Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Autobiography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Autobiography - Essay Example According to the Declaration of Independence, we can only pursue the happiness, we cannot attain it, and so we should consider happiness as the journey, not as a destination (Jefferson). This is the only way we can be happy, because we could enjoy it as a process. Life is like travelling through beautiful fields filled with greenery, but we are so worried about achieving material happiness and riches that we cannot dare to see around and praise the beauty of life. Same goes with this life, we keep on working for our future and keep on postponing our parties and vacations for more money. But at the end, we lose our energy and youth, therefore, rendered unable by our age and cannot be able to avail the happiness which life had to offer. The woman I mentioned in the previous paragraph is me. I spent a very painful life. When I was in the Navy, my male colleagues were always interested in taking advantage of me. But I kept dodging them over the span of my whole service tenure. Despite of the difficulties, I kept on moving forward and learnt how to deal with them eventually, by being reserved and indifferent to their issues all the time. In this way, I was able to keep them away. Finally, I got retired from the Forces after a long time. I returned home where I engaged myself into healthy activities of gardening and housekeeping. After some years from retirement, my son died and he left two children in my custody. Few days later, federal law enforcement officials came and took my grandchildren away from me. I got too frustrated. But I took a decision to take this matter to the court, where I successfully proved that I am in a good health and, therefore, able to take care of my children. Fortunately, court agreed and granted me the custody of the children. From that day on, I am proud of myself, because I was able to take a stand for my children. As I mentioned earlier, I had spent a very painful life; however, these grandchildren are rewards of those pains I suffered in my youth. I am happy seeing them grow, giggle and flourish in front of me. I really enjoy answering their innocent questions about life. I am training them to become strong-willed individuals. I let them take decisions by themselves, so that they learn to face the consequences of their decisions. In this way, they can build an experience about a real and nasty life which they have to face in very near future. Conclusion This paper highlights different facets of my life. My life gives a message of constant struggle in at least one part of everybody’s life, so that one can ripe their fruits later on. The hard work with persistence is a true way to success; an individual should follow his or her own way, because humans come in this world in their original form. They should depart from here in the same way. I stood up for my rights, fought for them and finally won against all the odds. I recommend courage, persistence and determination to all of those who are discouraged due to social pressures. All social systems are made by humans and we can change them. No system in this world is divine in nature, therefore, is subject to change. So, this paper recommends its readers to be original, moving, flexible, yet determined. Work Cited Jefferson, Thomas. Declaration of Independence. International Relations and Security Networks, 1945.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Particle agglutination test

Particle agglutination test The presence of an antigen or anti-bodies in a blood sample can be found out using either the Particle Agglutination Test (PAT) or by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The PAT is performed using substances that will facilitate the process of agglutination. Agglutination is the clumping together of particles which forms non-dissolvable or what is called as insoluble aggregates. The common substances used in the PAT are latex particles, preserved blood cells from mammals or birds, colloidal particles, and gelatine beads. The different components used in the PAT are microscope slides or test cards and a solution that facilitates agglutination which is made up of molecules that are analyte-specific which is attached to a constituent part or particle. In a test using ELISA detects the presence of an antibody or antigen by affixing an undetermined amount of antigen to a test surface which in turn is washed by a specific antibody in order to attach it to the antigen. Because of this process the antibody becomes linked to an enzyme that will show a certain detectable signal after a substance is added to it during the final steps of the process. The signal emitted differs from what type of ELISA is used. For example a fluorescent ELISA a light of a correct wavelength that is shone on a sample will elicit a response from the antigen/antibody which will show incandescence. The antigens amount contained in the sample is then determined based on the intensity or magnitude of the samples incandescence. While the PAT relies on the clumping together of particles to show the presence of an antibody, the ELISA is a more complex test which can only be performed following very specific protocols or steps to perform. In ELISA an antigen with an undetermined amount is rendered immobile while place on a polystyrene microtiter plate or other substance that could provide a solid support and which does not interfere with the purity of the sample. The antigen is immobilized either by adsorption; the adhesion of molecules to a surface, or by capturing the particles of the antigen by another antibody that is particular to the same antigen. The process of adsorption is what is termed as non-specific immobilization while the capture of the antigen is what is termed as specific immobilization. After the immobilization of an antigen the next step is to add a detection antibody. The addition of this antibody results in the formation of a complex with the existing antigen. The detection antibody can either be linked directly to an enzyme, or it can be noticed by a secondary antibody that is connected to an enzyme by a process called bioconjugation this occurs when two biomolecules couple with each other in a chemical bonding wherein the two substances share pairs of electrons, or what is known as covalent bonding. In between each step of the process the plate used is washed in a solution of mild detergent so as to remove any antibodies or proteins that have not bonded specifically. After the plate undergoes its final wash it is then developed using an enzymatic substrate, which means the enzyme has a molecule which it acts on. This enzyme substrate when added will produce a noticeable signal indicating how much the quantity of an antigen is in a given sample. The PAT and ELISA are but two of the techniques used in laboratories in serology. Other techniques include gel diffusion tests, precipitation tests, agglutination tests to which PAT belongs, immunological tests with markers which ELISA is one of the tests, and lastly there is the immunosorbent electron microscopy. To further discuss the comparisons and contrasts of the ELISA and PAT let us discuss the general aspects of the two tests. As was mentioned above both ELISA and PAT are techniques used in serology to detect the presence of antibodies and antigens in a sample. However the two tests differ in the process or steps taken to obtain the same results. PAT is an agglutination test. This means that its primary method to determine the presence of antibodies is by inducing the clumping or joining together of molecules in the test sample by either by using substances that are inert which carry the antigens or antibodies, or by using polystyrene spheres infused with immunoglobulin molecules, or by observing the loss of activity of antigens or what is called as neutralization. What is observed by serologist when using PAT is the reaction called agglutination, which is a reaction that leads to the joining together or clumping of a specific antibody in a cell suspension as a reaction to a specific antigen. While in ELISA what is observed is not the reaction of an antibody to the antigen but the level of activity made by the substance or markers chemically bound together to the antigen and antibody which in turn indicates the antibody antigen reaction. The PAT test was one of the first serological methods that was developed and which helped pave the way for developing diagnostic techniques and countermeasures to diseases. One early agglutination test is the Widal agglutination. The Widal agglutination, which was named after Fernand Widal, aided in the diagnosis of typhoid fever by showing the presence of an antibody in a sample obtained from an infected patient, in reaction against the antigens of the Salmonella typhi. What the Widal test did was to increase the suspicion of infection because of the presence of agglutination caused by a rise in of antibodies during the period of infection. In the classic test for agglutination the process starts by placing a specimen in a microscope slide or a microtest plate well where the particles which act as carriers are added. This mixture is then stirred or disturbed and then it is given a few minutes to settle or is incubated. The results can be gleaned by observing agglutination as the carrier particles fuses or binds with the particular analytes contained in the sample. The results are seen visually by the naked eye or by using a microscope depending on the format of the test. Interpreting test results are relatively easy if the reactions are strong. But in cases where there is a weak or minor reactions interpretation is quite difficult and in most cases may depend upon the wealth of experience and practice one has. In microwell plate assays, the resulting patterns produced by the particles after it has settled need an educated interpretation before the result can be determined. The advantages of PAT are it is low cost, semi-quantitative tests results can be obtained, and test results are obtained in a relatively short span of time. The disadvantages are there is a need to be very careful in the interpretation of marginal results. There is also the disadvantage related to problems that may arise in relation to specificity because substances that may interfere in many assays. Unlike PAT, ELISA is a more reliable method which uses biochemicals to measure how much of a given substance in a biological liquid such as serum or urine mixes with another substance. This is done by means of the reaction that an antibody or antibodies has to its antigen which is a molecule that is identified by the immune system. The antigen always specifically binds itself to an antibody at the molecular level. Since ELISA can be used to test and identify the presence of an antigen or of an antibody in a sample, this method is a very useful tool to determine concentrations of serum antibodies such as when testing HIV and other viral diseases. ELISA is also helpful in determining potential allergens in food such as milk, eggs and nuts. ELISA is also used in toxicology as a presumptive screen that is used for particular classes of drugs. Since lab technicians, serologists, and other medical personnel conducting the PAT and ELISA tests are exposed to samples that might contain viral or bacterial strains, the need to ensure safety and also the purity of the samples through a high standard of quality necessitates developing certain protocols for laboratory work. Different hospitals and government departments dealing with lab samples have already developed their own manual or standards that must be observed while working with lab samples to ensure safety. The manual issued by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association identifies potential hazards inside the lab brought about by chemical and biological agents, physical agents, the equipment and apparatus, and doing work that results in non-ergonomic movement and postures. The manual also discusses the ways by which to control or lessen the danger posed by these hazards and what are the steps that should be taken to have a safe lab environment. The Mount Sinai Hospitals Microbiology Department also has its own guidelines and policies which specifically deal with laboratory safety. The manual discusses the safety policy of the hospital and what are the protocols to be observed. These protocols include dealing with visitors to the lab, what constitutes good lab practice, how to ensure biological safety, chemical safety, physical hazards, specimen hazards, and what control, emergency, and preventive measures should be followed to realize laboratory safety. These and other similar measures contained in other manuals may vary from lab to lab, but the essence remains the same; that is to promote safety and institute standards of work that ensures an accident and hazard free lab environment. REFERENCES: Adler M., Schulz S., and Spengler M., (n.d.). Cytokine Quantification in Drug Development: A comparison of sensitive immunoassay platforms. A case study conducted for Chimera-Biotech. Retrieved on March 29, 2010 from the World Wide Web: chimera-biotec.com/data/pdf/Cytokine_Quant_Comp_Final.pdf True K., (2004). Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum Antigen in Fish Tissue. (June 2004). NWFHS Laboratory Procedures Manual Second Edition. Chap.6 pp. 1-33. Retrieved on March 29, 2010 from the World Wide Web: www.fws.gov/canvfhc/WFSM/CHP6.pdf (N.d.). TECHNIQUES IN PLANT VIROLOGY CIP Training Manual 2.3 DETECTION/Serology. Retrieved on March 29, 2010 from the World Wide Web: www.cipotato.org/csd/materials/PVTechs/Fasc2.2.3(99).pdf Katti M., (1999). Ideal Carrier Particles for Agglutination Tests. (June 1999). JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Vol. 37, No. 6, p. 2120, 0095-1137/99/$04.0010. Retrieved on March 29, 2010 from the World Wide Web: jcm.asm.org/cgi/reprint/37/6/2120.pdf (2008). Laboratory Safety. Published by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association. Retrieved on March 29, 2010 from the World Wide Web: www.iapa.ca/pdf/labsafe.pdf

