Green Technology Definition and Examples

Green technology, also known as sustainable technology, takes into account the long- and short-term impact something has on the environment. Green products are by definition, environmentally friendly. Energy efficiency, recycling, health and safety concerns, renewable resources, and more all go into the making of a green product or technology. Go Green or Face Extinction? Since the invention of the steam engine kicked off the Industrial Revolution, our planet has suffered rapid changes in climate that include increasingly severe droughts, increased depletion of groundwater reserves, seawater acidification, rising seawater levels, the rapid spread of diseases and macroparasites, and the extinction of species.  Unless we intervene, these changes may prove irreversible. Green technology offers us the best hope to counteract the effects of climate change and pollution. Why? The world has a fixed amount of natural resources, some of which have already been depleted or ruined. For example, household batteries and electronics often contain dangerous chemicals that pollute soil and groundwater with chemicals that cannot be removed from our drinking water supply and wind up in food crops and livestock grown on contaminated soil. The health risks alone are staggering. Plastic pollutants are another nonsustainable resource thats destroying the ocean habitats of sea creatures around the world—killing off fish, birds, and countless other species. Larger pieces pose choking and strangulation hazards, while the tiny particles of disintegrating plastic are making their way into the bottom of the food chain. As larger fish feed on contaminated krill, they too become contaminated and if those fish are subsequently harvested for human consumption, the contaminants are going to wind up on your plate and in your stomach. Not so appetizing, right? Fast Facts: Principles of Sustainability There are three principles which define sustainability in any type of material, as described by the American ecologist and economist Herman Daly:  Nonrenewable resources should not be depleted at rates higher than the development rate of renewable substitutes.Renewable resources should not be exploited at a rate higher than their regeneration levels.The absorption and regeneration capacity of the natural environment should not be exceeded. Renewable Energy vs. Nonrenewable Energy Nonrenewable energy resources include nuclear, hydrogen, coal, natural gas, and oil. All of these currently fail the definition of sustainability in one way or another but most painfully in the ability of the environment to absorb and regenerate the expenses related to their extraction or production.   One of the best-known examples of green technology is the solar cell, which directly converts energy from natural light into electrical energy via the process of photovoltaics. Generating electricity from solar energy equates to less consumption of fossil fuels, as well as the reduction of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While some detractors argue that solar panels are expensive and unattractive, new inventions may be just around the corner to offset these concerns. Community solar groups, in which renters will share solar panel products, and new spray-on photovoltaic film using perovskites that have the potential to convert regular window glass to solar collectors are just two possibilities on the horizon that show great promise for the future of solar assets.   Other renewable energy sources include hydro, biomass, wind, and geothermal, but unfortunately, these assets are not currently be exploited at adequate levels to replace nonrenewable sources. Some members of the energy industry are dead set against going green, while others see it as both a challenge and an opportunity.  The bottom line is that while non-renewable energy resources currently comprise 80 percent of the worlds energy requirements, over time, thats simply not going to sustainable.  If we hope to maintain life on our planet, emerging green energy technology must be used alongside existing methods to transition from the unsustainable to the sustainable. The Power of Positive Green Thinking Here a just a few reasons why going green is in everyones best interest: Inventors should know that green inventions and clean technologies are good business. These are fast-growing markets with growing profits.Consumers should know that buying green inventions can reduce energy bills and are often safer and healthier than non-green counterparts.  Even making small changes can have a large-term impact. For instance, consider the waste created by plastic water bottles. Of course, drinking lots of water is a healthy practice but changing out reusable water bottles for disposable ones is health-promoting, eco-friendly, and green. Sources   Cedeà ±o-Laurent, J.G., et al. Building Evidence for Health: Green Buildings, Current Science, and Future Challenges. Annual Review of Public Health 39.1 (2018): 291-308. Print.Hesketh, Robert P. Introduction to Sustainable and Green Engineering: General Principles and Targets. Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies. Ed. Abraham, Martin A. Oxford: Elsevier, 2017. 497-507. Print.Oncel, Suphi S. Green Energy Engineering: Opening a Green Way for the Future. Journal of Cleaner Production 142 (2017): 3095-100. Print.Tonn, B., and P. Carpenter. Technology for Sustainability. Encyclopedia of Ecology. Eds. Jà ¸rgensen, Sven Erik, and Brian D. Fath. Oxford: Academic Press, 2008. 3489-93. Print.Worland, Justin. Inside the New Technology That Could Transform the Solar Power Industry. Time, 2018. Web

Why Dexter Is A Serial Killer - 2413 Words

First of all, if you do not know Dexter is a television show about a man named Dexter who is a serial killer that lives a unique life. He works for Miami Metro Police Department and lives a pretty normal life, except for the fact that he is a killer. He has a wife, Rita and three kids, however his wife ends up getting brutally murdered. Later in the show he gets a girlfriend, Hannah, who plays a huge role. He lived the perfect cover life for his killings. But between seasons one through eight many events partake changing the way he has to go about killing. Even with the given circumstances one thing that never changes is the code. The code is a set of rules about how, when, and why to kill. The code states to only kill who deserves to be†¦show more content†¦Even moral people usually can agree that someone who has killed multiple people need to be killed also. If the hijackers somehow would have lived after crashing the planes nobody would want them to live after the 2,996 d eaths they caused. If given the chance most people would have killed the terrorists before the attacks. So Dexter’s one hundred thirty kills could have saved countless lives and people understand that. Even though Dexter suggests morality doesn’t mean he has morals. Later on Donnelly starts to talk about popular culture and its influences on the show. She says, â€Å"Popular culture thrives on explanation as a way of abating fears of violence and fears of Otherness† (Donnelly 21) which season seven and eight are all about. Dexter searches constantly for a real reason to explain why he is the way he is. He wants a better understanding of himself to make himself fit in. Morals have been developed to single out the abnormal and throughout his whole life Dexter was singled out. The consumers of the show can identify a killer as a monster, making the person less than human in our minds. Therefore if Dexter thought the same as us; killing a killer is the same as squis hing a bug because both are lesser than humans and their lives do not make an impact on ours. Dexter realizes in season eight that he is an even worse monster that he believed himself to be. It is also talked about how Dexter has no feelings so

Is testing on animals for medical research acceptable free essay sample

Over the years, animal testing has been an argumentative and sensitive subject. With the increased importance of science and medicine over the last century or so, the use of animals in testing and research has increased proportionally, increased awareness of this issue has come about with the advancement into new technology. This has led to much debate both for and against testing expressed in both moderate and more extreme ways. Although there is some evidence to suggest that animal testing is successful in treating medical conditions in humans, it is equally disputed that testing on animals for medical purposes can be cruel and inconclusive. Too often emotion is allowed to overshadow facts and in this essay I will present a balanced argument and give a reliable and considered case for both sides to allow you, the reader to draw your own opinion. The most common arguments for and against will typically discuss the efficiency of testing along with the moral and ethical implications and the available options to using whole animals for research. Thanks to the internet age where information is readily available and easy to share, and improvements in computer simulation software, the number of animals required for testing can in theory be kept to a minimum. It would mean scientists using computer models based on previously documented test results, predicting laboratory test results using known data. According to Max Planck institute of Biological Cybernetics (2013: online) no computer modeling is an effective substitute to a live subject. It is said that no type of computer modeling is able to replicate even a small neural population, let alone a complete brain. Due to the nature of their research they do not look at a very broad range of tests, they specifically focus in one area. Various other simulations do exist and are acceptable models in the research of many different fields, for example drug absorption, diabetes and asthma. Despite the success of finding new medicines from this method it is still used in conjunction with, rather than a substitute to live testing and any results found still need to be validated via other methods. Similarly, it has been suggested that lab testing could be an alternative to a certain degree. However this also in practice is an inadequate substitute but can be used effectively along side live testing on the subject. Although against the principle of animal testing the Royal Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSCPA) (2013: online) are fairly realistic in the way they approach the issue. While the organisation would like to completely stop animal testing they understand that this is somewhat unachievable. Instead they believe that increased regulation should contribute positively towards animal welfare by implementing the â€Å"3R’s†. The 3Rs aim to improve animal welfare in a number of ways. Firstly they look at replacement methods that avoid the use of animals where possible. They also want to minimise the amount of animals used for studies and lastly reevaluate existing procedures along side any further factors affecting the animals’ lives, such as the conditions they are kept in. The Animal (Scientific Procedure) Act 1986 (2013: online) confirms that â€Å"Project licence holders must ensure their programme of work does not involve any regulated procedures for which there is a scientifically satisfactory alternative method or testing strategy that does not entail the use of a protected animal†. This again goes back to the method of the 3Rs. When considering the benefits; The Guardian, Tooke, et al (2013: online), offers some support for medical research using animals, as the most effective treatment for Parkinson’s was developed using rabbits. In addition to this the Guardian also argues that without animal testing â€Å"we would not have discovered antibiotics, chemotherapy or medical procedures including the use of deep brain stimulation.† This shows that animal testing has been beneficial in treating potentially fatal conditions; therefore it could be argued that animal testing can be acceptable in certain circumstances. On the other hand the organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) (2013: online), a charity which prides itself on the welfare of animals in many ethical issues, hold a contrasting argument. They stated that testing on animals has â€Å"delayed medical progress and even dangerously derailed our understanding of diseases.† (PETA 2013) To support they say â€Å"many studies have shown that animal tests fail to predict reactions in humans accurately, and they sometimes get it right less than 25 per cent of the time† citing â€Å"polio transmission, heart disease, and diabetes† as examples. They argue that by testing on animals, research has been inconclusive, as testing on animals cannot be generalised to humans. The Royal Society is a good source of clear facts. One of their case studies on kidney dialysis states (The Royal society 2004) â€Å"Of the 5000 people who develop kidney failure every year in the UK, one in three would die without a kidney transplant or regular dialysis on a kidney machine†. It says that these techniques were tested via the use of rabbits and dogs as they have similar respiratory and cardiovascular systems to humans, therefore are sufficient models for experimentation. Due to this â€Å"Each year about 2000 patients in the UK receive a life saving kidney transplant†¦Ã¢â‚¬  this information clearly shows that whole animal testing can be effective. In conclusion to the evidence and research referenced, it has become evident that testing on animals is beneficial in various fields. The relationship between animals and humans are not identical, however this will evolve under the influence of the technology and previous scientific findings, enabling testers to understand animal cognition and suffering. Nevertheless, changes are necessary to support the requirements of science and the welfare of all animals. There are clear arguments on both sides but with the evidence available it is apparent that at this point in time there are no ways to cease animal testing entirely. This leaves the debate unresolved as there are different parties weighing up the possible suffering of animals against the potential improvement of human health.

