The Wadia vs Wadia

10 corporate battles to remember Wadia vs Wadia and Goenka Nusli Wadia (left) has been called a corporate samurai. His battles with Dhirubhai Ambani and Rajan Pillai are legendary. His first corporate brawl was a curious case, given who one of his opponents was: his own father. Neville Wadia had decided, in 1971, to sell Bombay Dyeing Ltd to take-over tycoon R. P. Goenka (right). A young Nusli Wadia refused to accept the deal. He had his back to the wall, yet fought back fiercely by getting the rest of the family, the unions and even J. R. D.Tata to thwart the deal, showing early signs of a rare ability to lobby and win allies in a tough battle. This is one of the few instances when Goenka lost a takeover battle. HP Nanda vs Swraj Paul In the early 1980s, with the tacit support of the then Congress government, Swraj Paul (right), a non-resident Indian, launched an aggressive takeover bid for Escorts Ltd. The latter’s promoter H. P. Nanda (left) put up a fight, but faced a back lash from the government that asked financial institutions with a stake in Escorts to support Paul, and launched a series of tax investigations.Nanda hung on, and in 1984, the courts ruled in his favour. ITC vs BAT In 1996, British American Tobacco Industries Plc (BAT), the single largest shareholder in ITC Ltd, and led by Martin Broughton (right), made a play for control of the Indian company. But ITC, under K. L. Chugh (left), was able to convince the Indian government the fight was between a strong, well-managed and board-run Indian company and a predatory multinational. Government-owned institutions with a stake in ITC helped avert the threat. The Birlas vs Lodha Priyamvada Birla(left), widow of M.P. Birla, died childless in July 2004, leaving all her assets, valued at Rs3,000-5,000 crore, to Rajendra Singh Lodha (right), the MP Birla group’s auditor. When the Birla family came to know about her will, they opposed it, saying she could not have left her assets to an outsid er. The Birlas claimed in court that Priyamvada Birla and her husband had earlier written an irrevocable â€Å"mutual will† in which they said all their assets would go to charity. Various cases are being fought between the Birlas and Harsh Vardhan Lodha, R.S. Lodha’s son, who is now MP Birla group chairman. R. S. Lodha died in October 2008 after a cardiac arrest at B. K. Birla’s flat in London. Harsh Vardhan Lodha has yet not secured probate of Priyamvada Birla’s will, but heads the group with the support of directors of holding companies that own controlling stakes in MP Birla group firms. Nusli Wadia vs Dhirubhai Ambani PTA and DMT are innocuous abbreviations for two chemicals used to produce polyester. Together they reacted to create a national explosion in the 1980s.Reliance Industries Ltd run by Dhirubhai Ambani (right) and Bombay Dyeing Ltd led by Nusli Wadia (left) were stiff competitors in the polyester market, with the former using PTA and the l atter DMT as the main input. Those were the days when the government had a say in technology choices, so what ensued was a bitter lobbying war that eventually led to a political crisis for the Rajiv Gandhi government in New Delhi and a murder investigation in Mumbai. Vijay Mallya vs Manu Chhabria Photo: India Today Vijay Mallya’s corporate spat with the late NRI raider Manu Chhabria (right) was an epic one, lasting nearly 20 years.It all began in 1984, when a then unknown Chhabria made a hostile bid for liquor major Shaw Wallace and Co. (SWC). Mallya (left) claimed the bid was actually made jointly by an offshore firm in which he was a partner, while Chhabria disputed that and eventually gained ownership of SWC. A legal battle raged for years in Hong Kong, during which Mallya also partnered Chhabria’s estranged brother, Kishore, and kept up the pressure for getting what he believed rightly belonged to him.It wasn’t until March 2005 that the battle came to an end with Mallya finally acquiring a controlling interest in SWC from the Chhabria family, three years after Manu Chhabria died at 56. Ratan Tata vs The Tata satraps In 1991, Ratan Tata (left) inherited a business group that was run by a confederation of ageing satraps under the benign control of J. R. D. Tata. The Tata scion wanted tighter control over the companies in the sprawling empire, and that led to a showdown with the likes of Russi Mody (right), Darbari Seth and Ajit Kerkar, all men of considerable achievement but resistant to change.The younger Tata did not have a very successful track record till then but he eventually took control and transformed the Tata group, making it the ambitiously global and relentlessly innovative group that it is today. Wadia vs Rajan Pillai Photo: India Today Nusli Wadia’s battle to acquire Britannia Industries Ltd made the headlines in the late 1980s, when he first tried to buy biscuit maker Britannia, then owned by US giant RJR Nabisco In c. Wadia (left) first met the Nabisco brass through a friend, NRI cashew trader K.Rajan Pillai (right), in the late 1980s. But Nabisco changed its mind about selling to Wadia and appointed Pillai chairman of Britannia. This turned the two one-time friends into foes. Soon Pillai acquired Britannia and partnered with French food company, Danone SA. Then the French company fell out with Pillai, accusing him of fraud, and instead tied up with Wadia. After a bitter boardroom battle, Pillai was ousted and Wadia eventually took over Britannia in the early 1990s. Pillai later died in custody in an Indian jail.L&T vs RIL In the late 1980s, Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T) chairman N. M. Desai, discovering that Manu Chhabria (right) had acquired a stake in the firm, presumably to launch a hostile bid, got Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) Dhiru-bhai Ambani (left) to buy a larger stake and come in as a white knight. Ambani had designs of his own and became chairman with the support of the Cong ress government that asked financial institutions with stakes in L&T to back him. RIL’s plan was thwarted when the Congress lost power in 1989.RIL sold its stake in the early 2000s to the Aditya Birla group, triggering another takeover battle that ended with L&T selling its cement business to the group. Bajaj vs Bajaj In 2001, Kushagra Bajaj convinced his father Shishir Bajaj (left) to ask the Bajaj clan to transfer to them the two companies they managed, a sugar producer and a consumer products maker. The Bajajs, Shishir’s brother Rahul (right) as well as cousins Madhur, Shekhar and Niraj, initially demurred. They eventually agreed, but not before dirty linen had been washed in public.

International Trade

International Trade Trade Most economists believe in free trade – the movement of goods between countries in the absence of harsh restrictions placed upon this exchange. The comparative cost principle is that countries should produce whatever they can make the most cheaply. Countries will raise their living standards and income if they specialize in the production of the goods and services in which they have the highest relative productivity: the amount of output produced per unit of an input (e. g. raw material, labor). Specialization is a situation that occurs when individuals or businesses produce a narrow range of products. Countries can have an absolute advantage – so that they are the cheapest in the world, or a comparative advantage – so that they are only more efficient than some other countries in producing certain goods or services. This can be because they have raw materials, a particular climate, qualified labor (skilled workers), and economies of scale – reduced production costs because of large-scale production. Balance of payments Imports are goods or services bought from a foreign country. Exports are goods or services sold to a foreign country. A country that exports more goods than it imports has a positive balance of trade or a trade surplus. The opposite is a negative balance of trade or a trade deficit. Trade in goods is sometimes called visible trade (AmE: merchandise trade). Services such as banking, insurance and tourism are sometimes called invisible imports and exports. Adding invisibles to the balance of trade gives a country's balance of payments. Protectionism Government, unlike most economists, often wants to protect various areas of the economy. These include agriculture – so that the country is certain to have food – and other strategic industries that would be necessary if there was a war and international trade became impossible. Governments also want to protect other industries that provide a lot of jobs. Many governments impose tariffs or import taxes on goods from abroad, to make them more xpensive and to encourage people to buy local products instead. However, there are an increasing number of free trade areas, without any import tariffs, in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas and blocs such as: †¢The EEA: European Economic Area containing the European Union plus some other countries. †¢NAFTA: North America Free Trade Area: Canada, US and Mexico. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tries to encourage free trade a nd reduce protectionism: restricting imports in order to help local products. According to the WTO agreement, countries have to offer the same conditions to all trading partners. The only way a country is allowed to try to restrict imports is by imposing tariffs. Countries should not use import quotas – limits to the number of products which can be imported – or other restrictive measures. Various international agreement also forbid dumping – selling goods abroad at below cost price in order to destroy or weaken competitors or to earn foreign currency to pay for necessary imports. Globalizing trends The supporters of globalization, the way that the world's economy increasingly functions as one unit, say that it will continue to cause growth and prosperity to spread thanks to: †¢Free movement of capital: money for investment can be easily moved around the world †¢Trade liberalization: obstacles to international trade are gradually being removed. †¢Shipping costs that are ever-declining thanks to the efficiency of containerization. †¢Telecommunications and computing costs that have fallen dramatically. Fair trade The Fairtrade Foundation makes sure that producers and growers are paid a fair price, not just the market price, which can be catastrophically low. For example, prices can fall dramatically when there is overproduction around the world causing a glut in a particular commodity. Economic Crisis Economic crisis is marked by overpowering alarm, in financial or commercial circles, leading to a sudden and drastic restriction of credit and great shrinkage in commodity and property prices. A financial panic usually precipitates a wave of business failures and followed by a period of depression. International Trade International Trade Trade Most economists believe in free trade – the movement of goods between countries in the absence of harsh restrictions placed upon this exchange. The comparative cost principle is that countries should produce whatever they can make the most cheaply. Countries will raise their living standards and income if they specialize in the production of the goods and services in which they have the highest relative productivity: the amount of output produced per unit of an input (e. g. raw material, labor). Specialization is a situation that occurs when individuals or businesses produce a narrow range of products. Countries can have an absolute advantage – so that they are the cheapest in the world, or a comparative advantage – so that they are only more efficient than some other countries in producing certain goods or services. This can be because they have raw materials, a particular climate, qualified labor (skilled workers), and economies of scale – reduced production costs because of large-scale production. Balance of payments Imports are goods or services bought from a foreign country. Exports are goods or services sold to a foreign country. A country that exports more goods than it imports has a positive balance of trade or a trade surplus. The opposite is a negative balance of trade or a trade deficit. Trade in goods is sometimes called visible trade (AmE: merchandise trade). Services such as banking, insurance and tourism are sometimes called invisible imports and exports. Adding invisibles to the balance of trade gives a country's balance of payments. Protectionism Government, unlike most economists, often wants to protect various areas of the economy. These include agriculture – so that the country is certain to have food – and other strategic industries that would be necessary if there was a war and international trade became impossible. Governments also want to protect other industries that provide a lot of jobs. Many governments impose tariffs or import taxes on goods from abroad, to make them more xpensive and to encourage people to buy local products instead. However, there are an increasing number of free trade areas, without any import tariffs, in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas and blocs such as: †¢The EEA: European Economic Area containing the European Union plus some other countries. †¢NAFTA: North America Free Trade Area: Canada, US and Mexico. The World Trade Organization (WTO) tries to encourage free trade a nd reduce protectionism: restricting imports in order to help local products. According to the WTO agreement, countries have to offer the same conditions to all trading partners. The only way a country is allowed to try to restrict imports is by imposing tariffs. Countries should not use import quotas – limits to the number of products which can be imported – or other restrictive measures. Various international agreement also forbid dumping – selling goods abroad at below cost price in order to destroy or weaken competitors or to earn foreign currency to pay for necessary imports. Globalizing trends The supporters of globalization, the way that the world's economy increasingly functions as one unit, say that it will continue to cause growth and prosperity to spread thanks to: †¢Free movement of capital: money for investment can be easily moved around the world †¢Trade liberalization: obstacles to international trade are gradually being removed. †¢Shipping costs that are ever-declining thanks to the efficiency of containerization. †¢Telecommunications and computing costs that have fallen dramatically. Fair trade The Fairtrade Foundation makes sure that producers and growers are paid a fair price, not just the market price, which can be catastrophically low. For example, prices can fall dramatically when there is overproduction around the world causing a glut in a particular commodity. Economic Crisis Economic crisis is marked by overpowering alarm, in financial or commercial circles, leading to a sudden and drastic restriction of credit and great shrinkage in commodity and property prices. A financial panic usually precipitates a wave of business failures and followed by a period of depression.

