Technology Advancements and Stem Cells Research in Hemophilia Paper - 1

Technology Advancements and Stem Cells in Hemophilia Treatment - Research Paper Example Science has technology has made significant progress in the last few years, what looked implausible a few years ago has become plausible today and what looks implausible today will become plausible tomorrow. Several major breakthroughs have been achieved in the last few years. Many new drugs have been invented to combat killer diseases and several lives have been saved because of these newly invented drugs. The invention of Stem cells has made life so much better. Significant progress in the field of stem cells was made by Dr. Ernest A. McCulloch and Dr. James E. They started working in unison in the 1960s and their research laid an ideal platform for the others to take it forward from there and that is exactly what the others did. Stem cells are really useful and they have saved several lives which would not have been plausible had stem cells not been invented. â€Å"Mouse embryonic stem cells treated in culture with a growth factor and then injected into the liver reverse a form of hemophilia in mice analogous to hemophilia B in humans, the new study shows.† (Stem Cells Treated with Growth Factor) The versatility of the stem cells is arguably their biggest strongest point, stem cells can easily grow in certain bodies and they are more than capable of achieving specialized functions. In addition to this, they can also renew themselves on their very own and this versatility makes them really useful. There are two types of stem cells namely, Embryonic stem cells and Adult stem cells. The two are really different from each other and understandably have different characteristics.  

How does Shakespeare examine the themes of revenge in Hamlet Essay Example for Free

How does Shakespeare examine the themes of revenge in Hamlet Essay The revenge tragedy established itself within Elizabethan theatre as a tremendously popular genre. The style of the play had gradually evolved from the works of Seneca, an ancient Roman playwright. Once translated these plays performed, steadily rose in popularity, with plays such as Middletons The Changeling, Kids The Spanish Tragedy and Tourneurs The Revengers Tragedy being most popular. The typical revenge tragedy play has several important conventions within it, which are key to the genre. see more:revenge hamlet A five part structure of: Exposition, anticipation, confrontation, partial execution and completion, portray the central character the revenger, discovering the deed he must avenge, wrestling with his conscience over the justification and validity of the act, then planning and eventually executing the act of revenge. Often Jacobean revenge tragedy often questioned the revengers morality. How far does the task of revenge affect the revenger? How far does it taint the person? How can the audience be sure the protagonists madness is not actually real? Is it possible that the conflicting morality suffered by him brings unto the revenger real madness and mental instability? The questions over morality are furthered by the death of the protagonist another generic feature. Elizabethans generally firmly believed in the concepts of heaven and hell, dying without forgiveness from God would mean eternity in perdition like the limbo in which Old Hamlet is in, in Hamlet When I to my sulphrous and tormented flames Must render up myself. As the revenger usually dies at the end of the play after carrying out revenge, he dies without the chance of confession and absolution. This means the act of murder has not been forgiven. Inevitably this leads us to assume the protagonist will spend eternity in hell. We can debate the authenticity of the spirit demanding for revenge. If they were once a loved one of the revenger why would they make them vow to perform a deed, which would lead them to damnation? Could it be that the spirit is not in fact the spirit of the deceased but an evil spirit taking their form, tricking the revenger? After dispensing with some of the generic features, such as narrative by the ghost, it retains many of the conventions of the revenge tragedy. Hamlet is summoned to avenge the murder of his father, by his fathers spirit, the murderer being Hamlets uncle, now stepfather and newly crowned King Claudius. Hamlet feigns madness to disguise his intentions of revenge and has a play entitled The Mousetrap performed, in which the murder of Old Hamlet is re-enacted. On preparing to kill Claudius Hamlet is set back by Claudius asking for forgiveness from God in a moment of prayer. This leads to an inevitable climax, which results in the death of Hamlet, Claudius and Laertes in a typically bloody ending. All of these events are to be expected from a revenge tragedy. Further more, Hamlet contains several scenes, key to its portrayal of the revenge theme. In act one, scene five Hamlet follows the supposed spirit of his father and is informed of his fathers murder I am thy fathers spirit sleeping in mine orchid a serpent stung me. This scene conveys the task of revenge being set, the whole of the play hinges on this event. The imagery within this scene is also telling. Old Hamlet is dressed in battle fatigue, thus symbolizing him as a war-king; the audience having been informed of the war he started against Old Fortinbras. This suggests that Old Hamlets position in hell is right and not solely due to him being unable to confess before his untimely death. This suggests repercussion on whether or not Hamlets soul will actually be damned, having not confessed but essentially living a good life. If the nature of damnation does in fact relay solely on whether or not one has lived a good life, and not whether or not one has confessed ones sins, then it is possible Hamlet has gone to heaven, thus Shakespeare can be seen to be subverting the ideas of religion within the revenge tragedy genre. Young Fortinbras comments Bear Hamlet like a solider, in death Hamlet is viewed as a hero, in this context it is not difficult to assume he has escaped damnation The theme of kingship is continued in Act two, scene two. We are presented with an image of Claudius, which is in direct contrast to the one presented of his predecessor. Talk of Claudius averting war with Young Fortinbras, shows the new king to be one which favours diplomacy to war. Surely such a king is more advantageous for Denmark than a bloodthirsty leader like the image we are presented of Old Hamlet. This furthers the question of whether Hamlet has enough moral justification to take a life, especially one that is so beneficial to the country. This scene is also important as the first signs of Hamlet feigning madness are demonstrated to the audience. In act three, scene two the feature of a play within a play is portrayed. Claudius is outraged by what he sees Give me some light. Away. Hamlet interprets Claudius reaction to the play as unequivocal proof of his guilt. This a crucial turning point in the play. Up to now Hamlet has been unsure of whether or not to perform his duties. That he is assured by Claudius reaction (poor evidence in hindsight) may illustrate Hamlets degradation by the mission he has been set. Ill take the ghosts word for a thousand pound In Act three, scene four the death of Polonius can be seen to serve multiple purposes. In its most insignificant form it leads Ophelia further into the madness, which eventually leads to her death. Also it demonstrates how the revenge plot has affected Hamlet A bloody deed. Almost as bad as kill a king and marry his brother. He has killed, in cold blood and without provocation, the father of his love and yet seems to show little remorse. Can Hamlet still be seen as the hero of the play when he himself is placed in the same situation as Claudius? Polonius death introduces a secondary revenge plot. Laertes now has to avenge his fathers death, inviting the audience to compare Laertes and Hamlet as revenger. The alleged actions of Claudius have provoked a cycle of revenge plots, in which all involved are led to their deaths. The penultimate scene of the play affects the resolution of the three revenge plots. Hamlet and Laertes both achieve revenge, in doing they so they sacrifice their earthly bodies and possibly their eternal souls. Young Fortinbras revenge on Denmark for his country as he and his armies easily occupy, thus turning previous defeats on their head. Both Hamlet and Laertes at the beginning of the play were both well-liked and talented men; Hamlet had the possibilities of becoming king bestowed upon him. Yet at the end each die as a murderer who is damned to Hell. Hamlet in this form can be seen as a severe commentary on the idea of revenge, that it is the role of God to act upon those who have wronged, not the individuals. A modern audience may read Hamlet in ways different to that of a Jacobean counterpart would have viewed it in. Themes of religion are very strong in the play, and while an Elizabethan audience may have had a strong belief in the concepts of divine retribution, a modern audience may be less convinced by this. Religion is not as central to modern life as it was in the era the play was written. Thus issues such as deeds on earth having direct consequences on a persons fate in the afterlife- a crucial part of the genre, lessen in their importance.

