Typical Lesson Plan to Use for an English Class Case Study

Typical Lesson Plan to Use for an English Class - Case Study Example Ask the students to provide as many words as possible from the following phonic combinations after providing a few examples. The next part involves the student extracting phonic sounds from a given list of words. Actually, it was a lot more personal and took a lot more time. If one needed to get in touch with someone immediately the telephone was the way to go. It seems in today's world everyone has to get to everyone right away. " (J. G. Fabiano) Instructions for Phonics Exercises. Here are a group of phonic sounds. Ask the students to provide as many words as possible from the following phonic combinations after providing a few examples. While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the look-out for the mendicancy squad. In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name "Mr James Dillingham Young." Questions: What is intended by the phrase â€Å"when the income was shrunkâ € ? What does â€Å"flung to the breeze† mean in the context of this article? Named 3 words ending with the same last 3 letters of the word commencing on the third line, of the third paragraph. (Tutors notes: ‘beggar’ is the word in question) How many syllables are there in the word, â€Å"Dillingham†. What are the phonic sounds in the word, â€Å"sniffles†.

Social Order Essay Example for Free

Social Order Essay Functionalists theory assumes that a certain degree of order and stability is essential for the survival of social systems. Without it, society may be exposed to chaos and disorder. Therefore, social order is essential for society and it refers to shared nor,s and values, which provide the foundation for cooperation, since common values produce goals. Functionalists believe that social order exists in the concept of value consensus to a large extent. Functionalists believe that without collective conscience/shared values and beliefs, achieving social order is impossible and social order is crucial for the well-being of society. They believe that value consensus forms the basic integrating principle in society. And if members of society have shared values they therefore also have similar identities, this helps cooperation and avoids conflict. Talcott Parsons argues that social order is achieved through the existence of a shared value system. According to him, Social order is only possible as long as members of the society agree on these norms and values. This agreement is called value consensus. Parsons argues that socialization helps to ensure that individuals conform to shared values and meet the systems needs. Through the socialization process individuals internalize the systems norms and values so that society becomes part of their personality structure. Different agencies of socialization such as family, school. etc On the other hand, The Marxists see the functionalists view of consensus as pure fiction. According to them, what actually happens is that the rich force the rest of the population to compliance and conformity. According to them there are scarce resources such as prestige, power and wealth, and the demands for these things exceed the supply. Those who get in control of these resources now use it for their interest at the expense of others. In conclusion, the functionalists theory sees social order as being maintained by value consensus. According to them, the society is organized, well integrated and stable through value consensus. While the Marxists see this view of consensus as pure fiction and say that social order is maintained by force.

Threats and opportunities from site :: essays research papers

Threats to sustainability Imitation or substitution Market entry Powerful buyers and suppliers Unpredictable changes in external environment Factors beyond a firm's control (bad luck) Limitations of the RBV Presented as static concept - however, many firms need to be able to cope with turbulent environments Suggests that managers may have limited ability to create sustained competitive advantages (empirical support by "perpetually failing firms" - firms that consistently earn normal or below-normal returns Difficult to test empirically - data problem (at the level of the unit of analysis, Le., resources and capabilities) What is the appropriate level of analysis? How deeply does one have to look? Principles of capabilities-based competition Goal : Build difficult-to-imitate organizational capabilities that distinguish a company from its competitors Principles : o The building blocks of strategy are business processes o The transformation of processes into valuable strategic capabilities is a key to success o Capabilities are created by making strategic investments in support infrastructure o CEO must be responsible, because competing on capabilities involves cross-functionality Some lessons learned from the capabilities perspective A capability begins and ends with the customer (or supplier) The longer and more complex the string of business processes, the harder it is to transform into a capability or to duplicate or imitate Outsourcing can be dangerous A strategy for growth : Transfer essential business processes to New geographic areas (e.g., Wal-Mart) or to New businesses (e.g., Honda) There is a difference between capabilities and core competencies Core competencies Coordinate diverse production skills and integrate multiple streams of technology Are communication, involvement, and a deep commitment to working across organizational boundaries Do not diminish with use, but are enhanced as they are applied and shared Are the glue that binds existing businesses Are difficult to imitate, especially if they are a complex harmonization of individual technologies and production skills Are corporate resources and may be reallocated by corporate management Tests to identify core competence : Does it provide access to a wide variety of markets ? Does it make a significant contribution to the perceived customer benefits of the end product? Is it difficult for competitors to imitate? Dynamic capabilities Definition : Ability to integrate, build and reconfigure internal and external processes and competencies to address a rapidly changing environment; ability to maintain and adapt the capabilities that are the basis of competitive advantage Hypothesis : Competitive advantage of a firm lies with its processes Roles of organizational and managerial processes :

Polynomials: Mathematics and Polynomial Function

Using Polynomials in the â€Å"Real World† Polynomial functions are used in our everyday lives in a few different ways, this includes art, architecture, construction, financial planning, and manufacturing. We can also calculate how long it will take one person to do a job alone when we know how long it takes a group to get it done as well. Farmers on crop farms work dawn to dusk through the growing season to produce the grains, fruits, and vegetables that feed the country. These equations help them to determine how long they need to work on a certain project.One application of polynomials is that for any smooth curve we can approximate this curve by a graph of a polynomial function with sufficient degree. If you have real life data up to certain time, you can sketch the graph of the data and you want to predict the behavior of the data in the future. One way to solve this is to approximate the curve that you obtained from your data by a graph of a polynomial function hoping th at this polynomial function can also approximate the data in the future.Polynomial equations are also used in creating buildings, landscapes and even roller coasters. Lastly, and most importantly, using polynomials to pass high school and college. In every math class, using polynomials to graph and to find the possible rational zeroes is a big part in getting an A in the class. If you don’t know how to to this stuff then you can’t keep doing harder and harder math, like going from pre calculus to calculus.

Great Wall of China

The Rise and Fall of China's Great Wall The rise and fall of China's Great Wall: the race to save a world treasure – Special Report Current Events, Sept 27, 2002 Save a personal copy of this article and quickly find it again with Furl. net. It's free! Save it. MADE OF BRICK, STONE, and dirt, the Great Wall twists and turns across China's landscape like a giant dragon. It seems to rise out of the sea at Bo Hal gulf, a place known to local people as Laolongtou, or â€Å"the old dragon's head. † The wall then stretches across the plains, crawls along the sides of mountains and scales their peaks as it spans the Asian countryside.This ancient wonder, built entirely by hand, often overwhelms visitors. On a trip to the wall in 1909, French scholar Auguste Gilbert de Voisins said, â€Å"Nothing stops it, nothing gets in its way; seeing it at this point, one might believe it to be eternal. † Today, however, neglect, misuse, and modernization threaten the giant dragon. Al though the wall once stretched nearly 4,000 miles across China's northern border, only about 1,500 miles of China's Great Wall remain. The rest has fallen apart and disappeared. This year, the World Monuments Fund placed the Great Wall on its list of 100 Most Endangered Sites.The group hopes to protect what's left of the wall and to encourage the Chinese government and others to save the historic structure. According to a World Monuments Fund report, â€Å"[The wall] was built to protect China; now China must protect it. † The Great Wall of Qin China's Great Wall didn't start out so great. Begun nearly 2,300 years ago, the structure was a series of small fortifications. As early as 600 B. C. , people in China built small walls around their homes and cities for protection. Soldiers guarded the gates around the city walls during the day and swung the gates shut at night.During the Warring States period (475-221 B. C. ), leaders struggling for control of China built walls around entire kingdoms. Soldiers occupied forts and towers on the wall and fought to protect the borders of the independent states. In 221 B. C. , Qin Shi Huangdi unified the kingdoms and became the first emperor of China. Qin Shi Huangdi gave orders to build the chang cheng, or â€Å"long wall,† to protect China from northern nomads who were trying to invade China. Laborers built the wall by joining walls constructed earlier and extending the length of the wall to nearly 3,100 miles.With the help of General Meng Tian, Qin Shi Huangdi ordered 800,000 men–soldiers, prisoners, and peasants–to build the wall. Where stones were plentiful, workers used stones to build parts of the wall. Where stones were scarce, workers used dirt. To build the wall, laborers dug up large amounts of dirt and carried it to the wall. The workers then piled dirt into wooden frames about 6 inches deep. They used wooden instruments to pound the dirt until it became a solid mass. This process was repeated until the wall reached a desired height.Workers then moved the wooden frames to the next section of the wall and began the process again. According to legend, Qin Shi Huangdi condemned workers to death for making the slightest construction errors. Today, few traces of the Qin wall remain. After Qin Shi Huangdi's death in 210 B. C. , workers abandoned the wall and it eventually crumbled into ruins. The Ming Fortress Nearly all of Qin Shi Huangdi's successors built walls along China's northern frontier. The fortifications, however, never fully protected China from invasion.During the early 13th century, Genghis Khan, leader of the Mongols, a nomad group from the north, united several nomad armies and conquered much of Asia. In 1279, Genghis Khan's grandson, Kubilai Khan, overthrew the Chinese emperor and established the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). The Yuan emperors did not maintain the old wall or build a new one, so the wall began to fall into ruins. After Khan died in 1227, a Chinese farmer named Zu Yuanzhang led a rebel army and helped overthrow the last Yuan emperor. When Zu Yuanzhang seized power, he established the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).Zu and his successors decided to rebuild China's Great Wall, which lay mostly in ruins, to keep the Mongols from returning to reconquer China. For nearly 200 years, thousands of workers toiled away on the Ming wall–reinforcing the Great Wall with bricks and stone. The Ming wall eventually blocked mountain passes that Mongol soldiers had used to invade China. When Mongol tribes attacked the wall, Chinese soldiers alerted others by lighting signal fires. When guards from a signal tower saw the fire, they built another fire, passing the warning along the wall.The number of smoke plumes and cannon shots fired indicated to Chinese soldiers how many enemy soldiers were approaching. The Ming government taxed the people of China heavily to pay for construction of the Great Wall. In 1644, the Manchus, a nomad tribe from northeast of Peking, helped rebels overthrow the Ming rulers and started the next era in Chinese history–the Qing dynasty. During the Qing dynasty, Manchu forces drove out Mongol invaders and extended China's border farther north beyond the Great Wall. The wall no longer protected China's border, so construction stopped and soldiers abandoned the fortresses.The Wall At Risk Today, Chinese officials warn that the Great Wall is once again under attack. But this time the wall is not in danger from invaders. Instead local people and tourists alike threaten the wall. Dong Yaohui, head of the Great Wall Society of China, recently persuaded a local government to levy a fine on residents in a small village after they demolished part of the wall to obtain bricks for new houses. And in 1999, officials in the autonomous region of Nei Monggol (once called Inner Mongolia) plowed through the Great Wall to build a highway. Nature has also taken its toll.At the wall's western end, dese rt sandstorms have worn down much of China's great wonder. Dong Yaohui said, â€Å"Saving the Great Wall is now the most urgent task facing our country. Its splendor must be rebuilt. † Preservationists also argue that commercial developers are destroying the aesthetic beauty of China's Great Wall. Developers have turned parts of the wall into a tourist destination. Visitors to the wall at the Badaling section near Beijing can take one of five cable cars to the top of the wall, bungee-jump off a section of the wall, paraglide along the wall, or ride a toboggan down the mountain.William Lindesay, an Englishman living in China, organized a group to protect and preserve what is left of the wall. Lindesay's group, the International Friends of the Great Wall, works with local villagers to pick up garbage along the wall and make sure the wall is protected from vandals. â€Å"The wall is in grave, grave danger,† Lindesay said. The Chinese government also hopes to protect the n ational treasure. Officials in Beijing are considering legislation that, if passed, would convict anyone caught littering or defacing the Great Wall to a jail term of up to seven years.Arthur Waldron, a historian, wrote, â€Å"Whatever the future brings, the image of the wall †¦ as a symbol of China †¦ seems bound to endure. † Get Talking Ask students: why do you think the Great Wall of China was built? What is the approximate length of the wall? What might have been some of the challenges faced by the wall's builders? What might the wall be threatened today? Background The Great Wall is among the most popular tourist destinations in China, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Terra Cotta Warriors at Xi'an.Qin Shi Huangdi (the first emperor of China) unified the nation of China and built the first Great Wall. After Qin Shi Huandi died, he was buried in a tomb with an army of terra cotta warriors and horses at Xi'an. In 1974, Qin Ski Huangdi's tomb was d iscovered by a group of archaeologists. During the Qin Dynasty–when the first Great Wall was built–workers toiled for ten years to build the wall, at a rate of about 25 miles per month. Portions of the wall have been rebuilt during the past century–including the section of the wall at Badaling, near China's capital of Beijing. Many myths surround China's Great Wall.One of the most prevalent is that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from the Moon. However, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), â€Å"The Great Wall can barely be seen from the Shuttle, so it would not be possible to see it from the Moon with the naked eye. † Doing More After students have read the story, ask them to research other sites listed as endangered by the World Monuments Fund. What are the biggest threats to those sites? Why are the sites considered important? When students have finished gathering the information, have them presen t their findings to the class.

