Reading Strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Reading Strategies - Essay Example As such, by employing strategies that address each phase in a specific way the reader is able to cultivate a critical skill of self-conscious reading. Also, a reader is better able to understand that a variety of reading techniques are required in order to understand and actively engage with a text. This paper will critically review a selection of reading strategies to demonstrate their benefits to teaching and learning of reading non-fictional texts. Firstly, before-reading will be discussed and reference made to the technique of using an Anticipation Guide. Secondly, during-reading will be presented with an example of the Anolighting Text method. Next, after-reading will be reviewed with reference to Organizational methods. Following, the implications of presented reading strategies for teaching practice will be outlined, and recommendations made for implication within the classroom. Finally, a conclusion shall synthesize the main points of the paper to illustrate the critical benefit of reading strategies for student understanding and conceptualization of non-fictional texts. The before-reading phase is where the reader determines within themselves the purpose of reading the text, and develops a tentative plan as to how to approach the reading endeavor (Beers, 2000). It is suggested that before a reader begins on a text that they take the time to survey the material so as to get an overall 'feel' for the material, before attempting to tackle link the details (Fairbrain, 2000). The first step suggested by Fairbrain is to understand the title of the article or text to be read. This requires careful reading to identify the key words used. For example "definition", "effect", "review", "comparison" or "analysis" (Duffy et al., 1987). A definition will aim to differentiate a concept/process from other members of the class by listing the term's distinguishing characteristics. An effect will seek to identify a cause that directly leads to a consequence (effect) that requires tracing probable or known effects of a certain cause or examining one or more effects an d discussing the reasonable or known cause(s). A review will present a series of research that discusses the findings and conclusions of previous studies by aggregating data to present the overall scope of the topic to date. Whereas a comparison will seek to detail how X differs and shares similarities with Y. An analytic paper will aim to break down a concept/process into it component parts so as to determine the actual parts that exist, their functions, structure and implications. Analysis involves breaking something down into its components and discovering the parts that make up the whole. However, it is clear that this step will only occur when the reader has a good grasp on the language of critical reading. As such, those readers who are new to a discipline could be expected to have difficulty with the above terms with regard to their academic definition. Further, students of low self-efficacy may find themselves confronted by academic terminology and 'jingoism' to

Fires Role in the Ecosystem Essay Example for Free

Fires Role in the Ecosystem Essay Scientists have studied forests and fires to determine the secret of Natures success in attaining this necessary balance. They have learned that a natural fire results from a certain fuel condition. Some forest types produce and accumulate fuels faster than others; some decompose fuels more readily than others. However, at some point in time, every forest type has fuel of the right quantity and quality for that forest to be ready to burn. In the past, forest fires would benefit the whole forest ecosystem because their frequency and intensity was determined by the systems natural readiness to burn. When there is a departure from the natural fire point, the ultimate, inevitable fire will be more severe. Fed by extraordinary amounts of fuel, a fires intensity may increase beyond the beneficial point for some parts of the ecosystem. Soils can be overheated and root systems damaged. Living tree crowns, as well as dead needles and branches, may be reduced to ashes. The Dilemma Scientists are studying things other than forests and fires things like population increases, wildlife needs, recreation needs and demands, increased hunting pressures, and a diminishing natural resource base. Obviously, all forest fires cannot be permitted to burn uncontrolled according to the whimsical dictates of lightning strikes or the carelessness of humans. Yet, in attempting to protect these forest values, the powerful role of fire has almost disappeared from the ecosystem it once shaped and created. The inevitable release of natural energy is only postponed-the probability of a devastating wildfire is increased. How, then, can the powerful force of fire be used in a way that cooperates, not conflicts, with nature? No Simple Solution Periodic natural fires prevent the heavy buildup of fuel which, when ignited, can harm our forests and ecosystems. Controlling fires in accordance with Natures scheme must be based on fuel management. There is no general prescription or formula for controlling fuels. Forested sites differ, and objectives range from essentially unmanaged wilderness to intensively managed recreation areas. However, in areas where the forest management  objectives require maintaining or reproducing forest or other natural communities natures method fire is a valuable and effective fuel management tool. Fires natural role in reducing fuels is partly replaced in timber-producing areas by the harvest and removal of wood products. However, slash, resulting from these activities, creates another fuel problem. Better use of harvested wood is one answer fire is another. Controlled burning of non useable slash further reduces the fuel load and provides nutrients for the plants and animals that inhabit the area. The technical and scientific refinement of ways to use fire as a management tool has been a major subject of forest research. Scientists are focusing on forest fuel chemistry, fire behavior, meteorology, and other fields to best determine when, where, and how excess fuels are to be burned. Only in the last century has fire in the forest been viewed as a monster. We are now beginning to realize that fire is a natural agent essential for maintaining the natural ecosystems of Florida. Fire is neither all good nor all bad. It is natural. It is powerful. In the proper places, in the right hands, at the right times, fire can be an asset and an ally. To employ fire as a useful friend is much more logical than confronting it as an enemy. Fire is a significant force in the forest environment. Depending upon specific land management objective, plus a host of environmental variables, fire will sometimes be an enemy, at times a friend, and frequently its effects will be mixed between the two extremes. To extend knowledge of fires role in Florida forests, this publication has been developed from scientific literature review and observations by experienced personnel. To be most useful, the general principles that follow must be localized to specific environments or management units in that way, in-depth knowledge of fire can be used to enhance productivity of the earths ecosystems in all their infinite variety. One great truth of this environmental age is that it is far better to complement natural systems than to manipulate them for single-purpose gain. It is through recognition of ecological interrelationships that we can best manage natural resources for the public good. Ignorance of ecological interrelationships is no excuse for land management errors. To meet future  environmental demands, land managers must build uncommon strength in all three fire activities: prevention, protection, and fire prescribed for ecological benefits. Fire management, in full partnership with other environmental factors, is necessary for quality land management. The Two Faces of Fire The Monster Uncontrolled wildfire raging through a forest can have disastrous effects. Healthy trees are reduced to blackened snags; shrubs that provided food and cover for wildfire become ashes; under the intense heat some soil nutrients are vaporized and become airborne in clouds of choking smoke. Ash falls on rooftops, window sills, and darkens clothes drying outdoors in nearby towns. Where people once enjoyed a green, scenic landscape, they see a stark, gray landscape. A forest has been grossly changed; the web of life it encompassed and nurtured has been broken. Here, fire has shown its mastery over the land and has behaved as a monster. The Friend Think about fire for a moment. If you have warmed your hands in its welcomed heat and enjoyed its friendly light, you know that all fire is not the raging holocaust. Fire, along with air, water, and earth, is a basic environmental factor. We do not judge air as bad because of periodic, destructive hurricanes. We are drawn to water rather than avoiding it despite its potential to cause devastating floods. We do not fear the earth though we know that forces beyond our control can cause it to quake and slide. Fire, no less than air and water, has been a natural directing force in human evolution and the earth we inhabit. History indicates that humans learned to use and control fire. Fire was, perhaps, our first tool. Yet today the acceptance of fire in the forest seems basically contrary to our beliefs in modern times. Perhaps we feel we have progressed beyond the need for direct dependence on this natural force. Or maybe we simply do not know and understand it any longer. Lightning In the Making Continued sunny and warm except for isolated afternoon or evening thunderstorms. Thirty percent chance of rain. This is a familiar midsummer  weather forecast in Florida. From over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, air   masses directly affect Floridas weather. Warm air is lifted high into cool, upper air layers. The cooling of this rising air causes its moisture to condense and clouds to form. Moisture droplets form in the upper; cold parts of the clouds. When they reach a certain size, the droplets begin to fall earthward, away from the influence of the cold air back into warm, uplifting currents. The droplets may again vaporize and be lifted even higher into the upper air layers. A repeated cycle of warming, lifting, and cooling causes the buildup of tall columns of billowy clouds. The bases of the clouds may be 3,000 feet above sea level the tops of the cloud columns develop upward to levels of 60,000 feet. The Ignition Source Inside the clouds electrical charges build up and separate into positive and negative centers. The upper portion of the cloud becomes positively charged and the lower portion becomes negatively charged. The negative charge near the cloud