Old City of Jerusalem and Its Walls Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Old City of Jerusalem and Its Walls - Essay Example Considering the different plants and animals that are found in the region and their species being very rare, it can be understood that these living organisms involve a biological interrelationship between them. Hasson also mentioned in his article that carnivorous animals are also observed in the areas. These facts throw light on the dependence of one organism on another for their living that gives rise to the interrelationship between them. While carnivorous animals would feed on other smaller animals or organisms, these animals would feed on the different varieties of plants found in the region. Thus, the old city of Jerusalem and its walls reflect on the biological diversity available in the region and the biological interrelationships that they have between them.Considering the different plants and animals that are found in the region and their species being very rare, it can be understood that these living organisms involve a biological interrelationship between them. Hasson als o mentioned in his article that carnivorous animals are also observed in the areas. These facts throw light on the dependence of one organism on another for their living that gives rise to the interrelationship between them. While carnivorous animals would feed on other smaller animals or organisms, these animals would feed on the different varieties of plants found in the region. Thus, the old city of Jerusalem and its walls reflect on the biological diversity available in the region and the biological interrelationships that they have between them.... While carnivorous animals would feed on other smaller animals or organisms, these animals would feed on the different varieties of plants found in the region. Thus, the old city of Jerusalem and its walls reflect on the biological diversity available in the region and the biological interrelationships that they have between them. Human Intrusions Threatening the Area: The old city of Jerusalem and its walls are encountered severely with the threats arising from the intrusions from human beings. This is primarily because the status of the city is not known and there lies no general agreement as far as the political power is concerned. Thus there are claims from different power for the control of the city. These claims and differences have led to threats of devastation for the city. The resultant urban development leading to human intrusions throw light on the deterioration that the city encounters in the midst of the power claims. The conservation power of the city gets affected as a consequence of such activities (Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, 2012). UNESCO has been performing its role in this regard trying to bring about the necessary rules and principles that can rescue the city and its heritage properties as well as the lives of the living organisms making their abodes in the abandoned regions of the city (Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, 2012). Thus it can be realized that while human beings have the tendency to bring control on the city of Jerusalem intruding and creating threats for the city, threats also arise for the flora and fauna that have found their residence in the old city and its walls. This is indeed a matter of great concern since if protective measures cannot be taken, the rare species might be found to become extinct.

Connections Essay Example for Free

Connections Essay The overall connection that I chose to analyze in this report was the importance of marriage, as it is an idea that is present in almost everybody’s life, and it is something that heavily impacts the nature of a society. Marriage is seen in society in both positive and negative ways, involving emotions from true love to bitterness. In the texts A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, The Ballad of Calvary Street by James K Baxter, The Silk by Joy Cowley and Atonement directed by Joe Wright, this idea of the importance of marriage is clearly present in all of them, yet they are all shown so differently (negatively and positively) as to give examples of the ways that it is interpreted in different societies, and allow me to deduce the importance that this idea holds on a global scale. Romantic love is recognized in most societies by the practice of marriage. This is a prominent symbol in all the texts I have covered except for Atonement, where the absence of marriage is used to show the couple’s true love. In this film, we see that Cecelia and Robbie are in love, however a misunderstanding on the part of Cecelia’s sister, Briony, means that Cecelia and Robbie are prevented from marriage or even being together. This is shown as a particularly tragic incident, which shows the importance that society places on the process of marriage. This is also a very prominent idea in the novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns, which is set in Afghanistan. We see two women, Laila and Mariam, who are owned and controlled by their shared husband, and their lives literally rely on him, because as women, they are unable to attain independence due to their country’s beliefs. In Afghan society, marriage is a sacred business, and any sexual relations outside of marriage are greatly looked down upon, and the punishment for a female offender can be as severe as torture or death by the girl’s family or husband. This also shows the idea of the importance of marriage that is shown in Atonement, as marriage is seen as the pinnacle of happiness in both texts, However in A Thousand Splendid Suns it is shown in a more negative manner, with marriage being shown as an essential burden rather than a desire. Marriage is also shown as a necessity in the poem, The Ballad of Calvary Street, but for different reasons. In this poem, a poorly suited elderly couple stay together, to prevent the disruption of their family. This shows that even New Zealand society can view marriage as an important action, and a obligation in functional family life. This shows a similar idea to that in A Thousand Splendid Suns and Atonement, that marriage is a necessary action. In the short story The Silk, we see an elderly married couple, of which the husband is nearing death. The woman in the relationship is finding it hard to come to terms with her husbands impending demise, as she has a set routine which revolves around her and her husband’s relationship. This presents the idea that is shown in A Thousand Splendid Suns, Atonement and The Ballad of Calvary Street, that marriage is a prerequisite for a happy life, and it is a tragedy to be without it. In the Silk, we can tell that this married couple are truly in love from quotes such as, â€Å"she guarded him so possessively that she even resented the twice-weekly visits from the district nurse,† which shows the devoted way that they take care of each other, presenting the traditional idea of marriage. In Atonement, when childhood sweethearts Robbie and Cecelia are prevented from being together, we are struck by the tragedy of the fact that they will never be able to get married, and live out their lives together. This portrays the aspect of marriage that is shown in The Silk, that marriage is a symbol of the love between two people, and that it is a contract which binds the two people together for the rest of their lives, as we see Robbie and Cecelia denied of this entitlement. In today’s society, a happy couple who are in love are expected to get married. This relates to both The Silk and Atonement, as in both texts marriage is seen as a necessity for the happiness of the people involved, which further supports the idea that society regards marriage as particularly important. From these texts, society may be able to reassess its outlook on the controversial matter of gay marriage. The tragedy of Cecelia and Robbie’s separation that is shown in Atonement and the portrayal of the happiness involved in marriage that is shown in The Silk could be enough to convince the large portion of society that is against gay marriage that they are wrong, as in both texts marriage is shown as a component of happiness that should not be denied of anyone. The relationships and situations that are shown in the texts are not exclusive to heterosexual couples, and would translate just as well to homosexual relationships, meaning that the ideas attached to the texts can be applied to same-sex couples as well, and could have an influence on the opinion that people hold towards gay marriage. Unfortunately, marriage is not always a happy affair, as it is intended to be. This is plainly shown in the text The Ballad of Calvary Street, as we see an unfortunate couple who are forced to remain together due to the stigma attached to divorce. Quotes such as â€Å"Mum takes down the family files,† suggest that family is not an important thing to the couple, since they have fallen apart, but that they continue to treat it as such, as they consider it their duty as parents to remain married. This idea that marriage is a compulsory task is also shown in A Thousand Splendid Suns, as we see protagonist Laila is forced into marriage, for her own survival. Her husband knowingly takes advantage of her vulnerable situation, saying, â€Å"These days, times being what they are, a woman needs a husband,† showing that marriage can often take place for reasons other than love (as was shown in The Ballad of Calvary Street), and that this can easily be taken advantage of. This presents the idea that in many different societies, (New Zealand and Afghan), marriage is seen as an essential measure, even when one or both of the people involved in the relationship are unhappy. Although this is an unfortunate truth, it is one that must sometimes be accepted, as it is often present in today’s society. These texts could help people come to terms with the idea that marriage is not always a representation of love, as they show legitimate alternative reasons for marriage, (the stability of family life or the safety of a person in a certain community. ) This could benefit society as it would create an understanding and acceptance of the reality of marriage today. In conclusion, the idea of marriage is a common theme in many texts, including Atonement directed by Joe Wright, The Silk by Joy Cowley, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and The Ballad of Calvary Street by James K Baxter. Although marriage is not always the quintessential act of love and can sometimes tell a tragic story, it is important that it is expressed in forms such as these texts so that society can reflect on its faults and hopefully improve its approach on the subject.

MBA Admissions Essays - The Value of Dynamic Creativity :: MBA College Admissions Essays

MBA Admissions Essays - The Value of Dynamic Creativity    In my junior year of high school I attended an assembly where potential class presidents outlined their positions and ideas for the future. I remember dozing off during the first two speeches, which covered topics such as soda machines and trips to Six Flags Great Adventure. The final individual that spoke did something different. He talked about students in our class. The thing he found special about everyone was that they each possessed character. Having had about seven years to reflect on that speech, I now understand what he meant by character . A person's character can mean different things to different people, but for me, it is qualities that make an individual unique.  Ã‚  Ã‚        The first trait that gives someone character is dynamic creativity. In order to solve complex problems or to complete a difficult task, I feel the ability to come up with fresh ideas is essential. A student who studies for exams and memorizes formulas might not be as well equipped to handle real world problems as someone who is able to put his or her book knowledge to practical use. I believe that the importance of creativity also extends to life choices that people make. In my eyes, someone who spends their summer volunteering at an archeological dig or in a homeless shelter, even though they could have been working for a salary, is making a creative choice. In that sense, I value people who are risk-takers, people who are willing to do something without the guarantee of success. What is also important to me are people who approach situations with an honest and positive attitude. Often, I talk to people who are applying to schools or jobs, and they sincerely want to get accepted or hired, but reservations about their qualifications or ability cloud their thinking. My experience has shown me that successful people do not only want success, but also expect it.      Another piece to the character puzzle is awareness, understanding, and open-mindedness of others. Sometimes, it is difficult to understand why another person believes that way he or she believes, or does what he or she does. When someone does something another might deem illogical, taking into account the individual's circumstances and experiences might lead you to understand why the action occurred. I therefore place a premium on people who take the time and effort to comprehend their fellow man.