Reputation: Advantage or Disadvantage Essay

Reputation can make or break an individual. It determines how people view one another and it also decides how people treat and react to each other. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the monster, Victor Frankenstein and Elizabeth Lavenza face struggles with their reputation and how it defines them. Also, in Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago, Othello and Desdemona are presented with similar struggles to the ones the characters in Frankenstein face. The presentation of reputation in both works allows the readers to understand how the characters interpret each other, how reputation can cause an inner struggle within a character and how reputation can cause a characters ultimate downfall. Reputation plays a large role in how the characters interpret each other. In these particular works, reputation gives a false understanding of two specific characters. In Frankenstein, the monster is completely misunderstood by the people around him. His grotesque appearance gives him a violent reputation, which even the monster himself recognizes. The monster says, â€Å"I was, besides, endued with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome; I was not even of the same nature as man† (Shelley, 119). Although the monster does display acts of violence during the duration of the novel, killing William Frankenstein for example, it is because he was thrown into a world with no one similar to him. He doesn’t understand how to act, and also he doesn’t seem to understand the concept of right and wrong. The monster just hopes for understanding, love and attention from anyone, but especially from his creator. When the monster says, â€Å"Cursed, cursed creator? Why did I live? Why in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of life which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not† (Shelley, 137), it becomes visible to the audience that the monster is aware the he is unnatural and it displays his confusion towards his own creation. A being with a truly evil nature would and could not wonder why they were created. Additionally, if he was indeed evil, he would not be pitying himself or feelings remorse about anything. Another character that is misunderstood because of his reputation is Iago. In this case, Iagos false reputation is what causes him to be so successful in his mission to take down Othello. Othello repeatedly refers to Iago as, â€Å"most honest† (2. 3. 6), which the audience knows to be incorrect. Othellos belief in Iagos so called honest nature and their friendship is what leads Othello to be blinded by the tricks Iago is playing. Iagos true nature is pure evil. He is constantly referred to as Devil Incarnate because he is conniving, vindictive, and he is able to commit terrible acts without feeling remorse. Iagos deception ignited Othellos doubts in Cassio and Desdemona. In addition, he has directly caused Roderigos death and he is indirectly the cause of Desdemonas death. At the start of the play, Iago says, â€Å"Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty / But seeming so for peculiar end† (1. 1. 60-61). He’s saying that he does everything for himself, not for Othello and that his actions are not to be mistaken for love and respect of duty. Othello is supposedly his best friend, yet Iago goes against him anyways. Emilia, Iagos wife, is stabbed by her own husband because she knows the truth about his tricks and he cannot risk the truth getting out. When it comes to power, Iago will stop at nothing to attain it. Along with interpretation, reputation can also have an enormous contrast with a characters personality. Through the use of his reputation, the readers see Victor Frankenstein change immensely. Victor holds a reputation of being a kind man with an overwhelming intelligence. He says, â€Å"curiosity, earnest research to learn rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember† (Shelley, 25). He’s always had a passion to learn and this is where the theme of danger of knowledge can come into play. Victor begins to struggle with his behaviour in comparison to his reputation. He tries to play God by putting together body parts from different users and it fails miserably for him. When Victor sees the monster he has created, he says, â€Å"the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart† (Shelley, 49). Only when he sees the monster does Victor realize the error of his ways. He believes that by pretending that the monster was never created, that he will essentially go away, but that is not the case. The monster begins to wreak havoc in an attempt to get the attention he craves from his creator. The creation and the acts of rebellion from the monster cause Victor to become ill and that’s how Robert Walton finds him in The Arctic, which the readers learn in the letters Walton sends to his sister, Margaret. Victor faces an internal battle between his actions, his conscience, and his reputation, which causes his illness and his death at the end of the book. Othello also faces the struggle with his reputation. Othello is introduced as a confident, well spoken, and well respected character. Every other character in the play, even Iago can agree that Othello is, â€Å"of a free and open nature† (1. 3. 390). Iago is commenting on Othellos personality and he’s basically saying that Othello is very straightforward. Othello is appointed Governor of Cyprus and is responsible for keeping up with the expectation everyone has of him. The first signs of his inner struggle are seen when he begins to believe what Iago is telling him. Othello orders Iago to gather more information about Cassio and Desdemona. Othello begins changing the moment Iago mentions a possible relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. Othello is skeptical at first, but becomes convinced when Iago tells him that Cassio has Desdemonas handkerchief, which was Othellos first gift to her. He then begins to become more observant of what Desdemona does, and eventually, he starts to plan Cassio and Desdemonas demise. Othello ends up killing Desdemona and that’s when Lodivico and Gratiano compare him to his reputation. Lodivico says, â€Å"O, thou Othello, that wert once so good† (5. 2. 288). This testimonial from Lodivico shows the readers that Othello has completely changed and lost against his struggle. His reputation and his personality are now polar opposites. Othello has lost the respect of his peers and his position as Governor of Cyprus. Lastly, in both works, reputation is responsible for causing two characters downfalls. Elizabeth Lavenza is the type of stereotypical woman that is kind and would do anything for her husband. Elizabeth has always been considered to be beautiful and her beauty can be seen as an advantage and a disadvantage for her. The Frankenstein family picked Elizabeth out of many children at the adoption agency because of her image and her image has also gotten her into a relationship, and soon to be marriage with Victor. Even though her beauty has helped her, Elizabeth has been nothing more than just, â€Å"a pretty present for Victor† (Shelley, 24). Elizabeth is the type of wife that supports everything her husband does and she would never go against him. Towards the ending of the book, the monster kills Elizabeth on the night of her marriage to Victor. The monster does this as a form of punishment for Victor, since he destroyed the female monster. The monsters gives Victor a warning by saying, â€Å"I shall be with you on your wedding night† (Shelley, 173), and Victor misunderstands the warning. He believes that the monster is coming after him and because of that, he leaves Elizabeth unattended and vulnerable to the monster. Elizabeth and Victor knew each other since childhood, and not once did Elizabeth over step the boundary of getting into Victors personal business. Elizabeth died because of the man she would do anything for. She died because she fits the reputation of a blinded woman in a relationship. Desdemona is also a woman who is seen as a personal possession. At first she belonged to her father, Brabantio, and the readers see an example of this when Iago and Roderigo tell Brabantio that he’s been robbed of something, which is his daughter. After Othello marries Desdemona, she is considered his. Although Othello treats Desdemona with love and respect, her reputation is still a wife that is considered an object, and a wife that would never go against her husband. Desdemona obeys every command she is given. An example of this is Othello telling Desdemona to go to her bed chamber and send away Emilia, and after Desdemona does what he says, she tells Emilia that, â€Å"It was his bidding; therefore good Emilia/ Give me my nightly wearing and adieu/ We must not displease him† (4. 3. 15-17). This specific example is about something as minor as sleep, but Othello also commands her about more serious things. Although Desdemona is the same as her reputation for majority of the play, there is one time where she isn’t. She asks Othello to give Cassio another chance even when Othello tells her that he doesn’t wish to speak with Cassio. This one difference from her reputation is the start of her downfall. Othello becomes sure of the love affair between Desdemona and Cassio and he begins to plot her death and then eventually murder her by suffocation. Even in death Desdemona stays true to her reputation. When Emilia asks Desdemona who is responsible for her murder, she says, â€Å"nobody; I myself† (5. 2. 125). Othello just committed the ultimate betrayal by causing her passing and she still defends him. Desdemona attempts to protect Othellos reputation by clinging to her own. In both works studied, reputation can be used to a characters advantage or disadvantage. Iago benefits from his reputation, while the monster gets pushed into isolation and more violence. The contrast between Othello at the end of the play and his original reputation cause his struggle, while Victor’s actions cause his illness. Additionally, both Elizabeth and Desdemona die because of the reputation that is put onto them. Although sometimes reputations can be viewed as a good thing, more often than not, they bring more trouble than good.