Charless Pen and Jesus Name

Charless Pen and Jesus Name Charless Pen and Jesus Name Charless Pen and Jesus Name By Maeve Maddox Commenting on When to Form a Plural with an Apostrophe, Luke S. raised another question: What gripes me . . . is the misuse of the apostrophe to form the possessive without the extra s: Charles pen needs correction to Charless pen. Ah, Luke, would it were so simple as that! Even the Chicago Manual of Style, so authoritative in so many ways, makes this observation on the use of the apostrophe to form the possessive: Since feelings on these matters sometimes run high, users of this manual may wish to modify or add to the exceptions. When I taught in England, the textbook I used gave the rule that ancient names ending in -s took only an apostrophe, while modern names took apostrophe s: Achilles heel, Jesus name, St. Jamess Park. This rule was no doubt derived from Fowler: It was formerly customary, when a word ended in -s to write its possessive with an apostrophe but no additional s, e.g. Mars hill, Venus Bath, Achilles thews. In verse, in poetic or reverential contexts, this custom is retained. ..But elsewhere we now add the s the syllable, Charless Wain, St Jamess not St James, Joness children. . . After many paragraphs setting forth the correct use of using the apostrophe to form various possessives, the CMS offers an alternative: Those uncomfortable with the rules, exceptions, and options outlined above may prefer the system, formerly more common, of simply omitting the possessive s on all words ending in s- hence â€Å"Dylan Thomas’ poetry,† â€Å"Maria Callas’ singing,† and â€Å"that business’ main concern.† Though easy to apply, that usage disregards pronunciation and thus seems unnatural to many. This apostrophe business is felt to be of such import that there has even been legislation on it: In February 2007 Arkansas historian Parker Westbrook successfully petitioned State Representative Steve Harrelson to settle once and for all that the correct possessive should not be Arkansas but Arkansass. Arkansass Apostrophe Act came into law in March 2007. ABC News [USA], 6 March 2007. Before you start making jokes about the priorities of the Arkansas legislature, know that no less august a body than the Supreme Court wrestled with apostrophe usage in 2006. Justice Thomas opinion was that whenever a singular noun ends in s, an additional s should never be placed after the apostrophe. The dissenting opinion was that an s should always be added after the apostrophe when forming a singular possessive, regardless of whether the nonpossessive form already ends in s. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of Adjectives60 Synonyms for â€Å"Trip†Phrasal Verbs and Phrasal Nouns

Netherlands - Geography, Government and History

Netherlands - Geography, Government and History Population: 16,783,092 (July 2010 estimate) Capital: Amsterdam Seat of Government: The Hague Bordering Countries: Germany and Belgium Land Area: 16,039 square miles (41,543 sq km) Coastline: 280 miles (451 km) Highest Point: Vaalserberg at 1,056 feet (322 m) Lowest Point: Zuidplaspolder at -23 feet (-7 m) The Netherlands, officially called the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is located in northwest Europe. The Netherlands borders the North Sea to its north and west, Belgium to the south and Germany to the east. The capital and largest city in the Netherlands is Amsterdam, while the seat of government and therefore most government activity is in the Hague. In its entirety, the Netherlands is often called Holland, while its people are referred to as Dutch. The Netherlands is known for its low lying topography and dikes, as well as for its very liberal government. History of the Netherlands In the first century B.C.E., Julius Caesar entered the Netherlands and found that it was inhabited by various Germanic tribes. The region was then divided into a western portion that was inhabited mainly by Batavians while the east was inhabited by the Frisians. The western part of the Netherlands became a part of the Roman Empire. Between the 4th and 8th centuries, the Franks conquered what is today the Netherlands and the area was later given to the House of Burgundy and the Austrian Habsburgs. In the 16th century, the Netherlands were controlled by Spain but in 1558, the Dutch people revolted and in 1579, the Union of Utrecht joined the seven northern Dutch provinces into the Republic of the United Netherlands. During the 17th century, the Netherlands grew in power with its colonies and navy. However, the Netherlands eventually lost some of its importance after several wars with Spain, France, and England in the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition, the Dutch also lost their technological superiority over these nations. In 1815, Napoleon was defeated and the Netherlands, along with Belgium, became a part of the Kingdom of the United Netherlands. In 1830, Belgium formed its own kingdom and 1848, King Willem II revised the Netherlands constitution to make it more liberal. From 1849-1890, King Willem III ruled over the Netherlands and the country grew significantly. When he died, his daughter Wilhelmina became queen. During World War II, the Netherlands was continuously occupied by Germany beginning in 1940. As a result, Wilhelmina fled to London and established a government in exile. During WWII, over 75% of the Netherlands Jewish population was killed. In May 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Wilhelmina returned the country. In 1948, she abdicated the throne and her daughter Juliana was queen until 1980 when her daughter Queen Beatrix took the throne. Following WWII, the Netherlands grew in strength politically and economically. Today the country is a large tourist destination and most of its former colonies have gained independence and two (Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles) are still dependent areas. The Government of the Netherlands The Kingdom of the Netherlands is considered a constitutional monarchy (list of monarchs) with a chief of state (Queen Beatrix) and a head of government filling the executive branch. The legislative branch is the bicameral States General with the First Chamber and the Second Chamber. The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court. Economics and Land Use in the Netherlands The economy of the Netherlands is stable with strong industrial relations and a moderate unemployment rate. The Netherlands is also a European transportation hub and tourism is also increasing there. The largest industries in the Netherlands are agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, and fishing. Agricultural products of the Netherlands include grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Geography and Climate of the Netherlands The Netherlands is known for its very low lying topography and reclaimed land called polders. About half of the land in the Netherlands is below sea level polders and dikes make more land available and less prone to flooding for the growing country. There are also some low hills in the southeast but none of them rise above 2,000 feet. The climate of the Netherlands is temperate and highly affected by its marine location. As a result, it has cool summers and mild winters. Amsterdam has a January average low of 33ËšF (0.5ËšC) and an August high of just 71ËšF (21ËšC). More Facts about the Netherlands The official languages of the Netherlands are Dutch and FrisianThe Netherlands has large minority communities of Moroccans, Turks, and SurinameseThe largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Eindhoven.