Eudora Weltys The Ponder Heart :: Eudora Weltys The Ponder Heart

Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart There are many different ways to categorize The Ponder Heart. Some critics have said that it could be a dramatic monologue, a comic monologue, or a point of view. In the article "Seeing through Edna Earle: The Ponder Heart as a Dramatic Monologue," the author is not clear whether the novel is a dramatic monologue or not. In A Handbook to Literaturethere is a very clear definition of a dramatic monologue. A dramatic monologue is defined as "a poem that reveals, a "soul in action" through the speech of one character in a dramatic situation."The Ponder Heartis close to a dramatic monologue because "There is a speaker: Edna Earle Ponder. There is an audience: a stranger. There is an occasion: we find ourselves in the parlor of the Beulan Hotel" (Nissen, 1). The "point of view" is defined by Nissen as "the nexus of our interpretation of the novel's characters, events, and thematic significance"We get this information from Edna Earle as she tells us of her stories. It is her "point of view" we receive and see. To understand the monologue character, I have some different descriptions of Edna Earle. Edna Earle has been labeled in many different ways. "She has been accused of being just about everything from bossy to narrow-minded to just plain dumb" (Nissen, 2). She has been labeled as "a talkative, frustrated, limited, boring woman, desperately trying to keep her house in order," according to another critic, Kreyling. I do not see this at all in Edna Earle's character. It seems that Edna Earle is in charge of the town gossip. She runs the main hotel in town, her family is very important people in this town, and that is why she gets all of the gossip. Small town's talk about everything. Edna Earle is a strong but lonely woman. I believe that she talks about the town gossip so her listener will stay with her. That way she is not left alone. Another critic by the name of Robert Laugbaum says that Edna Earle, " is a bit of a snob, she is opinionated and speaks her mind."I agree with this when Edna Earle speaks of Bonnie Dee Peacock. She talks about Bonnie Dee's intellegence, the way she dresses, and suggests that she is railroad trash. It makes the reader believe that Edna Earle is better than Bonnie Dee. Except, deep down, Edna Earle actually likes Bonnie Dee because when she died, "one of the last things she says is that she misses Bonnie Dee" (Nissen, 4). In the article "Seeing through Edna Earle: The Ponder Heartas a Dramatic Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart :: Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart There are many different ways to categorize The Ponder Heart. Some critics have said that it could be a dramatic monologue, a comic monologue, or a point of view. In the article "Seeing through Edna Earle: The Ponder Heart as a Dramatic Monologue," the author is not clear whether the novel is a dramatic monologue or not. In A Handbook to Literaturethere is a very clear definition of a dramatic monologue. A dramatic monologue is defined as "a poem that reveals, a "soul in action" through the speech of one character in a dramatic situation."The Ponder Heartis close to a dramatic monologue because "There is a speaker: Edna Earle Ponder. There is an audience: a stranger. There is an occasion: we find ourselves in the parlor of the Beulan Hotel" (Nissen, 1). The "point of view" is defined by Nissen as "the nexus of our interpretation of the novel's characters, events, and thematic significance"We get this information from Edna Earle as she tells us of her stories. It is her "point of view" we receive and see. To understand the monologue character, I have some different descriptions of Edna Earle. Edna Earle has been labeled in many different ways. "She has been accused of being just about everything from bossy to narrow-minded to just plain dumb" (Nissen, 2). She has been labeled as "a talkative, frustrated, limited, boring woman, desperately trying to keep her house in order," according to another critic, Kreyling. I do not see this at all in Edna Earle's character. It seems that Edna Earle is in charge of the town gossip. She runs the main hotel in town, her family is very important people in this town, and that is why she gets all of the gossip. Small town's talk about everything. Edna Earle is a strong but lonely woman. I believe that she talks about the town gossip so her listener will stay with her. That way she is not left alone. Another critic by the name of Robert Laugbaum says that Edna Earle, " is a bit of a snob, she is opinionated and speaks her mind."I agree with this when Edna Earle speaks of Bonnie Dee Peacock. She talks about Bonnie Dee's intellegence, the way she dresses, and suggests that she is railroad trash. It makes the reader believe that Edna Earle is better than Bonnie Dee. Except, deep down, Edna Earle actually likes Bonnie Dee because when she died, "one of the last things she says is that she misses Bonnie Dee" (Nissen, 4). In the article "Seeing through Edna Earle: The Ponder Heartas a Dramatic

Physical and Mental Health

Physical and Mental Health Exercise and nutrition has never really been a priority for me. Most of my life I have been thin so I never had to watch my weight. Now as I get older I notice that because of my schedule, and the things I eat, I am retaining more weight than usual. I have attempted to incorporate an exercise regimen for my family, but it doesn’t seem to stick. I have joined gyms, walked in my neighborhood and watch workout videos and none of these practices stay around too long. I understand that having a regimen is important.I think the best thing for me is to start off with something light and easy ad then gradually increase to something a little longer and that require more effort. Learning to incorporate an exercise program is highly important to me since cancer and diabetes run in my family. I know that a regular exercise program reduces the dangers of stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes and some forms of cancer (Components of Health: Weight, Exercise, and Sleep. Wi tt, G. A. , & Mossler, R. A. (2010) Adult Development and Life Assessment. I have, however, made the steps in my home to provide better quality nutrition for my family. I try to minimalize fast foods, cook healthy balanced meals at least 4 days a week and I attempt to keep healthy and nutritious snacks around the house so we don’t eat a lot of junk food. I experience high levels of stress from time to time. Most of the stress I experience is equivalent to a normal wife, mother and entrepreneur but maintaining a household, family and a business can have its ups and downs.In order to relieve my stressful times, I usually try to find a quiet space or moment to take a breather and just clear my head. I think learning to delegate responsibilities, managing my time more wisely, and setting aside time for relaxation will help me better cope with my high stress times. References: Components of Health: Weight, Exercise, and Sleep. Witt, G. A. , & Mossler, R. A. (2010) Adult Developmen t and Life Assessment.

Using Dependant vs. Dependent

Using Dependant vs. Dependent Theres no problem here if youre an American: both the noun and the adjective are customarily spelled the same (dependent). But if you follow British spelling conventions, note the distinction between dependant (noun) and dependent (adjective). The noun dependant refers to a person who depends on someone else for support (usually financial support). Dependant is the standard spelling of this noun in British English. Dependent is the more common spelling in American English, though the word may also be spelled the British way. The adjective dependent (always spelled this way in both British and American English) means supported, determined, influenced, or controlled by (someone or something else). Examples Most dependent  [US] students cannot afford to pay for college on their own, without parental help.  The definition of a dependent  student for federal student aid purposes is different than the definition of dependent for federal income tax purposes.(Mark Kantrowitz, Answers to Your Questions on Scholarships and Student Loans. The New York Times [US], November 18, 2011)  The amount of loan a dependant [British] student gets depends mainly on their parents residual income. This is their gross income before tax and national insurance after deducting allowances for, for example, payments into pension schemes, and  £1,130 for any other financially dependant child.(Jill Papworth, A Parents University Bill:  £650 a Month. The Guardian [UK], August 10, 2013)Fearful and anxious people sometimes become dependent on alcohol for relief from their symptoms. Practice Exercises:  Dependant and Dependent (a) The applicant claimed to be a _____ of a deceased worker. (b) Its a myth that a breastfed baby will turn into an overly _____ child. Answers to Practice Exercises:  Dependant and Dependent (a) The applicant claimed to be a  dependant  [British] (or  dependent  [American]) of a deceased worker. (b) Its a myth that a breastfed baby will turn into an overly  dependent  child.

Fire Tornado Project

Fire Tornado Project A fire tornado forms when fire is caught up in a vortex. Fire tornadoes or fire devils occur naturally in some wildfires, but you can make a small scale fire tornado yourself. Heres how: Fire Tornado Materials In order to produce a fire tornado, youll need a source of fire and the ability to create an air vortex or whirlwind. The fire tornado is made by placing a container of fire onto a spinning surface. A cylinder of mesh or screening forces the air into a column to force air into a vortex. lazy susan or table or chair that can rotate freelycontainer of fire (e.g., fireproof bowl containing pieces of sponge sprinkled with lighter fluid or alcohol)cylinder of wire mesh or screen with diameter to fit outside the fire bowl. Make the mesh cylinder by rolling a sheet of metal window screening or chicken wire into a tube. Be sure the tube is wide enough to fit around the container youll be using for fire. Staple the ends of the tube to secure it into a cylindrical shape. Create the Fire Tornado Practice this set-up without igniting the fire to be sure your container wont go spinning off. Its a good idea to secure the bowl and screen tube to the lazy susan with tape or glue so that it wont go flying off when you spin the fire. Its also a good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. Set the fireproof bowl in the center of the lazy susan. Secure the bottom so the bowl will remain stable when spun.Place the sponge with lighter fluid into the bowl.Set the metal mesh cylinder around the bowl. See if you can spin the lazy susan without incident. You may need to secure the cylinder.Once you are confident of your set-up, ignite the fire in the bowl and slowly start spinning the lazy susan. See a video of this project or make a green fire tornado. Disclaimer: Please be advised that the content provided by our website is for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Fireworks and the chemicals contained within them are dangerous and should always be handled with care and used with common sense. By using this website you acknowledge that ThoughtCo., its parent About, Inc. (a/k/a Dotdash), and IAC/InterActive Corp. shall have no liability for any damages, injuries, or other legal matters caused by your use of fireworks or the knowledge or application of the information on this website. The providers of this content specifically do not condone using fireworks for disruptive, unsafe, illegal, or destructive purposes. You are responsible for following all applicable laws before using or applying the information provided on this website.