Management Practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Management Practices - Essay Example The general manager’s position was left under Gary’s son, Gary Jr. Currently; the management of the company is under four directors in charge of Operation Management, Sales and Marketing, IT and Procurement, and Human Resource Management. Although the personnel are qualified, there are a number of problems in their respective departments that needs to be addressed. Handling the customers have become quit a problem because some of them demand more services than can be offered e.g. Quick & Tasty Food Chain. This has made the company to use logistic companies to carry out distribution of the products. A logistic company by the name of FeshDist has become very problematic because it is not consistent in the collection of products. This leads to accumulation of product in the warehouse (Thomas, 2007). Tom has been away for quite some time due to sickness and, this has resulted to failure in his department. The staffs are conflicting over small issues with excuses of Tom†™s absences. They have led to complains in the warehouse where Bryan notices that different products are made in one shift. There is also a problem when a new brand is launched. It leads to confusions and complexity in the production schedules because the general manager gives it the first priority. This has led to narrowing of profit margins causing a great risk to the future of the company as noticed by the marketing director. The technology and the IT in the company are not modern and, these have resulted to wastage of electricity and also slow operations of the production process. Ivan in charge of the technology complains that the ovens are left on leading to wastage of energy. He also complains that, if the ovens are put off, they take a lot of time to heat again. Many of the departments in the company use manual methods of maintaining records and information. Bryan uses spreadsheet to record stocks while the sales and marketing department has to prepare records and then tak e them to other offices instead of using the modern information technology. INTRODUCTION Achiffa Organization is a company that manufactures potato based frozen food products. It was started by a man by the name Gary Achiffa Sr. who was growing potatoes in Idahi Falls. He later stopped growing potatoes after sensing the growth of fast food sector in US and stated processing the potatoes into French fries. Today, the company has grown and, it produces a variety of potato products which are then distributed in many cities. Although there is a significant growth in the organization, there are a number of things in terms of technology and operation management that needs to be changed in order to realize tremendous growth. The major products manufactured by the company are hash browns, wedges, waffles and French fries. If the company adapts the new technology, it will be in a position to make other products e.g. potato flakes, potato granules, potato powder among many more potato product s (Moffatt and Hanley, 2001). The founder of the company stopped farming immediately he realized that the sale of the products could do well. When Gary opened the company, he decided to delegate the management duties to his friend’s son, Tom Granham. The founder of the company retired in the late 1990s leaving the management to his descendants. The company is still under the management of his children. Gary Jr. who is the current managing director

Ecological Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ecological Economics - Essay Example Hanley et al. (1996) argues that it is only when people satisfy their financial needs that they remember the non-renewable characteristic of natural resources. The problem in the Niger Delta escalates as a result of humans focusing on the economic gains derived from exploitation of the oil reserves, disregarding the consequences on environment. The petro-business is a significant source of government revenue. Oil extraction largely affects the environment through oil spills from the high pressure pipelines that cross through the villages. The inhabitants of these villages are aware of the dangers posed to their health by the oil spills and also know that the companies involved reap huge benefits from the oil business (Ibeanu, 2000). They are aggrieved by the fact that they do not get a share of what they believe are their own resources. Environmental pollution and injuries on the community members result from the activities of the petroleum companies, which emphasize on their right t o extract the resources without disturbance especially considering the industry’s contribution to government revenue. People use natural resources the way they do because of varied reasons especially if the goods serve the interests of more than one group. Unless there are rules to curtail the overuse of the resources, there is usually a high risk of depletion (Acheson et al. 2006). The owners of the oil companies believe that they have a right to extract oil because they contribute a great deal to the economy.

Talent Practices at the Home Depot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Talent Practices at the Home Depot - Essay Example Therefore the only manner in which the company can truly differentiate itself is through its service standards. Employees are key to offering customers with the highest levels of service. Home Depot is aware of this fact and therefore uses its employees to gain competitive advantage over its rivals in all the different countries that it operates in. In order to gain competitive advantage through its employees, the company communicates the strategic importance of them to the company (Burke & Cooper, 2004). The performance levels that are expected of them are constantly communicated to them and they are provided with ongoing training to help them to update their knowledge and upgrade their skills, based on the area of the business the work in, whether it is on the shop floor or the office (Adamson, 2006). However since the company has to differentiate itself from its rivals in a highly competitive market, the company pays special attention to employees on the shop floor, who are the first line of contract with the customers and hence the most able to make a difference. Since this is the 'do it yourself' industry, the best employees are those who can help customers in their 'do it yourself' projects. ... refore when recruiting individuals to work on the floor in the retail outlets the company always looks for individuals who have an interest in 'do it yourself' projects (Clarke & Layman, 2004). The company gives priority to individuals who have specialist trades knowledge in areas such as plumbing, wood work, crafts, painting etc. Further individuals who are home owners themselves and have embarked on many different 'do it yourself' projects at home and have the necessary experience to help a customer are given priority. This is not to say that the company does not employ teenagers, high school and college kids. The company does recruit many such individuals but does so only if they have some interest in gardening or home maintenance or areas specific to electronics and home appliances. Therefore the company appeals to the above segments through various means such as trade schools for individuals who have specialist knowledge in such areas, these individuals not only work on the shop floor and as independent contractors for Home Depot but they also deliver work shops in areas such as gardening, wiring, tiling, etc. Next the company also uses the Internet through its website and also job sites such as Workopolis to recruit individuals. Another channel used by the store is in-store advertising for associates during high seasons, and walk in interviews. Discuss the critical programs used by Home Depot to keep talent in their pipeline. The company works with many different trade and vocational schools and builds relationships with these schools to gain access to their graduates, thus having a pipeline of qualified candidates to work for the company as independent contractors. Likewise all individuals who apply for positions within the company but are not successful at

Critical evaluation of the mechanisms by which the line-manager Essay

Critical evaluation of the mechanisms by which the line-manager encourages employee buy-in ( case study) - Essay Example h, a primary recommendation that could be given to Great Pharmaceuticals is that it seek to actively involve the employees in whatever changes it seeks to make. The underlying rational behind this is that those employees that are involved in creating a change will likely work more effectively to see such a change effectively engaged; as compared to those employees that are merely told to enact a given change (Paco & Nave, 2013). As has been noted throughout the course lectures, the degree of involvement that is exhibited by a firm has a direct correlation to the degree of loyalty that the stakeholders will likely exhibit in the future (De Oliveira et al., 2013). With loyalty maximized, it stands to reason that whatever change is prescribed will likely experience a much stronger chance of overall success as compared to an alternative strategy being utilized (Christ et al., 2012). Many firms contract other firms to provide high priced assessments of potential means by which efficiency could be maximized; however, the fact of the matter is that many of these prescriptions for change are oftentimes available free of charge at the base organizational level. As such, Great Pharmaceuticals should be aware of the fact that they have an invaluable resource of subject matter expertise at their disposal in the rank and file of their own employees. By engaging these assets and encouraging them to relate their own ideas, the firm could easily come up with new and insightful means by which leadership could craft a path ahead (Kupka et al., 2009). Once again, this works hand in glove with the recommendation for involvement. By leveraging these resources and encouraging the stakeholders to provide a level of intellectual engagement, the degree and extent to which these employees will be likely to support the future direction of the firm will be increased. Moreover, even if the course of action is not agreed upon by all, these stakeholders will come to appreciate the fact

Environmental Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Environmental Management - Essay Example Effects of floods may be limited to either a small area or a wide area. United Kingdom is one of those countries that are greatly affected by flood over the last 3-4 years. In 2007 the country saw one of the most devastating floods in its history. This report includes the major causes of floods. Furthermore the significant risks and immediate impacts that are caused by the floods are also included in this report. Moreover the report identifies various agencies and their role in the massive flood that took place in 2007 in Sheffield. An effective environmental management system should be in place to deal with situations like flood. In this report the effectiveness of such a system is evaluated. Lastly the report contains a conclusion that includes the summery and major findings of the research. There are several contributory factors that cause flood. A particular incident of flood can be seen as a result of either one contributing factor or multiple contributing factors. Floods can be divided in two separate categories namely river flood and coastal flood. There are three different hazards that cause these two types of floods. These are atmospheric hazard, technologic hazard and tectonic hazard. Each of these hazards are actually result of several other contributing factors like rainfall, ice jam, snow melt, landslides, dam failures, tsunamis and storm surges. These factors can be considered as the major contributory factors that lead to floods. A clear picture can be obtained from the following figure. Atmospheric hazards like rainfall, landsides and ice jam are the main causes of river floods. Among them rainfall is perhaps the most important as well as most common cause. Excessive rainfalls that vary from random convectional storms to semi-predictable seasonal rains can cause flash floods as well as annual floods in the tropical regions. The areal coverage and duration of the rainfall is dependent on the precipitation. In the words of Keith Richards