Using the Italian Past Perfect Subjunctive Tense

Using the Italian Past Perfect Subjunctive Tense To complete the fourth of subjunctive-tense verb forms, theres the congiuntivo trapassato (referred to as the past perfect subjunctive in English), which is a compound tense. Form this tense with the congiuntivo imperfetto of the auxiliary verb avere or essere and the past participle of the acting verb. Forming the Compound Tense The compound tenses (i tempi composti) are verb tenses that consist of two words, such as the passato prossimo (present perfect). Both the verbs essere and avere act as helping verbs in compound tense formations. For example: io sono stato (I was) and ho avuto (I had). Auxiliary Verb Avere In general, transitive verbs (verbs that carry over an action from the subject to the direct object) are conjugated with avere as in the following example: Il pilota ha pilotato laeroplano. (The pilot flew the plane.) When the passato prossimo is constructed with avere, the past participle does not change according to gender or number: Io ho parlato con Giorgio ieri pomeriggio. (I spoke to George yesterday afternoon.)Noi abbiamo comprato molte cose. (We bought many things.) When the past participle of a verb conjugated with avere is preceded by the third person direct object pronouns lo, la, le, or li, the past participle agrees with the preceding direct object pronoun in gender and number. The past participle may agree with the direct object pronouns mi, ti, ci, and vi when these precede the verb, but the agreement is not mandatory. Ho bevuto la birra. (I drank the beer.)Lho bevuta. (I drank it.)Ho comprato il sale e il pepe. (I bought the salt and pepper.)Li ho comprati. (I bought them.)Ci hanno visto/visti. (They saw us.) In negative sentences, non is placed before the auxiliary verb: Molti non hanno pagato. (Many didnt pay.)No, non ho ordinato una pizza. (No, I didnt order a pizza.) Auxiliary Verb Essere When essere is used, the past participle always agrees in gender and number with the subject of the verb, so you have four endings to choose from: -o, -a, -i, -e. In many cases, intransitive verbs (those that cannot take a direct object), especially those expressing motion, are conjugated with the auxiliary verb essere. The verb essere is also conjugated with itself as the auxiliary verb. Here are a few examples of the trapassato congiuntivo: Speravo che avessero capito. (I was hoping they had understood.)Avevo paura che non avessero risolto quel problema. (I was afraid they hadnt resolved that problem.)Vorrebbero che io raccontassi una storia. (They would like me to tell a story.)Non volevo che tu lo facessi cosà ¬ presto. (I didnt want you to do it as soon.) Trapassato Congiuntivo of the Verbs Avere and Essere PRONOUN AVERE ESSERE che io avessi avuto fossi stato(-a) che tu avessi avuto fossi stato(-a) che lui/lei/Lei avesse avuto fosse stato(-a) che noi avessimo avuto fossimo stati(-e) che voi aveste avuto foste stati(-e) che loro/Loro avessero avuto fossero stati(-e)

With reference to ONE country, discuss the ways that particular Essay

With reference to ONE country, discuss the ways that particular landscapes can come to symbolise national identity - Essay Example to its present view depending upon the predominance of particular nations and communities which were considered ‘literate’ and had the means and material to document their comprehension. The dominance of religion, race and its assertion on the human populations are still having far reaching consequences despite all the scientific progress. Ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, Inca, China and India have their own peculiarities associated with the geographical features of their particular regions. However the most visible effect on the world has been that of European dominance, particularly the English colonial era and its impact in influencing the mindset of the people who were subject to colonial rule. The Earth without its living mass is a very cruel and inhospitable territory. It is just a small speck in the vast magnanimity of the limitless universe. Visualized from a perspective of an alien, one cannot but wonder how life has evolved on this planet. There is a continuous struggle for existence between the forces of nature and the living things, be it plant or animal. Man being the supposedly most intelligent living form on this planet has modified nature in a manner suitable for the sustenance of its own species. Plants, animals, water and land have been tamed and manipulated by mankind to serve its own survival. However as a corollary the Earth has also imparted its own colour on mankind depending upon locale, resources and material and given rise to particular and distinct communities. The cultural identity thus owes much to mother earth. Mankind has further elaborated itself into the form of countries or nations which have come to symbolize the manner, in which people live, behave and work. This has lead to our present perspective of the world wherein we can clearly demarcate the national identities of people and come to expect particular behaviour patterns from people belonging to a nation. The longitude and latitude, water and mineral

Globalisation Transationals and Economic Policy Essay

Globalisation Transationals and Economic Policy - Essay Example 136-137). Assuming that Boeing has a headstart, the likely outcome is that of Airbus deciding not to produce the aircraft, in favor of 0 loss, rather than to enter the market against Boeing, in which both firms would each incur losses amounting to -5. However, once Europe decides to subsidize Airbus, the outcome of the game shifts in favor of Airbus, and it can decide to go head-on with Boeing in the market, earning profits while Boeing incurs losses. Moreover, should Boeing decide to not produce as it would be incurring 0 loss in this, Airbus by producing the aircraft would allow it to raise its profits from 0 loss in the previous scenario with no subsidy to 110 profits post-subsidy by Europe. Krugman further notes that out of this, 100 represents a gain of national income for Europe, and conversely, a loss of the same amount for America. This shows that under some circumstances, a country can lift its welfare by supporting its own firms against foreign competitors. At the same time , a domestic firm can lower the profits of other firms which wish to enter the domestic market. Another reason for strategic trade policy as the case above is when viewed from the possibility of existence of external economies - one in which it has been observed that innovative firms, with huge investments in R&D fail to "appropriate fully the knowledge they create". This case is not evident in "perfectly competitive models" as when increasing returns is tied with economies of scale in markets with imperfect competition. The argument for strategic trade policy based on externalities however need not affect other countries' welfare negatively - as when governments choose particular industries or firms to support. However, this is not the case when externalities are at the national level, in which clearly free trade is at the mercy of a government's protectionist policies. Pursuing a strategic trade policy is limited by at least three factors that make it a less desirable option. First, external economies are difficult to measure, measurement of which is needed to formulate interventionist policies (i.e. difficult to measure the exact external benefit of say, a $10 investment in R&D). Second, rent-seeking firms could water down the gains from interventionist policies. Third, a country's considerations for its economy overall adds greatly to the empirical difficulty of formulating strategic trade policies (that is, "a country cannot protect everything and subsidize everything"). The above considerations however, according to Krugman do not render the pursuit of strategic trade policy undesirable. In most cases, they point to caution as to the difficulties are due to empirical considerations - and yet, governments are not altogether, lacking in information. In what sense, of any, is it appropriate to consider that international trade in today's world is free International trade in today's world can be considered free to a certain extent by measuring the progress done compared to the past. For example one indicator suggests that the pace of international tra

Marketing Law and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marketing Law and Ethics - Essay Example Organizations today have to adhere to the minimum environmental and ethical standards while conducting their operations locally or globally (Schlegelmilch, 1998, p.7). The project seeks to present some of major ethical issues faced by organizations. In this context the case of British petroleum oil spill would be considered and the various CSR that the organization undertook thereafter. The company has been criticised of being responsible for some of the major safety and environmental accidents. Since then the company has been involved in a number of socially responsible activities and voiced their concern for the climatic changes arising out of such businesses. It has also tried to implement practices of curtailing the emission of greenhouse gases. The project then seeks to analyze and evaluate the interactions between the marketing practices and the moral, legal and ethical environment in which the company operates. ... These factors have not only been resulting in loss of the company’s goodwill but have also generated huge revenue losses. As the company accounts for a major strength of the economy, earning a bad reputation would eventually result in a shock for the British economy (Lustgarten, 2010). The thought that the company has not been acting in socially responsible manner causes damage to the economy as well. CSR activities must be such which contributes to the economy while a poor CSR causes damage to the economic benefit of the nation on the whole (Werther & Chandler, 2010, p.28). BP has also been accused of a number of major accidents which has caused injuries to workers working in the company. This has been responsible for the arrival of a number of legal issues. A number of rules and compliances have come up for safeguarding the interest of workers. Companies have to specially abide by such compliances in the form of compensating for the loss of workers in case they meet accident s and injuries during the time of service. Companies have to implement sufficient safety standards for ensuring the safety of workers and their wellbeing. Criticisms regarding ethical issues were pointed at the company when it was charged of manipulating the prices of propane. In fact In that case, it had to settle the issue with the United States Department of Justice. Moreover it had to make a payment of $300 million in the form of fines for the purpose. This can be considered to be a case of ethical failure of the firm. The above accidents and incidents also reflect the status of moral standards followed in the company. The families of those workers meeting with accidents in the company have been claiming compensation on

Psychology (senses) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychology (senses) - Essay Example To better understand this loss, put yourself in the situation that you cannot feel if you have touched something excessively hot (called thermoception), such as a hot stove, and continually receive burns to a large part of your body through the inability to continually feel the heat every time you touch the stove. Think of this exact situation whereby you are a child of toddler age, where you continually touch a hot stove without the ability to feel that it is hot and need to be rushed to the hospital in critical condition with third degree burns and having your mother explain why this happened and no one believing her. By losing this feeling of touch it is hard to understand how hot or cold things are, for instance in the above example, heat was used, now by losing the sense of pressure (tactition) whereby you cannot feel various forms of pressure would be difficult as the skin covers all your major body parts.

Workplace Risk Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Workplace Risk - Case Study Example The Court of Appeal agreed with the trial court, that the movement of the reel was caused by a gravity risk and the failure to provide adequate device for safety was the main cause of the injury. In addition, the reel had to be moved from a high to a low elevator and the danger that was supposed to be guarded against came about from the force of the reel. The plaintiffs’ injury was as a result of a direct consequence of the reel going downstairs as if he was positioned in the reel’s path (Victor Vs New York Exchange, Case no 197). As a result, he suffered from an injury that was elevation related while acting as a counterweight pulley to descend an 800 pound reel down stairs. He is said to have been dragged into the make shift pulley when the reel rapidly descended downstairs. The question was whether the plaintiff injury was as a result of a direct consequence of failure to have adequate protection against such a risk that arose from physically differential elevation. 240(1), of labor law claims that a liability strict statute was designed to prevent accidents where protection devices of the above enumerated injury of the statute proved to be insufficient to shield the plaintiff from any injury that occurred from the force of gravity to the reel. Nevertheless, since the plaintiff was injured while trying to descend following the reels path, he is entitled to recover under section 240(1), and should not be denied any legal course. The differential elevation was not seen as de minimis, because the weight of th e reel and the amount of force it had was enough to generate the course of a short descent, as well as cause harm to the worker (Victor Vs New York Exchange, Case no 197). The trial courts showed that the worker was indeed injured, in addition to suffering from permanent and serious injuries on both his hands while trying to descend the reel downstairs, as well as installing defendant power

Business Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business Paper - Essay Example Through the stage of editing, it is crucial for one to realize the significance of making changes such that the substance of the business paper turns out to promote a better approach to closing a deal between the parties involved. Since business paper may assume a variety of forms as essay, proposal letter, research paper, position paper, and thesis or dissertation, a business writer ought to account for the primary objective that fully justifies the essential ideas to be brought across. Hence, even on conducting revisions, the writer should render adjustments based on the elements which chiefly deliver corporal thoughts, values, and style. On editing, consistency with formal tone must be maintained as well as the use of passive voice in keeping the formality intact throughout the paper. As much as possible, the corrections employed on the work should necessitate concise expressions in which case, modifiers in series are reduced to one or two words that are rather more technical in nature. Furthermore, the editing staff or individual sees to it that a firm resolve is established within the course of rewriting and that the output relies heavily on facts and figures. Similarly, the presentation of the paper’s substance must be supported by arguments that strictly adhere to objectivity as reflected in the quantity of evidence utilized and the accompanying vocabulary to state it. Fairness in critique or judgment and sound transactions among correspondences are sustained for whenever one optimizes making reference to factual input.