Wedges Gamble Essays - X-wing, Star Wars X-wing, Rogue Squadron

Wedge's Gamble Book Report: Star Wars: X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble Author: Michael A. Stackpole Characters: Lieutenant Corran Horn: The main character of the book. He's an ex-security man (a police force called CorSec) from the planet Corellia. Finally after going through the galaxy under aliases he joins Rogue Squadron to fight the Empire. He fights for freedom, but his main vendetta is more personal. He went into CorSec because his father did before him. An Imperial Intelligence Officer was also stationed there that had authority over that CorSec office. When he and his father were in a cantina in Corellia, his father was shot and killed before his very eyes. Corran hunted the murderers down and apprehended them. However the Imperial Intelligence Officer in charge, Kirtan Loor, freed them. Since then Corran had no respect for the Empire. He is the best pilot in the squadron, except for Wedge Antilles and Tycho Celchu. He proves to be resourceful and an excellent fighter pilot. He's got a resourceful R2 droid, nicknamed Whistler, too. Commander Wedge Antilles: The leader of Rogue Squadron. He formed the squadron with Luke Skywalker after the first Death Star was destroyed, since he and Luke were the only X-wing pilots left after the battle. He proves to be a strong leader knowing how to treat his squadron. Since Rogue Squadron is known to be a threat to the Empire so he has to train his pilots to be the very best. He's highly charismic. Sometimes has a rough time with a few of his superiors. He is the best pilot in the squadron. He has survived countless battles and entanglements with Imperial ships and fighters. He had to reform the squadron because only 4 of the original pilots remained since Luke and Wedge formed the squadron. Luke went to start reforming the Jedi. The other two went to go train other squadrons. Wedge is now faced with the problem of liberating Coruscant. He forges a commando-undercover type operation to infiltrate and liberate Coruscant. Ysanne Isard, Director of Imperial Intelligence: She controls what's left of the Empire. Some Admirals proclaimed themselves warlords and took their local planets. Isard has all the rest. She rests upon Coruscant, Imperial Center. A planet that is purely made up of a city. Her nickname is Iceheart because one of her eyes is icy blue and the other is molten red. She got her position as head of Intelligence by turning her own father in as a rebel sympathizer. Rumor had that she was a mistress to Emperor Palpatine. She is ruthless and unforgiving. She has a plan that will hopefully bring down Rogue Squadron and the rest of the Rebel Alliance's New Republic. Her plans now are to let the capital of the Empire, Coruscant, fall to the New Republic. The catch is though she will unleash a virus that only effects non-humans. This will weaken the trust of humans and non-humans, hurting the New Republic. Also the virus can be cured by a substance known as bacta, but only in large quantities. Thi s will greatly cause economic and social stress for the price of bacta is high and is only manufactured on a certain planet. Kirtan Loor, Intelligence Agent: The bad guy who has a vendetta against Corran Horn. He's smart and witty but his ego about his smarts is a weak point and that makes him turn out to be stupid. Isard's number one agent. He helps prepare the virus and makes sure Rogue Squadron does not liberate until the production of the virus is complete. He also has a spy in the squadron that is feeding him info to help retard the capturing the planet. The identity of the spy is not known. Settings: Mostly takes place on Coruscant, which is like a planet that is almost entirely a city. Slums, and more high-class buildings are within the scenery. Plot: Now that the New Republic has liberated Borleias, a planet very close to Coruscant, they aim to somehow liberate it. They go through plans and ideas of trying to take it. They come up with a plan that will cause the least bloodshed. They make Rogue Squadron go as a in undercover to somehow find a plan to take

Critical Analysis on The Lord of the Flies essays

Critical Analysis on The Lord of the Flies essays Style is a writers characteristic way of writing his or her choice of words, sentence structure, and use of imagery and figurative language. For example, one writer might coin new words, write in long rhythmic sentences and create striking images and metaphors. Another writer may use sentences that are very straight forward and very precise in diction. Still others may create episodes that are so poignant that a reader has difficulty putting them from his mind. One such scene is created by William Golding in Lord of the Flies, shows how the boys have changes from being civilized to being savages. This particular scene is near the end of the novel, where Golding is describing the condition that Ralph is in. All of Ralphs friends has been killed or has went on Jacks side, and now Ralph is fleeing for his life. After Sam and Eric told Ralph that the boys planned to hunt him down and kill him in the morning, Ralph gets in a covert and sleeps there. The next morning, Ralph is awakened by a distance noise of someone coming and was yelling. It was a violation over the seashore and now the next savage answered and the next. Ralph made a big mistake, the night before this hunt started, Ralph had told Sam and Eric where he was going to hide when the boys came looking for him. Ralph thought he could trust Sam and Eric; however, Sam and Eric had been turned into savages and they told Jack where he was hiding. However, the location in which Ralph was hiding was to thick for them to get through. Here Ralph is thing to himself, But what could they do? It would take them a week to break a path through the thicket, and anyone who wormed his way in would be helpless. The only way Jack manages to get him out is to light a brush on fire. When Ralph notices the brushes on fire he darts out of the brush and takes off across the island. Frantic of what to do, Ralph ...

Short Mothers Day Quotes for Emails or Cards

Short Mothers Day Quotes for Emails or Cards The mother-child bond is too strong to be dulled by distance. Even if you are miles away from your dear mother, reach out to her with a thoughtful message. If you have something more elaborate in mind, here are some ideas. Why Use Mothers Day Quotes Usually, it is not too difficult to pick a gift for mothers. Mothers are not fussy creatures. Youd hardly meet a mother who would tell her son, Honey, Id really like the exquisite silver cutlery I saw at Macys. On the contrary, she would mostly say something like, Oh, sweetie, dont bother with these expensive gifts. All I want is to spend time with you. So heres the hint: Your mother needs you. Your mother, though she deserves a lot more, needs just a little bit of your time. If you want to be thoughtful, scribble her a few Mothers Day quotes to make her feel special. Share some happy moments with her, reading these wonderful quotes about mothers. Talk about your beautiful childhood memories, and watch her eyes go misty with those memories. Thats how you can make your mother the happiest woman in the world. Jane SellmanThe phrase working mother is redundant.Spanish ProverbAn ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.Bill WattersonMothers are the necessity of invention.Harriet Beecher StoweMothers are instinctive philosophers.Jewish proverbA mother understands what a child does not say.James Russell LowellThat best academy, a mothers knee.D. W. WinnicottThe precursor of the mirror is the mothers face.Henry Ward BeecherThe mothers heart is the childs school-room.Jill ChurchillThere is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.William Makepeace ThackerayMother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.George WashingtonAll I am I owe to my mother.Lisa AltherAny mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease.Ian NelsonMommy brain: when your grey matter turns into grey hair.Moorish ProverbEvery beetle is a gazelle in the eyes of its mother.Abraham LincolnAll that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.The Gold en GirlsIts not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it. J. D. SalingerMothers are all slightly insane.Ed AsnerRaising a kid is part joy and part guerilla warfare.Lin YutangOf all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.

