Employment Law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Employment Law - Assignment Example Subsequently, these employees had approached the Managing Director, who confirmed their dismissal, without making any further investigations into the case. He approved the dismissal by simply going through the available paper work relating to the issue. Thereafter, the company had received an ETI claim form and ET3 response form from the Employment Tribunal. Several basic and radical changes were effected to the law pertaining to workplace grievance and disciplinary issues, by the Employment Act 2002. These changes were implemented by the Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004, and became effective from 1 October 2004 (Duncan, 2005). The advantage of employing the rules and procedures for addressing disciplinary and grievance issues lies in the fact this promotes fairness and transparency. Such rules and procedures have to be stipulated in a written and unambiguous manner. The development of rules and procedures should involve the employees or their representatives (Code of Practice 1 ACAS Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures, 2009). Analysis Under the present statutory provisions, in order to qualify for protection against unfair dismissal, an employee must have completed at least one year of continuous service with the same employer, if he had been appointed prior to 6 April 2012. For those appointed after this date, the qualifying period is 2 years. The sick leave period, holiday period and maternity leave period are also included in the period of service of the employee in the company (Compact Law, 2012). In our present problem, Janice Hall had been working with the company for more than a year. Hence, she is eligible for making a claim of unfair dismissal under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act. However, Kelsey Fields cannot make a claim for unfair dismissal, as she had been working for the company for less than a year. Although, employers are not required to adhere to any statutory disciplinary procedure, the Advisory, Concil iation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures that specify the fundamental principles relating to a fair procedure. An unreasonable failure by an employer to adhere to the provisions of this code can cause the tribunal to enhance the compensation awarded by it to the extent of even 25% (Employment Law Advice, 2011). An employee is entitled to be provided with written notice of dismissal, provided that employee has worked for at least one year in the business establishment of that employer. This is with regard to employees who had commenced work prior to 6 April 2012. However, with regard to employees who had started to work after this date, they should have worked for at least two years (Citizens Advice Guide, 2012). Although Janice had worked for 2 years, no notice of dismissal had been served upon her by the company. This constitutes a gross violation of the statutory fair procedures by the company. At the very least, employers, wh ile addressing disciplinary issues, should carry the required investigations for establishing the facts; convey to the employees the root cause of the problem; conduct a meeting to enable employees to present their case; permit the employee to be accompanied at the meeting; and allow the employee to appeal the decision. In addition, there should be no unreasonable delay and

Physiological Education Essay Example for Free

Physiological Education Essay Harvard President Lawrence Summers caused quite a stir in January 2005 when he proposed that women are lagging behind in science and mathematics because of innate differences between the sexes (Angier and Chang, 2005). Angier and Chang at the New York Times agree. They write that research has found that there are a lot of discrepanciesthe architecture of their brains, in quantitative test scores, attitudes toward math and sciencebetween men and women (Angier and Chang, 2005). The New York Times report found that boys have outscored girls in the math part of the SATs by as much as 35 points, while verbal scores are very similar. On the other hand, the report notes that there are more boys with attention-deficit disorder, learning disabilities, and autism (Angier and Chang, 2005). Boys, on the other hand, fare rather poorly with reading and writing. NAEP writing tests results in 2003 showed that boys scored 24 points lower than girls. The trend can be seen as early as the fourth grade all the way through college (Connell and Gunzelmann, 2004). Kate Melville explains that girls mainly use a system that is involves more memorization and association of words, while boys rely on a system the deals with the rules of language. Melville, citing a study by Michael Ullman, adds that both boys and girls are using different neurocognitive brain processes in learning language, and information processing (Melville, 2006). Jasna Jovanovic and Candice Dreves sums it up in saying that over the years, the notion is that boys have superior spatial abilities, which helps them in math. While girls are better at language and writing (1995). Do girls learn differently from boys? This paper will provide proof that they indeed do, and will try to delve into why and how they learn differently. Lastly it looks into recommendations for addressing such learning disparities between the genders. Preferences in Learning Styles Erica Wehrwein and her fellow researchers identify the learning style preferences of students to include visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic. They also found that a little more than half of the females preferred a single mode of presenting information, as opposed to only 12. 5% of males (Wehrwein, et. al. , 2007). More than a third of the females favored the kinesthetic mode, followed by the read-write mode at16. 7% (Wehrwein, et. al. , 2007). On the other hand, boys preferred auditory, read-write and kinesthetic evenly (Wehrwein, et. al. , 2007). The researchers conclude that there is a significance difference in learning style preferences between boys and girls. Brain-based Differences Nikhil Swaminathan at the Scientific American says that a growing body of studies over since the 1960s have documented that girls have superior language skills. Swaminathan cites a journal report from the Neuropsychologia that says that girls completing a linguistic-related task showed greater activity in the areas of the brain that are responsible for language encoding, and abstract deciphering of information. The boys showed more activities in the visual and auditory areas, depending on how the words were presented (Swaminathan, 2008). Swaminathan concludes that in a classroom, it implies that boys have to be taught visually and orally (through texts and lecture) to gain a full understanding of the lesson, while girls can pick up the concepts by using one of either (Swaminathan, 2008). The study monitored the brain activities of 62 kids (31 of each) from 9 to 15 years old (Swaminathan, 2008). CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Kaledin cites a study conducted by University of California at Irvine psychologist Richard Haire, which shows that at the very least, mens and womens brains work differently (Kaledin, 2005). Kaledin also cites Dr. Jay Geidds studies showing that boys and girls have different brain development, with girls brains maturing faster than boys, except in the area involved in mechanical skills (Kaledin, 2005). Dr. Leonard Sax offers a much more empirical example, saying that at 12, the geometry area in a girls brain is equal to that of an 8 year old boy, while the language area of a boys brain is three or four years behind that of a girls brain. Dr. Sax concludes that boys and girls see, hear and respond differently (Kaledin, 2005). The Environments Role In an interview Parent News, Jasna Jovanovic stresses that there are no genetically-based differences between girls and boys. Jovanovic, however, says that girls will benefit more from teaching methods that include performance-based assessments, hands-on, active approaches, and cooperative learning. Jovanovic also reiterated that the difference might lie in the childs environment. Jovanovic laments that societal expectations and stereotypes tell girls that they are not good in math or science, so they shouldnt be very interested in it (Understanding Gender , undated). Jovanovic participated in a single-sex education in grades K-12 roundtable discussion sponsored by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation. Jovanovics view is shared by Barnard President Judith Shapiro who adding that while nature may form part of the loss of interest among girls in science, there is also the nurture part (Kaledin, 2005). Donna Milgram, expounding on the gender differences in math, science, engineering and technology, says that the reason why many girls are floundering in these areas is that they have less experience in the hands-on application of learning principles than boys. Milgram says that the studies show that gender differences, most likely, stems out of nurture, not nature (Milgram, undated). Milgram adds that another important area of concern is that of perception and confidence. Females are most likely to succeed in science, engineering, technology and math if they feel confident that they could master it (Milgram, undated). Recommendations Jovanovic and Dreves recommends that child care providers and teachers give every child the chance to learn math and science. Staff should be trained on the equal treatment of boys and girls in the classroom, as well as be given the necessary resources and materials to give the children hands-on experiences in both subjects (Jovanovic and Dreves, 1995). Jovanovic, in the Parents News interview, also suggests a smaller class size, a core curriculum approach, more personal relationships between teahcers, students and administrators, more higher-order thinking-related activities (Understanding Gender , undated). Teachers, as well as students, need to be aware of learning style preferences. That way, they can tailor-fit their instruction, activities and tasks to optimize learning. Dr. Leonard Sax says that its very important to understand and pay more attention to the learning differences between girls and boys, and even in the differences in the way they develop. Dr. Sax points out that if we continue to ignore these differences, chances are at age 13, wed have girls who think they cant do math and boys who think that poetry is a waste of time (Kaledin, 2005). * * * The body of evidence, the growing of research, the viewpoints held by various authorities may differ, at the very least, and contrasting and confusing at the most. Whats clear, however, is the fact that girls and boys differ in they ways that they learn something. It may be attributed to physiological factors, or it may stem from the childs environment. The debate, however, is important not because we need to determine whether boys are more intelligent than girls. That is way beside the point. Our role as educators is to make sure that our students learn, in a manner thats easy for them. While suggestions have been brought to extremes like a single-sex classroom setting, the bulk of the responsibility rests on our shoulders. We need to understand these differences, be it physiological, or environmental. We need to understand our students. We need to understand their learning patterns. Having understood their strengths, and the innate differences, we can tap it to make it easier for them to learn. We need to find out the proper and optimal mix of instruction, of lectures, of the use of materials and resources. We need to be creative, innovative in the classrooms and outside it, in order to capture our students and interests in they way they were wired to appreciate it. Lastly, and perhaps, most importantly, we need to create a supportive classroom environment where boys and girls can be themselves, and make both understand that each of them are there to learn in his or her own style and pace. Its the only way we can safeguard their self-confidence and esteem. References Angier, Natalie and Chang, Kenneth. (2005). Gray Matter and Sexes: A Gray Area Scientifically. New York Times. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://www. nytimes. com/2005/01/24/science/24women. html? oref=loginpagewanted=allposition= Connell, Diane and Gunzelmann, Betsy. (2004). The New Gender Gap. The Instructor, March 2004. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://teacher. scholastic. com/products/Instructor/Mar04_gendergap. htm Kaledin, Elizabeth. (2005). Intellectual Gender Gap? CBS News. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://www. cbsnews. com/stories/2005/03/14/sunday/main679829. shtml Jovanovic, J. and Dreves C. (1995). Math, science, and girls: Can we close the gender gap? University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://www. nncc. org/Curriculum/sac52_math. science. girls. html Melville, Kate. (2006). Big Gender Differences In Language Learning. Georgetown University Medical Center. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://www. scienceagogo.com/news/20061029224800data_trunc_sys. shtml Milgram, Donna. Gender Differences in Learning Style Specific to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://www. selfgrowth. com/articles/Gender_Differences_in_Learning_Style_Specific_to_Science_Technology_Engineering_and_Math_STEM. html Swaminathan, Nikhil. (2008). Girl Talk: Are Women Really Better at Language? Scientific American. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://www. sciam. com/article. cfm? id=are-women-really-better-with-languageprint=true Understanding Gender Differences that May Occur in Classroom Settings. Adoption. Com. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://library. adoption. com/Child-Development/Understanding-Gender-Differences-that-May-Occur-in-Classroom-Settings/article/3379/1. html Wehrwein, Erica, Lujan Heidi and DiCarlo, Stephen. (2007). Gender differences in learning style preferences among undergraduate physiology students. Advances in Physiological Education. Retrieved on 15 April 2008. http://advan. physiology. org/cgi/content/full/31/2/153

