Attack Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Attack - Essay Example Israel uses all possible means to ensure that the balance of power in the Middle East shifts in her favor. Palestine on the other hand is gripped by fear as Israel strives to maintain and extend her territorial boundaries. Israel has continually done everything in her power to dominate Palestine. In an attempt to fight that dominance, Palestinians have realized their cause, for which they are willing to give up anything – even their own lives. In the fight for their cause, Palestinians have opted for radical measures, including guerilla tactics and terrorism. Extremist groups have emerged, and suicide bombers have realized the need for their hostile acts. In â€Å"The Attack†, Khadra depicts this situation, vividly describing the complexities entailed in both the Palestinian cause and the Israeli cause. In both, the end justifies the means. â€Å"The Attack† neutrally highlights the Arab-Israeli conflict. It offers a multidimensional scope on the hindrances for q uest for peace in the Middle East. Through a political fiction, it aims to elaborate what drives extremists to fight for â€Å"the cause†. It shows why extremists would not think twice about blowing themselves up in order to achieve their end. The author portrays this through the narrator of the story, Dr. Amin Jaafari, an Israeli-Arab. Dr. Amin seems to blend well in an Israeli society, in Tel Aviv. He is a successful surgeon, married to a loving, beautiful and seemingly secular wife. He seems oblivious of the separatist views experienced by Arabs and the Israelis. Unlike most people in the region who are driven by ethnic and religious differences, he is driven by his ambitions to succeed in his career. His bubble bursts when he finds out that his wife was involved in a suicide bombing that left innocent people dead and injured. At first, he did not believe that his wife could be capable of such an evil act until the police asked him to identify the body of the suicide bombe r. He was shocked when the police told him that his wife had not gone to the restaurant where the incident occurred to have a snack. Instead, she went to have a blast (Khadar, 2006). Later, a letter from his wife confirmed his doubts. The incidence gives him the desire to understand his wife’s extremist side, a side he had barely figured out before. The author poses fundamental questions regarding the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He leaves the reader wondering whether the cost paid for the cause is worth it. Lives are lost; people are left psychologically disturbed by the effects of recurrent bomb attacks, hostilities and general unrest. Those close to the attackers are left tormented by betrayal and deceit. For Dr. Amin, news of his wife’s involvement with a fanatic group leaves him with a lot of unanswered questions. After the attack, Amin loses his friends, neighbors and political affiliates, who think that he was his wife’s partner and is there fore equally guilty. Truth is, unlike his wife, he was dedicated to setting aside religious differences; and focusing on his career and success. It is disturbing to imagine why â€Å"a beautiful, intelligent, modern woman, esteemed by the people around her, thoroughly assimilated, pampered by her husband and worshiped by her friends† could end up as a suicide bomber (Khadra 2006). The author leaves the reader wondering whether seemingly modernized individuals from the Middle East may just be putting on a

Open and closed loop control system Essay Example for Free

Open and closed loop control system Essay In this assignment I shall be looking at the differences between open loop control systems, closes loop control systems and also looking at and identifying the input, output and feedback gained. Open Loop Control System The open loop control system is the cheapest form of control system you can have, this is due to its simplicity. The open loop control system has absolutely no artificial intelligence or any form of sensor what so ever. This then means there is nothing controlling the inputs going in to the system, this then means that accuracy may be deficient and the system will not be working to its true efficiency. An example of this kind of system would be that for a microwave. When we turn a microwave on we select the power we want and the time limit we want and away it goes. The thing is, when it is powering itself up, how does it no if its hitting the true temperature we wanted successfully? The answer to this is that is doesnt. Open-loop control is useful for well-defined systems where the relationship between input and the resultant state can be modeled by a mathematical formula. For example determining the voltage to be fed to an electric motor that drives a constant load, in order to achieve a desired speed would be a good application of open-loop control. If the load were not predictable, on the other hand, the motors speed might vary as a function of the load as well as of the voltage, and an open-loop controller would therefore not be sufficient to ensure repeatable control of the velocity. Closed Loop Control System The closed loop control system is rather more expensive to implement than that of its counterpart. This is down to the complexity of the functions that it can complete. The closed loop does have some form of monitoring capabilities and can in fact use sensors ad artificial intelligence well. An example of a closed loop control system would be that of the sprinkler system, where the user sets the desired time for the sprinkler to come on, but instead of juts doing this when set it could read the grass moisture in the first place and then make a split decision in whether it needed to be implemented or not. Control Loop Operations Normally an open loop control system comprises of the following three things, 1. Sensor This is used to measure a value before being passed in to the process 2. Decision Decisions usually follow information from the sensor being collected and analysed. This allows the system to remain up to date and make any appropriate changes accordingly 3. Action This is the action of the computer or comparator altering settings There are two differing types of systems that can be used for control and they are Analogue or digital. The two shall be explained in greater detail below. Digital and Analogue Control Systems. The digital control system is used in the form of a micro controller to control a computer system. A digital controller is usually cascaded with the plant in a feedback system. The rest of the system can either be digital or analog. Some examples of analog systems with a digital feedback controller are:   Aircraft   HVAC   Electric motors   PID controllers   Radar   Robotics   Typically, a digital controller requires: For mixed control types such as digital and analogue systems we need a process of conversion, for example digital to analogue converters (these are called DACS). The opposite can take place, by using an analogue to digital conversion process called ADC. All of these analogue control systems are embedded with micro controllers. These micro controllers have the power to run the systems and comprise of fairly common hardware properties. The typical hardware properties that can be found in the control systems micro controller can be seen below;   CPU This is the central processing unit EPROM Non volatile memory source that doesnt loose its data when the power is switched off   RAM This is the random access memory. I/O These are the input output devises A micro processor will control the control system and process the information in order for it to function correctly. For example, if we have a sprinkler system in the garden as previously described, the inputs and outputs would need to be managed by the micro controller. If the ground was wet, it could check its EPROM (erasable program read only memory) to see what the water density was, and then the process could make a decision and process it appropriately. Below is a list of the inputs that could be put in to this system.   Time for eater to be sprinkled   Required water density in the ground Temperature of the ground   Duration timer Transducers (analogue systems) Usually the forms of input found in the analogue systems are called transducers. There is a specific purpose to doing this and its main reason is down to conversion. If for example we have an electrical input and we want to display it as a picture on the page we must use a television. The transducer in this will be the Cathode ray tube (CRT) which is electromagnetic. When using sensors or transducers the signal must be converted in to an electrical measurement (volts). Below is a list of the possible input devises we can have within a system or a circuit.   Geophone Converts earth tremors in to electrical voltage   Geiger-Muller tube used for measuring radioactivity   Cathode ray tube (CRT) converts electrical signals into visual form When the electrical charge is received it then needs to be converted in to the correct signal type using one of the transducers above, however for these signals to be used correctly we need to obtain the appropriate components. Lamp The input for a lamp is electricity and this is then output as a light source after being converted. This type of power source is used for many things Speaker Gathers electricity from the data source and then is output as a volume so people can hear it. This also has a large application/usage basis   Heat The input again is electricity, this is then converted and output as heat. This is normally found on things like electric fires and car cigarette lighters Motor This is input of electricity and then is output as movement energy. This type of system is used within moving doors.