base induces a positive charge on the ground a reversal of the fair weather pattern when the ground charge is negative. Potential gradients between positive and negative centers, with some assistance from friction caused by falling water droplets, lead to those large sparks known as lightning discharges. Cloud-to-ground lightning is usually a discharge between the negative lower portion of the cloud and the positive charge on the ground. Most thunderstorms in Florida are accompanied by rain. Lightning fires occur when the lightning bolt strikes outside the area of rainfall or it ignites dry fuels that smolder through the rain shower and begin to burn as the area dries out following the shower. Energy to Use or Burn From a distance, pines and other vegetation look fresh and green. Close inspection reveals that the greenness is a shell enveloping a core of dry needles, twigs, and branches. In the needled or leafy part of the tree, known as the crown, growth occurs at the branch tips, so the youngest, greenest parts are always around the outside edges. Here, photosynthesis occurs. Photosynthesis is the major function of every green plant. It is the process by which light energy from the sun is converted to a form of energy that can be stored and used by the plant. Generally, the conversion is to  chemical energy and involves the formation of a series of complex organic compounds. Some of the compounds impart the piney odors we enjoy in forests. What we cannot tell from their pleasant aroma is that these compounds are very flammable. Once stored, the energy can be used in different ways. For example, it can be used by the plant to produce wood or grow more needles in which more energy conversion will take place. It can be used as a source of food by animals that browse the leaves and twigs where the compounds are stored. The energy can also be used to produce seed to germinate and produce another plant. This energy storing process takes place with shrubs and grasses as well as trees; photosynthesis and the energy conversions and transfers that occur are complex, but the result is clear enough: during one growing season in one acre of forest, enough sun energy is converted and stored in plant material to equal the energy reservoir in 300 gallons of gasoline. Fire and the Forest We often regard fire as an agent of destruction, but to Nature, it is an agent of necessary change. Fire changes one form of energy to another. Green plants change light energy to chemical energy, fire changes chemical energy to heat energy. Fire breaks down complex organic molecules to smaller ones the same thing that occurs when we digest food. The protein in a piece of meat cannot be used directly by the human body to build cells and tissues. We must eat the meat before large protein molecules can be broken down to smaller amino acid molecules, recycled through our bodies, and rebuilt into human tissue. When a fire changes a log to ash, nutrients bound in chemical compounds are released and changed to a form that is more water soluble. In this soluble form, nutrients percolating into the soil are again usable in the growth of other plants. Fire also effects a more visible change. Ash and nutrients occupy less space than trees and shrubs. By creating openings in forests, fire changes space relationships. Species that remain in these openings may be fire tolerant. Other species that cannot withstand fire are eliminated. Thus, fire changes both the composition and the density of the forest. This change will remain for several years and affect the fuels available during the next burning cycle. Scientists who study plant and  animal relationships tell us that forests in this part of the country owe their existence and continued presence to a long history of periodic fires. This association of some tree and shrub species with fire is an example of adaptation. Forests in Florida have existed here for at least 12,000 years. During that time, thousands of fires occurred annually. Plant species that survived these fires did so because of special features or characteristics they possessed. Plant species lacking these features were eliminated from frequently burned areas; their distribution has been confined to areas where fires are less likely to occur, moist areas such as bays, swamps, and creek bottoms. Fires, like many natural events, are somewhat cyclic. The cycle is governed by conditions such as general climate, topography, soil type, existing vegetation, and other factors. Accordingly, the repeatability of the cycle varies. Before 1900, fire-susceptible areas probably had fires every 3 to 10 years. In areas less likely to burn, the cycle may repeat every 10 to 100 years. Cyclic, recurrent fires of the past 12,000 years were important agents of selection in determining plant species and distribution in Florida. Trees Born of Fire Special adaptive features have allowed some plants to survive naturally occurring fire. Adult southern pines have a thick bark that insulates the inner, living tissues from fires heat. Longleaf pine is so fire resistant that some trees almost always escape fires injurious effects. These trees become seed trees for the reforestation of a burned area. Sand pine exhibits yet another adaptation for coping with fire. Sand pine cones remain closed until a fires intense heat opens the cone and allows the seeds to fall out. Seeds of cone-bearing trees that persist in fire-susceptible areas sprout and grow best under conditions created by fire: soil free from litter, an increased nutrient reserve, plus open areas with plenty of sunlight. In contrast, species less adapted to fire, such as oaks, gums, cypress, and cedar do not usually reseed a burned area directly. Seedlings of these species prefer partial shade and plenty of moisture. Generally, they will reestablish only after some other type vegetation is present. The Changing Natural fires keep Floridas forests dynamic, diverse, and beautiful. Florida was named by the early explorers because of the abundance of wildflowers in  areas kept open by frequent fires. Historically, timber stands were replaced by young trees; sometimes one type of forest was replaced by another. Changes in tree cover occur together with even more encompassing changes because a forest is more than just trees. A forest displays interdependence, interrelationships, and competition among trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, big and little animals, soils, microbes, minerals and nutrients in soils, and the air pervading and surrounding all of these. A forest is a complex life system. Each part has a place and a function in its organization an organization called the forest ecosystem. Because all parts of the system are interrelated, no one part can change without a widespread effect throughout the entire system. Forest fires affect more than trees. Fire-caused changes in ecosystems result in both stress and relief to plant and animal life both to individuals and to whole plant and animal communities. Thousands of years of natural fires achieved a dynamic balance between the stresses and relief. The fire-adapted pine forests thrived over vast areas. They provided habitat for hundreds of species of grasses and wildflowers, as well as dozens of animal species. All these species would quickly begin to decline in number and health and eventually disappear completely if fire is excluded. Fires Role in the Ecosystem A Balancing Act Scientists have studied forests and fires to determine the secret of Natures success in attaining this necessary balance. They have learned that a natural fire results from a certain fuel condition. Some forest types produce and accumulate fuels faster than others; some decompose fuels more readily than others. However, at some point in time, every forest type has fuel of the right quantity and quality for that forest to be ready to burn. In the past, forest fires would benefit the whole forest ecosystem because their frequency and intensity was determined by the systems natural readiness to burn. When there is a departure from the natural fire point, the ultimate, inevitable fire will be more severe. Fed by extraordinary amounts of fuel, a fires intensity may increase beyond the beneficial point for some parts of the ecosystem. Soils can be overheated and root systems damaged. Living tree crowns, as well as dead needles and branches, may be reduced to ashes. The Dilemma Scientists are studying things other than forests and fires things like population increases, wildlife needs, recreation needs and demands, increased hunting pressures, and a diminishing natural resource base. Obviously, all forest fires cannot be permitted to burn uncontrolled according to the whimsical dictates of lightning strikes or the carelessness of humans. Yet, in attempting to protect these forest values, the powerful role of fire has almost disappeared from the ecosystem it once shaped and created. The inevitable release of natural energy is only postponed-the probability of a devastating wildfire is increased. How, then, can the powerful force of fire be used in a way that cooperates, not conflicts, with nature? No Simple Solution Periodic natural fires prevent the heavy buildup of fuel which, when ignited, can harm our forests and ecosystems. Controlling fires in accordance with Natures scheme must be based on fuel management. There is no general prescription or formula for controlling fuels. Forested sites differ, and objectives range from essentially unmanaged wilderness to intensively managed recreation areas. However, in areas where the forest management objectives require maintaining or reproducing forest or other natural communities natures method fire is a valuable and effective fuel management tool. Fires natural role in reducing fuels is partly replaced in timber-producing areas by the harvest and removal of wood products. However, slash, resulting from these activities, creates another fuel problem. Better use of harvested wood is one answer fire is another. Controlled burning of non useable slash further reduces the fuel load and provides nutrients for the plants and animals that inhabit the area. The technical and scientific refinement of ways to use fire as a management tool has been a major subject of forest research. Scientists are focusing on forest fuel chemistry, fire behavior, meteorology, and other fields to best determine when, where, and how excess fuels are to be burned. Only in the last century has fire in the forest been viewed as a monster. We are now beginning to realize that fire is a natural agent essential for maintaining the natural ecosystems of Florida. Fire is  neither all good nor all bad. It is natural. It is powerful. In the proper places, in the right hands, at the right times, fire can be an asset and an ally. To employ fire as a useful friend is much more logical than confronting it as an enemy.

