Minimum Wage During The United States - 2290 Words

Minimum wage in the United States has become an extremely controversial topic in today’s society. The cost of living continues to grow each year but why does the minimum wage stay the same? This is a question that many people are forced to ask themselves each day. Many people who hold low income jobs and can barley afford to survive must rely on government assistants. By raising the minimum wage to an amount that would allow citizens to afford living standards our nations economy would benefit greatly in many ways. The increased wages would in return be put back into the economy through spending and government aid would decrease. The increase wages would also allow for more paid taxes that would in return benefit the economy as a whole. Many of us have held a minimum wage job or know someone directly who has, we are aware of the struggle in receiving minimum wage checks but why has nothing been done to remove this struggle from the nation? Many bills including one signed by Pr esident Obama have been denied by congress and the issue continues to grow. Now is the time to increase the minimum wage and help the economy get back to a better state. In today’s society around 1.7 million Americans are working below or at the current minimum wage level of $7.25. For these millions of Americans, they are forced to work endless hours and in return earn a salary that is not livable. According to Career Trends, a website that calculates cost of living, â€Å"For a given week, at the federalShow MoreRelatedThe Minimum Wage Policy During The United States1714 Words   |  7 Pagesincrease the federal minimum wage. Headlines throughout the country highlight recent minimum wage policy changes in major cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle. Last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York announced an approved minimum wage increase to $15 an hour for all fast food workers in the state (McGeehan). Even the website for the White House has a separate page, â€Å"Raise the Wage,† advocating for Congress to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour (Raise the Wage). The most commonlyRead MoreShould the Federal Minimum Wa ge Be Raised?900 Words   |  4 PagesOur entire society in the United States is complicating whether or not our nation should raise the federal minimum wage. Ranging from researchers who have been studying this incompatible topic throughout their entire lives to amateurs who simply expose their opinions without any logical reasoning to the public are still not able to come to an agreement for a stable minimum wage. Many citizens may assume that increasing the minimum wage, $7.25, an hour, by a couple dollars may not make a significantRead MoreReducing The Federal Minimum Wage2047 Words   |  9 Pagesincreasing in the federal minimum wage has been hotly debated in Congress and between politicians and activists since the most recent increase to $7.25 in 2009. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 proposed a $10.10 federal minimum wage increase but failed in Congress, while a more recent proposition, the 2016 Raise The Wage Act, hopes to put wages at $12 per hour by the year 2020 (14). Propositions like these seek to allow lower-income working families to earn a living wage but they have faced resistanceRead MoreFair Labor Standards Act ( Flsa ) Essay1841 Words   |  8 Pagesregular minimum hourly wage which was guaranteed to workers by the FLSA. Over the years, the federal tipped provision minimum wage dropped to at least 40 percent from 1980 to 1989. During that time period, the amount of tips received by workers has never exceeded half of the regular minimum wage that they should have received. Due to that problem, President Clinton in 1996 signed the Minimum Wage Increase Act. This law eliminated the FLSA provision that required tipped workers minimum wage to stayRead MoreHow Is The Future Be Different From Today?2030 Words   |  9 Pagesthere going to be flying cars? Are our phones going to be bigger than the palm of our hands or is it microscopic like the size of rice? Is there going to be even a living organism left when we get there, if there is no e qual right not only in United States, but the whole world? Is there still a land of the free? Are we going to kill each other to survive or live in harmony without any more wars? What is going to happen to us? We’re not far from 2050, so is it still going to be the same? Are all theRead MoreThe Debate Over The Federal Minimum Wage2149 Words   |  9 Pagesover the raise of the federal minimum wage of the current $7.25 has been argued by both sides, whether it should be raised or not. With both side, the affirmative and negative making strong arguments for their side. We will take a look at how each side frames their issues as how well their counterpart can refute those claims. The affirmative would like to propose the raise of the federal minimum wage to $12.00 by the year 2020; this is the standard that most states are going with. For example, CaliforniaRead MoreThe Politics of Massachusetts throughout the Ages Essay3165 Words   |  13 PagesAdams, along with John Bowdoin , it served as a model for our own nations Constitution. It features a structure, composed of chapters, sections and articles, vastly more organized than any other state constitution of its time. Within this document, rights of the citizens, and the framework of the states government is outlined. While it has changed over the years, it manages to paint a picture of the inner workings of Massachusetts politics. Some remarkable features in Massachusetts ConstitutionRead MoreShould Minimum Wage Be Raised?1062 Words   |  5 Pagesever pressing question regarding Minimum wage. Not many subjects can ignite a controversy as quickly as that of whether or not minimum wage should be raised, or by how much should it be raised or if it should remain the same. What is minimum wage? By definition, minimum wage is the minimum hourly wage an employer can pay an employee for work. (â€Å"MinimumWage.com†) America’s minimum wage was first introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938. That minimum wage was introduced as part of the FairRead MoreMinimum Wage During The Great Depression1419 Words   |  6 PagesThe Minimum Wage Battle In the United States, the minimum wage was passed during the Great Depression in 1938 to protect the buying power of normal workers in a period in which the â€Å"unemployment rate was still a very high 19 percent† (Sklar, 2009, p. 1). Since that time, there has been significant debate about the controversial topic of raising the federal minimum wage. The federal minimum wage law was created to eliminate unfair practices of sweat shops and manufacturing companies during this timeRead MoreWage Gap Between The Middle Class And The Upper Class1441 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Wage is a topic that is constantly covered in the media. One big issue is the growing wage gap between the middle class and the upper class. While minimum wage increases are considered a good method to reduce income inequality, they are controversial since many business owners and economists argue that they increase the unemployment rate. Impact of minimum wage on employment One concern that is commonly mentioned during the debate on raising minimum wage is the loss of employment as

Children Are The Hope Of The Nation s Future Essay

Children are the hope of the nation’s future. Unfortunately, it is evident that a significant percentage of today’s youth population is immensely struggling in various ways. Despite the fact that one of the society’s top priorities is the health of its children, the efforts of the government and the community does not suffice the growing needs of the children. Although there are numerous reasons for this social adversity, poverty is one of the main factors that contribute to the complexity of the problem. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, it was reported that in 2014, 44% of children under 18 years of age live in low-income families (Jiang, Ekono, Skinner, 2016). Since most of these children are dependent on their parents for a living, the fact that their necessities are not wholly provided is the main reason why poverty negatively affects the well-being of the children. In order to address this concern, the government strived to implemen t anti-poverty programs in an attempt to mend the conflict. However, these programs are insufficient due to the bigger than expected scale of the problem. Through their individual just peace lenses, concerned citizens also participated in the battle with poverty in different ways. This would include physicians, who does not only make a difference in the community through their craft, but also insert themselves in the community in order to spread awareness of the social issues. This is in line with the seven themesShow MoreRelatedThe Poverty Of The Hunger Rebellion1671 Words   |  7 PagesThe Hunger Rebellion â€Å"The United States ranks near the bottom of the pack of wealthy nations on a measure of child poverty, according to a new report from UNICEF. Nearly one third of U.S. children live in households with an income below 60 percent of the national median income in 2008 - about $31,000 annually. In the richest nation in the world, one in three kids live in poverty.† according to Cristopher Ingraham, a political writer who previously worked at the Brookings Institution and the Pew ResearchRead MoreChildren Of Men : Alfonso Cuaron s Courage1009 Words   |  5 PagesVishal Patel Prof. Hartlen Writing about Film (English BXE) November 27, 2015 Children of Men: Alfonso Cuarà ³n’s Courage to Showcase a Powerless Society The year is 2027 and the world is being redefined by a year long infertility crises that threatens the human race. Gangs form the innocents while the elderly desperately lineup for government sponsored euthanasia: Quietus. The United Kingdom, being the only stable nation, is under a refugee crisis of people fleeing the chaos that has taken out aroundRead MoreCritical Analysis of I Have Dream838 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther King s I Have a Dream: Critical Thinking Analysis Charles Briscoe PRST 3301 16 October 2012 In Martin Luther King Jr. s seminal 1963 speech I Have a Dream, King uses a number of critical thinking processes in order to present his argument. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, King delivered a speech that is remembered now as one of the most significant pieces of oratory in the 20th century. His call was for blacks and whitesRead MoreChildren Are More Affected By Poverty776 Words   |  4 Pages2000 to 2007 the rate of children living in poverty increased to 18% in the United States (Kristin, 2009). Children live in poverty are at an increased rate of risk and negative outcomes. Poverty affects the person s life and increased die numbers. The children are more affected by poverty problems than adults, which had downsides on their future. Further, one in five children in the United states are from households below the poverty line, and among the most developed nations in the world, the UnitedRead MoreI Have a Dream: Dr. Martin Lu ther King Jr. Essay1290 Words   |  6 PagesWhen informing Americans across the nation of his dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proposed an unforgettable speech that would one day change The United States of America forever. In analyzing â€Å"I Have a Dream†, there are a few rhetorical purposes that are reflected throughout. These purposes are repeatedly focusing in on a particular audience in which King speaks to. Using different types of appeals and literary elements, his speech produced a meaningful purpose that the audience could relateRead MoreI Dream1534 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"All men are created equal†, was proclaimed by our forefathers in the declaration of independence, and is the foundation of the American Dream. Since James Truslow Adams coined the term â€Å"American Dream† in1931 (Wiki), a hope for the fulfillment of â€Å"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.† Yet, in this era, the harsh reality of poverty threatened life, restricted liberties, and covered happiness with dust. As FDR put it so well, â€Å"For too many of us life was no longer free; liberty no longer real;Read MoreThe United Nations Security Council1348 Words   |  6 PagesIn 2012 on September 19th the United Nations Security Council met for its 6838th meeting to address the issue of Children in Armed conflict around the world and the role that the United Nations would play in the event of a Country utilizing children soldiers. The Security Council voted in favor 11 to 0 with only 4 countries abstaining such as China, Pakistan, Russia and Azerbaijan and their abstainment only came from issues with the Resolutions text and not the resolution itself. The Security CouncilRead More Education: Preparation for Life Essay714 Words   |  3 PagesEducation: Preparation for Life A common question that educators and parents alike ask is how and what to teach children. Before one decides this, however, I believe it is important to know what your goals and purposes are. It is important to know why the children are being educated. It is my firm belief that in a person’s educational experience, they should be prepared for more than just their career. One of school’s many functions is socialization. School isRead MoreThe North Korean Government954 Words   |  4 Pageshumanity and social power. Since the Renaissance, numerous people have fought and shed blood to achieve their basic human rights. For instance, United States of America, for last 200 years, went through many significant historical events, shaping into a nation of reserved civil rights. Back in 1953, when North Korea became communist country, the ideals of Communisms were appealing to many people because communism seemed to establish fair and equal society to all people without any discrimination. HoweverRead MoreThe Importance Of The American Dream1321 Words   |  6 Pagesbehind you...you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.† The American Dream inspires dreams of hope, change, and a better future for all. The American Dream has come a long way transforming over decades, it once was hard to access because of inequality, but through active change the American Dream can be a beacon of hope that every person in the world can achieve. The American Dream first began when the Puritans arrived in America. The religious group had