Workplace Risk Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Workplace Risk - Case Study Example The Court of Appeal agreed with the trial court, that the movement of the reel was caused by a gravity risk and the failure to provide adequate device for safety was the main cause of the injury. In addition, the reel had to be moved from a high to a low elevator and the danger that was supposed to be guarded against came about from the force of the reel. The plaintiffs’ injury was as a result of a direct consequence of the reel going downstairs as if he was positioned in the reel’s path (Victor Vs New York Exchange, Case no 197). As a result, he suffered from an injury that was elevation related while acting as a counterweight pulley to descend an 800 pound reel down stairs. He is said to have been dragged into the make shift pulley when the reel rapidly descended downstairs. The question was whether the plaintiff injury was as a result of a direct consequence of failure to have adequate protection against such a risk that arose from physically differential elevation. 240(1), of labor law claims that a liability strict statute was designed to prevent accidents where protection devices of the above enumerated injury of the statute proved to be insufficient to shield the plaintiff from any injury that occurred from the force of gravity to the reel. Nevertheless, since the plaintiff was injured while trying to descend following the reels path, he is entitled to recover under section 240(1), and should not be denied any legal course. The differential elevation was not seen as de minimis, because the weight of th e reel and the amount of force it had was enough to generate the course of a short descent, as well as cause harm to the worker (Victor Vs New York Exchange, Case no 197). The trial courts showed that the worker was indeed injured, in addition to suffering from permanent and serious injuries on both his hands while trying to descend the reel downstairs, as well as installing defendant power

Managing under uncertainty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managing under uncertainty - Essay Example This contributes to the different performances of companies that deal with products or services in a similar field. However, urgencies, as well as external and internal conditions influence the decision making of the management in organizations, whose effect could be unanticipated. Having been in operation for slightly more than 10 years, a growing business was soon headed for failure. Call it RIMPA for confidential purposes; it was established to offer transportation services for companies dealing with large cargo. Eventually, its operating commercial vehicles were hired by government companies, and beer and bottling firms, let alone the private and small scale firms. The company also run parallel businesses in agriculture and had various investments within the country. In the hard economic times of the 2007 to 2008 global recession, RIMPA had complex problems with its management branches. What later followed was questionable resource depletion and bankruptcy in some branches, since they were managed separately. The problems called for quick remedy to prevent further loss and keep the business operational. Each branch had its manager and a team of advisors as its board, then lower the operational managers, then the employees. In the general context, the top executives of the general company were separate, but involved with decisions at the branch level. Various factors were not adding up, from accounting, management, to performances; and the top executives had to step in to make the decisions. Due to the deteriorated performances and losses in three branches, they were offered for sale to minimize the loss. The managers had 3 months termination notices for what the executives believed was lost trust and management discrepancies. It was evident that the aim of their decision was to cut down costs that were already spreading to the performing branches. Initially, before their grand decision, there were some efforts to bail them out, which were initiated by the b ranches management though never successful. In the long run, the grand decision managed to save the little left, not to mention that the sales of the branches were at a loss. A good number of employees were laid off, but that ended up in court, as they sought for compensation. The whole situation affected the rest of the branches. The employees’ salaries were shrunk by 18 percent, from the middle managers to the least employees. As though never enough, the top management decided to increase the cost of their services by 12 % to maintain profits. In less than 2 months, most employees had resigned for better paying jobs in other companies. The company’s clients had also reduced their requests for services, since they opted for alternative means to transport their goods. Explaining the Decision using Bounded Rationality Theory The implications of a decision can be difficult to detect in the beginning. Most of them unfold with time, or even develop into a complex problem i f not well controlled. It is obvious that most people would feel that the decisions made in RIMPA were probably out of scope. However, placed in the situation and with similar constraints, making such decisions would have been inevitable. For this reason, the decision behavior of the top executives must have been affected by their limited cognitive capabilities. The decision behavior of humans cannot conform to the idea of full rationality because they lack unlimited cognitive capabilities (Selten, 1999). Hence, it was reasonable for the top executives

Spectrum Brands Essay Example for Free

Spectrum Brands Essay -Remington leader on shaving and personal care products generates global revenue of US$350 million with 8 sales reps assigned to specific retailers. -United/Nu-Gro leaders in the lawn and garden care with sales US$550 million and insect control products with sales US$150 million, target customers who desire comparable products with lower prices than premium-prices. -Distributors offer same services than an internal sales force could and are responsible for the sales in the diverse geographical locations of pet retailer markets. Weaknesses -Spectrum through Rayovac have been able to secure space shelf space in a small number of retailers while competitors gain market share through greater control over distribution channels, retailers, and prices. -The United/Nu-Gro professional division has its own dedicated sales force that creates a lack and dependency on sales reps expertise. -The lawn and garden care, insect control and pet foods industries Spectrum is in have different seasons that the new sales force must balance. Opportunities -The sales force from competitors offers retail discounts and promotional discounts to retailers, distributors and wholesalers creating a competitive advantage that Spectrum may add as value to its new sales force. -A restructured sales force can focus on the sales growth with greater benefits for the company -Room for greater retail presence by offering product discounts and stealing market share from competition if the sales costs are better managed. Threats -That the new sales force would end up doing significant duplication of efforts if sales reps would call same retailers at the same time. -An ineffective selection process of the new sales force could disrupt the growth momentum of Spectrum’s individual brands and the relationships with retailers, wholesalers and customers. Competitors get the benefit. -The sales in the lawn and garden division may be a risk of having a poor season since sales depend on weather conditions. SWOT analysis In general, the current sales force is not efficient as it needs to be. Although the total sales of all divisions are steady, competitors are gaining shelf space through channels of distribution that Spectrum is not able to reach due to the lack of sales focus by its sales force. Inspite of the market share challenge, Spectrum is in a great position to increase the market share by carefully creating a sales force that would increase its market visibility. Market Analysis Battery Market Consumers rely on convenience and quality when purchasing batteries and tend to gravitate towards the brand names. Spectrum’s competitors are Procter Gamble 40% and Energizer battery brand with 40% of the market share. The alkaline battery is expected to dominate the market in 5 years. In Canada, the alkaline battery market is above CAD $300 million. Rayovac holds 20% of the market. It is a household seasonal product and 70% of the sales primary done during and after Christmas. Mass merchandisers, home garden centers and niche electronic stores are used as retailers generate 60% of sales, while 40% of sales are with wholesalers, distributors, especially in Wal-Mart with 40% of shelf space. Shaving and grooming products market. A combination of electronic grooming products and hair care applications with a growth of 3% and expected to continue. It has a sales cycle as gift giving season, shaving and grooming products are in high demand on Christmas, father’s day and mother’s day. Remington merged with Rayovacin2003; Remington (Now Spectrum) has secured 30% in USA and 21% in UK of the market share with global revenue US$350 million in 2003. The major competitors in the shaving market are Norelco (Philips) with rotary shavers and Braun-Gillette (Now Procter Gamble), while in hair care industry are Conair Corporation and Norelco that competes on quality and price. Sales reps have a direct presence in the success of sales since they manage sales directly with small niche retailers like salons, specialty hair and body care. It generates 35% of total sales. Wal-Mart retail generates 40% of sales as a traditional retail channel. Lawn and Garden Market It is driven by the baby boomers population. In North America more than 80% of household’s participants in garden activities generate a US$4 billion industry in sales and a potential annual growth of between 4% and 5%. The insect control products play an important role in this market. When new diseases appeared like West Nile virus and bone diseases, it increases demand for more insect control product raising the market in about 7% to 8% in sales. Scotts and Johnson Son, Inc are the market leaders with products like Ortho and Roundup. United/Nu-Gro company a Canadian subsidiary of United Industries Corporation in USA, is the number 2 company in lawn and garden products with a 23% market share and US$550 million in sales. The key of its success is in offering brand names such as Vigoro, Shultz, and CIL to targeted consumers  who want products at a low price. In the Insect control market, United/Nu-Gro is number 2 with 24% of market share and US$150 million on sales. Mass merchandisers and garden and home centers are the channels used generating 60% of sales in the consumer division. The professional division has its own sales team specialized in professional products for specific customers like golf courses and pest control operators generating 25% and 15% of sales respectively.