The Launch of Toyota Prius in Domestic and International Market

The Launch of Toyota Prius in Domestic and International Market Toyota Motor Corporation is the world’s largest motor manufacturer and seller; it has its headquarters in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. According to the company’s accounts 2010, the company had a total of 317,734 people worldwide. With contemporary globalized world, the company’s operations are affected by internal and external factors. This report offers a recommendation on how the company can launch â€Å"Toyota Prius† in domestic and international market.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Launch of â€Å"Toyota Prius† in Domestic and International Market specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The world is recovering from global financial crisis of 2008; this has limited the growth in demand of motor vehicles by industries, governments, and private owners. Other than the crisis, Japan 2011earthquake has hindered transportation from the country thus the company is facing a challenge selling t o the global world. There are numerous players in the motor vehicle industry; they include Mitsubishi, Ford, and British Motor Works. The companies are offering substitutes to customers who get a wide selection of products. Other than using road transport, consumers are having the option of using rail and air transport. Consumers are offering pressure to the company; there are moves to environmentally friendly motor vehicles as people move to sustainable development. The pressures from the customers are keeping the company on its toes to develop customer focused products. Toyota has been in operation since 1936, during this time, the company has created a strong brand name for its products. The strong brand name for the company is a strength that the management dells on; when launching new products, the company is favoured by its brand strength. With a strong brand, the companies sales are high with comfortable profit margin; the margins give the company good financial strength that it can develop new product with ease. High sales have led to enjoyment of economies of scale making the products affordable. Toyota automobiles are known to be fuel-economical; getting original spare-parts for the products is easy thus people prefer the products. Opportunities for Toyota are many; the company has implemented the â€Å"blue-ocean† management whereby it’s focusing on areas other than japan where competition is lower. Economic development in different countries is offering potential market for the company. The main threat and risk that Toyota faces is competition and world economics operations; there are many players in the motor vehicle industry thus increasing the competition the company has to fight with. Internal structures of Toyota has been challenged of their inability to maintain human resources; with the structures, there are an increasing number of people who quit jobs and with them goes much wisdom to the disadvantage of the company. Some of t he strategies that the company should implement during implementation include integrated marketing management system and customer relation management schemes.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More When launching a product, Toyota needs to research on the target market and adopt such policies that will see the products sell more easily. â€Å"Toyota Pius† is a hybrid motor vehicle which can use both fossil fuels and bio-fuels; the product is an eco-friendly product by the company. When developing the product, the company aims at fulfilling the demand of customers and environment conservers on sustainable development. The strength of the product will be the selling point or the strength of the product. When marketing and selling the product, the company should emphasis on the benefits that the product will have on the customers and the world in general. For instanc e the marketing team should inform target customers that the product is fuel economical as well as it will protect the environment. Some of the strategies that the company should implement during implementation include integrated marketing management system and customer relation management schemes.

Human Health and Environment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Health and Environment - Assignment Example In 1793, more than 5000 Americans died as a result of the yellow fever epidemic which started in Philadelphia. (Murphy, J., 2003) There are an estimated 200,000 cases of yellow fever, causing 30,000 deaths, worldwide each year. (Yellow Fever, 2009) On the other hand, The World Health Organization’s Guidelines for the treatment of malaria (2010) has reported an estimated 863,000 deaths in 2008 due to malaria. Still another similar factor yellow fever and malaria share is that they almost have the same symptoms. Both diseases make the victim feel feverish and body ache. Conversely, yellow fever can be different from malaria, too. Firstly, where malaria has a cure thanks to the medicine quinine (Agosta, W., 1997), there is only a vaccine for yellow fever and a cure dependent on the resulting illness manifested by the patient. (Hayes, J.J., 1858) The said vaccine was discovered by Max Theiler in 1937. (Monath, T., 2010) Secondly, the incubation fever for yellow fever is only for 3-4 days, malaria victims only show signs of the symptoms after 7 to 30 days. (WHO, 2010) Last but not the least, while yellow fever has mostly affected people in Africa and Latin America, deaths and cases of malaria are in sub-Saharan Africa. (WHO, 2010) 1.b) A mosquito’s bite causes malaria and yellow fever. Since North America goes through the winter season, egg production stops and there is no drive for the female mosquito to take blood meals. (Humphreys, M., 2001) Because there is no need to bite humans for blood, these diseases are not threats in North America. 1.c.) No single country in sub-Saharan African has shown a substantial decline in malaria, according to WHO’s Africa Malaria Report 2004 (Crowe, S., 2003) This can be attributed to two things: Africa is a tropical country and a poor one at that. Tropical countries only have two seasons: sunny and rainy. Inasmuch, the climate in tropical countries can be warm, humid or cool.

Conflict of Interest between Owners and Operators Essay

Conflict of Interest between Owners and Operators - Essay Example This paper examines the nature of the duty to avoid a conflict of interest on the part of owners and operators in company law. This research, however, is industry based and focuses on the nature of that duty in the gas and oil industry. In this regard, the nature and legal consequences of oil and gas agreements are examined. Once the various methods for engaging oil and gas contracts are explained, this research then turns its attention to the law relative to the corporate duty to avoid a conflict of interest and how that duty is interpreted and applied by the courts. The duty is then tied together with the owner and operator of the oil and gas industries. It is a common principle of company law that directors are required to put the interest of the company first and to avoid situations in which there is not only a conflict of interest but that there is a possibility of a conflict of interest. This rule is generally treated by the courts as entirely inflexible. As such it places upon the operator in an oil and gas agreement an onerous and quite often insurmountable burden as these persons are almost always involved in situations where there is a possibility of a conflict of interest. However, some court judgments such as Bray and Ford have relaxed the inflexible rule, holding that not all transactions are necessarily improper or illegal. This ruling could ease the unrealistic burden on operators who quite often come into contact with persons and entities that might have an interest that calls upon the operator to exercise a duty that might conflict with the oil and gas company whom he/she represents and serves.

Food Prices in Agricultural Markets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Food Prices in Agricultural Markets - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Ð µhe ever-rising food prices have brought a lot of challenges to the contemporary society. Most affected by these food price increases are the poor in the society. The main effect of the rising food prices on poor consumers is the reduction in their purchasing power. A number of economic theories and models have been put forward to explain the relationship between rising food prices and their impacts on poor consumers. Engle’s law and the standard demand theory are just some of these theories explaining the effects of rising food prices on poor consumers. According to Engel’s law consumers rely on non-food expenditures if food prices go up. Because the rich spend more money on non-food items, whenever food prices rise, they have excess non-food expenditures to cut and transfer to food expenditures. The standard demand theory on the other hand focuses on the effects of income and price increase on substitute food. The ne gative impacts of food price increase on poor consumers make it imperative that governments and the international community step in to provide for the welfare of the poor. To increase the purchasing power lost due to food price increase, safety net programmes such as food-for-work and cash transfers have been implemented in many countries. Due to certain barriers to the success of safety net programmes, other strategies such as local and international financial assistance and improved accessibility to land, seeds, farm animals, loans, and technical services have been applied in some countries. Introduction World over, people are often guarded against rising food prices, a trend considered as having a number of negative influences on people’s welfare, more so the poorest in society. In fact, rising food prices has been cited as one of the main factors that push the poor into starvation. Besides, rising food prices exert a lot of downward financial pressure on the poor while th e wealthiest in the society are never affected by these food price increases (Westhoff, P. 212). Since majority of the world’s population could be described as poor, rising food prices have thus further dampened the already crisis-prone global economy. However, recent times have realized the emergence of a school of thought, which raises the question of whether food price increases are inherently negative. For instance, increased food costs have been found to be beneficial to farmers, who are the sole providers of one of the most basic human needs, food (Westhoff, P. 212). The argument according to this school of thought is that if farmers do well because of increased food prices, then others will also benefit from the increased food prices in one way or another. The second argument put forward by the school of thought that rising food prices have positive implications is that, high food prices have pushed the agricultural industry to develop genetically modified foods that n ot only resist draught and other natural calamities but also pests and diseases. Additionally, foods have been developed and grown that can survive and do well is marginally fertile areas. In other words, these foods have been quite useful to developing countries in which larger percentages of population live in abject poverty. The increasing food prices have thus made the agricultural industry rather alert in the creation of sustainable food productions, more so in developing and the under-developed countries. This paper thus explores the effects of the rising food prices on poor consumers, focusing on the welfare of this category of consumers and the possible interventions to address these effects. Theories and Models of the Effects of Rising Food Prices Because of the positive and negative effects of rising food prices on poor consumers, heated debates on the exact effects of rising food prices have ensued. Several theories and models seeking to explain the impacts of

To what extent can a democracy infringe Human right through means of Research Paper

To what extent can a democracy infringe Human right through means of torture in order to preserve National security - Research Paper Example Conversely, so much have been talked about ways in which the states are handling the terror suspects. For example, while some people are supporting the idea of detention of terrorist without trial, others are against the idea. They argue that detention of a person without trial is a violation of human rights. International terrorism has been the greatest challenge to every state trying to deal with it. The biggest challenge is however the balance between terrorism and human rights. This paper explains some issues brought forward against states with regard terrorist detention. It also presents steps taken by the states such as the U.S. to stop terrorist. Many people disagree on the definition of terrorism meaning that there is more than one definition of terrorism. According to White (4), terrorism is an act that has to be analysed, measured, and weighed. In addition, the definition of terrorism is presented by different people based on their political and social realities and so there are many definitions. However, there is one that many scholars are using to explain the picture of terrorism. White (4) point out â€Å"that terrorism is an act or threatened act of violence against innocent people for political purposes.† This one definition used by scholars to bring out the picture of terrorism. Department of homeland security have taken quite a number of measures to counter terrorist, this includes, anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism programs. Anti-terrorism is steps taken by state to reduce the threat posed by terrorist. On the other hand, counter-terrorism is offensive measures taken to disrupt, preempt and respond to terrorism. Other measures include terrorism consequence management; the state prepares for consequences of terrorist incidences (Kraft and Marks, n.p). Counter-terrorism measures taken by the U.S. assisted in

Critically appraise the fiscal strategy of the UK Conservative-Liberal Essay - 1

Critically appraise the fiscal strategy of the UK Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition government - Essay Example Amongst the compromises that the two parties made were their held fiscal policies, which have greatly affected the country to the present moment. The unresolved budgetary deficits, a weak economy and no framework for making a quick recovery for the economy can show this. When the recession hit Great Britain in the period 2007-2009, the Labour Government continued in its overspending in terms of the budget, which worsened the state of the public finances (Giudice, Kuenzel and Springbett, 2012, p. 22).   At the campaigns of the 2010 general election, the Conservatives promised faster action to curb borrowing in order to stabilize the economy. Through a new budget introduced on June 22, 2010 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the government planned to remove the deficit in the budget by the period 2014-2015. By this time, the amount of borrowing as a share of the GDP would have reduced, achieved through cuts in spending by a figure of 80% and increases in tax by 20%. This reassured the financial markets who continued to lend money and at the same time maintaining a low cost in the repayment of existing money owing. By doing this, the Conservatives had made a concession to their Liberal Democrats Coalition partners, which have led to several difficul ties with regard to the fiscal strategy and policy as originally made. The United Kingdom Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government aims at reducing the spending by the government so that the deficits that are in the budget are reduced. As already stated, it was initiated in the year 2010 with the main aim of achieving â€Å"cyclically-adjusted current balance by the end of the rolling, five-year forecast period†. This means that the intention of the fiscal policy was to have the austerity measures in place until the period 2015-2016, but this was pushed to 2018. What these austerity measures meant were