Friday, October 25, 2019

Truman Scholarship Candidate :: essays research papers

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") has proven unsuccessful in its goal of empowering people with disabilities to enter the workforce. Although 19.4% of the population have some disability,1 they constitute only 4.3% of the workforce.2 The group's unemployment rate stands at almost 17%, nearly three times the national average.3 A survey for the National Organization on Disabilities found that current levels of employment of people with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 64 have actually dropped two percentage points since 1986, four years before the civil rights legislation was passed.4 The Social Security Administration has additionally reported a decline since 1990 in the percentage of disabled Americans who are working while receiving Supplemental Security Income ("SSI").5 Several factors account for these high levels of unemployment. Health insurance is perhaps the most significant. Disabled people receiving SSI or Social Security Disability Income ("SSDI") lose their federal health insurance if they earn more than $500 per month in income for nine months, a powerful incentive not to work.6 In turn, employers are wary of hiring people with disabilities for fear of driving up insurance premiums for their businesses. Secondly, a further disincentive to work exists in wages, where recipients of SSI or SSDI often earn more by not working. This is particularly true among the severely disabled, where most work available will pay only slightly more than minimum wage.7 Thirdly, ADA has yet to be properly enforced. Eight federal agencies are currently involved in the investigation of varied complaints,8 and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") lags ten months in its investigations of complaints.9 A visually impaired job hunter wrote in the New York Times that when he tried to file a complaint with EEOC, "I was told that my complaint would be kept on record and if a number of such complaints for the same employer accumulated, 'action would be taken.’"10 An additional factor in the high levels of unemployment among people with disabilities is business's lack of knowledge about ADA and the cost of meeting its provisions. Most disabled workers do not need any special accommodations,11 and only 22% of accommodations cost more than $1000. Sixty-seven percent of accommodations cost $500 or less.12 Furthermore, making new construction fully accessible increases costs by no more than one percent.13 Finally, employer prejudice and stereotypes about the disabled affect their employment. Myths persist that those with disabilities have lower attendance rates and safety records and are less capable of performing their jobs than their nondisabled counterparts, although studies have shown that disabled employees achieve similar levels of excellence in each of these categories.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Avon’s Dividend Policy Essay

A firm’s decisions about dividends are often mixed up with other financing and investment decisions. Some firms pay low dividends because management is optimistic about the firm’s future and wishes to retain earnings for expansion. Other firms might finance capital expenditures largely by borrowing. All the above are examples of dividend policies which can be defined more precisely as the trade-off between retaining earnings on the one hand and paying out cash and issuing new shares on the other. In order to understand the dividend policy we must understand that this phrase means different things to different people (R.A. Brealey & S.C. Myers, 2003). Avon Products, Inc. announced both a change in its business focus and a reduction of its dividend in June 1988. To offset the likely stock price effect of the dividend reduction, Avon announced at the same time an unusual exchange offer under which it would take up to 25% of its common stock. The case traces the history of Avon from 1979-88. We will evaluate Avon’s efforts at diversification in the early 1980s, and will relate that effort to the company’s dividend history. Moreover we will evaluate Avon’s operating and financial strategies from 1979 to 1988 and the company’s financial condition in mid-1988. PERFORMANCE OF AVON’S STOCK FROM 1978-1988Based on Exhibit 4, Avon’s stock price has declined from $50.75 in 1978 to $24.125 in 1988 (decline equal to 52.5%). At the same time, S&P 500 has increased from $96.11 in 1978 to $266.69 in 1988 (increase equal to 177.5%). This rather poor performance of Avon stock contradicts with the performance of the overall market. Moreover, based on Exhibit 1, ROE decreased from 31% in 1978 to 21% in 1988. This is due to the following factors: Avon in the early 1980 made the major strategic decision to diversify its business by entering the health care field. In order to support its diversification strategy it invested heavily in subsequent acquisitions of Health care companies. It acquired Mallinkdroft in 1982, Foster Medical in 1984, Retirement Inns in 1985 and  Mediplex in 1986. Even though its health care division showed increasing net sales from 1982 till 1984, the situation changed during 1985, with a sudden drop of more than 50% in net sales. The inability of the health care sector to grow at attractive rates worsened in the years to come (largely because of the change in Medicare in 1986) and proved that it was a strategic mistake to go for diversification. Not only did not the market appreciate this decision, but also the firm found itself highly leveraged with a long term dept of $816.4 million in 1987, because of subsequent acquisitions. The heavy borrowing of the Avon obliged it to announce a dividend cut from $3.00 to $2.50 in 1982, and to $2.00 from 1983 till 1987. This dividend cutting policy, which was already expected and negatively perceived by the market from the early 1981 severely influenced Avon stock price (a decline in the share price from $30 to $20.375 immediately after the announcement of the following dividend policy) and contributed largely to its poor performance. This poor performance was also partly due to the disappointing financial results of the Beauty care sector from 1982 till 1985 (Exhibit 2). It was only in 1986 that the Beauty care sector showed again positive signs of improving prospects. The wrong commitment of Avon to its Health care sector together with the demographic shifts of the 1980’s, that decreased both its sales force and customer base are the main reasons for the Beauty Care sector’s disappointing results. EVALUATION OF AVON’ S FINANCIAL CONDITION IN MID-1988Avon in mid-1988 divested its healthcare business and acquired fragrance companies. In that way, Avon has demonstrated renewed commitment to beauty business and continued investment in that business. While its long term debt was only $4.1million in 1979 and its net earnings amounted to $250.7 million, Avon found itself heavily burdened with total long term debt of $816.4 million in 1988 decreasing net earnings of $159 million and just before divesting two of its health care businesses probably at considerable book losses. The decision of the company to finance its acquisitions with debt, starting from 1982, resulted to high interest expense payments every year (Exhibit 1). These high interest expense payments, combined with the decreasing net earnings made it very difficult for Avon to meet successfully its generous dividend payment policy. So the company had to reduce its yearly dividend  payments starting from 1982 and onwards. Under its financial condition in 1988 Avon has no other choice but to go for further reductions in dividends. That way the company will be able to meet its heavy debt obligations and at the same time finance the â€Å"come back† to its core beauty products business. PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERThe purpose of the exchange offer was to avoid having a dividend reduction drive down the stock price and find the â€Å"golden mean† between its own interests and the interests of its 25 large Institutional shareholders. Those shareholders owned 46.5 % of total Avon’s outstanding shares (Exhibit 5) and expected high dividends from them. Some investors, as it is mentioned in the case, have stated that they held Avon stock because it paid high dividends. Hence, a reduction of dividends would most likely have caused investors to sell their stocks and evoke share price delay. Therefore, Morgan Stanley, the financial adviser of Avon offered to exchange one share of a new $2.00 PERCS for each of up to $18 million of Avon’s 7.17 million outstanding common shares. PERCS are mandatory convertibles that work as equity-linked hybrid securities and automatically convert to common stock on a pre-specified date (Yan, A. et al, 2003). The PERCS assured the same dividends ($2.00 a year) until September 1991. The company would also have an option of redeeming the preferred shares for either cash or common shares after that date. In addition, the exchange offer was made in order to support the following four key elements that Avon should have taken into consideration (Ross, S.A., et al 2008):†¢Select Additional capital budgeting projects. Through the capital savings Avon will be able to finance additional projects with positive NPV. †¢Available funds for further acquisitions. To avoid the payment of dividends Avon might use excess cash to acquire another company. With this method the company will be able to support more efficiently its turnaround strategy towards the beauty business. †¢Repurchase shares. Avon will be able to support its market price which has reached the lowest level of approximately $24 by repurchasing shares. At the same time shareholders benefit from the fact that when selling shares they pay lower taxes than when they receive dividends. †¢Personal taxes. Money earned from dividends is considered as personal income so it is taxed. EVALUATION OF THE TRADE-OFFEach decision to go for either the new preferred stock or to keep the common stock has pros and cons. The new PERCS should be appealing to the majority of its institutional investors, since they guarantee to them a stable and relatively high enough quarterly dividend of 50 cents, which is always paid before any other common dividend payment. In this way its large institutional investors can feel certain that they will have a secured return on their investment, without incurring any transaction costs when selling off shares for current consumption. The holders of the new PERCS can also share the benefits of a stock price increase up to $31.5 but also the losses in case of a stock price drop. The great opportunity that the holders of the new PERCS are loosing is in case Avon stock price goes beyond $31.5. Its stock is currently undervalued to approximately $24 and there is a high probability that within the predetermined 3 years its stock price will increase beyond the price of $31.5, as Avon is undergoing a restructuring towards its core beauty care business and the market is expected to react positively to that news. If that will be the case, then they will loose any excess gains incurred beyond the $31.5 stock price. Being a common shareholder, an institutional investor experiences losses in revenues because of the dividend reduction. What is extremely important though is that this implies a policy of retaining earnings to help finance the business, which is currently being restructured. So having a long term perspective an institutional investor can select common stocks and bet on a stock price increase far beyond $31.5. If that will be the case then he will certainly outperform any losses he has experienced so far because of the dividend reduction. In addition, based on Exhibit 5 we can distinguish four types of institutional investors depending on their preferences:†¢Yield. In this case the institutional investors have as a primary objective, the amount of dividends they will receive divided by the purchase price. This is not an accurate measure of total return, since it does not factor in capital gains. (http://www.investorwords.com/5362/yield.html)†¢Turnaround. A speculator may profit from a turnaround if he or she accurately anticipates the improvement of a poorly performing company. (http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/turnaround)†¢Mixed. An investor with a combination of yield and turnaround incentives. †¢Index. Investors trading index options are essentially betting on the overall movement of the stock market as represented by a basket of stocks. These investors are considered to care a lot about acquiring stocks that help them diversify the risk of their overall portfolio (http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Index+Option). Concluding we assume that according to investors’ preferences we would have a different selection. The yield investor will probably prefer the PERCS, the turnaround investor would keep its common stocks, the mixed would consider both options and finally the index investor will first look at its entire portfolio and decide to keep the stock or not irrespective of the benefits that PERCS or common stock offer as he mainly cares for risk diversification. REFERENCES †¢Ross, S.A., Westerfield, R.W., Jaffe, J., Jordan, B.D. â€Å"Modern Financial Management†. McGraw-Hill, Eighth Edition, (2008)†¢R.A. Brealey and S.C. Myers, â€Å"Principles of Corporate Finance†, McGraw-Hill, Seventh Edition, (2003). †¢Yan, A., Nandy, D., and Chemmanur, T. â€Å"Why issue mandatory convertibles? Theory and empirical evidence, February (2003) Retrieved on 18.3.2008 (http://ideas.repec.org/p/ecm/nawm04/456.html)†¢http://www.investorwords.com/5362/yield.html. 18/3/2008. †¢http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/turnaround 18/3/2008. †¢http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Index+Option 18/3/2008.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Analysis of Anselm’s Ontological Argument Essay