Economic Issues in Mineral Based Economies

Economic Issues in Mineral Based Economies Why do Mineral-Based Developing Economies Face Economic Problems? The Case Study of Nigeria and Botswana 1. Introduction. Mineral-based economies have been defined as â€Å"those developing countries which generate at least 8 percent of their GDP and 40 percent of their export earnings from the mineral sector†. (Auty, 1993: p. 3). Two main categories of mineral-based economies have been identified. These include hydrocarbon producers and hard mineral exporters (producers of ores such as copper and tin). (Auty, 1993). Although one may reasonably expect developing mineral-based economies to witness tremendous economic development owing to their rich mineral resources, this has hardly been the case. According to Davis (1995: p. 1766) â€Å"mineral-based economies rather have development problems than development advantages†. In addition, Davis (1998) notes that economists and political scientists have recently proposed that mineral economies’ growth is below par, despite the mineral windfalls (rents) generated from mineral extraction. The mineral sector has even been classified as a ‘loser’ sector in the economic development race. (Shafer, 1994) cited by Davis (1998). Citing from a recent World Bank conference on mining and economic development, Davis (1995: p. 1765) states that several invited experts noted with concern the historical poor per capita economic growth of the mineral-exporting nations. In particular, participants from mineral-based developing economies were justly anxious about their fate. (Davis, 1995: p. 1765). In addition to fears of the â€Å"Dutch disease† and the â€Å"resource curse thesis† (explanations of these terms follow in subsequent sections), delegates were also concern about the appropriate policy response measures to these issues. (Davis, 1995). This paper aims at explaining why mineral-based developing economies rather face economic problems rather than economic development as one would expect. In meeting with this objective, the paper makes use of two case studies of mineral-based developing economies which include Nigeria (A hydrocarbon exporter) and Botswana (a hard mineral exporter). The rest of the paper is organized as follows: section two presents a literature review on why mineral-based economies rather face economic problems rather than economic development with particular emphasis on the Dutch Disease and the resource curse thesis; section 3 presents a discussion of the case studies making reference to their GDP growth, export revenue from mineral resources and per capita GDP; and section 4 presents some conclusions and recommendations. 2. Literature Review. Much of the literature has attributed underdevelopment of mineral-based developing economies to the Dutch disease. (Roemer, 1985) cited by Davis (1998) The Dutch disease is defined as a situation where an economy highly dependent on natural resources witnesses a decline in economic development as a result of a depletion of the natural resource or a sudden drop in the price of the resource. (Auty, 1993: p. 3). According to Davis (1995: p. 1768), the Dutch disease is a ‘morbid’ term that denotes the coexistence of booming and lagging sectors in an economy due to temporary or sustained increase in earnings. Mineral economies have been identified to generate an ideal environment for the disease given their notable minerals booming sector. (Davis, 1995). Mineral-based economies are characterized by a booming minerals sector at the expense of the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. (Davis, 1995). Ross (2003) suggests that mineral exports may cause economic volatility, inco me inequality, and crowding out of productivity growth in the manufacturing sector, which effects could increase poverty and reduce social welfare. Cordon and Neary (1982) cited in Auty (2001) explain the role of the Dutch disease on the deterioration of mineral-based economies using a three-sector model composed of a resource sector such as oil or other primary product exporting industry, a sector of tradeables, such as the manufacturing and agricultural sectors and non-tradeables. According to the model, a boom in the resource sector has three effects: a spending effect; a relative price effect and a resource movement effect. Looking at the spending effect, Auty (2001) suggests that the increased export revenues increases the demand for both tradables and non-tradables although spending on tradables fails to raise their domestic prices because prices in an open economy are determined in international markets. Consequently, any excess demand is met by imports. (Auty, 2001). Looking at the relative price effect, Auty (2001) suggests that failure to sterilize the increase in foreign exchange will result to an appreciation of the currency, which will in turn reduce the domestic prices of exports as well as those of imports competing with domestic products. In addition, a currency appreciation will lead to a reduction of the rents of the booming sector but may not be sufficient to reduce the sector’s output. (Auty, 2001). Domestic prices of non-tradables will rise with the rise in demand and these prices will neither be affected by the currency appreciation nor competitive imports. This will therefore result to an increase in the prices of non-tradables relative to the prices of tradables, as well as a reduction in exports and an increase in imports. (Auty, 2001). Macroeconomic theory suggests that the national income of a country is positively related to exports and negatively related to imports. The net increase in imports therefore leads to a reduction in the national income of the mineral-based State, which in turn hurts its economic development. Finally, as concerns the resource movement effect, Auty (2001) suggests that the movement of resources between sectors will also affect capital accumulation. Assuming a relatively labour-intensive non-tradable sector and a capital-intensive tradable sector, the movement in favour of the non-tradable sector will tend to raise wages and lower returns to capital thereby reducing capital accumulation. (Auty, 2001). In addition, assuming manufacturing is favourable to growth and that mineral resource booms cause it to decline, the mineral-based economy could experience slower long-term growth than the case would be if it had no mineral resources. (Auty, 2001). To support this view, Auty (2001) cites a number of studies that argue in favour of the fact that mineral resource booms tend to limit the growth of developing mineral based economies. For example, Matsuyama (1993It has also been sugges ted that mineral windfall facilitate irresponsible fiscal and trade policies. (e.g., Gelb, 1988; Ranis, 1991; Ranis and Mahmood, 1992) cited by Davis (1988). The issue as to why mineral-based economies remain underdeveloped is somehow controversial. (Auty, 2001). On the one hand, Mainstream economists have argued that primary commodity exports are the only way that countries in the early stages of development can generate the foreign exchange necessary to pay for essential imports and to service foreign debt. (Auty, 2001). On the other hand, Structurist economists (e.g., Presbish, 1950) cited by Auty (2001) argued that a long-run decline in prices for primary exports is an inevitable result of the increasing use of synthetics, shrinking raw material content of finished products and low elasticity of demand for raw materials. In addition Auty (2001) argues that oligopolistic markets in developed countries indicated that productivities increases there were captured in the form of higher income by workers and owners, while in the developing countries productivity gains were passed on to (northern) consumers in the form of lower prices. What the structurists economists are saying in effect is that mineral-rich developing countries because they lack the capacity to transform their raw materials into finished products often supply these products to developed or industrialized countries at very low prices. Industrialised countries in turn transform these raw materials into finished products and sell them to developing countries at very high prices, which do not match the prices for which they supplied their raw materials. By so doing mineral-rich developing countries continue to face declining levels of economic developing at the expense of developed countries. This idea is consistent with dependency theory[1]. For example, Presbish (1950) cited by Auty (2001) projected a downward trend in the terms of trade for primary products in relation to manufactured goods imported by developing countries from developed countries. In addition, Abubakar (1989: p. 19) describes Africa as a continent locked in an unequal exchange with t he developed world. Being perhaps the richest continent in the world, Africa has been transformed into undeniably the poorest continent. The following is a quote from Julius Nyerere, a prominent leader in Africa: â€Å"Every morning I listen to the B.B.C. to learn the price of the cotton and coffee with which Tanzania earns its foreign exchange. The prices of tractors and other goods we need to buy are not announced; they are fixed by the manufacturers in the Developed World, and we learn what they are when we go to buy†. (Abubakar, 1989: p. 19) quoting Julius Nyerere. 3. Case Studies of Nigeria and Botswana 3.1 Nigeria Nigeria falls in the first category of mineral-based economies identified by Auty (1993) as hydrocarbon producers. Minerals constitute 62.3% of the country’s merchandise exports and 9.6% of GDP and its mineral dependence index is 36 (the mineral dependence index is defined as the mean percentage contribution of minerals to GDP, merchandise exports, and government revenues). (Davis, 1995) citing Kuburshi (1984); United Nations (1974, 1976, 1987, 1993a, 1993c); World Bank (1993). Nigeria’s mineral dependence index of 36 indicates that it is highly dependent on minerals. This is following from Auty (1993) who considers a mineral dependence index of 20% or more to indicate mineral dependence. Nigeria was ranked 19th among developing countries that depended on minerals in 1970. This was based on the ranking of countries according to mineral dependence index in 1970. Based on 1991 rankings, Nigeria still maintained the 19th position and its minerals as a percentage of merchan dise exports had increased to 86.0 percent, minerals as a percentage of GDP stood at 7.6 percent and its mineral dependence index was 46.8 percent. (Davis, 1995). According to Eifert et al. (2002) oil represents an estimated 37 percent of GDP in Nigeria, and 63 percent of consolidated government revenues. The political economy of Nigeria has had an important role to play on how oil resources are managed in Nigeria. The public sector is the principal controller of these resources, which has fuelled the functioning of an extensive machinery of rent seeking a political patronage. (Eifert et al., 2002). Nigeria is characterised by a fragile ‘political coalition’ of diverse ethnic and religious groups with diverse interests. Eifert et al. (2002) asserts that public expenditures in Nigeria are always ratcheted out of control during oil booms, leading to macroeconomic instability owing to the diverse number of ethnic and religious interests that characterise the country. For e xample Eifert et al. (2002) suggest that an estimated amount of $300billion constituting oil revenues has enriched a small group politically and socially influential elite during the last 2 to 3 decades at the expense of the majority of Nigerians who have become impoverished. This indicates that Nigeria has failed to benefit from a general economic welfare from its oil boom because of the selfish desires of a small political influential minority. This situation is consistent with Gelb (1988); Ranis (1991); Ranis and Mahmood (1992) cited by Davis (1998) who attribute poor economic development of mineral-based developing economies to mineral windfalls’ facilitation of irresponsible fiscal and trade policies. Nigeria’s case is also consistent with Karl (1997); Mahon (1992); and Shafer (1994) cited by Davis (1998) who attribute mineral-based economies’ failure to achieve substantial economic development to the entrenched socio-political rigidity and rent-seeking ass ociated with an extended period of mineral extraction. According to Eifert et al. (2002) Nigeria’s economic growth has been stagnant and it is estimated that its per capita income has fallen from approximately $800 in the early 1980s to approximately $300 as at 2002. Nigeria’s failure to grow can be attributed to its government structure. Throughout the military regime described by Eifert et al. (2002) as a period of military dictatorship, the manner in which the oil cycle was managed was solely determined by the federal executive. Government spending was so high that in 1976 it accounted for more than the entire increase in oil revenue. (Eifert et al., 2002). Nigeria therefore faced rising fiscal and current account deficits following a failure of the 1975 oil price rise to bring the budget back into a surplus. By 1981, Nigeria had accumulated huge amounts of external debt, accompanied by capital flight. (Eifert et al., 2002). Increase government spending therefore fa iled to accelerate growth and there was little evidence of an increase in overall welfare that would have been expected during the sharp real appreciation that followed the spending binge. (Eifert et al., 2002). Eifert et al. (2002) attribute Nigeria’s failure to develop to the fact that its potential gains were rather absorbed in the sharply growing inefficiency of a corrupt and progressively more wasteful and distorted economy. Nigeria has made some efforts to adopt a democratic State but Eifert et al. (2002) conclude that the outcomes in the management of Nigeria’s oil cycle in the new democracy are thus so far not very different from the past pattern. This indicates that Political institutions in Nigeria are therefore shaped by a longer history than the current political regime. There is still an excessive an unsustainable increase in public expenditure, with considerable macroeconomic instability, and little to show in the growth and economic development. (Eifert, 2002). 3.2 Botswana. Botswana was ranked 35th in the mineral dependence index for developing countries in 1970. It had 0 percent for minerals as a percentage of merchandise exports, 19.6 percent for minerals as a percentage of GDP and 9.8 for mineral dependence index. (Davis, 1995). Following the ranking based on the minerals dependence index for developing economies in 1991, Botswana was ranked 8th with an 83.0 percent of minerals as a percentage of merchandise exports. Its minerals as a percentage of GDP had also increased to 41 percent and its mineral dependence index was 62.0. (Davis, 1995). Unlike Nigeria, Botswana falls in the second category of mineral-based economies with diamond, copper, nickel and coal constituting the principal hard minerals that it exported. (Curry, 1985). According to Curry (1985), Botswana, unlike other mineral-based economies in Africa that suffer from economic stagnation and political turmoil, Botswana has recorded an economic growth and political stability as a result of its fortuitous endowment of mineral wealth and sound macroeconomic management. Despite this development, Curry (1985) suggests that this growth strategy has produced underdevelopment and economic stagnation in rural agriculture, as well as increasing economic dependency on the republic of South Africa. Increases in mineral revenue has enriched the elite who have joined white farming families as the country’s large scale cattle owners, purchasing land and cattle from savings of relatively high salaries in the mining and public sectors. This situation has created two factions in Botswana. One rich and the other poor and there is an emerging clash between the rich and the poor that could destabilise and threaten an African success story as described by Curry (1985). In effect, mineral revenue in Botswana while it has helped to fuel economic development is threatening the growth of the agricultural sector and has also helped to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. Botswa na’s case is consistent with the Dutch disease which is consistent with the idea that a boom in one sector threatens a recession of other important sectors of the economy. The boom in the mineral sector has helped to fuel a recession in the agricultural sector in Botswana. 4. Conclusions and Recommendations This paper aimed at studying why mineral-based developing economies have witnessed more of economic problems than economic development. Nigeria’s case indicates that the country has suffered from autocratic and fractional democracies that have resulted to a poor management of the revenues from oil booms. As a consequence, mineral revenue has been spent without any fiscal discipline. This has led to the satisfaction of the desires of an influential minority at the expense of the welfare of the greater majority. Nigeria has basically not witnessed any economic development throughout boom in its oil sector. On its part, Botswana has witnessed growth and development as a result of its mineral resources. However, the boom in the mineral sector is hurting the agricultural sector and the situation has only benefited the rich who are using the mineral revenue to take over all land in Botswana for cattle rearing. Like Nigeria, Botswana’s mineral revenue has to some extent benefi t an influential minority. Based on the above, this paper recommends a more democratic regimes in mineral-based economies as well as an emphasis of the importance of all sectors in the economy. Governments in developing countries need to understand the importance of the manufacturing industry. Nigeria for example should be more concern about building its own oil refineries so as to boost its manufacturing industries. In Botswana, the government should implement high taxes on the rich elite so as to help redistribute the mineral income to the poor. Subsidies should be provided to the poor farmers. By so doing, there can be an equitable distribution of land, which will in turn boost the agricultural sector. Bibliography Abubakar A. (1989). Africa and the Challenge of Development: Acquiescence and Dependency Versus Freedom and Development. Praeger Publishers. New York. Auty R. M. (2001). Sustaining Development in Mineral Economies: The Resource Curse Thesis. Routledge. Auty R. M. (2001). The Underperformance of resource-abundant economies. Resource Abundance and Economic Development. Edited by R.M Auty. UNU/WIDER studies in Development Economics. Oxford. Curry R. L (1985). Mineral-based growth and development-generated socioeconomic problems in Botswana: Rural Inequality, Water scarcity, food insecurity, and foreign dependence challenge governing class. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 319-336. Davis G. A. (1998). The minerals sector, sectoral analysis, and economic development. Resource Policy, vol. 24, No. 4, pp 217-228. Davis G. A. (1995). Learning to Love the Dutch Disease: Evidence from the Mineral Economies. World Development, vol. 23, No. 10, pp. 1765-1779. Eifert B., Gelb A., Tallroth N. B. (2002). The Political Economy of Fiscal Policy and Economic Management in Oil-Exporting Countries. Policy Research Working Paper, No. 2899. The World Bank, Africa Regional Office. Lievesley G. (2003).DependencyThe Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. Ed. Iain McLean and Alistair McMillan. Oxford University Press, Oxford Reference Online. Tà ©treaul M. A., Abel C. F. (1986). Dependency Theory And The Return Of High Politics. Greenwood Press. New York. Footnotes [1] Dependency theory built upon the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) which characterized the world as divided into centre (the developed, inudstrialised North) and periphery (the underdeveloped agricultural South). (Tà ©treaul and Abel, 1986; Lievesley, 2003). Dependency theory tries to explain the external mechanisms of control exerted by the centre on the periphery. The centre maintained the periphery in a state of underdevelopment for purposes of super exploitation. (Tà ©treaul and Abel, 1986; Lievesley, 2003). Dependency theory therefore indicates that underdevelopment was not an original or inherent condition, it could rather be explained by the historical relationship between the developed and developing world.

