Rita Dove

The poet that I have chosen to do is Rita Dove. In her newest collection of poems, Sonata Mulattica, there were many to choose from. However the two that I wanted to look deeper into were Exit and Golden Oldie. In both poems she is able to convey strong emotions in the characters she described. Rita Dove was born in Akron, Ohio. Her father, Ray A. Dove, was a chemist, and a pioneer of integration in American industry. Both of her parents encouraged persistent study and wide reading. From an early age, Rita loved poetry and music. She played cello in her high school orchestra, and led her high school's majorette squad. As one of the most outstanding high school graduates of her year, she was invited to the White House as a Presidential Scholar. At Miami University in Ohio, she began to pursue writing seriously. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in English in 1973, she won a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Germany for two years at the University of Tubingen. She then joined the famous Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, receiving her Masters' Degree in 1977. At Iowa, she met another Fulbright scholar, a young writer from Germany named Fred Viebahn. They were married in 1979. Their daughter Aviva was born in 1983. From 1981 to 1989, Rita Dove taught creative writing at Arizona State University. Appearances in magazines and anthologies had won national acclaim for Rita Dove before she published her first poetry collection, The Yellow House on the Corner in 1980. It was followed by Museum (1983) and Thomas and Beulah, (1986) a collection of interrelated poems loosely based on the life of her grandparents. Thomas and Beulah won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. In 1993, Rita Dove was appointed to a two-year term as Poet Laureate of the United States and Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. She was the youngest person, and the first African-American, to receive this highest official honor in American letters. In the fall of 1994, she read her poem, Lady Freedom Among Us, at the ceremony commemorating the 200th anniversary of the U. S. Capitol. Other publications by Rita Dove include a book of short stories, Fifth Sunday, the poetry collections Grace Notes, Selected Poems and Mother Love, and the novel Through the Ivory Gate. Her verse drama, The Darker Face of the Earth had its world premiere at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the 1986. Another production of the play appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D. C. , in 1997. Dove has brought her poetry to television audiences through her appearances on CNN and NBC's Today Show. Public Broadcasting has devoted an hour-long prime time special to her life and work. She has shared television stages with Charlie Rose, Bill Moyers and Big Bird. On radio, she has hosted a National Public Radio special on Billie Holliday, and has been a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. She joined former President Jimmy Carter top welcome an unprecedented gathering of Nobel Laureates in Literature to Atlanta, Georgia for a Cultural Olympiad held in conjunction with the 1996 Olympic Games. That same year, a symphonic work for orchestra and narrator — â€Å"Umoja — Each One of Us Counts,† — was performed at Atlanta's Symphony Hall with Rita Dove's text performed by former Mayor and U. N. Ambassador Andrew Young. Dove's lifelong interest in music has taken other forms. She has provided text for works by composers Tania Leon, Bruce Dolphe and Alvin Singleton. Her song cycle Seven for Luck, with music by John Williams, was featured on a PBS television special with the Boston Symphony. In 2009, she published Sonata Mulattica, a book-length cycle of poems telling the story of the 19th century African-European violinist George PolgreenBridgetower and his turbulent friendship with Ludwig van Beethoven. Rita Dove is Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where she lives with her husband, the German author Fred Viebahn. They have one daughter. In her spare time, she studies classical voice and practices the viola da gamba, a 17th century forerunner of the modern cello. Now that a little more about her life is understood it is time to examine the poems themselves. In Golden Oldie Dove tells a narrative about her getting home. The emotions in this poem are clearly evident, and show that the speaker is confused about her life. The first thing I noticed was a irregular rhyming scheme. Often times poetry follows certain patterns, but in this case there is none. The words that rhyme are: swaying and playing, and sentiment and lament. Also, the words â€Å"alive† and â€Å"live by† are very similar sounding. Thus by having some things rhyme, in an irregular manner she shows that there is some consistency within randomness. This is similar to the girls life – very confusing. Moreover, her word choice is quite important in the poem. For instance, swaying is a specific choice because it has connotations of being lost or indifferent. Later on she reaffirms this thought by comparing herself in a simile to a blind pianist caught in a tune meant for more than two hands. The scenario she compares herself to is somewhat humorous to think about, because the pianist is basically completely helpless. Obviously the feat described is quite confusing. In the next few lines she describes the song playing on the radio in her car. It is being sung by a young girl who, in her opinion is dying to feel alive. Dying to feel alive is a pretty intense statement to make. It seems that to make such a drastic statement she may be feeling that same issue. It continues to say â€Å"to discover a pain majestic enough to live by. † This line is very interesting because most people don’t require a pain to live. Rather they try to avoid pain. But it appears that the girl singing, and possibly the author, want to feel something rather than nothing at all. She was getting very intimate with the song, as proven by her turning off the air conditioning, despite the hot temperatures. Also, she leaned back as if to block out everything else but what she heard. The line in the song so closely paid attention to is described as a lament. A lament is described as a way to express sadness, grief, or sorrow. Then, upon hearing the melancholy statement, the speaker says she greedily took in without a clue who my lover might be. This was the most confusing part of the poem to me. At first I didn’t understand how she could greedily take something in, when there was no actual object to get. However, it appears that she is hoarding the idea of having a lover who wants to know where their love went. Thus, it leads me to believe that she is in search of love when she concludes with â€Å"or where to start looking. † Searching for love can be really confusing. Therefore a theme statement for the overall meaning of the poem can be derived: Often times human beings can be very confused in their emotions. Sometimes they can find understanding in other confusing things because it is easy to relate to. The second poem by Rita Dove that I analyzed was Exit. In this case the author conveys that the emotion being felt by the speaker is anxious hopefulness. It is written from the speakers perspective about the reader, which I thought was very interesting. It's about â€Å"you†, the reader, who is going somewhere. There is no rhyming scheme and it is one large stanza. The speaker starts off by saying that a visa is granted. This tends to imply hat someone is going somewhere outside of their current country for an extended period of time. This can cause some anxiety. Moreover, it is said that the traveler wanted to get it, because there was hope that it would arrive. Then upon leaving, there is the realization that it is actually happening. The author compares the exit to that of in a movie. More information about the visa follows. It is has been granted, â€Å"provisionally. † Meaning temporary or conditional, the speaker describes it as a fretful, or scary word. Then a reference to the windows of the house is made. I think the author included this to reinforce the mindset that your leaving home, a very special place. However, an immediate contrast is made by saying â€Å"here it’s gray. † This is in regards to the fact that a feeling of sorrow is present due to leaving. A suitcase is described as the saddest object in the world, which seems odd because the person wanted to travel according to the hope for a visa. Although it may be the case where the traveler knows that it is best to go, but is still upset about leaving. The final few lines reference the childhood of the reader. A metaphor is used to compare the windshield of the vehicle too cheeks of the reader. â€Å"And now through the windshield the sky begins to blush as you did when your mother told you what it took to be a woman in this life. † This is a much more positive angle on the journey they're about to embark on. After reviewing the poems many times a general theme statement can be constructed: Often times human beings feel anxious about something they're going to do. However, despite their concerns they can still have some feelings of hope that they will be successful.