This premise does not state that God’s strengths as this argument is to prove his existence, not whether or not God is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-good. The second premise means this greatest possible being is either an imaginary being that one has thought of or, a being that we not only is not only thought of but also exists. The third premise and its sub premises states because existing in reality is greater than existing in thought, then the God we have thought of exists in reality or there must be a greater, or more perfect, being that does exist and that being is God. This leads to the conclusion, if you accept the premises then you accept the existence of the greatest being possible, God. This concept of God’s existence is also led with the idea that God is a necessary being, a being that is not dependent of something greater in order to exist. If God relied on another being, like how a children rely on parents to conceive them, then this being called God is not God because it would be imperfect. Therefore, there must be another to call God that meets all the requirements for perfection. One of the first popular objections was created by Gaunilo of Marmoutiers. The premise and conclusion to Gaunilo’s argument is identical to Anselm’s argument except with the replacement of the word â€Å"God† with â€Å"the Lost island† and the word â€Å"being† with â€Å"island†. As simple as that, though Gaunilo’s argument is completely absurd, Gaunilo’s reductio ad absurdum also proves to be as deductively valid as Anselm’s argument. However, this â€Å"Lost Island† could in no way exist. The absurdity and validity of â€Å"the lost island† quickly brought up questions as to how Anselm’s Argument cannot be absurd. Anselm’s argument was not proven invalid until Immanuel Kant, a german philosopher during the 18th century, proposed an objection that would be the decisive blow to the Ontological argument (Immanuel Kant. Wiki). Kant’s objection is how existence is not a predicate (Mike, screen 25). A predicate is used to describe something the subject (this being God in Anselm’s Argument) is doing. In Aselm’s Argument, Anselm premise rely on that being conceived and existing in reality is something that describes God. This rationality does not follow because to exist or conceive does not describe the subject, it only tells us whether it exist or not. Much like how fictional characters do not exist, describing cartoon for example would tell us details of what this cartoon looks like, what its habits are and common antics it goes through, but not whether it exists or not. The question of existence must fall in a separate argument that does not define the character. As there are Arguments to prove God, there are debatable arguments to disprove the God. The First version of â€Å"The Argument from Evil† goes as follow: 1. If God were to exist, then that being would be all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good. 2. If an all-PKG existed, then there would be no evil. . There is evil. [Conclusion] Hence, there is no God (Sober, 109) The first premise is the definition of what God would be if he were to exist. That is a being that has the power to do anything, had knowledge of everything throughout the span of time and is in all ways good. The second premise is created with the first premise in mind. To expand on the second premise i t states, if God were all-powerful he could stop any form of evil from happening, if he is all knowing then he has knowledge of when evil will occur and if he is all-good then God would stop all evil from happening. If god cannot stop all evil from happening then the definition of God must be incorrect. He then must not be powerful enough to stop all evil, and/or he doesn’t know when evil until it has already occurred and/or good is not all good in that God does not wish to stop all evils. The third premise is stating the fact that there is evil in the world. The conclusion derived since that there is evil, then is what may be defined as God must be lacking in one or two of his qualities and therefore God, by definition, does not exist at all. In order for God to be compatible with evil, God must only allow the evils that would, in turn, lead to a greater amount of good and must take the route that leads to the least amount of evil to gain the greatest amount of good. The soul building defense was created in mind that evil and God co-exist in our world. The defense is that without any evil in the world, our souls would not nurture, or, understand the concept of evil. This defense does not hold true because there has been many evils in the world that seem unacceptable, even though it may have been for the purpose of soul building. God, and all-good being, would then only allow the evils that are essential in soul-building. This would only mean that evil that man commits against man. The reason for this is because anything that happens in nature exceeds soul-building essentials. Another defense is God having given us free will, humans ultimately are the causes of this evil. That is true but the common objection to this is that human do more than enough evil to ourselves, it is going too far to have God throw tornados, volcanic eruptions, and hurricanes at us too. At what point do human have such control over nature. The last defense is that God simply works in mysterious ways. Who can explain why natural events take so many lives and injure many others or why some children have to go through great deals of suffering and live through it? It is God’s way and ultimately, no matter how incomprehensible the evil is, it is for the greater good. Certainly the question to God’s existence has been pondered upon by philosophers for over a very long period of time with no progress as whether God exists or not. The ontological argument created by Anselm withstood a great deal of criticism until it was disproved by Kant over 600 years after the fact.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The Impact of Trucker Driver Wellness Programs

The Impact of Trucker Driver Wellness Programs The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently interviewed nearly 1,700 truckers about their health and work- and the results were shocking. 69% were obese. 54% smoked. And 88% reported at least one risk factor for chronic disease. Improving trucker wellness is a no-brainer for any long-haul fleet; it can help prevent high turnover rates, but also helps retain the most talented employees without having to lose them to disease or poor health.It’s never been easy to stay fit or healthy on the long-haul, but it’s no longer possible to ignore the impact on truckers’ health. Melton Truck Lines in Tulsa, OK, first rolled out an intervention program aimed at helping drivers who might be close to failing their physicals to lower their blood pressure and glucose levels. They hired a wellness manager, implemented a weight loss and voluntary lipid-panel testing program to guard against creeping cholesterol levels, and converted an employee smoking lounge into a gym. Melton’s Tulsa headquarters also added a landscaped walking and jogging trail, a fresh and healthy cafà ©, and a clinic providing no-cost primary medical care to employees.Getting drivers to participate in their own health is the cornerstone of the program. Melton even offers a â€Å"Health Concierge† service that helps employees sort through their health care costs and needs. There are various incentives and motivational programs, an online community, and even an app to keep employees motivated.While it’s hard to measure the success of these new initiatives on turnover rates, more drivers are passing their DOT physicals. And the number of employees who identified as having three medical risk factors dropped from 51% to 38% within one year. The number of employees reporting zero risk factors went up from 13% to 17% in that same year.Other companies have followed suit. Celadon Trucking launched their â€Å"Highway to Health† program in 2006, with similar screenings and incentives, as well as nutritional and exercise programs, and a full-service primary care medical clinic in their Indianapolis headquarters (as of 2011). And Schneider also has a Health and Wellness Manager to oversee their programs and focus on keeping individual truckers as healthy and productive as possible, which makes them safer on the road.We can only hope these trends begin to spread throughout the industry and become standard practice- for the benefit of everyone involved.The Impact of Truck Driver Wellness Programs

Monday, October 21, 2019

3 Cases of Incomplete Parallel Structure

3 Cases of Incomplete Parallel Structure 3 Cases of Incomplete Parallel Structure 3 Cases of Incomplete Parallel Structure By Mark Nichol In each of the sentences below, an action or result is described in comparison or contrast to another, but the phrasing that expresses the parallel between the two phenomena is faulty. Discussion after each example explains the problem, and revisions illustrate solutions. 1. The statue was vandalized in a similar fashion as another statue in Monterey last year. The middle portion of this sentence presents a flawed comparison- â€Å"similar . . . as† is not valid phrasing; to repair the damage, relocate fashion so that it precedes similar and proceed to thoroughly express the comparison: â€Å"The statue was vandalized in a fashion similar to that of another act of vandalization in Monterey last year.† (Alternatively, rephrase as follows: â€Å"The damage was similar to that which occurred in another act of vandalization in Monterey last year.†) 2. U.S. federal regulators are increasingly issuing and enforcing rules in ways that differ from other countries. Here, issuance and enforcement of rules in one nation is compared to other nations themselves rather than to these processes as they occur in other nations; the statement should be reworded to indicate this additional layer of detail: â€Å"U.S. federal regulators are increasingly issuing and enforcing rules in ways that differ from approaches in other countries.† 3. Referring to the United States, his country’s treaty ally but which has criticized his deadly drug crackdown, he elaborated on his comments. In this sentence, the phrase â€Å"one that† better corresponds with the phrase that precedes but than the pronoun which: â€Å"Referring to the United States, his country’s treaty ally but one that has criticized his deadly drug crackdown, he elaborated on his comments.† For a more closely parallel counterpoint, retain which but apply it to the corresponding phrase as well: â€Å"Referring to the United States, which is his country’s treaty ally but which has criticized his deadly drug crackdown, he elaborated on his comments.† 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 Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Inquire vs Enquire50 Idioms About Roads and PathsHow Do You Fare?

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Biography of Willa Cather, American Author