The Economic Future in the Year 2000 :: essays papers

The Economic Future in the Year 2000 The economy has performed exceptionally well for the past several years, combining rapid growth and very low unemployment with declining inflation. â€Å"Not only has the expansion achieved record length, but it has done so with far stronger growth than expected,† stated Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in his remarks to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition annual conference in Washington (Business Week, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Economic Outlook, March 6,2000). Figures show that since 1996, the growth of GDP has averaged more than 4 percent, compared with an average of about 3 percent since 1973. Because of those four years of rapid growth, the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.1 percent, its lowest level since January 1970. Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, excluding food and energy prices, had been vacillating at about 3 percent per year earlier in the decade but was roughly 2 percent over the past year (Bank of America, Economic in Brief, November 1, 1999). Much of the auspicious recent economic developments can be attributed to a surge in productivity growth. Alan Greenspan noted in his statement that output per hour in the non-financial corporate sector had increased since 1995 at nearly double the average pace of the preceding 25 years (First Union, Monthly Economic Outlook, March 7, 2000). This rapid productivity growth allowed the economy to grow at a faster pace without raising the rate of inflation. However, the growth of consumer demand is exceeding the increase of productivity—boosting employment, tightening labor markets, and raising concerns that recent growth rates may not be sustainable without sparking a rise in inflation. After spending the past several years, extolling the virtues of improved productivity in allowing higher growth with less inflation, the Federal Reserve Chairman, seemed to turn the tables in his Humphrey Hawkins testimony, stating that the spurt in productivity has produced expectation of hi gher profit growth, which, in turn, have resulted in higher equity valuations. That surge in equity prices is seen as the primary driver of the â€Å"wealth effect†, which he believes has created an â€Å"imbalance† between demand and supply, raising inflation pressures (Business Week, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Economic Outlook, March 6,2000). Speculations of this occurrence may over the long term indicate that the higher the trend growth of productivity, the lower the inflation rate—due to the restraint of labor costs.