Play on Social Evils: -Dowry Essay

N:-Today we, the seven members {names} of this play greet you all. Here we have in our play Mr. Rai being played by XYZ†¦. He is a retired person who had worked in Indian navy before. Now we have Mrs. Rai being played by XYZ†¦. She is a kind person and loves sincerity .Their daughter Sagarika Rai or the person to be playing the role of a wife is XYZ†¦. She is very shy and coward girl who is also very kind like her mother. Now let us meet with Mr. Ghosh who is XYZ†¦. He is a brave person but cannot withstand his wife’s anger. Here comes the villain of this play or Mrs. Ghosh who is a religious concerned and an old fashioned lady being played by XYZ†¦. Here we have the last person but not the least Sagar Ghosh who is the son of Ghosh family. Scene-1 N- Rai Family .Mr. Rai sitting on his chair reading his daily newspaper. Mrs. Rai sitting to the adjacent chair enjoying her tea with toasts, when Mr. Rai sees advertise of a matrimony website. Mr. Rai- Sagarika has grown big so fast. Hey do you remember how she used to walk with her small legs and smile showing her small teeth. Mr. Rai-Really. I still remember combing her hair and making it when she was small. Mr. Rai-But now I think our Sagarika should be married. Mr. Rai-Even I was thinking of it. You see I heard from our neighbor Mrs. Das whose relative is Mrs. Ghosh. Das was telling me about the boy of Ghosh family. Mr. Rai-Well it would be better if we could have a talk with Ghosh family and speak about the proposal. Mr. Rai-Oh! Yes you can wait I will get it from Mrs. Das. N- {Mrs. Rai exists} After Mrs. Rai gets the number. Mr. Rai-Oh! So the number is 7322252241. Let me call the Ghosh family. Mr. Rai-Hello! Mr. Ghosh-Hello! Mr. Rai-With whom am I having the line across? Mr. Ghosh-Well, this is Mr. Ghosh. Mr. Rai-I am talking to the right person. N-The conversation goes on and they finally decide to meet at Mr. Ghosh’s house. Scene-2 N- Ghosh house. Both Ghosh Family and Rai Family are present. They all sit down on their respected places. Mr. Ghosh-It is pleasure in having you all here? As the proposal was decided. We are ready for the marriage. If you wish Mr. Rai can I ask Sagarika some Questions? Mr. Rai-Obviously you have all the rights. Mr. Ghosh-So, how much educated are you? Sagarika-I have completed my MSc and wish to do owners in this field. Mr. Ghosh-Very good! Girl do you have some hobbies? Mrs. Rai-Yes, she is very good with thread and needle along with studies. Mrs. Ghosh- So you must also know cooking? In Ghosh family everybody is fond of eating and I don’t want a Layman’s girl as my daughter-in-law. N-Laughing and enjoying Rai family now turned some what into a sad mood. Mr. Ghosh-Girl you can talk with Sagar and Sagar my son please show her the park. N- Sagar and Sagarika leave for the park. Mr. Ghosh- Sagar and Sagarika the name sounds so common. They will make a heavenly combination. Mr. Rai-Really. Even both look like true prince and princess. Mr. Ghosh -That all is ok then let us talk about the arrangements. Mrs. Rai-Truly†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ But I don’t wish that you may not talk about the social evils like dowry and all that to be paid in this world of 21st century. Mrs. Ghosh- How can it not be possible? It is a ritual and all must follow it. N-and so the debating goes on .but Mrs. Ghosh sticks to her opinion and demands a 30gm gold chain+Rs.5lakh cash, at last it is reduced to a 10gm gold ring+Rs.2lakh +all the wedding cost. After Marriage N-Though the wedding goes good Sagarika’s life ruins. Her Mother-in-law treats her badly. Sagarika learning all the moral values from her parents behaves very politely with her mother-in-law but her mother in law is  terrible. Mr. Ghosh cares for her as his own daughter and Sagar loves her a lot. Scene-3 N-Today is the auspicious day of karvachauth. The Holy day when wife’s fast without having a sip of water from morning to evening and break their fast after seeing their husband’s face. It is like a type of prayer for husband’s long life. Sagarika is also following the ritual and doing her 1st karvachauth. Mrs. Ghosh-Sagarika! I wish you are keeping your karvachauth. Sagarika-Yes mother! But I have to attend my college as I have my major tests today Mrs. Ghosh-Girls Nowadays! They just don’t give importance to these rituals. What should we say now? Sagarika- But mom I am following the rituals too. Mrs. Ghosh-Oh! Then why are you going to the college. Today you can stay and help me as the maid has taken holiday. You nasty girl I know you, you will go out have fun eat food and leave this old lady with loads of work. You daughters of laymen are like this only. Sagarika- Mom whatever you want to say you can say it to me but don’t insult my parents. N- {Mr. Ghosh enters} Mr. Ghosh- What is happening here? Why so much noise? Mrs. Ghosh-Oh! See your daughter in law and her spicy tongue. Mr. Ghosh -Oh! Oh! Maya stop it now. Why do you blame her always? Mrs. Ghosh- Blame her! Oh! You are a mad person. Don’t you hear her shouting at me? Mr. Ghosh- Sagarika, sweet Sagarika I know you are innocent but what is the matter. Sagarika- Actually today I have my major†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. N- {She is interrupted} Mrs. Ghosh- Oh! She doesn’t want to do karvachauth so she is making reasons. She will go out and party with her friends and at the same time she will make us fool by doing karvachauth. Oh! I am worried about Sagar. Mr. Ghosh-It is her 1st karvachauth. It is her wish if she wants to keep it or not. Mrs. Ghosh-Go on! Keep on taking that laymen’s daughter’s side. You want to know why I trouble you. I trouble you because your father didn’t pay the demanded dowry. N- Sagarika starts crying and misses her major tests  that day. She starts getting annoyed by her mother in law. She often complains her husband but Sagar can’t raise his voice against his mother. Sagarika even complains about these matters to her mother but being a good person used to advice to behave with her mother in law properly and used to say that such fights are common after marriage life. {Days passed, Months passed, after 2 years} Mrs. Ghosh is a widow and there is no one to save Sagarika from the troubles that were caused by Mrs. Ghosh. Scene-4 Sagarika is now a teacher. One day†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Mrs. Ghosh-Hey you layman’s daughter. Why do you work while my son Sagar earns so much? Sagarika- Mom it is because it includes passion. Mrs. Ghosh-From now on you will not work anymore. Sagarika-Mom but I like my job and I am happy with it. Mrs. Ghosh-Oh so now you will teach me. Sagar, where are you. See this your wife is telling me to wash her clothes. Sagar- What is it, Sagarika? Why am I having complains from mom? I never knew that you treated old people like this. Sagarika – But†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Sagar- No ifs or buts. Enough is enough. Mrs. Ghosh-Not only that Sagar that day when the maid was absent she ordered me to clean the house. Sagarika-But mom I never said you like that instead I myself cleaned the house. Sagar- I didn’t expect this from you. Sagarika-Mom why do you do this to me? Sagar-Now I order you Sagarika that you will leave your job and take care of mother. N-Sagarika as her mother obeys to her husband and leaves the job. Mrs. Ghosh has stopped the maid from coming and forces Sagarika to do all the household chores. Mrs. Ghosh-Where are my spectacles? Sagarika- I broke it. Mrs. Ghosh-Oh! Sagar see here she broke my glasses so that I fall down and break my legs. Sagar-Sagarika, what is it? Sagarika- but I didn’t do it knowingly. Mrs. Ghosh- Oh! See this Nasty girl, Daughter of a beggar. Sagarika-Mom speak properly. Sagar-Oh! Now you will teach my mom how to speak after breaking her glasses. You need a good thrashing. Mrs. Ghosh-So good bring the whip. Let me give her some brains that her parents lacked. What would have happened if your father paid the demanded dowry? N-Sagar and his mother went on torturing her. Sagarika then finally decide to suicide. Friends like this many woman suicide in a year. Dowry is one of those social evils due to which lives of so many innocent girls are threatened and they end up dying. So it is the responsibility of the youth to spread awareness and stop social evils.

MGI Exam Study Guide

Recruitment and Selection Sources for Recruitment -Internal (pros/cons) -External (pros/cons) -Realistic Job Previews Attraction-selection-Attrition (the importance of goals) Selection process -Popular selection techniques (pros/cons), achievement vs.. Aptitude tests, etc.Personality -Interviews (methods, errors), ways In which fit assessments may be biased Top 5 cost effective staffing techniques Making the selection decision (banding, types of errors) Effectiveness (and ways to enhance them) -Reliability -Validity Legal Issues in Recruiting and Selection Chapter 8: Managing a Diverse Workforce How the workforce Is changing -Issues related to older workers -Issues related to gender -Issues related to racial diversity (don't worry about specific percentages of those employed, just know the overall idea) Knowledge workers and the issues associatedValues that occur across cultures, and other things (needs, compensation, etc. ) that can be important to all people regardless of diversity 6 ways in which diversity can create a competitive advantage Bottom line on diversity (also use info from the slides) Managing Diversity -Individual strategies for dealing with diversity -Organizational strategies for dealing with diversity -Multi-cultural organization Organizational learning (you had to read this section on your own) Diversity and Social Change HARM and Social Issues.

MLA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MLA - Research Paper Example Skin cancer, also known as skin neoplasia, refers to â€Å"the uncontrolled growth of unusual skin cells that can extend from the skin into other tissues and organs if left unchecked† (A.D.A.M, 1). As the cells replicate, they form a tumor. Frequently, skin tumors are referred to as lesions. If tumors are malignant, they become cancerous, which means that they intrude on and invade neighboring tissues owing to their unrestrained growth. They may also spread to the body’s remote organs either through the bloodstream or through the lymphatic system. Metastasis is a term that refers to â€Å"the process in which tumors invade a body organ and spread to other body organs† (Emedicinehealth.com 1) – they invade the neighboring tissues and overwhelm them not only by taking their space but also the oxygen and nutrients that they require to survive as well as function. Rockoff documents that skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer and that estimates hav e it that over one million new cases arise every year. He additionally asserts that annually, the rates of all forms of skin cancer are mounting, which has instigated a mounting public concern. Estimates also have it that almost half of all Americans who live to age 65 get skin cancer no less than once. Skin cancer classification depends on the particular types of epidermal cells involved. The various skin cancer categories therefore include melanoma, basal cell carcinoma/basal cell carcinoma epithelioma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma takes place in melanocytes – the cells that produce pigment. Although this cancer type is not so common, it is the most dangerous as it tends to metastasize (spread) all over the body quickly. It is the principal cause of skin disease death. The basal cell carcinoma/basal cell carcinoma epithelioma develops when there is abnormal cell growth in epidermis’ lowest layer while the squamous cell carcinoma occurs due to changes in the s quamous cells, which are found in the middle layer of the epidermis (A.D.A.M., 4). Rockoff asserts, â€Å"The first phase of squamous cell carcinoma is called actinic keratosis† (para1). Further, he explains that the last two cancer types are the common-most forms of cancer and are both known as nonmelanoma skin cancer. Other nonmelanoma skin cancers include kaposi's sarcoma, merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous lymphoma (A.D.A.M., para4). The American Cancer Society documents that â€Å"most cases of nonmelanoma skin cancers occurs on body areas that are mostly exposed to the sun, which include the backs of hands, face, ear, lips and neck†. In addition, depending on the type, they can be slow or fast growing. However, they barely ever spread to other parts of the body. It is important to note that these forms of cancer in particular are very likely to be healed in case of early identification and treatment. Risk factors of Skin Cancer There are various recognized risk factors for skin cancer. Some of them include exposure to the sun and sunburn – as earlier pointed out; areas of the skin that are often exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation are more prone to skin cancer. â€Å"This is deemed the primary cause of all skin cancers† (A.D.A.M., 5). Other causes include light-colored skin, hair and eyes (fair complexion); genetics (having a family history of melanoma); atypical/multiple moles; occupational exposures to radium, coal tar, pitch, arsenic compounds or creosote; in addition to age – nonmelanoma skin