Arthur Kinoy, People's Lawyer Did he Succeed in Combining Law & Essay

Arthur Kinoy, People's Lawyer Did he Succeed in Combining Law & Conscience - Essay Example And he was quite active in behalf f the Southern civil-rights movement f the 1960s. Together with partners William and Michael Kunstler, he helped form what they called the "people's KKK." In fact, his book Rights on Trial, a memoir f his exciting and turbulent career, is subtitled The Odyssey f a People's Lawyer. Kinoy argued before the Supreme Court six times, winning five f those appeals. The case he considered most significant was United States v. United States District Court, in which the Nixon Administration tried to defend Justice Department wiretapping f antiwar protesters without a warrant, on the grounds that the President had the "inherent power" to ignore individual constitutional rights if he thought national security was at stake. Kinoy helped establish the now-extinct Citizen's Party, and ran on its ticket for a New Jersey State Senate seat in 1981. He didn't come close to winning, but says the campaign was a successful organizing tool. Kinoy believed people's movements had made a lethal tactical error by not talking about "the conspiracy f the power elite" to eviscerate the Constitution. Whether in the courtroom or in a debate, Kinoy was a feisty and brilliant thinker who was as relentless as he was ingenious. Most f his autobiography makes it appear that he went through his life as lawyer never pretending to e objective, never less than totally convinced about the justness f the causes he represented and the innocence f his clients. That posture, however, gives rise to some other questions. Most f Kinoy's important cases - Dennis v. United States, the White Panthers case, the Julian and Anna Rosenberg case, the Adam Clayton Powell case, the Chicago Seven case - involved some f the most significant political events f this country's 20th century history. The causes represented some f the most serious rifts in the democracy f the United States. Given Kinoy's frank admission that he was not detached from the causes in which he was involved, one might wonder how good the lawyering is when the lawyer and the client are equally passionate about the political cause that gives rise to the case. How clearly can a passionately involved lawyer describe the workings f the judicial system when the judges and opposing layers are by definition part f a conspiracy against justice and truth Kinoy indeed dealt with some troublesome players - Roy Cohn f the McCarthy era, Judge Julius Hoffman in the Chicago Seven case and Judge Harold Medina in the Dennis case - but he also presented many cases to the Supreme Court and to other tribunals, and even he finds it hard to write off all his judges and opponents as enemies in the class struggle. So the book wavers between condemnation f a legal system that is a stocked deck and an enthusiasm for the judicial process that ultimately led to the vindication f Kinoy's clients (and position) in the Chicago Seven case f in the Adam Clayton Powell case. There is apparently no such wavering about the lawyering that stems from deep commitment to the "cause". It is passing strange that with all those high intensity cases, not once does Kinoy reflect on the legal tactics his side used. Perhaps that is asking too much,

Leadership and People Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leadership and People Management - Assignment Example His action of consulting each member of the team is very crucial to mention. Every aspects of business operation such as financial, sales, human relations and maintenance operations are considered towards formulating a solution. This leads each involved to participate and form part in the decision making. In financial concerns, he was able to think of the cost and consult for figures that can contribute greatly to the existing alternatives on hand. In sales and human relations, he was able to consider the side of customers and employees respectively. His action leads to a group discussion about the issue that gave everyone a chance to voice their comments and suggestion as far as their responsibility is concerned. The consensus of each member results to output that can be consider and use in the decision making process. This will further combine their opinions and mindset in order to come up with a common decision for all. On the other hand, the ineffective actions of Bud will include of his coming late in the set meeting. Though a reason is provided for his action, a misinterpretation in line with the urgency and value of meeting is possible. He is able to create a discussion among members but no define goals is set for each responsibility. Organization of tasks in order to create a common decision is missing. The opinions, suggestions and comments from the group do not reflect goal setting towards achieving the task. His degree of initiating structure is inadequate, with regards to organizing and delegating responsibility to team members. The establishment of procedures, work timetable, and expected output from members is not evident. The degree of consideration on the other hand is given more emphasis by Mr. Bud. The environment became very warmth and full of support that lead each member to eye the effect on their own area of responsibility only. The focus towards the real issue receives little attention against other concerns that Bud and other member finds more interest, the office party and lunch meeting for instance. The idea of Bud of reaching a decision at a later time and seeking a consultant for the said issue is a result of poor focus on the task to be accomplished. The enthusiasm he shows is not sufficient to lead his members to formulate and come up with a right decision. There is no eagerness on his side to accomplish what is viable even when the time seems to be early. In order for the meeting to be successful, various points should be concerned about and done. Foremost is the setting of the meeting environment and work ethic, Bud should give the meeting schedule of high importance that a crucial decision needs to take place, and that his punctuality should be observed on the set schedule. In this connection, the rest of the team will be aware of the significance of the situation and this will entice goal setting and increase drive to accomplish them. As far as every aspect of the operation is concern, every detail should be considered in the process of decision making. In terms of financial issue, Bud should foresight every figure that will count. The decision to be developed should have that capability to deal with possible implications in the future and the cost benefit analysis should be given emphasis. Customers being regarded as the

Learning Technology Essay Example for Free

Learning Technology Essay Due to their nature, a lot of possibilities are opened up in virtual worlds that are not present in the real world. These can make it highly conducive to learning new things. For instance, students that are separated by geography can share a class. A virtual environment ensures that procedures or demonstrations normally limited by scope or expense can be repeated, observed and redone as often as necessary. The very idea that is entertainment, and not just another â€Å"day in class† provides a stimulus to education that real schools often lack. The greater opportunity for collaboration, relative safety and convenience provided by online gaming certainly makes it a solid platform capable of delivering the lessons of the future. Cons of Using Second Life as a Learning Technology Some aspects of learning can never be completely replaced however. While Second Life may offer a greatly enhanced experience and rapid transfer of information, it is still nothing like face-to-face interaction. A wholly automated method of teaching is still prone to disruption and malicious griefing, especially in an online game like Second Life. And virtual objects will never be a substitute for tangible things, making it difficult for educational applications that require hands-on training. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons, and many institutes of higher learning are already aware of this fact. Utilizing Second Life as a Educational Tool for the Real World Learning a new language is an effort that can be greatly enhanced by interaction with elements that are connected to the culture in some way. There a quite a few themed regions in Second Life that are almost perfect replicas of their real-world counterparts, complete with native speakers to boot. Virtual tourism is the perfect way to learn and remember commonly-used phrases before the real trip. References Kock, N. , Verville, J. , Garza, V. (2007). Media naturalness and online learning: Findings supporting both the significant- and nosignificant-difference perspectives. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 5(2), 333-356.