Humans and machines Essay

The interesting feature about discussing the interactions of humans and machines is the inadequacy of language describing these interactions or the ambiguity of the connections between humans and machines. What is really at the center of the debate is how society should view the place of machines or non-human elements within human society. In addition, the application of the technological use of non-human elements in the modern machinery of war exposes the problem of how humans have changed the practice of warfare starting in WWI and how it made war evolve from a â€Å"human† experience to an â€Å"inhuman† experience instead of a â€Å"non-human† experience. The scope of this paper is to analyze the relationships of humans and machines in general as well as in the context of war. Discussion What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be non-human? According to Casper, the human identity is not a natural state of â€Å"being†, rather it is a constructed identity in relation to the context that society gives it. (Casper, 1994) In fact, the recognition of human social identity and the positions or functions attached to it are based on our interpretation of where these elements should be placed, for example, in order to understand or define something, we place it in ‘mental boxes’ that simplify our recognition of identity and function within society. However, Casper argues that we cannot fully justify why we assign human identities to non-human elements or vice-versa. (Casper, 1994) In order to illustrate the lack of consistency as to what we call human or non-human, she uses the example of the fetus that is considered alive for surgery, â€Å"a potential human† with human qualities but also a non-human agent for medical research using fetal tissue (p. 843). Casper mentions The Actor Network Agency (ANT) movement who finds that we should do away with natural/technical and social/cultural labels, which confuses our notions of what is human and what is not. However, this â€Å"analytical symmetry† treatment forgets to explain how we interpret the identities of agents and assign labels. Understanding how and why we label humans and non-humans may help diffuse the confusion over agent identities that bother sociologists and society so much since they cannot seem to make sense of it, for example, some people talk to their car like it was a person but a car is not a person but why do some people have the need to anthropomorphize their car whereas they would call their dog â€Å"it†? Some people would insist that animals are living beings therefore that they deserve to be referred to as he or she. (Casper, 1994) Another example in our technological society is the factory worker who gets laid off and replaced by a robot. The worker knows that he or she is better than a robot. Yet, the robot does his or her job consistently, faster, and without breaks. So, is the worker a sophisticated robot or is the robot a sophisticated worker? Bruno Latour would agree on that ambiguity because of our inadequate handling of situations in which non-human entities are mixed with human agents, especially from the perspective of sociologists. (Latour, 1988) Latour deals with this debate skillfully using an illustration to make his points: the door in a wall, opening and closing thanks to hinges (non-human element) and a human door keeper who has been assigned to close the door each time it is opened. He argues that ‘the hinge always does its work’, precise and consistent while at some time, the human doorkeeper may falter. So, the door keeper could be replaced by a non-human element the ‘door keeper number 2’ to prevent the faltering. The fact that we call the non-human element the door keeper even though it is not human, shows that we do not have ascribed what Latour calls â€Å"a coherent vocabulary† to distinguish humans from non-humans. Thus, his conclusion (p. 310) is that the reason why we have not done that is because â€Å"the delegation of competences and our social interactions imply the participation of non-humans. † The confusion is that non-humans exist within a context of figurative/non-figurative speech, not a human/non-human context. In essence, that is why we anthropomorphize our car. (Latour, 1988) Consequently, it seems that our lives are intimately intertwined with the use of technology, machines, and other tools, including robots as well as computers that all are non-human agents indispensable to our way of life. In fact, one particular illustration of such a reasonable conclusion can be found with computer hackers who, for the most part, are not considered part of ‘normal functioning society. ’ Sherry Turckle investigated MIT A. I. lab students who also are considered hackers. The main recurring idea among these students (almost exclusively male) is the fear of social interactions with other people due to a lack of trust or understanding of social interactions. Hackers are known to be loners and self-admittedly feel in control of their computer and its actions. In fact, on p. 212, this one student states: â€Å"computers have become an extension of my mind. † (Turckle, ) Their self-esteem, their existence become defined only through their medium, resulting in a gradual elimination of life experiences that paralyze them, adding to their needs to mask their personal fears of the world that exists beyond their machine. (p. 208) In contrast, there are people who even today cannot use a computer because they are afraid of revealing to others their lack of computer knowledge that has become essential in our modern society. Some may get help to improve their computer skills whereas others become so angry with the machine, taking their anger, originating from their own lack of confidence in learning new things, onto this ‘stupid’ machine; some may even become technophobic. Unfortunately for our society, science and technology have been used for warfare. Historically, wars always needed improvement in their methods of killing. As a consequence, the development of technology became a part of warfare while its propaganda glorified science and technology as the agents of victory. (Virillio, 1988) (Delanda, ) This became especially true as scientific knowledge evolved in physics, engineering, and chemistry. When WWI broke out in 1914, the weapons available then were the first of their kinds, the most inhuman of their kinds, killing many soldiers remotely: either gassing soldiers with the deadly gas phosgene or using machine guns or canons with an extended range to kill as many enemy soldiers as possible. (Visvanathan, ) In WWII, planes, tanks, and ships became more and more sophisticated with technological advances like radar and sonar. The advent of using nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki horrified the scientists who naively believed that their work would be used to deter, not to destroy. (Kaempffert, 1941) â€Å"Fat Man† and â€Å"Little Boy† were dropped on these two Japanese cities; ironically, these two deadly bombs were named as if they were human themselves. To the Japanese, the nuclear catastrophe and its aftermath on the population promoted the creation of the character â€Å"Godzilla†, a pre-historic mutant monster. With the Cold War, more weapons gradually became stealth weapons instead of ‘front’ weapons. Nowadays, machines have turned into non-human extensions of their makers or rather their military masters, for example, long-range surveying equipment on satellites allowing spying activities on neighboring nations. Yet, is it appropriate to say ‘non-human’ when modern weapons like continental missiles can kill so horribly and from the comfort of a military base on the other side of the world? The military is relying on technology more than ever by using computers, artificial intelligence research, simulation modules that mimic a battlefield or even war video games whose graphics have been rendered so life-like that video gamers who are soldiers may not know reality from fiction, killing enemy soldiers without any care, as if they were video game characters, non-human or human? In conclusion, the relationship between human and non-human agents is complex but not impossible to characterize if the realization is made that non-human agents are part of our environment and society. In fact, they occupy a greater place today than 10 years ago (computer technology, for example). The key to their seamless integration in our society is the figure/non-figurative reference style proposed by Latour as it is already used unconsciously by many of us. References Casper, M. (1994).Reframing and grounding non-human agency: what makes a fetus an agent? The American Behavioral Scientist, 37(6): 839-856. Delanda, Latour, B. (1988). Mixing humans and non-humans together: the sociology of a door-closer. Social Problems, 35(3): 298-310. Kaempffert, W. (1941). War and Technology. The American Journal of Sociology, 46(4): 431-444. Turckle, S. (n. d. ) The new computer cultures: the mechanization of the mind. Book? , publisher, year? Virillio, P. (1988). War and Cinema. Visvanathan.

Canadian political culture

Canadian political culture Political culture is the shared opinions, values, and attitudes of people about politics. There are several similarities between the political cultures of Europe and North American countries. Most of the countries in these regions emphasize on constitutional law, regional autonomy, freedom of religion, and personal liberty.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Canadian political culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the political ideologies originated from the French civil law, British common law, and the North American aboriginal regime. The Canadian government has set some goals that determine how it functions. These goals include the need to maintain peace, order, and good governance and are generally based on the Canadian political culture. The Canadian politics are encompassed of loyalty, tolerance, and compromise. The changes in the Canadian political atmosphere have been quite slow with a lot of negotiat ions and compromise compared to other nations. The most important political culture of Canada is democracy. Its citizens elect most political leaders. This popular sovereignty is only carried out during elections and when conducting national referenda. There are minimal referenda that have been carried out in Canada since the inception of democracy. The most common ones are the 1898 referendum on prohibition, the 1942 referendum on conscription, and the 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown Accord. Elections are carried out periodically and all the citizens of Canada are treated as equals during elections. Political freedom is exercised in Canada. A person is free to join any political party of interested. Every individual has the freedom to share personal political thoughts, expressions, opinions, beliefs, and conscience. In addition, the freedom of the press is also exercised.Advertising Looking for essay on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first pa per with 15% OFF Learn More Canadian constitution allows individuals to assemble provided that peace is maintained since the freedom of association is guaranteed in the constitution. This demonstrates the democratic nature of Canada. The Canadian politics are based on the majority rule whereby an individual who garners the largest number of votes becomes the political leader. However, the constitution protects the rights of minority groups. Other special groups that are protected by the constitution include the aborigines and women. The Canadian political values are quite different from those of the United States. For instance, the United States’ political culture revolves around liberty, pursuit of life and happiness, while the Canadian political culture focuses on good governance, peace, and order. This has resulted into the continental divide due to the differences in ideologies. The U.S. came into existence because of the revolutions against Britain. This made its political culture to be based on suspicion and individual freedom. Canadians are group-oriented and they believe in collective responsibility. Their origin can be traced back from the original French settlers. They are peaceful people bearing in min that they never formed any rebellion against the British. Other major communities in Canada are refugees from North America who fled during the era of revolution. These differences make Canada to be unique due to its corporatist and collectivist nature. However, the new generation in Canada is not in good terms with the current government. This has resulted into reduced party loyalty, civil rights movements, and low voter turnout during elections. Generally, Canadians are cautious, nonviolent, diffident, dependent, and tolerant society. Most of them observe individualism, egalitarianism, and particularism. The government of Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Besides, the form of government is federal in nature. The systems of law used in Canada are both the common and the civil law. Its ties with Britain are very strong since they share a queen. The queen exercises her powers through the governor who is the overall political leader in Canada.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Canadian political culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Power Essays

Organizational Behavior Leadership/Power Essays Organizational Behavior Leadership/Power Essay Organizational Behavior Leadership/Power Essay This memo will address leadership and management, including the differences between the roles and functions of the two. Also addressed will be the types of power in American organizations as well as the potential sources of conflict in organizations and ways to resolve them. Leadership and management are often used interchangeably just as groups and teams. The clear distinction that exists between groups and teams also exists between management and leadership. Leadership is defined as the â€Å"ability to influence a group toward the achievement of a vision or set of goals† (Robbins Judge, 2011 p. 77). Leaders can be appointed or can evolve by being affiliated with a group. Activities involved with leadership include creating a vision, establishing strategies, motivating and inspiring others. Management is the act of monitoring and supervising a group. Planning, staffing and organizing are duties that are within management. Not all leaders are managers and all managers are not leaders and while the two have distinct differences there are times when they do align. Having both good leadership and management within an organization is vital to its success. Power is the â€Å"capacity that A has to influence the behavior of B so that B acts in accordance with A’s wishes† (Robbins Judge, 2011 p. 421). The bases of power can be broken into two categories, formal and personal. The textbook, Organizational Behavior, explains that formal power is based on an individual’s position in an organization while personal power comes from an individuals unique characteristics (Robbins Judge, 2011 p. 21). Research suggests that personal power is more effective than formal power. Personal power can be further broken down into two categories, expertise and the respect and admiration of others. Expert power occurs when an individual has the ability to influence others as a result of expertise, special skills or knowledge. Referent power is based on identification with a person with desirable resources or personal traits. Formal power can be i n the form of coercive power, reward power and legitimate power. Coercive power is based on fear of the negative results from failing to comply. Coercive power is effective through uses such as threat of infliction of pain or frustration through restriction of movement. Reward power is the opposite of coercive power; it is based on the idea that compliance produces positive and valuable benefits. Legitimate power is one of the most common powers, it involves the authority to control and use organizational resources because of structural position in the organization. Conflict is the â€Å"process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected, or is about to negatively affect, something that the first party cares about† (Robbins Judge, 2011 p. 454). Conflict can generate both positive and negative influences on an organization. Communication, structure and personal variables are three potential sources of conflict within an organization. Individuals have the tendency to communicate in very different ways. Variations in communication can be influenced by personality, past experiences, and culture. Communication is vulnerable to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. What one person is communicating is not always what another is receiving. Organizational structure as a potential source of conflict is based on variables such as size, degree of specialization in tasks assigned, and jurisdictional clarity. Also included in organization structure conflicts are member-goal compatibility, leadership styles, reward systems and the degree of dependence between groups. The last category of potential sources of conflict is concerning personal variables including, personality, emotions, and values. Conflicts within an organization can be handled by a myriad of techniques including problem solving, super ordinate goals, and expansion of resources, authoritative command, and altering human the variable. Problem solving technique of conflict resolution involves a face-to-face meeting of the conflicting parties. During the meeting, the problem is identified and resolved through an open discussion. Creating a shared goal that can’t be accomplished without the cooperation of the conflicting parties is the conflict resolution technique of super-ordinate goals. Expansion of resources involves a conflict caused by the scarcity of a resource such as money, opportunities, or office space. This resolution technique attempts to create a win-win solution of both parties. Authoritative command technique occurs when management uses formal authority to resolve conflict and communicates the desires to the parties involved. Altering the human variable technique for conflict-resolution is the use of behavioral change techniques, such as human relations training, to alter attitudes and behavior that cause conflict. Effective leadership and management are important for the success of meeting organizational goals. Managers and leaders within an organization have to understand and use power in a way that’s suitable for the organization. When conflicts arise, organizations, specifically their leaders need to have the skills to identify conflicts and address those conflicts using an appropriate conflict resolution technique. Robbins, S. P. , Judge, T. A. (2011). Organizational Behavior (14th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Factory, Industry, and Plant

