Victims of Abuse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Victims of Abuse - Essay Example The paper illustrates the complexity of human behaviour and the cycle of repetitive abusive or maladjusted behaviour patterns that may lead to inter-generational cycles of maladjustment or failure to integrate into society. The paper also examines the multiple potential links between cause and effect when applied to human behaviour and highlights the potential interplay between environmental influences and genetic factors. It became apparent that more research is required in order to improve our current understanding of causative connections between these factors and the author feels it appropriate to point out that long-term studies examining such causative links would be beneficial for a quantitative analysis of abused to abuser behaviour cycles. The objectives of my research were to establish whether there is a causative link between abuse experienced in childhood and children becoming abusers in turn. In particular, I researched evidence linking sexual and violent abuse suffered in childhood to a cycle of abuse. Statistically most children are abused at home or by people known to them and it is therefore paramount to investigate the domestic environments and circumstances that may trigger and potentially pass on abusive behaviour patterns, leading to a cycle of violence which is passed down from one generation to the next. I also investigated whether there may be factors not connected to abuse that turn children into abusers and found that other factors, such as passive consumption of scenes of violence via the media or computer games including scenes of violence, socio-economic and genetic factors can contribute to increased incidents of violent and abusive behaviour in children and teenagers. In recent years, the topic of child sexual or physical abusers of other children has been widely discussed in the media.

Recent Trends in Hrm Essay Example for Free

Recent Trends in Hrm Essay Indian organizations are also witnessing a change in systems, management cultures and philosophy due to the global alignment of Indian organizations. There is a need for multi skill development. Role of HRM is becoming all the more important. Some of the recent trends that are being observed are as follows: †¢ The recent quality management standards ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 of 2000 focus more on people centric organizations. Organizations now need to prepare themselves in order to address people centered issues with commitment from the top management, with renewed thrust on HR issues, more particularly on training. Charles Handy also advocated future organizational models like Shamrock, Federal and Triple I. Such organizational models also refocus on people centric issues and call for redefining the future role of HR professionals. †¢ To leapfrog ahead of competition in this world of uncertainty, organizations have introduced six- sigma practices. Six- sigma uses rigorous analytical tools with leadership from the top and develops a method for sustainable improvement. These practices improve organizational values and helps in creating defect free product or services at minimum cost. Human resource outsourcing is a new accession that makes a traditional HR department redundant in an organization. Exult, the international pioneer in HR BPO already roped in Bank of America, international players BP Amoco over the years plan to spread their business to most of the Fortune 500 companies. †¢ With the increase of global job mobility, recruiting competent people is also increasingly becoming difficult, especially in India. Therefore by creating an enabling culture, organizations are also required to work out a retention strategy for the existing skilled manpower. NEW TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL HRM International HRM places greater emphasis on a number of responsibilities and functions such as relocation, orientation and translation services to help employees adapt to a new and different environment outside their own country. Selection of employees requires careful evaluation of the personal characteristics of the candidate and his/her spouse. Training and development extends beyond information and orientation training to include sensitivity training and field experiences that will enable the manager to understand cultural differences better. Managers need to be protected from career development risks, re-entry problems and culture shock. To balance the pros and cons of home country and host country evaluations, performance evaluations should combine the two sources of appraisal information. Compensation systems should support the overall strategic intent of the organization but should be customized for local conditions. In many European countries Germany for one, law establishes representation. Organizations typically negotiate the agreement with the unions at a national level. In Europe it is more likely for salaried employees and managers to be unionized. HR Managers should do the following things to ensure success- †¢ Use workforce skills and abilities in order to exploit environmental opportunities and neutralize threats. †¢ Employ innovative reward plans that recognize employee contributions and grant enhancements. †¢ Indulge in continuous quality improvement through TQM and HR contributions like training, development, counseling, etc †¢ Utilize people with distinctive capabilities to create unsurpassed competence in an area, e. g. Xerox in photocopiers, 3M in adhesives, Telco in trucks etc. †¢ Lay off workers in a smooth way explaining facts to unions, workers and other affected groups e. g. IBM, Kodak, Xerox, etc. HR Managers today are focusing attention on the following- †¢ Policies- HR policies based on trust, openness, equity and consensus. †¢ Motivation- Create conditions in which people are willing to work with zeal, initiative and enthusiasm; make people feel like winners. †¢ Relations- Fair treatment of people and prompt redress of grievances would pave the way for healthy work-place relations. Change agent- Prepare workers to accept technological changes by clarifying doubts. †¢ Quality Consciousness- Commitment to quality in all aspects of personnel administration will ensure success. †¢ Due to the new trends in HR, in a nutshell the HR manager should treat people as resources, reward them equitably, and integrate their aspirations with corporate goals through suitable à ‚  India is being widely recognized as one of the most exciting emerging economics in the world. Besides becoming a global hub of outsourcing, Indian firms are spreading their wings globally through mergers and acquisitions. During the first four months of 1997, Indian companies have bought 34 foreign companies for about U. S. $11 billion dollars. This impressive development has been due to a growth in inputs (capital and labor) as well as factor productivity. By the year 2020, India is expected to add about 250 million to its labour pool at the rate of about 18 million a year, which is more than the entire labour force of Germany. This so called ‘demographic dividend’ has drawn a new interest in the Human Resource concepts and practices in India. Indian HRM in Transition One of the noteworthy features of the Indian workplace is demographic uniqueness. It is estimated that both China and India will have a population of 1. 45 billion people by 2030; however, India will have a larger workforce than China. Indeed, it is likely India will have 986 million people of working age in 2030, which will probably be about 300 million more than in 2007. And by 2050, it is expected India will have 230 million more workers than China and about 500 million more than the United States of America (U. S. ). It may be noted that half of India’s current population of 1. 1 billion people are under of 25 years of age. While this fact is a demographic dividend for the economy, it is also a danger sign for the country’s ability to create new jobs at an unprecedented rate. With the retirement age being 55 to 58 years of age in most public sector organizations, Indian workplaces are dominated by youth. Increasing the etirement age in critical areas like universities, schools, hospitals, research institutions and public service is a topic of considerable current debate and agenda of political parties. The divergent view, that each society has a unique set of national nuances, which guide particular managerial beliefs and actions, is being challenged in Indian society. An emerging dominant perspective is the influence of globalization on technological advancements, business management, and education and communication infrastructures are leading to a converging effect on managerial mindsets and business behaviors. And when India embraced liberalization and economic reform in the early 1990s, dramatic changes were set in motion in terms of corporate mindsets and HRM practices as a result of global imperatives and accompanying changes in societal priorities. Indeed, the onset of a burgeoning competitive service sector compelled a demographic shift in worker educational status and heightened the demand for job relevant skills as well as regional diversity. Expectedly, there has been a marked shift towards valuing human resources (HR) in Indian organizations as they become increasingly strategy driven as opposed to the culture of the status quo.

Musik und ihre Wirkung in der Fernsehwerbung Essay -- essays research

1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Einleitung Werbung begegnet und begleitet uns permanent auf unterschiedlichste Weise durch den Alltag, sogar in der Freizeit werden wir immer wieder mit Werbung konfrontiert, ob zuhause oder unterwegs, freiwillig oder unfreiwillig. Vermutlich fà ¤llt es daher kaum einem Menschen in unserer heutigen Mediengesellschaft schwer, Slogans aus der Fernsehwerbung wie „Nicht immer, aber immer à ¶fter.â€Å" oder „Die zarteste Versuchung, seit es Schokolade gibt.â€Å" mit dem entsprechenden umworbenen Produkt in Verbindung zu bringen, bei dem letzteren Slogan sogar die entsprechende Begleitmelodie mit zu summen. Ausgehend von dieser Vermutung stellen sich mir folgende Fragen, die im Verlauf dieser Arbeit beantwortet werden sollen: Warum prà ¤gt sich die Fernsehwerbung so stark in unser Gedà ¤chtnis ein und welche bedeutende Rolle spielt die Musik dabei? Wie muss die Fernsehwerbung und die Musik beschaffen sein, damit sie sich so gut einprà ¤gt? Bevor ich auf die Werbung im Fernsehen zu sprechen komme, mà ¶chte ich zunà ¤chst klà ¤ren, wie sich der Begriff „Werbungâ€Å" allgemein definiert und welche Formen von Werbung es gibt (Kapitel 2). Im anschließenden Kapitel geht es dann speziell um Fernsehwerbung und deren Entstehung, Verbreitung und Nutzen fà ¼r die Werbeschaffenden (Kapitel 3). Das vierte Kapitel beschà ¤ftigt sich mit allgemeinen und konkreten Zielsetzungen der Fernsehwerbung und ihre Wirkung auf den Konsumenten (Kapitel 4). Das nachfolgende Kapitel bearbeitet die Konzeption von Musik in der Fernsehwerbung. Bevor ich auf die Kompositionsformen entsprechender Musik und die Verwendung unterschiedlicher Musikstile im engen Zusammenhang mit Produktimage und Zielgruppe eingehe, werden eingehend die Bedeutung, die Funktionen und die Wirkung von Musik in der Fernsehwerbung dargestellt (Kapitel 5). Eine abschließende Schlussbetrachtung soll die Fragestellungen dieser Arbeit noch einmal aufgreifen und auf der Grundlage der einzelnen Kapitel beantworten. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Was ist Werbung? Zum besseren Verstà ¤ndnis des Begriffes „Werbungâ€Å" sollen an dieser Stelle zunà ¤chst zwei mà ¶gliche Definitionen vorgestellt werden: „Werbung ist ein wirtschaftssozialer Prozess, bei welchem mit unpersà ¶nlichen Mitteln Meinungen und Entscheidungen beeinflusst werden, unter Wahrung des Gefà ¼hls freier Entschließung.â€Å" „Werbung ist Kommunikation. Jede, der ein Anliege... ...dere Formen der Werbung und erreicht viele unterschiedliche Zielgruppen in kà ¼rzester Zeit. Die Fernsehwerbung ist in Musikstil und Produktimage genau auf entsprechende Zielgruppen ausgerichtet, sodass sie fà ¼r den Menschen an persà ¶nlicher Bedeutung gewinnt und er sich mit dem umworbenen Produkt besser identifizieren kann. Durch immer wiederkehrende Slogans, Melodien und Jingles besitzt die Werbung eine hohe Suggestivkraft. Vor allem die Musik spielt hinsichtlich der Wirkung von Fernsehwerbung eine bedeutende Rolle, den sie spricht stets die Gefà ¼hlswelt an und là ¶st (im Idealfall positive) Emotionen aus, die mit dem angepriesenen Produkt direkt in Verbindung gebracht werden (sollen). Dabei besteht die Gefahr, dass der Konsument die Informationen nur oberflà ¤chlich aufnimmt, ohne sich kritisch mit den Inhalten einer Werbung bzw. den Produkten auseinander zu setzen. Produkte werden demzufolge meist unbewusst mit bestimmten Slogans und Melodien in Verbindung gebracht und abspeichert – laut Werbeindustrie die beste Grundlage und Voraussetzung fà ¼r den Kauf und Erwerb eines umworbenen Produkts – das Hauptziel der Werbeindustrie ist erreicht, der Konsument hat kaum etwas davon gemerkt.