Photographer: Thomas Hoepker

Photographer: Thomas Hoepker Photographer: Thomas Hoepker Title: September 11, 2001. New York, Brooklyn Year: 2001 This photo is said to have been taken by Thomas Hoepker on the 11th of September 2001. The photo shows a group of New Yorkers relaxing in the sun in a park with clear blue water behind them and in the background the dust and smoke coming from the area in which the world trade center once stood. In 2001 when this photo was take, Hoepker refused to publish it as it didn’t seem an appropriate image when such a serious disaster had occurred. This image was eventually published in 2006 and caused a lot of controversy as some people felt that the photo portrayed Americans in a way that even though a horrible disaster that has killed thousands of people had happened that there was no need for people to change or reform as an united nation. However others felt that the photo captured a historical moment which shows that regardless of what terror attack or war is going on, life doesn’t stop it goes on. This photo 13 years on from the date of the disaster is one of the defining photographs from 9/11. Image source: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3VF=MAGO31_10_VFormERID=24KL5351FG Photographer: Eve Arnold Title: Childbirth, a babys first 5 minutes Year: 1959 From The Series: First five minutes of a babys life The subject of the photograph is a baby who has just been brought into the world and captures the first 5 minutes of the baby’s life. The image manipulates our emotions by drawing us to the subject through the use of an extended depth of field. The rule of thirds applies to this photo with the mother in the bottom of the image with the baby in the centre and the doctor who has delivered the baby at the top of the image. There is an intense light behind the doctor, which gives a sense of an angelic / holy person; this makes you think that the baby is a gift from a higher presence. When Eve Arnold decided she wanted to become a photographer, she showed her mother some of her photographs, which happened to be photos that documented the first five minutes of a baby’s life. Her mother never seen the potential of her daughter’s photographs even though her work led to numerous awards, first female member of Magnum and respect from peers and fellow photographers but despite this, she wanted approval from her parents. She did eventually get approval from her mother but it did not come easily. At the time this photograph was taken, the Nikon F camera, Nikon’s first SLR was introduced. This was one of the most advanced cameras that contained all of the concepts that had previously been introduced but combined them all in one camera. AGFA also introduced the first fully automatic camera. Image Source: https://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResultSTID=2S5RYDIET7XL Photographer: W. Eugene Smith Title: Dr. Ernest Guy Ceriani going to visit patients Year: 1948 From the Series: Country Doctor This portrait shows a country doctor, Dr. Ernest Guy Ceriani (aged 32), going to visit his patients in their remote villages. The ‘Country Doctor’ series was W. Eugene Smith’s 1948 feature for LIFE magazine. He spent 23 days in Kremmling, Colorado following GP Ernest Ceriani. His images capture the emotional and physical challenges faced by the doctor and also the reality. This portrait is very dramatic as the image is in black and white and is intensified by the large dark cloud that is above the doctor. The black cloud could suggest the doctor may be on his way to deliver bad news to a patient but captures him in a natural way. The doctor is in the centre of the image with the focus being mainly on him but the fence to the right of the image is a bit distracting. The viewer is instantly drawn to the subject due to his dominance in the frame. Image source: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResultALID=2TYRYDDWML5P Photographer: Marilyn Silverstone Title: Mask room at the Pemayangtse Monastery Year: 1967 Marilyn Rita Silverstonewas an accomplished photo-journalist and ordainedBuddhistnun. She spent a lot of time travelling around Europe, Middle East Africa and ended up having a lifetime love of India. This photo makes me feel a bit weary because of the amount of masks hanging, the bizarre appearance of the masks and also the way in which Silverstone has shot the photo. The masks are in the darkness and the two young boys in the lower corner are In the light, this creates a feeling off demons in the shadows. The ferocious masks are a preview of the visions of the after-death state, presented so that the viewer may recognise them in future as reflections of ones own mind† The expressions on the young boys’ faces suggest that the boys aren’t sure of the masks and may be scared of them. Image Source: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3VF=MAGO31_10_VFormERID=24KL535FI3 Photographer: Bill Brandt Title: Nude, Hampstead, London Year: 1952 This is a photo of a person’s feet taken whilst facing the soles of the feet. The person would appear to be lying on the floor of an empty room with two doors in the background The picture has been printed with high contrast and the tonal values of the image play an important part. A wide angle has been used, which has caused an unusual perspective in the picture. The feet take up a large part of the frame and appear to almost touch the celling. A dramatic look has been created by using a wide angle lens and the use of light adds a variety of attractive tones on the subject. The empty room gives a sense of being alone. Brandt is considered one of the 20th century ’s greatest British photographers. He originally had a very documentary approach to his work and this changed over time to focusing on the nude form and making images appear more poetic. Image source: http://chloe328.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/bill-brandt-feet.jpg Photographer: Annie Leibovitz Title: A portrait of the Queen Year: 2007 This photo is a beautiful portrait of Queen Elizabeth II seated in an unlit room in Buckingham Palace. The natural light coming through the window creates Rembrandt lighting and Leibovitz has balanced the exposure from the outside with the available light within the room. The light casts a wonderful silvery light on her white dress and fur creating a fairy-tale regality. The placing of the Queen makes the photo more aesthetically pleasing on the eye. The queen has her crown on in this photo which shows power but at the same time the use of space shows a sense of loneliness. Image source: http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Arts/Arts_/Pictures/2007/05/02/leibovitz460.jpg Photographer: Daido Moriyama Title: Stray dog, Misawa Year: 1971 Moriyama almost always shoots in black and white with very high contrast. He uses a technique he calls are-bure-bokeh which basically means rough, blurry and out of focus. Instead of using a large single reflex camera, Moriyama prefers to use a small compact camera which allows him to be more spontaneous. He was influenced by his friend Yukio Mishima to add existential darkness to his subjects. This picture shows a stray dog which fills the frame. The dog is black against a white background with some white highlights where the light touches the dogs ear, side and back leg. Moriyama has taken this photo from behind the dog and to the left Image Source: http://www.worldphoto.org/_assets/images/DaidoMoriyama_Misawa.jpg Photographer: Olivia Arthur Title: Shopping at a mall in Jeddah Year: 2010 Olivia Arthur is a uk photographer who began working as a photographer in 2003. She has been working on a series about women and the East-West cultural divide. This work has taken her to the border between Europe and Asia, Iran and Saudi Arabia. This photograph shows a female dressed in a black abaya facing a male dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt who is handing her some cosmetics. All shop keepers are males in Saudi Arabia. You can see the difference between the sexes in Saudi Arabia, females must wear an abaya if they go out which shows only their hands and eyes unlike men who can wear what they want. The female is the main focus in this image, they tall black figure catches the viewers attention instantly and without her the photo wouldn’t tell a story. Image source: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3VF=MAGO31_10_VFormERID=24KL535OLY Photographer: Richard Mosse Title: Come Out (1966) Year: 2011 Richard Mosse is a photographer who is more documentary than photo-journalistic. He has spent time in areas of conflict including the Congo which is the subject of his Infra series. Mosse has used Kodak aerochrome film which is an infrared sensitive film normally used to survey vegetation and camouflage detection. By using this, the vegetation in the photos appear pink adding interesting elements to the photos. This is a photograph of a small grass hut surrounded by a pink hue of palm trees and other foliage. The hut is at the bottom of the photo and centered. Behind the pink trees there is a grey misty sky. Image Source: http://www.richardmosse.com/works/infra/ Photographer: Gueorgui Pinkhassov Title: Cock of the walk Year: 1992 Gueorgui Pinkhassov was originally a set photographer but after meeting Tarkovsky he changed direction and became a photo-journalist as Tarkovsky had advised him that Russia was a a closed society, but that things would change soon and that photojournalists were needed. Pinkhassov used Kodachrome 200 ASA film which produced high contrast photos and reproduces reds very well which helped make the cockerel stand out from the dark shadows. He has said that he never considered the composition of the image as he had a very tight timeframe to capture the cockerel poking its head out. The background is other cockerels and people hidden in the shadows reducing any unwanted details. Image Source: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3VF=MAGO31_10_VFormERID=24KL53ZVNE Photographer: Moises Saman Title: Marjas new district chief meets with local elders in Marjas district center. Year: 2010 Moises Saman is a photojournalist who regularly works in some of the most conflicted places in the world. This image shows a group of older men sitting on the floor whilst a man reads a document on a table. The men’s faces appear sad and show uncertainty towards the younger man who would appear to be the new district chief. The photo could have been taken at any point in time if it wasn’t for the photo of the country’s president. Saman has said this photo was to shows that Leaders come and go but it’s the local people who suffer. Image source: http://mediastore4.magnumphotos.com/CoreXDoc/MAG/Media/TR2/c/2/7/4/NYC105993.jpg Photographer: Hugh Hood Series Title: Glasgow 1974 Year: 2013 This is a photograph featured in Hugh Hood’s Glasgow 1974 exhibition at Street Level Photoworks in Glasgow. The exhibition features photographs of the streets of Glasgow from 1974 to 1978, during this time Glasgow’s social and architectural history was changing, half the tenements were being pulled down and the other half were being renovated or built. This photograph shows an old abandoned tenement building which would have been demolished. The side of the building is bare and the windows throughout the tenement are smashed. This image shows Glasgow in a past that older generations will remember and that younger generations can look at and get an understanding of how Glasgow was and how it has moved forward but also how communities and society have changed. Image Source: http://www.streetlevelphotoworks.org/product/hugh-hood-unttitled-3-glasgow-1974 Photographer: Constantine Manos Title: Ku Klux Klan rally Year: 1952 Constantine Manos was a student at the University of South Carolina which was a segregated university. He wrote the first anti-segregated editorial in the university newspaper, this caused the university and Manos to receive threating phone calls. He used to sneak out to the cotton fields at night and see the Ku Klux Klan. This image of the men is quite daunting with the background black this gives a dark feeling to the image and it also makes the man in white stand out. Staring at this image can make one feel uneasy because the figure in white has his face covered. What makes it so terrifying is that the man could be anyone a friend ,family or someone close. The composition of the mans body is relaxed but even though his face is covered you can see within his eyes that it’s a serious and angry look that he has. The Ku Klux Klan member’s robe has a cross within a circle that contains a blood drop in the middle which is believed to represent the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ as a sacrifice. After the American civil war, the Ku Klux Klan was formed, they were a secret society that wanted white supremacy and to do this they terrorized and intimidated people Image Source: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3VF=MAGO31_10_VFormERID=24KL53ZOQY Photographer: William Eggleston Title: Untitled Year: 1695-1968 This is a picture of a woman sitting at a green diner booth. The photo is taken from behind and shows the woman’s greying hair that has been wrapped into a perfect beehive with no loose strands. The bobby pins used to hold her beehive hairstyle in place simulate a continuation of her spine. The male sitting opposite her is obstructed completely from the lens with only his arms visible. Eggleston’s consistently controlled gaze focuses on the attention to detail in the way the woman has styled her hair. Eggleston’s personal documentary style is recognized worldwide along with him being the pioneer of colour photography. Since first picking up a camera over fifty years ago, Eggleston’s work is said to find ‘beauty in the everyday’. He captures the ordinary world around him and creates interest by using sharp observation, dynamic composition and great wit. Image source: http://arttattler.com/Images/NorthAmerica/NewYork/Whitney/William Eggleston/02.-eggleston_untitled1965beehive.jpg Photographer: Diane Arbus Title: Patriotic Young Man with a Flag Year: 1967 Diane Arbus was known as a ‘photographer of freaks’ as she preferred to photograph the normal within an abnormal society. She photographed dwarfs, nudists, circus performers and transgender people amongst other subjects. Arbus had a talent for being able to relate to people which can be seen in her photos as her subjects appear to be at ease and comfortable during the experience. Arbus felt that if it wasn’t for her no one would see the true aspects of her unusual subjects. Arbus’s photo shows a young man who is proud to be an American citizen but he doesn’t look like the kind of person a photographer would use to show this. The young man is in formal wear with his badge on his jacket and flag in his hand but has scruffy hair, bad acne on his face and a shirt with an undone collar. The light used in this photo is quite harsh and makes him look as though he has had a hard life. When Arbus first started, she was using a 35 mm Nikon camera which produced grainy rectangular images, she swapped to a twin-lens reflex Rolleiflex camera which produced more detailed square images Image source: http://diane-arbus-photography.com/