Factory, Industry, and Plant Factory, Industry, and Plant Factory, Industry, and Plant By Maeve Maddox An ESL speaker asks for a discussion of the nouns factory, industry, and plant in the context of the following: â€Å"mineral water factory,† â€Å"mineral water industry,† and â€Å"mineral water plant.† factory An earlier meaning of factory was â€Å"the employment, office, or position of a factor.† A factor, as in the word cornfactor, is â€Å"an agent who buys and sells, or transacts other business, on behalf of another person or company.† In the context of manufacturing, a factory is â€Å"a building or range of buildings for the manufacture or assembly of goods or for the processing of substances or materials.† The earliest OED citation of this meaning of factory (1618) refers to a facility for the printing and manufacture of books. industry The noun industry has several meanings. The relevant definition in this discussion is this one: A particular form or sector of productive work, trade, or manufacture. In later use also more generally: any commercial activity or enterprise. Also with modifying word indicating the type of activity or principal product: banking industry, car industry, film industry, heavy industry, service industry, tourist industry, etc. plant The noun plant has numerous meanings, but in the context of manufacturing, plant is often a synonym for factory: the premises, fittings, and equipment of a business; a factory, a place where an industrial process is carried out. In extended use: the workers employed at a business, institution, or factory. â€Å"A mineral water factory† can describe a place â€Å"for the processing of mineral water.† Perhaps more commonly, such a facility is called â€Å"a bottling plant.† The phrase â€Å"mineral water industry† connotes all the commercial activity that goes into the acquisition, preparation, and sale of mineral water. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:"Based in" and "based out of"How to Punctuate Descriptions of Colors75 Synonyms for â€Å"Hard†

Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurial Business Venture Essay

Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurial Business Venture - Essay Example The related rights of copyright consist of the rights of performing artists for their performances, producers of phonograms, and those of broadcasters' programmes in either radio or television. The rights granted in all types of intellectual property are essentially negative. A patent refers to the exclusive right granted for an invention that either provides a novel means of doing, or a new technical solution to a problem. Patents provides protection for a limited period, generally 20 years. The protection granted to patent owners includes that another person cannot make commercial reproduction, use, distribution and sale of the invention without the consent of the patent owner. To enforce these rights, patent owners have to enforce it in court to prevent or enjoin patent infringement. Corollary to this, a court may declare a patent invalid when challenged. A patent owner is given the right to decide who can use the patented invention for the period granted in the patent and ahs the right to permit or license third parties to use, sell, distribute or market the invention. Upon expiration of a patent, the protection consequently ends, with the invention becoming a part of the public domain. The patent owner does not anymore have exclusive rights to the p atented invention and now available for commercial exploitation. To secure a patent, the first step is to file the application for patent that should contain the name or title of the invention and an indication of the technical field. The application must also state the background and description of the invention specific enough for an individual of average understanding in the field could subsequently use to reproduce the invention. The application must be accompanied by visual representations of the invention like diagrams, plans or drawings describe the invention better and must contain various "claims" or the necessary information that determines the extent of protection applied. To be patentable, the invention must satisfy the following conditions: (1) it must be of practical use; (2) it must be novel, that is, new characteristic in the field not yet known in the body of existing knowledge called "prior art"; (3) shows an inventive step not knowable by someone in the field with average knowledge; and (4) the invention must be accepted as "patentable" law. Hence, mathematical methods, scientific theories, discoveries of natural substances, commercial methods, plant or animal varieties, or methods for medical treatment are not patentable. A patent is usually granted by a national patent office or by a regional office for several countries. Under a regional application, applicant requests protection in several countries but each country decides on the application. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) provides for the system of filing a single international patent application with similar effect as national applications. An applicant files one application only. Thus, the joint business venture may file for patent application for the technology that combines the Osyter card's radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and the debit cards EFTPOS system together. A

Should we drill for offshore oil Research Paper

Should we drill for offshore oil - Research Paper Example After its formation, it travels from the source rock onto the surface where it is trapped in impermeable layers of rocks and forms a reservoir. Reservoirs range in depth ranging from a hundred feet deep to thousands of feet below the surface. Others are found offshore covered with a lot of water and sediment. This product is called crude oil and is made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms that form highly combustible fuels. It also contains nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur and these three elements lower its quality, making it hard to work with. These hydrocarbons contain paraffin energy that produces gasoline, paraffin wax, and diesel fuel. In addition, an oil reservoir is a pool of these hydrocarbons that are below the surface in porous rock structures where they have accumulated. They are found in a few countries in the world and most of those in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia having the most oil deposits. It is considered a non-renewable resource as it cannot be replaced naturally, since its formation takes millions of years. Drilling is the most used method of oil extraction. Identification of the precise location of the oil begins the process. Geologists who use instruments like gravimeters and seismic surveys do this. Once the location is identified, drilling begins. When a steady flow is The drilling gun is made with explosive charges that enable oil to run through the holes in its casing. Once it has perforated properly, a tube is put into the well that allows the oil to run upwards. The tube is then sealed with a packer that is positioned along the outer part. The final step is placing a structure known as a Christmas tree that allows the flow of the oil to be controlled. Most of the extracted contains sediments that can be used for energy. If these sediments are not disposed, they can cause pollution. After the harvesting, the oil is pumped into oil tankers where it is transported to oil refineries to be refined into products useful

European Union Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

European Union Law - Essay Example 1. Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TEFU). 2. Regulation (EU) No. 492/2011 of 05.04.2011. 3. Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 4. Council Regulations No 312/76 and 2434/92. 5. Article 38 (1) Directive No 2004/38/EC. 6. Directive 2004/38/EC of 29.04.2004 on the rights of citizens and their family members 7. Directive No 98/49/EC dt 29.06.1998 in regard to pension rights of workers and self-employed persons within the community.1 Article 45 of the TEFU along with secondary legislations and case law accord the fundamental rights for the EU citizens such as the right to seek job in another EU member state, right to get employed without a work permit, right to have residence therein for the purpose of employment and right to continue to stay in the member country after the employment has ceased and to be eligible for equal treatment with nationals of the member state in respect of employment rights, working conditions and other social and tax benefits. These ri ghts may vary for self-employed, students and retired or economically non-active persons. The rights are subject to public security, public policy, health grounds and employment restrictions in the public sector.2 The wording of â€Å"workers† related to free movement in Directive 2004/38/ EC is somewhat misleading since the Directive is aimed at according right of free movement to â€Å"EU† citizens in general though the directive makes a distinction between economically active and non-active citizens. Thus, Directive 2004/38/ EC is applicable to all EU citizens who move to another member state (host state) other than their home state of which they are nationals. Thus, the union citizens can reside in a home state for three months without any formalities other than holding of a passport or an identity card subject to a more favourable treatment available to job-seekers as per the case law of the European Court of Justice 3 viz Levin v Staatssecretaris van Justitie 4 a nd Brian Francis Collins vs Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 5 However, the terminology of â€Å"worker† is ideally continued in view of special regulations related to work under the directive besides the advantages available to citizens who have worked or have been self-employed along with their family members in acquiring permanent residence even before the completion of five years of residence in the host state by virtue of Commission Regulation (EEC) No.125/170 of 29.06.1970 which confers right to workers to remain in the territory of a Member State pursuant to having been employed in that State and Council Directive 75/34/EEC of 17.12. 1974 conferring rights to citizens in a member state in the capacity of self-employed people. Thus, a worker entitled to free movement within the Union should be a national of one of the EU member states or that of Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein enjoying certain privileges. The European Court of Justice has given a wide interpret ation of the term â€Å"worker† to include part-time work6, trainees 7and remuneration in kind adding that the person should be carrying out an effective and genuine work as directed by another, to be considered as a worker. Besides, the concept of freedom of movement should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner.8 Further, the ECJ has held that the job-seeking citizens should not be expelled if they show evidence of search of employment and chances of getting jobs. There