Book Review of Primo Levis Survival in Auschwitz Essay -- European Hi

Book Review of Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz World War II was a war that took many lives from civilians that deserved to have a life of their own. They were ordinary people who were victims from a horrible and lengthy war that brought out the worst in some people. In Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz, Levi gives a detailed account of his life in a concentration camp. Primo Levi was a young Italian chemist who was only twenty-four years old when he was captured by the Nazis in 1943. He spent two long and torturous years at Auschwitz before the Russian army freed the remaining prisoners of the camp. He tells about life inside the camp and how tough it was to be held like an animal for so long. He says they were treated as inhumanly as possible while many others in the camp would end up dying from either starvation or being killed. They had to do work that was very strenuous while they had no energy and had to sleep in quarters that resembled packed rat cages. With all of this, Levi describes the complex social system tha t develops and what it takes to survive. The soc...

Resistance to Change Essay

Change they say is the only constant thing. It is however a big wonder why many people still resist change even in large institutions. Resistance to change has therefore had a negative connotation because it portrays people avoiding the inevitable and not wanting to improve or face challenges. The essence of this paper is to peel the outward negative layer of resistance to change and dig deeper to reveal how it can be managed and transformed into a positive thing which may avail managers the opportunity to better their employees and refine their approach to change management. Although it was once accepted that †everyone resists change†, this paper will show that how people are treated and how change is implemented can have considerable influence on employee resistance to change. 2. 0AN OVERVIEW OF RESISTANCE TO CHANGE Perren (1996) described resistance as a behavioural reaction or symptom of distress intended to reduce distress level. Change may be described as the creation of something new or ending of something we are familiar with. (Huc and Buc 2010) describes resistance to change as an unwillingness or inability to accept or discuss changes that are perceived to be damaging or threatening to the individual. Large institutions often fail in their ability to manage change well and a major reason is the inability to create new business culture from the existing organisations. (Atkinson 2005) it is for this reason that resistance to change is seen negatively as organisational change is more often than not unsuccessful. The nature of resistance is that we do not experience it actively and publicly. Its presence is often displayed covertly or passively and shows up in unexpected ways. Perhaps if it were displayed in an obvious manner, we could deal with it logically. Atkinson 2005 Resistance to Change as a Negative Force Resistance is most commonly linked with negative employee attitudes with counter- productive behaviours. (Waddell and Sohal 1998) Negativity is a misconception that there are so many times when resistance is the most effective response available. (Hultman 1979). Early human resource theory also cast resistance in a negative light by perceiving it as a form of conflict that was indicative of a breakdown in the normal and healthy interactions that can exist between individuals or groups. And of course the answer was to avoid resistance in order to restore harmony. (Milton 1984). 2. 2 Why do people Resist Change? Having an in-depth knowledge as to why employees resist change might be a first step to realising that resistance is not a bad thing and to helping the manager deal with it. Among the causes of resistance to change listed by Kreitner (1999) are: Surprise, inertia, misunderstanding, emotional side effects, lack of trust, fear of failure, personal conflicts, poor training or threat to job status/security. Four common causes of resistance to change as cited by Huc and Buc (2010), Bedeian (1980) and Kotter and Schlesinger (2008) are: a. Parochial Self Interest. Which could mean leaving your comfort zone, inconveniences or disturbance of relationships. Like Atkinson (2005) said, the first reaction when people hear of an imminent change is to personalise it to self and ask, †how is this going to affect me? † b. Misunderstanding or lack of Trust. That is communication gap. People want to know the reason for the change that is being proposed. If they feel you are hiding information from them, it could lead to lack of trust and they will automatically resist. c. Contradictory Assessments. Managers should be as explicit as possible when driving change because employees tend to see more costs than benefits. d. Low tolerance for change. Some people have difficulty in coping with change and may result in self doubt and uncertainty. According to Kotter (2008) people might also resist change because of peer pressure or a supervisor’s attitude. Drucker argued that the major obstacle to organisational growth is manager’s inability to change their attitudes and behaviour as rapidly as their organisations require. Eccles (1994) lists 13 possible sources of resistance: ignorance, comparison, disbelief, loss, inadequacy, anxiety, demolition, power cut, contamination, inhibition, mistrust, alienation and frustration. 2. 3 Managing Resistance to Change. Negative reactions to change may be motivated by positive intentions. (Piderit 2000)There aren’t any clear cut strategies as to how to manage esistance. Managing people stems from experience and depends on each unique situation. To lead change, managers need to tailor strategies to the types of resistance that may be encountered. (Kotter and Schlesinger 2008) Huc and Buc (2004) came up with the theory of †Stakeholder Analysis† . They describe the stakeholder as any person who will be directly or indirectly affected by the change in an organisation. The theory states that anticipating the different reactions of the stakeholders is a useful first step in managing resistance. Using the Stakeholder analysis, managers can first draw up the list of the stakeholders, establish what each will lose or gain if the change goes ahead, use the potential benefits to strengthen support for proposals, and finally, find ways to address the concerns of those who feel they will lose by altering the nature of the changes proposed or offering to reduce losses in other ways. Kotter and Schlesinger (1979), came up with six techniques to managing resistance: * Education and Commitment * Participation and Involvement * Facilitation and Support * Negotiation and Agreement Manipulation and Co-optation * Implicit and Explicit Coercion As said earlier, these strategies or techniques have to be tailored to each individual situation. The biggest mistake any manager or change agent can make is to assume that resistance to change can be handled using textbook methods. However, these methods can be used in combination. The choice depends on the likely reactions of those involved and on the long term implications of solving the immediate problems in that way. Johnson and Scholes (1999) also used these as appropriate styles of management for those faced with managing change.

Pigs, Dogs, Cats, Horses, and Rats Help Win the Civil War Essay

The Civil War intensified pork production as firms strove to meet the needs of the war effort. Beef packing also increased dramatically during the war, but dwindled after it ended, as cities like Kansas City that were closer to the centers of cattle farmers began to dominate production. As plants grew, the operations became more mechanized & specialized. The introduction of the refrigerated rail car in 1869 dramatically bolstered the industry, allowing it to become a year-round industry and to expand internationally (Dictionary of Wisconsin History, 2013). The North had a greater advantage than the South in that their commissary system was already established at the outbreak of the war, while the Confederacy struggled for many years to obtain food and then get it to its armies. By the end of the war, many soldiers in the Confederate army were on the verge of starvation. During the Civil War There were plenty of other Civil War food options on a soldier’s menu (The American Civil War, 2013). The salt pork that was given to the soldiers during the war was a stinky kind of blue extra-salty meat, with hair, skin, dirt, and other debris on it. It was, however, their main supply of protein. Salt beef was basically all of the very worst parts of a cow, including organs, necks, and shanks. But the basic meat was pork. When in enemy territory, the soldiers frequently helped themselves to chickens, fruits, vegetables, and other items from local farms and households. However, â€Å"During the final months of the war, more than a few horses, mules, dogs, cats, and even rats were eaten by soldiers,† said a Confederate doctor (Civil War Food, 2013). Rats especially were found to be quite a luxury: †¦superior, in the opinion of those who eat them, to spring chicken†¦and there were few among the garrison whose natural prejudices were so strong as to prevent them from cooking and eating their share. Nor did rats appear on the starvation menus of only besieged Confederates. In the winter of 1862-63 in Virginia, [Union soldier Berry] Benson and others on picket found many rats, and they teased each other about trying them. Soon someone killed a few and roasted them. They found that they tasted rather like a squirrel. If that time were back, I don’t think I would not be squeamish,’ Benson said later. ’ (Davis, 2003, p. 24) After the Civil War The market for Texas cattle diminished after the Civil War & ranchers were left holding several million heads of cattle. Ranchers began to drive their cattle north again in 1866, but with little financial gain. Fortunately for the cattlemen, the close of the Civ il War also marked a major transition in U. S. meat-consumption patterns. A national preference for pork abruptly gave way to beef. Cattle worth $4 a head in Texas might be sold at $40 a head in Missouri or Kansas. In addition, a ready workforce was already in place: the de-commissioned horsemen of the Confederate cavalry plus freed ex-slaves and Mexican gauchos combined to provide a ready supply of skilled horsemen. Soon others saw the wild Texas herds as a ready means to tap into the lucrative northern market with little start–up capital. The famous Chisholm Trail became a major route. The trail was established in 1865 by Jesse Chisholm and ran 600 miles from San Antonio, Texas, to Abilene, Kansas. Typically rivers and Indian lands had to be crossed, but good grazing, relatively level terrain, and higher prices waiting at the destination made the hazards worthwhile. Drives were cost-effective too—a drive of 2,000 or more cattle usually required only a trail boss and a dozen cowhands. In 1867, the Goodnight-Loving Trail opened markets for Texas cattle in Colorado & New Mexico. Cattle ranching had become big business and attracted Eastern investors. In 1869, more than 350,000 head of cattle were driven along the Chisholm Trail. By 1871, more than 700,000 head were driven along the route. The Reconstruction Period The post-war Reconstruction period was difficult and would have been different in at least two ways if President Lincoln had not been assassinated. First, Lincoln would have been more generous in providing government aid to the fallen South. Instead, President Andrew Johnson punished the South. Moreover, if Lincoln had been the post-war president, it is likely that there would have been a lot less racism and he might have even prevented racist and white-supremacists like the KKK and other groups (Nicely, 2011). Second, the death of Abraham Lincoln changed all the plans by which a Southern state could be readmitted into the Union. Lincoln wanted to reunite the Union quickly by showing forgiveness. Most of the moderate Republicans in Congress supported his plan because they thought it would make a more immediate end to the war. Reconstruction would have gone much more smoothly if Lincoln had not been assassinated (Nicely, 2011). Industrialization and urbanization during Reconstruction brought many changes to the social, economical and political lives of the people. Industrialization led to mass production of goods with technological advances which led to cheaper products and better living conditions for the average American. With the improvement of living conditions, came the need of more workers at the factories. This need led to the migration of people to rural areas to the cities. The migration of the people to the cities and the addition of more and more factories lead to harmful contaminants in the environment such as water and air pollution. We also had the distinction of social classes given the wealth differences among the business entrepreneurs and factory workers. There was also a change in the family structure. Men and women who worked in the same factory performing the same task were paid differently. This structure established what we know today as having the man be the â€Å"breadwinner† and the woman encouraged to stay at home with the children. At this point, children were seen as low-cost labor. Race Relations The federal and/or state courts and legislatures handed down decisions or passed laws during the period that served to discriminate against non-white citizens and immigrants in many ways. The Black Codes were enacted in the South to regulate the status and conduct of the newly freed slaves. This deprived black people of many rights given only to whites such as owning property, to testify in court with whites, to make contracts, travel, preach, speak, and many more. Also contrary to expectations of the Bill of Rights, the court also held that because the amendment provided that â€Å"no state shall† deprive persons of the rights its guaranteed, Congressional legislation protecting blacks and Republicans from Ku Klux Klan violence exceeded the power of the federal government. References Civil War Food (2013). Retrieved from http://www. civilwaracademy. com/civil-war-food. html). Davis, W. C. (2003). A Taste for War: The Culinary History of the Blue and the Gray. Stackpole Books. Mechanicsburg, PA. Dictionary of Wisconsin History (2013). Retrieved from http://www. wisconsinhistory. org /dictionary/index. asp? action=view&term_id=10802&term_type_id=3&term_type_text=things&letter=M) Gale Encyclopedia of U. S. Economic History (1999). Retrieved from http://www. ncyclopedia. com/topic/Cattle_drives. aspx Mitchell, P. B. (2013), â€Å"Cooking for the cause. † Retrieved from http://www. civilwar. org/education/pdfs/civil-war-curriculum-food. pdf Nicely, B. J. (2011). What IF #5—How would have Reconstruction been different if Lincoln had not died on April 15, 1865? Retrieved from http://deeprunwildcats. org/nicely/? p=631 The American Civil War (2013). Retrieved from http://www. ducksters. com/history/civil_war/ life_as_asoldier_duri ng_the_civil_war. php