Air Pollution Control in India Free Essays

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL IN INDIA Air pollution  is the introduction of  chemicals,  particulate matter, or  biological materials  that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the  natural environment  or  built environment, into the  atmosphere. The first law against air pollution was passed in 1873. Air pollution can be classified broadly in two types: 1) Urban * Industrialization * Vehicles The increasing number of vehicles and industries constitute a major source for air pollution in urban areas. We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution Control in India or any similar topic only for you Order Now Heavy subsidy on Diesel also contributed to urban air pollution. 2) Rural * Indoor air pollution Indoor air pollution is caused due to poor availability of resources. It is directly and indirectly linked to lack of awareness and unaffordability which can be tackled by creating more employment opportunities for people. In India around 60% of the total population lives in rural areas and thus pollution caused due to indoor burning of solids is also very high. Case study: Bhopal Gas tragedy (1984) The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, involving a massive release of 40 tonnes heavier-than-air toxic methylisocyanate (MIC) gas, resulted in the death or injury of many thousands of people in the surrounding residential areas. It is attributed to the failure of safety systems, which allowed forty tones of the poisonous methyl isocyanate from the Union Carbide plant, to mix with water at a high temperature. Half a million people were exposed to the gas and 20,000 have died to date as a result of their exposure. More than 120,000 people still suffer from ailments caused by the accident and the subsequent pollution at the plant site. These ailments include blindness, extreme difficulty in breathing, and gynecological disorders. Controlling Air Pollution: National Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP)- The objectives of the N. A. M. P. are to determine status and trends of ambient air quality; to ascertain whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated; to Identify Non-attainment Cities; to obtain the knowledge and understanding necessary for developing preventive and corrective measures and to understand the natural cleansing process undergoing in the environment through pollution dilution, dispersion, wind based movement, dry deposition, precipitation and chemical transformation of pollutants generated. UNEPs Indian Solar Loan Program- The aim of this effort is to help Canara bank and Syndicate bank develop lending portfolios specifically targeted at financing solar home systems (SHS). With the support of the UN Foundation and Shell Foundation, the project provides an interest rate subsidy to lower the cost to customers of SHS financing. How to cite Air Pollution Control in India, Essay examples

Platinum Box free essay sample

Platinum Box is a Canadian company that when started in 1985 specialized in graphic design. In1992 with sales of $5,000,000 and 20 employees the decision was made to have Platinum expand it’s operation to include fold down boxes. By 2005 Platinum’s sales had expanded to $20,000,000 with 75 employees. Jim Hicza, the President of Platinum has announced that the company will be expanding into the United States. This is expected to double Platinums sales in just 3 years. In order to expand it has been decided Platinum will be required to purchase 5 more presses. Jared John Hicza, Procurement Manager for Platinum Box has been asked to source a supplier for the presses. Their findings have come up with three potential press suppliers that would meet their needs. Jared will have to provide information to make a recommendation on if Platinum should purchase the new Press’s required from their current supplier (JabaKing, in which they have done business and developed relationships with for over a decade, or to source out another supplier. Jared findings will recommend they continue their partnership with their current supplier, JabaKing. Jared has based his recommendations on an analysis of each supplier including: †¢Environmental and Root Cause Analysis †¢Alternatives and Options (Including Total Cost of Ownership Analysis †¢Implementation †¢Monitor and control Issue Provide a recommendation of which supplier to proceed with purchasing five new presses with and what financing method to use in purchase in order to succeed in Platinums expansion into the United States. Analysis Strategic reasoning and capacity: †¢Platinum plans on expanding into the US market †¢Plans on being a full capacity within 2 years †¢Projects sales to double within the next 3 years †¢Current capacity allows for 280,000,000 boxes per year (250days x 16hrs/day=4000 hrs/year. 4000hrs x 7000 sheets/hr = 28,000,000 sheets x 2 boxes/sheet = 56,000,000 x 5 presses = 280,000,000) †¢Requirements to accomplish the above include purchase or five new presses(280,000,000 x 2= 560,000,000) Market †¢Current supplier is supportive of unionizing all print shops locally †¢There have been struggles to get support from other local suppliers given their strong relationships with other printing companies †¢Variety of suppliers outside of Canada is available Considerations for comparison: †¢Quality †¢Performance/Operating Costs †¢Environmental issues †¢Labor Issues †¢Warranty/Lifespan †¢Word of mouth vs. experience †¢Location †¢Design †¢Downtime and maintenance cost implications Each will be rated, poor, good, better, best Quality Merakuri-High quality, 150cm stock capability-Best JabaKing-Good quality, 125cm stock capability-Good Pnutype-High quality, 125cm stock capability-Better Performance/Operating Costs Merakuri- Performance:10,000 sheets/hr output. Capacity: .05/sheet x 10,000 sheets/yr x 16hrs/day x 250 days/yr = $2,000,000/yr-Good JabaKing-Performance :7,000 sheets/hr output Capacity: . 07/sheet x 7,000 sheets/yr x 16hrs/day x 250 days/yr = $1,960,000/yr-Good Pnutype-Performance: 7,500 sheets/hr output. Capacity: . 04/sheet x 7,500 sheets/yr x 16hrs/day x 250 days/yr = $1,200,000/yr-Best Environmental Issues Merakuri-No information provided on this company at this time- Good JabaKing- no information provided on this company at this time- Good Pnutype-Technology being used is known for being environmentally sound-Best Labour Issues Merakuri-Unknown. Could follow different labour rules based from being located in South Korea- Good JabaKing-Is unionized providing insight that employee’s treatment will be monitored. However Unions can strike causing delays in services and higher costs related to being unionized-Better Pnutype-Non-Unionized, however would have to adhere to labour laws being located within the US-Better Warranty/Lifespan Merakuri-Next day service on major issues from distributor, Full warranty on parts for 3 yrs. Few presses make it past 12 years-Poor JabaKing-3 year warranty on parts and labour to install parts. JabaKings presses outlive their given lifespans. -Better Pnutype-Warranty on equipement for 5 years for parts and labour to install parts. Lifespan is unknown as the press technology is relatively new. Suggested lifespan is 10 years-Best Word of Mouth Vs. Experience Merakuri-Word of mouth says Merakuri has the highest quality. They have offered a trip to their facility in South Korea for demonstration. Few presses make it past their 12yr life expectancy-Good JabaKing-Relationship with this supplier have shown their quality is good, not great, however experience has shown their presses live past their life expectancy-Better Pnutype-Word of mouth suggests systems run strong, too early to tell if presses live long-Good Location Merakuri-Location Korea, support and leadtime may be effected due to being located overseas. They do have a distribution in Regina for support-Good JabaKing-is within close proximity this is favorable for JabaKing-Best Pnutype-There is no local support from Pnutype, location is in the US-Poor Design Merakuri-There should be no design issue in this case and Merakuri is well established within the industry- Better JabaKing-With Platinums experience there have been no outstanding issues with the design technology-Best Pnutype-The design on this press is relatively new and could become dependent on this new technology-Good Downtime Merakuri-3days per year of downtime on average 3days x 16hrs/day x 75 staff x $25/hr wage= $90,000/yr x 10years = $900,000 Maintenance $35,000/year x 10 years = $350,000 Total cost implications = $1,250,000 over 10 years-Better JabaKing-4 days per year of downtime on average 4days x 16hrs/day x 75 staff x $25/hr wage = $120,000/yr x 10 years = $1,200,000 Maintenance $20,000/year x 10 years = $200,000 Total cost implications = $1,400,000 over 10 years-Good Pnutype—No current data over the last 2 years on any downtime, no maintenance budget numbers to be found due to no downtime on presses Total cost implications = 0 base on this only assumptions can be made to be fair An average of total cost implications was taken and split in a third for Pnutype $1,250,000+$1,400,000= $2,650,000/3=$883,333 over 10 years-Best Poor 0 pointsGood 1pointBetter 2 pointsBest 3 PointsTotal Merakuri152112 JabaKing043216 Pnutype122418 Total Cost of Ownership Analysis (Appendices A, B, C) A total cost of ownership analysis shows Pnutype has a much lower TCO but this is slightly skewed based on little information on the maintenance and downtime data. Pnutype has only been producing these presses for 2 years, the 2 years have shown no costs for these. The costs can come back to be much higher, it might be wise to pre-negotiate a maintenance program with Pnutype if they are the supplier chosen. Alternative/Options Option #1-Select Merakuri or Pnutype as new suppliers Pros: †¢Quality is higher than JabaKing †¢Good Warranty †¢Lower Costs for Pnutype †¢Non-Unionized-no risk of strike †¢Higher quality output Cons: †¢Location may cause issue for lead times and support †¢Unknown if Pnutype can deliver and support product †¢Unknown life expectancy for Pnutype †¢Pnutype TCO does not show potential full cost †¢No relationship with Merakuri or Pnutype Option #2 Purchase from Jabaking Pros: †¢Strong relationship †¢Known quality †¢Warranty is strong †¢Known Design †¢Second highest Good, Better, Best analysis score †¢Second lowest TCO analysis †¢No need for plant visit- capacity and quality already proven †¢Supporting local companies Cons: †¢Unionized, can go on strike and increase the costs †¢Repair costs are higher †¢No financing options Recommendations Based on the analysis I recommend Option #2 Remain with JabaKing Although they scored lower in the overall analysis score and had a higher TCO, the TCO was based off of Pnutype not having full data on their maintenance and Downtime information. JabaKing is based on all information. This will also allow for Platinum to show their loyalty and foster an even stronger relationship. Implementation and Monitoring Who: P-Procurement, B-Board, When: I-Immediate, S-Short Run, M-Medium Run, L-Long term RecommendationActivityWho PrimaryWho SupportWhen 1Present findings to boardP I 2Select JabaKing as supplierBS 3Secure Financing with Labor Union BankBP-Provide any information and analysis neededS-M 4Negotiate terms with JabaKing including possible discount on future Press requirementsPB-will need approvalS-M 5On-going follow-up with supplierPB-any feedback to improvement or changes neededI-L For the success of the implementation and monitoring of this analysis it is imperative the five presses be delivered and in working order within the next 6 months. Conclusion The tight timeframe in which Platinum has to get the new presses up and running, the best decision is to work with the current supplier, knowing the support they provide and the quality of their presses as well as the maintenance. This is the lowest risk option.