Drug Seizure Laws Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Drug Seizure Laws - Assignment Example However in the pursuit of such forfeiture, care must be taken to ensure that those who are innocent do not unfairly suffer the same consequences. Introduction The application of the laws that ensure that the profits or benefits obtained from criminal enterprise are forfeited by the state brings about with it a myriad of challenges and obstacles. The most difficult one is working out exactly what parts of this benefit can be directly linked to the drug-associated criminal activity and which parts are not. Care must be taken to ensure that those who may have inadvertently and innocently found themselves assisting in the commission of such crime are absolved of their involvement and that they do not suffer unduly due to the activities others, especially when it can be proven that they had no knowledge of it and did actively participate. The process of such determination is purely in the hands of the investigators and it is their responsibility to ensure that those who are innocent do no t suffer while at the same time ensuring that as much as possible of the proceeds of such crime is recoverable and recovered. 1. If a house was rented but was found to be used for illegal drug-related activities, it can still be seized by the authorities since it was being used in the commission of a drug-related crime under the civil forfeiture regulations. Under these regulations the police have the right to seize any such properties (Silveira, 2010). The detail of exactly how this happens varies from State to State. In Minnesota for example the police are supposed to notify the landlord if drugs valued at more than $100 are found in a rented property. The landlord is then expected to get the tenant to vacate the property. If that doesn’t happen and a second seizure of drugs takes place then the property is liable to judicial forfeiture. Similarly if a stash of drugs valued at over $1,000 is found at a rented property it may also be seized (Pirius, 2010). In a case reported in Orange County, Southern California, a Tony Jalali’s property was seized after it was found to be used for illegal drug-related activities (Bullock & Salzman, 2013). 2. If the car belongs to a relative, the car is still liable for civil forfeiture. A car that is used for the committing of a drug-related offence and especially one that is used as a possible means of escape from lawful arrest is liable for forfeiture regardless of whether the person that was using it at the time was the legal owner or not. According to the Minnesota Forfeiture laws, as long as the retail value of the drugs is $75, the vehicle is still forfeitable. In Court, the legal owner would have to prove that they have a defense against the forfeiture or that seizure of the vehicle would cause undue hardship to the members of the owner’s family for the vehicle to be released back to them (Pirius, 2010).In many cases, proceeds from the sale of vehicles collected under the drug-related seizure laws are usually ploughed into the operations of law enforcement so it is their interest to seize as many of these as possible as it goes directly to their budget, creating an incentive for the policemen to seize such vehicles.

Produced water Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Produced water - Essay Example several key areas such as agriculture which uses 70 per cent, 22 per cent for industrial use, while domestic water usage is at 8 per cent (UNESCO, 2003) water conservation becomes an important aspect in all human endeavours. There are many benefits associated with treated produced given that the recycled water can be flooded back or used in activities such as irrigation, wildlife and livestock consumption, aquaculture, industrial processes, dust control, domestic washing, generating power in addition to fire control (Veil et al, 2004). Water recycles and reuse policy will go a long way in alleviating the water shortage problem experienced in many parts of the world. Bearing in mind the benefits that human population can get from produced water, this essay examines the processes, advantages and disadvantages of ion exchange and Reverse osmosis technologies used in treatment of produced water both onshore and offshore. The process of ion exchange involves the replacement of dissolved components by attachment to an electro-statically charged ion exchange material that in most cases has synthetic resin. The Ion exchange process is a reversible chemical reaction that leads to the replacement of positively or negatively charged ions in the water with corresponding charged ions available within the resin sites. The ions on the resin must be replaced periodically when they are exhausted by recharging with more replacement Ions. A key factor in the process is the fact that the chemical composition of water solutions must be electrically neutral which is the reason why ions in the resin bed are always exchanged with ions of similar charge present in the water ensuring that during the exchange process no reduction in ions occurs (Arthur, Langhus & Patel, 2005). Ion exchange process has been traditionally used to remove water hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium by substituting them those of sodium and chloride for many years. When applied in oil and gas produced

Winning Elections Essay Example for Free

Winning Elections Essay b) Traditionally, winning elections has been an aim of political parties subordinate to representing political views. However, more recently parties have been adjusting their ideology, possibly to make them more desirable to the majority of the electorate and thus gain political office. As suggested by McKie, recent elections have been less between competing philosophies, much more about which set of managers was likely to get better results. Both Labour, and the Conservatives have moved considerably towards the centre of the political spectrum in the past couple of decades, and if there are fundamental differences between the two parties, then at least one of them is failing to reflect properly the concerns of the middle ground voter. This convergence of party ideology is most probably a move by both parties to make them more attractive to middle England. It is perhaps now only extremist parties that are intent on representing political principles, and this may be a reason for the recent rise in popularity of parties such as the BNP. In the last election, 57% of manifesto pledges for the main parties were non-partisan and couldnt be countered be other parties, this is a mark of the lack of choice the electorate is presented with and illustrates how parties are no longer representing strong political views with each party catering for a different section of society. In 1992 all three major parties were pro-Maastricht, which proves that parties are just pursuing policies that will appeal to the majority of the electorate. Labour used to represent the views of the working class, and their ideology was distinctly socialist, but under Tony Blair, and previously Neil Kinnock, Labour has tried to distance itself from its core supporters and trade unions, as that relationship was a vote loser. This reinvention of Labour ideology has been very prominent in recent issues such as Labours intransigence in not raising the salary for firemen and not having a good relationship with the Fire Brigades Union. The reform of the party came after 17 years of Conservative rule, and it was accomplished by the abandonment of many of its distinctive policies that it had fought and lost of in previous elections. When Tony Blair dropped clause four, it was in order to change the party, and when party reform was fully complete, Labour returned to power. However, some of Labours policy changes may have been due to the shrinking working class, which used to make up the majority of their support. This change in social structure may also be attributable to the Conservatives move towards the centre, as social boundaries have shrunk, the middle class which they traditionally represented is not as easily defined anymore. In the period 1945-1979, policy differences between the two major parties were generally peripheral, and thus both major parties governed for roughly 17 years each. In the two elections where there were substantial and essential differences in social and economic policy (1945 1983), one of the two parties plunged to catastrophic defeat. This was due to both parties projecting the party ideology through policy, thus effectively representing political principles even if it was not going to get them elected. However, there are still some policies that distinguish the major parties from each other. The parties set ideological goals in order to establish the best way to run the country; therefore parties are offering representation of the major strands of opinion. Labours electoral success is partly dependent upon offering a clear and distinctive vision of the nations future, their recent move away from the left has perhaps been in the interest of the electorate, and it would lose Labour political credibility if the electorate suspected that their new stance was the result of opportunistic caution. If one was to argue that political parties simply wished to get elected and this is why they have similar policy, then perhaps it should be questioned why there used to be a very distinct difference between the major parties. This can only be because of changing social structures mentioned previously. Ultimately, there is no way of knowing whether parties simply wish to get elected rather than represent political principles. However, it is likely that getting elected is at the top of their agenda, and perhaps they wish to represent distinct principles when they are in power, however the current Labour government has been acting much like a Conservative government would on issues such as Iraq, and university tuition fees. This perhaps highlights the changing society that we live in which has different political needs than it has in the past century, and political parties have adapted to provide the best options for the electorates needs.

Human Resourse Management Essay -- GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Human Resourse Management This essay will review the role of human resource management (HRM) in the strategy process. This will include the function of recruitment and training programs in HRM, the concept of strategic fit and how human resource management can lead to a competitive advantage. The manner in which an organisation’s personnel are managed has a tangible influence on the productivity of the employees, which ultimately acts upon the firm’s bottom line. Corporate success is dependent upon the integration of the human resource plan and the corporate strategic plan.It has become a widely held premise that people provide organisations with an important source of sustainable competitive advantage and that the effective management of human capital, not physical capital, may be the ultimate determinant of organisational performance (Youndt, Snell, Dean, Jr, & Lepak, 1996). The relationship between the strategic planning of an organisation’s people and the overall strategy is being increasingly recognised as one of immense importance. A growing recognition of human resources as being a company’s most important asset has, and will continue to, change the focus of strategic planning. It is no longer acceptable to exclusively plan for those assets that will appear on the balance sheet. A cohesive plan integrating human resource management and the overall strategic plan is necessary, such that the management of people is not a distinct function, but acts as a medium through which all other business strategies are implemented (Armstrong and Long, 1994: p. 42). In essence, the competitive, human resource, and structural strategies should all be linked in a systemic and dynamic fashion (Boxall, 1996: p. 61). Unfortunatel... ...y, T.E. (1993), Strategic Human Resource Management, Thomas Nelson Australia: Melbourne. Schuler, R.S., and Jackson, S.E. (1987), ‘Linking Competitive Strategies with Human Resource Management Practices’, The Academy of Management Executive, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 207 - 219. Schuler, R.S., and MacMillan, I.C. (1984), ‘Gaining competitive advantage through human resource practices’, Human Resource Management, 23 (3), pp. 241 - 255. Skelton, B (1996), Flexible workforce is a business strength, Human Resource Week ‘96, The Age, pp. C10. Torraco, R.J., and Swanson, R.A. (1995), ‘The Strategic Roles of Human Resource Development’, Human Resource Planning, 18 (4), pp. 10 - 21. Youndt, M. A., Snell, S. A., Dean, Jr., J.W., & Lepak, D. P. (1996). Human resource management, manufacturing strategy, and firm performance. Academy of Management Journal, 39 (4), 836-866.