Biography of Willa Cather, American Author Willa Cather (born Wilella Sibert Cather; December 7, 1873–April 24, 1947) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer who gained acclaim for her novels capturing the American pioneer experience. Fast Facts: Willa Cather Born:  December 7, 1873 in Back Creek Valley, Virginia, USADied:  April 24, 1947 in New York City, New York, USAOccupation:  Author and journalistEducation: University of Nebraska–LincolnSelected Works: My ntonia (1918), O Pioneers! (1913), Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927), One of Ours (1922)Key Accomplishment: 1923 Pulitzer Prize for One of OursFamous Quote:  There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before. (from O Pioneers!) Early Life on the Prairie Willa Cather was born on the farm of her maternal grandmother, Rachel Boak, in the poor farming region of Back Creek Valley, Virginia, on December 7, 1873. The oldest of seven children, she was the daughter of Charles Cather and Mary Cather (nà ©e Boak). Despite the Cather family having spent several generations in Virginia, Charles moved his family to the Nebraska frontier when Willa was nine years old. After spending about eighteen months attempting to farm in the community of Catherton, the Cathers moved into the town of Red Cloud. Charles opened a business for real estate and insurance, and the children, including Willa, were able to attend formal school for the first time. Many of the figures in Willa’s early life would appear in fictionalized form in her later novels: most notably her grandmother Rachel Boak, but also her parents and her friend and neighbor Marjorie Anderson. As a girl, Willa found herself fascinated by the frontier environment and its people. She developed a lifelong passion for the land and befriended a wide array of the area’s residents. Her curiosity and interest in literature and language led her to forge connections with immigrant families in her community, especially older women who remembered the â€Å"Old World† and who delighted in telling young Willa their stories. Another of her friends and mentors was the local doctor, Robert Damerell, under whose guidance she decided to pursue science and medicine. Student, Teacher, Journalist Willa attended the University of Nebraska, where her career plans took an unexpected turn. During her freshman year, her English professor submitted an essay she had written on Thomas Carlyle to the Nebraska State Journal, which published it. Seeing her name in print had a huge impact on the young student, and she shifted her aspirations immediately towards becoming a professional writer. While at the University of Nebraska, Willa immersed herself in the world of writing, particularly journalism, although she also penned short stories. She became the editor of the university’s student newspaper while also contributing to the Journal and to the Lincoln Courier as a theatre critic and columnist. Quickly, she gained a reputation for her strong opinions and sharp, intelligent columns, as well as for her dressing in masculine fashions and using â€Å"William† as a nickname. In 1894, she graduated with her B.A. in English. In 1896, Willa accepted a position in Pittsburgh as writer and managing editor for Home Monthly, a women’s magazine. She continued to write for the Journal and the Pittsburgh Leader, mostly as a theatre critic, while running Home Monthly. During this period, her love for the arts brought her in contact with Pittsburgh socialite Isabelle McClung, who became her lifelong friend. After a few years of journalism, Willa stepped into the role of teacher. Fom 1901 to 1906, she taught English, Latin, and, in one case, algebra at nearby high schools. During this time, she began publishing: first a book of poetry, April Twilights, in 1903, and then a short story collection, The Troll Garden, in 1905. These caught the eye of S.S. McClure, who, in 1906, invited Willa to join the staff of McClure’s Magazine in New York City. Literary Success in New York City Willa was extremely successful at McClure’s. She ghostwrote a notable biography of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, which was credited to researcher Georgine Milmine and published in several installments around 1907. Her position as managing editor earned her prestige and the admiration of McClure himself, but it also meant that she had significantly less time to work on her own writing. On the advice of her mentor Sarah Orne Jewett, Willa left the magazine business in 1911 to focus on fiction. Although she no longer worked for McClure’s, her relationship with the publication continued. In 1912, the magazine published, in serial, her first novel, Alexander’s Bridge. The novel was well-reviewed (although Willa herself would, later in life, consider it a more derivative work than her later novels). Her next three novels cemented her legacy. Her â€Å"Prairie Trilogy† consisted of O Pioneers! (published in 1913), The Song of the Lark (1915), and My ntonia  (1918). These three novels centered on the pioneer experience, drawing on her childhood experiences of life in Nebraska, the immigrant communities she loved there, and her passion for the untamed land. The novels included some autobiographical elements, and all three were celebrated by critics and audiences alike. These novels shaped her reputation as a writer who used plain but beautiful language to write thoroughly American romantic literature. Dissatisfied with her publisher’s lack of support for her novels, Willa began publishing short stories with Knopf in 1920. She would eventually publish sixteen works with them, including her 1923 novel One Of Them, which won the 1923 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel. A subsequent book, 1925’s Death Comes for the Archbishop, also enjoyed a long legacy. At this point in her career, Willa’s novels were beginning to move away from epic, romantic tales of the American prairie to stories that leaned into the disillusionment of the post-World War I era. Later Years As the 1930s rolled around, literary critics soured on Willa’s books, criticizing them for being too nostalgic and not contemporary enough. She continued to publish, but at a much slower pace than before. During this time, she received honorary degrees from Yale, Princeton, and Berkeley. Her personal life also began to take a toll. Her mother and the two brothers with whom she was closest all passed away, as did Isabelle McClung. The bright spot was Edith Lewis, the editor who was her closest companion from the early 1900s until her death. Scholars are divided as to whether or not the relationship was romantic or platonic; Willa, a deeply private person, destroyed many personal papers, so there is no certain evidence either way, but scholars of queer theory have often interpreted her works through the lens of this partnership. Willa’s personal life remained something she kept closely guarded, even after her death. Willa despaired over the coming conflicts of World War II, and she began to have issues with an inflamed tendon in her writing hand. Her final novel, Sapphira and the Slave Girl, was published in 1940 and marked a significantly darker tone than her previous works. In 1944, the National Institute of Arts and Letters awarded her the gold medal for fiction as a mark of her lifetime of literary achievement. In her final years, her health began to decline, and on April 24, 1947, Willa Cather died of a cerebral hemorrhage in New York City. Legacy Willa Cather left behind a canon that was both plainspoken and elegant, accessible and deeply nuanced. Her portrayals of immigrants and women (and of immigrant women) have been at the center of much modern scholarship. With a style that encompassed sweeping epics along with realistic depictions of frontier life, Willa Cather’s writings have become iconic pieces of the literary canon, both in America and worldwide. Sources Ahearn, Amy. Willa Cather: A Longer Biographical Sketch. Willa Cather Archive, https://cather.unl.edu/life.longbio.html.Smiley, Jane. Willa Cather, Pioneer. The Paris Review, 27 February 2018, https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/02/27/willa-cather-pioneer.Woodress, James.  Willa Cather: A Literary Life. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1987.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Health and Sustainability of Food Systems in Toronto City Essay

Health and Sustainability of Food Systems in Toronto City - Essay Example Farm inputs used in food production should not contaminate food products with such potentially harmful contents. In this regard, the World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable food production processes as those that meet the present consumers’ needs without compromising the ability to meet the nutritional needs of future generations. In this context, food production processes that use harmful pesticides and fertilizers to alter the soil’s natural composition are neither sustainable nor healthy for food systems. However, production processes that utilize environmentally friendly farm inputs not only foster environmental protection but also improve the nutritional soundness of food products in the market. As identified in class, common vulnerabilities in farm inputs sector including but not limited to: use of chemicals, high energy costs and swift evolution of farm machinery. Food production is a business, and farmers expect to earn profits from t heir farm produces. In food production, profit margins are determined by three distinct factors: the cost of production, amount of yield, and market prices of harvested produces. Occasionally, amount of farm yields increase with increased use of inputs like pesticides, while heavy use of pesticides translates to the increased cost of production. In food production, cost of chemicals like pesticides is of a particular concern to farmers. Farm chemicals are expensive; it requires approximately $50-100 million to develop a new inorganic pesticide.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Education Budget Cuts And Its Negative Impact Essay

Education Budget Cuts And Its Negative Impact - Essay Example Secondly, it is for students, the budget is used to provide financial aid or scholarships to students from low-income families. As the United States owes a large amount of debt, a consequence caused by the global financial crisis, which began in 2008, the current economic situation has led to education budgets being cut by state and local governments. Even though, there is a strong reasoning behind this decision, budget cuts negatively impact society in a number of different ways. Some of these include; denying students access to higher education, reducing the quality of education in offer, lowering the number of skilled workers available for the workforce, and keeping low-income families trapped in poverty. A reduction in the education budget is harming the U.S. educational system by not letting tomorrow’s leaders grow in knowledge. First, the reduction of education budget causes schools to offer less class. According to the Pasadena City College (PCC) admission office, as of fall 2010, there were 32,000 credit students and 8,000 noncredit students studying at the community college (Kleinbaum 1). The college had many complaints from students that, they could not register for future semesters because, either the classes were full or they were cancelled due to budget cuts, in order for the school to pay general expenditures. In fact, I became a â€Å"victim† student at PCC after a budget cut to education in association with my registration experience. Being an international student, I always pay the highest amount of tuition fee in comparison to the local students, and I have to maintain above 12 units for every semester. However, even though I paid almost $8000 for every school year, I still did not get any priorities to register classes I wanted in the first two years. Since school, did not provide many alternative classes, a lot of my primary choices were either closed or were

Hepatitis c Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Hepatitis c - Essay Example It exists in six genotypes, of these genotype I is most prevalent form of HCV. Since the virus exists in different genotypes and sub-genotypes, it becomes very challenging for the development of its vaccines. HCV is not related to other hepatitis viz. hepatitis A or hepatitis B. It is grouped in the family Flaviviridae along with yellow fever virus and dengue virus. As soon as virus gains entry in the liver, it elicits immune response resulting in inflammation; protracted inflammation lays the foundation of scarring which further takes the form of cirrhosis and thus preventing liver to perform its normal functions. Such condition paves the way for liver cancer (Alter, 2000). It is transmitted through blood especially through blood transfusion, use of unsterile injections and rarely through sexual transmission (in cases where an individual is suffering with Sexually Transmitted Disease and has open sores). 7. Sporadic transmission: in this case the source of the infection cannot be found out, it results due to community-acquired infections where virus gets entry in body through cuts or injuries or an abrasion (Alter, 2000). Use of sterile needles, safe hygiene conditions and routine blood examination, taking complete history of the patient, thorough screening of the blood for HCV when blood is donated by a donor or when given to the patient, use of self-capped needles, no sharing of personal belongings like razor, towels, toothbrushes, Acute: it is the initial 6 months when the patient contacts the infection of Hepatitis C. as the disease is asymptomatic no initial signs appear in majority of the population. Only 30-40% of the infected cases develop symptoms like reduced appetite, tiredness, aching abdomen, jaundice, itch, burning sensation and flu. When blood is examined through PCR, HCV can be seen in 1-3 weeks after getting the infection, moreover antibodies against the HCV could

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Essay

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management - Essay Example They needed to disprove men’s suspicions that they could be efficient workers. Men were surprised at the skills women were learning at such a fast rate that they were usually at a loss as to what orders to give them. Women were initially trained to the same standard as men, but employers eventually didn’t want to hire fully trained women because they received better pay, which upset the trained male workers, causing friction in the workplace. The government tried to remedy this problem by reducing the length of training courses for women, which inevitably resulted in the occurrence of work-based accidents among women. The government also entered into the ‘relaxation agreements’ with trade unionists, which stated that women could undertake men’s jobs as long as they were regarded as temporary and were paid the same as men. The predominantly male trade unions, therefore, initially looked like they truly wanted equal pay and equality for women, but in r eality, they were merely trying to protect the traditional working rights of men. Yet, when faced with discrimination, the majority of women continued to work hard to gain their superiors’ respect and often carried out their jobs to a higher standard than their male equivalents (Trueman, 2000). The new millennium has ushered overwhelming changes that call for the empowerment of men and women alike to contribute to globalization efforts. Women, in particular, have seen the change in their roles more dramatically than in the past centuries. The most salient change is their joining the workforce and even climbing up the hierarchy to positions in organizations that were previously reserved for men. However, sexual stereotypes passed on from generation to generation seem to dictate that women have no place in the workforce and their rightful place is at home, caring for their family. Thus, some work places may not be too accepting of the empowerment of women in employment and may strip them of their dignity to make them realize that they do not belong there. In the United Kingdom, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (amended 1986 and in the Employment Act 1989) makes it unlawful to discriminate in terms of gender who is offered the job; opportunities for promotion, transfer and training. (Equal Opportunities Management Guidelines, 2006). The Gender Equality Duty, which is included in the new law as of April 2007, requires public entities to remove sex discrimination and facilitate equality in all their services, policies, and employment and recruitment practices (Thompsons Solicitors, 2012). Presently, women now can occupy positions even in professions considered male-dominated. Many researchers try to prove that women are more responsible and hard working and can perform with more efficiency than their male counterparts. However, there appears to be a constant conflict between mutually beneficial relationships and contemporary situations, where males dominate t he social, political and professional spheres (Taylor, Kemeny, Reed, Bower, & Grunewald, 2000). Many women claim that they have fewer opportunities to succeed in their work than men do and have to exert greater effort in order to be promoted in their jobs. Men are more readily employed and more supported by their employers than women (Bergman, 2003). Research funded by the European Commission showed that generally women who work full-time, receive only three-fourths of the hourly earnings of men.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism Essay

