization-wide approach. Leadership is needed to establish policies defining the positions the organization will take in regard to quality Leadership is also needed to cultivate a customer orientation and provide all employees with ongoing education and training. These arguments notwithstanding, success or failure will rest upon the correct assessment of how to achieve customer-defined quality criteria and the kind of leadership required to get the organization mobilized in the most cost-acceptable way. â€Å"The approaches of Crosby, Deming, and Juran do not represent â€Å"programs† in the usual sense of the word, but they do not have starting and ending dates.† â€Å"The key successful implementation of quality principles and methods is tied to leadership. â€Å"

Thursday, October 10, 2019

How Technology Enhances Teaching and Learning Essay

Students at the Owen School’s Strategy in the New Economy seminar enter a classroom that looks like any other, except that a projection system and video screen have been installed. Their professor announces that today they will be joined by a guest lecturer, a senior VP from a Fortune 500 corporation. What makes this guest lecture unique is that the students are sitting in a Nashville classroom but the guest lecturer is speaking from his home office in Estonia, via video technology. This is an example of one of the creative ways faculty members at Vanderbilt are using technology to enhance their students’ learning. In the scene described above, Owen Professor David Owens, along with Professor Bart Victor, use video conferencing to bring an international guest speaker to their organization studies seminar. Across the University, faculty are using technology to help students master subjects from elementary and secondary school instruction to bioengineering to structural equation modeling. They are developing their own skills while making students comfortable with the technology that will help them be successful after leaving Vanderbilt. As they introduce more and more technology into the classroom, faculty are finding it raises the quality of class discussion and involves students much more deeply in their own education. The employers of today are looking for the very best employees to fill positions in their organizations. The desired traits of an employee used to be centered on experience. The more experienced an applicant was, the more likely they were to get the job for which they applied. Today, employers are not only looking for experience, they are also looking for a person that has a degree in the field. Employers have begun to realize the importance of strategic thinking and leadership skills that an education affords. Because of this shift in desired qualifications, modern adults have been unable to adequately compete in the job market. The aforementioned time and responsibility constraints, as well as the fact that they have been focused on building the experience that was previously desired has put adults at a disadvantage. Being able to obtain a college degree via technology-based education methods has greatly reduced that disadvantage. It has also had an impact on their ability to execu te the functions of the position when the  job is obtained. For this issue of the Teaching Forum, we spoke to four Vanderbilt faculty members, each of whom is using technology to enhance their students’ learning. Owen Management Professor David Owens uses videoconference links to bring in guest speakers and incorporates video and audio technology into most of his lectures. Psychology Professor Andy Tomarken teaches methods and statistics courses in a computer lab, allowing him to integrate traditional lecture with demonstration projects using the methods he is teaching. Peabody Professor Margaret Smithey guides her students in the preparation of multi-media classroom presentations including clips from the Internet, video, audio, and news archive footage. She has opened an e-conference for interns from her courses who want to stay in touch with their fellow students and professors, and she maintains a library of digitized video clips, taken from live and simulated classroom settings. Department of Biomedical Engineering Chair Tom Harris directs a new NSF-funded center focused on developing technology-based bioengineering teaching materials and curriculum. He is collaborating with several partners, including Peabody Professor John Bransford. What Technology Brings to the Classroom What these faculty members have in common, and what they share with many others across the campus, is a commitment to exploring the opportunities technology offers for improving the quality of classroom instruction. Professor Margaret Smithey describes how technology allows her to capitalize on unexpected turns in class discussion. â€Å"Yesterday afternoon my students had specific questions about classroom management, so at that point I said ‘let’s look at these scenarios that I have on a CD.’ The CD brought to life  their questions. I think seeing actual classroom scenarios related to their questions makes learning come alive for my students better than if I gave my opinion or told a story.† Professor Tomarken, who teaches advanced statistics and methods classes, says incorporating computers into class discussion can also make extremely difficult courses much easier for students to grasp. One of the challenges of teaching advanced statistics to students who often lack a strong math background is â€Å"translating theoretical stuff into a workable set of concrete analysis, â€Å"Tomarken says. â€Å"I find that it’s really important to talk about different types of models from the point of view of specific problems and that’s really where the ability in class to have stuff be on the projection system is critical.