Analysis of Conan Doyle’s work Essay

English coursework : A comparative essay on 2 Sherlock Holmes stories  The world has chosen to remember Sir Arthur Conan Doyle chiefly for his creation of the fictional master detective, Sherlock Holmes. This prestigious character has been hugely popular for over one hundred years shown in many different ways, whether it be books, television series, magazine articles, and so on.  Conan Doyle himself was born in Edinburgh, rather than the London setting that Sherlock Holmes lives and works. He actually set out to be an oculist, however when no patients came he had plenty of time to write his stories. Around the same time, The Strand magazine was first published, and Sherlock Holmes was printed for the first time in its pages. His stories were not long enough to be books of their own, and thrived as a regular part of their magazine. The Sherlock Holmes stories are written in a very upper class setting. Watson and Holmes take cabs everywhere, and have very high class mannerisms and habits, such as leaving a calling card if the person they have visited is not there. And Holmes himself carries round a cane with him – a rather posh acquirement thought to be that of a gentleman. They also have a resident in the home to look after them both, and take care of the household, which could of course only be afforded by those of the higher class.  The fact that these stories were written in such a way is easily explained. The stories were written for the magazine, ‘The Strand’. In those times, very little people read magazines, and could afford to subscribe. Most people read newspapers, but these magazines were aimed at the higher class, and particularly for the gentleman, because a very small number of women were expected to be able to read, and so they did not benefit from such a publication. â€Å"The Speckled Band† and, â€Å"The Red-Headed League† are both very interesting stories. The structures of both are much the same, but that accounts for all of Conan Doyle’s creations in accordance to the Sherlock Holmes stories.  In accordance to this structure, â€Å"The Speckled Band† begins with a visit to the house from someone needing Holmes’s help. An element included right at the beginning of the story is the deduction Holmes makes of Helen. This is extremely typical of Conan Doyle as it is a feature he nearly always adds as each of his stories unfold. In â€Å"The Speckled Band† Holmes instantly deduces that she travelled early by dog cart on heavy roads to the station before travelling by train to London. The next lines describe Helen giving ‘a violent start’ and staring at Holmes in bewilderment. This is also underlyingly very typical of Conan Doyle to include such a description, as it what he includes in all of his stories at this point. In direct comparison, â€Å"The Red Headed League† features a swift deduction of Jabez Wilson in which he concludes that the man done at some point manual labour, takes snuff, has a freemason, has been in China, and has done a considerable amount of writing recently. The line directly following on from that is set out exactly the same as in â€Å"The Speckled Band† and describes Jabez to â€Å"Start up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the paper, but his eyes upon Holmes† So we can conclude from this that this is an element Conan Doyle likes to include in his stories which also suitably gives a first time reader an idea of the way Holmes’s mind works.  Following on from that, a long monologue is heard which tells every detail of the story. This is unusual in stories written now. We can note that in real life no one tells a story in such detail, uninterrupted, and this reflects tracts of today. But it is actually very typical of writings at the time.

A Crisis in My Life

Oh God! I think I'm going to die. I'm sorry if this sounds really dramatic but I feel like I've been struck by lightning, hit over the head with a hammer and thrown from the top of a building†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ This morning everything started normally. At seven o` clock I was awoken by the sound of the man- hunting piranha (my sister Elle) asking if she could borrow my new Gucci bag for her interview and when I shouted back â€Å"no get your own!† I was screamed at and lectured about how selfish I am. I mean who does she think she is, as if I'm going to let her use my Gucci bag, I thought she would of got the picture by now that I am never going to borrow any of my stuff to her! When the man- hunting piranha had finally left I got up and started to blow-dry my hair but after about ten minutes she came back into my room again snatched the hairdryer off me and screamed â€Å"that's mine, as you say Get Your Own!† I don't know what's wrong with her lately, we used to get on so well but recently she's become so self obsessed! As she left I shouted at her and when I realised that she wasn't listening I screamed â€Å"bitch† really loudly. Seeing as I didn't have a hairdryer to use I had to use the straightening irons instead which set me back about half an hour. When I had finished my hair I started to do my make up only to find that my sister had nicked my pink eye shadow and I couldn't get it back because she had locked herself in her room and to make matters worse she had her crappy old steps album playing full blast so even if I banged on the door and made all the noise in the world she wouldn't be able to hear me. In the end I had to use my white eye shadow which was nearly running out. After I had finished I got dressed ran down the stairs, took a fiver off the side and left the house. I didn't have time for breakfast because as per usual I had spent too much time getting ready and was late. I met Karen and Carrie at Archway station and I could tell that they were pissed off with me! We talked it over and I told them that it took a lot of time and patience to look as beautiful as me and they just laughed. After about half an hour a bus finally came and we arrived at school about an hour late. When we got into school I had to rush down to the music department because I had a microphone practice for the forthcoming school concert. I was going through my song and everything was going well, the song sounded great and I was singing all the right notes when in walked a vision that I had only ever seen in my dreams. Then I noticed that the vision was wearing a school uniform. This had too be one of the worst days of my life because this meant that I would see the boy of my dreams every day and this meant that I would have to get up an hour earlier every morning so that I would look just perfect. The teacher that he had come in with went over to talk to my music teacher. I tried to avoid eye contact with the Sex God but I failed and ended up looking straight into his beautiful blue eyes. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him coming towards me and then he asked me to come down off of the stage so that we could talk. It was like a dream come true. This is where things started to go terribly wrong. As I went to go down the stairs of the stage my legs turned to jelly and I ended up tumbling down the stairs head over heals, then as if things couldn't get any worse I ended up flat on face with my knickers showing right in front of the Sex God . He was kind enough to help me up and we just laughed it off but I still felt really embarrassed. We talked for a while and he told me that his name was Daniel and he had just moved down to London from Newcastle due to his dad's new job. The teacher that he had come in with called him to go with him down the hall, I walked back towards the stage looking back at Daniel and like the idiot I am I fell flat on my face for the second time. I didn't tell any one about Daniel nor did I tell them about my idiotic behaviour and fortunately I didn't see him again till the end of the day where once again I made a complete fool of my self! We were walking home when I saw him again he was with a big group of boys and I was dreading walking past them because I was sure that he would have told them how stupid I had been. When we walked past nothing was said and just as I thought I was in the clear I heard my name being called. I turned round to see who it was and because I wasn't looking where I was going. I bashed into a lamp post. It turns out that it was Daniel who called me, he came over to me and started talking to me he asked me if I had a boyfriend and of course I had to say no. He then looked at me with his beautiful big blue eyes and I think he was just about to ask me out when to my horror I heard my dad's voice calling out my name I tried to ignore him but every one was looking at me so grudgingly I turned round. When I turned around my dad blew a kiss at me, beckoned me over to the car and called out â€Å"leave my little princess alone or I'll hunt you down and kill you† and then to make matters worse I saw him giving Daniel a dirty look. I turned back round to where Daniel was standing before my dad had arrived but Daniel was no longer there he was back in the crowd with all the other boys and I could tell that nearly every one in Archway was talking about me. I have never been so embarrassed in all of my life and now to be totally honest it wouldn't surprise me if Daniel never talks to me again. I made such a fool of myself today what with falling flat on my face twice, bashing into a lamp post and having my dad embarrass me in front of the whole of Archway. Daniel must think I'm a right fool! Any way I'll keep you posted. Love Jade x.x.x Friday December 1st You'll never guess what my music teacher told me today, I'm going to the fame academy house on Monday with my music class and I can't wait! I didn't see Daniel today, but I had another argument with Elle this time it was because she had sneakily borrowed my little black dress from Morgan and not only did she get make up all over it but she had split it trying to get out of it. The fat cow! I hate her so much I wish she would just die! Any way I've got to go mums calling me. Chat to you soon. Love Jade x.x.x Monday December 4th Sorry I haven't wrote all weekend but i`ve had a really bad stomach. Today has been the best day of my life not only did I go to the fame academy house for a private concert but despite of all that happened last week Daniel asked me out. I am the girlfriend of a Sex God! Daniel came up to me today during break and asked me out I was so happy and to make things even better every girl in school fancies Daniel so they are all jealous of me! We're going out on Saturday to the cinema and then were going for something to eat. I don't have a clue what to wear I might try and sneak something from the man-hunting piranha's room! The concert was wicked I even got to meet the stars of fame academy and I got their autographs it was great I loved every minute of it. I haven't had so much fun in ages and the concert was filmed so we were on television. I've got to go now because I've got course work to do. Talk to you soon. Love Jade x.x.x Monday December 4th The sex God just rang me, Thank fully my mum picked up the phone so Daniel couldn't be scared off. I say this because my mum is really sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly and seeing as I'm a spoilt little mummy's girl and she isn't very protective she doesn't mind boy's phoning the house. I wasn't expecting it to be Daniel, I thought it was just going to be one of the girls so I got a surprise when I heard â€Å"hello gorgeous† I couldn't believe it was him, my legs turned to jelly again and I had to hold onto the wall so that I wouldn't fall to the floor. He asked me if I wanted to go out with him next week to an Alicia Keys concert so I asked mum and fortunately she said yes. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight, I'm to0 excited. Oh I love being the girlfriend of a Sex God! Goodnight, chat to you soon Love Jade x.x.x Tuesday December 5th Sex God didn't come into school today but he came to pick me up after school and he walked me home. When we met outside the school I ran up to him and hugged him and then he kissed me and it was just amazing. We held hands all the way home and he looked even more gorgeous in his own clothes. He was wearing Evisu jeans with a white Evisu t shirt and as we walked down the street all the girls were looking at him and I just kept thinking to myself â€Å"He's gorgeous and he's all mine!† Daniel walked me to the end of my road and then he kissed me good bye and told me he would see me tomorrow. Oh how I love my life! Love Jade x.x.x Wednesday December 6th I hate my sister, I wish she would just die, she's such a bitch! You'll never guess what she's gone and done now she had the cheek to read my diary and then she went and told my dad everything that was in it and now I might not be able to go out with Daniel on Saturday. I've got to go now because the bitch is coming up the stairs and I want to know why she told my dad about Daniel. Bye Love Jade x.x.x Friday December 8th Dad said I could go out with Daniel on Saturday. Hurray! I can't wait I've got to go now I've got loads of homework to do. Bye Love Jade x.x.x Saturday December 9th I have waited for this day for so long and now it's finally here I feel sick! The day has barely even started and already everything is going wrong! I got up at half five this morning and had a shower only to find that some idiot had forgot to leave the hot water on. Then as if things couldn't get any worse once again my sister had nicked my pink eye shadow so this meant I had no eye shadow to match my outfit. The next disaster happened when I was blow drying my hair and the hair dryer blew up. My sister is going to kill me when she finds out! I have to go now because I've only got two hours before I have to meet Daniel. Bye Love Jade x.x.x Sunday December 10th I can't believe it despite all of the problems I had yesterday the date actually went well! Elle found the hairdryer and she went mad, then she told my dad and now I'm not allowed to go to the Alicia Keys concert. I hate her so much! If I had the chance I really would kill her! Love Jade x.x.x Monday December 11th At about twelve o` clock I got pulled out of class and I was told that I was to go home, I said bye to Daniel and he said he would ring me later and then I went home. When I got home no one was in so I got changed out of my uniform and just watched M.T.V Base. At about half three the phone rang and it was my mum she told me to put some of Elle's stuff in a bag and wait with it by the door. My mum pulled up about ten minutes later and when I got in the car I asked what was going on, she pretended not to hear me but I knew something was wrong because she looked upset. My mum didn't speak to me for the whole journey there was just an awkward silence I kept asking her where we were going but she just ignored me. When we stopped we were outside the Whittington hospital, and at first I wondered why we were there and then it clicked that we were here to see Elle. I asked my mum what was wrong with her and once again I was ignored .When we got inside we headed towards intensive care and not expecting to get an answer I asked if Elle was going to be O.k., surprisingly my mum answered with a muffled â€Å"I don't know† . When we reached intensive care I saw my dad he was crying, this was the first time I had ever seen my dad cry so I knew that something bad had to of happened to Elle! I asked my dad all the questions that I had asked my mum but the difference was that this time I actually got some answers .My dad told me that there had been a hit and run accident in Muswell hill and that the victim was Elle. I asked if she was going to be alright and my dad said that they didn't know. I had never seen my sister like this before, she looked so helpless she had a cast on her leg, a bandage round her head and she was connected to loads of tubes. I looked at my sister and thought about what would I do without her and that's when I realised that all of the tubes that were connected to my sister were also connected to a life support machine ! I thought about what the last thing I had said to her was and then I remembered that the last time we spoke was yesterday when we had an argument. I then tried to think when I last said something nice to her but it was that long ago that I couldn't remember. It was then that I broke down in tears my mum and my dad tried to comfort me but nothing they said could make me feel better, cause all I could think of was that she could die not knowing that I love her! I'm at home now and Mum has just left to go back to the hospital because dad is still there. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight .bye Love Jade x.x.x Tuesday December 12th I was sitting watching over Elle in the hospital when I realised that I might never get to speak to her again. Mum and dad were outside talking to the doctor so it was just me and Elle. The doctor had told me that she could hear everything I said, so I took the opportunity to tell her that I loved her. When my mum and dad came back into the room they found me leaning over Elle crying. I told them that I wanted to stay but they just ignored me and took me home. When I got home I just cried and cried until I had no more tears left to cry then I made myself something to eat and I went and sat in my sisters room just wishing that she could be there to tell me to get out. At about half five the phone rang but I didn't want to pick it up in case it was my mum or dad ringing to tell me that she was dead. At the moment I am sitting on Elle's bed. Mum and dad still aren't home yet so I'm just going to try and go to sleep. Bye Love Jade x.x.x Friday December 15th Sorry I haven't written in all week but I've been at the hospital with Elle. She isn't getting any better and the doctors are starting to loose faith. I've got to go now because I've got to go to the hospital. Bye Love Jade x.x.x Saturday December 16th When I woke up this morning there were two bouquets of flowers don stairs they were both from Daniel one was for me and one was for Elle . Monday December 18th I went back to school today and all day I had people coming up to me telling me how sorry they were. I just couldn't wait for school to finish so that I could just go to the hospital. When school finished Daniel walked me to the hospital gave me a hug then he told me that everything was going to be o.k. but for some reason I didn't believe him. As I made my way towards intensive care I had a feeling that something wasn't right , when I reached the ward I found my mum and dad crying and I knew instantly that something was wrong. I asked what was wrong and my dad told me that they were going to turn off the life support machine. I told them that they couldn't do that because she would die and they told me that the doctor said that they wanted to see if she can breathe for herself. I said that they couldn't do that because if she couldn't breathe then she would die and then I went over to the bed held her hand told her I loved her and began to cry. After about ten minutes the doctor came in and asked my mum and dad to come outside with him. When they came back in my mum was crying again and that's when I knew that I would never see or talk to my sister again. When the doctor returned he told my mum and dad that he would be ready in ten minutes and I screamed and told him to leave us alone, then I started hysterically crying and my mum came over to me and hugged me then he left .