Christmas - An Extraordinary Holiday Essays -- Personal Narrative Writ

Christmas - An Extraordinary Holiday As I grow older, Christmas is the greatest holiday for my family and me. The powerful feeling of family is never any stronger than on Christmas Day. The stress of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve all seeps away as our children come running into our bedroom to see if we are awake yet. Even though our children are teenagers, the tradition doesn't change; Santa is real if you believe in him. I've seen our children wake up as early as 5:00 a.m. As our children awake us, my husband tries to draw out the anticipation by telling them he needs to take a shower first. After much begging and grumbling, they agree and the three of us make our way into the kitchen to bake cinnamon rolls. While my husband is showering, we are in the kitchen preparing the cinnamon rolls. By the time he is done, the smell of the gooey sweet cinnamon rolls is drifting through the house. As I pull the rolls out of the oven, my daughters are tearing into the stockings Santa filled while visiting the night before. Santa always remembers Mom and Dad, too. W...

Political Science Essay

Chapter 1 1. Authority: the recognized right of officials to exercise power 2. Constitutionalism: the idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power 3. Corporate power: operates in part through the influence that firms have with policy makers 4. Democracy: a form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through an elected representative. 5. Elitism: the power well exercised by well positioned and high influential individuals 6. Free market system: operates mainly on private transactions. Firms are largely free to make their own production, distribution and pricing decisions 7. Judicial action: the use of courts as means of asserting rights and interests. 8. Majoritarianism: the situation in which the majority effectively determines what the government does 9. Pluralism: holds that, most issues, the preference of the special interest largely determines what government does 10. Political Science: the systematic study of government and politics 11. Political thinking: careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue 12. Politics: the means by which society settles in conflicts and allocates the resulting the benefits and costs 13. Power: refers to the ability of persons, groups or institutions to influence political developments 14. Public policies: decisions of government to pursue particular courses of action Chapter 2 1. Anti-Federalists: raised arguments that national government would ne too powerful and would threaten self government in the separate states and the liberty of people 2. Bill of Rights: includes those as freedom of speech, religion, due process protections. 3. Checks and Balances: no institution can act decisively without the support or acquiescence of the other institution. 4. Constitution: a fundamental law that defines how government will legitimately operate; the method for choosing its leaders, the institutions through which these leaders will work, the procedures they must follow in making policy and the powers they can lawfully exercise; highest law of the land 5. Constitutional democratic republic: the type of government created in the United States in 1787. a. Constitutional: in its requirement to gain power through elections be exercised in accordance with law and with due respect for individual rights b. Democratic: in its provisions for majority influence through elections c. Republic: in its mix of deliberative institutions, each of which moderates the power of others 6. Delegates: officeholders who are obligated to carry out the expressed opinions of the people they represent 7. Limited government: one that is subject to strict legal limits on the uses of power, so that it would not threaten the people’s liberty 8. Self Government: one in which the people would be the ultimate source of governing authority and would have a voice in their governing 9. Inalienable rights or Natural rights: life, liberty and property, which are threaten by individuals 10. The Virginia Plan:/Large State Plan: included separate judicial and executive branches as well as two chamber congress that would have supreme authority in all areas 11. The New Jersey Plan / Small State Plan: call for a stronger national government than that provided by the articles of confederation 12. The Great Compromise: the agreement of the constitutional convention to create a two chamber congress with the House appointed by population and the Senate apportioned equally by the state 13. 3/5 Compromise: each slave was to count as less than a person. 14. Federalists: Constitution supporters 15. Liberty: the principle that individuals should be free to act, and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe on the well being of others 16. Grants of Power: framers chose to limit the national government in part by confirming its scope of authority to those powers expressively granted in the Constitution. 17. Denials of Power: a means to limit government to prohibit certain practices that European rulers had routinely used to oppressed political opponents 18. Separation of Powers: division of the powers of government among separate institutions or branches 19. Separated institution sharing power: 20. Checks and Balances: No institution can act decisively without the support or acquiescence of the other institutions 21. Judicial Review: the power of the judiciary to decide whether a government official or institution that has acted within its limits of the Constitution 22. Tyranny Sovergnty: a government cannot be sovereign if it can be overruled by another government 23. Federalism: a governmental system in which authority is divided between two sovereign levels of government, national and regional. 24. Unitary system: sovereignty is vested solely in the national government. 25. Confederacy: the type of government that existed under the Articles of confederation 26.

Should Everyone Undertake University

ASSIGNMENT: REFERENCED ESSAY TITTLE: EDUCATION TOPIC 1: SHOULD EVERYONE BE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE A UNIVERSITY EDUCAtion DATE: 6 JANUARY 2013 In modern life, many students choose to enter university or college after they have graduated high school because higher education is a good environment to prepare for their future. However, some others think that it is only one of causes to increase the rate of unemployment, while they just need to follow vocational training or start working to improve their skills.This essay argues that everyone should be required to undertake a university education because it gives benefit to individuals such as career opportunities with higher earnings and social benefits. One of the main reasons why people should go to university is because it is a personal investment that can improve their life’s quality in the future. In higher education, people not only learn the knowledge from books but they also acquire what they need to know for their future li fe.Potter (2006) states that â€Å"university graduates also enjoy lots of other non-market benefits, including a lifetime of better mental and physical health, stronger social networks, and higher social status†. Indeed, university education provides many opportunities and benefits. Firstly, higher education provides career opportunities for students because they can get more knowledge and experience for their jobs in the future. Lederer (2010) mentions that university students will have lower unemployment rates in an economic downturn.This means as job markets are growing up, there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company so if people do not have a qualification from university or college, it will be hard for them to be accepted. Furthermore, individual income is also strongly related to education attainment. People who graduate higher education may earn more than others so they will have more employer provided health and pension benefits. For example, accor ding to Baum (2007) â€Å"the typical bachelor’s degree recipient can expect to earn about 61% more over 40 years working life than the typical high school graduate earning over the same period†.Some students believe that vocational training might be seen alternative program for university. However, they can still find a good job, their company will require college or university experience if they want to have a higher salary. Finally, higher education is where students build connected networks. They may meet friends and mentors that become a future contact and colleagues from all activities when learning including volunteer work, summer jobs or student organizations. The author in the article â€Å"building rapport-establishing bonds† states that developing professional connection is a skill that everyone can learn and can use easily.They can use it to bring countless opportunities to be successful. Consequently, studying higher education will make more new opp ortunities for student to have a better life and prepare for their career. Next, undertaking university education is not just benefitcal for individual students but also beneficial to the whole society. People, who have higher learning, will have awareness and responsibility for their life. Firstly, going to university is related to economic advantages of society.Baum (2007) presents: â€Å"higher levels of education lead to both higher of earning for individuals and higher taxes revenues for federal, state, and local governments†. University graduates not only pay more taxes with higher income, but they also tend to have better health and depend less on government programs and spend more leisure time with their family or on civic activities. Moreover, students who have higher education will have more knowledge and awareness in life choices and can more easily to avoid lack of money and will become a criminal. According to Dr.Hill (2005), educational attainment may lead to le ss criminal behavior and lower imprisonment rate. Thus, the number of criminals will decline so human life will be happier and people no longer worried about things such as phishing, theft or violence. Higher education is a good way to help develop the economy and society. In conclusion, everyone should be required to undertake university education because students can have the opportunity to prepare for their jobs, creating career opportunities and higher income in the future. This leads to better individual life’s quality and give more benefits for society.Overall, from reasons above, students should be encouraged to go to university to get better life and better country. REFERENCE LIST: Baum and Payea, 2005, ‘the benefits of higher education for individuals and society’, College Board, vol. 1, page 10 and 16, viewed 6 January 2013 http://www. collegeboard. com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/trends/ed_pays_2007. pdf ‘Building rapport-establishing bondsâ⠂¬â„¢, mind tools, viewed 6 January 2013 http://www. mindtools. com/pages/article/building-rapport. htm Hill Ph. D, Hoffman Ph. D and Rex MBA, 2005, ‘the value of higher education: individual and societal benefit’, school of business, vol. , page 24, viewed 6 January 2013 http://wpcarey. asu. edu/seid/upload/Value%20Full%20Report_final_october%202005a. pdf Lederer, J 2010, â€Å"Job Growth: Why increasing education attainment is so important for creating jobs†, Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, viewed 6 January 2013 http://www. wsac. wa. gov/sites/default/files/TAB7A-JobGrowthPresentation. pdf Potter, A 2006, â€Å"should everyone go to university? †, reading pack, vol. 6, viewed 6 January 2013 http://www. macleans. ca/education/universities/article. jsp? content=20061113_136513_136513

This is a creative writing piece about the differences between me and my sister entitled Ten Years Later.