Unit 3 DB introduction to law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Unit 3 DB introduction to law - Essay Example Similarly, the department is responsible for administration of prisons and other correctional facilities in which it offers services such as supervision of the facilities and provision for the convicts’ needs within the correctional systems (Gaines and Miller, 2011; Siegel and Worrall, 2012). Other law enforcement agencies also provide services in the same area. The department for example shares law enforcement roles with the police department and investigative roles with the â€Å"Federal Bureau of Investigations† (Lambert and Regan, 2001, p. 123). I hold the opinion that the department is not adequate in its scope of duty. This is because its roles are diverse in technical fields that require different and specialized expertise. I would therefore recommend, is I had an opportunity, that the department be streamlined into a specialized role or be structured with independent and specialized sub departments (Lambert and Regan,

Occupational Therapy for Dementia Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Occupational Therapy for Dementia - Case Study Example Over and above that, she has evidence of rheumatoid arthritis of both hands. She tripped and fell in the bathroom; this impairment of mobility may get accentuated with her rheumatic disease. She has been admitted to the hospital for observation and further evaluation. She has evident dementia. She has been admitted to the acute care, and an occupational therapy evaluation and management plan will be enacted from this history. The evaluation method used in occupational therapy for AD is based on observation and interview. The most important central theme is to observe clients' involvement in activities of daily living. This information must be corroborated with other information obtained from interviewing family members or caregivers. Literature indicates use of several performance based measures such as Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), Cognitive Performance Test (CPT), Daily Activities Questionnaire, Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), Functional Performance Test (FPT), and Kitchen Task Assessment (KTA). These are important to assess the extent and

Working with Federal Reserve's Publications Assignment

Working with Federal Reserve's Publications - Assignment Example Federal Reserve’s Assessment of the Current Economic Activity and Financial Markets and their View on Inflation The financial crisis is on the rise worldwide. Prices of commodities in the markets are shooting up and the consumers are finding it difficult to survive in these harsh financial situations. The financial organization, firms and industries are finding it unbearable to hold on to the competition. In the United States for instance, Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac which are government parastatals were put under receivership. Lehman brothers’ holdings and other large business institutions were either at the verge of collapsing or they actually did collapse. Others were acquired by their competitors under unavoidable circumstances of bankruptcy. Large withdrawals of money were made by stakeholders and investors which affected the money market mutual funds. This undermined the stability of short term funding markets and the bank wholesale funding markets. The strain on f inancial markets has also caused economic activities to decrease. The GDP was reported to have gone down at an annual rate of 6.2 percent in the last quarter of the previous year though recent indicators show some slight improvements. The rate of unemployment moved 7.6 percent .Reacting to deterioration of job markets, loss of equity, housing wealth and tightening of credit conditions, families cut on their spending habits. Buying of homes and construction of new ones are not doing well at all despite the fact that mortgage rates have gone extremely down. This reflects how our economy is uncertain and home prices are likely to fall even lower. Manufacturing sectors have also deteriorated in their output bringing its rate of capacity utilization very low. The weak economy has led to many premises cutting their capital expenditures. Businesses have done their best to reduce the number of investors. Sales will remain poor for some time and the cut down on production is to be evident in the coming months. This was a threat to international economic stability. This projected a devastating financial collapse globally. The treasury saved the situation by injecting 250 billion dollars in to the U.S.A. financial organization. Monetary Policy Tools The Federal Reserve Uses To Stabilize The Economy And Maintain Price Stability.   Late last year, Federal Reserve responded aggressively to the deterioration of financial markets. This was evident in the way they continued to ease monetary policy. The Federal Open Market Committee brought its fund rates at a very low rate of 1/4 percent where it has remained to date. Making the federal funds rates almost zero, the Federal Reserve is focused on other ways in which it can ease tough conditions at the credit markets. They have new facilities and have expanded existing facilities to facilitate the flow of credit services to its customers. (Monetary Policy And The Economy),notes that lower interest rates in the United States wil l lead to decline in the exchange value of the dollar and prompt an increase in price of imports and decline in the price of exports. Auction facility was also increased so that banks could obtain the funds they needed to serve their credit customers better. The FOMC also expanded its network swapping lines with foreign central banks to help in solving the global financial crisis which was now getting into the funding markets of the U.S.A.

Unit 3 DB introduction to law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Unit 3 DB introduction to law - Essay Example Similarly, the department is responsible for administration of prisons and other correctional facilities in which it offers services such as supervision of the facilities and provision for the convicts’ needs within the correctional systems (Gaines and Miller, 2011; Siegel and Worrall, 2012). Other law enforcement agencies also provide services in the same area. The department for example shares law enforcement roles with the police department and investigative roles with the â€Å"Federal Bureau of Investigations† (Lambert and Regan, 2001, p. 123). I hold the opinion that the department is not adequate in its scope of duty. This is because its roles are diverse in technical fields that require different and specialized expertise. I would therefore recommend, is I had an opportunity, that the department be streamlined into a specialized role or be structured with independent and specialized sub departments (Lambert and Regan,

Working with Federal Reserve's Publications Assignment

Working with Federal Reserve's Publications - Assignment Example Federal Reserve’s Assessment of the Current Economic Activity and Financial Markets and their View on Inflation The financial crisis is on the rise worldwide. Prices of commodities in the markets are shooting up and the consumers are finding it difficult to survive in these harsh financial situations. The financial organization, firms and industries are finding it unbearable to hold on to the competition. In the United States for instance, Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac which are government parastatals were put under receivership. Lehman brothers’ holdings and other large business institutions were either at the verge of collapsing or they actually did collapse. Others were acquired by their competitors under unavoidable circumstances of bankruptcy. Large withdrawals of money were made by stakeholders and investors which affected the money market mutual funds. This undermined the stability of short term funding markets and the bank wholesale funding markets. The strain on f inancial markets has also caused economic activities to decrease. The GDP was reported to have gone down at an annual rate of 6.2 percent in the last quarter of the previous year though recent indicators show some slight improvements. The rate of unemployment moved 7.6 percent .Reacting to deterioration of job markets, loss of equity, housing wealth and tightening of credit conditions, families cut on their spending habits. Buying of homes and construction of new ones are not doing well at all despite the fact that mortgage rates have gone extremely down. This reflects how our economy is uncertain and home prices are likely to fall even lower. Manufacturing sectors have also deteriorated in their output bringing its rate of capacity utilization very low. The weak economy has led to many premises cutting their capital expenditures. Businesses have done their best to reduce the number of investors. Sales will remain poor for some time and the cut down on production is to be evident in the coming months. This was a threat to international economic stability. This projected a devastating financial collapse globally. The treasury saved the situation by injecting 250 billion dollars in to the U.S.A. financial organization. Monetary Policy Tools The Federal Reserve Uses To Stabilize The Economy And Maintain Price Stability.   Late last year, Federal Reserve responded aggressively to the deterioration of financial markets. This was evident in the way they continued to ease monetary policy. The Federal Open Market Committee brought its fund rates at a very low rate of 1/4 percent where it has remained to date. Making the federal funds rates almost zero, the Federal Reserve is focused on other ways in which it can ease tough conditions at the credit markets. They have new facilities and have expanded existing facilities to facilitate the flow of credit services to its customers. (Monetary Policy And The Economy),notes that lower interest rates in the United States wil l lead to decline in the exchange value of the dollar and prompt an increase in price of imports and decline in the price of exports. Auction facility was also increased so that banks could obtain the funds they needed to serve their credit customers better. The FOMC also expanded its network swapping lines with foreign central banks to help in solving the global financial crisis which was now getting into the funding markets of the U.S.A.

Anne Frank Book Summary Essay Example for Free

Anne Frank Book Summary Essay I’ve just finished reading The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank. Anne Frank’s diary was begun on June 14th, 1942 and her last entry was on August 1st, 1944. Her diary was mostly about the Holocaust, when her family went into hiding. Anne’s family included herself, her sister (Margot Frank), her mother (Edith Frank), and her father (Otto Frank). This story was set in Prinsengracht, Amsterdam. I chose to read this book because stories that relate to war, really interest me. It all started on Anne’s thirteenth birth, when she received a diary from her parents. She was really excited because she wanted someone or something, she could tell her thoughts to. Even though Anne had a rich social life, she felt as if people didn’t know the real her. She began writing about daily events, school, boys, etc. Within a month, her entire life changed. More and more Jewish people were getting captured and receiving call ups. Call ups mean to surrender now and go to concentration camp. The family decided to go into hiding. They moved into a little section of Anne’s father’s office building that was walled off and hidden behind a singing bookcase. It was called â€Å"the Secret Annex†. For two years, the Frank family lived in â€Å"the Secret Annex†. Mr. and Mrs. van Daan and their son Peter (a little older than Anne) were also hiding with them. Later, Mr. Dussel, an elderly dentist, moved in and Anne had to share a room with him. Anne’s whole life now revolved around getting used to hearing gunshots and bombs. She started drifting away from her family because she spent more time studying and ready instead of spending time with them. Anne started to change as she began to spend time with Peter van Daan. Around that time, she started having dreams about a bout she was in love with, another Peter, Peter Schiff. She always came to see Peter (of the Annex) more than she used to. Before, Anne thought he was an obnoxious, hypersensitive and a lazy guy, but he turned out to be sensitive and caring. Eventually their relationship changed, and they became more than friends. Another big change for Anne happened, when the war was beginning to end. She heard on the radio that â€Å"personal accounts such as her diary will be in demand after the war ends†. She than started editing her diary with excitement! Unfortunately that didn’t last long. Anne started becoming more sensitive to the world around her. She felt completely alone. She felt constantly criticized and there was no escape. At one point, Anne thought it might’ve been better if she and her family had all died instead of hiding in the Annex. Things got a lot harder on Anne. The secret Annex was raided. On the morning of August 4th, 1994, they arrested all of the people in hiding. They were first brought to a prison in Amsterdam and then transferred to Westerbork, the transit camp for Jewish people in north of Holland. They were deported on September 3rd, 1944, in the last transport to leave Westerbork, and they arrived three days later in Auschwitz (Poland). Mr. van Daan (Hermann van Pels) was gassed to death in Auschwitz in October or November 1944. Mrs. van Daan (Auguste van Pels) died at and unknown concentration camp. Peter van Daan (Peter van Pels) was forced to take part in the â€Å"death march† from Auschwitz to Mauthausen (Austria), where he died on May 5th, 1945, right before the camp started. Albert Dussel (Fritz Pfeffer) died on December 20th, 1944, in the Neuengamme concentration camp. Edith Frank died in Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 6th, 1945, from hunger and exhaustion. Margot and Anne Frank had gotten typhus, caused by one of two types of bacteria: Rickettsia typhi or Rickettsia prowazekii, and their bodies were dumped in the Bergen-Belsen’s (concentration camp) mass graves. The only sole survivor was Otto Frank. He was the one who published Anne’s diary. The thing is, to this day, no one knows who exposed them. Every time I read this book, it gets better every single time. It also leaves me crying about ten minutes. It also makes me realize how lucky and blessed I am. Anne was such a brave girl, I could never imagine being in her position. I give this book ten out of then, it was one the best books I’ve ever read. I definitely recommend everyone to read The Diary of a Young Girl.