Bismarckian Alliance :: essays papers

Bismarckian Alliance The relations between the Great Powers in Europe changed a lot with the accession to the throne of Wilhelm the II in 1888, his dismissal of Chancellor Otto van Bismarck two year later and therefore the breakdown of the Bismarckian Alliance System. The unification of Germany, and the political greatness of Prussia and the empire, are ascribed to the statesmanship of Bismarck. Bismarck was the father of the German nation, he created it and he also masterminded a plan to keep Germany safe from the enemy nations around her. After the humiliation of the loss of Alcase and Lorraine, France was bound to not pass away an opportunity to take revenge from Germany, so to prevent this happening Bismarck constructed an elaborate network of alliances. One of the most important alliances of the many that were made was, the Dreikaiserbund or the League of the the Three Emperors singed in 1872 between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. The most important of the articles in the treaty was that ^in case on of the High Contracting Parties should find itself at war with a fourth Great Power, the two other shall maintain towards it a benevolent neutrality and shall devote their efforts to the localisation of the conflict^. But Russia and Austria-Hungary drew suspicious of each other over conflicts in the Balkans in 1887 and the League fell apart. So to replace that lose Bismarck drew up the secret Dual Alliance with Austria in 1879, it was a defensive alliance against Russian in case she attacks Austria. In 1882, Italy joined the Dual Alliance which created the Triple Alliance. By 1887 Bismarck succeeded to bind Russian in a separate alliance which was called the Reinsurance Treaty. Also Germany kept friendly acquaintances with Britain so that such a powerful nation with not be against Germany. This way, Bismarck^s plan succeeded and now France was truly friendless, powerless and isolated. Kaiser Wilhelm the II had a plan called ^Weltpolitik^ for Germany which meant that he wanted Germany to be a world power with a large colonial empire, strong and unbeatable in every possible way. Bismarck saw this as a threat to the country^s peace he has aintained for twenty years and his idea was that Germany should remain a land-based, peace-loving European power as she has always been. The clash of ideas and values between the thirty one year old, young Kaiser and the seventy five year old chancellor led to Bismarck being forced to resign by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1890. Then the Kaiser appointed Count Georg Leo Caprivi Bismarckian Alliance :: essays papers Bismarckian Alliance The relations between the Great Powers in Europe changed a lot with the accession to the throne of Wilhelm the II in 1888, his dismissal of Chancellor Otto van Bismarck two year later and therefore the breakdown of the Bismarckian Alliance System. The unification of Germany, and the political greatness of Prussia and the empire, are ascribed to the statesmanship of Bismarck. Bismarck was the father of the German nation, he created it and he also masterminded a plan to keep Germany safe from the enemy nations around her. After the humiliation of the loss of Alcase and Lorraine, France was bound to not pass away an opportunity to take revenge from Germany, so to prevent this happening Bismarck constructed an elaborate network of alliances. One of the most important alliances of the many that were made was, the Dreikaiserbund or the League of the the Three Emperors singed in 1872 between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary. The most important of the articles in the treaty was that ^in case on of the High Contracting Parties should find itself at war with a fourth Great Power, the two other shall maintain towards it a benevolent neutrality and shall devote their efforts to the localisation of the conflict^. But Russia and Austria-Hungary drew suspicious of each other over conflicts in the Balkans in 1887 and the League fell apart. So to replace that lose Bismarck drew up the secret Dual Alliance with Austria in 1879, it was a defensive alliance against Russian in case she attacks Austria. In 1882, Italy joined the Dual Alliance which created the Triple Alliance. By 1887 Bismarck succeeded to bind Russian in a separate alliance which was called the Reinsurance Treaty. Also Germany kept friendly acquaintances with Britain so that such a powerful nation with not be against Germany. This way, Bismarck^s plan succeeded and now France was truly friendless, powerless and isolated. Kaiser Wilhelm the II had a plan called ^Weltpolitik^ for Germany which meant that he wanted Germany to be a world power with a large colonial empire, strong and unbeatable in every possible way. Bismarck saw this as a threat to the country^s peace he has aintained for twenty years and his idea was that Germany should remain a land-based, peace-loving European power as she has always been. The clash of ideas and values between the thirty one year old, young Kaiser and the seventy five year old chancellor led to Bismarck being forced to resign by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1890. Then the Kaiser appointed Count Georg Leo Caprivi

Control Key and Word

1. Word flags the potential error in the document window with a colored underline. A ____ wavy underline means the flagged text is not in Word's dictionary (because it is a proper name or misspelled). A)red B) blue C) yellow D) green 2. With a ____, you can convert a printed picture, drawing, or diagram to a digital file. A)fax machine B) copy machine C) scanner D) digital camera 3. The process of developing a document that communicates specific information requires careful analysis and planning. As a starting point, ____.A)analyze the intended readers of the document and their unique needs B)determine the document design and style C)establish why the document is needed D)gather information about the topic4. Character formatting is the process of changing the way characters appear ____. A)on the screen B) in print C) both a. and b D) neither a. nor b5. To see a complete list of automatically corrected words, click ____ on the Ribbon to open the Backstage view, click Options in the Backstage view, click Proofing in the left pane, click the AutoCorrect Options button, and then scroll through the list near the bottom of the dialog box.A)Home B) Format C) File D) Edit6. If the Picture Tools Format tab is no longer displayed on the Ribbon, ____ the picture to display the Picture Tools Format tab. A)triple-click B) ouble-click C) right-click D) single-click7. If yo u want to conserve ink or toner, you can instruct Word to print draft quality documents by clicking ____ on the Ribbon to open the Backstage view. A)Format B) Edit C) Insert D) File8. You want the headline to be ____, that is, positioned horizontally between the left and right margins on the page.A)left-aligned B) centered C) justified D) right-aligned9. A(n) ____ mark, sometimes called a nonprinting character, is a character that Word displays on the screen but is not visible on a printed document. A)unified B) text C) formatting D) editing10. Paragraph ____ is the process of changing the appearance of a paragraph. A)formatting B) controlling C) enhancing D) editing11. A ____ is a computer program that can damage files and programs on your computer. A)virus B) cold C) bug D) flu12. In Word, the default font usually is ____.A)Times New Roman B) Arial C) Cambria D) Calibri13. ____ text prints with an underscore (_) below each character. A)Italicized B) Underlined C) Embossed D) Bolde d14. To save an existing document with the same file name using one click, press the ____ button on the Quick Access Toolbar to overwrite the previously saved file. A)Save B) Save As C) either a. or b. D) neither a. nor b.15. When you ____ text, Word colors the rectangular area behind any text or graphics. A)border B) emboss C) bold D) shade16. ___ properties are associated with all Microsoft Office documents and include author, title, and subject. A)Basic B) Trusted C) Default D) Standard17. The ____ is the first line of text on a document. A)header B) footer C) headline D) body copy18. A ____ is a word or phrase that further describes the document. A)keyword B) tab C) property D) characteristic19. Each time you press the ____ key, Word creates a new paragraph and inserts blank space between the two paragraphs. A)F3 B) ENTER C) TAB D) CTRL20. ____ denotes success, victory, creativity, and enthusiasm. A)Red B) Blue C) Orange D) Purple21. You can center page contents vertically betwe en the top and bottom margins. To do this, click the Page Setup Dialog Box Launcher, click the ____ tab, click the Vertical alignment box arrow, click Center in the list, and then click the OK button. A)Alignment B) Format C) Layout D) Edit22. The ____ consists of all text between the headline and the signature line. A)placeholder B) header C) footer D) body copy23. Word flags the potential error in the document window with a colored wavy underline. A ____ wavy underline indicates the text may contain a contextual spelling error such as the misuse of homophones (words that are pronounced the same but that have different spellings or meanings, such as one and won). A)yellow B) red C) blue D) green24. Word flags the potential error in the document window with a colored wavy underline. A ________wavy underline indicates the text may be incorrect grammatically. A)red B) yellow C) green D) blue25.A single point is about 1/72 of one inch in height. A)1/18 B) 1/9 C) 1/72 D) 1/3626. The MLA style requires that you set the line spacing to ____ for the entire research paper. A)double B) multiple C) 1. 5 D) single27. Word automatically inserts page breaks, called _____, when it determines the text has filled one page according to paper size, margin settings, line spacing, and other settings. A)hard page breaks B) anchored page breaks C) floating page breaks D) soft page breaks28. A ____ is text and graphics you want printed at the top of each page in a document.A)title B) superscript C) header D) footer29. Word automatically numbers notes sequentially by placing a ____ both in the body of the document and to the left of the note text. A)note reference B) footnote C) reference point D) tag30. A(n) ____ is text and graphics that print at the bottom of every page. A)anchor B) end note C) footer D) footnote31. To find a word with a similar meaning to the one already in your document, right-click the word and select ____. A)Other Words B) Dictionary C) Synonyms D) Find new32. A(n) _____ page break is one that you force into a document at a specific location. A)automatic B) manual C) forced D) soft33. If rulers are not displayed, click the ____ button on the vertical scroll bar to display them. A)Normal B) Measure C) View Ruler D) View34. To create a hanging indent using shortcut keys, press ____. A)CTRL+T B) CTRL+R C) CTRL+M D) CTRL+235. If you do not want to keep a change made by the AutoCorrect feature, you can click the ____ button on the Quick Access Toolbar.A)Disable B) No C) Undo D) AutoCorrect Off36. The ____ page alphabetically lists sources that are directly referenced in the paper. A)works cited B) citations C) note reference marks D) endnotes37. A ____ is a named group of formatting characteristics. A)style B) pattern C) header D) format38. Use a ____ to signal that an explanatory note exists. A)footnote B) header C) subscript D) superscript39. The ____ feature in Word automatically corrects certain spelling, typing, capitalization, or gramma r errors.A)AutoMark B) AutoSpell C) AutoCorrect D) AutoFix40. The MLA documentation style uses ____ instead of noting each source at the bottom of the page or at the end of the paper. A)parenthetical references B) works cited C) endnotes D) footnotes41. A(n) ____ is text that you want printed at the bottom of the page. A)footer B) header C) footnote D) endnote42. The amount of vertical space between lines of text in a document is called ____. A)double-space B) vertical spacing C) line spacing D) single space43.To capitalize all selected characters, press ____. A)CTRL+SHIFT+A B) SHIFT+A C) CTRL+ALT+A D) CTRL+A44. The shortcut keys for formatting a paragraph with single spacing is ____. A)CTRL+ALT+S B) CTRL+1 C) ALT+S D) CTRL+S45. If you are using the APA style, you should double-space all pages of the paper with ____ top, bottom, left and right margins. A)2 inch B) 1. 5 inch C) . 5 inch D) 1 inch46. The _____ is a temporary Windows storage area. A)Copyboard B) Clipboard C) Editing fo lder D) Copy and Paste pane47.If you click the ____ button, a menu appears that allows you to change the format of the item that was moved. A)Paste Options B) Format Paste C) CTRL key D) Clipboard48. To use ____, you double-click a blank area of the document window, and Word automatically formats the item you enter according to the location where you double-clicked. A)AutoFormat B) Click and Type C) Cut and Paste D) Show/Hide49. To add a word to the custom dictionary, right-click the flagged word, and then click ____ on the shortcut menu. A)Add Custom B) Insert C) Edit Dictionary D) Add to Dictionary50.The MLA style specifies that a(n) ____ be used for a note reference mark to signal that an explanatory note exists at the end of the document as an endnote. A)footnote B) footer C) superscript D) subscript51. At the top you see Version ___. A)A B) B C) C D) DAnswer Key   1. A2. C3. C4. C5. C6. B7. D8. B9. C10. A11. A12. D13. B14. A15. D16. D17. C18. A19. B20. C21. C22. D23. C24. C25 . C26. A27. D28. C29. A30. C31. C32. B33. C34. A35. C36. A37. A38. D39. C40. A41. A42. C43. A44. B45. D46. B47. A48. B49. D50. C