Buffering Region of Histidine Monohydrochloride

Buffering Region of Histidine Monohydrochloride The objective of this experiment is to determine the buffering region of histidine monohydrochloride by titrating histidine with a base, NaOH. By plotting a suitable graph, the pKa values of histidine can be observed. Normally, a titration curve is constructed to illustrate the relationship between the pH of the mixture and the number of moles of base added to it. However in this experiment, the graph of pH against the number of moles of NaOH per mole of histidine is plotted. This is to ensure that the graph is independent of the volume and concentrations of the solutions used. After determining the pKa values of histidine, the maximal buffering capacity of the histidine-NaOH mixture, as well as the effective buffering range can be determined. Materials and Methods To prepare 20mM solution of histidine monohydrochloride, 0.196g of histidine monohydrochloride was dissolved in 46.8mL of water, according to the calculations below: No. of moles of histidine = = 9.35 10-4 mol = 46.8 mL Upon complete mixing of the 20mM histidine monohydrochloride solution using a magnetic stirrer, 20mL of the solution was transferred into a beaker. The burette was washed with distilled water followed by NaOH and subsequently filled with 0.05M NaOH. The original pH of histidine solution was measured using the pH meter before proceeding with titration. Titration was carried out by adding NaOH to the histidine solution at 0.5mL increments. After each increment, the pH value of the resulting acid-base mixture was recorded. Titration was stopped when the acid-base mixture reached pH 11.5. Results Calculations Calculation of no. of moles of histidine present in solution = = Plotting graph of pH against no. of moles of NaOH per mol of histidine Table: pH of histidine-NaOH solution with every 0.5mL of NaOH added Determining pKa values of histidine (i) Based on Graph 1, the two rectangles indicate the two regions where the curve approaches the point of inflection. The maximum and minimum points of the regions are marked with the yellow circle. By finding the average values of each set of maximum and minimum points, the respective pKa values can be determined. pKa1 = = 6.12 pKa2 = = 9.45 (ii) pKa1 is the point where = 0.5 pKa2 is the point where = 1.5 Based on Graph 1, pKa1 and pKa2 are points marked with the red cross. pKa1 = 6.16 pKa2 = 9.30 Maximal buffering capacity Effective buffering range Based on Graph 1, the acid-base mixture shows maximal buffering capacity at pH 6.12 and pH 9.45. The effective buffering range of a buffer is between  ±1 of the maximal buffering capacity. Thus, the effective buffering range of histidine is pH 5.12 to pH 7.12 and pH 8.45 to pH 10.45. If NaOH has not been accurately prepared, method used in (c)(i) will give a more reliable estimate of the pKa values. If NaOH has not been accurately prepared, the number of moles of NaOH will be different, changing the ratio of number of moles of NaOH per mole of histidine. Method (c)(ii) depends on this ratio to determine the two pKa values. Hence, inaccurate ratios will cause the resulting pKa values to vary, leading to less reliable estimate of pKa values. On the other hand, method (c)(i) does not depend on the ratio between number of moles of NaOH and histidine. Thus, an inaccurate ratio will not affect the pKa values being determined. Instead, method (c)(i) relies on the point of inflection of the graph, which plots pH against the number of moles of NaOH per mole of histidine. Plotting the graph in this manner ensures that it is independent of the volume and concentrations of the solutions used. In other words, even if NaOH has been inaccurately prepared, changing the concentration of the NaOH solution, the shape of the curve remains similar. Since the shape of the curve does not change, the point of inflection will be almost at the same point. pKa values obtained by method (c)(i) will be similar to the original values when NaOH was prepared accurately. Calculation of pH of the solution after addition of: 5mL of NaOH No. of moles of NaOH added = ÃÆ'- 0.05 = 2.5 x 10-4 mol NaOH †°Ã‚ ¡ Histidine No. of moles of histidine reacted = 2.5 x 10-4 mol Initial no. of moles of histidine = 4 x 10-4 mol No. of moles of histidine left = 4 x 10-4 2.5 x 10-4 mol = 1.5 x 10-4 mol pH = pKa + log pH = 6.12+ log = 6.34 (ii) 12mL of NaOH No. of moles of NaOH added = ÃÆ'- 0.05 = 6.0 x 10-4 mol No. of moles of NaOH left = 6.0 x 10-4 4 x 10-4 = 2.0 x 10-4 mol NaOH †°Ã‚ ¡ Histidine No. of moles of histidine reacted = 2.0 x 10-4 mol Initial no. of moles of histidine = 4 x 10-4 mol No. of moles of histidine left = 4 x 10-4 2.0 x 10-4 mol = 2.0 x 10-4 mol pH = pKa + log pH = 9.45 + log = 9.45 (i) Three ionisable groups are present in histidine at the initial pH of the experiment. The three groups are: carboxyl group, amino group and the R group (imidazole group). (ii) The amino group is responsible for the observed pKa value of 6.12 and the imidazole group is responsible for the pKa value of 9.45. Structures of ionic species of histidine that participate in cellular buffering Discussion Histidine is an amino acid that acts as a buffer and it has three ionisable groups: carboxyl group, amino group and imidazole group. In this experiment, the focus is on the dissociation constant of the amino and imidazole group. The titration curve (as shown in Graph 1) has two steps, or two points of inflection because the amino group dissociates first followed by the dissociation of imidazole group. Hence, the amino group is responsible for the observed pKa value of 6.12 and the imidazole group is responsible for the pKa value of 9.45. Two methods were used to determine the pKa values of histidine. However these calculated values are only estimates and may deviate from the actual values due to the following experimental errors: Parallax error occurs during the reading of the burette, resulting in inconsistent increment of NaOH added to the histidine solution. In other words, each increment of NaOH was not maintained at 0.5mL. This directly affects the precision of the experiment. Possible solution to minimise error: To avoid parallax error, ensure that the burette reading is taken from eye level at the bottom of the meniscus. The burette should also be placed in an upright position, perpendicular to the table. For a more precise burette reading, a black burette reading card can be placed behind the burette so as to get a clearer view, especially when colourless solutions are used. The beaker containing the histidine-NaOH mixture is placed on the magnetic stirrer throughout the titration to ensure a homogenous mixture for more accurate pH readings. After every 0.5mL of NaOH added to the mixture, the pH of the resulting mixture is recorded by using the pH meter. However, it takes time for the pH meter to generate a final pH reading that does not fluctuate. If the pH value is recorded too quickly after the addition of NaOH, the pH reading may be inaccurate. Possible solution to minimise error: To obtain greater accuracy in pH reading, ensure that an appropriate waiting time (about 2min) is maintained between the addition of NaOH and the recording of pH value. Conclusion From this experiment, it can be concluded from the titration curve that the amino group of histidine is responsible for the observed pKa value of 6.12 and the imidazole group is responsible for the pKa value of 9.45. These two pKa values correspond to the pH at which the acid-base mixture shows maximal buffering capacity. The effective buffering range of histidine is pH 5.12 to pH 7.12 and pH 8.45 to pH 10.45. EXPERIMENT 2: Effect of Buffer pKa on Buffering Capacity Introduction Buffers are solutions that are able to maintain a fairly constant pH when a small amount of acid or base is added. This experiment examines the effect of buffers pKa on buffering capacity by studying how well the two buffers of different pKa resist pH changes when acid or base is added. In scientific experiments, it is advisable to choose a buffer system in which the pKa of the weak acid is nearer to the pH of the interest. It will be ineffective for a buffer to resist pH changes if its pKa value is more than 1 pH unit from the pH of interest. Thus the study of the effect of pKa on buffering capacity is important in making a suitable choice of pH buffers for a specific experiment. Materials and Methods We study the effect of buffers pKa on buffering capacity by using 2 different buffers, potassium phosphate buffer and Tris-HCl, with pKa value 6.8 and 8.1 respectively. 3mL of 0.01M potassium phosphate buffer was pipetted into two test tubes, labelled A and B. 3mL of 0.01M Tris-HCl was also pipetted into two test tubes, labelled C and D. Three drops of universal pH indicator were added into each test tube, causing the solutions to turn green in colour (pH 7.0). HCl was added to test tubes A and C until the solutions turned pink (pH 4.0). KOH was added to test tubes B and D until the solutions turned purple (pH 10.0). The number of drops required for the solutions on each test tube to turn pink or purple in colour is recorded. The pH colour chart is used as it shows the colours of the solution at each pH level. Results Questions Table : Number of drops of acid or base needed for buffer solution to deviate from its initial neutrality (pH 7.0) pH Buffer pKa of buffer Initial pH No. of drops of HCl required to become acidic (pH 4.0) No. of drops of KOH required to become alkaline (pH 10.0) 0.01M potassium phosphate buffer 6.8 7.0 5 11 M Tris-HCl 8.1 7.0 2 20 Conclusions drawn from experiments According to Table 2, potassium phosphate buffer requires five drops of HCl to reach pH 4.0, compared to Tris-HCl which requires only two drops of HCl to reach pH 4.0. This shows that potassium phosphate buffer is a more effective buffer against acids. Potassium phosphate buffer requires eleven drops of KOH to reach pH 10.0 while Tris-HCl requires twenty drops of KOH to reach pH 10.0. Based on the results, Tris-HCl behaves as a more efficient buffer under basic conditions as it requires more amount of KOH than that of potassium phosphate to reach pH 10.0. This means that Tris-HCl has greater ability to resist increases in pH but not decreases in pH. On the other hand, potassium phosphate buffer is a more efficient buffer under acidic conditions as it requires lesser amount of HCl to reach pH 4.0. Similarly, this means that potassium phosphate buffer has greater ability to resist decreases in pH but not increases in pH. It can be deduced that a buffer with greater pKa value is a more efficient buffer in basic conditions while a buffer with smaller pKa value is a more efficient buffer in acidic conditions. Choosing a suitable buffer to study the properties of a phosphatase which functions optimally at pH 7.2 I would use the 0.01M Tris-HCl to study the properties of a phosphatase. It is more appropriate to use a buffer with effective buffering range nearer to the pH of phosphatase. Tris-HCl has an effective buffering range of pH 7.1 to 9.1 while potassium phosphatase buffer has an effective buffering range of pH 5.8 to 7.8. Simply by considering the effective buffering range of the two buffers, it can be concluded that both buffers can be used to study the properties of phosphatase which functions optimally at pH 7.2. However, considering the effective buffering range of the buffers is not sufficient to come to a sound conclusion. In this case, phosphatase is an enzyme that functions to hydrolyse phosphate groups. By adding potassium phosphate buffer to phosphatase, phosphatase will break down the phosphate group in the potassium phosphate buffer. This changes the chemical properties and hence the buffering capability of the potassium phosphate buffer. Therefore, Tris-HCl is a more suitable buffer for the studying of phosphatase. Discussion In Experiment 1, the endpoint of the reactions is determined using a pH meter and construction a titration curve. However in this experiment, the endpoint is visually observed by the help of a pH colour chart. Possible sources of experimental errors arising from this method and ways to improve the experiment are discussed below: In this experiment, only two types of buffers, Tris-HCl and potassium phosphate buffer, were used. The experiment can be improved by using more types of pH buffers to obtain more data. This will allow more accurate evaluation of the relationship between the pKa value and the buffering capacity, and thus the effect of pKa value on the buffering capacity. Although the pH colour chart is used to compare the colours of the solutions, personal judgment comes into play when determining the colour change in the chemical reactions. Possible solution to minimise error: Be consistent in deciding the point of colour change and the endpoint of the experiment. Conclusion From this experiment, it can be concluded that a buffer with greater pKa value is a more efficient buffer in basic conditions and a buffer with smaller pKa value is a more efficient buffer in acidic conditions. Though a buffers pKa can affect its buffering capacity, however when choosing a suitable buffer for an experiment, we cannot simply rely on the pKa of a buffer. It is also crucial to consider the chemical properties and structure of the buffer and other reagents to be used in the experiment. EXPERIMENT 3: Effect of Temperature on the pH of a buffer Introduction The aim of this experiment is to examine the effect of temperature on the pH of a buffer. This can be done by observing the changes in pH of two different buffers when temperature of the buffer solution decreases from room temperature to 4 °C. pH of the buffers that are used to maintain the pH of the lab samples can change during changes in temperature due to cooling process. Changes in pH of buffers upon temperature changes can be explained by the Le Chateliers Principle. The study of the effect of temperature on pH of a buffer is crucial in choosing the right pH buffer that is able to show minimum changes in buffer pH, to maintain the properties of the biological samples that requires specific pH environment. Materials and Methods We study the effect of temperature on the pH of a buffer by using two different buffers, 0.01M potassium phosphate buffer and 0.01M Tris-HCl. 3mL of each buffer solution were pipetted into two separate test tubes. The initial pH values of the two buffers at room temperature are measured using the pH meter and recorded. Subsequently, both test tubes were placed into the ice box to cool to 4 °C. After 20 minutes, the test tubes were taken out of the ice box and placed in an ice bath to maintain the temperature of the buffer solutions at 4 °C. The pH of the cooled buffer solutions were measured again and recorded to obtain the results as seen in Table 3. By evaluating the pH changes (either increase or decrease) and the extent of these changes from the original pH value, we can observe the effect of temperature on the pH of a buffer. Results Questions Table : The changes in the pH of the buffer solution as temperature is decreased to 4 °C Buffer pH at room temperature pH at 4 °C Difference in pH change (unit) 0.01M potassium phosphate buffer 7.03 7.49 0.46 0.01M Tris-HCl 7.01 8.16 1.15 Effect of temperature on the pH of Tris-HCl and potassium phosphate buffer According to Table 3, at low temperature of 4 °C, both buffer solutions become more alkaline. As temperature decreased from the room temperature to 4 °C, the pH potassium phosphate buffer increased from 7.03 to 7.49, with a difference in pH change of 0.46. With the same change in temperature, the pH of Tris-HCl increased from 7.01 to 8.16, with a difference in pH change of 1.15. This shows that Tris-HCl exhibits greater changes in pH than potassium phosphate buffer, upon a given change in temperature. In conclusion, temperature has a greater effect on the pH of Tris-HCl compared to potassium phosphate buffer. HA A Ã‚ » + H Ã‚ º ΆH = -ve As illustrated by the chemical equation above, the dissociation of buffers are endothermic processes. Being an endothermic process, heat is being absorbed and temperature decreases. Based on Le Chateliers Principle, when temperature decreases, the system will react to result in an increase in temperature. Hence, decreasing temperature to 4 °C favours the backward reaction, which is an exothermic reaction that produces heat. The position of equilibrium shifts to the left, more H Ã‚ º reacts with A Ã‚ » to form HA. Thus, the concentration of H Ã‚ º decreases and causes the pH of the buffer to increase. Discussion Based on the experimental results, it is clear that temperature changes the pH of the buffer. Though this is not a complicated experiment, it is still subjected to experimental errors and can be improved by the following ways: Only two types of buffers, Tris-HCl and potassium phosphate buffer, were used in this experiment. The experiment was also conducted at only one temperature. Using several buffers over a range of temperatures will allow us to observe the pH of a variety of buffers at different temperatures. In addition, both buffers used in this experiment showed an increase in alkalinity. Hence, including more variety of buffers will allow us to evaluate which type of buffer has tendency to become more alkaline or acidic with the changes in temperature. This experiment was conducted without the use of a thermometer, hence there was uncertainty in determining the temperature of the buffer solutions. It was assumed that by placing the test tubes in the ice box for 20 minutes and then transferring into an ice bath, the buffer solutions would be maintained at 4ËÅ ¡C. However, it is difficult to maintain ice baths at 4ËÅ ¡C for a long period of time due to heat gain from the surroundings. Possible solution to minimise error: Keep a thermometer in the ice bath and consistently check the temperature of the ice bath. Add in more ice when the ice melts. It was difficult to identify the endpoint of the experiment. Even after a long period of time (about 30 minutes), the pH reading shown on the pH meter still continued to increase slowly. Hence, stopping the experiment too early may result in an inaccurate pH reading. Possible solution to minimise error: Since it is difficult to identify the endpoint of the experiment, it is perhaps more logical to standardise the duration of the experiment for both buffer solutions. For example, 30 minutes for each buffer solution. Conclusion From this experiment, it can be concluded that a decrease in temperature will cause a change in pH of a buffer. However, the pH of the buffer does not always increase when temperature decreases. This depends on whether the dissociation process is endothermic or exothermic. In the case of an endothermic dissociation process, pH of the buffer will increase when temperature decreases. This can be explained by Le Chateliers Principle which states that the backward exothermic reaction will occur so as to counteract the change. Hence, the Tris-HCl and potassium phosphate buffers become more alkaline as temperature decreases.