Lynn Margulis - Biography of an Evolution Scientist

Lynn Margulis - Biography of an Evolution Scientist Lynn Margulis was born March 15, 1938 to Leone and Morris Alexander in Chicago, Illinois. She was the oldest of four girls born to the travel agent and lawyer. Lynn took an early interest in her education, especially science classes. After only two years at Hyde Park High School in Chicago, she was accepted into the early entrant program at the University of Chicago at the young age of 15. By the time Lynn was 19, she had acquired a B.A. of Liberal Arts from the University of Chicago. She then enrolled at the University of Wisconsin for graduate studies. In 1960, Lynn Margulis had obtained an M.S. in Genetics and Zoology and then went on to work at getting a Ph.D. in Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley. She ended up finishing her doctoral work at Brandeis University in Massachusetts in 1965. Personal Life While at the University of Chicago, Lynn met the now famous Physicist Carl Sagan while he was doing his graduate work in Physics at the college. They married shortly before Lynn finished her B.A. in 1957. They had two sons, Dorion and Jeremy. Lynn and Carl divorced before Lynn finished her Ph.D. work at the University of California, Berkeley. She and her sons moved to Massachusetts shortly thereafter. In 1967, Lynn married crystallographer Thomas Margulis after accepting a position as a lecturer at Boston College. Thomas and Lynn had two children- a son Zachary and a daughter Jennifer. They were married for 13 years before divorcing in 1980. In 1988, Lynn took a position in the Botany department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. There, she continued to lecture and write scientific papers and books over the years. Lynn Margulis passed away on November 22, 2011, after suffering uncontrolled hemorrhaging caused by a stroke. Career While studying at the University of Chicago, Lynn Margulis first became interested in learning about cell structure and function. Particularly, Lynn wanted to learn as much as possible about genetics and how it related to the cell. During her graduate studies, she studied the non-Mendelian inheritance of cells. She hypothesized that there had to be DNA somewhere in the cell that wasnt in the nucleus due to some of the traits that were passed down to the next generation in plants that did not match the genes coded in the nucleus. Lynn found DNA within both mitochondria and chloroplasts inside of plant cells that did not match the DNA in the nucleus. This led her to begin formulating her endosymbiotic theory of cells. These insights came under fire immediately, but have held up over the years and contributed significantly to the Theory of Evolution. Most traditional evolutionary biologists believed, at the time, that competition was the cause of evolution. The idea of natural selection is based on the survival of the fittest, meaning competition eliminates the weaker adaptations, generally caused by mutations. Lynn Margulis endosymbiotic theory was the opposite. She proposed that cooperation between species led to the formation of new organs and other types of adaptations along with those mutations. Lynn Margulis was so intrigued by the idea of symbiosis, she became a contributor to the Gaia hypothesis first proposed by James Lovelock. In short, the Gaia hypothesis asserts that everything on Earth- including life on land, the oceans, and the atmosphere- work together in a sort of symbiosis as if it were one living organism. In 1983, Lynn Margulis was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Other personal highlights include being the co-director of the Biology Planetary Internship Program for NASA and was awarded eight honorary doctorate degrees at various universities and colleges. In 1999, she was awarded the National Medal of Science.

At First Sight essays

At First Sight essays Based on a true story At First Sight reveals the triumphs and tribulations of falling in love with a blind person. Amy (Mira Sorvino) is a hard working, New York architect who is desperately in need of a relaxing vacation. While on vacation she meets and falls in love with Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer), a seductive massage therapist. After being swept away with his massage, she discovers he is blind. Although Virgil is content with being blind, Amy convinces him to under go experimental eye surgery. Following the surgery Virgil is able to see for the first time since he was three. However, they discover it reveals a much larger challenge, sight association. Virgil is confronted with the fact that even though he can physically see, he does not realize what he is seeing without feeling it first. While dealing with this challenge they discover that his sight is temporary and he will eventually be totally blind again. At First Sight starts out as a love story, but ends up being more about Virgils challenges. Even though I enjoyed this movie very much, I would have enjoyed it more had they focused on either the love story or his challenges. If you dont know most of the medical terms they use you will be easily confused. Val Kilmer is very convincing in his role of a blind man. He makes you feel very grateful for what we take for granted every day. If you have a soft heart, like I do, for "glamorized" movies then you will surely enjoy this movie. ...

Metal vs. Mettle

Metal vs. Mettle Metal vs. Mettle Metal vs. Mettle By Maeve Maddox At one time, metal and mettle were alternative spellings for the material or substance a thing was made of. Classical Latin metallum had the meaning of mine or quarry as well as the substances obtained from them. Metal is a hard, shiny, malleable material like gold, silver, or copper that is used in the manufacture of tools or artifacts. It’s shiny, malleable, and it conducts heat. The word metal can be used either as a mass noun or as a count noun: Saucepan handles are usually made from wood or plastic because they don’t transfer heat as well as metal. (mass noun) Metals play a critical role in the creation of contemporary jewelry by affecting appearance, durability and cost. (count noun) Mettle derives from the same source as metal and was once used in the same way. Since about the 18th century, however, mettle has been reserved for figurative use. It refers to what a person is â€Å"made of.† Mettle includes character, disposition, and temperament. It is often used with the verbs test, prove, and show, particularly in sports writing: Bruins Marchand shows his mettle Djokovic must prove his mettle against Nadal on clay Young runners test their mettle during Hy-Vee runs Kelso showed his mettle and won by three-quarters of a length. Shakespeare uses the word in Macbeth’s sexist compliment to his wife after she berates him for hesitating to kill Duncan: Bring forth men-children only; For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. –Macbeth, I, vii, 72-74. The adjective mettlesome describes a high-spirited, vivacious, lively person: In The Taming of the Shrew, Kate is Baptista’s mettlesome elder daughter. Mettlesome can also mean courageous: Là ¼ Kuang is fresh from his victories in the west, and his soldiers are vigorous and mettlesome.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œThe Art of War, XI. Applied to an animal, especially a horse, it means â€Å"lively, eager, spirited, frisky.† It can also be applied to an event: [The tennis players] delivered a mettlesome performance from start to finish, bringing the ultimate title under their names. Mettlesome from the noun mettle is not to be confused with meddlesome, the adjective that goes with the verb meddle, â€Å"to interfere.† Hillsdale College Chief Remark Pricks Meddlesome Bureaucrats How to Handle Your Meddlesome In Laws Meddle comes from a word meaning â€Å"to mix.† Meddlesome people mix in where they are not wanted. Mettlesome people are often fun to know. 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 Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:85 Synonyms for â€Å"Help†55 Boxing IdiomsHow to Send Tactful Emails from a Technical Support Desk

MS Flight Simulator Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MS Flight Simulator - Research Paper Example Bruce Artwick started its development in 1977 and put it on the market for a range of computers with his company subLOGIC. Artwicks company certified Microsoft  a version of Flight Simulator known as  Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 in 1982 (Grupping, 2007). The Microsoft Flight Simulator gives its users the realistic experience of flying a plane. The aviation industry is making great use of the system for design and development and by training pilots and other flight deck crews in both military and civil aircraft (Anonymous, 2005). The newest versions, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004  and  Microsoft Flight Simulator X, gratify pilots, would-be pilots and individuals who had dreamt of being pilots in similar fashion. While playing these, the new users can be frustrated due to its reality-based complex and difficult nature. But it can be rewarding for those who are skilled flight simmer. The latest versions also include enhanced weather simulation, alongside the ability to download real-world weather data and diverse air traffic environment with interactive  Air Traffic Control, player-flyable aircraft, interactive lessons and challenges, and finally aircraft checklists. Furthermore, there is availability of, both free and commercial upgrades and add-ons for flexibility and scope (Lackey,

To What Extent does New Queer Cinema Restage Dominant Themes of Essay

To What Extent does New Queer Cinema Restage Dominant Themes of Classical Hollywood - Essay Example Classical Hollywood films refer to those films that were produced between 1910s through 1950s (Michele, 12). As opposed to New Queer Cinema films, these classical films did not openly dramatise homosexual issues because of the dominant and conventional heterosexual lifestyle. It was the New Queer Cinema that came with the sexual revolution and opted to go against the status quo, challenging the heterosexist minds by explicitly dramatising homosexuality. However, restaging the dominant themes in the classical Hollywood cinema brought about this shift. This paper evaluates the extent at which the New Queer Cinema has restaged dominant themes of the classical Hollywood cinema. In order to understand dominant themes that the New Queer Cinema has restaged, we should understand some identifying genre styles. First in order to identify and designate a group of films into a certain class, like the New Queer Cinema, principle characteristics are to be isolated (Braudy, 34). One such isolating approach is referred to as structuralism that lists genre’s iconography, stock characters, typical themes and central narratives (Gever, Greyson & Pratibha, 92). Another approach would situate genres within the historical context in order to assess how films achieve public popularity and how these impacted the production studios. In this case feedback is highly essential in determining whether some class of the film will succeed in the market or not. Gever, Greyson & Pratibha, 93) analyse that, this success is highly depended on the ability of the film to capture key and popular cultural anxieties that are prevalent at the time. The last approach, which is closely intertwined with the gist of this paper, is the way we have classified films over time. This is the origin of the classification of classical Hollywood films and the New Queer Cinema (Gever, Greyson & Pratibha, 93). What has been the concern of most classification is the shift from the most relevant and prevalent t hemes of the time. In most cases, New Queer Cinema revises classical cinema themes and makes them more relevant to the target audience at a time or generation. As we saw earlier, in their exact nature, classical Hollywood films did not dramatise homosexual lives and issues because such issues were not openly acceptable. The content of the Hollywood narrative was largely heterosexual, and that was reflected by male-female romance; a theme dramatisation which was common in all film genres (Mann, 2). Where homosexuality issues featured in a film, before the sexual revolution, the new queer film; insignificant and supporting roles were allotted to the characters. For instance, in the film A Florida Enchantment (1914), a pre-code film, homosexuality was so extreme at that time in featuring female characters who fed on magical sex-changing seeds that turned them into women pursuing Lotharios (White, 11). This lack of direct and explicit dramatisation of homosexual themes emanated from the Hollywood production code that was made effective in 1934, which forbade explicit depiction of what is called "sex perversion" (Mann, 12). At that time, however, the classical Hollywood cinema, under the code, kept on suggesting queerness by the use of effeminate men and mannish women; although the characters never came in the open as real homosexual or lesbians proper. There are classic actors like Horton (1886–