Land Use And Land Cover In Ethiopia Environmental Sciences Essay

Land Use And Land Cover In Ethiopia Environmental Sciences Essay This research will focus on population dynamics and effects on the state of natural resources and processes of degradation in the lowlands of Ethiopia. Many developing countries are using their natural resources at rates faster than the natural rate of replacement to sustain their rapid population growth; to generate foreign exchange; and to produce raw materials for industries. Millions of poor farmers destroy vast tracts of forest lands to make room for agricultural activities that will provide sufficient food for their household, community or country (Bartelmus, 1986; Drechsel et al., 2001; McNeill, 2006; Appiah et al., 2007). Agriculture, which dominates most of the African economies, has been the main focus of national development plans of governments. In line with this, a variety of land policies and reforms have been instituted in many African countries in an effort to improve the performance of the agricultural sector, but not always with success. In most countries, traditional agricultural practices and low productivity still persist despite major reforms and large monetary investments to transform the sector. Where agricultural innovations have been introduced, short-term successes have often been followed by long- term environmental problems (Miay, 1976; Drechsel et al., 2001; Appiah et al., 2007). The most frequently occurring and rapidly accelerating problem related to agricultural activities is environmental degradation. In practice, most agricultural programs tend to place a heavy emphasis on increasing production and less on resource management and conservation. As a result, the social and environmental implications of population and land-use and land cover changes are overlooked until a serious physical deterioration occurs (Miay, 1976; Fischer, 1993; Davol, 1998; Makhanya, 2004; Long et al., 2006). In Ethiopia, agriculture is the largest source of employment and foreign exchange: it supports some 85% of the working force, produces about 50% of the gross domestic product and generates over 90% of the countrys export earnings. Because the sector is overwhelmingly dominated by subsistence endeavors land degradation is widely prevalent (Dejene, 1990). This problem is further exacerbated by the heavy concentration of population and economic activities on climatically-favored highland areas of the country. The highland areas (defined as lands above 1,500 meters above sea level) constitute 40% of the total area of the country, 66% of the total cultivated land, 90 % of its arable land and nearly 45% of the grazing land, and support about 80% of the livestock and 88% of human population. As a result, these areas happen to be the most vulnerable and degraded physiographic regions in the country (Bruene, 1990; Woldemariam, 1990; McCann, 1995). As a consequence of population growth and hea vy economic activities, land suitable for cultivation is running short in much of the highland regions of the country. As a result, recent years have seen population relocation to the lowland areas where population size and densities are relatively low. However, this has brought about complex changes in the socio-cultural, economic and ecological conditions in the Beles valley of Metekel, northwest Ethiopia (Abute, 2002), one of the areas to which population shifts have taken place. Yntiso (2003) and Abute (2002) document these changes by indicating how massive resettlements in the 1980s have impoverished the indigenous population and created hostility among ethnic groups in Beles valley, Metekel. These studies, however, give much less emphasis to population dynamics and land use and land cover changes resulting from these changes. Assessing ongoing changes in population dynamics and land use and land cover in this region is vital given the fact that more development endeavors (for example, hydropower generation, irrigation, and mechanized agriculture) are being undertaken by the government. At three percent, this area also has one of the fastest population growth rates in the country (CSA, 2008). The consequences of all this on natural resources degradation and management need further investigations. Review of Related Literature This section reviews existing literature on population and environment interactions and the effects of these interactions. In doing so various perspectives on how population dynamics affects the environment are reviewed. Views on Population Dynamics and the Environment The study of the size, growth and characteristics of human population has a long history. Yet, there is no consensus pertaining to its consequential effects on the environment and the ways to solve the resultant problems (Jolly, 1994; Stock, 1995). Population experts offer four different perspectives (models) regarding population dynamics, consequences and ways of overcoming its effects. These perspectives include the models of classical economists, neo-classical economists, dependency and intermediate variables (Jolly, 1994; Stock, 1995; Kalipeni, 1996). Classical economists argue that high population growth results in environmental degradation. Their theory is grounded on the work of economist Thomas Robert Malthus (1873) who argued that population grows faster than food supply. Furthermore, he suggests that humans have to take actions to reduce fertility. Consequently he suggested abstention from sexual intercourse and chastity. If population growth is left unchecked, he argued, natural checks such as famine, pestilence, and war will reduce population growth. Today, neo-Malthusian population experts like Paul Ehrlich and Garrett Hardin (cited in Sherbinin et al., 2007) and others believe that Malthus prophecy is currently happening in Africa where the pace at which population is growing is higher than the rate at which the economy is growing (Jolly, 1994; Stock, 1995; Muriithi, 1996; Panayotou, 2000; Drechsel et al., 2001; Perz et al., 2005). These experts suggest fertility reduction as the key to preventing environmental destructi on and to improve living standards (Jolly, 1994:72; Sherbinin et al., 2007). Neo-classical economists, on the other hand, stress that inefficient market and inappropriate pricing policy as the causes of environmental degradation (Jolly, 1994; Sherbinin et al., 2007). In other words, inept government policies are responsible for this problem. Jolly (1994:66) and Panayotou (2000) suggest a course of actions like reducing subsidies that encourage over exploitation of resources, make people to pay full costs of using common resources that make the market more efficient and effective as the best way to overcome this problem. The proponents of the dependency model, on the other hand, argue that uneven distribution and consumption of resources is more culpable than population size and growth. In this case equitable distribution and consumption of resources is the obvious solution to tackle the problem (Jolly, 1994; Stock, 1995; Kalipeni, 1996; Perz et al., 2005; Sherbinin et al., 2007). Proximate causes Proximate causes Other Factors Environmental Factors Soil quality, topography, etc Biophysical Drivers Fires, droughts, floods, etc Social Events Social disorder, sudden displacement, abrupt policy shifts, etc Wood extraction Fuel wood Charcoal Production Infrastructure Expansion Transport Market Settlements Public Service Private Company Agricultural Expansion Permanent Cultivation Shifting Cultivation Cattle Ranching Colonization Demographic factors Natural increase Migration Population density Population distribution Cultural Factors Public attitudes and beliefs Individual household behavior (unconcerned about resources, rent-seeking) Policy and Institutional Factors Formal Policies (economic development, credit) Policy climate (Mismanagement) Property rights Technological Factors Agro Technical Change ( Intensification) Agricultural production factor Economic Factors Market growth Commercialization Economic structure Urbanization Price increases, etc Proximate and Underlying Causes of deforestation (Source: Geist Lambin, 2002, figure 1, p. 3) Underlying Causes Figure 1.1: Conceptual framework of Proximate and Underlying Causes of land use and land cover changes (Source: Geist Lambin, 2002, figure 1, p. 3) Theorists known as the proximate determinists argue that high population growth alone does not cause environmental degradation. They contend that population increase should be linked to other factors to result in environmental degradation. In other words, high population increase aggravates resource loss in conjunction with other factors like level of technology, consumption, institutions, poverty and policies (Jolly, 1994; Turner, Meyer and Skole, 1994; Barrow, 1995; Lambin et al., 2001Carr et al., 2005; Perz et al., 2005; Harte, 2007; Pabi, 2007; Sherbinin et al., 2007). In sum, there is no simple co-relation between population dynamics and environmental degradation. It is, however, very important to consider critically the relationship between environment and population and the resultant impact from demographic and non-demographic variables as indicated in the conceptual framework below (Figure 1.1). Causes of Land Use and Land Cover Changes This section reviews existing literature on causes of land use and land cover changes. In doing so, various empirical findings on causes of land use and land cover changes worldwide including Ethiopia are reviewed. Land use and land cover changes are the results of the interplay of many factors. The simple assumption that land use and land cover changes have been caused by few factors do not hold true. Rather, many interrelated complex factors best explain the processes of land use and land cover changes (Lambin et al., 2001; Lambin et al., 2003; Liverman et al., 2008). The same authors further contend that Identifying the causes of land-use change requires an understanding of how people make land-use decisions and how various factors interact in specific contexts to influence decision making on land use (Lambin et al., 2003:216). Decision making processes in turn are affected by different factors prevailing at local, regional and global level. Different researchers have put the reasons for land use and land cover changes in two broad categories as proximate (direct) and underlying (indirect or root causes) (Geist Lambin, 2002; Liverman et al., 2008). Lambin et al., (2003) further contend that proximate factors occur at local or household/farm level whereas underlying factors emanate from regional, country or even global level. As a consequence, proximate variables are context and region specific while the root causes on the other hand will be the result of complex political, economic and social conditions occurring at a distance. Farm level analysis allows to address proximate causes and to interpret them in reference to underlying causes (Mottet et al., 2006). Long, et al., (2007) identify industrialization, urbanization, population growth, and Chinas economic reforms as major factors of land use changes in Kunshan. Another study in Zimbabwe also recognized that pressure for agricultural land, building materials and fuel wood triggered land use and land cover changes (Mapedza et al., 2003). The study by Brink and Eva (2009) also reveals that there is a significant degree of land use /cover change in Sub-Saharan Africa. These changes have resulted due to manmade and natural drivers related to high rate of population increase, economic development and globalization on one hand and natural hazards such as floods, landslides, drought and climate change on the other end of the spectrum (Brink and Eva, 2009). The study conducted in Afar, Ethiopia, identified more than fifteen factors that cause land use and land cover changes (Tsegaye et al., 2010). The driving forces documented in the study include migration from nearby highlands triggered by drought, land tenure and government policy changes only to mention some (Tsegaye et al., 2010). Another study in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia reveals that population growth, decline in agricultural productivity, land tenure change and erratic rainfall have the major drivers of land use and land cover in the area (Garedew et al., 2009). The land use and land cover dynamics study in the northwestern Ethiopia suggests that population dynamics, exiting land tenure, institutional and socioeconomic conditions should be critically examined to put in place any land related policy (Zeleke Hurni, 2001). In sum, the factors that affect land use and land cover changes are complex and at time interrelated. Thus, the study of land use and land cover changes demands a careful investigation into these complex and interrelated factors at local, national and global level as indicated in the conceptual framework above (Figure 1.1). Statement of the Problem The impact of population dynamics, especially the absolute increase in human numbers each year due to natural increase and/or mobility, plays a crucial role in resource degradation. As population continues to expand in number, it exerts increased pressure on eco-system and natural resource stocks. One of the reasons for the shrinking size of land holdings as well as the degradation of forest, soil, and water resources in many areas of the developing world is the direct result of rapid population growth (Arnon, 1987; UNFPA, 1991; Drechsel et al., 2001; Etter et al., 2006; Pabi, 2007, Boone et al., 2007, Nguyen, 2008). Resources have to be created to meet the changing and rising demands of the people. The larger the number of people, the greater the density and the more will be the pressure on resources (Onwuka, 2006). Various studies indicate that there is a marked resource loss because of population pressure in Sub-Saharan Africa (Drechsel et al., 2001), Eastern Madagascar (Kull, 199 8), China (Long et al., 2006) and Dominican Republic (Sambrook et al., 1999). Turner et al. (1994) also contend that land cover change stemming from human land uses represents a major source and a major element of global environmental change. The same authors underscore that human actions are altering the terrestrial environment at unprecedented rates, magnitudes, and spatial scales (1994). In Ethiopia, too, fast population growth and uneven spatial distribution of population have been affecting resource use, leading to its gradual deterioration. Rapid population growth (currently exceeding 2.6 % per annum) is resulting in increased demands for additional arable land which is surely not adequately available (Mamo, 1990; CSA, 2008, Teferra, 2009). As Mamo and Teferra (1990, 2009) argue population growth leads further to unnecessary natural resource exploitation such as forest clearing both for farming and settlement purposes, short fallow periods, and land fragmentation which has a direct adverse effect on agricultural output. Most of the population of Ethiopia is settled on the highlands, with the northern and central highlands being the oldest settled regions of the country. These regions are the most exploited and environmentally degraded areas in the entire country. Due to the shortage of arable land, land is continuously utilized year after year, thus giving diminishing yields (Kebede and Jacob, 1988; Assefa and Zegeye, 2003). This condition, coupled with the occurrence of recurrent drought and famine, has forced people from the northern and central highlands to move to the southern, southwestern and northwestern parts of the country for resettlement in both planned and spontaneous ways. These