Assembly :: Essays Papers

Assembly When programming in assembly language, we have to specify operations in a much greater level of detail than we would have to do in a high level language. Furthermore, we get relatively little help from the assembler in finding errors. Assemblers can only check the syntax of each line, and check that every symbol or label used is defined somewhere. We are much less constrained by the structure of the assembly language than we are by the structure of a high level language. This lack of constraint makes the job much harder, not easier. It is much easier to write an incorrect program in assembly language that in C++ or Pascal. It is much more likely that mistakes, will not be found by the assembler, so that we get runtime errors, which are harder to find, rather than compile time errors which are easier to find. For these reasons, we need to be even more careful when programming in assembly language than we are when programming in a high level language. We need to apply all of t he skills we have learned in relation to high level language programming to assembly language programming. Planning our work carefully is equally important, building a design package, by following appropriate style conventions when writing the program, and by providing good documentation with appropriate commenting of the program text. After building the design, it is wise to write a high level language program, to help check out the program logic and to serve as a model for the assembly language program. The high level language program can then be translated little by little into assembly language, perhaps a procedure at a time, and can be used to document the logic of the assembly language program. Clearly, we should use a compiler to translate a high level language program into machine code if we have a compiler at hand. There are circumstances, however; when it is necessary to do the translation on our own. It is nevertheless wise to write out the high level language program, even if you cannot compile it for the machine in question. It is not necessary or desirable for the programming of embedded microprocessors to be done in assembly language. Indeed, assembly language should be regarded as a last resort, to be used when compilers are not available, or in very special circumstances. Assembly :: Essays Papers Assembly When programming in assembly language, we have to specify operations in a much greater level of detail than we would have to do in a high level language. Furthermore, we get relatively little help from the assembler in finding errors. Assemblers can only check the syntax of each line, and check that every symbol or label used is defined somewhere. We are much less constrained by the structure of the assembly language than we are by the structure of a high level language. This lack of constraint makes the job much harder, not easier. It is much easier to write an incorrect program in assembly language that in C++ or Pascal. It is much more likely that mistakes, will not be found by the assembler, so that we get runtime errors, which are harder to find, rather than compile time errors which are easier to find. For these reasons, we need to be even more careful when programming in assembly language than we are when programming in a high level language. We need to apply all of t he skills we have learned in relation to high level language programming to assembly language programming. Planning our work carefully is equally important, building a design package, by following appropriate style conventions when writing the program, and by providing good documentation with appropriate commenting of the program text. After building the design, it is wise to write a high level language program, to help check out the program logic and to serve as a model for the assembly language program. The high level language program can then be translated little by little into assembly language, perhaps a procedure at a time, and can be used to document the logic of the assembly language program. Clearly, we should use a compiler to translate a high level language program into machine code if we have a compiler at hand. There are circumstances, however; when it is necessary to do the translation on our own. It is nevertheless wise to write out the high level language program, even if you cannot compile it for the machine in question. It is not necessary or desirable for the programming of embedded microprocessors to be done in assembly language. Indeed, assembly language should be regarded as a last resort, to be used when compilers are not available, or in very special circumstances.