Types and Stages of Observational Learning and Memory

Types and Stages of Observational Learning and Memory Jurgita Kairiukstiene This  essay will address aspects of psychology by exploring different types and stages of Observational learning and Memory. A Observational Learning Learning is define as the process of acquiring knowledge through experience which leads to a lasting change in behaviour (Huczynski Buchanan (2013), p.154) There are two different types of learning Observational and Associative learning. The concept of observational learning was developed by Albert Bandura (1977, 1986 2000) to exclude trial-and-error method in learning. To compere both learnings, Associative learning is more tedious and more hazardous than Observational learning. Observes by observing may develop new behaviour and may have impact to previously learned behaviour. Learning by Observation contains four stages and processes: Attention. Observers can only learn if they pay attention to a mentor or teacher. For example dancing classes. Attendants must observe and pay attention to teacher to learn how to dance. Retention. Observers must memorise information and store in to memory. In order to take next step must recall what was memorised before. For example learn how to use computer programs. Reproduction. Observes must replicate another behaviour. But there is a limitation factor of physical abilities. Example may be that humans cant fly. Reinforcement. Observers will go through different stages and will be motivated to learn. According to Banduras (e.g. 1977) Social learning theory, experiment on children by letting them watch television and later motivate aggressive behaviour. This study has important implications for the effects of media violence on children. (http://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html 24/02/2017, 15:31) Memory is the faculty of the mind by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved (Atkinson Shiffrin, 1968). Memory is the process of maintaining information over time. (Matlin, 2005) There is three Memory stages: Encode: Visual (picture), Acoustic (sound), Semantic (meaning) Store: Short-term memory or Long -term memory Retrieve: context-dependent (similar situation) or state-dependent (similar emotional state) (Diagram 1 source: https://www.psychestudy.com/cognitive/memory/stages 24/02/2017 22:44) Different Memory types: (Diagram 2 source: http://www.human-memory.net/types.html 24/02/2017, 17:30) Sensory memory. Very short, if its not passed to Short-term memory its lost. For example the memory of sound/picture/word is held for a second only. Interference may prevent of memory recall. Sensory memory can be Iconic or Echoic. Short-term/working memory is a step to a Long -term memory. It holds small amount of information up to seven (+-2) units at once by a limited time, encodes information. By repeating an information we can hold it in the working memory. For example to memorise phone number we repeat it several times. But also it can be easily forgotten. People surroundings and environment have an influence on working memory. Long-term memory is more complicated. It holds information for a long time or for life-span and have unlimited capacity. There is three long-term memory systems: Episodic (e.g. experience, specific events like 5th birthday party), Semantic (facts, concepts, e.g. knowing that birds can fly) Procedural (e.g. skills, how to walk). Procedural is subcategory of Implicit memory (unconscious) and it uses past experience (e.g. musicians, in language development). Episodic and Semantic are subset of Declarative memory, which is a subset of Explicit memory (conscious) and it holds facts and events that can be stored and consciously recalled(e.g. Learning to swim) In conclusion, Learning without Memory does not exist.      Ã‚   References Atkinson, R. C., Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. In The psychology of learning and motivation: II Oxford, England: Academic Press. doi:10.1016/S0079-7421(08)60422-3 David A. Buchanan, Andrzej A. Huczynski. Organizational behaviour. 8th edition. Harlow, England Pearson (2013) p.154. Matlin, M. W. (2005). Cognition. Crawfordsville: John Wiley Sons, Inc. http://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.html 24/02/2017, 15:31 Diagram 1 source: https://www.psychestudy.com/cognitive/memory/stages 24/02/2017 22:44 Diagram 2 source: http://www.human-memory.net/types.html 24/02/2017 17:30

Therapeutic Touch : Its Effectiveness On Surgical Incision Site Pain Es

Therapeutic Touch : Its Effectiveness On Surgical Incision Site Pain INTRODUCTION Therapeutic touch has been shown to decrease patients anxiety levels and increase their pain tolerance levels when other more mainstream therapies have not been completely effective. "Therapeutic touch is a process by which energy is transmitted from one person to another for the purpose of potentiating the healing process of one who is ill or injured." (Heidt, 1981; Krieger, 1979; Lionberger, 1985; Randolph, 1984; Kramer, 1990). In my capacity as a nursing student on a medical- surgical unit, I have noticed an increase in pain medication requests among patients with incision site pain and a minimal use of alternative therapies for this pain management. With the use of therapeutic touch nurses can regain a closeness with patients and also have a direct effect on their pain level. Therefore the purpose of this study will be to determine if therapeutic touch is an effective intervention for patients experiencing surgical incision site pain within the first forty-eight hours after surgery. PROBLEM STATEMENT The question posed for study is: "Is therapeutic touch an effective intervention for decreasing a patients surgical site pain within the first forty-eight hours after surgery?". The independent variable is therapeutic touch. The dependant variable is decreasing surgical site pain. The population to be studied will be patients on a thirty bed medical-surgical floor of a Lake Charles hospital. Fifty surgical patients will be studied over a four week period. The patients will be randomly selected to avoid any bias by the researcher. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM "... therapeutic touch is a nursing intervention that has the potential for eliciting a state of physiological relaxation in patients and for decreasing patients anxiety" (Heidt, 1991). The use of therapeutic touch is very important to the nursing community. The need for immediate intervention in acute or chronic pain could be handled at the bedside with no need to await a doctor's order for pharmacological intervention. Anxiety could be lessened to let patients rest more comfortably in the stressful hospital environment. Also teaching could be enhanced in the less anxious and more pain free client.... ...al Nursing, 31, (2), 19-22. Keller, E., MSN,RN-C, Bzdek, V.M., PhD, RN, (1986). Effects of therapeutic touch on tension headache pain. Nursing Research, 35, (2), 101-106. Kramer, N.A., MSN, RN, (1990). Comparison of therapeutic touch and casual touch in stress reduction of hospitalized children. Pediatric Nursing, 16, (5), 483-485. Mathews, K.M., RN, MN, SCM, (1991). Mothers' satisfaction with their neonates' breast feeding behaviors. Journal of Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing, 20, (1), 48-55. Polit, D.F., PhD, Hungler, B.P., RN,PhD, (1993). Essentials of nursing research methods, appraisal, and utilization (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott company. Publication manual of the american psychological association (6th ed.). (1995). Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association. Quinn, J.F., RN, PhD, FAAN, Strelkauskas, A.J., PhD, (1993). Psychoimmunologic effects of therapeutic touch on practitioners and recently bereaved recipients: A pilot study. Advances in Nursing Science, 15, (4), 13-26.

Spensers Amoretti and the Patterns of Domination and Recognition :: Spenser Amoretti Essays

Spenser's Amoretti and the Patterns of Domination and Recognition Edward Spenser's sonnet sequence, Amoretti[1], traces a lover's difficult courtship of his lady. Though he is eventually successful and they wed, the lover and lady must compromise, each giving up some of their independence and power, before they are able to love each other freely. By using Jessica Benjamin's book, The Bonds of Love, one can see the struggle for dominance and independent identity between the lover and mistress slowly evolving and resolving into a relationship of mutual recognition. Benjamin's model of dominance and recognition identifies the lover and mistress's progress as moving through various stages of domination and submission to mutual recognition, with both selves dominating and submitting at different times before reaching a state of equality. Benjamin bases her model of domination and recognition on the intersubjective theory of psychoanalysis. Intersubjectivity "maintains that the individual grows in and through the relationship to other subjects. Most important this perspective observes that the other[2] whom the self meets is also a self, a subject in his or her own right. It assumes that we are able and need to recognize that other subject as different and yet alike, as an other who is capable of sharing similar mental experiences" (20). Edna also needs recognition because that affirms her selfhood. Otto's recognition of her actions lets Edna define herself more clearly through his response to her actions (21). When Otto doesn't recognize Edna, doesn't treat her as an equal, conflict arises. Edna becomes aggressive, trying to force recognition from Otto. He, when faced with aggression, can either choose to be alone, and therefore somehow destroy Edna, or choose to become attuned to her and surrender (28). Surrender doesn't mean submission here; it means Otto recognizes Edna as an equal. From this surrender, a relationship can proceed on equal footing, with occasional imbalances in power common to relationships. If Otto chooses to destroy Edna, however, domination occurs. A self that chooses domination over surrender is generally fighting for independence. It is afraid to relinquish any independence or control.