resettlements have resulted in population increase and consequent environmental and of natural resources depletion or degradation (Assefa and Zegeye, 2003; Paterson, 2007). Resulting from the north-south move, a noticeable population change has gradually prevailed in the Metekel region, leading to increased pressure on existing resources. According to Yntiso (2003), resettlement has caused rapid changes in both the distribution and types of land cover and land-use in Metekel zone. Due to increased population resulting from the resettlement program, vegetation cover has been cleared and replaced by crop lands, the length of fallow period has been reduced and, more importantly, land degradation, deforestation and cultivation of marginal lands have become the order of the day (Dejene, 1990; Mamo, 1994; Yntiso, 2003). Furthermore, the livelihoods of the indigenous people (hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation and fishing) have substantially decreased due to significant land use and land cover changes (Abute, 2002; Yntiso, 2003). Recent studies have also revealed that due to improvements in socio-economic conditions (for example, new construction of an all-weather road and government-led development programs), population size has increased in the northwest lowlands of Metekel. Land-use patterns have shown changes in this area as well. Migration from highland to lowland areas, voluntary as well as involuntary, has caused changes in the socioeconomic relations between migrants and the indigenous people by increasing conflict between them (Pender, 2001; Taddese, 2001; Yntiso, 2003; Patterson, 2007). Over the past several years, a number of studies related to resource degradation have been carried out in many places of the Ethiopian highlands. However, similar studies related to population dynamics and land use and land cover changes in lowland areas are either scanty or non-existent. The above discussions testify that there is a significant land use and land cover changes in the study area since the 1980s. An assessment of the processes and factors leading to population dynamics and the resultant land use and land cover change becomes indispensable and timely to promote sustainable economic, social and ecological development in the study area in particular and the country in general. Such a study would also serve as a basis to influence development interventions and policy discussions related to population changes and natural resources degradation and management. Objectives of the Study The main objective of this thesis research is to investigate the impact that demographic and non-demographic variables have on land use and land cover and their effects on population and natural resources in Mandura district, northwest lowland of Ethiopia. The study also intends to suggest plausible policy option(s) to address the consequential problems in the study area. The study would include the following specific objectives: To analyze the extent and patterns of population dynamics since the 1950s; To investigate land use and land cover changes since the 1950s in the study area; To examine the perception of people on trends and drivers of land use /cover changes and population dynamics in the study area; To investigate the effects of policy changes on land use and land cover changes and population Dynamics; To analyze livelihood changes since the 1950s in the study area. Research Questions Based on the stated objectives above, the principal research questions of this study, therefore, are: how have demographic and non-demographic factors heighten land use and land cover changes in Mandura district since the 1950s? What are the effects of such changes on the population and the natural resources of the study area? Other sub-research questions will include: What demographic changes had been taken place since the 1950s? What are the extents of land use and land cover changes since the 1950s? What are the major drivers of land use and land cover changes? How do major actors at different levels perceive the changes in land use land cover and population? How have government policies (during the three regimes) intensified land use and land cover changes population dynamics? How have land use and land cover and population dynamics contributed to livelihood changes since the 1950s? Development Relevance for Ethiopia/Africa In the recent past, planned and spontaneous population relocation has taken place in the Ethiopian lowlands where population size and densities are relatively low, including the study area of this research. Such relocations have undoubtedly brought about complex changes in the local economic, socio-cultural and ecological conditions. These complex changes in the study area have motivated me to undertake this research. The study will contribute to the development efforts in Ethiopia in particular and in Africa in general on the ground that: Many African countries are experiencing rapid and accelerating population growth which has induced adverse effects on the environment. This study will thoroughly assess the degree and extent of population-induced adverse environmental changes and will attempts to provide possible solutions to address the problem. Future development endeavourers in Ethiopia are shifting from the highlands to the lowlands where there exists low population pressure and ample agricultural land. This study will generate relevant information that will contributes to the development plans of the country. The lowland areas of Ethiopia are the least studied parts as compared to highlands. The knowledge gained from this study could serve as a guide for future research/development activities. Methodology Description of the Study Area The study will be conducted in Mandura district, Metekel zone of Benshangul-Gumuz Regional state. Mandura is situated between 100.50.743 N and 110.10.766 N and 360.02.48E and 360.32.42E longitude, about 546 kilometers away from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The total area of the district is about 1,045 square kilometer. Physiologically it is part of the northwestern lowlands where many development endeavors are currently taking place. The study will be undertaken in the district where the land use and land cover change is significantly high (Figure 1. 2). According to the third Ethiopian national census, Metekel Zone has a total population of 235, 638 of which Mandura district constituted 15.52 % (36,568 people) (CSA, 2008). Climatically the study area is characterized by the following features. It receives rainfall from March to September. The mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures are 320C and 160C respectively (Kebede, 2006). With regard to some bio-physical information, the study area has different types of woodlands and the soil is broadly classified as vertisols (black clay soils), Nitisols (red or reddish brown laterite soils) and intermediate soils of a blackish brown (Kebede, 2006). Data Collection and Analysis The triangulation mixed method specifically the concurrent triangulation approach is selected as research design. The concurrent mixed approach is a kind of research design where quantitative and qualitative data are gathered at the same time (Creswell, 2003; Gay et al., 2009). Creswell (2003)) and Gay et al., (2009) further contend that this method is used by the researcher in an attempt to substantiate, cross-validate, or confirm findings within a single study. The rationale behind selecting this approach is the research under consideration (population-environment interaction and identifying factors driving land use and land cover changes) is complex and needs to be examined from various angles. In addition, it demands the employment of diverse data collection instruments to capture as many factors as possible that explain land use and land cover changes in the study area. Furthermore, this strategy enables the researcher to collect data in a short time period (Creswell, 2003; Gay et al., 2009). To this end, both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected simultaneously using questionnaire survey, focus group discussion, intensive personal interviews, and field observations. Details are given below Data for this study will be obtained through questionnaire survey, interpreting remotely sensed images, and aerial photograph interpretation to generate information on land use and land cover changes over time in the study area. Other researchers have used similar techniques (Tegene, 2002; Makhanya, 2004; Appiah et al., 2007 Rain et al., 2007; Sherbinin et al., 2007; Ningal et al., 2008; Salehi et al., 2008, Garedew et al., 2009). Also data pertaining to population dynamics, livelihood changes over time, causes and consequences of land use and land cover changes will be obtained using questionnaire survey, intensive interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Inherently, a study of resource- population interactions and land use and land cover changes need the employment of diverse methods so as to find out the many factors that involve in land use and land cover changes (Ewel, 2001; Tegene, 2002; Bewket, 2003; McCusker, 2004; Campbell et al., 2005:; Long et al., 2006 ). Published and unpublished documents produced by governmental and non-governmental organizations will provide secondary data at different jurisdictional levels. For instance, the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), various regional state documents and FAO/UNDP provide information on land resources and land-use patterns. The SPSS software will be used for statistical analysis. Below are details of data collection and methods of analysis for each objective of the research. Objective 1: Analysis of population dynamics over time Data related to population dynamics are obtained from publications generated by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA). These publications provide information on population size, growth, density, migration and urbanization over time at zonal and district levels. The national census results of the 1984, 1996 and 2007 are relevant in this regard. In depth interviews and focus group discussions will supplement this information. Three study sites will be selected for this investigation. The sites selection is based on the degree of human interference assessed in terms of high degree of land use and land cover changes in comparison with other sites in the region. A Stratified random sampling technique will be used to select households for the survey. The selection involves two steps: First, households will be categorized into two strata: indigenous households and migrant or settler households. Second, household heads to be interviewed will be randomly selected from each stratum. A total of 210 households (70 from each study sites; 35 for each stratum) will be randomly selected and surveyed using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. A sample size of 35 is believed to be adequate for analysis because with a sample size of 30 or more observations, it is possible to have estimates of accuracy from the mean (Clark and Hosking, 1986; Cohen, Manion and Morrison, 2000). Simple frequency and contingency tables will be used to analyze the data. A group containing 8-10 elderly people with deep knowledge of the study sites will be selected for an in-depth interview and focus group discussions. Qualitative data will be analyzed following procedures given below. First the data collected will be described and classified. Then the data will be connected with each other depending upon their similarities and differences. Classification is concerned with identifying coherent classes and connection on the other hand involves the identification and understanding of the relat ionships and association between different classes (Kitchin Tate, 2000:235). Objective 2: Land use and land cover changes Land use and land cover changes will be assessed by analyzing aerial photographs of different time periods (1950s and 1980s) using ArcGIS. Field visits will be carried out to reinforce the accuracy of the interpretation. Remotely sensed images will also be used to assess the current land use and land cover changes. Questionnaire surveys, in depth interview and focus group discussions will be arranged to generate additional information and to strengthen data generated from aerial photographs and remotely sensed images. To properly understand land use and land cover dynamics, identification of independent (explanatory) and dependent variable is crucial. Accordingly, the independent (explanatory) variables will be population dynamics expressed as change in population size, growth rates, density, migration and settlement expansion. Additionally, government policies, existence of an all-weather road famine and drought will also be used as non-demographic explanatory variables. On the other hand, changes in proportion of cultivated land, changes in forest cover (bamboo and thickets), grasslands, and expansions of arable land will be dependent variables used to analyze land use and land cover dynamics. The data will be analyzed using simple frequency tables, cross tabulation and correlation coefficient to see whether or not there exists a relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Multivariate regression analysis is chosen (a) to determine the existence of significant relationships bet ween demographic and non demographic factors and land use and land cover changes and (b) to assess the possibility of obtaining predictions from the equation. In addition, the identified variables mean are compared using the cross tabulation method. Correlation coefficients will be employed to figure out the existence of a relationship between demographic and non-demographic variables and land use and land cover changes. Multivariate analysis by way of discriminate analysis will be employed to ascertain the key factors determining land use and land cover changes in the study area. Focus group discussion, mapping, Semi-structured interview and other participatory methods will be employed to ascertain information gained from aerial photograph interpretation. These methods can give deep understanding about the timing and causes of land use and land cover changes than aerial photo analysis alone (Mapedza et al., 2003). Objective 3: Investigating perception of people on trends and drivers of land use /cover changes and population dynamics; This objective attempts to figure out peoples perception of the possible causes of land use and land cover changes. This can be attained by generating information through questionnaire surveys, in depth interviews and focus group discussions with, indigenous people, migrants, local experts and policy makers at different jurisdictional levels. The data will be analyzed using simple frequency tables, cross tabulation and correlation coefficient to find out if differences exist between the views of different actors on land use and land cover changes and population dynamics. Qualitative data will be analyzed following procedures given below. First the data collected will be described and classified. Then the data will be connected with each other depending upon their similarities and differences. Classification is concerned with identifying coherent classes and connection on the other hand involves the identification and understanding of the relationships and association between differen t classes (Kitchin Tate, 2000:235). Objective 4: Investigating effects of policy changes on land use and land cover and population dynamics One of the issues this study will try to investigate is effects of go