How to Find Cheap or Free Textbooks Online

How to Find Cheap or Free Textbooks Online Textbooks can cost a small fortune. It seems that every year the required texts get heavier and the prices get higher. According to a study from the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, students can easily pay between $700 and $1000 for books during a single year. An undergraduate student may end up paying up to $4,000 on books before he or she receives a degree. Unfortunately, distance learners don’t always escape this fate. While some online schools offer a virtual curriculum, free of charge, the majority of online colleges still require their students to purchase traditional textbooks with hefty price tags. Books for one or two classes could total in the hundreds. However, showing a little shopping savvy could save you a significant amount of cash. Better Than Cheap The only thing that’s better than cheap is free. Before you even check the bookstore, take a look to see if you can find the material elsewhere. There are dozens of virtual libraries that offer reference material and literature with no cost to the reader. While newer texts are unlikely to be online, hundreds of older pieces with expired copyrights are all over the internet. The Internet Public Library, for example, offers links to hundreds of full-text books, magazines, and newspapers. Bartleby, a similar site, offers thousands of ebooks and reference materials free of charge. Readers can even download the books for free and view them on their desktop or handheld device. Project Gutenberg provides 16,000 e-books free for download, including classics such as Pride and Prejudice and The Odyssey. Google Scholar is offering an ever-increasing database of free academic articles and ebooks. If your curriculum consists of an over-priced packet of photocopied articles, check to see i f the material is available here before forking over the cash. Another alternative is trying to find a student in your area who purchased the book during a previous semester. If your online school has message boards or other means of communicating with your peers, you may ask students who have taken the course before if they would be willing to sell the book at a discounted price. If you are near a physical college campus that offers courses similar to your online classes, scouring the campus for flyers advertising student-sold books may be your ticket to saving a few dollars. Before you begin a random search, find out what buildings house the departments that are likely to require your books. Students often post advertisements on the walls of their old classrooms.Some students are able to find their required materials in the library. While your regular public library is unlikely to carry most traditional textbooks, a local college may have the books available for limited use. Since you are not a student there, the librarians probably wonâ€℠¢t let you take the books with you. But, if the books are shelved, you may be able to use them for a couple hours each day in order to get your studying done. Shop Around If you aren’t able to get your books for free, make sure you get a good price. You should be able to find almost any text for less than its suggested retail price. Websites like eBay and Half host online auctions of a variety of items, including textbooks. Sites like Alibris connect to hundreds of independent booksellers around the world, finding you some of the best prices on used and new textbooks. Want to save on shipping? Run a search to see if there’s a local bookstore that will allow you to pick up the book you’re looking for. They often offer pleasant markdowns on a variety of texts.If you want to save money, don’t wait until the last minute to buy your books. When ordering from an online source, it may take time for you to find the best deal and for your order to be processed and shipped. If you’re disciplined enough to look ahead a month or two, you may be able to save a lot by bidding during an off-time, when hordes of students arenâ€℠¢t looking for the same book. Finding your books for cheap or free will take time and energy. But, to hundreds of students, getting a good deal is worth the extra effort. Suggested Bookseller Links:www.allbookstores.comwww.gutenberg.orgscholar.google.comwww.ipl.orgwww.bartleby.com Jamie Littlefield is a writer and instructional designer. She can be reached on Twitter or through her educational coaching website: jamielittlefield.com.