Ikea Essay

Ltd. is a furniture operations company that offers â€Å"quick assembly† furniture with 15% lower price than its competitors. IKEA’s success brought imitators, such as Sears. In order to analyze IKEA’s competitive position in the Canadian Furniture Industry as well as Sears competitive threat, a model of competitive rivalry was used. IKEA and Sears both compete against each other in multiple markets across Canada, they both have market commonality and resource similarity. The Sears catalogue has almost the same format of an IKEA catalogue, and they both offer knock-down, self-assembled line products which allows the customers to create particular designs. In addition, the price for Elements’ products in Sears seemed almost identical to IKEA prices. They both go closely to the supplier in marketing, research, design and development, production standards and production planning. Some of the suppliers of the Elements line for Sears were from Sweden, which is the same as IKEA, but it didn’t show that they had any suppliers in common. It’s evidently that both of the market commonality and resource similarity are very high between those two companies. The market commonality and resource similarity can influence the drivers of competitive behaviour. The awareness of IKEA to recognize the degree of imitation by Sears is very high. High awareness enables IKEA to understand the consequences of Sears’ actions and responses. IKEA has a high motivation to respond Sears’s imitation. In order to protect IKEA’s position in the furniture market, IKEA has a philosophy to dealing with the copyright. IKEA would like to make a new model to replace the stole one rather than bring a lawsuit. Furthermore, IKEA has the ability to attack or respond to Sears’ actions. Since they both hold the similar resources, the ability to attack and respond is similar. IKEA should consider all important issues before taking action or respond to Sears. First-mover incentives, organizational size, and quality are the three factors that IKEA may take action to its competitors. As a first mover, IKEA’s business approach was fundamentally different from the traditional Canadian retailers. IKEA focus on â€Å"quick assembly† furniture and allow the customers assembled at home. Due to this reason, its price is 15% below the lowest prices for traditional furniture. The size of IKEA Canada is relatively small than Sears. The smaller size enables IKEA to launch competitive actions to defend their market position. The quality of IKEA’s product can be guaranteed. As one of the competitive strategy, IKEA had nearly 100 production engineers to assist suppliers in every way to low costs, introduce new technology, and design. The company has a philosophy to â€Å"create a better everyday life for the majority of people. † In order to defend its market position, IKEA may response Sears’ imitation in the following ways. IKEA may implement some strategic action, such as new innovation, to replace the stolen model from Sears. IKEA may lower its price, always by 10 to 15 percent on a particular item, than Sears. If IKEA can’t do it, IKEA may just drop the item and select some other one, to compete against Sears. Sears is one of Canada’s largest merchandising operations, and offering a wide range of medium price and quality goods. IKEA can predict that Sears with relatively lower market dependence are less likely to respond strongly to attacks threatening their market position.

Illusion of American Dream

People, In one way or another, are continually and Invariably trying to Improve the quality of their lives. Some believe their happiness lies within materialistic goods and the freedom to buy them; while others believe their happiness Lies within the bonds and relationships they have. The American Dream is a combination of both. Stereotypically, the American Dream is to marry the perfect someone, move to a suburban house with a white picketed fence, have kids that attend private school, both parents work and do not have to worry about financial issues.Although in the ass's the Idea of the American Dream was exaggerated to match the glamour and luxury of the era also known as the Roaring Twenties. F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby exposes and emphasizes the American Dream as a failure and an Illusion. The failure and illusion of the American Dream is seen through the corruption of morals, purposeless lives of the aristocrats and the out-of-reach dreams fueled by the idea that anyth ing was possible.Arguably sexual attraction is what could have caused Myrtles immoral behavior and made her vulnerable to Tom's sexual objectification; however Myrtles affair with Tom Is an attempt to get a glimpse of the American Dream. Her desperateness results In her corruption of morals which leads her to become an object of desire to Tom. The description of their first encounter made it clear the intentions of the soon-to-be relationship. â€Å"He had a dress suit on and patent leather shoes†¦ † (Fitzgerald 40).In Myrtles recollection of the memory it is significant that she mentions his appearance for it is reflective of his wealth and is season she took interest in Tom. As she continues to retell the story to Nick, Toms actions proves the value he gives to her; ‘When we came Into the station he was next to me and his white shirt front pressed against my arm— and so I told him I'd have to call a policeman but he knew I lied. I was so excited that when I got into a taxi with him I didn't hardly know I wasn't getting into a subway train. (40). Tom's aggressive, domineering come-on shows he feels superior to her. Tom did not even have the decency to introduce himself. To Myrtle it did not matter because she knew she was out of her league chasing Tom and the social circle he revolved In, but hoped desperately and pathetically to Improve her situation. For Myrtle and those who are far from living the American Dream, the luxury and glamour this Illusion presents led her to devalue herself. On the other hand, Tom and Daisy seem to be living the American Dream.They have all the material possession one could ever need and such great wealth to securely fall back on, but all this and they are unsatisfied with their lives. Tom and Daisy's lives show that achieving or obtaining the American Dream leads to purposeless lives. During Nick's first visit at Tom and Daisy's house, Tom begins discussing his recent readings about the white supremacy. Nick made an observation that â€Å"There was something pathetic in his concentration as if his complacency, more acute than old, was not enough for him anymore† (18).Tom's satisfaction in life is no longer enough to shield him from his unhappiness, so he becomes absorbed with supposedly ‘scientific' books about white supremacy, hoping o find the root of his disillusionment. Later that evening Daisy shares with Nick conclusions she has made about life on the basis that she has â€Å"†¦ Been everywhere, young age of Daisy she feels she no longer has nothing left to do. With great fortune, social standing and material possession do not have much else to desire or seek in life thus putting into question the greatness and happiness that is associated with the American Dream.Gatsby experienced this greatness and happiness of the American Dream when he came so close to achieving it. Although he devoted all his time and effort toward his ultimate dream of winning Daisy back, it still proved to be unattainable due to his overblown idealization of her. Jordan Baker explains to Nick about Gatsby mysterious behavior that â€Å"†¦ It was no coincidence at all. Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be Just across the bay' (83). Gatsby entire presence is built so that Daisy will notice him.Despite the flashy parties and careless wealth that imply he is living in the moment, he is in fact stuck is the past. Nick attempts to reason with Gatsby naive thoughts about reliving the past but Gatsby simply responds â€Å"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can! † (116). At the point it is foreshadowed, that once again, the great American Dream is unrealistic since Gatsby is leading an unrealistic life, based upon a reality that may soon come crashing down around him. Fitzgerald expresses his disillusioned view of the American Dream in the last line of the book where Nick reflects on Gatsby ending. Gatsby believed in the green light, the o rgiastic future that year by year recedes fore us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter ? tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther†¦. And one fine morning † (189) the dream is dead, just like Gatsby. The book ended with Fitzgerald disenchanted view of the American Dream. Regardless, he ends the story with hope. Even though no one really gets what they want in this story and the â€Å"American Dream† is seen to be a scam; he knows that people will still pursue their dreams, Just like Gatsby chased after Daisy.

The case of the Montclair Hotel Group Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The of the Montclair Hotel Group - Case Study Example Another important information to be gathered is whether the employees are given any supplementary training that will make them work efficiently. A sample of the employees will be assessed on their opinions on what should be changed in their line of work and overall performance. The committee will use various methods to capture the report data. These methods are through Observation, Interviews, and Questionnaires. Through observation, the committee investigators will sought out information for the project through direct observation without asking the respondent (itsvineeth209). The main advantages of observation are there is less subjective bias, and the information is current. Interviews involve presentation oral verbal questions and responses between the interviewer and interviewee. This project will make use of personal interviews that are face to face. The questionnaire is a way through which a sample of questions are administered to the respondents who are supposed to return them to the one who administered them. After the information has been gathered, it will be disseminated according to requirements to create contrasting reports. The different reports that will be created are Hiring and Training report. This report shall contain all the methods and procedures that are followed to recruit employees in MHG Hotels, the remuneration structures, supplementary training and methods of appraisal. This report shall also deliver the mechanisms that available for benchmarking of the performance of employees periodically. Secondly, the following report will be the Management structure report. This report shall contain all the roles, responsibilities of the management and the reviewed Code of Conduct that needs to be abode by every employee. The most important report to be tabled is that of the alignment of the Mission and the Vision to the goals of MHG Hotels to meet the set objectives. These reports shall make use of graphical representations such as charts for eas ier analysis and market activity can be recognized (Investopedia). These reports shall be received first to the Chief Executive Officer of the MHG Hotel Chains, and then the Head of relevant Departments will receive them for indispensable department changes. The reports only become relevant to the department if they address the pertinent issues that affect them. The data analyzed from the project shall be clustered based on similar characteristics. The information that results from this filtering is then arranged in an organized manner to form a report. These reports shall both be hard copy and soft copy. The hard copy reports shall be kept for future reference and can be admissible as evidence in court when a dispute arises in the organization. The soft copy reports shall be used since it is easily accessible as long it is stored in the central server of the organization. Cloud computing is one method that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of data storage (Bouquet). First, p urpose of the project should be made clear to all the stakeholders in the MHG Hotel Chains. This is to safeguard the Action plan’s implementation and make amendments to the plan if assessment data point out they are required. The Action plan can be implemented in the following steps: Discuss needs assessment Define the problem Brainstorm ideas Prioritize ideas Development of problem statements i. Develop solutions