Hypocrisy in The Enormous Radio Essay -- Enormous Radio Essays

Hypocrisy in The Enormous Radio  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In the short story, "The Enormous Radio," by John Cheever, the radio acts as a wake up call for Jim and Irene Westcott. Even though they believe that their life is better than their neighbors’ lives, the radio proves them wrong. The Westcott’s life can be compared to a freshly painted ten-year-old car: nice and shiny on the outside but falling apart on the inside. In the beginning, Jim and Irene seem to have a good life with no problems; they seem to be average, ordinary people. The story states, "The Westcotts differed from their friends, their classmates, and their neighbors only in an interest they shared in serious music" (Cheever 812). This already hints that they might have their share of problems, especially since they are almost exactly like everyone they know. One reason why they might think they have a better life is because of their music, but in actuality, this is where their conflicts arise. Once they get the new radio, everything seems fine, even though they can hear all of the neighbors’ conversations. The Westcotts ...

Sexual Assault Against Women

Sexual Assault against Women I choose this topic because sexual assault is one of the most offensive crimes committed in our society. Not only is it a threat to the community, but it has a physically and psychologically effect on the victim in many ways. For the last couple of decades, sexual assault, rape, and child molestation has become the focal point of public concerns today. According to a 1993 National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the U. S. Department of Justice, about 500,000 rapes or sexual assaults occur each year (Statistics, March 2010).The Department of Justice states that, â€Å"rape crimes have risen nearly three times as fast as the total crime rate†, although other studies have shown statistics that are in conflict with these numbers; due to the victims that do no report their attacks. For example, the National Women’s Study claims that about 683,000 rapes of adult women occur annually, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports 103,00 0 such rapes each year (Statistics, March 2010). Most lawmakers agree that sexual violence is a problem that requires a lot of attention and investigation.In the mid-1990s, a number of violent crimes were being committed by recently released sex offenders. The media attention motivated many states to pass laws that specify that communities must be notified about paroled sex offender living in their communities. This caused a fear of the people in the community that released sex offenders may commit assaults in their community as well. Alice Walker's The Color Purple is an excellent account of the life of a woman who must suffer not only social ostracism due to gender and skin color but also women who suffer greatly at the hands of men.This is true in terms of infidelity, physical and verbal abuse, and sexual abuse. The Color Purple revolves around the life of Celie, a young woman growing up in the poverty-ridden South. In order to find herself and gain independence, Celie must deal with all manner of abuse, including misogyny, racism and poverty. When she is a young girl of just 14, Celie is sexually assaulted by a man she believes is her father. She had two children by her rapist, both of who he takes to a Reverend.When her mother dies, this man known as â€Å"Pa† marries Celie to a man she will only refer to as â€Å"Mr. † (Walker, 1985). This is just a fine example of the recollection of a victim. The Violence against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 marked a turning point in our national response to the problems of both sexual assault and domestic violence. For the first time it considered the ways in which sexual assault and domestic violence were similar: they are both crimes of violence against women, rooted in historical and cultural traditions and attitudes.VAWA also addressed the ways our laws failed to prosecute and punish perpetrators of these crimes of violence, while often increasing the trauma experienced by victims. The act included measu res designed to protect crime victims' rights and provide crime victims with compensation, establish hotlines for sexual assault and family violence victims, establish sex offender registration and community notification, protect women from â€Å"date rape,† and coordinate law enforcement and social services to deal with crime in a unified manner.VAWA is a wide-ranging law which, among other things, mandated research into sexual and domestic violence, funded community efforts against sexual and domestic violence through grants, proposed changes in the evaluation and determination of evidence, affirmed victims' rights of privacy and equal protection under the law, recommended compensation of victims, and authorized enhanced penalties for repeat sex offenders. Law enforcement officers are highly trained and are fully aware of this Act and how it works.It is the duty of the officer to enforce these laws. One intervention method for the offenders that would restore justice practi ces is the gaining popularity of â€Å"chemical castration† which is the use of Depo-Provera; it decreases the level of testosterone that men produce (encyclopedia, 2012). Lowered testosterone levels decreases the sexual thoughts and fantasies of the offender. The way this method would impact the victim is by given them a piece of mind of knowing the offender is being mentored and knowing that this could happen to another person.The way the Criminal Justice system can work more efficient to help the victim through a rape or sexual assault is not blame the victim; this was a strategy that was used in pasted which would make the victim feel as if it is their fault. For example, the victim goes to a party and becomes overly intoxicated and wakes up to find herself assaulted sexual, in the past the victim would be the blame because she became overly intoxicated.But what should be done is to encourage women not to precipitate the crime through careless behavior. But blame the offe nder, because they are the predator in crime and they should be removed from society. As a Criminal Justice professional I would provide more effective assistance to the victim by offering services such as hotline information, victim advocate services, and assist them with police reporting process. Or even offer counseling service and self-defense strategies.Things that could be done to reduce victim blaming are training within the Criminal Justice system and educating the public on victim blaming as well. ? REFERENCES encyclopedia, T. f. (2012, May 05/31/12). Chemical Castration. Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Chemical_castration Statistics, U. S. (March 2010). National Crime Victimization Survey. National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008- -Statistical tables, 26 – 49. Walker, A. (1985). The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