Japanese cultural analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Japanese cultural analysis - Research Paper Example Undertaking cultural and economic analysis is extremely beneficial for decision making be it at company level or at national levels. Without a vivid cultural and economic analysis in place, it becomes very difficult to know more about a particular place in question. To this effect, this write-up was undertaken to bring to light, the cultural analysis of Japan. Areas that have been looked at include geographical setting, social institutions and education. In terms of culture, Japan has a long adhered system of practices, which are important for every investor who wishes to enter Japan to know and learn to adhere to. This way, can be a future of promising prosperity for the investor. II. Introduction Cultural analysis is explained to be the use of qualitative research methods to identify â€Å"the applied analysis of cultural phenomenon, often including advertising and media products, in order to provide context for a client's business or insight into a market† (Association for Qualitative Research, 2010). By the use of the term qualitative research method, this that cultural analysis is conducted based on certain defined principles of publicly available data. Not withstanding this, a researcher may also conduct cultural analysis by the use of field related research methods such as interview (Association for Qualitative Research, 2010). In this context, much of the analysis was based on publicly available data and the most vital cultural analysis information on Japan comes to rest on three major areas. III. Country’s History (Brief) The first area of cultural analysis concern for Japan has to do with what the Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc (2011) puts it as the Confucian dynamism. â€Å"In practical terms Confucianism refers to a long-term versus a short-term orientation in life† (Hofstede, pg. 164). The Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc argues that Japan upholds the long-term orientation as against short-term orientation. Clark (2005) explains that count ries that have the long-term orientation revolve on the axis of â€Å"persistence (perseverance), ordering relationships by status, thrift and having a sense of shame.† Generally, policy makers of such countries focus on future generations rather than the present generation though it does not neglect the present generation altogether. To this end, Japan as a long-term oriented country invests so much in education since education has a long-term positive effect on the fortunes of the country. Against this backdrop, it can be said that kikki.k has a great advantage venturing into Japan. With reference to the products of kikki.k, it is clear the products have greater relation with education. This means that with a well marketing strategy, the company can dominate the stationery industry in the Japan. IV. Geographical Setting A. Location Viewed from the geographic coordinate system, Japan can be said to be 36 ° north of the equator and 138 ° east of the Prime Meridian. Japan is made up of thousands of islands, among which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest. Japan shares border and are the closest neighbors are Russia, China and Korea. B. Climate Due to the presence of the three thousand islands in Japan, Japan’s climate is not the same everywhere. However on the average, there are four seasons which are summer, winter, spring and autumn. C. Topography According to the Encyclopedia of the World (2011), there islands which stretches from Southeast Asia to the Aleutian Islands. 75% of land in Japan is covered with mountain. Landforms are steep and rugged. The is the presence of two principal mountain ranges, which are the Hida (or Japan Alps) and the Akaishi mountains. Among the many mountains, twenty-five have peaks of over 3,000 m (9,800 ft), among which the highest is Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san), which stands at 3,776 m (12,388 ft). There are 265 volcanoes in Japan among which 20 remain active. An average of 1,5000 minor shocks of earthquake occurs yearly. There are few and small plains which only about 29% of the

The Bucket List movie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Bucket List movie - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that when a person reaches the final stage of his life, which according to Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory called Integrity versus Despair, the person starts to reminisce or recall the things that have happened to his or her life in the past. The person tries to reflect back on the accomplishments or the disappointments on his life. These retrospections create different angles of impressions toward the person whether integrity or bitterness, felicity or sorrow and so on and so forth. We say integrity because he was able to fulfil his life’s purpose and was able to spend his lifetime with manifold accomplishments and bitterness in a sense that the person failed to undertake the enterprises that he thought he would have done in the past. Seen this way, he or she develops two senses toward these reflections – contentment and disappointment. In the movie â€Å"The Bucket List†, it was clearly evoked th e nature of human beings as they reach the final stage of their lives, especially on this case, the characters were facing a possible doom due to lung cancer. Erikson predicated that when we become old, we start to become dormant or unproductive and instead, we start to strive for enjoyment by spending the rest of our lives travelling and visiting those places we have never visited before, eating the foods we never had the chance to eat before or just simply doing the things that we never experienced.          In the following passages, I will cite some scenes on the movies and relate them to Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory. As conveyed in the movie, both Carter and Edward were already senior citizens and both of them were lung cancer patients. Carter was black and broke and he was very thin due to his disease. Edward, on the other hand, was an opulent hospital mogul who was confined in treatment facility wherein he shared the same room with Carter. Both of them had unresolved conflicts during the earlier stages of their lives. Carter was not able to fulfil his childhood dreams of becoming a historian while Edward had a very miserable, forlorn life after he was disheartened by the repudiation of her daughter. First scene: As we can recall, Carter wrote a â€Å"bucket list† and there listed the things that he wish to do before he dies but he discarded it after learning that he only had 6 more months to live. If we cogitate on this scene, it suggested a sens e of Wisdom and acceptance. I say Wisdom and acceptance because he had become brave enough to accept that his death was very near. It also suggested that he accepted accountability of all his past actions and was willing to spend the rest of his days in a more significant way: to be able to help. Second scene: Carter went home to his wife and children and there he had wonderful time with his family. Carter had changed his view about his death. He started to appreciate all of the things that happened to him like the establishment of his family. He became a man of integrity and that he felt at least he was a good husband, a father and a grandfather after all when 3 he was not able to fulfil his childhood dream and did not make any improvement on his job as a mechanic. It shows that when a certain person faces his doom, he becomes more valiant. Another scene would be when Edward reconciled with his daughter. In this context, he attempted to reverse the events that had occurred between him and his daughter. He knew that they had conflict and it was part of his bitter past. There was an attempt to align the derailed relationship of Edward and his daughter which aimed for a more meaningful and mirthful life contrary to what he had in

Business Plan for setting up an e-commerce site Coursework

Business Plan for setting up an e-commerce site - Coursework Example Government incentives to prep up this technology and support programmes to reach a larger customer base have paid dividends. (Payman, Rosemario et al, May 2006) 3. Social factors like the willingness of the both the newer and older generation who have embraced this technology and have asserted themselves in becoming computer literate. (Zorayda Ruth Andam, 2003) 4. Economic factors where higher GDP growth has lead to higher incomes have provided incentives to people to look for alternative shopping options. Innovations in banking like net banking, debit card and credit card banking have also helped customers to try out this area of virtual shopping. (Payman, Rosemario et al, May 2006) With these infrastructures in place the idea of a online site for quality paintings seems to be a workable proposition especially since the market for interior decoration is booming and there are people who, similar to gold are willing to invest in painting as they see it fetching them an exponential ret urn should they plan to sell the same in the future. Marketing Concepts for the e-commerce environment and the use of social networking sites Some of the different models of e-commerce used for marketing of a product include B2B (business-to-business), business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-government (B2G), consumer-to-consumer (C2C) and mobile commerce (m-commerce) 1. In the B2B model, businesses sell their products to other businesses. This model of marketing forms a significant chunk of the e-commerce market. (Zorayda Ruth Andam, 2003) This employs techniques such as e-distributor where a company hosts products viable for use in different businesses. 2. In the B2C model, the business transaction takes place... Business Plan for setting up an e-commerce site As a business plan, the idea is to introduce a segment that would target a niche audience as well as create a platform for others to showcase their products on the website. I plan to develop a website that would cater to the lovers of art and painting. As part of my research I have found that there are limited areas where true connoisseurs of art are able to purchase quality painting or works of art. In cases where an actual physical auction takes place, some buyers miss the event simply due to their ignorance regarding the sale or they are not able to make it to the event due to prior commitments. The idea of such a website is that information regarding the best pieces of art that are up for sale are sourced from various countries through a ground network and these works are actually showcased in this website. A minimum price is fixed along with a cut off date so that art lovers can place their bid by the closing date. After the closing date & time, the piece would be shipped to the customers shipping address provided in the transaction using the services of a reliable courier like Fedex. The money after taking a percentage cut would be transferred via net banking to the creator of the artistic piece. A robust infrastructure has already proved to be quite effective in the rapid growth of e-commerce.The business plan draft required in this assignment is a form of C2C commerce wherein a website designed by me shall act as a platform for online auctions for products related to paintings and other crafts.

The Effect of Clinical Simulation on Student Self Efficacy in Learning Research Paper

The Effect of Clinical Simulation on Student Self Efficacy in Learning at NSU - Research Paper Example Health care profession demands high standards of work ethics and faultlessness. Therefore, if these standards are not met self confidence tends to deteriorate. In such conditions, one tends to feed anxiety because failure is anticipated, which undermines one’s self-efficacy (Watt & Stewart, 2008). Examining the social learning theory proves to be valuable in discussing the effect of clinical simulation on self efficacy of students. According to the social learning theory, self efficacy refers to an individual's belief that he or she is capable of performing a task, in terms of organizational behavior; the higher the self efficacy, the more confidence one has in one’s capacity to perform a duty (Robbins, 2010). To explain the importance of clinical simulation, one needs to collect data regarding the incorporation of this method in teaching curriculum. Focusing on this point, clinical simulation has become an essential part of learning; state boards of nursing approve spe cific substitutions count between 10% and 25% of simulation time as clinical experience (Gaberson, Gaberson & Oermann, 2010). Nevertheless, complete comprehensive data and the performance of students need to be collected for complete analysis of the effects of clinical simulation. This study targets the students or health care professionals currently training in programs which include dealing with clinical simulation. It will give an in depth insight about the effects of clinical simulation on the future medical practice of students. Simulation is a goal-directed experimentation with dynamic models, which has time-varying characteristics and can be mathematical, symbolic or physical (Sokolowski & Banks, 2009).... This essay approves that the following exposition revolves around the basic idea, advantages, disadvantages and its probable effects on self efficacy of students and professionals of one of the methods widely used in practical learning; Simulation. For decades, research on the ways to make teaching methods more effective has been carried out around the world. Whether it be health, sports, law, politics or any other profession, incorporation of practical work is now essential in educating students belonging to diverse professions. The purpose of this study is to closely evaluate the pros and cons of clinical stimulation and all the possible ways in which one can affect the students under medical training. In depth to the whole idea of clinical simulation, emphasis is based on the self-efficacy of the medical professionals trained through clinical simulation and whether this routine has a positive or negative effect on it. Furthermore, we explore whether using artificial means of clinical education, in contrast to an actual interaction with a patient, can successfully prepare students for challenging medical emergencies they shall encounter in professional careers. This report makes a conclusion that health care simulation is therefore, a very effective way of preparing medical professionals for their medical practice on real-life patients and serious practical problems, since students can practice skills in a simulation laboratory without the constraint of a real-life situation. Since medical simulation gives an opportunity to experience a diverse range of situations, it helps enable medical professionals to deal with sudden unfamiliar complicated situations arising in real-life.