This is a creative writing piece about the differences between me and my sister entitled Ten Years Later. Ten Years LaterMy older sister was always late in the mornings, and every day I waited on the couch next to the door, counting the hundreds of seconds until she was ready. I waited, dressed, with my bright pink backpack secured, my shoes tied, and my coat zipped. I watched her run around the house, looking for a last minute snack, or sometimes finishing her homework. It puzzled me that no matter how early she woke up, she was still always late. Finally, she would open the door, and together we would sprint down the street to the bus stop, where we would be the last two kids on the bus. I resented her for making me sit in the front row, and I was determined to convince my parents that I was old enough to go by myself. They didn't give in for two years, until I reached second grade.Kitchen and staff, Windsor Hotel, Montreal, QC, 19...For the first week, my sister walked with me. It wasn't intentional, but by the time I reached the end of the driveway, she caught up to me and we would w alk side by side. The following week, when Lana abandoned her resolution to be on time, I left my house alone. As I turned the corner, I confirmed her absence, and began my walk in solitude. It wasn't far, not more than a quarter of a mile, and there was plenty of time to spare. Yet I walked briskly at first, and then I began to run. Afraid of looking behind me, I dashed to the end of the street. Sobbing, I stood alone, until the others gradually found their way to the bus stop.I refused at first to admit that I didn't know what to do with my newfound liberty. I wished that it would...

Free Essays on La Bruja

La Bruja y el Enano Érase una vez, habà ­a un enano se llama Poncho que vivà ­a en un pueble se llama Parangadi. Esta pueble era muy tranquilo y todos los enanos estaban alegres. Habà ­an arboles, flores, animales, y un gran rà ­o, cual hacà ­a este lugar utopà ­a para los enanos. Poncho era zapatero, y vivà ­a una vida muy humilde. Su casa era hecha de hierba, en una colina. Su vida era muy regular. Un dà ­a, cuando el enano estaba trabajando en su tienda, Rico, un amigo suyo entrà ³ por la puerta gritando, â€Å" ¡Poncho, has de ayudarme, una bruja ha estado agarrando todos los enanos del pueblo, y trayà ©ndolos a su casa para cocinar, y comerlos!† Se podrà ­a ver que Rico estaba rey molestado viendo las lagrimas cayà ©ndose de sus ojos. Sus mofletes estaban rojos, y no podà ­a respirar bien porque habà ­a estado corriendo a la tienda de Poncho para decirle lo que habà ­a pasado. â€Å" ¿Quà © quieres que yo haga?† Dijo Poncho. â€Å"Soy yo nada mas que un zapatero, yo no tengo el poder, tiempo, ni ganas de pelear una bruja fuerza.† En este momento, la bruja llegà ³ y sacà ³ Rico pobre, y le trajo a su casa con los otros. Poncho empezà ³ a pensar, y decidià ³ que iba a recoger todos sus amigos, para que ellos pudieran vivir en paz otra vez. Poncho sabà ­a que para hacer esto, tendrà ­a que sorprenderse la bruja. Él habrà ­a de hacer algo para que ella no pudiera hacer daà ±o a otros enanos. Poncho iba a la casa del jefe del pueblo para consejo. El jefe de esta pueble era muy inteligente, y todo mundo lo conocià ³. Cuando Poncho llegà ³ a la casa de su jefe, Poncho le preguntà ³, â€Å"jefe... sabio... hay una bruja sacando los enanos de nuestro pueblo, y trayà ©ndolos a la casa suya para comerlos.  ¿Quà © debo hacer?† El jefe era callado por un minuto, entonces à ©l dijo â€Å"Te voy a dar una estrella mgica. Cuando vayas a la casa de la Bruja, tienes que drselo la estrella a la bruja. Si ella lo toca, fundir. Eso es lo que t... Free Essays on La Bruja Free Essays on La Bruja La Bruja y el Enano Érase una vez, habà ­a un enano se llama Poncho que vivà ­a en un pueble se llama Parangadi. Esta pueble era muy tranquilo y todos los enanos estaban alegres. Habà ­an arboles, flores, animales, y un gran rà ­o, cual hacà ­a este lugar utopà ­a para los enanos. Poncho era zapatero, y vivà ­a una vida muy humilde. Su casa era hecha de hierba, en una colina. Su vida era muy regular. Un dà ­a, cuando el enano estaba trabajando en su tienda, Rico, un amigo suyo entrà ³ por la puerta gritando, â€Å" ¡Poncho, has de ayudarme, una bruja ha estado agarrando todos los enanos del pueblo, y trayà ©ndolos a su casa para cocinar, y comerlos!† Se podrà ­a ver que Rico estaba rey molestado viendo las lagrimas cayà ©ndose de sus ojos. Sus mofletes estaban rojos, y no podà ­a respirar bien porque habà ­a estado corriendo a la tienda de Poncho para decirle lo que habà ­a pasado. â€Å" ¿Quà © quieres que yo haga?† Dijo Poncho. â€Å"Soy yo nada mas que un zapatero, yo no tengo el poder, tiempo, ni ganas de pelear una bruja fuerza.† En este momento, la bruja llegà ³ y sacà ³ Rico pobre, y le trajo a su casa con los otros. Poncho empezà ³ a pensar, y decidià ³ que iba a recoger todos sus amigos, para que ellos pudieran vivir en paz otra vez. Poncho sabà ­a que para hacer esto, tendrà ­a que sorprenderse la bruja. Él habrà ­a de hacer algo para que ella no pudiera hacer daà ±o a otros enanos. Poncho iba a la casa del jefe del pueblo para consejo. El jefe de esta pueble era muy inteligente, y todo mundo lo conocià ³. Cuando Poncho llegà ³ a la casa de su jefe, Poncho le preguntà ³, â€Å"jefe... sabio... hay una bruja sacando los enanos de nuestro pueblo, y trayà ©ndolos a la casa suya para comerlos.  ¿Quà © debo hacer?† El jefe era callado por un minuto, entonces à ©l dijo â€Å"Te voy a dar una estrella mgica. Cuando vayas a la casa de la Bruja, tienes que drselo la estrella a la bruja. Si ella lo toca, fundir. Eso es lo que t...

Alternative Finance Models Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Alternative Finance Models - Essay Example After the end of World War II there have been various innovations in the Banking sector and communication and technology have played a major role in aiding these innovations. The question is, however, whether the financial system that countries have been following is reliable or not. The system failed in the recent financial crisis and many countries such as Bangladesh are now finding alternative finance models such as Grameen Banking and the Gulf countries have now introduced Islamic Banking. Both of these models have certain attributes that differentiates them from the conventional Banking system. The choice of the system depends on the nature of the country and the series of policies being followed by the government. According to the World Bank estimate, around 1.3 billion people live on less than a dollar per day. Grameen Bank system was formed in 1976 by Muhammed Yunus, with a vision to eradicate poverty from Bangladesh. (Anon., n.d.) This Bank is designed especially for the poor who have no education, no credit history and no assets to offer to the Bank (Latifee, 2008). The bank also aims to empower poor women who are usually the bread earners of the family (Anon., n.d.). Women in Bangladesh are engaged in activities such as farming or raising poultry and they need small loans in order to meet their daily needs. Furthermore, women in Bangladesh are not educated and lack the basic knowledge about banking activities. The Grameen Bank was formed especially for women in the rural areas who do not have the finances to pay for their children’s education or to pay for basic necessities such as food and water. With the Grameen bank designed especially for the poor these women and men can now go to the bank and avail the financial services like any other individual residing in the urban area. For example women can get loans from the Bank and start up their own business. The loan can be repaid within a period of 3 months or 3 years depending on the amount. There are no requirements for getting the loan but members are usually required to memorize the resolutions proposed by the Bank. These resolutions include statements such as â€Å"I will use clean drinking water, I will wash vegetables with clean water, I will use contraception when possible† and so on. It has been estimated that the population growth in Bangladesh fell after the Grameen Banking system was introduced (Yunus, 1999). The concept of resolutions was Muhammed Yunus’s idea and he wanted to educate the women of his own country and help them improve their standards of living. His strategy has worked and over 5% of borrowers from the Grameen Bank rose above the poverty level and extreme poverty decl ined by 70% in a span of 5 years (Yunus, 1999). The Bank also serves the beggars though its struggling members program. The main features of this program are: The rules of Grameen Bank do not apply to these members and they can form their own rules All loans given to these struggling families are free of interest and they can pay installments in any way they are comfortable with The beggars are not asked to give up begging but they are asked to engage in other income generating activities. The main idea behind this step is to slowly move these beggars away from beggary and introduce them to other income generating activities. Such programs help the poor in ways one could not have imagined. Grameen Bank is probably the first Bank in the history of Banking which is 100% made for the poor and of the poor. The poor own the Bank; after a year of membership they can buy shares in the bank and become members. According to the founder Muhammed Yunus around 94% of the bank is owned

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

Victimless - Essay Example The new skills required for this method includes working with local residents as partners in working out problems, making presentations to community groups, and involving other public and nonprofit organizations in community development efforts. Rohe, Adams and Arcury (1) stated that Community Oriented Policing â€Å"promises lower crime rates, reduced fear of crime, better coordination with other city and county agencies, and improved police/community relations.† As such, this method of organizational policing can also be applied for victimless crimes. Hess and Wrobleski, the authors of â€Å"Police Operations†, maintained that the role of the law should be limited particularly in dealing with victimless crimes since the category of the said crimes is a misnomer. This paper aims to identify and discuss the notion of victimless crimes and evaluate the behavior in terms of wrongfulness and the proper role for the law related to Community Oriented Policing. The reasons behind the creation of Community Oriented Policing were the rising crime rate and the ineptitude of conservative police methods during the late 1960’s such as concerns about racial conflicts, riots, civil right demonstrations and other crimes. According to Mirsky (1), â€Å"The design of community policing is to entail a more open relationship between the police and the public which gives the police a more proactive role in the community.† This new policing approach allows the neighborhoods to strengthen its capacity in helping by sharing the accountability for crime prevention and crime trepidation with the police. Meier and Geis (42) also maintain that building the competence of social institutions is essential in order to empower citizens to engage in and guard their own communities. Hence, community justice deduces that all communities have a liability to exercise social control to its residents. Among