Describe the possible signs Essay Example for Free

Describe the possible signs Essay Bullying is not defined as a form of abuse in Working Together but there is clear evidence that it is abusive and will include at least one, if not two, three or all four, of the defined categories of abuse. Recognising child abuse is not easy. It is not our responsibility to decide whether or not child abuse has taken place or if a child is at significant risk of harm from someone. We do however, have both a responsibility and duty, as set out in your organisation’s child protection procedures, to act in order that the appropriate agencies can investigate and take any necessary action to protect a child. Physical abuse Physical abuse is deliberately causing physical harm to a child. This might involve punching; kicking, biting, burning, scalding, shaking, throwing or beating with objects such as belts, whips, or sticks. It also includes poisoning, giving a child alcohol or illegal drugs, drowning or suffocation. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of illness in a child. Signs of Physical Abuse There are certain signs that need to be acknowledged when suspicion arises that physical abuse is occurring: Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given to staff. Injuries which occur to any part of the body but usually in places which are not normally exposed to falls or rough games Injuries which have not received medical attention Reluctance to change in the heat, or to change/participate in activities such as, PE or swimming Bruises (usually in clusters), human bites, cigarette burns and fractures, for example, which do not have an accidental explanation multiple burns with a clearly demarcated edge Fear of parents being approached for an explanation Flinching when approached or touched Aggressive behaviour and/or sudden anger outbursts Depression Running away from home Possible effects of physical abuse Physical abuse can lead directly to neurological damage, physical injuries, disability and in extreme cases death. Physical abuse has been linked to aggressive behavior in children, emotional and behavioral problems and learning difficulties. Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is where repeated verbal threats, criticism, shouting, lack of love and affection causes a severe adverse effect on a childs emotional development. It consists of communicating to children that they are worthless, unloved, and inadequate or valued. Emotional abuse may include not giving a child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or making fun of what they say. It may feature inappropriate expectations being imposed on a child, over protection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child from taking part in normal social interaction. Signs of possible emotional abuse †¢ Depression, aggression, extreme anxiety, changes or regression in mood or behavior, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes clingy †¢ Obsessions or phobias †¢ Sudden underachievement or lack of concentration †¢ Seeking adult attention and not mixing well with other children †¢ Sleep or speech disorders †¢ Low self-esteem †¢ Fear of parents/carer being approached regarding their behavior †¢ Fear of making mistakes Possible effects of emotional abuse This type of abuse can lead to adverse long-term effects on the child’s development. Emotional abuse has a significant impact on a developing childs mental health, behavior and self-esteem. This type of abuse is as important as the other three types, and can be detected as the signs are more visible and can be easily detected. Domestic violence, adult mental health problems and parental substance misuse may be features in families where children are exposed to such abuse. Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This may involve physical contact including penetrative sex, oral sex, masturbation, kissing, rubbing, or touching outside of clothing, or it may involve non-contact activities such as involving children in watching sexual activities, producing or looking at sexual images, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Abusers can be men, women or other children. Between 21% and 36% of sexually abused children will display few or no symptoms but it is usually a child’s behavior which becomes a cause for concern. Children who tell of sexual abuse do so because they want it to stop therefore is extremely important to listen to a child that discloses such an allegation. Signs of possible sexual abuse †¢ Any allegations made by a child concerning sexual abuse †¢ self-harming, sometimes leading to suicide attempts †¢ Sexual activity through words, play or drawing †¢ Repeated urinary infections, itching or bleeding around genital area and/or unexplained stomach pains †¢ The child is sexually provocative or seductive with adults †¢ Saying they have a secrets that they cannot share with anyone †¢ Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams or nightmares which sometimes have overt or veiled sexual connotations or bedwetting †¢ Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia Possible effects of sexual abuse Behavior such as self-harm, inappropriate sexual behavior, sadness, depression and loss of self-esteem has all been linked to sexual abuse. The effects of sexual abuse can affect the individual into their adult life. The extent or the severity of each case is determined by the time span of abuse, the more serious the abuse, the younger the child is and the relationship of the child to the abuser. Once sexual abuse has been identified the support of an adult who believes the child helps, starts to help the child understand the abuse and can therefore offer help and protection to the abused child. Neglect Neglect has been described as the â€Å"most serious type of child maltreatment and the least understood† (Crittenden 1999: 67). It is the most common reason for a child to be placed on the child protection register in the UK. Neglect is the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and or psychological needs, which is likely to affect the child’s health or development. Neglect is when a parent or carer fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment), medical care, or protection from physical and emotional harm or danger. Additionally failure to ensure access to education or to look after a child because the carer is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is considered as Neglect. Signs of possible neglect †¢ Dirty skin, body smells, unwashed, uncombed hair and untreated lice †¢ Clothing that is dirty, too big or small, or inappropriate for weather conditions †¢ frequently left unsupervised or alone †¢ Frequent diarrhoea †¢ complaints of being tired all the time †¢ Untreated illnesses, infected cuts or physical complaints which the carer doesn’t respond to †¢ frequently hungry sometimes stealing other children’s food †¢ Being underweight Possible effects of neglect Neglect can seriously impair a childs health, physical and intellectual growth and development, and can cause long term difficulties with social functioning, relationships and educational progress. Extreme cases of neglect can cause death. Bullying Bullying is also recognized as a type of abuse. Bullying is always distressing for the victim and can have serious consequences. Bullying should always be taken seriously. Emotional bullying is the most commonly reported by children and young people and is often more difficult to spot. Bullying can take place both inside and outside of the school. Bullying happens when an individual or a group show hostility towards an individual and this can be: †¢ Emotional, such as name-calling, not talking to someone, taking or hiding personal items, humiliating, spreading rumors or teasing †¢ Physical, such as pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching or threatening to use physical force †¢ Racist, such as racial taunts or gestures †¢ Sexual, such as inappropriate physical contact, sexual comments and innuendo, or homophobic taunts. Signs of possible bullying Loss of personal possessions, dinner money or items of clothing Torn clothing, maybe even having cuts and bruises (if physically bullied) Shyness, withdrawn behavior, lack of self-esteem and depression Aggressive, bad tempered behavior and may become aggressive to younger siblings Threaten or attempt suicide Not achieving very well academically Not wanting to leave their home Possible effects of bullying Bullying will most definitely affect a child’s social and emotional development as they have very low self-esteem maybe depression and will probably try to isolate themselves from others which will have a profound effect on their social skills with their peers and pretty much everybody around them, they may become aggressive and bad tempered and may threaten or attempt suicide and in some extreme cases may actually commit suicide. Cyber-bullying In recent years, a new form of bullying known as ‘cyber-bullying’ has become increasingly common. Cyber-bullying may be emotional, racist or sexual forms of abuse. It happens through emails, text messages or telephone calls. Information about someone may also be shared by putting it on to social networking sites. This can include the sharing of private photographs. Children and young people who use this method of bullying often feel disassociated from their actions, but the consequences can be just as serious for the child. This type of bullying can be particularly distressing as children are unable to get away from it, it even invades their home.

Influences Of Mother Tongue On Second Language English Language Essay

Influences Of Mother Tongue On Second Language English Language Essay In many research on second language classroom, the role and influences of mother tongue or first language (L1) on second language (L2) learning has always been a hotly debated issue. There have always been contradicting views about whether or not to use L1 of the students in the second language classroom. During the past 30 years, in the late seventies to early eighties, the idea of using mother tongue in language classroom was not a favored one. Majority of the language classroom used solely L2 while the use of L1 is avoided totally (Liu, 2008). In fact, many supported the use of L2 only so as to provide full exposure to that language. The use of L1 in the language classroom is deemed as depriving the learners input in L2 (Ellis, 1984). Despite the many arguments from both proponents and opponents of the use of L1 in the L2 language classroom, linguistic researchers failed to provide a conclusion for this issue and could not reach a common ground on whether the use of L1 is considered as a facilitator or a barrier in the acquisition of second language. According to Nation (2003), L2 should be fully utilized as much as possible in a foreign language classroom (in this context, English). Though L2 should be the core language used in classroom management and learning, the use of L1 should not be abandoned as it has a minute but significant role in language learning (Nation, 2003). Apart from Nation (2003), there are many linguists and researchers in the field of second language acquisition who agreed that L1 should be utilized in the language classroom in particular with students who are not highly proficient in the target language (Swain Lapkin, 2000; Tang, 2002; Mattioli 2004). This suggests that L1 plays an important role in the language classroom especially for the low proficiency learners. However, not many empirical studies have been conducted to examine the effectiveness of using L1 as a tool for low proficiency learners in L2 classroom (Bouangeune, 2009). Therefore, this paper seeks to find evidence to support the theory that L1 can facilitate the learning of L2 in the classroom learning. Classroom learning for languages encompasses four language skills, for example, reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary learning. As a head start, this paper will examine the use of L1 in L2 vocabulary learning. 1.2 Research Objectives Liu (2008) did a rather straightforward and comprehensive research on the effects of L1 use on L2 vocabulary learning. In his study, he managed to prove that bilingual vocabulary teaching method is actually suitable for Chinese EFL learners (Liu, 2008). Inspired by his research, this study aims to address the problem of low proficiency learners in Malaysian secondary government school. This study will replicate the research done by Liu (2008) to investigate the role of L1 in L2 vocabulary learning. Also, this study intended to identify whether L1 is a facilitator or a barrier to the L2 vocabulary learning in Malaysian context and how L1 facilitates the language learning. The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of L1 use in L2 vocabulary learning on low proficiency L2 learners. 1.3 Research Questions Based on the objective, this study seeks to measure how L1 facilitates the low proficiency L2 learners to understand the meanings of new words. This study aims to answer the following questions: What are the effects of using L1 in L2 vocabulary learning classroom? To what extend does the use of L1 increase the performances of L2 vocabulary learning. From here, we propose the following hypotheses: There are significant differences between the performances of students with different language approach in the vocabulary learning. The bilingual approach (incorporating L1 in L2 classroom learning) is suitable to low proficiency L2 learners. 1.4 Purpose of the Study This study sets to focus on L2 vocabulary learning due to the reason that acquisition of vocabulary has a fundamental role in learning a second language (SÃ ¶kmen, 1997). In other words, vocabulary learning is inter-related to other language skills. A number of studies claimed that L2 learners need to have extensive knowledge of vocabulary as it is useful in the long term run (Nation, 2001). Since the acquisition of vocabulary is so important in learning a second language, effective ways of teaching and learning vocabulary should be emphasized. Research has confirmed that proper application of L1 can effectively assist the memorization of new words during L2 vocabulary learning process. Liu (2008) used the fact that L1 is present in L2 learners mind, therefore, whether the teacher uses L1 or not, the L2 knowledge that is being formed in their mind is linked in all sorts of ways with their L1 knowledge. This observation is supported from the sociocultural theory perspective that L1 meanings continue to have a persistent effect in the L2 learning (Lantolf Thorne, 2006). Therefore, it is hope that through this study, we are able to draw some insights concerning the role of L1 and how L1 provides a familiar and effective way for acquiring and understanding the meaning of new words in L2 vocabulary learning. 1.5 The Theoretical Framework The theoretical framework for this study is based on three prominent second language acquisition theory, namely the Krashens Monitor Model (1985), Swains Output Hypothesis (1985) and Comprehensible Output (1995) and Longs Interaction Hypothesis (1996). It has been widely acknowledged that the three constructs of these theories, the input, interaction and output are closely related elements in L2 learning (Zhang, 2009). The input is vital for language acquisition. However, input alone is not sufficient. In addition, interaction comes into play as an equally important role in the process of learning. As for output, it is the final result or the goal in learning L2. 1.5.1 Krashens Input Hypothesis The Input Hypothesis is the most important hypothesis out of the five hypotheses generated by Krashen (1985) in second language acquisition. This hypothesis aims to explain how learners acquire a second language. It claims that language input (vocabulary) is important to acquisition. For the acquisition of L2 vocabulary, comprehensible input is an essential factor. Learners tend to achieve optimal acquisition when they are able to understand most of the input while being challenged by some new vocabulary (Castro, 2010).