Free Essays on Oldsmobile Three Hundred Million Dollar Flop

Oldsmobile’s Three Hundred Million Dollar Flop â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† In 1988, Oldsmobile launched a massive advertising campaign to attract a younger generation of buyers. â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† was going to bring the Oldsmobile name into the mainstream of pop-culture. Every cool hipster from southern California to upstate Maine would be driving a new Oldsmobile. Unfortunately for Oldsmobile, their campaign hit a major fork in the road. The campaign â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† was a complete failure, for it did not attract a younger customer base, and it failed to retain the customers it already had. As it turns out it is your father’s Oldsmobile after all. The first reason Oldsmobile’s ad campaign failed was because it alienated half of its customer base, fathers. Oldsmobile’s sales report from 1985 states that the median age for its buyers was sixty-two. The large majority of men over the age of sixty-two are fathers. In fact, being a father had a big part in men purchasing an Oldsmobile. Oldsmobile’s traditionally are big cars, with large bench seats that can hold up to seven passengers. They have a smooth ride that will cruise over the deepest of potholes without even a shimmer. Imagine one-day dad is driving along interstate five listening to the radio, and he hears the jingle â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile†. What message are they trying to send to dad? That Oldsmobile’s are too cool for dad and he needs to trade his in and buy a Buick. Well, that’s precisely what fathers did. In 1985, Oldsmobile sold more than a million cars, by 1990; their sales were under half a milli on. In 2000, Oldsmobile sold fewer than 300,000 vehicles, and the large majority of the cars bought were company fleet vehicles (O’Connell). The sales report is proof positive that â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† failed to retain the majority of its ma... Free Essays on Oldsmobile Three Hundred Million Dollar Flop Free Essays on Oldsmobile Three Hundred Million Dollar Flop Oldsmobile’s Three Hundred Million Dollar Flop â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† In 1988, Oldsmobile launched a massive advertising campaign to attract a younger generation of buyers. â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† was going to bring the Oldsmobile name into the mainstream of pop-culture. Every cool hipster from southern California to upstate Maine would be driving a new Oldsmobile. Unfortunately for Oldsmobile, their campaign hit a major fork in the road. The campaign â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† was a complete failure, for it did not attract a younger customer base, and it failed to retain the customers it already had. As it turns out it is your father’s Oldsmobile after all. The first reason Oldsmobile’s ad campaign failed was because it alienated half of its customer base, fathers. Oldsmobile’s sales report from 1985 states that the median age for its buyers was sixty-two. The large majority of men over the age of sixty-two are fathers. In fact, being a father had a big part in men purchasing an Oldsmobile. Oldsmobile’s traditionally are big cars, with large bench seats that can hold up to seven passengers. They have a smooth ride that will cruise over the deepest of potholes without even a shimmer. Imagine one-day dad is driving along interstate five listening to the radio, and he hears the jingle â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile†. What message are they trying to send to dad? That Oldsmobile’s are too cool for dad and he needs to trade his in and buy a Buick. Well, that’s precisely what fathers did. In 1985, Oldsmobile sold more than a million cars, by 1990; their sales were under half a milli on. In 2000, Oldsmobile sold fewer than 300,000 vehicles, and the large majority of the cars bought were company fleet vehicles (O’Connell). The sales report is proof positive that â€Å"This is not your father’s Oldsmobile† failed to retain the majority of its ma...

book review on Mancur Olsons essays

book review on Mancur Olson's essays Mancur Olson, wrote The Logic of Collective Action Public Goods and The Theory of Groups, throughout the book Olson discusses such topics rationality, group size and group behaviour, public goods, free rider, collective action problem, and selective incentives. Olsons world-renowned book is full of useful knowledge and opinion concerning world politics. After reading this valuable text I feel both enlightened and baffled concurrently. Olsons beliefs in the political system seem to be without the human factor. His theories appear to leave out the complexity of the human psyche. Olson fails to analyze the fact that people may join a political group for such things as social stature, socialization, or just for something to do. In conjuncture with Olsons theories, people join or start groups for specific reasons. Olson states that one purpose for groups and organizations is simply the furtherance of the interests of their members (Olson 5). Groups are usually formed to further an issue or goal, so thus if a group works toward a common interest and is successful in making advancements towards that interest, in theory the members should be pleased. This brings us to the term public or collective goods. A collective good can be construed as a good held by no single person and shared by a group. Olson says, . . . the achievement of any common goal or the satisfaction of any common interest means that a public or collective good has been provided for that group (Olson 15). For example, if the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lobby for a bill that protects the killing of minks for fur, then that bill has become a collective good for PETA. Collective goods are in essence the achievements made by a group. Olson discusses in his book the theory of pluralism. In Chapter five he defines pluralism as the political philosophy which ...

Samples of Expository Essay Topics

Samples of Expository Essay Topics The expository essay is the genre of essay that requires the student to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and make a statement concerning that idea in a clear and concise manner. Generally,  expository essays  do not require a great deal of outside research, but they do require that a student has background knowledge of a topic. The expository essay generally begins with a hook to get the readers attention: A question or inquiry statement to draw the reader in,A quote related to the topic,An amazing fact that is unique or special,A statistic or fact related to the topic (a number, percent, ratio),An anecdote that illustrates the topic.   The thesis of the expository essay  should be based  on factual information that will be presented in the body of the  essay. The thesis should be clear and concise; it generally comes at the end of the introductory paragraph.   The expository essay may use different text structures to organize the evidence. It may use: A sequence that follows a timeline or order to give readers a chronological of events or a list of steps in a procedure,A comparison and contrast  to show the  similarities and differences between two or more people or things,A description to give the reader a mental picture,An example or illustration,  An example of cause and effect or the relationship between an event or concept and the events or concept that follows. An expository essay may integrate more than one text structure. For example, one body paragraph may use the text structure of description of evidence and the following paragraph may use the text structure of comparing the evidence. The conclusion of the expository essay is more than a restating of the thesis. The conclusion should elaborate or amplify the thesis and give the reader something to ponder. The conclusion responds to the readers question, So what? Student selected topics: Expository essay topics may be selected by a student as inquiry. The expository essay may ask for an opinion. Several of the following prompts are examples of inquiries that could be posed by a student: Popular films that feature superheroes cover a wide range of interests and themes, including history, human relationships, or social issues.One object from the twenty-first century to place in a time capsule (student choice or results of a poll) in order to help others understand our contemporary culture.Video games have changed  dramatically since the 1980s for several reasons.Friendship plays an important role in personal development.Investment in education results in both personal and societal rewards.Loyalty is an important part of family  culture.The Internet is the most important invention of all time.  If I had  the chance to talk to a famous person dead or alive, I would choose (student choice) n order to talk about (topic relevant to student choice).The news media shapes our society by influencing how people feel and act.Adversity  is what helps us overcome our weaknesses.Creativity  and originality are at the base of success.Objects around the home can define us .Do you agree or disagree with the saying, â€Å"a little knowledge is a dangerous thing? Living in small towns can be very different from living in big cities.Participation in  after-school extracurricular activities is often more memorable than sitting in class.My favorite book from childhood is (student choice)   because (quality of book related to student choice).How is public education an important right?We can tell a lie with silence as well as with words.  Is it better for a leader to be loved or to be feared?Describe your favorite place to reflect and think.  Is learning a foreign language necessary in our global world?What is your plan in the event of a disaster?What is a serious public health concern that does not get enough funding?Are movie and/or TV rating  systems effective or useful?Is it a good use of funds to build a space station on the moon or Mars?   Standardized test topics: Many standardized tests require students to write expository essays. There is a procedure for answering these types of prompts which is usually included in the question. The following topics are expository prompts that are used in the Florida Writes Assessment.  The steps are provided for each. Music essay topic Many people listen to music on as they travel, work and play.Think about the ways music affects you.Now explain how music affects your life. Geography essay topic Many families move from one place to another.Think about the effects moving has upon teenagers.Now explain the effects moving from place to place has on teenagers. Health essay topic For some people, TV and junk foods seem as addictive as drugs and alcohol because they may feel at loss without them.Think about the things you and your friends do almost every day that could be considered addictive.Now describe some of the things all teenagers seem to need on a daily basis. Leadership essay topic Every country has heroes and heroines. They may be political, religious or military leaders, but they serve as moral leaders by whose examples we can follow in our quest to live lives of excellence.Think about someone you know who shows moral leadership.Now explain why this person should be regarded a moral leader. Languages essay topic When studying a foreign language, students often become aware of differences in the ways people in various countries think about values, manners, and relationships.Think about some of the differences in ways people in (town or country) think and behave differently than here in   (town or country).Now describe some of the differences in the ways people think and behave in (town or country)compared to the ways they think and behave in  (town or country). Math essay topic A friend has asked your advice about which math course would be most helpful in everyday life.Think about the times you have actually used mathematics you have learned in school in your daily life and decide which course had the most practical value.Now explain to your friend how a particular math course will be of practical assistance to him. Science essay topic Your friend in Arizona just emailed you asking if he can visit you in South Florida to try out his new surfboard. You dont want to hurt his feelings when you tell him that South Florida does not have big waves, so you decide to explain the reason.Think about what you have learned about wave action.Now explain why South Florida does not have high waves. Social studies essay topic People communicate with a variety of signals such as facial expressions, voice inflection, body postures in addition to the words. Sometimes the messages being sent seem contradictory.Think about a time when someone seemed to be sending a contradictory message.Now explain how people can send conflicting messages.