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism - Essay Example Besides, feminism concept is also referred to equal opportunities for women in a society in terms of education, property, and employment among others2. In this regard, Cott (1986) signified that the feminist movements have assisted in providing equal rights as well as justice, within modern society and determining differences in terms of expediency. In this context, feminist movements have aided in building a different cultural order based on certain logic and tradition3. Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of several definitions of feminism as described by the authors, feminism concepts can be recognized to have assisted women to understand their rights in a society better. On the contrary, several definitions of feminism initiated more negative arguments among the male members regarding women rights in a society, which can be considered as a weakness of the feminist movements. In this context, it can be identified that feminist movements have initiated a privilege for the women to maintain gender equality with male members in the modern civilization. Apart from this, feminist ideologies implied that the dominancy of the female members in a society should have gender equality, whereby feminist theories have assisted female members to attain the desired societal and professional identity4. Similarly, the feminist concept has introduced several legal bindings in the society in order to ensure the women’s rights in terms of property, voting and marriage among others. Moreover, feminist ideologies have offered reproductive rights to the women including the right of abortion and contraceptive., Simultaneously, feminist ideologies have ensured protection towards women concerning matters of violence and sexual harassment, benefitting female members of the society quite impressively.  

Why are you passionate about leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Why are you passionate about leadership - Essay Example Hence, for me leadership is about the ability to interpret events and concepts in a way that allows for individual views, while making way for a sense of commonality and a shared sense of purpose. Doing so, a leader not only gives meaning to a collective vision, but also helps bring about the much needed alignment on strategies and goals. To me a leader is a person who ushers in an atmosphere of cooperation and trust by the dint of one’s personal integrity and charisma. Enterprises are always in the need of individuals who facilitate the quintessential backbone to the overall organizational culture, thereby ushering in a professional environment imbued with trust and integrity. The biggest source of satisfaction for a true leader is one’s ability to empower and enable people and groups. Leadership is about what happens when the leader is not present at the scene of action. So I hold that the biggest responsibility of a leader is to create an environment that motivates others to assume leadership and be willing to face

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism Essay

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism - Essay Example Besides, feminism concept is also referred to equal opportunities for women in a society in terms of education, property, and employment among others2. In this regard, Cott (1986) signified that the feminist movements have assisted in providing equal rights as well as justice, within modern society and determining differences in terms of expediency. In this context, feminist movements have aided in building a different cultural order based on certain logic and tradition3. Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of several definitions of feminism as described by the authors, feminism concepts can be recognized to have assisted women to understand their rights in a society better. On the contrary, several definitions of feminism initiated more negative arguments among the male members regarding women rights in a society, which can be considered as a weakness of the feminist movements. In this context, it can be identified that feminist movements have initiated a privilege for the women to maintain gender equality with male members in the modern civilization. Apart from this, feminist ideologies implied that the dominancy of the female members in a society should have gender equality, whereby feminist theories have assisted female members to attain the desired societal and professional identity4. Similarly, the feminist concept has introduced several legal bindings in the society in order to ensure the women’s rights in terms of property, voting and marriage among others. Moreover, feminist ideologies have offered reproductive rights to the women including the right of abortion and contraceptive., Simultaneously, feminist ideologies have ensured protection towards women concerning matters of violence and sexual harassment, benefitting female members of the society quite impressively.  

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Principles of General Surgery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Principles of General Surgery - Essay Example In a diagnostic laparotomy, the nature of the disease is unknown, and laparotomy is deemed the best way to identify the cause. In therapeutic laparotomy, a cause has been identified (e.g. peptic ulcer, colon cancer) and laparotomy is required for its therapy. Usually, only diagnostic laparotomy is referred to as a surgical operation by itself; and when a specific operation is already planned, laparotomy is considered merely the first step of the procedure. Depending on incision placement, it may give access to any abdominal organ or space, and is the first step in any major diagnostic or therapeutic surgical procedure of these organs, which include the lower part of the digestive tract (the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon), the liver, pancreas and spleen, the bladder, the female reproductive organs (the uterus and ovaries) and the retroperitoneum (the kidneys, the aorta, abdominal lymph nodes) The most common incision for laparotomy is the midline incision, a vertical incision which follows the linea alba. The upper midline incision usually extends from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus, while a typical lower midline incision is limited by the umbilicus superiorly and by the pubic symphysis inferiorly. Sometimes a single incision extending from xiphoid process to pubic symphysis is employed, especially in trauma surgery. Midline incisions are particularly favored in diagnostic laparotomy, as they allow wide access to most of the abdominal cavity.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Study of Effect Rollings Process

Study of Effect Rollings Process 1.1 Introduction Aluminum composites are favored building material for car, aviation and Due to the elite demands, another sort of, supposed, innovative materials which are utilized as a part of air ship, rocket or car industry, for high voltage electrical links, need a decent mix of properties underling statics with elements stacking. One gathering of materialls thats could meeting suches necessities were metallizing composites witches comprise metallics lattice (metalling or combination) strengthened whist hairs or directional lying arranged strands auxiliary phases [1]. Presently days with the cutting edge improvement need of advancements of cutting edge building materials for different designing applications continues expanding. for meeting suches requests metal framework composite is one of solid source. Composite material is one of the solid answers for such requirement [2]. Those were an extraordinary improvement of one classes of composites with aluminum combination lattice best as knowing samespasmodically strengtmhened aluminum materials (DRA). These materials comprise of aluminum compound network fortified on artistic particales [1]. Through the course of analysts in late decades to discover contrasting options to customary building materials and supplant it consolidates light weight mechanical and physical details that empower these Material s work in various conditions with high proficiency has been the utilization of composite materials with a metal base and strengthened by various types of high mechanical particulars material materials .Aluminum framework composites for these highest quality to weighting proportion, minimal effort and highest wears resistance are broadly fabricated , utilized as a part of auxiliary applications alongside aviation and vehicle industry. Additionally a Straight forward and financially savvy strategy for assembling of the composites is exceptionally fundamental for extending those applications. Fortifications likes particulates alumina, silicon carbide, graphite, fly fiery debris and so on†¦ can without much of a stretch be joined in the dissolve utilizing shabby and broadly available[2]. A Composite material is shaped when at least two materials are consolidated on a naturally visible scale, So that the properties of composite are distinctive (typically better) from those of the individual constituents. Lattice is the materiales works to tie the fortifying material together with a specific end goal to make a composite material that can convey loads or stresses [3]. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) blends of pottery and metals (Primary Phase, for example, established carbides and different cermets that serves to Provides the mass type if parts on item made of the composite material, holding imbeddeds stage set up, generally encasing and regularly hiding it. At the point when a heap is connected, the lattice imparts the heap to the optional stage, now and again disfiguring so that the anxiety is basically conceived by the fortifying operator. While Reinforcings Phases (Secondaryes Phases) was the Functionfor fortify essential stage Imbeddeding stage is most generally one of the accompanying shapes, filaments, particles and Flakes [4]. Meaning of composite material, as indicated by Broutman and Krock, contained in publications [5] is as per the following: A composite material is shaped by a nearby blend of no less than two artificially and physically unmistakable materials which ought to stay isolated and particular while a decent and persistent interface between them is kept up; the strengthening segments in the entire volume of the lattice ought to be as uniform as could reasonably be expected. The vast majority of the Al-compounds utilized contain magnesium; this is on the grounds that lights, modest, financially practical possessesing great erosion resistances. utilization of TiC same a support offeres a highest softening points, to a great degree high hardness, is moderately reasonable and shows great wetting qualities by aluminum and its combinations [6] . The most critical prerequisite fluid metal to been drawing fired preform by capillaritys was wettings of the strongest substrates. fluid stage wets a strong when ÃŽ ¸b90 °. At the points where there is a decent wettings in a metal ceramic framework undeingr satisfactory states on temperatures. [6] Expansion highest modulus and high quality unmanageable molecule to the low malleable framework produces composite whose properties are in the middle of lattice and support. In this properties are enhanced by controlling the handling conditions, dispersion of support and relative sum, appropriate concoction organization, shape, estimate, etc.[7] Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are routinely manufactured utilizing diverse procedures, for example, powder metallurgy, press throwing, semi-strong mixing process. Mix throwing is thought to be best technique to get ready substantial amount of composites because of its preparing straightforwardness, adaptability and low cost [8]. Whats more, the optional procedure is metal shaping and which are an imperative assembling operation. It appreciates mechanical significance amongst variousing productions operationes because of its points of interest, for example, cost adequacy, improved mechanical properties, adaptable operations, higher profitability, significant material sparing. Materials were changed over into completed items however extraordinary assembling forms. Producing procedures were grouped into molding [casting], framing, joining, covering, partitioning, machining of altering materials property [9].Rollingwas one of forming process knew of fourteenth century. Leonardo da Vinci for moving golds ,silverwasplanned the main moving plants in 1480. By around 1600, lead and tin was icy moved by physically moving plants. In Europe, press bars were moved forsheets on eighteenth centuries. Afterward, the present day moving began from 1783 when England issued patent for utilizing notched moves to create the iron bars [10]. Forces and deformations during the hot. (Typically, recrystallization temperattures to materials range from 0.5 Tm to 0.8 Tm, when Tm was melting temperatture on materiales) and cold metal forming depend upon mechanical properties of processed materials, which in their turn depend upon the nature (chemical composition, structure) of metal as well as upon the deformation conditions (temperature, degree and rate of deformation)[11].And finally the relay process can be considered as composite materials have many features including: Prodect costs wasreduce. Composites may be made by a wide wide for prodection [12], Increment in yield quality , rigidity at room temperature or more while keeping up the base flexibility or rather sturdiness, Increases in crawl resistance at higher temperatures contrasted with for traditional compounds, increment in weakness quality, particularly at higher temperatures, Improvement warm stun resistance, Improvement erosion resistances ,Greater resistance to chemicals and weathering (not rust). Increases in Youngs moduelus, Redueses of warm elongationing. lighting weightes, performances at higherest temperattures, highest strengthen, lowest densities , betters wears [13]. While the Disadvantages the reinforcement of metals as: Composite was most breakthan wrought metals whats more, subsequently were all most effortlessly harmed. Thrown metals additionally have a tendency been weak, change of their mechanical properties and physical properties faster than traditional materials under different conditions, Age shorter than the age of traditional materials and itsthermal resistance is still low (despite the existence of studies of the existing experience in this regard, it is enough to say that the introduction the space shuttle is made of material composed, which bear the bulk of the resulting,chemicals harmful to the environment often cannot be remanufactured and hard to get rid of them[12]. 1-2 Aim of the Research: The main aim of this work lies on: 1- research aims to study effect rollings process to resist wears tear to using differents proportions of formingat differenes temperatures to reach the best values were obtained from which good mechanicall propertiess. 2- researches aims to producing composite materials using alumminum alloyed by vortex techniques disperse TiC particales in the lattice of alloyed containing 4.5 Mg. 3- research aim to study effects TiC contents sizes on micarostructure, densities, haradness weasr resistances of Al-Mg lattice compoisites were fabricated using casting method, below specific of Tic. In this study, it was important to have a fundamental understanding of mechanism effect of forming on wears Resistances of Al-Mg composites. 1-3 Objective of the Research Titanium carbide (TiC) powdering was picked as fortification due to its higher haradness (near jewel) than traditional routinely utilized support, for examples, SiC, Al2O3,†¦ and so forth. Composites of TiC particaulates in alumminum combinations have been effectively created by throwing methods. It has been exhibited that critical changes in firmness, quality, weariness break proliferation, crawl quality, wears resistances were accomplished as contrasted unreinforced aluminum compounds. Furthermore, they can likewise be molded by customary metals working procedures, for example, expulsion, producing, rolling or super plastic framing into complex auxiliary parts. Thus, theywere economical to create contrasted other metal grid composite frameworks. The comparative reports of used the Tic particles as the reinforced material are not available. This research area is still vacant and scope for work in this particular field. The made for TiC as a reinforcements offered a highest meltings points, was relative yes shows great wet qualities by aluminum and its combinations. AlMg/tic composite has the advantages be so lights metallic. And to study the effect of weight percentage of titanium carbide on mechanical behavior of aluminum metal matrix composite. 1-4 Thesis Layout This thesis includes in addition to the foreground and objective search for another six seasons, where Chapter II deals with the private theoretical side Special matrix aluminum- magnesium and Phase Diagram and its properties behavioral her addition to the overlapping materials and their properties The third chapter deals with the scientific research of mineral compounds and the effect of the minutes and specifications on the characteristics of behavioral article basically deals Chapter IV configuration process on the cold and their properties as well as the way the casting and The fifth chapter deals with the practical part of the way that sample preparation and tests related to research and Chapter VI deals with the results of tests that were made and discussed and the seventh and last chapter deals with the most important conclusions and recommendations.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