The U.S. Congress Effective Functioning

The U.S. Congress Effective Functioning It is believed that the members of the United States Congress are supposed to represent the will of the American people. They can sometimes be regarded as those people through whom voters can express their views on social problems, economic development of the country, its national security, and many other issues.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The U.S. Congress Effective Functioning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To a great extent, this assumption is quite justified because citizens are able to deny politicians access to power. Therefore, legislators are accountable to the American people. Nevertheless, one can argue that these policy-makers have to make compromises in the course of their work. Moreover, they can also be affected by lobbyists and interests groups. Therefore, they may not be able to promote the interests of people who elected them. These are the main issues that should be examined more closely. Fir st of all, one should know that the members of the U.S. Congress may not always reach an agreement regarding specific policies. Therefore, they have to discuss and sometimes change the provisions of certain laws or bills so that they could be accepted by the majority. They can partly accept the ideas of their opponents. It should be kept in mind that these legislators may represent different political or economic ideologies. As a result, these people have to make concessions to one another. This is one of the main aspects that can be identified because it is vital for describing decision-making in the United States Congress. Additionally, it should be taken into account that American citizens may various interests or priorities, and they cannot easily be reconciled. Thus, some compromises or concessions are inevitable. Apart from that, it is necessary to remember that lobbies and interest groups can play an important role in the political life of the United States. They can donate c apital to political parties as well as candidates. These lobbies can represent various industries or companies. Through lobbying these organizations can also promote their interests. This issue is also important for understanding the work of the U.S. Congress. Certainly, the activities of lobbies or interest groups are often criticized; nevertheless, the role has not decreased. Still, it is not reasonable to say that the members of the U.S. Congress are not accountable to American people. Such an assumption can hardly be called accurate. In this case, one should speak about such a mechanism as direct election through which citizens can express their disagreement with the policies of the Congress. They can simply refuse to vote for a politician who fails to meet the expectation of people. Therefore, voting can be viewed as a system of checks and balances that prevents these people from getting out of their commitments to American people. This point is also vital for understanding the interactions between citizens and legislators. One can argue that the efficiency and integrity of legislators depends on the activities of citizens and their willingness to monitor the work of politicians. This is the main condition for the effective functioning of the U.S. congress.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On the whole, this discussion indicates that American politicians cannot always serve only the interests of voters. Their work can be distorted because legislators have to reach compromises and respond to the needs of particular interest groups. Nevertheless, legislators are also accountable to citizens who can evaluate the performance of policymakers through the process of voting. These are the main points that can be made.

French and English Cognates That Start With A

French and English Cognates That Start With A One of the great things about learning French or English is that many words have the same roots in the Romance languages and English. The 1,700 words on the following pages are spelled (although not pronounced) identically in French and English and are true or semi-true cognates. Before you start memorizing them, please read some important notes about these cognates. French English Cognates: A The (parentheses) indicate the words part of speech in both languages, and, in the case of nouns, the gender of the noun in French.abandon  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)abattoir  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)abdication  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)​​abdomen  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)abdominal  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)aberrant  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)aberration  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abject  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)abolition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abominable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)abomination  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abracadabra  Ã‚  Ã‚  (exclamation)abrasion  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abrogation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)absence  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)absent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)absinthe  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)absolution  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)absorption  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abstention  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abstinence  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)abstinent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)abstraction  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)acacia  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)accent  Ã‚     (masculine noun)accentuation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)accessible  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)accident  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)accolade  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)accord  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)accumulation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)accusation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)acolyte  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)acquisition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)action  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)acupuncture  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)adage  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)adaptable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)adaptation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)addenda  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)addition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)adjacent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)adjectival  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)administration  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)admirable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)admiration  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)admission  Ã‚  Ã‚  feminine noun)admonition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)adolescence  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)adolescent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)adoption  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)adorable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)adoration  Ã‚  Ã‚  (fem inine noun)adroit  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)adulation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)adverbial  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)adverse  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)affable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)affectation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)affection  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)affiliation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)affirmation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)affirmative  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)affliction  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)affront  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)aficionado  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)agent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)agile  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)agitation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)agriculture  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)air  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)album  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)alias  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adverb)alliance  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)alligator  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)allophone  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)allusion  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)alpha  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)alphabet  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)altercation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)altitude  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)alto  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjectiv e)amateur  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)ambition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)ambivalence  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)ambivalent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)amble  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)ambulance  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)amoral  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)ample  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)amplification  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)amputation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)amusement  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)anal  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)ancestral  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)anecdote  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)angle  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)angora  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective masculine noun)animal  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)animation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)annihilation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)annotation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)anthrax  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)anticipation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)antidote  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)antique  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)antisocial  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)apartheid  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)aperture  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)apocalypse  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)apostrophe     Ã‚  (feminine noun)apparent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)apparition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)applicable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)application  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)appropriation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)approximation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)aptitude  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)aquarium  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)arable  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)arcade  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)architectural  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)architecture  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)archives  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)argument  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)aria  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)armistice  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)arrogance  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)arrogant  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)arsenal  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)arsenic  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)art  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)artefact  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)article  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)articulation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)artifice  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)artisan  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)ascension  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)aspartame  Ã‚  Ã‚  (m asculine noun)aspiration  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)assassin  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)assertion  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)assimilation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)assistance  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)association  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)assurance  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)astral  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)astringent  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective masculine noun)atlas  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)atoll  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)atonal  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)attention  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)attitude  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)attraction  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)attribution  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)auburn  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)audible  Ã‚  Ã‚  (adjective)audit  Ã‚  Ã‚  (masculine noun)audition  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)augmentation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)aura  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)automation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)automobile  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)avalanche  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)avarice  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)avenue  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)aversion  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine n oun)aviation  Ã‚  Ã‚  (feminine noun)

Nuclear Warfare essays

Nuclear Warfare essays The effects caused by a nuclear power accident, on the scale of the April 26, 1986 Chernobyl accident, must override any inclination to side with advocates for nuclear power. Surely we have all heard the expression Im only human. If we are indeed only human, and consequently prone to error, we could never perfectly manage and contain an energy as potentially destructive as that of nuclear power, without the possibility of a nuclear accident. Furthermore, the wastes generated by nuclear power, when inadvertently released during a nuclear power accident, have been proven to cause malignant diseases and premature death to those who come into contact with them. Additionally, the vegetation threat we rely on for survival is severely affected when radioactive elements are released into the air and water supply during a nuclear accident. Most alarming, however, is the fact that the general public is vastly unaware of its governments use of nuclear waste in the development of nuclear weapon. Most of us can remember the bombing of Iwo Jima and the effects the bomb had on the lives of the millions of Japanese that lived within a twenty mile radius of the city. We can see what happened to the second generation: children born with severe informities such as sixteen fingers and three arms; children born with cancer; and children with mental and physical handicaps. The radiation of a bomb doesnt always cause instant death, but it is a lingering experience. Japanese people, thought to be healthy, got cancer in later life, and had dis-formed children. Consequently, we must not be swayed by advocates urging us to further develop and expand nuclear power. We must, instead, examine the larger picture; the risks associated with this potentially devastating power. The potential for human error causing a nuclear accident can be ascertained by considering the causes and effects o...

Fords Profitability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Fords Profitability - Essay Example The research work will help in giving an explanation on why the company is making 24 billion in losses. A competitive advantage may be created in producing similar products to Toyotas’ models with lower costs. The output produced should be according to what the consumers need, and not according to what it is used to producing (Close, 2012). They can completely change the company strategies and structure on how it carries out its operational activities. This can be achieved by changing the objectives, target and mission statements of the company. Introduction of process engineering skills, tight cost control and reports that are more frequent. The management should be able to give the company a new purpose and direction, by motivating the workers, and improving the culture of the organization (Canary, 2012). In extreme circumstances, the firm may also consider taking action on the management structure by considering the option of reducing on the number of employees both in the management level and in the operational levels. This will act as a direct way of reducing on the production and operational

Financial Management in Multinational Organizations Research Paper

Financial Management in Multinational Organizations - Research Paper Example Financial management helps organizations in financial planning and control and evaluation of risks. It has been rightly argued that maximizing shareholder value perhaps only the most effective method to benefit every stakeholder. Multinational organizations are firms that take part in some type of global business. Their financial management involves global investing as well as financing choices that are planned to capitalize on the worth of the multinational organization. Firms may primarily try to sell products abroad to a specific nation or trade supplies in from an overseas producer. However, in due course, a number of them identify further prospects and finally start subsidiaries within foreign nations. International financial management is vital even for firms that have no global dealings. These firms are required to be familiar with how their overseas rivals will be influenced by activities within â€Å"exchange rates, foreign interest rate, labor costs† (Kyaw et al, 201 1, p. 21), and price rises. Therefore, contradictory goals increase the issue of setting priorities. When tough competition exists within the home country, a business may rely on entering or expanding its overseas base. Nonetheless, if a corporation is ineffective within the home market, it is expected to have difficulties in a foreign country also. Additionally, the controller should be aware of local traditions as well as risks within the global markets. A large, stable corporation with considerable global experience may ultimately have completely owned subsidiaries. On the other hand, a small business with restricted foreign understanding functioning in uncertain fields may be limited to export and import operations. If the corporation`s sales force has nominal knowledge in export sales, it is wise to employ foreign agents when expert understanding of foreign markets is considered necessary. When adequate amount exists, the corporation may set up a foreign branch sales office tog ether with the sales group as well as technical service workers. When the function establishes, manufacturing services may be positioned within the foreign market. Nonetheless, a number of foreign nations need authorization earlier than foreign sales and production can go on; here, a â€Å"foreign licensee sells and produces the product† (Li & Tallman, 2011, p. 56). A setback with this is that classified data and understanding are provided to the licensees who can then turn into a rival at the termination of the contract.