Organ donation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Organ donation - Essay Example Many individuals do not become organ donors due to misconceptions about organ donation. One of the common misconceptions is doctors let organ donors die to harvest organs. This is not true. When an organ donor comes to the hospital, a doctor will try to save their lives. Organ doctors do not see live patients. Organ specialists only see dead patients. Rich people receive organs first is another misconception. This is not true. Everyone goes on a list that is a need based list. The worst illness goes to the top of the list. More of the truth about this issue needs to be available to the public. Jehovah Witnesses, certain sects of Jews, certain sects of Christians, and other religious groups do not donate organs. These people cannot be convinced. Jehovah Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, even if rejection means death. If religious individuals will die before accepting a blood transfusion or organ donation, little hope can be had to change their minds. Those who are not organ donors need to be more informed on the subject. Although religious reasons are hard to overcome, it is not impossible. Organ donation is a gift. More organ donor recipients need to speak out about the gift they have received. Organ specialist need to speak about their process. If more spokespeople are active than more information can be given. More information is essential to having more organ

An exploratory, descriptive study to assess the effectiveness of Error Dissertation

An exploratory, descriptive study to assess the effectiveness of Error reporting on Nursing Errors in Operating Rooms - Dissertation Example The following are a few of these considerations: 1. Nurses’ scope of practice, and adverse outcome of patients There has been considerable attention devoted to nurses’ errors in the operating room; the significance of reporting mechanisms has been underscored as an important instrument in developing error prevention measures in operating room procedures, and health care in general. Espin (2007) examined the implications of such errors as encountered in individual practice. Empirical studies have established that nurses’ preferences in reporting errors were generally confined to the perceived scope of their practice; where reports went beyond these boundaries, the reports were rationalized in the context of the patient’s unfavourable outcome. Through survey and qualitative analysis, it was determined that nurses’ perceived scope of practice was a major factor in their reporting preferences, and the seriousness of the outcome to the patient was only s econdary. The findings support the observation that nurses tend to be selective in their reporting; these have negative implications, according to Espin, as many errors will likely remain unreported where they do no fall within the nurses’ scope of practice, or where the negative repercussion to the patient is not perceived as compelling. 2. Nature of the error reduced by error reporting Partly due to the normal course of modernization in health care and partly due to the need to meet global standards, similar efforts to improve nurses’ error reporting have been pursued in different countries. In Korea, a study sought to develop and evaluate an error reporting promoting program (ERPP) with the aim of reducing the incidence rate of nursing errors in operating rooms (Kim, et al., 2007). This quasi-experimental study registered a drop in incidence rates from 28.4% to 15.7% for the experimental group upon whom ERPP was administered, representing a significant decrease in t he areas of â€Å"compliance of aseptic technique†, â€Å"management of document†, and â€Å"environmental management,† but has little effect in â€Å"habit-related†, â€Å"knowledge-based† and â€Å"multidimensional† nursing activities. The ERPP was thus adjudged effective in reducing incidences of certain types of nursing errors in the operating room. 3. Organizational and management factors A serious inquiry into aspects of errors committed by health professionals must necessarily seek the underlying human factors that give rise to errors, and that compromise the reporting thereof. It is premised on the principle that humans are so intrinsically predisposed to error that it is inherently biologic (D’Addessi, Bonglovanni, Volpe, Pinto and Bassi, 2009). However, surgery stands apart in that surgical error is commonly presumed to be caused by the lack of skill or ability, and the result of negligent actions. After all, in many instanc es, technical operative errors, whether committed by nurses or other OR personnel present, tend to cause surgical morbidity and affect adversely the patient’s outcome (Cuschieri, 2005). Additionally, however, the operating theatre is comprised of a unique and complex set of team dynamics –

Stereotypes in Advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Stereotypes in Advertising - Essay Example This paper shall now discuss stereotyping in advertising. It will first explain what stereotyping means; second, it will show two different examples of stereotyping (gender and age); and third, it will discuss the role of stereotyping in future advertising. Stereotyping is about sharing beliefs and values, based on personal qualities, personalities, behaviour, and traits distinct to a specific group of people (Gafencu-Bandiul, 2006). Stereotype was first used by Lippmann in 1922 in psychosociological applications where he evaluated images of the mind needed in order to sift through complicated and objective realities (Gafencu-Bandiul, 2006). At present, most researchers in psychology declare with the definition used on Leyens and colleagues (1994) who suggest implicit discussions on personality seen for specific groups of people. In terms of personalities, stereotyping relates to associated variables, mostly visual and unique, variables which assist cognitive functions. In the same vein, the direction of data from the environment supports these stereotypes (Gafencu and Bandiul, 2006). Expressing stereotypes is based on premises where behaviour is based. However, as pointed out by Cuddy and colleagues (2009) this often is not confined to behaviour alone, but on the way people express and support stereotypes within groups. Language used to describe what is observed may sometimes be different from the abstract concepts. Speech is sometimes applied to image, not so much on the written language; however stereotypes can also be manifested through written speech, film, sports, concerts, and advertisements where the stereotype would impact significantly on utterance (Gafencu and Bandiul, 2006). There are numerous gender stereotypes across the world. Due to globalization trends around the world, consideration unification of these stereotypes has been seen. Social trends like women’s emancipation, feminism, and the thirst for human rights have

Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Report - Essay Example The essence of this system of accounting for Non Current assets is that; eventually, these assets have to be replaced and hence the best estimate for the company to use as the replacement cost of wearing away is depreciation. Accounting in the Income Statement Although IFRS has clearly spelt out that costs should be â€Å"capitalized as part of the cost of the asset if future economic benefits are probable and can be reliably measured† (Ernst &Young, 2009, p. 7), the model has not clearly specified clearly, how the units of account, used in long-term assets, should be determined. As such, the determination of a unit of account is based on the discretion of the management, who consider both the asset’s materiality and the intended use in order to fix the appropriate units. In respective of this view, the ‘minor spare parts’ should be considered less material and, therefore, treated as expenses under the Income Statement. The entire ? 5,700 should be accounte d for under this category. The other two categories of costs, including service contract (W4) and depreciation (W2), should be accounted for in the Income Statement since they are expensed. ... or the year ending 30 December 2012 is a sum of the depreciation before the review, of ?30,000 (W5.1) and the depreciation after the review, of ?52, 500 (W5.3). The essence of these calculations, in the context of a change in the original estimate of asset life, is that â€Å" the unamortised depreciable amount of the asset is charged to revenue over the revised remaining useful life.† (Accounting Standard [AS] 6, p. 5). Building X Accounting in the Income Statement Under IFRS (IAS 16), building X is treated as Property Plant and Equipment (PP&E) since it is held for the production of goods and services and it is a Non Current asset. An item under this category is measured at its cost less accumulated depreciation. Alternatively, an entity is at liberty to use revaluation model, considering the asset was revalued. In this respect, a depreciation of ?20,000, ?20,000 and ?40,000 will be accounted for in the Income Statement for the years ending 31 December 2010, 2011, and 2012 r espectively. In addition, the gain on revaluation will be reflected on the Income Statement at ? 1,620,000 (W 8.2). Accounting in the Balance Sheet Following revaluations at 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012, for ?2 million and ?2.5 million respectively; the value of the cost that will appear in the Balance Sheet is ?1 million, ?1 million, ?2 million and ?2.5 million for the years ending 31 December 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively (W 8.1). The respective accumulated depreciations for the years ending 31 December 2010, 2011, and 2012 will be ?60,000, ?80,000 and ?40,000 respectively. Therefore, the cost after revaluation, which will be accounted for the years ending 31 December 2011, 2012 and 2013 will be ?1,000,000, ?20,000 and ?2,500,000 respectively, all treated under Non Current