To what extent can a democracy infringe Human right through means of Research Paper

To what extent can a democracy infringe Human right through means of torture in order to preserve National security - Research Paper Example Conversely, so much have been talked about ways in which the states are handling the terror suspects. For example, while some people are supporting the idea of detention of terrorist without trial, others are against the idea. They argue that detention of a person without trial is a violation of human rights. International terrorism has been the greatest challenge to every state trying to deal with it. The biggest challenge is however the balance between terrorism and human rights. This paper explains some issues brought forward against states with regard terrorist detention. It also presents steps taken by the states such as the U.S. to stop terrorist. Many people disagree on the definition of terrorism meaning that there is more than one definition of terrorism. According to White (4), terrorism is an act that has to be analysed, measured, and weighed. In addition, the definition of terrorism is presented by different people based on their political and social realities and so there are many definitions. However, there is one that many scholars are using to explain the picture of terrorism. White (4) point out â€Å"that terrorism is an act or threatened act of violence against innocent people for political purposes.† This one definition used by scholars to bring out the picture of terrorism. Department of homeland security have taken quite a number of measures to counter terrorist, this includes, anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism programs. Anti-terrorism is steps taken by state to reduce the threat posed by terrorist. On the other hand, counter-terrorism is offensive measures taken to disrupt, preempt and respond to terrorism. Other measures include terrorism consequence management; the state prepares for consequences of terrorist incidences (Kraft and Marks, n.p). Counter-terrorism measures taken by the U.S. assisted in

Personal reflection - and academic literature to support that Essay

Personal reflection - and academic literature to support that reflection - Essay Example ate with company policies and decisions is another crucial role in my opinion as in any lack of communications the workflow can be interrupted and precious time can be wasted. On the other hand, keeping record and communicating with suppliers should be a separate role under a purchases department, that department should analyse marketing information and sales reports to anticipate the future supply needs and compare market prices with offers and freight. Finally, maintaining records of business meetings is an important part of the roles assigned to the secretary. In that regard a continuous follow-up can boost all other functions and remind them of their own deadlines mentioned and approved in the regular meetings, this can make the company leader work in following up with the progress of each department a much easier task, as well as the other roles in an organisation. Personally, I think my long experience in administrative roles had helped me significantly to cope with the presented tasks. I’ve had real life experience as a committee secretary for two years in my 15 years work experience. In addition to having a recent experience in business setup and managing a new business that helped me anticipate some of the similar progress timeframes I also had a pre-assumption on some facts and regulations that might be of assistance in some cases but an obstacle in others. For an example, I knew the time frame it takes  products to be purchased and the difficulty of sales. I also knew the profit percentage of the returns and the running expenses, but in return I had pre-assumptions that held me from anticipating the free facilities offered by the University Personally I’ve been faced with some challenges within the specific tasks of my role, and one could be my problem with time management issues. For the past 15 years, I  have attended few seminars and courses related to time management but unfortunately I keep misjudging my capacity for work volume and

Short Pest or Pestle analysis Essay Example for Free

Short Pest or Pestle analysis Essay This short ‘PEST’ or ‘PESTLE’ analysis will be carried out on the supermarket sector and discount retailers in Northern Ireland with the majority of the analysis being carried out specifically on Lidl. A PESTLE analysis will be ideal for Lidl in terms of effective market research and will help them come to decide how much they should expand given the fact that they have plans to do so particularly in the UK over the next 12 months. The PESTLE analysis directly and comprehensively evaluates the industry’s external environment elements in order to identify the overall available opportunities and dangers of specific procedures. It cannot be undermined how crucial effective market research is for companies such as Lidl who are constantly looking to gain a competitive advantage in the supermarket sector. Specifically, a PESTLE analysis mainly highlights the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental variables of the company and, if carried out efficiently, can be instrumental in terms of helping Lidl to improve their overall profit margins through expansion and their profits in terms of their overall net income. EXPRESS REFERENCE From the opening of its first ever store in the early 1970’s in Germany, the Lidl brand has grown a great deal to become one of Europe\s leading food retailers, a growth beyond their wildest expectations. Lidl first opened its doors in the UK in 1994 and since then they have went from strength to strength as they now have a grand total of over 650 stores and ten distribution centres across Great Britain employing some 20,000 people. Lidl has just recently just beaten close competitor Waitrose to become the UK’s seventh largest supermarket chain, according to the latest grocery market share figures (BBC, 2017). Lidl are currently drawing on a net income of  £5.8 billion for 2017 rising some  £800 million thus growing their overall market share by 0.6 percentage points to 5%. Aswell as being active in the retail business, Lidl also carry out a number of services such as DVD rental (launched in 2009) and bakery services which have been an excellent addition since their introduction in 2012. Through expansion, in what can be considered an oligopolistic market, companies like Lidl are hoping to get ever closer to the ‘big 4’ who are currently Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons. Companies such as Lidl, Aldi and Waitrose have thrived after the economic crash of 2007-08 as consumer behaviour since then has led us to believe that the trend of low prices for good quality products is a popular one and has led to a shift to the right in demand for the products and services of such companies. The first aspect of this PESTLE analysis is the political aspect. With over 10,000 stores in Europe alone, Lidl have the tricky task of managing many unique political factors that affect their everyday business operations. One of these major political components that heavily influences the day to day running of the organisation comes in the form of natural assurance laws. These specific laws compel companies to comply with all the government requirements. Another imperative law that Lidl must abide by is the UK government vitality advance for innovative work of retail products. With the sheer political anarchy that the UK is currently going through at this moment in time Brexit negotiations and the legal trading aspects surrounding it are another external component that Lidl must carefully juggle. According to Mintel, following the Brexit vote, political and economic volatility and uncertainty are widespread across consumer markets with the BPC market which Lidl operate in no excepti on. While changes to laws and regulations will affect business operations and brand practices, consumers already report that they are feeling the impact of the UK’s divorce with the EU. This is likely to result in BPC companies facing challenges following the changes in legislations, while consumers are likely to feel the impact of Brexit on their disposable income. With potentially limited spending money the BPC market might note fluctuations in retail value across various segments. As a result of the instability, over 40% of Irish consumers are unsure how Brexit will affect their finances, with a quarter of NI consumers worrying about the future. Only a fifth of NI consumers believe that their personal situation may improve. In addition Lidl uses economic internal and external factors.