Strategic analysis of a company and its competitive environment Essay - 3

Strategic analysis of a company and its competitive environment - Essay Example This company is also renowned for exemplary quality value for men’s clothes that have unique and classic models. Notably, M&S competes in the highly competitive market for domestic products and the food selling industry, in comparison with other food-selling retailers, who sell products from fresh groceries and meals, both readily and partly. The company has substantially invested in online marketing to maximize its sales of domestic products. M&S is the foremost company in the Britain that inculcates self-client service. It is advancing in men’s wear and children’s wear market at a high rate. Approximately, each week, the tally of shoppers that visit M&S exceeds twenty million in the totality of all M|&S retail stores. To serve such a huge number of clients in M&S’s six hundred stores in Britain, the affiliation employs a workforce body of seventy five thousand staff globally. The M&S store receives significant competition from its rival stores. The exten t of rivalry in the company immensely augmented with entry of similar firms into the ritual of attire; where such companies as the Oasis and Gap provided contemporary fashion, whereas companies such as Matalan and George introduced the same merchandise at low prices. The augmented rivalry that struck M&S in the 1990 epoch was because of their clothing in stock being notably common and their competitors stocking diverse fashion and minimized the competitive advantage of M&S (Collis 2008). This intimidated the identity of their brand that had been an emblem of reliable, quality, and reputation. The rivalry further increased by M&S’s fixed costs such as labor costs, warehousing expenses and a substantial proportion of their costs of operation. Relating to supplier ability, the company chiefly sourced its merchandise from British based suppliers who were ever available (M&S). The suppliers are set to differentiate their merchandise to fit the quality specifications of M&S, which induced their aptitude to stock quality merchandise consistently. Their relations with the suppliers induced a boost to their competitive advantage. The aptitude to differentiate their input affected their ability to source huge volumes of apparel that encouraged their suppliers to experience the benefits of this unique differentiation. The purchasers in the M&S context are sensitive to fashion and sustainability of design. The upper-end consumers place a great value on their favorite attire and are willing to remit premiums on attire that appeals to them. On the low-end of the pyramids, the consumers are also sensitive to price and M&S was on an augmented risk of draining market shares to affiliations that declared low prices for matching products (Harney 2012). The attires on offer from this company also seem to have close substitutes in the market, a fact that compromises their market edge. The consistency in generating fashion and quality that appeal to clients would elicit a br and loyalty among such clients; as evidenced by the company holding a significant clientele before its eventual decline. This loyalty is at stake when a disconnection results in the companies losing touch with dynamic clientele preferences. The industry where M&S functions demands that operators maintain the virtue of inculcating innovations to keep on point with dynamic clientele preferences. This is because of the ease with which rivals can replicate existing designs or produce

Fermentation Kinetics of Different Sugars Essay

Fermentation Kinetics of Different Sugars - Essay Example The findings achieved through the experiment showed an increased rate of fermentation in tubes with glucose and sucrose as the substrate while lactose showed a massively decreased rate of fermentation. The addition of sodium fluoride also caused a decreased rate of fermentation. Analysis of the complete data suggested that the carbohydrates used by Saccharomyces cerevisiae for fermentation play a great role in the final rate of fermentation. Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, fermentation, carbohydrates, magnesium Fermentation Cells and tissues irrespective of belonging to animal or plant have a minimum requirement of energy. Different processes such as synthesis of molecules, transportation, DNA replication and cell repairs have varying requirements of energy. To successfully complete these processes cells undertake many metabolic processes to achieve their supply of energy. Glucose being the most important carbohydrate and the end product of almost all food sources is the beginnin g point of these metabolic processes. Energy conversion starts from the process of glycolysis. As explained by Agrimi et al., (2011) glycolysis begins with the entry of a single glucose molecule and terminates with the production of two pyruvate molecules. The process immediately yields four ATP molecules. However, with the consumption of two ATP molecules at two different steps in the cycle, the net production via substrate level phosphorylation turns out to be two. Although the process itself is not affected by the presence or absence of oxygen, the final production of the ATPs is hugely affected under hypoxic conditions as only 2 ATP molecules per glucose are produced instead of 36 ATP molecules per every glucose molecule. Depending on the availability of oxygen the pyruvates produced at the end of glycolysis are either shuttled into either cellular respiration / Krebs cycle or they are used in the process of fermentation. Fermentation has been derived from a Latin word ‘fe ver’ meaning to ferment.

Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome, Self-esteem, and Gender Essay Example for Free

Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome, Self-esteem, and Gender Essay Introduction and Statement of the Problem Life is a continuous process of change and evolution. The only thing constant in this world is change. In order for an individual to grow, he needs to make a sound decision about the changes that he is going to adapt. In life one could not avoid having bad experiences. It is part of growing up and there are also some benefits that one could get from a bad experience; learning what went wrong and avoiding the occurrence of it in the future. However, the way an individual cope up with bad experiences differ from one another. There is no exact formula on how unlikable situations should be handled. There are some who are able to come out of it better but there are some who are being hunted by it. When one tries to suppress his feelings and not let others see what they are truly feeling, sometimes this bottled up emotions causes stress. Flashbacks are memories that we try to hide away. These are like bombs that when are lit up, creates vivid scenario of the emotions that one is trying to avoid. Some are unable to handle it this the lack of control of their emotion leads to different kinds of emotional disorder and one this will be the post-traumatic stress disorder. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a term that first appeared in 1980 in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The development of the concept was said to be with socio economic and political implications as to veterans of war. PTSD is one of the psychiatric diagnoses in which a veteran could accept medical compensation. The diagnosis is highly controversial because of the strong connection with compensation seeking behavior and efforts and the uncertainty about the affect of this on objective diagnosis of those who may have been subjected to trauma (Wikipedia, 2006). Stress theory has defined post traumatic disorder as imbalance of chemicals within the neurotransmitters (Wikipedia, 2006). However not everyone who have suffered painful event could be said to have acquired a post traumatic stress syndrome. There are criteria set and look on by clinical psychologist before one could be diagnosed to have one. Examples of the behaviors that should be manifested by a victim would be constant flashback of the tragic or unwanted event, feelings of detachment, insomnia, exaggerated startled response and difficulty in concentrating (Morgan, 1996). Nowadays the term is associated with any anxiety disorder brought about by flood, earthquake, plane crash, rape, assault, accident, fire or any devastating event that could trigger emotional imbalance. Anyone could suffer from PTSD but the most vulnerable are the young and aged because of their less ability to cope with trauma. A recent survey concluded regarding those who suffered from severe burns, 80% of young children experience post traumatic stress 2-3 years after as compared to the 30% of adults. In the United States, it said that 12% of women and 6% of men of experience PTSD sometimes in the course of their lives. The most cases for women are about sexual molestations and about combat war duty for men (Morgan, 1996). A flashback does not only occur to those with emotional problems but also those that are healthy. The number of occurrence and the intensity of the effect of flashback have an effect for it to be called as an abnormal one. It shakes the mind to its core like the experience of an earthquake. They might be parallel to an epileptic seizure wherein there is no telling when it will occur in a person. It could be attributed in a total chaos felt by an individual that may make his head hurt and have his emotion in total chaos. In such a situation, the subject feels depressed and afraid. He or she feels confused, disassociated from reality and suffers from obsessive thoughts centered on the endless effort of easing the fear (Saito, 2006). This results to the person being in a continuous state of fear, worry and anxiousness. These flashbacks trigger more problems in an individual regarding how he interacts in his present situation. There are times that even if an individual diagnosed with post traumatic disorder is said to be clinically healed, there are still instances that flashbacks will plagued him. The difference though will be in the intensity and since a person is said to be clinically healed from post traumatic stress disorder, he knows how to handle and react when situations like this arises (Saito, 2006). Separation by parent could also have a major negative impact on the emotions of children. Domestic violence is a problem in society that is hard to eradicate. This kind of violence also causes trauma. The effect of depression that a child undergoes because of witnessing domestic violence was look upon. Gender differences in self esteem of forty five school children who are within the elementary grade was analyzed for the study. In this study the result shows that boys who have witness domestic violence have lower self esteem than the girls (Reynolds et al, 2001). Bigger percentage of those that were diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome is the children. They lack the proper experiences and they are unable to defend themselves when a bad situation arises. They still don’t know how to handle their emotions; they still lack the necessary skills to cope with the stress brought about by a bad incident in their lives. Social Learning Theory formulated by Bandura explains that learning is done by an individual through modeling a behavior that one gets from the environment. Observational language as proposed by this theory encompasses four important components; attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation. This theory has been widely use in the study of psychological disorder and behavior modification. Social learning theory has also been use by some social scientist regarding the relationship between self confidence and the learning process of an individual (Ormrod, 1999). When a person is overly exposed in a negative situation, this triggers an imbalance in his emotions. One quality for a person to be diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome will be the feeling of detachment and exaggerated response when startled.   Detachment could be defined as the lack of enthusiasm or a very low motivation about interacting with peers or with the environment. Thus there could be relationship between self-esteem of a child and post traumatic stress syndrome. Self-esteem will be how one person looks at himself; his view about his worth and the qualities that he can offer the world. The feeling of detachment has something to do with the level of self-esteem that a child has. The relationship between self-esteem and post traumatic stress disorder will be look on. This could help parents or guardians, and school administrators in checking the status of the children and thus they could employ a way to help, if it is needed. Since children are still unable to establish their personalities, they are the likely candidate for post-traumatic stress disorder. This study will try to examine the relation of having a post traumatic stress syndrome with the gender of a child. They say that women are more emotional than men; this will hold true for adult individuals but how about for a child who has not yet have the necessary emotions to build his personality, there might be a different case thus a different approach to healing should be employed. Statement of the problem The relation of gender to post traumatic stress disorder will be analyzed. The sample will be middle school children. The study will try to check what gender of a child the most needed help to overcome or avoid post traumatic stress syndrome. The relationship between these variables will be analyzed and recorded to check the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. How it affects children ages ten to twelve years old will also be look upon. A survey will be utilized to administer the test. The result will be analyzed using regression coefficient test. Research Questions and Hypotheses Hypotheses Self Esteem: H1: There is a relationship between self esteem and PTSD symptoms. Ho: There is no relationship between self esteem and levels of PTSD. Gender: H1: There is a relationship between symptoms of PTSD and gender. Ho: There is no relationship between gender and levels of PTSD Research Question Research Aim: The aim of this research is to show a relationship between self-esteem and gender with level of post traumatic stress disorder that a child experiences. Theoretical construct to be employed will be of social learning theory. The survey from will have questions that are directed will be directed not only with the children but also with the teachers, guardians, parents and friends of the target population that has been said to have experience a traumatic incident and have been diagnosed with a post traumatic stress disorder. Sample Research Question: The names and other personal information regarding the participants will be withheld for their protection. The personal information that will be obtained from them will be their age and gender. Have your child experience a traumatic event in your life? What kind of traumatic event have you been exposed to? When did you experience this traumatic event? How many times do you think you have been exposed to traumatic events? Have you been experiencing constant uncontrollable shaking or heart palpitations? Have you had clinical diagnosis and treatment after the traumatic experience? Did this traumatic event made you change how you deal with other people? Do you find it easy to trust other people now? Are you having problem sleeping at night? Are you having recurrent flashback of the traumatic event that you have experienced? Are you having problems relating your emotions to other people? Did you have problem eating after the painful experience that you have encountered? Do you think your family is giving you enough support in healing the painful experience that you have? Rate your confidence within yourself regarding your emotional capabilities. One being the lowest and ten being the highest. Are you able to focus well on your tasks in school? Do you think you have many or just few friends? Do you think your peers understand you? Are you satisfied with your current status regarding your studies? Are you satisfied with your current status regarding your family? Are you confident about your future, that you will have a good one? Are you able to share the traumatic experience that you have encountered with your friends or family members? How many months before you had felt better after the traumatic event? Definitions of Theoretical Constructs Traumatic events will be defined as an experience that an individual had that causes him to feel emotional disturbances like horror, helplessness and a sense of disrupt equilibrium. Traumatic events could also be marked by an injury to the victim. The injury may be emotional or physical. Some say that a person may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder if the person’s emotional status will not get better after three months after the incident. This is the threshold month before a person could be said to have an emotional disturbance (CDC, 2005). Self esteem will be the level of confidence that a child has regarding how he can achieve things. This will also be related to how a child interacts with his peers, friends and family members. Self esteem is also how a child sees himself, if he thinks he has good physical attributes, as well as emotional and mental capabilities. Gender is another term for the sexuality of a human being. There will only be two distinction regarding the sexuality of human beings, that will be a person could only be a male or a female. The physical attribute of the person will be the basis for sexuality and not the emotional preference of the child. Social learning theory focuses on how an individual relates to his environment. The way an individual response to different stimuli that has been presented has something to do with the motivations and degree of attention that the person gives to the specific stimuli that has been presented to him. This theory has been employed to better understand aggression and concept of self worth by some individuals. This would be how one sees their worth despite the odds and how they define themselves according to what they have experience. Post traumatic stress disorder is an emotional disturbances cause by negative stimulus that an individual experiences within his environment. Sometimes, too much exposure to this negative stimulus causes a disruption of equilibrium and sometimes the individual will have problem regarding the distinction of what society perceives as right and wrong. Emotional stress might have an affect on the cognitive aspect of an individual. People surrounding an individual who has experience post traumatic stress disorder should keep in mind that they have to help in creating a balance again in the lives of the victims; this could be done by being aware that they need attention and motivation. This could help in making sure that the victim will heal and that his future will not be jeopardize because of a mistake that has harmed him when he was still a child. That is why in the study; those surrounding the children, like teachers, guardians and parents will also be interviewed. The interview with them aims to create an awareness regarding what post traumatic stress disorder is and makes them think about how to help create a better environment for the victims of traumatic events. Research Design A random sample of fifty children age 10-12 will be the target population for the study. The sample will be obtained from three different local schools within the state. Teachers and parents will be interviewed first to check those students who could be use for the sampling. They should be those students who have witness or experience a traumatic event in their life. They may or may not be diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. The school record of those who will answer the survey will also be checked to. A survey format questionnaire will be given the random sample of fifty children. Ratio of the number of male and female population will also be recorded. The statistical test that will be use to interpret the survey will be regression coefficient of beta and the statistical measure will employ the F test or F equals t-squared. Ancova will be the program to be use to help diagnose the coefficients of the result of the survey. Contributions Self-concept on the other hand for me is a person’s ability to relate them to what they are trying to learn. This means having a clear notion of how one could learn not only by the aid of mentors but also on how we would help ourselves to learn new concepts that are being presented to us. In life there will be instances that a person’s self concept may be put into jeopardize when a person, specially a child, experiences a traumatic event in his life. There could problems regarding how he will interpret the new things that are being presented to him after the traumatic event. A better understanding of what a child goes through after a painful experience will help understand the trauma and stress that is being experienced. This could aid on the right approach that should be employed to make sure that the emotional and intellectual growth of a child is not hampered but he was able to learn and get the lesson in the bad thing that has happened to him. This could also help parents, teachers and guardians by having a correct awareness about post traumatic stress disorder and its effect to their children. It is hoping that after those surrounding the child who is a victim of a traumatic event; they will do the necessary assessment and intervention needed to create an equilibrium within the victim’s emotions. That since they will have better understanding, they will have greater patience to the child if it is showing negative attitudes because of their traumatic experience. That they will give him more motivation to heal himself from the pain that he is experiencing. Life is never easy, painful experiences are part of one’s life but proper knowledge on how to handle these pains will be beneficial on coping with changes and making sure that children grow up healthy, physically and mentally. Reference: Department of Heath and Human Services. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). (2005). Coping with a Traumatic Event. Retrieved September 26, 2006 from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/copingpub.asp Elklit, A. (2002). Victimization and PTSD in a Danish National Youth Probability Sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry. 41(2):174-181, February 2002. Lippincott Williams Wilkins Kurtz, Linda. (1995). A Coping Processes and Behavioral Outcomes in Children of Divorce . University of Alberta. Canadian Journal of School Psychology .Volume 11, Number 1, Spring 1995. Morgan, Barbara J. (1996). Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. p343. Guide to Medical Cures and Treatments, The Reader’s Digest Association Inc. Pleasantville New York, Montreal. Motta, Robert. (1995). Childhood Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Schools. Hofstra University. Canadian Journal of School Psychology .Volume 11, Number 1, Spring 1995. Ormrod, J.E. (1999). Human learning (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Reynolds et al. (2001). The relationship between gender, depression, and self-esteem in children who have witnessed domestic violence. Loyola College of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. MedLine Publication. Saito. (2006). The Best Way to Cure Anxiety Disorder. Saito Therapy. Retrieved September 26, 2006 from http://healmind.com/saitotherapy/flbgraphstt.htm Wikipedia. (2006). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Retrieved September 26, 2006 from . http://www.answers.com/topic/post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hawthorne effect Essay Example for Free