MUSIC REPORT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MUSIC REPORT - Essay Example The music starts soft, with strings ushering in soft music and later on would crescendo into a complete expression of his love for Cosima. The events in Wagner’s life prompted the composition of the Idyll, a piece that remains to be one of his greatest masterpieces to this day! Upon listening to the music, the notes take a relaxing mood, moving into a sweet caress of the notes. In the later part of the Idyll, the notes become more melancholic, more serious, bringing the mood back to reality, reflecting Wagner’s struggle throughout his career. However, this struggle was lifted and made lighter by Cosima, whom Wagner referred to as his eternal support. Sigfried Idyll reflects Wagner’s romantic nature, as recounted, he held Cosima’s hands, â€Å"and she was beside him as he wrote down the last notes for the full orchestral score of Sigfried†. This brilliant composition is a very good expression of love and life – a balance of feeling blessed, an d struggles one continuously face. Another brilliant composer, whose work remains popular up to this day, is Ludwig Van Beethoven, a German composer and pianist. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 was written between 1796 and 1797, and was played for the first time in Prague, in 1798, by Beethoven himself. Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major generally has an upbeat melody, with a faint melancholic transition in the middle, and then rising once again into its upbeat spirit. This piece combines dramatic classical style of lively contrasts and symmetrical forms. With the forceful nature of Beethoven’s music, he gave voice to the new current of subjectivism and individualism which emerged at the coming around of the French revolution, as well as the rise of the middle class. In listening to this piece, Beethoven conveys the message of freedom and equality as the notes â€Å"demand† and â€Å"protest† with its forceful, rhythmic patterns. Piano concerto No. 1 in C Major certainly

Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Report - Essay Example The essence of this system of accounting for Non Current assets is that; eventually, these assets have to be replaced and hence the best estimate for the company to use as the replacement cost of wearing away is depreciation. Accounting in the Income Statement Although IFRS has clearly spelt out that costs should be â€Å"capitalized as part of the cost of the asset if future economic benefits are probable and can be reliably measured† (Ernst &Young, 2009, p. 7), the model has not clearly specified clearly, how the units of account, used in long-term assets, should be determined. As such, the determination of a unit of account is based on the discretion of the management, who consider both the asset’s materiality and the intended use in order to fix the appropriate units. In respective of this view, the ‘minor spare parts’ should be considered less material and, therefore, treated as expenses under the Income Statement. The entire ? 5,700 should be accounte d for under this category. The other two categories of costs, including service contract (W4) and depreciation (W2), should be accounted for in the Income Statement since they are expensed. ... or the year ending 30 December 2012 is a sum of the depreciation before the review, of ?30,000 (W5.1) and the depreciation after the review, of ?52, 500 (W5.3). The essence of these calculations, in the context of a change in the original estimate of asset life, is that â€Å" the unamortised depreciable amount of the asset is charged to revenue over the revised remaining useful life.† (Accounting Standard [AS] 6, p. 5). Building X Accounting in the Income Statement Under IFRS (IAS 16), building X is treated as Property Plant and Equipment (PP&E) since it is held for the production of goods and services and it is a Non Current asset. An item under this category is measured at its cost less accumulated depreciation. Alternatively, an entity is at liberty to use revaluation model, considering the asset was revalued. In this respect, a depreciation of ?20,000, ?20,000 and ?40,000 will be accounted for in the Income Statement for the years ending 31 December 2010, 2011, and 2012 r espectively. In addition, the gain on revaluation will be reflected on the Income Statement at ? 1,620,000 (W 8.2). Accounting in the Balance Sheet Following revaluations at 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012, for ?2 million and ?2.5 million respectively; the value of the cost that will appear in the Balance Sheet is ?1 million, ?1 million, ?2 million and ?2.5 million for the years ending 31 December 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively (W 8.1). The respective accumulated depreciations for the years ending 31 December 2010, 2011, and 2012 will be ?60,000, ?80,000 and ?40,000 respectively. Therefore, the cost after revaluation, which will be accounted for the years ending 31 December 2011, 2012 and 2013 will be ?1,000,000, ?20,000 and ?2,500,000 respectively, all treated under Non Current

Marketing Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Marketing - Term Paper Example The company’s sales revenue had reached its peak in the year 2012 before the sales started declining. In the year 2013, the sales started increasing again. The sales clearly show product life cycle which involves four distinctive stages. The stages are introduction, growth, maturity, and then decline. Apple may have adopted a reformulation strategy to increase its sales potential and profitability (Niemann, 2009). The Company focuses on satisfying its customers rather than expanding its territory to new markets and promotes continuous improvement of quality product. Apple uses a strategy of creating anxiety amongst customers like it did for iPhone.The company announces almost every year the launch of a new series of the smartphone.The anticipation is not only felt in the headquarters, the US, but also in other nations such as the U.K. The company uses a similar model into in Europe. It also signed an agreement with a telecommunication company in France to be its business partner in the country. The policy of employing strategic alliance has proved effective because it has opened opportunities for the company (Mickalowski, Mickelson&Keltgen, 2014). The company analyzes the political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological environment in the target market. These set of forces are mainly outside the control and influence of the business and have the potential of positively or negatively affect Apple’s operation. In analyzing the political environment, an issue such as taxation is evaluated because it affects the expected revenues and setting prices. The economic environment is carefully scrutinized because it restricts business investment and growth. Socio-cultural environment affects the taste and marketability of the iPhone.The technological environment is very dynamic, and internet accessibility has increased and customers have many expectations.

Town Supports Homeless Assault Victim Essay Example for Free

Town Supports Homeless Assault Victim Essay Bob Wirtz is a well-known homeless man in the town of Reynoldsburg, Ohio who has lived on the streets since 1979. One night, he was resting on his usual corner when he was attacked from behind while lying in a sleeping bag. His face was reported to be smashed and beaten like that of a pumpkin on concrete. No one has been arrested due to the little evidence the police had to go on. Residents of the town found out about this tragic event and it inspired them to do something very special. The community raised three-thousand dollars to bay for Bob’s reconstructive facial surgery. Citizens of Reynoldsburg hope they can take it one step further and help get Bob off the streets by finding him a home. (Moriarty) I believe this attack on Bob Wirtz was a perfect example of the wrongdoing being done to homeless people all over America. Not always is a beating the case; more often than not a homeless person is simply being taken advantage of, which is wrong. To strike a defenseless man down while he is sleeping is not only unfair but is extremely immoral. This leads me to believe that the person was either impaired or he had some kind of grudge on Bob Wirtz or homeless people in general. I also believe that the legal system in Reynoldsburg should do everything they can to find and apprehend the person or people that are guilty of attacking Bob. Though there is a bright spot in this town. The fact that the community would donate three-thousand dollars to this homeless man is a step in the right direction and sets a fine example for other cities. Look more:Â  satire essay examples essay Both modern day society’s view on homeless people and the donation of money to a poor homeless man support my opinion on the situation. Modern day society’s view on homeless people is that they are dirty bums who have nothing better to do in life than to sit on the street and beg for money. This is wrong in that many homeless people do in fact have jobs. Unfortunately, they are just temporarily out of a home and have not yet accumulated enough money to buy one. The donation of money to a poor homeless man supports my opinion because it encourages other communities to reach out and do the same. I believe myself and Mordecai, from The Street Lawyer would have handled the situation in similar ways. My first course of action would be to seek out the person or people who assaulted this defenseless homeless man. Next, though the sum of three-thousand dollars is a good start, I would have pushed for more donations. Finally, I would use the money to buy this homeless man a suitable home because I feel like he is much safer off of the streets. First, I believe Mordecai would have inspired the legal system to make a push for finding the suspects. He probably would have gone about this by constantly pushing and reminding them to complete this task because he is a very knaggy individual who does not take no for an answer. When this was completed Mordecai would see to it that, above all else, justice was done. Though very similar tasks were completed Mordecai and I have a very different way of going about things.