Mass-spectrometer (another copy) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Mass-spectrometer (another copy) - Essay Example ion concentrations of shared elements for all the drugs as well as, once detected these chemical elements will be matched with a catalogue of chemical compounds; an illustration of this process is described in the report as well as an assessment on the limitations, design specifications, besides recommendations for enhanced dependability. Basically, a mass spectrometer performs three important roles (Figure 1). Initially, it bombards the molecules to be analyzed with a stream of high-energy electrons, transforming a number of the molecules to ions, which are then fast-tracked in an electric field by a sequence of polarized fast-tracking plates, a huge potential difference (p.d), oscillating from 1 to 10 kV (kilovolts), applied across these fast-tracking plates yields a beam of briskly roaming positive ions. Moreover, one or more focusing slits subject the ions into a uniform beam. What is more, majority of the sample molecules do not undergo ionization, nonetheless, are incessantly drawn off by vacuum pumps which are linked to the ionization chamber; whereas some of the molecules are changed to negative ions by the absorption of electrons. Consequently, the repeller plates engross these negatively charged ions. Besides, a number of the positively charged ions which are produced can possess a charge greater than one ( a loss of in excess of a single electron). These are fast-tracked in a similar way as the singly charged positive ions. Secondly, the fast-tracked ions are isolated consistent with their mass-to-charge ratios in an electric or magnetic field by a deflection that transpires through an applied magnetic field. Finally, the ions that have a specific mass-to-charge ratio are identified by a detector device which can tally the number of ions reaching it that have negotiated the static-curved radius of arc because of the applied magnetic field (Figure 2). Additionally, particles with mass-to-charge ratios which are both too large as well as too small hit

Appalachian Mountain Top Removal (strip mining) Essay

Appalachian Mountain Top Removal (strip mining) - Essay Example Everyone is aware of the dangers of black lung and cave-ins, but the coal has to be brought out at any cost. The long-suffering people in these company towns buried deep in the folded mountains and valleys of the Appalachians are the stuff of legend. Unfortunately, like most legends, the realities of modern coal mining have relegated these people to the realm of fiction. Thanks to mining methods such as Mountain Top Removal (MTR), the coal industry barely needs people at all anymore. MTR became a popular method of mining coal in the 1970’s. Traditional deep shaft mining using lots of skilled labor and traditional techniques had been growing increasingly expensive due to increasing labor costs and safety regulations. Large coal companies began to use a technique commonly called â€Å"strip mining†, where the overburden covering the coal seams was entirely removed. This method allowed for the extraction of large amounts of coal using machinery instead of human labor. This is more economical for the company but provides fewer jobs for the people most affected by the mining. MTR is much like strip mining except it happens on a massive scale. The nature of this type of mining has lead to devastating consequences for the environment, economy and society surrounding these mines. MTR in the Appalachian region, centering on the states of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky is largely a product of the geology of the area. Through geologic time, the Appalachian Mountains have been folded and compressed. Coal seams often follow the general topography of the surrounding mountains. Traditional methods of mining involved an angled shaft that penetrated overlying resistant rock in an effort to get at the coal seam. In MTR, the entire top of a ridge is blasted away, exposing the seam. The seam is then worked from top to bottom and down slope using massive dragline and excavation machinery. The environmental

Risk Involved In Investment And Portfolio Management Essay

Risk Involved In Investment And Portfolio Management - Essay Example It is natural because investors perceive much risk to be involved in investments such as bonds and stocks they are willing to expect more return on them. Stocks and bonds are considered more risky because they involve several elements that may change with time due to uncontrollable factors such as price, interest rates, inflation etc. The most important thing with respect to any investment is the level of certainty with respect to the recovery of principal amount invested. Stocks and bonds are different with regard to risks that are confronted by investors from time to time. Stocks or bonds are both issued by corporations at different times to raise long-term finance for their business but their treatment is different. Stock is regarded as equity capital whereas bonds are considered as borrowed capital or external funds. Stock investors become owners of the company and bondholders become creditors. Owners i.e., stockholders therefore perceive more risks pertaining to the recovery of their principal amount because in case if company defaults they would be given less priority over bondholders on the company's assets. Gibson (2000, p58) elaborates that, "because the bondholders and other creditors of a corporation have a prior claim to the corporation's revenues and assets, common stock shareholders are said to have a residual ownership interest". Also the returns to stockholders are not guaranteed but bondholders are entitled to receive a fixed rate of guaranteed return. Therefore, in this view, investment in stock is riskier than bonds. There are various aspects that determine the risks involved in investing into corporate bonds and securities. Bodie (1995, p21) says that, "with real bonds, the investor...This paper provides an overall introduction to risk and various elements that add to the risk associated with a certain type of investment. This paper also illuminates the effectiveness of portfolio management to eliminate the risks that are confronted by investors while maximising the returns on investment. In investment management, risk is often equated with the uncertainty (variability or standard deviation) of possible returns around the expected return. Risk is the capability of pointing out possible outcomes and their probabilities without being sure as to which will happen. It is the extent and possibility to which expected returns vary in response to several factors. Investors block their money in certain assets such as stock and securities as well as liabilities such as bonds in anticipation of certain return with less exposure to risk factors. Different types of investments contain different levels of risk that also correspond to the return expected by investors. Investments such as government bonds and securities bear no risk to the investors therefore provides less return to the investors. Bonds are categorised as liabilities and therefore bear a legal guarantee for investors to receive their invested amount even if the company goes bankrupt. There are other factors also that make investment in bonds and shares risky such as interests rates and inflation. An investor can greatly minimise the risks associated with investments by means of portfolio management.

Appalachian Mountain Top Removal (strip mining) Essay

Appalachian Mountain Top Removal (strip mining) - Essay Example Everyone is aware of the dangers of black lung and cave-ins, but the coal has to be brought out at any cost. The long-suffering people in these company towns buried deep in the folded mountains and valleys of the Appalachians are the stuff of legend. Unfortunately, like most legends, the realities of modern coal mining have relegated these people to the realm of fiction. Thanks to mining methods such as Mountain Top Removal (MTR), the coal industry barely needs people at all anymore. MTR became a popular method of mining coal in the 1970’s. Traditional deep shaft mining using lots of skilled labor and traditional techniques had been growing increasingly expensive due to increasing labor costs and safety regulations. Large coal companies began to use a technique commonly called â€Å"strip mining†, where the overburden covering the coal seams was entirely removed. This method allowed for the extraction of large amounts of coal using machinery instead of human labor. This is more economical for the company but provides fewer jobs for the people most affected by the mining. MTR is much like strip mining except it happens on a massive scale. The nature of this type of mining has lead to devastating consequences for the environment, economy and society surrounding these mines. MTR in the Appalachian region, centering on the states of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky is largely a product of the geology of the area. Through geologic time, the Appalachian Mountains have been folded and compressed. Coal seams often follow the general topography of the surrounding mountains. Traditional methods of mining involved an angled shaft that penetrated overlying resistant rock in an effort to get at the coal seam. In MTR, the entire top of a ridge is blasted away, exposing the seam. The seam is then worked from top to bottom and down slope using massive dragline and excavation machinery. The environmental

Week 2 #2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 2 #2 - Coursework Example Secondly, the internal pay equity creates a good sensible business; thus improving the firm’s retention of its top performers and maximize its chances of hiring a top talent in the industry. Therefore, failure to manage the internal pay equity can result in losing employees to other companies and creates disloyalty among the employees (Kramar & Syed, 2012). The external pay equity management is also important for company’s success. Employers are expected to manage carefully determine the appropriate markets. Therefore, the management of the appropriate markets helps in having accurate external wage comparison. Thus, this reduces unnecessary payments in some areas (Kramar & Syed, 2012). For instance, a narrow determination of a market can lead to wage that higher that is expected. Therefore, employee inequity and equity perception are equally significant, and companies should consider as it sets its compensation objectives (Perkins & Perkins, 2011). Employees perceiving equitable pay treatment can be more motivated in supporting the company goals of performing better. In conclusion, about compensation, fairness is reached when pay is equal to work performed

Black American Music History Essay Example for Free

Black American Music History Essay First of all, there is many different types of African American music but im going to talk about three in particular which are slave spirituals, blues, and the more common rap/hip-hop. First slave spirituals is a type of religious song originating among black slaves in the American south. It was famous for the reason that the lyrics of negro spirituals were tightly linked with the lives of their authors. slaves! While work songs only dealt with their daily life, spirituals were inspired by the message of Jesus Christ and his Good News (Gospel) of the Bible, â€Å"You can be saved†! They are different from hymns and psalms, because they were a way of sharing the hard condition of being a slave. Another type of music there is are the blues. Blues is a type of folk song devised by Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century. Blues was so important to the African Slaves because it was a sort of code, how they told stories that had things to do with their owner and everyday life. Lastly is the most common now in time some people know it as rap others as hip hop but it is the style and fashion of African American music. Hip hop is important to African American culture because it originated from it all started when blues and jazz crossed over and musicians started making beats which were call bebop. (Well maybe not the kids but the adults call it that). All music we know today it was all based on African American music many people do not know the importance of music was to the slaves some say it was the only thing that gave them hope. Why is music important to our culture? There is no objective answer to this question. The importance of music is different in every individuals life. It inspires people and allows us to get in touch with our emotions in a way that is unique. For those amongst us who find it difficult to express ourselves, music can evoke reactions. Your mood can change from dark and depressed to elated and delirious happiness with just the selection of the right track and a hit of the play button. Music works wonders on creating a certain atmosphere. You can use music to liven up a boring party or to create a romantic ambiance. Music is important to all of us and some fail to realize the importance music is to the history of everybody not just one race but to everybody. Who knew music was so important from rock to classical music is all around us. In Conclusion, did Elvis Presley steal African American music and is Eminem doing the same? There has been people that believe that Elvis stole black music. But, there have been other people that say that he was inspired but black music but never stole it. There has also been rumors about Eminem is stealing black music. But he mentioned in interview that rapping isn’t meant just for one race is for everybody. Ha ha, and he’s basically right! Music it lives in all of us.