Hawthorne effect Essay In today’s competitive climate lots of business owners are trying to get more from their workforce at the same time however their employees are trying to get more from their jobs. Reward and recognition programmes are one way that employers can motivate their staff into changing their key behaviors and work habits, thus benefitting the business. At the same time these schemes can also give the employee that little bit extra they are looking for from job. Motivation and reward are closely linked and there have been many credible theories written on the subject. It is widely recognised that human beings have a need to feel valued, both in their home lives and in the work place. To keep people motivated they need to be encouraged, rewarded (where appropriate) or recognised in their endeavors. One of the most valued of the motivation theories was written by Abraham Maslow from the USA back in the 1950’s. As part of his study into motivation Maslow developed a five tiered hierarchy of needs. He argued that the way to motivate individuals in the workplace and indeed in life is to satisfy the need sets one by one and in order. The first of the need sets and the most basic are the biological and physiological needs. These are survival requirements ingrained into us and evolved with mankind for tens of thousands of years, things such as food, shelter, warmth etc. In Maslow’s model it’s these needs that need to be satisfied before anything else, for example there is little point offering status as a motivator, when the individual has not yet satisfied basic requirements such as achieving a livable wage in order to eat, secure shelter etc. Reward Systems Peformance at Mark-it-Down Co Ltd is not what it should be and it has been decided between senior mangement and the Human Resources department that the introduction of a reward scheme is whats required to motivate the workforce and improve performance overall. The team in charge of deciding on the reward system to implement have come up up with the following suggestions: Variable Pay/Bonus Scheme A scheme of variable pay is one possible solution for the supermarket. In this scheme a portion of the employee’s pay would be considered at risk. This portion of the wage will be rewarded according to the performance of the company as a whole, on the basis of personal acheivement or based on the results of a department or team (this would probably be the most effective for this type of commercial business) Targets will be set at the beginning of a specified period (per annum is the common period) at the end of this period depending on the how well the targets have been met, a percentage or full quantity of the â€Å"at risk† part of their pay will be paid to the individual. This payment could take a few different forms, possibly a cash bonus, a quantity of stock or shares in the business. Whilst monetary reward has been proven to be effective and can encourage hard work amongst a team or individually, it has the disadvantage of impacting on profit made by the supermarket, for example if the grocery team meet their target for keeping the produce displays replenished to a defined level, then the whole grocery team will have earnt the bonus which must be paid from the profits. You also may have a situation where part of the workforce become demotivated, if their team or they personally have missed out on a bonus. Bonus and pay based rewards are considered differently depending on which motivation theory you study. For example in Maslows hierachy of needs, financial remuneration is only mentioned within the first tier of the hierachy which covers the most basic and obvious survival needs (physiological needs) Money was not considered by Maslow be a long term motivator. Frederick Herzberg considered financial reward to be amongst his â€Å"hygiene factors† that is that money in itself is not a motivator but actually will only act as a â€Å"dissatisfier† if the individual feels that their financial expectations and requirements of the role are not being met. In contrast to Maslow and Herzberg, John Stacey Adams might have argued that bonus schemes and pay related rewards can indeed be effective motivators. If the individual percieves that they are gettting a fair input to output balance in comparison to their peers eg, works hard (input) for a pay bonus (output) However that motivation through financial reward might not last. If the individual learns that a colleague or peer is benefiting from a better input to output ratio (eg doesn’t work as hard, but gets paid more) then the individual can quickly become dissatisfied. Promotion The introduction of a promotion programme could be a viable option. If the employee’s are aware that there is a realistic opportunity for them to progress within Mark It Down Co then they will likely feel motivated towards improving their standard of work in the hope that they will be one of the employee’s chosen for promotion. Maslow’s heierachy of needs supports promotion as a motivator, however depending on the person promotion/status as a form of motivation might be quite high up on the tiers and as such it would only work if the tiers below have already been satisfied. There could be several downsides to this however; often with promotion comes a rise in salary for the individual, which will of course impact on any profit made by the supermarket. There might also be a risk of a culture developing within the company whereby individuals take the attitude that they are â€Å"out for themselves† Employee of the Month One of the suggested recognition programmes is an employee of the month scheme. The idea is that all employee’s and managers are provided with a brief form to be used to nominate an employee that they believe deserves recognition (they should also explain the reasons behind there nomination) Due to the nominations for employee of the month being business wide not only is the playing field for recognition level, but there is the scope for recognising excellance in all of the different area’s of the organisation. This reward system could be as low or high cost as Mark it Down Co directors see fit. There is support for this type of recognition reward in Elton Mayo’s Hawthorne Effect theory. Following his studies of workplace behaviour at the Hawthorne Plant Chicago in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s Mayo deduced that emotional factors acted as far better motivators than economical ones, as such a reward scheme of this nature could be very effective indeed, not to mention low cost. On the downside employee of the mon th schemes can have a tendancy to be considered a little cheesy and may require a little effort on the part of the programme managers in order to keep all of the staff motivated to particiate by completing the nomination slips. Pass on Praise Something as simple as passing on positive comments you have heard about an employee direct to the individual can have an extremely motivational effect. Again the hawthorne effect supports this belief. The praise could passed on by way of email, copying in managers or even with a visit to a senior managers office in order to receive thanks directly. The main advantage of this idea is that it costs nothing and is extremely easy to implement, however it may not be enough on its own, I would suggest that this tactic be used in conjunction with one of the other employee recognition schemes. All of the afore mentioned reward options have the potential to be effective, however the success of the chosen scheme could have a lot to do with the indviduals in nbeed of motivation. For instance in McGregors theory, the two employee types, X and Y differ greatly. What might motivate a Y employee (someone that is naturally happy to take on repsponsibilty and excepts work as part of life) might have the opposite effect on an employee of the X variety (someone that’s avoids repsonsibility and needs to be heavily supervised. The type of employee’s to be motivated should be considered before a motivation and reward scheme is decided upon. Monitoring Performance There are various ways to monitor the performance of your workforce. In the supermarket setting of Mark it Down Co, these could be; Physical: the number of sales made, the number of employee’s served, punctuality or attendance. There can be no disputing these types of performance indicators they are unambiguous and offer a realistic insight into the performance of a team or individual. Qualiative: these indicators are based on opinions and judgements (the view of a supervisor or the such like). These indicators are just as important as physical ones but managers should be careful to ensure that any measures of performance are considered fair by both the employees and employers. Goals and Targets Performance measurement can also be linked to the companies appraisal system, that is performance can be measured by assessing progress made on targets and goals agreed at the previous review. Appraisals are valuable in this respect. In order to effectively monitor performance in this way it is important to ensure that your employees are aware of the difference between target and goal. Goals: These are long term ambitions that should relate to the individual aims for progressing within the company. Targets: These are the steps taken in order to achieve the goal. There is an acronym that can act as a guide for the criteria that any targets should adhere to. They should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound. There is little point setting targets outside of these parameters. Monitoring progress towards identified goals and objectives as a way of determining who deserves reward does have its pros and cons though. On the one hand it can be considered an easily measurable method of monitoring performance, but on the other (particularly when the goals and targets have been set for a team or group) it could be argued that the fact that a company/team or individual is achieving its set goals and targets is not a true indication of who has made the most effort towards making that happen and as such is not an effective method for identifying who should qualify for reward. This is an important thing to consider when applying motivation and reward schemes, as an incorrect or ill managed monitoring technique could be costly to a business. For example a company will not want to be handing out cash bonuses to a whole team for reaching a set goal if it transpires that 3 out of 5 team members have made no improvement to their work output and had nothing to do with the team’s progress or achievement! When considering target setting as a way of monitoring progress and establishing where reward, praise or recognition should be given, serious thought should be given to how the company plans on pinpointing exactly who has been responsible for progress, both positive and negative. Benchmarking Another way to monitor company performance is to measure its successes and failures against those of other businesses in the same market. For example Mark it Down Co could measure its sales figures against one of its competitors, Lidl for instance. This method is known as bench marking and it’s all about taking the best practices of the highest achieving businesses in the same market and applying them back in the business in question. Job Evaluation Its has been brought to management attention that one of the employee’s at Mark it Down Co believes that he is receiving less salary for the same work as one of his peers. The following two methods can be used to evaluate the jobs of the individuals in question in order to assess whether theses concerns are justified or not. Job Ranking Job ranking is one of the simplest methods of job evaluation. Its considers the job as a whole and ranks it against another whole job within the organisation. This is usually carried out by the raters comparing the jobs using their general knowledge of the roles themselves. The jobs are ranked in order of the difficulty of the job itself or the importance of the role to the company. The procedure is followed for each department and then a comparison of jobs at all levels is made and jobs are given grade levels which define salary groups. The job ranking method is easily understood by all employees and simple to administer, however it does have its disadvantages, this technique is not really suitable for large organisations with complex structures where its is much harder to gain familiarity with all of the job roles. With this in mind it is probably not the solution that should be used at Mark it Down Co Ltd. Point Factor Method The point factor method establishes job values by assigning points to each area within a group of defined factors, below are some examples but there any many different factors that could be defined further and given points in order to be used for job evaluation; Skill: Within this group there might be points available for, experience or training. Effort: The points available for effort might be divided between mental and physical effort. In this method each job is rated using the defined points system. The points are totaled to form the final score for that particular role. From there jobs are grouped into salary grades (jobs with similar points ratings would be placed together in the same salary grade) This method can be tailored to meet the needs of specific companies and is suitable for use within larger organisations where there are a large number of jobs to evaluate. It’s an easy model to work with once it’s in place but can be very expensive and time consuming to develop in the first instance. In my opinion the point factor method would be a the better job evaluation model to use for Mark it Down Co. Job ranking is just too simplistic to cope with the amount of individuals roles at this organisation. The factors I think should be used to develop the point system are as follows; Skill – Experience, Training, Ability, Education Responsibilities – Monetary, Supervisory, Reporting Effort – Mental, Physical Environment – Job Location, Hazard’s In order to establish if the employee in question has a case for querying the wage he is on in comparison to his colleague. His overall score for the above factors should be calculated in order to establish his pay bracket. If the pay grade is the same as that of his colleague then his concerns are justified and his wage should be brought into line. If it is not and he is in a lower wage group then there is no case for a wage increase. Equally if the individuals wage bracket is determined to be higher than that of his colleagues then his wage should be adjusted to reflect as much.