Ufo Essays (417 words) - UFO Sightings In The United States, Ufology

Ufo Unidentified flying objects and aliens can be proven through eyewitness accounts or encounters. On of the most common case would be the case of the Hill's (Butler, 1). Returning to N. H., the hill's had notices a strange light in the sky. Barney stopped the car, went out to observed the moving lights. He came to the conclusion of the lights being an airplane, a star or a plant. AS they continued their ride the lights remained with them. That took away the idea that the object was a star or a planet. When the object drew closer, Betty looks at it and saw the shape of a disk like figure. That took a way the idea of it being an airplane, so they got out of the car to get a better look. At one point, the object got so close that Barney could see several beings staring down a pond them. He lost control and shouted out ?they are going to capture us? (2). They raced back to the car and took off unable to explain what had just happened. The next thing that happened was that they heard a coup le of beeps like a microwave oven going off. The next day Barney had notice some unexplained blotches on the car. Later on that day the Hill's realized they could not account for two hours and thirty-five miles of their journey. They begin to have stress problems. They could not explain what Betty was having strange dreams about being taken in to a room and being looked at by strange little beings. After that they begin to see many doctors. After a while their story had been put together in the little pieces that they had been telling it in. The story that was formed was that how their car was stopped by a group of strange looking men with pear shape heads and large wrapped around eyes. Then by force they were carried on to the ship onto separate rooms. Then they were given different test. Some of the test includes taking skin and hair samples. While inside Betty remember seeing a star map (3). Later on the map was identified as the Zeta Reticule system. This proves that UFO's and a liens are real because when explaining what had happen they were both in separate rooms under hypnotist ion. And also their was no was to explain the lost in the time or the marks on the body and the car. Supernatural Issues

Marcus Garvey Book Review essays

Marcus Garvey Book Review essays The title of the book was Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist. It was authored by Peggy Caravantes in October, 2003. This book is about Mr. Marcus Mosiah Garvey. What makes Marcus Garvey an interesting subject for a book is his life and the way he impacted others lives for the good. Marcus Mosiah Garvey, born Malchus Mosiah Garvey Jr., was born on August 17, 1887, in St. Anns Bay, Jamaica. He was the youngest of 11 children but grew up an only child because only he and his sister lived into adulthood and she resided in England. Marcus grew up in an integrated neighborhood and didnt pay attention to skin color early in life. At the age of 14 there was an event that changed Marcuss life. His neighbors decided to send their daughter away from home to continue her education. When she was leaving Jamaica, she told him that their friendship was over and she would not write him because he was black. The most important part of Marcus life was his love of reading and writing. Even though his father was a harsh man that didnt spend much time with Marcus, he got his love for books from him. At the age of 17, Marcus worked as an apprentice at a print shop. It was here that he learned the power of the written word. Marcus Garvey was a publisher, journalist, entrep reneur, and international crusader for Black Nationalism. Garvey led the largest organized mass movement of people of African ancestry ever. The Universal Negro Improvement Association was used as a tool to help unite and redeem the black race. He preached on the street corners in Harlem, black is beautiful, and promoted racial pride. Marcus Garvey faced many obstacles while reaching for his goals. He was shot in the leg, imprisoned on trumped up charges, and wasnt dealt with fairly by whites in business transactions. Even with all of this against him, he pressed on to reach his dream of a redeemed bl ...

What's Under the Veil - Ottoman Women Research Paper

What's Under the Veil - Ottoman Women - Research Paper Example What many people might find interesting is that these women probably wore and owned the most extraordinary and stunning jewelries and clothes of their time. In this research paper, I want to go back in time to the Ottoman Empire and examine what the traditional Ottoman woman wore - jewelries, clothing etc. - and show that there is so much more to discover about them under the veil. Over the centuries, the most important feature of a Turkish female dress was that they wore traditional clothing. We know about the various aspects of a woman’s dress between the 12th to 14th centuries because of tiles, miniatures and the stone carvings that they have left behind and have been discovered. Ottoman clothing is the fashion followed and worn by the Ottoman Turks. It changed over time, but it remained as lovely as ever. Even though the women covered themselves with the ferace – a black long upper dress like a cardigan with full sleeves and no collar – before going outside, they were dressed up beneath this layer (Inal 263). They wore the most beautifully made clothes with exquisite jewelry. The styles and designing of the clothes were the same, the class and religious difference only being apparent due to the quality of the cloth used to make their clothes. The rich made their dresses of a fine cloth called barami. Guillaume Postel, a professor, was sent to Istanbul by King Francois the First. He kept a travel log in which he has written: â€Å"The materials used are gold and silver satin, brocade, damask and many kinds of silk. These are the fabrics chosen by the rich and the city aristocrats, the city poor and villagers dress very badly† (Ministry of Culture and Tourism). The women, in hopes for making a way for themselves in the Empire, did embroidery. They wove intricate designs and used these cloths as headscarves, etc. They were quite proud of their appearance and wanted to look their best. Later in the period, they started wearing a two- layer long entari, too, which is a gown. They also wore tul, a shawl of velvet around their heads. Even later on in the century, an entari was worn inside beneath a caftan-shaped dress which was short-sleeved (Besse and Morris 176). The basic accessories worn by the Ottoman women were jeweled belts made of gold, crystal, silver, mother-of-pearl or even ivory. Belt buckles were worn around the waist or at times over the hips. These had floral or geometric designs and were bedecked with gems like diamonds, turquoise, emeralds and others. Beneath it they wore salwar  ­Ã¢â‚¬â€œ a kind of loose pants (Inal 252). These were mostly made of taffeta. They wore leather shoes which were usually yellow in color, probably because of the gold embroidery (Kia 216) and the toes were quite narrow and so very tight. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of the English ambassador to Turkey had this to say about their clothing whilst her stay over there: â€Å"The first piece of my dress is a pair of drawers, very full, that reach to my shoes and conceal the legs...They are of a thin rose color damask brocaded with silver flowers, my shoes of white kid Leather embroidered with Gold. Over this hangs my Smock of a fine white silk Gause edg'd with Embroidery...The Antery is a waistcoat made close to the shape, of white and Gold damask, with very long sleeves....My Caftan of the same stuff with my Drawers is a robe exactly fitted to my shape and reaching my feet...† (Kamps and Singh 101) As Muslim women have been advised to cover themselves in front of any male who is not their husband or close relative, the women used to wear veils or, at least, covered their heads. These were made of silk for the summers and of wool, lined with fur for the colder seasons. Over time

Awaiting Health Laws Prognosis Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Awaiting Health Laws Prognosis - Article Example The majority of the population was not affected by these limits; because even though healthcare is getting more expensive everyday it is uncommon for a human to need over a million dollars in medical treatments over their lifetime. Despite this premise there are certain catastrophic illnesses such as cancer and hemophilia whose medical treatment costs are astronomical. For instance in 2010 Alex All clotting medicine treatment costs $800,000 to treat his hemophilia condition. The new legislation has eliminated the lifetime limit coverage heath plans were imposing on subscribers. This new governmental policy will help thousands of patients who have serious illnesses that require expensive treatments. It will provide them the opportunity to get the health treatment they need without the worry that the plan will cut them off after a certain cap threshold. The quality of life of these patients will greatly improve as result of the new policy. The implication of the policy does have economic consequences for the healthcare market as a whole. Some of these catastrophic illnesses have costs that are so high that they could have a severe impact in the medical cost inflation rate in the United States. Take for example Alex’s condition. He is only 22 years old. If he lives to be 80 years of age the total cost of his treatment over the next 58 years will be $54.4 million assuming the treatment costs stays constant. This assumption is not realistic due to the fact the US medical costs inflation rate is 3.6% which implies the medical the accumulative medical expenses are likely to exceed $100 million over the patients lifetime (Forecast-chart, 2011). The lifetime medical caps prior to the policy change were a cost control mechanism that was very effective. The market efficiency is disrupted by the implementation of the policy. The new rules of the game are going to have an inflationary effect in the long term as these catastrophic patients are