Jane Campions, The Piano :: essays research papers

In the spring of 1993, a film was released to the world that would end up changing the way many people perceived and appreciated films, especially those made internationally. It would be delivered from New Zealand’s most famous female filmmaker. Jane Campion, the director whom was previously known for her films, Peel-an Exercise in Discipline, and Sweetie, would achieve even higher acclaim for her masterpiece to date, The Piano.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Piano portrays the story of a mute, unwed Irish woman in late 1800s New Zealand, arranged into a marriage with a colonial New Zealand settler. The main character, Ada, expresses herself with the keys of her piano. She finds herself falling in love with Baines, one of the natives of her new home, after he persuades her to give him piano lessons in exchange for her beloved musical instrument. Ada is very emotionally distant with her new husband, and as he discovers the romance between her and his intense neighbor, he becomes competitively jealous. In a pit of rage, Ada’s husband severs one of her precious fingers and eventually gives up on the failed marriage. In the end of the film, Ada and her young daughter, Flora, set off from the island with Baines to start a new life, without her once loved piano.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The characters in this film hardly come shy of delivering performances that make for amazing cinema. The actors in The Piano include Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin, and Sam Neill. Holly Hunter’s character, Ada, delivered a fantastic performance on camera. Although many average moviegoers and few critics may discard Hunter’s role as achievement since she didn’t have to memorize any lines, the majority of film critics worldwide certainly disagreed, as Holly Hunter ended up taking home the Palme d’Or and an Academy Award for best actress soon after the films release. Hunter’s films previous to The Piano included films Raising Arizona, and a film by acclaimed Simpson’s producer, James L. Brooks, entitled Broadcast News (Davis 1.) Campion noted that as she was deciding whom to cast as her admirable Ada, that Hunter was not her imaginative image of the character at all: Holly was my image of Ada at all. But, in fact, I was very much saved from myself by Holly. Originally, I had an almost clichà ©d, romantic view of this tall, statuesque, black-haired, black-eyed beauty. In many ways, she wasn’t a very real human being, and when meeting Holly I was not very willing to see her as Ada.

President Bill Clinton :: William Jefferson Clinton Essays

Bill Clinton After being governor of Arkansas for the past ten years of his life, he began to become impatient. Clinton had bigger things on his agenda, and he was eager to get started. Clinton was ready to make his high school dream a reality. Clinton announced his intention to seek the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination. In his campaigns outline, a booklet titled A plan for Americas Future, Clinton boldly declared that the future of the nation is in serious jeopardy and that he has suggestions, answers, and solutions to the problems which we face. Clinton had a plan to jump-start our economy in the short-term and a new long-term strategy to turn our countries economy around and restore the American Dream for all. While Clinton was governor, he was constantly coming up with new ideas, goals, and campaign tactics, just waiting for this moment to put them to use. Clinton didn’t waste a minute to start gaining popularity. Clinton possessed excellent campaigning skills. He had the ability to sharply identify issues in his favor. As most everyone does, Clinton had the tendency to give in to public opinion instead of trying to shape it. Shortly there after, Clinton was inaugurated as President of the United States in January 1993, after defeating George Bush senior. At 46, he was the youngest U.S. president since John F Kennedy was elected. He won the presidency with 43% of the popular vote and an Electoral College landslide. It goes to show that all of Clinton’s hard work and dedication paid off. One of the first things that Clinton was faced was dealing with the economic state of the country. Clinton inherited the largest federal budget deficit ever. He then took that debt and turned it right around. Clinton was able to gain back $230 billion. One of Clinton’s biggest goals while being President was to balance the budget. He worked long and hard at it and he also realized that it was going to be a long-term goal. Clinton realized that in order to get the nation back on track, taxes were going to have to be increased and there would have to be many spending cuts in order to achieve the goal at hand. Another one of Clinton’s top priorities was a new health reform. He was criticized that his proposal would be too expensive. Critics believed that his proposal would lead to government interference in the healthcare system.

Salmonella Typhi (typhoid Fever) :: essays research papers

Salmonella Typhi is a very contagious infection in the intestines that affects the whole body. It is called by a bacteria called Salmonella Typhi that is found in the stools of an infected person. Most people in the United States get typhoid as a result of visiting another country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid is spread when a person eats food or water contaminated by human waste (stool or urine) containing Salmonella Typhi bacteria.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid fever mostly preys upon people from the United States who visit other countries, because in a foreign country food and drink may have been handled by a person who is shedding Salmonella Typhi or if the bacteria gets into the water you use for washing or drinking.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Salmomella Typhi hides in beverages, most commonly milk or water. It also hides in food that is usually a foreign delicacy of some sort that has been contaminated by Salmonella Typhi in some way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid fever usually causes high fever, head ache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, weakness, or inability to think clearly. The symptoms take about two weeks to go away if they don't lead to death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This bacterial pathogen is considered extremely dangerous and is probobly armed. Salmonella   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhi has been on the loose for many years and was cuased a lot of havoc and done a lot of damage over the years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid fever affects 17 million people worldwide every year, with approximately 600,000 deaths.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To protect yourself from typhoid fever, aviod risky food and drinks and get vaccinated aginst typhoid fever, and wash your hands carefully a lot to make sure you have not touched something infected with Salmonella Typhi. Salmonella Typhi (typhoid Fever) :: essays research papers Salmonella Typhi is a very contagious infection in the intestines that affects the whole body. It is called by a bacteria called Salmonella Typhi that is found in the stools of an infected person. Most people in the United States get typhoid as a result of visiting another country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid is spread when a person eats food or water contaminated by human waste (stool or urine) containing Salmonella Typhi bacteria.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid fever mostly preys upon people from the United States who visit other countries, because in a foreign country food and drink may have been handled by a person who is shedding Salmonella Typhi or if the bacteria gets into the water you use for washing or drinking.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Salmomella Typhi hides in beverages, most commonly milk or water. It also hides in food that is usually a foreign delicacy of some sort that has been contaminated by Salmonella Typhi in some way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid fever usually causes high fever, head ache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, weakness, or inability to think clearly. The symptoms take about two weeks to go away if they don't lead to death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This bacterial pathogen is considered extremely dangerous and is probobly armed. Salmonella   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhi has been on the loose for many years and was cuased a lot of havoc and done a lot of damage over the years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Typhoid fever affects 17 million people worldwide every year, with approximately 600,000 deaths.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To protect yourself from typhoid fever, aviod risky food and drinks and get vaccinated aginst typhoid fever, and wash your hands carefully a lot to make sure you have not touched something infected with Salmonella Typhi.

Leadership Style Paper Essay

A leader is one who uses interpersonal skills to influence others to accomplish a specific goal. A manager, leader or supervisor is most of the time used interchangeably but they are all different. The function of a good leader is to achieve a consensus within the group to also provide structure and to empower each team member to achieve their goals and to achieve them successfully (Sullivan & Decker, 2005). Leadership according to the reading can be formal or informal. Informal leadership is demonstrated by staff that does not have an appointed management position; informal leadership solely depends upon someone’s knowledge or on the job training. Formal leadership is someone who is appointment as the manager or supervisor, and this leadership is also based upon personal skills set but maybe reinforced by organizational authority and position (Sullivan & Decker, 2005). To be a successful leader one must be skilled in empowering others to do well and be successful. A successful leader demonstrates effective communication skills, problem solving skills, and decision making skills. A good leader clearly define their purpose and mission, a good leader most often understand people and their needs good leaders also recognizes people differences and use this knowledge in their interaction with each individual. A good leader most importantly must be able to inspire others to commit to their goals and also inspire success (Sullivan & Decker, 2005). Considering the reading, President Barack Obama demonstrates great leadership characteristics. President Barack Obama is what you call an authentic leader, authentic leaders is one that is understands the struggles of the front-line staff, and he is compassionate those people and as well as the American People that depend on him and his leadership team to make major decisions for our country. President Barack Obama not only is compassionate  about the people that he directly work with on a daily basis to run the country, he make the citizens of the United States feel that he cares from his actions. The change that has occurred since he has been in office has impacted most Americans in some aspect of life, whether the American is considered upper, middle, or lower class consumers. President Obama not only displays authentic leadership skill, but he also displays some characteristics of share leadership, he is aware that it takes many great leaders together collaborating to achieve goals or get the job done. He understands that change doesn’t happen overnight and in order to achieve a goal one must maintain consistency and drive. President Barack Obama also displays characteristics of a serving leadership, upon being elected as the President of the United States his desire has been to serve the people of the United States of America. The President has displayed this type of leadership since the beginning of his career as President; he has always prioritized the needs of the people which he serves, in an effort to maintain a healthier and economically successful Nation. Reviewing the result of the Leadership and Team Self-Management assessment, I scored 51 which displayed excellent leadership skills. Considering the results of the assessment in comparison to The President leaderships is accurate, based upon the assessment the results displayed that I have excellent leadership skills. The leadership roles that President Obama displays that i personally don’t have would be the shared leadership trait, in some situations I would rather do the job alone instead of asking for help from others, not really considering that several helpful opinions is better than one opinion on any given day. I don’t consider myself having any traits or any leadership strengths that will supersede ones of President Barack Ob ama; he is a great leader and is very compassionate about the rich as well as the poor in America and this reason alone set his leadership skills apart from the previous President. President Barack Obama has shown several things since he has been in office he is an all-around great leader and family man. He is a leader within his family as well as to the United States of America from his humble spirit to his courageous spirit of getting things done and attempting to make a impacting change for the people of the United States of America. In conclusion, a great leader is someone who cares about the needs of the group as well as the needs of the people that they serve. A great  leader empowers, gives structure, and understand that everyone is different and not everyone can be managed the same. Reference Sullivan, E. J., & Decker, P. J. (2005). Effective Leadership and Management in Nursing (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Confusion and Anxiety in Robert Frost’s Poems Essay