Frequency Response of Electrode Materials in EIS Measurement

Frequency Response of Electrode Materials in EIS Measurement Furthermore, complementary information about the frequency response of electrode materials is provided by EIS measurements and one can estimate the capacitance changes with the operating frequency.64-65 It is well know that the complex form of capacitance is dependent on frequency, which is defined as follow:66-67 (6) where C(ω) is the real part of the complex capacitance and C(ω) is the imaginary part of the complex capacitance C(ω) and they are expressed as formulas (7) and (8):66-67 (7) (8) where Z(ω) and Z(ω) are the respective real and imaginary part of the complex impedance Z(ω). ω is the angular frequency and it is given by ω =2Ï€f. At low frequency, C(ω) corresponds to the capacitance of the electrode material and C(ω) is ascribed to the energy dissipation by an irreversible process that leads to a hysteresis.66-67 Fig. 15 shows the real and imaginary part capacitance as a function of frequency for Li-POAP/ERG/GC, POAP/ERG/GC and ERG/GC electrodes. It can be clearly observed that C(ω) gradually decrease with the increase of scan rates for each electrode as shown in Fig. 12F, however, the Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode exhibits slow deterioration of capacitance due to fast ion diffusion and transport (Fig. 15A). In addition, the C(ω) of the Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode approaches saturation at a frequency below ~ 0.01 Hz whereas the C(ω) of POAP/ERG/GC electrode does not show any sign of saturation as low as 0.01 Hz, indicating slow diffusion of electrolyte ions (Figs. 15A and B). Importantly, the relaxation time constant (Ï„0), which is also known as the dielectric relaxation time of the supercapacitor,66, 68 is a figure of merit of a supercapacitor. This parameter represents one of its discharge characteristics. It has been studied for each electrode based on the analysis of complex capacitance. The relaxation time constant, Ï„0 (=1/2Ï€f0) can be calculated from the plots of C(ω) and C(ω) vs. frequency. From the frequency corresponding to the half of the maximum value of C(ω), the relaxation time constant (Ï„0) can be determined. The change in the imaginary part of the complex capacitance C(ω) with frequency goes through a maximum at a frequency, f0, from which the value of Ï„0 can be calculated. From Figs. 15A and B, it can be noted that the Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode shows a clear peak formation while the POAP/ERG/GC electrode has not reached the maximum even at the lowest frequ ency used in this study. The f0 value of Li-POAP/ERG nanocomposite is 3.98Ãâ€"10-2 Hz, corresponding to the characteristic relaxation time constant Ï„0 = 3998 ms, which is much lower than that of POAP/ERG nanocomposite, revealing fast accessibility of the electrolyte ions for the former nanocomposite. The smaller Ï„0 of the nanocomposite correlates with the better capacitance retention at high scan rates in the CV measurements. Therefore, lithium intercalated POAP/ERG nanocomposite is a potential promising electrode material for delivering high power and energy. In addition, investigation of the complex capacitance form of the ERG/GC electrode reveals that the C'(ω) of this electrode approaches saturation at a frequency below 15.8 Hz, which means that equilibrium ion adsorption can be achieved in 63.3 ms, suggesting most of the electrolyte ions reach the adsorption sites (Fig. 15C). In comparison to Li-POAP/ERG/GC electrode, the smaller value of relaxation time constant ( Ï„0 = 2.5 ms) correlates with very ultra-fast accessibility of the electrolyte ions for the ERG/GC electrode and the better capacitance retention at high scan rates in the CV measurements which is in good agreement with results obtained from cyclic voltammetric measurements (Fig. 12F, green line). In order to investigate the effects of different types of anions on the specific capacitance of POAP/ERG nanocomposite, the modification of the ERG/GC electrodes has been carried out in different acidic solutions containing HNO3, HClO4 and HCl and corresponding lithium salts as supporting electrolyte and subsequently, have been evaluated in the corresponding monomer free solutions. The cyclic voltammograms of the modified electrodes in presence of different anions are shown in Fig. 16A. Qualitative analysis of total charges associated with the voltammograms recorded in the presence of different anions reveals that the specific capacitance for anions decreases in the direction of K+. In addition, the values of specific capacitance derived from the cyclic voltammetric (Fig. 16D) and impedance spectroscopic measurements (Figs. 16E and F) do indeed coincide as tabulated in Table 3. Although one can expect the smaller size of Li+ ion to provide facile insertion/expulsion to/from the elec troactive film, the greater specific capacitance has been obtained in the presence of Na+. As for studied anions, it has been noted that the trends in direction of ionic mobility and ionic radius are going the same way.69-70 Possessing the greatest mobility and the smallest radius have led to estimation of the greater specific capacitance would be obtained as a consequence of more being intercalated into the POAP/ERG nanocomposite, which is in good agreement with experimental results. On the contrary, the trends in ionic mobility 69 and ionic radius 71 contrast with those in hydration enthalpy 70 and hydration number 71 for the studied cations. These inconsistencies have hindered prediction of which cation would be incorporated into the POAP/ERG nanocomposite easily. The obtained specific capacitance values (Table 3) decrease in the order of Na+ > Li+ > K+ which confirms the facile incorporation of Na+ into the POAP/ERG is more than likely. Along the lines of evaluating of effects of different types of cations and anions on the POAP/ERG nanocomposite, we have examined the extent to which the incorporation of different cations and anions has affected each of components of the POAP/ERG nanocomposite. In this case, ERG/GC electrodes have been investigated in different solutions containing different cations and anions. The capacitive behavior of ERG/GC electrodes in the presence of different cations and anions have been evaluated at 50 mV s-1 as shown in Figs. 17A and B, respectively. The electrodes have presented negligible difference in their current response while have shown typical rectangular shape indicating an excellent capacitive behavior. Therefore, it can be concluded that graphene sheets in the POAP/ERG nanocomposite act as numerous ion-buffering reservoirs and provide for ions shortened diffusion path into the composite which results in the superior electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite.

Hindu Stages of Life Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the Hindu religion the first stage of life is called Student. This stage begins when the child is between the ages of eight and twelve. In this stage the child or â€Å"student† is dependent on the teacher. The teacher is the person who the student lives with, usually not his or her parents. While the student is living with the teacher or master, he exchanges services for lessons. The service the student gives to the teacher is by doing anything that would please the teacher or that would make him comfortable. The type of things that would please the teacher would be, living as he was taught, telling others about the â€Å"religion†, participating in everyday ritual, etc. To make the teacher comfortable the student may get the teacher a blanket, something to eat or drink, or a chair to sit on. The teacher in return gives the student lessons. These lessons help build the students values and character. The teacher may give the student com mon knowledge as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second stage of life, according to the Hindu religion, is Householder. This stage of life begins when the student is in his twenties and goes until he is around fifty. In this stage the student gets married and develops his own family. He also takes on success through his career and duty to the community. This is the stage where the fulfillment of pleasure takes place. These pleasures include; worldly success, duty to community and anything that would re...

Bill Bryson †“Notes from a small Island” Essay

What features make it amusing? â€Å"Notes From A Small Island† is Bill Bryson’s accounts from travelling around Britain. He writes in a very distinctive style. He compared this journey to a similar one that he took in 1973. He begins the book by recalling his first sight of England â€Å"on a foggy March night in 1973.† This is in the prologue. He begins chapter one by comparing Britain in 1973 to the time when he revisited it. The humour in this passage is how he complains about England. Through out Bryson’s accounts of his trip he portrays a lot of Irony. The Irony is that it is over twenty years since his last visit Britain has actually changed surprisingly little. In his accounts of Dover he has noticed that there are a lot of similarities to Dover in 1973, â€Å"†¦found myself square in front of Mrs Smegma’s establishment. It was still a hotel and looked substantially unchanged, as far as I could remember†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It is the Ironic features that makes parts of â€Å"Notes from a small island† amusing. The reason that Bryson’s books are so funny is because they are so true and honest. I especially find the chapters about London funny because I have been there so many times my self. I love the part where he talks about multi – story car parks, â€Å"You drive around for ages, and then spend a small eternity shunting into a space exactly two inches wider than the average car.† Another reason why we laugh at Bryson’s books is because it is a common instinct to laugh at other’s misfortunes. This especially occurs when we have been in a similar situation, in the past, our selves. â€Å"Notes from a small island† is written in first person. Bryson uses Elision and Ellipsis in his writing. This makes his writing seem more personal and it also seems like he is actually telling his stories to the reader themselves. He also uses similes and many adjectives to create images in the reader’s mind. The use of modifiers is included in his writing. He has included dialect into his writing as well. Bryson has used both compound and complex sentences. He also uses â€Å"Tongue in Cheek Tone,† â€Å"†¦a sprig of artificial lilies instantly informed me that the food would be mediocre but present with a certain well – practiced flourish.† The use of â€Å"Tongue in cheek† creates more humour in Bryson’s writing. The potential audience for this book is people whom whish to travel or generally people who like reading comedy. It is a travel book merged with humour. The purpose of â€Å"Notes from a small island† is to inform the readers about the different places but also entertain and amuse them. His lexical field is effective. Through out the book Bryson makes many observations, â€Å"†¦between them consumed the last of the profiteroles and the black forest gateau from the sweet trolley. The boy, I noticed, had a double heap of both, the greedy fat pig.† In this quotation Bryson has basically written about what the majority of us think but do not actually say. Bryson’s ability to put into words his travelling experiences so they can be read and enjoyed are not achieved all that often by others. He appears to have an open mind and as a result gives extensive reviews of his experiences. In these reviews provide entertainment for the reader, as they are very funny.