Psychodrama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Psychodrama - Essay Example 9). Through this, it can be said that psychodrama is deeply rooted in group therapy as the dramatic act involves the support of group members (Haworth, 1998, p. 15). It is a form of therapy that, through the undelrying concept of ‘what if’, aims to for the individual to realize what his past mistakes are, his attitude problems and develop and integrate solutions to these problems in real life (Djuric, Tomić and Veljković, 2006, p. 9). â€Å"Psychodrama not only explores one’s unspoken thoughts and feelings, but also the situations that never really happened but could have, the encounters of those who are really absent, the projections for the future, and different perceptions of the past and present† (Djuric, Tomić and Veljković, 2006, p. 9). To examine the roots of psychodrama is to examine the roots of Jacob L. Moreno, MD. He is the father of psychodrama in that he developed the method â€Å"along with sociometry, socio drama and group psychotherapy†¦ to tackle the problems of the world, of society and of human interactions rather just the individual† (Haworth, 1998, p. 16). Here, it can be seen how Moreno visualized psychodrama as a part of a triadic system in that each is linked with the other (Lipman, 2003, p. 3). Moreno lived during the First World War, at a time when people are beginning to take serious notice of the revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud and hence, his experiences urged him to make the world a better place and this started with addressing the problems and issues of individuals (Haworth, 1998, p. 16). Aside from the influence of the times, Moreno was also inspired by Socrates in that he used Socrates’ method of observing and talking to ordinary citizens in order to a rrive at the meaning of self when he first conceived of psychodrama (Haworth, 1998, p. 17). For him, â€Å"the self emerges from the roles we play† (Psychodramatic

Tnt Is The Market Leader Marketing Essay

Tnt Is The Market Leader Marketing Essay Introduction TNT is the market leader in the provision of business-to-business (B2B) express delivery services. It delivers documents, parcels and freight securely between businesses, using road or air transport. Ken Thomas founded TNT in Australia in 1946 with a single truck. It became Thomas Nationwide Transport (TNT) in 1958 and TNT Express Services UK in 1978. Today TNT is a global company and serves customers in over 200 countries around the world, employing 10,000 people in the UK. TNT has two operating divisions in the UK. As a global company, TNT seeks to project a consistent image across the world. For example, it uses the global strapline Sure we can on all its vehicles, aircraft and communications material. Back ground TNT N.V. was an international express and mail delivery services company with headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. In the Netherlands, TNT operated the national postal service under the name TNT Post. The group also offered postal services in eight other European countries, including the UK, Germany, Italy and Belgium. TNTs mail division recorded sales of about â‚ ¬4.2 billion in 2009. The companys demerged express delivery services division, known as TNT Express, has fully owned operations in 65 countries and delivers documents, parcels and pieces of freight to over 200 countries. TNT Express recorded sales of about â‚ ¬7.2 billion in 2011. On 2 August 2010, TNT M.V. announced its intention to split up into two independent companies, an express and a mail company. TNT sold its logistics unit in 2006 to focus on network activities, mail and express delivery services. TNTs networks were concentrated in Europe and Asia, but the group also had operations in the Middle East and South America, and several road freight companies in China, India and Brazil. TNT employed 155,000 people. Over 2009, TNT reported â‚ ¬10.4 billion in revenues and an operating income of â‚ ¬648 million. TNT was officially quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange unit May 2011. Its major competitors included FedEx, DHL, and national post carriers such as US Postal Service and Royal Mail. TNTs last chief executive officer was Peter Bakker. Other members of the Board of Management included Bernard Bot (Chief Financial Officer), Marie- Christine Lombard (Group Managing Director, Express) and Harry Koorstra (Group Managing Director, Mail). Mission, aims and objectives TNT is the fastest and most reliable provider of express delivery services and is the European market leader. Organizations do not become market leaders by chance. It takes vision, careful planning, outstanding quality and a committed, highly trained staff. This organization-wide planning is known as business strategy. Organizations identify the goals that they want to achieve through: a mission aims clearly stated objectives. Mission A business mission is a statement that reflects its core purpose and principle business aims. It states what the business is, what it does and where it is heading. Employees and other stakeholders who have an interest in the organizations activities need to be able to understand the mission easily. TNTs mission is to: Exceed customers expectations in the transfer of their goods and documents around the world, Deliver value to our customers by providing the most reliable and efficient solutions through delivery networks, Seek to lead the industry by instilling pride in our people, creating value for our stakeholders and sharing responsibility around the world. Aims and objectives The aims supporting this mission focus on efficiently transferring goods and documents, providing customer satisfaction and behaving responsibly. To achieve these aims the organization needs to establish objectives at a number of levels. SMART objectives are designed to ensure that everyone understands what is required and by when. They make it easy to measure performance so that the business knows if and when its aims have been achieved. Where necessary, it can change its plans to overcome any problems or obstacles. Specific exactly what is to happen Measurable by quantity or proportion Achievable capable of being achieved within available resources Relevant to the overall business or corporate objectives Time-related with a deadline attached Measurable objectives cover every aspect of TNTs operations and service. The top-level objective is to achieve profitable growth. Examples of SMART objectives across the business that contribute to this include: Answer 85% of calls from customers within ten seconds. This objective fits with the mission to provide the most reliable and efficient solutions for customers. TNTs customer focus is one of the key ways in which it aims to differentiate itself from competitors. To improve TNTs carbon efficiency by 45% by 2020 (measured against the 2007 baseline). This example of a longer-term objective reflects TNTs aim to reduce the environmental impact of its business. Building a strategy Business strategies are the means by which businesses achieve objectives. They usually take the form of long-term plans relating to the chosen markets, products and environment. A competitive strategy can be based on: having a distinctive position in the market. TNTs market position is based on differentiating itself from rivals through its speed, reliability and provision of services of the highest standard. building core strengths (known as core competencies). TNTs strengths are based on attracting and developing high-caliber staff who are able to exceed customer expectations so that customers remain loyal to the business. TNTs strategies need to take into account a number of important areas. These include: what goods and services to produce, e.g. an integrated delivery service which territories will deliver best return on investment. TNTs international operations focus on key trading areas of Europe, Asia, North America and South America. how to build a competitive advantage, e.g. by providing the most reliable, customer-focused services. Tactics Businesses deliver their strategies through a series of tactics. TNTs practical measures are set out under three main headings Operational Excellence, Customer Relationship Management and Innovation. The map describes the journey that TNT is taking towards achieving the long-term aims. For example: The map shows that Operational Excellence will be achieved through a solid foundation of fast, reliable and quality services. From there, the Customer Relationship is improved by understanding what different customers want. This builds a stronger allegiance and loyalty. Innovation is about anticipating the future needs of TNT customers. Through stronger relationships the business can develop a joint approach and shared vision. TNT segments its customers according to their requirements. For example, some customers provide the company with one off requests. Others are major accounts regularly placing large orders. TNT responds to the needs of each of these customer groups in different ways and hopes for loyalty in return. The market is highly competitive and it is more cost-effective to keep repeat business than to generate new customers. Strategic direction and strategic gaps TNT has high-quality people working within the organization in many different roles. These range from the front-line distribution of parcels and documents to accounts, sales and marketing functions. However, in places, TNT may require additional skills to bridge the gap between its existing human resources and those required to implement the strategy fully. This is referred to as a strategic gap. By developing its people, TNT ensures that it will have the capability to meet and implement quickly any necessary changes in its strategy. TNT is committed to minimizing the environmental effects of its operations and conducting its business in a sustainable way. For example, it recognized the value the business could gain from making drivers more aware of methods of driving which would improve safety and efficiency. Drivers are therefore trained in SAFED (safe and fuel- efficient driving) techniques, earning certificates of competence. Conclusion Creating and delivering an effective business strategy involves: having clear aims and objectives building a competitive advantage by developing core competences Identifying gaps and seeking to close these through development of resources. TNT demonstrates good practice in each of these areas. The company has clear business aims and objectives that are time-related. It focuses on developing competitive advantage through its strategies for customers, innovation and its people. TNT ensures that the people working for the business have adequate opportunities to grow. It meets any gaps in the ability of the workforce to deliver its strategy by training and developing its existing people. This retains their skills and offers attractive career opportunities to recruit new talent. Recommendation TNT should start a new service to pick goods from customer place that will give a competitive advantage over competitors. More sub offices should be open for the ease of customers and for better communication within company. On delivery of goods at destination confirmation message service should be started via e-mail or messaging. Questions What kinds of data can TNT use to build a phylogenetic tree? What is the growth rate of TNT in 20th century? How does TNT become world widely recognized company? What is the company position in the market?