The Images In The Novel Oliver Twist English Literature Essay

The Images In The Novel Oliver Twist English Literature Essay The aim of the following thesis is to present the image of a child in Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. On the strength of this novel, the author will attempt to discuss the importance of a childs psychological, physiological and emotional needs, and ways of their fulfilment in the process of a childs development. Children are innocent and defenceless human beings and to ensure their safe and proper growth, they need to be provided with an environment conducive to their healthy development. Adults often overlook the importance of their childs needs, they are simply unaware of their existence, and in consequence, children mature into troubled and unstable individuals. The lack of parental support, which often results in neglect, abuse and childs humiliation, may in fact seriously injure the childs psyche. Most Charles Dickens novels feature an image of a child Pip, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield; in his portrayals Dickens argues that children and adults perceive the world differently. In spite of their limited knowledge and experience children are acute and sensitive observers. In his novels, Dickens shows children, who struggle with the adversities of adult life, children who have no childhood and must survive against the hostile society of the Victorian England caught in the frenzy of the Industrial Revolution. The author relies often on his own experiences, his childhood was disturbed by the tragedies in his own family, which gives his novels a sense of authenticity. Charles Dickens was born on 7th February 1812 in Portsmouth in England as a son of John and Elizabeth Dickens. His fathers irresponsibility and lack of ambitions were the reasons why his family situation was often uncertain. He was always in debt and, as a consequence, in 1824, when Charles was only twelve years old, his father was imprisoned, together with his family. However, through his uncles instigation, young Charles found employment at a newly opened blacking factory and was spared from the prisons sentence. Michael Slater, Dickenss biographer, shows how this experience influenced small Dickens: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Dickens leaves no doubt as to the degree of the psychological and emotional earthquake suffered by his twelve-year-old self: It is wonderful to me how I could have been so easily cast away at such an ageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ No advice, no counsel, no encouragement, no consolation, no support, from any one [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] I might easily have been, for any care that was taken of me, a little robber or a little vagabond.  [1]   Dickens is an expert at childrens feelings and emotions, and through his works, he urges adults to be sensitive towards their fragile personalities. His novels, and his child characters, witness the abuse of children in the Victorian Period. His works were to give voice to children who desperately needed help and who rarely were able to communicate their needs and even more seldom obtained the help they needed. The first chapter of the following thesis is divided into four parts. In the first part, the author will describe the importance of childrens psychological needs necessary to their proper growth. The emphasis will be placed upon the needs fulfilment methods and the consequences of not fulfilling them: a lack of a childs psychic stability, problems in adolescence, etc. In the second part of Chapter One, the author will discuss violence against children in the Victorian Period and its consequences. On this occasion, the ideas of a Polish psychologist, Aleksandra Sobkowska will be presented in the context of the recent findings of New Psychology. Still in Chapter One, I will introduce Abraham Maslows psychological theory of the hierarchy of human needs. At the end of the same chapter, the author of the thesis will present the figure of Charles Dickens as a victim of the Victorian epochs Industrial Revolution, a victim of social injustice and economic deprivation, a victim of childhood i nterrupted. The Second Chapter will focus on the characterization of and the role of children in the Victorian society in the period of the Industrial Revolution. On that occasion, Oliver Twist, Dickenss portrayal of children in the historical and socio-economic context, will be discussed in detail and placed in the context of the Maslowian theory of the hierarchy of needs. In this chapter, the author will also ponder on Dickens involvement in the struggle against a childs exploitation; it is not clear whether in his books, the author aimed at evoking sympathy for the children and their plight, and thus he wrote mainly for the adult readership; or attempted to elucidate children on the causes of their unjust and despicable conditions. Chapter One Childrens needs and violence against children. The aim of the following chapter is to present the importance of needs in childrens psychological growth. In the course of Chapter One, the author of the thesis will refer to the foundations of Abraham Maslows theory of the hierarchy of needs. The author will also discuss different types of violence against children as the most detrimental element in a childs psychological development. Finally, Charles Dickens life will be placed in the context of the Victorian period. Childrens psychological needs Psychological needs of a human being are of great importance first and foremost for children, however, adults very often forget about it. Satisfying a childs material needs such as clothing, feeding, etc, they are convinced that they adequately fulfil their parental responsibility. In the light of modern psychology such an attitude is viewed critically. Though easily convinced that material goods are all they need, children become increasingly dissatisfied. Disturbing signals in our daily life children committing serious crimes, children becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs, adolescents dropping out of school; are all but proof of the existence of an area in a childs psyche that remains overlooked and neglected. Children differ significantly from one another; therefore, each child has to be treated separately whether it is by its parents or educators. Adults usually realize far too late how important they are for their childrens development, generally when their children start misbehaving and cause problems.  [2]  In order to prevent such a situation, it is necessary to study the mechanism of the needs formation; then consciously new and positive needs a need to discover, to know, to feel good about oneself can be created. As far as the mechanism of creating new needs is concerned, they are formed first through satisfying the needs that already exist. It is very important to offer children the opportunity to develop new and valuable needs, and rewarding responses of the environment have a great influence on childrens psychic growth. One of the main needs that are worth mentioning here is the need of emotional contact between a mother and a child. At the beginning, this contact has a more physical character, but in time, the character of this contact changes. It has a more psychological sense and needs another form of fulfilment.  [3]  Parents are able to create proper conditions to form a childs personality; to achieve this aim, parents must continuously observe and recognize their childs needs and try to understand them. Many factors have an influence on a harmonious course of a childs development, including all psychophysical processes, and affect the childs future stance point of view, and the way she or he is perceived by the society.  [4]   Human needs are divided into: material, biological, organic and psychological ones. Generally, psychological needs are additionally divided into: A need of safety shaped in ontogenesis A cognitive need An activity need A need of independence and personal development An emotional and social interaction need A sense of belonging and acceptance need A possession need b. Violence against children as the negation of proper development A child who is harmed is the one who is suffering due to improper behaviour of other people, mainly parents and guardians, and who experiences injustice and a sense of powerlessness. This process, whether intentional or unintentional, and resulting from adults actions, may have a negative influence on a childs physical or psychological development.  [5]   Dickens stories abound in episodes involving both psychological and physical abuse among children. Children rob one another of dignity and belongings. They accumulate anger and frustration in themselves. They are weak and dominated by adults and find abusing their equals or weaker ones as the only possible way of venting their anger. Violence against children leads unavoidably to violence in children. This too is a result of a childhood interrupted, of a thwarted development. Violence against children is the most perverted form of violence; children are defenceless and innocent human beings at a formative stage, who are susceptible to a physical and to psychological injury. Though violence may reside in children themselves, for example, in unwanted, problematic, chronically ill or disabled children; in the majority of cases, children are victims of violence perpetrated by adults. Violence occurs in many different circumstances, and may have different forms, but generally three groups of reasons for its occurrence may be distinguished: violence in children directed against others (children as well as adults) is a result of the childrens frustration with their own health (disabled and chronically ill children), with their social and indirectly economic status (orphaned children, children of alcoholics, etc.) and, importantly, often is a consequence of war; violence in parents directed at children which often is a result of social pathologies dysfunctional families; violence being a result of a familys social isolation owed to their religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, etc. According to Aleksandra Sobkowska, a Polish psychologist, there is a conventional division of violence against children based on its type: physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Negligence of children is sometimes considered to be the mildest form of violence, however, it is most common, and it is extremely harmful and just like any other form of psychical abuse beatings, torture, etc. extends its effects into the sphere of a childs psyche. Therefore, the distinction between physical and psychological abuse, at least in terms of their lasting effects psychical and psychological scars overlap and blur. In Sobkowskas view, psychical abuse of children has cognitive, emotional and behavioural consequences a childs abuse syndrome may be manifested by: a lack of a sense of security a lack of a sense of belonging to the closest people a lack of or low self-esteem spiritual loneliness a feeling of being harmed a feeling and consciousness of guilt and shame difficulty in forming relationships. In Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, there are many examples of child abuse and violence ranging from the very basic lack of alimentation: Unfortunately for the experimental philosophy of the female to whose protecting care Oliver Twist was delivered over, a similar result usually attended the operation of her system; for at the very moment when a child had contrived to exist upon the smallest possible portion of the weakest possible food, it did perversely happen in eight and half cases out of ten, either that it sickened from want and cold, or fell into another world, and there gathered to the fathers which it had never known in this.  [6]   through terrible living conditions; An unfinished coffin on black tressels, which stood in the middle of the shop, looked so gloomy and death-like that a cold tremble came over him, every time his eyes wandered in the direction of the dismal object: from which he almost expected to see some frightful form slowly rear its head, to drive him mad with terror. The recess beneath the counter in which his flock mattress was thrust, looked like a grave.  [7]   resulting in a sense of fear and spiritual loneliness: He was alone in a strange place; and we all know how chilled and desolate the best of us will sometimes feel in such a situation. The boy had no friends to care for, or to care for him. The regret of no recent separation was fresh in his mind; the absence of no loved and well-remembered face sank heavily into his heart.  [8]   Psychological violence is a conscious destruction or significant limitation on a childs possibility of proper development. Ranging from insults, as can be seen in the following episode from Oliver Twist: Get downstairs, little bag o bones. With this the undertakers wife opened a side door, and pushed Oliver down a steep flight of stairs into a stone cell, damp and dark, forming the ante-room to the coal-cellar, and denominated the kitchen.  [9]   It is hard to draw any conclusive ideas as to what future awaited Oliver, and whether his childhood filled with pain brought to bear on his life as an adult. There is a note to the preface of Charles Dickens Oliver Twist which say: It tells the story of an unfortunate orphan boy from his early years in the harsh environment of the workhouse, to his struggle for survival in the dangerous world outside its gates.  [10]   A parallel between the story of Oliver Twist, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ a boy who dares to ask for more  [11]  and the life of Charles Dickens is evident. As a young boy, Dickens was forced to work in one of Britains infamous sweatshops, or as they were often referred to, children factories. His fathers debts put the whole family in prison; only young Charles was spared his freedom, however, in exchange for hard labour in a blacking workshop. In a way similar to most children from poor neighbourhoods of London, Dickens suffered pains of poverty hunger and all things most children his age would take for granted. Hunger haunted little Charles, something that is echoed in the story of Oliver Twist, but what pained him more was his hopelessness against the odds set by the cruel society of the 19th century Britain. Britain was undergoing a period of transformation; the Industrial Revolution was at its peak; many people fled the impoverished countryside and settled in big cities. There, they we re exploited by the capitalist industrialists. Slavery was by then outlawed in Britains overseas colonies, importing cheap labour was out of the question, yet the growing economy needed hands, many hands, inexpensive hands. In such circumstances, children became a commodity cheap and easy to manage. Factories soon filled with little children whose parents, all the while working themselves to near death, still failed to make ends meet. This is an era of Britains great economic expansion; this is an era that witnessed the birth of communism. Britain was getting rich, or at least the rich were getting richer; for the rest the society was falling apart. Many children faced a very bleak future; orphaned (mostly through abandonment); deprived of any possibility for social advancement, just like Oliver Twist, veered onto the dangerous path of crime. Dickens resisted the temptations of becoming a criminal; perhaps, in that sense, he was lucky; his contacts with Londons underworld remained luckily within the confines of his fantasy. I might easily have been, for any care that was taken of me, a little robber or a little vagabond  [12]  Dickens, a literary giant of the Victorian England, was first and foremost, its victim. As a child, he suffered all the deprivations shared by most of his books characters Nicholas Nickleby, Oliver Twist, Pip and David Copperfield; whose lives stories became a great testimony of Britains shameful past a past tainted by abuse against the innocent and the weakest children. c. Maslows hierarchy of needs This part of the thesis is based on the psychological theory authored by Abraham Maslow. Among other things, he wrote about human nature being good or at least neutral. It cannot be assumed that a child is born with a bad nature.  [13]  Because of its pessimistic, negative and restricted conception of human nature, Maslow became very critical of psychology. Unlike other scientists, he conducted his tests on healthy people, people without, for example, brain injuries; and he reached a number of new and innovative conclusions concerning personality. He claimed that psychology is much more occupied with peoples weaknesses rather than strengths; that the main focus of psychological studies is sin, and virtue tends to be omitted.  [14]   Maslows hierarchy of needs is represented by the following diagram: Maslow recognises, and illustrates his notion by means of a pyramid, that human needs can be divided into five levels, four of which represent deficiency needs (referred to also as basic needs) and are associated with human physiology. Only when those needs are satisfied, a human develops a need of self-actualization (referred to also as growth needs). d. Society in the Victorian Age Dickens hero, Oliver Twist, lived in a difficult time characterised by changes and the resulting serious crisis in the politics, economy and religious life. Victorians expected progress, rapid changes that were to improve their daily lives; apart from the elite, life in the nineteenth century was very hard for most of simple citizens, especially for children. Many peasants, driven away from the countryside by the prospects of better lives in the cities, fell victim of industrial exploitation and the capitalist system of economy. Cities grew in population too rapidly, forcing many to live in squalid neighbourhoods filled with filth and crime. Urbanization meant more places of work, but the cost of living in big cities often exceeded an average familys means. Families were large or too large; people lived in overcrowded houses in hand-to-mouth conditions. Industrial production was carried on at great risks and causing suffering of men, women and children. Britains status as the worksho p of the world was achieved at a great human cost  [15]  . People including small children worked fifteen or sixteen hours a day in, most of the time, unbearable conditions. The majority of people the so-called working class, which ironically included the unemployed, lived in the scruffiest of households. The industrialists treated the less fortunate, especially children, simply, and only, like objects, manpower. Children were exploited more than adults, because they never dared to ask for more. What is more, parents willingly agreed to this exploitation, even of very small children (often younger than six years of age), because they, too, could earn a few pennies. This extra income for starving families was at times a matter of life and death. Children employed in industry, suffered and often fell ill, at times irreversibly. Their childhood was taken away from them, but what is more, the precarious working and employment conditions, often forced them into the streets where they begged or stole to survive. Most children were denied the stability of having a home, being abandoned by their parents. Sometimes they were subjected to violence or solitude, being under-nourished or even starving, covered with rags, sleeping in empty cellars. Deprived of love and support from adults, they were neglected and lonely among others. The working class children had no rights and their hardship earned them no respect. People in Victorian England believed they were doing what was best for their children. But they were gripped by an idea which was widespread at that time that children were empty vessels, containing nothing worthwhile until filled with what adults judged best.  [16]   Dickens in his novels depicted the Victorian societys major problems. The writer portrayed the society in all its variety, touching all their problems but the theme to which he always returned, was the family, childhood, injustice, inequality, crime, corruption, scandals, poverty, as well as the suffering of children. Whatever he wrote was written with passion, because he experienced seeing life, from the point of view of the poor people and abused children. In his time, few people understood children as well as Dickens did, and he was the first writer who described childrens thoughts and feelings capturing the way they spoke, behaved, and suffered. Chapter two Childrens needs and violence against children based on Dickens novel Oliver Twist. The aim of the following chapter is to present the connection between a childs needs and life in the Victorian Age on the basis of Dickens novel Oliver Twist. Oliver Twist is the first novel in which Dickens speaks out against social injustice and an inadequate economic system that condoned the plight of the poorest, yet the largest, segment of British society. His, is not a portrait of a happy and harmonious family, but a debt-ridden, broken family where children, unless employed in Britains worst workshops, are viewed as a burden. The author tries to show terrible conditions in workhouses where poor people were forced to live and work if they could not pay their debts. In his novel Oliver Twist, Dickens also draws a critical picture of charitable foundations and their involvement in childrens orphanages. Additionally, Dickens sheds light on Londons dangerous criminal underworld. The main character of the novel, Oliver, is a neglected, illegitimate child. He does not know his father and his mother died at his birth. He is brought up as an orphan in cruel conditions in an orphanage typical of the Victorian Age. This small and lonely child is drawn into the world of brutality and violence. The fact that he does not have parents increased his loneliness and difficulties in life because he is deprived of their support which is very important, especially at the beginning of everyones life. Having a normal life is important for a child, but for Oliver that proved an unattainable dream. Oliver spends the first nine years of his life in a badly run home for young orphans and later he is transferred to a workhouse for adults. There, not only does he lack means to secure himself a decent upbringing, but is constantly short of the essentials such as sufficient amount of food, a room to sleep or clean clothes. When he is nine, he is still a child and he does not understa nd the world around him, especially his own status. Once, he asks an adult what it means to be an orphan: Boy, said the gentleman in the high chair, listen to me. You know you are an orphan, I suppose? Whats that, sir? inquired poor Oliver. The boy is a fool I thought he was, said the gentleman in a white waistcoat.  [17]   Oliver is afraid of adults; he does not understand why strangers decide about his future and his life, and in their presence he often trembles and cries. One of the most important and memorable images in the novel is the moment when Oliver feels extreme hunger and asks for something more to eat: Please, sir. I want some more.  [18]  This famous scene is symbolic in that sense that it expresses Olivers revolt against his situation. He does not understand that such behaviour is unacceptable in the workhouse and he is beaten as a result and then put up for sale, like an object, not a human being. Oliver acts against the rules because the situation in the workhouse is abnormal; his basic needs are not satisfied. The living conditions in the workhouses of the 19th century Britain were very severe and often these harbingers of modern day sweatshops resembled more prisons than houses. The treatment of children was terribly bad, some of them even starved to death. The sufferings of children in the Victorian Age indicate that their basic needs were not satisfied. The fundamental, basic needs which are essential for our survival, such as proper nourishment, a place to sleep, warmth were not met then. According to Maslow, food occupies the lowest level of the pyramid in the hierarchy of needs, and belongs to the very primitive group of needs, which are essential for survival; refusing proper nourishment to hungry people, especially children is the negation of humanity. What is more, Oliver Twist is denied safety and stability; he is an unloved and lonely child thrown into unsympathetic adult world, where he lacks parental love, affection and protection. In Maslowian theory, Oliver is denied access to the second developmental level and his need to feel safe remains unfulfilled. At the beginning, Oliver is not aware of his situation; gradually, however, he comes to realize his standing: I am a very little boy, sir; and it is so- so à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ So what? inquired Mr Bumble in amazement. So lonely, sir! So very lonely! Cried the child [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦].  [19]   This small boy feels he should have some rights as a human being and he seeks love. It is only natural for a boy like Oliver to look for love and a sense of belonging, a feeling that gives people a sense of stability. Again, the fundamental need, the third level of the Maslowian pyramid representing the hierarchy of needs necessary for a childs proper physiological and psychological development remains unfulfilled. Although he leaves the workhouse, his circumstances never improve; he moves in with Mr. Sowerberry, an undertaker. Subjected to moral and physical oppression, Oliver continues to feel lonely, cold and abandoned; in his new home he has no place to sleep: Then come with me, said Mrs Sowerberry, taking up a dim dirty lamp, and leading the way upstairs; your beds under the counter. You dont mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it doesnt much matter whether you do or dont, for you cant sleep anywhere else.  [20]   Another boy, named Noah Claypole, who too is a worker at Sowerberrys workshop, constantly abuses Oliver, but the main character endures his fate without a word of complaint. One day however, acting on an impulse, Oliver fights off Noahs attacks. He fights in defence of his mothers name but despite his innocence, Oliver is severely punished. This situation illustrates the Maslows notion of violence being a result of a thwarted development in an environment where a childs basic needs remain unfulfilled; violence and other forms of anti-social behaviour are a consequence. In other words, a child who is deprived of an opportunity to fulfil his needs uses aggression, turns to aggression; he/she does not act like a normal child. This moment in the novel marks another important transition; Oliver demands to be respected he reacts with violence against the insults used with regard to his mother an action that points to the fourth level of the Maslowian pyramid, the need of esteem. Oliver decides to escape because he refuses to endure his treatment. He chooses London hoping to change his life for better. In spite of being exhausted and hungry; he does not give up and is still full of hope and determined. He meets Dodger, who offers him a helping hand. Unaware, Oliver joins a gang of juvenile pick-pockets, run by a Jewish emigrant named Fagin. Dodger and other young boys, and now Oliver, roam the streets of London stealing, when they can, hanging out, laughing. Fagins gang creates an authentic society and provides these unwanted boys with security and a sense of belonging. Oliver has never known this kind of life; he is drawn to it to gain respect amongst peers, but also to feel accepted, relied on, and needed. At the beginning, Oliver does not realise that he has joined a criminal group. He does not understand the whole situation but tries to be a quick learner and to acquire new skills, i.e. pick pocketing. However, because he has little experience, or simply because he still is a naÃÆ' ¯ve little boy, he gets caught and arrested. Fortunately for Oliver, Mr. Brownlow, one of the gangs victims, recognizes the boys innocence, exonerates the boy during the investigation and takes him into his custody. Oliver leads now a better life, at last, but he is not sure if his benefactor will not one day send him back into the streets of London. He asks Mr. Brownlow: Oh, dont tell me you are going to send me away, sir, pray! [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] Dont turn me out of doors to wander in the streets again. Let me stay here and be a servant. Dont send me back to the wretched place I came from. Have a mercy upon a poor boy, sir!  [21]   Mr. Brownlow, however, reassures the boy of his true devotion to his upbringing: My dear child, said the old gentleman, moved by the warmth of Olivers sudden appeal, you need not be afraid of my deserting you, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã‚  [22]   A few weeks later, however, Oliver is kidnapped by Nancy a prostitute who is incited by Fagin. What is more, he vanished precisely when Mr Brownlow entrusts him with money and sends him shopping. Oliver does not think about himself but is afraid that Mr. Bro