Mahatma Gandhi and his non-violent struggle

Mahatma Gandhi and his non-violent struggle against the British Empire was a result of the political situation in India. Prior to World War II, the world has witnessed the rise of the Soviet Union in terms of political and military power. We also saw the rise of popular national liberation movements across the colonized world. In most colonies, the way of gaining independence from Western colonialism has been through the waging of armed revolutions, such as the struggle of the Chinese and the Malaysians, led by Mao Tsetung and Sukarno, respectively. However, such a type of struggle for Indian independence was essentially difficult in Indian society where a strict and clearly defined caste system was in place. The caste system hindered the creation of unity of Indians as a united people while transcending class divisions. More so, divisions between the ranks of the Indian people became more pronounced as fighting between rightist Hindu fundamentalists and left-wing communists never stopped, with both espousing violent means of securing Indian independence. All of these confused the majority of a people who continued to wallow in poverty and desolation. In all of these, Mahatma Gandhi emerged to present an alternative viewpoint, a seeming middle-ground between the pro-people radicalism of the left and the religious conservatism of the right. Related article: Favoring Pragmatism Over Principle It was founded on the principle of non-violent struggle. It dismantled all previous ideas that political power comes from the barrel of a gun. Gandhi turned the idea of revolution on its head and succeeded in doing so. While a major factor for their triumph was the waning power of the British empire after World War II, their struggle through non-violent means inspired other civil libertarians the world over to give peace and non-violent struggle a chance prior to the taking of arms. As can be seen from above, Mahatma Gandhi was clearly faced with almost immense tasks, particularly leading the Indian people in the path to independence, despite the power of the British Empire and the ethnic tensions evident in Indian society. At a time when almost the entire colonial peoples of the world were engaged in armed struggle, Gandhi decisively implemented his idea of non-violent struggle to force the British Empire to recognize their demands for sovereignty and independence. He utilized creative forms of protest, such as the non-payment of taxes, peaceful marches to the sea, even if these actions were met with brutal force by British security forces. One of the great things about Gandhi was his ability to present his vision of a free and independent India to the masses in very simple terms which could be clearly understood and grasped. More so, he fully understood that Indian culture was still basically rooted in Hinduism. He believed that the application of foreign theories such as Marxism and nationalism might isolate the independence movement from the vast majority of the people. He was also a very simple man, who embraced the entire cross-section of Indian society, even the so-called untouchables, to the extent of earning the ire of the elite Brahmin caste. As such, his own person was a concrete mobilizing force to move the Indian people into action and determine their destiny. On the other hand, a minor weakness of his leadership was the seeming personality cult that ensued even years after his death. This is shown by the absence of second-liners to continue his work in building a just and peaceful Indian society. While all the mass actions were joined by Indians from different castes, the focus was always primarily on Gandhi’s thoughts and decisions. Such a personality-based leadership, while effective in inspiring people into action, cannot work in the long-term insofar as empowering the people and sustaining the gains of Indian independence. This is due to the lack of a concrete organizational structure to effectively implement the ideas of Gandhi. Lastly, Mahatma seemed to favor speaking in very mystical and vague language, which tends to confuse his followers as to the exact meaning of what he wants to articulate. Nonetheless, his leadership style was still very effective in mobilizing almost a billion people to demand their independence from the British Empire. Being a charismatic leader, he used his gift of astute yet mystical articulation to convince all sectors of Indian society about the necessity of seeking independence. The clearness of vision and objectives, and the creativity of his means of action of pursuit of these goals, were also indispensable factors of his success in leadership. More so, his propensity for personal sacrifice, at the cost of his life and liberty, in pursuit of his goals are very high on the list of his outstanding leadership qualities. Years of imprisonment and the beatings he received from the British security forces did not deter him from continuing his leadership. This is a crucial part of his leadership style, especially when not many leaders in the world are prepared to do sacrifices like such. Usually, leaders are hidden above their ivory towers and palaces, to the extent of alienating themselves from the people they serve. Gandhi, however, was different, as he was like the common everyman, save that it was his leadership of commitment and sacrifice that helped his people achieve independence. In terms of my own personal leadership style, I accede to the leadership traits of Gandhi, in terms of his clarity of vision and propensity for sacrifice. In any organization, these are very fundamental because these will determine how the followers will appreciate their role in the organization. If the vision and goals are clear, the followers can quantitatively measure, in a given amount of time, the progress of the organization and their individual development as well, relative to the vision and objectives. It ensures that the organization does not operate in limbo, without any purpose or necessity of existence. Gandhi’s propensity for sacrifice can also be incorporated in my leadership style. It is important for followers to see and realize that the leader himself is willing to lay himself on the line in pursuit of the vision and goals of the organization. Such a leadership trait reassures the followers that the leader is serious about the success and development of the organization and dismantles notions that the leader’s only interest is to make his people follow orders and deliver results. However, my leadership style differs with Gandhi insofar as adopting a pragmatic and realistic view on plans and actions. I would accede more, in this regard, to the Leninist maxim of â€Å"concrete analysis of concrete conditions†, instead of the Gandhian mode of relying heavily on a notion of non-violence in the face of difficult odds, as I still contend that the success of Gandhi and his movement was also based on external factors (e.g. British losses after World War II) than his non-violence alone. I even surmise that without the world wars and the decline of the British Empire, his non-violent movement would never have been successful. Nonetheless, the above mentioned leadership traits of Gandhi are included in my notion of the ideal leader – clarity of vision and goals, and propensity for sacrifice. In analyzing situations and challenges, and making decisions, it must include the Leninist maxim of â€Å"concrete analysis of concrete conditions†, without, of course, prejudicing the principles and objectives inherent in the organization. A leader must always seek to create candor and camaraderie among his followers, to drive home the point that no unseen barrier exists between them. More importantly, the leader must always seek ways of empowering his people and training new second liners, based on the idea that leaders, no matter how great they are, will always have to step down and be replaced by new blood. If possible, the leader must shun micro-managing the affairs of the organization, especially when competent persons have been assigned to ensure the success of projects and goals. However, while being democratic and consultative as possible, the leader must exercise full control of the more important decisions of the organization, based on the notion that his experience and vision will always be beneficial for the future of the organization. Works Cited: 1. Gandhi, M. (1962). Essential Gandhi. Edited by Louis Fischer. New York: Vintage   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Books.

The evolution of job design

Job design refers to the content of the job along with its nature, requirements, in short it is the job that the hired employee is expected to perform in the organization. This has held a lot of attention from the managers, as their prime goal is to maximize their profits which can be done only when there is good job concerning designing and structure. In the light of ever increasing competitiveness, job designing has gained even more importance as it got in early 1970’ around which time it started gaining some attention.The reason for the switch in interest and its mounting popularity is that in early 1970’s the competitive edge started gaining momentum which caused other serious problems. To cater to this change in the market, the managers choose to improve their internal processing before hiring consultants or blaming the outside party. So the word job description was very important in that era. After the 1970’s, came the period of major changes of the stock m arket along with overall recession period in 1980’s which further increased and leaned upon job designing factors. In this period the recession acted as a fuel to further increase in this stuff.Then comes the 1990’s and the current year, in which it is obvious that the gain in job designing occurred because of the recession in the previous decade whose effect has spilled upon the next (1990’ era). In this era the managers are experiencing the optimal level of risk and challenge for which highly defined and formal job description is now being required by the organizations. So the word job description moved through these era’s where in each specific area it underwent a slight change and had more risks and importance attached to it. Because of this increase in the risk the managers are giving it more and more importance.

Career as a Competent Pharmacist Personal Statement

Career as a Competent Pharmacist - Personal Statement Example I realized that I had to pick up this new language if I wanted to survive in America. I tried my best to make a conscious effort in this direction. Eventually, I shook off my low self-esteem and started to feel comfortable among people. I managed reasonably well through my middle school, though the ordeal was a tough one. High school was much harder, as I had a lot to catch up on. I could see that I was way behind my peers because I did not go to elementary or sixth grade. I had missed a lot of basics while my peers were here for a long time and had followed the educational system here. No matter how hard I tried, I always fell behind them. All these led me to a specific state of mind during my sophomore year. I fell into a depression and started to bunk classes. I felt there was no meaning in continuing education. I felt regular attendance was not going to make any difference to me. However, I could not drop out of school because of one reason – I did not want to disappoint my parents. I had immense respect towards my parents because I knew that they had been working hard to have a respectable life and to make sure that their children did better than them in the future. I was fully aware that if I dropped out of school, that would jeopardize all their efforts to help me succeed in life. At this juncture, something crucial took place. We received a letter from the school authority making it clear that if I went of bunking classes and got bad grades repeatedly, I will be dismissed from the school. This letter turned out to be an eye-opener for me. I took the issue seriously and started to build my morale. I did discard the destructive path that I have started to pursue. I promised myself that I will not let the authorities dismiss me from school just because of my lack of effort. I was determined to work towards the goal of securing good grades at school.