People need People :: essays research papers

utation came to her house for her taxes, Faulkner describes how the house and Ms. Emily looks. "only Miss Emily's house was left, lifting its stubborn and coquettish decay above the cotton wagons and the gasoline pumps-an eyesore among eyesores", this statement explains how the house gives off such a depressing mood. "Her skeleton was small and spare;", this line shows us how her appearance showcases death also. When Ms. Emily was younger, her deceased father used to force away all the young men that was in love with her. The summer after her father death, she fell in love with a Yankee by the name of Homer Barron. Everyone in the town was whispering about their relationship and wondering if they were married. After a while they stop seeing Homer and decided that they got married. The townspeople then proceeds by saying that Ms. Emily then died a while after. They didn't know she was sick. After they buried her, they knew that there was one room that wasn't opened. So after they decently buried her they went to see upon the room. When they opened the room they was greeted by great amounts of dust. They also explain that the "room decked and furnished as for a bridal: upon the valance curtains of faded rose color, upon the rose-shaded lights, upon the dressing table, upon the delicate array of crystal and the man's toilet things backed with tarnished silver, silver so tarnished that the monogram was obscured." They also saw a man's collar, tie, suit, shoes, and discarded socks. "Then shockingly, laying right there in the bed was the man. For a long while we just stood there, looking down at the profound and fleshless grin. The body had apparently once lain in the attitude of an embrace. What was left of him, rotted beneath what was left of the nightshirt, had become inextricable from the bed in which he lay; and upon him and upon the pillow beside him lay that even coating of the patient and biding dust. Then we noticed that in the second pillow was the indentation of a head. One of us lifted something from it, and leaning forward, that faint and invisible dust dry and acrid in the nostrils, we saw a long strand of iron-gray hair." Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin Frequently anthologized, James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" tells the story of two brothers who come to understand each other.

Alternate Dispute Resolution Tools

The ADR processes attempt to reconcile the differences that arise between commercial corporations. The services of a third party, which are in general voluntary, are employed for this purpose. This third party promotes negotiations, assists in resolving differences and formulates agreements that are agreeable to both the disputing parties. Arbitration and mediation constitute the principal tools of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution Overview ).There are a number of advantages of resorting to the ADR mechanism. Some of these are that the cost is much less in comparison to the judicial system.In addition, ADR brings about a rapprochement between the disputing parties, which generally improves their relations. This is due to the fact that the ADR process concentrates on the requirements of the parties, unlike a formal judicial process that focuses on the legal position of the parties. Moreover, in the mediation process, the agreement is made by the parties themselves, which ensures gre ater commitment than a court order and the agreement is comparatively more accommodative. Further, adoption of the ADR process does not preclude the right to resort to the traditional legal procedures (Alternative Dispute Resolution Overview ).In the mediation process a third party that is neutral and adequately trained helps the parties to resolve their dispute. The aim of this third party is to shift the focus from legal positions to the actual interests, which are affected of the parties. The mediation process is bereft of rules of evidence and lawyers. The atmosphere is informal and conducive to dispute resolution. In addition, this process is absolutely confidential and there are no records of the meetings, moreover any notes taken down by the mediators during the process are destroyed.Furthermore, the process is speedy and inexpensive. This process is ideal if time available with the parties is limited, because resolution, in general, is achieved within a couple of sessions (A lternative Dispute Resolution Overview ). In the world of adjudication, the arbitration rules of London Court of International Arbitration, the London Maritime Arbitrator's Association Terms, the UNCITRAL and the ICC are well known. The alternative dispute resolution or ADR process suffers from the disadvantage that its decisions cannot be made sufficiently binding from the legal perspective.Such international agreements cannot be enforced by the authorities in the absence of a court decision, which would be disproportionate to the amount involved. This promotes repudiation of contracts by unscrupulous parties, because the cost of enforcing the contract would be exorbitant (Redfern & Hunter, 1999. Pp. 3 – 4). Conservative estimates of litigation costs in the US legal system estimate them to be around a hundred billion dollars per annum, whereas others consider this amount to be more than three times this estimated amount.Some of the direct expenses that constitute this huge a mount are legal fees, awards to the jury, expenditure incurred in copying and organizing, fees to be paid to expert witnesses. There are also a number of indirect expenses like loss of reputation that corporations have to endure and loss due to management having to curtail its business activities, in order to concentrate on the litigation. This has made ADR a very attractive alternative for many corporations in the US.If the participants in the process of the ADR approach their differences in a positive and fair manner, then this process can bring about dispute resolution that improves their commercial relations. However, if such an attitude is lacking, then the ADR process can prove to be no less time consuming and expensive in comparison to the usual judicial process for resolving commercial disputes (Netzley, December, 2001). American companies that perform in other countries generally resort to arbitration, in order to settle commercial disputes, because of the uncertainty assoc iated with the legal systems extant in those countries.The best environment for arbitration to succeed transpires when there are only two parties that are absolutely clear about their legal status. Arbitration agreements are enforced in totality by the courts. However, the rules pertaining to evidence are not strictly adhered to in such proceedings (Sido, Dec2005 ). Although, arbitration and litigation are expensive processes, the former is more expeditious, involves less expenditure and has the added advantage of confidentiality. However, arbitration involves charges for filing that are ever on the increase and there is no scope for appealing against an arbitral decision.Mediation on the other hand is extremely flexible and much more attractive in comparison to the arbitration process, because in an arbitration process it not clear as to which party would emerge victorious. There are no losers in a mediation process; there are only parties who have agreed to resolve their differenc es in an amicable manner (Sido, Dec2005 ). Arbitration is akin to the traditional litigation process in many respects, whereas mediation has the advantage of being confidential and informal.Moreover, in mediation there is no compulsion to adhere to a disagreeable decision (Packer, 2004). A number of US corporations have resorted to ADR in respect of disputes, because of the prolonged and expensive procedures of the normal court and international tribunal procedures. However, in the ADR process, arbitration process is not that attractive, because it entails decisions that cannot be appealed against and in addition it is quite similar to the regular court or tribunal process.The most popular process is that of mediation, because it is more of a consultative process and the principal objective is to arrive at an agreement that takes into account, the viewpoints and interests of the parties to the dispute. Moreover, there is no compulsion to implicitly follow the decision arrived at in this process. In addition, the cost involved is also comparatively much less. References Alternative Dispute Resolution Overview . (n. d. ). Retrieved November 8, 2007, from CADR: http://www. dot. gov/ost/ogc/CADR/overview. html Netzley, M. (December, 2001).Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Business (and) Communication Strategy . Business Communication Quarterly , Vol. 64, No. 4, Pp. 83 – 89. Packer, A. J. (2004). An interview with Bill Carter. Retrieved November 8, 2007, from Oregon State Bar. Elder Law Newsletter: http://www. osbar. org/_docs/sections/elder/newsletters/elder_spring04. pdf Redfern, A. , & Hunter, M. (1999. Pp. 3 – 4). Law and Practice of International Commercial Arbitration . London: 3rd ed, Sweet & Maxwell. Sido, K. (Dec2005 ). Avoiding the Courtroom Through Mediation or Arbitration . Consulting-Specifying Engineer , Vol. 38, Iss. 6, Pp. 65-66.

Dont Do Due Diligence

Dont Do Due Diligence Don’t Do Due Diligence Don’t Do Due Diligence By Maeve Maddox Not so very long ago, the only people I heard talk about â€Å"due diligence† were realtors. Due diligence is a legal term that refers to the exercise of proper care and attention to avoid committing an offense through ignorance. For example, a realtor must trace previous ownership and make sure that a property is free and clear before selling it to a new owner. In another context, due diligence is the comprehensive appraisal of a business undertaken to evaluate the commercial worth of a business. Due diligence is exercised to investigate such matters as assets and liabilities. Since the 1980s, the expression â€Å"due diligence† has migrated from legal and business use to the general vocabulary, where it has become an inflated synonym for â€Å"comparison shopping.† comparison shopping: comparing the same or similar products or services as offered by different retailers, manufacturers, etc. in order to find the best value at the lowest price. A few users do seem to understand that â€Å"due diligence† is a specialized term in need of explanation: Prudence would dictate that such an important decision [choosing a college] be preceded by a serious period of what on Wall Street is called due diligence. By going through the above information-gathering activities [i.e., researching colleges], you are performing your due diligence in making a final choice.   More commonly, writers use of the expression as if it were simply another way of saying â€Å"research a subject,† â€Å"compare prices,† â€Å"shop around,† or â€Å"think things through†: Always use your due diligence when researching DHT blockers/inhibitor [in shampoos] I never make a decision on ANYTHING without first doing my Yelp due diligence.    Due diligence in the running shoe  arena can make a huge difference between success and failure. A bride that has done her due diligence in her quest to truly find the best wedding dress always asks the question, â€Å"where else can I go to compare this particular dress style?† [Before buying a dog] practice due diligence by researching dog breeds, asking family, friends or neighbours who have dogs, and consulting experts. Using the verb do with â€Å"due diligence† creates a mildly comic effect because of the juxtaposition of the â€Å"do† sounds: Dont Wing It To Strategically Position Yourself, Do Your Due Diligence Do You Do Due Diligence? Who are we to get in the way of mamas who want to do their due diligence and sample lots more of our clothing? â€Å"Do due diligence† echoes the humorous euphemism â€Å"doo-doo.† I even found a headline that deliberately plays on the doo-doo effect: Doo Your Due Diligence when Using a Kennel The story under the headline has nothing to do with doo-doo, but I don’t think that the spelling is a typo. The site is run by a business called ScooperDude; it offers a weekly clean-up service to dog owners who don’t want to pick up after their own dogs. When it comes to â€Å"due diligence,† it’s better to exercise it or practice it than to do it. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:8 Writing Tips for BeginnersThe Uses of â€Å"The†