Friction Experiment: Design and Results

Friction Experiment: Design and Results EXPERIMENT 37 Friction I. Introduction Whatever action you do whether it is walking, driving, or when any two surfaces meet there is friction between them. Friction opposes the applied force to an object and opposes the motion of an object. In many of the labs in this course we try to minimize it or neglect it in the lab, but it is there. When we use the air track, the friction is dramatically reduced due to the air cushion under the air car so the car stays in motion for an extended period of time, but it still stops. Or in the case of an oscillating object, we ignore the slowing of the oscillation, but it still slows down and stops. The actual cause of friction is complex atomic interaction but, the simple idea of friction is atoms rubbing against each other, adsorbing energy from the motion. Friction is a force; it prevents an object from moving or changes the motion of an object. This lab will cover two types of friction, static friction and kinetic friction. Static friction is a force that resists motion so that the surfaces are not in motion relative to each other. The maximum amount of force applied to the block, at the instant before the block moves, is referred to as the maximum static friction force, f S Max. One example of this type of friction is walking. Once enough force is applied to the system to overcome the static friction force, it starts to move. When the block is moving against the surface, then the friction force is called the kinetic friction force, f k. Kinetic friction appears when the two surfaces are sliding relative to each other. One example of this type of friction is pushing a file cabinet across the floor. In this lab you will pull a weighted block across the table and measure the force it takes to start moving the block (just an instant before it moves) and while the block is moving across the table. The forces in this lab are many, the block exerts a force on the table, the table exerts a force on the block ( fN ). And the earth exerts a force on the block (mg) and the block exerts a force on the earth. This experiment will consider the room and table as stationary objects and therefore having no accelerating force on them, then the net force on the stationary block is fnet = 0 (1). The force of the block on the table is equal to the force of the block on the earth, weight or mg, mg fN = fNet (2) thus mg = fN (3). Figure 1: Diagram of two blocks one stationary and one moving. The stationary object is held back by static fraction, while the moving object is acted on by friction and a  pulling force. The static friction force acts equal and opposite to the pulling force, as the pulling force increases the static friction force increases, resulting in no motion. Sometimes the pulling force will increases and it will exceed the static friction and the block will begin to move. The point of maximum force is called maximum static force, f SMax. An observation about static friction is that maximum static friction f SMax is proportional to the normal force, fN, through a constant  µs, f SMax =  µs fN. (4) The  µs term is referred to as the coefficient of static friction. This means as the normal force ( fN ) increases, the maximum force needed to move the block increases in a proportional amount. The coefficient of static friction is dependent on the two surfaces in contact so different surfaces will have different coefficients of friction. A second observation about friction is that friction is independent of the size of the contact area between the two solid surfaces, which means the same force spread over different areas still would have the same force of friction. Kinetic friction like static friction is a retarding force exerted on a sliding object in contact with a surface. When the object is sliding with a constant velocity the force of friction is equal to the pulling force. It follows the same equation as static friction but the relationship between kinetic friction and the normal force has a different coefficient. The coefficient is referred to as the kinetic coefficient of friction  µk. fk =  µk fN. (5) Kinetic friction also does not change when the surface area of the two surfaces changes. You will be measuring both static and kinetic friction forces in this lab and you should find that the kinetic friction is usually lower that the maximum static friction. II. Equipment and Procedure IIa. Equipment: Force sensor, block, motion sensor, laptop PC, 750 interface, friction surface aka table, string, pulley, weights and weight hanger. Figure 2: Equipment setup of the friction experiment. The hanging mass will pull the force sensor with a mass, while the motion sensor will measure the displacement of the force sensor. Once the hanging mass force exceeds the friction force, the force sensor will move, and the motion sensor will measure the displacement. The moving force sensor will have a velocity measured by the computer, and the net force on the force sensor will be measured. IIb. Procedure: The mass of the block and force sensor needs to be measured so that the total mass of the block/force sensor on the table can be determined. Hook the motion sensor and the force sensor to the 750 interface box and hook the interface box to the laptop. The force sensor is measuring the force exerted on the block while the motion sensor will measure the change in distance of the block. Turn on the computer and 750 interface, start the Data Studio program and create an experiment. Select a digital port and add the motion sensor to the experiment. Double click on the motion sensor to open the settings of the motion sensor, set the frequency rate to 25 Hz and close the window. Drag the motion sensor icon in the upper left to the graph icon in the lower left. Go to an analog port on the 750 interface box and add the force sensor to the experiment, double click on the force sensor to open the sensor settings, set the frequency to a minimum of 500 Hz. Drag the force sensor icon in the upper left to the lower left graph icon. One reminder is to hit the tare button every time before you run an experiment. This action resets the for ce sensor to zero Newtons before each run. Static Friction Experiment: part one Start the experiment, tare the force sensor. Add the hanger and add weight incrementally. As you try more runs use smaller masses for your increment. Keep adding weight until the block starts to move. Once the mass moves, stop the experiment. Repeat the experiment 6 times to get an average value and perform standard deviation (SD) on your values. Kinetic Friction Experiment: part two Start the experiment, tare the force sensor. Pull the force sensor using the string to make the block move. Once the block is moving at a constant velocity, this will indicate what force is needed to match the kinetic friction. Plot the displacement vs. time from the motion sensor. Fit the curve to a linear function to show that the block has a uniform velocity. Repeat the experiment 6 times to get an average value and perform SD error analysis. Kinetic Friction Experiment: part three Start the experiment and tare the force sensor. Add the mass required to move the block with 100 grams extra. The block will start to move with an accelerating velocity, if not add an extra 50 grams until it does. The plot of the position vs. time will determine if the block is accelerating. Question: What should the plot look like if the block is accelerating? Once a run is complete with the block accelerating along the table, stop the experiment. Plot the displacement vs. time from the motion sensor. Fit the curve to a quadratic function to find the acceleration of the block. Repeat the experiment 6 times to get an average value and perform SD error analysis. III. Data The graph of the force vs. time or determines the maximum value of the force. The maximum force is the static friction force. In part two (kinetic friction), drag the block at a uniform velocity. The plot of time vs. displacement will clearly identify the linear motion. Use a linear formula to fit the curve if necessary. Measure the force on the block when it is moving. In part three (kinetic friction), drag the block with an accelerating force and generate a plot time vs. displacement in a graph. Fit the curve to a quadratic formula and determine the acceleration of the block. The acceleration of the block is used to determine the net force on the block. The net force on the block is the difference between the force of the mass hanging down and the force of friction holding it back. One reminder is the displacement of a moving object is related to the acceleration through equation (6). = (6) IV. Results Calculate the coefficient of static friction of the block, from the force exerted on the block and the mass and force of the block on the table. Calculate the SD from the values obtained in the experiment. Calculate the kinetic friction force from the two different methods. First: calculate the kinetic friction from the constant velocity of the moving block. The force need to move the block at a constant velocity is equal to the kinetic friction force. Calculate the SD from the values obtained in the experiment. Second: calculate the kinetic friction difference from the accelerating block from the hanging force and the resultant force on the block. The mass of the block is known and the acceleration of the block is measured from the curve fit. The net force on the block can then be determined. The hanging force is known from mass times gravity (mg) and from that the force of kinetic friction can be calculated. V. Discussion What are values of the static and kinetic friction? Are the two values of kinetic friction similar? Are the kinetic friction values within the standard deviation? What happens when a sliding object has the pulling force reduced below the kinetic fiction force? How much force will it take to get it moving again? Is there a there large distribution in the values of static and kinetic friction? If so why? What would happen to the value of friction if the mass of the block is doubled? Is a wheel rolling, static or kinetic friction? Why can’t static friction be less that kinetic friction? Discuss the implication of this.

Hallucinogen Essay example -- essays research papers

Hallucinogen While many drugs speed up or depress the central nervous system, there is a class of drugs that distorts how we feel, hear, see, smell, taste, and think. Called hallucinogens because users often hallucinate, or experience nonexistent sensations, these drugs are also known as psychedelic, or mind-bending, drugs. Some hallucinogens come from natural sources; others are made in laboratories. Examples of natural hallucinogens are mescaline, psilocybin, DMT, and marijuana. Mescaline, which has been used by American Indians in religious ceremonies, comes from the peyote cactus. Psilocybin, also used by the Indians and believed to have supernatural powers, is found in about 20 varieties of mushrooms. Once ingested, psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which is responsible for the drug's hallucinogenic sensations. DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is a short-acting hallucinogen found in the seeds of certain West Indian and South American plants. In the form of snuff, called cohoba, it has been used in religious ceremonies in Haiti. Marijuana is a plant belonging to the hemp family . The active principle responsible for the drug's effects is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), obtained from the amber-colored resin of the flowering tops and leaves of the plant. Hashish is also made from this resin. Of all drugs, synthetic and natural, the most powerful is LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide. Twenty micrograms, an almost infinitesimal amount, is sufficient to produce a hallucinogenic effect; just 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) could induce a reaction in all the inhabitants of New York City and London. This extraordinary potency makes LSD especially dangerous since it is usually impossible to determine how much is contained in doses offered by drug dealers. LSD is chemically derived from ergot, a parasitic fungus that grows on rye and other grains. An odorless, colorless, and tasteless substance, LSD is sold on the street in tablets, capsules, and sometimes liquid form. It is usually taken by mouth but can be injected. Often LSD is placed on a blotter or other absorbent paper and marked into small squares, each representing one dose. Synthetic hallucinogens with effects resembling those of LSD include DET (diethyltryptamine), a synthetic compound similar to DMT, and DOM (2,5- dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine), a compound that combines some of the properties of mescaline and amphet... ...ects of hallucinogens are dilated pupils, raised body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. The long-term effects are less certain. LSD users may experience involuntary flashbacks during which the drug's effects reappear without warning. Such flashbacks can occur days, months, or even years after the drug was last used. Some LSD users develop organic brain damage, manifested by impaired memory and attention span, mental confusion, and difficulty with abstract thinking. It is still unclear whether such damage can be reversed when LSD use is halted. Although hallucinogens can pose a threat to health when used indiscriminately, they may also have therapeutic uses in medicine when administered under controlled circumstances. A synthetic form of THC, the active principle in marijuana, has been approved for prescription use by persons who suffer from the severe nausea that often accompanies cancer chemotherapy and for whom other antinausea drugs are unsuitable or ineffective. LSD was once used to treat persons with certain mental disorders, but such use was abandoned because of the drug's harmful effects.