During his lifetime, Robert Frost wrote poems that relate the confusion, anxiety, and struggles of the human mind. In his poems, he depicts how people’s minds may be imbued by confusion and anxiety as they experience pain and explore life’s possibilities. Particularly, in â€Å"The Road Not Taken† and â€Å"Acquainted with the Night,† the poet illustrates how thee two themes can lead a person to attempt to escape reality and give up one’s life. The two poems share similar elements, one of which is the persona. Both poems form the image of a confused person, someone filled with much anxiety. In â€Å"The Road Not Taken,† the author makes an analogy between the persona’s situation in the woods and real life decisions one has to make in life. As the persona chooses between the two roads in front of him, he wants some assurance that the road or decision he will make is right. Seeing that both roads look the same, he is quite confused which one to take. Nonetheless, he takes the road which he describes to be untraveled. Likewise, the persona in â€Å"Acquainted with the Night† suffers from confusion; but unlike the other, his confusion is worse and more intense, somehow similar to a dilemma. The way the author presents this is also climactic. First, he mentions the journey that he has taken, â€Å"I have walked out in rain — and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. (2-4) These journeys have made the persona weary and confused, which is why he claims to have been â€Å"acquainted with the night. † The night in the first stanza refers to the different images of the night that people are usually aware of. As he reveals in his journeys, there is the image of night based on its literal meaning, the image of night as the darkness or confusion, then there is also the image relating to sorrow and emptiness. As the two poems relate the journeys they take, the time element of the poems becomes significant. In the first poem, the persona describes a momentary confusion that could affect his lifetime. The decision he makes that time would reveal other realities he will face in the future. This shows the tendency of the persona to persevere and move on, despite obstructions along the road. In contrast, the persona in the second poem imparts a confused state that has long existed. As he reveals, he has been to many places, and has experienced a lot of sadness, thus he has been â€Å"acquainted with the night. † This ailing confusion makes him decide to stop, as he relates, â€Å"I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet. † This shows the desire of the persona to stop the confusion, or end the sorrow, which similarly suggests a desire for death. This is the very reason why the first line is repeated in the last stanza: to establish a different meaning of â€Å"night. † The luminary clock in line 12 is time itself, with all its abstractness. As it declares that â€Å"time was neither wrong nor right,† it tells the persona that it is not yet the right time for him to die, and in fact, it cannot declare whether it is the wrong time either for no one can actually predict death. Notably, as the persona confronts all these confusions, he implies the desire to discontinue, unlike the other persona who is more optimistic about his fate. As the personas in the poem think about their present struggles, they experience some anxieties. In the first poem, the persona expresses his anxiety regarding the road ahead of him, â€Å"I doubted if I should ever come back. † (15) In the real sense, he is anxious of the challenges he needs to face in life as he takes the untraveled road. In the second poem, the persona shows anxiety regarding sorrow and death. As he desires and waits for death to come, he apprehends and takes note of its coming in another person’s house â€Å"far away an interrupted cry came over houses from another street. † (8-9) It is not clear how the persona feels about his failure to die, but this thought adds up to his anxieties. The themes of confusion and anxiety are commonly illustrated in the two poems based on the mental processes that the personas undergo. As both personas undergo these experiences, there shows a tendency to digress or escape their present confusion. In the first poem, the persona wishes to elude the road he has taken but realizes there is no turning back while in the other, the persona tries to escape his sorrows by welcoming death. As both personas fail to give up their present realities, the author intentionally imparts a unified message to his readers; that is, no matter how confusing or challenging life is, taking up our journey is still the wisest option. Works Cited Frost, Robert. â€Å"Acquainted with the Night. † 1923. In New Hampshire. 12 May 2009 . Frost, Robert. â€Å"The Road Not Taken. † (n. d. ). Poets. org. 12 May 2009 .

Child Poverty

Why should we care about child poverty in the UK The term poverty Is used to describe people, Individuals or families who do not have as much money as other people in the society they live In. Poverty and child poverty go hand In hand, looking at the bigger picture If the parent's are living In poverty so will the children, with lots of different elements possibly causing this. They may have a poor diet due to the fact that fruit, vegetables, meat and fish can be expensive especially when you have very little money.They cannot afford to live in the customs society feels are normal for example sky television or the latest clothes or trainers. However it is not always just money that can affect someone living in poverty it can also be having little or no education. Often children who live in poverty will leave school, at sixteen with bad GEESE results or none at all, resulting in no Job or a low paid Job, leaving them unable to provide for their family. Child poverty is not Just famine or children dying In the developing world as television images would have us believe, It Is a big problem in the united Kingdom too (End child poverty,2013).Its time our eyes were opened to the fact that â€Å"at least one out of every six children In the united Kingdom lives In relative poverty' (BBC News, 2013). Child poverty can occur from many different elements â€Å"Is the single greatest threat to the well-being of children and families† (Bombards, 2013). A two parent family with two children needs to earn IEEE. O per week to stay above the poverty line, many families fall under this figure. Unemployment , low paid jobs, uneducated or poorly educated people contributed with high child care costs all attribute to the problem.As does inadequate benefits, the set levels of benefits can leave people below the poverty line (Save the children). Poverty can mean being cold or hungry often they are not able to enjoy a simple holiday as a family. Many miss out on clubs at sch ool or after school and activities because they simply do not have the money. There are two ways to measure poverty, relative; net income that Is below sixty per cent of median net disposable Income and absolute; which Is adjusted to Inflation (BBC News, 2013). Slung relative the governments preferred measure of poverty, figures show here is no change in child poverty.However using absolute measure it shows poverty is a big problem for one in every six children (BBC News, 201 3). Living in poverty can affect the child's goals, expectations and achievements, this also tends to repeat from generation to generation. Resulting in a cycle of poverty (End child poverty, 2013). The consciences of poverty continue through the generations, as adults the children are more likely to be unemployed because they are not qualified to gain a decent Job to earn money for themselves or their families, be homeless, buffer ill health both physically and mentally.Many struggle with social interaction of ten feeling excluded from society. It affects the child/children, the parent's, family and the society around them. It can affect every area of a child's development, social, educational and personal. Many become Involved In drug abuse, alcohol abuse and abusive relationships as they reach adulthood (Barnyards, 2013). The Issue of child poverty and the reoccurring cycle can be tackled by better education to help them achieve more skills and aim tort higher goals.Investing in nigh quality education and hillside for young children and offering support to parent's, could help break the link between being poor and not doing well. The work and pensions secretary lain Duncan smith said â€Å"the government's aim was to get children out of poverty by getting more people into wore( BBC News, 2013). Unemployed parent's should be given every possible bit of help to get a Job, a good well paid one, with flexibility offered and help with childcare costs ( Child poverty action group,2000-2013). People in work should not be paid below the poverty line, increasing the minimum wage would help.The child poverty act legislation ensures action must be taken to tackle child poverty by this and the future governments, by the devolved administrations and by local government and their partners. The act sets out four United Kingdom targets which are to be met by 2020. They are that relative low income will be less than ten per cent. That combined low income and material deprivation (living standards) will be less than five per cent. Absolute low income will be less than five per cent and that persistent poverty (the length of time) will be set in regulations by 2015.The government is required to produce child poverty strategies that run through to 2020 and are refreshed every three years. These strategies will set out what action is needed to meet the targets in the child poverty act (Department for education, 2012). Child poverty is a big issue in the I-J and should be tackled appr opriately so that less children in families with low income or no income suffer, decreasing the long term effects such as no Jobs or low paid Jobs, ill health, mentally and physically, homelessness, poor education, poor diet, being cold because there's to enough money for heating and food.Making sure there is adequate education available to children and encouraging them to achieve good GASES to enable them to gain a well-paid good Job to support their family, support should be offered along the way. More awareness of the issues could help the government in their plight to uphold the targets in the child poverty act. As many people are not aware of the seriousness of the situation partly because of the media and their constant coverage of famine and dying children in the developing world (End child poverty, 2013).

Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 4

Maggie was dreaming. She knew she was dreaming, and that was strange enough, but what was even stranger was the fact that she knew it wasn'tan ordinary dream. This was something†¦that came from outside her, that was being †¦ sent. Some deep part ofher mind fumbled for the proper words, seethingwith frustration, even while the normal part of her was busy staring around her and being afraid. Mist. Mist everywhere, white tendrils that snakedgracefully across her vision and coiled around herlike genii that had just been let out of lamps. She had the feeling that there were dark shapes out inthe mist; she seemed to see them looming out of the corner of her eye, but as soon as she turned they were obscured again. Gooseflesh rose on Maggie's arms. It wasn't justthe touch of the mist. There was a noise that madethe hairs on the back of her neck tingle. It was justat the threshold of hearing, distorted by distanceor something else, and it seemed to be calling overand over again, â€Å"Who are you?† Give me a break,Maggie thought. She shook herhead hard to get rid of the prickly feeling on herneck. This is just way too†¦too Gothic.Do Ialways have corny dreams like this? But the next moment something happened thatsent a new chill washing over her, this time oneof simple, everyday alarm. Something was comingthrough the mist, fast. She turned, stiffening. And then, strangely, everything seemed to change at once. The mist began to recede. She saw a figure, darkagainst it, nothing more than a silhouette at first.For just an instant she thought of Miles-but thethought was gone almost as quickly as it came. Itwas a boy, but a stranger, she could tell by theshape of him and the way he moved. He wasbreathing hard and calling in a desperate voice,†Where are you? Where are you?† So that was it. Not â€Å"Whoare you,† Maggiethought. â€Å"Where are you? Maggie! Where are you?† The sound of her own name startled her. Buteven as she drew in a sharp breath, he turned andsaw her. And stopped short. The mist was almost gonenow and she could see his face. His expression wasone of wonder and relief and joy. â€Å"Maggie,† he whispered. Maggie stood rooted to the spot. She didn't knowhim. She was positive she had never seen him before. But he was staring at herasif†¦ asif shewere the most important thing in the universe tohim, and he'd been searching for her for years untilhe'd almost given up hope. She was too astonished to moveashe suddenly erupted from stillness. In three long steps he was in front of her, his handsclosing on her shoulders. Gently. Not possessively. Butasif he had theabsolute right to do this, andasif he needed toconvince himself she was real. â€Å"It worked. I got through,† he said. He was the most striking person she'd ever seen.Dark hair, a little rough and tousled, with a tendency to wave. Smooth fair skin, elegant bones. A mouth that lookedasif it normally might be proud and willful, but right now was simply vulnerable. And fearless, brilliant yellow eyes. It was those eyes that held her, arresting andstartling in an already distinctive face. No, she hadnever seen him before. She would have remembered. He was a whole head taller than she was, andlithe and nicely muscled. But Maggie didn't have a feeling of being overpowered. There was so muchtender anxiety in his face, and something nearpleading in those fierce, blacklashed golden eyes. â€Å"Listen, I know you don't understand, and I'msorry. But it was so hard getting through-andthere isn't much time.† Dazed and bewildered, Maggie latched onto thelast sentence almost mechanically. â€Å"What do you mean-getting through?† â€Å"Never mind. Maggie, you have to leave; do youunderstand that? As soonas you wake up, you getout of here.† â€Å"Leave where?†Maggie was more confused than ever, not for lack of information, but because she was suddenly threatened by too much of it. Sheneeded to remember-where had she gone tosleep? Something had happened, something involv ing Miles. She'd been worried about him†¦. â€Å"My brother,† she said with sudden urgency. â€Å"I was looking for my brother. I need to find him.†Even though she couldn't remember exactly why. The golden eyes clouded over. â€Å"You can't thinkabout him now. I'm sorry.† â€Å"You know something a-â€Å" â€Å"Maggie, the important thing is for you to getaway safe. And to do that you have to go as soonas you wake up. I'm going to show you the way.† He pointed through the mist, and suddenly Maggie could see a landscape, distant but clear, like afilm being projected on a veil of smoke. â€Å"There's a pass, just below the big overhanging rock. Do you see it?† Maggie didn't understand why she needed to see it. She didn't recognize the landscape, although it might have been anywhere in the Olympics or theCascade mountain range above the tree line. â€Å"First you find the place where you see threepeaks together, the same height and leaning towardeach other. Do you see? And then you look downuntil you find the overhanging rock. It's shaped like a wave breaking. Do you see?† His voice was so urgent and imperious that Maggie had to answer. â€Å"I see. But-â€Å" â€Å"Remember it. Find it. Go and never look back. If you get away all right, the rest doesn't matter.† His face was pale now, the features carved in ice.†The whole world can fall into ruin, for all I care.† And then, with the suddenness that characterizedallhis movements, he leaned forward and kissedher. A nice kiss, on the cheek. She felt his warm, quick breath there, then his lips pressing lightly, and then a sudden quivering in them, asif he wereovercome by some strong emotion. Passion, maybe, or excruciating sadness. â€Å"I love you,† he whispered, his breath stirring thehair by her ear. â€Å"I did love you. Always remember that.† Maggie was dizzy with confusion. She didn't understand anything, and she should push this stranger away. But she didn't want to. Howeverfrightened she was, it wasn't of him. In fact, shehad an irresistible feeling of peace and security inhis arms. A feeling of belonging. â€Å"Who are you?† she whispered. But beforehecould answer,everythingchanged again. The mist came back. Not slowly, but like fog rolling in, quick and silent, muffling everything. Thewarm, solid body against Maggie's suddenlyseemed insubstantial, as if it were made of fogitself. â€Å"Wait a minute-† She could hear her voice rising in panic, but deadened by the pearly cocoonaround her. And then†¦lie was gone. Her arms were holding only emptiness. And all she could see was white.

Anti-Italian American Prejudice and Discrimination

Anti-Italian American Prejudice and Discrimination Mezzogiorno Nearly three-fourths of all Italian immigrants to the United States came from the southernmost provinces of Italy. Known as Il Mezzogiorno, it was the country’s most impoverished region, with the illiteracy rate at a staggering 70 percent in 1900, and longstanding oppression from Italy’s Northern-dominated government. Southern Italian economy relied on agriculture, but natural disasters of volcano eruptions and earthquakes in the early 20th century devastated what little cultivatable land there was (Mintz, 2007). Unable to sustain tolerable living conditions, most became migrant workers. Between the years of 1876 and 1924, nearly 5 million Italians arrived in the United States (Pozzetta, 2008). About one-fourth remained in New York City, while more than half settled in the middle Atlantic states and New EnglandMany Italian immigrants had no plans of establishing permanent homes in the United States. Most were young men who left behind their wives and childr en with hopes of brief absence-they would find employment, collect their pay, and return home. They lived prudently in conditions that were regarded as intolerable by ordinary American families (Mintz, 2007). Commonly working unskilled jobs in construction and public development, roughly half of the Italian immigrant population in the early 1900’s was made up of manual laborers (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2009). Although the United States appealed to emigrating Italians as the best prospective destination to find work, Gambino (2002) asserts that American industry sought immigrants to replace the emancipated slave class. Many Italian immigrants in the North took positions in sweatshops and factories, while others were recruited to work on Southern plantations where slave labor had since been abolished (LaGumina, 1999). However, those in larger urban areas often found dominance in skilled artisan trades they had once practiced in Italy, such as shoemaking, tailorin g, and barbering (Pozzetta, 2008). Though still generally confined to a lower class, many Italian immigrants found solidarity in highly concentrated ethnic neighborhoods (Mangione & Morreale, 1993). Little Italies The emergence of â€Å"Little Italies† was prompted in large part by the intolerance and hostility that Italian immigrants faced in mainstream American society (Pozzetta, 2008). A working class minority that was defined by some as â€Å"not quite white† (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2009), or the â€Å"missing link† between black and white (Borsella, 2005), they often faced discrimination in housing opportunities. Italian immigrants themselves were slow to seek assimilation because traditionally, la famiglia (the family) and l’ordine della famiglia (the rules of behavior and responsibility to the family) came before any affiliation with a larger-scale community (Mintz, 2007). This resistance began to fade as subsequent generations stra yed from the strict codes of their parents. With the dawn of World War II, more than 500,000 Italian Americans served in the U.S. military, proving to many that their loyalties to the country were strong. By the 1950’s it seemed that Italian immigrants, now secure in identifying as Italian Americans, had found a true home in the United States (Pozzetta, 2008). Anti-Italian prejudice however, though less pronounced, still endured. Dating back to the early 20th century and the apex of the group’s immigration, society and popular culture have attached a number of stereotypes to Italian Americans. Arguably the most distinctive stereotype is that of association with La Cosa Nostra, or the American Mafia (Pozzetta, 2008). Released in 1972, the critically-acclaimed and wildly popular film The Godfather became the archetype of Hollywood’s â€Å"Mafia movie† industry, depicting Italian Americans as ruthless criminals, a label that had long vilified their ethnic id entity. Many Italian Americans, after having fought the stereotype for decades, came to embrace the Mafia image that had captivated American moviegoers and provided a highly profitable new avenue for filmmakers. The 1990’s introduced the film Goodfellas (1990) and the television series The Sopranos (1999), both of which reinforced the hardcore gangster image (Borsella, 2005). Other predominant Italian American stereotypes in film and television often still include the feisty young woman with a taste for gaudy fashion, the lovable womanizer, and the overweight matriarch with excessive jewelry and a pot of spaghetti (Pozzetta, 2008).

Human Genome Project Using PCR Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Human Genome Project Using PCR - Dissertation Example Annexin A5 is a classical member of the chordate annexin family. It displays essential tetra structure and calcium-dependent phospholipid binding. It is one of the few annexins that can be found within the extracellular matrix. Annexin A5 has been postulated to be an inhibitor of coagulation due to its ability to attach to anionic phospholipids exposed of surfaces of platelets (Gerke & Moss, 2010). Consequently, this important gene inhibits platelet aggregation and down regulates surface presentation of tissue factor. The annexin A5 gene covers approximately 9 kb of the human chromosome 4q27. It comprises of one non-translated exon and 12 coding exons. Little is known about the regulation of the annexin A5 gene expression. Annexin A5 is an abundantly and ubiquitously expressed protein with highest concentrations in the liver, placenta and kidney. The human annexin A5 gene produces numerous transcripts and has a complex promoter which is subject to intricate regulation mechanism (Gerk e & Moss, 2010). Annexin A5 has been implicated in a wide range of disease phenotypes and etiology including recurrent pregnancy losses and cancer. It is a calcium and phospholipid protein localized within the surface of the placental syncytiotrophoblast layer. This protein performs vital anticoagulant function within the maternal blood and specifically at the intervillous space. Recently, it has been reported that polymorphisms in the promoter region of the annexin A5 gene can significantly be linked to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Particularly, women who possess the M2 haplotype have more than two-fold higher risk of fetal loss compared to non-carriers (Bogdanova, Horst, Chlystun, Croucher, Nebel, Bohring, et al. 2010). Additionally, annexin A5 has been reported to be a vascular anticoagulant-?, placental anticoagulant protein I, liporcotin V, endonexin II, anchorin CII and placental protein 4. The annexin A5 gene spans 29 kilobases and has 13 exons which encode a single transcript of approximately 1.6 kb. The protein product of this gene has a molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa (Carcedo, Iglesias, Bances, Morgan & Fernandez, 2011). Official name of the gene: annexin A5 Official symbol: ANXA5 Gene type: protein coding Other names: PP4, ANX5, ENX2, RPRGL3 Chromosomal location: 4q27 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Annexin A5 is a classical member of the chordate annexin family. It displays essential tetra structure and calcium-dependent phospholipid binding. It is one of the few annexins that can be found within the extracellular matrix. Annexin A5 has been postulated to be an inhibitor of coagulation due to its ability to attach to anionic phospholipids exposed