Exercises for judges Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Exercises for judges - Essay Example Ann rushed to the door and quickly put the alarm off. Little did she know that a man had entered their house and was hidden in one of the closets on the ground floor. The security company called their house and Ann confirmed that all was well there. They continued with what they were doing oblivious of the presence of someone else in the house. Ann went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and left Barnaby in the kitchen. The man in the closet was now watching them through the key hole. As soon as he saw that Ann had left the room, he slowly opened the door to the closet and walked quietly to Barnaby. Barnaby thought that it was Ann who was coming back from the kitchen only to see a stranger. She never even got the time to scream. The stranger got to her and snapped her neck before she could even try and run (Dressler 87). It was so fast that there was neither hardly noise nor commotion from it. He now hid behind the sofa and waited for Ann. When Ann got back to the living room, she was surprised to find Barnaby lying on the floor. She dropped the two glasses of water that she was carrying and they fell on the floor. As she was o her knees, the man behind the sofa got up to attack Ann. She saw him from the corner of her eye and she got up to run. The man was too fast for her and when he got to her, he tried to pin her down. Ann was fighting her like a mad woman, but he was too strong for her. She screamed out so loud and this is when the man started strangling her. Within a few minutes, Ann too was dead (Dressler

Corporate Social Responsibility and Enhancement of Competitive Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility and Enhancement of Competitive Advantage of Companies - Essay Example This paper is aimed at providing a detailed study of the fact that Corporate Social responsibility is a business strategy which can be used by business organisations to enhance their competitive advantage in markets for various goods and services. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility and its importance: In a study, conducted in 2005, it has been revealed by more than 80 percent of respondents (who were business executives in different organisations) that, business strategies related to Corporate Social Responsibility is extremely essential for their businesses (Blowfield, Blowfield and Murray, 2011, p.10). The phrase Corporate Social Responsibility has been described in modern businesses as one of the most important business practices. With the help of this responsibility multinational corporations are redefining their function in the society and their functional responsibilities to rights of the human beings and the environment. Ethical as well as environmental aspects, al ong with effective business strategies are important components of Corporate Social Responsibility. ... According to few companies the practice of corporate social responsibilities business organisation can acquire greater profits through greater market shares (Forcese, 2008, pp.153-154). It is sometimes argued by business organisations that as long as they are paying taxes to the government and wages to their employees and even maintaining regulations related to health and safety needs they are acting as good corporate citizens. Economists like Milton Friedman (1970) supported this view of doing businesses or running corporate organisations. The problem associated with this business strategy came into effect when economists argued that in this method certain sections of the society (mainly poor people) are getting marginalised. Therefore these economists, including John Gregory Mankiw, have suggested to incorporate the government to provide goods and services to these deprived people and hence to protect these people from corporate strategies. By the end of 1980s this corporate busine ss strategies have been criticised by many economists and environmentalists. A rapid revolution started during this time in regard to greater environmental protection against unethical corporate practices. As a result of these environmental movements Union Carbide had to withdraw its business from Bhopal, India, General Motors to stop ‘selling vehicles with military application to the apartheid government in South Africa’ and many other large businesses, like Nestle, to change their business strategies. In the 2000s these changes started to include oil and gas industry across the globe, making significant changes in applications of business ethics by large number of multinational corporations all over the world. In this time, mainly after 2000, many multinational

Management and Organizational Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management and Organizational Behaviour - Essay Example According to Mullins, "Organisational behaviour does not encompass the whole of management; it is more accurately described in the narrower interpretation of providing a behavioural approach to management" (Mullins, 1993, p.2). rganizational behaviour includes people behaviour, management processes, organizational context and processes, and the influence of external environment. The term "behaviour science" is used to explain "a selective, interdisciplinary approach to the study of human behaviour" (Mullins, 1993, p.2-3). The main disciplines, which help to explain the nature of organizations and human behaviour, are psychology, anthropology and sociology. 2. An organization can be considered as a single system. Organizational factors are interdependent, and "cannot be studied in isolation" (Mullins, 1993, p.2). The main headings include the individual, the group, the organization and the environment. The individual can be seen in isolation or as a part of a group, "in response to expectations of organization" or environmental influences (Mullins, 1993, p.3). For the college under analysis, an individual represents by a student and a teacher, a managerial staff member, etc. An important aspect of the study of organizations is the study of people -behaviour in groups. This can give indications of why certain groups are effective and others are not. Group members in an organization will have one or more goals in common, such as students groups, teaching and management staff. Communication is essential within each group and members of a group have roles to play in order to achieve the group task. Expected behaviour patterns are developed within each group and these are referred to as norms. The organization is the basic framework within which individuals and groups behaviour occur. A college itself represents a formal structure of organization within which individuals and groups interact in order to reach the common goal. The quality and nature of the decisions made are influence by the nature of the structure. The environment contains a range of influences that affect an organization. They include: socio-demographic, technological, economic and political factors. In general, the environment of the eastern European countries can be characterized as economically unstable and backward in contrast to leading European countries. For this reason, to stress the importance of how the college is positioned with respect to its environment is necessary. 3. An open-system view recognizes that the social system is in a dynamic relationship with its environment, whereby inputs are received, transformed and outputs are passed on. Morgan in "Images of Organization" (1986 cited Mullins 1993, pp.6-7) singles out "contrasting metaphors" which help to understand organizational behaviour. They include: machines, organisms, brains, cultures, political systems, psychic prisons, flux and transformation, instruments of dominance. According to Morgan "viewing organisations as machines can provide the basis for efficient operation in a routine, reliable and predictable way". The college structure can be viewed as a bureaucratic structure which consists of parts that managed in accordance with changing environment. Organisms mean leaving systems which are able to adapt changes of rapidly changing environment. The college structure is a flexible system which reacts on changes and adapts

Final exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Final exam - Essay Example On the subject of externality there is the aspect of Negative Externality and it involves both the consumer and the producer who collectively neglect the environment and what implications their activities have on the environment. It could also involve one of the two parties leaving the other out of consideration; for example when a producer releases a harmful product into the market and it results into the death of a consumer. This is one scenario that has been satisfied by the tobacco company. The health effects (lung cancer) of smoking to both the active and passive smokers cannot be over emphasized. The medical bills that the smoker incurs in the course of treatment is substantial and then there is the pain endured during ones illness and the ultimate price is the loss of life. Regardless of these hazardous effects, the cigarette industry continues to thrive over financial gains from the sale of its product. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has controlled the tobacco company through the regulation of their products. It has done this by: restricting the advertising and promotion of tobacco products and this has worked to promote healthy living since the public is less aware of the existence of the product. It has banned all tobacco products which are flavored like fruits and candy and this has made them less attractive to minors and individuals with refined tastes. The companies are barred from purporting any reduced risk products and this has played the role of reducing the number of new smokers or prospective ones. It requires the companies to fully disclose the health effects of their product, the contents and any changes they might have made; with this knowledge in the public eye, the consumers are empowered with information. The disadvantage that comes with these legislations is that the sale of the product is still legal so long as the relevant companies abide by them. The