European History - Unification of Italy :: European Europe History

Unification of Italy Q: Describe & Explain the Unification of Italy. The Unification of Italy divides in to 3 main stages: 1815-1830: Revolts all over Italy. Revolts are suppressed. 1848-1849: Revolts all over Italy. Revolts are suppressed. 1858-1870: The unification of Italy Introduction To understand the unification of Italy, matters before the revolution need to be examined. Up until 1716, Italy was just a big piece of land divided among small kingdoms of monarchs. (ref. H.O. #1 p.29) When napoleon Bonaparte conquered Italy, he left them 3 things, which were probably the key characteristics in the revolution: - Efficient Government. - A practical demonstrations of the benefits from a unified Italy - Hatred towards foreign influence. After the fall of Napoleon, the major European powers (Austria, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, & Prussia) what was to be done with Italy, which was conquered at the time by Napoleon. It was thus decided that Italy would be divided among different monarchs, all associated with the Habsburgs (except for Piedmont Sardinia, which was to be ruled by Victor Emmanuel, an independent monarch, and Papal States, ruled by the pope.). (ref. H.O. #1 p. 29-30) Austria had very strong domination over Italy. It had agreements with Ferdinand, king of Kingdom of the 2 Sicilies, and helped the pope maintain his kingdom. Only Piedmont Sardinia wasn't influenced by Austria (ref. H.O. #1 p. 30). 1815 - 1830 Revolution Almost all "'Italians" hated the foreign influence of Austria on Italy. Metternich, an Austrian prince wanted to make sure no nationalist activities were in process in Austria's territories in Italy (which was Lombardy Venetia). He imposed repressive rule in Lombardy Venetia. German was the official language, a strong Austrian army was always present to suppress any hostile activities, an efficient system of spies reported on any nationalist activities, a strict censorship of news was present, and Italian history was banned in schools to avoid the younger generation from learning about the glorious Roman past. Metternich caused even further resentment when he obligated Lombards to serve in Austrian army, obey Austrian rules, and pay high taxes to Austrian empire. Lombardy Venetia's situation was very bad, and nothing seemed able to be done. (ref. H.O. #1 p. 30). The situation in Lombardy (and in other parts of Italy) led to the establishment of many secret societies dedicated to the cause of Liberalism and Nationalism the biggest and most famous of those societies was named Carbonari.