Teaching Cinco de Mayo to Kids

Teaching Cinco de Mayo to Kids Cinco de Mayo! Its everyones favorite Mexican holiday, a chance to listen to cool music, grab some chips and salsa and maybe even speak some Spanish with friends. But whats it all about? Most folks know enough Spanish to understand that Cinco de Mayo is May fifth, so it must be a special date in history, but why do Mexicans celebrate that particular day? What is Cinco de Mayo? On Cinco de Mayo, Mexicans remember the Battle of Puebla, fought on May 5, 1862. On that day, Mexicans won an important battle against the French army, which was invading Mexico. Why Was France Invading Mexico? France had a long history of interfering in Mexicos business, dating back to the famous Pastry War of 1838. In 1862, Mexico was having big problems and owed money to other countries, mainly France. France invaded Mexico to try and get their money. Why is the Battle of Puebla So Famous? Basically, the battle is famous because the Mexicans werent supposed to win. The French army had about 6,000 soldiers and the Mexicans had only about 4,500. The French had better guns and were better trained. The French had already beaten the Mexicans a few times as they made their way to the city of Puebla, from which they planned to go to Mexico City. No one thought the Mexicans were going to win the battle†¦except maybe the Mexicans! What Happened at the Battle of Puebla? The Mexicans had made defenses around the city of Puebla. The French attacked three times, and each time they had to retreat. When the French cannons ran out of ammunition, the Mexican commander, Ignacio Zaragoza, ordered an attack. The Mexican attack forced the French to run away! The Mexicans cheered and President Benito Juarez said that May fifth would forever be a national holiday. Was That the End of the War? Unfortunately, no. The French army was driven off but not beaten. France sent a huge army of 27,000 soldiers to Mexico and this time they captured Mexico City. They put Maximilian of Austria in charge of Mexico and it was a few years before the Mexicans could kick the French out. So Cinco de Mayo isn't Mexico's Independence Day? Lots of people think so, but no. Mexico celebrates its Independence Day on September 16. Thats the day when in 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo stood up in his church and said that the time had come for Mexico to be free from Spain. Thats how Mexicos battle for independence began. How Do Mexicans Celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Mexicans love Cinco de Mayo! Its a day that makes them feel very proud. There are parties, parades and lots of food. There are festivals with concerts and dancing. Mariachi bands are everywhere. Where Are the Best Places to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Of all the places in the world, the city of Puebla in Mexico is probably the best. After all, thats where the big battle was! Theres a huge parade and a re-enactment of the battle. There is also a mole festival. Mole, pronounced mo-lay, is a special food in Mexico. After Puebla, the best place to go for Cinco de Mayo is Los Angeles, California, where they have a big party every year. Is Cinco de Mayo a Big Deal in Mexico? It is, but September 16, Mexicos Independence Day, is a bigger holiday in most of Mexico than Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo is a bigger deal in other countries like the USA. Thats because Mexicans who live in other countries like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and because most foreigners think its the most important Mexican holiday. Cinco de Mayo is surprisingly NOT a national holiday in Mexico, although its a local holiday in Puebla. How Can I Celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Thats easy! If you live in a city where there are a lot of Mexicans, there will be parties and festivals. If you dont, your local Mexican restaurant will probably have special food, decorations and maybe even a mariachi band! You can host a Cinco de Mayo party by getting some decorations, serving some Mexican food like chips, salsa and guacamole and playing Mexican music.

Film reflections on WW2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Film reflections on WW2 - Essay Example The TYP of the wealth is {M}oney – this means that actual cash is shown; {T}alking about wealth – these are the scenes that either show a discussion of a bribe, or discussion of business-related matters; and {P}ossessions – these are the scenes that involve possessions that might or might not be valuable. As this analysis shows, wealth comes to mean different things as the movie progresses. At the beginning, Oskar Schindler {OS} regards wealth as a way of enriching himself. He has no regard for others at this point. It is only after he sees that that the little girl in the red coat was killed that he changes, and, at this point, wealth becomes exclusively a means to help others. Meanwhile, wealth is shown in different ways regarding the Jewish people – that wealth is stripped from them, but also, in the process of stripping wealth, these people are also stripped of their heritage. Therefore, wealth is symbolic of different things throughout the film â€⠀œ greed, then humanitarianism, heritage, and atrocity of the Nazis taking the wealth from the Jews. This essay explains each of these meanings in depth. {SL}, through its use of imagery, including the REC of wealth, like Blade Runner, â€Å"provides simultaneously a nightmare about the impossible and catharsis about the horror that it has elicited† (Cohen, 47). ... It is a way for him to get what he wants, and that is that he wants to get to know the high officers in the SS, so that he can become a war profiteer. He is simply a mercenary at this point, and money does not mean what it comes to mean to him later on in the film. OCC #2 of the showing of wealth is also TYP {M}, as {OS} is shown giving the money to the maitre d as he enters the party. It is {OS} motive that he wants to show off for the people there at the party, as he starts out a nobody who is not known by the people in the party. The people at the party all think that he is known by other people, but they all want to get to know him, because he is so generous with his money. OCC #3 comes in the same party sequence, where {OS} hands the money to the waiter, telling the waiter that he wants to buy some high officers some champagne. The TYP of {T}, talking about wealth, is shown in OCC #5, in the church where there are Jews there who are making deals with one another. Schindler is th ere at the church, and he talks to one of the Jews about some of the investment ideas that he has. This is still {OS} acting as the mercenary that he is through much of the film – he sees that these young men are shrewd businessmen, especially the man that he recruits to be a part of his team, and this is what he cares about. He doesn’t care that he would be saving this young man at this point – he only cares that the young man has shown himself to be a sharp businessman by the conversations that he has with his friends there in the church. OCC #6 is the TYP {M} again. This time it is in the sequence where {OS} is talking to the boy that he

Healthcare Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Healthcare - Research Paper Example Kotter provides a framework that can guide managers through this process. This paper will analyze the concept of transformational change as brought forth by the philosophies of John Kotter and provide a case study of a public health organization that effected this change. Leading change is a complex and multi-disciplinary task that requires skilled focus and attention of leaders at every level of the organization. Increasingly, it has become the driving force in the success of an organization. However, the process is not easy as it is often characterized by high by high failure rates. Organizations are built for stability with policies, structures, responsibilities, roles and procedures. This stability is inherent that it becomes virtually impossible to think about other ways of doing things and getting people to conform to these changes. The speeds of change and new knowledge create immense pressures for institutions to be always aware and build new strategies to manage the flow of information. Staying focused on the immediate processes and concerns while maintaining a vision for transforming the organization requires the ability to be shrewd. Health care systems in the world have reached a critical turning point. Patients and their next of kin are demanding more information, value for their money and transparency. The innovations in the field of technology and service delivery create a force that drives the need for transformation. The demand for holistic approaches to care, advances in care, value-based incentives, emphasis on lifestyle and behavior modification have created expectations for new partnerships, cutting edge innovations and better patient outcomes in health institutions (Davis, Schoen and Schoenbaum, 2000). Transformational change and governance should thus be the goal of every hospital and health system in today’s world. Effective management and legal

Adolescent Suicide Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Adolescent Suicide - Research Paper Example Even silly problems will be perceived as complicated ones and they may take decision to commit suicide to escape from such problems. In many cases, substance abuse, momentary lapse of emotional control, lack of counseling, negligence from parents and beloved ones, stressful events are motivating teenagers to commit suicide. Teenagers with family history of suicide show more tendencies to commit suicide. Nursing professionals can help teenage community immensely in preventing suicide. They can help teenagers to solve their physical as well as mental problems with the help of proper medications and counseling. This paper analyses the reasons of teenage suicide and the nursing implications with respect to this social problem. Adolescent Suicide Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year olds, and the third leading cause of death in 10 to 14 year olds. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): There are 25 attempted suicides to one completed suicide - with the ratio even higher in youth and the strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are depression, substance abuse, and aggressive or disruptive behaviors (Teen Suicide, n.d). It is impossible to know the teenager who committed suicide first in this world. It is also impossible to predict who could be the last teenager to commit suicide. ... Although child death rates are decreasing steadily during the last few decades, youth suicide rate travels in the opposite direction in United Sates. Reasons for adolescent suicide and nursing implications According to Shilubane et al. (2012), â€Å"Lack of knowledge of available counselors, conflicts in interpersonal relationships, perceived accusations of negative behavior, inadequate social support, past family and peer suicide attempts and poor living circumstances were factors found to be related with suicide attempts† (Shilubane et al. 2012, p.177). As mentioned earlier, many teenagers are committing suicide because of a momentary lapse in emotional control. For example, love affairs or dating relationships are common among current teenagers all over the world and the case of America is also not an exception. Teenagers who have feeble mental power or self-confidence may think about committing suicide when their love affairs break. They may not bother too much to think ab out substituting the lost relationships with another one at that moment. For them breaking of their dating relationships is the end of the road. Nursing professionals can help teenagers to overcome the emotional catharsis at various moments in their life. Many studies have proved beyond doubt that lack of availability and access to counseling is the major reason for increased suicide rates among teenagers. Counseling should be done at individual levels and family levels to educate the public about how to overcome stressful events and avoid suicides. Family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a respected profession in America now and these professionals can help the community in general and teenage community in particular in overcoming the tendencies of suicide. Poor living condition is