Corporate Social Responsibility and Enhancement of Competitive Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility and Enhancement of Competitive Advantage of Companies - Essay Example This paper is aimed at providing a detailed study of the fact that Corporate Social responsibility is a business strategy which can be used by business organisations to enhance their competitive advantage in markets for various goods and services. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility and its importance: In a study, conducted in 2005, it has been revealed by more than 80 percent of respondents (who were business executives in different organisations) that, business strategies related to Corporate Social Responsibility is extremely essential for their businesses (Blowfield, Blowfield and Murray, 2011, p.10). The phrase Corporate Social Responsibility has been described in modern businesses as one of the most important business practices. With the help of this responsibility multinational corporations are redefining their function in the society and their functional responsibilities to rights of the human beings and the environment. Ethical as well as environmental aspects, al ong with effective business strategies are important components of Corporate Social Responsibility. ... According to few companies the practice of corporate social responsibilities business organisation can acquire greater profits through greater market shares (Forcese, 2008, pp.153-154). It is sometimes argued by business organisations that as long as they are paying taxes to the government and wages to their employees and even maintaining regulations related to health and safety needs they are acting as good corporate citizens. Economists like Milton Friedman (1970) supported this view of doing businesses or running corporate organisations. The problem associated with this business strategy came into effect when economists argued that in this method certain sections of the society (mainly poor people) are getting marginalised. Therefore these economists, including John Gregory Mankiw, have suggested to incorporate the government to provide goods and services to these deprived people and hence to protect these people from corporate strategies. By the end of 1980s this corporate busine ss strategies have been criticised by many economists and environmentalists. A rapid revolution started during this time in regard to greater environmental protection against unethical corporate practices. As a result of these environmental movements Union Carbide had to withdraw its business from Bhopal, India, General Motors to stop ‘selling vehicles with military application to the apartheid government in South Africa’ and many other large businesses, like Nestle, to change their business strategies. In the 2000s these changes started to include oil and gas industry across the globe, making significant changes in applications of business ethics by large number of multinational corporations all over the world. In this time, mainly after 2000, many multinational

Final exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Final exam - Essay Example On the subject of externality there is the aspect of Negative Externality and it involves both the consumer and the producer who collectively neglect the environment and what implications their activities have on the environment. It could also involve one of the two parties leaving the other out of consideration; for example when a producer releases a harmful product into the market and it results into the death of a consumer. This is one scenario that has been satisfied by the tobacco company. The health effects (lung cancer) of smoking to both the active and passive smokers cannot be over emphasized. The medical bills that the smoker incurs in the course of treatment is substantial and then there is the pain endured during ones illness and the ultimate price is the loss of life. Regardless of these hazardous effects, the cigarette industry continues to thrive over financial gains from the sale of its product. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has controlled the tobacco company through the regulation of their products. It has done this by: restricting the advertising and promotion of tobacco products and this has worked to promote healthy living since the public is less aware of the existence of the product. It has banned all tobacco products which are flavored like fruits and candy and this has made them less attractive to minors and individuals with refined tastes. The companies are barred from purporting any reduced risk products and this has played the role of reducing the number of new smokers or prospective ones. It requires the companies to fully disclose the health effects of their product, the contents and any changes they might have made; with this knowledge in the public eye, the consumers are empowered with information. The disadvantage that comes with these legislations is that the sale of the product is still legal so long as the relevant companies abide by them. The

Currency Derivatives Essay Example for Free

Currency Derivatives Essay Preference of equity and commodity over Currency derivatives trading in India survey Kindly spare some minutes to fill this form and be a part of real customer perception survey and support us to gain an insight about the preferences of Indian retail investors for trading in market and the reasons behind the existing popularity of currency derivative market in India. 1. Did you ever think of currency derivative market as trading option? Yes, I trade in currency market No, but planning to invest after performing research? Never, what is Currency Derivatives? 2. In which market do you trade? (Choose all that apply, skip if you do not trade) Equity Commodity Currency Derivatives 3. Rate your expertise in the market: (Choose one level for each) Zero Commodity Currency derivatives Equity Beginner Intermediate Expert 4. Given Rs. 1000, how would you allocate the money among these investment options? (Allocation should add up to Rs. 100). Hedger Commodity Currency derivatives Equity Speculator Arbitrager 6. Choose and rate from 1 to 3 among the following attributes for each market. (Fill for only those market in which you trade) Returns Market volatility Portfolio diversification Hedging Arbitrage Commodity Currency derivatives Equity 7. Why do you think Indian retails investors have less preference towards currency derivatives market? Strongly agree Not enough self knowledge Less popular among peers Lack of govt. initiatives Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree.

Scientific Inventions On Human Life

Scientific Inventions On Human Life What is scientific invention? According to me scientific invention is a machine or device or a scientific technique which either helps or completely solves humans problems that he or she face in daily life. According to www.businessdictionary.com invention is: New scientific or  technical  idea, and the  means  of its embodiment or accomplishment. To be patentable, an invention must be  novel, have  utility, and be non-obvious. To be called an invention, an idea only  needs  to be proven as workable. But to be called an innovation, it must also be replicable at an  economical  cost, and must satisfy a specific need. Thats why only a few inventions  lead  to  innovations  because not all of them are economically feasible. And according to Wikipedia scientific invention is An  invention  is a unique or novel  device, method, composition or process. It may be an improvement upon a machine or product, or a new process for creating an object or a result. An invention that achieves a completely unique function or result may be a radical breakthrough. Such works are  novel  and  not obvious  to  others skilled in the same field. These definitions are enough to tell us or are enough to make us understand the meaning of scientific inventions but the question is why we need scientific inventions? Sometimes, the things They say, the laws They make, the way the world spins doesnt make any sense at all Which is exactly why you have to ask Why? and keep on asking until you get the TRUTH   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  Joe Kelly,  Douglas Fredericks and the House of They And that is exactly why we need inventions to find the truth behind the things we do not understand. And we need inventions to help us understand that truth and help us use it to our own benefit. Like scientists discovered electricity by inventing different inventions and then they used electricity to their own benefit now the entire world is using electricity. The effect of scientific inventions on human life is huge. So huge that it is difficult to comprehend it but I will try and explain a little in my essay. Inventions have changed our lives it has revolutionized every aspect of our life. if we look at our means of communication then we will see that first we used to communicate with letters, but then telegram was invented which was a faster way to communicate but not fast enough then telephone was invented which made our lives easier and made us communicate with our loved ones so easily and made it made possible for us to communicate with someone who is miles away from us. And now days it is even possible to video chat with anyone on any part of the world and this entire have been made possible due to the scientific inventions. Then with the progress of science and its inventions the means of travel have also changed in the early times people have to travel through horse and camels and they completed their journey in months even in yea rs but due to development in scientific inventions it is now possible to travel distances of thousands of miles in hours or days. Due to scientific inventions we were able to find answer to our question which we thought we can never answer, like people used to say that humans cannot fly but due to the advancements of scientific inventions we can now fly in the air with the help of an airplane. In our daily life we use a lot of scientific inventions, like television, fridge, fans, laptops, mobile phones, micro wave Owens, tube light, cars, bikes, and many more of scientific inventions they have made our life more luxurious and made our work more easy and less time consuming it has granted us to do things in minutes which we did in days, months even its has completely changed our lifestyles and altogether our lives they are a blessing on us. Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  Pablo Picasso Due to scientific inventions cure of many diseases have been found which were thought incurable in earlier times. The life expectance has increased drastically in earlier times many people died of disease which are now extinct due to new techniques and invention invented by scientists. In new types of drugs are invented to cure the incurable diseases vaccines have made many disease extinct. Doctor uses many kinds of inventions to diagnose patients diseases. This has made it easy for them to t find out what is wrong with their patient. Doctor use inventions like x-ray machines, USG machines, angiography machines, laparoscopic devices and monitors, CT scan machines, MRI machines, digital thermometer, digital blood pressure machines, blood sugar measuring devices, Stethoscopes, torches, laryngoscopes, otoscope and many more. If these inventions were not available to them they might not be able to diagnose some disease or might diagnoses it in correctly and the patient may die but these inventions have made it possible to look up all kind of diseases in human body and also have made it possible to cure it and because of some scientific inventions now surgeries of tumors which were in operatable are now operate able. And due to these inventions surgeries of hrs have decreased to minutes and with minimum side affect. Engineers have made up dams to prevent floods which also help in producing electricity and provide water to agricultural land. Due to scientific inventions now it is possible to save ourselves from natural disaster as inventions have been invented which predict the natural disasters before they have happened. And can be used to save many people from natural disasters. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  Arthur C. Clarke,  Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible Arthur C. Clarke is absolutely correct because scientific inventions have done the unimaginable it has enabled us to go to the moon which we thought was impossible and now due to scientific invention we final seen moon closely enough to understand it and can go in space and wander in it. Computer is the most amazing invention of all time it has made everyones life easy it has finished gaps between people by internet it has made all the knowledge known to man open to everyone in the world through internet it has solved so many problems of people that it is difficult to write them all I know theres a proverb which that says To err is human, but a human error is nothing to what a computer can do if it tries.   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã‚  Agatha Christie,  Halloween Party Electricity the biggest invention of all time and the most important invention of all time. Now a days almost everything runs on electricity. Electricity has brightened our nights and given us cold winds in summers. It has made us to communicate with each other by telephones and it has completely changed our life. Scientific inventions have also revolutionized factories it has increased their production as machines produce more than human they get more work done than humans in a specific time. Now machines are available which make a product in more efficient way which is less time consuming and less money consuming and is still better than before. Where scientific inventions have so many advantages there are some disadvantages too. Scientific inventions have made people so much dependent on technology and inventions that it is now very difficult for people to function or carry on with their life without these inventions like if now we have to walk to place we will have so much difficulty. Scientific inventions have made people so lazy and they have become their slave they are dependent to do everything in their life with the help of scientific inventions. Scientific inventions have made people jobless as in factories and many offices machines have taken place of humans as machines are more efficient and are money efficient too. And due to these new scientific inventions and scientific inventions have also increased pollution in our environment which have created a lot of problems, it is destroying our environment and killing our planet slowly. These scientific inventions although have made life more luxurious but have made it a lot more complex and complicated. Due to scientific inventions the noise pollution have increased, anywhere we go we will not find peace and quiet traffic has so much increased in the cities that people want to escape from the traffic and hide from it in remote areas. Due to new inventions world is facing new type of dangers which they did not even new about like genetic mutation due to nuclear reactors, fumes coming out of factories are responsible for destroying ozone and global warming. Now people are facing danger due to scientific inventions. Now new type of entertainment sources have made people useless has they waste their time on watching television all day long. Then children waste their time on video games and internet. Children instead of doing their homework or studying they waste their time on internet and video games and these technology is so expensive and people waste their money on it. Many people cannot afford it and their children want these things so they start earning money the wrong way to buy those things. Academic performance of people is decreasing because people are wasting their time watching television and internet many people are addicted to it. And this all is creating diseases and disorders such as obesity, laziness, loss of personality and it has also affected their eye sight. It has disabled us from of friendly and face to face communication chance with each other. Because of scientific inventions people do not get any kind of physical activity or exercise. Which has increased diseases such as obesity which is very common now-a-days. There are some inventions which are too complex for some people and they cannot use it so the feel inferior to others which has created gaps and jealousy between people. To make electricity, which runs most of the scientific inventions is made by exhausting fossil fuels which is killing our world slowly although scientists have found methods to make electricity by renewable sources but they are more expensive than the traditional ways which takes up many resources and is creating a lot of and all kinds of pollution in our world. The biggest and disastrous scientific inventions are weapons which have made this world a living hell. They have destroyed the peace of this world and have imposed the fear of war in every persons mind. Every day hundreds of thousands of people die due to these monstrous inventions and they are the sole reason for terrorism. Countries are wasting so much money on the research and development of weapons so the powerful may remain powerful so they can impose their command on the less powerful. Nuclear weapons have been developed to wipe out whole countries from the face of the earth. So many people died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during world war 2because of atomic bombs, even in Pakistan so many people have died in suicide bombing. And in other incident of terrorism. People that they made these weapons to defend themselves but if there were no weapons then from what they needed defending from. On name of defense they kill and slaughter people. This is absolutely wrong. In the end I would only say that it is not the inventions but it is their use that has made them harmful if the same thing is used for good it becomes a blessing for everyone but if that thing is used for evil purposes then it becomes accurse for whole humanity some people use scientific invention for the benefit of people and the world and others use it for the destruction and evil so this does not make the invention good or bad it makes it user good or bad because when something is invented it is usually is invented for the benefit of human kind but its user may use it for evil or good like computer was invented to solve and help people with their problems but people now even use it for hacking into other peoples personal files and stealing money from people. So scientific inventions have both disadvantages and advantages but the number of advantages is so great that we can over look its disadvantages, because now these inventions have made over life so easy that now we cannot live without them we need them in every aspect of our life.