Social Thought & Social Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social Thought & Social Change - Essay Example There has been a â€Å"social change† in United States (Cornish, 1993, pp. 162). Various sociologists belonging to different school of thoughts have interpreted social change differently. In particular, notion of Social Change will under evaluation according to the works of Karl Marx and Max Webber. Marx simply defined social change as something, which emerges from class conflict, and this social change might be in the form of revolutions and not necessarily peaceful (Tischler, 2007, pp. 14). Weber’s ideas on social change were not economically based like that of Marx, but he emphasized that social change is brought about by ideas and ideals (Denhardt, 2004, pp.26). Society has undergone various transformations; the theories of Marx and Weber highlight how social change brought about these transformations. The paper explains the theories of Marx and Weber to explain the concept of â€Å"post industrialist† society. Bell does not really define post industrialist s ociety as a transition into service industry. Bell places great emphasis on scientific knowledge in this era and this scientific knowledge is a catalyst for social change (Mackay, Maples, Reynolds, 2001, pp. 24). Postindustrial era emerged after the Second World War that saw immense technological developments some of which included the transformation of matter into energy, atom bomb and the first digital computer (Bell, 1973, pp. 339). The character of ‘knowledge’ itself stands out in postindustrial societies. The main features of a postindustrial society include that of an increase in the size of the service industry, extensive use of machinery, an increase in the amount of information technology and knowledge and creativity standing out (Society, n.d, n.p). Karl Marx was particularly focused on the inequality perpetuated by capitalism. He argued that a particular technology did not define capitalism, and was the relation of social forces within the capitalist society that was significant. In the sense, that the people who owned the means of production and the workers who worked on these means of production had an important relationship. Although technology was vital to the process but it resulted only â€Å"as consequence of the relationship between those who produce surplus value and who appropriate it† (Jordan, Pile, 2002, pp.102). The works of Marx itself were based on the industrialist society. However, various contemporary Marxist theorists have identified that the conflicts within the framework of work, which occurred in industrial society have still not been removed with the introduction of the post industrialist era, also widely known as Information Communications Technology (ICT). In addition, even Bell has identified that the landowner and soldier were central figures in pre-industrial society and the businesspersons in industrial society, largely scientists and researchers dominate the postindustrial society (Cornish, 1993, pp. 162). Marxists therefore would emphasize that the scientists and researchers have the ‘elite’ knowledge, which is in the hands of the powerful few. Hence, there is inequality in the society. Furthermore, there has been an integration of ICT into the manufacturing world. This is an addition of modernity to the trend, which Marx had established. Therefore, according to Marxists, ICT is a ‘

Hospital in Ireland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hospital in Ireland - Essay Example Employees miss work for various reasons majority of which are legitimate and others not, but the major reason noted among many hospitals is the reduction in morale (Independent 2014). This is evident in Tullamore Regional Hospital where the morale level is described to be at an all-time low (RTE 2013). This reduction in morale level is said to have been as a result of the HSE threat to close the Throat, Nose and Ear Ward and the cutback of some services and equipment. Medical experts have greatly warned on the impact that is said to  rise from low morale and increase in stress levels among doctors and other health care practitioners (Offaly Independent 2007) The HSE has embarked on a process of motivating the employees and reduce the absenteeism rate by hiring motivational coaches to give a boost to the senior managers’ morale (RTE 2013). This move has is set to support HSE’s succession managements strategy, and they are said to be vitally important in addressing the significant confronts facing the Executive. In reference to the documents published by the HSE, the persons offering the coaching services are required to promote talent growth and increase in leadership teams (Offaly Independent 2007). Forbes. 2013.  The Causes And Costs Of Absenteeism In The Workplace. [online] Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/07/10/the-causes-and-costs-of-absenteeism-in-the-workplace/ [Accessed: 14 Mar 2014]. Independent.ie. 2014.  HSE hires motivational coaches to give senior managers ‘morale boost’ - Independent.ie. [online] Available at: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hse-hires-motivational-coaches-to-give-senior-managers-morale-boost-28944593.html [Accessed: 14 Mar 2014]. Offaly Independent. 2007.  Morale among nurses at an all-time low - News - - Articles - Offaly Independent. [online] Available at:

Relationship between social media networks and the concept of home Essay

Relationship between social media networks and the concept of home - Essay Example You must also include any SMN pages that you discuss as part of your essay submission. Introduction Home refers to the region, state or place that an individual properly belongs, as well as where he or she finds refuge, satisfaction and rest (Morley 2000, p. 10). It is not normally fixed in space despite the fact that it can be located somewhere. This is attributed to the fact that one person can grow up in one place and decide to settle in another area to start his own family. In both cases, he can call the place he grew up as him, and at the same time call his new place home. In this regard, home can be said to represent an individual’s organisation of space over a period of time (Moores 2005, p. 18). Other scholars have argued that home goes beyond physical space. In this regard, they imply that home is characterized by rhetorical territory (Cannon 2012, p. 45). That is, peoples’ character is said to be at home when they are at ease with people who surround them or s hare life together. This calls for the capability to be understood by others without difficulties, and following other people’s instructions and reasoning without lengthy explanations. On the other hand, it is said that an individual’s rhetorical identity is considered finished when the people who surrounds him does not understand the explanations he gives for his actions, the enthusiasm displayed or the criticism made (McIntyre, Williams, & McHugh 2006, p. 36). In this scenario, one can be said to have lost touch and is facing ‘un-homely’ situations. Home involves speaking without providing background information (Bachelard 1994, p. 25). Additionally, a lot can be understood from a few words; thus, no footnotes needed when passing out information. Home also gives people a feeling of security, comfort, family, intimacy, comfort and privacy (Nyman 2009, p. 227). Therefore, going home can mean returning to a firm position that one knows, is accustomed to, fe els safe, and his emotional relationships are at extremely intense. From all these we can ascertain that every human being needs to have something that he or she can hold on to and call home (Gay, Redman, & Evans 2000, p. 113). Home is an essential component of human life necessary for an individual to function properly in the society (Chapman & Hockey 1999, p. 58). This is attributed to the fact that home gives people an opportunity to develop, and mold themselves into the people they want to be in life. Therefore, an unstable and poorly managed home can affect an individual’s upbringing and make him an irresponsible person in the society (Spencer & Pahl 2006, p. 35). Home and Social Media Networks Several social media networks are related to the concept of home. Social networking refers to grouping of people into definite groups such as neighborhood subdivision or small rural communities (Boyd & Ellison 2007, p. 230). In as much as social networking can be in conducted in p erson, it is extremely popular online. This is attributed to the fact that there are several people in the internet who are out to gather and share experiences and information, as well as meet new people (Wetherell & Mohanty 2011, p. 120). Websites are commonly used in social networking, and the most commonly used social media websites include; Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Friendster, just to mention but a few. In this paper, I would focus on Facebook since it is the most

The History and evolution of health care economics Essay

The History and evolution of health care economics - Essay Example Health care economics is one branch of economics that deals with problems like scarcity in the distribution of health care. A general overview of this study includes social issues in healthcare (alcoholism, smoking), health care system, and allocation of funding to public healthcare. Early studies in this field can be attributed to Kenneth Arrow when he published his article titled â€Å" Uncertainty and the Welfare economics of medical care â€Å" in 1963. Nowadays, numerous researches dwelling on health care economics just shows the importance of this issue to modern living. The study of economics would always be a relationship between supply and demand, and healthcare is no exception to such. First, it must be understood that healthcare is a derived demand since it is affects the result of health and must be directly consumed ( Newhouse, 1996) in order to feel its benefits. Although people would not like the idea of receiving this service, they have no choice when they get sick. In fact, Evans and Stoddart (1990 ) asserts that â€Å"Health care is one the determinants of health and from an economic perspective, it is simply an input into the production of health†. This is the main reason why government should spend on healthcare since healthy citizens are more productive and costs less to society. Even individuals should ideally spend for their own preventive healthcare so they would not get sick thereby reducing downtime in terms of man hours. Unfortunately, people do not prioritize healthcare issues all the time since there are other equally important things to spend for such as food, education and housing. It is only when one’s health is endangered do people pay attention to this issue; thus, people even buy costly medicines when they are really sick. On the other hand, Kowalski’s paper in 2003 revealed that â€Å"medical care and prices have an elastic

Hospital in Ireland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hospital in Ireland - Essay Example Employees miss work for various reasons majority of which are legitimate and others not, but the major reason noted among many hospitals is the reduction in morale (Independent 2014). This is evident in Tullamore Regional Hospital where the morale level is described to be at an all-time low (RTE 2013). This reduction in morale level is said to have been as a result of the HSE threat to close the Throat, Nose and Ear Ward and the cutback of some services and equipment. Medical experts have greatly warned on the impact that is said to  rise from low morale and increase in stress levels among doctors and other health care practitioners (Offaly Independent 2007) The HSE has embarked on a process of motivating the employees and reduce the absenteeism rate by hiring motivational coaches to give a boost to the senior managers’ morale (RTE 2013). This move has is set to support HSE’s succession managements strategy, and they are said to be vitally important in addressing the significant confronts facing the Executive. In reference to the documents published by the HSE, the persons offering the coaching services are required to promote talent growth and increase in leadership teams (Offaly Independent 2007). Forbes. 2013.  The Causes And Costs Of Absenteeism In The Workplace. [online] Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/07/10/the-causes-and-costs-of-absenteeism-in-the-workplace/ [Accessed: 14 Mar 2014]. Independent.ie. 2014.  HSE hires motivational coaches to give senior managers ‘morale boost’ - Independent.ie. [online] Available at: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hse-hires-motivational-coaches-to-give-senior-managers-morale-boost-28944593.html [Accessed: 14 Mar 2014]. Offaly Independent. 2007.  Morale among nurses at an all-time low - News - - Articles - Offaly Independent. [online] Available at:

The History and evolution of health care economics Essay

The History and evolution of health care economics - Essay Example Health care economics is one branch of economics that deals with problems like scarcity in the distribution of health care. A general overview of this study includes social issues in healthcare (alcoholism, smoking), health care system, and allocation of funding to public healthcare. Early studies in this field can be attributed to Kenneth Arrow when he published his article titled â€Å" Uncertainty and the Welfare economics of medical care â€Å" in 1963. Nowadays, numerous researches dwelling on health care economics just shows the importance of this issue to modern living. The study of economics would always be a relationship between supply and demand, and healthcare is no exception to such. First, it must be understood that healthcare is a derived demand since it is affects the result of health and must be directly consumed ( Newhouse, 1996) in order to feel its benefits. Although people would not like the idea of receiving this service, they have no choice when they get sick. In fact, Evans and Stoddart (1990 ) asserts that â€Å"Health care is one the determinants of health and from an economic perspective, it is simply an input into the production of health†. This is the main reason why government should spend on healthcare since healthy citizens are more productive and costs less to society. Even individuals should ideally spend for their own preventive healthcare so they would not get sick thereby reducing downtime in terms of man hours. Unfortunately, people do not prioritize healthcare issues all the time since there are other equally important things to spend for such as food, education and housing. It is only when one’s health is endangered do people pay attention to this issue; thus, people even buy costly medicines when they are really sick. On the other hand, Kowalski’s paper in 2003 revealed that â€Å"medical care and prices have an elastic