are you a good leader? :: essays research papers

Are you a good leader? A good leader must be articulate so he can understand everyone he leads. A good leader must also be strong minded so he can convince people to do what is right for the group. Last but not least you must be intelligent to one, know what is right for the group and two to back up your other two traits. The best leaders are articulate, strong minded, and intelligent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A good leader must be articulate, in order to reach all the different types of people in the group. Someone who can speak well can convince all the people of the group to do as you wish. One who speaks well can impose their thoughts on the group. Also, someone who does not speak well is less likely to be listened to than someone that does speak well. One who speaks well will benefit the group the most.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although you must be articulate, you must also be strong-minded to back up you statements. Being strong-minded can help to convince people to do as you would like. If someone can keep a group under control they can keep everyone working and bettering the group, and this takes a strong-minded person. If one is strong minded they could keep everyone on task and getting along. And most importantly a strong-minded person can keep himself on task.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To be a good leader you must be strong-minded, but more importantly you have to be intelligent. Someone who is smart can back up his or her statements with fact. If someone is intelligent people are more likely to listen to their ideas before someone who is less intelligent. If one is intelligent they have the ability to instruct a group properly. And if one is intelligent they can organize all of the groups projects better the a less intelligent person.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Female Discrimination In The Labor Force Essay -- Gender Discriminatio

Female Discrimination in the Labor Force   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the past decades there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women participating in the labor force. This expansion has unfortunately shown how women are still being treated as inferior citizens when comparing their wages and the jobs they are hired for to that of men. Many women in similar occupations as men, and having the same qualifications are only paid a fraction of what their male counterparts are paid. The only reasonable explanation that can be found for this income gap is discrimination. This unfair treatment shown throughout the handouts illustrate how far people still have to go before equal treatment becomes standard.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The increase in female participation started occurring during the 1970's. The number of women in the civilian labor force jumped from 23 million in the 1960's to 31 million in the 1970's. This leap would continue and increase in the 1980's and on into the 1990's. The result, in 1995, is a female labor force that numbers over 60 million. This comprised 46 percent of the civilian work force (10).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A reason for the rise in participation by women may be in the way women saw marriage and children. Fewer women saw marriage as a settling down. Women who had children began to return to their jobs. The number of working women that were either married or had children or both increased dramatically. In 1965, women with children under 18 years of age numbered 35.0 percent of the labor force. This number increased to 47.4 percent in 1975. In ten years it was 62.1 percent and finally in 1995 it had grown to 69.7 percent (7). This showed that the female attitude towards having children and marriage has changed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to the handouts, in 1970 women were paid poorly when compared to their male counterparts. The female worker had a median yearly earning of 19, 101 dollars. This was only 59.4 percent of what the males made. This does start to change in the 1980's as female earnings rose to 60.2 percent of men's. Five years later it had reached 64.6 percent. By 1990, the female's earnings had risen to 71.6 percent of what a man would make (2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women in the workplace have always been discriminated against. Ever since the first women started to work... ... that women were in some way not as accomplished or competent as men. Yet, a more in depth investigation would show that women are just as qualified, if not more so, than men. A principal of equal pay for equal work should be employed by all businesses and would definitely close the income gap.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Most people want to correct the unequal treatment of women in the work force. One method that can be used to support equality would be to introduce a federal legislation to guarantee equal pay for equal work if there isn't one already. The logistical problem with this solution though would be great. How would people measure the value of one person's work to another's? Who would decide this and how would it be implemented? Much still has to be done before this important issue is laid to rest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  People's attitudes towards women in the work force is slowly starting to change. More opportunities are appearing for women workers. The unequal treatment of working women will take years to change, but change is occurring. This topic will remain until the day people are treated and paid equally based upon their abilities and not anything else.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Case Study Pandora Essay

2. How do horizontal and vertical conflict impact Pandora? 2. Horizontal conflict impacts Pandora by the number of alternative radio streaming companies and â€Å"players† available to the market. Because the radio market is no longer a closed loop network that is dictated by area codes or other geographic locations, Pandora risks losing its listeners among the competitors like Spotify, the radio, online streaming, iTunes, or even YouTube. The Vertical conflicts impacting Pandora are the licensing to songs, the audio quality available to the company, the effectiveness of channels to stream their music, their intermodal transportation networks, Pandora’s add-free listening with contracts could bolster their listening audience, but also impact their profits due to the loss in advertising sales. However, these two conflicts impact Pandora’s profits, quality, and exposer to the consumers 3.How does Pandora add value for customers through its distribution functions? 3. Pandora adds value for customers through its distribution functions by implementing the vertical marketing system. Ultimately, the producers of the music have the most hold over Pandora, for if they do not give Pandora the rights to play the songs, then Pandora would be at a loss without those tracks. However, the producers benefit from being on Pandora because people get to listen to the music and may ultimately buy the song because it is made easy through the app. This benefits customers because it gives them what they want. The greater the selection of music, the more likely customers are to stay.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Adolescence and Peer Influence