Essay on Tony Soprano Essay Example

Essay on Tony Soprano Essay Example Essay on Tony Soprano Essay Essay on Tony Soprano Essay Tony Soprano is one of the major characters in the phenomenal hit series The Sopranos. The Sopranos is a high-quality drama series in American television produced by David Chase. It was originally aired on the HBO network. The drama series is all about the New Jersey Mafia leader named Tony Soprano and the complexities that he experiences as he attempts to manage the frequently incompatible necessities of his family life and the unlawful and immoral association he leads. Tony manages his own household as well as a very controversial organization. His troubles are said to be product of his complicated lifestyle which originated from his own family background. His mother was said to be a psychotic person who was even involved in a plot to murder him (Rucker, 2003). This scene is very emblematic in a sense that before the end of the series, Tony was said to be treated for a particular psychological disorder. The characters and the environment that affect Tony’s everyday living contribute to the convolutions of Tony’s character. While he tries to fix his family, he is also attempting to make his organization doing well in a sense that he never miss to kill a single person that he perceives to be a threat not only to the mafia but also to his family (just like what he did to Big Pussy and to Christopher’s fiancà ©e) (Greene Vernezze, 2004). Throughout the series, Tony undergoes so many struggles. The first one is when he has to be treated due to his panic attacks. Later one, he has to deal with several plots against him including the instance when he has almost killed his uncle for being the mastermind of a murder-plot against him (wherein his own mother is also involved). The next troubles that he has are more on his fight against FBI agents who attempt to spy on the mafia and try to capture him. While he tries to maintain an order inside the Soprano household, Tony is also the very one who contributes to the destruction and disorder of his family. He is described as unfaithful to his wife (Rucker, 2003). So many scenes suggest this theme. Among he most notable instances are when he made an argument with his own sister Janice and his own daughter, by which he tries to convince the two ladies to listen to him and follow what he commands (for he says that what he is doing is for their own sake and for the sake of their family). But no matter how his character tries to portray a defender of his family and his group, Tony fails to embody a heroic character as how others strangely claim. A hero never hurt his wife, his children, his mother or father, his uncle or even his friends. But Tony does all these things beginning from very small things that could inflict damage to any one of them. While he only cares for himself and only for himself, he acts and tries to make others believe that he is doing a very heroic act for the sake of protecting his family and his group (Gabbard, 2004). But the real thing is that, he is just doing these things to suit his own interests. Towards the end of the series, it says that all the criminal acts that Tony does are starting to hunt him (where all things turn out to be against what he plans and wants to happen). After tracking and crashing down all his enemies, Tony finds himself playing the character that he never imagined to be played by him. He becomes the person who is being hunted and being pursued more than how the FBI does (Gabbard, 2004). Yet such realization depicted by his character is never attractive at all. The series end, having him gained his old self and defeating Phil, the person who hunted him and wished death for him. He saved himself and his family. Having a very negative interpretation on Tony Soprano’s character all throughout the television series The Sopranos could be regarded as something that would make the audience think of the real reason why such series is structured and made they way it is seen in television. Audience and even the press people could say that such TV series only depicts what could really happen in real life or what is really there in reality; but what they miss is the point that, the character of Tony is no more than an illustration of a mad man who created his own monsters and then acting like a patriotic knight by fighting with them and exclaiming in the end that he does that for his family; that he should be regarded as a hero well in fact he is the very antagonist in the whole series . The scenes in the series which illustrated how Tony’s dreams prophesize the future shows that Tony himself knows that his unlawful and immoral acts would soon hunt and destroy him but then he still chooses such as the path of his life. Though the ending apparently shows how Tony and his family become one again, it does not change the fact that Tony himself caused the almost wreck not only of his family but of his own life.

Caligua Roman Empire Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Caligua Roman Empire - Research Paper Example By that time Caligula’s father was dead and his mother and two brothers were in disgrace. At Capri, Caligula was appointed as heir together with Tiberius Gemellus, son of Drusus the younger. According to the Roman law, Caligula did not have a right to be the emperor, but nevertheless it happened. After the death of Tiberius, with the help of Macro, Caligula was proclaimed â€Å"princeps† (first citizen) by the Senate. Tiberius’s will was invalidated and Caligula was proclaimed emperor with the official name of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus in AD 37. The people of the empire were happy with the news, because Caligula’s parents were very popular in Rome and loved and respected by people. The first actions of the new emperor were directed at gaining popularity. When he entered Rome, he put Tiberius body into Augustus’ mausoleum, and made a funeral speech, in which he promised to rule Roman Empire together with the Senate and under its supervision. C aligula dropped a request for the deification of Tiberius, who was very unpopular in Rome, and announced amnesty. He put the taxes down and paid all the debts made by previous emperor. The new emperor won over the masses by resuming gladiator fights, bringing back actors from exile, and renewing of theatrical performances. Of course, such politics was very popular among the people. At this festive background, amplification of the monarchical principle and exaltation of power and personality of the emperor occurred. Caligula made a visit to Pandateriya and Pontius, and moved the ashes of his mother Agrippina and his brother Nero to Rome. There were yearly sacrifices yielded in honor of Germanicus and Agrippina, and circus games were arranged in honor of his mother. There were a lot of coins depicting the princeps’ brothers and parents. In six months Caligula got seriously sick. After his recovery he was no longer the same person. Some of the historians say that he had epilepsy from his childhood. †This, or some other cause, violently affected his mental state, and he became totally irrational, with delusions not only of grandeur but also of divinity.† (http://www.roman-empire.net/emperors/caligula.html, para.15). Caligula’s policy has changed so much that there was a firmly established belief in the society about his madness. It could be seen through his actions (for example, he was going to make his horse a consul) and in his appearance. The issue of mental normality of Gaius Caligula has occupied many researchers’ minds, both historians and psychologists. The opinions were divided. Some scholars have regarded him as mentally ill, while others believed that he was mentally normal. The range of definitions of his disease varies from schizophrenia to psychopathy. The latter version is the most recognized by modern scholars and seems the most convincing. In AD 38 Caligula put to death without trial his principal supporter, the pra etorian prefect Macro. Gemellus was also killed by his order. Marcus Junius Silanus, the father of the first of Caligula's wives was compelled to commit suicide. A new feature was that the process did not occur in the Senate: princeps alone decided the fate of the eminent dignitaries of the empire. In a short period of one year Caligula wasted all of the reserves of the state treasury accumulated by the Tiberius. New taxes were introduced to

Scientific Inquiry In Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Scientific Inquiry In Biology - Essay Example The condition of high Soil sodium is referred to as sodic, and is common in desert and arid lands. An example is the Yelarbon area of Australia. When the Chloride form dominates, it is referred to as saline. Salinity though may also refer to an increased amount of the chlorides of Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium. Increased Sodium salinity often leads to sodicity. An excess of the cation may lead to increased pH and increased soil osmotic pressure retarding the ability of plants to absorb water. Furthermore, an increase in the Sodium Carbonate concentration leads to an ion exchange reaction that immobilizes Calcium. Calcium is an important regulator of growth and development in plants. Its participation involves nearly all aspects of plant development. (Harper J.F, 2004) Another problem associated with increased soil Sodium is the toxicity to Na+ sensitive plants, and disruption of soil structure leading to crusting and poor drainage. (Ruiz Vera, 2006). This reduces available soil oxygen as well. The causes of increased sodium may be man-made or natural. Irrigation of soil with water having increased sodium carbonate is one artificial method. A natural cause may be weathering of rocks containing Sodium carbonates. The control of sodicity is by addition of Calcium in form of Limestone, Sulphur and drainage of the soils affected. If an increase in soil osmotic pressure leads to retarded growth of lawn grass, then addition of a proportional amount of salt to a control sample will lead

Investigating report how an organisation can get the best from their Essay

Investigating report how an organisation can get the best from their employees regard to their knowledge and experties - Essay Example Morgan and Schiemann (2009) argue that this form of restructuring will ensure that the organization’s functions and systems will run in a smooth manner. Among the changes that are taking part in the organizations today include inclusion of innovative techniques that render the employees have an obligation to offer the best for their companies. With the tough competition in the world of business, it is almost impossible for organizations to survive without embracing the changes that are taking part in the market especially in regard to employee relations. Studies indicate that organizations are terrified of the fact that, they may not be in a position to operate in the markets if they do not embrace the upcoming changes in the field of business. This fact implies that it is of the essence that novel human resource techniques and methodologies are incorporated into the organizations. 1.1. Body 1.1.1. Knowledge Management In an organization, it is mandatory to manage the organiza tion’s knowledge. There are various forms of knowledge in the organization. Knowledge may be described as the cognitive ability of an individual to perform a certain task and varies from one individual to the next. This fact leads to a variation while dealing with employees in the organization. Some employees may feel completely at pains upon conventional treatments, all in all, the most important part is to ensure that all forms of knowledge are crucial and have to be managed. Majority of the organizations are coming up with management of knowledge projects through appointment of knowledge teams and personnel to handle the organizations (Payne 2006). 1.1.2. Forms of Knowledge 1.1.2.1. Explicit form of knowledge Explicit awareness is a type of knowledge that is simple to categorize and retrieve since it uses codes that enable the user to keep the information, reposses it as well as rectify documents. In as far as an organization is concerned, the people in a managerial positi on have to ensure that the employees have unlimited access to information and they are able to use it accordingly for their maximum benefit (Roth 2006). Some analysts however, argue that this type of knowledge is too simple to generate desirable results in as far as fostering competitiveness among the employees is concerned. 1.1.2.3. Tacit Knowledge According to Munk (2008) tacit knowledge refers to a type of information that is hard to define since it relies mostly on individual experience that difficult to explain to others. This is the type of knowledge that is embodied in the minds of individuals based on experience over the years. The values and beliefs that a person ascribes to have a huge impact on the output of employees in an organization. This is probably why most employers insist on hiring people with years of experience in a specific field as they are able to use intuition to solve problems. As a result, many organizations experience breakthroughs in otherwise difficult areas that would have required excessive coding to solve it. 1.1.3 Organizational culture and structure According to Abell and Oxbrow (2001) organizations are structured in a myriad of ways, depending on their nature and traditions as well as their objectives. The structure proposed by the organization verifies whether the organization’