Investigating Effect Essay Example for Free

Investigating Effect Essay Plan Aim: The aim of the experiment is to find out what effect temperature has on the action of a protease enzyme on exposed developed film. Enzymes are biological catalysts. They are made in livings things built up by amino acids to make protein. Enzymes are able to speed up reactions and can repeat reactions. There are various factors that affect the activity of enzymes they are: Y Temperature Y pH Y Specificity Y Concentration of enzyme or substrate Enzymes are specific, this means that they only work on one substrate molecule. A substrate molecule is what the enzyme actually works on. The factors I have chosen to investigate are temperature. This therefore means that the temperature will be the independent variable. In the experiment there will be a transparent plastic backing of developed film, which will have a black gelatine coat on it. The gelatine coat is protein, which is the substrate molecule. I will put the film into protease solution, which is the enzyme. By having the gelatine coat I am able to see what happens to the gelatine coat when the temperature increases. I can find out if temperature affects the action of a protease enzyme. Prediction: Enzymes have an optimum temperature, which is generally below 400C. The optimum temperature is when enzymes works best and fastest at. When the temperature rises the rate increases. This is because the substrate and enzyme molecules are moving faster because the temperature has increased. This means that the molecules have more energy. They therefore are likely to collide more often with each other and a reaction will take place. However if the temperature goes over the optimum temperature the reaction slows down and the enzyme denatures. This means that it has changed shape and therefore the substrate can no longer fit into the enzyme. The diagram below shows how the substrate molecules which is protein fits into the enzyme, which is a protease molecule. This type of mechanism is called the lock and key hypothesis. If the active site, which is the enzyme, is heated too much it will change shape and no longer fit the substrate. The substrate therefore no longer is able to react if there is no active enzyme. I predict that when the temperature increases the time taken for the gelatine to be broken down will decrease. This is because temperature is a catalyst, which helps to speed up the enzymes, which are biological catalysts. When the temperature is 300C I predict that it will take longer for the film to become transparent than when the film is in a temperature of 600C. However at a certain temperature in the experiment I predict that there will be an optimum temperature. This is when the enzyme works best at. After this point the enzymes start to slow down and eventually denature which means it is harder for the substrate molecules to fit into the enzyme molecules. As I predict that when the temperature increases the time taken for the gelatine to be broken down decreases until it reaches the optimum temperature I therefore predict that the rate of reaction will increase when the temperature increases until it reaches the point when the enzymes start to denature. When the temperature is increased the enzyme molecules will break down the black gelatine coat quicker and therefore the developed film will become transparent faster. When temperature is increased the substrate molecules of protein will collide more frequently with the enzyme molecules. So if the temperature is increased from 300C to 600C the enzyme molecule will break the black gelatine down faster to leave the transparent plastic backing. The two diagrams show the effect of temperature between substrate molecules and enzyme molecules. They are only rough diagrams of what will happen between the two molecules. Y Substrate molecule- Y Enzyme molecule- Method: Apparatus: The apparatus that I am going to use for the experiment will be a test tube, developed film with a gelatine coat, splint, syringe, stopwatch, thermometer and electric water baths. This equipment is suitable for this experiment because it is easily available, it is easy to set up and use and it is easy to collect results with. This is how the experiment will be set up I will firstly measure the volume of protease solution by using a syringe, which will be 10cm3 and then put it into a test tube. I will then get two developed films and hook wire onto each so I am able to get them out of the tube easily. The wire will be labelled so it is easy to see which film is which. I will then put the test tube into an electric water bath, which is at a specific temperature for example 300C. I will leave it in the bath for three minutes and then put the two films into the test tube. Every 30 seconds I will check to see if the film has become transparent. When the two films have become transparent I take them out of the test tube. I then check  the pH of the protease solution by getting a glass rod and dipping it into the solution and then put the solution onto pH paper. Preliminary experiment: For my preliminary experiment I set up the apparatus as above. As it was only preliminary I used one film. I chose two temperatures to put two test tubes of protease into, they were 600C and 300C. I put the two test tubes into the two different electric water baths and then after three minutes put film in each. This is how the results turned out: Temperature of water bath/0CTest tube in water bath with no developed film/secsTime taken for film to become transparent/secsRate of reaction/ 1/secs (S-1) 301808000.0013 601803000.0033 This table of results indicates that when the temperature increases the time taken for the film to become transparent is less. It also shows that when the temperature increases that rate of reaction also increases until it reaches the optimum temperature. This is what I expect will happen to the results in my final experiment. Variables: In this experiment the independent variable will be the temperature, the dependent variable will be the time it takes for the films to become transparent and the controls are: Y Concentration of protease Y Volume of Protease Y Film size The experiment should be carried out the same for each test tube and the pH should stay the same for all test tubes. The concentration of the protease solution will be 0.5% and the volume of each protease solution will be 10cm3. Range: The range of temperatures that I am going to use will be 300C, 400C, 500C, 600C, 700C. If I have a temperature any higher than 700C the enzyme would most probably denature. I havent got a temperature any lower than 300C because it would take too long for the gelatine to break down in the time given. Reliability: In my final experiment I am going to use a syringe to measure out the volume of protease needed. A syringe is accurate enough for this experiment. I will put two developed films into each test tube to improve reliability of my results. I will also use a stopwatch to time when I put the films into the test tube and when to check the films. The electric water baths are really easy to use and they control the variables very precisely unlike heating the test tube with a bunsen burner, as the temperature can go slightly up and down. Safety: Whilst doing the experiment I will have my hair tied back, I will wear a lab coat and I will also wear safety goggles throughout as I am using protease which if gets into your eyes it can be dangerous.

The candy chromatography

The candy chromatography Ever wondered why candies are different colors? Many candies contain colored dyes. Bags of MMs or Skittles contain candies of various colors. Colors in candies are synthetic dyes that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sometimes the colors are mixtures of several dyes. The labels tell us the names of the dyes used in the candies. But which dyes are used in which candies? We can answer this by dissolving the dyes out of the candies and separating them using a method called chromatography. The topic I chose to do my research paper on candy chromatography. In this experiment we will use candy chromatography to separate the different dyes in the Skittles. By doing this, this will determine which dyes make which color in the outer coating on the Skittles. Candy chromatography is used to analyze FD and C dyes used in candy and food coloring. Also candy chromatography can be used to separate (purify) specific components from a complex mixture, based on a molecular size or other chemical properties and is used to identify chemicals. Highly accurate chromatographic methods are used for process monitoring. It is in this experiment we will find the FD and C dyes using paper chromatography. Chromatography is a technique used to separate the various components in a complex mixture solution. (Olsen, 2007 p. 1) Candy chromatography works by the components in the dye stick to each other and other substances. Scientists use chromatography to analyze or examine a mixture, its components, and their relations to one another. Also to identify or determine the identity of a mixture or components based on known components. They use it to purify and separate components in order to isolate one of interest for further study. Scientists also use chromatography to quantify and determine the amount of the mixture and the components present in the sample. Some everyday uses for chromatography are at a pharmaceutical company its used to determine each chemical found in new product. At a hospital chromatography is used to determine alcohol levels in a patients blood stream. In law enforcement its used to compare a sample found at a crime scene to samples from suspects. In an environmental agency chromatography is used to determine the level of pollutants in the water supply. In a manufacturing plant chromatography is used to purify a chemical needed to make a product. Paper chromatography has two phases a stationary phase and a mobile phase. The mobile phase flows through the stationary phase and carries the components of the mixture with it. (Clark, 2007 p.1) The paper is the stationary phase, and water is the mobile phase. The principles of paper chromatography include capillary action which is the movement of liquid within the spaces of a porous material due to the forces of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension. The liquid is able to move up the filter paper because its attraction to itself is stronger than the force of gravity. Another principle is solubility which is the degree to which a material dissolves into a solvent. Solutes dissolve into solvents that have similar properties. This allows different solutes to be separated by different combinations of solvents. The separation of components depends on both their solubility in the mobile phase and their differential affinity to the mobile phase and the stationary phase. In 1903 Mikhail Tswett discovered chromatography he produced a colorful separation of plant pigments through a column of calcium carbonate. Chromatography became developed substantially as a result of the work of Archer John Porter Martin and Richard Laurence Millington Synge during the 1940s and 1950s. They established the principles and basic techniques of partition chromatography, and their work encouraged the rapid development of several types of chromatography method: paper chromatography, gas chromatography, and what would become known as high performance liquid chromatography. Since then, the technology has advanced rapidly. Researchers found that the main principles of Tsvets chromatography could be applied in many different ways, resulting in the different varieties of chromatography described below. Simultaneously, advances continually improved the technical performance of chromatography, allowing the separation of increasingly similar molecules. Scientists discovered that a strip of porous (full of small holes) filter paper could substitute for the column of absorbing powder. (Chromatography, p. 2) A drop of the mixture that was going to be separated was placed on the paper, and then one edge of the paper is dipped into the solvent. The solvent then spreads across the paper when this happens the mixtures components are carried with it. In paper chromatography the distance traveled by the component is the retention factor of the sample. The Rf value is the ratio between how far the component travels and the distance the solvent travels from a common starting point (the origin). After the components have finished spreading across the paper, the paper needs to be dried and sprayed with reagent that changes the color of the component. Some of the pigments dissolve quicker than others, which causes them to move up the paper through capillary action into different areas. This separation allows the different pigments to be identified while on the paper through color identification. Because molecules in ink and other mixtures have different characteristics (such as size and solubility), they travel at different speeds when pulled along a piece of paper by a solvent (in this case, water). For example, black ink contains several colors. When the water flows through a word written in black, the molecules of each one of the colors behave differently, resulting in a sort of rainbow effect. Many common inks are water soluble and spread apart into the component dyes using water as a solvent. Components move at different speeds, so they will show up separated spots. These will need to be cut out and analyzed further. Candy chromatography is what we will use in our experiment to determine what really makes those colors in Skittles.