Adolescence is identified as a stage when an individual undergoes a process of growing up in order to become an adult. It involves a process when adolescents experience changes that occur physically and emotionally. Likewise, the whole process could become confusing and uncomfortable for the individual who is at the said phase (de Guzman, 2007). It is believed that many of the younger people who are moving towards the process of adolescence are expanding their ranges in the social life. Likewise, complexities of social involvement also expand. Majority of the teenagers or adolescents are geared towards total independence.As such, the relationship and time of the teenager at home are less frequent (Smetana, 1988; Steinberg & Silverberg, 1986; Noller & Callan, 1991 cited in Jackson & Rodriguez-Tome, 1995, p. 1). Adolescents become more engage in activities that they think represents who they really are. Through this, there is an increase in the awareness of teenagers in their social su rroundings.During the time of adolescence, peers play a substantial role in the lives of young people. Peers become the focus of the teenagers’ lifestyle and most of the activities that they carry out are affected by the peers that they have (Berndt, 1989; Hartup, 1983 cited in Jackson & Rodriguez-Tome, 1995).  It was observed that teenagers begin to build friendships that are intimate in nature, sometime exclusive which often becomes constant unlike the friendships that they have during their younger years. The friendship that teenagers establish serves as an important way for them to develop because for majority of adolescents, peers are avenue where they could freely explore themselves.It is also with their peers that they feel they are accepted and secure. Likewise, the peers that the youths have allow them to exercise things that could uplift there skills which they could later on use for their success (de Guzman, 2007). It was also posted that the social activities th at adolescent have could affect their decisions and interest in participating with sexual relationships (Miller & Simon, 1980; Zani, 1991 cited in Jackson & Rodriguez-Tome, 1995, p. 1).Peer influences are said to be complex in nature. Various studies were carried out in order to understand the influences of peers during the period of adolescence and it was found out that adolescents could acquire positive and negative influences from the peers that surrounds them. In order to further understand the changes that adolescents undergo, it is an imperative to know what peer pressure is and the role that the peers play in the life of young adults (de Guzman, 2007).Peer pressure is identified as the pressures and influences that young adults feel from their social mates (Atwater, 1988 cited in Foreman, 2001, n.p.). It should be noted that peers are those people that adolescents look up to for support and sometimes for approval. Peers are also considered as factors that are inevitable and n ecessary during the adolescence stage. Interaction with peer groups enable adolescents to exercise behaviors that are new to them and serves as a tool for them to develop there social skills which in turn could be used in future interactions (Steinberg, 1996 cited in Foreman, 2001, n.p.).Peer pressure could be present in different domains. While many people tend to believe that peer influences are the reasons why teenagers engage in behaviors that are unhealthy and unsafe, there are many cases when peers influence teens to engage in activities that are positive.According to studies regarding peer pressure, it was reported that many teens are pressured by their friends to engage in activities that are productive. Positive pressures from friends tend to motivate teenagers to engage in activities where they could excel such as athletics, music, community services, various extracurricular activities and other efficient endeavors.In fact, many of the teens claimed that the pressures they get from friends are more positive rather than engaging in the usage of drugs and sexual conducts. It was also supported by many parents that influence from peers posted a positive effect in the school performances of teenagers. Likewise, peers also augment the strengthening of family values. As such, this is a perspective of peer influence that drives adolescents to become well rounded persons and expand their domains in a positive manner (de Guzman, 2007).According to researches, influences from peers are a process where the teens are active recipients. The teens become friends with their peers because of the fact that they already have a lot of things in common which means that peers who enjoy doing things that are similar with their interest tend to gravitate towards each other (de Guzman, 2007). Although there are many instances where diversity could be seen among certain groups, researches also indicate that teenagers are more likely to group themselves according to their sim ilarities.Likewise, it was suggested that teenagers tend to reject people who are different from themselves. These differences could range from physical impairments, or different sets of educational motivation and interests. Nonetheless, the similarities among individuals appear to be an important factor during the socialization process because it serves as a connection for the young adult to create a bond with other people.Due to this, it is believed that teenagers who are not able to have a positive connection with other young adults during the time of adolescence could be at great risk of involving themselves with negative influences from different peer groups. It was perceived that adolescents who fail to establish positive bonds with their contemporaries become more distant and different which make them feel that they are not welcome.In this event, young individuals who received low standards of acceptance are more likely to engage themselves with peer groups who share the same issue. Thus, it is easier to join peer groups that have less positive perspectives. In a greater sense, such groups are often contemplated as those who engage in activities that are anti-social and self-destructive (Pledge, 2003).The point has been made that peer influences could be positive despite of the negative connotations attached to this process of socialization. However, it should be noted that just like positive influences, peers could also brought about negative influences that could reinforce the adolescents decision of engaging in risky behaviors.Risky behaviors were identified as actions that could produce outcomes that could be damaging physically, mentally and socially (Jessor, 1992 cited in Smith, 2001). Several types of risk behaviors include engagement in sexual activities, substance abuse, cigarette smoking and crime activities. Adolescent behaviors could be altered by peer group influences through verbal and non-verbal means.Verbal pressure that is done directly is the most common way of getting compliance from the young adult. For example, a certain peer group may not impose an adolescent to smoke; however, the members of the group may say things like â€Å"you are such a baby,† â€Å"just try it nothing wrong is going to happen† which could insinuate the adolescent to smoke in order for him or her to look better in the eyes of his or her peers.Meanwhile a non-verbal persuasion could be done by staring at the adolescent for a long time until he or she feels uncomfortable which in the end is more likely to succumb in performing the behavior (Duryea, 1985 cited in Smith, 2001).Aside from verbal and non-verbal methods, peer pressure could also be seen in different forms. The pressure could take the form of challenges or dares, social acceptance and coercion and the influences could also vary depending on the age and gender of the adolescent (Hayes and Hofferth, 1987, p. 105).Sexual activitiesThere are limited researches that li nk peer influences in the early acquaintance with sexual activity. However, it was consistently presented that peer influence is an important factor that greatly affect the initiation of sexual activities among adolescents.It was also suggested that the major source of sexual information are from same sex-peers (Libby and Carlson, 1973; Miller, 1976; Thornburg, 1978 cited in Hayes and Hofferth, 1987, p. 105). Likewise, an adolescent who believes that their same–sex peers are sexually experienced and the liberal approach of his or her peers regarding sex are indicators that the teenager is more likely to engage with sexual activities.Thus, it was contemplated that majority of the teenagers actually engage in activities based from the perception of his or her peers attitudes and behaviors even if it is correct or not (Newcomer et al., 1980 cited Hayes and Hofferth, 1987, p. 105). Some findings indicate that white male teenagers choose their peers in accordance to sexual activit ies that were carried out by the individuals within the circle while their black counterparts were neither influenced by the behavior of their friends or choose peers on such particular basis (Billy and Udry, 1983 cited Hayes and Hofferth, 105).Meanwhile, female adolescents could be persuaded to some extent based from their knowledge of what her female friends are engaging into yet it was manifested that adolescent girls are strongly influenced to practice the sexual act by their â€Å"best male friends† and sexual partners (Miller and Simon, 1974; Herold, 1980, Cvetkovich and Grote, 1980; Billy and Udry, 1983 cited in Hayes and Hofferth, 1987, p. 105).Moreover, it was found out that among adolescents age 10 to 14, the pressure in sexual involvement could be done through challenges and dares to the extent of fondling, kissing or even intercourse. Such occurrence is prevalent among girls (Lewis and Lewis, 1984 cited in Hayes and Hofferth, 1987, p. 105) while only minor peer in fluences were recorded among black teenage boys and girls (Billy and Udry, 1984 cited in Hayes and Hofferth, 1987).Generally, white girls are more at risk of involving themselves with sexual activities due to peer pressure (Hayes and Hofferth, 1987).Substance abuseAside from sexual activities, it was reliably demonstrated that peer groups also play an important role in influencing the decisions of adolescent to initiate the usage of drugs and alcohol. Likewise, it was also recorded that peers also affect the decision of the teenagers to reject, continue experimentation or augment the usage of drugs and other substances (Bauman & Ennett, 1996; Darling & Cumsille, 2003 cited in Hankin and Abela, 2005, p. 366).As adolescent marks the development shift of young individuals towards the path of maturity, it is within the same period that adolescents tends to increase their involvement with peers and is the beginning of the experimentation stage with drinking and smoking (Flory, Lynam, Mil ich, Leukfeld & Clayton, 2004; Sutherland & Shepherd, 2001 cited in Hankin and Abela, 2005, p. 366).As such, this strongly manifest that the involvement of an adolescent with a peer group is a substantial factor that contribute to the initial experimentation of drugs and other substance use. Moreover, various theories also point out that there is a strong relation with peer influence and initiation and escalation of substance abuse.Two notable theories are the Peer cluster theory (Oetting & Beauvais, 1998 cited in Hankin and Abela, 2005, p. 366) and the Primary socialization theory (Oetting & Donnermeyer, 1998 cited in Hankin and Abela, 2005, p. 366) indicates that normative and deviant social behaviors are the results of the interaction of characteristics that are cultural, social and psychological in nature. Thus, behaviors like smoking, drinking and drug usage are learned from the adolescent’s interaction with their peers.Crime activities  As it was said, the formation o f peer groups is an important part in the development process of a young adult. Such formation may be viewed as a way of an individual to attach themselves with people whom they think they could share who they really are. One of the peer groups prevalent nowadays are adolescent gangs. Although adolescent gangs are considered as peer groups, it is contemplated as a group comprised of young individuals whose behaviors are perceived negatively by the society.As such, adolescent members of gangs tend to engage in activities that are violent and anti-social (Geldrald K. and Geldrald D., 2004, p. 36). Based from researches, adolescent gangs are accounted for a large number of crimes in the urban setting. Many adolescent tend to engage themselves with this type of peer groups because they believe that this is an avenue for them to be accepted and freely express themselves.Because of these reasons adolescents see gang membership as an option for them to build their identity in any way possi ble whether it is wrong or right without thinking of the consequences.This is when peer pressure could be viewed as extremely powerful because adolescents who are members of gangs are more likely to engage themselves with risk like poor reputation, death, delinquency, substance abuse, infliction of transmitted diseases and early parenthood (Snyder, 2001).According to researches the very reason why many adolescents are vulnerable from the negative influences from their peers is because of the feeling of the need to belong in a particular group. Such needs lead many adolescents to take part in activities that could put them at risk. For majority of adolescents the need to belong to a particular peer group is an achievement of self-actualization and an attainment of the so called â€Å"maturity† and establishment of identity (Benthin, Slovic & Severson, 1993 cited in Smith, 2001).ConclusionBased from the facts that were presented in the study, it is apparent that peers play a si gnificant role in the lives of adolescents. Peer groups provide teenagers the feeling of belongingness and security. The influences of peers among adolescent could bring about positive end results which are actually important for the development of young individuals. Such positive influences from peers create a ground for adolescents to become well rounded people.Nonetheless, peer could also encourage negative influences among adolescents. The negative influences of peers may take the form of risky behaviors such as engagement in sexual activities, substance abuse and crime activities. It is also important to note that adolescents who are vulnerable to the negative influences of peer groups are those individuals that are not able to form connection with positive peer groups.Therefore, it is suggested that young individuals who encounter failures with forming bonds with peer groups should be taken into consideration in order to know the factors that affect their social involvement wi th other individuals. Moreover, it is also suggested that further analysis regarding the impact of peer influences should be investigated in order to further understand some of the points that were not presented in the study.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Writing Skills