Human Communication Essay

In order to discuss fully the concept of cultural differences in human communication, it is important to tackle this in light of Latin communication. Aside from the fact that the United States and several Latin countries are geographical neighbors, it is undeniable that the American society of today is very much diverse. There are a growing number of Latin populations in the American society, thus interacting and communicating with one is inevitable. This topic is very interesting because we are not only looking at the idea of cultural differences, but we also apply it to the aspect of Latin communication. Communication is an integral part of the society, and with the Latin demographics to consider, it really deserves to be studied and be understood. In a reference used for this research, it was found out that the difference between Latin and other languages used for communication is crucial because it may be misinterpreted or be inappropriately used in communicating between cultures. A Latin word inappropriately used by an American speaker may be offensive, and vice versa. Even actions or behavior could also be misunderstood, or be considered impolite if not done properly. A concrete example would be kissing and hugging (U. S. Institute of Languages, 1995). In Latin, these are acts of simple communication as a greeting. Men and women alike do this, purely a friendly gesture with no romantic meaning being attached. Another reference focused on cultural differences in Latin communication when it comes to the workplace (Wederspahn, 2001). It focused on various concerns like communicating with bosses, peers, and subordinates, as well as dealing with people from other cultures. This research is important in communication because it helps in bridging the gap between different cultures. Knowing about a different culture like Latin is a big step in understanding it. If it is properly understood, then a good communication may proceed. The person communicating would know the boundaries and limits to the Latin communication process. He knows what should be and what shouldn’t be done, as well as what the other person might think with his actions. This improves the flow of communication, thus helping destroy the cultural barrier in communication. References: U. S. Institute of Languages. (1995). Spanish Culture and Nonverbal Communication. Retrieved January 25, 2009, from http://www. spanishprograms. com/spanish-culture. htm Wederspahn, G. M. (2001). Cross-Cultural Communication Between Latin American and U. S. Managers. Retrieved January 25, 2009, from http://www. grovewell. com/pub-Latin+US-mgrs. html

Barriers, challenges, and strategies Essay

Most clinical health care workers are aware that achieving the paradigm of evidence-based practice (EBP) is the gold star standard that one strives for in his/her clinical practice. EBP is expected of healthcare clinicians and has become a synonym for quality care both by the institution of healthcare and its consumers (Brim & Schoonover, 2009). This essay will define EBP for nurses. The barriers, challenges and strategies to implementing evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) will be discussed with reference to relevant and authoritative literature. As well, the relevance and the links that EBNP has with the clinical area of Intensive Care will be discussed. EBP is the integration, by clinicians, of clinical expertise which is meticulous, explicit and uses current clinically appraised professional knowledge (Eizenberg, 2011; Kenny, Richard, Ceniceros, & Blaize, 2010). EBP accommodates patient preferences, views and values; while also guiding, supporting, validating and answering health care workers clinical judgements, practices, and questions (Eizenberg, 2011; Kenny et al., 2010; Matula, 2005; Wolf, 2005). EBP is a process of asking a clinical question; searching for clinical evidence; critically appraising this evidence and then expertly integrating this evidence with patient’s values, views and preferences; evaluation of how the changes to practice have had on outcomes; and finally disseminating the results that the EBP or change had on patient outcomes (Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, Stillwell, & Williamson, 2010). The definition of EBP and EBNP and the implementation of EBNP appear to be straightforward and easily accomplished; however, EBNP implementation is far removed from being easy (Brim & Schoonover, 2009; Cullen, Titler, & Rempel, 2011; Eizenberg, 2011; Kenny et al., 2010; Tolson, Booth, & Lowndes, 2008). Nursing research has uncover ed numerous challenges and barriers which the implementation of EBNP faces. These challenges and barriers can be classified as a research, a clinician, an organisational, a nursing professional barrier, and not least patient barriers (Fernandez, Davidson, & Griffiths, 2008; Gerrish et al., 2011; Hutchinson &Johnston, 2006; Ross, 2010). Eizenberg (2011), Gerrish et al. (2011), and Ross (2010) found that nurses face research and clinician barriers that include not having the time, skills and knowledge to critically critique and/or synthesise research literature, unable to effectively use and search databases electronically, hold negative views toward research and feel research is too complex, as  well research at times is not clear on how to implement the findings and findings can be contradictory. Due to these barriers, nurses tend to rely on synthesised evidence such as evidence-based protocols, policies and procedures (Gerrish et al., 2011). Eizenberg (2011) and Gerrish et al. (2011) also found that nurses prefer to acquire information through third parties such as their colleagues, the workplace, through patient care experience, and the knowledge they received from their nursing education. Eizenberg (2011) found that the organisation is the greatest factor in successful EBNP implementation. The organisation controls access and the budget to and for evidence resources such as computers with internet access, a well-equipped library, and access to educational opportunities in EBNP procedures and theory (Eizenberg, 2011). The barrier of not having the authority to change a nursing practice also lies with the organisation – a nurse may have the necessary research knowledge and experience to effectively change practice but cannot implement practice change due to the organisation not giving him/her the authority to instill change (Eizenberg, 2011). Few nursing staff members are given the opportunity to participate in the development of evidence-based policies and procedures; therefore, most nurses are not engaged to support EBP. Ross (2010) further found organisational barriers such as the organisation giving priority to other goals (for example excess sick leave) over EBNP, the organisation may perceive that the staff are not ready or willing to implement EBNP, and that the organisation believes EBNP is unachievable. These organisational barriers prevent EBNP being accomplished and to the greater extent of not being implemented. A barrier of nursing profession relates to the medical dominance of healthcare; as such, nurses are not afforded the power, authority, autonomy and respect from colleagues for nursing practice that the status of being a profession decrees (Brim & Schoonover, 2009; Eizenberg, 2011; Gerrish et al., 2011). A further nursing profession barrier is it can be difficult to instill enthusiasm or information about an EBNP if turnover is high; there is a shortage of experienced nurses; and support from colleagues is lacking (Gerrish et al., 2011; Mark, Latimer, & Hardy, 2010). Due to high turnover and staff shortages, nurses are unable to leave the bedside and have limited time to participate in EBNP projects such as journal clubs, or to attend training in EBP, PICO  (Population/Intervention/Comparison/Outcome), and database searches (Brim & Schoonover, 2009; Brown, Johnson, & Appling, 2011). Nurses, as Kenny et al. (2010) found were hesitant to change their practice if the change would perceivably increase an already heavy workload. Brim & Schoonover (2009) found that some nurses believed EBNP to be an optional course of action as they were never shown a clear direction of what EBNP is essential to nursing and his/her practice. One of the main premises of EBNP is that the evidence and the v alues and beliefs of the patient/s are synthesised together to form an EBNP which is foremost favourable for a positive outcome for the patient/s (Fernandez et al., 2008). Such factors as treatment, travel, and prescription costs; denial of diagnosis; inadequate knowledge level of disease and strategies to decrease risk factors; lack of social support; and cultural issues can all potentially become barriers to implementing an EBNP for a patient or patients (Fernandez et al., 2008). The high acuity of an intensive care unit (ICU) patient significantly affects a nurse’s ability to search a database for answers (Brim & Schoonover, 2009; Kenny et al., 2010). An answer to a question is usually needed immediately or momentarily; therefore, ICU nurses rely on experience, colleagues, and knowledge of evidence-based policies, procedures and guidelines (Eizenberg, 2011; Gerrish et al., 2011). I know I rely heavily upon in-services, experience, and speaking with the ICU Clinical Nurse Educators and Nurse Educators who will do a literature search to acquire information or answers to a question I have posed – but once again this evidence/information h as been synthesised by others and is third hand and I have not fully practiced EBN (Eizenberg, 2011; Gerrish et al., 2011). To try and challenge this barrier I do try and read the clinical information the educator obtained at a later date – usually at home or on a break. Strategies to overcome these challenges and barriers abound from EBP and EBNP journal articles and books. Some of the leading strategies are for the organisation to fully support EBNP through infrastructure, strong leadership from nurse managers and/or advanced practice nurses, and by ensuring a context in which EBNP can flourish (Gerrish et al., 2011; Tolson et al., 2008). The infrastructure needs to provide access to a computer which can access online databases. Infrastructure needed to be in place includes a staffed evidence based nursing library with a librarian able to educate nurses on the process of  EBNP (Pochciol & Warren, 2009). The added challenge is to have EBNP info accessible to the nurse at the patient’s bedside (Pochciol & Warren, 2009). Nursing leaders need a Master’s degree or above, as studies show that leaders with these credentials read and implement more research literature; are more confident; and they consider themselves more competent in supporting others through the EBNP process (Eizenberg, 2011; Gerrish et al., 2011). Leaders, as suggested by Cullen et al. (2011), hold the responsibility to provide support; to build, to create, and maintain an organisational culture that has the capacity to support EBP at both a clinical and administration level. Leaders must be given the power, authority, and support to introduce change – without this authority change cannot occur (Eizenberg, 2011). Scholars agree that if EBNP is to succeed and be sustainable nurses need to be educated and mentored on the implementation process of EBNP (Brim & Schoonover, 2009; Brown et al., 2011; Eizenberg, 2011; Gerrish et al., 2011; Pochciol & Warren, 2009; Ross, 2010; Tolson et al., 2008). EBNP education of nurses needs to begin at orientation to the hospital and is essential that this education is continually built upon and supported with extra education given to nurse managers, educators and advanced practice nurses (Pochciol & Warren, 2009 & Tolson et al, 2008). Ross (2010) suggests nurses information literacy be improved to ensure nurses are able to practice EBN. Information literacy is the ability to competently recognise, locate, and evaluate the fundamental information required at a given point (Ross, 2010). The ICU, where I am employed, has undergone significant changes to the staff and managerial side of the unit. At one point the Clinical Nurse Specialists ratio decreased to less than 5% of nursing staff and there was not a permanent full time Clinical Nurse Consultant. Without the necessary support acquired from these roles the education of ICU nurses and the implementation of new practices, policies and procedures decreased significantly. These barriers significantly halted EBNP from occurring in the ICU as there were very few highly educated leaders available to support EBNP. As suggested by Eizenberg, (2011), Gerrish et al. (2011), and Cullen et al. (2011), educated leaders and managers are needed to keep and instill EBNP to an institution. To obtain Magnet Status hospitals must ensure that EBNP is in place, is supported, and is sustained by the organisation (Brown et al., 2011). To procure nurse  interest in EBNP, and maintain Magnet Status, some hospitals have linked participation in EBNP to clinical ladder advancement and a monetary reward in the form of a wage increase with advancement up the ladder (Whitmer, Aver, Beerman, & Weishaupt, 2011). To hold their position on the clinical advancement ladder the nurse must show, yearly, that he/she is supporting, or implementing, or participating in EBNP within the setting they are employed (Whitmer et al, 2011). The benefits of practicing EBN includes: patients ability to access effective evidence based treatment information; facilitates consistent improvement, through decision making, to healthcare systems; facilitates decisions based on up-to-date evidence and technologies; and reduces variances in nursing care from one nurse to another – standard and competencies are evidence based and consistent; through evidence based competencies the professional status of nursing is elevated to higher heights (Gerrish et al., 2011; Eizenberg, 2011). In conclusion, the challenges/barriers, barrier strategies, and benefits of EBNP has been discussed. Little discussion on EBNP within an ICU was attempted as the ICU nurses face the same situations, challenges/barriers, strategies and benefits as nurses in other areas of healthcare (Sciarra, 2011). Nurses must be given organisational support, education and knowledge needed to participate proficiently in EBNP. References Brim, C. B., & Schoonover, H. D. (2009). Lessons learned while conducting a clinical trial to facilitate evidence-based practice: the neophyte researcher experience. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 40(8), 380-384. DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20090723-06 Brown, C. R., Johnson, A. S., & Appling, S. E. (2011). A taste of nursing research: an interactive program, introducing evidence-based practice and research to clinical nurses. Journal for Nurses in Staff development, 27(6), E1-E5. DOI: 10.1097/NND.0b013e3182371190 Cullen, L., Titler, M. G., & Rempel, G. (2011). An advanced educational program promoting evidence-based practice. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 33(3), 345-364. DOI: 10.1177/0193945910379218 Eizenberg, M. M. (2011). Implementation of evidence-based nursing practice: nurses’ personal and professional factors? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(1), 33-42. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05488.x Fernandez, R. S., Davidson, P., & Griffiths, R. (2008). Cardiac rehabilitation coordinators’ perceptions of patient-related barriers to implementing cardiac evidence-based guidelines. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 23(5), 449-457. Gerrish, K., Guillaume, L., Kirshbaum, M., McDonnell, A., Tod, A., & Nolan, M. (2011). Factors influencing the contribution of advanced practice nurses to promoting evidence- based practice among front-line nurses: findings from a cross-sectional survey. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(5), 1079-1090. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05560.x Hutchinson, A. M., & Johnston, L. (2006). Beyond the BARRIES Scale: commonly reported barriers to research use. Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(4), 189-199. Kenny, D. J., Richard, M. L., Ceniceros, X., & Blaize, K. (2010). Collaborating across services to advance evidence-based nursing practice. Nursing Research, 59(1S), S11-S21. Mark, D. D., Latimer, R. W., & Hardy, M. D. (2010). â€Å"Stars† aligne d for evidence-based practice. A TriService initiative in the Pacific. Nursing Research, 59(S1), S48-S57. Matula, P. (2005). Evidence-based practice at the bedside: Igniting the spirit of inquiry. The Pennsylvania Nurse, Dec, 22. Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Stillwell, S. B., & Williamson, K. M. (2010). The seven steps of evidence-based practice. Following this progressive, sequential approach will lead to improved health care and patient outcome. The American Journal of Nursing, 110(1), 51-53. Pochciol, J. M., & Warren, J. I. (2009). An information technology infrastructure to enable evidence-based nursing practice. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 33(4), 317-324. Ross, J. (2010). Information literacy for evidence-based practice in perianesthesia nurses: readiness for evidence-based practice. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 25(2), 64-70. DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2010.01.007 Sciarra, E. (2011). Impacting practice through evidence-based education. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 30(5), 269-275. DOI: 10.1097/DCC.0b.013e318227738c Tolson, D., Booth, J., & Lowndes, A. (2008). Achieving evidence-based nursing practice: impact of the Caledonian development model. Journal of Nursing Management, 16, 682-691. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2008.00889.x Whitmer, K., Aver, C., Beerman, L., & Weishaupt, L. (2011). Launching evidence-based nursing practice. Journal for Nurses in Staff Development, 27(2), E5-E7. DOI: 10.1097/NND.0b013e31820eefd2 Wolf, Z. R. (2005). Clinical challenges and evidence based nursing practice. The Pennsylvania Nurse, Dec, 20.