Incompetent Job Performance In Public Service Essay -- Work Employment

Incompetent Job Performance In Public Service Historically public employees have been viewed by the general public as being overpaid, inefficient, ineffective and unresponsive to the needs of the public. The news media’s constant reporting of scandals, financial misappropriations and unethical behavior in the public service further substantiate the growing lack of confidence the public has in the competence of public service organizations. In 1989 the National Commission on the Public Service, the Volcker Commission, reported that the need for competence and trustworthiness in public service was steadily growing not diminishing. (Nigro, 9) The goal of the Volcker Commission was to identify the necessary changes to personnel policies and practices that would counteract the increasing public lack of confidence in the ability of public service organizations to satisfy public demands. Many local governments that experienced the budget cuts, fiscal restraints and organizational turmoil of the 1990’s have determined that to enhance their competence, gain public trust and to avoid future financial difficulties, it is imperative that the staff of public service organizations become more professional, better trained and responsive to public needs. Managers in public service organizations have a vitally important role in the effort to create competence and gain public trust. Traditionally, the job of a manager has been defined as one who keeps things going in an organization. Generally the focus of a manager is on monitoring, directing and refining the current performance of the organization. (Whetten, 14) A manager gets things done through people. Leaders are those who establish the vision and set the direction of t... ...ers, Inc., 1996 5. Nigro, Lloyd G., Felix A. Nigro. The New Public Personnel Administration. Itasca, Illinois: F. E. Peacock Publishers, Inc., 1994 6. Scott, Michael P. â€Å"7 PITFALLS for MANAGERS WHEN HANDLING POOR PERFORMERS and HOW TO OVERCOME THEM† February 2000 Online. Available: http://web5.infotrac-college.com/wadsworth 7. Segal, Jonathan A. â€Å"Performance Management For Jekyll and Hyde† February 1999 Published in HR Magazine, Legal Trends. Online. Available: http://www.wolfblock.com 8. Vaughan, Susan. â€Å"Rethinking Employee Evaluations† Los Angeles Times, 8 April 2001 Work Place, Part W, Page 1 9. Whetten, David A., Kim S. Cameron. Developing Management Skills, 4th ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Inc., 1998

Expanding Lives: My Teaching Philosophy :: Teachers Education Essays

Expanding Lives: My Teaching Philosophy Life progresses in front of our own eyes, sometimes without us noticing. The days go by, the nights grow dark and then it is morning. In the course of each passing day, countless opportunities arise, some of which we take on while others we ignore. Teaching and learning are two of these chances, two I feel upon which we should never pass. In order to ensure I am teaching and learning at nearly every prospect, I have always lived my life as if it is a coloring book. When I was a child, I scribbled on every page, leaving messy streaks of crayon and never staying in the lines. Time went by with elementary school, and I learned the importance of following rules and staying in the lines. As I grew older and entered high school, I decided it was time to strengthen the boundaries, solidifying each picture with clarity and neatness. But here I am, in college and at the completion of my Junior Professional Experience—junior student teaching. How can my coloring book already be complete? It is not. Now it is time for me to go beyond the restraints, to color the world outside of each picture. By teaching and learning at every possibility, I will enrich not only my coloring book, but the pages of others as well. Teaching is not a simple task and it is not trouble-free, but I feel it is the most rewarding of all of life’s opportunities. I see teaching as a way of helping an individual expand. That expansion is not limited to knowledge, however. I want to expand a student’s mind, personality, understanding, worldview, and personal drive as well. If I help a student learn to read, that is teaching. If I assist a child in tying his shoe, that is teaching. If I practice with my brother while he works on his touchdown throw, that is teaching. If I make someone a better person, that is teaching in its most immaculate form. By expanding an individual’s ability to have an open mind and to accept people and their differences, I have made them a nobler person. If a student sits in my class all year with the literature and grammar going in one ear and out the other, but she still leaves with a better understanding of herself and a broadened scope of the world around her, I have succeeded in expanding her to some extent.

Basement

3 – basement 3 – Basement 1 Quick Revision 1. 1 Problems arising from basement construction a. Excavation method. b. Surface and ground water control c. Lateral stability of basement excavation. d. Stability of adjoining building. 1. 2 Ground water control – dewatering a. Open Sump Pumping b. Wellpoint System. c. Shallow-Bored Well System d. Deep-Bored Well System 1. 3 Basement Excavation a. Open excavation b. Sheet pile cofferdam Supported with raking struts Supported with struts and walings Supported with ground anchors Ground support and ground water control for deep excavationCut off wallings: c. Thin grouted diaphrage d. Mixed in place wall e. Ground treatment f. Circular cofferdam g. Diaphrage wall 1/11 3 – basement 2. Cut-off wallings 2. 1 Thin grouted diaphragm A series of touching universal beams or columns are driven into the ground to the required depth. A grout injection pipe is fixed to the web the section and this is connected to a group pump at the ground. As the sections are withdrawn the void created is filled with cement grout to form the thin membrane. This is a non-structural wall and services only as a cut-off wall. It is uitable subsoil of silt, sand and gravel. 2. 2 Thin grouted diaphragm (Source: R. Chudley) Mixed-in-place wall A hollow churn drill is drilled into the ground. Intrusion grout is pumped through the hollow kelly bar during the drilling operation. When the required depth is reached, the auger rotation is reversed and withdrawn while grout injection continues. The grout is thus mixed with the existing soil to form a mixed-in-place pile. The above process is repeated with the piles being cast against each other until the whole wall is formed. Mixed-in-place pile (Source: Jufri & Wellmen) /11 3 – basement 2. 3 Ground treatment The major disadvantage of pumping is causing settlement of surrounding ground. In urban areas, settlement would serious affect the stability of adjacent properties. In t his situation, grouting method can be used to control ground water. The basic method is to inject the soil or rock with fluids which, on setting, seal or reduce the permeability of the material. There are various types of grouts. The choice of grouts, the pattern and spacing of the injection pipes will depend upon the particle sizes of the soil or the size of fissures in the rock.Cement Grouting (Source: R. Chudley) 2. 3. 1 Cement grouting Cement grout is suitable for injecting into coarse materials which have a high permeability. This method not only can form an impermeable barrier to ground water but also solidify loose soils which prevents from collapsing during excavation. It is usual to commence grouting with a batch of thin grout and then to increase the viscosity of the grout as the process continues, by reducing the water-cement ratio. The grout used may be composed of neat cement grout, or a mixture of cement and 3/11 3 – basement sand in the ratio of 1 : 4.The addin g of sand reduces the cost of material but it also reduces the workability. On the other hand, pulverized fuel ash (PFA) may be used to replace part of the cement (up to 50%) to reduce the cost of the material. The spherical particle shape of PFA improves the flow quality of the grout without reducing its strength. 2. 3. 2 Bentonite grouting Bentonite grouting is used in ground conditions where the particles of the soil are too small for cement grouting. While bentonite grout adds little strength to the soil, it has a high resistance to water flow and therefore produces an excellent barrier.Bentonite is produced from montmorillionite clay, which has thixotropic properties: when it coagulates it forms a gel, and if mixed with certain additives, such as Portland cement or soluble silicates, the barrier formed will be permanent. 2. 3. 3 Chemical grouting There are two main processes of chemical grouting: ‘one-shot’ and ‘two shot’. In the ‘two-shotâ€℠¢ process, pipes are driven into the ground at about 600 mm centres, and the first chemical, normally sodium silicate, is injected. This is followed immediately by the injection of the second chemical, calcium chloride.The reaction between the two chemicals is immediate, resulting in a tough, insoluble ‘silica-gel’. The process gives considerable strength to the soil and greatly reduces its permeability. Two-shot process for chemical grouting 4/11 3 – basement The ‘two-shot’ process has been largely superseded by the ‘one-shot’ process, which consists of mixing together prior to injection two chemicals whose gel time can be sufficiently delayed to allow full penetration of the soil before gel occurs. The extent of the delay can be accurately controlled by varying the proportions of the two chemicals.The extra time available for placing this grout allows wider spacing of the boreholes. 4. 2. 6 Circular cofferdam Steel sheet pile cofferdam s may be arranged in circular shape in plan. Circular cofferdams may be supported with ring walings. The walings are subject to tangential thrust and act as a continuous arch. Thus transverse struts are not required. Large diameter circular cofferdams may be formed of concrete diaphragm wall and reinforced with ring concrete beam. The advantage of this method is that it provides a clear excavation un-hampered by struts. However, the method is restricted to circular shape.Circular cofferdam support with ring walings Basement construction of IFC 5/11 3 – basement 5 Diaphragm Walls Diaphragm walling describes the construction of continuous concrete walls into the ground. The process, sometimes called the slurry trench method, involves the excavation of a narrow trench to the required depth which supported with bentonite slurry. The trench is then filled with concrete to form the wall. Construction of diaphragm wall 5. 1 Advantages of using diaphragm walls for basement constructi on 1. The process of constructing the wall is relatively quiet and has little vibration. . The wall can be constructed to a great depth. 3. The wall provides temporary ground supports during excavation hence expensive steelwork is eliminated or minimized. 4. The wall provides a good water cut-off; no dewatering is required and hence has little effects on adjacent structure. 5. The wall serves both as external wall for the basement and the foundation for the superstructure. 6. For deep basement, diaphragm walling is more economical than using steel sheeting cofferdam. 6/11 3 – basement 5. 2 Method of construction of concrete diaphragm wall 1. A perimeter trench, 1 to 1. m deep and with a width equal to the wall thickness plus 300 mm is excavated. 2. The trench is lined on both sides with 150 mm thick in-situ concrete. (The linings provide a guide for the grab and protect the top of the excavation from collapse. ) 3. The wall is divided into to panels. The width of each panel i s about 4. 5 to 7 m. The sequence of construction for the panels is in an alternatively way. That is, an intermediate panel is excavated after panels on its both sides have been cast. 4. The trench is then filled with bentonite slurry from a large storage tank before excavation.Excavation is done by a grab. During excavation, it is important to maintain the slurry level at about 0. 5 m below the top of the trench. (The function of the bentonite is to prevent the ingress of water and soil into the trench. ) Excavation is continued until the founding is reached. 5. Stop end pipes of diameter equal the wall thickness are placed at both ends of the panel. A reinforcement cage is lowered through the bentonite and panel is cast with tremie concrete. The displaced bentonite is recovered, strained to remove the soil particles and then stored for future use. 6.When the concrete has set, the stop end pipes are removed. Semi-circular sockets are formed which provide key for the adjacent panels . 7. Further panels of the diaphragm wall are then formed in a similar manner until the wall is completed. 5. 3 Precast Concrete Diaphragm Walls Diaphragm walls can also be formed with precast concrete panels. The construction sequence is: 1. A perimeter trench, lined on both sides with concrete walls, is prepared. 7/11 3 – basement 2. The trench is filled with bentonite slurry and excavated with a grab. During excavation, the slurry level is maintained at about 0. m below the top of the trench. Excavation is continued until the founding is reached. 3. Cement grout is introduced to the bottom of the trench with a spreader. The displaced bentonite is recovered, strained to remove the soil particles and then stored for future use. 4. Precast posts or panels are inserted into the trench to form the wall 5. When the grout has set, it seals the joints of the precast panels effectively, and the diaphragm wall is formed. Precast Concrete Diaphragm Wall Precast Concrete Diaphragm Wal l (Source: R. Holmes) (Source: R. Holmes) 8/11 3 – basement 6 Soldier pile wallSince the wall of a basement must be watertight, if a soldier pile wall is used as a basement wall, the piles of the wall will be constructed to overlap with each other. This type of wall is also called secant pile wall. The overlapping is about 120 to 200 mm. It is cut by a hydraulic actuated casing fitted with a cutting ring at the lower end. The cutting must be done within one or two days after the concrete has been cast to prevent it become to hard. Secant pile wall Alternatively, the piles of the wall are cast contiguous. Boreholes are drill at the joints of the piles which cut the edges of the piles. The boreholes are then filled ith bentonite-cement grout to seal the joints. Secant pile wall (Source: R. Chudley) 9/11 3 – basement 7 Top-Down Basement Construction It is to construct the basement in the downward direction to the final levels of the basement. The sequence of work is as fo llows:1. Construct the permanent basement wall using diaphragm wall or soldier piles wall. 2. Construct bored piles with temporary steel casings as the foundation of the basement. The cut-off level of the piles is at the final basement level. 3. Place steel columns inside the steel casings of the bore piles from the foundation level up to the ground level. . Backfill the shafts with granular material to hold the steel columns. 5. Construct the ground floor slab supported on the steel columns and the diaphragm walls. (This slab provides a working platform for superstructure construction and acts as the lateral support for the basement excavation. ) Access opening in this slab shall be provided for further excavation. 6. Excavate beneath the ground floor slab down to next basement floor soffit. 7. Cut the steel casing, remove the gravel and expose the steel column. 8. Cast the second basement slab. The slab is connected to the columns with shear studs and connected the diaphragm wall with dowels) 9. Repeat the process for the successive basement floors until down to the final basement slab. The top-down method provides the following main advantages:1. Superstructure can be constructed at the same time as the basement construction takes place and therefore the overall construction time is reduced. 2. Temporary and permanent works are combined and therefore there is no need for extensive steel temporary works. 3. Stiff rigid walls allow an almost watertight construction and basement construction to great depth.These stiff walls provide at the same time a limitation to ground movement. 10/11 3 – basement Steel casing infilled with granular material Steel column on top of bored pile Reference: Control of groundwater for temporary works (1986), S. H. Somerville, CIRCA Construction Technology (1987), R. Chudley, Longman Building Construction Handbook (1992), R. Chudley, Newnes Introduction to Civil Engineering Construction (1985), R. Holmes, College of Estate M anagement Civil Engineering Construction IV (1991), S. A. R. Jufri & R. J. Wellmen, Hong Kong Polytechnic 11/11