SHORT COMPOSITIONS N O T I C E NAME OF THE INSTITUTION DateTitle Content – Event’s name, venue, time and other required details Name (Designation) NOTICE FORMAT INFORMAL LETTER FORMAT Q1. Write a notice inviting volunteers for a one-day Blood Donation Camp to be organized in your school premises by the Indian Red Cross Society. You are Rahil, Head boy of St. Thomas School. N O T I C E ST THOMAS SCHOOL 6 September 2012 BLOOD DONATION CAMP The Indian Red Cross Society is organizing a one-day blood donation camp in our school on 15 September 2012 from 10 am to 4 pm.A team of 4 doctors and 8 nurses from the Indian Red Cross Society will attend the camp. All the senior students above 17 years, parents and guardians as well as the staff members are invited to donate blood. The collected blood will be used for the cancer patients at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, Delhi. For further details, you may contact the undersigned. Rahil (Head Boy) MESSAGE Q2. Write a message based on the conversation given below. Ramesh: Hello, can I speak to Arjun? Raju: Arjun is not at home. May I know who’s speaking? I’m his brother. Ramesh: I’m Ramesh, his classmate.Could you inform him that tomorrow’s chemistry extra class has been cancelled as Anil sir is ill? Also tell him to bring the practical file for submission on Monday. Raju: I’ll surely tell him. Ramesh: Thank you. Bye. MESSAGE 6 September 2012, 1 pm Arjun Ramesh, your classmate, called up to inform you that tomorrow’s chemistry extra class has been cancelled as Anil sir is ill. He has also asked you to bring the practical file for submission on Monday. Raju DATA INTERPRETATION Note: You may get bar graphs, pie charts, tables, X-Y charts for interpretation. Q3. The following chart depicts ‘Age wise Population Distribution’ of a state.Using the information, interpret the data rationally in about 70-80 words. Age-wise Population Distribution of a State Age Group | Percentage| Up to 15 | 30| Up to 25| 47. 75| Up to 35| 65| Up to 45| 79. 0| Up to 55| 93. 75| Up to 65| 98. 87| Up to 110| 100| | | Ans. The above chart depicts the Age-wise Population Distribution of a State. The age group up to 15 forms the lowest percentage in the state and it is less than one third percentage of total population. Almost half of the population of the state is less than 25 years as this age group holds 47. 75 % of total population.The age group between 25 to 35 years shows the biggest increase in population percentage from 47. 75 to 65 showing 17. 25 % increase. After up to 45, up to 65, the increase in percentage is 19. 37 in total. The age groups between up to 65 and up to 110 shows minimum increase in percentage, portraying that as age increases, the increase in population declines. DESCRIPTION Note: Description can be of any object, person or event. Q4. Your friend John was absent from the school for a week. Meanwhile a new student has joined your class.You have to give a factual description of the new classmate to John on phone. Reproduce the same in about 70-80 words. Ans. A boy from Dehradun named Arpit joined our school 3 days back. He is taller than most of the boys in the class. He is smart and carries himself very well. He is also a basketball player. Our class teacher is quite impressed with him as when he was asked to introduce himself to the class, he did it in a unique and interesting manner by beginning his introduction with his favorite quote. He is an amiable person and in no time he’s made a lot of friends.Through his introduction I learnt that you, I and he have a lot of common hobbies and realized that we would make good friends. BIO-SKETCH Q5. Using the information given below, write the Bio-sketch of the ace Indian athlete P. T. Usha. Name:P. T. Usha Date of Birth:20 May 1964 Place of Birth:Keothali, Kerala Coach:Madhvan Nambiar Achievements:Silver medal, 100 m and 200 m in 1982 Asian Games, New Delhi Four Gol d medals at Asian Games, Seoul in 1986 Ans. P. T. Usha, an ace athlete of India, was born in a poor family in Keothali, Kerala on 20 May 1964. She showed her rare talent in the sub-junior championships.The man who shaped the raw material in a glittering diamond was her coach Madhvan Nambiar. His guidance and coaching transformed her into a great athlete. She showed her athletic prowess at the Asian Games, first in 1982 where she won Silver medal for 100m and 200m race and then in Seoul in 1986 when she won four gold medals for India. She is an athlete of true and unmatched spirit. DIARY ENTRY FORMAT Date, day (6 September 2012, Thursday)Time (10 pm) Content LONG COMPOSITION INFORMAL LETTER Sender’s Address Date (5 September 2012) Dear friend/brother/father etc ContentYours lovingly Name FORMAL LETTER FORMAT Sender’s Address Date (5 September 2012) Receiver’s Address Subject: Sir/Ma’am Content * Introduction * Elaboration * Conclusion Yours sincerely/ trul y Name Q6. You are Akshay, 12, Qutb Road, New Delhi. Write a letter to the editor of a National daily expressing your views on the harmful effects of acid rain on trees and monuments as a result of industrial pollution in about 150 words. Ans. 12, Qutb Road New Delhi 5 September 2012 The Editor The Times of India New Delhi Subject: Damage being caused by industrial pollution Sir/Ma’amThrough the columns of you esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the damage being caused to the trees and monuments by industrial pollution. Pollution from industries is growing in our country which is the world’s second fastest growing economy. As a result of pollution from industries, acid rain occur causing harm to trees and monuments. It not only damages soil but can also affect the trees directly as the acid particles damage the little pores on the leaves and block the air passage on the leaves. This makes it easier for fungi and i nsects to attack the tree.In the same way, when the sulphur pollutants fall on the buildings made from limestone and sandstone, they react with minerals in the stone to form a powdery substance that can be washed away by rain. The Taj Mahal has been polluted by this sort of air pollution. I would be highly obliged if you publish an article on this issue so that the industrialists become more concerned about environment and take necessary precautions to check pollution and also the government takes strict action against those who violate norms laid down for the industry to check industrial pollution.Yours sincerely Akshay E-MAIL FORMAT From:To:| Subject:| Dear friend/father/brother etcContentWith love/regardsName| ARTICLE FORMAT Catchy Heading Content Q7. World Literacy Day was celebrated on 8 September 2012. Write an article for your school magazine highlighting the advantages of literacy in about 150 words. Ans. LITERACY- A STEP TO PROGRESS Education is not simply filling up of pal e but lightening of fire. Education has power to change the world. Education is synonymous to progress. Therefore literacy of the country is very important for its development.Illiteracy leads to poverty and exploitation and vice-versa. It is the basic cause for all social and economic ills in many countries. Productivity level of the illiterate people is very low. Literacy, on the other hand, helps in fostering development and improvement of living standards in a society. The government and private sector can create more jobs for the literates which would ultimately lead to the increase in the output of the country. Hence, literacy affects the economic condition and is an important indicator for assessing the overall health of the country.Lower literacy rate means that greater proportion of country’s population is not capitalizing on its skills. As a result, there is an overall decline in the gross national income. Thus, it is essential for the government to tackle the issue of illiteracy on top priority for if we need to build our country, we must begin from the field of education. SPEECH Note: It is good to start with a quote or saying before you introduce yourself and your topic. Example: Speech on ‘Literacy- a step to progress’ Education is not simply filling up of pale but lightening of fire.Education has power to change the world. Education is synonymous to progress. A very good morning to one and all present here. Today, I’m here to express my views on the topic ‘Literacy- a step to progress’. Rest of the content- same as the content of article REPORT FORMAT Heading Date, Place, name Content Q8. You are Anurag/Anuradha, a staff reporter of The Times of India. You have been asked to cover the ghastly train accident that took place at Ratlam. Write a report of the terrible accident in about 150 words to be published in your newspaper.Ans. A TRAIN ACCIDENT 2 September 2012, Ratlam, Anuradha Call it a twist of tragic irony or fate, within twenty four hours of the Railway Minister’s assurance of making the Indian Railways safer and secure, the nation has witnessed a ghastly rail accident. Preliminary reports tell that the accident was caused by professional incompetence due to an erring human judgment. The Rajdhani Mail was stationed at platform no. 1. Passengers were waiting for the Inter City Mail coming on platform no. 2.The lineman gave a wrong track to the coming train leading to a disastrous collision. Three bogies got derailed. Many passengers got trapped inside; cries of wounded rent the air and dead bodies could be seen lying on the rails. The relief train came within an hour with doctors and medicines. Over thirty people were taken to the General Hospital, Ratlam. The horrible accident took a toll of twelve lives, including three women and two children. STORY FORMAT Catchy Title Content- beginning and ending should support the main part or the events described in the story. Writing Skills Exam: 986041RR – WRITING SKILLS PART 2 When you have completed your exam and reviewed your answers, click Submit Exam. Answers will not be recorded until you hit Submit Exam. If you need to exit before completing the exam, click Cancel Exam. Questions 1 to 20: Select the best answer to each question. Note that a question and its answers may be split across a page break, so be sure that you have seen the entire question and all the answers before choosing an answer. Â   1. Which one of the following sentences or phrases is most likely to be considered a cliche?A. Are you a man or a moose?B. How dead is a dead doornail?C. When in doubt, pout.D. Look before you leap.2. Of these four words, which one is most likely to have a negative flavor?A. MeanderB. HarangueC. ConfoundD. Distract3. Which of the following statements about vocabulary building is not correct?A. Pronunciation is an important part of adding new words to your vocabulary.B. The best way to improve your vocabulary is to memorize lists of vocabulary words.C. Reading on a daily basis is very important for building your vocabulary.D. Using the dictionary is only one step in the process of vocabulary building.4. Read the word in parentheses; then decide which of these sentences most effectively translates an abstract concept into a mental picture.A. (Sunrise) The rising sun transformed the canyon into bright stone and deep shadow.B. (Studious) Lucy lay on her bed reading a back issue of Nation al Geographic.C. (Rumors) Whispers of doubt filled the empty halls like the reek of boiled cabbage.D. (Freedom) On her twenty-first birthday, Lola declared herself a woman.5. When using direct quotations in your writing, which of the following should be placed outside the set of quotation marks?A. SemicolonB. PeriodC. CommaD. Question mark6. Which of the following words is most likely to carry a connotation?A. WalkB. StandC. StrideD. Run7. When we speak of the flavor of a word, we're talking about the extra understood meanings that it carries in addition to its main meaning. These extra meanings are calledA. definitions.B. shadings.C. connotations.D. denotations.8. Find the sentence with the active voice.A. The bill was passed by the legislature.B. I was told by the chairman that the bill was passed by the legislature.C. The chairman told me that the legislature passed the bill.D. It was voted by the legislature to pass.9. An antonym is a word that'sA. pronounced the same.B. opposit e in meaning.C. the same in meaning.D. defined in a thesaurus.10. Of the following methods, the best way to increase your reading is byA. reading a new book every day.B. setting a goal to read five new pages every night.C. joining a mail-order book club.D. forcing yourself to read subjects you dislike.11. Nelson's hobby is tinkering with small appliances. Tinkering with implies that Nelson is unskilled at his hobby. You want to change the flavor of this sentence to show that Nelson is, in fact, quite skilled at his hobby. Which of the following should you choose to replace tinkering with so that the reader gets the right idea?A. RepairingB. SellingC. Messing withD. Fiddling with12. Which sentence best describes clustering?A. You write down words or ideas in chronological order.B. You're generating words that suggest possible themes for an essay.C. You're generating words that suggest possible sentences or paragraphs.D. You write down words or ideas that occur to you in no particular order.13. Which of the following sentences uses the best close-up words?A. Sara is pursuing a non-science degree.B. Sara is pursuing a degree.C. Sara is studying languages.D. Sara is studying French and German.14. Increasing your vocabulary meansA. you'll be able to spend more time reading.B. you'll spend less time on revision.C. you'll write more lively sentences.D. you'll write longer sentences.15. Which of the following would be an appropriate way to add variety to your sentences?A. Use questions and answers together.B. Use more close-up words.C. Add personal anecdotes.D. Make your sentences read like a spoken conversation.16. When writing, you can most effectively use a dashA. to add a formal touch to a sentence.B. in place of an exclamation point.C. to get the reader's attention.D. in place of a semicolon.17. Which of the following words is the best close-up word?A. FoodB. ZucchiniC. PlantD. Vegetable18. Which of the following sentences is written in the passive voice?A. I wou ld not provoke that man if I were you.B. Having left the building, Elvis never returned.C. The effects of cyanide are well known.D. They considered their options.19. Which one of the following sentences is written in the active voice?A. Few people think seriously of doing something about accidents.B. It is said that definite steps can be taken to prevent many accidents.C. Accidents are considered by most people as unavoidable.D. Accidents are witnessed every day.20. Which statement is most accurate regarding the speaking-writing connection?A. The words used by writers are not normally used in speaking.B. To own a word, speak it.C. Written words seldom reflect the words people use when they speak.D. To own a word, write it over and over again. End of exam