The Pencil Box :: essays research papers

THE PENCIL BOX   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nobody liked Jane. As soon as Emily Sweet found that copy of Anne of Green Gables—a three-hundred-page-long book! —in Jane's faded purple kindergarten backpack, that was it. Any hope Jane had for a normal life, for swing on the swings, for making a life long friend, someone to share secrets and giggles with, someone to teeter totter with, was over, because nobody likes the smart girl. Nobody likes someone who totes a three hundred page long book to read on the bus. That is the jungle gym's unwritten rule.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Well, maybe it's not totally accurate to say that nobody liked Jane. That's not an entirely true statement. Teachers liked Jane. Teachers loved Jane, even though Jane thought they had a funny way of showing it, giving her another worksheet to do when she finished the assigned worksheet fifteen minutes before the rest of the class, telling her parents that Jane was a special child, maybe they should move her to a higher grade and her parents always saying no, we want our daughter to have a normal childhood. It became quite normal for them to have these conversations while Jane sat outside the door wit ha garage sale, dog eared copy of Gone With the Wind—a five-hundred-page-long book! —swinging her patent leather Mary Jane shoes because they didn't reach the ground and she had to do something to keep her attention through the first twenty pages, pages she always found sub-standard to an otherwise exhilarating book. Yes, supposedly teachers just loved Jan e. That's what all the other children accused them of, love, favoritism, unfair grading, and things like that. They just loved Jane, even though they showed it weird ways.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It took Jane's second grade teacher, Mrs. Terada to really show some Jane some love. Jane thought Mrs. Terada was an absolute nitwit, with her long skinny arms and legs, looking down at all the children through a tiny pair of glasses perched on the end of her nose. And oh, it took all the acting Jane could muster to smile and nod, to not roll her eyes and stick out her tongue when Mrs. Terada presented her with the box. The box sat next to the rattling heat register (that always seemed to work in September, never in December). Under its hot pink cover were rows and rows of manila files, each containing a set of math worksheets, maybe a short story with comprehension questions at the end.

Current State of Technology Essay

Apparently, the business establishment is currently using the traditional manual system of sales service processing. That of which includes an everyday set of recording and as an old practice it is unreliable because if someone forgets to write orders/sold products it can affect the outcome of the records. Considering that it is a small line of business, technically speaking there is a less need of those requirements. The problem arises when recently, one of the staff of the water station misplaced the records of the sales. Over time, they notice that the current manual system they’re using is not that reliable. In order to help the establishment to have a reliable and hassle free way of recording the sales, we recommended to the establishment to use POS system (Point of sales) to have easier recording of services. In this system, the establishment can record the sales every day, print daily reports and have a secure and easy to access data. After the installment of the system, we would continuously monitor the system and the establishment in order to maintain the quality of the system. The usual practice was to record the sales everyday on a sheet of paper based on the orders/item being bought in the store. In a regular day, staff record every item that are being bought in the store then it will be submitted to the owner. So, based on the above information, it would take a certain amount of time and effort for the system to be developed and become useful resolution for the company’s current problem. The Owners demanded a reliable and hassle free way of recording their sales everyday;

Proper decision making Essay

Proper decision making on which job to choose requires utmost thinking and weighing of possible trade offs. A dilemma is often faced when familiarity of a certain job is preferred over a new opportunity. In your two –year experience of working as a cashier and sales clerk, I know that you already have skills that helped you excel in your field. Let me share with my take on the subject matter. Since you are looking for a job, I would like to let you know that there is an opening at my current work place, Cosset Lounge. The lounge is a spa and massage center which is only two blocks away from my pad. You can work there as my boss’ assistant. The one who is best fitted for the position needs to have good communication and writing skills, excellent customer service and the capability to work with minimum supervision. The mentioned skills were in terms of the professional aspect only. As for the personal aspect, the assistant should have upright interpersonal skills. The job often deals with meet-ups with the boss’ VIP clients and suppliers of spa necessities. Therefore, a pleasing personality is definitely a must have. There are also times when you will monitor spa operations in a day to day basis. You might think that the job is way far from your old work. But, with the skills that you have and your desire to learn, you can easily adapt to the new working environment. I hope that you will opt for welcoming new experiences when it comes to enhancing your skills. In my humble opinion, I believe that you should enter a different arena for professional and personal growth as well.

What Effect Has Industrialization Had on the Environment Essay

What Effect Has Industrialization Had on the Environment - Essay Example The researcher of this essay analyzes the effects that industrialization causes yoday and suggests that there are many. The major effect that the concept of industrialization has on the environment is pollution. Pollution which is generally referred to as the negation of the environment by causing harmful effects is very dangerous for human beings and other thriving people in the environment. There are very many types of pollution caused by industries. They range from water pollution, soil pollution and the major one of all, air pollution. Some of the products are like cars that ease the movements of people from one location to the other. There are also machines that are used in farms to assist in farming and such hard activities. However, despite the positive attributes credited to the concept of industrialization, there are also the negativities related to it. All these effects, that were analyzed in the essay are tied to the production of industries to the environment. Despite the fact that scientists argue that the environment is affected for a greater cause as the people dwelling in it generally benefit from the industries. The researcher then concluds that this is due to the fact that the many machines that make work easier for human beings come from the industries. However, environmentalists argue that despite that fact stated by scientists, the environment should be protected by the people running the industries taking more care of the manner in which they dispose off wastes.

Response to Intervention (RTI) model Assignment

Response to Intervention (RTI) model - Assignment Example This diversity in terms of culture, language, has infiltrated in to the mainstream education system in the city. Most of the mainstream schools also have students with special needs who need special care to ensure they benefit from the education system just like other students. As an English teacher in the city, with a diverse group of students, I have to develop strategies aimed at ensuring inclusiveness in my teaching approach, more especially because a majority of the students in the school speak Chinese and English will only be a second language to them. I have to create a good learning environment for non- English speakers as well as those students with special needs to feel comfortable throughout the learning process and benefit from the education albeit their differences. Education should be a uniting factor in such diverse mainstream schools where people from different backgrounds come together to share ideas, knowledge and learning experiences. In order to ensure inclusivene ss in my role as the English teacher, I would employ the use of Response to intervention (RTI) model. The Response to Intervention (RTI) model is very important in the provision of inclusive education to a diverse group of students. ... rning disabilities or even any other disabilities that may hinder the students from fully concentrating on their education and getting the best outcomes possible. The Retention to Intervention (RTI) model can therefore be defined as a general framework of education that involves research based interventions and instructions and regular structures of monitoring the progress of students in the learning process as well as the subsequent application of these data and information over time in order to make useful educational decisions (Klingner, 2006). One of the main advantages of the RTI model is the use of scientifically based interventions whose effectiveness has already been determined through scientific experiments in various randomly controlled trials. One of the main goals and objectives of the RTI model is to apply the concepts of accountability to educational programs by allowing teachers to focus only on those programs that have been scientifically proved to work rather than re lying on programs that seem to be simple and easier to use. The RTI model is a multi-tier strategic approach that promotes early identification of children with learning and behavioral needs in a diverse learning environment. The model employs various techniques and approaches to ensure the students’ needs are addressed and fully met so as to ensure positive learning outcomes for all students (Gresham, et al. 2004). The model can be used for by both regular and special needs education teachers who have a group of highly diversified students with different leaning and behavioral needs. The process starts with a general universal screening of all the students in a class room and the use of high quality instructions. After the screening process, the learners identified to be struggling are

Current Issues in PR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Current Issues in PR - Essay Example The issue of water has emerged as a global, ethical and environmental issue which is primarily driven by economic. The modern age consumer is questioning the international connections, pollution and water usage. The environment and the economics of the operation is challenged by the consumer. The desire to make informed choice is inherent in any consumer choice, and hence one of the current issues in PR has been the awareness in relation to the ‘Bottled Water’ as in the recent years the consumption of bottled water has increased 200 times, which is remarkably substantial. the implications of countries effectively exporting their water in the forms of food, computers, clothing and cars. For example, Britons use on average about 150 litres per day. If you include embedded water that rises to 3400 litres a day. This illustrates the obvious need to look at the use of water right across the supply chain. Since agriculture uses most of the world’s fresh water resources, perhaps we should be calculating the â€Å"water footprint† of food as well as its â€Å"carbon footprint†.† http://www.developpement-durable.veolia.com/library/fr/standalone/publications/rapports-environnementaux/1802,Rapport-Resp.-Sociale-Veolia-Eau-UK.pdf For the Water Working Group at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to develop a mapping tool to help businesses assess their water footprints and use this data to assess the risks in relationship to the current and future availability of water. They have also indicated a need to develop also global governance platform to deal with changing water scenarios. There has been predictions, which lead to belief that in future water scarcity, may emerge as on of the most potent cause of conflict and war. A sound PR campaign needs to be developed, as so many people are impacted by it and it has grown substantially from 1970 raising its