Fundamentals of block coding

Fundamentals of block coding ABSTRACT In this essay the basic fundamentals of block coding as a type of forward error correction code, as well as an example of such a code, are examined, in order to highlight the importance of error correction in digital communication systems. In the first part, the theory around error correction codes and types is presented with special emphasis on the block codes, their properties and the problems they encounter. In the second part the most popular block code, Reed-Solomon code, is discussed along with its mathematical formulation and the most common applications that implement it. INTRODUCTION Over the past years, there has been an extraordinary development in digital communications especially in the areas of mobile phones, personal computers, satellites, and computer communication. In these digital communication systems, data is represented as a sequence of 0s and 1s. These binary bits are expressed as analog signal waveforms and then transmitted over a communication channel. Communication channels, though, induce interference and noise to the transmitted signal and corrupt it. At the receiver, the corrupted transmitted signal is modulated back to binary bits. The received binary data is an evaluation of the binary data being transmitted. Bit errors may occur because of the transmission and that number of errors depends on the communication channels interference and noise amount. Channel coding is used in digital communications to protect the digital data and reduce the number of bit errors caused by noise and interference. Channel coding is mostly achieved by adding redundant bits into the transmitted data. These additional bits allow the detection and correction of the bit errors in the received information, thus providing a much more reliable transmission. The cost of using channel coding to protect the transmitted information is a reduction in data transfer rate or an increase in bandwidth. 1. FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION BLOCK CODES 1.1 ERROR DETECTION CORRECTION Error detection and correction are methods to make sure that information is transmitted error free, even across unreliable networks or media. Error detection is the ability to detect errors due to noise, interference or other problems to the communication channel during transmission from the transmitter to the receiver. Error correction is the ability to, furthermore, recreate the initial, error-free information. There are two basic protocols of channel coding for an error detection-correction system: Automatic Repeat-reQuest (ARQ): In this protocol, the transmitter, along with the data, sends an error detection code, that the receiver then uses to check if there are errors present and requests retransmission of erroneous data, if found. Usually, this request is implicit. The receiver sends back an acknowledgement of data received correctly, and the transmitter sends again anything not acknowledged by the receiver, as fast as possible. Forward Error Correction (FEC): In this protocol, the transmitter implements an error-correcting code to the data and sends the coded information. The receiver never sends any messages or requests back to the transmitter. It just decodes what it receives into the most likely data. The codes are constructed in a way that it would take a great amount of noise to trick the receiver interpreting the data wrongly. 1.2 FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION (FEC) As mentioned above, forward error correction is a system of controlling the errors that occur in data transmission, where the sender adds additional information to its messages, also known as error correction code. This gives the receiver the power to detect and correct errors (partially) without requesting additional data from the transmitter. This means that the receiver has no real-time communication with the sender, thus cannot verify whether a block of data was received correctly or not. So, the receiver must decide about the received transmission and try to either repair it or report an alarm. The advantage of forward error correction is that a channel back to the sender is not needed and retransmission of data is usually avoided (at the expense, of course, of higher bandwidth requirements). Therefore, forward error correction is used in cases where retransmissions are rather costly or even impossible to be made. Specifically, FEC data is usually implemented to mass storage devices, in order to be protected against corruption to the stored data. However, forward error connection techniques add a heavy burden on the channel by adding redundant data and delay. Also, many forward error correction methods do not quite respond to the actual environment and the burden is there whether needed or not. Another great disadvantage is the lower data transfer rate. However, FEC methods reduce the requirements for power variety. For the same amount of power, a lower error rate can be achieved. The communication in this situation remains simple and the receiver alone has the responsibility of error detection and correction. The sender complexity is avoided and is now entirely assigned to the receiver. Forward error correction devices are usually placed close to the receiver, in the first step of digital processing of an analog signal that has been received. In other words, forward error correction systems are often a necessary part of the analog to digital signal conversion operation that also contain digital mapping and demapping, or line coding and decoding. Many forward error correction coders can also produce a bit-error rate (BER) signal that can be used as feedback to optimize the received analog circuits. Software controlled algorithms, such as the Viterbi decoder, can receive analog data, and output digital data. The maximum number of errors a forward error correction system can correct is initially defined by the design of the code, so different FEC codes are suitable for different situations. The three main types of forward error correction codes are: Block codes that work on fixed length blocks (packets) of symbols or bits with a predefined size. Block codes can often be decoded in polynomial time to their block size. Convolutional codes that work on symbol or bit streams of indeterminate size. They are usually decoded with the Viterbi algorithm, though other algorithms are often used as well. Viterbi algorithm allows infinite optimal decoding efficiency by increasing limited length of the convolutional code, but at the cost of greatly increasing complexity. A convolutional code can be transformed into a block code, if needed. Interleaving codes that have alleviating properties for fading channels and work well combined with the other two types of forward error correction coding. 1.3 BLOCK CODING 1.3.1 OVERVIEW Block coding was the first type of channel coding implemented in early mobile communication systems. There are many types of block coding, but among the most used ones the most important is Reed-Solomon code, that is presented in the second part of the coursework, because of its extensive use in famous applications. Hamming, Golay, Multidimensional parity and BCH codes are other well-known examples of classical block coding. The main feature of block coding is that it is a fixed size channel code (in contrary to source coding schemes such as Huffman coders, and channel coding techniques as convolutional coding). Using a preset algorithm, block coders take a k-digit information word, S and transform it into an n-digit codeword, C(s). The block size of such a code will be n. This block is examined at the receiver, which then decides about the validity of the sequence it received. 1.3.2 FORMAL TYPE As mentioned above, block codes encode strings taken from an alphabet set S into codewords by encoding each letter of S independently. Suppose (k1, k2,, km) is a sequence of natural numbers that each one less than |S| . If S=s1,s2,,sn and a specific word W is written as W = sk1 sk2 skn , then the codeword that represents W, that is to say C(W), is: C(W) = C(sk1) C(sk2) C (skm) 1.3.3 HAMMING DISTANCE Hamming Distance is a rather significant parameter in block coding. In continuous variables, distance is measured as length, angle or vector. In the binary field, distance between two binary words, is measured by the Hamming distance. Hamming distance is the number of different bits between two binary sequences with the same size. It, basically, is a measure of how apart binary objects are. For example, the Hamming distance between the sequences: 101 and 001 is 1 and between the sequences: 1010100 and 0011001 is 4. Hamming distance is a variable of great importance and usefulness in block coding. The knowledge of Hamming distance can determine the capability of a block code to detect and correct errors. The maximum number of errors a block code can detect is: t = dmin 1, where dmin is the Hamming distance of the codewords. A code with dmin = 3, can detect 1 or 2 bit errors. So the Hamming distance of a block code is preferred to be as high as possible since it directly effects the codes ability to detect bit errors. This also means that in order to have a big Hamming distance, codewords need to be larger, which leads to additional overhead and reduced data bit rate. After detection, the number of errors that a block code can correct is given by: t(int) = (dmin 1)/2 1.3.4 PROBLEMS IN BLOCK CODING Block codes are constrained by the sphere packing problem that has been quite significant in the last years. This is easy to picture in two dimensions. For example, if someone takes some pennies flat on the table and push them together, the result will be a hexagon pattern like a bees nest. Block coding, though, relies on more dimensions which cannot be visualized so easily. The famous Golay code, for instance, applied in deep space communications uses 24 dimensions. If used as a binary code (which very often it is,) the dimensions refer to the size of the codeword as specified above. The theory of block coding uses the N-dimensional sphere model. For instance, what number of pennies can be packed into a circle on a tabletop or in 3-dimensional model, what number of marbles can be packed into a globe. Its all about the codes choice. Hexagon packing, for example, in a rectangular box will leave the four corners empty. Greater number of dimensions means smaller percentage of empty spaces, until eventually at a certain number the packing uses all the available space. These codes are called perfect codes and there are very few of them. The number of a single codewords neighbors is another detail which is usually overlooked in block coding. Back to the pennies example again, first pennies are packed in a rectangular grid. Each single penny will have four direct neighbors (and another four at the four corners that are farther away). In the hexagon formation, each single penny will have six direct neighbors. In the same way, in three and four dimensions there will be twelve and twenty-four neighbors, respectively. Thus, increasing the number of dimensions, the close neighbors increase rapidly. This results in that noise finds numerous ways to make the receiver choose a neighbor, hence an error. This is a fundamental constraint of block coding, and coding in general. It may be more difficult to cause an error to one neighbor, but the number of neighbors can be so big that the probability of total error actually suffers.

The Significance of the Townspeople and Emilys Father in A Rose for Em

A necrophiliac is described as a person who has an obsessive fascination with death and corpses (Mifflin 1). Emily, a necrophiliac in the story, â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† is a deranged, lost, and confused woman. A story filled with many symbols that help the stories meaning. The only man Emily knew growing up was her father. He taught her to trust no man, and no man would ever be good for her. He was highly favored through the town and everyone looked to him. The small town of curious and nosey people makes the story of â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† The town’s people are curious to know Emily’s every step, or wondering what she is going to do next, her appearance, and where the horrible smell in her house comes from. She meets a man in this small town and they become lovers. She then kills him with rat poisoning and sleeps with him every night until finally her time is up and everybody in her town finds out the real truth. Through out the whole story of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† no one ever knows who the people are in her town and we never find out there age, size, color, and whether or not they personally know Emily or not. They are just townspeople, townspeople who gossip. We only know what the people are saying about her and how judgmental they are being through out the whole story. According to Faulkner, in his Short Story Criticism he says, â€Å"Miss Emily constantly for fifty or sixty years; they are anonymous townspeople, for neither names nor sexes nor occupations are given or hinted at; and they seem to be naà ¯ve watchers, for they speak as though they did not understand the meaning of events at the time they occurred. Further, they are of undetermined age. By details given the story there neither older nor younger nor of the same age as Miss Em... ...again, her hair was cut short, making her look like a girl, with a vague resemblance to those angels in colored church windows- sort of tragic and serene† (Faulkner 31). Emily father was highly favored in the town. Faulkner writes in his Short Story Criticism, â€Å"The Griersons have always been â€Å"high and mighty,† somehow above â€Å"the gross, teeming world†¦.† Emily’s father was well respected and occasionally loaned the town money. That made her a wealthy child and she basically had everything a child wanted. Emily’s father was a very serious man and Emily’s mind was violated by her father’s strict mentality. After Emily’s father being the only man in her life, he dies and she find it hard to let go of him. Because of her father, she possessed a stubborn outlook on life and how thing should be. She practically secluded her self from society for the remainder of her life.

Freedom of speech :: essays research papers

Do Americans take the First Amendment for granted, or use it, as a clutch to say what they feel is appropriate. The First Amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Siegel 3) But what is Freedom of Speech? It is our ability to say what we want, when we want and to whom we want? But there are even restrictions on what we want to say for example a person cannot yell fire in a crowded movie theater. Like all situations there will be persons to disagree? The past presidential election put the nation in an uproar, as do all elections. But, non as controversial as this one. In this election the issues that were addressed split the county in two, half of the country having liberal views and the other half having conservative views. That was mainly the focus of the entire campaign. What is being liberal or being conservative? Liberals favor gradual reform, especially political reforms that extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect the personal freedom of the individual. On the other end of the spectrum, conservatives are in favor of preserving the status quo and traditional values and customs, and against abrupt change(msn. Encarta) This seems to make Americans look weak to the rest of the world. That we don’t even have a common ground on the issues of the nation . This great nation that is seen as the mother country to the rest of the world is spilt right down the middle with labels that divide people. And that’s where it really gets ugly. Will Americans ever put these labels aside and come together so that America can be a better place to live? By being a graduating senior looking at the nation as either being liberal or conservative has made me really take a look at myself and my beliefs on the issues .