Chimney Sweep Essay Essay Example for Free

Chimney Sweep Essay Essay The Chimney Sweeper William Blake addresses the political issue presented at the time: the morality of the children sweepers. Blake attempts to describe the working conditions through two perspectives, one being through the eyes of an experienced chimney sweeper and the other through the eyes of the innocent. In the eyes of the experienced, the conditions described are explicit whereas the one through the eyes of the innocent are implicit. The innocence is represented by Tom Dacre. His thoughts, which are seemingly longer than that of the other poem, are unaware of the oppression that is taking place. The diction can reveal this in the sense that the innocent has proven to be darker and more cynical whereas the second poem seems happier and optimistic. For example from the first poem is, Hush, Tom! Never mind it, for when your heads bare, you know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair. (Line 7) However Tom’s dream of freedom characterizes the theme that purity still exists but also shows us the ugly reality. The second poem, the eyes of the experienced, understands that he is a victim. Blake in fact satirizes the second poem accordingly in the line â€Å"And because I am happy, and dance and sing,† (Line 9) for the sole purpose that the reader understands how miserable the victim actually is. The second poem also carries repetition which proves to be meaningful because it affirms that deeper level of the tone. The lack of repetition in the first poem sends a message to the reader that the narrator, Tom, truly believes the cruelty will end. While both poems have significant oppositions, both must be read in order to understand the other. Both emphasize religion and government and how they impose cruel treatment while enhancing lives of others. The two poems also have a rhyme scheme, implying that they are both happy, which is not the case. Both poems demonstrate the actions of cruelty and inhumanity imposed on the children, and through literary devices Blake is able to expose these problems within society. Finally, although the viewpoints in each poem differ, both show the difficulties of the chimney sweepers and while one represents hope and the other anger, the reader must acknowledge the betterment Blake is trying to enact.

Natural vs Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Natural vs Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Polymer Concrete technology as a branch discipline of technology requires increase in the degree of specialization and consolidation of the fiber material in the cement matrix form composite materials. It requires knowledge of the concepts related to the interaction between the fiber and adhesive cement, mortar or matrix concrete that influence the production and nature of the product. The scientists and engineers have been actively exploring to find the materials that will be used as replacement of conventional materials that can provide a feature best new design and innovation to enhance the material. The development of fiber technology is in the line with the development of knowledge of the material. Following the high demand and innovation in applying fiber, the fiber technology has produced various kinds of fibers potential for commercialization. Participation fiber reinforcement in concrete, mortar and cement adhesive work to improve the engineering properties of many based materials such as fracture resistance, bending strength and resistance to fatigue, impact, thermal shock or chipping. Consolidation of materials in the form of cement mortar or concrete has become an attraction as a building material because it is inexpensive, has the resilience and has a compressive strength and stiffness sufficient for restructuring. However, the disadvantages are located on fragile nature, tensile strength and impact of the weak as well as receptive to moisture movement. Hence, reinforced by fibers that have enhanced capabilities offer a suitable alternative, practical and economical to overcome the lack of features of conventional concrete or mortar. Elements of a fiber is a continuous filament in the form of an express term sheet or spreadsheet form. Fibers can generally be categorized into three types : synthetic fibers, natural fibers and mineral fibers. Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers. It is based chemicals such as petrochemicals and synthetic fibers derived mostly from nylon, polyster, aerylic polymer and polyacrylonitrile fibers used to make fiberglass. There is also a bundle of fibers that make the polymer chain is as strong as aramid and chain bond length as dyneema. While natural fiber derived from natural sources, from plants and animals. Plant fibers are cellulose and lignin-based stacks such as cotton, jute, coir, oil palm bunches, flax and so on. It can be obtained from seeds (cotton, kapok), leaf (pineapple, banana), leather plant (jute, kenaf, rattan, hemp), fruit (coconut, palm) and straw (rice, wheat, barley, grass). Next, animal fibers derived from protein particles like silk and wool. For mineral fibers, it derived from the earths crust and it happens naturally. It is based on asbestos fibers (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite), ceramic fibers (glass wool, quartz, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide) and fiber-metal (steel, aluminum). However, both of natural and synthetic fiber reinforced concrete have their own challenges and weakness. Nothing is being done without deficiencies. Synthetic fiber however has more challenges than natural fiber because of its production. Future development of natural and synthetic fiber reinforced polymer concrete will make us want to investigate more about them. OBJECTIVES To know about polymer concrete and why fiber being reinforced in it. To describe the characteristics of natural and synthetic fiber reinforced polymer concrete. To describe the challenges in environment while using both composite materials in construction. To describe the future development in both composite materials. LITERATURE REVIEW POLYMER CONCRETE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS Polymer concrete is a composite material in which the binder consists entirely of a synthetic organic polymer. It is variously known as synthetic resin concrete, simply resin concrete or plastic resin concrete. Because the use of a polymer instead of Portland cement represents a substantial increase in cost, polymers should be used only in applications in which the higher cost can be justified by superior properties, low labor cost or low energy requirements during processing and handling. It is therefore important that architects and engineers have some knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of polymer concrete materials in order to select the most appropriate and economic product for a specific application. Polymer concrete consists of a mineral filler such as an aggregate and a polymer binder which may be a thermoplastic, but more frequently, it is a thermosetting polymer. When sand is used as a filler, the composite is referred to as a polymer mortar. Other fillers include chalk, gravel, limestone, crushed stone, condensed silica fume (silica flour, silica dust), quartz, clay, granite, expanded glass, and metallic fillers. Generally, any dry, non-absorbent, solid material can be used as a filler. To produce polymer concrete, a monomer or a pre-polymer which mean a product resulting from the partial polymerization of a monomer, a hardener (cross-linking agent) and a catalyst are mixed with the filler. Other ingredients added to the mix include plasticizers and fire retardants. Sometimes, silane coupling agents are used to increase the bond strength between the polymer matrix and the filler. To achieve the full potential of polymer concrete products for certain applications, various fiber reinforcements are used. These include glass fiber, glass fiber-based mats, fabrics and metal fiber. Setting times and times for development of maximum strength can be readily varied from a few minutes to several hours by adjusting the temperature and the catalyst system. The amount of polymer binder used is generally small and is usually determined by the size of the filler. Normally the polymer content will range from 5 to 15 percent of the total weight, but if the filler is fine, up to 30 p ercent may be required. Polymer concrete composites have generally good resistance to attack by chemicals and other corrosive agents, good resistance to abrasion, have very low water sorption properties and good marked freeze-thaw stability. Also, the greater strength of polymer concrete in comparison to that of Portland cement concrete permits the use of up to 50 percent less material. This puts polymer concrete on a competitive basis with cement concrete in certain special applications. The chemical resistance and physical properties are generally determined by the nature of the polymer binder to a greater extent than by the type and the amount of filler. In turn, the properties of the matrix polymer are highly dependent on time and the temperature to which it is exposed. The viscoelastic properties of the polymer binder give rise to high creep values. This is a factor in the restricted use of polymer concrete in structural applications. Its deformation response is highly variable depending on formulation ; the elastic moduli may range from 20 to about 50 GPa, the tensile failure strain being usually 1 percent. Shrinkage strains vary with the polymer used. For example, high for polyester and low for epoxy-based binder. It must be taken into account in an application. A wide variety of monomers and pre-polymers are used to produce polymer concrete. The polymers most frequently used are based on four types of monomers or pre-polymer systems : methyl methacrylate (MMA), polyester pre-polymer-styrene, epoxide pre-polymer hardener (cross-linking monomer) and furfuryl alcohol. Table 1 : General Characteristics And Applications of Polymer Concrete Products Poly (methylmethacrylate) General Characteristics Low tendency to absorb water. As a result, high freeze-thaw resistance ; low rate of shrinkage during and after setting. Outdoor durability and good chemical resistance. Typical Applications Used in the manufacture of faà §ade plates, stair units and sanitary products for curbstones. Polyester General Characteristics Good adhesion to other materials, relatively strong, good chemical and freeze-thaw resistance but have high-setting and post-setting. Typical Applications Because of lower cost, widely used in panels for public and commercial pipes, buildings, floor tiles, stairs, various precast and cast-in applications in construction works. Epoxy General Characteristics Strong adhesion to most building materials, low shrinkage, good creep and fatigue resistance, superior chemical resistance and low water sorption. Typical Applications Epoxy polymer products are relatively costly. They are mainly used in special applications including use in mortar for industrial flooring, skid-resistant overlays in highways, epoxy plaster for exterior walls and resurfacing of deteriorated structures. Furan-based polymer General Characteristics Composite materials with high resistance to chemicals which most acidic or basic aqueous media, strong resistance to polar organic liquids such as ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds. Typical Applications Furan polymer mortars and grouts are used for brick such as carbon brick and red shale brick, floors and linings that are resistant to chemicals, elevated temperatures and thermal shocks. Source : Blaga, A. and Beaudoin, J.J., (1985). Polymer Concrete. Canadian Building Digest published November 1985. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FIBER AND TOUGHNESS CONCEPT Characteristics of fiber in use to hardened concrete : Fibers should be significantly stiffer than the matrix which has a higher modulus of elasticity than the matrix. Fiber content by volume must be adequate. There must be a good fiber-matrix bond. Fiber length must be sufficient. Fibers must have a high aspect ratio. Means that they must be long relative to their diameter. Toughness is defined as the area under a load-deflection (or stress-strain) curve. Adding fibers to concrete greatly increases the toughness of the material. That is, fiber-reinforced concrete is able to sustain load at deflections or strains much greater than those at which cracking first appears in the matrix. NATURAL FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER CONCRETE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS Potential use of natural fiber reinforced concrete in the application of natural fibers has long attracted the attention of researchers. Various researches has been conducted in many countries for a variety of mechanical properties, physical performance and durability of materials reinforced by natural fibers. Natural fibers are categorized as organic waste from plants such as fiber coconut, sisal, bagasse, jute, wood dust and so on. Natural fiber reinforced concrete is essentially a special concrete where it contains fibers with a small diameter, independently and randomly distributed in the cement matrix. Uniform distribution in the cement matrix, contributing to an increase in the tensile and resistance to cracking, impact and improved the ductility values à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹for the good aspects of energy absorption. Although many types of fibers were used as reinforce material in concrete, the use of natural fibers had long been in existence and there is a lot of evidence of the usage of these fibers in the history of civilization. Nature has given human the fiber reinforced material in the form of wood, bamboo and other plants. The use of straw in mud bricks and horse hair in the mortar has the potential of natural fibers. Only in the late 1960s and early 1970s, research began to study the potential use of various types of natural fibers as reinforcement material in the slab concrete and cement-based composite materials. Natural fiber reinforced cement or concrete products that use fibers such as coir, sisal, sugar bagasse, bamboo and so on have been produced and tested in more than 40 countries. For economic reasons in developing countries where natural fibers is so much available, it is demanding for construction industry players to enhance the usefulness of these resources in an effective and economical as to introduce composite materials for residential use and others. Basic needs use of natural fibers as reinforcement material in concrete matrix is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹tensile strength and high elastic modulus, the bond between the matrix and fiber, good chemical composition, stable geometry and good durability. SYNTHETIC FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER CONCRETE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers resulting from research and development in the petrochemical and textile industries. There are two different physical fiber forms: monofilament fibers, and fibers produced from fibrillated tape. Currently there are two different synthetic fiber volumes used in application, namely low-volume percentage (0.1 to 0.3% by volume) and high-volume percentage (0.4 to 0.8% by volume). Most synthetic fiber applications are at the 0.1% by volume level. At this level, the strength of the concrete is considered unaffected and crack control characteristics are sought. Fiber types that have been tried in concrete matrices include : acrylic, aramid, carbon, nylon, polyester, polyethylene and polypropylene. The characteristics is depend on the types of synthetics used to reinforced with polymer concrete. Different fiber has different properties. Adding carbon fiber decreased the unit weight of polymer concrete. Carbon fiber provides much higher compressive strength, flexure strength and ductility of polymer concrete. PVC and polypropylene fibers did not significantly influence the compressive strength and gave the lowest pulse velocities and modulus. NATURAL VS SYNTHETIC FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER CONCRETE : CHALLENGES The challenges of polymer concrete are the monomers of polymer can be volatile, combustible and toxic. Initiators, which are used as catalysts, are combustible and harmful to human skin. The promoters and accelerators are also dangerous. Natural fibers are emerging as lightweight, low cost, and more environmentally rather than synthetic fibers in composites. This is because : natural fiber production has lower environmental impacts compared to synthetic fiber production. natural fiber composites have higher fiber content for equivalent performance, reducing more polluting base polymer content. the light-weight natural fiber composites improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in the use phase of the component, especially in auto applications. end of life incineration of natural fibers results in recovered energy and carbon credits. A compound reinforced with natural fibers is not only low density, low-cost, and abrasion resistant, it also offers an absence of toxicity and better dimensional stability. Polyester raw material releases high amounts of carbon dioxide. This rapidly increases global warming, which is why polyester and other synthetic fabrics are widely discouraged. The other reason is that some synthetic fabrics come from non-renewable resources such as oil. Eventually rise of these synthetic fibers usage have been causing environmental problems such as dumping and recycling. In addition, glass fiber can cause acute irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Mainly concerns have been raised for long term disease such as cancer and lung scarring. Moreover, when released, glass fiber does not decompose and hence again it results in environmental pollutions, as well as, threaten animal life and nature along. Therefore, one of the solutions is using natural fibers instead of synthetic fibers in developing composites materials as they are renewable. Also the consumption of renewable resources would provide positive image for sustainability of green environment. Natural fibers are less harmful to the environment and the society because they are derived from plants and animals which are more eco-friendly. Products which manufactured from natural fabric eventually dissolves into the earth. Plant and animal based fabrics are a part of the evolutionary process of life. They return to the earth to return once more to life. Synthetic fibers are more harmful to the environment because they are enhanced with chemicals. Polyester and nylon fabrics are made from a substance which creates nitrous oxide. Materials that are labeled petrochemical, flame retardants, nylon, acetate and non-wrinkle are all chemically treated. Chemicals which used for the manufacture of synthetic fabrics is harmful and can enter into the water supply and cause health problems. Also workers who are continuously exposed to dangerous chemicals are at risk for developing auto-immune diseases and disease of the lung. Products made from petrochemicals take years to break down, creating a constant need for landfills. Synthetic products that are disposed into the ocean are a threat to marine life. The threat to aquatic animals will eventually precipitate a food shortage. Although, synthetic fibers may offer softer fabrics and more durable materials, the long term effect on the environment far outweigh any advantages. The high cost of petrol along with global awareness of how natural fibers improve overall quality of life will help motivate manufacturers to find more innovative ways to utilize natural fibers. NATURAL VS SYNTHETIC FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER CONCRETE : FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Synthetic : Although not investigated extensively, the use of two or more fiber types in the same concrete mix is considered promising. The decision to mix two fibers may be based on the properties that they may individually provide or simply based on economics. Considerable improvement in the load deflection response was observed mixing steel with polypropylene fibers. In a more recent study, steel micro-fibers (25 microns in diameter and 3 mm long) and carbon micro-fibers (18 microns in diameter and 6 mm long) both in mono- and hybrid- forms were investigated. In the mono-form, steel fiber provided better strengthening than the carbon fiber and carbon fiber provided better toughening than the steel fiber. Interestingly, in the hybrid form (in combination), they both retained their individual capacities to strengthen and toughen. It appears possible, therefore, that by properly controlling fiber properties and combining them in appropriate proportions, one can actually tailor-make h ybrid fiber composites for specifically designed applications. Natural : Environmental awareness and depletion of the petroleum resources are among vital factors that motivate a number of researchers to explore the potential of reusing natural fiber as an alternative composite material in industries such as packaging, automotive and building constructions. However, their applications are still limited due to several factors like moisture absorption, poor wettability and large scattering in mechanical properties. Among the main challenges on natural fibers reinforced matrices composite is their inclination to entangle and form fibers agglomerates during processing due to fiber-fiber interaction. So, the research on natural fiber is being done by mercerization treatment on mechanical properties enhancement of natural fiber reinforced composite or so-called bio composite. It specifically discussed on mercerization parameters, and natural fiber reinforced composite mechanical properties enhancement. It was found that the most parameters used in merc erization treatment were alkali concentration, fiber soaking temperature and fiber soaking duration. Although similar types of reinforced fiber are used, it could give different values in its final composite mechanical properties due to different parameter setting during a mercerization treatment process. Therefore, there is a significant need to conduct further work focusing on main effect and interaction effect of mercerization parameters setting toward enhancement of natural fiber reinforce composite mechanical properties. CONCLUSION In conclusion, natural fiber reinforced polymer concrete has more environmentally characteristics than the synthetic one. But, in the context of advantages, synthetic fiber reinforced polymer concrete has more than natural. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Because of several characteristics of natural fibers such as moisture absorption, poor wettability and large scattering in mechanical properties, thus it makes reinforcement with polymer concrete a bit less advantageous. Future works will be needed to improve the properties of both natural and synthetic fiber reinforced polymer concrete included with environment impacts.