Importance of Feasibility Study System Analysis and Design

Importance of Feasibility Study System Analysis and Design This report analyses the importance of Feasibility Analysis to businesses when they are deciding on the viability of a proposed business venture involving the implementation or improvement of an information system. This report is split into three parts the initial part defines a feasibility analysis, the second part explains how an IT feasibility analysis should be conducted using the template of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and the last section in this report examines a completed feasibility study by Powerco, a utilities distribution Company in New Zealand. What is a feasibility analysis? As the words feasibility analysis suggests a feasibility analysis is carried out to decide on the viability of a proposed venture; basically it answers the essential question of is it a viable option and should the project be implemented. All stages of the analysis are carried out in order to answer this question. When researching it is clear that the majority of all large successful businesses conduct a feasibility study to ensure they embark on a viable project, for example Microsoft have a large research department situated in many different cities throughout the globe, this department collaborates with many institutions producing many feasibility analyses a year. When examining successful businesses such as Microsoft, I discovered they will not commit to a new project without first thoroughly assessing all of the variables and reviewing the probability of success through a feasibility study. The feasibility analysis process As a feasibility analysis is often time consuming and expensive (many companies pay consultants to perform the analysis), a preliminary study is undertaken to determine if it would be worthwhile to proceed to the feasibility analysis, within this preliminary study the evaluation of alternatives is made along with brief cost and benefit analysis. A feasibility study is usually conducted after the project managers have discussed all project ideas and every possible scenario, only if the results are positive the feasibility study begins. The content of feasibility Analysis Within a feasibility study it is necessary to discuss a number of areas including; details of the present system; what are the functions and objectives, who are the Stakeholders and the reasons to improve or replace the current system for example inconsistencies / inadequacies in functionality or performance, is there any possible solution alternatives and the advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives. Feasibility analysis can be split into four types; Operational factors; Operational feasibility is used to assess how well the information systems will work if implemented in the given environment. Define the urgency of the project If the project is implemented, will it be a success? Does management support the project? How do end users feel about the new system? People tend to resist change can this problem be overcome? Can management and end users adapt to the change? Has the proposed venture conflicted with organisational or government regulations? Schedule factors; It often takes time to build and implement an information system solution; will the project still be necessary on completion? The technology may exist, but are there the skills available to not only complete the project but complete it on schedule? Is the project deadline reasonable? Is the deadline desirable or mandatory? What are the results of failing to meet the project deadline? Technical; Technical feasibility is the measure of the practicality of specific technical information system solutions and the availability of technical resources. Often new technologies are solutions looking for a problem to solve: Is the technology for the information system solution practical? Does the necessary technology exist? Is the technology proven? Is the technology practical and reliable? Are the necessary skills available to design and implement the system? Is there the infrastructure to cope with ongoing maintenance (problems, upgrades) Economic; This is regularly the most important analysis made, it asks important questions; Is the project justified (i.e. will benefits outweigh costs)? Can the project be done, within given cost constraints? What is the minimal cost to attain a certain system? Which alternative offers the best return on investment? How much will it cost to maintain? The 12 Stages of an ITIL Feasibility Analysis ITIL is a global guidance document that provides worlds best practices for IT service management companies. ITIL guidelines are often used in feasibility studies and are broken down into twelve stages. These twelve stages are described in this next section and if necessary a brief example has been given; Introduction It is important that an introduction to the feasibility analysis is made; this introduction includes the content, the intent, the intended audience, the purpose, and organizational details of the feasibility analysis. Management Summary This stage summarises, what the other stages within the template will explain in more detail; this section provides a quick overview of the feasibility analysis and would include the following, an Introduction, Management Summary, Background of the Project, Objectives, Situation, Benefits, Problems and Risks, Technical Requirements, Options, Cost/Benefit Analysis, Financial/Budget Implications and Recommendations Background to the Project A project is proposed for a specific scenario and this step describes the reason the proposal exists. For example; current sales are at a low due to increased competition, the proposal is for a new company website, where customers are able to buy directly. Objectives The high level business purposes of the proposal, including the long-range management goals. For example, the proposed project is to increase sales by an estimated 15% per annum over the next ten years. Situation This step describes the present condition, without the service in place, including market conditions, it is necessary to highlight the need for the proposed system, and the consequences of the proposal not being authorized. Benefits In the benefits section, it is necessary to focus on the short term benefits of the proposal; this is different to the objective stage which focuses on the long term gains and the cost-benefit step which focuses primarily on the financial benefits. An example of this could be the increased customer satisfaction of the proposed website. Problems and Risks It is important to identify and assess possible problems and risks of the proposed project associated with it within the development, design, and deployment stages. This is done by doing a risk assessment on the proposed system; this will be used to identify problems in many different areas, including technologies, lack of user support, or resources. Technical Requirements Has the business the technological infrastructure for the proposed system? These requirements include knowledge of the hardware and software required, for example, does the business possess the database architecture, network structures, and hardware to sustain the website, will it be necessary to outsource? Options It is recommended in the ITIL framework that a feasibility analysis includes any alternatives to the proposal, including advantages and disadvantages and costs. An example of this could be advertising to increase sales and would show the estimated cost of this. Cost/Benefit In this step, the total cost of the project is calculated; this includes development, design, deployment, and maintenance of the new service. Costs include facilities, hardware, labor, and software. The project cost is compared to the financial benefits provided by the proposed system. What are benefits? These are examples of benefits, more accurate / timely information. Improved operation, increased flexibility of operation, increased output, error reductions, cost reductions; benefits can be placed into three different categories; Monetary; when money values can be calculated, Tangible; when benefits can be quantified, but monetary values cannot be calculated. Intangible; when neither of the others apply, this applies there is a benefit, but it cannot be quantified. There are different types of costs; Project related; development, purchasing, Installation, training costs, Operational costs; these costs are often ongoing costs and include; Maintenance on the hardware; maintenance, lease, materials Software; maintenance fees and contracts Personnel; operation, maintenance There are a number of tools used, which helps in the economic section of the feasibility analysis these are; Cost-benefit analysis (CBA); which estimates and totals up the equivalent money value of the benefits and costs of proposed projects to establish whether they are worthwhile. Payback Analysis; which is used to calculate how long it will take to pay the costs of the project Return on Investment Analysis; which compares the lifetime profitability of alternative solutions, Net Present Value Analysis: using current monetary values, profitability is determined of the proposed project, Return On Investment (ROI) compares the lifetime profitability of alternative solutions, (Lifetime benefits Lifetime costs) Lifetime costs and finally you can compare alternatives with the feasibility analysis matrix. Financial/Budget Implications Once the overall costs have been established, it is necessary to verify if the necessary funds are available, if so how? This may result in changes to the budget or priorities and reducing expenditure to accommodate the costs. Recommendations In this final step recommendations regarding the proposal are made including scheduling and budgeting Summary In summary these twelve steps that make up the ITIL is among the first activities a manager will undertake in preparation for a proposal for a new IT service, though it is important to remember these steps make a general guide and different information systems may require amendments. Examples of feasibility analysis Though the majority of businesses keep their own feasibility analysis private, research identified an interesting feasibility analysis conducted by Powerco. In this section I will briefly review this feasibility analysis in a case study due to the word restrictions on this essay and the extensiveness of the ITIL framework. Powerco has an estimated 410,000 consumers which makes it one of New Zealands largest utilities Companies. These customers expect a reliable service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Powerco applications are split between two platforms; Oracle RAC and Microsoft SQL Server, which has meant that the business had additional expenses of licensing, supporting, operating, and maintaining two systems. Additionally it was awkward for staff to alternate between the systems when working. As the Oracle platform of Powercos warranty cycle was approaching expiration, and the financial system was scheduled an important upgrade, it was clear to the company that it was time to reassess its options and whether it should consolidate to a single server platform or replace existing hardware. Powerco acknowledged that to consolidate the database platforms would create a more simple IT environment and would reduce the total cost of the database system significantly. The case for consolidation was simple why maintain two systems if you dont need to? explains Mr. Griffiths, Infrastructure Manager, Powerco. Powerco undertook preliminary study of the solutions and assessed the pros and c ons of Oracle versus SQL Server. This analysis pointed towards some significant advantages in choosing SQL Server over Oracle. These included reduced licensing and maintenance costs, ease of management and fewer requirements for a specialised skill set to manage and service the system. A feasibility study of migrating to SQL Server was then completed by consultants on Powercos behalf including a cost/benefit analysis, a risk assessment, analysis of the alternatives and the four factors discussed earlier in this report, this confirmed Powercos applications could be supported on SQL Server, with the remaining end of life applications being replaced with SQL Server compatible ones, the feasibility study showed that unlike other options Microsoft SQL Server, serving could be done in-house. Microsofts SQL Server was the cheapest option to license, maintain, and support, particularly because of the specialised nature of Oracle. The business would be more streamline and efficient with just the single platform. Increases security. Further Tangible and Non-tangible benefits. Due to the results of the feasibility study, Powerco changed from the two platforms to solely Microsoft SQL Server, the result of this consolidation has meant Powerco has been able to reduce costs significantly, also ensuring it was easier to maintain and manage in-house and eliminating the need for external consultants. The migration to SQL Server has cut the overall cost of ownership by $390,000 a year, also helping to streamline Powercos IT systems and have given a number of other Tangible and Non-tangible benefits. Conclusion In conclusion this report has explained what a feasibility study is and when it should be used, I have then reviewed the various stages which are recommended by the IT industry experts at the ITIL and have given an example of a successful feasibility study undertaken by Powerco. I believe to be objective this report should have explored examples of a unsuccessful feasibility study, however this was not possible due to my research not providing any suitable cases, but still the findings of this report are clear, it is advisable to do a feasibility analysis, as it is tried and tested and the vast majority of large and established companies use this method to check the viability of a proposed venture and are taking a substantial risk if a feasibility study is not carried out before embarking on new project.