Rockaway pipeline

I do not support radon gas because of its harmful effects that can affect everyone around or using the gas. Radon is second leading cause of lung cancer, the primary adverse health effect associated with chronic exposure to radon is lung cancer typically bronchogenic, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma. Radon also has the potential to generate genotoxic effects higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations. Radon has been linked with erotogenic effects. Radon and smoking displayed a synergistic effect.Increased levels of exposure to radon increase the probability of observing an effect; however, increased levels of exposure do not necessarily influence the type or severity of the effect. There are no zero risk thresholds for radon exposure, but instead, risk increases proportionate to the exposure time. Pipelines can explode at any time for many different reasons, and those reasons can be the cause of why shopping malls, ouses, and schoo ls could be the victims of a fatal fire after the pipelines explode.You state that the pipelines would have periodic checks and be monitored 24 hours a day, every year, but tell that to the campers of Floyd Benet Park, the trees there are prone to fire, and I sincerely doubt that you wish to spend all your profits fixing on the reparation needed to replenish all the trees. Radon decays to equally radioactive and dangerous particles, like polonium and radioactive lead, In addition, before being broken down to regular, non-radioactive lead.When people breathe in, radon is exhaled, but the radon particles ends up inside the lungs, which then will cause cancer. Only because the radon is a heavy, gas and usually gravitates towards the open floor, making in harmful for children, pets and adults The Radon particles and the progeny can plate out the sides ot gas pipelines, which makes the pipelines hot and radioactive, then making them hazardous. I recently found out that in 1986, EPA had s et a limit for exposure to radon in air at 4 picocuries per liter.Being that there is increased exposure to many inds of radiation in the world today. Universities and Organizations like John Hopkins Universities and the World Health Organization have said that 2. 7 picocuries per liter would be a much better standard, but in reality, there is really know safe level of exposure. To Whom is reading this Letter I sincerely hope you take account all of the facts and examples that I have written and explained to you this day, and I hope the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission understands the dangers or this gas and how it can affect our community,

Macadams Case Study

This Increase was necessitated by the fact that Macadam's had embarked on an solution spree Ana required tons Tuning to secular Lavas Brothers In I-array 1996, as well as to fund the investment in new factories, land and distribution warehouses across the country. The short term debt had increased by 229%. This increase would have been necessary to fund their working capital obligations, as short term debt is significantly more expensive to service than long term debt. Despite the massive increase in debt, the interest cover ratio is still healthy.This however, is not a cash based ratio and gives us no indication as to whether the many is able to make its cash payments to service the increased quantities of debt. The current ratio and quick ratio gives us an indication of the company's ability to repay its short term debt. Macadam's have a very high current ratio, which shows that on the accrual basis the company's short term assets are readily available to pay off its short term lia bilities. The inventory on hand days have increased, together with the debtor's collection period.This further exacerbates the cash flow problems as their cash is tied up in working capital. The longer collection period is probably indicative of more relaxed reedit terms – while this may boost sales and may well be a contributing factor to the increased turnover, it also presents a problem to the businesses scofflaws as well as an increased bad debt risk. Both the fixed asset turnover and total asset turnover have declined, due to an increased asset base resultant from large acquisitions in the current year, as well as the inability to use these assets as efficiently as possible.This is supported by the increased profit margin discussed below. Profitability The business displayed healthy turnover, which increased by 58. 5% from the prior ear. The group is obviously doing well in terms of growth, but perhaps they were trying to grow too fast. A 58. 5% increase in turnover cann ot be sustainable without a strong balance sheet to support it. The turnover growth in the current year (1996) was largely attributable to surging demand for their products, a favorable exchange rate for their exports and acquisitions of businesses which complement their existing operations.Their operating margin was up from 10. 8% to 14. 9% showing that the company was operating more efficiently. Net profit margin increased from 7. 4% to 8. 5%. Not only were they boosting turnover, they were also managing to increase their margins. Total net profit attributable to shareholders was up 81% from the prior year. Cash flow From the ratio analysis above as well inspection of the face of the income statement, Macadam's appear to be making higher sales and larger profits off of these sales. Upon inspection of the cash flow statement, a different picture is seen.The large increase in working capital of 595% from R 2, 7 million to R 19 million, resulted in Macadam's Delve unmade to Tuna tene t operating Ana Investing satellites. I Nils introduction between the two statements highlights the increased profitability, but negative (and worsening) cash flows. A further draw-down of increased working capital cost is explained in the balance sheet with an increase in inventory of 66% (R 12 million) to meet consumer demand which was funded out of cash resources as well as increased debtors of 129% (R 15 million) due to increased credit sales.Furthermore, creditors increased by 87% (R 8 million), which only partially offset the increase in current assets. Conclusion Macadam's is earning high sales and profits, but has serious cash flow problems I. . The business is too successful, as they are trying to grow too quickly. Cash is seen to be the lifeblood of a business and the accrual of accounting profits are meaningless unless they are converted into cash flow.There are certain options available to overcome this problem, being: ; Cutting back on growth (which is never popular) ; Increasing borrowings (which wouldn't be a wise choice, as the movement in the cash-flow statement shows an inability to service current interest payments) ; Improving working capital management (which would necessitate a cut back in Roth) ; Arrange alternative financing (a reasonable solution by means of sale and leasebacks), or ; Issue more shares (which is what was chosen) Macadam's nearly failed as a business despite the fact that they had a successful idea and product that was in high demand.They resolved this by issuing more shares to institutions for cash, as well to fund the acquisition of Livings Pros and other fixed property acquired. They also recommended a capitalization issue in lieu of cash dividends to retain as much cash reserves as possible. If I owned shares in this company at this point I would (buy/sell)

Cancer and How It Develops Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cancer and How It Develops - Essay Example However a tumor on reaching a critical mass secretes chemicals to tempt blood vessels to invade the tumor to provide a channel for its nutrient supply and waste removal to support its uncontrolled growth. This also opens up a route for the cancer cells to metastasize or spread to other locations in the body through the blood and lymph vessels making surgical removal impossible. Chemotherapy or radiation is used to destroy metastasized cells. Cancerous cells defy the control mechanisms that are placed to regulate cell division. In a normal cell cycle proto oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in combination with each other regulate cell division. Proto-oncogenes promote the division of cells through its effects on growth factors or by producing them where as products of tumor- suppressor genes act in damage control such as repair and programmed cell death. Mutations in these genes results in malfunctions in cell cycle and leads to uncontrolled cell division giving rise to cancerous cells. Mutation in the tumor-suppressor gene p53 is associated with more than half known cancers. A protein produced by gene p53 regulates another gene whose gene product keeps a check on cell division. A mutation in p53 lifts that check resulting in uncontrolled cell division. Mutations in a proto-oncogene turn it to an oncogene which produces larger amounts of proteins (which are mostly growth factors or its receptors) or enhances the activi ty of the protein resulting in hyper stimulation of cell-division. A distinguishing character of cancer cells is its lack of contact inhibition. They are devoid of anchorage unlike in normal cells that stop division on contact with neighboring cells through information from signaling systems. Failure to trigger the mechanism of programmed cell death or apoptosis also is a characteristic of cancerous cells. The genetic suicide program is activated in normal cells in response to a physiological or biological signal in

How do the views of Machiavelli, Hobbes and Grotius differ and what Essay

How do the views of Machiavelli, Hobbes and Grotius differ and what aspect of society influenced these theories - Essay Example To his mind the law was a necessary and rational perversion of nature, part of the civil contract that governed all societies - a compromise in order for men to live peacefully. Grotius, on the other hand, would not accept the separation of nature and the law - the true law arose out of human nature and, more pertinently to him, the nature of God. As such, the law is not merely a series of arbitrary rules with which those in a social group (say, the state) are forced to comply. It is a base for all interaction, including interaction between states. As such Grotius points to a law than can be transnational, one that binds all cultures and societies. Machiavelli portrayed a system of government that, unlike the systems of government that had been propounded before, was based entirely on pragmatic concerns. In his writings there is a large gap between the concept of things that are morally correct, and those things which are politic and advisable. As he says when regarding the way a leader chooses to rule his people, "it is a sound maxim that reprehensible actions may be justified by their effects" (Brown et al. 266). This, then, completely changes the landscape of how one is to understand the law, which before Machiavelli had been considered the inscription of rules barring those practices which are immoral or against the common good. In other words, people had seen the law as something which was used to protect society from those members of it who wished to harm the rest. The only way the law is a consideration in Machiavelli's philosophy is if the prince needs to pacify the populace and, by doing so, retain control of a kingdo m. The rule of law, then, is merely used by the leader as an appeasement to the collective might of the masses. However - Machiavelli is quite clear - the law can be suspended at any time the prince sees fit, and it should offer no protection from the violence he might wish to inflict - "It should be observed here that men should either be caressed or crushed" (Brown et al. 260). An example that Machiavelli uses is the annexation of Milan by Louis XII and its subsequent loss to Ludovico. When Louis had taken the principality, the people expected certain favours from him but, in actuality, he ruled as a tyrant. This made it nearly impossible for him to hold the Milan when a new attack came from without. "For when the people who had opened the gate to Louis found that they did not receive the benefits they expected, they could not endure the oppressive rule of the new master" (Brown et al. 258). Notice that Machiavelli does not treat the law (and other benefits, such as governmental structures, a wealthy privileged class, etc.) as a result of the organic growth of society. Rather, it is a tactical means of a prince retaining power. Machiavelli does not identify the rule of just law as a prerequisite of the state, quite the opposite, it is one weapon in the arsenal that a ruler might use in order to perpetuate his rule. As we will soon find, Hobbes sees the law as a treaty between a group of people - a little like a social contract - which grows of necessity when enough people congregate. For Machiavelli, however, the rule of law is applied from above, by the prince or emperor. The rule of law is intrinsic to the

Case Study to Promote Critical Reasoning Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

To Promote Critical Reasoning - Case Study Example The sources of conflict that are developing in this facility are (1) differences in goals (each group or person has a goal or purpose within which the donated funds are suggested to be earmarked); (2) resource interdependence (the units compete with each other for other own share of the resources, specifically, of the donated funds); (3) task ambiguity (there is a lack of clarity as to how the money or donated funds must be used according to a pre-defined guideline or policy); (4) differences in power and status; as well as backgrounds and traits (each group has different perceptions on the relative value of their contributions to the achievement of the hospice center’s goals) (Martires & Fule, 2004). 2. What kind of leadership actions are needed to prevent the escalation of this conflict? The use of authority or leadership through recognition of the highest authorized decision-maker within the hospice center is needed to impose a solution to resolve or suppress the conflict. The highest authority in the hospice center would depend on which role was designated at the organizational structure. For a non-profit hospice, the decision-makers are usually members of the Board of Directors where an executive committee would be headed by the President (AAHPM, n.d.). In this case, the highest authorities seem to be in the professional capacities of the Administrator and the Finance Officer – with no clear distinctions of who should be in charge to decide on matters of the funds (could be the Finance Officer, if explicitly identified within the hospice’s policies and procedures). As it is, I agree with the Finance Officer to initially put the money in the bank for future needed endeavors. Spending the funds must be subject to the plans of the hospice given their urgency and importance to the achievement of the hospice’s mission and vision. 5. Try role playing a negotiation among the administrator, the financial officer, the chaplin, a representative of