Interaction of Human Culture and the Environment :: Environment Environmental Pollution Preservation

Interaction of Human Culture and the Environment In the mid 1970's and early 1980's, the field of clinical psychology underwent a revolution with the emergence of family therapy. Therapists initially understood disorders as being the result of a linear chain of causality. For instance, one theory of schizophrenia held that the disorder resulted from exposure to a certain pattern of behavior on the part of the patient's mother. Mothers of schizophrenics were often found to be particularly cold, unresponsive, dominant, and conflict-inducing towards their children. Researchers argued that such "schizophrenogenic" behavior was the direct cause of the disorder. Successful treatment, then, required the patient and mother to examine their relationship and seek out better, more positive methods of interaction. Family therapists, however, then began to realize that the etiology of the disorder was far more complex than simply the mother inducing the disorder within the child. The schizophrenic and the mother were enmeshed within a complex system of interactions both within, as well as outside, the family. Thus, the schizophrenic was affected by both his mother and father, the schizophrenic himself had an impact on his parents, the father and mother affected each other through their marital relationship, and social and cultural norms had an overall impact on all members of the family. Family systems researchers realized that these various relationships were constantly changing, and that each one had a significant effect on the others. Problems within the family were now understood in terms of circular causality rather than linear. For instance, it might very well be true that the schizophrenic's mother is cold, conflict-inducing, and unresponsive towards him. It is also true, however, that t he schizophrenic manifests very bizarre behavior, such as hearing voices, acting on paranoid impulses, hallucinating, and displaying inappropriate (or flat) emotional responses. These behaviors would certainly affect the mother, as she would be stressed and deeply concerned for her child's well being. The mother might also be affected by a strained marital relationship with her husband, which itself might be negatively impacted by the child's schizophrenic behavior. Finally, the family might be negatively affected by the society in which they live, as their neighbors or colleagues might view them as outcasts and purposely isolate them because of their child's inappropriate behavior. Ultimately, this series of negative interactions may result in a feedback loop, in which maladaptive behavior is amplified and the child's schizophrenic behavior worsens.