Comparing William Blakes The Tyger and The Lamb Essay -- The Tyger Th

Comparing William Blake's â€Å"The Tyger† and â€Å"The Lamb† William Blake is referred to as many things, including poet, engraver, painter and mystic, but he is probably most famous for his poetry. Blake began writing the poems below in about 1790 whilst living in Lambeth, London. His poetry has a wide range of styles but his most famous poems are those from â€Å"Songs of Innocence† and Song of Experience†. The two sets of poems are designed to show different states or ways of seeing. They are Blake's way of representing the different ways in which people actually experience the world. In â€Å"Songs of Innocence† the language is simple and repetitive, the lines are kept short and the rhymes are obvious. A childlike vision is conveyed through Blake's clever use of voices with their varying perspectives and questions. The poems reveal particular states of being and ways of seeing which the author is not saying are the whole truth. The poems have a joyful quality but they contain a subtle awareness of sorrow. â€Å"Songs of Experience† contrasts strongly with the softness of â€Å"Songs of Innocence†. These poems show how horrible and cruel the world really is under the surface of what we see. Blake has many themes represented in his poems from Song of Experience and Songs of Innocence but they mainly centre on his childhood, the aspects of rural and urban life, his protest against the horrible way of life and a strong disliking to the way the Church was run. These points will be discussed in the next poem analyses. â€Å"The Tyger† and â€Å"The Lamb† are often 2 poems paired together and I think that was Blakes intention, for example line 20 of â€Å"The Tyger† it says â€Å"Did he who made the Lamb make thee?† So these will be the first t... ...oem. There are many harsh words such as â€Å"cold† used to describe the church as it is but when he describes what he wants it to be the feeling of the poem becomes warmer, like that of a poem in Song of Innocence. From these poems I believed that what Blake means by â€Å"Innocence† is that of a simple life where you don’t know about the troubles around you and blissfully go along with life as it hits you. And from this, â€Å"Experience† is what life is really life, it concentrates on the negative sides of things and shows that there is always an improvement to be made. I personally find Blake's poems rather intriguing. At first when you look at one of two poems it is hard to understand the ideas that blake puts forward but after many poem analyses it becomes clear of the difference between Innocence and Experience. Blake must have been a very conscious man.

Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues - Should Same-Sex Marriage Allowed ? :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Should Gay Couples Be Allowed to Marry?      Ã‚   Only in the states of Vermont and California are gay couples allowed to marry.   Same-sex marriage is very important with gay couples and activists in today's society.   On January 1, 2002, a bill became effective to give members of registered same-sex and opposite-sex couples the right to adopt a partner's child.   A reason why the Vermont same-sex union battle received so much nation press is because legislators were responding to a court order, while some ended up losing their jobs to same-sex unions.   Religious, government, and social groups have debated this issue and it is taking a long time for it to be resolved.   Same-sex marriage has some very distinct facts and values important to one's religion, morals, or even what his or her family thinks of the gay lifestyle.   Many Mormons oppose gay marriage because they believe offends everything religion stands for. Also, making love to another man betrays everything that is masculine and that people fear that gay people might recruit straight people to the gay lifestyle.   Many people are in favor of equal rights for homosexuals.   "They say that yes, gays should have the same rights in housing, jobs, public accommodations, and should have equal access to government benefits, equal protection of the law, etc" (Bidstrup).   Focusing more on this issue can help accelerate the outcome of recognizing same-sex marriage.   Same-sex marriages should be legalized and recognized because our government guarantees equal rights for all citizens. The government says that every citizen of the United States shall receive equal rights.   But, why did they pass the Defense of Marriage Act?   The Defense of Marriage Act prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages; in my opinion this act is immoral and unjust because it restricts the rights of gay and lesbian citizens. The authors of Gays, Lesbians, and Family Values, Elizabeth A. Say and mark R. Kowalewski, are distinguished writers on the subject of gays and lesbians.   They both are very conservative and believe in religious rights when it comes to sexual preference.   "On September 10, 1996, the U.S. Senate passed the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows individual states to refrain from recognizing them.

How to Read Literature like a Professor Notes

Conventions In stones: Types of characters Plot rhythms Chapter structures Point-of-view limitations Chapter 1: Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It's Not) The reason for a quest Is always self-knowledge The stated reason is never the actual reason to go on a quest, the real reason for a quest is self-knowledge. Most of the time, when a piece of literature involves someone going somewhere and doing something, it is a quest. Chapter 2: Nice to Eat You: Acts of Communion Whenever people eat or drink together, it's communionSharing a meal Is a very personal thing (you wouldn't have a meal someone you hated). Food Is a universal thing that we as humans share. In Cathedral a man who hated people with disabilities bonded to a man who was blind over food. Chapter 5: Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before? There is no such thing as a wholly original work of literature All authors pull inspiration from previous works. In Going After Cacciatore, Tim O'Brien pulls inspiration from Lewis Carol's Ali ce In Wonderland when he has his character saying that they have to fall up to get out, onto Vetting tunnel.Authors also use historical Inspiration. O'Brien models the main character's lover interest after Showcases (a brown-skinned young women guiding a group of mostly white men, speaking a language they don't know, knowing where to go, where to find food, and taking them west) There is only one story. Chapter 9: It's All Greek to Me Myth Is the body of story that matters Greek and Roman myths are so Ingrained Into our consciousness that we don't realize how apparent they are. Like in William Carols Williams painting Landscape with Fall of Cirrus.Without the legs sticking out of the water in that making the painting that much less popular. Chapter 12: Is That A Symbol If it's not symbolism, it's allegory Symbols are personal things We want It to mean one thing, but Is Impossible because then the novel ceases to be what it is, â€Å"a network of meanings and signification. † Meaning doesn't lie of the surface of the novel. Authors may have the same object mean a variety of things. Pay attention to how you feel about the text. It probably means something. Interlude: Does He Mean That?

Optimizing Operations at United Parcel Service Essay

United Parcel Service (UPS) is the world’s largest air and ground package-distribution company, with annual sales of about $34 billion. It is also a leading provider of specialized transportation and logistics services. Following its nearly 100-year promise of the â€Å"best service and lowest rates,† this company currently delivers over 13. 6 million parcels and documents every business day within the United States and in over 200 other countries and territories. UPS’s primary business is timedefinite delivery of packages and documents worldwide. It has established a global transportation infrastructure and comprehensive set of guaranteed delivery services, including integrated supply chain solutions for major companies. UPS is the industry leader in the delivery of goods purchased over the Internet. UPS operates a ground fleet of more than 88,000 vehicles, including its famous brown delivery trucks and large tractors and trailers. In the United States, UPS manages 27 large package operating facilities as well as over 1,000 additional smaller package operating facilities. The smaller facilities have vehicles and drivers stationed for the pickup of packages and for the sorting, transfer, and delivery of packages. UPS owns or leases nearly 600 facilities to support its international package operations and over 750 facilities that support nonpackage operations. This vast ground delivery system is integrated with express air services that use 600 airplanes. UPS operates the ninth largest airline in North America and the eleventh largest in the world. UPS aircraft operate in a hub and spokes pattern in the United States with a primary air hub in Louisville, Kentucky, nd six other regional air hubs in various cities throughout the United States. These hubs house facilities for the sorting, transfer, and delivery of packages. UPS estimates that this integrated door-to-door delivery system carries goods worth more than 2 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). The company faces relentless competition from such other organizations as FedEx, DHL Worldwide Express, the United States Postal Service, Deutsche Post, and TNT Post Group. Although UPS is the overall leader, the company is not number one in every way. For example, FedEx, with about $34 billion in annual sales, leads the market in overnight deliveries, whereas DHL is the leader in cross-border (international) express deliveries. To meet competitors head on, UPS long ago started investing heavily in advanced information systems. Technology powers virtually every service the company offers and every operation it performs. UPS offers many choices: overnight air versus low-cost ground delivery, simple shipping or a panoply of supply chain and warehousing services. Customers can choose the delivery option or service that is most cost-effective and appropriate for their requirements. UPS has been using its automated package-tracking system to monitor all packages throughout the delivery process, collecting electronic data on 93 percent of the packages that move through U. S. systems each day. Its customers can track their own parcels and letters using the UPS Web site, and many customers can also track their items on their own computers using a UPS system that the customers embed into their own Web sites. However, UPS’s competition now uses much of this same tracking technology and is moving into areas where UPS has been dominant. FedEx, for instance, is trying to become a player in ground palletized-freight and international shipping. It wants to funnel package data from all of its operations into a single transparent system. Fierce competition has stimulated UPS to find even more innovative ways of servicing customers while also reducing its own costs. UPS management believes the company is still a leader in reliable package delivery and that its unmatched integrated air and ground network provide it with a level of service quality and economies of scale that differentiate it from competitors. The company’s strategy emphasizes increasing core domestic revenues by cross-selling its existing and new services to a large and diverse customer base. It hopes to grow its package business by offering services for synchronized commerce, elping customers manage the flow of goods, information, and funds throughout their supply chains. For example, UPS developed Web-based software for DaimlerChrysler AG to manage centrally all parts moving to and from more than 4,500 dealerships. While expanding these services, UPS hopes to limit the rate at which expenses are growing. It is counting on information technology–driven efficiencies to increase its operating profit. In 2003, UPS announced plans to invest $600 million to simplify and optimize its package-sorting and delivery systems. Management believes that this systems investment will produce significant gains in efficiency, reliability, and flexibility. Once fully deployed in 2007 in over 1,000 UPS package-sorting facilities, these systems are expected to reduce operating costs by approximately $600 million each year. In 2003, UPS domestic operating profit declined $304 million, caused by both slow growth in revenue coupled with higher operating expenses. Higher costs for fuel and higher rents both played major roles in expense increases.