Theory of Orgone Energy :: Wilhelm Reich

Reich developed his theory of orgone energy over several years and expanded it throughout his lifetime. His theory was the result of experiences with his neurotic patients and his biological experiments, which he felt provided concrete evidence for the existence of orgone. Orgone energy can be thought of as organic or "life-energy." Reich first observed this energy while studying the bioelectric nature of pleasure and anxiety. Using a galvanometer, he discovered that in pleasurable situations skin has a charge, while in displeaurable ones it does not. He initially called this phenomenon "bioelectric energy." Later, while attempting to research the origin of life, Reich discovered what he termed bions. These globules of energy seemed to give off a certain radiation, such that when objects were left near the cultures containing bions, those objects became highly charged. Reich later observed that this radiation was the same energy he had observed in his skin conductance experiments, and that indeed, this energy surrounded all living things and was free in the atmosphere. He renamed this energy "orgone." After conducting an experiment in which Reich believed he had succeeded in developing protozoa from bions, he began to investigate the formation of cancer cells. He believed that cancer cells formed in the same way, and supposedly produced a motion picture in which cancer cells did indeed develop from the breakdown of living tissue. Reich felt certain that this "biopathy" was the result of sexual repression. Continuing his cancer research, Reich developed the orgone accumulator (ORAC), which was intended to produce a concentration of orgone energy. The device itself was simply a large box constructed by alternating layers of metal (preferably iron) and organic material, often wood. He experimented with the ORAC by keeping both healthy mice and mice with cancer in the accumulator and comparing their lifespans with control mice which were not kept in the ORAC. Reich found that even the mice with cancer lived longer than the controls who had not been kept in the ORAC. Reich continued his accumulator experiments, moving on to work with humans. He found that the ORAC helped cure a variety of ailments. These ailments were assumed to be due to a lack of energy within the organism which the ORAC replaced. Subjects who already had high levels of orgone energy were not able to tolerate the accumulator. Believing that orgone energy might be used to combat nuclear radiation, Reich undertook what would be called "The Oranur Experiment. Theory of Orgone Energy :: Wilhelm Reich Reich developed his theory of orgone energy over several years and expanded it throughout his lifetime. His theory was the result of experiences with his neurotic patients and his biological experiments, which he felt provided concrete evidence for the existence of orgone. Orgone energy can be thought of as organic or "life-energy." Reich first observed this energy while studying the bioelectric nature of pleasure and anxiety. Using a galvanometer, he discovered that in pleasurable situations skin has a charge, while in displeaurable ones it does not. He initially called this phenomenon "bioelectric energy." Later, while attempting to research the origin of life, Reich discovered what he termed bions. These globules of energy seemed to give off a certain radiation, such that when objects were left near the cultures containing bions, those objects became highly charged. Reich later observed that this radiation was the same energy he had observed in his skin conductance experiments, and that indeed, this energy surrounded all living things and was free in the atmosphere. He renamed this energy "orgone." After conducting an experiment in which Reich believed he had succeeded in developing protozoa from bions, he began to investigate the formation of cancer cells. He believed that cancer cells formed in the same way, and supposedly produced a motion picture in which cancer cells did indeed develop from the breakdown of living tissue. Reich felt certain that this "biopathy" was the result of sexual repression. Continuing his cancer research, Reich developed the orgone accumulator (ORAC), which was intended to produce a concentration of orgone energy. The device itself was simply a large box constructed by alternating layers of metal (preferably iron) and organic material, often wood. He experimented with the ORAC by keeping both healthy mice and mice with cancer in the accumulator and comparing their lifespans with control mice which were not kept in the ORAC. Reich found that even the mice with cancer lived longer than the controls who had not been kept in the ORAC. Reich continued his accumulator experiments, moving on to work with humans. He found that the ORAC helped cure a variety of ailments. These ailments were assumed to be due to a lack of energy within the organism which the ORAC replaced. Subjects who already had high levels of orgone energy were not able to tolerate the accumulator. Believing that orgone energy might be used to combat nuclear radiation, Reich undertook what would be called "The Oranur Experiment.

Of Words and Women :: Feminism Equality Essays

Of Words and Women missing works cited There is an old saying that plays something to the tune of, "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It is possible that such a phrase was popularized in order for people to equip themselves with a psychological defense against the reality that words can, in fact, have a tremendous amount of significance depending on their usage and context. The careful manipulation of language in essays, for example, is one way that words can be arranged and exploited. This is a tool that authors will often use to reach a specific audience. Like so many authors, Anne Richardson Roiphe exercises this technique in her 1972 essay in the New Yorker, entitled "Confessions of a Female Chauvinist Sow." One way in which Roiphe orchestrates her scheme in the essay is through the use of specific pronouns, such as "us," "we," "they," and "you" to establish a rapport-like connection with female readers. The effect of this subtle device is that Roiphe is able to directly communicate with other women, enabling her to transmit her personal thoughts and feelings with readers as if they were actually having a conversation. The twist, of course, is that Roiphe is also able to take advantage of this connection to spread her message of gender equality at the same time. But if this is Roiphe's purpose, why is she concerned about sex equality in the first place? Consider her childhood: Roiphe was born in 1935, raised in the middle of the Great Depression, and closed out her first decade of life at the end of World War II. Roiphe would have seen women rise from the devastation of national disaster to take several places in factories and workshops, where many women worked during the war while the men were deployed for combat. Furthermore, Roiphe would have been introduced to one of the first female authority figures in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. As Roiphe reached adulthood, she would have been immersed in a culture torn apart by civil rights issues, Vietnam arguments, and crusades for personal liberties. It is a culture that would have nurtured feelings of both resentment and pride. The women's rights movement was one such campaign that emerged from this turbulent era. Women, of course, had been historically shunned and excluded from next to all aspects of society outside the home.