Postmodernism: Myths and Realities Essay -- Postmodernism Philosophy E

Postmodernism: Myths and Realities A number of theorists and scholars have proclaimed that we now live in a postmodern world--a world better explained by theories and concepts different from those of the modern world dating from the Enlightenment and before. The theories and concepts of postmodernism are widely and prominently applied in adult education. So, how do postmodernists characterize postmodernism? What are the critics' critiques? Do proponents and critics agree on anything? Characterizing Postmodernism Discussing postmodernism and continuing education, Leicester (2000) writes that "postmodernism is not a systematic theory or unified movement so much as a loose umbrella term for a perspective" incorporating reactions against "the sovereignty of science, the dominance of 'western traditions' and the assumption of epistemological progress" (p. 73). However, some key features "overlap and criss-cross, appear and disappear in discussions about 'postmodernism' (ibid., p. 74): †¢Plurality of Perspectives. Multiple perspectives, accounts, and theories are respected. Eclectic thinking, drawing on and synthesizing multiple cultural traditions is encouraged. †¢Antiessentialism. A text (be it an individual word, a message, a concept, or any significant structure) has no inherent, essential meaning--no "one thing in common that makes us use the same word and which would give us the essence of the concept" (ibid., p. 74); rather, it is open to multiple interpretations. †¢Antifoundationalism. Truth and knowledge of it are not based on a fixed foundation of objective reality. Instead, truths are located in specific sociocultural contexts, outside of which no vantage point exists. †¢Antiscientism. In particu... ...The Postmodern Perspective on Home Economics History." Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 92, no. 1 (2000): 81-84. Sokal, A., and Bricmont, J. Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science. New York: Picador USA, 1998. Stufflebeam, D. L. "Conflicts between Standards-Based and Postmodernist Evaluations: Toward Rapprochement." Journal of Personnel Evaluation in Education 12, no. 3 (September 1998): 287-296. Thomas, R. M. "A Glossary of Postmodern Educational Terms." 1997. (ED 410 577) Tisdell, E. "Poststructural Feminist Pedagogies: The Possibilities and Limitations of Feminist Emancipatory Adult Learning Theory and Practice." Adult Education Quarterly 48, no. 3 (Spring 1998): 139-156. Usher, R.; Bryant, I.; and Johnston, R. Adult Education and the Postmodern Challenge: Learning beyond the Limits. New York: Routledge, 1997.

A blog for teenagers about using public transport

You're wearing your clothes, all dressed up to watch the X-Factor finals with your friends. But your dad's car broke down, and your mum has plans. What are you going to do? Have you considered using public transport? It's cheap, easy and very quick, however it does have its down sides. Using public transport is very cheap and free for all ages 16 and under. Mayor of London, Boris Johnson agreed that he would â€Å"look at what we can do next year to bear down on fares†. However if you lose your oyster card or are off by 20p you're forced to walk on your own two feet. So public transport isn't what it's cracked up to be. Using public transport teaches us to be more independent in terms of being capable as a person to navigate around networks and read maps as well as in terms of being able to get around without relying on your parents. In contrast, the media has shown that crime rates on public transport have increased. â€Å"Policeman reveals rape victim for EIGHT minutes before being thrown off bus for not having the full fair.† The 22-year-old student begged the bus driver to let her on board but he refused because she was only 20p short, â€Å"She was so badly battered that her mother failed to recognise her.† Reported the daily mail. Worried about the environment? Well, using public transport is a greener and a better mode of transport for the environment as oppose to going everywhere by car. Carbon emission will be reduced with your help. You could use public transport or bike to get around, as well as keeping you fit and healthy it's like a walk in the park. On the other hand waiting for the bus or train is a death penalty; you never know who is sitting next to you. Practically in urban areas there can be problems with behaviour and conduct with other passengers as well as the driver. Getting the train to get from A to B is the quickest way as you're avoiding all traffic and congestion. Although getting on the tube is like visiting a hospital, with all the germs around who know what you could catch. Viruses spread through the air and also transfer via hand-to-hand contact. On public transportation, the transfer takes place when you touch a support bar or strap that a sick person held. You rub your itchy eye, you welcome the Swine Flu. The most popular method of public transport as researchers have found the 64% of 14 – 19 year olds use the bus to manoeuvre, because it's the least cost effective. Whilst 64% of teenagers use the bus to get around only a mere 32% of parents encourage their children to use it. However public transport is a nightmare, delays and engineering works could ruin your day or night out. Sara Jama from Queens Park has been using public transport for 4 years now and says â€Å"I wouldn't use any other way, I have been using the bus to get to school, and haven't been late more than twice. It's very easy all i have to do is tap my oyster card and wait 'till my stop arrives. Using the train is similar, i top up my oyster card which costs around  £1.40, depending on where i'm going and sit in my seat. And if i ever get lost i've always got the tube map to help me.† As an experienced traveller i personally agree with Jama, using public transport is a piece of cake. So the next time you're ready to go out, but your dad's car broke down and your mum has plans, don't panic. Just grab your oyster card and hop on the nearest bus or train, but go with a sibling or arrange to meet up with a friend. Just in case, because public transport has the X-Factor. Evidence â€Å"I wouldn't use any other way, I have been using the bus to get to school, and haven't been late more than twice. It's very easy all i have to do is tap my oyster card and wait 'till my stop arrives. Using the train is similar, i top up my oyster card which costs around  £1.40, depending on where i'm going and sit in my seat. And if i ever get lost i've always got the tube map to help me.† – Sara Jama

Examining Cell Phone Effects Essay

Kailla Schlimm’s article â€Å"The Effect of Cell Phones in Modern Society† addresses issues on how cell phones have altered modern day society. Schlimm’s article is mainly targeted towards children and teenagers. She begins by expressing the main point that some people rely on their cell phones for everything and gives reason of why this may be and list examples. Schlimm then extends her argument and tells how cell phones are used and what they are used for. Schlimm also confers how cell phones may be great, but they also can cause problems. After each problem is addressed, the reader may want to stop and think about the positive effects and negative effects of cell phones. Schlimm focuses on the many problems that cell phones can cause. In doing so, she reveals examples of danger and harm that they may cause. She begins by proposing explanations of how cell phones can be used improperly. For example, she say â€Å"Phones of the twenty-first century may be great at times, but at the same time the do cause a few problems. For instance, there are people who text and drive† (Schlimm). Schlimm then makes a reference to how this problem may add to the chance of getting into a car wreck even more than drinking alcohol and driving. She explains how this increases problems for the safety of the person texting, as well as all the other drivers. Not only does Schlimm address problems that occur while driving, she also approaches problems that are increasing in schools and homes. Schlimm declares, â€Å"Children are becoming distant for their parents because they are always on their phones focused on other less important thing.† After her statement she explains how some children admit to playing games during dinner, or even church. Also how students use their cell phones to text during school, and their cameras to cheat. She ventures on to acknowledge how these actions cause problems in relationships, families, and the workplace. Overall, Schlimm has her article formatted well. She addresses and lists the problems the have arose since cell phones have become a vital part of society. She provides reasoning and examples behind each statement made. She says, â€Å" Cell phones are basically miniature computers.† She adds that sooner or later there will be no need for computers at all. If this statement is true, it proves that cell phones have had an enormous effect on society and have taken over lives. Schlimm’s essay was effective in many ways. She has fully presented each statement without out-weighing the positives and negatives. . One thing Schlimm could have done differently is given herself more credibility to equal out the balance of the logical and facts and examples she expresses. She could have given an example of a positive time where she has used a call phone and a negative. This would have made the reader feel more inclined to believe that all of her statements are true. With all the facts she finishes by saying that cell phones can be very negative at times and may cause problems, but when they are used properly they may be a wonderful thing. Works Cited Schlimm, Kaila. â€Å"The Effects of Cell Phones in Modern Society.† The Talon. 11 November 2010. Web. 5 February 2012. http://www.elhstalon.net/features/2010/ 11/11/the-effects-of-cell-phones-in-modern-society/