Coursework for Data Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Coursework for Data Analysis - Essay Example Growth: the coefficient for growth is given as 0.48663, this means that there is a positive relationship between growth and vote and as such for every unit increase in the growth, the dependent variable (vote) increases by a factor of 0.48663 and vice versa. Goodnews: the coefficient for goodnews is given as 0.64031, this means that there is a positive relationship between goodnews and vote and as such for every unit increase in the goodnews, the dependent variable (vote) increases by a factor of 0.64031 and vice versa. War: the coefficient for the war is given as -2.66658, this means that there is a negative relationship between war and vote and as such for every unit increase in the war, the dependent variable (vote) decreases by a factor of 2.66658 and vice versa. person: the coefficient for person is given as 3.04593, this means that there is a positive relationship between person and vote and as such for every unit increase in the person, the dependent variable (vote) increases by a factor of 3.04593 and vice versa. b) Perform tests for the statistical significance of the parameters of the independent variables inflation, growth and goodnews using the critical value of the corresponding t-distribution and the test p-value. Interpret the tests results. Inflation: the computed t-distribution is given as -1.37 whose |-1.37| is 1.37 a value less than the critical value of 2.0423, meaning that we fail to reject the null hypothesis. Similarly using the p-value we get that the p-value is 0.183>0.05 (significance level), leading us to accept the null hypothesis and thus concluding that the parameter of inflation is insignificant in the model at 5% significance level. growth: the computed t-distribution is given as 3.03 a value greater than the critical value of 2.0423, meaning that we reject the null hypothesis. Similarly using the p-value we get that the p-value is 0.006

Planning in the Roman Empire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Planning in the Roman Empire - Essay Example The emperor also provided a lot of economic opportunities that people could take advantage of. The emporium faced major problems in maintaining security and peace and in governance. The central government also had devolved a lot of its governance responsibility of local affairs and certain imperial duties to the cities. There was a lot of competition within between the cities in the empire. The competition is evident bearing in mind how the senior citizens competitively vie with each other for recognition by the public and for senior civil posts. Cities also competed with each other to gain honorific titles. However, the competition of the cities was to some extent beneficial to the empire as it fostered decorative and architectural developments as they strove to outdo rival cities in the â€Å"splendor of their public monuments and the variety or their urban facilities†(p122). The competitions also brought other potential dangers. Some building projects which were undertaken in cities like Bithynia were left unfinished. Much of the empire’s resources were concentrated on development. New ideas, techniques, buildings and materials for building were employed in a bid to come up with bigger more impressive buildings. More architectural work was done. The focus of the empire was on transforming the existing cities and fostering growth of cities in the urbanized provinces. Civic planning can achieve various benefits if well done and implemented. On the other hand, if not well planned or implemented, it can end up having a lot of negative results. In the empire, buildings would give a sense of solidarity which was not the situation on the ground as the cities were strong competitors. The buildings were magnificent and beautiful which would also have given a sense of unity in the empire, which was not also the case. Many buildings also had been started

Common Core State Standards Essay Example for Free

Common Core State Standards Essay Is a girl in your neighborhood being taught the same things as a boy in another neighborhood? Is a graduating senior in Baton Rouge as prepared to get a job as a graduating senior in Minneapolis? The answer to these questions is â€Å"no,† and rightfully so. All children are unique. A student with autism or dyslexia should not be taught the same way as students who have no learning disabilities. Indiana, which adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), is now eliminating those standards because, the state asserts, Common Core â€Å"takes control of educational content and standards away from parents, taxpayers, local school districts, and states† (Volsky). The Indiana legislators want to write new standards, which are governed locally, not at the federal level. NEED A TRANSITION? Forty-five American states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the CCSS (Common Core State Standards Initiative). These standards were designed by a group of teachers, school chiefs, administrators, and other experts. The CCSS are suggested targets in English Language Arts and Mathematics that set the skills a student should possess in order to proceed to the next level of education. There is no clear divide on the standards between Republicans and Democrats; both have expressed their concerns. But, the controversy reached its peak when the Obama administration slowly started to support the CCSS (Bidwell). Proponents of the CCSS argue that the standards ensure that all students will have the same set of skills, the standards will make sure all students are college ready, and that the standards are a new state-led effort instead of a federal effort. I believe that all states should abolish the CCSS because children with disabilities should not be expected to learn the same way as advanced students, the CCSS takes away from the tradition and individuality of independent/parochial schools, and the problem in education is not standards but poverty. The CCSS have not made success easy for students with learning disabilities. According to the CCSS, students with disabilities â€Å"must be challenged to excel within the general curriculum† (Herbert 10). In addition to students with disabilities, students without disabilities learn different things in different ways, mature at different rates, and have different talents and goals. There is no reason for states to have standards that require students to learn the same things at the same time, and learn them the same way (McClusky). The CCSS â€Å"moves all kids largely in lock-step, processing them like soulless widgets† (McClusky). In a recent discussion, Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania special education student teachers expressed their frustrations in trying to teach special-ed students within the confines of the CCSS (Beals 2). The CCSS are supposed to boost national achievement levels, but by restricting these students to subject matter beyond thei r cognitive abilities, the standards are ultimately lowering student achievements. The CCSS also take away from the tradition and individuality of independent/parochial schools. Parochial schools are private schools that are affiliated with some religious organization and whose curriculum includes religion along with all major subjects. As a graduate of Catholic schools, I believe it is important that the traditions and religion classes be kept alive in these schools. The standards were approved without consideration of how they would affect Catholic schools (Strauss 4). The Catholic education is geared at preparing students for a life of spirit, truth, and faith in God, all of which are never mentioned in the CCSS. Adopting the standards into Catholic schools will essentially diminish them of their tradition to help children not only obtain an education but to develop their faith. As an education major, I have observed many Catholic schools. On the walls, on the boards, and in the hallways, there are examples of prayer and religion everywhere. Taking this away wou ld be taking away the identity of these students. This will ultimately lead to the some students being ashamed of their religion. Another issue that arises is the involvement of the federal government. Independent and parochial schools are independent in their finances and governance and in most cases rely on tuition for funding. The CCSS are state-led efforts but, because these  schools are free from state and federal government financing and guidance, they will not be able to afford the implementation of the CCSS. One of the reasons people believe CCSS are needed is because of the idea that America’s school system has low national test scores. This is not because the current standards are not working; the real issue is poverty. The reason for low-test scores is that about 23% of American students live in poverty. Finland, which has the highest-ranking test scores, has only 5% of students living in poverty (Krashen 37). Poverty stricken children in Queens, NY that have a lack of health care, food insecurity, and lack of library access will not succeed as well as a student going to a school in the Upper East Side of New York City. For example, studies show that food-insecure children are more likely to have slow language development, and problems in social behavior and emotional control (Krashen 38). This results in missed schools days, causing students to repeat grades, which leads to low achievement scores. Instead of spending money on implementing the standards, schools need to spend t he funds on sufficient food programs, improved health care (including more school nurses), and more money going towards libraries in lower-income schools. Some in favor of the CCSS believe that the standards will ensure that all students, no matter what race, gender, or state they are in, will have the same set of skills when graduating to each new grade level (Gardner and Powell 50). Although this is a great notion in theory, the idea that every single student in America will know the exact same things is a major overgeneralization. Even with the CCSS, children with disabilities are physically and mentally incapable of learning the same things at the same rate as a student in advanced or gifted programs. The CCSS have also increased the rigor of the curriculum students are learning. Therefore, students who are already struggling to not fall behind will struggle even further causing the students, parents, and teachers to suffer. In addition to underachieving students, overachieving students will also be negatively affected by the standards. Children who learn faster than others, or who are naturally smarter than their peers will be for ced to learn at the same pace as students who are not as gifted. This will result in students being bored  and losing all interest in school. If every single child in America had the same cognitive abilities, the CCSS would be the answer; but they are not. Other proponents believe that the CCSS will make sure all students graduating from high school are college ready. The problem with this is, America has too many over educated students; the professional work force does not have enough jobs for American students when they graduate. If all students are college ready, no one will want to work at grocery stores, fast food restaurants, mechanic shops, etc. If every student gets a degree and starts work in the professional world, the economy will eventually fail. There will be no farmers to produce groceries; there will be no waitresses; there will be no janitors or cleaning services. In order for this country’s economy to produce money, there needs to be people who do not earn college degrees. One major reason people are supporting the CCSS is because they are state-led instead of being dictated by the federal government. The federal government is largely imposing the CCSS. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, both of which do not represent states, created the standards. The hasty adoption by most states was federal action. To compete for a part of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top (ADD DEFINITION) reward, a federal government led education effort, states had to adopt the CCSS (McCluskey). When the CCSS came about, the Obama administration only gave states two options: adopt the CCSS or make sure a state university certified a student as college ready. Also, the U.S. Department of Education funded two programs that created the national tests that coincide with the CCSS (McCluskey). With all of this federal involvement, the CCSS is no longer a state-led effort. It is a â€Å"one-size-fits-all† program that ignores the nee ds of the individual states. The reason to oppose the CCSS is not because of the content, some of which is great, the reason is that the CCSS lacks most qualities needed to be considered authoritative, or to even be considered standards. Sadly, the CCSS is generating in America’s education system severe and lasting damage that would take decades to reverse. The CCSS is bad for states, teachers,  students, parents, and anyone associated with the education process. Now, ask yourself these questions again. Is a girl in your neighborhood being taught the same things as a boy in another neighborhood? Is a graduating senior in Baton Rouge as prepared to get a job as a graduating senior in Minneapolis? Still, the answer is â€Å"no†. Do you believe me now that this is a good answer? Works Cited Bidwell, Allie. The History Of Common Core State Standards. U.S. News Digital Weekly 6.9 (2014): 7. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Common Core State Standards Initiative., 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. Herbert, Marion. Common Cores Implications For Special Ed Students. District Administration 47.2 (2011): 10.Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Krashen, Stephen. THE COMMON CORE. (Cover Story). Knowledge Quest 42.3 (2014): 36-45. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. McCluskey, Neal. No Child Is Standard. Reading Today 31.2 (2013): 30. Academic SearchComplete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Strauss, Valerie. â€Å"Catholic scholars blast Common Core in letter to U.S. bishops.† Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.