† Access to a computer-equipped classroom can also be important. â€Å"I like to get students interacting with software in the class, â€Å"Tomarken says. â€Å"I find if you just send them home to do it on their own, they run into real problems. When they follow me, typing in on their own computers, that facilitates their learning.† Last semester, Tomarken also faced another problem – the lack of a good textbook for teaching structural equation modeling to social science students – that he solved using technology. â€Å"There is no book that is perfect, that really is appropriate, for this class. There are either books that tend to be too easy or too hard or just not broad enough in scope.† Tomarken solved this problem using the Prometheus system, by placing his lecture notes on the web. This not only replaced the textbook, it allowed students to spend more time focused on the lecture and less time copying formulas from the board. â€Å"I told them, you don’t have to write anything, it’s all on the web, just listen.† Technology Changes Teaching, Not Teachers While all the faculty members interviewed for this article believe technology has great power to influence their teaching, no one feels it fundamentally changes them as teachers.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I’ve always wanted a very interactive classroom,† Smithey says. â€Å"I want it to be very theoretically based and I know exactly what I want my students to learn. I think technology has improved the quality of what we can access.† Smithey also emphasizes the importance of technology being used for a clear purpose. â€Å"I never want to use technology just for technology’s sake but to support my students’ learning.† Professor Tomarken feels that integrating statistical software and visual models into his courses means he comes into class â€Å"better prepared† but doesn’t think it changes him as a teacher. â€Å"I usually am pretty interactive with the class.† He does, however, credit the accessibility of computers with reducing the â€Å"passivity factor† in his classes. â€Å"They have to type things in, they have to click on the mouse. I think it’s pretty lively in a lot of ways.† How Technology Enhances Learning Professor Owens, Smithey, and Tomarken all feel they can see technology enhancing their students’ learning, particularly when students use the technology directly. David Owens requires his students to do at least one group project entirely over the Internet. â€Å"They’re not allowed to do it face to face,† Owens says. â€Å"They aren’t allowed to say, â€Å"I’ll call you tonight.’ They have to do everything virtually. In this project, they have a lot to figure out about group process, what things are done best face to face, what things are done best asynchronously, what things are done best in an anonymous chat room. And they figure it out. It’s†¦so much more powerful than my sitting up there saying â€Å"the group process models show†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Professor Smithey requires her students to complete a series of computer assignments from a course CD that she has developed. Smithey values these pre-class assignments because they save classroom time and improve the quality of class discussion. â€Å"When the students complete their CD assignments, they come to class with a common context. We are able then to discuss particular class dilemmas or teaching dilemmas that everyone has watched, analyzed and reflected upon. So, we can start there and go with our class discussion rather than having to take 20 or 30 minutes of class  showing the video and asking the specific questions. They’ve done all that in the computer lab.† Technology can also improve the dynamics between teachers and students, often leading to enhanced learning. â€Å"Students can see you’re doing a lot of work to further their education and I think that there’s an appreciation factor that ultimately contributes to their own motivation,† Tomarken says. Students who may question how much their professors care about teaching can also see evidence of the time and trouble taken to prepare for class. â€Å"I think sometimes graduate students, or possibly even undergraduate students, go in with the mindset that this teachers doesn’t really give a darn about teaching and I think using technology is a real way of communicating ‘yes I do,’† Tomarken adds. Technology Brings Challenges Introducing technology into the classroom can also bring a set of challenges. First among them is finding the time needed to incorporate new technology into courses. Professor Smithey not only uses the technology herself but also requires her student to produces multi-media projects during the semester. â€Å"If you’re going to ask the students to do such a challenging project, you have to be available to them. You have to have support. There has to be some relief time to learn about the technology. You don’t have to know the details of technology but you have to understand it well enough that you can envision what your students need to know about using it.† The technology itself can fail, leaving an instructor to resort to back up. Technology also changes rapidly and it takes time to keep up with technical changes that influence how equipment and software perform in the classroom. Professor Owens points to a digitized news show he purchased from CBS: â€Å"I have the CD in here and one of my fears is that someday I’ll pop it in the classroom and it won’t work. It’s a constant upkeep.† Professors Tomarken and Owens also note that having computers in the classroom can distract students from the class itself. Teaching in a  classroom equipped with computers â€Å"actually introduces the potential for students to be doing something on the computer that doesn’t have anything to do with the class,† Tomarken says. â€Å"I occasionally go parading around and check out what people are up to,† Owens says. Some people take notes on the computer, some people try to get the lecture slides up on their screen so they can see them up close, some people do e-mail, surf the net, do whatever.