Economic or Gender Concerns During the Interwar Period Essay

Economic or Gender Concerns During the Interwar Period - Essay Example Some societies made an objective of addressing their economy during the interwar period whereby they emphasized on leisure to help improve their economy status. They would change employment patterns and working hours so that they can facilitate the growth of leisure time. According to Joseph Starlin, â€Å"in our country, in the U.S.S.R the workers have long forgotten unemployment. Some three years ago we had about one and a half million unemployed. It is already two years now since unemployment has been completely abolished. Look at the capitalist countries; what horrors are taking place there as a result of unemployment!†According to Mustapha Kemal â€Å"Youth undoubtedly considers the republic a gift presented by your genius and decisiveness to Turkishness more valuable than life itself In its defense, no sacrifice is too great It will be jealously guarded against nothing to existence from the darkness into the light, at the call to follow the path of deliverance we are an d shall eternally be, with laws written with our blood, the guardians of freedom and the future†In eugenicssociety, in the year 1921, there was an attempt to criminalize lesbianism. For the matrimonial causes, Act of 1923 made adultery the sole ground of divorce for either of the spouse.Additionally, further grounds were added in the year 1937 comprising of a wife’s right to divorce her husband for a case of rape.In this society of Eugenics, a person named Marie Stopes came up with a birth control clinic.

How Global Warming and Hurricane are related Essay

How Global Warming and Hurricane are related - Essay Example Continuation of historical trends of greenhouse gas emissions will result in additional warming over the 21 century, with current projections of a global increase of 2.5F to 10.4F by 2100, with warming in the U.S. expected to be even higher. Hurricanes, tropical cyclones or typhoons, which can be defined as closed-circulation, warm-cored, low-pressure systems with maximum sustained surface wind speeds (1-minute mean) of at least 39 mph, are intense tropical storms with sustained winds above 74 miles/hour (Ahrens, C. Donald. Meteorology Today1) and are conventionally divided into two intensity classes: tropical storms (with maximum winds of 39-73 mph) and hurricanes (with maximum winds of at least 74 mph). Hurricanes have been subdivided into five potential damage classes depending on their maximum wind speed, minimum central pressure and storm surge magnitude. Sea level is rising and will continue to rise as oceans warm and glaciers melt. Rising sea levels means higher storm surges, even from relatively minor storms, causing coastal flooding and erosion and damaging coastal properties. In a distressing new development, scientific evidence now suggests a link between hurricane strength and duration and global warming. Understanding the relationship between hurricanes and global warming is essential if we are to preserve healthy and prosperous coastal communities. Storm intensity and duration increases as global warming emissions increase in our atmosphere. Rising sea levels, also caused in part by rising global temperatures, intensify storm damage along coasts. For hurricanes to occur, surface ocean temperatures must exceed or retain 80 degrees Fahrenheit. To understand how global warming can affect ocean storms, it's important to understand how these storms develop in the first place. Seasonal shifts in global wind patterns cause atmospheric disturbances in the tropics, leading to a local drop in pressure at sea level and forcing air to rise over warm ocean waters. As warm, moist air rises, it further lowers air pressure at sea level and draws surrounding air inward and upward in a rotating pattern called a vortex. When the water vapor-laden air rises to higher altitudes, it cools and releases heat as it condenses to rain. This cycle of evaporation and condensation brings the ocean's thermal energy into the vortex, powering the storm. Depen ding on the severity, meteorologists call these tropical storms or hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean. Natural cycles alone cannot explain recent ocean warming. Because of human activities such as burning fossil fuels and clearing forests, today's carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere are significantly higher than at any time during the past 400,000 years. CO2 and other heat-trapping emissions act like insulation in the lower atmosphere, warming land and ocean surface temperatures. Oceans have absorbed most of this excess heat, raising sea temperatures by almost one degree Fahrenheit since 1970. September sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic over the past decade have risen far above levels documented since 1930. (Global Warming, Hurricanes and climate change) By examining the number of tropical cyclones and cyclone days as well as

Miracles of Jeaus in the book of Luke Research Paper

Miracles of Jeaus in the book of Luke - Research Paper Example It’s worth noting that the book of Luke is a specific address to a single individual known as Theophilus. Gospel according to Luke illuminates the history and the story of Jesus Christ from birth to crucifixion. It also focuses on the teachings of Jesus on salvation and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies with regard to the coming of Messiah. Apostle Paul references the author of this book in Colossians4:14. Literature review Luke portrays Jesus as very passionate, compassionate and full of mercy. Jesus comes out as someone who loves everyone and believes that everyone should share equal treatment (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus Christ is seen as our savior and lord and is referred to as the ‘son of man’ in Luke 19:10. ``For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’’ This becomes the point of reference of Jesus’ purpose and many view the same as His mission statement. Jesus is portrayed as one who reaches out to the marginalize d. The fact that Luke himself was a gentile shows as how impartial Jesus was. In Luke 4:18-19 ‘’ the spirit of the lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’’. This statement clearly shows the intention and the doctrinal basis of the activities of the Lord Jesus while on earth. From the same statement we can learn that Jesus was empowered by the Spirit of God to show mercy and compassion to those who were incapacitated. Luke is careful to show as that Jesus had a deep sense of purpose and that he was aware of what was expected of him. This was why he confined himself to his purpose. Jesus Christ is portrayed as a miracle worker in the book of Luke. This account goes ahead to detail some of the miracles that Jesus did from Luke’s perspective as a doctor and a non Jewish person. The book of Luke has got a total of eleven parables that Jesus gave. We have the parable of the two debtors in Luke7:41-43 where Jesus stated that since we have been forgiven freely we must freely forgive others. This again shows that Jesus believed in equality. The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the most popular parables. It can be found in Luke10:30-37 where we see a Samaritan, (Samaritans were despised by Jews) helping a Jew who had been attacked by robbers and left for dead. The parable of the rich fool who thought of how he was going to have a bountiful harvest and was just obsessed with more and more wealth. Jesus warned against having wealth where moths and rust can destroy. This is in Luke 12:16-21. In Luke 13:6-9 we see Jesus rebuking a fig tree just because it was barren showing that Jesus was fully results oriented and couldn’t put up with people who won’t practice his teachings and give results. He –Jesus- in chapter 15 of Luke verse 8 to 10 gave a parable to the effect that one lost coin can cause the owner to go out of his/her way so that he/she can regain it. He compared himself to that owner and implied that he could do the same for any lost soul. In Luke 15:8-10 Jesus gave a parable known as ‘the prodigal son’. In this story we see a passionate father remaining restless until his lost son traces his way back home. We also see a very colorful reception being given to the

Individual Experience Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Individual Experience - Research Paper Example TDSB is run by a Director of Education: Chris Spencer and a Board of Trustees comprising of 22 members who are publicly elected to ensure that concerns voiced by the community and the students are dealt with. This board ensures that all students have a comfortable learning environment that best brings out their abilities and utilizes their full potential. The board also comprises of a body of executive officers that diligently serve students, staff and the community enhance academic performance and supervise the learning process among others. The good employer-employee relationship supported at TDSB lured me to apply for internship to work at the school office Support Department. My role was to help the secondary school office assistant to do administrative work which dealt with IPRC documentation, student attendance, report cards, records and data bases, payroll records, accounting records, student registration and student transportation. I was also supposed to provide secretarial s upport services and ensure there was a strategy in place for handling medical emergencies and general student absenteeism. Conversely, under the supervision of the elementary school secretary I was at times in charge of the reception which entailed receiving incoming calls, welcoming guests and ensuring there is a smooth raptor between the students, parents, the community and TDSB staff. This was geared towards ensuring all the services provided by the school office support department were customer focused. TDSB holds the lives of future generations into its hands therefore it has a very delicate responsibility of ensuring the talent of each student is appropriately nurtured and not ignored. However, to be able to fully understand the role played by TDSB in building a holistic community it is important to know its mission, vision, goals and objectives. TDSB focuses and fully utilizes the support provided by the community to ensure each student obtains the required skills, abilities and knowledge to bring out their full potential as students and later as adults. This goes hand in hand with its mission that stipulates the need for, â€Å"all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society† (http://www.tdsb.on.ca). TDSB is able to put into practice its mission statement by valuing each student, fostering a public education system that is strong, establishing a long-lasting and productive partnership between the schools, community and students, harnessing diversity and uniqueness in the community and within the students. It also enhances efficiency and skills of the staff, a safe, respectful and positive learning experience to effectively nurture the talents of all students, accountability, equity, accessibility and innovation. The above imply that TDSB uses a focused framework for strategy selection and design. This is because the school board only focuses on a specific age group of students that only reside in Toronto by implementing a low-cost advantage within that narrowly defined market. In order to achieve its objectives the board of trustees, executives and the director of education have formulated a prospector strategy typology that enables the board to implement ideas that are congruent with external factors including the community. With such a strategy typology TDSB is able to be innovative, discover new