EQUITY & PROPERTY LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

EQUITY & PROPERTY LAW - Essay Example When equity developed as a parallel system to the common law, it was considered innovative by acknowledging â€Å"new† rights where common law failed to provide â€Å"justice†2. The intrinsic nature of this innovative system lay in the judicial â€Å"discretion† referred to by Lord Hoffman in Co-operative Insurance Society Limited v Argyll Stores Holdings Limited3. From a historical perspective, equity developed as a result of inflexibility of common law and â€Å"wiped away the tears of the common law†4. However, this exercise of judicial discretion led to an uneasy relationship with the common law. The clash was resolved in favour of equity and resulted in equity prevailing in the event of a conflict, which is now statutorily enshrined in section 49 of the Supreme Court Act 1981. Moreover, if we firstly consider Bill and Muriel’s position, if Charles had orally agreed for them to acquire proprietary interests in the Property, then Section 2 of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989 (the 1989 Act) provides that â€Å"a contract for the sale or other disposition of an interest in land can only be made in writing and only by incorporating all the terms, which the parties have expressly agreed in one document or, where the contracts have been exchanged, in each†. The essence of Section 2 is the requirement that the contract must be in writing and contain all the terms expressly agreed to and be signed by both parties. If the rules are not complied with, there will be no contract. In the past, failure to comply with the written requirements was remedied by equity when there had been part performance of a contract. Whilst there is no express provision in the 1989 Act specifically abolishing part performance, there has been an assumption that the doctrine is no longer applicable as section 2 clearly renders oral contracts void. Therefore, at common law, any oral

Assessment case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Assessment case study - Essay Example The two most important models related to disability are the medical and social models. For assessment of John's case, I would follow both the models as "Both the medical and social model aim to 'cure' disability, the former by curing the impairment and the latter by curing the environment and social attitudes. This indicates that, despite the polarity of their views of the world and the opposing positions they occupy, both models aim to improve the state of disability." (Wilson, 2003. p. 22) When a disabled child is small, his condition does not bother his parents much, as bringing him up is like bringing up a normal child, as at that stage all children are dependent on their parents for their needs. It is when the child grows up (during their adolescence stage) as is the case of John who is 15, that the parents as well as the disabled child realize the reality that that their situation is different from the rest and is going to remain the same. This is the time when parents get tota lly dejected. Since I am going to meet John and his family at such a critical stage, I would keep in mind that he and his family need emotional support more than anything else. For family members the burden of shouldering the responsibility of a disabled person takes a toll on their psyche and might frustrate them so much, that they start abusing and cursing the disabled person. They might not allow the disabled person to do things according to his liking by pointing his incapability to him. During the assessment meeting I would look into this aspect to determine whether John is getting proper care and love by his parents and siblings or not. If I find something amiss I will try to focus on this aspect so that John and his family members are able to deal with their unfortunate situation in a better way. I would see to it that every positive change begins from home. Since John is so used to of his family members being an intermediary between him and outsiders, I will try to encourage John to express himself as much as possible in the first meeting so that he gets comfortable with me and sheds his hesitance as my main objective is to improve his condition more than that of his family members. Both John and I will have to struggle a lot to understand each other because of his critical condition. I will try to systematically organize the service delivery in accordance to the policies and programmes designed by my team to deliver the best possible service to John and his family. Since assessment meeting is not only about John, but his circumstances too, I will try my best to organise, systemise and rationalise the information provided by John's father in his letter as well as my face-to-face communication with his entire family sensitively to get the crux of the whole situation. In this case, I will totally abide by the viewpoint of Coulshed and Orme who have rightly pointed out that "assessment is not just an event, for example the production of a profile on someone or a report for the court; it is, as indicated, a way of continuously collecting and synthesising available data, which includes thoughts and feelings, in order to formulate 'treatment' plans." (1998, p. 21) Through the letter of John's father it as clear that in the past he has not got much help from the

Reaction against hydrogen peroxide Essay Example for Free

Reaction against hydrogen peroxide Essay The action of catalase on hydrogen peroxide Aim The aim of this experiment is to discover the relationship between the concentration of the substrate and the rate of the reaction catalysed by an enzyme, by looking at the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide under the action of catalase, and to determine a value for Vmax and the Michaelis constant for catalase. Background Theory An enzyme is a protein biological catalyst. Catalysts speed up or slow down the rate at which chemical reactions occur. They are not used up in the reactions and can be retrieved unchanged afterwards. Biological catalysts control the rate of reactions in living things. Each enzyme is substrate specific it can control only one reaction. For example, the digestion of starch is begun in the mouth by the enzyme amylase. An equation for this reaction can be shown like this: Amylase Starch Simple sugars The enzyme only facilitates the reaction, it is not used up. Each molecule of enzyme can be reused indefinitely, unless it is damaged, or denatured. Enzymes are proteins, so they are denatured if the polypeptide chains, which are precisely coiled and folded to form the active site, become unfolded by the kinetic energy from heat, or the covalent bonds are disrupted. Whilst some heat will increase the rate of reaction because of the increased number of collisions between enzyme and substrate, too much heat will denature the enzyme and render it completely ineffective. Enzymes are also affected by the pH at which they have to work. Charged hydrogen or hydroxide ions in acids or alkalis can cancel out the charges on the active sites of the enzymes, and render them ineffective. Hydrogen peroxide is a toxin produced in every cell of living organisms as a by-product of respiration. It is the same chemical that is used to bleach hair, and so must be broken down before it can damage the cells. It decomposes to give water and oxygen. This reaction will occur naturally, but at a very slow rate. To speed it up an enzyme is used. The enzyme which catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is called catalase. Catalase is found in all living cells to decompose the hydrogen peroxide. In this experiment it is being obtained from live yeast in a suspension. The method by which catalase works is called the lock and key method. Catalase works because it has an active site. At this point the enzyme attaches to the hydrogen peroxide molecule, because the opposite charges of enzyme and substrate attract each other, forming an enzyme substrate complex. The enzyme catalyses the reaction, and then the new charges on the product repel the enzyme away to act on a new substrate molecule. (see fig 1) The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide has the following formula: catalase 2H2O2 2H2O + O2 The rate of a reaction is a measure of the change in the amount of reactant or product with time. The rate of decomposition H2O2 can be measured using the volume of oxygen produced, from the formula: Rate of reaction = change in amount of product time The rate of reaction is determined by collision theory:- For a reaction between two substances to occur, the enzyme and substrate particles must collide with each other. If more collisions occur in a reaction, rate will increase. If the reactant particles gain energy and collide faster, then each collision will have more energy, there will be more successful collisions, and rate will also increase. In this case, the more collisions between hydrogen peroxide and catalase molecules, the more hydrogen peroxide will decompose. Anything which increases collisions will increase rate. Increasing the concentration of the substrate (hydrogen peroxide) solution means that there are more substrate molecules in the same volume, causing more collisions, and thus increasing rate. The rate of reaction changes with concentration, but the overall yield of oxygen is independent of factors affecting the rate, so measuring the amount of oxygen produced over the whole reaction is meaningless. Instead, the initial rate of reaction can be estimated by measuring the volume of oxygen produced in the early stages of the reaction. This value can then be compared between the different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, and used to plot a graph of substrate concentration against rate, from which values for Vmax and the Michaelis constant (Km) can be obtained. The relationship between substrate concentration and rate of reaction is described by the Michaelis-Menton equation: v = Vmax [S] Km + [S]. Vmax is a measure of the maximum rate at which an enzyme can act, and it is the horizontal asymptote of the graph of substrate against time that is when the amount of enzyme is the limiting factor. The Km is defined as the substrate concentration at which the rate of enzyme action is half Vmax. It is measure of the affinity of an enzyme for its substrate molecule the higher Km, the weaker the binding force between the enzyme and substrate. Both Km and Vmax are constants at a specific enzyme concentration and temperature. Pilot Experiment A pilot experiment was carried out in order to see whether the method was practical and could produce good, reliable results, and to choose the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and the length of time over which the oxygen would be collected so that no more than 50cm3 of gas was given off. Pilot Method 1. 10cm3 of hydrogen peroxide solution was measured into boiling tubes using a syringe, and the apparatus set up as shown below. 2. Using a 1cm3 syringe the yeast suspension was added to the boiling tube and the stopwatch started. 3. Thirty seconds was timed, and then the burette was taken off the end of the delivery tube, but not out of the water, and the volume of gas collected was measured. 4. This was recorded and repeated for each concentration of hydrogen peroxide, made up as shown in the dilution tables below. Pilot Results Concentration of hydrogen peroxide Initial reading on burette (cm3) Final reading on burette (cm3) Volume of gas collected (cm3) Rate of reaction (cm3/s) to 2dOff scale. Analysis of and Modifications to the Pilot These results show a clear increase in the volume of gas collected as the concentration increases, suggesting that with modifications this method will enable clear conclusions to be drawn. Carrying the experiment out over 30s resulted in too much gas being produced at the highest concentration to be recorded with the apparatus available, so for the main experiment the oxygen will be collected over 15s. More readings will be taken to enable a more reliable graph to be drawn at9 and 20%. The experiment will be repeated three times and any anomalous results will be identified and excluded from the average in order to enable more reliable results. Prediction I predict that initially the rate of reaction will increase with the concentration. As the concentration of hydrogen peroxide increases so will the number of collisions between enzyme and substrate molecules, so the hydrogen peroxide will decompose faster into water and oxygen. I predict that this reaction will obey Michaelis-Menton kinetics, and that the graph of rate of reaction against hydrogen peroxide concentration will give a rectangular hyperbola as shown below: The increase in rate of reaction will not continue indefinitely there will be an asymptote when Rate = Vmax, when all the catalase molecules are catalysing the reaction as fast as possible, and so the rate cannot increase without supplying more enzyme. Main Experiment Plan Fair Test A fair test is one from which a reliable conclusion can be drawn. For a fair test only one variable must be changed at a time. In this experiment the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is being changed, and so all others must be controlled. Variables. Independent Variable:- concentration of hydrogen peroxide Dependent Variable:- volume of oxygen gas collected in 15s Controlled Variables:- temperature, volume of hydrogen peroxide, amount of yeast, apparatus, time.   The reaction will be carried out in a water bath at 20? C. Since water is a good thermal buffer it should be fairly easy to keep the temperature constant.   Volume of hydrogen peroxide solution will be controlled quite easily by using two syringes to measure the water and hydrogen peroxide volumes as dictated by the dilution table below.