† He agrees with Tomarken that students’ personal use of computers in class is an issue that needs to be examined, â€Å"through whether that’s worse than day dreaming I don’t know.† Need for University Support Support by the University for the use of technology is also critical. Bringing technology into the classroom uses resources ranging from computers to classrooms to graduate assistants, and university wide coordination is essential for ensuring an effective learning environment for students. â€Å"One element that is essential is support in the form of graduate students to help students with technology,† Smithey says. â€Å"It is impossible for one faculty member to support an entire class of students in creating innovative ways to use technology. You can continue to use CDs that you have in your own library, you can continue to connect to the Internet from the classroom, but additional faculty support is necessary to take technology use to the next level of requiring our students to use technology in a way that prepares them for using it in the future classrooms.† Physical facilities are also important. Keeping the technology in working order is crucial but so are other issues such as ensuring a classroom’s physical design supports the best possible use of the technology. â€Å"You have a very real problem if you have big nice screens and nice projectors but the screen is in front of the white board; if you want to write and have slides at the same time, it’s difficult if not impossible,† Owens says. Moving Forward with Technology As the University moves towards an increasingly coordinated approach to the use of technology, several efforts  are underway at Vanderbilt to determine just how technology can be used to most effectively enhance learning. One effort is the VaNTH Center in Bioengineering Educational Technologies, a joint effort between Vanderbilt, Harvard University, University of Texas, and Northwestern. Among is several priorities is research into the value of technology, such as web-based education for teaching bioengineering. The research team is collaborating with specialists from the Learning Technology Center at Peabody and with the Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS). â€Å"It’s recognized that bioengineering teaching materials are not very well developed and there is not a broad consensus on bioengineering curricula,† says Thomas R. Harris, chair of Vanderbilt’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. â€Å"We need a new way to look at bioengineering education. Why not use the modern methods that we’ve been developing in the learning sciences and learning technology, and really take a look at this from an entirely new point of view?† The result is a $10 million NSF grant for Vanderbilt and its academic partners to develop a new curriculum in bioengineering, one that utilizes fundamental principles of learning science and â€Å"is driven by technology, web based technology, simulations, slides, interactive systems, and tutoring and homework systems,† Harris says. Although the grant focuses on the development of bioengineering, the collaboration between Peabody’s Learning Technology Center and the Department of Biomedical Engineering has the potential to benefit students and faculty in all areas of the university because part of the research involves determining exactly which technological tools best enhance learning. â€Å"One of the things of concern is that in higher education a lot of people are very critical of technology as being just a waste of time and money and so forth. Well, is that right or not?† Harris asks. â€Å"If a particular piece of learning technology is no good, we’re going to be happy to identify it as such. We’d like to be able to guide the decision of  educators and administrators about what is effective and what is not. And if you can begin to show major advances for some of this, then the justification for the additional investment is there.† Another potential benefit this research offers is the opportunity to develop a much better understanding of the kinds of resources required for faculty to use technology in ways that consistently enhance student learning. â€Å"There could be a small investment that could dramatically increase our effectiveness if we do it right,† Harris says. â€Å"That’s the key. We have to know how to do it and what to do. So if we get in and do research in this center and we find out some of the mistakes and things you ought to avoid, I think that you could tailor a system that could dramatically increase effectiveness and make faculty more effective.† Harris believes that effective use of technology has the potential to transform the student-teacher relationship at the undergraduate level. â€Å"I think we’re going to see a revolution in the interaction between students and teachers,† he says. â€Å"I think the relationship to undergraduates is going to become more like the relationship to graduate students in the sense of more direct personal interaction. By using technology we’re going to be able to use the power of the person, who they are and what they are. The teacher’s inspirational role is going to become much greater.† Like Harris, Professors Owens, Smithey and Tomarken also see new opportunities to use technology in the classroom. David Owens wants to pursue his interest in virtual teams by developing a course run exclusively on the Internet. Andy Tomarken plans to continue integrating computer interaction with more traditional classroom activities. Margaret Smithey would like to use videoconference links to allow her students to observe a live classroom setting and then interview the teacher afterward, all via video. In each case, these faculty members, like many others across the University, will continue to use technology to challenge both themselves and their students.