Babel’s Internal Conflicts Essay

Babel’s collection of short stories Red Cavalry was one of the first books that exposed the Russian people to the harsh realities of the Polish-Soviet war. At first the stories seem to be historical fiction meant to entertain; however, upon closer reading these stories become pieces that convey strong moral, religious, political and emotional sentiment. Each short story represents a certain theme, but it is My First Goose that encompasses very well Babel’s feelings towards his own identity. The story illuminates the dynamic relationship between the insider and the outsider through careful use of imagery, tone, and imagery. More specifically, My First Goose addresses Babel’s conflicted sense of identity and self as a Jewish man. In My First Goose, as well as in many of Babel’s other works, the narrator is an ambiguous character that resembles the author (in what way? How do you we know this? ). Although very little information is given about the narrator, by the end of the story readers understand the narrator’s conflict with his identity (this sentence doesn’t really fit here; it is a bit off topic from the rest of the paragraph). The narrator is introduced as an outsider, one who is neither racially (is he a different race? ) nor physically equal to the men of the 6th Division. Savitsky, the first â€Å"insider† that is introduced (phrasing is stylistically awkward), is depicted as a extremely masculine figure whose â€Å"long legs looked like two girls were wedged to their shoulders in riding boots† and whose built body â€Å"split the hut like a banner splitting the sky†. The erotic (perhaps â€Å"erotically despicted/described/portrayed†) , masculine Cossack stands in stark contrast to the envious, feeble, timid, glasses wearing â€Å"powder puff†. Babel chooses to depict the ethnic other as virile and powerful while painting the narrator, a man whom he closely resembles, as a weak, almost effeminate, creature. The choice to do so indicates that the author cannot come to terms with his identity; rather he longs to be as strong and macho as the Cossacks. From the narrators exchange with Savitsky, â€Å"Ha, you lousy fellow, you! They send you to us, no one even asks us if we want you here! † it is suggested that the narrator is an outsider, an intellectual with traits associated with Jews. And even when verbally assaulted the narrator still â€Å"envied the flower and iron of Savitsky’s [that] youth†. Moreover, it is the portrayals of the obvious difference in strength, sexuality, and confidence between the narrator and Savitsky that suggests that Babel viewed his Jewishness as a source of shame. Instead of respecting the fact that the narrator can read and write, skills that were very rare, the Cossack leader mocks the narrator telling him that he would â€Å"get hacked to pieces just for wearing glasses†. And even when shown an obscene gesture by a young peasant the narrator still admires the face of the boy, futher emphasizing how unacceptable he is as a Jew. By accepting his inferiority the narrator further emphasizes his distain for identity. The obvious difference between the narrator and the commander that the author chooses to convey shows how the narrator, and to a certain extent the author, feels his â€Å"Jewishness† makes him inadequate compared to the Cossack soldiers. This paragraph seems a bit unfocused; see if you can pull out the two (? ) main threads and build separate paragraphs around each of them, with a clear, unifying topic sentence for each one) The narrator’s conflict with himself reaches a tipping point when he meets the old woman, and at this point he must make a choice to be an insider or outsider. This crucial decision characterized the reason for Babel’s short story, and he consciously choose to allow the narrator make the choice he did (sentence is awkwardly phrased). After settling down, the narrator begins to read, showing that he is still in touch with his intellectual and Jewish nature; however, he decides to stop reading when he encounters a old woman with glasses (this seems more summary than argument). The bespectacled old woman recognizes him as a Jewish â€Å"comrade† and seeks sympathy from her fellow Jew commenting that â€Å"this business makes me want to hang myself†. At this point the narrator and the author is (subject verb agreement; but also, is the author faced with a choice? faced with a choice: he could acknowledge the old woman as kin and defend his Jewish identity, or he could heed the advice of the quartermaster and â€Å"mess up a lady†. The narrator, and more importantly the author (why â€Å"more importantly the author†? ), decides to violate the only thing the old woman has left. This violation is symbolic: the narrator pushes the white neck of the goose into excrement and pierces the neck of the goose with the sword of another Cossack then forces the woman to cook the goose. With this act the narrator discards his Jewish identity, crushing it in dung, killing it with a borrowed sword. (Here, for example, is a possible place for a paragraph break; then start with a new topic sentence)And only after he has proven his masculinity is he accepted to eat with his new â€Å"brothers†. The narrators is offered a seat at the dinner table and given pork to eat, which he eats without question, with this communion his conversion by the â€Å"heathen priests† is complete. By having the narrator make this choice, Babel not only implies that he may have made the same decision, but also condones the idea of discarding the weakness and intellectualism associated with Jews in favor of violence and ignorance of the Cossacks (that’s a big claim to make—be careful about trying to read the author’s mind! ). At this point it seems that the narrator has completely discarded his Jewishness and embraces his new identity. After his communion with the Cossacks it seems (the repetition of â€Å"it seems† is wishy-washy and non-committal) that the narrator has completely left his identity behind, but it is soon evident that parts of him (wording) remain Jewish, remnants of his Jewishness that cannot be erased (awkward phrasing). Upon completing his violent and brutal killing, the narrator returns to his role as an intellectual and reads a speech given by Lenin to his new comrades. This shows that no matter how hard the narrator tries to escape his identity, he is still the feeble intellectual who has to borrow the sword of a Cossack to kill. The narrator is allowed to sleep with the Cossacks, (that citation doesn’t really add anything here) but even the warmth and camaraderie the narrator receives does not allow him to escape his actions. The last line reveals that a part of him will never be able to accept what he did to gain acceptance from the Cossacks. His heart â€Å"screeched and bled† from his denial of his Jewish identity. Killing the goose and eating pork directly violated his Jewish morals and although superficially he expressed no remorse, subconsciously he cannot accept the Cossack ways. This ambivalent attitude towards one’s identity characterizes Babel’s feelings towards his own attitude. In this story we see a narrator who struggles with the definition of self, and this struggle directly reflects Babel’s own struggles. (again, this paragraph seems to jump from point to point to much; make sure each paragraph is built around a unifying topic sentence; see if you can pull out two point from this one paragraph and bring them out more clearly by creating a separate paragraph for each one) In not only My First Goose, but in most of the short stories of Red Calvary the narrator struggles with his identity as a Jew. Although one cannot be sure what Babel attempts to convey in his pieces, it is clear that the narrators of Babel’s stories undergo the same mental turmoil Babel went through during his service in the Polish Soviet war (this last sentence doesn’t really work as a conclusion).