Persepolis

In the current international community, the issue of human rights had been one of the main issues that are faced by the different countries in the world. Topics such as the inhumane treatment towards women and children mostly in the Middle Eastern Countries and Islamic communities around the world are the problems that are still in being debated by my leaders today. Although many feminist say that there is inequality and inhumanity in the treatment of women in the Middle East, in reality, women are really torn between deciding to obey their culture or practice their right as a woman. In the past, Persian women are given the equal rights with men. These women have their own properties and are able to retain these even after their marriage. Most of them are given the right to their own freedom and are acknowledged as the most important people in the society given their ability to bear a child and such. In an article written by Massoume Price, he stated that based on historical facts â€Å"†¦the widowed wife inherited from the deceased even if she did not have children. A woman could not act as a witness in the drawing up of contracts, but she could act as a contracting party and have her own seal† (Price, n. . ). Women had the same power as men but as the years progress, female rights in Iran have lessened which led to repression and gender inequality. In the book Persepolis discusses such dilemma of a 9 year old child living in Iran during the Iran and Iraq war. The author of the book is Marjane Satrapi who actually is the lead character in the whole s tory and narrates her experiences as a child until now as an Iranian woman. The book is a graphic novel which looks like a comic strip. The book is filled with black and white drawings (The Creole Cat, 1) which I personally think as unique and cool. It is not like a typical book which is filled with words and serious topics that will turn out to be a boring book in the end. Although the book does not present is self as a serious and a complicated book to read, the issues raised in the book has became one of the most controversial concern in Iran and in various countries in the world. (Revolution, n. p. ) The graphic novel narrates the life of Marjane Satrapi who was then living in a chaotic world of politics in Iran. Her family is connected to the political branches of the government which makes her more exposed to the lifestyle of politics in Iran. Her family was communists who generally do not agree with the system of the Islamic Fundamentalists and its actions. Her family usually hosts under ground parties which was a form of rebellion in the government. These parties were not allowed by the government because they are believed to be a western practice which opposes the belief of the fundamentalists. Therefore heavy punishments could be held to them if they are caught participating in these activities. As Marjane lived in a family that was against the Islamic Fundamentalists, she also created measures that imitated the actions of her family. She got interested in punk and heavy metal music and often bought Nike shoes in the black market. Due to the bold actions of the young Marjane, her family decided that she must live in a different country to prevent her from being arrested by officials, â€Å"It would have been better to just go† (Eberstadt cited in Satrapi n. p. ). During her high school life, she was sent to Vienna Austria however, she felt like she was isolated and typically hated the people around her. She believes that Westerners do not put any value to the freedom that they have. After a few months of her stay in Austria she had a relationship with a young man. She became passionately in love with him but after a while, she discovered that he was cheating on her. Due to this, she had clinical depression and almost died of bronchitis. She went home to Iran with a broken heart (Revolution, n. p. ). By the time that she was in college, she went back to Iran. She was hopeful that changes in the society would be present because the war had already ended however; the problem in Iran seemed to have a much bigger issue to solve. Petty issues such as small differences in religion, and group executions due to political conflicts had been a source of bigger complications in the society which lead to a much chaotic Iran. The conflict made the lives of the people much more difficult most especially to the women living in the country. Iran had a much more conservative law which made life for Marjane much more complicated. Freedom of wearing make-up was prohibited. Marjane was almost caught wearing cosmetics but in the end, she got out of the situation for accusing the police for staring wrongly at her body. In addition she married her boyfriend just to avoid the police scrutiny. In the end, Marjane Satrapi separated with her husband after their three years of marriage. Other events happened and finally her parents decided that she must leave the country in order to prevent her from being arrested by the police. Marjane agreed to the plan of her parents however, after her departure from Iran her grandmother died. In the whole story, the role of women was one of the strongest and most evident participation. In some articles that critiqued the book has stated that the graphic novel is about feminism and women empowerment in the Middle East. The book highlights the role and responsibilities of women in a conservative and Islamic community such that of Tehran, Iran. When the Islamic Fundamentalist party one the most obvious changes that the women had to do was to change the way they dress. Women need to cover their hair in order to not entice the men. In the conservative belief of the Islam religion, women must not show of a body part because it might lead to something sinful for the part of the men. The veil became a mandatory outfit of every woman whether they may be young or old (Creole Cat, 1). Make-ups are also not allowed by the Islamic Fundamentalists for they believe that it is a Western belief and thus is should not be put on by any woman. In the story Marjane was almost arrested by the police but she was able to make an alibi. In addition, women in many ways had created actions in order to prevent men from being caught by the police while going against the action of the government. A scene in the graphic novel where in the police stopped their car for inspection. The police officer inspected her father and suspected that Marjane’s father had drunk wine. Upon inspection, the mother tried to negotiate with the officers pleading that her father just became surprised with the inspection. In the continuing scene, the grandmother excused herself through justifying that she has diabetes. She was understood by one of the officers and through this, the grandmother and Marjane were able to go up their apartment and sneak in. They were able to throw away the wines that they have kept in their apartment. Females in Iran were able to somehow cover up for the men because of their characteristic of being compassionate and patient with negotiations with other people. Marjane’s mother is specifically patient and calm during situations like these. She gives support to her husband but is more composed. Although she wanted to have justice and equality amongst everyone in Iran she does not act as violently as others would do. (Satrapi 107-110) The role of the maid in the story was also an important part of the novel. Although it is given small attention, the scene of the story is proclaiming that there is social construct of limiting oneself from interacting with other people due to the social class. A maid is not a high paying job compared to other jobs available. Maids are also seen as low class citizens and must not go out of their social class. They must not marry higher class people such as the middle class and the elites. It would be immoral and improper because in the Iranian society, any individual must not go out of their social class, like Marjane’s father said â€Å"In this country you must stay within your own social class† (Eberstadt cited in Satrapi n. p. ). Due to this belief and social construct, the interaction of the society becomes limited which creates in equality. However, Marjane stated a line in which makes the readers realize that there must not be boundaries with the relations of people â€Å"We were not in the same social class but at least we were in the same bed†( Eberstadt cited in Satrapi n. p. ). Her line expressed states that everyone is equal with one another, in terms of loving another person. The situation of the maid, demonstrated that class difference is one of the main issues faced by Iran. The main character, Marjane illustrates a child that was born in a family that wanted to have a just world. Just like her parents, she also employs her own belief system which led to many troubles which were narrated in the book. Her boldness and strong belief present a modern Iranian woman that wants to get out of her shell to explore other realities. Marjane advocates the openness to other new experiences such that of the western culture. As a young girl, she immediately had a different sense of desire for freedom and equality. When she was in her younger years, she was already out spoken about her ideas and her dreams. She wanted to become a prophet which is not really a dream for most the girls of her age. Her teacher even called her parents because she got disturbed by the idea the Marjane wanted to be a prophet. Her dream of becoming a prophet evidently makes her represent the female population that wanted freedom and equality from the Islamic Fundamentalists belief. Although Marjane was being bold and was acting against the principle of her belief, she still believed in a higher and stronger being which was shown in her graphic novel. Though, women were repressed and were forced to the will of the fundamentalists, Marjane’s role became an important in the book to show that she was a woman that pursued what she believed is right even though she was held back by the society. She did chase her dream in making the lives of women and other Iranians free from all the difficulties that she had in her past life. Marjane’s life became a symbol of courage and change for many women in the Iranian society. In conclusion, women in the book all have their own roles. The elderly women in the book such as the mother and the grandmother of Marjane played the role of protecting their families through peaceful means. As much as possible, these elders are fighting for what they believe is right however, they do not do the extremes unlike Marjane. They move with grace and caution to make sure that their family is well protected and at peace. The maid’s role in the story is being a woman less powerful than the normal one due to her status in the society. Being a woman and being poor held her back to the lower part of the social system. The Iranian conservative society does not allow a lower class female to marry or be in a relationship with a male who is in the higher social status or vise versa. On the other hand, Marjane’s role in novel changed the perspective of many of the characters. Her rebellion made gave her a little freedom which was needed by most of the women during her time. Marjane showed her strength and courage in battling the norms of her society to prove that women should be given more freedom than their culture allows.